Without his Hippogriff, Artoria was not particularly fast. Like Mordred, his speed was B-Rank.
So even though he made a quick getaway while she was stunned by his utter shamelessness, he still could not outrun Mordred when she enhanced herself with Mana Burst.
Just as the "demon" hot on his heels was about to claim his life, a certain Archer in the distance finally came to his rescue.
More than a dozen Light Arrows hurtled toward Mordred, humming with magic power.
In the blink of an eye, Mordred abandoned Astolfo, who was almost within reach, and raised the King's Sword at her side instead, blocking Chiron's first wave of attacks.
Although she cut down the arrows that followed with swings of her sword, their tremendous force drove Mordred back two full steps.
"Tch. Not bad."
Watching Astolfo rapidly pull away again, Mordred chose not to continue the chase. Instead, she traced the arrows' trajectories back to Chiron's position.
"You sneaky bastard! Just you wait!"
Crimson Lightning erupted beneath her feet. Like a semitruck, Mordred plowed through the Automatons and Dragon Tooth Warriors, hacking a path straight to Yggdmillennia Castle!
From his elevated vantage point, Chiron naturally saw it all. Yet he calmly drew his bow, following the guidance of [Clairvoyance] to aim his arrow at the perfect spot.
"Do you need my help?"
Avicebron's voice came through the telepathic channel, and Chiron politely declined:
"No need. I'll handle this."
Twang~
The instant Chiron released his index, middle, and ring fingers, the Pelion Wooden Bow in his hand snapped back with a hum, sending the arrow on its string flying.
Spiraling divine aura wrapped around the arrow. Though it was clearly headed toward an empty patch of ground, Chiron's face showed not the slightest frustration or regret at having missed.
Why?