Chapter 155 Towards the Crusade Battlefield
Clad in protective gear, the horses of brown, red, yellow, black, and white, all of different shapes, gleamed under the sunlight. Blades, spears, swords, and various armor shone as well. Bearded burly men and gallant young knights, accompanied by attendant knights, with infantry arranged beneath them, stood outside King Pellinore's camp.
The Celts, the Britons, Camelot—all had come to an end with the flames of war and the passage of time. The invincible King Arthur, who they hated and revered, had ended his life in the most tragic way. Hatred, regret, shame, sorrow—all these emotions surged in their hearts, yet it was over.
Some of them had become heroic spirits, even possessing strength comparable to the Round Table Knights, but most were lost in the river of time, summoned here due to the unique circumstances of this world.
When these spirits returned to the world, they initially received memories transmitted by the world's rules, or were shocked by the prosperity of the present world.
Or, upon seeing how their own convictions and beliefs had led to the demise of their nation or people, they felt it absurd.
Ultimately, they accepted it. Even if resentful in their hearts, they could only accept this fact.
Arthur was strong. Though she appeared as a childlike girl, an immortal monster, always stern and emotionless, rational to an almost inhuman degree, and no one could truly understand what the King desired or pursued—she tirelessly protected her country and served her people.
Someone like her, in life, could provoke conflict over interests or beliefs and could burn one with the brilliance of a saint.
But looking back, she was impossible to hate. Though most could not understand the saint or keep pace with her, they respected her devotion and sacrifice for others.
Now, the blonde girl stood atop the camp's high platform, surveying the knights who had gathered upon hearing the summons.
"I am Artoria Pendragon! Former King of Britain who defeated Vortigern! Tonight, I will lead the army to slay the dragon. Strong warriors with ambition, knights seeking justice—come to the battlefield and fight alongside us!"
"King Arthur… that revered one who signed a non-aggression pact with us, though I tore it up back then," a legion's lord said, opening his eyes upon hearing the announcement.
"It really is a long-missed face. Back then, I followed this King purely, fighting solely to protect our homeland. Thinking back, it was truly delightful," a knight said with a nostalgic gaze.
"King of Knights… the King to whom we once pledged loyalty," muttered knights from different banners, their shields and armor bearing various emblems.
"Gentlemen, victory or defeat over the dragon rests in this battle! I guarantee it with the sword of oath, Excalibur, and will bring you victory!" The blonde King raised her sword and declared this.
The knights raised their weapons in response.
"Oh oh oh! King Arthur! King Arthur! King Arthur!"
That afternoon, the knights and barbarians still clashed. But this time, it was no longer chaotic slaughter. They were eliminating the Black Mud–infected spirits, endlessly killed and summoned, repeatedly used.
Barbarian King Sam and his two towering sons, wielding giant axes and stone hammers, struck down charging war boars. A barbarian soldier seized a boar by the head; axes and hammers instantly smashed its skull, sending white and pink brain matter flying.
"Brother! Wait… tonight you shall be freed!"
Knights pierced the crimson-eyed soldiers with spears, laying their fallen comrades gently on the ground and closing their eyes.
Shirou and Mor-chan joined the battlefield, back-to-back, protecting one another as they fought.
Shirou wielded black-and-white projection swords in battle. The golden spear's holy light burned the Black Mud, so he had to keep the spear sheathed.
"So troublesome! No matter how many we kill, the monsters never end!" Mordred shouted, raising the magic sword with both hands and cleaving a war boar in two, clearly annoyed.
"Hold on! We're at 70% now, one more hour! To prevent the dragon from rampaging prematurely, we need to weaken its power as much as possible. Control the corpses it absorbs to the critical point," Da Vinci said from Chaldea, calculating energy values with her equipment.
Meanwhile, four or five tall knights in varying armor ran from a distance. On the other side of the mountain charged a mammoth-like War Boar King, kicking up clouds of dust behind it.
Red-eyed knights and monsters clashed recklessly on the battlefield, killing without distinguishing friend from foe. Many soldiers were caught off guard and killed instantly.
"80%!" Da Vinci reported from Chaldea.
Lamarloc swept aside the approaching red giant knights with his spear, then emitted silver light, the unstoppable spear piercing through. He looked back and warned the boy and girl:
"Lord Shirou, Lord Mordred! Be careful! These knights are formidable foes who once challenged the Round Table!"
"90%!"
"Hmph! Let the dogs fight! Rebel against my father- Clarent Blood Arthur!" Mordred swung red lightning ignited with demonic flames at the War Boar King entangled with the giant knights, engulfing the enemies in blinding light.
"Crane Wing Triple Strike!" Shirou charged before a lone giant knight with a sword, unleashing his signature triple strike. The final blow tore an X-shaped gap through the armor, and the knight collapsed.
The battle continued relentlessly. Black Mud–controlled evil spirits killed now would be re-summoned the next moment, turning into Black Mud, nourishing the land.
On Chaldea's computer screens, the data quality continued rising, from blue numbers reaching the red critical point.
"Now!" Da Vinci shouted.
"Retreat!!!" Artoria called from the rear.
Soldiers behind waved banners, signaling withdrawal.
"Retreat! Retreat!" Shirou, with the keenest eyes, sensed the signal first and shouted to the surrounding knights.
"Retreat!" Hearing the command, mounted knights shouted to their squires and turned their horses back, retreating.
"Shirou! Get on!" Mordred rode her warhorse, slashing away blocking monsters, calling to the boy.
"Got it!" Shirou jumped on, and the two rode a single horse, quickly retreating.
Roar!!!
At that moment, a deep roar came from underground, shaking the earth. The battlefield's center suddenly rose into a small hill. Spikes along the dragon's back formed a row of jagged peaks—Vortigern, the dragon, had appeared.
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