"Connla will protect this village! Alriiight! Bring it on, from wherever you are!"
"If even one Knight of the Round Table shows up, it would be worth wielding my spear. But well, peace is best."
"...A settlement of the people. We must protect it, Sir Karna."
"That is correct, Sir Heracles."
"Oops, look at this... I don't feel like losing at all!"
"Thank you, Sphinx. You should return to where you belong. Give my regards to Rameses."
"Eh? We're not flying there?! The ship is right above us, so why?!"
"Why, you ask? If we can fly ourselves, why should we borrow someone else's hand?"
"Eh? Eh? Hyaaaaa?!"
"Rice-Princess Carry."
"Wa-wa-wait, what?! What is this?!"
"If you talk, you'll bite your tongue. Heave—"
He pulled back his right hand.
"—HO!"
Moses slammed his hand against the earth with all his might.
"GYATEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE————!!?"
The struck earth collapsed like a crater from a meteorite impact, gouged out and engraved with a massive scar.
"It's been a while since I tried that, but it went well! Good, good! Let's go just like this!"
Using the recoil and divine protection to bound upward, Moses and Sanzaang flew through the sky, propelled by kinetic energy and blessings.
"Look, they are the people trying to save Human Order. Wouldn't it be rude not to offer a greeting?"
"WUKOOOOOONG————!!! TOUTAAAAAA————!!!"
"Never forgetting your disciples, anytime, anywhere! You truly are a wonderful master!"
"SOMEONE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS FREEDOM-OBSESSED DISCIPLE————!!!"
Encounter with Goodness • Fortress Strategy Meeting
The Golden Ship, the throne that soars the heavens—Vimana—raced through the sky.
The time was 0600 hours. The day ahead would be turbulent. We would overcome the Sun King's trials, fully organize our armaments and preparations, rest for a day, and then challenge the Lion King to the decisive battle.
Speed is essential in war... It would be a day of swift action, adhering to the words of the ancients.
"Ordinarily, I would do nothing but observe with wine in hand... but the situation is what it is. Time is of the essence. Therefore, I shall personally devise the strategy for this fortress raid."
Gathered on Vimana were the Knight King, Ricca, Mash, the three Hassans, and Iskandar. And, riding the 'Barque of the Dark Night,' were Ozymandias and, secretly, Nefertari.
"Old Men of the Mountain. I trust you have fulfilled the reconnaissance and information gathering befitting your name."
"Ha. Through this Cursed Arm's reconnaissance, we have detailed information on the fortress's layout, geography, and the prisoner."
I looked over the report submitted by Cursed Arm Hassan.
—Ten guards on patrol, ten on alert on the ramparts... Absence of a commander, chain of command paralyzed due to the Holy City's confusion.
This development was quite favorable for us. If there wasn't a single Round Table Knight, then not even a 'one-in-a-million' chance of failure could occur.
More than that, the problem was the geography. The dungeon... It had turned into a vast labyrinth extending three floors underground, a troublesome construction designed to entrap intruders.
The Hassan was reportedly at the very bottom, in the deepest part. ...Normally, this would be a back-breaking conquest and infiltration, but...
"Trivial. There is no need to bother showing our faces in a moldy, death-reeking hole. We shall kick them about from the front."
Common sense did not apply to the King. Rather, for the Hero King who defined common sense, this was especially true.
"Listen well. The time allotted for this fortress is one hour. You may finish early, but I will not permit you to exceed it. We end everything within that hour. Do not worry. The stratagem is already visible."
Everyone fixed their gaze on the King. Answering them, the King spun his words.
"First—you Hassans. Clear the people from the fortress. Neutralize and remove every single mongrel on the surface. You need not kill them. In fact, do not kill them; it is tedious. Besides, they will serve as baggage for the reinforcements that arrive later."
—The Hassans will handle the prep work for the raid.
Considering the method we'd use in the next stage... it would be bad if even a single person remained in the fortress.
"Understood. Leave it to us."
"If it is mere soldiers, it is our turn."
"Diversion, disruption. Against soldiers, we can fulfill this to our heart's content."
No one voiced an objection to the King's words. It was simply because everyone placed their trust in the King's proposal.
Among the Old Men of the Mountain, there were no fools who would doubt the Hero King who had lavishly spent his treasury to enrich the people.
—Trust really does require being rich in both mind and body, huh!
(That's the truth! If you're fulfilled, your heart has room to spare!)
Snap, went the high-five between Air and Fou.
"Air. Select the 'Veil of Night'."
At the King's words, I straightened up sharply.
—Yes. The Noble Phantasm that forcibly changes the surroundings to 'Night'. change the surroundings to 'Night'.
It was necessary for the next stage. Therefore—
—Selection is already complete. Please confirm.
I had already retrieved and located it. From the moment I heard we were taking down a fortress, I had selected most of the treasures that might be used or required for the likely procedures.
"—Umu, well done. To complete the selection without instruction... you are a princess who is attentive to the very end."
—This is my battle, after all.
Accepting my gaze filled with determination, the Hero King spilled a proud smile.
"Once the clearing of people is finished—Master. 'Blow the fortress away.' Annihilate it with the Moon's Blessing. No need for restraint."
The next stage was the 'Removal of Obstacles'. We would blow away the troublesome structure, the 'Fortress' itself, destroying it completely.
"The Knight King's Holy Sword and the Sun's Eye are somewhat too conspicuous. With the power of the Moon's Light—you and the Goddess—it should not cause much of a stir. You can do it, yes?"
"Of course! If the people are cleared out, it's a piece of cake! Right, Artemis!"
At Ricca's words, Artemis in the window struck a victory pose.
'Leave it to me—! For Ricca's sake, I'd bare my skin or do just about anything!'
'Stop it. Please stop stripping voluntarily and then cursing people for peeping on you.'
Ignoring the husband-and-wife comedy routine with Orion, the King explained the further stages.
"Once the fortress is blown away, the rest is fast. We shall invite the Sun's Eye and Chaldea's Kamangir to 'Pierce the earth and open a great hole leading directly to the front of the underground dungeon cell.' That shall be the entry and exit point. With this, we can break through regardless of any labyrinth."
Yes. Rather than entering the maze, we would take the method of 'connecting the maze to the exit'. It was warp theory. Attaching the exit directly to the entrance.
'You mean pierce the earth with my arrow and Lord Ozymandias? Haha, that's some heavy responsibility.'
Even while saying that, Arash showed no sign of timidity. His determination to accomplish the task was transmitted even through the screen.
"Haha, very well! A strike from Mesektet, and the Brave Hero's Strong Bow! We shall surely pierce the earth!"
Seeing Ozymandias laugh loudly, I couldn't help but feel how reliable he was.
'Rameses has been like that the whole time. He seems to be having so much fun, he can't help himself. He really does love everyone.'
Proudly, gently, Nefertari spun words through the secret comms line.
—Yeah! The Hero King, the Sun King, the Conqueror King, and the Knight King! I don't feel like we can lose!
(A strictly King-only army... that's actually pretty terrifying in a way...)
Fou groomed his fur while laughing. He, too, didn't think for a second that we would lose.
If anything... he even seemed to be expecting a thrilling battle.
"The ones jumping into the bored hole will be you lot. Master, Mash, Knight King. Rescue Hassan swiftly and return."
"Understood. Without fail."
The Knight King nodded strongly.
"Yes! Let's definitely save Hassan-san!"
"Increasing our allies is a good thing!"
Mash raised her shield; Ricca cracked her knuckles.
—We've been together since we were nameless, but... you two have become so reliable...
I soaked in the deep emotion. Back in Singularity F, Master could only watch, Mash could barely stand, and I...
—I guess an Archer who throws away his treasury really was rare! Oh King!
"Fuhaha, how nostalgic. Making me engage in hand-to-hand combat so ill-suited to my station."
—I am terribly sorry about that time!
I bowed deeply. I'm sorry I tried to punch you right off the bat!
"Hahaha, I forgive you. What, it remains a rather fresh experience for me as well."
—And, the greatest thing she grasped from the Singularities is probably her.
'Please leave the perimeter alert to me. Worst case, I'll trap them in a Reality Marble.'
'If you like, I can give them riddles, you know~? Though they'll be Phy-si-cal ♥ ones~♥'
Olga Marie proposed with determination and responsibility, and Sheba-nyan, Roman's partner, followed suit.
'I'll also let you know immediately if there are magic traps, or just disarm them. I can do at least that much.'
Roman, in the form of Solomon, laughed. —He had broken free from the lack of freedom where he couldn't even scream.
He was fighting alongside his comrades, as a compatriot challenging the future. There was no room for injustice or inadequacy there.
He was already human... and he was our comrade.
"So, I am the military force against reinforcements? Wahaha! appointing the Conqueror King as a mobile interceptor—what bold command!"
Good! Interesting! Iskandar laughed while slapping his knee.
"You possess abilities suited for stalling and repelling. The forces coming to the fortress will not be a great army. Scatter the few small fry as you please."
The Chariot, Gordius Wheel, and the Ionioi Hetairoi that drags enemies into a Reality Marble.
"Umu! Good! It is rare for the Hero King to take command personally! This is a battle worth swallowing whole! Besides... in matters of invasion, I am a man with great familiarity! Such a deployment is fresh! Once in a while is fine! Wahahahaha!!"
Iskandar laughed heartily. —It seemed he accepted the cooperation as right and just. —Thank goodness.
"And I shall oversee the whole. I will determine when to retreat, declare the completion, and take the role of retrieving you mongrels. Do not miss a single word of my Royal Voice, understood?"
It wasn't just instructions. Support via the treasury, time calculation, working backwards. He had to sense changes in the situation and coordinate everyone.
Even without moving his body, it was a role of heavy responsibility. None but the Hero King could fulfill it. A role solely for the Hero King who possessed the Eyes that Oversee.
—My job is treasure selection and lock-on. Supporting fire to scatter the enemies on the other side of the hole.
—If I do it calmly, it'll be fine, right, Fou?
(Of course, Air. For the sake of protecting everyone here, stay calm and cool.)
I nodded deeply at Fou's encouragement.
"—All units! You have grasped your roles! Complete victory in this battle is a matter of course! It would be harder to find a reason to lose against a desolate fortress raid! After retrieval, we head immediately to our destination! Understood?! Consider that in this one day, tomorrow's future will waver and change! A battle of complete victory, conversely, is synonymous with a last stand where defeat is not permitted!"
The King rose from his throne.
"All units! Fulfill your own roles completely! If you struggle with a mere little girl, know that defeating the Lion King is but a dream within a dream!"
Everyone returned a strong nod to the King's words.
"—Good faces. Then you are prepared! Let us go! Operation: GORGEOUS ☆ Fortress Rescue! Let the curtain rise!!"
Vimana roared. Now, to the fortress—
It was then.
"Wait, waaaaait—!! If you are performing acts of aid, virtue, and good deeds, leaving me out is strictly forbidden! If it is a battle to save the world that the Buddha has forgiven, for the sake of the world and people! I push through with mercy and determination! I come, I come, I humbly come forth! That is the path I walk!"
Suddenly, a grand speech and a woman's voice echoed out.
'—Two Servant reactions! They're approaching from directly below with incredible speed! One is unmistakably a top-class Servant! And the other is... what is this?! It's fluctuating between intense and weak, and it's colorful! How should I put it...!'
"Allow me to give my name! Please, let me lend you my strength! Aiming for Tianzhu on an endless journey! My name, always foreseen by the Buddha, is—"
"Ah, well, I'm going to throw you now. My business is over there."
—The two Servants flying up from the ground were a man and a woman.
The man was a mysterious youth with pale purple hair, clad in white priestly robes. He had a refreshing and gentle atmosphere.
"GYATEEEEEE—!! I HAVEN'T FINISHED MY INTRODUCTIOOOOON—!! YOU FREEDOM-LOVING DISCIPLE—!!"
He threw the woman onto Vimana.
"Hello! Please let us join your group! Heave-ho!"
—Fwah?!
(Huh?!)
He punched a 'wall of air' in mid-flight, naturally changed direction, and landed on the 'Barque of the Dark Night'.
"Please get along with my Master—! She's a crybaby and noisy, but she's a good person—!"
The mysterious youth waved his hand from atop Mesektet.
"—It seems the Sun is blessed with connections this time. Making the Holy Land a reunion is a bold move indeed."
The King laughed pleasantly. It seemed he had an idea of who it was.
—She is...
"Are you okay? You look like someone holy."
Ricca reached out a hand.
"If you're an ally, you're welcome! You seem like a good person!"
"No way! You understand my virtue?!"
Ricca nodded vigorously.
"That introduction just now was wonderful! I want to hear it one more time!"
At the encore request, her expression shone.
"Good! You're good! Honest, sensible, and you seem kind! Huh? But somehow your soul looks like obsidian? ...Well, fine! Then, once more!"
Sharin, rang the staff in her hand.
"I am Xuanzang Sanzang! Now that I am here, it's going to be okay! Together with my disciple there, we're going to perfectly save the world!"
In terms of holiness, she was top class. The high priest of unbridled freedom who made three lawless youkai hold their heads in their hands—
"So... My disciple! Please lend me your strength to save Touta, I beg of you——!!!"
Sanzang appeared before everyone in a dogeza bow.
—Saints can fly, huh, Fou...
(Type-Moon really fundamentally misunderstands what a Saint is...)
"—Holy, Power—"
"Hmph. The main gate was a difficult problem, but it seems that issue has vanished without effort—"
The two Kings understood the meaning of the two Saints—
"——————————What... is this?"
"Hey, Rameses. Nefertari. Long time no see!"
"Oh my...!"
"Have you been well? I'm the same as ever. —I'm so happy for you, Rameses. To be able to meet Nefertari... what kind of miracle happened?"
"————————"
"...Rameses?"
"What... —What..."
Rising from his throne, Ozymandias pulled Moses and Nefertari into an embrace.
"Rameses—"
"Ahaha. You're as moody as ever..."
"What... —What a miracle this is... —To think that at the edge of time, we could meet again like this... —My most beloved, Nefertari... and... my sworn friend... Moses..."
Ozymandias continued to shed tears of joy and blessing.
-------------------------------
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