A madwoman, Sawamura Eriri.
A twisted woman, Sawamura Eriri.
A woman who disregards humanity, whose emotions have reached their limit, Sawamura Eriri.
Knowing Eriri, and understanding her nature better than most, even more than Eriri's own parents, in Hayasaka's eyes, Eriri had already reached a non-human level.
Purely in terms of mental state, if not for Eriri having received a human upbringing and education since childhood, with emotions and reason restraining her, her instincts should have been those of a heteromorphic species.
Using the Overlord worldview, in Albedo's eyes, Eriri was like Princess Renner… human on the surface, but her spirit was undoubtedly that of a demon.
Therefore... even though Eriri's opponents were the King of Knights of Britain and the Witch, Hayasaka did not doubt Eriri's combat prowess.
In her eyes, an Eriri who had cast off all restraints undoubtedly had the power to fight. The battle between these women would definitely not be a one-sided crush.
"Merlin-sama, what would you like to wager?"
Since the young lady she served all her life, Shinomiya Kaguya, are not here, Hayasaka now unquestionably regarded Ryuya as her master.
Adhering to the principles of a maid, she, like Hope, was generally indifferent and formal towards anyone other than Ryuya.
No, it should be said she was even colder than Hope, since Hope still had Crimson Moon to serve, but Hayasaka's former restraint, Kaguya, was not here.
Her azure eyes looked at Merlin. She felt no fear towards this legendary strategist of Camelot, the other seemed just like an ordinary person.
"A wager?"
She suggested a bet, but when it came to deciding the stakes, she didn't know what she wanted. Merlin pondered left and right, then suddenly had a mischievous idea.
"Hayasaka, I wager with you..."
Leaning close to Hayasaka's ear, she whispered something. As Merlin's words finished, Hayasaka's face grew increasingly flushed.
"This... alright."
Logically, the cost of the bet was quite heavy, but perhaps thinking of something, Hayasaka actually did not refuse.
"Then, if you lose, I hope you will assist my young lady."
A wager naturally involves give and take. Similarly stating her own demand, Hayasaka's idea was very simple.
It was for Merlin to form an alliance with Kaguya, to secure a place for her young lady.
"Shinomiya Kaguya? Sure."
Nodding, Merlin certainly remembered the young lady of the Shinomiya Family she met during the last competition.
"Very well, then... the contract is established!"
As Hayasaka and Merlin's wager was settled, the battle between Nero and the others officially began.
"You are the King of Britain, correct? I've heard Sensei mention you many times."
Gently dragging her Aestus Estus, Nero stood opposite Artoria.
Nero's two allies, Arcueid and Altrouge, faced Blue Artoria and Morgan.
As for Irisviel and Eriri, these two Masters with little combat prowess wouldn't join the fray… they were just there to cheer.
"Are you also Sensei's disciple?"
Back in Camelot, when Ryuya still used the name Isbel Pendragon, Artoria liked to call him Sensei.
Regardless of whether Ryuya was the Sun-Crowned King or her sister Morgan's husband, Artoria never changed this form of address.
Even later, after they fell in love and were together, Artoria mostly still called Ryuya that.
Because the word 'Sensei', in Artoria's view, was the exclusive term between her and Ryuya.
Now... with Nero's entry, it felt like her love was being shared. Artoria's impression of Nero wasn't good. Even the meticulous, chivalrous King of Knights couldn't help feeling a bit jealous.
Her response to Nero's Aestus Estus was simple. The Excalibur in her hand swept out, its soaring light enveloping the entire land. Artoria seemed to have merely performed a small warm-up action.
"Wow, such a powerful attack. Are you trying to destroy this place?"
Blocking Artoria's attack entirely, the ground beneath Nero's feet shattered, carving out deep fissures.
Frowning, Nero felt a bit sorry for this land of the Einzbern Estate.
"Destroy this place?"
As if hearing an amusing joke, Artoria smiled, "This is a battle for Sensei's affection. Holding back is simply impossible."
Glancing at the onlookers safely within Merlin's barrier, Artoria revealed the blue wristband representing a Servant on her hand, "Let's fight seriously, Tyrant Nero."
"Heh... I'm really being looked down upon, huh." Cracking her neck, Nero calmly accepted Artoria's challenge.
"Bring it on, King of Knights."
"Come then, Tyrant."
As soaring red and golden lights collided, the kings from two different eras began their battle.
On the other side...
"Somehow, fighting you feels like bullying kids. Shouldn't we wait for your mother to return? Or your Servants will do."
Like Arcueid and Altrouge, they were also sisters. Although Morgan and Blue Artoria weren't sisters from the same world, their relationship was also very good.
Standing together unquestionably, Morgan wasn't very keen on fighting the Brunestud Sisters. They were, after all, Ryuya's own daughters.
And as adults, Morgan's target was Crimson Moon, that supremely dignified woman.
"No need to wait for Mother to return. We are enough."
The wristbands on their hands were different from Morgan's. Arcueid and Altrouge were participating as Masters, as their Servants were Ereshkigal and Siduri.
As for Morgan and Blue Artoria, Morgan was one summoned by Blue Artoria, who had severed her contract and become human. To a certain extent, even if Morgan lost, it wouldn't matter much, as long as the crucial Master's black wristband remained intact.
Seeing Arcueid and Altrouge looking eager and ready, Morgan's smile carried a hint of danger.
"Very well, since you've decided this, I won't hold back either."
The magical energy gathered in her hand shimmered into light, and Morgan's magecraft was unleashed.