"So, will you follow protocol and take a shot at me first, or just accept my Duel challenge directly?"
Seeing the Lion King's silence, Jiang You formally challenged her to a Duel.
"I can see the outside world," she said. "Your attacks are ineffective against me."
Having only appeared in this Singularity for a few days, the Lion King knew little about Jiang You's Noble Phantasm rules. She didn't realize that without her initiating an attack, he would be powerless against her.
"Let's skip the formalities and Duel directly," Jiang You suggested. "No need for unnecessary steps."
"Then, let the Duel begin!"
Since the Lion King was being so straightforward, Jiang You saw no need to argue further.
The Duel Space materialized, its rules enveloping the entire area.
Jiang You LP: 4000
Artoria LP: 4000
"This method of overriding the world's laws is truly terrifying."
This was the Lion King's first time entering a Duel as the Main Battler. In this state, she could clearly sense the effects of Jiang You's Noble Phantasms—something even her nearly godlike existence couldn't comprehend. "If it were you, perhaps you could truly change the ending of Human Order's destruction."
"Are you planning to surrender, then?" Jiang You asked.
Most servants' Noble Phantasms were variations of energy beams, differing only in size. Jiang You's Noble Phantasm was a genuine rarity.
"You jest."
The Lion King grew serious, a resolute glint surfacing in her cold eyes. "Compared to your Noble Phantasm, your very existence is far too weak. Besides, I have no reason to accept defeat. If even I cannot overcome this, then let human history end here! My turn!"
"First, I activate the Spell Card, Round Table Knights' Gathering! This card can only be activated when there are no servants on my field, or when only Knights of the Round Table are present. It allows me to Special Summon three Knights of the Round Table with different names from my Deck! Of course, the effects of servants summoned by this effect are negated, and they cannot attack!"
As the Lion King, Artoria naturally possessed cards with even more potent effects.
"I Special Summon Lancelot, Gawain, and Tristan!"
The Round Table, representing the Knights of the Round Table, materialized before the Lion King. On the thirteen seats, three knights rose to their feet.
Lancelot: Attack Power 2400
Gawain: Attack Power 2500
Tristan: Attack Power 2000
The classic Three-Colored Knights.
"My King!" the three knights saluted in unison.
"Lancelot, you still dare to show your face before the King!" Gawain immediately confronted him upon recognizing the knight beside him.
"Your Majesty, this man has betrayed his oath. Please withdraw your Blessing—he has chosen betrayal once again!"
"My King!" Lancelot met the Lion King's gaze with a righteous and unwavering demeanor.
"You're making a mistake! This calamity is even more dire than the fall of the Age of Gods! You didn't give up back then, so why are you running away now? Locking humanity away as specimens—how could that be the act of King Arthur? I must offer you my counsel—I must correct you!"
Gawain nearly rolled his eyes out of his head. Lancelot could rebel at any time, but not now. This fool must have seen someone while pursuing Chaldea. Having served alongside Lancelot for so long, Gawain knew his nature all too well. He trusted Lancelot's abilities but not his integrity.
"If you truly believed that, you should have joined Gareth and the others in a righteous rebellion, not betray us at this critical moment!"
Tristan unconsciously plucked at his harp strings. He had already been defeated and retreated, and the Blessing had vanished. He had no further stake in the unfolding events.
"Is that so?"
The Lion King regarded Lancelot with calm eyes, devoid of anger or reproach. This only deepened Lancelot's shame. "It doesn't matter," she continued. "I said from the beginning that I would respect your choices. This isn't a battle for justice. You were free to oppose me then, and you remain free to do so now."
"My King..."
Lancelot wore a profoundly sorrowful expression. He would have found it easier if the Lion King had reprimanded him. Tristan, startled by Lancelot's demeanor, feared his own role might be usurped. "If Bedivere were to hear your words, he would be overjoyed. Though he opposed your decision, as a member of the Knights of the Round Table, he never ceased searching for you."
"Bedivere... who is that?"
The Lion King's face creased in confusion at the name Lancelot mentioned. No such person existed in her memory.
"!?"
The three Knights of the Round Table were utterly astonished. How could their King, a member of the Round Table, have forgotten a comrade's name?
The Lion King remained silent, and Jiang You nearly forgot this plot point himself. This Lion King wasn't truly a Heroic Spirit but rather a being who had survived since the fall of Camelot. Because Bedivere had failed to return the Holy Sword, she remained unable to enter Avalon.
But explaining all this would be too cumbersome. Jiang You decided to finish the game first. Afterward, the Lion King could do as she pleased. Conversely, if he lost, nothing else would matter.
"Enough with the interrogation for now. Whether I win or lose, Lancelot's rebellion won't change the outcome."
Jiang You glanced at the vibrant purple sky, catching a faint floral scent. This Singularity was drawing ever closer to the world's end.
"My battle with the Lion King will be the final one. This fight will determine the fate of the world."
Lancelot knew Jiang You spoke the truth. They hadn't even escaped the desert yet, let alone reached the Lion King to stop her.
"You're right. This is the final battle!"
The Lion King nodded. The original Artoria might have cared deeply about such matters, but even she would have maintained appearances, swallowing her resentment and anger. As the Lion King, however, she couldn't care less about such trivialities. Lancelot's longing for reproach was destined to remain unfulfilled.
"By stacking three Knights of the Round Table, I summon forth... King of the Knights of the Round Table, Artoria!"
[ Artoria ] - Attack Power: 2500
"Is that... another version of myself?"
Ahoge (short for all subsequent versions of the original Artoria) scrutinized the Lion King, her gaze involuntarily settling on the conspicuously bulging armor covering her chest. That thing must be hollow... right?
"Someone who would abandon the future? That could never be me! I won't let you give up without even trying!" Though Ahoge stood on the Lion King's battlefield, she completely opposed this version of herself. Ahoge had fought relentlessly to prolong the Age of Gods, even knowing it was doomed to destruction, willing to deny her own principles for one more chance. "Jiang You, I can only ask this of you. Defeat her!"
"Don't worry, I'll win... I mean, with your support, how could I possibly lose?"
Jiang You forcefully snapped his own flag.