> "A knight's honor is sacred. But even sacred things crack when bent by false hope."
— The Blank One, after sharpening a legend back into a blade
---
Kuoh Academy – Chapel Ruins (Abandoned)
Most students avoided this place. It reeked of old wars and older magic.
The MC didn't avoid it.
He sat inside, polishing a dull, broken practice sword. A relic from someone who'd once wanted to be a hero.
[Dimension Chat Group: New Member – Artoria Pendragon]
The sword shimmered.
---
[Chat Log: King's Arrival]
Artoria:
> This space feels strange. Outside of proper time. Like a Grail anomaly.
Kazuma:
> She's beautiful and haunted. I'm in love.
Saitama:
> She talks like an anime protagonist. I respect that.
Deadpool:
> Is this the part where we get Excalibae?
Tsunade:
> You mean Excalibur?
Esdeath:
> Let her fight already. I want to see how brittle her honor really is.
Blank One (MC):
> You were summoned, King of Knights, to face a false version of yourself.
Artoria:
> …I see. Very well. I shall correct this distortion with my own hands.
---
[Mission: Starfall King]
World: Fate Grand Alter (Alt Timeline)
Objective: A corrupted Champion has become "Artoria Nihil," a hollow avatar of kingship that sacrifices people's dreams to maintain false peace. Her Excalibur channels stolen hopes.
Threat Level: S-Rank (Conceptual Corruption, Ideological Warping)
Reward: 6 Talent Points + 2500 Coins + Concept-Based Noble Skill
Time Limit: 3 hours (World Time), 5 Minutes (Earth Time)
---
[World Transfer: Camelot Ruins – Twilight Realm]
The land was gray. Not ruined—but dulled. No sorrow. No joy. Just… stillness.
And at its heart, atop a crystalline throne, sat Artoria Nihil. Her crown glowed like a dying star. Her blade pulsed with essence.
"You seek peace," she said. "I enforce it."
Real Artoria stood before her, wind brushing her cape.
"That is not peace. That is tyranny draped in mercy."
MC stood between them briefly. "One wields the essence of ideals. The other drains it to maintain control. Only one can remain."
---
[Battle Begins – Ideals vs Emptiness]
The two Sabers clashed.
Steel rang. Mana cracked the skies.
Nihil's "Excalibur: Hope's Hollow" unleashed a wave of frozen light, stripping dreams from the air itself.
MC activated Phase X: "Echo Forging" — reforging fractured hopes around him into essence-charged fragments.
He scattered them like stardust across the field.
Artoria absorbed them instinctively.
Her own "Excalibur" flared.
True Light met Hollow Glow.
In the next instant, only one stood.
Artoria breathed heavily, the wind finally returning to the land.
The throne crumbled.
---
[Mission Complete]
+6 Talent Points
+2500 Coins
Reward Gained: Noble Skill – "Sword of True Will" (Lv.1)
(Enhances all conceptual weapons or ideals the user fights for, scaling with clarity of purpose)
Artoria (lowering her sword):
> Thank you… for allowing me to face myself.
MC:
> A king who sees their shadow is the one worth following.
Artoria:
> Then I shall remain. As your sword, should you ever waver.
---
[Return to Kuoh – 5 Minutes Later]
In the old chapel, the MC returned to his seat.
The practice sword beside him hummed faintly. Restored.
He closed his eyes as a faint breeze passed through.
Above the ruins, a single star blinked to life in the daylight.
---
[Chat Group – Side Banter]
Kazuma:
> That was poetic. And hot.
Rimuru:
> She's got final boss energy.
Deadpool:
> She's like Captain America with a sword and fewer jokes.
Buggy:
> She scares me.
Fury:
> She's necessary.
MC:
> The council is assembled. The champions have been tested.
The Outer Gods are watching.
It's almost time to strike first.
---