Watching the two Servants stand poised for battle, Arthas felt a wave of bewilderment.
What was going on? He'd been prepared to fight Rider to the death, but Saber had suddenly appeared, declaring her love for him and her intention to protect him.
Did he really have that much charm? To capture the heart of the renowned King Arthur?
Arthas rubbed his nose in confusion. He hadn't done anything; at most, he'd spoken up for Saber at last night's banquet.
Was that all it took? Saber's actions reminded him of himself; hadn't he, too, fallen for Ryu Lion at first sight?
"A pity… I was prepared, but perhaps I won't be next time."
Arthas murmured, the ice-blue in his eyes slowly fading back to black. As if sensing the rebellious roar of some inner force, he fell silent.
Arthas swayed, regaining his balance, then slowly retreated.
Since Saber was fighting in his place, he no longer needed to stay. Though it felt cowardly, Arthas was deeply worried about his wife.
"Sorry…"
Looking at the girl's resolute back, Arthas whispered, then left the Bounded Field through the gap Saber had created in the King's Army.
"What a shame… I thought after the King's declaration of love, Mr. Arthas would stay and fight alongside you, Saber. It seems he doesn't fully trust you yet."
"Fighting alongside someone doesn't necessarily mean trust. His leaving everything to me is a great show of trust."
Artoria dismissed Rider's subtly provocative words with a smile, raising her holy sword in challenge.
"Let the battle begin. No more pointless attempts at discord!"
"Haha, discord? I never thought I'd be accused of that. Words alone can't sway you now, Saber; you'll be a worthy opponent. Warriors, let the renowned King Arthur witness your valor!"
"For the King!" The King's Army roared, their response immediate and unquestioning. They were an army of conquest; where the King commanded, they would fight.
"Excellent." Rider raised a hand, silencing the army, then addressed Artoria.
"King Arthur, this is an unfair fight, but I'll show no mercy, nor will I withdraw any troops. My army and I are one; this is a war of many against one. Do you accept?"
The girl didn't answer, only raising Promised Victory's Sword above her head.
Rider laughed triumphantly at Artoria's acceptance, gesturing forward. "Warriors, show your strength! Conquer all!"
"For the King!" The King's Army charged forward with a thunderous roar.
It was a battle scene only found in ancient times, now resurrected.
A gale whipped around Artoria; before the vanguard could reach her, they were blown away by the fierce wind pressure.
Wind King's Hammer—like a giant hammer—shattered the triangular formation, creating a gap. Artoria, silent, raised her holy sword and charged into the throng.
A brutal battle ensued—one impossible to witness in the real world.
No, not even in the most violent of wars could such a spectacle be seen. The King of Conquerors and the King of Knights, rulers from different eras, one staking their unwavering belief in kingship, the other their emotions; both fought without restraint, without hatred, aiming only for victory, for self-affirmation.
Rider sat atop his warhorse, his massive form like a pillar. He coldly watched Saber slaughter his army, their bodies severed easily, blood staining the scorching sand.
No sadness, no pity. Death in battle was a warrior's glory, especially at the hands of the renowned King Arthur.
Even delaying the King's advance, even for a moment, was something to be proud of.
The battle neared its end; at Artoria's feet, a mountain of blood and corpses had formed.
Rider silently watched the tragic scene, the resolute girl standing amidst the carnage.
"In the end, my victory was undeserved… that blow you struck to break my Bounded Field… if you'd struck it directly at my army, even my invincible forces would have been decimated."
Rider said this, urging his horse forward; the remaining soldiers parted to make way.
The brutal battle hadn't lasted long, perhaps ten minutes, but in those ten minutes, at least 10% of the King's Army had fallen to Artoria's sword.
A terrifying number, even for Rider.
But he had won. His magic was nearly depleted, his Bounded Field was fading, but Artoria was at the end of her strength.
"Enough talk! I haven't lost!"
With Artoria's roar, Rider's Bounded Field trembled; the world shattered like glass, and they were back in Einzbern's courtyard.
Rider's Bounded Field finally dissipated due to depleted magic.
But as Rider had said, Artoria had lost.
Rider still had at least 30% of his fighting strength, while Artoria likely had less than 10%.
____________________
for more advance chapters visit my p@treon
p@treon.com/kane45
Casual Reader - 20 Advance Chapters
Intermediate Reader - 40 Advance Chapters
Expert Reader - 60 Advance Chapters