Fate: Emiya the Host

Starting out from Homurahara Acadmey, not a moment of rest in between, they passed by the abyss split open by the Green Field Cutting Through the Thousand Mountains, and the residential district purified by the Horizon of Dawn that Purifies the Seas.

Nearly three hours later.

They finally arrived at Mount Enzou.

"Finally here!", Fujimaru Ritsuka panted heavily.

"So tired!"

Perhaps because they were close to the Greater Holy Grail, the area could already be considered a battlefield.

The spreading flames and ruined roads made progress increasingly difficult.

In order to save time, not a single break had been taken.

Fujimaru Ritsuka was truly exhausted.

Her head got smacked. Not by Shirou, but by Olga Marie.

The latter caught up to scold her, "Hurry and get your mindset straight. There's still more road to go. If you can't handle this much, how are you going to help Mash?"

"Yes, I'll do my best," Fujimaru Ritsuka promised with a bitter face.

"Hmph!"

Olga Marie snorted coldly, reaching out to steady her as they followed behind Mash.

Shirou walked ahead to lead the way.

After a stretch of mountain path…

"Wow, amazing!"

Seeing the massive hollow entrance revealed without its concealment barrier, Fujimaru Ritsuka let out an exclamation.

"Looks like a natural cavern."

Mash examined it, "Has Fuyuki City always had a place like this?"

"It's not entirely natural," Olga Marie thought for a moment before saying, "This is something half-manmade, half-natural. To be precise, it should be an underground workshop developed over many years."

"That's right," Shirou withdrew his gaze from searching inside the cavern, "The Greater Grail is inside."

And likewise, Saber was inside too.

"Fou…", Sitting on Mash's shoulder, Fou, who hadn't made a sound for a while, tried to make its presence known.

It could feel the strong magical reaction inside.

Before entering, Shirou said, "Mash, I'll be counting on you."

"Mm."

Mash nodded forcefully, gripping her shield tightly, "This time, I'll definitely protect you, Senpai."

"I believe in you."

Shirou took a deep breath, adjusting his state of mind.

Facing Artoria's Noble Phantasm, the most effective countermeasure was Mash's shield.

This was related to the not-quite-a-plan plan they'd discussed along the way.

Shirou and the Ahoge King would fight head-on, forcing her to unleash her Noble Phantasm.

Then, with Mash's shield, deliver the decisive strike.

This required Mash to be able to release her own Noble Phantasm.

At the same time, it also meant they were entrusting their very lives to Mash.

"Go for it, Mash."

Fujimaru Ritsuka cheered for her, "Don't feel too pressured, just trust in Senpai."

"...", Shirou's mouth twitched.

If someone else had said that, the meaning would have been mutual trust.

But Shirou knew very well, what Fujimaru Ritsuka meant was: Don't be afraid, even if you can't unleash your Noble Phantasm, Senpai will cover for you.

That was trust at maximum level.

So, without Shirou needing to act, veins bulged on Olga Marie's forehead, and she punched her, "Is this the time for jokes?"

"Ow!", Fujimaru Ritsuka hugged her ahoge, squeezing out two tears, "I was just worried Mash would be nervous!"

"I won't. I believe in Senpai!", Mash's expression was firm. Because Shirou had just given her his promise.

"Then let's go."

Shirou beckoned the group to follow him into the cavern entrance.

All the way unobstructed, they arrived before the Greater Holy Grail.

"This is…the Greater Grail," Purple-black magical energy condensed almost into tangible form.

The intense and ominous feeling made Fujimaru Ritsuka's breathing falter.

"The Grail?", Olga Marie exclaimed, "Isn't this just an ultra-high-grade magical reactor core?"

Having no interest in the Grail, Shirou's eyes were locked instead on the cold girl guarding in front of it, who had kept her eyes shut all along.

But "cold" was not the right word to describe her.

Black armor, a reversed holy sword, dark-golden hair, and magic solidified into substance.

In a certain sense, this form could be said to be the manifestation of Artoria's own ideal.

Truly abandoning all emotion, becoming the king who fulfilled her mission.

Artoria Pendragon, Saber Alter.

The King opened her dark-golden eyes, heavy with overwhelming pressure.

BOOM!

Ominous magical energy ignited.

Fujimaru Ritsuka instinctively backed away, "What is that?"

"Unbelievable!"

Sweat dripped from her chin, Olga Marie clenched her fists, "Just the overflowing magical energy alone makes the air tremble, so this is Saber, the class known as the strongest in the Holy Grail War?"

Before seeing the Ahoge King, she'd been full of confidence in Shirou.

After seeing her, she almost wanted to run away and regroup.

Mash's shield had already, by reflex, been raised in front of Shirou.

"Senpai!", Artoria frowned slightly upon seeing this.

"Don't worry, Mash," Shirou steadied himself, ready for battle.

From the moment they met, he understood.

No matter whether this Saber was the one summoned by Manaka or not, they had to defeat her in order to even have the right to speak.

And sure enough, the Ahoge King ignored him, looking at Mash, speaking with the pressure befitting a king, "A rather interesting Servant, aren't you."

She looked at that familiar dining table, drew her holy sword, "A shield? I will not hold back."

"Well then, are you ready, young lady?"

The King's sword pointed at her own dining table.

"Whether your shield is truly unbreakable, let this sword decide!"

Shirou: "..."

"Wait," Fujimaru Ritsuka spoke with a trembling voice, "Senpai, this isn't what you said it would be like."

No chance to speak, Artoria was already pressing forward.

Mash gritted her teeth, bracing to block, but Shirou stood in front of her, "You said you'd trust me, Mash."

The hand gripping the shield tightened, "I know. I trust you, Senpai!"

"That's good."

Kanshou and Bakuya appeared in Shirou's hands.

Although he didn't know why the Ahoge King ignored him, she probably saw Mash as the main force of this battle.

And that was good. An opportunity to strike unexpectedly.

The twin blades flew out.

Followed by the next wave of projections.

If he could fully release the Triple Wing Formation, Saber would be done for.

The ideal was beautiful, the reality was cruel.

Massive magical energy erupted from her sword.

Yes, magical energy release.

It was as if a blade of pure destructive force extended from the sword itself.

One swing, rotating Kanshou and Bakuya were instantly melted by the blazing magical energy.

At the same time, Artoria halted her steps and spoke angrily, "Shirou, every time you use these underhanded tricks, even I will get truly mad!"

Shirou stayed silent.

Mash looked at him.

Fujimaru Ritsuka tilted her head, her big watery eyes blinking, "Shirou?"

"You know your Master's true name?", Olga Marie half-squinted, "Didn't Saber never meet you before, Emiya?"

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