Fate: How About a New Savior?

On the surface, Morgan and Scáthach's words had been pointed, aimed squarely at Artoria.

But Shiomi knew better. That was just their usual way of speaking—sharp and direct. To anyone unfamiliar with their conversational rhythm, it could certainly come off as harsh.

After getting Morgan's approval, Shiomi left the dining hall. He found Artoria on the terrace upstairs, gazing out over Uruk while the breeze played through her hair.

"This is a beautiful country. I imagine it's ruled by a wise king," Artoria said softly, speaking without turning.

She was addressing him.

"I wouldn't know. According to legend, Gilgamesh returned to Uruk after his search for the elixir of immortality and became a wise king," Shiomi said as he approached, carrying a small tray. "But the real Gilgamesh hasn't returned yet. The one on the throne now is a rather remarkable young girl."

"I see." Artoria didn't comment further. She rested her hands lightly on the terrace railing and turned to face him. "The banquet is still going, isn't it? If you slipped away, Morgan and your master are probably not too happy about it."

"I left with their knowledge," Shiomi replied, then lowered his gaze. "Sorry. It was my responsibility, and yet you ended up taking the criticism."

"If I could be wounded by words that easily, how could I have remained undefeated and built Britain?" Artoria's expression was calm, unshaken.

"Then why did you leave the table so suddenly?"

"If I hadn't, my Master wouldn't have left everyone else to come find me," Artoria said plainly.

Shiomi nearly dropped the tray; he barely managed to keep the pastries from tumbling. "Tristan said, 'King Arthur does not understand the hearts of men'… That's total nonsense!"

"No, Sir Tristan wasn't entirely wrong," Artoria replied, looking back toward the city of Uruk. "Even now, I understand what he meant. Back then, I didn't have the room to carry the heart of a human."

A king had to be ruthless at times—cruel, even. A tool of absolute rule.

But the King of Knights, who gave her entire life to Britain, hadn't been blind to what that meant.

"I see. Then I guess I worried for nothing." Shiomi placed the tray on the stone railing. "I thought you might've eaten poorly, so I brought out some butter cake. The recipe's a bit old-fashioned, but it should be edible."

"Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Master." Artoria reached out, picked up a piece, and tasted it naturally. The subtle change in her expression showed she truly enjoyed it.

Shiomi watched her quietly, then rested his arms on the railing.

"You can eat regular food now."

"Mm. That's why I even regret not being able to eat your cooking back then."

"Don't worry about it." Shiomi gave a helpless smile. "By the way—why is it always you?"

"What do you mean?"

"This is the fifth time I've met you," Shiomi said, beginning to count on his fingers. "First time was the Holy Grail War in 1994. We started as enemies but ended up allies, working together to deal with the chaos that kept erupting around the Grail."

"Mm." Artoria nodded as she nibbled at her cake.

"Second time was Singularity F—twisted 2004. You were corrupted by malicious data and became an enemy again. But thanks to the manipulator behind it all, we ended up fighting side by side once more."

"Mm."

"Third was the London Singularity. I summoned a Servant at Chaldea to bolster our forces, and you answered—this time wielding the Holy Lance. But to keep from being consumed by it, you took on the form of the King of the Wild Hunt."

And then came the fourth time… and now, this fifth encounter.

"Looking back, you and I have shared quite a few encounters. But compared to your bond with Morgan, it hardly means anything," Artoria said as she picked up a second slice of cake.

"Huh?"

Shiomi blinked, confused, but Artoria didn't elaborate.

"So this persistent connection between us doesn't guarantee you'll always respond to my summons," Shiomi said with a sigh.

"If Morgan weren't present, it would've been her who answered the call," Artoria replied calmly. "Only after that would it have been me."

As for Scáthach, she was a special case. Without a crisis like the Incineration of Humanity, she wouldn't even be able to leave the Land of Shadows—let alone respond to a summoning.

"Normally, summoning a Servant requires a catalyst. If no catalyst is used—or if it's imprecise—then the system selects the Servant most compatible with the Master's nature," Artoria explained, glancing his way. "But there's a third possibility—the Servant might hold the catalyst themselves."

Shiomi nearly choked.

Because Artoria had just pulled out an inert rune stone.

"...That counts?" he said, covering his face. "If I'd known, I would've given you something better."

To think that a rune stone he hadn't even meant as a gift had become a 'bond.'

"It's because it was so unassuming... that it became something special," Artoria said, gently cradling the stone. Her expression was soft.

"Why are you so... uh, forget it," Shiomi faltered, unable to finish the question.

"Thanks to you, I was freed from the Holy Lance's grip and regained my human heart. But I'm still the goddess of the Holy Lance," Artoria said. "As someone who, like me, has not reached the end—you remain irreplaceable to me."

"Sigh..." Shiomi felt like he'd already refuted that sentiment a thousand times.

"Also, there's something I didn't get the chance to tell you before," Artoria added suddenly.

Shiomi tensed. "What is it?"

"In this Singularity lies an evil beyond what you at Chaldea can imagine. It's likely a great demon, even more terrifying than the King of Magecraft—an original sin at the root of what we, as humanity, truly are."

"...We..." Shiomi couldn't help but feel a little moved that she used the word "we" to refer to humans.

"Unfortunately, I can't fully see through the true mastermind behind this Singularity. But don't worry—your Servant is me. I wield both the Holy Lance and the Holy Sword. I'm not the same 'me' you've seen before—I'm stronger now. You can rely on me."

She smiled with confidence.

It was reassuring... though it would've landed better if she didn't still have food in her mouth.

"You're not my husband's only companion. Keep that in mind, Artoria," Morgan's voice rang out from behind them.

"I will, sister."

"Don't call me that..." Morgan frowned.

She knew Artoria was doing it on purpose—especially since the two of them weren't actually related.

Just then, Shiomi found himself caught in a chokehold as Scáthach effortlessly dragged him away.

"Everyone else has cleared out. Time for the grownups to have their drinking party."

"Master... I can't... breathe..." Shiomi choked out, reaching desperately toward Artoria.

But she just picked up the empty plate and followed after them, clearly not done eating.