Fate: How About a New Savior?

Siduri was the high priestess of Uruk and one of the king's closest aides. Serving as the king's secretary was merely one aspect of her many responsibilities.

Normally, the task of welcoming and attending to important guests also fell to Siduri. But due to her busy daytime schedule, she had asked Tomoe Gozen to handle part of it on her behalf.

That evening, having arranged for Chaldea's group to be served dinner, Siduri came to the banquet hall in the Divine Tower's side chamber to check on things—only to find a slightly awkward atmosphere lingering around the table.

There was no mistaking it—Tenkei Shiomi sat alone at one end of the table, sipping ale in silence. To his left was Scáthach, calmly eating lamb chops. To his right sat Morgan, quietly eating from a bowl with a wooden spoon.

But the food in Morgan's bowl wasn't something the palace chefs had prepared.

It was a simple mutton rice bowl, made with dehusked wheat and lamb—nothing more than a plain home-cooked meal.

Though Morgan also partook in the lavish dishes served on the table, that one bowl was clearly hers alone.

More than the food, though, it was the mood that caught Siduri's attention.

Shiomi kept glancing from left to right between the two women, as if searching for the right moment to speak, yet he couldn't seem to muster a single word.

It was a stark contrast to the composed, decisive demeanor he displayed in the main hall.

"General Tomoe Gozen, what exactly is going on?" Siduri whispered, leaning toward her from the end of the bench.

As comrades who would soon fight side by side, Tomoe Gozen and Leonidas had returned from the front at Siduri's suggestion to join Chaldea's group for dinner during this brief respite.

The gathering was predominantly female, and Leonidas was clearly uneasy—he was eating stiffly and hadn't uttered a word.

"Ahahaha... I think it's best not to ask too much right now," Tomoe Gozen whispered back.

Siduri furrowed her brows, her mouth slightly parted behind her sheer black veil, showing clear confusion.

"Oh, it's nothing serious—just the usual little bout of jealousy."

The comment came from Mari, seated across from Tomoe Gozen. She said it softly, but with a playful tone.

Mari had already downed several cups of ale and looked to be thoroughly enjoying the meal.

The dinner itself wasn't quiet—laughter and cheerful chatter came from the other girls. The only awkwardness came from the corner where Shiomi sat.

"Mari-sama…"

Siduri wanted to advise Mari to go easy on the drinking, but Mari was the type of court Magus who, while very different from Gilgamesh, was just as willful in her own way. Any attempt at persuasion would be meaningless.

That was when Siduri noticed a face she didn't recognize.

Well, not entirely unfamiliar—there was a strong resemblance to Gray. The blonde woman sat beside Gray and Mash, chatting warmly with them.

But with just a glance, Siduri could tell—this woman radiated a presence that only a king could possess.

"Who is that?" Siduri asked.

"That's the Lion King—Arthur Pendragon, Chaldea's newly summoned Servant," Mari replied cheerfully. "Though really, calling her Artoria might be more fitting."

She wore the expression of a storyteller as she continued, "She's the one behind the Sixth Singularity—caused more trouble than Uruk ever did. And now she's fighting alongside Chaldea. Surprised?"

"Ha... ah..."

Siduri wasn't very familiar with the concept of Singularities. All she knew was that an unprecedented crisis had swept through Mesopotamia, so all she could offer were confused and hesitant murmurs.

"That's all in the past," Artoria answered calmly. "Now I serve Chaldea. I'm here to help restore the Seventh Singularity—and to protect this city called Uruk."

Just like she had said during her farewell at the Sixth Singularity, she never believed her past actions were wrong. But Chaldea—or rather, Shiomi—had shown her through action that there were other paths. She had simply accepted defeat.

...

At that moment, Morgan set down her bowl and took a sip of Shiomi's barley wine—despite having her own cup within reach.

"You're willing to protect this city?" Morgan asked.

"It may not be easy for you to work with someone you once called an enemy, Morgan," Artoria replied, meeting her gaze. "But I meant every word I said."

Morgan smiled faintly. "Of course. I don't even need fairy eyes to tell if you're lying or not."

"If there's anything else you'd like to ask, feel free," Artoria offered.

"No, I just thought of a plan," Morgan said, resting her chin on one hand while twirling her spoon with the other.

"Oh? Sounds interesting—let's hear it," Scáthach chimed in.

Shiomi had a bad feeling and wanted to shut the conversation down, but the timing was off.

"My husband summoned a Servant to reinforce our numbers. Now that the Lion King has answered the call, there's no longer a need for me to stay behind to guard the city," Morgan said. "Artoria is far more suited to that role."

"Why?" Shiomi finally asked.

"The northern wall is strong, but the enemy's strength remains unknown. If it's breached, there's nothing but open plains between them and Uruk," Morgan explained. "When that happens, let the Lion King raise a city around Uruk."

With the Holy Lance, the Tower at the End could be raised—allowing the Lion King to create the White City of Camelot overnight.

But even Artoria found the idea reckless.

"Are you serious, Morgan? If I summon the Tower here, I can't guarantee what effect it'll have on the Singularity. It might end up even worse than last time."

In other words, the root of the Singularity might no longer be the Three Goddess Alliance and their beast army—it could spiral into something like what happened in the Sixth Singularity.

"No problem. We'll use your power, then eliminate you," Morgan said, raising a finger with an utterly serious expression.

Shiomi let his forehead drop onto the table with a thud, then turned to Morgan in disbelief.

"So that last line... that's the real heart of your plan, isn't it..."

"It's efficient, isn't it? Once we deal with the rest, Gilgamesh can regain his power. Then we'll put that man to work," Morgan added, her tone turning darkly playful.

At this point, it was hard to tell just how serious she really was.

"It seems I'm not very welcome here, as a former enemy," Artoria said with a composed smile. Rising from her seat, she added, "Then I'll excuse myself. Please, enjoy your meal."

"You don't have to go that far..." Shiomi muttered, grabbing a towel to wipe Morgan's mouth.

"It's just a little payback for her past actions. Feeling sorry for her now?"

"...Anyway, I'll go check on her."

...

(100 Chapters Ahead)

[email protected]/PinkSnake