Miracle Summoner

"Whoosh!"

Amidst the raging sea of flames, a gust of wind suddenly swept through, revealing a figure that appeared in front of Jeanne (Alter).

A massive shield, nearly as tall as a person, was raised and placed in front of Jeanne (Alter), enveloping both of them behind its protective surface.

The newcomer was none other than Mash.

"That shield… Could it be…!?"

The face of Lancelot, who had swung his weapon down with the force of a mountain, finally changed, his expression filled with astonishment and disbelief.

However, by this point, it was already too late to retract his attack.

The full-force strike of the Knight of the Lake's Noble Phantasm crashed heavily onto the shield before him.

"Clang————!"

It sounded like steel striking a great bell. As the sword, gleaming with the light of the lake, collided with the shield, a wave of sonic energy rippled out, dispersing the surrounding flames.

"Chi————!"

At the same time, the blade of the magic sword, overflowing with mana, scraped against the shield with unstoppable momentum, causing a torrent of sparks to erupt and an ear-piercing screech to reverberate, shaking the eardrums of all present.

"It was blocked…!?"

Lancelot's expression shifted drastically, unable to maintain his composure.

"Haaah!"

With a spirited cry, Mash swung her shield like a hammer, smashing it toward Lancelot.

"Boom————!"

A dull thud echoed as the edge of the shield struck Lancelot squarely in the chest.

"Guh...!"

Lancelot let out a pained groan as his body was sent flying.

But Lancelot quickly recovered, twisting mid-air to regain his balance. With a spin, he landed on the ground and skidded backward, only coming to a stop after some time.

"Cough, cough...!"

Clutching his chest, Lancelot coughed heavily.

However, there was no time for him to dwell on his injury.

"That shield... And such a heavy blow, as if condemning me... Could you be...?"

Lancelot's gaze toward Mash was filled with astonishment and disbelief, along with a thick sense of uncertainty.

And that was only natural.

The fact that the most ideal and perfect Knight of the Holy Grail, Galahad, was Lancelot's illegitimate son was widely known. Galahad was born from Lancelot's union with Princess Elaine of Corbenic, the daughter of King Pelles. The conception occurred after Elaine, infatuated with Lancelot, cast an illusion upon him when he visited her father's castle.

Upon awakening, Lancelot was initially furious and almost killed Elaine, but he refrained upon discovering she was pregnant. Nevertheless, he left her side, and Galahad did not meet his father until he came of age. Even after Galahad joined the Round Table, his relationship with Lancelot remained strained, a fact well known to all.

Thus, it was impossible for others not to notice that Mash had inherited Galahad's strength, and even more so for Lancelot to fail to recognize it.

However…

"For some reason, after seeing you appear, a surge of anger has welled up within me."

Mash fixed her gaze on Lancelot, speaking in a low tone.

"Although this emotion no longer affects me and is merely a residual feeling from the spirit that merged with me, I've decided to accept it and use it to question you."

As she spoke, Mash displayed an uncharacteristically angry expression, glaring at Lancelot.

"Knight of the Lake, Lancelot, I ask you: the King stands before you, and yet you dare to oppose her again? To align yourself with the Lion King, to side with tyranny—does this truly befit the so-called greatest Knight of the Round Table?"

Mash's questions carried an unprecedented fierceness.

At least, seeing this side of Mash left the Chaldean observers utterly dumbfounded.

Even Lancelot was momentarily at a loss, his gaze wavering.

Mash grew even angrier as she looked at Lancelot's reaction.

Her expression seemed to reflect disdain for an irresponsible and unprincipled father figure, her eyes brimming with fury and a trace of contempt.

That trace of contempt felt like a dagger to Lancelot's heart, stabbing deeply and causing immense pain.

"No... I mean... That is to say..."

Lancelot stammered, his tone betraying his guilt and helplessness.

"Enough. You don't need to say anything." Mash cut him off decisively, adopting a firmness she had never shown before. "This is just who you are. Lustful, blind, and willing to do anything for a beautiful woman. You claim to respect and protect women, but in truth, you simply lack restraint, chasing after every pretty face!"

"Ugh!" Lancelot clutched his chest as if he had been stabbed several times, his steps faltering.

But Mash wasn't finished.

At this moment, Mash fully embraced the emotions of Galahad that had surged within her, channeling them into relentless words.

"For someone like you, there's nothing left to say. This isn't the first time you've acted recklessly and made unimaginable mistakes. If you can't wake up, then let me use this shield to knock some sense into you!"

As her words ended, Mash raised her shield without hesitation and launched herself at Lancelot with a powerful leap.

"W-Wait! At least hear me out!"

Lancelot panicked.

"Haaah!"

Mash ignored him completely, closing the distance in an instant. Her shield swung through the air with a deafening roar, mercilessly aiming for Lancelot.

"W-Wait! I said wait...!"

Lancelot could only dodge the oncoming shield clumsily, retreating repeatedly as Mash pursued him relentlessly.

In no time, the heavy shield continuously whooshed through the air, the wind pressure alone creating a cacophony of booming sounds as Mash swung it at Lancelot.

Forced into a corner, Lancelot eventually had no choice but to raise his sword in defense.

A fierce battle of attack and defense ensued.

However, contrary to expectations, the one on the offensive was the shieldbearer, wielding her shield like a berserker, while the swordsman was reduced to purely defending, their clashes echoing non-stop.

"What... What are these two even doing?"

Jeanne (Alter), utterly confused, stood frozen, her face blank.

Little did anyone know, another Knight of the Round Table had quietly disappeared amidst the chaos.

...

"Master!"

Hassan of Serenity, who had been quietly guarding Rozen's side, suddenly tensed, adopting a defensive stance.

"Hm?"

Rozen, who had been observing the battle, felt a shift and turned his gaze forward.

"I see." Rozen seemed to realize something, smirking as he muttered to himself, "You noticed that I'm the center of this battlefield, the source of the Servants' newfound strength, and decided to take advantage of the chaos to target me, huh?"

His words drew an immediate response.

"This is merely a delayed judgment. From the moment you defied the King at the gates of the Holy City, you should have paid with your life. Now, I have come to collect."

A handsome knight holding a harp appeared before Rozen, his face graced with a melancholic smile.

"Though it pains me greatly to do so."

The Child of Sadness, Tristan, had arrived silently.

Rozen smiled faintly, his eyes gleaming with mockery.