Miracle Summoner

The battlefield gradually quieted.

The battle between Artoria (Alter) and Mordred ended with Artoria (Alter) claiming victory.

The clash between Mash and Lancelot ended with Mash as the victor.

Rozen's side emerged as the clear winner overall.

Two battles between father and child resulted in one father's victory and one child's victory—an outcome that was undeniably ironic.

As for Jeanne (Alter), aside from participating briefly at the start, she spent most of her time observing.

"Wait, doesn't this mean I'm just a woman who sets fire to this and burns that?" Jeanne (Alter) suddenly realized, her expression becoming remarkably vivid.

But such was the reality.

Jeanne (Alter)'s revenge had failed, while Mash had succeeded in her righteous confrontation.

This unexpected turn of events had caught everyone off guard.

In truth, the outcomes of these two battles were far from certain based on pure strength.

The fight between Artoria (Alter) and Mordred needs no explanation. According to Artoria (Alter), their powers were roughly equal, possibly even matched. Artoria (Alter) only won because Mordred fell into a trap she had set and was caught off guard.

As for Lancelot, his strength actually surpassed Mash's.

Although Mash had already reached the level of an A-rank Servant, she had not yet developed her own unique fighting style. Additionally, her expertise lay in defense. In terms of pure combat ability, she was no match for Lancelot, known as the greatest knight of the Round Table.

If it had been a defensive battle, not even Lancelot—let alone a Grand Servant like Solomon—could have easily broken through Mash's defense. However, in their recent fight, Mash not only avoided playing to her strengths but aggressively attacked instead. If her opponent had been anyone other than Lancelot, she might not have lost but certainly wouldn't have won.

Mash's victory was largely due to Lancelot losing his hostility—or rather, his unwillingness to fight Mash. He refrained from attacking and only defended. As the saying goes, "prolonged defense inevitably leads to loss." A single mistake allowed Mash to land a decisive blow.

Although this blow didn't cause severe damage to Lancelot, it shook his Spirit Core, making his movements sluggish.

"Ugh…"

Lancelot clutched his chest and struggled to stand.

"Are you still planning to fight, Knight of the Round Table, Lancelot?" Mash said in an unusually accusatory tone. "If you haven't come to your senses yet, I don't mind striking you again!"

Hearing this, Lancelot smiled bitterly.

He seemed to want to say something, but after opening his mouth, he lowered his gaze and spoke in a somber tone instead.

"Do you think you've already won?" Lancelot said. "Don't forget, we still have Tristan. He left a long time ago. In his current state, he has likely taken advantage of the chaos to slip away and is now heading to assassinate your Master, planning to revert you to your original form and take you out one by one."

Hearing this, Mash and Artoria (Alter)'s expressions changed slightly.

Only now did they realize that Rozen was currently guarded by only one Servant, Hassan of Serenity.

Artoria (Alter) had been drawn into an intense battle with Mordred due to the latter's provocations, leaving her unable to attend to Rozen. Similarly, Mash, overcome by inexplicable anger toward Lancelot, had recklessly charged into battle, abandoning her protective duties.

"This is bad!"

Even Jeanne (Alter) realized the situation belatedly.

After all, expecting reversed Servants to act more meticulous than their normal selves was an unrealistic demand. While Artoria (Alter) and Jeanne (Alter) had grown more aggressive in their altered states, they had also neglected the importance of safeguarding.

"Senpai!"

Mash, regretting her lapse in duty, immediately turned and prepared to rush toward Rozen.

But there was no need.

"Boom—!"

A massive, earth-shaking explosion resounded as a figure was sent flying like a cannonball from the fortress's direction, tearing through the air and crashing into the ground.

The earth caved in upon impact, sending rubble flying, debris scattering, and dust rising like smoke in an extraordinary spectacle.

"This is…!?"

Everyone present was stunned, turning their heads to look toward the commotion.

Amid the dispersing dust, a knight lay bloodied and motionless in a crater of shattered rock and debris.

Who else could it be but Tristan?

"How… could this…"

Tristan lay in a pool of blood, his body battered and unable to move, his face filled with disbelief.

"Tristan!"

Seeing this, Lancelot's expression changed drastically.

At that moment, a voice rang out.

"Looks like killing me is still far beyond your reach."

With these words, Rozen slowly approached.

Beside him, Hassan of Serenity followed obediently, her eyes filled with admiration as she gazed at him.

Behind Rozen loomed a massive figure.

It was a being entirely composed of molten lava, wielding a giant battle axe.

It was none other than Rozen's second Beast Vassal—Cor Tauri Succinum, the Amber Bull King.

"To force me to release a Beast Vassal to deal with you—you should feel proud, Child of Sadness."

Rozen smiled at Tristan, his eyes calm and indifferent.

For Rozen, Tristan was no match at all.

And this was to be expected.

"No matter how long you play, no matter how strong you become, it's impossible to achieve limitless strength. You cannot surpass the Lion King who blessed you, nor can you exceed the level of the Holy Grail."

Rozen declared.

"That's why you could never defeat me, Tristan."

If Rozen hadn't summoned a Beast Vassal, Tristan might have had a sliver of hope. But with its summoning, Tristan's defeat was inevitable.

"Be the first of the Round Table to withdraw," Rozen said coldly. "Don't worry, I'll make it quick and won't let you suffer too much."

As he spoke, the molten bull behind Rozen roared, its fiery eyes gleaming as it raised its scorching battle axe high.

At this moment…

"Wait."

A voice interrupted Rozen.

"Let me handle this."

Artoria (Alter) spoke calmly, her face composed.

"I've already decided. I will judge all the members of the Round Table myself."

This was Artoria (Alter)'s duty as the king of the Round Table.

Rozen glanced at Artoria (Alter).

"Fine."

After a moment, Rozen nodded.

Artoria (Alter)'s icy expression softened slightly, but it quickly returned to its frozen state as she stepped forward, standing before Tristan.

Her gaze was filled with turbulence.