In the world of Type-Moon, it all begins with becoming Morgan's husband!

"If you climb up like that, you'll die!"

Yi said, "It's alright, Director, you don't need to climb."

Ian crouched down.

"I'll carry you."

"...Is this alright?" Olga Marie hesitated. "Aren't you going to face King Arthur head-on later? Isn't it a bad idea to waste your energy on something like this?"

"Director, you seem to look down on me a bit."

“A girl like you… I could carry you back and forth several times without any problem.”

"..."

Upon hearing this, Olga Marie did not say anything more.

She leaned obediently against the man's back, being carried like a child.

Tears streamed down the young director's face, finally settling into a choked thank you.

"Ian... thank you."

"You're welcome, you're my director."

Watching this scene, Cú Chulainn once again felt somewhat superfluous.

However, this feeling didn't last long this time.

Because Ian quickly asked the next question.

"By the way, how long did it take Artoria to turn Fuyuki City into this?"

“Half a day,” Cú Chulainn answered truthfully. “From the time she arrived until now, it has only been about half a day.”

"...Only half a day."

really.

Even now, as a "Servant," Artoria, as King Arthur, remains as powerful as ever.

"Understood, let's go."

But things are far from as simple as they seem.

On the mountainside, Ian spotted an unexpected pair of figures.

Those are Mash and Fujimaru Ritsuka.

Fujimaru Ritsuka looked much the same as usual.

But Mashu seemed like a completely different person.

She was no longer wearing the pale white Chaldean attire; instead, she was wearing orange-purple armor.

She held a large shield in her hand.

Before them stood a man whose body was entirely black and whose hair was snow-white.

He held two blades in his hand, his expression utterly indifferent.

Needless to say.

Like the previous shadowy figures, this was one of Artoria's "Servants".

Unfortunately, Mashu and Fujimaru Ritsuka became his enemies.

"hiss……"

Cú Chulainn looked at the white-haired man before him and gripped his wand tightly.

"Ian, those are also from Chaldea, right?"

“Yes.” Ian nodded.

“Alright,” Cú Chulainn replied. “You guys hurry up and get to the top of the mountain. I’ll handle this guy.”

Ian was somewhat surprised.

"Didn't we agree to go up together?"

“No.” Cú Chulainn shook his head. “In this state, I am destined to be unable to defeat Artoria.”

"but--"

I believe you can.

“Cú Chulainn…” This feeling of being trusted moved Ian.

"Alright, enough nonsense!"

Cú Chulainn pushed Ian.

"Get the guy up there right now, and then do what I told you to do cleanly and efficiently!"

Ever since——

At Cú Chulainn's insistence, Ian led the Chaldea members all the way to the mountaintop.

He stayed behind to fight the white-haired man.

"You are stupid."

The white-haired man stared expressionlessly at Cú Chulainn before him.

"You're wielding an unsuitable weapon, yet you try to play the hero and stop me?"

"Ah."

Cú Chulainn brandished his wand, striking a pose as if to regroup.

"Isn't it the same with you?"

"Arc-her (archer)."

The war is about to start.

the other side.

Ian and his group were hurrying towards the mountaintop.

At this moment, they are the only pieces capable of breaking this deadlock.

However, Ian was still concerned about Mash's current state.

"Mash, what's wrong with you...?"

It's probably because it knows that its current state is so different from its usual appearance.

Mash, carrying Fujimaru Ritsuka on her back, followed closely behind Ian while explaining.

“Senior… For some reason, Ritsuka and I just signed a contract.”

"I am now a Demi-Servant."

"A pseudo-servant?" Ian was puzzled by this concept.

Fortunately, he was carrying Olga Marie on his back—she knew everything about this.

She began to explain.

"It's a state that's second only to 'Servant'."

"Ignoring external conditions, it is not a problem to assume that it is the 'Servant' itself."

"This……"

Time was of the essence, and before Ian could ask any more questions, the mountaintop appeared before him.

A familiar yet unfamiliar figure was standing there.

That's Artoria.

But unlike the woman Ian remembered wearing blue and white armor—

At this moment, the armor covering her entire body had turned black, making her look like a piece of carbonaceous rock standing there.

The Sword of Excalibur was thrust straight into her, shrouded in dark mist.

This is the real Artoria.

But she is definitely not the Artoria Ian remembers.

How could this be?

What happened?

Ian was only momentarily stunned before Artoria launched her attack.

She drew the Excalibur sword, which was brimming with black energy, and charged directly at the people present.

Do not!

To be precise, they were actually targeting Ian.

That movement was almost like instinct!

"senior!"

Realizing what was happening, Mashu immediately put Fujimaru Ritsuka down from her back and then rushed towards Ian's location.

The man was knocked away by Mashu.

Olga Marie fell to the other side.

Mashu took the hit squarely.

The difference in strength between the two was simply too great.

With just that one touch, Mash was sent flying, shield and all, rolling several times on the ground before finally stopping.

"Matthew!"