Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

"……Well!"

The intense feeling of suffocation made Mordred press his hand to his chest.

"Are you alright, 'Red' Swordsman? Is this a lingering effect of 'Wind King's Hammer'?"

"Well……!"

Instead of calling himself "Little Mordred" or "Mordred," he refers to himself as "Red Swordsman"?

The girl felt as if another dagger had been plunged into her chest.

I wanted to question him about why he wouldn't admit he was King Arthur.

She wanted to rebuke him for not acknowledging his daughter.

She wanted to rush into his arms and act spoiled and playful like before.

But Mordred can't do anything.

Having gained everything in her lifetime, she was terrified of losing it all.

"Oh...oh! No wonder you can use my father's weapons, so you're the 'Black Knight Artorius'?"

Mordred mustered her strength and shook the other person's hand in return.

Hearing her say that, Shirou looked surprised: "You know me?"

He wondered if this was a setting he had just made up.

Mordred nodded and said:

"Of course, I was endowed with the corresponding knowledge by the Holy Grail, and naturally I also obtained the memories of Mordred of this world."

In the memories I've regained, you exist... though it doesn't feel very real.

“…I see.”

Shirou was startled: Could there really be such a person as "Black Knight Artorius"?

Wouldn't I be in a bind? Would I have to make up countless lies for one lie?

"How long are you going to hold my hand?" Mordred frowned in annoyance.

"Excuse me."

When Shirou let go, he was glared at fiercely by the "Red" swordsman.

Hmm, Father's hand...

Just like before, it's both slender and sturdy...

I really want this hand to pat my head... *coo*

After that, Shirou contacted Aika Sajou telepathically.

As expected, Aika accepted the alliance with the "Red" Swordsmen faction.

For her, victory in the Holy Grail War was important, but Shirou's safety was the foundation of everything.

"Alright, then the alliance is settled."

As Shi Zijie said this, a cacophony of voices suddenly came from behind him.

"I haven't agreed yet! Don't make decisions on your own!"

Mordred shouted angrily.

Shirou and Kairi Shishikage exchanged a glance, then both smiled.

"What's so funny!"

Mordred crossed his arms and said, "Why would I ally with someone stronger than me?"

Once all the enemies are eliminated, won't it turn into a civil war between us?

You allied with me because of this, didn't you?

Lion's Roar muttered to himself, "This is truly unexpected..."

This is the first time I've seen you so frank, admitting that there are people in this world better than you.

"What...Master, shut up!"

The girl blushed.

Of course I'm the strongest, right?

But Father is the absolute strongest! Needless to say!

Mordred's thinking was that simple.

"In short, give me a reasonable reason."

Why did you choose us as your ally? Otherwise, I wouldn't trust you.

With a smile, Shirou observed the sulking blonde girl and spoke.

"As for my reasons for proposing an alliance... I believe the 'Red' Sword Soldiers are a trustworthy partner."

"The person to whom you entrust the task?"

Mordred frowned slightly, and Shirou continued.

"This Holy Grail War is extremely dangerous, and there seem to be many unknown secrets behind it—"

Even I might not be able to escape unscathed.

If things continue like this, even if Aige seeks refuge in the church after my defeat, her safety cannot be guaranteed.

After all…that's what church overseers are like.”

"Hmph, you really value your Master, so what does this have to do with me?"

Shiki-kai was dumbfounded. "Saber, can't you even understand this? You're usually so perceptive."

Shirou said seriously, "If I lose, I will hand Aika over to you, and you will be responsible for her safety."

"…………"

Mordred's mouth dropped open.

This, this is...

The girl felt a surge of heat rush into her chest, making her heart pound like thunder.

"So, Saber, are you willing to accept my terms?"

Mordred paused for a moment, then spoke.

"Sure... but there's one thing I must make clear."

"Well, please tell me."

"You can't possibly lose! How could you possibly lose!"

After saying that, Mordred left the room.

"..."

Shirou stared blankly at the girl's lively back.

Hmm, it seems I've gained an incredible amount of trust and expectation?

Mordred the rebellious knight... what a good boy he is...

……

……

Inside the audience hall of the Sky Garden, the Servants of the "Red" faction gathered together.

Assyrian Empress Semiramis sat proudly on her high throne, preparing to announce a full-scale attack on the "Black" faction.

"According to the information displayed on the Spirit Foundation Disc, the 'Black' Assassin withdrew last night... He was probably eliminated by either the 'Red' Swordsman or the 'Black' Archer."

"Shouldn't? You didn't even monitor your pigeons?"

Atalanta gave a mocking look, but Semiramis didn't take it to heart.

"The city of Mirania now consists only of Archer, Lancer, Rider, Caster, Berserker, and the captured Spartacus."

With Saber and Assassin out of the picture, and us now ready, it is the perfect time for the final battle.

Isn't it boring to just engage in repeated small-scale skirmishes?

The "Red" assassin revealed a seductive smile: "Since we've finally joined the war, don't you think we should make a big show of it?"

As expected of a woman who once ruled an ancient empire, her incitement was even effective on heroic spirits.

Atalanta and the cavalry—Achilles nodded reluctantly, while the sorcerer cheered jubilantly.

A fighting spirit gleamed in Karna's eyes; he had a very strong premonition:

That man will definitely show up again tonight.

He has broken the golden armor bestowed upon him by the sun god, making him the strongest king... If I have the chance, I must settle this score with him this time.

Thus, the "Red" camp set off with high morale.

……

……

The Yggdrasil Clan predicts the enemy's attack from various angles and arranges corresponding counterattack plans.

They might launch a full-scale assault from Torrey Presley, or lead a large army to attack from the east.

The possibility of an aerial attack is certainly not low, but—

"...I really didn't expect them to attack the entire territory at once."

Chiron sighed as he spoke of the "black" archer.

The massive fortress that slowly approached from afar was none other than Semiramis's prized treasure, "The Hanging Gardens of Vanity."

The Assyrian queen was not the true owner of the Hanging Gardens in history; such a legend only existed.

In reality, she had never seen the Hanging Gardens, but she knew that it was etched in her mind in the form of her own imagination and could clearly feel it.

Therefore, if she wants to make the "Vanity Hanging Gardens" appear, she must first collect materials such as stone and wood from specific regions.

It cannot be made of magic, but must be based on real-world materials—and must be wood, stone, minerals, plants, and water from the land where the Empress lived.

The Master who prepared all of this for her, Father Kotomine.

These collected items are combined and their illusions are brought to life through a magic ritual involving dozens of hours of continuous chanting.

This is a false reality, and a treasure that could never have existed in the first place, which is why it is named "Vanity".

Although it is a fabricated creation, in this Holy Grail War, it is the strongest fantasy that can truly fight against many opponents.

"That Assassin guy actually had something like this hidden away, that's really outrageous."

Atalanta, the archer known as "Red," stood high in the Sky Garden, preparing for the upcoming decisive battle.

The unique dry, cold wind of late autumn gently caressed her hair, and the animal ears on the girl's head twitched.

"Um……?"

The foremost female hunter in Greece seemed to sense something.

Her sharp gaze pierced through the sea of ​​clouds, looking towards the horizon—

Then Atalanta saw it.

"what?"

Similar to "Vain's Sky Garden", it is a massive fortress that cruises thousands of meters in the air.

That Noble Phantasm, which has a strong presence, has a shape similar to a pure white yacht, but is covered with golden, shimmering wings of light.

The highly mobile lobby "Ehangwen"

This is one of the many treasures possessed by King Arthur, and it is also a small water warship powered by true ether.

Of course, as King Arthur's ultimate form (the Nameless King), it was also recorded in Shirou's spirit origin at this time.

Furthermore, the man had considered before his death that he might not find peace after his death.