Fate/Magus Path

44 Clash of Knights

A sharp longsword dragged along the asphalt road, producing a metallic clang as it scraped, sending out sparks. Wherever the blade passed, it left a deep mark.

With a glint in his eyes, the young man steadily advanced, swinging his greatsword toward the invincible King of Knights standing before him.

*Clang!!*

The piercing sound of combat echoed... the clash of knights.

Artoria firmly blocked the strike from the Arondight with her sword. Her brows furrowed as she stared into the eyes of the young man standing just inches away and asked,

"What's going on? Why is Sir Lancelot's sword in your hands?"

"Why don't you take a guess, Saber?" Roy raised an eyebrow.

"If you guess correctly, I'll tell you."

"..."

A hint of resignation flashed in her green eyes, and without further ado, she intensified her sword's power, sending Roy flying back dozens of meters.

"Answer me seriously, magus." Saber's tone grew stern as the tip of her sword pointed at the young man before her. "Where is Sir Lancelot? And why is his sword in your hands?"

"Well... I did say you could take a guess, but..."

"You really don't even know where Lancelot is? You've seen him before, yet you still can't recognize him? That's quite... something."

Dusting off his clothes, Roy raised his sword again and assumed a fighting stance.

"... It must be breaking Lancelot's heart!"

The cold moonlight reflected off the sword's surface, casting a chilling glow.

The beautiful holy sword shimmered like autumn waters, rippling softly with a faint light from the lake.

"Think carefully, King of Knights who is still lost in dreams of the past. Where exactly have you encountered the Knight of the Lake?"

"... "

After a moment of silence, Artoria no longer felt like fighting him. Her mind spun, replaying Roy's words,

"You've met him before, yet you didn't recognize him?"

They had met before, but where exactly had she encountered Lancelot?

The Einzbern family? Impossible. Where else?

Her mind raced, but in the end, only the most improbable answer remained.

Berserker was Sir Lancelot!!

"No, that can't be..."

How could such an outstanding knight become that crazed figure? How could he turn into a vengeful spirit burdened by resentment? But... hadn't he been protecting her during the battle, not as a matter of strategy but...

Suddenly, she understood everything.

"It seems you've figured it out." Roy smiled at her. "That guilty knight, even in death, continues to protect his king. Isn't that romantic? Though, there's a small flaw in the story... his king didn't recognize him."

"But that's alright. When he left the stage, he was already satisfied, having wielded his sword once more to protect you. Yet, even in the end, he still couldn't stop worrying about you."

"In the end, he willingly split his saint graph and gave a part of it to me, hoping I could help you in the future. He really is someone who loves to cause trouble, don't you think?"