Fate: Livestream in Chaldeas

Chapter 29: Mo-chan, Where Did You Learn Military Strategy?

"Even if I am the last knight of the Round Table, I have no regrets."

"No matter what order you give, I will carry it out, but even so, do you still refuse to acknowledge me as your son, King of Knights?!"

Mordred took step after step toward the throne, waiting for an answer from the one seated upon it.

"Why?! Just because I am the forbidden child? Just because you despise my mother?! Answer me, Arthur!!!"

No matter how much Mordred questioned, the proud monarch on the throne maintained a cold, expressionless face.

"If that's the case, then I will spend the rest of my life utterly destroying Britannia! I will obliterate everything you cherish! This is your retribution, the price for refusing to acknowledge me! Arthur!!!"

A radiant, regal sword suddenly appeared in Mordred's hands. She immediately gripped it tightly with both hands and swung it down directly at the figure seated upon the throne!

Whoosh——————!!!

However, the figure of the King of Knights abruptly vanished, and the throne suddenly transformed into a massive black void.

Losing her balance, Mordred plunged straight into it!

Inside was a pitch-black swamp, slowly enveloping her, draining her strength and body bit by bit.

Instinctively, Mordred wanted to scream, but no sound came out.

Just as her consciousness grew hazy, a brilliant divine light shattered through the black sludge, pulling her out of the abyss.

"Cough, cough…!!!"

Finally free, Mordred collapsed onto the ground, gasping and coughing violently.

As she struggled to lift her head and take in her surroundings, she saw the black swamp coiling around King Arthur, who was wielding Excalibur, before both of them vanished.

"Father???"

Mordred's body began to fall endlessly. She desperately reached out, trying to grasp something—anything—but her fingers touched nothing.

"So in the end… I was never… meant to be acknowledged… by Father…"

…

"Hey!"

Suddenly, a warm hand tightly grasped Mordred's own!

Startled, she opened her eyes, and in front of her was the familiar face of a young man.

"Are you okay? You almost fell."

Ethan sighed in relief, speaking to Mordred with concern.

"Master?"

Mordred glanced around and realized that half of her body was dangling off the edge of a bed. If not for Ethan holding onto her, she would have fallen to the ground.

"Aiya, why don't you just spirit-form yourself? Wouldn't that restore your mana faster?"

Ethan exerted some strength and pulled Mordred back up.

At first, he thought she would be quite heavy, but surprisingly, she was much lighter than expected.

"What are you talking about? I worked so hard to get this body, of course I'm going to use it to enjoy myself!"

Mordred sat back down on the old wooden bed, crossing her arms and legs, then pouted as she questioned Ethan.

"On the other hand, Master, why did you barge in and interrupt my sleep at this hour? Don't tell me that black-armored witch has returned?"

"No."

Ethan thought for a moment.

"It's just that everyone's mana has recovered quite a bit, so we should be able to move out soon."

He deliberately adjusted his wording—after all, out of all the Servants, only Mordred had consumed too much mana, while the others were still within manageable limits.

"Oh! I've slept enough too, then let's hurry up and hunt down that witch!!!"

Mordred immediately leaped off the bed, ready to rush outside.

"Wait, before that, we should hold a meeting."

Ethan quickly stopped her.

"A meeting?!"

Mordred tilted her head at Ethan.

"That's right. This is important—we should come up with a proper plan first."

Something suddenly crossed Ethan's mind.

"Oh, right, Mordred, since you used to be a Knight of the Round Table, you must have led troops into battle quite a few times. Why don't you suggest a strategy for us?"

"Me?"

Mordred's lips curled into a smug grin.

"Heh, I see, I see, so you've finally recognized my talents. When it comes to intelligence, not even all the Knights of the Round Table combined can compare to me! Master, leave it to me—I'll come up with the perfect plan for you!!"

"Oho? Don't let me down, Mordred."

"Relax, Master, soon everyone will understand that my brilliance surpasses all of Britannia!!"

"Then I can rest easy, hahaha."

"Hmph hmph hmph, Master, just wait and see!"

.

.

.

"Rejected!!!"

Ethan sat before the makeshift table, veins popping on his forehead as he flatly refused.

"Nani?! Master, did you even listen properly?"

Mordred's eyes widened in disbelief, and in frustration, she slammed her fist onto the old, rickety table, nearly breaking it.

"The plan I proposed is obviously flawless!"

"…But isn't your entire plan just two words—'surprise attack'?"

Ethan spoke helplessly.

"Of course! The way a true king wages war is by aiming straight for the enemy's head! As long as we find that witch's hideout, I alone can level it!"

Mordred pounded her chest confidently.

Ethan sighed.

He had intentionally started a live broadcast, yet over ten thousand viewers in the stream had only heard Mordred immediately suggest a surprise attack—even before they knew where the enemy base was.

Even more absurd, the majority of the audience instantly supported her plan.

[Quick and decisive! I vote for Mo-chan!]

[Actually, if your speed is high enough, you can launch a surprise attack even without knowing the enemy's location!]

[Are you planning to move at the speed of light or what?]

[Mordred makes sense. I support her unconditionally!]

[Umu umu, truly the most filial child of Britannia. With military genius like this, who could argue?]

…

"What about everyone else's opinions?"

Ethan turned to the others for their thoughts.

"I will completely follow Senpai's decision."

Mash immediately sided with Ethan.

After all, they still hadn't re-established contact with Chaldea and couldn't receive guidance from Doctor Romani.

According to Chaldea's field operation rules, Ethan had the authority to make flexible decisions on-site.

"I investigated last night. It seems the enemy's main base is not nearby. However, if we take some time to expand our search, we may find some clues—if Master deems it necessary."

Emiya Kiritsugu did not explicitly state his stance.

For some reason, whenever he stopped to think about a problem, he couldn't help but pursue the most optimal solution.

Perhaps that was one of the inherent flaws of the man known as Emiya Kiritsugu when he alive.

Rather than proposing strategies, he preferred to be used as a hidden blade in the shadows.

Since Emiya Kiritsugu didn't say anything further, Ethan shifted his gaze to Johanna, who had remained silent.

She seemed to be deep in thought.

"Johanna?"

Noticing Ethan was looking at her, Johanna quickly stood up.

"No, it's nothing. I was just thinking… Could the Saint of Orléans really have become the so-called Dragons Witch? She was once a devoted servant of God, yet now she seeks to destroy her homeland—could there be some mistake here?"

Johanna's expression showed no hesitation, her words filled with unwavering faith in Jeanne d'Arc.

"Earlier, due to the urgency of the situation, I didn't have the chance to speak with her properly. But if I meet her again, as a servant of God, perhaps I can understand why she's doing this. Maybe… she's not truly our enemy."

"However, if I confirm that she is the one standing in our way, I will give my all—to deliver judgment upon her in the name of God!!!"

Johanna's gaze became resolute. At the same time, everyone in the room turned their attention toward Ethan.

After all, the one who would make the final decision was still him.

Hearing that both Mordred and Johanna were inclined to face Jeanne Alter head-on, Ethan let out a long sigh.

"Alright then, let's give it a try—we'll launch a direct assault on the enemy stronghold."

"Wohoo! Awesome! Let's move out!!!"

Mordred cheered excitedly.

"Master, leave it to me!"

"But, Senpai, we don't even know where the enemy's main base is."

Mash pointed out the critical flaw in the plan, quickly interrupting.

"No need to worry. I already know where the Dragons Witch is."

Ethan said slowly.

"With Jeanne's pride, there is only one place she could appear—Orléans Castle."