Miracle Summoner

"Boom!"

It was a sound like the firing of a mortar.

Riding atop her majestic white horse, Artoria descended like a cannonball. With Dun Stallion carrying her, they seemed to merge as one, transforming into a streak of light as they charged toward Rozen and his group.

Wherever they passed, the atmosphere was completely disrupted, surging like a shockwave.

"So fast!"

Mash, Bedivere, and Artoria [Alter]—three mounted Servants—watched in shock, their expressions changing dramatically.

For once Artoria was mounted on Dun Stallion, her speed had reached an extreme, so much so that even knights of the Round Table like them struggled to react in time.

Yet Artoria showed no mercy. Her holy lance, Rhongomyniad, functioned as a knight's lance, and as Dun Stallion dove, its tip crackled with lightning and thrust forward violently.

Her target—was the weakest among them, Bedivere.

Clearly, Artoria intended to eliminate Bedivere first.

Bedivere himself was completely unable to react.

In this critical moment—

"Haaaah...!"

With a determined cry, the shield-bearing girl stepped forward, raising her shield and standing between Bedivere and the incoming attack.

The holy lance, streaking forward like a thunderbolt, crashed heavily against the shield raised just in time.

"Boom—!"

There was no clash of steel—only an explosion-like sound echoing through the air.

As the holy lance struck the unyielding shield, a tremendous force erupted, unleashing a terrifying impact meant to blast everyone away, including Mash.

Caught off guard, Bedivere was immediately sent flying by the shockwave. Even Artoria [Alter] couldn't hold her ground and was forced backward as if struck.

Yet Mash—somehow endured.

"Ngh...!"

Gritting her teeth, Mash struggled to hold her shield steady. The violent bursts of impact from Rhongomyniad kept detonating, yet every one of them was blocked.

"Impressive defense. You may have surpassed Sir Galahad," Artoria observed from atop Dun Stallion, still in her striking stance, looking down at Mash.

"But in the end, you're still only human."

As she spoke, light shimmered along the tip of Rhongomyniad, transforming into a radiant explosion.

"Boom—!"

The light erupted like a storm, ravaging the land and shattering the earth beneath it.

"Ahh!"

Mash finally let out a pained cry as she was blown away, sent hurtling backward.

"Hah!"

At that moment, Artoria [Alter], who had been retreating, suddenly surged forward. Her holy sword, Galatine, carved a freezing arc through the air as she slashed at Artoria.

"My king!"

Bedivere, too, lunged forward, leaping toward Artoria from the other side. His silver arm shone with brilliant light, ignoring the burning sensation spreading through his body as he struck at Artoria.

Two slashes—both carrying an incredible force—had yet to land, but the sheer chill and sharpness of their attacks could already be felt.

But—

"It's pointless."

Without a shred of emotion, Artoria made her declaration. At the same time, she spun Rhongomyniad like a windmill, swinging it in all directions.

"Clang—!"

A perfectly synchronized sound of impact rang out. The holy lance-turned-windmill struck both Galatine and Bedivere's silver arm.

"Guh...!"

"Ugh...!"

The two groaned in pain as they were shaken by the terrifying power bursting from the lance's impact.

Especially Bedivere, whose strength was inferior to Artoria [Alter]. He was sent staggering backward in a wretched state, unable to steady himself as he stumbled away.

It all happened in an instant.

"Danger!"

Artoria [Alter] shouted in alarm.

Looking closely, Dun Stallion had suddenly burst forward, shooting like a bolt of lightning toward the retreating Bedivere.

"Die."

Artoria's holy lance flared, piercing forward at astonishing speed.

"Splurt!"

The sound of flesh being pierced echoed through the air.

Blood splattered across the earth.

"Guh...! Ah...!"

Bedivere let out a cry of agony.

His abdomen had been mercilessly pierced by Rhongomyniad, the holy lance emerging from his back as blood poured out in torrents.

"Sir Bedivere!"

Mash cried out in horror at the sight.

"Lion King!"

For the first time, fury surfaced on Artoria [Alter]'s face. She threw herself at Artoria without hesitation.

At that moment, Artoria had her back to Artoria [Alter], completely defenseless.

Of course, Artoria was unguarded because someone else had already reacted for her.

"—!"

Dun Stallion neighed sharply, suddenly shifting its position. It even reared up, lifting its front hooves—then kicked toward the approaching Artoria [Alter].

"Clang—!"

A metallic crash rang out as Dun Stallion's front hooves struck Artoria [Alter]'s holy sword, knocking it aside.

Artoria [Alter]'s hands were forced open, her grip on her sword momentarily shaken.

Her front was now wide open.

"It's over."

Artoria's holy lance transformed into a dazzling streak of light, its tip aimed straight at Artoria [Alter]'s heart.

There was no room to dodge.

"Come forth!"

At the last possible moment, a voice rang out.

"The first Beast Vassal—Mesarthim Adamas!"

The moment these words were spoken, an overwhelming surge of magic erupted. A massive, diamond-like ram materialized in front of Artoria [Alter], intercepting Artoria's lance.

"Clang—!"

The piercing light from Rhongomyniad erupted with blinding radiance.

Yet this radiance was entirely reflected by the diamond-coated beast, rebounding onto Artoria herself.

"Boom—!"

A light explosion sent Artoria and Dun Stallion flying.

Then—

"Come forth!"

Another surge of tremendous magical power burst forth.

"The fifth Beast Vassal—Regulus Aurum!"

Lightning suddenly crackled into existence.

"Roar!"

With a thunderous roar, a massive lion composed entirely of lightning descended with blinding brilliance, charging toward Artoria.

"Boom—!"

The earth-shaking explosion of thunder and lightning erupted, sending electric arcs snaking wildly in every direction.

Artoria was engulfed by the radiant storm of lightning.

And this—was just the beginning.

Above them, Rozen descended from midair, gripping his Sword of the Sun. Looking at Bedivere, who lay on the ground with a gaping wound in his abdomen, bleeding profusely and barely clinging to life, an uncontrollable fury surged in his heart.

A terrifying magic power—stronger than ever before—began erupting from him.