Robust Physique (EX), Clairvoyance (A), Arrow Creation (A)...
With just these three Skills and his own unparalleled archery, Arash could continuously snipe the Enforcement Knights advancing along separate routes as he fired from the high mountain peak down into the wilderness below.
His arrows streaked like shooting stars, like meteors, like beams of seven-colored light. Spanning tens of kilometers, they relentlessly struck the Enforcement Knights from their horses, sowing panic among those who had betrayed the Way of the Knight.
One arrow, ten arrows, a hundred arrows—as long as he didn't use his Noble Phantasm, Arash seemed capable of firing indefinitely. Only the bow in his hands and the arrows he created with his Arrow Creation Skill could withstand the strain of his Robust Physique.
"Ruler, I think I've found him! My arrows aimed toward the West Village are being shot down, and that rider is wearing different armor."
"Arash, I'm counting on you."
In her memories of this Singularity from her past life, Arash had once thrown Mash, Ritsuka, and the others over tens of kilometers, using that 'dining table' as a makeshift boat.
This time, with Mash absent, Guinevere used the second Wooden Flying Chariot crafted by Da Vinci-chan.
As Arash lifted the Wooden Flying Chariot, the muscles in his arms bulged with power. The chariot, with Guinevere inside, shot into the sky like a cannonball.
Before long, however, the Wooden Flying Chariot began to buckle under the strain of its sound-barrier-breaking speed. The sails on its sides and other components started to disintegrate, until only the main body remained, carrying Guinevere as it plummeted toward the West Village.
The force of the sonic boom caused Guinevere to black out for several seconds. Upon regaining consciousness, she instinctively crouched low, letting the chariot bear the brunt of the obstructive 'wind.'
This method of travel... even some weaker Servants probably couldn't endure it.
Because he was launching a person instead of an arrow, Arash had carefully controlled his strength. He had ensured the chariot's thrust would begin to fail halfway through its flight, allowing it to coast toward the target on inertia alone.
This reduced speed allowed Guinevere to straighten up, muttering to herself as she scanned her surroundings.
In the sky, seven-colored streaks of light continued to shoot across the heavens, overtaking the chariot and carrying Arash's fury to the Enforcement Knights.
Looking down, Guinevere saw the scattered Enforcement Knights. Only Lancelot remained in his original position.
He looked the same as he had a few days ago, but his aura was significantly stronger.
"Second Noble Phantasm: Instant Release."
Having used it once before, she was much more accustomed to it the second time. Wings materialized on Guinevere's back, lifting her from the Wooden Flying Chariot. In the same instant, she kicked the chariot hard.
The blow altered its trajectory, sending the self-destructing Magecraft creation plummeting straight toward Lancelot.
According to Da Vinci-chan herself, the explosion from her creation packed a tenth of the power of a Holy Sword Beam.
BOOM!
A deafening roar erupted, blasting sand and earth into the air and completely obscuring Lancelot's figure.
But as the saying goes, "where there's smoke, there's no harm." Lancelot cleaved through the dust cloud with a single sword strike, revealing himself and his steed completely unscathed.
Guinevere's second attack followed immediately—another Sword of Destined Judgment hurtling toward him.
This time, the crimson light descended like a celestial river. And this time, Lancelot shattered Guinevere's Noble Phantasm with his sword, the afterglow erupting in towering pillars of light on either side of him.
However, these two attacks had cost Lancelot the opportunity to strike while Guinevere was off-balance. Her wings dissipated, and she landed steadily a short distance in front of him.
Guinevere had defeated Lancelot in life and sparred with him again during the Fourth Holy Grail War. Based on her recent clash with this Lancelot before the gates of New Camelot, she had judged him to be stronger than the Lancelot she knew in life, yet weaker than Fairy Knight Lancelot.
However, that conclusion was from their spar several days ago.
Now, as they faced each other in silence, she saw no trace of his former hesitation—only a bone-chilling killing intent.
Is this the "Inversion" blessing Agravain mentioned? Guinevere wondered, even as their swords clashed.
She held nothing back, but Lancelot's blade was saturated with murderous intent. With each swing, his sword seemed to grow darker, as if being stained by its master's actions.
It was as if Lancelot had betrayed the very principles his sword once embodied.
Guinevere was witnessing firsthand the transformation of Arondight from a Holy Sword into a Demonic Sword.
"I declare you guilty of betraying your king, conspiring with his wife, and committing the crime of disloyalty!
"I declare you guilty of neglecting your wife, abandoning your child, and failing in your duties as a father!
"I declare you guilty of abandoning the Knight's Code by aiding a tyrant instead of counseling your king!"
As Guinevere relentlessly cast her [Judgment] upon him, his soul was tormented by the skill's effect. Tears streamed down his face, yet amidst his weeping, he burst into unrestrained, joyous laughter.
After all, Guinevere was using the King of Knights' body and acting with her trust. To be judged by Guinevere was to be judged by the King of Knights herself.
This was the wish Lancelot had yearned for for decades in life—a desire that had become a lingering obsession even after death.
He lowered his sword and stepped back, wiping away his tears. Then, he looked at Guinevere and said, "Thank you."
And...
"Ruler, since you have passed judgment upon me, come now and execute this sinner!"
As Lancelot's voice fell, the transformation of Arondight in his hand accelerated, turning it into a Demonic Sword. A familiar, frenzied madness began to taint his mana signature—a madness Guinevere recognized.
In effect, [Judgment] allowed Guinevere to deal increased damage to Lancelot. However, the mental torment it inflicted had paradoxically become a powerful buff for him.
His guilt, under the effect of [Inversion], transformed into pure, unadulterated killing intent.
Snap.
It was the snap of her fingers, and a mass of golden flames instantly enveloped Lancelot.
But even in his frenzy, his Class was still Saber. His [Magic Resistance] B, combined with the protection of the Lady of the Lake, was enough to let him ignore this mere probing flame.
However, Guinevere's [Execution] was EX Rank. As she continuously raised the flame's temperature to around a thousand degrees, Lancelot was forced to use Mana Burst to disperse the fire clinging to him.
Of course, this Mana Burst wasn't a Skill but a technique Lancelot had mastered. It consumed more mana and was less effective than the actual Skill.
But...
Since Guinevere didn't intend to burn him to death—preferring to cut him down herself—Lancelot's Mana Burst was more than sufficient.
"Originally, I planned to let Mash beat you senseless. But since it's you, I can't afford to hold back in a sword fight!
"Lancelot, if you want to apologize to the Galahad within Mash, then you'd better fight harder! Hold out until she can get here!"
Swords clashed, and the wasteland cracked.
Barring any surprises, Lancelot would be cut down by Guinevere right here.
[Inversion], [Rampage], and the [Ferocity] he originally possessed had nothing to do with his swordsmanship, which had already reached its absolute limit.
[Ferocity] merely granted him immunity to all debuffs, effectively making him a Ruler-Class Servant.
Guinevere's [Judgment] interrogation, however, was not classified as a debuff.