The Wailing Wall

Amazing... What a citadel. This is the heart of this era, the area where the Holy Land was.

Such massive white walls, as if to reject anything foreign... That's... the Holy City?

It seems so. Although it's already completely nighttime now...

Take a look over there at the center of the wall... That's the Holy City's main gate.

A bunch of refugees have gathered there... Somewhere around a thousand people, perhaps?

They're probably waiting for that Ritual of Holy Selection. Perfect timing. You should go along with them.

As long as you're inside the Holy City, there should be an opportunity to see the Lion King.

Sounds good. I suppose I'll fold up the ornithopter now.

Driving up in a car would draw unwanted attention Who's there? You, peering at us from behind that rock!

Heh heh heh... What a beauty we've got here. Did you come from the desert? Those are some expensive-looking clothes.

It looks like you're here for the Ritual of Holy Selection. I won't think ill of you. You should turn back.

Of course, that'll be after you drop all your possessions. Don't worry, I'll pay you 10% of the market value.

...Man, thanks to the Lion King I can just wait out here, and suckers like you show up one after another.

I see, you're a scammer trying to take advantage of refugees. I shouldn't say this, but that's pretty efficient!

However, I can't allow a business to prey upon the weak!

Fujimaru, go right ahead and discipline them!

？！

Ugh, I give up! I surrender, I surrender! My life isn't worth giving up for chump change!

For a thief, you know pretty well when to quit. By the way, that accent... Are you a Muslim merchant?

Huh? I sure haven't heard that recently. Until a little while ago there were people like that everywhere.

There were quite a number of us around! We even did good business with the Crusaders.

But after the Holy City was built, the Lion King's aides crushed us in an instant.

I'm pretty quick-witted, though. I bowed down before them, and they let me live.

By the time I raised my head, everyone else had theirs chopped off! Isn't that just a laugh?

...That's terrible. They killed all the local merchants?

Here's our chance! You let your guard down, knight girl! Everyone, scatter!

Yeah! On our way, Boss Saruhan!

Ah, hey wait! We want to hear more details!

If you want me to talk, pay up! ...Or so I'd like to say, but you're all pretty scary, so I'm not making deals!

See you, weird guy and crew! ...But I was serious when I warned you to turn back.

This is for your own good. If you want to stay human, don't go near that castle.

...The group of thieves has retreated. Should we pursue them, Master?

That won't be necessary. Besides, it would be difficult to catch them.

Right. They were saying some disturbing things, but we have no choice but to jump into the lion's den.

Also, they were locals. I didn't detect any sort of Servant response.

Although they could be like Jekyll back in London, mixed in from a different era.

I see. Despite not being Servants, they were pretty strong...

Hmm. They said they were merchants, but they might have been soldiers.

Well, that's none of our concern. Anyway, let's hurry to the Holy City. Looks like something might happen soon.

Yeah, everyone be careful. Hide yourselves under cloaks, and do your best not to stand out!

...We managed to slip in. Then again, we are at the edge of the refugee group and the furthest from the main gate...

...I'm sure you've noticed, but I'll report anyway. There are highly concentrated magical energy signatures around you.

They're encircling the refugees. Can you visually confirm this, Mash?

...Yes. They're from...

It seems to be the knights who came out of the Holy City. They're silently guarding the refugees...

Yes, this isn't an illusion! What exactly could this be

Senpai, that's not it! The sun suddenly rose!

？！

...What's going on? How did the sun rise without anyone noticing?

Calm yourselves. This is a miracle from the Lion King

A Gift he bestowed upon me with the words, "May the sun always bless you."

Master, a knight just appeared from the main gate. That'sthat man is

Sir Gawain! Sir Gawain of the Knights of the Round Table! The ceremony's starting! We can enter the Holy City!

They've started admitting the refugees!? But I've detected an enormous Servant signature!

...This is terrible. I can't believe it! How could something like this happen?

...Leonardo? What's wrong? You aren't acting like yourself! What exactly is going on there!?

Fujimaru, Mash. We need to get away from here. Now.

We can still make it. They call this Holy Selection? That's the wrong word. They're

Everyone, I thank you for gathering here in the Holy City of your own accord.

Humanity's time has ended and this small world is marching toward ruin.

His Majesty has cast judgment. There is no place for people to live on this earth, in any land.

That is, with the exception of our Holy City of Camelot.

Our Holy City is a complete, perfect, pure-white, millennial kingdom. Beyond this gate awaits an ideal world.

Wow! So the rumors were true!

The Knights of the Round Table... How divine... Despite being foreign knights, their radiance is real...

Thank you. I'm sure you underwent a long, difficult journey to arrive here.

Our king accepts any and all people, of all races and religions, without exception.

However, before that, you must receive his pardon.

There's someone on top of the main gate!? Ahh, that's!

There are few who can be led to the end of this world.

The roots of humanity rot and fall.

And thus, I must choose. Those souls who are clean of filth. Those souls uncorrupted by any and all wickedness.

Those people born of eternal, immovable purity.

Huh? What's this light!? It's so bright, but it's not blinding at all!?

Hey, are you shining? Mommy, you're all shiny!

The Holy Selection is over. Allow only those three to enter. Go and collect them, Sir Gawain.

...As you wish.

Everyone, I'm most sorry. However, this is all done to preserve the world of man.

The king has ordered your purification. Nowyour Holy Punishment begins.

What the... Y-You're joking, right? Wait, why are you drawing your swords?

Stop... Stop, stop, stop! Please, don't kill me, don't kill me!

They're in a panic! The refugees... The knights are attacking them!

But they can't escape. They're completely surrounded. The knights of the Holy City intended to do that from the get-go.

...If it's just us, we can make it out of here. Fujimaru... You understand this, right?

？！

Yes! It doesn't matter where, we just have to break a hole in the knights' circle!

Master, please provide magical energy! I most certainly won't lose!

...Oh dear. I already know how this is going to turn out.

Well, I suppose I can't help it. Now that I think about it, I'm just a little too universal.

Leonardo?

Oh, just talking to myself! I agree with Fujimaru as well!

Even if we can't save a thousand, we can save a hundred! Let's break through the encircling knights!

Enemy group eliminated!

Wait, are they fighting each other!? Well, who cares, thanks!

Everyone, this way! We've got a chance to escape here!

Fou, fooou!

We did it! Even if it's just a bit, we've disrupted the enemy circle.

Now the gathered people can...

...

The fallen knights are vanishing. What exactly are they?

Their magical responses show they are human, but also close to Heroic Spirits.

They're like living weapons, forged using powerful spells.

This...isn't the work of a human being... Is that Lion King really a Heroic Spirit!?

Report to Sir Agravain. We're being obstructed by Servants.

Even Heroic Spirits are no exception. Those sentenced to Holy Punishment are unneeded.

I've detected multiple enemy reinforcements! Enemy signatures are rushing straight to your position!

You've done enough! Escape! At this rate, they'll overwhelm you with sheer numbers!

But... if we don't fight, the refugees will...

What!? I've confirmed a magical energy signal from another direction!

Thislooks like others have started fighting! You're hitting the west, and someone is hitting the east!

This should reduce your burden a little! Da Vinci!

Got it! We'll hold out to our limit! Let's go, Fujimaru!

You've been chosen. Come, now enter the Holy City.

Stop, let me go! Ahh... Rushd, Rushd!

Open your eyes, Rushd! How terrible of you, to strike a child!

Ugh... Ngh...

If you'll take me, take my child as well! I can't leave him on his own!

That child was not chosen. Forget him. Your body no longer belongs to you.

There are no exceptions. Such affection is not permitted. The ideal soul is not allowed to enjoy human freedoms.

I'll obey the Lion King! I'll do anything! Just let my child stay with me!

I'll make sure he behaves! I'll tell him to pray day and night to the Lion King as well!

...No. You people won't discard your own god. Even a young child cannot.

Your fervent faith is respectable. That gives your life value.

He can sleep along with his faith. Your child has been chosen by your god for this.

Ahh Stop, stop it At least spare my child!

...How foolish. You shield your own child?

Huh... Mommy? What's wrong? Is it morning already?

Ahh... Rushd... I'm so glad. You're my hope... My life...

May you live...a long and...happy life...

Mommy, are you crying? Did something sad happen?

You're such a crybaby sometimes. And you're hugging me too tight... It hurts...

... ...

Chokhmah 2 here. Confirmed drop-out of one chosen. Vitals have ceased. Those that cannot gauge their own value have no right entering the Holy City.

Will resume the Holy Punishment after disposing of the child. End of report.

...Mommy? Who are those people? Are they your friends?

Aaaah!?

Blasphemous. To even compare a knight to a drop-out like her...

That mother earlier... She must have been chosen by mistake. Mountain scum like this mother and child will be judged

Uu-aaaaaaaah!

Argh... Ugh... Hah, hah... Enemy knight eliminated!

But, but... I could see it happening, but I couldn't make it in time...

？！

Yes! I'll do everything I can to protect him!

This is the point of no return! If you get any closer to the gate, there's no going back!

You need to break through from the west! You can still make it from there!

That hope will not be fulfilled... Your lives end here.

!

An impressive uprising. It seems there were still fighters amongst the heretics.

However, that ends now. Causing disorder at the Holy City gate is a sin worthy of death.

I am Gawain, a Knight of the Round Table. As one entrusted with the responsibility of delivering Holy Punishment, I shall judge you.

I am Gawain, a Knight of the Round Table. As one entrusted with the responsibility of delivering Holy Punishment, I shall judge you.

Sir Gawain! He's the one called the Knight of the Sun and wields the second sacred sword!

There's no more doubt about it!

It was King Arthur's knights, the Knights of the Round Table, who annihilated the Crusaders and built a Holy City upon the Holy Land!

？！

No, this one's different.

The Spirit Origin output observed from that Servant just now was far beyond that of King Arthur in our data!

That's not even in the realm of a Servant! How did King Arthur become such a monster!?

It seems you have a mage using a far-seeing spell... Then, you must be the defenders of humanity.

"When the foreign star shines, the bond of the white wall crumbles, the king's power wanes, and the divine tower falls."

...How unfortunate. If our meeting was of a different nature, we may have found a path of coexistence.

Magical energy response has multiplied several times over! Gawain intends to fight!

Gawain is the wielder of the sister sword of Excalibur, a Noble Phantasm second only to King Arthur's...

Not only that, but it's daytime now, right!? In that case, you have no way to win! Get out of there!

Sir Gawain is a knight blessed with the Numeral of the Saint... During the day, his power is three times greater...

According to legend, none could defeat him under the sun! Sir Gawain is invincible during the day!

Right, the Numeral of the Saint strengthens his body! During the day, Sir Gawain is invincible!

？！

You cannot escape. It's already impossible for you to withdraw on your own.

You opened a way for the refugees to escape, then set foot into enemy lines to save that child.

This is the price you must pay. Weren't you prepared for this to happen?

It's no good, we can't retreat! We're entering combat, Master!

It's no good, Master! Our attacks are meaningless against him during the day!

On top of that, he's holding back on us. He isn't even using his Noble Phantasm.

Oh? It seems one of you is taking it easy as well. Of course, I do not intend to use my sacred sword.

You are not powerful enough to be worthy. I will dispose of you like the common trash.

...

(Have you noticed, Fujimaru? Mash doesn't seem very well.)

(It's not just that her strength is dwindling. Mash is hardly standing up to Gawain at all.)

(We'll be in real danger if this keeps up. Try to buy some time, just a little.)

Fou, fou!

？！

Master!?

Hm. Normally, I would not even deem you worthy of a response...

But seeing how you put yourself in danger to shield a woman, I shall answer your question.

Master from a foreign land. What is your name?

？！

Many thanks. Allow me to formally introduce myself, Fujimaru.

I am Gawain, a Knight of the Round Table.

I serve Arthur, the King of Knights, the pure-white Lion King, protector of humanity, and founder of this Holy City.

What we seek is the completion of a utopia, untainted and unstained.

The only right way for humans to live is to obey the laws of the Lion King, which will create a pure-white millennial kingdom.

To do that, we select exceptionally good humans. Those not selected are purged.

That is all we're trying to do. We act in accordance with our own justice.

You decided to reject that. It may have been on the spur of the moment, but still, you denied the Lion King's Holy Selection.

For the king, one mistake is one too many. ...Thus, you must prepare yourselves.

You have now made enemies of the Lion King, and the Knights of the Round Table.

Whether I defeat you now, or another Knight of the Round defeats you later... Either way, your fate is sealed.

I have no intention of causing you suffering. Accept your fate, and let this end quickly.

？！

You're being reckless! That won't do, Master!

Ugh!

You're equally reckless. No, I'm certain that disposition is causing grief for Fujimaru, as well.

You still don't view me with hostility. Why did you even enter the battlefield with such a mindset?

You said you'd defend that child. You defeated the Enforcement Knight who killed his mother out of hatred.

Yet you don't exhibit the same hostility toward me. Don't you understand? I am the one who killed that child's mother.

I ordered this Holy Punishment. I allowed this slaughter to occur.

The Enforcement Knight was simply following orders. The enemy you should hate is me, the commander.

Someone who doesn't even understand that shouldn't be on the battlefield! Realize how you insult us by being here!

!!!

This is the end! That shield is too heavy of a burden for you to bear!

？！

You're the arrogant one here, Sir Gawain. Individual beliefs and one's actions on the battlefield are two separate things

You don't have the right to denounce her beliefs. All the more if you've fallen to such heresy.

Wh-What? You... You're...

？！

Save the greetings for later! Devote your attention to the enemy before us!

I shall destroy his Gift as a Knight of the Round Table. You have nothing to fear from Sir Gawain.

You haven't lost yet. This isn't a matter of sheer power. This is a matter of how one lives their life.

...I had my own issues as well.

To crush the strong, and aid the weak. That decision is always correct, more than any other.

In that case, this radiance is for you, Fujimaru. Switch On - Airgetlám!

Impossible! Unbelievable! Why are you here!? And more importantly

Sir Bedivere! You are a Knight of the Round Table! Do you intend to commit treason against your king!?

？！

You brushed aside my Galatine!? Impossible, are you saying that's the true arm of Nuadha!?

Ugh... Arghhhhh!

This smell Wait, are you burning!? Not just that arm, but inside too!?

Don't mind me, hurry! Now's the chance to escape!

That's our intent! I defeated the enemies behind us while you were fighting, Lucius!

Let's go, Fujimaru! It's not worth the energy fighting Gawain during the day!

？！

Yes, what a reliable, universal Servant! LucI mean, Mr. Bedivere! Come with us!

Huh... Whoa!?

Y-You're quite strong there, milady! To carry that shield and also pick me up at the same time...

Master, please take this child!

？！

Now everyone, shield your eyes, and brace for impact! Open your mouths, and cover your eyes and ears!

!!!

Bedivere! Wait, what's the meaning of this!?

Why... Why would a knight like you appear on a battlefield like this!?