Mordred, the Raider Knight

To think the Raider Knight would find the village in the west! Lord Arash, how far are the enemy forces from the village!?

One mountain pass! Their signal fire is black, meaning they're about to engage!

The village in the west... So another village is under attack!? Then, we must go help them right away!

Fujimaru is right. We can only do so much right now. Calm down, Mash.

Sorry. But I heard "Knight of the Round Table" and I...

Ah. They're Knights of the Round Table who are given territory in forts outside the Holy City.

To a Knight of the Round Table, being kicked out of the Holy City is nothing short of punishment.

Guess they must've done something to displease the Lion King.

They remain mobile to crush their enemies, like hounds of war. The polar opposite of Gawain, the immovable gatekeeper.

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We can't just sit around and do nothing. If they're your comrades, they must be valuable soldiers, no?

Of course. However, it'll take two days to get from here to the village, no matter how much we hurry...

Even if we take off now...

Hundred Personas would be good at delaying them... But even then, they'd last half a day at most.

Right. That's about all we can do now.

We can only hope that several of them make it out alive...

No, that would be a dead end. This village has no emergency rations...

If we increase the population any more, it would mean mutual ruin. We must try to protect the western village.

That is true. It's just as you've inferred, Sir Bedivere.

？！

If Da Vinci were here, I suppose she would've brushed this all off like it was no big deal.

"Let's fly, then!" she'd say...

Oh! That's right, we had that option. That might do it.

Huh?

What?

？！

Well, if you wouldn't mind it being only once, and one way, we could fly and get there in one go!

Mind you, it's risky. We won't be able to land right at the village. Is that still okay with you?

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Fujimaru...

All right. Choose the members of the assault team, then. I'm in, obviously. Fujimaru and Mash will go too.

What about you, Mr. Knight? We're up against the Round Table. Can you handle it?

Thanks for your concern, but there's no need. I'm not a knight under the Lion King.

Well said. Get ready to move! Follow me!

There's an old roof slab fortified with clay near that collapsed house. Look closely. It's got handles, right?

Oh yeah, it does. I can see holes as deep as my heels, too.

So we grasp these handles and put our feet in these holes... It's almost like we're on all fours...

Save your comments for later, just hold on tight! Fujimaru, you're next to Mash.

Mash, hang tight onto your Master. We'll be going over 300 kilometers an hour.

Huh? Er, Arash Kamangir? What are you doing?

...All we do is wrap these ropes around the slab like so... then fasten them to this huge arrow here...

Now, all set. This should be about the right angle. Good tailwind today... We'll end up right in front of that village!

You're not serious, surely...

Right. This is no laughing matter. There's no way, you can't possibly...

You're being dumb. Who's laughing? It's a life-or-death situation. A story for the ages!

Slab and arrow secure! I'll shoot with everything I've got. The arrow will travel 20 kilometers and take the slab along with it!

See? Easy, right?

？！

You're the idiot! Be serious or you'll end up biting your tongue!

What Arash is in shooting position! This guy's serious!

There's no way we can travel like this. It's just not possible!

You'd think so, but it is. The laws of physics don't apply to things like a Servant's Noble Phantasm.

Besides, a distance of merely 10 or 20 kilometers is like a warm-up session for him.

Yo, thanks for the comment, brother! Leave it to me. I found a good landing spot, too!

Landing spot!? Crash site, more like it Master, please hang on tight!

AHHHHHHHHH! AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

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AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! WAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Aaaaaaaaare you all right, milaaaaaaaaady!? Everyooooone!?

Ahaha. Look there, Fujimaru. Bedivere's cheeks are flapping in the air current!

Dooooctoooorrrrr! Quiiiiiit insulting Sir Bediverrrrrrrrrre!

We're close. Everyone, brace yourselves for the landing!

The foundation will shatter to pieces the instant we crash! Everyone, prepare for impact!

Mash, I'll look after Fujimaru! You focus on taking care of yourself!

Y-Yes! Please take good care of Master, Mr. Arash!

Cooommmiiiinnnng dooooooowwwwnnnn iiiinnnn threeee, twoooooo, oooooonnne...!

All right, this time it was a success. I'm letting you down, Fujimaru.

？！

Intercontinental ballistic transport, only possible from a high-altitude location... Good aim, if I say so myself.

By the way, in case you're wondering why this is a one-time-only deal...

It's because most people who go through it once say, "Never again."

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Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch... Senpai, are you okay!? Where did you land!?

Yo! He's over here, Mash! Sir Bedivere, are you there!?

I'm fine! My cheeks are still numb, though!

Hmph. Both of you still look irritated... We're about to go into battle now. Suck it up.

I am sure those two cannot help themselves. Even I'm shivering after that.

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You won't be able to find the animal trail leading to the village on your own, so... But first...

Fuuuuu GuRuAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Master, we're surrounded! Combat is inevitable!

Tch. It seemed like a good landing spot, but it was a beast's nest.

Must have been quite the disaster for you guys, but we're in a hurry, too... If you interfere, I'll shoot you dead!

(Hahaha. It was quite the disaster for us too, Lord Kamangir.)

Ugh!

Dammit, hurry up and die already! Quit being such a pain in the ass!

You scumbag How'd you find this village!? Our methods of concealment were perfect!

Huh? Who cares? This was instinct... Pure instinct.

I swung my sword where I thought gloomy losers like you would be cowering, and bingo! That's all.

Well, it was a hit, but not my main target. Those traitors that Lancelot let slip away

That's the prey I wanna steal from him... I just got stuck with you losers instead.

...Yeah, dammit. This was my chance to drag Lance's name through the dirt and report it to Father

And wiping out a run-down village like this won't earn me any praise. I can't even get a scolding!

How are you gonna pay for this, huh!? I've only got a few days left until I'm executed!

Executed? They're going to execute you? A Knight of the Round Table?

Yup, that's right! Once Father's Holy Selection is done, everyone outside the Holy City is going to hell!

He didn't give me a castle in the Holy City, so that means I'm going up in flames, too!

So how 'bout it, eh? We're both gonna die in vain anyway. Tell me the village where those traitors escaped to.

If you do, I'll give you a nice, easy death. I won't even manhandle the villagers, just slit their throats.

Such foolishness... You people have gone mad. You've even ceased to believe in God...

Argh, shut up. If anything, I'd doubt your own sanity in defying Father.

Sir Mordred! Enemy ambush from the rear!

It seems several Enforcement Knights courtesy of His Majesty the Lion King have been defeated!

Huh? There's no way those tin cans would lose to any old soldier.

You sure it's not some of Ozymandias's monsters? It wouldn't surprise me if those guys broke the alliance...

The thing is... the enemy looks to be several Servants!

What... Servants, you say!?

Look, we can see them now! The tail end of the Raider Knight's unit!

We'll proceed with the surprise attack! Lord Arash, cover us from behind!

Roger! I've got your backs!

Five seconds until enemy contact! Here we go, Senpai!

That can't be... Where on earth did you...

You won't believe this, but we came from the sky!

A powerful magical energy signature is headed this way! No doubt it's a Knight of the Round Table!

Thanks for dropping by, trash. I welcome you! I'm impressed you came out to see me!

Master, it really is Mordred! From back in London!

Quit shouting my name so much. Who are you, a fan of mine?

Then again, I've killed so many heathens. I'm sure to be famous.

...I, I must have been mistaken... This Mordred's different after all...

What, now you're suddenly being all meek? I'm telling you, I don't know who you

Wait, I do know you. You look different now, but I remember the scent of your magical energy.

I was wondering why you didn't respond to Father's summons. What the hell are you doing here!?

Don't tell me you were one of the rebels? ...So that's it, then. Well, hardly surprising, considering it's you.

You're about the only one who dares to object to King Arthur nowadays. Though you got here a bit too late.

Mordred? Um... Does that mean you'll talk with us, then?

Why would I do that, you idiot! Whoever interferes with me is an enemy!

That mage there must be the Master everyone's talking about. I'm gonna do Agravain a favor and cut you up into pieces!

What's that? You know me too? Tch. Being a Servant is such a hassle.

Anyway, just give it up. I don't know what kind of moron the Mordred you knew was, and I don't give a shit anyway.

Right now I am a knight serving the Lion King. I'm the great Raider Knight Mordred, and it is my duty to be a dishonorable hound.

Do you understand? I've been let off my leash, meaning it's okay for me to do whatever I please!

Hah! That's the best way to handle someone like me! I'll kill whoever dares to defy the king, no matter who they may be!

Obvious, isn't it?! Because it's sooo fun!

It's great, hunting heathens, you know? Despite their weakness, they fight so desperately, they resist

and then they die off like flies, one after the other! Now I know how the Crusaders must've felt!

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Fujimaru. She's not the Mordred from London.

If you pity her, you'll be killed. Fight her as an enemy, with everything you've got.

Well, I was hoping this would turn into a fight. See, my Gift is called "Rampage."

And that means I'll fire off my sacred sword as much as I want, until my soul burns out. Battalions? Armies? Bring it!

Let's see... There's one, two, three... What? Only three of you?

Just one Master and three Servants!? That's not a fight! It's not even a game! There's no way I'd Oh, hang on...

Hey. What? What's the meaning of this?

What are you doing here? YOU, of all people, shouldn't be here! It's not possible!

Isn't that right, third-rate knight!? You, mixed in with these rebels...!? Must be some kind of sick joke!

I have nothing to say to you. I, too, have bones to pick.

My objective was to reach the Lion King, but I'll forget that for the time being.

Treacherous Knight Mordred. The traitor who trampled all over King Arthur's ideals.

That tainted sword of yours is the horrible reality I can't stand to look at.

Fou, foooou!?

Hah! Looks like you've finally learned to talk like a man, coward!

Interesting! In that case, let me remind you of the pitiful fact that you have not once won against me!

Look out! A second battle against the Knights of the Round Table! Watch out for their special abilities!

!!!

Ugh!

They're so strong! If we let our guard down at all, Mordred will use that Noble Phantasm!

Bedivere is keeping Mordred contained for now, but we can't go on like this forever!

That's an impressive artificial arm! Was that why you spoke so boldly earlier!?

Where'd you get a thing like that, coward!? I don't remember us having anything like that!

...You don't remember, huh? ...You sure about that? Maybe it's just your bird brain getting in the way!

You callin' me a blockhead? Oh, you so did! You always called me that.

Don't get cocky, Bedivere. You're just a feeble knight who sat down in the extra seat.

You'd never have become the king's attendant if Agravain hadn't kicked it so early.

You're nothing compared to me! King Arthur just happened to take a liking to you!

...Yes, you're right. I'm nowhere near the other knights.

I have neither the fairies' blessings, nor the sun's... I have no inherent gifts...

I was nothing but an ordinary knight. Yet the king relied on me until his last breath.

To repay that kindness, this arm was granted to me. A gift from the archmage Merlin. Nuadha's arm.

Until his last breath, you say?

Fine, I'll kill you right here! There'll be nothing left of you when I'm done!

I won't even tell the king you were here! You'll never come close to seeing such a thing ever again!

Burn my soul and unleash thyself, O silver light.

...Both my loyalty and your loyalty are one and the same.

In the past they were true, but now their roots are distorted.

Mordred... You are both my sworn enemy and brother-in-arms. I can understand that pain now.

That is precisely why I shall slay you with all my strength. Switch On - Airgetlám!

Shut up! What do you know!? You don't know anything about me!

Dammit, what am I doing!? Even with my Gift, I'm losing!

Mordred retracted the helmet! It looks like that armor and the "Rampage" Gift don't mesh well!

I see, the Secret of Pedigree...

That armor was made to rebel against King Arthur. Naturally it would try to reject the Lion King's Gift.

That means... Mordred wasn't at full strength!?

Yeah, that's right. I'd be the laughingstock of the Round Table if I took you weaklings too seriously.

...But if I were to lose, it'd be even worse.

So screw my reputation. I'll obliterate this mountain... and you along with it.

Feel the seething rage of this planet! Clarent Blood

Ugh!

Who the hell are you!? Who keeps aiming at my arm joints!? You wanna die!?

It's a battle, after all... Someone's bound to die! Especially those who ignore their own limits and keep coming back for more.

Arash!

Hey. Nice moves, Fujimaru, Mash. Check it out... The result of your efforts!

I was able to take care of all the other soldiers, leaving only Mr. Knight here. All that's left is to take his head, but

(Sigh) I dunno about that guy. He's about to blow everything up, including himself, right?

His Gift is Rampage, isn't it? I bet he's about to unleash all of his power and blow this entire mountain away along with that sword.

!

What!? You can tell!?

Nahhh, it's coincidence, just coincidence!

Rampaging magical energy would only lead to your own demise, even for a Heroic Spirit. At most you get to power up your Noble Phantasm for a bit.

However, your Gift is different. "Rampage" sounds cool, but it's no different than a nuclear meltdown.

Do you get it now? The one who gave you that Gift... See what they think of you?

Yeah, that's right! I'm a hound, see? I take prey, kill, and kill again. In the end, I'll happily die in a ditch!

I'm just taking you along for the ride! Come die along with... Gwah!?

The hell? That pisses me off, even if you're my enemy!

You lost the battle, so you blow yourself up and call it even!? Where's your pride as a warrior!?

And you still call yourself a Knight of the Round Table!? Are you only brave in the beginning!?

Wha

Listen up. If you're going to use your own life, use it to defend your own pride!

Don't drag us into your own desperate struggle! I love taking care of kids, but I refuse to look after brats!

B-Brat!? Who you calling a brat, bastard!

What? You weren't a brat? ...Sorry, time-out.

Hey, Fujimaru, how old's that kid? From the way he looked, I totally thought he was younger than you...

I'm (probably) older! My appearance is frozen at my 16-year-old self!

I see. Then he's a proper adult. In that case, all the more reason...

If you're feeling frustrated, start over and put everything on the line. We'll call this a draw.

Or would you rather try me on for size? I've been hanging in the back, so I'm still full of stamina.

...Dammit. Listening to this idiot cooled my head.

Fine, I'll play along. This round's my loss. Besides, my unit's been annihilated.

I'll let this village go, too. I was only hunting you vermin anyway.

If that coward there's gonna be meeting with the Lion King, we'll face off in the Holy City no matter what.

...The contest is on hold till then.

This is an oath of a knight, given in return for sparing my life. I will never break it.

Stay alive until then, weaklings! I'll be pissed off if you lose to another Knight of the Round!

Mordred's signal is fading away. Are you sure about letting her go?

...It's despicable, yet unavoidable. We can't save the western village if he self-destructs here.

We already lost when they invaded. We were then able to negotiate a draw. We can't ask for more.

That's true. And it seems the village was protected, thanks to Arash's cover fire.

Now all that's left is to check on the villagers and see if there's anything we can do to Bedivere?

...

Bedivere!? Are you okay? Hang in there!