Mordred and Mash arrived at the Spiritron Chamber to infiltrate the Fuyuki City anomaly Kiara had entered before.
Usually, diving into connection points required reporting to superiors and obtaining approval. But everything had exceptions. And exceptions were made for those with enough strength.
Clearly, Mordred and Mash fell into that category.
Entering the Chamber, they converted into spiritrons and arrived at Kiara's connection point.
Fuyuki City, 2012. Depth of Connection: E.
Stepping into the land, Mordred took a deep breath.
It had been 3 months and 7 days since the Romania incident ended.
Why did she remember so clearly? Because that's how long it had been since that swindler deceived her.
Such a shameful matter - how could she forget?
She could take malice, hostility, suffering - but not pity or sympathy. That was humiliation!
Just thinking about it made her temper rise again.
"Huh? This place is protected by Eternal King? It doesn't look special," Mo-chan said, scanning around. "And the connection depth is only E."
Mordred shot Mo-chan an annoyed look. "Why did you tag along anyway?"
"I want to see this so-called Eternal King, the Arthur that stands above the one I know, the one that made Father so obsessed that she willingly served him. Of course I was curious," Mo-chan said casually.
But for Mordred, this was extremely grating to the ear, an excellent provocation. Gnashing her teeth, she spat, "That's my mother! Not your Father, mine! She's mine!"
Mo-chan looked puzzled. "If she's your mom, why don't you show yourself to her?"
To be honest, she had wondered about this for a while—why didn't her parallel world self show herself to her gentle mother?
Geez, having such a kind mother who'd acknowledge you... even I'm almost envious to death. But instead, you've been avoiding her.
Thinking about it left a bitter taste in Mo-chan's mouth. That woman treated her gently too, cared deeply for her even, but it wasn't the same. However motherly in form, she wasn't Mo-chan's real parent after all. This was the one distinction she could still make clearly.
Mordred shifted, hesitant. "Well..." She certainly didn't want to get into this. While she personally could laugh off what others said, she preferred not to bring up the matter if possible, especially not in front of Mo-chan.
But why had she come in the first place?
Mordred sized her up with suspicion.
Could it be—!
Don't tell me she's not satisfied stealing my mother and now wants to compete with me over that swindler too?!
Damn it! I can't let this ambitious wolf succeed!
Anyway, Saber are here now. With her help, why not just hack Mo-chan to pieces, burn her Saint Graph and Core so she can never be summoned again?
Mordred contemplated the feasibility of her plan, then dismissed it. Mash and Kiara were still nearby. If she acted now, there'd be no concealing it.
She looked to her student. "Kiara, where's that swindler?"
"Swindler? You mean Mr. Assassin? Really now, teacher, you should still show some respect. Even if you don't acknowledge him as your father, he's your senior. And as a junior, you should show seniors more respect..."
"Cut the nonsense! Don't try restricting me with that twisted Japanese hierarchical feudalism! Just show the way or it's a hundred push-ups when we get back!" she shouted.
Kiara shrank back, nodding hurriedly like a chicken pecking at rice. "Y-Yes teacher, I understand..."
Wailing internally, she thought: How could I dare preach to teacher? There's definitely going to be weird, devilish training later...I'm going to get punished for sure!
Kiara raised her hand slightly, pointing towards Mount Enzou. "Mr. Assassin is over there..."
As soon as Kiara indicated the route, Mordred charged straight for Mount Enzou. Mash and Mo-chan followed right behind her. And Kiara, who looked delicate, kept up just fine without falling behind.
After all, she was on the same level as Arcueid - naively idealistic in thought, appearing weak but actually extremely strong.
The only difference was that Arcueid was headstrong and bold, while Kiara was well-behaved and timid, sometimes even long-winded.
...
Eternal King...!
Gazing at Mount Enzou, Mordred picked up her pace, charging ahead.
Suddenly—
"Boom—!!"
A lightning bolt cracked across the sky. Within that black ring that embodied despair, lightning danced. Endless energy surged into the center of that ominous ring.
With a loud boom, the black ring glowed an eerie light and shot a pitch-black beam toward Mount Enzou.
Seeing this, Mordred's eyes narrowed sharply. She sped up, rushing into Mount Enzou.
The moment she charged into the massive cavern, she shouted loudly, "Eternal King!"
"Oh? What have we here..." a familiar voice rang out, just somewhat more aloof than three months ago. Mordred hurriedly turned to look, only to see Shirou gripping someone by the collar within that black beam.
Mordred didn't care who it was. Her sharp gaze, fixed intently on him like an eagle's, didn't waver.
Kiara and the others followed closely behind.
"That is...Hinako Senpai!" Kiara recognized the person he held. It was none other than A-Team senior Hinako, who had previously led them to clear this connection point!
However, Kiara noticed Hinako-senpai's current state seemed a bit off. Gone were her iconic white robe and slender twintails - instead, she wore an extremely embarrassing, skimpy dark red outfit. There were also two flaming swords fallen on the ground that likely belonged to her.
"Humph. Since you've all come, at least take this madwoman away lest she soil my hands."
Shirou flung Hinako towards Kiara and the others. Seeing her flung over, Kiara panickingly reached out to catch her. Unable to withstand the momentum, she was knocked onto the ground with Hinako in her arms.
Ow, that hurt.
Kiara held the injured Hinako tightly.
Hinako was currently covered all over with injuries. She must be in so much pain.
"Let me heal her," Mash said, approaching to cast a healing spell. But shockingly, she discovered Hinako's wounds were regenerating on their own.
Moreover, the wounds were visibly self-healing at a rapid pace!
How was this possible? How could a human possibly possess such regenerative abilities? Was it some sort of specialized fleshcraft?
Doubt arose in Mash's mind.
"You are..." Hinako stirred slightly, her battered consciousness still hazily looking at Kiara. "Is this...the Inner Sea of the Planet...?"
"You're hallucinating, Hinako Senpai! This is a connection point. It's me, Kiara!"
However, Hinako simply tilted her head, then passed out completely. She had clearly endured quite the barrage of attacks. Kiara could even see potato-shaped souls spewing from her little mouth...
...
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