"Originally, I had already decided that I would no longer gather you in this way, and instead follow the course of fate, meeting you again on the battlefield when the time was right."
Artoria Pendragon stood on the shore of Eris Island, gazing toward Nemesis Island. Dark clouds blanketed the horizon, thunder rumbling and lightning flashing, a clear sign that the route leading to the 'Void Cavern' would be anything but smooth.
Behind her stood several Knights of the Round Table.
Just moments earlier, Artoria had once again summoned her Knights of the Round Table, just as she had during the Sixth Singularity.
"But as you can see, this is a Lostbelt. Humanity is currently facing a crisis known as the Bleaching of Human Order. On the ship beside me, the Storm Border, are those who continue to fight to reclaim Proper Human History. The battlefield is no paradise. There will always be casualties. Even so, I wish to protect them, and therefore—"
She turned around, the white cloak on her shoulders snapping sharply in the sea wind.
"I no longer speak as a king, but as a guardian of humanity. To my former companions, to the honorable Knights of the Round Table, I extend this invitation. Please stand with me, and challenge the Olympian gods of this Lostbelt and the armies under their command, for the sake of reclaiming Proper Human History."
Behind Artoria, the Knights of the Round Table who had manifested in response to her summons all dropped to one knee in unison.
"You give us too much credit, my king," Gawain said with his head lowered. "To protect the Proper Human History in which we once existed, this battle of great righteousness is one we would have taken part in regardless. Even had you not approved, so long as we were summoned, we would still have gone to the battlefield."
His words were met with agreement from the other Knights of the Round Table. Though they had been surprised to be personally summoned by their king, once they understood what they were fighting for, their resolve had already been set.
Even though they all retained memories of the Sixth Singularity and the Temple of Time, and knew everything that had transpired up to now.
Their king had once failed, then chosen the path of walking alongside Chaldea, fighting all the way to this point.
"In fact, it's an honor," Gareth said, lifting her head, tears already forming in her eyes. "I wasn't able to stay by your side until the very end last time. This time, no matter what happens, please allow me to follow Your Majesty to the end of the battle."
"Of course. That is exactly what I intend as well," Artoria replied. Moved by her emotions, she too felt a faint pang of sorrow. "Everyone, please rise. Before long, Chaldea will set sail for Nemesis Island beyond those storm clouds. Once you have made your preparations, board the ships commanded by Captain Francis Drake and Captain Bartholomew Roberts."
She proceeded to lay out the deployment of their forces.
Storm Border itself already possessed sufficient combat strength, which meant the two allied warships would need to be reinforced as well.
Every additional force capable of entering Olympus would make a difference when facing the great god Zeus, and any alien god that might yet appear.
Having received their king's orders, the Knights of the Round Table rose one after another, the sound of armor clashing echoing in overlapping waves.
"How unexpected. Is it only these few?"
Shiomi's voice rang out from the deck. The Knights of the Round Table looked up just in time to see him descend slowly, landing beside Artoria.
Despite everything she had just said, fewer than half of the Knights of the Round Table were present before her.
Gawain, Lancelot, Tristan, Gareth, Percival, and Bedivere.
"As for that," Mash spoke up with an explanation. She had been present the entire time. "According to what Mr. Jason said, the Knights of the Round Table who didn't respond to the summons were actually deployed as an advance force for the assault on Olympus. Contact has already been lost, and their situation can only be confirmed once we reach Olympus."
When Artoria spoke earlier, Mash had nearly knelt alongside the Knights, but she had been stopped.
Although she wielded the power entrusted to her by Galahad, Mash was not Artoria's retainer. There was no need for her to go that far.
"I see. No wonder Mordred isn't here. Or that ever-loyal Agravain," Shiomi said, understanding dawning on him. He looked over the assembled Knights. "It seems the Counter Force's deployment may not be selective, but it did leave us with a fair number of familiar faces."
"It's the same from our side," Lancelot agreed. "Rather than unfamiliar allies, it's better for those of us who are already familiar with Chaldea to fight alongside everyone. Coordination will be much smoother that way."
"However, judging from what we observed from shore, it's likely we'll engage the Olympian fleet the moment we enter the storm zone," Percival said with concern, turning to Gawain. "With the sea shrouded in darkness, Sir Gawain won't be able to fight at full strength. That's regrettable."
"The blessing of the sun is important," Gawain replied calmly, "but what matters more is fighting alongside one's comrades. Even in the depths of night, I, Gawain, will not retreat a single step."
The Knights of the Round Table soon began discussing naval combat tactics among themselves, how to coordinate their roles, and what strategies to employ. They also planned to speak with the two captains to better understand the ships' capabilities.
"On that matter, you needn't worry," Shiomi said, turning his gaze to Artoria. "Your king has already prepared a solution."
"A solution?" Gareth blinked.
Tristan stiffened slightly. "Could it be… that 'Gift' from back then?"
"There's no need to be so tense, Sir Tristan," Bedivere said gently. "Since the King has chosen to walk the path alongside humanity, there's nothing to fear. I believe the same applies to the 'Gift.'"
"Just as you say, Bedivere," Artoria replied. "This time, the Gift carries no ulterior purpose. It is simply something I can do within my power, so that you may fight with greater peace of mind."
She looked at them steadily.
"Please, come forward one by one."
Without hesitation, the Knights of the Round Table once again knelt before the King of Knights, receiving her Gift.
Gawain received 'Nightless' once more, the blessing he needed most.
Lancelot chose 'Ferocity' again, hoping to see clearly through the chaos of battle and draw out the full extent of his strength.
Gareth received 'Purity.'
Tristan received 'Resolve.'
Bedivere received 'Courage.'
Percival, who had once died as a knight opposing the Lion King, reflected for a moment before choosing 'Unyielding.' Even if he were to face the great god Zeus himself, he would not harbor the slightest fear.
Watching the Knights grow visibly more eager after receiving their Gifts, Artoria smiled quietly.
"This time, there won't be any mistakes, King of Knights," Shiomi said to her. "You can rest easy."
"That you feel the need to comfort me at a time like this…" Artoria replied, her smile growing ever brighter. "It seems I was close to forgetting my original resolve as a king."