Morpheus understood Artoria's confusion. It all traced back to a certain someone closely tied to the creator, notorious for drawing characters with identical faces.
The so-called Saberface.
In this world, people of different origins, bloodlines, even races, could share the same face... Artoria's face, or rather, a Saberface.
One could criticize this lazy habit in the third dimension, milking a popular face and archetype, but in a real world, it was utterly absurd.
It felt like an urban legend: "Three identical people exist, and when they meet, something terrible happens."
For Artoria, both Caster Gilles and this not-yet-fully-mad Saber Gilles were perverts, obsessive Jeanne fans fixated on her.
In the Fourth Holy Grail War, it was just one. Now, two!
Artoria felt the Grail was out to get her!
She quickened her pace, trusting the Emiya residence's safety. Morpheus was the strongest human she'd ever seen, alive or as a Heroic Spirit.
Then, she paused, struck by a thought.
"Wait, am I dead?"
For a moment, she hesitated. Heroic Spirits form after death. If she hadn't died, how could she be one?
Why the doubt?
"Now's not the time for this. I need to protect Shirou and the others!"
Artoria took a deep breath, shoving the thoughts aside, and sped up, racing toward Shirou's school at car-like speeds.
She had to arrive before an attack. Though Command Seals could get her there instantly, and Medea might replenish them, saving one was wiser.
She couldn't be sure Medea could truly recreate Command Seals... a complex task!
…
Shirou Emiya sat in his beloved classroom. With so many people at home and their tangled relationships, this corner was his sanctuary.
"Sakura and Rin seem to have warmed up a bit, but only a bit. What's going on with them? I can't just ask. Maybe Morpheus?
"Does he even know? He seems to know everything, so probably…
"But if he knew, wouldn't he have done something? Sakura's close to him, and Rin's his Master. Maybe he's already handled it?"
Shirou pushed the thought aside, turning to another.
"Gilgamesh, that gaudy golden guy, was disgusting. It's harsh, but his every word and action seemed designed to repulse.
"Bad attitude, bad deeds. With him gone, those he drained for mana are safe for now. Saving them needs Morpheus's help.
"Saber would help, but Morpheus's magic offers the best chance to save them without deaths."
Shirou sighed, overwhelmed but unable to rush. Another sigh escaped.
Then, a mana surge flared in the distance!
After studying magic, Shirou had grown sensitive to mana fluctuations. He turned, stunned by the sight.
A cute girl rode a majestic eagle on the rooftop, while below, a blindfolded woman... Sakura's Servant, Medusa... lashed chains at the eagle!
Who was the girl? Another new Servant?!
Simultaneously, Shirou sensed danger and ducked instinctively as glass shattered!
An arrow pierced his desk!
"Ambush?!"
Students screamed at the sudden chaos. Shirou, using recent knowledge, quickly inscribed and activated an "Evacuate Bystanders" spell.
The magic calmed the panicking crowd. They looked around, confused, then left the classroom, heading far away.
Other classrooms emptied too, likely from stronger spells by Sakura or Rin.
Soon, only three Masters and a few Servants remained.
The ambusher stepped forward, eyeing the trio. "I don't enjoy killing the unarmed. Surrender and sever your Servant contracts. How about it?"
He glared at Rin. "Don't try using a Command Seal. My arrows are faster than your reflexes and can ruin your hand!"
Absolute confidence in his archery!
Rin smiled. "Since you're so chatty, why not talk a bit?"
"Stalling? Pointless. I know your allies are coming, but I have time to cut your contracts manually," said Robin Hood, drawing a knife. "Just scrape off the Command Seals. A bit of skin, better than death."
From afar, Astolfo, fighting Medusa, shouted, "Put medicine on their wounds! Don't leave scars!"
Robin Hood rolled his eyes.
If not for keeping Astolfo busy with the only Servant, why would he bother with this?
Just chop off a hand... it wouldn't kill!
But to avoid team issues, he stuck to the plan: scrape off their Command Seals.
Just human magi, no match for a Servant.
Then, something unexpected happened.
The girl he thought ordinary raised her left hand, her wrist jewel glowing faintly.
Instinctively, to stop a Command Seal, Robin Hood fired.
But the swift arrow was blocked!
Vast mana, brimming with water's essence, enveloped them, like an invisible stream shielding them.
When did she cast that spell? With that hand raise? Impossible! How could a human wield such mana so fast?!
Robin Hood's mind raced with doubt. Then, another girl smiled, raising both hands as if lifting something.
She clapped them down!
A simple motion, yet Robin Hood's instincts screamed. He dodged, leaping from his spot, as a fiery lightning bolt struck where he stood.
Boom!
The simple strike pulverized the ground, fragments turning to dust!
The attack's range was small, its crater modest, but its force was terrifyingly precise!
How did she do that?!
What magecraft was this?!
"You dodged? Impressive danger sense, Servant," the girl said, smiling, raising her hand again, ready to unleash that terrifying power.
"Sakura Matou… Is this Matou magecraft?" Robin Hood retreated, firing three arrows... his strongest without a Noble Phantasm... but they couldn't breach the shield. Sakura's attacks kept coming!
"If you think it's Matou magecraft, sure," Sakura said, smiling, swinging her arm. Earth, wind, water, fire, and ether converged from the void, forming raw matter.
In theory, this could create a new world at its peak, but Sakura, despite new theories, could only form small masses and drop them.
If Morpheus saw, he'd likely call it a "Genesis Lightning, Flaming Sword ultra-weakened version."
Robin Hood dodged and countered, but nothing worked. He took a deep breath. "What is this magecraft? Such defense?!"
It rivaled defensive Noble Phantasms!
Could humans wield this?!
"Why do you think my Servant let me come to school alone so confidently?" Rin smirked. Using Gabriel's power, she shielded them fully. Unless the enemy broke her Moonstone's power, she was untouchable.
Breaking the Moonstone's power required surpassing Gabriel's summoned might!
Or shattering it before the summon.
Thanks to her protective spells, Rin had enough defense to summon Gabriel instantly.
Plus, the enemy wasted time talking.
"Trouble. Our Master got zero useful intel… Did he say the ancient king's already done for?" Robin Hood muttered.
"You mean Gilgamesh? He's dead, back to the Throne," Sakura said cheerfully, making Shirou glance at her, noting her bold tone.
"And since you said that, your Master's Kirei Kotomine, the church priest, right?" Sakura's smile carried a dangerous edge.
She seemed furious, ready to pummel the priest.
Rin, surprised, glanced at her sister, then smiled faintly.
They still had feelings, unbreakable bonds.
Shirou relaxed. Though unclear why, Rin and Sakura's relationship had eased, making school days less tense.
As he thought this, a light flashed in the distance, speeding toward them!
Armor gleamed in the sunlight... his Servant, Saber!
Caught off-guard, Robin Hood was struck on the arm by her weapon. He leaped back, staring at the woman. "That was fast!"
Artoria stood before them, weapon in hand, glaring at Robin Hood. "Shirou, I'm here!"
"We're fine. Be careful," Shirou said, then asked, "Why are you here?"
"They attacked your house."
"What?!"
Shirou's face twisted in distress.
***
If you enjoyed this story, don't forget to drop 5 stars and your power stone. And if you want to read more than 70 chapters in advance, feel free to visit: pat reon . com / KangTL