After crossing the wasteland and passing the ruined outskirts of Jerusalem, Guinevere and Bedivere arrived just outside New Camelot City, watched by thousands of numb eyes.
It's just as I remember, she thought. New Camelot City was also divided into upper, middle, and lower sections. Its pure white walls stood tall and straight, stretching across the endless wasteland.
As the only great city in this Singularity, legend held that a utopia free from pain and hunger awaited just beyond its main gate.
Because of this, large crowds regularly gathered outside Camelot City for the "Holy Selection." Those who passed would be granted entry and become residents. Those who failed...
"Miss Ruler..."
"Hmph. I thought I was prepared, but seeing the ground littered with corpses after the Holy Selection still infuriates me."
In life, Guinevere had been known for her ruthlessness, but she never engaged in meaningless slaughter. Back then, the King of Knights had always acted as a safety valve, with Guinevere playing the role of the stern enforcer.
But now, atop the high walls of New Camelot City, the "King of Knights"—clad in silver armor, a pure white cape, and a lion-shaped helmet—stood like a doll, watching the massacre below continue.
Following Guinevere's orders, Tristan and his knights had gone ahead to announce her arrival.
By now, Tristan should have completed his task. But the price for his early return to "report his mission" was that he had triggered the Holy Selection ahead of schedule and become its executioner.
The sound of a harp played furiously, and soon, not a single living soul remained outside the gates of New Camelot City.
Witnessing Lia's cold indifference firsthand—watching her stand silently as the people died—Guinevere felt deeply unsettled.
This was truly not her Lia.
As Tristan finished his grim task, he saw Guinevere and Bedivere approaching on horseback.
Shame warred with his sworn loyalty to the King on the wall.
In the next moment, Tristan freed one hand, pressed it to his face, and dug his fingertips into his own flesh. Then, he dragged his hand downward, leaving his face a bloody mess.
He had once blinded himself to avoid witnessing his comrades fight each other. Now, he disfigured his face, unable to bear showing it to Guinevere and Bedivere after violating the code of chivalry.
After this act, the Lion King's Holy Selection for him concluded. He had proven his loyalty.
Meanwhile, more Round Table Knights in capes and armor appeared beside the Lion King. Sir Gawain of this world silently emerged from the city gates.
Guinevere kicked her mount's flank—Tristan's horse—urging it slowly forward.
Bedivere followed slightly behind her.
As they advanced, both removed their cloaks, revealing their true identities to all, both on the walls and below.
"Agravain, Gawain, Lancelot, Mordred... How utterly loyal you all are to the King!"
Guinevere's horse halted. Her voice dripped with sarcasm as she used her mana to conjure armor—the very same set her alternate self, Lia, wore as a Saber Class Servant.
However, she didn't bother equipping the "quilted cloak."
Rage, murderous intent, a strange sense of gratification, and disappointment in their failings—these emotions churned within Guinevere.
As the Saber Class version of Guinevere appeared, her expression stern and resolute, a subtle commotion rippled across the city walls.
But this disturbance, originating from Mordred, was swiftly silenced by the Lion King's single, sharp "Hmph?"
Guilt, unease, helplessness, and doubt—these were the emotions swirling within Gawain as he walked down from the walls, approaching Guinevere.
In the history without Guinevere, Gawain had lost his brothers and sister at Lancelot's hands. After battling Lancelot for an entire day, he was defeated at nightfall.
Gawain's end came from the lingering wounds of that defeat, dying in grief and despair.
Summoned by the Lion King and now serving under her, Gawain's sole desire was to offer her victory.
In return, he received the Lion King's "Nightlessness Blessing," ensuring he would forever be treated as if standing beneath the midday sun.
"Tristan said you were a King from another possibility. Though he no longer believes it, and judging by Mordred's reaction just now, you're clearly not her Father.
"But to me, whether your claims are true or not, I will guard the gates of the Holy City. I will deny you passage to the King's side.
"Besides, I'm curious to see if your familiarity with me is as thorough as your knowledge of Tristan.
"And... Bedivere. It's been a long time. I never expected you to join the side that denies the King."
Seeing Guinevere and Bedivere certainly caused a stir among them, but they had already endured a round of internal slaughter. The Lion King had initially summoned more than just these few Round Table Knights.
Those who answered her call but rejected her ideals had all been sent back to the Throne of Heroes.
So, after a brief moment of hesitation, they, like Tristan, chose to reject the alternative Guinevere offered.
Performing the salute reserved for Another King, Gawain raised his sword to Guinevere outside New Camelot. This was his invitation.
On the city walls, the Lion King and the others remained silent. Mordred, who had caused the earlier commotion, moved closer to the parapet, gazing at Guinevere with the eager expression of a puppy.
"Rest assured. Though we have fallen, we have not fallen completely. Neither the King nor the other Knights will interfere in our duel."
Noticing Guinevere still gazing at the city walls, her expression growing subtle, Gawain spoke up, feeling ignored.
Should I retreat? Or fight this battle?
If she were a Caster, Guinevere could try supporting Bedivere, and the two of them might be able to push through.
But as a Ruler, her Class lacked the Caster's "cheats." She needed allies.
Fighting here to demonstrate her strength and stance to potential allies seemed reason enough.
But casting all reason aside, Guinevere's anger toward the current Artoria was mounting. She also desperately wanted to teach a harsh lesson to Gawain and the others for their blind, foolish loyalty.
So she acted! Dismounting, she drew her Replica Holy Sword.
Faced with this blade—its aura identical to Excalibur, yet absent from their memories—Gawain, momentarily stunned, performed a knight's salute.
On the city walls, Mordred abruptly clamped a hand over her mouth, stifling the gasp that nearly escaped her lips.
In that instant, all the knights around her turned to look at her.
The Lion King, who had been as still as a doll until now, finally spoke, her voice soft. "I see. Is that your 'her,' Mordred? Have you chosen to rebel against me?"
Her voice on the city walls wasn't loud—certainly not loud enough to reach Gawain and Guinevere, who were already locked in combat below.
In another world, Merlin had told Guinevere she would regret not coming here. He wasn't just referring to the corrupted Lion King, but also to Mordred—summoned here, but now on Guinevere's side.
"Father, you can't defeat Mother. In my world, you never could."
Though the knights watched her with wary eyes, Mordred didn't immediately rush to Guinevere's side after speaking.