Chivalrous Fate

I looked at the ominous red spear in my hands, well paws, and threw it at the targets I had set up in the arena in the underground complex. After the spear hit the target, I willed it to return to me, and it rapidly moved through the air until it was in my hands again. I had not slept since I killed Scáthach last night, not out of a guilty conscience but rather because this spear she gave me suited me too well as if she crafted it just for me.

A good weight to it, perfect balance, complimenting length, and most importantly, highly reactive to Aura that exceeds Snærkló with superior durability. There was always a bit of resistance when I ran my Aura through my weapon, but with this red spear, it was as smooth as silk. I know that this weapon was made from some massive monster Scáthach slayed, so I wondered if it was because it was made out of organic material that it had better Aura reactivity than platinum.

Furthermore, as I ran my Aura through the red spear, it was dyed black from my Aura. I was honestly tempted to seek out the Land of Shadows in this world and speak to Scáthach about trading for this mysterious material in some way or another. However, my upcoming fight with Artoria comes first; then, I need to gain the Second Magic, and once I do, I need to keep my promises to Mordred and Medea. Only after that will I start to debate whether to go to the Land of Shadows or focus on returning to Remnant.

I continued to practice with my new spear, which I named Rua Scáth, or red shadow, in Celtic, to get more familiar with it before facing the King of Knights. I then heard Cú Chulainn say to me as he entered the arena.

" You really did it... You beat Teacher."

I looked at him and saw his melancholy smile but did not bother saying anything to him as I still had a fight ahead of me. Lancer then asked me.

" Was she at peace?"

" Yes."

I curtly answered, and he replied.

" Good. Teacher deserved that and more after being trapped in that forsaken land for who knows how long."

" I'm telling her you called her old."

I told Cú Chulainn with a bit of mischief. I saw from the corner of my eye that he paled and then retorted.

" Don't you dare!"

I smirked at him but did not confirm nor deny my threat as I went through the stances I picked up from both Scáthach and her unlucky student from using Soul Archive on both of them. The more I use this spear, the more I feel like it was meant to be mine to wield. As I tried to get a better understanding of this ominous red spear Cú Chulainn watched me, but I ignored him in favor of continuing my training until he finally asked.

" Did she pass the spear on to you?"

" Yes, it's strange how oddly well it fits in my paws despite only getting it last night. It feels like I have had this spear for years."

" Yeah, Teach made my own spear for me when I completed her training, so I understand what you mean, but I am surprised she made it for you despite not being her student. Have you tried to use Gáe Bolg yet?"

I stopped practicing and willed the spear to show its true power as I flooded it with my Aura and Magic. The now black spear glowed a terrifying red as red and black swirled around the spear. I threw it at one of the targets without calling out the attack name like a Shounen protagonist. The devastation exceeded what I had seen from Scáthach and Cú Chulainn's Gáe Bolg as the spear throw caused a large explosion on contact with the target and then willed it to return to me. Lancer saw the destruction and whistled out of being impressed.

" Saber won't know what hit her."

***

Night came again, and I led Artoria to the same battlefield as I had fought Scáthach through a portal. Before we started fighting, I decided to tell her a harsh truth.

" Artoria, before we fight, can we talk first?"

" What is there left to talk about? We both desire the Grail for our own reasons, and neither of us will yield to the other."

" You wish for your homeland's salvation even if it means undoing your legend."

Saber narrowed her eyes as she asked curtly.

" What of it?"

" To put it bluntly, the rise and fall of Camelot was, is predetermined, and Merlin knew but kept quiet. Why do you think that is?"

" Cease your deceptions, Silva Branwen, and do not insult my comrade with your lies!"

Artoria furiously denied my accusations, and I countered.

" Why would I waste my breath lying, Artoria? We fought before, and you lost. Plus, I have only gotten stronger; you know this."

Saber kept silent as she tightened her grip on her sword, and I continued telling her the truth.

" Shall I tell you why Camelot is predetermined to fall regardless of who sits on the throne?"

" Why..."

She quietly asked, and I answered.

" Because, the Will of Humanity, Alaya will not allow the existence of a utopia as it will cause the stagnation of humanity, which stands against the progress needed for humanity to reach its final destination."

Artoria looked at me with unwillingness but kept silent as I let her absorb this information before continuing.

" Even if you were to accept this and still go back to redo your legend so you have fewer regrets, all you would get is minor satisfaction that amounts to an empty, selfish desire to sate your guilty conscience. It will amount to nothing as you only correct one World Line where there are near infinite amounts of World Lines where your legend has left you with regrets on your choices. I am not telling you this to force you to give up on the Grail, Artoria but to show you the path you are going down. You are not trying to be a king but a martyr, as you wish to suffer for the sake of others.

While your path has an undeniable beauty to it, I do not, nor will I ever support it. I am a selfish person, Artoria. The world, the multiverse, can burn for all I care about so long as the happiness and livelihood of the people I care about and myself are assured. While undoubtedly some of the people I care about would not ignore the world burning as I would and try to help where they can, I will support them as best I can and pull them out of the fire if they fall out of the frying pan. So, Artoria, do you understand why we will fight?

It's for more than a selfish or selfless desire, but we both have things we can not give up on, no matter what."

Saber looked down as she was lost in thought, and I was in no rush to fight as I would win regardless but hook or by crook. She then asked me with an even expression.

" Then what am I supposed to do then? Accept that this is how it is and that I am a hopeless fool."

" Everyone makes mistakes, Artoria. We learn from them and live with them until the end."

" I can't just accept that my home is meant to burn and crumble!"

As she bellowed in defiance, I shot back.

" Nothing last forever! Even time itself will end at some point!"

Artoria looked at me with a grieved expression as I held my ground and told her.

" Lay in the bed you made Artoria because the Grail is not omnipotent. In fact, its original purpose, like with all Mages, was to reach the Root. Its wish-granting abilities are nothing more than a happy side effect."

As the King of Knights struggled with her internal debate, I walked over to her and towered over the petite blond. I then asked her

" Artoria, will you still fight with an uncertain wish that may not even be granted in a way you approve of, or will you stand aside?"

I waited to talk to Artoria about this now so we could have complete privacy and plenty of time without drawing the concern or interest of others. She looked up at me with lost eyes and said.

" I..."

Her words died in her throat, and I then told her.

" I will not wait for you to decide; the Grail has already been manifested, and I fully intend on using it tonight to gain my chance to return to my home. So I ask once more. Will you stand aside or not?"

Saber looked down at the ground, and moments ticked away until she finally said.

" Do as you wish..."