Chapter 107: Total Beatdown

When the Knights of the Round Table were summoned, it is not just their usual selves—it is their versions of when Camelot had already collapsed. Everyone matured in their own way.

Percival regrets how he wasn't there when their King needed him the most.

Tristan laments how he left his King, that he didn't assist her during crucial times.

In the same way, Lancelot holds several regrets.

Bam-!

Clang-!

Holding his longsword upside down, he was continuously pushed back by Galahad's consecutive strikes. The strikes arrived at him too fast to the point he could barely defend himself.

Despite being pushed back, Lancelot didn't opt to use his stronger attacks such as his Noble Phantasm.

After all, everything was his fault.

Sou-!

Clang-!

Galahad chose to stop and placed his blade in front of him.

"I… It was my fault."

Lancelot tried to speak to him.

"Which fault? I apologize, but you didn't narrow it down."

Swooosh-!

Once more, his intangible strike descended upon Lancelot once more.

Clang-!

The latter could only defend himself from it.

'He grew stronger…' He thought. 'It seems like an Eastern Technique… a curved blade..?'

"Use your everything, father. Please."

Unbeknownst to Lancelot, Galahad—rather, Nobu's anger wasn't quelled at the slightest. Lancelot holding back only felt like he wasn't able to fully express his current emotions. 

Thus, he chose to do it the same way they did in the past—through a duel.

Back then, Galahad was the winner. As such, Nobu aims to achieve the same result as him.

"I… Alright."

At this moment, Lancelot got a hold of himself. He might hold remorse towards himself, but he knew it was only through this could he help Galahad—or at least compensate him for everything.

Just the sin of serving as the spark to Camelot's downfall is already bad enough. What's more, he killed the squire whom he bestowed knighthood with, Gareth, in the midst of his rampage to save Guinevere from her execution.

"Come. Show me what you've learned."

Nobu didn't respond any longer. He held his sword with his two hands before charging straight at Lancelot. He swung it horizontally, tilting the gathered momentum at its tip.

Swoosh-!

Clang-!

Just before the two blades made contact, Nobu skillfully changed its trajectory. Lancelot was still able to block it, but he ran the risk of his guard breaking.

Crack-!

Rumble-!

Their collision produced another wave of aftershocks. It easily dug through the ground, affecting their radius of several dozen meters.

Surprisingly, Nobu chose to back off.

'What is he..?'

He changed his grip to a single hand. His free left hand swiped the bluish blade as he chanted:

"Parasamgate." (Going completely beyond.)

The sword changed. A certain aura surrounded it, completely waking the two latent blessings within the blade. At the same time, a sense of sanctimony surrounded him, complementing the sword's current feeling.

Lancelot couldn't help but see Galahad's past image. The boy who loathed him for being an irresponsible father yet held it back until their duel appeared on his mind. Although, he is accompanied by two goddesses this time.

"I won't hold back anymore."

Nobu activated his [Infinite Conversion] state to partially activate its mystery-distortion improvements. Despite his words, he couldn't truly unleash everything that he got to his father. He would immediately die; and Nobu doesn't have any plans on adding guilt to his anger.

"You're still holding back? I see…"

Hearing those words, Lancelot entered his special 'state'. Every obstacle in his mind was removed, be it his regrets, remorse, or self-loathing he has towards himself. Only the sword and his enemy—his son—remained in his sight.

Without saying a word, the two began another round of fighting.

*****

Strong.

I saw my father's prowess when I was regaining Galahad's memories. It is for such a reason that I am confident in their ability to deal with our world's enemies properly.

Clang-!

Clang-!

Clang-!

Using my built up momentum, I sent one sword strike after another. I used the trick on my footwork as well as my torso to 'connect' those strikes together. When the 'combo' reached a large number, the skill [Chain Attack] made them far heavier than before.

[Chain Attack: S]

When it reached the S-rank, it peaked. There were no longer any improvements that my falna could bring as it already brought out my 'full potential'. I could still continue to break this limit on my own by developing it.

That is the truth behind falna. It served as a 'key' to unlock all limiters. It assisted mortals in their path to godhood. In my case, it is more of an additional booster instead of the main rocket due to my knowledge with Mana Furnace.

Other than that, there are many things that are working out right now.

"..!"

Father's tense look flashed as I finished another sword strike. If my predictions are right…

Buzz-!

Hum-!

"Arondight Overload!"

His sword glowed a mystical blue as it went for a diagonal strike that came from my lower right.

"Veritas lux." (The truth enlightens me.)

Clang-!

Buzz-!

I swung my blade as I utilized the [Phantom Sword of Khurikara Dharani]. I might've been using a longsword but it didn't hinder me from its application.

Just as Kiyoshiro-san, my mentor in swordsmanship, said, swordsmen are not limited in their sword and position. They could strike their target from kilometers away. It wasn't everything, however.

Right after neutralizing my father's phantasm, I took this opportunity to launch another initiative at him.

My presence was concealed at its highest level. The underlying phenomena surrounding [Khurikara Dharani] didn't only involve direct sword techniques but also footwork and most importantly, stealth.

A master swordsman could perfectly conceal himself until his blade rests on his opponent's neck.

Zoom-!

My view shifted on his back. I am merely a few meters away from dealing a fatal strike on his neck.

By the time he had looked in my direction, the tip of my blade was pointing at his neck.

Clang-!

Bam-!

Lancelot dropped his sword on the ground. The Holy Sword, Arondight, made an extremely heavy sound as it fell to the ground—even being buried on the soil due to its sheer weight.

While putting my sword away, I felt my complex emotions becoming more loosened. I understood where they came from and why they erupted.

Simply, I hate Lancelot. Both my logical and emotional side does. Even Galahad does despite his humanity being challenged by his 'rigidness'.

How bad could he be to be judged as such during that time?

That was all I could say. Not only did he fail as a father, he also failed as a mentor (to Gareth), a comrade (to everyone else), and a loyal knight (to his King).

Shiing-!

I sheathed my blade. I looked calm outwardly but only I know how bad my emotions are going off at this moment.

It wasn't enough.

With no choice left, I surrendered everything to my fists.

Subconsciously using [Khurikara Dharani]'s footwork, my right jab didn't take much time to arrive at his face.

Bam-!

*****

Everything was a serious duel between two knights. A battle between a father and son. It could be their way of reconciliation.

However—

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

The father-son duo came back to the shielded village. Nobu didn't suffer any injury save for his fists covered in blood. They trickled down to the soil, creating marks of red spots in it.

As for Lancelot…

"..."

"..."

Percival and Gareth couldn't make a comment. They looked at Nobu confoundedly as they questioned him about Lancelot's pitiable state.

"I didn't kill him." Nobu declared. "He should heal within a day or two. He will bear his swollen face for now."

"Yes… If you ask me, that wasn't enough."

"No, it is enough. Any further would lead to your death. I held back during those punches."

His questionable statement made everyone look at Lancelot's pitiful state. He didn't suffer any injuries from below his neck, but his face is the absolute worst. Bruises, cuts, bleeding… It was only short of a few more before it could be used as a face in horror movies.

"Sir Lancelot…"

Seeing Gareth's concern over him, Lancelot felt like he was stabbed by a knife on his heart.

Percival separated from them and went beside Nobu.

"Are you fine?"

"...Yes. I was able to release some of my grudges to him. "

"...It's part of being a human. I'm glad you could feel such things now."

Recalling the previous Galahad, Percival truly couldn't consider the two of them the same. Galahad—Nobu—went a long way to become a better human.

Although, there's also a part of Percival which thinks that Lancelot deserved that beating. He is the closest one to Galahad beside Gareth, after all. He filled Lancelot's role as his guide.

"Hm… It won't be long before that light reaches us. You will use it, no?"

Nobu's nature is to protect. It didn't come off as surprising when Arash saw that his Noble Phantasm fitted that bill.

"Yes."

Nobu nodded at them before he moved in front of the entire village. It didn't possess any walls or the like due to the magicka barriers that concealed it. Just with that, they were able to hide from plunderers and bandits populated around the area.

He remained in his current form as he summoned forth his large circular shield. Seeing it brought back many memories for the knights.

Psshk-!

Stabbing it into the ground, he softly recited:

"Lord Camelot."

A huge magic circle consisting of blue lights emerged from the shield. It then elicited golden motes of light which started forming tall ivory walls around the village. Every member of this village felt a sense of security upon seeing the walls.

To the knights, it carried a distant memory of their once-standing kingdom.

Whistle-!

A whistling sound came across the entire village. A thin golden light descended upon their place like a string.

BOOM-!

BUZZ-!

When its true nature is revealed to be the Divine Lance's attack, it emitted a strong surge of magical energy. It turned the surrounding radius into a huge crater. It sought nothing but to 'destroy' everything it came across.

Its power is extremely potent to the point it defied the laws of physics. Just like the strongest Sacraments of their world, Rhongomyniad held enough power to distort the world itself—something to be expected from the lance that served as the 'anchor' between the Reverse Side of the World (Spirit Realm) and the Physical World.

Nevertheless, the ivory walls remained standing. By the time the attack ended, not a single bit of it was broken.

Soon, they dispersed into motes of golden light. The same happened to Nobu's knight outfit. It reverted to his previous magicians' outfit. A katana remained sheathed at his waist, as it showcased an aura belonging to the divine.

{Original coordinates found.}

{Coordinates locked.}

{Does goshujin-sama want to initiate a counterattack?}

Nobu heard her voice from his earpiece.

"It won't damage them much… but still do it. That'll show our intentions."

{Understood. Selection, start.}

"We're going with Orionids. Artemis seems a bit angry after that attack."

Within thirty minutes, Nobu could 'strengthen' the connection that originated from his katana, Sora. It allows him to communicate more clearly with the two goddesses despite spanning over worlds.

Even though it remains 'vague' as only the 'concept' of the message itself passes through, that was enough for him.

{Affirmative.}

{Casting has started…}

Out of nowhere, a bow made out of constellations popped out of nowhere. While the rest seemed confused, Arash made an interested look.

"Dea Obsigno Faatus." (I entrust my fate to you, my goddess.)

Three magic circles immediately spawned. When the arrow passed through them, a blanket of "space" transported it to the satellite's location.

It passed through the hundreds of magic circles generated by it. They spun slowly as they calibrated themselves to their most optimal state. This process took an instant as the light arrow passed through them.

After that, the arrow possessed the power akin to a god.

Whistle-!

Boom-!

The moment it was about to make contact with the holy city, a mirage of a tall white lance protected it. Their collision produced a wave of bright light that affected the entire world.

For a moment, it seemed as if it was morning throughout the world.

"Ho..? Such power exists in this era as well?"

A traveling monk stopped by. She became interested in the meteor strikes' power as it clashed with the inviolable divine lance.

"Indeed. He would bring forth changes."

Ozymandias thought of the man who made him remember the true goal. He was about to head the same path as the Goddess Rhongomyniad—preserving his followers inside an enclosed kingdom—when the boy made him realize it was all for naught.

It is much better to fight against the future than have a future like that.

"Senpai! Are you alright?!"

"Yeah… Reinforcement worked wonders."

While Mash checked the condition of her orange-haired senpai, a beautiful woman came out of the flipped makeshift vehicle.

"What was that, Romani? Was it a foreign thing in this world? No… It's more reminiscent of the mystical… magic… god..?"

"...The readings over here went crazy. If we're not mistaken, it has the same magnitude as the white-haired servant's attack on the Roman Singularity. To think such power exists in this world…"

The man's voice on the other side paused as he remembered something.

"A saint… Is it possible that a Saint was summoned by the grail?"

"...That's possible. An attack of that magnitude could only be done by them."

"No, wait!" Romani interrupted her musings. "There's something strange orbiting the atmosphere…"

His voice was cut off until it reappeared a few moments later.

"Are these… satellites?"