[FATE] OP Demon King Across Multiverse!

"You can relax for now. Before your arrival, Assassin and Rider have already been dealt with. Berserker, unless provoked, won't attack us."

"So our objective is to defeat Saber. Do you know where she is?"

"Of course. She's guarding the heart of this city—at the corrupted Greater Grail."

Ryuu turned, his gaze fixed on the distant Ryūdōji temple, where Artoria Pendragon awaited his arrival.

Judging from their current combat strength, Ryuu still lacked the means to directly challenge Artoria. However, with Mash Kyrielight and Fujimaru Ritsuka now in the mix, the battle's outcome was far from decided.

"Let's go. If what you say is true, we might just stand a chance at victory."

"Wait a minute! We barely know you, and I can't let Mash and Ritsuka take such a reckless risk!"

Olga Marie suddenly stepped in front of them, her expression filled with doubt and hostility, immediately halting the momentum.

Even if Ryuu had just slain Medusa and saved their lives, Olga refused to trust him so easily.

Mash and Ritsuka were the last hope of Chaldea. As Director, she couldn't afford to gamble with their lives, especially against an opponent wielding the Holy Grail's immense power.

"Isn't your goal to repair this Singularity? What's the matter, Director? Are you scared?"

"I refuse to let my subordinates throw their lives away for no reason. Besides, I don't trust you!"

"Wait a second!" Roman's voice crackled through their communication device, attempting to defuse the growing tension. "Before you argue further, we still don't know the full extent of Saber's abilities!"

Ryuu scoffed and turned away from Olga, signaling Cú Chulainn to explain.

The blue-clad Caster sighed in exasperation. While he understood Olga's caution, her outright rejection was frustrating.

"Tch, anyone who's fought her Noble Phantasm would already know. It's a dead giveaway—

The legendary sword of selection, forged to choose the rightful king… EXCALIBUR!"

"The Sword of Promised Victory… That means…!"

"Yeah, you guessed it—Saber's true identity is Artoria Pendragon, the legendary King of Knights!"

The moment Artoria's name was spoken, a suffocating silence fell over the group.

Her legend was known worldwide. The sheer weight of her name alone was enough to strike fear into even the bravest of warriors.

Now that they knew exactly who their enemy was, Olga became even more adamant about refusing to engage her.

"No! Absolutely not! Mash hasn't even awakened her Noble Phantasm yet! How do you expect her to fight King Arthur?!"

"As long as that shield exists… Mash has a chance of victory!"

Ryuu's voice cut through Olga's resistance. He knew the truth behind Lord Camelot, and that alone gave him confidence in Mash's potential.

What's more, something about this situation felt off. If Artoria truly sought to destroy the world, she wouldn't have waited at the Greater Grail.

But Ryuu kept those suspicions to himself for now. He needed to confirm things with his own eyes.

"It's fine, Director!" Mash suddenly stepped forward, gripping her shield tightly. "I want to try!"

"Yeah! Even if our opponent is the legendary King Arthur, we'll never know unless we face her!"

Ryuu turned to them with mild surprise. Despite being inexperienced, their resolve was genuine—far stronger than that of any ordinary Mage.

A real hero was one who could stand their ground, even against insurmountable odds.

If the people of his past world had been like them, perhaps… the Demon King Ryuu would never have been born.

Olga clenched her fists. She wanted to keep arguing, but seeing the determination in Mash and Ritsuka's eyes, she gave up and turned away with an annoyed grunt.

"...Tch. Fine! But if you die, I won't be able to answer to the Mage's Association!"

"Yes! Thank you, Director!"

Mash and Ritsuka cheered, hugging each other in celebration.

Ryuu smirked. Tsundere personalities really were their own worst enemies.

But Olga had a point—Mash still lacked her Noble Phantasm. In order to awaken it, he needed to push her to her limits.

"Mash, you still can't use your Noble Phantasm?"

"Y-Yes… This shield has yet to reveal its true form."

"Hah! That's just because her Master is a novice. If Ritsuka had even half of Ryuu's abilities, she wouldn't be struggling with something this basic!"

"Eh?!" Ritsuka looked horrified. "Is this my fault?! I'm sorry, Mash!"

Ryuu shook his head.

"That's not entirely true. Few people are born like me. Ritsuka, you have your own strengths. Noble Phantasms are instinctual—they awaken when the time is right!"

An idea suddenly formed in Ryuu's mind, and a mischievous smile spread across his face.

"In that case, we'll force her to awaken it. Hey, Mash—wanna fight?"

"...Huh?!"

Before anyone could process his words, Ryuu summoned his blade, while Cú Chulainn readied his staff.

"Servant vs. Servant. Master vs. Master. This is the Holy Grail War."

Olga's protests were cut short as Ryuu knocked her out with a light chop to the neck.

"W-Wait! Mr. Ryuu, did you just—?!"

"I just made sure she wouldn't interfere." Ryuu grinned. "Come on, Mash, Ritsuka—show me your resolve!"

Mash immediately took a defensive stance, raising her shield, while Cú Chulainn fired a fireball at her.

The flames vanished upon impact, leaving no marks on the indestructible shield.

Ryuu, however, frowned at Ritsuka's hesitation.

"You're the Master, and you're just standing there? If this were a real battle, you'd be dead already."

Before Ritsuka could react, Ryuu lunged at her with his blade.

Mash, seeing her Master in danger, instinctively threw herself forward, barely managing to block his strike.

"Do you expect to fight Saber like this?!"

Ryuu's relentless barrage of attacks slammed against Mash's shield, forcing her to retreat.

Her hands trembled. Her feet skidded back with each heavy blow. There was no room for a counterattack.

Ritsuka clenched his fists. "Mash…!"

"You think pity is going to help her?" Ryuu growled.

Without hesitation, he leapt over Mash, bypassing her entirely—heading straight for Ritsuka.

Mash's eyes widened in horror.

"Master!!"

Cú Chulainn grinned, activating Runes to trap her in place.

"You're too slow!"

A massive firestorm erupted around Mash, blocking her view.

Ryuu's blade came downward—aimed directly at Ritsuka's head.

At that moment—

A brilliant golden light erupted from Mash's shield.

A deep, commanding voice echoed from within her.

"O Light of Camelot—stand eternal, unwavering!"

The battlefield shook as the fortress-like barrier of Lord Camelot materialized in front of Ritsuka.

Ryuu's blade clashed against it—and for the first time—his attack failed to break through.

"...Heh." Ryuu smirked.

"Looks like you finally woke up, Mash Kyrielight."

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