Over the past two thousand years, countless battles had been fought beneath the walls of Camelot, and three times the city had fallen to the God King's army, forcing Queen Morgan to withdraw her forces. Each fall came from fairies within the city betraying it for their own gain, yet every betrayal led only to the same result.
So this time, Morgan ordered the main army to leave the city and form ranks outside, leaving only a small, fully controlled group of guards to hold the gates. If the main force broke, the gates were to be lowered at once. After all, whether or not the gates were shut, Shiomi would spare no one.
Even so, the forces defending the main gate were not easily defeated. The Fairy Knight Lancelot and the Fairy Knight Gawain led the main army outside the city to meet the enemy.
"So that's... the Fairy Knight Gawain," Artoria said as she looked toward the formation outside the walls.
"In terms of size, she's certainly comparable to Sir Gawain," Shiomi remarked with a small smile. "But be careful. Although she claims to wield Galatine, that isn't the sword in her hand. The real part is her fairy horns, which she uses as a Noble Phantasm. It's not the actual Holy Sword of the Sun. Keep that distinction in mind."
"I understand." Artoria nodded. "Then I'll hold this Gawain. As for Sir Lancelot—"
"Naturally, she's mine." Scáthach twirled the crimson spear in her hand. "Didn't expect to fight Lancelot again, though this time she's a young girl."
"That's no ordinary girl. She's the left hand of Albion, the Last Dragon, given life and form."
"Oh? That does sound interesting."
Shiomi lifted his hand and swept it forward, signaling the attack on Camelot. Tri-colored signal spells shot into the sky. The Londinium troops assigned to the east and west gates began their assaults at the same moment.
The armies of Londinium and Camelot crashed into each other, and the battle erupted.
Shiomi stepped down from his chariot and walked toward the front gate on foot. Camelot soldiers who tried to approach him were sliced apart by invisible Mana the moment they came within three meters. He walked through the battlefield as calmly as if taking a stroll.
As expected, Melusine and Barghest noticed him and charged at once, weapons drawn—Melusine wanting to question him, Barghest intent on stopping him. Two spears of entirely different styles blocked their advance.
"Gáe Bolg? Just like the God King... Who are you…?" Melusine's shock was undeniable.
"So you recognize the spear in my hand. Looks like my disciple has shown you the true form of Gáe Bolg in past battles." Scáthach glanced at Melusine's weapon and, without hesitation, produced a second spear. "Let's see if you're worthy of being called the strongest Fairy Knight."
"The God King's... master?"
The sheer truth of that nearly broke Melusine's will to fight, but she had no choice—Scáthach's murderous intent was real. For the sake of survival alone, she had to continue.
In the clash of sword and spear, Melusine caught sight of Shiomi walking unhurriedly through Camelot's main gate.
"Still have time to look away?" Scáthach asked. "So eager to face my disciple?"
"...It's not like that..." Melusine deflected one of Scáthach's strikes.
She had once faced Shiomi on the battlefield herself and immediately recognized Scáthach's spearwork as the source of Shiomi's.
Meanwhile.
Certain he could leave this battlefield to his master and to Artoria, Shiomi continued at his steady pace into the city. He could feel Morgan's magic emanating from the direction of the royal palace. Yet she hadn't sent any clones to probe him. It seemed she was maintaining the stance of meeting him with her full strength while waiting in the palace.
With that thought, Shiomi quickened his steps.
Then a set of claws dropped from the sky, cutting off his advance.
"You are—" Shiomi murmured in mild surprise. "Wryneck's successor. I recall your name is Woodwose?"
"Correct." Woodwose rose from the massive crater he had smashed into.
"I assumed all clans were sitting this one out. Seems some aren't." Shiomi offered a faint smile.
"Serving the Queen is our duty. Other clans harboring disloyal thoughts are their problem. Once this war is settled, I'll deal with those traitors." Woodwose raised his hand, his claws gleaming with a sharp, icy glint.
Shiomi tilted his chin slightly. "True to a Sub-Bell of the Fang Clan, ever loyal and righteous. But if you truly wish to prove your loyalty, you should be blocking the vanguard, not fighting me."
"Enough boasting, human. Whoever you are, I'll settle this for His Majesty right here."
Without warning, Woodwose lunged forward, claws aimed straight for Shiomi's heart.
Then he froze. His arm was locked in a firm grip, and he couldn't break free.
Shiomi still smiled.
"Impressive presence. Your speed, strength, technique—everything reminds me of Wryneck. Sub-Bell… a power that truly stirs nostalgia."
Then his voice dropped.
"But you are not Wryneck. The Sub-Bell who once swore allegiance to me is dead. As the successor, even if you had chosen submission from the start, I have no need for you."
"My father's choice has no bearing on the current me." Woodwose raised his left hand.
For a Sub-Bell, the predecessor was, in a sense, a father—though the successor, the 'son,' only came into being after the father's death.
"No. I'm telling you this: if Wryneck stood before me, I might show mercy. But for you… there's no need."
Shiomi lifted his right hand, a bone-chilling cold gathering at his palm.
His strike landed first. Before Woodwose could counter, the icy spike pierced his heart, tore through his body, and exploded outward.
"Ugh…"
Woodwose felt agony rip through his lungs and windpipe with every breath. His Star Lung worked frantically to heal the lethal internal frostbite, and he realized Shiomi's attack had precisely struck the Star Lung's healing function.
"This is the third time," Shiomi said as he slowly approached the fallen Woodwose. "Wryneck's successor… I know you Fang Sub-Bells better than you know yourselves."
"But I was careless, underestimating your strength," Woodwose growled. "To fight Her Majesty the Queen for two thousand years… to be followed by the previous generation… you truly are powerful."
He sprang suddenly from the ground, leaping into the air.
"But I will surpass you—together with the will of the Ancestor—God King!"
"Well said. Then bring out your full strength. Otherwise, you too will become the next 'Ancestor.'"
Shiomi drew both hands from beneath his sleeves and stated calmly.