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"The King does not understand the human heart."
The phrase hung in the air like smoke. To the millions of viewers watching the stream, it was a gut punch. To Maverick, it was a challenge.
In this world, Western mythology wasn't common knowledge. Most people knew King Arthur as a vague concept—a dude with a sword. They didn't know about Excalibur, Caliburn, or the tragedy of Camelot.
But now they knew.
Maverick wiped his eyes, trying to maintain his tough-guy persona. "Okay. That was... intense."
[Chat]:[History_Buff]: She was perfect. That's the problem. She was so perfect she wasn't human anymore. And people hate what they can't understand. [Simp_Nation]: SHE DID NOTHING WRONG. Britain didn't deserve her! [Lancelot_Hater]: If I see Lancelot in this game, I am uninstalling. Or playing just to kill him. [Lore_Master]: Notice the line about her age? "She stopped aging at 15." That explains why she looks so young despite ruling for decades. It's tragic. She gave up her life to be an eternal symbol.
Maverick looked at Artoria. She was standing by the airport window, the sunlight catching the silver of her armor. She looked so small, yet she cast such a long shadow.
"Master?" Artoria asked, noticing his stare. "Why are you spacing out? Is the enemy approaching?"
Maverick shook his head. "Nothing. I was just... thinking about your story. You were only a kid, Saber. Fifteen. If you were a guy, maybe it would be different. But a young girl bearing all that weight..."
Artoria frowned slightly. "Master, do not be deceived by my appearance. My body halted its growth when I drew Caliburn, but I lived for many years after that. I am over thirty."
She crossed her arms, a hint of amusement in her voice. "And sincerity of heart does not depend on gender. Whether man or woman, a King's duty is absolute."
"Right," Maverick muttered. "Sorry. Didn't mean to offend."
"No offense taken," Artoria said softly. "It is... kind of you to worry. Most only saw the Crown."
She turned back to the window. "I seek the Grail to save my country. I know it is history to you. But if there is a chance... I must take it."
Maverick clenched his fist. The game had stopped being just a Battle Royale. He wasn't playing for loot anymore. He was playing for her.
[Chat]:[Pledge_Alliance]: I pledge my sword to the King! [Fanfic_Writer]: I am writing a fix-it fic right now. She deserves happiness! [Troll]: Wait, if she's 30, does that mean she's technically a cougar? [Mod_Hammer]:User "Milf_Hunter" has been banned.
"Okay," Maverick said, shaking off the emotion. "We have a war to win. But Saber, I have a tactical question."
"Ask, Master."
Maverick hesitated. "We just fought... well, you. But in a swimsuit. With a water gun."
Artoria winced. "Let us not speak of that shameful display."
"Right. But it proves that there are different versions of you. Do you have adaptability for every class?"
Artoria thought for a moment. "Theoretically? Yes."
She began to tick them off on her armored fingers.
"Saber: My standard form. The strongest." "Archer: The one we just defeated. A summer variant." "Lancer: I have aptitude for the Holy Lance, Rhongomyniad. If I am summoned as a Lancer, I would likely be using that instead of Excalibur. Be wary, Master. The Lance transforms the body... and the mind. I would be much older. And colder." "Rider: I possess a mount, Dun Stallion. Though not a Phantasmal Beast, I can ride it. However, I also have... a darker variant who rides a motorcycle." "Assassin: I have no history of assassination, but the Grail is flexible. I could be summoned as a heroine from a galaxy far, far away." "Berserker: If the Madness Enhancement is forced upon me... I shudder to think of it." "Caster: I learned magecraft from Merlin. Though, knowing myself... I would likely just use the staff to hit people."
She looked at Maverick. "But surely, Master, you worry too much. The Grail War summons heroes from all of history. It is statistically impossible for every Servant to be me."
Maverick looked away, guilt written all over his face.
"Uh... about that..."
"Master?" Artoria narrowed her eyes. "What are you hiding?"
"Nothing!" Maverick said quickly. "Just a hunch. Like the cockroach theory. If you see one Artoria, there's probably a nest of them."
Artoria sighed. "I sincerely hope you are wrong. Dealing with one other self was headache enough."
"Let's get out of here," Maverick said, eager to change the subject. "We need to get to the city center."
They left the terminal building and walked toward the taxi stand.
The Fuyuki Airport was bustling with NPCs. Cars honked, people shouted. It felt alive.
Maverick spotted a taxi. He raised his hand to hail it.
At the exact same moment, another hand went up a few feet away.
Maverick froze.
Standing next to him was another Kiritsugu Emiya. Same coat. Same tired eyes.
This Kiritsugu had clearly landed at a different gate and walked to the same taxi stand.
The two Masters locked eyes.
Enemy.
Maverick reached for his Glock. The other Kiritsugu reached for his Contender.
But before either could draw, a voice called out from behind the enemy Master.
"Master? Have you secured a transport yet?"
Maverick's eyes widened. He looked behind the enemy.
Walking out of the terminal was... Artoria.
But she wasn't wearing armor. And she wasn't wearing a swimsuit.
She was wearing a maid outfit. A very short, very tactical maid outfit with a white brimmed hat. And she was carrying a mop.
Wait, no. That wasn't a mop.
It was a customized, heavy-duty sniper rifle disguised as a mop.
[STATUS: RIDER ARTORIA (ALTER) - MAID VERSION]
Maverick's Artoria (Saber) stared. Her jaw dropped.
"What..." Saber whispered, her voice trembling with horror. "WHAT IS THAT OUTFIT?!"
The Maid Alter looked at Saber. Her golden eyes were cold and bored. She adjusted her hat.
"It is a uniform optimized for summer service," the Maid drawled, her voice lazy. "And for cleaning up trash."
She looked at Maverick.
"Are you trash?"
[Chat]:[KekW]: MAID ALTER?! [Simp_Nation]: BARK BARK BARK BARK! [Gacha_Hell]: SUMMER ALTER RIDER! THE MOTORCYCLE MAID! [Lore_Master]: OH NO. She has a motorcycle that can drive on water. RUN MAVERICK! [Saber_Fan]: Saber is going to have an aneurysm. Look at her face!
Saber pointed a shaking finger at the Maid. "You! You have abandoned all honor! Serving as a maid?! Where is your pride as a King?!"
Maverick grabbed Saber's arm. "Saber, focus! She has a sniper rifle!"
The Maid Alter sighed. She hefted the "mop" onto her shoulder.
"So noisy," she muttered. "Securing the taxi. Master, get in."
"Not on my watch!" Maverick yelled. "Saber! Attack!"
The Battle of the Taxi Stand had begun.
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