---o---
This scene left countless people stunned. No one had expected Artoria to intervene and save Lancelot.
After all, from a historical perspective, although Lancelot and King Arthur had a good relationship in the early days, he ultimately chose betrayal.
In a sense, Lancelot had cuckolded King Arthur. Not only that, but his actions directly led to King Arthur's campaign in France, which in turn allowed the knight Mordred to plot a rebellion, leading to King Arthur's death.
It was a chain of cause and effect. If Lancelot hadn't eloped with Guinevere, King Arthur would not have been goaded by Gawain into action, and the Battle of Camlann would never have happened.
One could say that for King Arthur, Lancelot's crimes were absolutely unforgivable. He was an indirect architect of her tragedy.
Moreover, even if King Arthur had once trusted and loved Lancelot deeply, this was the Holy Grail War. Only one of the seven could emerge victorious. By doing this, wasn't King Arthur saving an enemy?
And yet, in this Holy Grail War, this King Arthur had gone out of her way to save Lancelot. How could this not leave people utterly astonished?
It was unbelievable, incomprehensible, and difficult to imagine.
---o---
[On the light screen, after a brief, tense silence, the King of Heroes' eyes blazed with fury as he stared at Saber and demanded, "Woman, are you trying to die? How dare you interfere with me!"
Artoria fell silent for a moment at his words. Just then, a classic flashback scene appeared.
The scene was from moments before, when she was with Irisviel. After learning that Berserker's identity was Lancelot, Artoria's brow had been filled with an indescribable mix of complex emotions.
The perceptive Irisviel noticed this and, after a moment's thought, asked Saber, "Saber, are you worried about that Berserker?"
Saber was taken aback and immediately turned to look at Irisviel, who offered a sweet smile. "After all, Saber, you've written all your thoughts right on your face. You must know that Berserker, don't you?"
Saber was silent for a moment, then nodded, her gaze returning to Lancelot, who was then facing the King of Heroes' barrage. "He is the Knight of the Lake, Lancelot. My former knight."
Upon hearing this, Irisviel subconsciously covered her mouth with her hand in surprise. "Lancelot? The one known as the strongest of the Knights of the Round Table?"
Artoria hummed in affirmation, her expression complicated and her voice filled with sorrow. "Yes, that is him."
Irisviel frowned cutely. "It seems what you experienced, Saber, is different from what is recorded. Your attitude towards him..."
"..." Saber shook her head silently, her gaze growing even more complex. "I just don't understand why Sir Lancelot would appear in this manner. He was once an honorable knight, yet now he has been reduced to this state. Did I do something wrong to cause him to become like this, or perhaps..."
Saber didn't continue, merely staring silently at Lancelot in the center of the battlefield.
"Lancelot... was always an exceptionally fine knight, one who never brought shame upon the name of the Round Table."
The understanding Irisviel thought for a moment before smiling. "Then, Saber, you should go help him!"
Saber turned back to Irisviel, astonished. "But... he is an enemy in the Holy Grail War..."
Irisviel smiled like a beautiful and benevolent angel. "But, he is also someone important to you, isn't he, Saber? Well, I don't really understand tactics, but with that King of Heroes around, it probably isn't a good thing for another Servant to be eliminated on the first night, right? I'm sure Kiritsugu would agree."
"Besides, if you help him, we might even gain a powerful ally. As for me—actually, Kiritsugu just contacted me. He's still nearby, and... that fey-like girl, she and I just became friends."
"So, you should go, Saber! You don't need to worry about me."
"But..." Before Saber could finish, Irisviel interrupted her. "Don't worry. I can feel that that girl is not a bad person. If she wanted to harm me, I would already be dead, wouldn't I? What's more, she isn't a participant in the Holy Grail War, so nothing will happen."
Saber was filled with emotion. "Thank you, Irisviel..."
Then, the flashback ended, and the camera returned to Saber in the present.]
---o---
On the light screen, countless people had become fans of Irisviel.
An angel. That was a true angel! I wish I had such a gentle girl for a wife~
But it seemed Irisviel was already married to Kiritsugu, and they even had a child.
Wouldn't that be even better? In that moment, countless people who once revered other heroes suddenly switched their allegiance to the "Cao Cao faction," declaring that they had finally and profoundly understood the Chancellor's great and discerning taste.
Otto Apocalypse: "What a gentle girl. Seeing her can't help but remind me of my Kallen again. Hehe, come to think of it, they are quite alike, both with white hair."
Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald: "The Einzbern contestant? Isn't eliminating an enemy a good plan? Why care about the thoughts of that familiar?"
---o---
[On the light screen, just as many in the audience were converting to the Cao Cao faction, King Arthur responded to Gilgamesh's fury.
"My apologies, King of Heroes. I did not intentionally intervene in your battle with him. However, he is my knight. To meet him in this Holy Grail War is, for me, a reunion of fate. Therefore, I wish to resolve the matter between him and me personally."
Hearing this, the King of Heroes fell silent. He closed his eyes, and then, his expression twisted into a savage mask. The enraged king, with uncontrollable fury, instantly opened his golden portals, filling the sky. Hundreds of Noble Phantasms of varying ranks and forms emerged.
"One after another, you mongrels! Do you truly believe the king's wrath is a bluff?"
In that instant, the King of Heroes' fury and killing intent spread out as if they were tangible. Even the other onlookers, who were not the direct targets, could clearly feel the might he now emanated. It was the kind of rage that would throw all caution to the wind, a rage that had the power to reduce the entire city to ruins.
Elysia's eyes narrowed. This chuuni king seemed to be no simple matter. Could that blonde female knight be his match?
At this moment, Saber stared intently at the King of Heroes, then tightened her grip on her holy sword. She knew a great battle was now unavoidable.
But just then, Lancelot, still lying on the ground, looked up and saw Saber's back. He froze. It seemed there were many things he wanted to say, but in the end, nothing came out.
"Aaar... thuuur..."
Letting out a hoarse roar filled with infinite madness and sorrow, the Knight of the Lake began to uncontrollably attack Saber.]