[Command Spells] inherently carried miraculous power. They not only provided enormous amounts of mana to Servants, but also enabled them to achieve feats normally impossible.
Spatial relocation, physical regeneration—these all fell within the [Command Spells]' capabilities.
Not to mention Arthur himself possessed a regenerative Noble Phantasm.
Under the [Command Spell]'s stimulation, Arthur's bloodied and broken body healed almost completely in mere moments, within the span of a single breath.
He was essentially out of danger, though he still felt considerably weak. With half a day's rest, Arthur believed he could fully recover.
After all, his current abundant mana supply significantly accelerated his recovery.
But before Arthur could head toward the Yggdmillennia Castle, the arrival of a third [Command Spell] restored him instantly to peak condition.
"Thank you, Master," Arthur sincerely expressed toward the direction of the Yggdmillennia Castle. Shirou Emiya's unreserved use of [Command Spells] had deeply moved him, clearly demonstrating Shirou's trust in him.
Nightfall arrived just as Arthur neared the Yggdmillennia Castle.
The delay wasn't due to distance. Rather, as he was on his way back, Arthur came across a blonde girl in a local restaurant, voraciously devouring food like a bottomless pit, accompanied by her Master.
This pair was naturally Kairi Sisigou and Mordred.
Midway through her meal, Mordred seemed to sense something and glanced outside, noticing Arthur standing on the street.
Seeing that he'd been discovered, Arthur didn't linger awkwardly. Instead, he stepped inside and approached their table, sitting calmly across from Kairi and Mordred.
"Hey! You bastard—!"
A dark-red sword materialized instantly in Mordred's hand, raised threateningly toward Arthur's head.
Given Arthur wasn't her real father, Mordred's attitude was naturally far less respectful.
"Mind your manners. You're a Knight of the Round Table, after all."
Kairi had clearly learned how to communicate effectively with Mordred. Directly correcting her would only earn him an earful of insults. Thus, he wisely appealed to her pride as a knight.
Mordred paused. Letting this Arthur from another world think poorly of Father's knights? Absolutely not.
She shook her head, lowered her sword, and reluctantly returned to her seat.
"What do you want?" Mordred demanded irritably, her earlier good mood instantly ruined by Arthur's appearance.
Currently, it was daytime, and the Holy Grail War was temporarily in a state of truce. Mordred had no intention of deliberately causing trouble, especially given the existence of a Ruler in this war.
She wasn't exactly afraid of Ruler, but unnecessary trouble was annoying. Though, come to think of it, she had yet to meet the Ruler this time.
Maybe something happened to them? Mordred thought hopefully. That'd be great—I could fight as much as I want!
She resumed wolfing down another bowl of rice.
Kairi, meanwhile, eyed Arthur carefully, hoping to glimpse some astonishment in his expression. After all, when he'd first witnessed Mordred's monstrous appetite, he'd been thoroughly shocked. Eating away most of his cash reserves in one sitting wasn't exactly common, especially for a Servant who didn't actually need food.
Mordred's explanation had been simple:
"Eating Gawain's potatoes every day nearly drove me mad. If I hadn't started a rebellion, I might've died choking on his cooking. Now that I've finally found food other than potatoes, I'm damn well going to enjoy it."
Kairi had dismissed that as a quirky Round Table joke. Still, he'd eagerly anticipated seeing Arthur react to the revelation that his alternate-world "daughter" was a glutton of legendary proportions.
But his hopes were dashed—Arthur's face showed no reaction. Instead, Arthur simply watched Mordred seriously as she continued eating.
"There's something I've been wondering… After being summoned by the Holy Grail, what's your wish?"
Arthur posed the question directly to the still-eating Mordred.
Though just the previous night they'd fiercely clashed—Mordred's Noble Phantasm nearly claiming Arthur's life—neither seemed bothered by it now.
"Nearly" meaning, had Arthur not been blown away by Spartacus's Noble Phantasm and remained at the epicenter, Mordred's attack would've finished him off. But Arthur had ultimately escaped Mordred's strike.
Now, Arthur genuinely wanted to know what Mordred of this world sought from the Grail—what wish she intended to make.
A heavy silence instantly enveloped their table.
Kairi's cigarette hand trembled slightly.
Arthur's gentle demeanor and Mordred's lack of hostility had briefly made him forget—this Mordred was the infamous Knight of Rebellion who'd killed King Arthur.
A bead of cold sweat rolled down Kairi's forehead. Though he knew Mordred's true wish, he had no idea what shocking thing Arthur might say next.
Exactly like right now.
Mordred slowly placed her bowl down, eyes turning sharply serious, staring intently at Arthur.
"My wish…is to challenge the Sword of Selection!"
Her gaze was unyielding as she confronted Arthur, clearly waiting for his response.
Time seemed frozen. Kairi could only pretend he didn't exist, stiffly waiting beside them.
Arthur calmly met Mordred's intense stare:
"Perhaps the truth isn't what you think—but you won't be able to draw that sword."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a furious blur cut through the air toward Arthur.
Clang—!
The other patrons had swiftly evacuated the restaurant the moment Mordred drew her sword. Behind Arthur, the wall split cleanly in two and collapsed noisily onto the ground.
"Say…that…AGAIN!!!"
Kairi and Arthur both could clearly see Mordred's tangible rage, her armor fully materializing around her.
Daytime or not, Mordred was fully prepared to fight Arthur here and now.