When Mash blocked Saber Noble Phantasm, Olga Marie and Fujimaru Ritsuka became incredibly tense. After all, anyone with eyes could see that Mash was being pushed back step by step under Saber assault. The two of them were at a loss; when Fujimaru Ritsuka tried to rush over to help Mash, she was immediately pinned in place by Olga Marie binding magecraft.
"Director! Let me go!!"
Fujimaru Ritsuka, who usually seemed as harmless and easy to pick on as a small animal, was now like a cat with its fur standing on end, her voice involuntarily rising. But Olga Marie remained unmoved.
"Fujimaru, calm down! Mash is my subordinate; I care about her safety more than you do! Right now, I am powerless..."
"Director..."
Seeing Olga Marie clenched right fist and the look of struggle on her face, the formerly furious Fujimaru Ritsuka didn't know what to say for a moment. But before she could speak, Olga Marie interrupted her brusquely.
"Don't interrupt me! I didn't say this just so you'd make a face like that! If you, as her Master, don't calm down, then no one will be able to help her! Chaldea's 'Heroic Spirit Summoning System' is a technique improved upon from the ritual of the Holy Grail War. Many aspects are still in the experimental stage, but what we do know is that certain things can only be achieved by a Master. So—this is up to you! If even you lose your head, then no one can help Mash!"
Olga Marie words caused Fujimaru Ritsuka struggling to gradually slow down. She looked at the Command Spells on the back of her hand, remained silent for a while, and finally made a decision.
"Director, I'm sorry. I'm not a magus and I don't understand these things, but my heart is telling me that right now, I should be with Mash."
After a brief silence, Olga Marie withdrew the binding magecraft.
"In that case... I'll leave it to you."
In the past, if Fujimaru Ritsuka hadn't provided a clear, logical reason to convince her, she never would have agreed. But thinking of her own circumstances, she chose to let go. After all, even if she could watch over Fujimaru Ritsuka now, what about later? She would eventually have to let go. Since that was the case, she might as well take a gamble—and her gamble was to believe in the girl!
Noticing the magecraft around her had been released, Fujimaru Ritsuka nodded excitedly and charged toward Mash.
Watching her run, Olga Marie was filled with a myriad of emotions. She had first met Fujimaru Ritsuka only a few hours ago; her first impression had been "just an ordinary girl with good luck." But now, seeing her walk to Mash side without a hint of fear in the face of Saber Noble Phantasm, she realized her own judgment of people wasn't as high as she had thought.
With a bitter smile, she shook off her dejected expression and slapped both cheeks hard with her hands.
It still hurt, so she was still alive!
Whether what Lancer said was true or false, she wouldn't back down!
Even if she was already dead, since she was allowed to appear here, her existence must have a purpose!
What she needed to do was her absolute best to help! To guide Mash and Fujimaru Ritsuka!
On the other side, Fujimaru Ritsuka had no idea how much expectation Olga Marie—the Director who seemed to dislike her at first—now placed on her. She was simply following her instincts to do what she felt she should do.
"Senpai?!"
Mash was completely startled by Fujimaru Ritsuka actions. It wasn't because of the physical contact—though she was shy, they were both girls—she was simply worried about her safety.
"Senpai! It's too dangerous right now! Please retreat with the Director..."
"I believe in you!"
Before Mash could finish, Fujimaru Ritsuka spoke to stop her. She pressed her body even closer against the girl's back, her right hand gripping tight, as if trying to transfer all her strength into her.
"I believe in Mash! Mash said she would protect me, the Director, and Fou! I believe you! So, I'm staying right here!"
At this moment, neither of them noticed that the Command Spells on Fujimaru Ritsuka hand seemed to be emitting a faint, minuscule glow, but they both seemed to feel each other's hearts.
'I want to protect Senpai!'
'I believe Mash will protect me!'
The "Heroic Spirit Summoning" itself was a sub-branch of the "Holy Grail War" ritual. Its original purpose was to use the death of Heroic Spirits to reach the Root. However, Chaldea's system focused more on the compatibility between Master and Heroic Spirit. Unbeknownst to them, the "Link" between the two was being established.
Almost simultaneously, fragments of memory surfaced in Mash mind—memory fragments of the Heroic Spirit who had gifted her his Spirit Origin.
"Is the meaning of a Shielder's existence to protect those behind them...? Unknown Servant, I think I've found the person I need to protect!"
As if talking to herself, or perhaps addressing someone else, once her words fell, Fujimaru Ritsuka felt something inside her flow through her right hand into Mash. Simultaneously, the shield in Mash hand erupted with brilliant light!
A "City Wall" made of light quietly took shape.
The kneeling Mash stood completely upright. Her once-wavering defense became indestructible in an instant.
At the same time, no one noticed the expression on Saber face—one of reminiscence and relief.
Although the shield Mash held was actually the manifestation of the "Spirit of the Round Table" and the will of Galahad, as the Master of that Round Table, there was no way she hadn't recognized the shield's secret.
Her current reaction was enough to show that some deeper secret was hidden within.
However, after that fleeting smile, her expression turned stern once more. The 「Excalibur Morgan」 that was attacking Mash position suddenly swept horizontally to the side.
A figure had already appeared there!
Lancer had certainly not wasted the opportunity Mash provided. Covered in bloody aura, he hadn't even used a "Demon Mode" skill, but he had entered a "Demonified" state by default. It could be said it was triggered completely passively, but he wasn't slow at all, because now, only the purest "desire" remained in his eyes.
Defeat Saber!
Complete the quest!
Achieve the goal!
And the foundation for all of it was defeating the person in front of him.
"AAAAHHH!!"
Since he'd been spotted, there was no need for Lancer to hide. His maddened roar announced his presence, but just before 「Excalibur Morgan」 could hit him, a body made of flames blocked his path.
Cu Chulainn had also placed his bet on Lancer. He realized his Noble Phantasm couldn't completely eliminate Saber, so his job was clear: help the one who had a chance to succeed!
BOOM!!
With an explosion, the "Flame Giant" summoned by Cu was completely sliced apart. Its lower half began to dissipate, but the hands gripping Saber didn't let go. Through the dust of the explosion, Lancer charged straight out, his long spear pointing directly at Saber heart!
This strike condensed not only the trust of the "Hundred Demons," but also the trust Cu Chulainn, Mash, Fujimaru Ritsuka, and Olga Marie had placed in him!
Saber seemingly hadn't expected Cu to be so decisive as to use his own Noble Phantasm to take a hit for Lancer.
Her old momentum was spent and new strength hadn't yet gathered. Saber only had time to try and block Lancer thrust with the crossguard of her sword, while the pommel end of the hilt slashed toward Lancer.
Clearly, though she was ambushed, she had no intention of giving up. Or rather, a true warrior never turns their back on the enemy!
SHIIIING~!!
The spear blade scraped against the crossguard, sending out a dazzling shower of sparks. She leaned her body back and used her enhanced strength to forcibly deflect the strike.
K-K-K-RAAA~!!
Using the friction of the spear shaft against the ground, Lancer managed to bring himself to a halt. He looked at Saber, whose chest plate had been completely shattered, with a very complicated expression. Finally, he let out a comment that might have been a summary of the situation.
"So this is the advantage of having Rank A in everything..."