"I declare────"
Inside the sealed temple, under Inori's control, silver light—rather than the usual violet—raged violently, only to be swiftly drawn into the countless runes engraved within, becoming fuel for the summoning ritual.
"Thou who follow my body, my destiny rests upon thy blade."
The first stanza of the original incantation was meant to link one's Magic Circuits with the circle and the Holy Grail. But with her boundless magical reserves, Ophis skipped that step entirely. The later verses served not to empower the spell itself but to call upon the Grail, inviting Heroic Spirits to listen and judge whether to answer.
Thus, lines invoking shattering, silver and iron, or the ancestors were unnecessary for Ophis.
"I hereby swear────"
She sensed an inexplicable force separate from her infinite reservoir, carrying a strange yet familiar vibration.
Curious, Ophis reached out mentally to touch that power, instinct assuring her it was safe.
It was her own power, after all.
Yet the moment she touched it, her mind shuddered—visions flashed before her eyes, revealing countless secrets of the future.
[Hey! Your job's just to chant the incantation! Don't drift off—finish it already!]
Overwhelmed by the flood of images, Ophis faltered for an instant. But Inori's voice brought her back, and she forced the visions aside to complete the chant.
"I am the sovereign who shall achieve all things. I am the saint who safeguards Human Order."
No need for the evil side… Ophis meant to summon only those Heroic Spirits who would defend humanity.
"If thou consent to this will and reason, answer my call—and from the Counter Force's wheel, come forth────Guardian of Libra!"
The storm of magic abruptly stilled, and the circle beneath Ophis flared with dazzling light.
Her dragon eyes adjusted instantly, catching sight of six figures standing in the radiant glow.
Summoning… succeeded…?
[Strange. I clearly felt seven summoning channels just now!?]
...
"Now, now! With so many brave heroes gathered here from different ages, shouldn't we introduce ourselves?"
The scene had shifted to the temple's main hall. A silver-haired man in white robes stepped forward first, waving casually.
Ophis only watched him coolly.
"Oh-ho, so this is the King of Uruk. What an honor to meet you in person~"
"You… have an annoying presence."
Ophis tilted her head slightly, blunt as ever.
"Huh?"
"Great Red… You feel similar to Great Red."
"Oh?"
The white-robed man scratched his head, then waved a hand dismissively.
"I don't really get it, but probably not important. Anyway, introductions! I'm Merlin, the Magus of Flowers. My class is Caster. Just call me Merlin~"
[Half-human, half-incubus. You must be sensing the 'dream' aspect from him.]
Ophis nodded slightly, then looked toward the next person.
A woman with white hair, dressed in a brown tunic and white robe, stepped forward.
"My name is Altera… a warrior of destruction under the Hunnic god of war. My class is Saber."
[Altera, huh… That should be Attila, King of the Huns. How unexpected—I thought royalty wouldn't answer another king's summon…]
"I sense… a strange danger from her…"
Ophis frowned faintly, speaking inwardly to Inori.
[Danger? True, something's hidden there. But fate tells me it won't affect us for now. Let's leave it.]
Ophis gave a small nod to both Inori and Altera.
"This body is Arjuna, class Archer. Henceforth, I shall serve as your Servant. Command me as you will."
The dark-skinned man in white robes bowed slightly, voice steady.
[Another royal… Arjuna, huh. Your luck's not bad. Or maybe it's thanks to me?]
"Um, I'm Medea, also a Caster… Please take care of me!"
The purple-haired girl's timid greeting made Ophis tilt her head.
"Inori… Didn't you say we'd summon them at their peak?"
[…Ah. That's not always how it works. Sometimes, a Servant from a specific era—though weaker—can actually be more useful.]
"Rooaaaaar────!!"
A sudden roar shook the hall as a massive black giant bellowed at Ophis.
"…A Berserker?"
Ophis looked at him with mild unease. Communication would be… difficult.
"…Um, this is Heracles. And, uh… that was probably his greeting…"
A blonde girl in armor spoke up awkwardly, offering a strained smile.
[He's lost most of his sanity, but some reasoning remains. He should still fight capably. Looks like the summoning went well—and Heracles is top-tier.]
"Then… you are…?"
At Ophis's question, the blonde girl smiled softly.
That smile momentarily dazed Ophis.
Pure and gentle, like Enkidu's…
"I am Jeanne d'Arc—just call me Jeanne. This time, I've manifested as a Ruler-class Servant. Though aside from seeing true names, my other Ruler privileges seem sealed…"
[A saint, huh… That smile certainly fits the title.]
After Jeanne's introduction, Ophis looked around the group.
Saber Altera, Archer Arjuna, Casters Medea (Lily) and Merlin, Berserker Heracles, and Jeanne as Ruler.
So these were the ones who answered her call…?
[No… According to fate's data, we're still missing a Lancer!]
Setting that aside, Ophis faced the six before her.
"I am Ophis, King of Uruk. The situation's details should have been conveyed to you by the Grail during the summoning. As you know, Uruk—and all humanity of this era—faces grave peril. I summoned you to fight beside me, to help protect mankind."
It was rare for Ophis to speak so much at once, showing how seriously she viewed the matter.
"I will… destroy the enemy."
"I see… Fighting to protect humanity carries great meaning."
"I-I'll do my best to help!"
"Well, since we've come this far, I'll do what I can though~ I'm not sure how much that is~"
"Rooaaaaar────!"
"Understood! I'll give it my all!"
As expected, none of the Servants resisted the command.
Still, it was clear their coordination would need work.