The longsword suddenly drawn by the white-robed man gleamed with blinding brilliance, its radiance spilling holy light across the forest.
Calling it a holy sword would not have been an exaggeration.
Yet that unstoppable, divinely charged blade was abruptly stopped mid-swing—by "Enkidu's" seemingly delicate, slender hand.
"My, my… how troublesome. Ah, I see—if you hadn't attacked, I might really have started doubting my memory."
Still smiling in mock amusement, the white-robed man stepped in again, his golden sword flashing as he weaved attacks seamlessly with his other hand, which gripped a long staff.
"What's going on!?"
Thanks to their sharp instincts and honed reflexes, Lily and Mash reacted instantly, pulling Ritsuka back and standing protectively in front of her.
"Ah, well, it was only a little prank to begin with," the green-haired figure said lightly. "A deception like that could never last long. No—perhaps calling it a game would be more fitting? How disappointing. If you'd gone just a little farther, we might have had an even more entertaining show."
"Enkidu"—or rather, Kingu—smiled coldly, deflecting every one of the white-robed man's strikes with casual precision, occasionally flicking back sharp counters that sliced the air.
"The so-called final hope of humanity, huh… If humans are failures, then you're the lowest of failures. Still, even failures can be rare curiosities. If I were to offer you to the goddess ahead, I'm sure she'd put on quite the performance."
"You… are you really Enkidu!?"
Ritsuka's voice trembled as she watched the fierce clash before her—yet Kingu fought effortlessly, her movements smooth, her expression unreadable.
At her question, Kingu's faint smile vanished. A wave of killing intent exploded outward, hurling Merlin backward in a blast of force.
"Ugh—ouch… Seems I've gotten rusty from all that idling. Little Ana, you really are heartless. Didn't it cross your mind to help me?"
Hovering midair after stabilizing himself, Merlin shouted theatrically toward the black-robed girl beside him, who only let out a cold snort.
"Not my problem. You reap what you sow."
"…You're all fools," Kingu said flatly, her smirk returning.
"Does it matter whether I'm Enkidu or not? I have her body, her abilities—that's enough. Tell me, why do you assume Enkidu would side with humanity? She's a weapon forged by the gods. Standing with the goddess is only natural, wouldn't you say?"
"The mana it's emitting…" Romani's voice cut in urgently from Chaldea, "it's almost identical to that of a Demon God Pillar. Talking's useless. That thing's your enemy. They lured you here for a reason—there's no way they'll just let you leave. Fighting is your only option!"
"You say such unpleasant things," Kingu said, almost pouting. "And here I was hoping we'd get along. What a shame to end the fun early—but taking your heads back will do just fine."
She bent slightly, muscles tensing.
"Useless trash. Defective goods should be discarded."
"…King Ophis was absolutely right," Merlin said, stepping forward without a hint of tension. "The fake Enkidu really does talk too much."
"You bastard…"
"I'll give you a hint. I dislike long chants, but there's one technique every dual-wielding mage worth the title knows."
Before Kingu could respond, Merlin raised his sword high and slashed downward from a dozen meters away.
"Hm?"
A Noble Phantasm release?
Seeing the light gathering at the blade, Kingu's expression hardened. Her eyes narrowed.
The next instant, her vision was drowned in white.
"Eat my Super Flash Technique!"
...
"Ahhh, finally escaped…"
Deep in the southern forest, the group paused, looking thoroughly disheveled.
"You idiot! What kind of technique was that!? It blinded us completely and didn't even faze the enemy!"
Romani's voice erupted from the communicator, overflowing with exasperation.
"Haha, my bad! I forgot—Enkidu, fake or not, senses through the ground. Light doesn't exactly affect her, huh?" Merlin replied, sounding far too cheerful for someone being scolded.
"That person—the one who called herself Enkidu—who is she exactly?" Mash asked at last, her tone cautious.
"It's a long and complicated story," Merlin replied breezily. "Perhaps we should save it for later? For now, wouldn't it be better if we got to know each other? Don't you think so, my lovely young lady?"
Lily's smile twitched as the white-robed man suddenly knelt before her, taking her hand dramatically. She swiftly pulled it back.
"Um… I had a strange sense of familiarity from the start… and judging by how suspiciously you're acting right now… could it really be you, Teacher?"
"Ohh! Lily remembers me! How moving! Truly, Artoria was most perfect at this stage of her life, wasn't she?!"
Lily's angelic expression remained, though the corners of her smile tightened dangerously.
Just then, a small white blur darted out of the bushes, ramming straight into Merlin and knocking him flat. His hood flew off, revealing a handsome face framed by messy, multicolored hair.
"Fou—!"
"Uwah?! You little menace, Cath Palug! Have you already forgotten my kindness? All those years of care, and this is how you repay me? Honestly, had I known, I'd never have taken in such an ungrateful creature who charms the masses with its fake cuteness!"
"He's… seriously arguing with Fou," Lily sighed, as though used to this sight, while Mash stared in disbelief. Ritsuka tapped her cheek thoughtfully.
"If Lily calls him 'Teacher'… then doesn't that mean—"
"—Wait a minute!!" Romani's delayed realization burst through the communicator in a near-scream. "The shock short-circuited my brain for a second, but I've caught up now! Merlin!? The Merlin from Britain!? The half-incubus sage who guided the King of Knights!? That Merlin!? Summoned here as a Servant!?"
"Doctor… he sounds oddly excited…" Mash murmured.
"Hahaha! As expected of you, Doctor—your introductions never disappoint!" Merlin declared, flashing a bright grin and raising a peace sign. "Yes, indeed, I am Caster, the Mage among Mages—Merlin himself! Currently summoned into this era as a humble Caster-class Servant. A pleasure to meet you all~!"
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