Chapter 11: The Rebel Knight, Mordred
Although he thought so, Shirou did not feel it was much of a hassle.
The Type-Moon world contained many gods; he would just steal the authorities he needed along the way during future encounters.
It was nearly dusk when they stepped out of the Great Temple. Standing on the high ground, the desert visible in the distance presented a golden expanse; countless folds of sand and stone rose like solidified waves, extending all the way to the distant golden horizon.
The refugees who had arrived here were already settled, each with a new place to live and a new life.
Compared to living in fear in the desert, they would likely live well under the protection of this territory, which was like an oasis.
However, there were still some who longed for a free life rather than becoming slaves to the "Sun King."
"It's clearly been so hard to get away from a place of fear, yet they still want to seek out a suitable place for themselves..."
Looking at the city starting to light up with specks of fire as night fell, Gudako could not help but sigh.
Shirou replied: "Everyone has things they fear, but if you shrink back just because you feel fear, the world will only become smaller and smaller. The first lightning bolt, the first flicker of fire—all things that drive human progress begin with fear. Turning the most terrifying places into the most beautiful scenery; it is precisely because they can do such things that humans shine."
"Mm, very interesting. I acknowledge you!"
Ozymandias smiled in agreement, then led everyone to dine.
"Comforting guests is only natural! We, the people of the desert, will never be stingy toward those who have come from afar, for we know well the hardships of the journey."
After a fine meal, Ozymandias also had his people send a large amount of food and water to Shirou's group.
"Hmph, if you were to die in the wilderness before leaving the territory of Egypt, I would lose face... Ahem. Leave quickly after dawn. Once you deal with that Lion King in the Holy City, I will grant you the Holy Grail."
Ozymandias didn't sound very confident when he said this, especially with Shirou standing right beside him.
However, Shirou had no bad feelings toward this "Sun King." Aside from a touch of arrogance, his character was quite perfect in other respects, as evidenced by the people living and working in peace and contentment under him.
At night, while Gudako and Mash were fast asleep, Shirou wandered around Ozymandias's territory, searching several times but failing to find Bedivere.
"Forget it, it doesn't matter if I can't find him. If it comes down to it, I'll just kidnap the Lion King—who is currently dominated by the Goddess—and take her back for some slow discipline. It might be a bit troublesome, but it's the only option."
Having resolved this, Shirou did not waste any more time in Ozymandias's territory and, the next day, urged Gudako to head toward the Holy City again.
"Let's protect those people who want to go to the Eastern Village on the way," Gudako said.
"If we don't provide escort, it would be very difficult for those people to make it there on their own," Mash said with some concern. "There are quite a lot of monsters along this road."
Hearing the words of these two kind-hearted girls, Shirou sighed helplessly: "Fine, fine. Let them board the Vimana as well, and we'll take them there as quickly as possible."
Those who had already packed their luggage, intending to take the huge risk of heading to the eastern village that could accommodate them, were moved to tears and bowed in gratitude to Shirou upon learning that he planned to take them along.
Shirou waved his hand: "It's just something I'm doing while I'm at it. Once I drop you off, you'll have to work hard to survive on your own. Do your best."
The Vimana possessed excellent speed when operated by Shirou.
At the limits of this Noble Phantasm, it could reach sub-light speeds, but considering that Gudako and the ordinary people could not withstand that, he reduced the speed slightly.
Even so, it took less than half an hour to approach the eastern village.
"Eh? There seem to be many Knights over there...!"
Mash exclaimed.
Gudako could vaguely see flags and quickly asked Mash: "Can you see their flags clearly?"
"Mm... it seems to be a red dragon head and a red lightning bolt piercing through the dragon's neck."
Hearing Mash's answer, Da Vinci nodded.
"That's easy to identify. The red thunder that severs the dragon's head—the only one in the entire Holy City who dares to use such a banner is that 'Rebel Knight,' Mordred."
...
Szzzt—
Silver light flashed by, and blood stained the field of view as guard after guard was cut down by Mordred.
"Hey, hey, hurry up and die! One after another, you're so annoying, you trash!"
Mordred swung the sword in her hand, "Clarent Blood Arthur," slashing the guards charging at her.
"How ridiculous. Did you think setting up more guard posts would stop me?"
Swish swish—!!
Two arrows pierced through the air, shooting rapidly toward Mordred, but she looked back and slashed them in half with a single strike.
"How are there still people shooting cold arrows?" Mordred glared with some displeasure: "It's so infuriating, come out here!"
Following Mordred's words, a man standing on the winding cliff let out a soft laugh.
"How did you know the location of this village? The concealment of Brother Cursed Arm should have been flawless."
The black-haired man speaking was Arash.
In ancient Persian legend, he was a warrior of King Manuchehr, hailed as the last king of the Age of Gods in Western Asia. He ended the sixty-year war between Persia and Turan, a hero who brought peace and tranquility to the people of both nations.
Mordred frowned, looking somewhat impatient.
"Who the hell knows! I just relied on my intuition; I just thought it looked dark and narrow here, like a place where a stray dog would live, so I fired a shot with my holy sword, and I guessed right! Although I won the prize, it's not the main general! That rebel who escaped the Holy City—Lancelot and I intended to find that guy, but we didn't find them even after coming here."
Saying this, Mordred looked at Arash.
"Hey! Have you seen a red-haired guy? Oh, right, there were a few women following that guy."
"..."
Arash tilted his head and thought for a moment, "No impression at all."
"Tsk... I wasn't expecting to ask anything from you anyway. Damn it, that guy is carrying so many refugees; where else could he go besides here...?"
Mordred scratched her hair, feeling a bit agitated.
How could she have imagined that Shirou possessed a flying craft, allowing him to go wherever he wanted in this desert?
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