Facing Artoria Alter's instantaneous beam attack with zero startup time, the highly agile Medusa barely managed to dodge, escaping without any injury.
The raging Heracles, however, didn't even consider evading. Relying on his advantage of multiple lives, he charged straight into the path of the light cannon toward Artoria Alter.
The result was exactly as expected. The scorching beam unleashed from Excalibur Morgan instantly vaporized half of Heracles' body. The residual energy slammed into the ground, triggering a massive explosion.
The shockwaves surged relentlessly toward Mash, Ritsuka, and Olga Marie.
Seeing the blast closing in, Mash swiftly planted her shield.
"Senpai! Director! Get behind me, now!"
Ritsuka and Olga Marie quickly ducked into cover behind her.
Mash strained to hold back the explosive aftershocks and the searing residual heat from the magical energy. When the waves finally subsided, her shield remained steadfast, leaving the three of them completely unharmed.
Yet they were all stunned by the sheer destruction wrought by what had seemed like a casual beam from Artoria Alter.
Ritsuka stared at her small frame unleashing such a massive blast and sucked in a sharp breath.
"So this is what a final boss looks like? Absolutely terrifying!"
Olga Marie gazed at the absurdly massive crater carved out by the beam's sweep. Heracles had only just finished regenerating within it.
"Such insane destructive power! And that enormous magical energy output!"
"Is this truly the Red Dragon of Britain—the King of Knights?!"
She and Adam had only been separated for less than a minute, but Olga Marie was already missing him terribly.
Medusa and Heracles pressed their assault on Artoria Alter once more.
Mash started to move forward to help, only to be hit by another wave of aftershock from the beam.
Ritsuka and Olga Marie hurriedly took cover behind her again.
While holding back the aftershocks and glancing at the vulnerable pair she was protecting, Mash looked over at Artoria Alter, who continued firing beams relentlessly. For whatever reason, the Alter seemed focused primarily on Medusa and Heracles at the moment, paying little attention to their group.
Even so, simply blocking the aftereffects of those attacks was already incredibly taxing for Mash—especially while shielding Ritsuka and Olga Marie as well.
Assisting the other two Servants would be no simple feat.
Medusa had just dodged Artoria Alter's zero-startup beam and immediately shifted into a fighting stance. Leveraging her superior speed, she began circling rapidly around her opponent.
Artoria Alter raised her hand and fired off several more blasts at Medusa.
The Rider weaved across the ground in a blur, evading each one.
Then, timing the brief lag after the shots, Medusa's legs powered forward. In a flash, she was behind Artoria Alter, driving her weapon hard toward the king's back.
Thanks to her Instinct, Artoria Alter blocked the blow. She seemed mildly surprised by Medusa's sudden ferocity.
The Rider hadn't been this aggressive before—why the sudden change?
It didn't slow her down. Artoria Alter countered instantly, swinging her sword at Medusa's neck.
The Rider leaped back, the blade only slicing through a few strands of her hair.
Mid-air, Medusa struck again with her chained weapon.
Artoria Alter's gauntlet deflected it, followed by another swift counter-slash.
Using the gauntlet as a springboard, Medusa bounded away safely.
Olga Marie watched their exchange closely, breaking down the tactics.
"Medusa is relying on guerrilla warfare—using her high mobility to harass Artoria Alter continuously while searching for openings to inflict real damage."
"But her defensive capabilities are too low. She depends entirely on her agility. One solid hit from that sword, and it's probably over for her."
Even as she spoke, another ripple from the battle washed over them.
Ritsuka crouched low with arms over their head, scanning the area.
"Where's Heracles? We can't rely on harassment alone—we need a frontline to soak the pressure!"
Right on cue, the regenerated Heracles rejoined the fight.
His approach was simple and direct.
Charge!
He rushed forward like a cannonball, swinging his enormous weapon in a crushing strike meant to smash Artoria Alter.
Recalling the monstrous strength Heracles had shown earlier, Olga Marie could already envision the Alter being sent flying.
As a Berserker, Heracles had sacrificed his reason for vastly increased power and speed. Normally, that let him overpower most Servants through sheer stats alone.
But unfortunately, he was up against an Artoria Alter with effectively unlimited magical energy.
Her parameters were simply superior.
Artoria Alter had been ready to pursue Medusa, but spotting the incoming Berserker, she gripped Excalibur Morgan with both hands and delivered a devastating full-power strike.
Heracles was blasted away, weapon and all.
Olga Marie stared in shock as he tumbled through the air.
"You've got to be kidding me..."
A Saber stronger than a Berserker in raw power?!
Heracles spun a few times before righting himself and landing gracefully.
Artoria Alter moved to follow up with another beam—when her Instinct blared a warning.
It was Medusa. She'd thrown her weapon, controlling it via the chain attached to its hilt, striking from both flanks.
With a single casual horizontal cut, Artoria Alter shattered the coordinated assault.
Medusa clicked her tongue in frustration. Then her eyes snapped wide open.
Her Mystic Eyes of Petrification activated, capable of turning foes to stone.
Lower Magic Resistance would result in instant petrification. Even high resistance would hinder movement.
Artoria Alter's Magic Resistance appeared diminished by her blackened transformation.
"Nn..."
A low groan escaped her as she felt her body starting to stiffen.
Medusa seized the moment. Pouring her monstrous strength into her legs, she delivered a brutal double kick straight to Artoria Alter's midsection.
The ground beneath her cracked and splintered from the force.
Artoria Alter was sent hurtling backward.
***
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