Fairy Round Table Realm, Poem of Eternal Mist

Only Kalia remained rooted to the spot, silently watching her companions about to be engulfed by the teleportation light. Two short weeks of fighting side-by-side had forged a deep bond between her and these travelers from a foreign land. This sudden separation filled her with an indescribable sense of reluctance.

Children must eventually grow up on their own; you cannot protect them forever—come back, Kalia—

Morgan's words echoed in her mind. She could not disobey the Queen's command. As the magic circle reached its peak, everyone vanished instantly. Kalia stood alone among the empty tree roots for a long time before her figure gradually transformed into a wisp of swirling icy wind, quietly dissipating into the lingering magical afterglow.

The rebel stronghold was engulfed in flames.

When everyone returned using a teleportation spell, they were met with a horrific scene of devastation, blanketed by continuous artillery fire. Senkomura, supporting the panting Artoria from exhaustion, shouted warnings to Ritsuka and the others to find cover and avoid the rain of explosives. The Fang Clan's carpet bombing had been ongoing for some time; the flying debris and wood chips, like sharp blades, relentlessly eroded the fortress's defenses and the nerves of everyone present.

"You're finally back!" Percival emerged from behind a collapsed low wall, his armor covered in smoke and burn marks. "Woodworth has been bombarding us for an hour! He's even on the battlefield himself... It seems he's determined to declare by force that the Fang Clan will never accept your pilgrimage, Artoria..."

'Why…' Artoria's voice was filled with weariness and confusion.

"There's no time to discuss this now!" Senjimura interrupted, his sharp eyes sweeping across the battlefield. "Since he wants to play hardball, we'll play along! Clear out these grunts first! Sei Shonagon, take care of Artoria! The rest of you, follow me! And..." He whirled around, but it was too late—

"Daughter, don't be impulsive!"

Before she finished speaking, Fujimaru Ritsuka had already leaped out of cover without hesitation, clutching the familiar Heroic Spirit Capsule tightly in her hand.

Shine, Flash! Unrivaled Holy Sword!

As she chanted, the phantoms of Artoria Pendragon and Mordred suddenly appeared beside her. The next second, the two phantoms merged and overlapped onto Ritsuka's body like armor, covering her entire body in a suit of armor that combined the characteristics of her father and her rebellious son, possessing both solemnity and madness. A dazzling sword of light materialized in her hand, and with a swing, a powerful sword aura plowed forward!

'Whoa!'

The Fang Clan's artillery positions, bearing the brunt of the attack, were instantly destroyed, and the violent shockwave sent the advancing guards flying. Almost simultaneously, the scorching flames of the swordsmanship forged by Senji Muramasa followed, combining with Ritsuka's holy sword power to wipe out Woodworth's artillery units deployed at the front.

"Senpai! Don't push yourself too hard!" Mashu immediately rushed forward, steadily supporting Ritsuka, who was swaying from the impact of the power. Her eyes were filled with astonishment and worry. "This is... the power of King Arthur and Mordred from Pan-Human History? Why...?"

"Mash, we'll talk about the details later..." Ritsuka gasped for breath, her gaze fixed ahead. "They're coming up again!"

"Silly girl, there's no time to worry about that now!" Senji Muramasa clicked his tongue, his eyes sharpening. "Projection, begin!"

Faced with the Fang Clan soldiers surging forward once more, the old swordsman waved his hands, unleashing a torrent of magical power. In an instant, countless phantoms of katanas burst forth from the ground, then rained down upon the enemy ranks like a whirlwind! The roar of explosions and the screams of soldiers instantly intertwined into a symphony of death.

However, the commotion came to an abrupt end.

A suffocating pressure, like ice water, swept across the entire arena, and the air seemed to freeze. Everyone's movements slowed down, and only the increasingly clear sound of their own heartbeats and breathing could be heard.

A colossal, towering figure had appeared in the center of the battlefield, seemingly out of nowhere. It was Woodworth, a male creature with wolf-like features and bulging muscles. His mere presence silenced the clamor of the battlefield with its terrifying aura. The surviving soldiers of the Fang Clan retreated in awe, like a tidal wave.

Ritsuka felt a wave of physical nausea wash over her. This was not due to the other party's ferocious appearance, but rather to the power itself—cold, savage, and filled with the most primal desire for destruction, like countless cold ants crawling along her spine, sending chills down her spine.

Woodworth looked down at Ritsuka with disdain, a low chuckle escaping his throat: 'This is truly—I never expected mere humans to dare be so arrogant. Foreign invaders, what sweet words did you use to make those spineless cowards bow their heads?'

'!'

Ritsuka completely ignored his taunts, and before she could finish speaking, she had already launched her attack! Her Excalibur transformed into a golden streak of light, aimed straight at his face. However, the sharp holy sword was easily caught by Woodworth's two casually raised fingers, as if it weren't a Noble Phantasm that had slain countless enemies, but rather a light, flimsy wooden stick. Ritsuka reacted swiftly, instantly conjuring a Cla human-shaped sword shadow with her other hand and sweeping it out, but the result was the same—Woodworth's other hand gripped the blade like an iron clamp.

'Too slow.' He grinned maliciously and pushed back slightly. Ritsuka felt as if she had been hit head-on by a towering tree, and she was sent flying backward uncontrollably.

'senior!'

Mash leaped up just in time, using her shield as a cushion to catch Ritsuka. But both of them knew that this was just a casual swing of Woodworth's power, not even a warm-up.

"Alright! Gentlemen's game time is over." Woodworth ripped open his collar, his eyes gleaming with a bloodthirsty red light. "Now, I'm going to bite your heads off one by one!"

boom--!

The earth began to tremble violently, and the surrounding trees twisted and groaned under the raging air pressure. The werewolf completely tore away its civilized facade, revealing its ferocious true form: its stark white fangs pierced its lips, its claws tore through its gloves, and its bulging muscles ripped through its fine clothes. Most chilling of all was the eerie mark on its chest, radiating an ominous aura.

Da Vinci's detection instruments emitted a piercing alarm, and she exclaimed in shock, "Impossible! He's Arin Hyakuza! Has this Lostbelt evolved to this extent? Ritsuka, step back! Arin Hyakuza's power is enough to rival a Grand Servant; you're no match for him!"

But Ritsuka gritted her teeth and stubbornly stood firm. The pilgrimage was just one step away; if she retreated now, not only would Mash's efforts be in vain, but all of Artoria's perseverance up to this point would also be in vain.

"We won't let you succeed!" Percival and Gareth stepped forward simultaneously, forming a triangle that surrounded Woodworth. The Holy Lance and the Cavalry Lance both erupted with dazzling light, and everyone pushed their power to the limit.

Woodworth licked his fangs excitedly, a visible vortex of violent energy forming around him: 'Come on, you lowly creatures! You asked for this!'

"Senior! I'll go first! Be careful!"

Before Mash could finish speaking, she charged towards Woodworth with her shield raised like an arrow. However, the moment the shield made contact with her opponent, her expression changed drastically—it wasn't the touch of flesh and blood at all, but rather the feeling of being crushed by an entire mountain! With each breath, she felt as if her chest was being crushed, and the shield trembled violently with a teeth-grinding creak, as if she and the shield would be crushed into a meat patty in the next second.

'Bang!'

At the critical moment, Percival and Gareth's spears thrust in from both sides. But to Woodworth, these swift thrusts were as slow as stillness. He casually dodged to the side, and with a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a violent gust of wind, sending the two flying. Mash was flung away like a kite with a broken string, and a giant hand covered in claws was already clawing down on her head!

'Mash!'

With a furious roar, countless swords converged into a giant shield surrounded by blue magic crests, barely blocking Mash's path.

*Snap!*

The sound of shattering metal rang out shrilly. Although the shield shattered instantly, it bought Mash a precious opportunity to dodge. Woodworth's offensive continued unabated; he moved like a ghost behind Muramasa and sent him flying like a ball with a powerful kick.

'Guwa...'

Muramasa rolled several times, crashing heavily into a tree trunk in the distance. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and a greatsword engulfed in flames materialized in his hand. Gareth and Percival regained their footing, their holy lance and lance beginning to converge with dazzling light. Ritsuka simultaneously raised Excalibur and Cla, their swords crossed and aimed at the enemy. At this moment, everyone's auras were connected, determined to give their all in the next strike.

[Slay the enemy! I am a wolf! My spear is a fang of certain death! Charge! —Raging Wolf Girl!]

[Holy Lance, double restraints released. Countdown begins. — 'The Radiant Chosen Lance'! A noble miracle has descended upon this place!]

Countless torrents of magical energy converged in an instant. Excalibur's golden radiance and Cla's BloodArthur's crimson lightning intertwined into a destructive torrent, crashing into Woodworth along with the energy released by other Noble Phantasms. The moment all the attacks collided, a massive mushroom cloud rose from the ground, and thick smoke and dust engulfed the entire battlefield.

Exhausted, the group gasped for breath after their all-out attack. However, the contemptuous laughter that echoed through the dust and smoke froze everyone's blood.

*Pfft!*

The sounds of claws tearing flesh rang out one after another. When the dust settled, everyone was seen kneeling on the ground, each with a deep, bone-revealing claw wound on their chest. Mash was sent flying into the distance, while Woodworth casually twisted his neck and walked out, a cruel glint in his wolf eyes.

'What a disappointment!' He walked slowly towards Ritsuka, his footsteps splattered with blood. 'So, who shall we begin with?'

He grabbed Ritsuka like a chick, her fangs gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

"Hahaha—in the end, I still won. You humans are nothing special." He leaned close to Ritsuka's ear, his warm breath brushing against her face, "Since you've tried so hard, I'll just eat you up first!"

'Stop...cough...' Senji Village was struggling to stand up, but due to the severity of his injuries, he staggered and knelt down.

Percival's eyes widened in fury: 'Damn it! It's too late...'

"Senpai!!!" Mashu's scream was filled with despair.

Facing the approaching, stark white fangs, Ritsuka's mind went blank. This was the second time she had faced death so closely... Was this really where it would end? Just as her consciousness was about to be swallowed by fear, her gaze suddenly locked onto the strange mark on Woodworth's chest—unlike the impenetrable defenses of the other parts of his body, it seemed unusually vulnerable, as if it were the nexus where he stored his power.

Even the most powerful creatures have weaknesses. This thought flashed through my mind like lightning.

Just as the fangs were about to touch her neck, Ritsuka suddenly let out a cold laugh.

'Hey, do you know what a miracle is?'

Woodworth paused slightly, a smirk playing on his lips. "Still laughing and joking on the verge of death? You're quite amusing, human."

"We humans...have always believed in miracles..." Ritsuka's voice was broken by breathlessness, but her eyes grew sharper. "How could a monster like you understand...what would happen if this part of your body were attacked? Haven't you ever thought about it yourself?"

'What?!'

Woodworth's arrogant smile froze instantly. Ritsuka swiftly conjured an image of Excalibur, the sword light piercing the mark on his chest like a venomous snake!

'Ughhhhhh!'

A sharp, electric pain coursed through Woodworth's body, causing him to howl in agony and instinctively release his grip. Mash immediately wiped the blood from her mouth, leaped up to catch the falling Ritsuka, and simultaneously hurled her shield. The heavy shield slammed into Woodworth's face, causing his mountain-like body to lose its balance and crash to the ground.

Ritsuka, having exited her transformed state, collapsed into Mashu's arms, ignoring the excruciating pain from her lacerated wounds. Coughing up blood, she cried out urgently, "Attack the mark on his chest...that's his weakness..."

Woodworth, now standing again, had particles of magical energy seeping from the spot on his chest where the holy sword had struck him. The fear of his exposed weakness drove him into a rage, and he roared as he charged at the group. But the others, now able to move again, had already scattered and dodged.

'Don't even think about it!' A deep blue magic mark appeared on Senji Muramasa's face, and countless thick iron chains shot out from the void, binding Woodworth's limbs tightly like giant pythons.

'Even if this spear is no longer recognized by the world…!' Percival raised the holy spear high above his head, the radiance of his soul burning at its tip, 'Let my soul be a sacrifice, becoming a lampstand to illuminate this dark age! Grand Duke of Zephyr, I will surely end you here!'

A golden torrent surged from the tip of the spear, striking precisely at Woodworth's exposed weak point in the chest. The blinding light engulfed the entire battlefield, and as the light faded, the once invincible werewolf was seen clutching his chest in agony—the mark had shattered, and magic was continuously dissipating from it.

'Impossible…this is impossible…' Woodworth staggered backward, his once-erect ears and fur drooping limply. He stared incredulously at these beings he had scornfully called 'lower creatures,' experiencing for the first time the bitter taste of utter defeat. That mark was not only the source of his power, but also the linchpin of his entire defense. Once destroyed, his seemingly indestructible defense crumbled.

Resentment and humiliation grew wildly in his heart. With a cloud of dust, Woodworth, disheveled and battered, fled the rebel fortress without looking back.

'They escaped...' Senji Muramasa knelt on one knee, coughing violently. 'Cough... What a formidable opponent...'

'Hmph...at least...we won...' Percival said wearily but resolutely, propping himself up with his gun.

-

On the banks of the River of Tears, the water still flows quietly.

Woodworth had fled in panic all the way here. Looking at his disheveled reflection in the river, an indescribable bitterness welled up in his heart. This was the first and only time in his life that he had suffered such a crushing defeat.

Just then, the crisp sound of high heels approached. Before he could turn around, countless scarlet threads coiled around his body like venomous snakes. A familiar voice, tinged with unpleasant frivolity, rang out:

'Oh dear, things don't look good... Her Majesty's loyal watchdog... Hmm?'

'You...you...!' Woodster struggled through gritted teeth, but was powerless to break free from the bindings of these threads due to the destruction of his core.

The figure of the fairy knight Tristan slowly appeared, her voice cold and cruel: 'Your value ends here, Woodworth. Master needs your power, now—hand it over obediently.'

'What do you want to do? Wait... no... ahh ...

A piercing scream shattered the tranquility of the River of Tears, followed by the chilling sounds of flesh being torn apart. The clear water gradually turned a glaring crimson. Belial adjusted his blood-splattered glasses, gazing at the cruel sacrifice as if admiring a work of art, a smug smile playing on his lips.

Derivatives of Demons - Fairy Round Table Realm, Poem of Eternal Mist

I hate this land… From the very beginning, I was forced to struggle for survival in this mud. Born into a family of assassins, I didn't ask for much, but the hypocritical faces of those in power are disgusting. Why must it be like this? Why must we always be fighting each other like this? I'm tired, truly tired… I wish I could destroy it all completely.

-

Third Force Fortress

The once bustling villa is now empty and desolate, with only Diana sitting alone in the shadows, chewing on the bitterness of defeat. (Note: Diana's defeat coincides with the main pilgrimage storyline. Ritsuka was only unconscious for a day and a half, and the subsequent pilgrimage lasted only three days. In this extremely short period, Ritsuka and Castor experienced a series of events in the Fairy Kingdom.)

Her gaze was fixed on the two capsules gleaming with a ghostly purple light on the table. Using them could avenge her humiliation—but the thought made her fingertips tremble. The price was too heavy: once she took them, she would forever lose her form as 'Diana'. Days without food or water had left her haggard; her once sharp red eyes were now dull and lifeless, and her former flamboyance had been replaced by a gaunt silence.

'How pathetic, Diana.' Belial's voice suddenly rang out, tinged with unpleasant laughter. 'Defeated like that, you're utterly devastated? Hahhh... Even Maquia, whom we manipulated, wasn't as pathetic as you. You've become the very thing you despise most. Hahahaha, it makes me laugh so hard I can't stand up straight...'

These taunts, like poisoned needles, pierced her last shred of dignity. Belial, however, remained unfazed and continued his 'speech':

"Hey, the pilgrimage to the Fairy Kingdom is almost over! Your beautiful home will soon belong to that blonde girl. If you want to do anything... I suggest you hurry up and seize the opportunity."

As the saying goes, it only takes a straw to break the camel's back. The moment she heard that her home was about to be taken away, Diana's last line of defense crumbled. Anger boiled in her eyes, burning away her previous despair.

After Belial's footsteps faded into the distance, she trembled as she picked up the two capsules. Beneath the transparent shells, the images of Melusin and Sylph seemed to be mocking her.

'It's come to this…' she muttered, her nails digging deep into her palms. 'No one will leave here alive. If we're going to die, we'll all die together—Belial, all of you will pay the price!'

Meanwhile, the old Darlington region had been completely ravaged by calamity. The Morse monsters writhed among the ruins, emitting unsettling growls. Yet Diana did not flee; instead, she gazed at these twisted creatures with an almost greedy look, as if she saw in them a new source of power.