I really didn't want to burn it.

"Matthew!"

Ritsuka wanted to go and help, but Chloris stopped her.

"You going up there is completely useless; you know what kind of blame you'll be given!"

"I--"

After a brief moment of surprise, Ritsuka quickly composed herself and used a Command Seal without hesitation.

"In the name of the Command Spell—Mash, stop them!"

"Yes, Master!"

Feeling the surging magical power throughout her body, Mashu once again used her shield to block the black tide.

However, things didn't go as smoothly as Mashu had hoped.

Despite the Command Seals replenishing the magic, the blue magical shield became even stronger.

However, even with a score that went from 30 to 50, it was still considered a failing grade.

"No...it's not enough! We'll lose if this continues..."

"Matthew!"

Ritsuka, who heard Mash's whisper, wanted to use the Command Spell again, but was stopped by Leon.

Li Ang knew very well that Mash's current situation could not be resolved with Command Spells.

It's time to upgrade this young lady's Noble Phantasm.

The taunts from the mourning system did not elicit Li Ang's usual mockery, because Li Guoshi himself felt that was indeed the case.

"Matthew!"

"exist!"

"Feel the power within your body!"

Leon placed his hand on Mash's shoulder, and the golden runes entered Mash's body under his guidance.

"It's no coincidence that Lancelot considers you his daughter. Feel the heroic spirit residing in you; you should have already met him."

"I……"

A look of confusion appeared in Mashu's eyes. She seemed to sense something, yet she also seemed to sense nothing at all.

There's no need to lose yourself; I've always been here.

A male knight with short silver hair appeared in front of Mashu, smiling as he looked at her.

“Mr. Galahad…”

Mashu called out the other person's name.

Just call me elder brother. Haven't I already acknowledged you as my other self?

"I……"

It's okay, I know what you want to do. Just do what you want.

Galahad maintained a calm smile throughout.

However, I'll need your help with my good-for-nothing father and my other self.

"sorry."

Lancelot and Galahad were swept away by the Black Tide from the very beginning, so their fate is self-evident.

"You haven't done anything wrong," Galahad said in his Heroic Spirit form. "Mash, you must stay true to your path."

"I see."

Mashu nodded vigorously.

You probably already know the incantation.

"Ah."

【Then read it aloud!】

Mashu opened her lips and uttered the incantation for the Noble Phantasm in a trembling voice.

"That is our homeland, which can heal all wounds and all resentment—reveal it!"

Its name is——

"Lord Camelot! (The ideal city, now far away!)"

What was originally just a blue barrier began to extend outwards, and the abstract shield became more concrete.

A city wall materialized from magic appeared behind Mash; it was an indestructible ideal city!

This is not the hypothetical Noble Phantasm previously referred to as Lord Chaldeas (Foundation of Humanity), but the true form of the cross shield!

The ultimate protection is the Round Table, the center of the White Wall City of Camelot, where the Knights of the Round Table sit! As long as the girl's heart does not yield, this magical wall will never collapse.

"Drink it! Ahh ...

With the girl's roar, the black tide was pushed back.

"Mash-chan, well done! Hang in there!"

Merlin gave Mash a thumbs up and quickened his chanting.

"Well…………"

Mashu felt as if the shield, which she could wield with ease, was now incredibly heavy, and that she could be crushed at any moment.

"Relax, Mash."

A large hand was placed on Mashu's small hand.

Various runes appeared on the blue city walls.

"Hey?"

Mashu looked at Li Ang standing beside her with surprise.

"Li Ang?"

"Don't get distracted," Li Ang said easily. "Just focus on maintaining the Noble Phantasm, and leave the rest to me."

"Ok."

Mash nodded.

Even though Li Ang only said a few words, Mashu felt very at ease.

"Okay! Let's go!"

Merlin tapped his wand on the ground after reciting the last incantation.

A white halo enveloped the group, signaling the imminent activation of spatial teleportation.

Seeing this, Li Ang nodded slightly, released Mashu's hand, and stepped out of the white halo.

"Li Ang?"

Merlin looked at him in surprise.

“When you launch a counterattack, you’ll always need an inside man, won’t you?” Li Ang said casually.

"Leon?!" Mashu exclaimed in surprise, "Why?"

His magic power was over-consumed, and his spirit was almost completely worn out; even opening his eyes was extremely difficult.

Even so, the girl still called out to the man.

Li Ang smiled and reached out to pat Mashu's head.

“Mash, you did a great job. You are everyone’s strongest shield.”

Li Ang said this in a voice that seemed to permeate his entire being.

In that feeling of tranquility, Mashu's remaining consciousness began to dissipate.

"Thank you for your hard work, Mashu. Get some rest."

Amidst reassuring words, Mashu's consciousness sank into the abyss of darkness.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

dark.

Mashu felt as if she were enveloped in darkness.

“Mashu…”

It seemed as if someone was calling to her from a very far place.

“Mashu…”

This voice...

“Mashu…”

He is a senior.

A response is required; the call of our predecessors must be answered!

"Um... Senior?"

Mashu finally opened her eyes with all her might.

She found herself lying in bed, covered with a clean white blanket.

"Huh? What exactly is going on..."

"Oh my, Mashu-chan. You're finally awake~??"

A familiar, frivolous voice rang out from the side.

"Mr. Merlin, this is..."

"Tsk tsk, at this point you should say 'unfamiliar ceiling' for it to really ring a bell~?"

Merlin shook his finger as a reminder.

"what is that?"

Mashu-chan, who doesn't watch anime, would never understand this joke.

Merlin, disappointed at not getting the criticism he deserved, drew a circle with his finger: "Don't young people these days read classics anymore??"

"Mr. Merlin..."

Mashu's lips twitched; she didn't know how to comment on Merlin's actions.

Perhaps only Li Ang can keep up with Mr. Merlin's pace...

Wait, Li Ang!

"Mr. Merlin! Rome! How is Rome!?"

Mashu hurriedly sat up in bed and anxiously asked Merlin for confirmation.

"Well..." Merlin tapped his head with his wand, looking troubled. "It's a bit hard to say..."

"Mr. Merlin! Please tell me, what exactly happened in Rome?!"

Merlin sighed, and he rarely spoke to Mash, saying, "Rome has fallen. Not just the city of Rome, but the entire Roman territory has fallen."

"What……?"

“Mash-chan, you’ve been unconscious for a long time; it’s been three months now.”

"Hey?!"

"Hey hey hey hey——————!"

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