Chapter 633

Chapter 633: The Wrathful Sun

Golden hair as radiant as sunlight, azure eyes, silver-white heavy armor adorned with a blue cloak trimmed in gold.

The sword in his hand is named ’Galatine’, a holy sword forged within the planet itself, as renowned as King Arthur’s blade.

A knight arriving on a white steed, a graceful prince, the bearer of the sun among the Round Table.

His name is Gawain, the ever-shining Gawain.

To describe his strength, three words alone should suffice to awaken painful memories:

Divine Realm of the Round Table, Fortress Wall, and the Saint’s Number.

With high damage reduction and Buster card buffs, Gawain was an excessively harsh opponent for novice Masters enthusiastically tackling Chapter 6, serving as a rigorous test of team composition. In those days when Invincibility and Invincibility Pierce were ultra-rare skills, Masters could only sacrifice their first attempt in frustration, endure humiliation to strengthen themselves, or go all out while tearfully using Command Spells...

Even in the original worldline of the Moon Holy Grail War, Gawain and his Master Leo remained Hakuno’s final formidable foes. Despite all the experience Hakuno had accumulated since the first round, she barely survived Gawain’s assaults. Had Rin Tohsaka not desperately altered the battlefield conditions, stripping Gawain of his tripled Saint’s power, and had Nero not seized the opportunity to strike his old wound, the story’s conclusion might have taken an entirely different turn.

A first-rate Servant in normal conditions, a top-tier Servant under the Saint’s effect—this is Gawain, the Round Table knight who embodies the ideals of the sacred king.

But for a junior member of the Round Table facing him as an enemy...

"So hot... It’s like riding at full speed at noon in 37-degree heat, where even the rushing wind feels stifling."

This was the initial impression voiced by the new Round Table knight, Sakatsuki.

"Governor, while I appreciate your analogy," Nero said with sweat dripping from her temples, "is this really the time for that? Me fighting Gawain? Seriously?"

"It’s hard to imagine what the Round Table must have been like during summer," Hakuno murmured with a grave expression. "I doubt any knight would willingly stay near Gawain. It’s practically a scorching hell in the literal sense."

"My Master, could you at least show some tension..."

"Hmm, I don’t quite agree," Sakatsuki’s tone now resembled a straw-hatted old man lounging in the shade during the sweltering August heat. "Aside from our King, many male knights would gladly accompany Gawain on outings. Take a certain Lancelot, or a certain Tristan for instance..."

"Why are you sounding so lethargic too, Governor?!" Nero exclaimed in shock. "Is it because summer’s arrived? That tongue-lolling, unbearable summer heat? And what’s with that ’our King’ address... Should I stay on guard or join in your banter?!"

Ignored, Hakuno pondered before finally shaking her head in frustration. "I still can’t figure it out. Why would knights enjoy being around Gawain in summer? Isn’t it hot?"

"Heh heh heh..." Sakatsuki chuckled like a true gentleman. "That’s the illustrious Round Table for you. Whenever they appeared in public, the streets would inevitably be lined with spectators—including many young maidens and secluded beauties. And Sir Gawain’s Saint passive skill works in an... expansive radius..."

Nero clapped her hands together in sudden realization. "Ah, I understand now! So as long as I stay by Gawain’s side, I can see beauties with sweat-drenched dresses." A foolish grin spread across her face, her cheeks flushing pink. "How wonderful... the way the fabric clings to their alluring figures, those tempting and exquisite curves, and those heart-stirring gasps..."

You’ve seamlessly joined the conversation too, Saber... Hakuno deadpanned with lifeless eyes:

"Saber, and Sakatsuki-kun, you’re both H."

"Ehh—"

"Hey now, this is a man’s romance, Hakuno!"

"You seem quite familiar with our Round Table," Gawain remarked, casting a surprised glance at Sakatsuki after he effortlessly revealed the ’secret stories’ of the Knights of the Round Table. "There’s a familiar aura about you—are you a hero from my era? Yet I should know all the knights who toured Camelot with me during summer..."

Hearing this, Leo also perked up with interest. Hadn’t he remained silent until now precisely to gather information about Sakatsuki?

"Gawain, you mentioned earlier that Sakatsuki felt familiar because of some resonance with his skills or attributes, right? Can you identify what it is?"

"Well..." The top-tier Servant Gawain, with his multiple attributes and numerous skills, hesitated. Seeing this, Sakatsuki spoke up:

"Don’t bother. It’s because I possess an ability related to the Knights of the Round Table. Though I’m not from King Arthur’s era, I’ve had encounters with many of its knights."

"I see. So you heard these tales from other knights."

No, this is just a reasonable deduction about the Round Table’s... ahem reputation... Sakatsuki’s expression turned slightly awkward. Noticing Gawain’s hesitant look, he waited until Leo gave an encouraging nod before taking a deep breath and bowing slightly to Sakatsuki.

"Though it may be presumptuous to ask this on the battlefield... would you permit me to hear about the other knights you’ve met? Their stories..."

The knight, fair as a prince, lowered his head in earnest request—his posture humble, his tone sincere, making it impossible to refuse.

Though he knew the people in those memories were but phantoms of the past, wraiths like himself, Gawain still wished to know: what desires had brought his former comrades to this world, and what forms had they etched into others’ hearts?

He longed to trace the outlines of his old friends through Sakatsuki’s words.

Facing Gawain, Sakatsuki rubbed his nose, thought for a moment, and ultimately didn’t refuse.

"Alright, if you don’t mind."

Leo supported Gawain’s decision, while Hakuno and Nero deferred to Sakatsuki. Thus, the two groups that should have been at odds settled into silence, listening to Sakatsuki’s recollections.

He spoke of the Holy Grail War in Fuyuki City—how the knight who shimmered like lake light had been consumed by regret and self-blame, willingly descending into bestiality; and how the noble King of Knights had shed her mask of ruthlessness to confess her true feelings.

"Sir Lancelot, ah..." Gawain’s voice grew complex at the mention of that name. Hatred or camaraderie, washed by time, had transformed into something purer. "I understand his stance. Like him, I too failed to save our king..."

Stained by hatred—this was the path of atonement Sir Lancelot had chosen.

When Leo curiously asked Gawain about his thoughts on King Arthur during the Fourth Holy Grail War, Gawain did not answer. Instead, he smiled gently, his sky-blue eyes gazing softly at the young saint-king, as if seeing the distant shore after a long voyage.

My eternal king... Have you, too, been granted a second life to make amends for your regrets?

Then I must follow in your footsteps. At the very least, in this second life, I shall offer this sword of mine wholeheartedly into my Master’s hands.

Then, Sakatsuki brought up the unexpected island trip. With a laugh, he recounted Artoria’s mischievous antics and Mordred’s sulky yet obedient demeanor, inevitably mentioning the demi-Servant girl who bore the will of the heroic spirit Galahad.

"By the way, though Sir Galahad is male, Mash-chan, as a demi-Servant, is very much a girl."

"Oh?" Gawain’s interest was piqued. "Since you’re referring to ’her,’ there’s one crucial point that must be addressed—how are her... assets?"

"Glasses aren’t my type, but as you’d expect, she’s generously endowed in that area," Sakatsuki answered instantly. The two Round Table gentlemen then fell into silence, staring at each other.

Unintentionally, they had both exposed their preferences... and with startling naturalness.

Ahem. "It seems the rebel Mordred at least has some sense of shame. But now that I think about it, our king in modern swimwear... truly is an exhilarating sight."

"Changing the subject won’t save you. In my eyes, Sir Gawain of the Round Table is now irredeemably rotten," Hakuno said, giving the knight—who looked every bit the fairytale prince—a deeply disappointed look before shifting her gaze to Sakatsuki like a darting fish.

"Sakatsuki-kun would never be like that, right?"

"Uh, y-yeah, ahahaha..."

Sakatsuki’s inner thoughts: Whoa, Hakuno’s scary when she’s like this! Wait, why am I feeling guilty? It’s not like we’re in that kind of relationship, right?!

Just then, a smooth sensation finally coursed through the young man’s body. As the Third Magic circulated, the last blood vessel reconnected with his internal systems. The combat machine known as "Sakatsuki" was once again operating at full capacity.

Break time’s over.

While secretly gathering momentum, Sakatsuki maintained his cheerful smile. "Gawain, there’s more. During one Holy Grail War, I successfully summoned our king, Artoria."

"Again? Your experiences are truly remarkable," the kind and innocent Gawain marveled, his eyes shining with anticipation as he waited for the young man to continue the tale of his king.

Sakatsuki’s lips curled into a peculiar grin.

I’m not one to work for free, Gawain.

Since I’ve entertained you with so many stories, it’s your turn to give it your all—and amuse me.

"To my shame, though we were unstoppable together, I ultimately resorted to using a Command Spell on her to secure victory."

"...Understandable." Gawain, still oblivious to the impending doom, nodded sagely. "Though commanding the king is an act of defiance, it is necessary to ensure her glory in battle—"

"——Ah, actually, in order to obtain greater power, I turned Artoria into an Alter Ego."

Sakatsuki clapped his hands together, cheerfully uttering words that could only be described as terrifying.

"Though she was very reluctant, the reversed (Alter) Artoria is truly amazing~~"

At that moment, the gentle breeze in the hallway stilled.

The wrathful sun descended upon this place.