"Hmm, this is quite..."
Originally, Guinevere had planned to rescue the others with Hundred Faces herself. But she hadn't gone far before she received a request for support from Ritsuka.
Tristan's retreat and Lancelot's forced disappearance had weakened New Camelot's forces. This led Dr. Romani to believe that their side could now spare more power to maneuver freely.
"According to Cursed Arm's reconnaissance, Gawain has remained at the city gate, continuing to oversee the Holy Selection for the refugees. Lancelot, on the other hand, hasn't been seen these past few days. As for Agravain... he seems to be traveling back and forth between New Camelot City and the fortress you're heading to."
"So, that's why you think it's best for Ritsuka to go with me? And if she goes, Mash will naturally follow?"
"Yes," Dr. Romani said seriously on the projected screen. He genuinely believed this was possible. Hearing his explanation, Guinevere couldn't deny it.
She believed anyone might betray the Lion King, except Agravain. Yet, if they did encounter him soon, she would still try to persuade him first.
"Alright then, Mash, Ritsuka, let's set out."
While Guinevere had been searching for Mordred, Mash had been sparring with Bedivere, further adapting to her new power.
The changes to her armor's appearance were noticeable: a ceremonial rapier now hung at her waist, and where the lower edge of her armor had once exposed the line of her hips, an eggplant-colored skirt now fell to the backs of her knees.
Her steel boots had also been extended, now covering her entire thighs instead of just her knees.
From Guinevere's perspective, Mash had grown stronger, but also less... lewd.
"Hey, Ruler! Where are you looking? Don't you dare look at my Mash with that disappointed expression!"
"Yeah, Auntie Ruler! Are you getting hot for my kohai?"
Though she was indeed far older than an "auntie," and though Galahad was the one who should have called her that, hearing the term made Guinevere's expression instantly freeze. It was the same reaction Lancelot had when he heard "Dad."
But unlike Lancelot, and as a fellow woman, she could engage in lewd acts without any lewd intentions.
For instance, she stood up from the back seat and licked the nape of Mash's neck as she drove.
"Eh? Eh? Ehhhh? Auntie Ruler, are you serious?!"
The latter's touch caused a far more severe mental short-circuit in Mash than the former's. If Guinevere hadn't truly sensed something was wrong, yanked Mash out of the driver's seat, and tossed her into Ritsuka's lap in the passenger seat before quickly taking the wheel herself...
...they might have directly experienced the power of this "self-destructing car" without ever facing a single enemy.
As a Magecraft item crafted by the Universal Genius, the car genuinely possessed a self-destruct function, and its explosive power was far from negligible.
But the playful chaos was only temporary; moving forward was the constant. After Ritsuka held Mash in her arms for a moment, Mash took the initiative to dismiss her armor, changing into her casual attire: a black backless dress and a white jacket.
Even in that short time, her weight had already made Ritsuka's legs tremble.
"Miss Ritsuka Fujimaru, are you interested in undergoing some knightly training? If you don't strengthen your body, you might find yourself completely powerless against Mash in a future battle.
"And from what I know, you've provoked quite a few Servants. If you can't even handle Mash, how do you expect to survive against those beyond-standard Servants? Ritsuka, my girl, you'll die of dehydration!"
When Guinevere first started speaking, Ritsuka thought she was genuinely talking about combat. But as she listened, something felt off. By the time Guinevere mentioned "dehydration," Ritsuka completely understood what she was implying.
Before she could retort, Mash, still sitting on her lap, leaned back and asked, "Senpai, why would you die of dehydration? And Mash will protect you, Senpai. I won't let any Servant kill you."
Ritsuka was wearing a short skirt, her healthy thighs exposed. After changing into her casual clothes, the hem of Mash's dress barely reached a third of the way up her own thighs. The friction from their movements made Ritsuka's face flush red, and she wrapped her arms around Mash's waist, falling silent.
The car continued on. Guinevere chuckled softly and stopped teasing them. She glanced back to check on their companion, Hundred Faces, only to find the Assassin already fast asleep, finally able to rest peacefully.
With Hundred Faces asleep, who would give directions? Dr. Romani, of course, who had already synchronized with Serenity's coordinates and was now sipping a fresh cup of coffee.
After driving at a steady thirty kilometers per hour for two full hours, the group finally spotted their target fortress just as the sun began to set.
It was a small stronghold, about the size of an ordinary castle. At its peak flew the banner of the Round Table Knight, Agravain—the very one Hundred Faces had mentioned.
Both outside and inside the castle, numerous ordinary soldiers were stationed, alongside a handful of Enforcement Knights.
Upon arriving in this era, the Lion King had summoned the Round Table Knights and over a thousand Enforcement Knights. Yet, this mere thousand was not enough to fully garrison New Camelot City or maintain the operations of such a massive metropolis.
Consequently, large numbers of ordinary soldiers were conscripted locally, all placed under the command of the administrator, Agravain.
In life, Agravain's presence had maintained the stability of both the Round Table and the kingdom. After being summoned, he remained the most crucial factor in preserving that stability.
"Halt! Who goes there?"
The Camelot-style armor worn by the soldiers stirred a sense of nostalgia in Guinevere. But when the fortress guards slammed the gates shut and assumed a defensive posture, her mood soured.
"Answer me," she demanded. "Is Agravain here?"
Dr. Romani had suggested they infiltrate the fortress to avoid unnecessary combat.
But Guinevere, more often than not, preferred a "frontal infiltration."