[Altair Miller]
Artoria Pendragon, the former ruler of Britain.
However, the version before us was not exactly the same as the Arthurian legend everyone knows. The one standing before us had succumbed to corruption, turning into a tyrant dressed in black.
Even the legendary Excalibur had been tainted by corruption, transforming into a sword as black as obsidian.
Holding her darkness-stained sword, she looked at us with pale golden eyes. Her golden hair was tied in a bun. Her black-stained armor gleamed with an obsidian light.
There was no doubt—the figure before us was the Alter version of the King of Knights.
Ritsuka, finally snapping out of her trance, raised her hand and rubbed her eyes as if she couldn't believe what—or who—she was seeing.
It was hard to believe the tyrant king we had fought so recently was standing before us.
"Are you serious?!" she exclaimed, pointing at the golden-haired Servant.
I could understand her shock. Even I hadn't expected to run into an old enemy so soon—one who had recently tried to kill us.
"Master, I don't know if you're lucky or cursed," Cu Chulainn muttered with a faint smile, though his grip on his staff tightened. He looked fully alert, ready to act if Black Saber suddenly moved against the red-haired mage.
My own Servant, Nobunaga, narrowed her eyes and summoned two matchlock rifles in midair.
Meanwhile, Olga stepped back, hiding behind me, while Mash stepped forward, placing herself between her master and the black knight.
"Oh, if it isn't senpai," Artoria Alter said with a cold, sarcastic voice, walking toward us and ignoring all the gazes fixed on her as if none of us but one were worth her attention.
Hearing her say, "Senpai," I rolled my eyes and gave a slight smile.
"Hello. Looks like we meet again," I said casually, staring into her pale golden eyes.
"Judging by your tone, you remember me too." I raised my hand, pointing at myself.
"Of course. I made a promise, and a king's promise must never be broken," she replied, lifting her chin with a cold, arrogant gaze.
"You must be pleased to see me again, aren't you?"
Artoria thrust her black sword into the ground, stopping right in front of me, a defiant look in her eyes.
"If I said no, I'd be lying," I replied honestly, shrugging. I didn't mind facing her head-on. After all, her face was a true delight to behold. Artoria was incredibly beautiful, and I saw no downside to being this close to her.
Hiding behind me, Olga placed her hands on my shoulders, peeking her head out just enough to be seen.
"How are you here?" she asked, pointing at the dark figure in front of me.
"Did you hit your head? I was obviously summoned," Artoria replied with a sarcastic smile, making Olga duck behind me again.
"What happened to this woman? She looks a lot like you."
There was a note of confusion in her voice, as if she didn't remember Olga, but merely noticed the physical resemblance between us—which was odd, considering the battle in the F Singularity.
Ignoring that for now, I opened my mouth and said:
"Long story short, her body is technically a clone of mine," I explained, condensing the entire sequence of past events into a single sentence.
"A worthless little monkey," she commented, keeping her eyes locked on mine, completely ignoring her Master.
"You really don't have a filter, do you?" I said with a grin. Artoria Alter clearly spoke her mind, not caring at all if her words were rude.
"Only the weak worry about what or when to say things," she responded, taking another step toward me.
Our breaths nearly mingled, our lips dangerously close.
"And that's why I like you, monkey. You're strong—physically and mentally. In that regard, you align perfectly with this king's preferences."
Her pale pink lips were mere centimeters from mine.
We stared at each other in silence, not saying a word. Our eyes met—red pupils and golden irises locked—as if we were in a world of our own.
The silence lingered for a few seconds until an indignant voice shattered it.
"Hey! I'm your Master! Don't ignore me and stop flirting with Altair-kun!" the red-haired mage yelled, pointing at the golden-haired Servant. There was a hint of jealousy in her voice directed at her own Servant.
"Senpai!" Mash intervened, trying to calm her Master.
Artoria turned her face toward the mage.
"Are you yelling at me?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.
Immediately, Ritsuka squeaked, backing away and raising her hands.
"N-No! Not at all! Ignore me, I... I clearly don't know what I'm talking about!" she stammered, scratching her red hair.
Artoria scoffed, letting her gaze linger on Mash for a moment as if she noticed something no one else did.
Mash tilted her head, confused, but before she could speak, Artoria stepped back.
"So, you're my Master. Honestly, you don't seem qualified in the slightest. I've never had good luck with Masters," Artoria said, rubbing her neck as she turned toward Ritsuka.
"But you are my Master, and I'll serve you until your knees give out. At that point, I'll take your head. Until then, you can trust me."
Her expression was serious—almost threatening.
Ritsuka clenched her fists, staring into those golden eyes.
"That's fine by me. If my knees give out, I'll offer my head to you myself."
Her eyes gleamed with unwavering determination.
I couldn't help but smile. Sometimes, this girl acts like a typical Fate protagonist.
It was oddly satisfying to see her slowly becoming more resolute in her determination.
And judging by her Servant's reaction, she might've agreed with me—just a little.
"Oh! Those eyes are worth seeing. A good impression for a first meeting," Artoria said, gazing into her Master's eyes.
But...
Upon hearing that, Ritsuka, Mash, and even I were confused by her words.
"First meeting?" Ritsuka tilted her head. "You don't know me?" she asked, pointing at herself.
"Why should I?" Artoria replied with a cold snort as if it were obvious.
"Hey! That's unfair! Why do you know Altair-kun but not me?"
"Isn't it obvious? Altair's name and face are etched into my spiritual core, along with our battle. I promised that, no matter the outcome, I would never forget him," Artoria explained as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"That makes sense," Da Vinci said, having remained silent until now.
"In the F Singularity, she didn't form a Master-Servant contract with either of you, so the Fate summoning system wouldn't apply to her."
She placed a hand on her chin, observing curiously.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, woman," Artoria replied, walking to her Master's side, making Ritsuka shrink away.
I could swear I heard Ritsuka mutter,
"Why is my luck so awful?"
"Cough! Cough!" Olga cleared her throat, stepping out from behind me and drawing everyone's attention.
"Now it's your turn, Miller." She pulled out the last three Saint Quartz and walked to the summoning system, carefully avoiding Artoria's gaze.
She placed the Saint Quartz in position, then turned to me. "Miller, do you remember the chant?" she asked, crossing her arms.
"Yes," I replied, walking toward the summoning system as Nobunaga watched me.
"You're not going to summon someone better than me, but still, good luck, Master," Nobunaga said, tipping her hat with a sarcastic gesture.
"Thanks," I replied with a smile, stopping in front of the summoning system.
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and began to chant:
"Heed my words!
My will creates your body, and your sword creates my destiny.
If you heed the Grail's call, then follow humanity's path and answer me!
Seventh Heaven clad in the great words of stargazers… Come forth, pass on your judgement, and punish my enemies... Guardian of the Scales!"
Instantly, the circle spun, forming a brilliant ring of light. A geyser of energy exploded, shooting up toward the ceiling. I raised my hand to shield myself from the intense glow.
The next moment, the orbs turned golden, merging with the blue mana geyser.
••• ••• •••
A/N: Ladies and gentlemen, which Servant do you think our Monkey King will summon?
Don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me.