Miracle Summoner

The battle at the Round Table Fortress was undeniably a massive victory for Rozen and the others.

After all, not only did they capture the Round Table Fortress and successfully rescue Hassan of Serenity, but they also gained the addition of Jeanne [Alter], along with the soldiers from the Mountain people who had scavenged goods from the fortress and gathered manpower. This battle was certainly fruitful.

But it wasn't just about the gains. In the war against the Lion King, they achieved a milestone victory.

The incoming Holy Knights' army was first annihilated, followed by the defeat of two of the three Round Table Knights leading them. The remaining one was captured, and this person happened to be none other than the Knight of the Lake Lancelot, who was known as the first of the Round Table. If this didn't count as victory, what could?

Rozen and his group returned home as true victors, triumphantly arriving in the Mountain City to the cheers and applause of the Mountain people.

Clearly, the Mountain people had already received the news and were celebrating.

The grand cheers and applause became the soundtrack for welcoming Rozen and the others back, making the entire Mountain City feel vibrant and lively.

However, aside from Rozen and his group, the rest were all stunned by the magnificence of the Mountain City.

"This is the land of the Mountain people?"

Jeanne [Alter] looked astonished.

"This..."

Not just Jeanne [Alter], but even Hassan of Serenity was shocked.

"How could this be..."

Lancelot, who was escorted by the Mountain people, also looked at the Mountain City with wide eyes, utterly astonished.

What lay before the three was not the secluded village they had imagined, but a town with water, forests, fully functional infrastructure, and wild beasts running around, like an idyllic paradise.

Such a town was something none of them could have believed.

"Weren't we told that the Mountain people's hidden villages were extremely hard to survive in?"

Jeanne [Alter] wondered aloud.

"How did it become like this?"

Hassan of Serenity, who had once belonged to the Mountain people, was just as confused.

"Aside from the Holy City, there are actually such places where humans can live...?"

Lancelot was similarly shocked.

The prosperity and liveliness of the Mountain City left the three Servants speechless.

Looking at their astonished expressions, Mash smiled gently.

"This is all thanks to senpai."

Mash revealed the person responsible for all this.

"Did you do this?"

Jeanne [Alter] turned to Rozen, her eyes filled with scrutiny.

"Rozen-sama, you are truly amazing."

Hassan of Serenity looked at Rozen with admiration.

"That Master was actually able to do something like this?"

Lancelot's gaze toward Rozen also shifted.

Rozen, however, remained calm and nonchalant as he spoke.

"I'll also help you build a sturdy prison later, Knight of the Lake."

Rozen simply said that.

Lancelot, left speechless, had no retort.

But what happened next caused Lancelot to turn pale once more.

"Everyone, welcome back, and thank you for bringing us such a celebratory and joyful victory."

With those words, Bedivere slowly emerged from the crowd, walking toward them with a joyful smile.

"Bedivere...!?"

Seeing Bedivere, Lancelot's eyes widened.

"Sir Lancelot..."

Bedivere turned to Lancelot, his expression serious.

"...I see, you have been here from the start, haven't you?" Lancelot, as if understanding something, lowered his gaze and muttered, "As expected, only you have been worthy of staying by the King's side from the very beginning."

Facing the first and last knight of King Arthur, Lancelot said these words, his tone filled with sadness, envy, and even a hint of jealousy.

"Sir Lancelot..."

Bedivere looked at Lancelot, unable to respond.

Upon closer inspection, Bedivere's expression only showed bitterness and sorrow in response to Lancelot's words.

Staying by the King's side?

"I never did such a thing."

Bedivere's face clouded with gloom.

"Hm?"

Lancelot was momentarily stunned, not understanding.

However, Artoria [Alter] spoke up.

"Alright, take the Round Table traitor away. After we sort through the loot, make a list and distribute it properly. Then, incorporate the people we've gathered from the fortress into the army, train them, and those who are useful should get food and water, while the rest should be discarded. Everyone, get to work."

With her cold voice issuing the orders, Artoria [Alter] left the group and walked away.

Seeing this, the soldiers quickly escorted Lancelot away, and according to Artoria [Alter]'s instructions, began their tasks.

The surrounding crowd quickly dispersed.

Before long, only Rozen, Mash, Hassan of Serenity, Bedivere, and Jeanne [Alter] remained.

Bedivere watched Lancelot being taken away, then watched Artoria [Alter] leave, his eyes flashing before he turned to look at Hassan of Serenity and Jeanne [Alter].

"I'm back, Bedivere," Hassan of Serenity greeted Bedivere first.

"Welcome back, Hassan of Serenity. It's really a relief that you are safe," Bedivere responded politely.

The two had been under Artoria [Alter]'s command for several months, so naturally, they knew each other well.

But...

"May I ask, who is this lady?" Bedivere turned to Jeanne [Alter].

It seemed Bedivere didn't recognize Jeanne [Alter].

But Jeanne [Alter] didn't respond to Bedivere. Instead, she stared at him the entire time.

"Tch..."

After a while, Jeanne[Alter] clicked her tongue, as if seeing something displeasing, and turned around without a word.

"My Lady?"

Bedivere was left confused.

Jeanne [Alter] didn't acknowledge him and coldly addressed Rozen.

"I'll go for a walk around. If you need me, just call me through the contract."

With that, Jeanne [Alter] walked off without even looking back.

Her attitude made it clear that she strongly disliked Bedivere.

Bedivere stood there, stunned.

"Uh..."

Mash and Hassan of Serenity were equally at a loss, unsure why this was happening.

Rozen also paused for a moment, not expecting Jeanne Alter to react like this.

"It seems I'm disliked," Bedivere let out a bitter laugh, his expression tinged with loneliness.

His loneliness wasn't without reason.

At least Rozen could tell that Jeanne [Alter] truly seemed to dislike Bedivere.

But why was that?

Artoria [Alter]'s coldness toward Bedivere could be understood, but why was Jeanne [Alter] acting this way?

Could Bedivere have some characteristic that made Servants in their reversed states collectively reject or despise him?

It was truly puzzling.

However, the matter was quickly brushed aside.

Bedivere adjusted his mood and asked a question.

"It seems like the King isn't in a very good mood, is she?"

Bedivere suddenly said.

The others didn't know how to respond.

But Bedivere didn't seem surprised.

"I've known for a long time that once the Round Table Knights were defeated, the King would act this way."

Bedivere sighed.

"Because that's just how that person is, just and fair."