AN: Enjoy the chapter.

Ch 24 The End of the Battle

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Itsuki, now his True Name was revealed screamed, he dropped his Failnaught as something pulsated throughout his Body.

Pavel quickly joined the group, his ears lowered upon Itsuki's screams of pain. He grabs onto Ritsuka's leg, not liking the scene before him. "R-Ritsuka…"

Ritsuka quickly hid Pavel's face from witnessing Itsuki's agonizing pain. "Don't look, Pavel." He held the Child close to him to avoid his gaze.

Arthur blocked the view from both Filo and Melty, his honor as Knight stood firm as to young Children should not see a scene like this. Soon the screams subsided, letting the others look at the Heroic Knight.

"Master, you can look now," Castoria said, telling everyone Itsuki's screaming stop. "It seems his Magical Energy has decreased; he's at the same level as Tristan and Fairy Knight Tristan." The Lostbelt Servant said, analyzing Itsuki's Magical Energy.

"Same level as the Archers? Does that mean the Curse the Heroic Knights have in their Noble Phantasms was lifted?" Galahad asked, hearing the explanation from the Caster.

Castoria shook her head, looking at Galahad, answering his question. "No, the Curse still lingers within him. Once his True Name's revealed, he only lost the strength that comes with the Gift." The Caster explains, "Even though his True Name is King Rivalen, he's just using his power."

Melty nodded, seemingly understanding what Castoria was implying. "So instead of everyone having a hard time when the Heroic Knights go into their Berserk form." The violet-haired Princess commented, saying what she understood so far.

"Well, at least it is something good. I don't think anyone can handle another go with Aniki or the others' Berserk form." Ritsuka commented before hearing Filo ask him something.

"Um, what do we do about Bow Guy?" Filo asked the Magus next to her, looking at Itsuki, unconscious and defenseless.

Arthur looks at Itsuki, having a strange feeling about him. He shook his head, focusing on the current situation. "Lady Filo does have a point. We cannot leave Heroic Knight Tris- I mean, Sir Itsuki here alone…"

"Oya? You're all still here? Even after I gave you the necessities to defeat both Heroic Knight Tristan?" Everyone looked up, seeing Fitoria Merlin walking out of Ruins of Avalon. She walks over to the group, standing behind the unconscious Itsuki.

"Fitoria Merlin, what are you doing here?" Ritsuka asked the Magus of Flowers, curious why she was out of the Ruins.

Arthur blinks, being the first time seeing this World's version of Merlin. 'That's Merlin? She's younger than I thought…' He said, knowing that this Merlin wasn't like the one who sent him to hunt the Beast.

"(Tch, she's only coming out because Heroic Knight Tristan was defeated…)" Pavel mumbles, seeing the Person he dislikes.

"Fou, Fou." Fou agrees with his Descendant, hating how Merlins pop out of nowhere when the difficult situations are resolved.

Fitoria Merlin smiles at Arthur, recognizing his face. She turns her attention back to Itsuki, still unconscious despite talking for long. "I merely heard the commotion outside and see what it is." She explains to the group, "And I can tell you all have defeated your Foe,"

"Yes, you telling us Itsuki's True Name has been helpful," Ritsuka said, grateful for her help in this fight. "Thank you, Firtoria Merlin."

"Not at all, just remember I have given you the remaining Heroic Knights' True Names. Saying them once you encounter them again won't work." Fitoria Merlin explains to the master of Chaldea and his Party. "You need to weaken them first, once they're near defeat then you can say their Names. Simple, right?"

Ritsuka nodded, understanding the condition with the Names. "So, are we going to take Itsuki with us?" Castoria asked, looking at the green-haired Archer.

"Better not, he's an arrogant one. I'll take him off your hands," The Magus of Flowers answered the Child of Prophecy. "I'll just return him to his Platoon once they make a full retreat," She looks up, using her Clairvoyance.

"Which is about now…" Fitoria Merlin said before looking back at the master of Chaldea. "Anyways, you should go now, and just a little hint for the next Piece. Look no further but follow the Rider."

Arthur raised his eyebrow, hearing the skeptical sentence from his younger Mentor. "Follow the Rider? What does that suppose to-"

"Sorry, but that's enough from me." Fitoria Merlin smiles, tapping her Staff on the ground.

Flowers soon surrounded the Chaldeans' feet, they all looked at Fitoria Merlin whose Staff was glowing.

"Gah! What's happening? Why are there flowers everywhere?" Filo asked, looking around her and everyone else as the flowers increased.

"I-Is this a Spell?" Melty asked, looking around them,

Ritsuka looks around, hearing and seeing what Filo and Melty are saying. "Wait, what do you mean, follow the Rider, Merlin?" The Magus asked the Filoial Queen.

Fitoria Merlin smiles, answering Ritsuka once more. "You know very well, Ritsuka Fujimaru. There are only two Rider Servants in this Anomaly," The Magus of Flowers explains to him. "You'll find out later. Now, I'll be seeing you all soon after your success in defeating Melromarc."

With a single tap on the ground, Fitoria Merlin sent them away, back to their group. Once they were gone, Fitoria Merlin looked at Itsuki, "Now, for you to return to your own Group." She said, pointing her Staff to the Archer,

Flowers engulfed the Heroic Knight teleporting him away from the plateau, returning him to where his Army was going to retreat.

Down at the bottom of the plateau, Archer of the Red Cliffs and Da Vinci finished off the remaining Knights. "Hup!" The grey-haired Archer released a few Arrows at their Opponents.

Flaming Arrows rain down on the Knights, and they all avoid getting pierced by the projectiles. "Caster, now!" Archer called out to Chaldea's Technical Head.

"Hai, just as you ordered, Archer! A Da Vinci Army retaliation Spell!" Da Vinci held her Gauntlet at Melromarc's Knights. With a signal click to her Gauntlet, it released a large amount of Flames at the Enemy.

"Gah!" A Knight covered himself from the Flames that were pushing them back. "We can't get through the Fire!" He informed his fellow Knights, backing away from the Flames.

One Knight dropped their melted Sword to the ground, "Our Weapons aren't doing any effect to the Flames! Anymore then our Armor will melt too by the Flames!" He exclaims, backing from the Flames and encroaching closer to them.

Rishia saw the Fire, turning to Rojeel who saw the two Servants' defense. "Rojeel, w-we have to retreat. The Knights can't get past the Fire Spell," The green-haired Adventurer said,

Rojeel clicked his teeth, knowing both Heroic Knight Tristan and Heroic Knight Aid Gareth wouldn't be pleased by the failed mission.

"All hands, retreat! Retreat, we cannot win this Battle!" Rojeel ordered the Knights which they obliged, heading to the path leading down the Mountain.

Rojeel followed the Knights along with Risha, pushing her to the ground. "W-Wha-Rojeel, what are you-"

"Sorry Risha, but we need someone to stay behind and hold them off," Rojeel smirks down at the green-haired Adventurer, showing his true colors. "After all, you're just baggage meant for sacrificing." He turns around, joining up with the small Platoon.

Risha's eyes widen, crawling on the ground and reaching out to her former Party Member. "Wait! Don't leave me here!" She cried out, feeling the heat from the Fire coming close.

The green-haired Adventurer went into a cradle position, and soon the Flames succeeded, stopping before Risha. "H-Huh?" She looks up, seeing the two Servants standing above them.

"They upright left her to die, huh?" Da Vinci observes, looking down at Rishia.

Archer of the Red Cliffs nodded, "What do you want to do with her?" The grey-haired Archer asked the Caster.

Rishia's eyes widen, looking at both Servant. "P-Please, d-don't kill me. I-I know t-that I'm useless but please don't kill me regardless-"

"We're not going to kill you," Both Da Vinci and Archer turn behind them, seeing their master appear with everyone who joined him to retrieve the Piece.

"Master," Archer of the Red Cliffs greeted his master, inclining his head to him.

Da Vinci smiles, seeing that her master and the others successfully retrieved the Piece. "Fujimaru-kun, everyone, I see that you guys were able to get the Piece. Great job," She said to the two.

"Yay!" Filo cheered, feeling proud of their accomplishment,

Pavel looks at the green-haired Girl sitting on the ground. "Um, who is that Woman sitting on the ground?" The young Demi-Human Boy asked the two Servants.

Everyone's eyes gaze over to Rishia who flinched upon their gaze. "Um…" Rishia was terrified out of her mind, unsure what they were going to do to her now she found herself in their custody.

Melty recognized the green-haired from her short time in the Capital. "I know her, she's a part of Heroic Knight Tristan's Party." The Second Princess said, informing the group.

"Now that you mentioned it, I remember her now," Ritsuka said, recognizing the face and hair from the moment he met his Aniki and the rest of the Three Heroes Roundtable.

"The Enemy has abandoned this Adventurer when they're retreating from here." Archer of the Red Cliffs informed his master of what happened.

"They abandoned their own to save their own. How uncouth and barbaric." Arthur frowns at what the Knights of Melromarc are doing to claim victory and save themselves.

Galahad agreed with his King, seeing how Risha was treated. "I agree, master the decision is yours. What shall we do with the Adventurer?" The Shielder asked Ritsuka,

Ritsuka looks at Rishia, thinking what to do with her. "We cannot leave her here and if she goes back she might be labeled as somewhat a traitor or a deserter." The Magus said, thinking of all sorts of things Melromarc's Army and Heroic Knight Tristan's Party might do to her. "Let's take her with us." He approaches Risha, offering his hand to her.

"Risha, right? Why don't you come with us?" Ritsuka offered the green-haired Adventurer. The Servants around him have their suspicions but place them aside due to their master offering up some kindness to Risha.

"H-Huh?" Risha blinks, not expecting to be treated respectfully.

"So we're welcoming one more to our ranks." Archer of the Red Cliffs commented, crossing his arms.

Galahad looks over to the Counter Force Servant, "It's any other Day in the life of Chaldea," He commented,

Rishia saw there was no other choice other than going with the Chaldeans to stay here in the Mountains where she could be attacked by the Monsters. She nodded, taking Ritsuka's hand, and accepted the offer.

Down on the Battlefield near the Great Heathen Army's Village. Melromarc's Knights fell back once Heroic Knight Aid Gareth took a significant amount of damage from Gareth. He was taken away by the Knights who witnessed his defeat.

Naofumi and Raphtalia met up with Gareth after pushing their portion of Enemies. The Shielder turns back to the Rebel Soldiers and a few Enforcement Knights under his Command. "Keep pushing the Enemy back!" Naofumi exclaims, raising his Shield and deflecting a strike from a Knight.

"Damnit!" The Knight cursed, unable to pierce through the defense.

"HA!" Raphtalia leaps in, slashing her Sword across the Knight's Armor, causing the Armor to fall off.

"Tch, r-retreat! R-Retreat, we're no match for them!" The Knight falls back, running away from their failed subjugation over the Great Heathen Army, the Underground Rebellion, and the Chaldeans.

Raphtalia breathes out, sheathing her Katana. She turns to Naofumi who relaxes a bit, "Sir Naofumi, Lady Raphtalia, Lady Lancer, should we follow them?" One of the Rebels asked the three.

Gareth looks at the small Platoon, "No, there's no point in chasing defeated Enemies." The Lancer said, looking at the retreating Knights.

"She's right, we have no means of keeping an Amry of Prisoners back in the Village," Naofumi said, remembering looking around the Village prior to the Battle, "It's best to let them leave and hope they learned their lesson and don't attack this place again."

Naofumi looks at the other group, chasing away the remaining Melromarc Knights. "Berserker and Saber are pushing back their side of the Enemy.

At the Second group chased off the remaining, Berserker Einherjar raised his Axe announcing to his troops. "Keep pushing Men! Keep up the pressure on these Bastards!" The iron-haired Servant laughs, pointing to the Enemy.

Bedivere points his Sword at the Enemy Knights, "Melromarc's Army is on the run, keep them on the run!" The Knight of Loyalty announced to the Enforcement Knights and Rebel Soldiers.

Above the Wall, Agravain observed the end of the Battle and the retreat of the Enemy. Around him, the archers celebrated their first victory against Melromarc. "Good, the Enemy is retreating and being chased from the Territory." The Saber stated before noticing Harriet coming up to the Wall.

"I take this is the official victory against Melromarc," Harriet commented, seeing the cheers of the People of this Anomaly. "A full victory is not so bleak in the Future anymore." The Ruler smiles, celebrating in her own way.

"Indeed, Lady," Agravain said before seeing his master and the others returning from their own Mission. "And a Second one is about to arrive, master has returned." The Knight Aid stated, heading down with the Counter Force Servant to greet Ritsuka.

Harriet turns back to the foot of the Mountain, seeing their master returning. From her view, they brought back a Prisoner with them,

Heading back inside, Ritsuka leads his Servants, Filo, Pavel, Fou, and Melty back inside the Wall Village. Archer of the Red Cliffs and Arthur were escorting Rishia as a Prisoner.

Filo smiles, seeing Naofumi and Raphtalia standing among the celebration of Rebels and Enforcement Knights. "Master! Raphtalia-Oneechan!" She cried out, running over to the two.

"F-Filo, wait for us!" Castoria cried out to the Filoial, running behind her.

The two turned around, hearing Filo coming over with Castoria following behind. "Filo-chan, Arturia-san, you're back." Raphtalia smiles, relieved that everyone who heads to the Mountains comes back safe.

Filo giggles, hugging Naofumi's waist. Naofumi placed his hand on her head, petting her before looking at Castoria. "Arturia, did you guys get the Piece of the Spear?" He asked the blonde Servant.

Castoria smiles, happy to deliver more than one good news. "We did, but not only that but we got more than one good news to share, Onii-san." She said, looking back at her master.

Naofumi looked at Ritsuka and the others, noting the green-haired Adventurer that was in Itsuki's Party was being escorted by Archer and Arthur.

Ritsuka saw Naofumi and the others, smiling at them which meant they were going to have a meeting soon.

Naofumi chuckles, seeing things go as planned. "Master?" Filo asked, looking up at him.

"Naofumi-sama, did something happen?" Raphtalia asked her master, hearing him chuckle.

"Raphtalia, Filo, Arturia, we're going to have a meeting soon," Naofumi informed his Party members. "Be ready at any given notice." He said to them,

"Hai," They responded to Naofumi's orders.

Soon enough, everyone gathered in Berserker of Einherjar's House for an after-battle meeting. Berserker raised his cup of rum, toasting to themselves, "Drink up my Friends, tonight we celebrate our first victory against those Melromarc Bastards!" The iron-haired Berserker cheered, causing his own Men to cheer.

Castoria held a cup of rum, about to drink it when Naofumi covered the lid with his hand. "Onii-san?" She looks at the black-haired Hero.

"Don't drink this, Arturia. You're too young for it." Naofumi said before turning to Raphtalia, seeing her ears twitch in curiosity. "You too, Raphtalia." He raised his voice,

"Wah!" Raphtalia almost dropped her cup, "S-Sorry, Naofumi-sama." The Pseudo-Servant apologizes to her master with a smile,

Once he made sure that both of the Girls were okay, Naofumi looked at Ritsuka to hear his end of the mission. "Fujimaru, based on what I saw, you guys got that Piece before Itsuki did." Naofumi said, looking at the Magus, "And not only that but defeated Itsuki too, like actually defeated him."

Raphtalia looks at Ritsuka and the others, curious how they were able to defeat Heroic Knight Tristan. "Ritsuka-dono, how were you able to defeat Heroic Knight Tristan?" The Pseudo-Servant asked the master of Chaldea.

"The Filoial Queen, Fitoria or Fitoria Merlin told us the Heroic Knight Tristan's True Name," Melty told the group what happened on the Plateau with the Archer. "His power was diminished so that the Archers can be able to fight at the same level as him. That's what Fitoria Merlin and Arturia said," The Second Princess informed the rest of the room.

"Merlin…that Name sounds familiar," Berserker of Einherjar said, knowing he had heard that Name before.

Naofumi ponders before saying something. "Isn't he that Gandalf Wizard guy who helped King Arthur back in Camelot?" The black-haired Hero asked,

Galahad nodded, "Merlin is the Court Magus of King Arthur's Court, he's known for aiding him and the Knights of the Roundtable in various adventures," The Knight of Heaven explained to the group about who Merlin is, "He trained Arthur in the way of the Sword, watched him pulled the Sword in the Stone; Caliburn. Gifted the Sacred Sword, Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake, and also the Sacred Lance Rhyongomyniad." He explains,

"After leaving King Arthur's Court, he got himself into trouble with the Lady of the Lake and trapped in a Tower in Avalon." Galahad finished his explanation to the group.

"He? But Fitoria Merlin we met in the Ruins was Female." Melty said, confused with how they address the Magus of Flowers.

Naofumi raised his brow, also confused; but with Melty how she addressed Merlin as a Female. "Merlin was a Guy in those Legends?" The Shielder said, knowing at least that much about Merlin.

Bedivere looks at Naofumi, "There are many Worlds with different variations of the Arthurian Legends. In some of these variations, Merlin was a Female." The Knight of Loyalty explains to the Hero. "This World is an example of Merlin being Female."

That should be obvious to Naofumi, as he had read many Manga and media in his previous Life that the Multiverse has many outcomes where some People can be Female somewhere else they can be Male.

"I see…" Naofumi shook his head, seeing it's no time to think about it. "Anyways, how did you do it? Defeat Itsuki, I mean." He asked, curious about how Ritsuka and the others defeated Itsuki.

"I as well, the Three Heroes Roundtable are formidable," Harriet said, sharing her input to the meeting. "If you discovered something that could defeat all three of them, then it would be helpful for our Movement." The Ruler said,

Ritsuka nodded, answering the table's question. "Merlin said that each of the Heroic Knights has a Curse placed on them. To defeat them we need to reveal their True Name, the Name of the Heroic Spirits that inhabits the Weapons they hold." The master of Chaldea explains how they defeat the Roundtable.

Naofumi paused, looking down at his own Weapon. "…"

"Though it's not as easy as saying their True Names out of the blue." Ritsuka continued with the explanation,

Castoria nodded, "We need to defeat them to their weakest point before calling their Names." The Caster continued, "We did that to Heroic Knight Tristan,"

Berserker of Einherjar raised his mug to his mouth, "So, what's Heroic Knight Tristan's True Name?" He sips the rum in the mug.

"His True Name is King Rivalen, the Father of Sir Tristan in the Arthurian Legends," Ritsuka said, informing everyone who Heroic Knight Tristan was.

Northern Territory Border

Itsuki opened his eyes, quickly getting up from the ground. "Where's-" He looks around, seeing he was at the Border between Melromarc and the Northern Territory. "I'm at the Border…DAMNIT!" He shouted,

"Fujimaru, that Bastard! How dare he abandon me at the Border and leave!" The Archer cursed, punching the boulder that he was resting on. His punch left an impression on it,

The Heroic Knight gritted his teeth in anger. "Just you wait when I-" He paused, hearing metal boots and Armor clashing.

Looking to the side, he saw his Party and the Army walking to the Border. He saw that they were battered badly and most were heavily injured.

The green-haired Archer ran up to his Knights and Party members, seeing what happened to them. "What the Hell happened? Why are you all heading back to Melromarc when Fujimaru and his group are still back there!?" Itsuki demanded, asking one of the Knights.

"Sir Heroic Knight Tristan…" The Knight looks at their Leader, regrettably informing him of the outcome of the Battle. "I'm sorry Sir, but the Enemy Army was too strong. Their strategy was something we had never seen before."

Itsuki wasn't having it, he looked around searching for Members of his Party. "Where is Mald? He's supposed to be-" The Archer saw Rojeel walking up to him. "Rojeel, where is Mald? What happened here?"

Rojeel frowns, seeing the Leader of this Army. "Sir Heroic Knight Aid Gareth has been badly injured. Our Campaign in the Northern Territory has ended up in failure." The Adventurer informed the Heroic Knight. "Worst of all, they have captured Rishia as a Prisoner."

Itsuki remained silent before analyzing the situation he was in. Begrudgingly turning to the direction of the Capital, he gave his orders. "Retreat back to the Capital, we have nothing left to do here." He growls to himself, receiving no complaints from his Army.

The Army set foot back to Melromarc, and Itsuki soon followed after seeing Mald being carried by a few Knights. His Armor cracked and broken,

"Damn you Fujimaru…I'll kill you the next time I see you." Itsuki gritted his teeth, following the Army.

AN: How do you like it? Please leave a comment or review.