IBHJ Chapter 603 (Patreon)

Mordred had always been very puzzled by one thing. She had tasted the means by which the Red Faction controlled their Servants. Though it did not affect her much, she knew for other Heroic Spirits, it was indeed a forced control, causing them to lose all reason and become tools for the Red Faction.

During the control, the consciousness of the Heroic Spirits themselves was weakened, and they were like puppets.

However...

Mordred looked expressionlessly at the Red Archer following behind her. The woman named Atalanta was starting to give her a headache. No matter where she went, Atalanta would follow, constantly monitoring her every move.

But she knew that as the leader of the Red Faction, Kotomine was very confident in his methods of controlling Heroic Spirits and didn't suspect her.

So why was this Atalanta, whose reason was lost and consciousness weakened after going berserk, always on her heels?

She remembered that previously when she had infiltrated the Red Faction, when Karna attacked her, Atalanta had intervened to stop him.

Previously, she had been able to escape Atalanta to go to the Black Faction, largely thanks to Kotomine wanting to use her abilities for assassinating their Masters.

Whenever she left an area for another, Atalanta still tailed her like sticky tape, causing Mordred endless irritation.

She asked with a frustrated sigh: “Why must you always follow me around?”

Her query was met with a beastly snarl from Atalanta.

Right. This one had completely lost all reason and couldn't communicate.

She didn't bother with her anymore, instead going to inspect nearby area.

Visiting the Black Faction served two purposes - it was on one hand Kotomine’s orders, and on the other, an opportunity for sharing intelligence.

But most importantly...

It presented a chance to challenge Assassin.

In fact, after leaving the Red Faction, the first thing Mordred did through their contract was to find Sisigou, and afterwards upon finding out Shirou was at the Black Faction, she then went there.

The area Mordred chose was a hilly region. This area was just right for her decisive battle with Shirou.

Why must she battle Shirou?

No.

She was not set on having a decisive battle with him. What she actually wanted to challenge was Eternal King.

In Eternal Kingdom, the original Knights of the Round Table were all Eternal King's knights. Even Bedivere, the first knight of the next generation of Knights of the Round Table, as well as Galahad, were Eternal King's knights.

But she was not one of them.

She was neither Eternal King's knight, nor his subordinate. If anything, she was his successor.

Thus, her Noble Phantasm was not recorded in Eternal King's, and could never be.

Because her Grail...

Was special.

To be honest, Mordred also didn't know why she had to challenge Eternal King either.

But that was what she did.

It was not an impulsive decision, nor was it because she was upset over something. It was a decision made after careful consideration. But the reason for it was also not something she understood herself.

She didn't feel that she owed anyone anything, nor did she feel that anyone owed her anything.

The moment when she had breathed her last breath in her mother's arms, all bonds of duty, love and hatred had ended.

Yet only her mother's expression of inconsolable grief and anguish remained etched in Mordred's memory. Even now, in the Throne of Heroes, the memory was as clear as ever.

And so, she had answered the summons of the Holy Grail.

She had lied to Sisigou Kairi.

In truth, she desired the Grail greatly, not for herself, but for the woman who had broken down in tears.

Yet in this Holy Grail War, fate had also brought her face to face with that man.

Her...father in name and blood.

She had extremely complicated feelings towards him and they could not be easily explained in words.

The origin of her wisdom was from the books left behind by Eternal King. She still clearly remembered whenever she was tired and worn out from Agravain's intense lessons, she would stand before the king's statue in the royal capital, gazing up at his visage.

She told herself that, as Eternal King's successor, his blood ran through her veins, so she must continue studying diligently.

She held great respect for Eternal King, yet she also resented him deeply.

Her childhood had not been a happy one. Even with her mother's efforts, it could not make up for the bitter pain of lacking a father's love.

Upon entering the royal capital, what awaited was only arduous learning and the knights' endless praises of Eternal King.

Perhaps the seeds of resentment towards her father had been planted in her heart even early on.

After that, the weight of the kingdom's life and death had fallen entirely on her young shoulders.

Crying was useless, shouting was useless. If not for Galahad’s admonishments, stern yet caring like an elder brother, who knew what she might have become.

The hardships were already long in the past. However bumpy the path had been, she had still walked it. But to say she was at peace now? That was clearly nonsense.

She constantly thought, that if it were possible, she truly didn't want to grow up. She didn't want to see all that rubbish wisdom. To return to that carefree manor, free of worries and burdens.

But... it was already too late.

And so it was, she walked her short yet sorrowful, yet brilliant life to the end.

What feelings she held towards Eternal King, even Mordred herself could no longer understand.

The only thought she had about him now was...to defeat him. Nothing more than that.

Yet...perhaps buried deep within her heart, such blissful scenes had existed before.

In that long-gone manor, her father cooking delightful dishes, her mother at his side drooling in anticipation, and little Mordred having just returned from playing outside, beaming innocently.

Her parents saying affectionately: "You're back, Mordred."

And she nodding happily: "Mm, I'm back!"

Only...such scenes had long been buried away together with her childish naiveté, lost amidst suffering.

What existed in reality now...was only her mother, locked away in the seam of time, and a man called Father who was a stranger to her.

And herself...

"Waah!" Atalanta suddenly jumped out with a yowl from behind Mordred like a cat, shocking her badly.

"What are you doing?" she asked with a frown.

Atalanta ground her teeth, seemingly about to spit something out, yet in the end only uttered a...

"Meow!"

Mordred's face darkened. "Don't make fun of me!"

She clicked her tongue and started to inspect her surroundings.

Hmm...this place...

Her hand tightened into a fist, a resolute look flashing in her eyes. She was both the successor and destroyer of eternal kingdom, so she must...surpass that king!

Reason? Why must there be reason!