Chapter 40 - Mordred

"So what are you gonna do? Are you gonna deny reality, woman?"

How much pressure there is right now. Both Tiamat and Mordred are facing each other.

Mordred is overflowing with murderous intent after Tiamat's last line. I'm sure she would have slit Tiamat's throat thousand times by now if it wasn't for something.

That something is Tiamat's hand, which is blocking Mordred's sword with one hand.

Seriously, how strong is Tiamat?

"Not bad, you have power comparable to an Ultimate Class of middle class or higher. In fact, if you used those Noble Phantasms Draco told me about, I wouldn't be surprised if you could rival a God."

"Damn..."

"Huh?"

Mordred clenched her teeth, and her aura rose. Her body was covered in full armour and her strength increased. This surprised Tiamat, as she took a step backwards.

"Not bad, not bad. But this goes as far as it goes."

Tiamat raised her free hand and clenched it into a fist. With a quick movement, she struck Mordred's side.

Boom!

Mordred was sent flying and hit a tree, splitting it in two. She continued to break trees, about three more before she was stuck in one last tree.

"Woagh!"

Mordred spat out a mouthful of blood.

Well, this is not the start I expected.

Mordred rose slowly, and her helmet was removed.

Oh, shit. Oh, shit.

"Don't do it!"

"Clarent...!"

Shit, shit, shit.

This is gonna get ugly.

"Kuroka, Shirone!"

The two cats came out of hiding. They were both shaking with fear.

"Let's go quickly!"

I grabbed both sisters' hands and started running. But I didn't advance much before what happened.

"Blood...!"

"I won't let you."

A light enveloped Tiamat, and the next thing I saw was a huge blue dragon.

"Arthur!"

Crimson lightning similar to the previous magic circle came from Mordred's sword, Clarent. She held the sword straight, pointed at the sky, and lowered it as she called out the name of her Noble Phantasm.

"Behind me!"

The range of the Noble Phantasm is vast, I was sure it would reach us. I doubt anyone like me will survive the attack, but at least I have the endurance skills.

The problem is, in my human form, I only have half my powers. I need to revert to my original form.

[That's simple, just tell me and I'll reverse the transformation. It's that simple.]

I see. Then, do it!

[Reversing transformation]

A light came over me. I am feeling again the same as when I became human, an enormous pain.

I feel my cells multiplying and my bones growing.

I'm back to my original form, a dragon, in less than a second.

"Draco!" "Draco-nii!"

I turn around and hug Kuroka and Shirone.

Then I saw the sky in front of me turn crimson, that was the result of the Noble Phantasm falling. It wasn't falling right in front of me, it was falling towards Tiamat. The problem is that this was an anti-army Noble Phantasm, and the area of effect was very wide. The damage I'm going to get is going to be a small proportion of the Noble Phantasm, but I'm sure I'm going to get some damage.

BOOM!

The Noble Phantasm fell, and just as I predicted, the shock waves reached my position.

It f.u.c.k.i.n.g hurts.

I feel like my bones are breaking.

[Warning, risk of death]

Thanks, I didn't realize it.

"Huh?"

Suddenly, I stopped feeling pain.

When I turn my head, I see that it is Tiamat in her dragon form that is covering us.

The Noble Phantasm soon disappears.

"Are you all right?" Tiamat asks.

Now that the danger has passed, Tiamat has returned to her human form.

"Thanks to you, Tia."

I put on a smile. This is the second time Tia has saved me, the third time actually.

Tiamat smiles when she sees we're fine and turns around. There stood Mordred, sword in hand.

"Knight of Treachery, you're pretty good. You've managed to do me some damage. But you almost killed your own Master, although I don't find that strange coming from someone who rebelled against her own father."

Mordred shows a complicated expression.

"Sigh... Sorry, I got carried away."

I think we've had enough of this conflict. We're allies now, we don't have to fight anymore. Besides, Shirone and Kuroka don't stop shaking, they're terrified right now. Kuroka is more stable, but Shirone doesn't seem to be able to hold out much longer.

"Aunt, can you take Kuroka and Shirone? I'd like to talk to my Servant alone."

Tiamat looked at me, and I tried to stand as firm as possible.

"It's okay, be careful."

....

In front of me is Mordred. Tiamat has already taken the two sisters elsewhere.

"So my Master is a dragon, huh?"

"Yes, this is my true form."

System, turn me back into a human.

[Understood]

Again the same process...

But it doesn't hurt as much as it used to. I have also been researching how much mana I spend while in this form, and it seems that I spend one mana point for every two minutes that pass.

I can maintain this form for about four hours and a little longer.

"This semi-human form is something I got today. I still can't take on a fully human form."

"That brings back memories... My father once fought my grand-uncle, who had turned into a dragon."

Mordred no longer wears his armour, and he's relaxed enough. She at least seems intent on communicating with me.

"How about a fresh start?"

I see Mordred's not answering, so I'm going to take that as an agreement.

"Draco. I'm your new Master. Pleased to meet you."

I extend my hand to her.

Pah!

"He! I am Mordred, Arthur Pendragon's only son and heir to the throne of Britain."

I was expecting a handshake, but she clapped pretty hard. Now my hand itches a little.