"That is one of my Ten Incarnations— the Wild Boar."
The wind swirled around Verethragna, lifting him into the air effortlessly.
"I shall now reclaim my disobedient incarnation! Brave warrior, once I gather all my forms, we shall have our battle!"
"But before I leave… tell me your name."
Verethragna's voice, carried by the wind, traveled far, resonating with an authority befitting the master of tempests.
Standing amidst the destructive winds capable of toppling skyscrapers, Mordred let her hair and cape whip wildly in the gale. Yet, her body remained unyielding, as immovable as a mountain, her piercing gaze fixed on Verethragna.
"My name is Mordred! Remember it well, boy! And prepare for the day I pound you into the dirt!"
Her arrogant declaration rang loud and clear, cutting through the roaring wind. It reached Verethragna's ears unimpeded, and for a moment, the youthful god appeared stunned.
"Mordred? Did you say your name is Mordred?"
Hearing him repeat her name inexplicably ignited Mordred's anger. She raised her fist toward the floating Verethragna.
"Yeah, I said Mordred! What, got a problem with it? Let me tell you something—when someone comes looking for trouble, I make sure to answer the call. No exceptions!"
"You don't seem like you're lying… Fascinating. This is getting more and more interesting! But why… why does this intrigue me so?"
A spark of curiosity flickered in Verethragna's eyes. His growing interest in Mordred was plain to see.
At that moment, a deafening roar echoed in the distance, the Wild Boar asserting its presence once again.
"Then, Warrior Mordred! I look forward to our battle—may it come soon!"
Without giving Mordred a chance to retort, the howling wind enveloped Verethragna. In the blink of an eye, the tempest dissipated, and with it, Verethragna's figure vanished.
Mordred scowled as she realized the young god had gone to confront the Wild Boar.
"Tch! Even while running away, he still manages to act all high and mighty. What an 'Unbeaten God of Victory.' Might as well call himself the 'God of Show-offs.'"
Clicking her tongue in disdain, Mordred tilted her head back to glance at the massive Wild Boar in the distance.
"Damn, that thing is huge… Way too big! If I take it down, it'd probably feed us for months."
Since arriving in this world, Mordred had enjoyed her fair share of delicacies alongside Artoria. It didn't take long for her to fall in love with the culinary delights of this era.
One reason she refrained from fighting in cities was Artoria's advice; the other was her newfound love for food. Destroying a city wasn't the issue—losing access to its restaurants, however, would be devastating.
Especially in China… Their regional dishes alone outclass entire nations' cuisines!
Mordred had even suggested to Artoria that they kidnap a Chinese chef to join the Round Table, ideally replacing Gawain, who was constantly obsessed with his mashed potatoes.
As her thoughts drifted, Mordred suddenly snapped to attention, her eyes narrowing as she studied the Wild Boar's movements.
A realization hit her like a bolt of lightning.
"Wait, wait, wait! Isn't that headed toward Father's location?!"
---
The ground trembled.
Each step of the colossal beast sent shockwaves across the entire island.
Its roars unleashed destructive soundwaves, obliterating everything in their path.
Among Verethragna's Ten Incarnations, the Wild Boar possessed unmatched destructive power.
The ocean rippled violently, its surface no longer calm, as even the fish fled in terror from the godly aura.
Gripping her fishing rod, Artoria furrowed her brow and gazed at the approaching Wild Boar.
"You scared away all the fish, you beast."
"ROAR—!"
Whether it understood her insult or merely sensed her hostility, the mountain-sized Wild Boar bellowed thunderously.
Winds whipped into ferocious waves, tearing up the ground and shattering structures in its wake.
Standing against the devastating gale, Artoria's expression remained icy, as cold and unyielding as a glacier.
"Shut up."
With those words, she reversed her grip on the fishing rod and hurled it with incredible force.
The bellowing ceased abruptly.
A massive, gaping wound appeared on the Wild Boar's body, so large that the clear blue sky could be seen through it.
The beast's once-maddened crimson eyes gradually dimmed, and its radiant fur dulled.
Soon, countless tiny particles of light began to rise from its body. The Wild Boar disintegrated into a cascade of glittering starlike fragments, scattering across the heavens until nothing remained.
Having dispatched the Wild Boar, Artoria nodded in satisfaction and prepared to resume her fishing.
It wasn't until her hands met empty air that she realized her fishing rod was gone—lost in her earlier attack. Finding it again seemed impossible.
"…Well, I guess there's no fishing for me today."
Tilting her head, Artoria mused aloud.
"Even though I spent so much time trying to catch a fish today… I suppose I did attract something much bigger than a fish."
"I've destroyed one of your incarnations. Care to seek revenge for it?"
Turning her head slightly, Artoria's gaze landed in a particular direction.
There, standing on the pristine white sands, was a boy clad in a flowing cape.
Their eyes met across the distance.
The overwhelming aura of danger emanating from Artoria left Verethragna breathless.
"What an exhilarating sensation! To feel such an uncontrollable sense of danger… My soul quivers! My heart races! This is magnificent! You're absolutely magnificent!"
Verethragna burst into laughter, struggling to suppress the surging battle lust within him.
If not for his restraint, he would have charged at her instantly.
"Such overwhelming power… such absolute strength. You must be the greatest of the [Steel]! The weapon of the gods, the supreme warrior, the King of Kings! Bearing the name of King Arthur, you are without a doubt the most formidable [Steel] of them all!"
"If it's you, you could undoubtedly bring about my ultimate defeat!"
The wind howled, carrying the scorching brilliance of Verethragna's divine nature—his aura blazed like the sun.
Yet, as his battle-hungry eyes burned, Artoria remained expressionless. Her demeanor was casual, almost lazy.
It was at this moment that another figure burst between them.
Now clad in heavy armor, Mordred pointed her sword, [Clarent], directly at Verethragna.
"There's no need for Father to dirty her hands with you! I can take you down myself!"
---
T/N: LOOK LOOK I KINDA AGREE WITH MORDRED THOUGH, LIKE I LOVE CHINESE FOOD fuck it im gonna order chinses food soon
...
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