No one knew Mordred's weaknesses better than she did.
Her skill with the sword was inferior to that of the other Knights of the Round Table. She knew this very well. Gawain defeated her easily, even when they fought in the night. That's why she had developed that brutal style, where her skill with the sword did not decide victory or defeat.
Still, Mordred knew that this was very important.
Years ago, when Drako gave Mordred permission to travel to the territory that was once known as Britain, she met a boy named Arthur Pendragon.
He was a descendant of the Pendragon family, although Mordred did not know who. Probably, since this world was different from his, he really was the descendant of the real Arthur Pendragon.
For Mordred, this was not really important. All she thought at the time was that she had a cute little brother and a cute little sister (even though she hated that Le Fay shared part of her mother's name).
Mordred, trying to prove her skills as a Big Sis, challenged Arthur to a fight. Which, obviously, ended with Mordred winning.
But she knew better than anyone else that, if their strength levels were the same, there was no way she could have defeated Arthur.
His skill with the sword was exquisite, perhaps at the level of Gawain and Lancelot. No, perhaps he was even superior.
If the Arthur Pendragon that Mordred had known in the world of DxD was the true son of the Arthur Pendragon of Mordred's world, there was no doubt that Britain would not have fallen that way.
At first, Mordred was a bit down in the dumps thinking about this. But, she soon realized that this was an opportunity.
A chance to improve and get to the next step.
During the time Mordred was in England, she was challenging him daily under the guise of helping Arthur improve. Of course, not forgetting Shirone's training (to which Arthur contributed).
Even when she returned to Japan, she never stopped training. And once Drako gained the skill with the sword, her training intensified greatly.
Speaking of that skill... Blessing of Martial Arts...
It was really annoying that her master could use the sword better than she could by only receiving one skill. Not only that, but he had even greater skill in any kind of martial art.
Thanks to the Blessing of Martial Arts skill, Drako now had the knowledge of the Ramayana's protagonist, one of the two major epic poems from India. This is none other than Rama, one of the reincarnations of the god Vishnu.
Mordred was really grateful that her Master had such good skills, as she took advantage of it for much better. In a short period of time, both had improved a lot. Mordred had elevated her swordsmanship skills, while Drako had become accustomed to Rama's ability.
Now it was time to demonstrate that improvement.
If there was anyone Mordred could not lose to, it was the King who had never known defeat.
Meanwhile, Irisviel was watching Drako's hand.
Unconsciously, she extended her hand to Drako, ready to accept his proposal.
But, all this was too sudden.
Irisviel stepped back and rose gently, just as a noble lady would.
"I see," Drako nodded, understanding Irisviel's intentions.
"I apologize for my appearance earlier," Irisviel bowed elegantly to him. "Please let me consider your proposal. I am sure I will be able to give you a satisfactory answer."
"I hope so," Drako nodded before turning his head in the completely opposite direction. "By the way, what should we do with that one there?"
"An enemy Servant?"
"Yes."
Unconsciously, Irisviel had stopped considering Drako an enemy.
Drako had already detected a presence approaching, but it had stopped about 100 meters away. It seemed that the Stealth that Drako was using to cover the fight between Mordred and Artoria could only be hidden up to this point.
Obviously, Drako knew who this person was.
Lancer should have felt Artoria's presence, as Servants summoned by the Holy Grail can be felt more easily by each other. Mordred had been able to hide from Artoria because her body was physical, while the Servants are still spiritual manifestations.
"It seems that he wants to join the fight," Drako commented. "But it seems to me that this does not benefit either of us."
Letting Mordred show her appearance to Irisviel and Artoria was because they were going to recognize the Servant anyway. It made no sense to limit Mordred's abilities while fighting an opponent who already knew her identity.
"Hmm. How bold. Does he really dare to interrupt this fight?"
Without a trace of tension in her voice, Irisviel remained calm as she responded. It seemed that even after seeing Mordred's power, she still had faith in Artoria.
"He seeks a fight, but his personality does not allow him to interrupt a battle between two knights. In that respect, he is similar to Artoria".
Drako turned his gaze to the fight, which did not seem to have a quick outcome. In a battle like this, the first one to make a mistake will be the one who dies. And this time, Artoria didn't have the sacred spear to kill Mordred easily.
"Mordred, stop," Drako said slightly.
"Huh?" Irisviel looked at Drako in surprise.
Was he going to distract Mordred at such a key moment in the battle?
That could end in the death of the Servant!
"Yes, Master."
Contrary to Irisviel expectations, Mordred stepped back easily. The helmet that had earlier been removed from her armor reappeared, covering her face once again.
"Don't be surprised; neither of them was fighting with the intention of killing," Drako explained to Irisviel.
"But..."
Irisviel was sure that she had felt a strong intention to kill from the very first moment.
"Your experience is very limited, Irisviel. You have to learn to differentiate between the intention to kill and the intention to fight to the death. Both were willing to die in this fight, but neither really wanted to kill the other one."
Irisviel looked at the two Servants, who were approaching them after Drako ended the fight. Artoria had also ended the fight once Mordred had retired, returning to normal.
"So, shall we accept the challenge?"
Mordred asked as she looked in the direction of Lancer's presence.
"Yes, I'm going to take it," Drako responded.
"Huh, so I'm going to fight another Servant," Mordred muttered.
"No, I am going to fight."
They all looked at Drako in surprise, except for Mordred. She was the only one who knows her Master's power, after all.
He only smiled.
"I am not so weak. I can fight a Servant without a problem."
As Drako and company advanced in the direction of Lancer, the rest of the Servants and Masters prepared to make their appearance at the Holy Grail War.
One of the main events was about to begin!
......
Ups... I forgot to update here last Sunday... I'm very sorry.
As every first week of a month, I'm here to remind you than you can support me on P@treon and read 30 chapters ahead!
https://www.p atreon.com/GreatSage_Master1