CHAPTER 3 The Commencement of the Search for the Four Treasures The edges of the scenic lakeshore were packed by dense forest. Clear waters stretched as far as the eye could see. Wind rustled through the trees, sunlight spilling through the leaves. The birds warbled. At the shore of the lake, time slowed to a crawl. A single woman dabbled in the water. Her pale body was nude, curving under the light of the sun. Vivian sat with her legs to the side in the shallow end of the lake as she combed through her dripping hair. This was her netherworld. Here, she was healing the wounds she had received from Rintarou. At present, her right arm had regenerated, and the reflective surface of the water mirrored her original face, transcendentally beautiful. Not a single wound scarred her body. This was the Vivian who had recovered from a severed head in the past. This was easy for her. Even if she healed her physical wounds, though…the insult and injury to her psyche was irreparable. Splosh! Vivian smacked her reflection on the water’s surface, suddenly losing her temper. “Merlin…! Rintarou Magami…! How dare you…! How dare you disgrace me…! I am the ruler of the world… I cannot forgive you…!” Even though hate was her primary emotion, Vivian was paralyzed with fear that seemed to seize her heart when she thought about him. Her breaths grew ragged, and she was soon hyperventilating. Her body shook uncontrollably. She went limp. Even though she seemed to seethe with rage, Vivian had received major psychological damage. Rintarou had already defeated her mind. That truth vexed her so much that Vivian’s facade hideously contorted as fat tears rolled down her face. “But…Merlin is foolishly attempting the quest for the Holy Grail…! He’ll never make it back alive…! Only Galahad ever succeeded in making it out of this trial alive…! Ha-ha-ha! He’ll die! He has to! Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!” Splash! Splash! Splash! While crying, Vivian continued to violently strike the water. “And…on the off chance that he does obtain the Holy Grail… Hee-hee-hee… Ha-ha-ha… Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!” She shrieked with laughter, smacking the lake surface. “Die, Merlin, die! And regret your outrageous actions against me in your final moments on earth! Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!” Her laugh pealed along the tranquil shore. It was a beautiful scene at odds with the cacophony of her cackle. At that point, Vivian might have already been broken. It was a private room, pure white. Resting on her side in a bed with ivory sheets was a woman about midway through her twenties. She was a black-haired, ethereal beauty—but thin, gaunt, and pale as though she was ill. Her eyes stared into empty space without any emotion. It was almost as though she was devoid of life, with no will to live. This corpse of a woman remained on the bed, looking at the shadowy streets outside the window, dark as the bottom of the deep sea. Knock, knock, knock… Someone was at the door. “…? Come in…?” Visiting hours were already over. Who could it be? She let them in, though she was immediately on edge. “Excuse me, Kotone.” Then, the door opened with a click, allowing a man to quietly enter the room. He was slim and tall in a well-tailored suit and tasteful glasses. He had a gentle face. As soon as she saw him, she clutched her hand over her mouth, opening her eyes wide. Life started to return to her gaze, and tears flowed from them as though to prove the girl wasn’t dead… “S-Souma?! It can’t be…! …Is that you, Souma…?!” The man who had appeared in front of her was Souma Gloria Kujou. He was one of the Kings participating in the succession battle. “I apologize for coming so late in the evening…Kotone.” Souma walked to Kotone’s side. She struggled to sit up in her bed, grasping onto Kujou while crying. “Where have you been…?! I was worried sick about you…! You were missing…! No one had seen you…and I was so frightened that you had died all alone…! Sniffle…!” “…I’m sorry I troubled you. Because of many circumstances, I was unable to do anything.” Kujou waited for Kotone to calm down. “Please cheer up. I’ve finally managed to find a cure for your sickness.” “Huh? But the doctors said I was incurable… I don’t have much time…” “Don’t worry. I’ll save you.” He tenderly released himself from Kotone’s grasp and stood up. “I’m going to be a little busy with that. I might not be able to come see you again for a while.” “Souma…?” “I will definitely save you… For certain. No matter what. No matter who stands in my path. No matter what price there is to pay. I will risk my life—” He cut himself off midsentence. Kujou turned his back on Kotone and attempted to leave the room. She called out to him. “Souma!” “…What is it?” He stopped, turning around. “Um…Souma… Are you sure you’re not forcing yourself to do anything extreme?” “Anything…extreme?” “No, it’s just… It seemed like… I’m sorry…” “…” “Um…please, don’t go out of your way for me… I’m just happy enough that you’re in my life…so…” Souma stood there without saying anything for a while. “…You’re doing your health no favors by staying up late… Goodnight.” With that, he quietly left the hospital room. “Hee-hee-hee… I’m not not a fan of this type of thing…” Upon leaving Kotone’s room, Souma met up with the people waiting in the back courtyard of Central Avalonia General Hospital. It was Morgan and Kujou’s Jack, Sir Lancelot. “Throwing away everything for the love of your life… I’m a fan.” “Hmph. Stop pretending, witch,” Souma barked. There were no traces of his kind expression from when he had met Kotone earlier. At that moment, his face was cold and cruel, like that of an entirely different person. “As you already know, I did everything in my power to keep her alive. To extend her life even for a few moments, I sacrificed the lives of many innocent people. I searched for a secret medicine that could work against her illness, even going as far as to steal it and kill the owner. “Then, I sought to become King Arthur to save her… I couldn’t accept the possibility of defeat, so I decided my strategy would be to kill everyone. I decided to destroy anything that stood in my way for her sake.” Kujou suddenly pulled out his Excalibur and looked at its blade. The Military Conquest Steel Sword—the Excalibur surpassed all others, able to trample and overpower anything. “I have already strayed from the human path. My hands are red from the blood of others. Souma Kujou—the human—died as soon as he killed the first person for her. I am nothing more than what remains…an ugly monster. Ha…! I dare you to laugh at the stupidity of humankind, witch.” “No. I understand the act of doing something for the one you love…though you might not believe me.” Kujou didn’t reply to Morgan, looking at her with a blank expression. She wore the bewitching smile of a man-eater… He couldn’t tell what she really meant by her words. “But…even if you do win the succession battle…Lady Kotone won’t be saved. I imagine you understand?” “Yes, her illness doesn’t come from flesh. It’s caused by the existence of a concept.” “By fate, her blood is the concentrated manifestation of an old spirit… Call it hereditary ancestral restoration. She should be living on the other side of the Curtain of Consciousness…in the illusory world. Her body shouldn’t last long in the real world. “If you win and succeed King Arthur after obtaining the four treasures, you could only grant her a slower death by using the Holy Grail… Don’t you get it?” “…” For a while, silence settled over the three of them. “…Will you work with me, Master Kujou? I believe our interests are aligned.” Eventually, Souma replied. “Inevitably.” His mouth warped into a smile as he laughed. “Even if I’m plunged to the pit of hell, even if it means I can’t be by Kotone’s side anymore… I want her to keep living. Maybe it’s my ego talking. I can’t go back on it anymore. The point of no return is long past… All I can do is free fall.” “I knew you would say that.” Morgan nodded, looking satisfied. Souma turned to Sir Lancelot. “I’ve always been this type of King. I’d team up with a witch to revolt against the world for a single woman… And I will remove myself from the succession battle.” “…” Sir Lancelot silently continued to stare at Souma. “Feeling despondent? You’re a knight among knights. If you can no longer wield your sword in my name, it won’t bother me. You may return to Camlann Hill. I won’t stop you.” “…That’s impossible. You are my king in this generation. I will accompany you until my last moment,” Sir Lancelot murmured. “…If you don’t mind me saying so, I think I understand your feelings. I ran past battlefields for the sake of a woman, too. Even when it meant the destruction of the country…” “…Hmm, someone’s impulsive. Well, do as you please,” he replied. “Now… Let’s get to work. From ages past, fate has been building up to this moment—ready to bloom into a flower. After this search for the four treasures, this man-made island will be engulfed in a chaotic storm that it will never recover from. Enjoy observing the end of the cursed King Arthur Succession Battle, spectators,” Morgan said. And with that, they began their work. On that day, all the Kings in the King Arthur Succession Battle had been summoned, heading to a certain place—Area Nine of the man-made island of New Avalon. The tourist spot had been set up along the coastline. The man-made shore was not at all inferior in beauty to a natural one, outfitted with a beachside resort. The streets resembled the remote countryside in England, dignified and charming. In recent years, the resort had been celebrated, bustling with abundant sightseers who visited from around the world. Rintarou had arrived at Area Nine with the others. “Doesn’t this place kind of look like Winchester in England?” Luna mumbled, strolling through the streets. “Is this where they’re hosting the treasure hunt…?” Felicia inspected the area. “You’re not off the mark,” Rintarou said to Luna. “The blueprint was a miniature version of the British Isles, though it’s not super-obvious.” “Really?” Sir Kay blinked back at him. “If the whole island was modeled off Britain, Area Nine is right where Winchester would be. Scholars in the modern era say King Arthur’s castle was located in Winchester… If they went out of their way to reproduce it, it’s greater proof that this island is part of some magic ceremony.” They had reached the designated location, where a castle-like facade appeared in front of them. The New Great Hall. The party stepped foot onto the premises of the building, heading indoors from the main entrance. A reception hall greeted them. The very back wall displayed something… “Is that…the Round Table?!” “No, Sir Gawain. It appears to be a replica.” Felicia headed toward it, accompanied by her surprised knight. Visitors who had arrived before them were already gathered in front of the decorative table. “…Huh?!” There was a timid Japanese girl a bit younger than Luna and Felicia. “…It’s okay, Nanami. I’m with you.” A young black-haired knight seemed to stand over her, protecting her. “…” There was a beautiful Russian girl with silver eyes and silver hair who seemed wary of them. Her entire body was covered in what looked like impenetrable special forces equipment… “Huh? You’re…” Standing next to her was a dark and alluringly handsome young man wearing a chic turban around his head. “Sir Kay… Is that…?” “Yes, I know them. The youthful male knight with the black hair is Sir Perceval. The dark-skinned Saracen knight is Sir Palamedes. Makes sense. Both are incredibly strong.” Sir Perceval had been the closest friend of Sir Galahad, who had succeeded in the quest for the Holy Grail. He had accompanied Sir Galahad on the journey. Though he had not been able to return…his unadulterated skills, which bordered on cheating, made him the prodigal knight of the Round Table. It was said that he couldn’t even be outdone by Sir Galahad. Sir Palamedes was forever the rival of Sir Tristan, a cornerstone of the three strongest knights of the Round Table. Though Sir Tristan had won in the end, they had fought on par with each other many times. Had Sir Tristan made a single misstep, Sir Palamedes might have been named as one of the three strongest knights over him. “I see. It seems we have no lack of opponents.” Felicia tried to stand firmly on her feet, nervous to be in the room. Suddenly, she felt the presence of someone behind her. “Huh?! Aren’t you—?!” “Yo! Long time no see!” “…Hmph.” The two-person group that had newly arrived at the front entrance was…Reika Tsukuyomi—Sir Mordred—and Sir Dinadan. “…So you’re here, too,” Rintarou muttered, glaring. Ignoring him, Sir Mordred wordlessly walked past. “Oh, sorry, Merlin. She might not show it, but Mor is actually nervous… I hope you can understand.” Sir Dinadan smiled ingratiatingly, following her. “Sh-shut up! Don’t spill any unnecessary details!” “All right, all right.” It seemed the two of them were back to their usual selves. “It’s been a long time, sir.” “It’s great to see you. I knew you’d make it out, Sir Perceval. But I’m surprised…I can understand Sir Gawain, but Sir Kay… You’re still here? That’s a miracle.” “Y-you’ve got as big a mouth as always, Sir Palamedes…!” “I can thank you for that. I have something I need to get done. I can’t lose.” “Hmm? Sir Gawain… You seem different somehow.” “But it is strange, sirs. Where is Sir Lancelot? Sir Lamorak? Sir Tristan? The three strongest knights of the Round Table seem to still be missing. I’m concerned…” “Th-that’s because…” The Jacks rekindled old friendships among themselves. “Welcome. Come in, Kings.” At some point, four women had come to stand in a line under the replica of the Round Table decorating the wall. “I am Elaine, the daughter of a certain wild knight who shattered a king’s sword. I will be your guide in the search for the Holy Sword.” “I am Lyle, who had the sword of the most virtuous knight stolen from her by a certain savage knight. I will be your guide in the search for the Holy Spear.” “I am Niniane, the one who made a feared beast’s revelation about the king come true. I will be your guide in the search for the Holy Stone.” The women introduced themselves. “…The Queens…have finally arrived…” Felicia stared at the three women. “They’re all characters from the stories revolving around the treasures. The whole succession battle up until now must have been a ceremony to summon them,” Rintarou concluded. The three women started speaking. “Starting hence, we will impose a trial on each of you.” “We share deep-seated ties with the Holy Sword, Holy Spear, and Holy Stone.” “Each of those treasures slumbers deep beyond the other side of the Curtain of Consciousness—in the Illusory World.” “Through the psychic scenery that has been left in our souls—through the netherworld that exists in our abysses—you will journey to obtain the treasures that slumber in the Illusory World.” “Please take care as you attempt these trials…” Sir Palamedes raised his hand. “Just a moment, my fair ladies. Based on what has been said, the conditions to bring forth the treasure hunt had been for six Kings to remain, but there are only five here.” “…” The Dame du Lac were silent. “Come to think of it, that’s been bothering me…,” Felicia whispered to Sir Gawain. “Does that mean there’s a King out there who decided to pass on the treasure search?” “But…who would go out of their way to give themselves that disadvantage…?” Sir Palamedes continued in their periphery. “I understand why there are only three trials despite this being called the search for the four treasures. We know the Holy Grail is impossible to obtain. That’s why there are six people for three trials… We could’ve been divided two to a trial… But I think if we go about things this way, we won’t be split fairly…” Sir Perceval declared, “About that…my King, Nanami Kuonji, does not plan on participating in the treasure search.” Click! The Russian woman standing next to Sir Palamedes had instantly aimed an assault rifle at Nanami Kuonji. Naturally, Sir Perceval moved as fast as the wind to stand in her way, protecting Nanami. “C’mon, Misha. Cut that out.” Sir Palamedes placed his hand over the muzzle of the gun held by the Russian girl—Misha. …They’re…fast. Sweat beaded on Felicia’s forehead. Sir Perceval and Sir Palamedes were…stupidly quick. Though Misha was human, she was as fast and as skilled as a Jack. It was obvious she was a career soldier or something similar. All of it had happened in the span of a single blink. “We’ve gotten to this point, and you won’t participate in the treasure search? …What the hell are you up to?” Without lowering the gun, Misha remained indifferent and emotionless. That gun… Based on Felicia’s knowledge, it was something called an Avtomat Kalashnikova—an AK-47. However, the metal making up the weapon gave off a curious metallic sheen, though it was neither gold nor silver. Is this Misha person…? Misha continued her interrogation. “Answer me. If you don’t give me an acceptable answer, then prepare for battle right now, right here. It doesn’t matter whether we fight before we get the treasures or after.” The tension was palpable in the room. Sir Perceval shielded the quivering girl behind his back. “She didn’t enter the King Arthur Succession Battle of her own volition. She was dragged into it and just made a King… We came here today to see what kind of people the other Kings are. We have no ulterior motives.” “I find that impossible. In that case, why haven’t you destroyed or abandoned your Excalibur and withdrawn from the succession battle?” Misha kept pressing the issue. Sir Perceval answered, “Even if she wanted to abandon it, she can’t… You get it, right?” As Nanami continued to hide behind her Jack, Misha gave the girl another once-over from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. Nanami had nothing that looked like a weapon on her. “…I see. So that’s what it is.” Misha started to lower her gun, as if she suddenly understood something. “So the identity of your Excalibur…I see. That’s how you were able to survive for so long… Hmm. Fine—” Misha turned away, about to point the muzzle away from her target. “—So you thought!” She whirled around, rolling to the side fast enough to leave an afterimage. As she leaped, she turned her weapon on Nanami and kept her gun’s sights set on the girl. “You’re repugnant! This is the gathering place of proud knights! If you don’t intend to fight, die!” “Eek?!” “—Gh?! Like I’d allow that to happen—!” Sir Perceval unsheathed his sword and tried to get in between them. “Sorry—” Sir Palamedes’s scimitar blade flashed at the knight. “If that’s Misha’s inclination, then I must obey her.” “Sir Palamedes?!” It all happened in an instant. Misha mercilessly tried to pull the trigger on Nanami, who had gone pale. Sir Perceval’s sword and Sir Palamedes’s blade clashed head-on. SHIIIIIIIIIIIIING! Three flashes of metal, accompanied by a metallic whine, tore through the disorder. “Wha?!” “Gah?!” “…?!” Misha, Sir Perceval, and Sir Palamedes were taken aback. “…Huh?” Nanami blinked. Misha’s gun, Sir Perceval’s sword, and Sir Palamedes’s blade had left their hands, revolving through the air. “Hey now. Aren’t you guys getting ahead of yourselves?” At the center of everything, Rintarou was calmly holding his two swords. “This is the main course we’ve all been waiting for… How about we pace ourselves for dessert, huh?” “Wh-what did you do…?!” Misha slowly backed off as she took caution of Rintarou. “Did you just send my weapon flying…?” Protecting Nanami empty-handed, Sir Perceval blinked from his surprise. “…I’ve seen that swordsmanship from just now before… You couldn’t be…?” Sir Palamedes clutched his tingling hand as he stared at Rintarou with icy eyes that seemed as though they belonged to someone else. “Pick ’em up. I’m not planning on having a shootout or whatever with you guys right now…,” Rintarou said calmly and sheathed his swords. “Right, King?” “Exactly. Ha. Good job, Rintarou. You did well.” Even though she hadn’t done anything, Luna lorded it over the others as though she was superior to them. “My goal is to become the best king in the world. There’s no point in settling things with a surprise attack.” “…Are you looking down on us? Why would you show mercy to your enemies…?” Misha’s face contorted from humiliation as she glared at Luna and Rintarou. “Let’s take advantage of their kindness for now, Misha.” Sir Palamedes had gone back to being his usual arrogant self, quickly picking up the blade and gun that had been sent flying and soothing her. “We were careless. She’s got to be Luna Artur…I heard she was the weakest King, but it looks like she’s got a troublesome character backing her.” “…Gah! You there! Rest assured, I’ll return the favor someday!” “I’d like to see you try. If you pipsqueaks are even capable, that is.” Until then, the air had been strained, but…the tension in the room started to melt away. “You got me all frightened there.” Felicia took her hand off her rapier Excalibur’s hilt and breathed out in relief. “…Hmm.” Sir Mordred snorted and put her unsheathed dagger Excalibur back in its sheath. “Are you done?” the Queens asked, as if they couldn’t read the vibe. “No, not yet. Even if Nanami’s group doesn’t enter the treasure hunt, there are still four people. If we continue…,” Sir Palamedes tried to object. “Ha-ha-ha! It’s no issue!” Luna boomed, thrusting out her chest like it was her moment to shine. She crossed her arms and declared with an insolent grin, “I’m not interested in any of those worthless quests! We’re going to look for the Holy Grail!” “““Huh?!””” Misha, Sir Palamedes, Nanami, Sir Perceval, and Sir Mordred widened their eyes. Words escaped them. “…Oh? And what is this…?” Only Sir Dinadan shrugged as though he was enjoying himself, taking a long drag of his cigarette. “So there are exactly three of you, right? Good for you! One for each quest!” “…Huh?!” Misha looked at the Queens as though imploring them… “…Yes, we’ve made special arrangements for Luna,” answered Elaine, acting as the Queens’ representative. “Of course, obtaining the Holy Grail is not required to win. From the outset, King Arthur was unable to succeed at this quest. It is impossible for Luna’s group to obtain it. Even if one were to obtain it, the chance of bringing it back is unlikely…” Misha glared at Luna. “I don’t know what you’re up to, but this means you’ve thrown in the towel, right? The weakest King, Luna Artur. Is this your last-ditch effort? Did things get to your head because your underling is powerful?” “It’s not like I’ve actually thrown the battle, and I’m not desperate. I never needed the Holy Grail—which is basically a cheap hack—anyway.” “What?! Then what’s your reason?!” Misha was dumbfounded by Luna, who had put her hands behind her head and started whistling. “I’ve just got some business I have to take care of. Well, I guess you could call this my royal road.” “Hmph… Have it your way. Just make sure you don’t regret it.” As though the conversation was over, Misha turned her back on Luna. “Then…we will now open the gates to the netherworlds that lead to the trials.” The three Queens split in three different directions to stand apart from each other in the hall. “I invite you to the trial of the Holy Sword. To the story of a certain knight who crushed the arrogance of a king.” “I invite you to the trial of the Holy Spear. To the story of a certain knight who was charmed by power and toyed with it until he was in ruins.” “I invite you to the trial of the Holy Stone. To the story of pursuing a certain beast that sows discord and destruction.” The Queens put their hands together and muttered something as though they were offering up prayers. Their bodies started to glow. Eventually, particles of their Auras rose and flooded the area before gathering and forming Gates. The Gates led to each of their netherworlds. Finished with their preparations, the Queens opened their eyes and turned to the Kings. “Now then, which trial will you attempt?” “You do not need to think deeply on it… Allow your heart, your soul, to guide your feet.” “That will most certainly be the trial you should face—” At the Queens’ invitation, the participants started to… At that moment…a witch grinned in a certain place on the man-made island of Avalonia. “Yes… The treasure hunt has finally begun.” Her face filled with sinister delight, growing darker than the night and the bottom of the sea. “In other words, this marks the beginning of the end.” — “All right, looks like everyone left, including Felicia.” They had finished watching them leave to the netherworlds with each of the Queens. Luna, Rintarou, and Sir Kay headed toward the place where they had been told to go. They were approaching the harbor area at the outskirts of the beach resort in Area Nine. Rintarou’s group arrived at the pier of a certain harbor. Across the ocean, the horizon spread out in front of them. The waves rolled quietly, as though they were in a lull. The clamor of people was far away from them. The place was deserted. Not a single ship bobbed in the harbor. “Is the entry point for the Holy Grail search over here?” Luna held her palm to her forehead as she leaned out from the wharf and searched across the horizon. “Hey, stop that. You’ll fall into the water.” Rintarou grabbed Luna’s shoulders and sighed as he pulled her back. “…The ocean, huh?” “Hmm? Is something wrong? Rintarou, is there something wrong with the sea?” Sir Kay asked quizzically, since he seemed so down. “No, it’s like…I haven’t had a great opinion of the ocean lately…especially with my trauma.” “…Oh? Looks like there’s fog rolling in.” Their vision started to turn white. The fog rode in on a zephyr from offshore, wrapping around them like smoke. The mist grew thicker—denser, heavier. Their vision was bleached whiter and whiter… Eventually, the fog started to obstruct the sunlight, and the area became dimmer. There was no way this was natural… As soon as they thought that, the dense fog parted, and a boat rowed up to the pier. It wasn’t what one would call a modern boat. It was made from oak and appeared similar to an old-fashioned sailing ship. Constructed with nothing more than a mast and square canvas for the main sail, it was hard to imagine it going anywhere other than the direction of the wind. It felt like it had come straight from another century. “Wh-what is this thing?” Luna was bewildered. “Welcome. Thank you for making your way here,” said someone from behind. Two humanoid forms appeared like ghosts from the fog. One of them was a girl who somehow seemed ethereal. She had beautiful honey-blond hair, clear, white skin like pure snow, and a delicate, fairylike face. Though she was dainty, her body curved gracefully under the gossamer garment that glided over her, and she wore a laurel hair ornament on her head. “I am Dindrane. Three knights partaking in the Holy Grail pilgrimage, I will be your guide for the Holy Grail search.” She quietly bowed. Just as she looked, she was humble and gentle in demeanor. She was the personification of an ideal girl for some men. But as for the person beside her… “…” They seemed to be a strange character. The figure wore a full-body cloak and a hood like a traveler. Because the robe was pulled low over the person’s eyes, Rintarou couldn’t see much of the figure’s face or make out their build. “………” Unlike the girl who called herself Dindrane, the hooded silhouette remained silent, without so much as an introduction. Rintarou couldn’t judge their gender by their voice, which made them even eerier. “I will lead you on the road to the Holy Grail. It is a pleasure to meet you all.” “Hey, wait a sec,” Rintarou called out to stop the two, who had immediately turned around to go into the boat. “You said you’re Dindrane, right? I know you’re the Queen who organizes this hunt. But what’s with that extra over there?” He jerked his finger at the cloaked figure. “I didn’t hear about this—nothing about this boat or an extra person… This seems different from the other trials.” “That is just how…special the trial for the Holy Grail is.” “…………” Even though Rintarou had fixed a glare on the cloaked figure, they maintained their silence. It was almost as though…the person was appraising him. “This is a judge.” Dindrane introduced the mysterious character. “…A judge? What? What does that mean?” “Don’t worry about that. Please let your souls guide you through this trial. I have faith you will get the result you’re looking for.” Dindrane cast a glance at the dumbfounded group and continued down the pier…crossing the gangplanks and climbing into the antiquated boat anchored there. “Hey…?!” “…………” The mysterious character silently turned around and followed Dindrane onto the boat. “…Rintarou.” “I know. It looks like all we can do is go.” “It seems that way.” After exchanging a round of nods, the three of them followed after Dindrane and headed onto the boat. When they got inside, the boat departed almost as though it were gliding. The wind blew of its own accord, nudging the boat offshore. At some point, the fog had cleared, and they saw the expansive ocean spreading endlessly along the horizon that separated the sky and the sea. The breeze was gentle, waves lapping around them, and the sunlight that poured down from above created ripples between the undulations. It was the perfect weather for a voyage. “Whoa! This is amazing! Look, Sir Kay! Wow!” “W-wait! Luna! That’s dangerous!” Luna was incredibly excited, pacing all over the boat. A voyage on such an old boat had to have been novel to her. “How old is she again…?” Rintarou observed her, exasperated, from his periphery. “…Sorry. They can be annoying sometimes,” he explained to the mysterious character standing at the prow and looking out ahead of them. “………” But, of course, the enigma said nothing. While the briny breeze ruffled their cloak, all the figure did was stare ahead. They remained stock-still, almost giving off the illusion that they were a statue underneath the cloak. …It was really uncanny. “What’s up with you…? Cat got your tongue? Have you been ordered to be silent?” “Rintarou Magami, why do you seek the Holy Grail?” the figure suddenly muttered to him, still turned toward the sea. Was that…a girl’s voice? It was as clear as a bell…and certainly belonged to a girl. “So you can talk…” “Why?” repeated the mysterious girl, interrupting his grumbling. It was almost as though she was testing him about something. As though she was trying to probe him. “…” Rintarou felt like she had some kind of ulterior motive. He remained in thought for a while. “…We’re here to save Nayuki… She’s someone important to us, a friend.” …He honestly told her what was on his mind. “…I see.” It sounded like she was smiling. “…Please…do not forget that was why you started.” She ended things there. The girl went silent once more. She let the sea breeze ruffle her cloak and stared beyond the waves. What’s up with her…? Rintarou was stupefied. However, even while having that conversation, Rintarou did not let his guard down. The search for the Holy Grail had already begun. This was already a netherworld. He didn’t know what could happen when. It’s fine. I don’t care if it’s a sea demon or a flying dragon. Come at me. I’ll hack up anything that stands in the way of the Holy Grail. I’ll protect Luna and Sir Kay. I would never let anyone else be taken from me… … Though Rintarou was ready to spring into action, nothing happened on the boat. All it did was bob its way through the ocean… Eventually, the sun passed the meridian and started to wane… It burned red against the horizon as it sank beyond the sea… Before they knew it, night had fallen. Gone was the calm sea from the afternoon. Now it was an abyss stained by darkness. It looked like the bottom of hell’s cauldron spread before them, separated by just a single plank of the boat’s bottom. “…Hey, Rintarou. Let’s rest for today.” “Right…” As though they feared the sea, they went down the stairs below the deck and retreated into the ship’s bowels. At some point, the mysterious girl in the hood and cloak had abruptly disappeared from aboard the boat. “Whoa! It’s pretty nice inside here.” When they went into the ship cabin, they found three neat and tidy beds illuminated by the light of the lamp. “Hmm? There are three beds… Sorry Rintarou, looks like you’re the one on the floor!” “Hey, wait… No, well…I don’t really mind…” As Luna slapped him on the back, Rintarou scowled. He was concerned about the mystery girl’s disappearance, but since Dindrane hadn’t mentioned it, it didn’t matter whether he worried or not. In other words, there was one guy and three girls. Rintarou would be on the floor… He couldn’t do anything about that arrangement. “Well, if you get on your hands and knees and beg me, I might reconsider, seeing as I’m generous and kind. Repeat after me: ‘I will pledge my absolute obedience to you, Master Luna!’ Then, well, um…I-I’d l-let you sleep with me in my bed—” “I wonder if there’s a hammock or something around here?” “Are you ignoring me?!” Rintarou looked around. “It’s fine, Master Rintarou. I do not require sleep. You should rest in a bed. The journey ahead is a long one.” Dindrane smiled, urging him before quietly withdrawing from the cabin. “Oh, really? Don’t mind if I do…” He rolled onto one of the beds. “Hmph, good for you, Rintarou…” For some reason, Luna kicked her legs unhappily from the bed next to him with her head propped up in her hand. “…Huh?” Sir Kay cried out. “What’s wrong?” Rintarou rolled across the bed toward Sir Kay. Sir Kay seemed dubious as she fiddled with her sheets. “It’s just…when I sat on the bed, I thought I felt something hard under my butt…?” She turned over the bedsheets. “What’s this? A…sword?” …A bare sword had been hidden there, lying on the soft mattress. “Wait. I’m scared! Why would this be here…?!” “Lemme see.” Sir Kay handed the naked blade over to Rintarou. “…It’s a normal sword. I don’t feel anything unusual from it, no magical abilities. Somebody hid it like it was important, but it’s shockingly boring… It’s almost amazing that there’s nothing interesting about it.” “Oookaaay…” After taking the sword from Rintarou, Sir Kay looked at it for a while. Eventually, she sighed as she propped it against the wall next to her, losing interest in it all together. “Anyway… How about we sleep? We haven’t got a clue how long this quest will take anyway. We’ve gotta get rest while we can,” Rintarou said. “…All right.” “Sounds good.” They turned off the lamp in the room, settling into their beds. The search for the Holy Grail has finally begun…just wait, Nayuki… Rintarou folded his hands behind his head and sprawled out, thinking as he stared at the ceiling. I don’t care if things get tough… I’ll get the Holy Grail and save you…, he vowed. …The Holy Grail… If I just have the Holy Grail…I… He could get back his old life. Luna, Sir Kay, Emma, Felicia, Sir Gawain…and Nayuki would be there. He could get back the place where he belonged—in those days of chaos but good fun. …If I just have…the Holy Grail… Rintarou slowly closed his eyes… …… …He was dreaming. “Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! C’mon! Come at me!” “Take that! Hyah!” It was sometime, someplace in the outskirts of a nostalgic town of another country. Deep in a conifer grove, two kids around six or seven years old were goofing off. One of them was a Japanese boy with short black hair, going through his rebellious phase. The other was a blond-haired, blue-eyed English girl who seemed indomitable. The two of them were facing off with tree branches, sword fighting in a game of make-believe. “Ahhhhhh!” Well, maybe it wasn’t right to call it “make-believe.” Their fight was too skilled and serious to call it that. The girl must have trained in swordplay for a little bit. She gripped the branch in both hands, springing at him to deliver her blows, which were fast and sharp enough that even a normal adult wouldn’t be able to bear through three of them. She must have been the type one would have labelled a genius. However, despite her blows… “Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! What’s wrong with you?!” The boy holding branches in both his hands moved like a gale and continued to parry her. It was evident the girl had been properly trained. Unlike her, the boy was haphazardly moving on instinct. It was likely he had only recently picked up the blade… This might have even been his first time. Even still, the boy was overpowering the girl. He saw through all her successive attacks and sent them flying away, parrying, stopping, blocking, and deflecting— “There!” Bsht! His right branch cracked like a whip, smashing into her side. “Yow?! That hurt!” “Heh-heh. I win!” The boy cried in triumph with his higher-pitched, adolescent voice. “Gaaaaaaah! I can’t believe I lost again!” The girl stomped in frustration. “You’ve still got a way to go, .” “Rinta, that’s so unfair!” “What’s unfair? Is it my fault that you’re so weak?” “N-nuh-uh! I know you’re cheating! Because I’m gonna be king! And I’ve been twaining this whole time!” “Um… I still don’t know what you mean when you talk about becoming ‘king’…” “It means I can’t lose! There hasn’t been any other kid who won against me! I didn’t even lose to the adults! So, Rinta, you have to be cheating!” “Heh! That just means the people around you are noobs! So? What’re you going to do? You wanna go again? Or not? Are you surrendering, king?” “…I wanna go again.” The girl stood up sullenly and readied her wooden “sword.” “I’ll win this time…” “Heh-heh-heh. That’s the spirit.” The boy smiled insolently and readied his branches. “Hyaaaaaaaaah!” “Heh! Come at me!” Like puppies pouncing on each other, the girl and boy started their sword fight. …… …A while later. “Heh-heh! That was easy!” The boy had mercilessly beaten up the girl. She must have lost her will to fight, because she sank to the ground and sat down. “That’s seventeen to zero! Which means I win! How’s that, !” The boy was triumphant in front of the silent girl. It was natural. He was at that age when he wanted to tease cute girls who had caught his attention. “Oh…” Eventually, he realized he had gone too far. He started to panic, looking at the girl who stared at her lap in silence. “Uh, ummm…well, sorry…I kinda took it too far…” He wanted to draw her attention by teasing her, but not to the point where she hated him. As the boy was flustered by his age-appropriate dilemma… “…zing,” muttered the girl with her face turned down. “Huh? Whatcha say?” He couldn’t hear her well. His eyes darted around, nervous. “Rinta, that was amazing!” She jumped to her feet, eyes glittering as she drew closer. His face flushed, looking surprised, when she had abruptly gotten close enough for them to feel each other’s breaths. “That was super-frustrating! But you’re amazing! I was no match for you! I completely lost! How’d you get so good?!” “How…? I don’t know. Somehow?” “Hmph…! You’re so annoying! But that was really amazing…!” Her expression kept changing from highs to lows as she showered him with praise. Eventually, she blurted out, “Okay! I know! You’ve passed, Rinta!” “Huh? Passed what?” “That’s right! I’ll make you my vassal—my only one! Aren’t you happy?!” “Whaaaaat?! Why?! Why am I your vassal?!” “Because I’ll become the best king in the world! Aren’t you happy you get to be my one and only vassal?! I mean, I’m just so awesome!” The boy seemed lost. “Heh-heh! You might be stronger than me, but if you’re my vassal, that means your power is mine! That’s what you call kingliness!” “Pfft! Shut up! Who would follow someone as weak as you?!” He stuck out his tongue, turning her down, since he was at an age where it was hard for him to be honest with his feelings. “If you wanna make me your underling, you’ve got to do it after winning against me!” “Hmph! Challenge accepted! Then let’s go for another round!” Just when he thought she was smiling, her face clamped down into a scowl, flushing red from anger. These were wistful days that he had forgotten in the present, containing memories of a girl whose name he could not recall. Those blissful moments passed before he knew it…and inched closer to the day they would part. “No, no, no! I wanna be with you longer! I wanna play!” It was almost the day they would go their separate paths. In front of him, the girl was shrieking in tears. “You can’t go home! Don’t go home! Why do you have to go?!” “St-stop being so stubborn… I told you…I was only staying here for a month…,” he said in front of the girl reduced to sobs. He seemed tired. To tell the truth…I don’t want to go home, either. I want to stay with her… But he was at an age when he couldn’t be sincere. The boy could only reject her. At the time, neither of them was at an age where they had cell phones. His parents were often moving across the map for their jobs, and her family was decidedly against her being involved with the boy. This departure would be absolute and permanent. “Noooooo! I don’t want to say bye!” “Shut up! What can we do about it?!” “Sniff… Hiccup…waaaaaaaaah…ahhhhhhhh…” To keep the girl from whining… “Okay! Okay! Uhhh…you’re gonna become a king someday or something, right?” “Yeah…hiccup…” “And…you kept saying you’d make me your vassal all month long, right? You were really persistent about it, too.” “Yeah. But you never became my vassal…sniffle…” “…I will.” “Huh?” “I will, someday, when you become the best king in the world.” …The boy had made his promise. “…R-really?” “Yeah, I promise. But you have to become a king who’s worthy of me—a really great one. Otherwise, I won’t become your vassal!” I know I sounded annoyed, but I wasn’t unhappy about it… Becoming her vassal was a small price to pay if he could stay by her side, which he couldn’t bring himself to say. “Yeah… When that happens…I’ll make you my vassal, Rintarou!” …When I looked at her smile, I swore I saw a dewy flower bud, wet from tears… And when she finally got my name right, my heart started to pound for some reason, and it felt like I was ascending. That was why I vowed to her in my young, pure mind. “Heh! Trust me! I promise! When you become the greatest king in the world, I’ll race over to your side and rescue you like a hero! Just you wait!” If were to become the greatest king in the world…that meant I would have to become the greatest vassal in the world… …After I separated from …I worked my ass off. I aimed to become the best in any field, abandoning myself. I outdid myself so I’d never lose against anyone no matter what. After all, I was going to serve the best king in the world. And a vassal who served an awesome king has got to be the best in the world, right? Lucky for me, I used to be a sorcerer named Merlin or something in my past life. Whenever my memories from my past life were revived, I could display more and more abilities that were beyond human. Regardless of age or gender, no one was able to stand against me. I was proud. I believed this was how I could become the world’s greatest vassal, fitting for . …… …But…I had realized something at a certain point: Everyone was looking at me as though I was some kind of monster. It was so weird. The girl aspiring to be king would have validated me. Why didn’t they accept me? Why were they looking at me with disgust? But I continued to outdo myself, excelling to outdistance myself. I just kept grinding. I’d become her vassal—the best vassal in the world. I needed to work hard. …I’m doing this for her… But the harder I worked…the more isolated I became. Everyone hated me, shunned me, envied me, disparaged me… Eventually, I was even abandoned by my own parents… Even when times got tough, even when it was too much for me to bear, I carried on. I worked through it. I kept running, recklessly, with one goal in mind. Right… I’m doing it for her… But who was she…? I kept going…until I was totally alone. …… …When I came home from school and my parents had disappeared, leaving behind just a note…I snapped to my senses. Because I had ground toward my one goal… Because I hadn’t looked back or taken anything else into consideration…I had lost sight of what was important. For what and for who was I working so hard? These hardships had prevented me from connecting to myself; I could no longer remember why I had started out in the first place. What was I doing this for…? For who…? What did I even want to become in the first place…? I had lost everything. My dreams. My hopes. I was empty. The world was gray. Everything was boring. I didn’t want anything. I didn’t even have any hope. It was all hollow. I didn’t have a place in this world… There was nowhere I belonged… …… “—Gh?!” Rintarou jolted out of sleep. He must have had a nightmare. His entire body was drenched in sweat. Luna and Sir Kay were snoring in the beds next to him. When he looked out the window of the cabin, it was pitch-black. It was still the middle of the night. Not much time had passed since he had gone to sleep. Rintarou rubbed his eyes when he felt something cold trail down his cheek. “…Was I crying or something…?” He felt sick. “Dammit… Why did I have to dream about that now…?” He needed to just go back to sleep…but he didn’t feel like it. “…Geez… I’m sick of it… Have I always been this anxious…?” After deciding that the night wind might clear his mind, Rintarou crawled out of bed and slipped out of the cabin. Creak… Baam… The door fell shut. After Rintarou left…Luna snapped open her eyes, even though she seemed to be stretched out on the bed fast asleep. As she felt Rintarou get farther away, she tugged something out from her chest pocket—a worn Celtic protection cross made from hawthorn. “…Rintarou…you…” Luna looked at that protection charm with wistful eyes—giving it a good squeeze in her hand. She let her eyes close again. “……” Rintarou leaned on the handrail and gazed out at the ocean. He looked over the dark sea, devoid of moonlight, writhing like a demon underfoot. The cold wind froze him to the core. “…Right… I can remember stuff because of that dream… I put myself through the wringer for her… How stupid…” He had done it for her, someone whose face and name he couldn’t remember anymore. He had raced through his formative years for her. All his memories as a kid were bitter, tainted. Letting his body bob up and down with the ship, he squinted, trying to see through the dense fog obscuring his memories. He tried to remember…her face, her name. He felt almost as though he could remember them at any moment. It felt like the answer was just within arm’s reach…but he just couldn’t remember her. Even though he’d partially recovered his memories from the dream, they steadily became murkier… “Hmph… Who cares about the past when I was just a little brat…? I’m different now…I’ve changed from how I used to be back then…!” Rintarou was irritated at the unpleasant feeling that had started to eddy at the back of his chest. “And it’s not like there’s time for this right now! Aren’t I going to save Nayuki?! Keep it together…! What good will it do to be this nervous…?!” He shook his head as though he was trying to shake off that feeling. “That’s right, Rintarou…” “You’re…not alone anymore…” He snapped his head up. He could swear he heard someone calling out to him. “…Who’s there?” He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and cautiously surveilled the air. No one was there. “Well…but I swore I heard someone…” If that wasn’t a hallucination or his imagination, he knew that voice belonged to… “Rintarou…over here…I’m over here…” He heard it again—from close by…or so he thought. “…It couldn’t be…?” Rintarou produced a small leather bag from his pocket, ever so carefully. It contained the remnants of Nayuki’s Fairy Crystal Core recovered the other day when he had attacked Vivian. When he looked at it, it was flickering with a demure, soft light. “…Th-this is…?!” He stared at the bag in disbelief… “Rintarou…” He heard a clear voice coming from behind him. “Huh?!” Rintarou whipped around, lowering his guard. His face contorted into a complex expression, as though he wanted to both cry and smile. “…I see…I guess something like this could happen in a netherworld…” There was a grinning girl daintily perched there… …… …It was morning. Sunlight poured through the windows and lit the inside of the cabin. “Haaaah… I slept like a log last night… Morning!” Sir Kay got up from the bed and stretched. “……Morning…,” grumbled Luna, seeming downbeat. “Ha-ha! How much longer are you going to be in bed? I think you need to pull it together!” Rintarou seemed refreshed, chuckling at them. Even Sir Kay, who wasn’t all that sharp, could tell he was in a good mood. …They’re acting kind of strange. “…Huh? I-is something wrong with you two?” “……Not really.” “Of course not. Why?” Luna was oddly gloomy, and Rintarou was strangely bright. “…………” Sir Kay observed the way the two acted for a while. “Aaaaaah!” she shrieked hysterically as if she realized something. “Y-y-y-you couldn’t have…?!” She whipped out of bed and ran to Luna’s side. With tears in her eyes, she examined her whole body. “S-so is that what happened, Luna?! Did he do something indecent to you in your sleep? The kinks of a maniac…and a heretic! I’m so sorry! I can’t believe I failed to protect you from such violence, even while I was right next to you! I, Sir Kay, for the rest of my days—” “Excuuuuuuse meee?!” “Gaaaaah?!” Luna held Sir Kay in her arms and used a German suplex to throw her backwards. “…What are you even doing…?” Rintarou watched the two, looking exasperated. Sometime later… “Why would you jump to that conclusion?!” “I—I apologize…” Sir Kay sat on the bed, shrinking down on herself, as Luna ripped into her. “For starters, Rintarou and I are a lord and her vassal! There’s no way anything you’re imagining could have happened!” “B-but…I just felt that if Rintarou pinned you down, you’d just go right down…” “Did? You? Say? Something?!” “I’m sorry!” Sir Kay turned pale and started shivering. “…Ow.” She suddenly held her right hand and scowled. “…? What’s wrong?” “N-nothing…there was suddenly a sharp pain in my right palm…?” Sir Kay looked at her hand. However, there was nothing particularly out of the ordinary about it. “I thought I had cut my hand on something, but it seems I was just imagining things.” She felt almost as though she had been bewitched as she looked at her right palm. “Hey, guys? Stop fooling around. How about we get some grub? According to Dindrane, we’re close to where we need to be.” “Y-yeah. Let’s grab something to eat.” “…Right.” Shouldering their individual concerns, the three of them left the cabin behind.
Chapter 53
45 min read