Chapter 54

CHAPTER 4 Where the Holy Grail Lies Carrying Rintarou’s group, the boat eventually arrived at a certain island—an expansive piece of land that commanded a view of mountains in the distance and plains and groves of trees as far as the eye could see. Of course, it was no ordinary island. Made inside a netherworld, it apparently projected an image of the British Isles from the legendary era. “I see… You weren’t lying when you said this would be a ‘search’ for the Holy Grail.” “Yes. It is somewhere on this island. I will wait for you on this boat… May luck be on your side.” Upon parting ways with Dindrane, they started their journey without a destination. An expanse of plains. A mountain range. A forest, deep and dark. They emerged on the other side of these natural obstacles, making progress on their trip. Along the way, apparitions had tried to obstruct their path, but they continued to cross the wastelands, stopping by villages and towns to gather information about the Holy Grail. While they continued to doggedly collect intel, they learned that the Holy Grail would appear elusively in various places. There were many reports of sightings when it apparently materialized its miraculous power. Relying on these rumors, they followed the path of the Holy Grail, continuing their journey. “Raaah!” Rintarou’s swords cracked like thunder. A storm of slashes minced the gigantic body of a demon. “Graaaaaaaah?!” It let out a repulsive shriek and flapped its wings in a panic, flying up and distancing itself. “Luna! Let’s go!” “Got it!” With their swords at the ready, Rintarou and Luna charged at the demon side by side. It was all going down in a certain village where they stopped after hearing rumors of the Holy Grail. This place had been controlled by a certain powerful demon. It was gigantic—as big as a house from the ground up—with the face of a lion, the brawny torso of a giant man, four eagle-like wings, and the tail of a snake. It was repulsive—a most terrifying form. The demon ruled over that village through brute force and fear, regularly demanding sacrifices. Rintarou’s group rested at that village during their journey. The village people clung to them the moment they saw the group visiting. “The Holy Grail appeared in front of the village people and told them that the saviors of the village would finally appear.” Apparently. Even though this whole community was a figment of the netherworld, they couldn’t leave it in this sorry state—even without the rumors of a Holy Grail appearance. They decided to take on the request to exterminate the demon. Just when it appeared, demanding its daily sacrifice, Rintarou and Luna intercepted it in the middle of the village plaza. It was a terrific battle. “GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” The demon swung its large arm, raging like a violent storm. The ground was gouged inside out. The buildings had been obliterated as the explosive flames of magic set the village violently ablaze. It was almost exactly like it was the end of that world. The hellish battleground was dominated by a fierce, destructive force. However, Rintarou perilously evaded the demon. “Raaah!” he shouted. When the demon tried to swipe its claw, he whipped its arm away with his left sword and used his right sword to cut into it. “GYAH!” Marvelously, his sword gouged deep into the demon’s breast. “Hyaaaaah?!” Luna launched herself at the demon’s chest when she saw her chance. Using all the weight in her body, she sprang up, aiming her sword tip and lunging at the beast like a gale. Like a pile bunker, that single blow sank deep into the demon’s stomach. “ROOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAR!” As if driven mad, the demon brought its fist down in an attempt to smash Luna’s head, but…a sword flashed once. “…Naive of you.” Rintarou sliced cleanly through its fist, blowing it away. “GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH?!” Shrieking in pain, it applied pressure to its phantom hand. “HRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHH!” Luna yelled. In the same beat, she ripped her sword out of its stomach, leaped through the air, and brought her sword down from above to split its skull. The demon raised another cry of agony. “Heh! You’re not too bad! You’ve really improved, Luna!” “Because you’re the one backing me up, Rintarou!” The outcome of the fight had basically been decided. Without a shred of egoism between them, they made a dynamic duo as they fiercely took on the demon. The townspeople were watching the fight… “Whoa! That’s amazing… They’re overpowering that demon…!” “They’re our saviors… They must be…!” “The Holy Grail was right…!” From some high ground on the outskirts of the village, the people clasped hands as though praying and wept in gratitude. “…Like I said. Things will be fine with the two of them,” said Sir Kay. “You were right! Thank you so much, Lady Knight!” It must have relieved the villagers to have her in full armor, protecting them. The villagers’ faces that had been dark with despair started to brighten with hope. In contrast, Sir Kay looked down. “……” She took in Rintarou and Luna’s battle as it developed below her. They’re strong… They’re completely overpowering that demon… Rintarou and Luna had gotten stronger. He had been powerful from the get-go, but even he had boosted his strength. Luna had undergone a transformation, determined not to lose to him. They had experienced enough carnage to toughen them up. The same could be said for Felicia and Sir Gawain, though they were absent. As for me… Sir Kay looked bitter as she reflected on herself. She knew. She hadn’t improved at all. Even Sir Gawain had talent. For a short while, he’d stopped growing because he was blinded by the allure of glory and depended too heavily on the Sun’s Blessing… Now that he’s abandoned his conceit and remembered his duty as a knight, I imagine he’ll grow stronger than he had been in the legendary era… But that wasn’t the case for her. She’d already peaked. She had no potential. She couldn’t hope for anything more. “……” Sir Kay looked down at the fight once again. If she had fought that demon with her current abilities, she would have instantly died. She couldn’t have even acted as a shield. “…What…am I doing?” When she thought about it, she’d served no use in any of the battles up until this point. She always had been there just to add to their numbers or act as a flesh shield. She might have even held them back. I wonder if I’m just deadweight? Maybe I shouldn’t have come with them…? Sir Kay thought to herself, expression sinking. “There’s no need for you to abase yourself, is there?” Out of the blue, someone spoke up next to her. Sir Kay looked around to find a curious character. The person appeared to be a nomad, wearing a cloak and hood that covered their entire body. The figure was looking down at Luna and Rintarou’s fight as well. It was almost impossible to make out the face under the deep hood…but Sir Kay could assume it was a girl based on the voice. No, she knew more than that. This person had to be… “You’re the one who was on that boat with us! Where have you been?! Why are you here?! Who are you?!” “Don’t worry about me. I’m not anyone important.” She chuckled. Sir Kay caught a glimpse of just her mouth curling up into a smile. “More importantly, what about you?” “What about me?” “…I have a propensity to read people’s thoughts and worries. Maybe it’s because I’ve come across a wide array of people on my trips? Or maybe it’s my ego talking.” She certainly seemed to give off a mysterious air. There was something flighty about the girl’s tone, but she couldn’t hide her intelligence. It soaked through her every word. She was like an otherworldly hermit from the East… “When your group decided to take on this demon, you immediately volunteered to protect the villagers… Why?” “Because I’m weak… I’d be a burden…” Sir Kay lowered her eyes. “I do not think there is any need to belittle yourself. You found something you could do…for their sakes.” The mystery girl cast her gaze down, taking in the battle. “A fight isn’t just about wielding your weapon, aiming directly at what’s in front of you. It can be hanging out in the back, keeping the peace. Because of you, they can fight without worry… And that is a fact.” “…But I didn’t do anything…” “Sure, they’ll be praised by the people. You’ll be lost in the shadows of their glory. Even then, that doesn’t diminish your noble accomplishments.” She sounded cheerful, as if she was smiling at Sir Kay. “You are a finer knight than anyone there ever was. You haven’t changed a bit.” “Huh?” Sir Kay’s eyes went wide. Then, the girl turned her back on the knight. “Unfortunately…humans are born into their roles and limitations. If you want to push past your limits and if you’d allow me to give you a little piece of advice… I say, ‘Ask and ye shall receive.’” “Wait…a second…” “I think you have that right—more than any superior knight, or a decorated one.” She left with those cryptic words. “What does that—” To inquire about the girl’s true motives, Sir Kay tried to follow her, but… ““““Raaaaaaaaaaaaah!”””” “Did they do it?! We did iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!” “Our saviors!” It seemed that just now, the battle below reached its conclusion. Sir Kay’s way was blocked by the villagers huddling closer. For a moment, the girl flashed in Sir Kay’s vision… “Huh?!” And then, she was no longer anywhere to be seen. The villagers were crying from gratitude, delighted that they had been released from the demon’s control. Sir Kay found herself alone and confused, lost in a daze.