CHAPTER 2 The Truth “Aaaaaah! But, Nayukiiii! I’m so happy you’re back!” They were at the base—in the lounge of Logres Manor. “I hate myself…! I can’t believe I lost my memories of you!” Felicia hugged Nayuki, bawling her eyes out. “Ah-ha-ha-ha. Don’t be so hard on yourself… I stopped being a human and became something outside the biological kingdom… I had no place in anyone’s memories…” “But I can’t forgive myself! Sniffle! I’m so relieved you’ve come back safe and sound!” “Indeed. Without you…” Sir Gawain patted Felicia’s back as she blubbered. “I’m so happy… Welcome home, Nayuki…” Emma gently wiped away happy tears over Nayuki’s return. “Um, Luna? Did master…Rintarou…do that for you to escape from that being called Balor…?” Emma’s smile clouded over. But Luna didn’t seem like she was in low spirits. “It’ll be fine! He’ll be back before we know it! Plus, Emma, do you really think your crush is so weak that he’d just kick the bucket?!” “Cr—?! Crush…?! Wait, what?!” Emma turned red, overreacting. “Y-you’re right… My master is strong. I’d never imagine him dying because of something like that!” “That’s right. That’s what you should think. We can’t be worrying about Rintarou when we have things to do—things that we have to do!” Luna nodded, looking around. In the lounge were all the remaining contestants of the King Arthur Succession Battle… Sir Kay, Nayuki, Sir Galahad, Felicia, Sir Gawain, Emma, Reika Tsukuyomi (aka Sir Mordred), Sir Dinadan, Nanami Kuonji, Sir Percival, Misha, Sir Palamedes. “…” The air was heavy. Their expressions were dark. Sighs escaped them. Words stuck in their throats. To put it plainly, they were hopeless. There was no way around it. Anyone would be in the same position if they came across such evil. “Anyway.” Luna ignored them. “Now that we’ve gotten a chance to breathe, give me the lowdown about Balor and King Arthur—about whatever’s going on behind the scenes with the King Arthur Succession Battle…” Luna glanced at Sir Galahad and Nayuki before turning back to Felicia again. “Before that, Felicia, what happened on this island? Why has Avalonia become such a mess?” “Let me explain… Well, I guess we don’t have a clue what’s happening, either…” Felicia shook her head. She was choosing her words carefully. “While you went on your search for the Holy Grail, we embarked on our treasure hunts for the Holy Sword, the Holy Spear, and the Holy Stone in the netherworld. That went well. We got our hands on them. It was so easy that it was a little anticlimactic…” “Huh? What? Was it really that easy? That’s not fair.” Luna recalled her own experiences, looking unhappy. “Well… I don’t think it was just easy. It seemed they wanted us to take the treasures and bring them back to the real world. A trap,” Sir Palamedes said. “How so?” Luna asked. Felicia continued. “We were ecstatic about bringing the great treasures back. Suddenly, dark spirits started to rise from the prizes…and terrifying things began to descend on us.” “Oh, right. King Pellinore came from the Holy Sword, Sir Balin from the Holy Spear, and that beast came from the Holy Stone…which gave rise to the Questing Beast,” Sir Percival added. “Yes, that’s right,” Felicia said. “It’s like the spell that allows Kings to summon Jacks, using Round Fragments. When the three monsters appeared, the entire island had turned into a netherworld. The Curtain of Consciousness was already punctured from that dark witch. Apparitions started to invade from the illusory world through the holes.” “…The Curtain of Consciousness is damaged, huh…?” Luna remembered the handiwork of the witch in black from when they had dealt with Emma. “At the same time…,” Felicia added. “Dark Castle Camelot manifested in Area One, and King Arthur appeared before us. I can still hardly believe it… Why did this happen…?” She breathed out a huge sigh and held her head. “King Arthur is going to lead those apparitions, which are increasing by the minute, to cause the Wild Hunt… Hmm.” For a while, Luna looked like she was deep in thought. “All right! I don’t get it even in the slightest! Explain!” Bwsh! She pointed at Sir Galahad. “Ah-ha-ha-ha… Fine. I’ll tell you what I was told by the Three Goddesses of Fate when I crossed worlds with the Holy Grail in the past… I’ll explain things chronologically. It might take a while. Don’t fall asleep on me.” Sir Galahad started to speak in front of everyone. “Let’s go back to the beginning of the world. It was back when gods were among humans. There were two divine families: the Dananns and the Fomorians.” “Oh, you’re talking about the Lebor Gabála Érenn.” “That’s right. The Dananns believed the gods existed for humans, because people created god, and thus people should rule the world. They guided humans and served as their protectors. The Fomorians believed the gods existed to rule the world, since they were stronger than humanity. They disdained people and dominated them. Their ideologies were never going to align.” “…Which means they had to have a war, right?” “Right. During the Second Battle of Mag Tuired, Lugh—god of light—from the Dananns defeated Balor—the Evil Eye—from the Fomorians, securing their victory. The Dananns chased many of the Fomorians into the illusory world, Tir na Nog. That’s just straight from the Lebor Gabála Érenn… But well, that was the start of it all.” “Seems the story is already something that’s out of our hands…” Luna looked sleepy. Sir Galahad smiled wanly. “After the Fomorians were chased into Tir na Nog, the Three Goddesses of Fate—Morrigan, Badb, and Macha—hatched a plan to make this the real human world, even though it still contained both real and illusory existences. They wanted to create the Curtain of Consciousness, so humanity could live without depending on gods. They strengthened people and created a clear divide between where the gods and humans resided. Even though the gods guided them, humans feared apparitions, which slowed progress…” “…So even the gods had their hardships.” “The Three Goddesses of Fate formed an organization called the Dame du Lac to carry out their plan. They bestowed power to the first Dame du Lac, Vivian, and indirectly intervened with the human world. They forced progress onto humans and solidified the Curtain of Consciousness. Tying this plan together was King Arthur. They tried to get the ‘perfect human king’ to bring public order to a world running rampant with apparitions and wrecked from wars. He was to prove that humans were strong, thus completing the Curtain of Consciousness.” Sir Galahad continued. “But this rubbed some people the wrong way. Like Balor, the Evil Eye, leader of the Fomorians who once ruled the world. He wanted to regain control, stripped from him by the Dananns, and rule again. The Curtain of Consciousness is like a net. Someone strong like Balor couldn’t come back to the real world, and he was desperate to stop the solidification of the barrier. King Arthur was in his way. So Balor came up with a plan. He pushed himself into an erotic dream and forced a human to birth Merlin—half human, half Balor. On his son, he placed a curse to select King Arthur and kill King Arthur before sending him to the human world.” “He would select King Arthur and kill him…?” Luna parroted quietly. Sir Galahad nodded. “This curse was so wicked, it wouldn’t stop at obliterating King Arthur’s body. It would eat his soul. Killed by Merlin, King Arthur would be erased from existence. But Merlin had no idea. He was guided by fate to come upon the king and serve him. He became a close friend—all without knowing that he would someday kill him. But…” Nayuki boldly cut in. “Lady Vivian, the head of the Dame du Lac, realized Balor’s intentions. Before Merlin could kill Arthur, Lady Vivian gave me—Nimue—an order… I sealed Merlin away and killed him.” Nayuki faced her truth, unemotional, but a suffocating silence followed her confession. “…To continue.” Sir Galahad tried to stave off that mood. “With Merlin, fated killer of King Arthur, out of the picture, King Arthur unified Britain, as the Dame du Lac anticipated. The Curtain of Consciousness was complete. As civilization developed, it became stronger. Gods and apparitions became distant. They should have disappeared completely. Balor’s plan should have gone nowhere. But…” “…Balor came up with another plan… Right?” Felicia asked. Sir Galahad nodded. “That’s it. Balor had a secondary objective. He knew his plan to murder King Arthur would fail…since the three goddesses and the Dame du Lac were keeping him under a strict watch. That was why Balor had secretly contacted Morrigan—youngest sister of the Three Goddesses of Fate—and joined forces with her.” “…Hmm? Morrigan?” That sounded familiar. Like in the legends of King Arthur… Sir Galahad replied to Luna. “Morrigan and Balor joined forces and made their move…to destroy the Curtain of Consciousness… In other words, they headed toward the Catastrophe. Badb and Macha, the remaining two of the Three Goddesses of Fate, prophetically warned the Dame du Lac about Morrigan and Balor. To prevent the end of the world, the Dame du Lac held the King Arthur Succession Battle, but that itself had been Balor and Morrigan’s trap.” “…Wha—?!” “Did you know the Holy Sword, the Holy Spear, the Holy Stone, and the Holy Grail—key to this battle—were originally the four treasures of the Érenn from the Lebor Gabála Érenn?” “…The Holy Sword was Nuada’s, the Holy Spear was Lugh’s, the Holy Stone was Lia Fáil’s, and the Holy Grail was Dagda’s… I think?” “That’s right. The Dananns granted them to humans when they returned to Tir na Nog, but…Balor had a part of his spirit enshrined in the Holy Grail.” Luna realized she was holding her breath. That was fresh in her memory. During her quest, Luna had encountered that evil that dwelled in the Holy Grail… “The four treasures are spiritually connected. So the corruption in the Holy Grail transmitted itself to the other treasures over time. There was a curse on them that they would summon monsters connected to them, if they were brought back to the real world. It’s kind of like when you summon Jacks with Round Fragments. King Pellinore is connected to the Holy Sword, as the one who broke Excalibur. Sir Balin brought ruin to a kingdom through the Dolorous Stroke, connecting him to the Holy Spear. The Questing Beast swallowed the Round Table, establishing a link to the Holy Stone. There’s a knight with a connection to those three artifacts, deeper than anyone. Right? That’s…” “… King Arthur…!” Luna gritted her teeth. “Yes, but don’t get the wrong idea. King Pellinore, Sir Balin, and King Arthur are heroes in their natural state. But their personalities can be heavily influenced by their summoner. Their current versions have been contaminated by Balor, dominated by the dark side of heroism… Reverse Jacks, so to speak. King Pellinore let a maiden be killed, crazed by battle; Sir Balin ruined a kingdom; King Arthur murdered children. Heroes with guilty consciences, all of them. They make perfect Reverse Jacks. Maybe they would have been this way even without prompting.” “It’s possible… My father…,” Sir Mordred muttered as if coming to terms with something. “Do you get it now?” Sir Galahad asked. “This was all a trap to have Dark King Arthur start the Wild Hunt, demolish the Curtain of Consciousness, and allow Balor to advance into this world. King Arthur is like one of Balor’s own… He’s the enemy of the world, plain and simple.” “What…?” Luna groaned, slumping. “So the King Arthur Succession Battle to avoid world annihilation is a one-way ticket to world annihilation?! This isn’t funny! Couldn’t those goddesses prophesize something useful for once?!” “They can only see the rough course of fate and the results of things. They apparently can’t see the details. Humans have infinite possibilities and divergences…or so the goddesses said.” “Ugh, useless!” Luna said. Sir Galahad smiled wanly and started the main part of the story. “But there’s a pitfall to Balor’s trap.” “What pitfall?” Luna scowled. “You don’t know? Though Balor set up the King Arthur Succession Battle to bring about the advent of Dark Arthur…someone might be born to oppose Dark Arthur and Balor.” “You don’t possibly mean…?” “That’s right. The true King Arthur. The one to excel in the original King Arthur Succession Battle and ascend the throne. The existence of this individual would get in the way of Balor’s plan… He’d need to make this person disappear. Isn’t that right?” Nayuki interrupted again. “Balor used Merlin, reborn in this era… He used Rintarou, Luna, to deal with you.” ““““Huh?!”””” Everyone stared at Luna. “W-w-wait?! What’s going on?! I-it’s not like I’ve been selected as the true King Arthur yet… Well, I have been bragging about being the best fit, but…?!” “Didn’t I tell you? Merlin will ‘select King Arthur and kill King Arthur.’ It’s a curse, but it means he can detect the true king.” Sir Galahad looked straight at Luna. “It’s not enough to Balor to just kill you. Even if he did, you’d inevitably be born again in this world and become king. It’ll just delay the problem for a god with all the time in the world. Plus, it would spell more trouble if he lost sight of your whereabouts. If he’s going to kill you, he’ll need to do it while he knows where you are. Which is why Merlin needs to kill you, tied to the curse of destroying you. It gives birth to a certain paradox. Luna… You’re meant to succeed King Arthur. It became your destiny as soon as Rintarou Magami selected you. No one else can become King Arthur now.” “—?!” Luna took it in with mute amazement. “The specter of Morrigan was always with Rintarou. For him to kill you, Morrigan needed Merlin’s power to awaken. She must have carried out plans to do that…but Rintarou didn’t kill you, Luna, even after his true powers as Merlin were realized,” Nayuki said. “It seems your bond with Rintarou…conquered fate,” Sir Galahad added. “Lady Badb and Lady Macha of the Three Goddesses of Fate informed me that this might be possible if your bond deepened…but I hadn’t been able to speak about it until now because of a vow—a geas—with Lady Vivian…” “That’s enough,” Luna said firmly. “That’s enough.” “… Luna…” “I’m sorry, Luna… I understand why you might be angry…” Nayuki and Sir Galahad lowered their eyes, looking apologetic. “I imagine you trained to become King Arthur as if your life depended on it…but now you know you’re just a pawn of some game controlled by the gods… I see why you’re angry. I’m sorry…,” Sir Galahad repeated. The room was silent now. Tmp, tmp. Luna came around to Sir Galahad from behind. “You know, you’re…” “Hmm?” Luna wrapped her arms around Sir Galahad’s neck… “You were planning on leaving this world with such vital information?! Are you stupid?! Before you apologize about some random nonsense, why don’t you start by apologizing for that instead?!” “Gah?! Yow! Ow-ow-ow! I-I’m sorry!” She was wringing Sir Galahad’s neck, bringing the knight down. Everyone blinked in shock. “Gah?! Ack! Uh, um… Aren’t you mad, Luna?!” “Obviously! I’m seething, dummy! Communication is key!” “Not about that! I’m talking about how the gods were toying with you!” “Huh?” Luna looked at her like she was a strange animal. “Sir Galahad… You might be the immaculate paladin or the holiest saint or whatever, but it seems you’re missing a brain with that package.” “Y-you’re so mean!” “Why would I be angry? I don’t give a crap about the gods a world over.” Luna released Sir Galahad and pointed at her. “I’m going to become the king—a king who he can be proud of! That’s what I want, and that’s why I’ve fought until now! I don’t care about whatever is going on backstage! Those self-proclaimed directors should keep their opinions to themselves and watch until the finale! Isn’t that right?!” “—?!” Even Sir Galahad was at a loss for words. “Now we know exactly what we need to do! We’ve gotta beat the pulp out of Dark King Arthur! Stop the Wild Hunt and save the world! And that’s that!” “…” “I like this world! I love the human world where actions today mean consequences tomorrow! We won’t be ruled by some gods, so I don’t care what they think or want! I’m fighting for the sake of our future!” …Light started to return to the eyes of the dejected group, like smoldered embers blazing again. “That’s right… You’ve always been this way, Luna…” Felicia stood up. “I was daunted by gods and King Arthur and other almighty beings… But that’s not why I wanted to become king… You think the gods decided this? You think it was fate? Simply not true! I live! I exist! I live this way because I want to!” “…Yeah. I was about to make another mistake…” Sir Mordred got to her feet. “I vowed to atone for my past sins and become a king who would save the people this time… This is the time for me to show my resolve…! Why would I be afraid, just because we’re going up against someone too powerful to fight against…? Why should I fear King Arthur…?!” “I’ve also made my decision.” Sir Gawain stood next to Felicia. “Sorry Felicia… I had my doubts. I swore fealty to King Arthur in the past and wondered if I should have gone back to serving him as a knight again… King Arthur was so great that he made me question myself…” “Sir Gawain…?” “But he’s both King Arthur and he isn’t. I can’t ignore that. I need to right my wrongs. And I’m convinced…you’re the one I should serve. I offer my sword and soul to the noble king who stands back up, even when she’s knocked down.” “Ha-ha-ha… Do what you want, Mor.” Sir Dinadan gently gave Sir Mordred a pat on the shoulder. “You’re going to be turning your sword on King Arthur in this life, too…but it takes on new meaning. Do what your heart tells you. I couldn’t do it in your last life, but this time, I’ll watch where you head until the very end.” Sir Mordred’s face turned red as she looked away. “Hm-hmph! You better help in the battle, if you’re going to talk big! I think you’re forgetting you’re weak!” “I’ll fight, Luna.” Even Emma—sans Excalibur and Jack—stood up, though she’d lost her tools to be king. “I was forced into this. I didn’t want to become a king. I don’t think my heart has completely healed… To be honest, saving the world and its humans isn’t an idea that comes naturally to me. But the time I spent with you, Master, Nayuki, Sir Kay, Felicia, Sir Gawain… That’s time I can’t ever re-create.” Emma stared straight at Luna as if challenging her. “I’m the weakest link, and I don’t have the honorable motivations like all of you or the makings of a king… But if we can bring back those good times…I’ll fight! Please let me join you!” “Me too, Luna!” Sir Kay declared, as if it was a given. “I can’t stand to see Arthur like that! As the king, he was too kind, which was why he wasn’t fit to rule…but he wasn’t the type to destroy the world, even if he did make mistakes… As his older sister, I’ve got to drill that into him. He’s been tempted by evil and led down the wrong path!” Next was Nayuki. “This all stemmed from the hubris and deceit of the Dame du Lac… As the last remaining member, I have the duty to fight… Well, duty has nothing to do with this. I feel the same way as everyone else. I love this world and our time together…so I’ll stay by you until the end, Luna.” “I’ve been listening to you for too long…Luna Artur…!” Misha joined in, even though she had the hardest time buying it. “Don’t you understand you’re up against the King Arthur…? I mean, he showed you just how much stronger he is…and broke your Excalibur, and you’re still wanting to fight?! I won’t accept you… You make it seem like I’m the inferior one!” “Not ‘seem,’ Misha. You are inferior. Got it?” “W-watch it! Fine! I’ll be the one to beat you! I just need to put this situation to rest first!” Even timid Nanami spoke up… “I-I’ve been running away my whole life… But I want to help you with my Excalibur…even if I can’t fight…” They were roused to action for their own reasons, but all the Kings had one objective. “Ha-ha-ha. Look at us! My army is awesome. We’re going to win, huh.” Luna thrust her chest out, planting her hand on her hip as she smiled in satisfaction. “…You’re amazing, Luna.” Sir Galahad looked at her, deep in thought. “Even though your principles and convictions don’t match, even though they were drowning in despair,” she whispered in admiration, “you rallied them up. You might just have the making of a true king.” “Why are you stating the obvious?” Luna shrugged. Sir Galahad smiled. “Ah-ha… May I ask you something, Luna?” “What?” Sir Galahad lowered her voice so others couldn’t hear, which made Luna frown. “You’ve been defeated once by King Arthur. Your Excalibur is broken… Do you really feel like you’ve got a chance?” “Who knows. I don’t know; that’s for sure.” “But you’re still facing him?” “Why shouldn’t I? It’s not about winning or losing. I’m fighting because I have to fight, and I’m winning because I have to win.” Sir Galahad seemed surprised, somewhat. “How are you…so strong?” “Hmm?” “All of us think going up against King Arthur is an impossible task… It’s not even about his physical strength. We’re intimidated by the authority of this great king. Why aren’t you?” “Heh-heh! Do you think the world’s best boy—who I want to make my vassal more than anyone—would serve a person who was intimidated by someone like King Arthur?” “!” “I mean, he promised he would serve the world’s best king. So I need to be the best. There’s no other reason.” “I see… So it’s Merlin…Rintarou Magami…” Sir Galahad smiled mischievously. “Even a great king thinks highly of Rintarou Magami, huh. I guess he possesses an honest heart that thinks of Nayuki. An iron will to hesitatingly take on the rear guard to protect you from evil after the Holy Grail quest… Ha-ha… You’ve piqued my interest in him.” “Hmm? Did you say something?” “Nothing. Okay, Luna, let’s prepare to fight,” Sir Galahad urged. “Heh-heh-heh. Sure is nice being young… Yeah, I think that would be for the best. Time for a strategy meeting.” Sir Dinadan grinned. “We had three setbacks in our earlier battle: the enemy’s unexpected arrival, our inability to work as allies, and our lack of force… Now we have Luna as a leader, Sir Kay’s sword, Nayuki’s access to the Holy Grail’s power, and the ace up our sleeve—Sir Galahad. It’s looking more promising than before.” “Hmm? Finally showing your resourceful side, Sir Dinadan.” Sir Mordred snorted, watching him. “That’s the only thing you can do. Rack those brains of yours for knowledge.” “Ha-ha-ha. Harsh… Well, I do need to make myself useful.” “So that’s that!” Bwoosh! Luna swung open her arms. “We’re gonna start a Round Table discussion to beat the living crap out of our silly ancestor—starting…now!” The hour of the final fight was drawing nearer. — It was a day in the distant past. “Ugh! What do you think, Accolon?! Isn’t that letch the worst?!” “Ha-ha-ha. Sir Gertrude’s lustful attitude is certainly a problem…” “All he sees are my face and my body! He won’t see me for who I am! Who the hell would get in the sack with him?!” In the garden at Castle Camelot, a man and a woman were seated at the table, sipping from teacups. Morgan and Sir Accolon. “Ugh… They all either fear me for being a witch or use the worst pickup lines because they’re after my body! Not a single good man is on this side of the world!” “On this side of the world? Sometimes, you say the strangest things, I swear. Anyway, you’re beautiful when you’ve got your mouth shut… You’re to blame for the former issue, you know.” “W-w-watch it! Accolon, you don’t have enough going for you to be so rude! Do you think you’re worthy of expressing your opinion to me?!” “Oh, so now I can’t even state my mind? I apologize, Princess.” Sir Accolon smiled—he didn’t even look like she hurt his feelings—and took another sip of his tea. “Well… I guess you’re a weird man yourself, Accolon,” Morgan said curiously. “What about me is weird?” “Well… Didn’t I make a rather aggressive advance on you when we first met?” “Oh…that.” “Any man would follow me right to the bedroom if I tried. But you weren’t swayed at all. You didn’t respond or deny me. You evaded me… You’re so dry for your age.” “…Let me be.” “But it’s not like you’re scared of me like the other cowards. I mean, you’re talking with me now…and you don’t seem to have any ulterior motives. You’re so strange.” “Average. Boring. A wallflower… I’ve been called many things, but no one has called me strange. I thought my main trait was that I was ordinary.” “Shut up. That’s not a trait. There’s nothing redeeming about you. You have no gifts. Your first mistake was trying to find a way to stand out at the Round Table, when you’re so average. Know your own place.” Morgan drained her tea. “Ouch… Maybe I’ll stop coming by to see you…” “What?! Uh! I, well, um! Th-that was a joke! It was just a joke!” “Which part?” “Uh, the part where I said………?” “Please tell me it’s when you said I was ordinary! I don’t care if you have to lie! You’re going to make me cry!” They continued their banter as if they were old friends. Time seemed to pass when they were gently quarrelling… “…Hey, Accolon? Why do you spend time with me?” Morgan propped up her chin in her hand. Even though her mind was usually filled with wicked schemes, she seemed actually interested for once. “I hate saying this myself, but I imagine I’m an annoying one.” “Annoying, you are. And egoistic, unpredictable, arrogant, jealous, short-tempered…” “Urk! You’d be a dead man if you said that any other time…but I need you to answer. Why have you involved yourself with me?” “…” Sir Accolon looked away, silent for a while… “…I guess because you looked lonely.” “Huh?” “You do whatever you want—seducing any man and confounding those around you with your plots…but you seemed terribly lonely, like a kitten abandoned by the roadside… I just couldn’t leave you be.” “—?!” Morgan was too stunned for words, as if she’d been struck by lightning. “This conversation is over.” Sir Accolon shook his head, embarrassed. “Anyway, I’ll give you attention when you need it… So can you stop causing so much trouble for everyone else…?” Morgan shouted like a child having a temper tantrum. “Sh-shut up! Shut up! You’ve gone too far, Accolon!” For some reason, her face had gone bright red. Morgan had fallen in love with the average knight Sir Accolon… It didn’t take her long after to realize this was the first time she’d fallen in love. Some might say they were made for each other. Or it was like water to a thirsty soul. Morgan’s world changed now that she was in love with Sir Accolon. Gone was the monotony. Everything was so vibrant. She’d come to find the boring world stunning and amazing. She was starting to think she’d done the right thing by becoming a human and giving up on being a god. When would she see him next? Morgan waited for Sir Accolon like an impatient child. During her cherished times with him, she teased Sir Accolon, who acted like he was growing tired of her jokes. I would have done anything for him… This was the first time in her life that a single human was so precious to her. I wouldn’t have minded offering my body, my mind, my soul, or my existence as a god to him…if that’s what he wanted… But Sir Accolon didn’t want anything from Morgan. All he did was quietly stay beside her—the notorious witch, the target of derision or desire. Sir Accolon sought nothing from her. As a witch, I could have given him riches, political influence, military honor, prestige…but he didn’t want anything from me… Maybe it was because he was normal—surprisingly so. Maybe he just didn’t want any of those things. What made him an average knight was his loyalty to King Arthur. That’s it. I wanted to express my love for him… I wanted to do something for him… I couldn’t stand other people calling the most wonderful man in the world average… I wanted to give him the highest honors and position, even if he didn’t want it… I mean, that’s the only way to express how I feel or repay him for saving me from loneliness… That was why Morgan had come up with a plan— — “…This is unusual, Morgan.” Morgan whipped around when someone spoke to her from behind. “Something on your mind? You look like a lovesick maiden, daydreaming about her love.” “…None of your business. Keep your nose out of this, Mr. Kujou.” Morgan turned around to find Mr. Kujou and Sir Lancelot. They were on the top floor of Dark Castle Camelot—in the throne room. Morgan had been staring into the twilight—burning bright red—from the window, mind weaving through her memories. “…What’s the status of the situation?” she asked. “Ah yes, the Wild Hunt is progressing as planned. It will proceed when the clock strikes twelve, as the folklore has stated.” “Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha… I see… So it will…” Morgan nodded, satisfied. “It’s been so long… An eternity, almost… And in a little bit, I’ll…” Her face softened when it was usually cold and inscrutable. The doors to the throne room burst open. Making an appearance was… “’Sup. I’m home, Morgan…” King Arthur wore a smile, placid but somehow ill-boding. “…Hmph.” “Make waaaay! The king has retuuuuurned!” On standby at his side were Sir Balin and King Pellinore. “Arthur…!” Morgan glared at him. “Oh, Sis… Seems someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” “Says you…” “…Sigh. Do you really hate me? I mean, all the stuff with Sir Accolon was kind of your fault.” “…Grah… I know! But I still…!” “We might have bad blood between us…but let it go for a moment. Aren’t we working for the same goal?” Morgan went silent. “I’ll destroy the Curtain of Consciousness with the Wild Hunt, bringing the Catastrophe. Then I’ll eliminate the boundary between the real world and the illusory world to destroy the human sphere. As kin to Balor, I will rule over the world as the demon lord, and you’ll…” “…Shut up! I know! I’ll fulfill my role! That’s what I’ve been working toward and what was in the contract! I’ve torn the Curtain of Consciousness on this artificial island, meddled with the magical ceremony, and even performed the ritual to summon apparitions and Dark Castle Camelot! Except the new Arthur hasn’t been killed by Merlin, due to some miscalculations…” Morgan looked away. “Don’t worry about it,” Arthur said. “Sometimes, humans go past the expectations of god and fate. We’ll work with what we have to carry out our duty…” King Arthur smiled contentedly. “Lord Souma Gloria…Kujou, was it? Thank you for working with me. I’m looking forward to both of us fulfilling our desires.” “The pleasure is all mine… The once and future king… A true hero who has appropriately revived that title in this modern time.” Mr. Kujou smiled derisively. “And Sir Lancelot…I’m happy to see you again,” King Arthur said to the knight next to Mr. Kujou. “…I am as well, my King.” It was the only time he spoke with emotion, expression stolid. “I’m afraid, my King, that my master in this life is Lord Kujou alone. I can’t wait upon any other ruler. I hope you’ll forgive me, if only for that.” “Don’t mention it… It’s enough that we get to fight on the same side again.” “Whaaaat?! My King! You can’t possibly be planning to give the honor of participating in the Wild Hunt to these jesters!” King Pellinore objected. “I mean… Sir Lancelot rebelled against you. Even if it was your idea, I can’t accept him in your hunting party in good conscience,” Sir Balin growled, staring down Sir Lancelot with a glint in his eyes like a wild beast. “I may speak out of turn, but can they even stand alongside us?!” King Pellinore asked. “The strongest in the Round Table?” Sir Balin scoffed. “Hmph… He was granted that title after the wars were long over. I don’t find it merited in the least.” “…I welcome you to test me,” Sir Lancelot murmured. That was the trigger. Sir Balin disappeared—closing the distance between them to swipe at the knight. Claaaaaaang! Metal shrieked against metal. His feet made a sonic boom that blew out the walls in all directions. BWSH! A sword twanged in the ceiling. Standing with their backs to each other were Sir Balin and Sir Lancelot, who had finished following through with his swing. “…Hmm? Nice.” Sir Balin wore a ferocious smile. “I never would have guessed you’d send one of my swords flying… Seems your title was no joke. Good technique. No one in our era had a sword like yours.” Sir Balin—knight of two swords—had lost his left blade to the ceiling. “…I should be praising you. You live up to your fame, as one of the strongest of the early Round Table.” Sir Lancelot sheathed his sword to indicate they were done. “You’re faster than the rumors. If you didn’t hold back, who knows what could have happened?” “Quit it. I bet you haven’t even shown a glimpse of your true power.” “…Maybe. I wonder if I could keep up with you, if that was all I had.” “A crafty man. I’d like to have a real fight to the death with you at some point.” The two knights praised each other… “Hmmm? Tricks? Speed? You think you’re so sly! Raw power is the only thing that makes someone strong! You need to put on more muscle!” King Pellinore evaluated, unmoved by their exceptional session. King Arthur grinned, watching their antics. “It seems we’ve reached a conclusion. I’m happy that I get to start the Wild Hunt with only the best of men.” He turned to them all. “We need to get on the move… Tonight, the world will end. I’ll bring an end to everything I created…” It was all beginning to move. The countdown on destruction had begun. All would happen when the clock struck midnight. And then everything would be over.
Chapter 66
30 min read