Vol 10 Chapter 3 (1/2)
Chapter 3 - Two Kings, Encounter
Part 1
Reportedly, a particular hypothesis was proposed six years ago.
The location of delivery was in France, at the little port town of Saint-Malo
in the region of Brittany.
A well-known vacation destination situated near the tidal island and
monastic commune of Mont Saint-Michel.
The speaker was occupying a terrace seating at a certain restaurant.
Named Alexandre Gascoigne, indeed he was the famous Black Prince
Alec.
”What you proposed just now, could you reiterate that again, Alexandre?”
”Don't make me repeat myself so many times. I believe the legend of King
Arthur is a catalyst the medieval Witch Queen, the first Guinevere, spent
painstaking eons to prepare. For the sake of accomplis.h.i.+ng some sort of
colossal magic. Or perhaps it could be described as a type of magic circle.”
Catalyst? The listener, Princess Alice, was intrigued.
A particular substance used to ensure the success rate when performing
specific magic -- this was called a catalyst.
For example, black lotus and rose petals in powdered form are used as a
catalyst to enhance [Sleep] magic.
”...Using the King Arthur legend as a catalyst? In order to accomplish some
kind of magic?”
”King who manifests at the end of eras. It's definitely a spell for summoning
the strongest [Steel].”
Alec said as he sliced open his baked pigeon pie. No food was placed
before Alice, for she was unable to ingest anything as a spirit body.
”For the Divine Ancestors' ultimate purpose of bringing forth the 'King of
the End' again, that is the pertinent spell. The ritual for summoning a
[Heretic G.o.d] from the Domain of Immortality... You should already know
that.”
”Of course. Don't ask a stupid question of that sort.”
As a side note, this type of colossal magic was accomplished two years
later by Marquis Voban.
Using Wagner's Nibelungenlied as a catalyst, the heroic deity Siegfried
was summoned. He ended up being slain by the sword of young Salvatore
Doni.
”There are apparently three [Keys] to the success of this secret art.
Witches and miko with outstanding powers. A priest bearing fanatical will
and desire for a G.o.d's descent. And finally, to provide the summoned G.o.d
with a material body, myths... the stories widely circulated amongst
peoples and countries in the world.”
Without myths, G.o.ds could not exist. Alice nodded as soon as she realized
Alec's reasoning.
”The first and second conditions can be easily prepared by the Witch
Queen herself. But the last one, that of myths, is impossible to fulfill by one
person's power alone. Which is why the previous Guinevere--”
”Ah yes. That was why she devoted her efforts to expanding and
promoting the Arthurian legends under her supervision.”
Alec poured wine into his gla.s.s then moistened his throat with it.
”The twelfth century serves as a boundary to mark a significant change in
the nature of King Arthur's legends. At that time, a local hero who only had
a fanatical following in Britain was promoted in France, and from there to
the rest of Europe. The troubadours received support from the Count of
Anjou and the Duke of Aquitaine as well as various n.o.bles with deep ties
to the English royal family, and went to work writing stories in praise of
King Arthur as if competing against one another.”
”As a result, King Arthur became one of Europe's most notable heroes.
Anyway, Alexandre.”
Discovering what had caught Alec's attention, Alice spoke.
”What you're saying is that the previous generation's Guinevere-sama had
promulgated King Arthur's legend for the purpose of summoning the 'King
of the End.' All those troubadours who sang praises to the Knights of the
Round Table -- had received a.s.sistance from an organization that worked
behind the scenes.”
There were many authors in Medieval Europe during the twelfth and
thirteenth centuries who published stories about King Arthur and the
Knights of the Round Table. Since many of them used pen names, their
true ident.i.ties and histories were mostly unknown. On the other hand,
based on the content, it can be a.s.serted that many authors were
well-versed in the occult.
”The ones you found concerning, are probably the Cisternian Chretien de
Troyes, Hartmann who joined the Crusaders, as well as Wolfram von
Eschenbach, Robert de Boron... These poets, right?”
Alice listed the names of many poets in detail.
”Scattered amongst their works ~ especially the parts related to chivalry
and the Holy Grail -- is a substantial amount of occult knowledge inherited
from the Knights Templar.”
”From the fact that many of these people belonged to the Knights Templar,
evidence can be found that the parent organization was formed from
members of the Priory of Sion and the Cisternians. Furthermore, the
majority of n.o.bles who sponsored the poets were intricately linked to
knightly orders of the English royal family.”
The Knights Templar. Officially known as the ”Poor Fellow-Soldiers of
Christ and of the Temple of Solomon.”
The mage organization which established the foundations of Europe's
magic a.s.sociations.
”The Knights Templar most likely had some sort of connection to the first
Guinevere. I fear it was probably along the lines of her providing instruction
about the spells and knowledge of Divine Ancestors... In actual fact, the
spell words of David and the essence of smiting-level combat magic, these
techniques that only paladino-ranked knights are permitted to read should
have many portions influenced by witchcraft...”
Two years after his first encounter with Guinevere-
Alec and the Divine Ancestors had apparently devoted themselves like
idiots to unraveling the mystery of the 'King of the End.' This probably
contributed to making him so talkative on this occasion.
”Alexandre. According to the secret records of witches I investigated, the
previous generation's Guinevere-sama was murdered around the end of
the twelfth century during a chance encounter with a Campione.”
Alec nodded proudly at the information Alice provided.
”I knew it, the same time period. But I have a different interpretation. It is
likely that the previous Guinevere died before her conspiracy could bear
fruit, as a result of running into obstacles during the summoning of the
'King of the End.'”
”...Can we be certain that the present Guinevere-sama intends to resume
the plans of the previous generation?”
The Black Prince and White Princess had discreetly entered Brittany due
to finding out that Guinevere was about to begin the ritual for summoning
the ”King of the End.”
”Well yes, and it most likely failed already...”
”What are you talking about?”
”Rather, purely in terms of summoning Arthur, the ritual was a success.
Even though she is a narrow-minded woman who overlooks everything she
doesn't want to see, her abilities are special as a Divine Ancestor.
Nevertheless, it's probably too late.”
Alec seemed to be showing a kind of lonely expression. The answer to the
mystery he had devoted so many years to pursuing, was finally in sight.
Losing his all-consuming goal and pa.s.sion seemed to be filling him with a
sense of forlornness.
”Almost a thousand years have pa.s.sed from the time the plan was put into
motion. This interval is sufficient for a 'new G.o.d' to be born. Try recalling
Thomas Malory's origins.”
The fifteenth century English knight, Sir Thomas Malory.
This was the time period when the main role on the battlefield held by
knights was being displaced by firearm-equipped infantry.
In a society where the knighted gentry was in decline and centralized royal
authority was expanding, Malory was one of those fallen knights. Fallen
into depravity, he escaped prison many times and was repeatedly jailed for
committing various crimes such as failed a.s.sa.s.sination, rape, robbery,
stealing domestic animals, etc.
But in the modern world, he would be remembered as the author of Le
Morte d'Arthur, a work renowned as the definitive compilation of Arthurian
legends.
”Malory was not a mage. He referenced earlier existing works -- rather, he
was a rascal who connected them together superficially. However, his
definitive edition was indeed widely circulated amongst the people, and
received independent development.”
”So throughout this millennium, King Arthur became a new war G.o.d instead
of the 'King of the End'?”
”Ah yes. Even writers of Templar descent added commandments and
philosophies of taboo, causing the story content to surpa.s.s the intentions
of the previous Guinevere, and thus the legends became bloated.”
Alec seemed to be speaking in tones of regret.
”The French royal family used the legend of Charlemagne to publicize their
prestige and authority. Attempting to do the same, the English royal family
used the Arthurian legends thoroughly as a tool to strengthen royal
authority. The end result was, embellishment of the hero King Arthur
continued unabated, producing an image that deviated greatly from the
original.”
Charlemagne. The King of the Franks during the eighth and ninth
centuries. Also known as Charles the Great.
His territory not only included modern France, but extended to Germany,
Spain and Italy. The greatest conqueror in medieval Europe.
However, the great king Charlemagne was not only a ruler recorded in
history, he was also served by twelve great heroes.
He was the subject of magnificent heroic legends rivaling those of King
Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
”Myths are what forms the body and spirit of a deity. Since the myths of
King Arthur the hero have been altered, the hero who descends from those
myths will also change. If you look at it that way, it is only natural.”
Draining his wine gla.s.s in one gulp, Alec ended the conversation.
A fortnight later, the summoning of [Heretic Arthur] proved the correctness
of his hypothesis, causing the current generation's Guinevere to enter a
state of partial insanity.
G.o.dou listened to Erica and Liliana as they explained the hypothesis
regarding King Arthur.
Having read the report, the knights recounted its contents to G.o.dou on the
return flight. Yes, it was the return flight leaving England and bound for
j.a.pan.
Changing their plans due to the emergency, G.o.dou and his group decided
to hurry back home. On the following day after the visit to Cornwall, they
managed to obtain tickets for a flight to Haneda Airport.
”So this is the 'principle' Alice-san mentioned.”
G.o.dou nodded. As a side note, Yuri was not present.
In order to solve the mystery of Lancelot, she had stayed back with
Princess Alice. It was a difficult decision taken only because neither the
Black Prince nor Lancelot could be left unchecked.
”By the way, Mariya said something about Sarmatae? What is that?”
”In all the battles you have experienced so far, G.o.dou, you've heard the
name of the Scythians many times, right?”
”Sarmatae is one of the equestrian tribes under the Scythian lineages... A
belligerent tribe that went into decline despite being as battle-capable as
their ancestors the Scythians.”
Erica and Liliana simultaneously provided explanations.
”Compared to the Scythians, the Sarmatians had the advantage of armor
and spears forged from iron. They possessed the stirrups to support heavy
armament, and established squadrons of heavily armed knights which
surpa.s.sed the lightly equipped Scythians.”
”Iron armor and spears? Somehow that doesn't feel very nomadic?”
G.o.dou remarked at Erica's explanation.
His impressions of equestrian tribes consisted of people lightly equipped
with leather protective gear and wielding bows and arrows as their primary
weapons. Hence Liliana joined in:
”During the second and third centuries, their heavy armaments ushered in
a new age. The other tribes that had fought against the Sarmatians -- the
Goths began to use the same armaments. The Roman Empire recruited
Sarmatians as mercenaries and volunteers, a.s.signing them to various
provinces across Europe. This resulted in their armaments being promoted
throughout Europe...”
”Their armor and spear became the prototype for the fully armed knight.
Such speculation has been proposed.”
”So Lancelot is the war G.o.d of that equestrian tribe?”
Erica contemplated G.o.dou's question for a moment before answering.
”It's possible. However, Sarmatians and Scythians are both peoples who
have died out a long time ago. Even though there are small groups of
people who are considered their descendants, the myths they circulate are
different from their ancestors.”
”So in the end, it is impossible to judge until we receive notice from Mariya
Yuri and the Princess.”
Liliana sighed as she spoke.
Burdened by these mysteries, G.o.dou and his companions sank deeper
into their airplane seats.
Part 2
”Traveling back and forth between j.a.pan and England over four days and
two nights, is really tiring after all...”
G.o.dou could not help but grumble as he finally stepped out from the airport
floor tiles and onto j.a.panese soil once more.
Even though he was young and vigorous, this was indeed a very hectic
itinerary. When G.o.ds traveled to Europe, it was probably like normal
everyday travel for them...?
”Sometimes I think to myself, one way to go on such trips would be to
become a player on the national team representing j.a.pan or something
like that.”
Or perhaps, a lightning fast trip necessitating a weekend in Europe.
No matter which, none of these were reasonable schedules. Normally,
arranging trips for three to five nights would be more appropriate.
”Even though the exhaustion is quite unpleasant, the complete lack of
elegance is the main problem. Traveling should be far more leisurely, an
undertaking that should be comfortably enjoyed in a foreign country.”
In a rare moment, the usually cool and magnificent Erica was complaining
with a tone of annoyance. Next to her, Liliana also responded with extreme
displeasure.
”Really... Well, if Black Prince-sama's personality is truly as rumored, then
his motivations are not impossible to understand.”
The group had departed on Friday night and were now arriving back in
j.a.pan on Monday afternoon, the last of their three-day weekend. This was
probably akin to a military forced march.
Nevertheless, dozens of minutes later, G.o.dou and his group were taking
yet another holiday flight.
”Sorry for your troubles. But a picture is worth a thousand words. I think it's
best for you to get a firsthand view of the castle of strange rock that has
appeared in Tokyo Bay.”
Amakasu explained in the helicopter.
Due to the noisily spinning rotors, his voice was rather difficult to hear.
Finally arriving at Haneda Airport to end their long distance journey, G.o.dou
and his group had been contacted by Amakasu. Let us survey
magnificently from the air -- just as suggested, they headed off to an old
staging area near the airport. It was hidden in a corner amongst many
decrepit hangars whose ancient age was evident.
At a s.p.a.cious vacant lot indicated by Amakasu, several helicopters were
waiting on standby.
”I pulled some strings beforehand to prepare by borrowing some j.a.pan
Coast Guard helicopters. In fact, both Coast Guard and news agency
helicopters are kept inside this hangar here.”
And so, the helicopter took flight.
The interior of the mini-helicopter was rather cramped. However, this was
G.o.dou's first helicopter ride and his curiosity was piqued as he surveyed
the inside of the cabin and peered out at the scenery outside.
Naturally, Erica, Liliana and Amakasu also came along. There were also
two pilots, most likely affiliated with the Committee. They simply
acknowledged G.o.dou without saying a word and focused on operating the
aircraft.
The helicopter reached the Tokyo Bay airs.p.a.ce soon after taking off.
”Getting too close would have troublesome consequences, but we cannot
start without looking at the real thing.”
”A castle of strange rock? Will it be the cause of rumors?”
An island that suddenly surfaced in Tokyo Bay. It was far too ridiculous and
abnormal.
G.o.dou's worried inquiry was met with Amakasu shaking his head.
”It's a small island, but luckily nothing of that sort has happened yet. Only
those related to s.h.i.+pping and a couple fishermen have discovered it so far.
Information control is currently underway. Oh yeah, there are Coast Guard
facilities nearby, so of course they also know.”
This portion of Tokyo Bay faced Tokyo, Kanagawa and Edomae of Chiba.
Not only the s.h.i.+pping industry, but fishery also flourished in these parts.
Infamous in the past for its murky polluted waters, Tokyo Bay had
benefited from multi-decade efforts in ocean purification. Thus great results
had been achieved such as vast gains in the fishery yield.
...In any case, this sea had many users so information control was very
difficult.
G.o.dou was filled with sympathy as he thought of Amakasu and his crew's
labors. Well, the petrification of the Trans-Tokyo Bay Highway the previous
week was probably even worse.
”Late last night, Committee-affiliated personnel sensed a great explosive
increase in magical power in Tokyo Bay. They wondered if it was the
appearance of a [Heretic G.o.d] -- and entered high alert. Flying on
helicopters, they attempted all sorts of reconnaissance.”
G.o.dou looked down at Tokyo Bay's great expanse as he traveled in the
helicopter flying in the sunny holiday sky. As long as he ignored the
exhaustion from the long trip, it was actually quite a pleasant experience.
”Next, in the very center of Tokyo Bay ~ in the sea right between
Yokosuka and Cape Futtsu, an island that had never existed until a few
hours ago was discovered.”
As a side note, Yokosuka was a city situated in Kanagawa prefecture. It
was also the location of the Yokosuka military port and an American
military base.
On the other side, Cape Futtsu was in Chiba prefecture. G.o.dou recalled
the map of the Tokyo Bay area. Compared to the commotion centered at
the artificial island of Umihotaru last time, the current position was further
south and closer to the outer sea.
”Also, this is an island holding a terrifying amount of magical power. When
I found out from Kusanagi-san that it was basically the doing of Prince
Alec, I thought to myself, that explains everything.”
”...What is that?”
Liliana narrowed her eyes as she gazed at a certain spot in the air ahead.
”Is that a cloud...? Feels very unnatural.”
”What sharp vision, as expected of a witch. If all that happened was simply
the surfacing of a terrifyingly shaped island, then there's no actual harm
done. However, things are not so optimistic. Ah yes, it should be visible
now.”
Prompted by Amakasu's words, G.o.dou began to focus his eyes as well,
forward beyond the pilots.
A spiral of clouds stacked together lay ahead. It resembled the type of dark
cloud cover which heralded the arrival of a thunderstorm. s.h.i.+fting his gaze
downwards from there, G.o.dou figured it out.
I see, it's the castle of strange rock. An exceptionally terrifying island was
floating right there.
It was covered by unevenly shaped rock. From a distance, greenery and
soil were completely absent. All that could be seen were black walls of
rock, rock beds and rock surfaces. It was really like a small island.
”In terms of area, ah yes... About ten hectares or so. It's probably easier to
grasp if I describe it as the size of an amus.e.m.e.nt park.”
As expected from the appearance, it was not very large.
The center of the small island rose up like a mountain. A mountain of black
rock almost fifty or sixty meters tall. This uneven mountain was also
reminiscent of an ogre's face, which must be why Amakasu called it the
'castle of strange rock.'
Furthermore, completely surrounding the island-
There were rocky reefs which would cause s.h.i.+ps to easily run aground.
”...Could it be that no one has successfully approached the island so far? I
can feel an extremely unsettling presence coming from those reefs.”
”Oh, right on the money, Liliana-san.”
Amakasu praised the silver-haired knight for her question.
”All the boats sent to approach the island for investigations have been
wrecked. Very clearly, the reef is an impediment. When the pa.s.sengers
jumped into the sea with their lifejackets and began swimming furiously,
somehow they all ended up far away from the island.”
”So there were no casualties?”
”Fortunately none so far. Due to the quick action of the rescue boats, all
personnel were successfully saved.”
G.o.dou was relieved to hear Amakasu's report.
”Not sure what kind of mechanism it is, but lingering in the immediate
waters of the island results in drifting to the coast -- various places at
Kanagawa and Chiba.”
”Doesn't that make it something like the Devil's Sea?” [1]
”Yes, indeed. But for a Devil's Sea to appear in Tokyo Bay, it's really no
joking matter.”
”Perhaps, this could be the [Labyrinth]'s doing.”
Listening to G.o.dou and Amakasu, Erica spoke up.
”What's that?”
”An authority of Prince Alec's. From a report personally written by Princess
Alice, it is the power usurped from Minos the G.o.d of the land and the
labyrinth.”
The authority to create labyrinths above and underground.
In addition, it was not limited to creation. Existing places and structures --
whether official residences, buildings, underground tunnels, forests or even
mist, anything could be turned into a labyrinth in accordance with Alec's
wishes, Erica explained.
”It is well within reason that the use of this authority on the sea can
produce something like the Devil's Sea.”
”Ah... So we really should have gone with this possibility that we had
suspected. Actually, there's yet another troublesome concern.”
Amakasu was muttering emphatically when Liliana suddenly cried out.
”Ex--calibur? No, Divine Sword of Salvation! The same light as the lance of
Sir Lancelot!?”
”What's up, Liliana?”
G.o.dou asked the knight who was staring in shock at the island surrounded
by dark clouds and rocky reefs.
”Is it really some kind of spirit vision?”
”Y-Yes. Sir Lancelot's holy lance -- the same light could be seen being
released from the island for an instant. Also, there was the name of the
sword.”
”Divine Sword of Salvation. The personal blade of the king who manifests
at the end of eras. Sacred steel.”
Liliana explained as she expelled a deep breath, followed by Erica's
murmurs.
On the other hand, Amakasu seemed to be scratching his head with great
worry in response to the knights' statements.
”Ah... Kaoru-san also received the same kind of oracle as Liliana-san.
Then there is no doubt. Something unimaginable is lying dormant on that
island.”
”Is this all of that Gascoigne guy's doing? What on earth is he planning...”
”It's also related to the Heavenly Reverse Halberd. Things have really
become very troublesome...”
While G.o.dou muttered, Erica was puzzling over the situation next to him.
For Erica to show such a reaction when she had always been the one who
led everyone else by the nose, the only ones G.o.dou knew who could
accomplish such a feat were Salvatore Doni and Luo Cuilian. In short, only
G.o.d-slaying Campiones.
Black Prince Alec was apparently as talented as his peers in this regard.
G.o.dou and his group discussed their concerns and views as the shaky
helicopter ride continued.
The helicopter appeared to be avoiding the airs.p.a.ce of the ”Floating
Island” as much as possible, and basically circling it once.
Along the way, the wireless communications in the cabin sounded and
Amakasu picked it up.
”Yes. Eh? Guinevere has been sighted at the remains of the excavation
site?”
Another member of the History Compilation Committee seemed to be
contacting him. As Amakasu listened intently to the detailed report, G.o.dou
steeled his determination and signaled to Erica and Liliana through his
eyes. That was sufficient. The red and blue knights immediately nodded in
response.
”We will make a brief visit. Perhaps some useful information can be
obtained.”
G.o.dou patted the shoulder of the young man of ninja descent.
G.o.dou was sick and tired of being played by the Black Prince. Pa.s.sivity
could not be allowed to continue. Action must be taken with initiative to
change the situation.
Noticing G.o.dou's resolve, Amakasu nodded in acknowledgement as he
continued his communications.
Part 3
The helicopter carrying G.o.dou and the rest was still flying in midair.
Opening the cabin at this time would be extremely dangerous.
Nevertheless, such recklessness was indeed required for the sake of using
□liana's flight magic.
Violent winds suddenly swept into the cabin as the door opened!
”But Kusanagi-san, if you encounter Guinevere, Lancelot could also
appear!? What are you going to do in that case!?”
”No! I don't think it's likely!”
G.o.dou and Amakasu grabbed onto nearby objects to steady themselves
as they yelled above the noise.
As if trying to stop the strong winds from overwhelming their voices.
”On what basis!?”
”Guinevere's personality!”
”G.o.dou's right! Considering her usual caution, 'Avalon' where the King of
the End sleeps must be near. I don't think she will be taking unnecessary
risks!”
Erica chimed in. She was right.
Judging from the many actions the Divine Ancestor had taken in the past, it
was apparent that she was an extremely cautious woman. She would not
use her trump card so easily.
...Well, as for Lancelot himself, who knows? Whenever the white war G.o.d
enters a frenzy, he becomes a battle maniac who even forgets whom he
should be protecting... That was what G.o.dou felt.
”Then let us depart! Hold on tight!”
Finis.h.i.+ng the preparations for the ritual, Liliana yelled.
G.o.dou and Erica each placed a hand on the blue knight's shoulder.
Immediately, blue light burst forth and they took flight. The destination was
the beach at Kisarazu-
The place where the Heavenly Reverse Halberd had been excavated last
week.
A lone red torii stood on the empty field which still showed clear signs of
excavation by heavy machinery. Rather than this spot, Guinevere was
standing closer to the beach, across the windbreak plantation.
Over there. She was motionlessly gazing at the sea.
Her blonde hair wavered gently in the breeze. Her wondrous girlish eyes
s.h.i.+mmered with brilliance. Also, that exquisitely beautiful face like an
antique doll's -- Divine Ancestor Guinevere indeed.
Held in her hands was a bronze-colored disc.
Perhaps some kind of alloy, for it appeared to be colored like a mixture of
iron and gold. Guinevere embraced it with tender affection.
As if it were the relic of someone she held dear-
”Salutations. Would you be offended by this manner of greeting,
Kusanagi-sama?”
She must have noticed. Guinevere immediately turned around.
Greeting with a curtsy as she held the hem of her black formal dress. All of
a sudden, the disc disappeared from her hands.
”I'm in a particularly bad mood, so quit it with the formalities.”
G.o.dou responded coldly, the two knights standing on his left and right.
Erica and Liliana were each clad in their respective capes of red and blue,
readying themselves for battle.
”Then let me offer my utmost apologies. The act of borrowing Your
Highness' power a few days ago was truly impertinent.”
”Let that be. In the end, I also made use of your power.”
G.o.dou replied indifferently to Guinevere's apology.
”On the other hand, interference in my conflict with Athena cannot possibly
be forgiven. I believe the debt you owe will be repaid one day.”
G.o.dou was speaking in a cold tone of voice that even surprised himself.
There was no anger at Guinevere and Lancelot for interfering in his duel
with his enemy. Neither was there any hatred. All that was present was the
conviction of ”an eye for an eye.”
”I believe that day draws near. You should better prepare yourself.”
”Yes, certainly. Guinevere and Sir Knight are both keenly aware that the
next encounter with Your Highness is inevitable. By the way,
Kusanagi-sama, for the sake of caution, would you mind listening to
Guinevere's question?”
”What?”
”Are you the one who raised the island where both the king who manifests
at the end of eras and the Divine Blade of Salvation sleep -- Avalon?”
Avalon. A location repeatedly mentioned recently.
The island of the fairies where England's hero King Arthur sleeps. As the
legends go, after fighting his nephew Mordred, he waited for his revival
while his wounds were being healed on this island...
”No, it wasn't me. It seems to be that guy, your old pal.”
”As expected... Guinevere also thought the same. It is most likely an
invitation Alexandre-sama sent out for Guinevere.”
A shadow of worry entered Guinevere's eyes as she gazed at the vast
open sea.
”That person continues to hara.s.s without end! For him to have discovered
before Guinevere the land of hopes that she seeks, and locking it away
with his labyrinth authority, how truly contemptible...!”
A statement of hatred. G.o.dou was stunned for a moment.
This emotional outburst was completely different from what he had
witnessed from Guinevere all along. With only a superficial smile
remaining, that wondrous lady-like demeanor was gone, and the intense
emotions hidden in her heart revealed themselves.
To think this witch also had a side like this -- how unexpected.
”By the way, didn't you mention the Divine Sword of Salvation just now?
Isn't that the spear Lancelot was wielding last time?”
”No, it is the relic belonging to the King of the End.”
Guinevere replied indifferently to G.o.dou's change of subject.
”Our master is the strongest immortal hero. Nevertheless, after
vanquis.h.i.+ng all the G.o.d-slayers, he enters a dormant state akin to
temporary death. While he restores himself from the state of exhaustion,
he readies himself for his next coming -- when multiple Devil King
Campiones roam free, threatening the world.”
In other words, lying in a state of suspended animation, waiting for
Campiones to be born?
The strongest [Steel]. G.o.dou nodded, finally learning the true state of the
sleeping one.
”When Master enters sleep, his body dissociates and a.s.similates itself with
the earth in order to acc.u.mulate its essence. When that happens, his
remains appear in the form of a divine sword, marking the land like a
tombstone.”
”Remains appearing in the form of a divine sword...”
”Human magi seem to be calling them names with the likes of dragon
bones, angel's remains, sacred relics. Guinevere had polished those
remains once more to become Sir Knight's lance. Nevertheless, it is merely
a fake. Only the one wielded by its owner the 'King of the End' can truly be
the Divine Sword of Salvation.”
The Witch Queen once again stared out at sea, towards where the
treasure she desired lay.
”Guinevere and other Divine Ancestors are the miko who served the 'King
of the End.' When Master arrives again, all of us shall hurry forth to serve
under his command. However, so many G.o.d-slayers have already been
born in the past millennium. Even so, Master still has not descended upon
us once more.”
Guinevere lamented her situation poignantly.
”We Divine Ancestors seek our sleeping Master, hoping Master will
descend again. In our long and arduous search, many remains in the form