On the road to the Fuyuki Grand Hotel, at the final intersection before the entrance.
Naoki was stopped by someone.
"Long time no see—well, not really, Naoki."
Her form somewhat illusory, Merry appeared suddenly before Naoki with a fake smile that felt all too familiar to him.
(Is this an automatically triggered illusion? It must've been set to activate when I arrived here.)
After a brief pause, Naoki let out a small sigh. "This time, you really made me suffer. In terms of mischief, this is the worst you've done in the last ten years, Merry."
"Angry?"
"What do you think?" Naoki looked up at the upper floors of the Fuyuki Grand Hotel, now in sight. "You're up there, aren't you? Before I get there, you'd better find a freezer and harden your bones."
"It sounds like you're serious about beating me half to death—no, actually killing me? I suppose what I did to you deserves that kind of response. Should I just run away now?"
"Just kidding."
Merry said with a smile. "This time, I won't trick you again. I can guarantee that what you'll see later is the real me. Whatever punishment you want to give me, I'll accept it."
"But before that, Naoki, you still have something you want to do, right?"
"Mm…" Naoki nodded. "Though I could ask you now, I still want to confirm it with my own eyes… Instead, I have something to ask you, Merry—I never asked before, but this time I want to know. What's your purpose in doing this?"
Naoki wasn't angry about having Arthur's power taken. It wasn't his power to begin with. If Arthur wanted it back, he wouldn't hesitate. He wasn't attached to Arthur's power.
But this was surely Morgan's doing, and Merry was helping her—Naoki wanted to know why she did it.
Even if her answer was just "because it's fun."
"Because it's fun—that kind of excuse won't cut it this time. Though, admittedly, that's a big part of it. After all, at my core, I'm a wicked woman seeking amusement and pleasure. As long as it makes me happy, no matter how cruel, I'll do it."
"But this time, it's a bit different. Besides satisfying my own desires, I also wanted to see something else."
"In grandiose terms… your brilliance."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The Fuyuki Grand Hotel had been emptied of people.
Under Morgan's Magecraft and Merry's illusions, everyone had left the building. Now, only Arthur, Morgan, and Merry remained.
Standing upright with his sword drawn in the lobby, Arthur stared sharply at the main entrance ahead.
Perhaps because the power he gave Naoki ten years ago had returned to him, his strength had increased, but so had his Mad Enhancement level. Though he could still suppress it for now, he wouldn't be able to during the upcoming fight.
When summoned again after ten years, Arthur had initially been somewhat excited. Fighting side by side with his Master again filled him with genuine joy. But now, he only hoped Naoki wouldn't come here.
Compared to ten years ago, he was no longer the same. His core had been eroded by Mad Enhancement, and his mental structure had warped. He was merely a beast wearing the appearance and name "Arthur Pendragon." wielding his power.
Naoki surely wouldn't want to see him like this.
Disappointment, anger, doubt, confusion, sadness, hatred… Whatever emotions he might show, it wouldn't be overwhelming joy. The warmth of a reunion was impossible.
For them, this wasn't a reunion.
*KREK—*
The hotel's automatic doors opened.
Naoki's figure appeared in Arthur's eyes. At the same time, Arthur's form entered Naoki's view.
Master and Servant from ten years ago faced each other once more.
"It's been ten years since we met like this in person." Naoki sighed. "Though I've often communicated with you for various reasons, meeting face-to-face like this—it's the first time in ten years."
"You've changed a lot, Arthur."
Morgan's Servant was Arthur—this was Naoki's suspicion since midday. But now, confirming it, his emotions couldn't help but surge.
Unlike him, this appearance, cursed by Mad Enhancement, devoid of any light in his being—it was nothing like him.
Hearing Naoki's words, Arthur gave a bitter smile. "Then you're the same, Master. Compared to ten years ago, you're like a completely different person."
"Of course. I'm 28 this year, almost thirty. Plus, with my body modified by your power and all sorts of troublesome things, this kind of change is normal."
28 years old.
Exaggeratedly speaking, Naoki could be considered half an adult, though his appearance didn't show it. No one would guess he was nearly 30; some might even believe he was still 18.
"So… though there are still things I'd like to say to you, neither you nor I have much time left, do we?"
"Yes, that's right."
Naoki's time limit for movement was before dawn, and Arthur was heavily affected by Mad Enhancement, unable to hold on much longer.
For both of them, this was the last moment they could use to communicate.
[Nostalgia ends here.]
At that moment, Morgan's voice echoed through the lobby. Her figure didn't appear, her voice transmitted through some kind of magic?
[It's impressive you made it here in that condition, King Arthur—no, you shouldn't be called that anymore.]
"Morgan… you've really done something to spike my blood pressure. Summoning Arthur as a Berserker and taking his power from me—what exactly are you trying to do?"
[No need to tell you. If you want to know, come to the top floor. Your beloved succubus and I are waiting for you here.]
[Now, Berserker—by the Command Spell, I order you: discard your rationality and defeat your former Master with all your strength!]
A red light suddenly fell upon Arthur's body. His face, which had been clinging to rationality, contorted instantly as pitch-black madness radiated from him, his silver armor gradually turning jet-black.
[By the Command Spell, I order you again—until your life ends, you must not stop, Berserker!]
A second red light fell upon Arthur.
If the first Command Spell was barely resisted thanks to his A-rank Magic Resistance, the second Command Spell left him no choice but to let his body be overtaken.
"AAAARRRRRRR—!!"
A beastly roar echoed as the silver knight truly fell into a pitch-black beast!