In the second-floor bedroom of the Natsukawa house.
Sitting face-to-face with Artoria on his bed, with the Holy Sword lying between them, Naoki stared at her. "Alright, now you can explain properly, Pendragon. Who exactly are you? What was that monster? And how did that situation earlier happen?"
It was half an hour after defeating the monster. After unleashing that powerful beam to completely obliterate the creature, Naoki and Artoria had soared into the sky, found a secluded spot to land, reverted to their human forms, and returned home.
Now, with the monster defeated, it was time for Artoria to reveal everything she knew.
"Yes, even if you didn't ask, I would've explained, Master. However, some things might be hard for you to understand right now, so I need to organize my words and explain in a way we both can comprehend."
That's what she said, but in truth, Merry was the one responsible for the explanation; Artoria was merely relaying it.
After a brief pause, Artoria began. "First, let's start with the monster issue—you're familiar with monsters from what's called Ultraman, right, Master?"
"Yeah."
"In Ultraman, most monsters are man-made or ancient creatures, right? But the monster we just defeated, and those that might appear in the future, are different. They're actually fragments of someone's power. Someone deliberately broke their power into fragments, and due to their nature, these fragments turned into monsters—something like that."
Someone?
Naoki frowned. "You don't know who that person is? Since the monster was created by them, why not just defeat that person directly?"
"Even if that person is defeated, it wouldn't help, because they intentionally split their power. Those powers no longer belong to them. All we can do is defeat the monsters formed from those fragments one by one. And I don't know who that person is either."
No, Artoria likely knew, but given the current situation—Naoki and Manaka's unusually close relationship, even if his memories were false—there was a chance he might act rashly due to those false memories. That was Merry's judgment.
Thus, until everything was clear, it was best Naoki didn't know the mastermind was Manaka.
"Alright, I'll accept that explanation about the monsters for now. I won't ask more. Next question—who are you, really? Why did you seek me out, and why do you call me your Master?"
"I am… a spiritual entity bound to this sword. In Japanese mythology, there's something called a tsukumogami, right? I'm similar to that."
Tsukumogami.
Demons or youkai formed from old objects that absorb resentment and spiritual energy—that's the general explanation.
So Artoria was a similar entity? Or tied to this sword?
Naoki looked at the sword in front of him. "This… is it real?"
"Yes, it's indeed the Holy Sword used by King Arthur in legend, Excalibur. I'm the spirit bound to the Holy Sword… you can think of it that way. And now, the owner of the Holy Sword is you, so naturally, you're my Master. Going forward, in the process of fighting monsters, I'll fully support you."
"I'm the owner of the Holy Sword… It chose me?"
"You could say that. For now, let's leave it at that. I'll explain more details if there's a chance later. That part is something you can't fully understand yet."
Can't understand?
Naoki sighed slightly. "Fine… Then next—why me?"
"You mean… why did the Holy Sword choose you? Or why are you the only one who can defeat the monsters?"
"Both." Naoki clenched his fist slightly. "Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't want to defeat the monsters. I've always lacked motivation for anything, always feeling like it's not something I should take seriously. But earlier, when the monster appeared and during the fight, I genuinely felt fulfilled."
"[Fighting monsters is what I should do with all my strength]—that's what I truly thought at that moment."
"But why? Why me? Why do I have these thoughts? That's what I want to ask."
Explaining this was tricky, as it inevitably involved Manaka.
The monsters are manifestations of Manaka's power fragments, and you're the third Holy Sword user destined to save the world. Plus, with the complex relationship between you two, it's natural you'd want to defeat the monsters.
—A statement like that couldn't be told to the current Naoki. Even if it had to be said, it would be after he regained some of his memories.
"As for that… it's actually the fate of the Holy Sword's user." Artoria echoed Merry's words. "I don't know if you've read the legends of King Arthur. In the legend, King Arthur's archenemy was the White Dragon Vortigern of Britain—fighting existences that destroy the world, preserving world peace. Every person who wields the Holy Sword shares that same fate."
"That's why you want to fight the monsters. When you were chosen by the Holy Sword, you were destined to do so."
"Is this another thing you can only explain to this extent because it's all I can understand for now?"
Artoria nodded.
After a brief silence, Naoki sighed in resignation. "Alright, it seems I can't make you spill everything at once. For now, I'll compromise and accept the explanations you've given."
"I'm very sorry, but I promise you'll learn the full truth someday. That day isn't far off."
"I hope so—then, last question. Our appearance earlier… what was with that giant form? It felt like we merged…"
"That's the power of the Holy Sword. To face a colossal world-destroying entity, we need to become an equally colossal entity. That's why we appeared in that form. The place we were in was our combined consciousness space. Consciousness doesn't need clothes, so… please understand."
That setting didn't really need explaining… After accepting the monster and Holy Sword matters, Naoki wasn't too concerned about minor details like this now.
Reaching out to touch the Holy Sword in front of him, Naoki took a deep breath. "Questions… that's enough for now. If more monsters appear, I'll go fight them. I don't reject that, and when the time comes, I'll need your help, Pendragon."
"Just call me Lia. You called me that earlier, didn't you?"
"That was just a spur-of-the-moment thing… Is it okay? Calling you Lia? Isn't it a bit too familiar?"
"It's fine, it actually feels more natural to me. Besides, we'll be fighting together for a long time. Calling me by my family name would feel awkward." Artoria smiled, pressing her fingertips together in front of her. "From now on, please guide me, Master."
"Oh… Oh, please guide me too."
(By the way, isn't this etiquette for a wedding?)