"If you have a contracted spirit and I have a contracted spirit, we can talk about the law. If you hold a knife and I hold a knife, we can talk about rules. If you are empty-handed and I am empty-handed, we can talk about reason. But if you have a contracted spirit and I only have a sword, then the truth lies in your hands. If you have a contracted spirit and I am empty-handed, what you hold isn't just the truth but also my life. The concepts of laws, rules, and morality only hold if they are based on equality. The harsh truth is that when power speaks, everything else goes silent, no matter how true your words are."
It had been a few days since his contract with Beatrice, Roswaal was surprisingly happy about it and even threw a little feast. In the coming days, Artorius would spend his time wandering around the mansion, annoying Ram and Rem in the kitchen and reading various books ranging from fairy tales to the constitution of Lugunica's law system.
His reading session led him to spend more time with Emilia, as Roswaal had provided her materials from various fields containing dry knowledge that all rulers needed. His learning speed surprised even Puck before he eventually started tutoring Emilia.
They both eventually reached the law section of knowledge, and, of course, Emilia, being the innocent fluffball she was, questioned him on why people broke the law all the time.
This led to a philosophical lesson as Artorius taught her about the dark side of the world. The meaning of power and how society itself functions in the shadows. He told her about things that commoners would deny and nobility would scoff at, but Emilia's reaction was different.
"Then, how would you solve this?" She asked him. Her eyes seemed to have this glint that he couldn't put together.
"Well, that's a difficult question," Artorius replied, stroking his now beardless, smooth chin. "It's possible, but it depends on what you're willing to… sacrifice."
"Sacrifice?" She questioned with confusion.
"Yeah, sacrifice. Humanity is a beast that cannot live without suffering, and that is because they are free. They have the freedom of choice, and they make bad choices, they have to in order to know which ones are actually good ones. They can choose to abide by the law or defy it. So, if you take away their freedom…" He let her make the inferences on her own.
"But you said that laws hold if they're based on equality. So isn't that a way?" She asked, trying to counter his rather pessimistic views with his own words.
"It certainly is." However, contrary to her expectations of his arguing back, he actually agreed. Did this mean her idea of building a kingdom where everyone was equal was possible?
"However, before you veer deeper into that, you should keep in mind that humans and demi-humans are social creatures and as long as society exists, so will social hierarchies. In this sense, no one in society can be equal. People are special, each one of them, but that also makes them so troublesome. Since they are all so special, they will always be different."
"Oh…" She sulked.
"Geez, Artorius you meanie. Look, you made Lia cry." Puck jumped into conversation, placing himself between Emilia and Artorius.
"I am actually being nice here. If I were serious, you wouldn't even have had a chance to think of an argument, much less speak, and the same goes for your opponents." Artorius reasoned back. "However, all-in-all, you've come quite far, respectable far from the first day. Your biggest weakness is your kindness, Emilia."
He looked at her eyes. Though not sulking anymore, she had a much stranger reaction. She was… self-deprecating? His eyebrows raised in question.
"You're… amazing, Artorius. You know so many things, and you're good at anything and everything you do." Was she shaming herself for not being the same?
"Although I won't deny the compliment, you should stop that." She looked confused at his words.
"Never think that I am without mistakes. All I have is the knowledge I gained from reading two or three books every single day. If I tried to integrate many of them into practical applications, I would mess up big time, you know." He got just a bit closer to her. "If you could, behind my many perfections, you'd see a mountain of mistakes."
A pregnant silence took over before Artorius broke it with a light chuckle.
"Say, Emilia, wanna go on to the village tomorrow?"
"Eh? Why?" She flustered. She was a half-elf, or to the rest of the world, a half-devil. In the past, she had attempted to interact with people, but it never turned out well.
"Don't ask me that. You know better than to act dumb. If you're going to be a ruler, you're going to have to present yourself to the people." He stood up. "Change of plans. We're going now. Rem also said the mansion was short on some supplies, so it's perfect."
"Eh? Wait! I'm not ready for this!" She protested, but grabbed her by her shoulders and stopped her panic.
"You will never be ready, Emilia. That's life. All you can do is… take a leap of faith." He grabbed Beatrice and bolted out of the room.
***
"Rem? Ram?" Artorius called out before pushing the door open. "I need to speak with you two."
The twins were in the kitchen—Rem cleaning the counters with habitual care, and Ram sipping tea with a permanent expression of vague irritation.
"I was just about to find you, Lord Artorius," Rem said with her usual monotone, though her eyes flicked with caution.
"Oh? And what do we owe this intrusion to, I wonder?" Ram's voice lilted with sarcasm as she set her teacup down.
"I'll be going to the Arlam village," Artorius announced simply.
Rem paused in her wiping. Ram raised an eyebrow.
"For what purpose?" Ram asked, as if it were her mansion he was leaving from.
"Well, staying in the mansion and reading books all day is nice, but it has gotten quite stale. I need to flex these old bones, so I thought to explore some more. "
Beatrice let out a small 'hmpf' and looked away.
"A fine enough excuse, I suppose," Ram mused. "As it so happens, we're short on flour, herbs, and some perishable goods. Rem."
"Yes?" Rem asked, standing straight as if receiving military orders.
"Would you accompany them and restock our pantry?"
Rem blinked. "Of course, sister."
Artorius glanced at Ram. Her voice was cool, but he could see the faint tightness in her posture. Interesting.
"I suppose that settles it," he said, turning. "Let's go."
Rem quickly gathered her things while Beatrice walked lazily behind, clearly annoyed but not resisting. Puck settled comfortably on Emilia's shoulder, offering a half-hearted yawn as they departed from the mansion gates.
…
The flames in the fireplace crackled softly as Ram sat on Roswaal's lap, her back straight and her gaze calm.
"So," Roswaal said, swirling a glass of wine in his hand, "did you do what I asked?"
Ram nodded once. "I coaxed Rem into joining them."
"Splendid~," he sang, lips curling with pleasure. "But you don't look very pleased with yourself."
Ram's face remained unreadable, but her eyes held a glint of unease. "I'm not."
He tilted his head, intrigued. "Are you… concerned?"
Her response came after a pause. "Yes."
Roswaal raised an eyebrow. "About Rem?"
Ram shook her head. "About him. Artorius."
Roswaal's amusement dimmed slightly, though he didn't stop smiling.
"The scent of the Witch clings to him. It wafts like smoke, and in the days he's been here, it's like we've been… suffocating."
"Mm. And what about Rem?"
"She avoids him whenever she can. Says his presence feels like… punishment." Ram said.
Roswaal raised an eyebrow. "A strong feeling, for someone so silent."
"She doesn't trust him," Ram said. "And neither do I."
Roswaal's voice lost its singsong lilt. "But you obeyed."
Ram looked down at the empty glass in his hand. "Because you ordered it." Her gaze sharpened. "But still… Why him, of all people?"
"Because if he joins our camp," Roswaal said, swirling the wine one final time before draining it, "We win. No matter what."
***
"Alright, everyone, straighten your backs, hold firmly onto your sticks, and follow me! HYAH!"
""""HYAH!""""
Rem stared with a mixture of fascination and uncertainty at the scene in front of her. The villagers, mostly the children and the teenagers, there were even some older men and women, all swinging sticks and wooden swords like soldiers in training.
And in front of them, the one who was responsible for the ruckus.
"Good cry!" He praised, "However, some of you still don't move like you are supposed to! Come on, try again! This is for your own health and well-being!" He yelled to them, "Swing with me!" He raised the wooden sword and swung it down perfectly, "HYAH!"
""""HYAH!""""
"Good! Come on! Ten more swings like that! HYAH!"
""""HYAH!""""
Rem did not expect to see anything like this when she returned from her shopping. When they entered the village for the first time, the man seemed fascinated by it. While he was busy looking around, he did not attempt to talk to anyone, and the villagers seemed hesitant to approach him, especially with Emilia by his side.
She left him alone for barely forty minutes, buying food and other necessities. How did he manage to gather and coordinate this many people, strangers at that, in such a short period of time?
"Big Bro, look! Look! I left a mark on this piece of lumber!"
"Hoo, pretty impressive swing, Luka."
"I have experience helping my dad! He is the best lumberjack in the whole village!"
"I see, keep doing this and I'm sure you will reach his skill soon!"
"Of course, Big Bro!"
The boy, Luka, seems so happy with the praise given by the charming blonde.
"Lord Artorius, I designed these clothes."
"Hmm, this is quite an exquisite design. A bit crude, but quality nonetheless."
"Really? I made this for you! I'm sure it will look good!"
"Huh? But I'm a man, Petra, this is a dress..."
"Lord is h-handsome and cool! S-So, I think Lord Artorius will look great in a dress too!"
(A/N: Eh Er EhEr!)
'Hold the mic, Kendrick.' Artorius deadpanned. "... I... I... appreciate the compliment but I think it would suit Lady Emilia much better."
It wasn't hard for Rem to see that the girls, children, as well as teenagers, were charmed instantly by him. And Artorius himself seems to be quite content with their presence.
"Ahh, it feels refreshing to move around like that." An old woman commented while the sweat from her forehead.
"Indeed, it's been a while since I moved these old bones with such force." An Old man close to her replied with a smile, "It's tiring, but somehow I feel refreshed and happy."
"Sport and exercise are healthy." Artorius said with a lecturing look, "Shouting out loud also raises your spirit. Even if you're old, that doesn't change the fact that you are still more than capable of taking care of yourself!"
"True, true. Very wise words from someone your age, Alex-kun." The old man praised him with a smile.
"Wise, good-looking, charming, gentle and good with children. Ahh, if only I were thirty years younger." The old woman let out a dreamy sigh while holding her cheek "I wouldn't mind one or two rides with you."
"Hm… Gilf, huh? Well, if it's you from thirty years ago it would be a Milf, so I wouldn't mind."
"Hey, stop bothering Betty, I suppose." Beatrice threatened the children, attempting to pull her into their playgroup. "Tch, leave Betty alone. Betty isn't interested in playing with a bunch of children."
"But you're also a kid." A brave one pointed out.
"Betty is not!" She stomped the ground. "Betty is older, way older than you amateurs, I suppose!"
"Alright, that's enough." Artorius came from behind and picked up Beatrice by the arms. "Sorry, Beatrice here is a bit shy." Beatrice squirmed in his arms, but eventually relented to his grasp, murmuring something along the lines of, "Not fair…".
"Oh, you're done, Rem?" He asked as he finally noticed her presence.
"Yes, sorry for making you wait for Lord Artorius." She apologised.
"Not really, it is fine." Artorius replied kindly, "I did enjoy the free time I had while you were shopping."
"Rem can see that." Rem's gaze was drawn to the group of children gathering behind him.
"Ah, it is Remrim!" Luka chirped happily.
"Hello, Rem!" Petra greeted her too.
"Hello to you all." Rem greeted all of them with a kind voice.
"Well, I guess since Rem is here now, we will take my leave," Artorius said with a small smile.
"Ehhh? Are you leaving so soon?" Petra looked very disappointed, judging by her sad face.
"Big Bro should stay longer!" Luka said with a pout.
"Sorry, sorry, as much as I want to stay longer, I can't." Alex replied sounding quite regretful, "I have my own schedule to attend and so do Rem and Emilia." He explained to the whining children, "Besides, it's already close to night. How about I visit again tomorrow?" He offered, he turned to Rem after saying that "That is fine right?"
"Lord Roswaal has said that Lord Artorius is a guest and resident of the manor. Lord Artorius is free to do whatever he likes." Rem informed, making the young man's smile brighten.
"Hear that? I will come back tomorrow."
"Promise?" Petra asked with large and shimmering eyes.
"Yes, yes, I promise." Alex promised while raising one hand as a gesture "A Knight's promise is absolute, I will visit again tomorrow."
With that, the group parted from the children. Alex said goodbye to the elders and others he had chatted with before leaving.
"Those are quite the supplies you bought," Artorius commented as he saw the barrels and bags Rem had brought. "How long does this last?"
"Two weeks."
"I see, let me help you then." He picked up the barrel and tossed it onto his shoulder as if it weighed nothing.
"That's not necessary, Lord Artorius, Rem can handle it on her own," Rem said as she glanced at the barrel.
"I know, but lugging around this amount of stuff by yourself must be troublesome," Artorius replied, patting the barrel. Judging by how it felt when he lifted the thing, it must be packed full. And yet for him, it was just like lifting a plastic bag. "So, it's okay if I want to help, right?"
"Of course, Lord Artorius." Rem nodded in acceptance, she could see the logic behind his words.
"In that case, I shall help too." Emilia jumped in, grabbing a bag in her hands. She had been hiding under her cloak the entire trip, only occasionally talking to some of the kids who approached her.
They walked through the forest, following a dirt road leading them from Arlam village to the manor. It was a quiet trip, completely different from the buslining activities of civilization.
"So, did you enjoy the trip?" Artorius asked, breaking the silence.
Emilia glanced at Artorius. "I did the people were nice and easy to talk to." Her mind drifted to Petra, who had actively joined in a conversation with her, "But meeting the children and people there was great. But, I couldn't do it without my cloak."
"I see." He nodded. "Well, baby steps."
"How about you?" Artorius asked the blue-haired maid, "You and Ram seem quite popular in the village, but you barely said a word to them."
"It's because Rem and big sister usually visit the village to buy supplies for the manor. But other than that, Rem and big sister have no business with the village."
In other words, they only know them because Rem and Ram are working as maids in Roswaal's Manor, the one who is responsible for the area and land around here. The relationship is strictly business, they are mere acquaintances.
"I see... so did anything interesting happen?" He asked.
Rem tilted her head in slight confusion "What does Lord Artorius mean?"
"Were there any interesting events? In the last few days, I pretty much isolated myself in the manor. I was blind to the World, it's all getting a bit boring so..."
'Makes sense,' Rem thought, "Nothing special happened."
"I see... what a shame." Artorius sighed in disappointment. Rem was sure the man was sulking. Eventually the group reached the manor by sunset, at the gate they saw a familiar face.
"Welcome back." Ram greeted the group.
"Good to see you again, Ram." Artorius greeted back.
"I am back, sister."
"Thanks for waiting, Ram."
"I shall prepare for dinner now." Rem declared before taking her leave with the groceries she had procured alongside Ram.
"Well, then. I have some things to do with Betty after this, so I will take my leave. And be sure to review today's lesson." Artorius reminded Emilia, like a teacher to his student.
"Yes!" She replied. "See you at dinner."
"See ya!" He parted ways with Emilia and Puck, grasping Beatrice's little hands.
"..." Emilia stood there for a moment, staring at Artorius' back.
"Today was quite fun, huh?" Puck came out of her hair, commenting on her day so far, to which Emilia nodded her head.
"Yeah. It was… fun." For her, it was a wonderful day in a while.
What could possibly go wrong?
***
"Rem!" Ram kneeled over the bedside, grasping her sister's hand and crying her eyes out. On the bed, Rem's pale figure remained motionless, her breathing was weak and laboured.
"Artorius," Emilia called out to the newly arrived visitor.
"What happened?" He asked.
"It's Rem, she fell down when making dinner, and now she isn't waking up. Her breathing is getting weaker and weaker. Can you do something?"
"Let me check first." He walked forward only to be interrupted by a slash of wind cutting at his armoured chest.
"Stay away!" Ram screamed at him, glaring with eyes filled with hatred and accusation. "It's all because of you! Because of you, Rem is now like this. I should've killed you the moment I smelled the scent of the witch on you!"
"What a baseless accusation, I suppose." Beatrice cut in. She would not allow her contractor to be badmouthed. "Betty and Bubby had already made sure that he didn't have any malicious intent, so what are you throwing a tantrum for, I suppose. As far as Betty can see, this is the work of a curse, a disgusting one at that."
"A curse!?" Emilia questioned.
"Are you sure, Beatrice?" Artorius asked, addressing her not by her nickname, showing his seriousness.
"Yes. Betty is sure. It is the type that slowly drains mana from its target. It is also hard to detect even after it has activated." She could infer just that much from looking at Rem's condition.
"Can you remove it?" Emilia asked.
"No. It might already be too late, I suppose."
"... I see." Artorius let go of Beatrice's hand, prompting her to look at him. She squinted her eyes as a strong gust of wind blew, and Excalibur, coated by Invisible Air, appeared in his hand.
He took a step forward.
"No! Stay away! El Fura!" Ram cast a wind spell, sending a slicing cut towards Artorius, who was unfazed. He kept on walking towards them, sword in hand, all the while taking every one of Ram's spells, eventually exhausting her. "Fura!"
Ram gasped for air. She had used everything, and yet there wasn't a scratch on him. "No! You will not take Rem away from me! You will not take away anything." She raised her hand to launch another spell but stopped as a golden glow dazzled her.
Invisible Air was removed as Excalibur's true form was revealed for all to see. It was beautiful, stunningly so. No! Even calling it beautiful would stain its glorious image.
『Excalibur: Sword of Promised Victory』
Artorius raised his other hand, and with another golden glow, it appeared.
『Avalon: The Everdistant Utopia』
Sheathing Excalibur in Avalon, Artorius gently placed it in on Rem before locking her fingers to secure her hold on it.
"Excalibur will protect her from the curse, and Avalon will heal any of the organs that have failed." He explained before turning around and leaving the room.
"Artorius!" Emilia called out to him. "Where are you going? What are you going to do?"
"I am going to do what I do best." He looked at her while holding Beatrice's hand.
"Hunt."