Chapter 74: They Will Become Legend
The battle was over.
The white dragon, flying forth from the wellspring of time, had dispelled the island's despair and wrath, restoring it to a state of tranquility.
—The quiet before the end.
"I'm sorry, but could you give us a little more time?"
The extra white wing gradually faded, and the beautiful Abyssal-Eyed White Dragon reverted to its original form.
Artoria's soul returned to her body, and the King of the End, her mission complete, opened her eyes once more.
She knew she was no longer a king, and this land no longer needed one.
But what did that matter?
Even without the title of King, she was willing to continue protecting the smiles of the people on this island.
"For now, let's gather everyone!"
Artoria began the work of rebuilding the White Citadel.
But it wasn't just the citadel that needed rebuilding.
—Because of the Britain Demonic Dragon's sudden manifestation, the vast majority of buildings on the island had been destroyed.
As for the people... they were still alive, but only just.
"Everyone, put your backs into it!"
"Let's focus on building simple shelters first!"
It was as if she had returned to that small mountain hollow.
Artoria organized her dazed subjects, who had no idea what had just happened, and once again threw herself into the task of building a kingdom.
—Only this time, they had no help from gods or fairies.
"Hey, hey, you can't be serious. We have to do all that again?" Kay lamented, already picturing himself leading a group up the mountain to chop down trees through the night.
"Keep it up, Sir Kay. I'll have the kitchen prepare some meat stew in advance," Bedivere said with a smile, clapping Kay on the shoulder before joining the reconstruction efforts.
All the remaining Knights of the Round Table participated in the work.
They were knights who fought alongside their King—and this, too, was a battlefield. They would not retreat.
"However, winter is almost here, isn't it?"
"This coming winter will be incredibly harsh. Many will die."
"But it can't be helped, can it? To be blunt, these people should have died long ago. They only survived this long thanks to the blessings of their God and King."
The Magus of Flowers, who knew everything, spoke these cruel truths in a gentle tone.
Then, after one last look at this world, he slowly turned, his body dissolving into flower petals that were scattered by a wind from nowhere.
The Age of Mystery was over.
It was time for him to return to where he belonged.
…
Three months later.
As the harsh winter finally ended, a spring rain awakened the life in the earth.
Artoria's work was also nearing its end.
"Thank you all for your help."
"To have worked alongside all of you has been my greatest honor."
Though supplies were scarce, their parting was imminent. Artoria brought out what little food they had to host a banquet for the departing Knights of the Round Table.
It was also a farewell banquet for herself.
The Age of Mystery was over, and the King born of destiny had to leave this island that no longer needed her and go to the place she was meant to be.
—The utopia where only the sinless may enter, Avalon.
"Have all the worldly matters been arranged?"
"Yes, for the most part. The rest I will leave to Percival."
Percival, the knight who admired the King the most. He was also one of the few Knights of the Round Table who met a good end—in the original timeline, he won the favor of a princess, married her, and became the king of her lands.
"I feel a bit guilty doing this to him... but at this point, I can only trust him."
The final banquet concluded.
Artoria patted Kay on the shoulder. The knight who was usually the loudest was uncharacteristically silent today, not having uttered a single word from beginning to end.
"I'm leaving now."
"Don't you have anything to say to me, Brother Kay?"
"..."
The no-longer-young knight opened his mouth.
He seemed to want to curse or complain... but when the words came out, they transformed into a blessing he had never spoken before.
"I have nothing to say to you."
"Just... don't starve yourself."
…
The Reverse Side of the World, the Tower at the World's End.
Led by Artoria, the Heroic Spirit Knights of the Round Table reunited here.
Returning to the place where they came from—perhaps this was what it meant to have a beginning and an end.
"However, before you leave, there's one more thing you need to do," a long-unseen Merlin appeared at the tower's entrance, pushing the door open just a crack.
In the next instant, a brilliant golden light spilled out from the gap, illuminating all of Avalon.
The Holy Grail.
The true Holy Grail stood quietly in the center of the tower, awaiting its destined "chosen one."
"Go on, what are you waiting for?" Mordred said, giving a stunned Mash a firm push on the shoulder.
"Ah, me?" Mash hesitated as she stood before the Grail. She wasn't sure if she truly had the right to take it.
"If not you, then who? Me?" Mordred shot back. "It's obvious this Grail was prepared for you! We don't need its power to return to our original world."
Mordred puffed out her chest, looking incredibly smug—though no one knew what she had to be smug about.
Then again, that was just Mordred's personality. She was a natural optimist. As long as nothing terrible was happening, she considered it a great day.
"Well then, everyone... goodbye..."
Mash's hand touched the Holy Grail.
Just as Mordred had said, the moment her palm made contact, her body reacted.
A brilliant golden light bloomed from the Grail, causing Mash's body to dissolve into faint golden particles.
Feeling the world's rejection beginning, Mash fought back tears and smiled as she bid her companions farewell.
And just at that moment—
"Fou!"
Suddenly, a familiar white creature leaped from a distance and pounced on her.
"Eh?"
Mash looked up in surprise, her eyes meeting Bailong's.
"It seems this little one wants to go with you," a voice said.
"Then I'll leave him in your care. Please, take good care of him."
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