After learning from Holmes the true name of the spirit residing in Mash, we immediately set out for the hidden village.
Holmes said he had other business to attend to and left without further ado, and we didn't bother to stop him.
"Well, we're here... This is the hidden village."
The hidden village we arrived at was filled with campsites, and all sorts of refugees were there—people from the mountains, the desert, citizens of the holy city, and more.
"According to what Lancelot said, those who weren't chosen for the Holy Selection were free to do as they wished, and since the Lion King didn't order their punishment, it seems they were gathered here."
"...Yes, that's right."
"!?"
As soon as I finished explaining, a familiar voice came from behind. Startled, I quickly drew Magic Bullet Shooter and aimed at the owner of the voice.
"Lancelot!"
"Sir Lancelot!?"
"It's Lancelot!?"
Seeing Lancelot with his abdomen tightly bandaged, we immediately drew our weapons and guarded against him. But he, upon seeing us, instead placed his holy sword Arondight on the ground, raised his hands to the sky, and signaled surrender.
"Calm down, I have no intention of fighting you all... I can no longer call myself the king's knight..."
"What do you mean by that?"
When I glared at him with eyes demanding an explanation, Lancelot sighed and spoke.
"During our last fight, your attack pierced a huge hole in my abdomen... Fortunately, it narrowly missed my spiritual core, so I didn't fade away..."
"So? What does that have to do with you not being the Lion King's knight?"
"...I lost the Gift I received from the king due to your attack... No, it's more accurate to say that the Gift from the king died because of your attack."
At Lancelot's statement, everyone began to look bewildered, and I was equally confused.
The Gift (contract) died.
Except for Agravain, the Round Table knights received a Gift from the Lion King—a blessing and a curse. The Gift is a type of Servant contract.
In other words, the Round Table knights with Gifts are essentially the Lion King's Servants.
But that Gift died?
That means Lancelot is no longer the Lion King's knight (Servant).
'What? How can a Gift die?'
Since it's a Gift bestowed by the Lion King, a divine spirit, it's impossible to sever it through ordinary means.
But I killed it? What exactly did I do? All I did was hit him with Unnamed Triple Thrust...
[The fable 'Sword of Death' looks at you]
'! Did you do this!?'
[The fable 'Sword of Death' says it merely did what it had to do and turns its head away from your gaze]
'Certainly... This fable was transferred to me by the First Mountain Elder, originally belonging to him... And the First Mountain Elder severed even Ereshkigal's Geas from the Three Goddess Alliance...'
The pieces of the puzzle came together, and the situation became clear.
The fable 'Sword of Death' transferred by the Mountain Elder intervened when I used Unnamed Triple Thrust, piercing Lancelot's abdomen and simultaneously killing his Gift...
'...Did the First Mountain Elder foresee this and transfer the fable to me?'
Whether this situation was intended by the First Mountain Elder or not is unknown, but either way, it worked out.
"Hmm, I see... I think I understand roughly what happened... So, you're not an enemy anymore?"
"That's right... Now that I'm no longer the king's knight, I can't fight for the king..."
"...Essentially, you're surrendering."
Confirming that Lancelot wasn't an enemy, I put away Magic Bullet Shooter, and the others slowly sheathed their weapons as well.
"Oh my, judging by the noise, you've finally arrived? I was waiting so long I nearly broke my neck!"
At the same time, Da Vinci revealed herself.
"!"
"Fou—!"
"Da—!!"
"Great~, nice reaction! The omnipotent genius Da Vinci-chan makes her appearance after days☆ How have you been, Fujimaru-kun? First, let's celebrate our reunion with a toast, shall we?"
After that, Chaldea had a touching reunion with Da Vinci, while Sanzo, Tota, and Bedivere tactfully didn't interrupt, and Lancelot was—
Thud! Thud!
"You bastard! Have you still not learned your lesson!!!"
Crack! Crack!
"What are you doing, you man!?"
Thud! Crack!
"Guh! Guh! P-please, just once, forgive me..."
"Shut up! You lower body berserker!!!!"/"Be quiet!!! Damn father!!!!!!"
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!
According to Da Vinci's testimony, Lancelot had been hitting on women in our absence, so Mash and I, pissed off, beat him to a pulp.
"Well done! Our juniors are the best!"
"Fou..."
"Hahaha, Sir Lancelot... I'm afraid I can't help you with this either..."
After Mash and I turned Lancelot into a half-corpse, we began sharing information. Upon hearing that King Arthur had become a divine spirit, Lancelot cried out.
"But why! Why did it come to this! What King Arthur aimed for was peace in Britain, a tranquil life for the people! How could the Knight King become like that...!"
"........"
At Lancelot's words, Bedivere, who could be said to be the reason, remained quietly silent.
"Anyway, although each of us has slightly different goals, our primary objective is to defeat the Lion King... For that, we still lack troops..."
As everyone pondered this, Fujimaru cautiously offered an opinion.
"...There's one person, isn't there? Someone with troops to spare."
"King Ozymandias...! Senior, are you suggesting we ask the Sun King for cooperation!?"
At this, Bedivere and Da Vinci objected, but Lancelot said it might be okay.
"He sides with the side that has a chance of winning. If we show him that we have the strength (value) to fight together, it should work."
"Indeed... Not a bad idea for a lower body berserker."
"By the way, how long do you intend to call me that?"
"Huh? Hmm... Until your womanizing ways become normal..."
"Ugh... I have nothing to say..."
"...And you dare ask that knowing full well?"
I kicked him right in the crotch.
"Guh! U-ugh! My king... F-forgive me..."
Thud!
Overwhelmed by the tremendous shock, Lancelot muttered nonsense and passed out.
[The one who castrated the Lower Body Berserker raises a thumb]