With the conclusion of the eleventh invasion, the Saxons finally withdrew from Britain. It seemed, at last, that their marauding onto these shores had come to an end.
Yet, a graver shadow loomed over the horizon: the waning of Mystery. Magic was receding from the world. This meant, quite literally, the slow death of Britain's soil, destined to wither into a barren wasteland.
Fully aware of this impending doom, I had implemented various welfare policies to sustain the populace, but even those measures would reach their breaking point within a few short years.
We required something to supplant the fading Mystery that breathed life into this land. It was then that information regarding such an artifact fell into my hands.
I summoned the Round Table. All were present, save for the seat of Tristan, which now sat poignantly empty.
Once Artoria took her place at the head of the table, the council commenced. I distributed the prepared reports to the assembled knights and began the briefing.
"To begin, it has been confirmed that Rome was the architect behind the Saxon incursions. According to the results of Sir Agravain's interrogations, the Empire has been pulling the strings from the shadows."
"It is as he says," Agravain added, his voice cold and clinical. "The confessions confirm that Rome is the benefactor. Their objective is the lingering Mystery rooted within the soil of Britain."
I nodded in agreement with his assessment.
"Then, have you summoned the Round Table to propose a march against Rome?" Sir Lancelot inquired.
"No," I replied, shaking my head. "There is a matter far more urgent than war."
I looked across the table at the faces of my comrades. "You are all aware that Britain's Mystery is thinning. As it vanishes, our lands become increasingly desolate."
The knights offered solemn nods of acknowledgment.
"I have prepared numerous policies to combat this, but they are mere stopgaps. They will fail within years. However, there is a way to save Britain from this encroaching end—a method to restore what is being lost. I have found traces of an artifact that can substitute for the fading Mystery. It appears a relic known as the 'Holy Grail' exists somewhere within our borders."
Wide-eyed astonishment greeted my words. I maintained my gaze and continued firmly.
"Therefore, I officially propose a Quest for the Holy Grail."
A flurry of petals suddenly filled the air.
"Spoken like a true hero, Eli! Attention, Knights of the Round! It is time for a scavenger hunt!"
As I finished my proposal, Merlin appeared behind me in a burst of blossoms. The collective gaze of the table shifted from me to the Magus of Flowers.
Bathed in the attention, Merlin began her usual dramatic display. "Oh my, so many eyes on me at once... your dear sister Merlin is quite bashful! Eli~ please, hide this lovely lady behind your—"
"—Merlin."
"Understood, I understand, My Lord. How cruel..." Merlin sighed, finally ceasing her theatrics at the sharp sound of Artoria's voice.
After enduring a few moments of the knights' collective disdain, the room fell silent as they waited for the Magus to speak with gravity.
"Regardless! There are conditions for finding the Grail. First, all those who are virgins, raise your hands!"
Upon Merlin's ridiculous demand, a few hands went up. Galahad, Percival... and myself.
Wait... why are there so few? I expected as much from Lancelot, Kay, and Gawain, but I had placed my faith in Agravain and Bedivere.
I turned my head with dead, hollow eyes to scan the rest of the Round Table. To a man, every single knight seated there averted their gaze, suddenly fascinated by the patterns on the floor.
A hollow laugh nearly escaped me as my blood pressure spiked. Even Merlin looked taken aback by the meager response.
"Hmm... that's fewer than I anticipated. I didn't expect anything from the trio of Lancelot, Kay, and Gawain, of course..."
The three knights named clutched their chests as if struck by a physical blow. Ignoring their plight, Artoria spoke up.
"Sir Elius is disqualified from the quest regardless."
"Hmm? Why is that?" Merlin asked.
"Because if he departs, there is not a single soul left to manage the kingdom's administration..."
I managed a strained smile. "Surely, My King... you don't mean to suggest there isn't at least one person at this Round Table capable of handling the paperwork in my stead?"
I looked around the table again. Whether they were veteran knights or fresh recruits, every single person collectively looked away.
The sheer audacity of it left me speechless. Not a single hand rose to volunteer for the duty. I glared at them, my eyes flashing with a sense of utter betrayal.
Seeing the stalemate, Merlin nodded sagely.
"Right. Settled, then. The Quest for the Grail shall be undertaken by Galahad and Percival! It is decided!"
I slumped back into my chair, drained of all spirit. Truly, there was not a single person in this kingdom to be trusted. I massaged the back of my neck, trying to stave off a headache.
I questioned if this was the life I had envisioned when I became a knight. To soothe the burning irritation in my throat, I took a long drink from the chalice before me. The water tasted like ash.
***
The council concluded. As I walked out, dwelling on the bitterness of existence, I felt a hand catch my sleeve. I turned to find Merlin lingering behind.
"What is it now, Merlin?"
"Ah, well, while I was handing out the shield to Galahad, I realized I had something for you as well. Here!"
With a metallic ring, she presented a gift.
"...This?"
She held out a sword. Its sheer presence radiated a profound level of Mystery—undoubtedly a Noble Phantasm of the highest order. Why was she giving this to me? I looked at her, and she offered a seductive, knowing smile.
"Don't you remember? Before the campaign against Vortigern, I gave you a temporary blade and promised a proper one later. This is it."
"Ah."
It came back to me. She had mentioned forging a new weapon. Merlin let out a heavy sigh as she read my realization.
"Honestly, I didn't think you'd devour the first sword so quickly. Who breaks a blade in a single battle? Honestly!"
"...Ahem." I had no defense. I had shattered it, after all. Embarrassed, I scratched the back of my head.
"At any rate, let me introduce your new companion! This is Excalibur Twilight. It is a Divine Construct—the sister blade to the Excalibur carried by Artoria!"
"Pardon?" My jaw nearly hit the floor. A Divine Construct? No wonder the Mystery emanating from it was so overwhelming.
"If Artoria's Excalibur gathers the light of the stars to fire a beam, and Galatine radiates the heat of the sun itself, then Twilight is a sword that gathers the flickering light of the dusk—the intersection of day and night—to unleash its power!"
"It... it is magnificent."
Merlin nodded, clearly pleased with my awe. "Of course it is! My goodness, the trouble I went through to 'liberate' this from Vivian... I had to leave a replica behind just to make sure the crime was perfect!"
"You STOLE it?!" I slapped my forehead. Merlin just shrugged as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Well, yes! After losing both the original Excalibur and Galatine, I didn't think Vivian would just hand this one over willingly. But it's fine. I was kind enough to leave a letter tied to the replica."
"Lord..." I felt another headache blooming. Looking at Merlin, who was practically begging for a compliment, I didn't know whether to thank her or scold her. Who steals a Divine Construct?
...Though it wasn't as if I wouldn't use it. I let out a soft sigh and looked at her. "In any case, thank you. Standard swords have a habit of snapping under my hands."
"...Hmm. The more I look at you, the more I want you for myself. If I hadn't made that promise to Artoria..."
"What was that?" I asked, missing her quiet mutter.
"Nothing! Your dear sister Merlin is going now! Be sure to show me a magnificent story with that blade, alright? Farewell!"
With a burst of petals, she vanished. I stood there for a long while, simply staring at the sword in my hands.
***
Back in Avalon, Merlin threw herself onto the bed within her tower.
"Good! Shield delivered, sword delivered... now for a well-earned nap—"
BOOM!
"MERLIN!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Vi-Vi-Vi-Vivian?!"
Vivian, the Lady of the Lake, had stormed the tower. Cold sweat dripped down Merlin's face as she beheld the sprite consumed by incandescent rage.
"You dare steal my sword?! Today, you die! Give it back and then perish!!"
A blast of magical energy shook the foundations of the tower.
"Eek!" Merlin ducked just in time. "I already gave it away! I don't have it! It's gone!!"
"To which fool did you give it this time, you wretched succubus?! Enough! Just die!!"
"Aaah?!"
As the spirit fired volley after volley of magical artillery and the nightmare scrambled to survive, a small beast watched from a distance.
"Fou. Get her, Vivian. Die, Merlin, Fou!"
It appeared the beast was siding with the spirit.
For a very long time, the screams of a nightmare echoed through the fields of Avalon.
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