Sanzang Returning from the West (1/2)

It happened so long ago, I've lost track.

I have seen many things, and forgotten many things. Yet among them, that memory still remains in my heart.

They say this winter will be harsher. We must dismantle some of the villages.

And to think, we only just finished driving away the Picts from the north. The misfortunes continue, Bedivere.

That day, the king visited me when I was deep in thought in the watchtower. With no attendants, alone, out of the blue.

He had the appearance of a young boy, but in truth, he was not so far in age from me at the time.

At 16, he drew the Sword of Selection from the stone, and became the ruler of Britain.

After that, he apparently ceased to age. They said it was the fairies' blessings, but I couldn't help but think it was a curse.

The young king fought through the fiercest battles I've ever seen. He was a great leader who brought glory to Britain.

He led foreign tribes to victory against the tyrannical king Vortigern, who was ravaging the land.

He united the warring feudal lords, fought off the advancing Picts from the north,

put an end to the wave of Saxons closing in from the mainland,

and restored Camelot Castle as the crown jewel of Londinium, the largest city in all the British Isles.

The one and only King of Knights, King Arthur.

I told the king then and there: "As long as you shall live, Britain shall never perish, and suffering shall never prevail."

That is not true. Camelot and its surroundings may be flourishing, but the rest of the land remains in ruins.

Even if Camelot were to accommodate those whose villages were destroyed, it could not restore their lifestyle.

Plowing the land, living life day by day, raising children... That is what leads to future prosperity.

There is no future in merely sheltering the people. Eventually, the noose is sure to tighten.

Unlike the Knights of the Round Table, giddy from all their victories and glories, the king always looked grim.

Things were different before Camelot was restored, though...

Sir Kay spoke of how the king used to smile more often, back when he used to travel the island in disguise.

But now, not a trace of a smile remained. The king alone saw the dark clouds waiting on the horizon.

...Perhaps the sunset was making me nostalgic, as at that moment, I asked the king a timid question.

One that stemmed from the doubt and unrest that had plagued me ever since I was granted a seat at the Round Table.

"Why did you choose a knight as worthless as me to be a Knight of the Round Table?"

You feel unworthy because you are inferior to the others? How foolish. The same goes for me.

In build, I am no match for others. In swordsmanship, many are my better.

However, bonds must not be measured by strength or weakness alone. Friend and foe, good and evil, benefit and detriment...

Just as those are all different things, the Knights of the Round Table all serve different purposes.

Friend and foe. Good and evil.

Friends are good. Foes are evil.

But the king said they were different things.

It was unexpected. In this era of warfare, he was the only knight who looked down and saw the situation in its entirety.

In all likelihood, the king never said this to any of the other knights.

It's something he said only to me. And it's obvious why. In that moment, the king told me thus:

"The Saxon invaders are our enemies, but they are not evil."

If he had mentioned such a thought to the other knights, many would have criticized him.

...That's right. The Saxons just came to this island searching for land to live on.

To us they are the enemy, but their actions are not evil. What they wish for is inherently good.

And if it is goodthere must come a time when they will serve an important function for this island.

As long as we are human, conflict will arise. The division of friend or foe is born from benefit and detriment.

We are now in an era where that is at an extreme. An era of winter where neither side relents until the other is crushed.

I hate to even imagine creating a Round Table bound only by strength in such a time.

It would fall into evil. We did not take the oath in order to kill our enemies.

We took up arms for the future of our brethren. That is why

That is why we need so many roles, Bedivere.

Does our Camelot shine because it was created by force? Of course not.

This place is made up of everyone's dreams.

It is forged from the desire for man alone to create a utopia... albeit just barely.

That's why we need knights like you.

Compassionate knights who can pick up on the details of people's lives. Details that Gawain and I wouldn't notice.

...Even now, my heart aches every time I think of it.

I had no idea just how much hopeless the king felt then... Not until I heard about it from Merlin.

Stupid and weak as I was at the time, I responded thus:

"It's too difficult a topic for me to understand, but I, too, enjoy living in Camelot."

"Thomas's wife gave birth just the other day. Twin girls. Such adorable little darlings"

How mundane and commonplace a reply. Yet I remember giving it with such satisfaction, such delight.

Good grief, you had me worried for a moment. Such concerns do not become you, O simple and honest Bedivere.

However, I am heartened to learn you lead such a fulfilling life. That should be a source of sustenance for all.

His hair shone gold in the sunset. That was the moment when I finally felt I was in the presence of a true king.

The knights feared they had not seen the king smile for quite some time. But that was not the case. Truly.

The king did not smile for himself. He smiled upon seeing the happiness of others.

The gravity of my sins made me want to rip out my own heart.

Despite remembering that, I still turned an unfaithful sword toward the king.

Ohforgive me. I have committed a deed unbecoming of a knight in your service.

Please, deliver justice upon my transgression. All that I have done, night after night, was for

I've laid Bedivere down to sleep. He has no noticeable wounds, but he's physically exhausted.

If only we'd had a Servant specializing in medical care...

Both Lord Cursed Arm and I have no such knowledge.

I haven't mastered treatment spells, either...

Do you think Bedivere's Noble Phantasm wears away at him after all?

It definitely takes its toll on him... Not just physically, but apparently mentally as well.

He was crying out in his sleep just now. "Forgive me, my king," he said.

That's... not surprising.

Despite only being fused with a Knight of the Round Table, even I feel an indescribable irritation when we fight them.

...A sense of guilt telling me that this is treason against King Arthur. So for Sir Bedivere, an actual member of the Round Table, it must be a lot worse.

？！

...Sir Bedivere is one of King Arthur's longest-serving knights.

Despite only having one arm, he is said to have been three times as successful than other knights in battle.

Oh, by other knights I'm referring to ordinary knights.

Compared to the other Knights of the Round Table, Sir Bedivere's victories were modest.

The most famous anecdote about him is from the end of King Arthur's life.

...King Arthur's final battle, the Battle of Camlann.

It was war not with the invading Saxons, but within the nation between the knights of Britain.

Despite killing the traitor Mordred at Camlann, King Arthur himself suffered a fatal wound.

"The king cannot recover on a hill soaked with blood."

Believing so, Sir Bedivere carried King Arthur to a pure, sheltered forest.

Lying there, the king quietly spoke.

"Beyond this forest and over the hill is a lake. Cast my famed sword into it."

...The famous legend of returning the sacred sword Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake.

King Arthur, sensing his own death, chose to return it to its proper owner.

However... that would mark the end of his life.

His faithful retainer Bedivere, out of concern for the king, twice failed in this task.

As long as the sword existed, the king was immortal. Bedivere believed it had the power to heal his mortal wound.

Through the woods, over a hill, debating the sword's return with each trip to the lake, he would fail and return to the king.

And upon his return, he would lie to the king by saying, "I have returned the sword."

It is said to be Sir Bedivere's one and only act of disloyalty.

Yes. A very compassionate decision, in keeping with Bedivere's character.

But King Arthur could not be deceived. In a quiet voice, he would say to him, "Do your duty."

And so Bedivere made a third journey over the hill. This time, it was at dawn.

Accepting that he could no longer sway the king's heart, he cast the sacred sword into the lake's depths.

With Excalibur delivered to the Lady of the Lake, he made his way back to the forest.

...That is how King Arthur drew his final breath, and fulfilled his responsibility.

The king's body was sent to sea on a boat, and is said to have reached the legendary paradise, Avalon.

Yes. It is believed he'll return when Britain is endangered, and lead the people once more.

King Arthur's gravestone in England is said to have the epitaph, "Here lies Arthur, the once and future king."

？！

Yes. Sir Bedivere's anxiety is indeed a cause for concern. Fighting against his former brethren must also be tough,

but above all, his beloved King Arthur is being a tyrannical ruler, completely different from how he was in life.

Even in the name of justice, turning on a king you once served must be an unforgivable act for a knight.

There you are, Fujimaru. Forgive my delay.

I've just returned from checking on the village. Thanks to you, we were able to keep the damage to a minimum.

On behalf of the village leader, I humbly offer my thanks. We are truly indebted to you...

You may be right. If we'd given up back then, this village wouldn't be here by now.

It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, but it looks like Fujimaru's bet was correct!

Yes. "The Arash sky-flying incident." Let it go down in Chaldea's history forever.

We'll also say: "When Arash ties a rope to his arrow, beware." Yes. May no one else fall victim like we did!

...Yes. I shall impress that smile firmly upon my heart. Fujimaru is sure to become a good Master.

？！

By the way, Hassan. What are your plans from now on?

Introduce you to the village leader, of course. We've come all this way, after all. It's a good opportunity.

We are already in cooperation with each other. I'll introduce you all as my new military power.

Hahaha, I'm sure talks will go smoothly now. She, too, was grateful for your assistance.

Oh. Speak of the devil. Yes, this way, Hundred Personas. These are my new brethren I was telling you about.

...I apologize for the delay. I have nothing but thanks for your assistance on this occasion.

I'm the guardian of this village, an Old Man of the Mountain, Hassan of the Hundred Pers Huuuuuuuh!?

Whaaaat!? You're the one from

？！

Ah. So you've already met? How convenient. Hahahahahaha.

I refuse. They cannot be trusted. Fighting together is completely out of the question.

Be thankful that I don't slaughter you here and now in front of these villagers!

We won't feed you, either. The place is strapped for food, even for today.

For two days now, the villagers have only had a little water and salt. We have no food to serve the likes of you.

...What is this? ...Going so far as to reveal your face while making such threats...

Fujimaru... What on earth happened?

Hundred Personas is indeed nasty and stubborn. Easy to resent, but also the most calculating Hassan.

Even without my explanations, she should know that Fujimaru's assistance is worth its weight in gold...

？！

Hey, quit speaking as if it is all over! Do you know how much I've suffered, thanks to you!?

You disrupt my carefully crafted Nitocris abduction, force me to reveal my face...

And now, to suffer the humiliation of being rescued by such a hated enemy!

If the great founder was to find out about this, I would surely be punished! I will never fight alongside you!

What's wrong with you, Cursed Arm!? To trust in a Knight of the Round Table, of all people!?

Hahaha. It's like watching my former self. It'll be hard to convince this one.

Indeed. My impression of Hassan of the Cursed Arm keeps changing, but this seems to be his true form.

Yes. I have a feeling he's like the Old Man of the Mountain version of Bedivere.

No thanks! Did you think I would accept you if you beat me!? If anything, I'd hate you more! Fool, idiot!

Hmm. She's worse than Mordred. What exactly did you guys do to her?

？！

...But, she's also an Old Man of the Mountain. Without her help, we can't even advance onto the Holy City.

We've got to convince her somehow...

Hm. By the way, Hundred Personas, how is the other matter going?

...Oh, that. No developments. At this rate, it is just a matter of waiting for death.

...I'm sure she is not one to break her silence, but... I hear there are masters of torture within the Round Table.

If she were to reveal our plans before she dies, we would lose our chance of a counterattack...

Hm. That's worrying, truly worrying. If only we could find someone somewhere...

Someone stronger than us, able to work independently, good at leading Servants, and willing to help us...

Where are you ever going find such a convenient helper!? Give me a break, fool

Right here, in front of my face! Fools. ...Ugh. Ugggggh!

？！

Senpai. It seems we can help them in some way.

Yes. To put it simply, one Old Man of the Mountain has been captured by the enemy.

If it were any other Old Man of the Mountain, we wouldn't be worried. She would've taken her own life upon capture.

But this one is young, and her innate constitution prevents her from killing herself

Unless we rescue her, she may eventually leak our information to the enemy.

Unfortunately, the fort she's being held in belongs to the Round Table. It will be difficult to penetrate.

We've sent a select few to attempt it, but so far, none have returned...

So an instant reply!

Your "sorry" doesn't cut it! I had a miserable trip home! Including cold glares from my subordinates!

？！

Oh, how reassuring. I knew you would say so!

So, how about it, Hundred Personas? You said we cannot trust Fujimaru?

After saving our skin twice, surely you have no complaints. Still, it all depends on what they do next.

...Let's have them prepare a hostage.

There are many who promise to help, then flee. Leave one of your members here.

It'll be an exchange for the captured Old Man of the Mountain. I won't have any objections then.

That's perfect! We can let Bedivere rest.

Then please take one of our leaders, Sir Bedivere, as your hostage!

Guard him with your strictest men, so he can't do anything but lie down!

O-Okay. That Knight of the Round Table, huh? That sounds like a fair exchange.

Then it's decided. Ready, Fujimaru?

Excellent. It'll be a good chance for Bedivere to take a load off!

No no, likewise. You were brilliant.

？！

Then, let's go. I'll show you to the fort.

Um, what about Arash? I don't see him here...

I've asked Lord Arash to protect the village. There's no guarantee that Mordred won't come back.

And, without me, the village won't have anyone to provide food.

But thankfully, when it comes to hunting, Lord Arash is more skilled than me. He will make sure everyone eats.

This isn't the front lines... It's a shelter for people who can't fight.

I see... That's why everyone looked so worried...

...Let's go. No need for unnecessary sympathy. After all, it takes an entire day to reach the fort.

...Before that, some warm-up exercises. I don't know if this bodes well or not...

We're surrounded by bandits. Time's too precious for detours. We'll rout them and advance, Fujimaru!