To the Desert of Atlas (1/3)

I have returned, Majesty. Apologies for the delay. Sir Agravain had urgent business for me to attend to.

It's fine. I ordered you to protect any humans fit for the Holy Selection.

If that is achieved, I have no punishment to give. Raise your head.

Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you most kindly. Knowing that I have not defiled Your Majesty's kindness brings me unspeakable joy.

There are twelve humans fit for the Holy Selection. We've already brought them to the Holy City, and handed them off to the supervisors.

...From now, I will also join in the defense of the Holy City. Does that suit you, Sir Agravain?

...Of course. It is problematic that it took so long to suppress the rebels, but the king has forgiven it. I shall let it go.

I would have you assist in guarding the third tower, Sir Lancelot. Thanks to your work, the king's plans have entered the final stages.

The confrontation with Ozymandias is near. The third tower will be the key to protecting the royal castle.

Consider your assignment an honor. Head for the tower at once.

...Before that. I beg our king to please allow me a question.

Disrespectful and unnecessary. The king must prepare the sacred lance. Without your comments.

Wait, Agravain. It is the wish of a knight who has not once asked for a reward in all his years of service. I cannot turn it down.

...Yes, Your Majesty. You may speak, Sir Lancelot. What is it?

I have just returned from attacking the village of rebels, in response to Sir Tristan's request.

I did so as that village hosted rebels that committed sins before the main gates of the Holy City.

I heard. It was brilliant work, Lancelot. What of it?

...Why was the sacred lance unleashed? Sir Tristan setting fire to the battlefield was already excessive.

Dropping the Light of Judgment on top of that was simply cruel. Thus far, Your Majesty has brandished the sacred lance to rule these wastelands.

But, even for rebellions, not once has the Light of Judgment been unleashed upon human settlements.

...Under these pressing circumstances, we utilize fear to speed up governance. We've believed that this is the righteousness of the Lion King.

But using the sacred spear against a village is wrong. That is not justice. That is not even fear.

My king. Why do such a thing to the village? I would like to hear the true intention behind it.

...Even more so if it was not Your Majesty's decision but that of someone else... the opinion of someone who keeps the government.

Are you other knights not curious of that, too? Whether the king's decision was really his own?

...What are you implying, Sir Lancelot? That was quite a suggestive speech.

Only the guilty would hear it so. We Knights of the Round have no use for those with a guilty conscience.

...How dare you.

Stand down, Agravain. ...Heh. For some reason, you grow short-tempered when Lancelot is your opponent.

And hear me, my knights. The enforcement through my sacred lance was entirely of my own volition.

The reason I have never dropped it on a human settlement is clear. Burning down a village would only fan the flames of rebellion.

The bonds of the mountain people would only strengthen, and they may even prepare an army to invade the Holy City.

That would be unnecessary. Until preparations with the sacred lance are complete, I have no time to spare on insignificant scuffles.

However... The sacred lance has entered the final stages. The Tower at the Ends of the World will finally be welcoming us.

...Our greatest enemy was time.

We had to open the tower before that king entered the next stage after the Incineration of Humanity.

And that is about to take place. The defiance of the mountain people is but a trifle.

Therefore, I launched the direct enforcement of the village. If the rebellious forces rise up because of it, all the better.

If it be but a small number that reach the Holy City in a fight to their death, Sir Gawain can manage their extermination on his own.

This was my true intention. Have you any objections, Sir Lancelot?

But...! If that was the case, there was no need for enforcement!

If the defense of the Holy City is complete, there is no need to so recklessly rob them of their lives!

...But you see, they aren't complete. Threats that disturb the king's heart yet live.

...Sir Lancelot. It is due to our failure, of course.

You've returned, Tristan. ...What did you mean just now?

...Sadly, the eastern village hasn't been eliminated.

The rebels' Servants must have resisted. Unbelievable as it may be, they blocked the king's light completely.

They blocked the sacred lance's attack!? There is none among them capable of such a feat!

Ah, but there is: Arash Kamangir. His skill rivals even mine.

Seriously!? Damn, that guy's good!

Shut up, Mordred! You'll anger the Lion King!

...Yes, he was quite impressive. He was also the one I asked Sir Lancelot to take care of.

...It may have been poor judgment, yes. But there was also a failure on your part, Lancelot.

As a result, the rebels survived, and left the mountain. They were headed in the direction of the desert... and that's where my bow snapped.

They likely mean to join forces with Ozymandias. ...As far as I can see, it is the worst combination.

What a blunder! How do you propose to make amends, Lancelot!?

...Chase after the rebels and capture them, of course.

My punishment shall be afterward. For thus disgracing His Majesty, I have no choice but to offer my head.

Who needs that, you fool! I'll assign the pursuit to others! I have no leniency left for you!

Sir Gawain, seize Lancelot! On the morrow, you shall be relieved of your duties and sentenced to confinement

...Can you make it in time, Lancelot? The rebels' star is swift and free.

Can you capture them?

Of course. I swear it upon my treasured Arondight.

Your Majesty!

I order you to pursue the rebels, Lancelot. Hurry. The walls of the castle will soon appear. Return before that.

Yes, Your Majesty!

Tch...!

Do not be so angry, Agravain. With Lancelot there shall be no mistake.

...That must be true. You always believed so.

...Forgive me, my king. It was an untoward remark.

...Sir Agravain. May I continue with one more report?

What? Is there more?

Yes. ...I saw him. Among the rebels.

The one-armed knight. The most loyal among those of the Round Table. ...Our sworn friend, Sir Bedivere.

...Wh-What?

Bedivere!? Why would he be there!? There's no way!

Save your jokes for taverns and women, Sir Tristan! Bedivere? A most unlikely tale!

Yeah, that's right, Agravain.

It's insane, huh? A feeble knight like him is, for some reason, among their

Mordred! You knew!?

Er... I didn't think it was worth mentioning, that's all! I mean, come on, Gawain didn't say anything about it either, right?!

Save your silly excuses... No, wait, I see. So that's what the battle at the main gates was about.

Sir Gawain. What is the meaning of this? Why didn't you report this to us, to the king?

With Bedivere aiding the rebels, it's no wonder Sir Tristan suffered an upset.

That man may be lacking in skill, but he is an expert on our Round Table's state of affairs! In addition, he is the king's closest follower

No, never mind that. Are you telling me you let personal feelings cloud your judgment!?

The reason I did not report about Sir Bedivere is because it is unworthy of attention.

He is but a novice, never even summoned by the Lion King. He is a rebel, nothing more.

There is no need to treat such a knight with special attention. Because... our king is perfect.

In judgment, in ideology, in actions. I believe he is flawless.

In which case, one or two knights shifting sides would not impact the overall plan.

What can Sir Bedivere do? No matter what he may do, the Lion King's heart will not be disturbed.

Is that not right, Agravain?

...True. Even if that man goes over to the enemy, it's not as if he can do anything.

...Well done, Sir Gawain. You may return to protecting the main gate.

...It's not as if he can do anything? True, if he were the former Sir Bedivere.

...What do you wish to imply?

Bedivere was your close friend. Perhaps sentiment prevented you from doing something about him.

...Of course not. I had no personal feelings.

My Gift is "Reversal." You have not forgotten that, have you?

...How could I? True, there's no way you, now, would succumb to personal feelings.

Sir Tristan, guard the castle town. Sir Mordred, continue to sweep the city surroundings.

...Forgive us for disturbing your throne, my king.

Please do not let Sir Bedivere concern you. It can very well be Sir Tristan's misunderstanding.

Even if it is true, all we must do is welcome him to His Majesty's Round Table.

...There is no problem. Please open the gates to the Tower at the Ends of the World with your utmost.

...Wait. What have you sirs been talking about all this time?

Huh?

Bedivere...

Who is this... Bedivere?

Enemy traces up ahead! Everyone, prepare for battle!

It's not much of a response. You should be able to take care of them!

Once you get past this, you'll be in the desert. Communication from me won't reach you there.

But I'll always be monitoring your responses, Fujimaru, so it's not like I've disappeared!

It's too bad I can't help you navigate. Just be careful!

When you come back to the wastelands, be sure to come show me how much you've grown, Fujimaru!

Yup, I'm counting on you! Good luck!

No no, the honor is mine. I could never thank you enough. Personally that is.

Oops, no time to be chit-chatting. I've got to get it together, too.

？！

Foooooou!

We're about to make contact! Everybody, dismount and prepare to engage!