Lost Sword story · Main story, Part 1
Chapter 30: Kingdom of Mercia
4 scenes, 163 lines
1. Queen's Garden
84 linesMercia Royal Castle, Throne Room
So, I'll give you a month.
...
That is...
The Tiamat Church?
He doesn't seem like just a normal priest.
The energy might even surpass that apostle we met in Salisbury...
Yikes, they're coming this way!
So, you are the Swordbringer.
Tch!
This is a neutral country. Put your sword away.
Now is not the time, Ethan.
...
Well then, until we meet again.
Moments later
It's been a while, Queen Christina.
Welcome, Princess Elizabeth. You've brought the Swordbringer with you.
As promised, I've secured the alliance pledge from Cornwall.
Yes, I've heard the news. Cornwall, Salisbury, and now Cameliard...
You truly are remarkable, Swordbringer.
Now it's the Queen's turn to pledge your oath.
...
Your Majesty, you must not make the alliance pledge!
If you do not join hands with Vortigern, we will be the next target!
...
Everyone, please leave except Elder Johan!
...
Sorry for the confusion, everyone.
It's a matter that concerns the fate of the nation... Keeping promises is not easy.
What a pathetic queen I am...
Your Majesty...
The envoy from Iscariot says if we do not surrender within a month, we will lose our sovereignty.
The ministers have already given up. I could press on, but...
Those who have lost faith in me might inform Vortigern first.
...
Have you considered listening to the nuns?
Huh?
The nuns say there's a larger human experimentation facility here than in Salisbury.
If we can prove that the people of Mercia have been abducted for Tiamat Church's human experiments...
Then the ministers might change their minds.
Elder Johan...
Then we will investigate, Your Majesty.
... I'm sorry for asking such a difficult favor, Swordbringer.
For now, rest up and get moving. Elder Johan will help you prepare.
Thus, we remained in Mercia for a while and were able to enjoy some much-needed rest.
When we finally went out for dinner, for some reason, Elizabeth was the only one waiting in front of the restaurant where we agreed to meet.
Where are Bedivere and Morgana?
Well, it seems their bath is taking longer than expected.
How frustrating; we agreed to eat together...
Um... If it's alright with you, would you like to have dinner with me first? It seems like it will really take a while...
Unable to refuse Elizabeth's tense demeanor, I followed her.
I tried to ignore the strange atmosphere.
After finishing our meal, Elizabeth and I enjoyed a rare moment of leisure as we strolled along the riverside.
Yes... I hope the war ends soon and we can continue to have peaceful days like this every day.
Then we can eat together again and take walks...
Seeing Elizabeth's happy smile suddenly pained my heart.
If she had been born into a peaceful world, she would have shown that smile every day.
Ethan, what do you think of Princess Guinevere?
As I sighed in regret, Elizabeth suddenly asked about Guinevere.
Um...? Well, she's beautiful. Most men lose their minds over her...
Hmph, I could be just as pretty if I tried!
Huh?
I mean... Of course, Princess Guinevere is beautiful, but...
I could also... if I put in the effort, I might become a woman that you like...
What are you talking about, Elizabeth? That was just... a response to your question...
In my eyes, you're more beautiful than Guinevere...
E-Ethan...
...
With the sunset at our backs, the atmosphere grew more intense.
Elizabeth was silently approaching me, gazing into my eyes.
If this continues... it's dangerous. I flinched at the warning ringing endlessly in my head, yet my body felt paralyzed.
Even as I tried to shake off the strange mood... her lips looked too beautiful.
I didn't dislike deepening my feelings with Elizabeth. In fact, it felt exciting and nice.
But I am not a person from this world. Once I find the sword, I must return to reality.
Is it really right to sway Elizabeth's heart here?
While complex thoughts tormented my mind, the sound cutting through the wind interrupted my thoughts.
Ethan!
This is... a Tiamat Church arrowhead...
Assassins!
After a long struggle, we arrived at the Kingdom of Mercia. We aimed to secure an alliance pledge from Queen Cristina, but the elders of Mercia were opposing us, unable to withstand the Empire's threats. We tried to change their minds by proving the existence of the human experimentation facility, but we couldn't find it. Enjoying a rare moment of relaxation, I was spending time happily with Elizabeth when an arrow flew in.
2. Mercia Streets
29 linesI missed them.
They were thoroughly trained elite soldiers...
Cough, let's get back.
Attacked just when my heart was racing. Should I be glad or disappointed...?
Ethan.
Uh... huh? Why...?
...
Well, I did end up here because I was trying to save someone who almost got hit by a car.
Why does my body act before I think?
I really don't want you to get hurt, Ethan. Especially these days...
What if something happens to you...?
You two, here you are.
Sister?
Let's skip the explanation for now. You need to move, so follow me this way.
Moments later
You both were in danger.
No. The facility has a unique aura of Tiamat, but I don't sense anything like that here.
We're planning to check outside the Mercia Kingdom.
Tiamat assassins are targeting you. Be careful.
Thank you, both of you...
... Let's return to the castle.
Yes. I'm worried about Bedi and Morgana too.
After fighting the assassins, we were able to meet the sisters. Hearing that the human experimentation facility is not located inside the Mercia Kingdom, we decided to return to the castle.
3. Underground Waterway
8 lines... But didn't the assassins' clothing seem a bit strange?
Huh? What do you mean...?
It was wet.
Wet...
The sisters mentioned that they sense Tiamat's aura at the human experimentation facility.
If the facility is underwater, then...?
That might explain why they couldn't feel it!
Let's quickly check the underground waterway. If my guess is right...
4. Human Experimentation Facility
42 linesA troll in armor...
Running an experimentation facility while commanding monsters... These people are not even human.
Huff... huff...
I caught them... I caught them all, Ethan!
Ethan!
........
.....
I wonder how much time has passed.
Okay, he's back to consciousness.
Ethan, wake up! Ethan!
Elizabeth...
Are you okay? Are you okay, Ethan?
I'm fine... The poison from that arrow... ugh.
I don't want to see you get hurt anymore.
I hate the thought of losing someone so precious to me. I don't want to lose anyone again!
Elizabeth...
I gently stroked Elizabeth's tear-streaked face.
.....
Ethan!
And I lost consciousness again.
A human experimentation facility in the underground waterway...
No, can such a shameless act occur in a neutral country!
What despicable scoundrels!
... Bedivere.
Yes, Your Majesty.
This is a letter confirming the completed alliance pledge. Take it.
As of today, Kingdom of Mercia declares Vortigern as an enemy.
Recovery room inside the castle
Esmeralda's heal seems to be very effective.
Healing a poison so potent it could kill a troll with just a drop.
As I regained my senses, I found Elizabeth sitting in front of me, her eyes puffy from crying.
You... your makeup is all gone.
Is that what you're going to say the moment you wake up? Sob...
Seeing a cute girl cry... I must be really lucky.
With Elizabeth's support, I stood up. Feeling her warm body, I finally felt alive and hugged her tightly.
Um, um... Ah! Ethan, while you were recovering, something happened.
Elizabeth told me about her meeting with Queen Cristina. In the end, she managed to secure the alliance pledge from Mercia.
Heh, that's really interesting.
Everything is going just as you planned, Vivien.
We succeeded in uncovering Mercia's human experimentation facility and securing the alliance pledge. But the arrow I was hit with on my date with Elizabeth was poisoned. I was in a life-threatening situation, but thanks to Esmeralda's heal, I was able to survive. As I held Elizabeth, who had cared for me all night, I contemplated the future.