Chapter 44: The Return

Gahhh-!!!

What happened to all that confidence from earlier?

Come on, bring it. I'll take care of you myself.

Damn it... I didn't think he'd be back so soon.

The Swordbringer has appeared! All units, retreat!

You did well, Elizabeth.

And I'm sorry... In the end, we couldn't reclaim the Holy Sword.

It's alright, Ethan.

Like that knight said... I was already at my limit.

If you hadn't shown up when you did, I wouldn't have made it out.

Glad you understand.

Ugh, launching such a reckless mission without your Fairy Queen!

If we'd been just a little later, you both would've been dead!

I'm sorry, Morgana...

No need to apologize, Elizabeth.

Even if she talks like that, she was worried sick about you two.

She didn't complain once, even though she skipped every meal on the way here.

..Really, Morgana?

......Hmph. As if.

I was just upset because I thought I'd never get to eat your steak platter again...

*Sob* Morgana!

Ack?! Why are you hugging me all of a sudden?!

Waaah... I missed you too, Morgana!

E-Ethan! Help me! I can't breathe!

So... what's the situation now?

The Imperial forces are in retreat, for now. They'll regroup quickly.

But it'll take about three more days for the allied forces to fully assemble.

So we were completely caught off guard...

The timing was too perfect. It's almost... suspicious.

Could someone be leaking information?

If that's the case... ambushes and traps won't work.

And cutting off their supply lines? Not likely.

Since we blew up their granary last time, security must be way tighter now.

We could just use the Holy Grail.

The Grail's powers are depleted. We used up all its power pushing back the Abyss.

This battle... I'm not sure we can win it.

Ethan.

..!

Your absence may have been brief... but it made me realize just how much you mean to all of us

And I think I understand now, at least a little, what you've been carrying all this time.

But even when you were afraid... even when things were at their worst... you always protected us.

So now... I want to be your strength, Ethan.

Elizabeth...

Don't carry everything alone!

Just as we've leaned on you... I hope you can lean on us, too.

E-Ethan! It's raining!

With weather like this...

Yeah. The ground will be slippery, cavalry won't be able to move easily.

The Empire relies heavily on mounted troops, so they'll likely hold back until the rain clears.

Then... this might be our chance!

There really is always a way out, huh? A-Achoo!

Alright. Then let's move now.

We push them back as much as we can before they regroup!

All Tiamat cultists remaining in Avalon have been eliminated.

Thank you, Merlin. Thanks to you, we avoided a disaster.

As the Swordbringer's fame grows, Avalon must also prepare itself.

Don't thank me, thank Ethan.

Because he and Morgana were able to keep an Apostle occupied, we managed to protect the elves.

The Swordbringer came to Avalon?

Yes. He even found the Holy Sword... but it didn't respond.

Face your inner self, and you will manifest.

That line wasn't in the prophecy.

......

Are you sure you've never heard it before?

What are you implying?

The Apostle we encountered today used a rather unusual spell

They completely masked their presence... while teleporting.

Tracking them with conventional magic was impossible.

Even doing one of those would rank you as a top-class wizard...

But this Apostle used both, as if someone helped them.

I've heard rumors that the Church of Tiamat has been conducting human experiments lately.

It could be related...

Vivien

Let's stop pretending. I already know everything.

......

Fufu. Good.

I was beginning to worry, what if you never caught on?

How long has this been going on?

The prophecy of the Holy Sword... did you make that up, too?

Of course not. The Holy Sword is real, Lord Oberon forged it himself.

It still exists. It's simply... not time yet.

So you do know where the real Holy Sword is.

Then why summon Ethan as the Swordbringer?

If you already knew the sword's location... why drag him into this at all?

Fufu. Don't worry.

Even if I don't say it now... someone of your caliber will figure it out soon enough.

When the truth finally comes to light...

I only hope you'll understand why I did what I did.

Bedivere?

..! Ethan? What are you doing here...?

You disappeared so suddenly. Of course I came looking.

But... what's with that face? Don't tell me... were you crying?

N-No, Ethan! It's just... the rain! That's all!

The rain stopped a while ago...

What's going on? Did you get hurt?

N-No, really, I'm fine!

It's just... I suddenly felt ashamed of myself.

Ashamed? Why?

When the Princess stepped up to stop the Imperial army... I couldn't stop her.

So I swore I'd at least stand by her, to support her resolve.

But... I couldn't do anything.

I promised I'd protect her no matter what... hic... and yet...

If you hadn't come back, Ethan... the Princess and I would have... waaahhh!!

Sniff... I'm just... a useless knight!

I don't even deserve to be called a royal guard!

C-Come on, calm down, Bedivere!

Feeling better now?

Sniff... Y-Yes.

I'm sorry, Ethan. I ruined your break...

It's fine. I already rested enough.

And Bedivere, don't be so hard on yourself.

You're doing just fine.

But... I didn't accomplish anything in this war.

The Princess must be disappointed in me...

Hmm... I think you're wrong about that.

..What?

Think about it. You and Elizabeth held off that huge army on your own.

That's only because the Princess is strong...

Do you really think she could've pulled that off alone?

Why do you think she could fight so confidently out there?

It's because you were with her, Bedivere.

W-What?!

Without your archery and healing magic... even Elizabeth wouldn't have lasted.

And... it's kind of cheesy, but...

Just having you at her side probably gives her strength.

..!

You're her anchor, her pillar.

And that's a role no one else can fill.

Sniff... E-Ethan..!

Every knight has their own way of protecting their liege.

And in that sense, you've done your part more than enough, so don't worry... Woah?!

Waaahhh!

Hey..! What if someone sees you like this?!

Sniff... Thank you, Ethan..!

And... hic... I'll work even harder from now on..!

Not just for the Princess, but... sniff... for you and Morgana, too...

So I can be a knight you can all rely on..!

......

Yeah... thanks, Bedivere.