Chapter 58: A New Encounter

Khh...!

The future I wanted so badly... it's right in front of me...

And I fall here of all places...

Flame Emperor Agnes. Your ambition... ends here.

......

Karishara...

Even now, your foolish choice... stands in my way.

...Fufufu.

Ahahahaha...!

Congratulations, Princess Elizabeth. You won... again.

But... it's far too early to relax.

In the end... we will meet again...!

Kay... where are you going?

......

There's still power of Agnes left inside me.

And in this shard, her undying fury is bound.

Leaving it unattended... is too dangerous.

So... you are leaving again?

Like ten years ago?

...... I have no choice, Eli.

I am the one who awakened the Emperor.

I must see this through.

...

If that truly is your resolve... then there is a better way.

Hm?

Join the Alliance.

...!

The Alliance has many you can rely on.

Ethan, the Swordbringer... Morgana, the Fairy Queen... Bedi, awakened to the power of the World Tree...

Even Merlin, and the princesses of the realms...

There is no safer place in Britannia than with us.

But you must already know this, so... there is another reason, is there?

...

Heh... you caught me.

Since when did you notice?

From the very start.

Knowing you, you would take the Emperor's atrocities upon yourself as your own fault.

I am fine, Eli.

Thanks to Ethan, I reclaimed my body, and we defeated Agnes.

I even got to play the gallant knight before you.

The role of a false knight... ends here.

No. The Alliance still needs you.

......

The Emperor's power is dangerous, yes...

But used properly, that same power can save many.

Just like when you saved me in the battle with the Apostle.

Eli...

If you fear that power running wild... you do not need to.

You are strong.

You will not be swallowed by those flames a second time.

But if you cannot trust yourself, then trust me.

Trust the one who believes in you more than anyone...

The one you trust more than anyone...

The one who will stand in your way if you ever step onto the wrong path...

Your liege.

......

As expected... I can never win against you, Eli.

If my lord so commands...

I will atone for my folly with loyalty to you.

But if the day comes when my spear must point at you...

Then do not hesitate... stop me.

Mmm... slurp... nnngh...

Nngh... Isn't this a bit much...?

Slurp... I can't help it.

Because you... asked for something reckless... I ran out of mana...

Sluurp... slurp...

I told you, did I not? Slurp...

I would take as much of your mana... as I wanted.

Sluurp... slurp... be ready.

I will make sure you take responsibility.

By the way... what was that spell?

Separating souls... even for a Grail spirit, that makes no sense.

I learned it a long time ago.

So long that... I don't remember from whom.

Strange.

A spell that delicate and difficult would be beyond anyone but the Fairy Queen.

Pfft!

What's so funny?

I don't recall the details...

But I know this much. It was not a little brat like you.

Especially not here or there...

What did you say?!

Do not underestimate my cute and sexy royal body!

Once I am back to full power, that piggish body of yours will not even be a warmup.

Alright, alright... enough. Let us eat first.

Ethan. I prepared lunch today.

Oh? Did you make it yourself?

Yes. Thanks to you... I was able to save Kay.

It is my thanks.

O-Of course... I prepared a lunchbox for Eva as well.

Heh. Thank you. Even if it's leftovers, it feels nice.

W-What do you mean by leftovers?!

Thanks, Elizabeth. I will dig in... huh?

What the... all the food is gone.

Morgana... is this your doing?!

Mff mff? Mff mff mff!

Ethan. I prepared a separate lunchbox for Morgana.

Then who...

Awooo! Awooo!

Is that... a wolf?

Waaah... so cute!

A wolf that can fly... is this one a monster too?

Awoo! Awoo awooo!

I think it's trying to communicate with us...?

Hmm... I think it wants us to follow.

Looks like it likes you, Ethan.

Hmph. Pigs do recognize pigs.

Who are you calling a pig!

And this is not a pig, it's a wolf!

It's the Tiamat Cultists!

The Swordbringer...? How did you find this place?

That's our line!

To think you were plotting this near the abbey... unbelievable.

Awoo! Awoo!

Unlike certain someone... you are really earning your keep, huh.

Let's take them out!

...

You found every last one of the cultists hiding out here...

You are more capable than you look.

What do you mean, Ethan!

Look into those bright eyes. This wolf is obviously a genius!

How does that prove anything about being smart...?

Found them!

I knew it. The culprits were humans!

Those are... Beastfolk?

The Blackwolf Tribe.

A people of the Deepwood. It is rare to meet them outside their territory.

You there, ugly human. Return Lord Fenrir.

Fenrir...?

You mean this wolf who looks like it could sleep all day... is Fenrir?

Everyone! This is a misunderstanding.

We did not abduct anyone. We are trying to find the owner.

We don't believe human words!

Right! Humans are all liars!

Dragged into another headache, I see...

They are not in any state to talk...

Let's calm them down first!

Awoooo!