Chapter 65: Choice

Found you.

So many have gathered already.

We can probably set off soon.

Hehe. I look forward to working with you.

For Britannia's salvation...

...Swordbringer.

How long are you going to keep sleeping?

(Is this the goddess who came to pick me up?)

Hehe, seeing you can't say a word...

You must be falling head over heels for this Fairy Queen.

(......)

(Is it just me... why does that way of speaking feel so familiar?)

When did you start acting like you could ignore me just because I'm a brat...

You can't take your eyes off me now.

Honestly, you're a hopeless pervert pig.

...

M-Morgana...?

Finally came to your senses, did you?

You're late, you know?

You should be getting up and kneeling already... but you've just been sleeping like a pig.

Be grateful I'm generous.

Why am I... alive?

I thought I was dead for sure...

Who decided you died?

You promised you'd help me find traces of the fairies.

I won't forgive you for getting comfortable on your own.

A promise...

Right... I did.

I'd find the one who made your friends disappear... and give them what's coming.

......

Thanks for saving me.

I'll promise you too.

Until I keep the promise I made with you...

I won't die. Not ever.

......

Hmph. Trying to look cool now is too late.

How about you get rid of that lecherous stare before you talk?

What's wrong with my stare...?

Playing dumb, are you?

From the moment you opened your eyes... you've been staring right here, haven't you?

I-I haven't!

I was thinking something serious in my own way!

Then say it. What were you thinking?

...It's a secret.

Hehe, you'd better talk while I'm being nice.

Reading human minds is... nothing for me.

You're really persistent...!

Now, hurry up and tell me!

Unless you want your embarrassing memories exposed... hehe!

Ghk...!

Fine... I'll tell you!

At first, I didn't recognize you. I've never seen a fairy that beautiful.

So I figured I was already dead...

And I thought a goddess had come... to welcome me...

......

Pfft!!!

Don't laugh!!!

Hahaha!

A goddess who comes to greet the dead... What decade is that from?

Have you been reading too many books?

Ghk...

Still, I get it.

This Fairy Queen's perfect figure must be a bit too much stimulation for you, Ethan.

How about it? If you promise to be my attendant until you die...

I might let you touch me... just a little.

Are you crazy?! No way!

Also... where'd that bastard Iscariot go?

Ah... him?

Gaaaah-!!!

Yeah... it'd be a shame if you died too easily.

Hang in there a little longer.

Until you beg for death... with your own mouth.

Don't worry.

You'll never run into him again.

...?

What are you standing there for?

Move.

We have to go save everyone.

......

Tch, that's it already?

I was having fun for the first time in a while... what a shame.

Where are you going now?

I'm not letting you get away this time!

Are you trying to play tag?

I don't mind. It'll ease my boredom.

But... what about your precious Princess?

......!

You don't want to admit it, but everyone already knows.

Princess Elizabeth is just a scarecrow...

The allied forces' real core strength is the Swordbringer.

......

Heh... If you don't hurry, she might die, you know?

You protected that Princess by sacrificing your precious arm...

Wouldn't it be a shame if she died like this?

...You're right.

I'm the Princess's sworn knight.

Ghk?!

So I'll wager everything I have to take you down right here.

So you don't care if that Princess dies?

No. I believe.

Ethan and Morgana will protect the Princess.

So I'll do what I can.

Finally, I can move again.

Then it looks like preparations are finished, so...

Go beat Vortigern into the ground already.

You're not coming with me?

Why would this Fairy Queen get involved in a fight between pigs?

I have something else to do.

Sounds suspicious...

Don't tell me... even now you're trying to slack off...

What do you take me for?!

I'm the Fairy Queen.

So of course I should take the most important role, right?

Quit talking nonsense and get going.

I'll take care of the flies.

That's quite the aggressive welcome.

There was a bit of trouble last time.

So sorry, but... outsiders aren't allowed in.

...Outsiders?

Hehe, I felt it before too...

Elves these days are a complete mess.

Huh...?

Can't be helped.

I'll educate you myself instead.

About who the true master of Avalon is.

There you are. I've been looking for you.

......

It's been a while, Your Majesty.

I never thought I'd see you in that form again.

It's good to see you too.

You're the first one to recognize me.

The elves couldn't even tell who I was.

Who trained them that poorly that they can't recognize the Fairy Queen?

A long time has passed.

Unlike us, who have lived for millennia...

They're still nothing more than children.

I hope Your Majesty can understand.

Yeah?

Not because you got distracted... and neglected the elves?

......

For old times' sake, I'm giving you one last chance.

Disband the Church immediately.

Then I'll bury the truth quietly.

......

Hehe. Your Majesty is still... merciful.

What a relief.

...!

Merlin...?

...You could never pretend you didn't know, could you.

All right, shall we begin our deal?

What I want from Your Majesty... is only one thing.

Please stay here in Avalon until the war ends.

What... is your purpose?

Ethan is only the Swordbringer...

He's not the Holy Sword's wielder, so why are you so obsessed with him?

......

I'm afraid I can't answer that question.

Our role... just ended.

...?

Hehe. Your master... is very lucky.

I'll be watching to see how long that luck lasts...

You waited?

Like I promised, I came to save you.

......

Hehe, you're late.

I've already used up half my mana.

Sorry. Something came up on the way...

It's fine.

I can... replenish the missing mana.

...Go easy on me.

Hehe. Then I'll... rest for a bit.

Call me again if you need help.

Are you still hesitating?

At this point, I think it's a deal that's good for both of us.

......

I already know.

With an unstable awakening... it's difficult even to maintain that body.

In other words, this is a deal, and...

as your disciple, this is my last chance for you.

Please stop interfering with the Swordbringer.

If you refuse, then I also... won't be able to...

(Morgan. Don't worry.)

(I'll save your friend.)

......

You remembered... the promise.

Ghk?!

Thank you, Lueira.

Thanks to you... I can teach my impudent disciple a lesson.