Chapter 66: Vortigern

Everyone... just hold on a little longer!

Wait a moment.

Ria? Didn't you go back to the inn?

I said I'd wait at the inn. That doesn't mean I had to return immediately.

Come with me for now.

I need your help.

...Right now?

If you're worried about the others, don't be.

They're all carrying out their own missions perfectly.

If anything, the one you should be worried about... is over here.

...! Merlin?!

As you can see, your mentor is in danger.

There's no time. Come.

This is... an underwater city?

It's not anything that romantic.

This is the deep sea.

A deep-sea prison someone created artificially.

Who in the world made something like this?

You don't need to know.

What's more important is...

We've been dancing on someone else's stage this whole time...

...

The best way to ruin a stage is to change the script.

Let's split up and search.

Got it.

But... if we split up, there's no way to contact each other.

...Do I still look like an ordinary maid to you?

If you find him, call for me.

Even if it sounds like a bug crawling, I'll know it's your voice.

Just like Ria said, it's nothing like an underwater city.

Merlin... where are you?

...!

Monsters... they said they're drawn to strong Mana.

I should follow it.

This is...

That kid too... was captured like Merlin?

To subdue Britannia's Archwizard and a dragon... that easily...

Who the hell could do this...?

Huh...?

W-What...?! My body is moving on its own...!

...

...Mmm?

Clarisse...?

Wh-What...?!

...You were waiting.

Thank you... for not forgetting us...

Uh, um...

...?

I think... you've mistaken me for someone else...

...

H-Hyaah?!

I'm sorry...

To be so rude to the one who saved my life...

It's fine. Sleep-talking at this level is kind of cute.

...I've met someone who kicks people in the face.

Heh. You're amusing.

Ah, I nearly forgot to thank you properly.

My name is Lueira. As you can see, I'm a Water Dragon.

You must have been afraid when you saw me... Thank you for saving me.

But... how did you end up all the way down here, sir?

I'm looking for someone.

An Archwizard who wears a huge hat... he's my mentor.

I thought if I chased strong Mana, I'd find him... but it's not easy.

Maybe because we're underwater. It's so vast, I can't get a read on anything.

...I see.

Even with me, it wasn't enough... and they're still doing something so horrible...

Huh...?

If it's all right... would you like me to help?

You saved my life... I want to help you too.

I'd appreciate it, but... are you sure?

You just woke up. You don't have to push yourself.

No. I understand how you feel, sir.

Being separated from someone precious... is terribly sad.

Lueira...

I don't want to just walk past and pretend I didn't see it.

Just like you saved me.

...

Thank you. Then I'll take you up on that.

Yes! Let's go at once.

...

My life-debt, and the chicken stew recipe.

With that, our debt is paid in full.

...You're strong.

I can't imagine what kind of harsh training you went through...

Believe it or not, out there they call me the Swordbringer.

Fish like these are no match for me.

Swordbringer...?

It's the role that guides the master of the Holy Sword to the Holy Sword.

To put it simply, a guide...

Has the master of the Holy Sword appeared?!

Uh... yeah. More accurately, I guess it's that the Holy Sword has appeared.

Do you know anything about the Holy Sword too?

Yes. I... once went on an adventure with the Holy Sword's hero.

...!

Then... could you tell me?

Actually, we already found the Holy Sword.

But for some reason... the Holy Sword didn't acknowledge us.

It appears to serve the true king only when the Blessing of the Red Dragon fades.

It feels like we've already met the prophecy's conditions.

...

That can't be.

What...?

The Holy Sword chooses its master by its own will.

The Blessing of the Red Dragon and the Holy Sword... have nothing to do with each other.

Then that means...

Yes. Someone is spreading a false prophecy.

The goal is probably... to hide the Holy Sword's existence.

If your companion truly is the master of the Holy Sword...

Then there's a good chance that Holy Sword is a fake.

Damn it...!

So everything we've been through was for nothing...?

I don't think so.

The best way to hide the truth is...

To mix truth and lies, so you can't tell which is which.

That overwhelming power of yours, Swordbringer...

I'm sure it has something to do with the Holy Sword.

...

For now, let's go find the Archwizard you're looking for.

Once we escape the deep sea safely, I'll help you search for the Holy Sword, too.

For me... you'd go that far?

Even as repayment for my life... that seems too expensive.

No. This is for me.

I don't know why, but...

I feel like if I help you, I'll be able to meet my old friend.

I feel like I've heard something like that before...

Hehe. Come on, Swordbringer.

I can sense strong Mana ahead. This time, I'm sure it's the right answer!

...

(If the very idea of a Swordbringer is the product of a false prophecy...)

(Then why was I summoned to another world?)

Your Majesty. Reglon Castle has fallen.

If this advance continues...

Reaching the imperial capital will only be a matter of time.

Strange.

Didn't you say so yourself?

That if the Titania Empire reinforcements and House Carlisle joined forces...

We could easily cut off the Allied Forces' supply lines.

...

I believe an explanation is in order.

Unless you mean to tell me the plan failed because you couldn't even stop a single knight.

I-I'm sorry, Your Majesty... If you grant me just one more chance, this time I will...!

Aaaagh-!!!

...

So much time has already... passed.

Mordred.

Even you have become just like these peace-rotted wastes.

...Then I'll have to teach you myself.

How foolish a choice you've made.

Swordbringer, the person you're looking for... you said it's Britannia's Archwizard, right?

Is there a reason you took her as your mentor?

You seem to mainly use a sword, Swordbringer.

She summoned me to this world.

It's not like I wanted her as a mentor... She forced it on me.

Thanks to her, I ended up traveling with some fairy who whines about side dishes every day and never wants to leave the house...

A truly annoying fairy, too.

...!

Never would've guessed.

I heard he was your friend, so I got my hopes up, and then he introduced me to a total bottom-tier fairy...

Swordbringer! You're... a traveler from another world too?

Huh? Yeah. I'm the Holy Sword's Swordbringer...

Wait...

That reaction... don't tell me there's another reincarnated person besides me?

Yes, that's right.

I don't know how she's doing now, but...

Even among my companions, there was someone who longed for home like you, Swordbringer.

Don't tell me that home is...

Ghk...!

Swordbringer?!

Damn it... I can't... breathe...!

...

How did I not realize until now...

That this place is... far too harsh an environment for a human to endure.

Someone was protecting you.

Sorry... of all times...

It's all right, Swordbringer.

Leave the rest to me.

What...?

With my power, I'll send you back to the surface, Swordbringer.

Don't worry.

I'll find your companion... I promise.

Stop... I can't... leave you here... alone...!

I'll be fine.

Compared to the days I was trapped in cold ice... this is nothing.

It was a short time, but... I was happy, Swordbringer.

May a fresh wind be with you on the road ahead.

So you were the one protecting the Swordbringer.

But this butterfly... I feel like I've seen it somewhere...

From now on... we're setting out on a journey to stop the God of Destruction's resurrection.

As Britannia's saint, I can't just pretend I didn't see it, can I?

...

Heh...!

Do things like fate really exist...?

I'm glad to see you're doing well.

(Morgan. Don't worry.)

(I'll save your friend.)

Thank you, Lueira.

Thanks to you... I can teach that insolent apprentice a lesson.

Now, brace yourself.

The price for ignoring this Fairy Queen's mercy...

Unless you offer up your life, it won't be easy to bear.

...!

This is... a duplicate?

You deliberately split off your own soul...

And made a perfect decoy that even this Fairy Queen couldn't detect?

Ghk...!

...

There's no time...

I have to find the real one... fast...!

How long are you going to sleep?

Looks like that wasn't enough.

Brace yourself.

Gaaah?!

You're late.

Looks like you've already let your guard down.

Was your date with a new woman that enjoyable?

W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?!

No, wait... this isn't the time.

We have to go find Merlin...

Wait.

Gaaah?!

Leave Merlin to us, and you go back to Britannia.

You just told me to hurry and follow you... and now you're telling me to go back?

The situation has changed.

False King Vortigern.

He's started moving personally.

Everyone! Just a little more!

Victory is right in front of us!

If we just get over this wall...

Hrah!!!

Aaaagh-!!!

...

With... just a single exchange...?

It's been a while.

...

So we've finally met.

False King Vortigern.

I've come to take back the throne you stole through treason.

Elizabeth. You haven't changed at all.

Still foolish and... incompetent, just like your father.

Don't speak my father's name with that filthy mouth.

Do you dislike my attitude?

Then prove it with your sword.

To enforce justice by your own strength...

Is a privilege reserved for the strong.

For all that big talk... you're nothing special.

Elizabeth. That's your limit.

If you've never gone to war in the name of the weak...

You can't understand their pain.

...

Having lived your whole life relying on others... you can't protect the Empire's people.

That justice and cause you scream about...

Is nothing more than the stubbornness of a childish princess.

...Right.

To you, I'm probably still just a child who wants revenge for my father.

...!

That arrogance... is going to choke the life out of you.

Legitimate succession to the throne?

I've never even cared about that.

Even without some petty crown, the will of the Red Dragon doesn't change.

There's only one thing I want.

To protect the people who believed in me,

and... to not betray the trust of my precious companions!

I'll defeat you and restore peace to Britannia!!!

Why do you fight so desperately, General?

...

You know it too, don't you.

That this northern campaign is meant to dispose of us neatly.

A foolish question.

Of course it's to protect the people.

But they... won't remember our names.

It doesn't matter.

I'm standing here of my own will.

...

If you can't accept it, you may leave.

Even a knight who swore eternal loyalty will have at least one thing they cannot give up.

...No. I was shortsighted.

...

Let's move out.

...

Your sacrifice and devotion... I'll never forget it.

...

This time too... you didn't make it back.

...

I'm sorry.

...

Lord Vortigern! An urgent report!

What is it?

The barbarians... raided the outpost!

...!

Cecilia!!!

D...dear...?

Hold on just a little longer... I'll fetch a priest right now...!

D-Don't...

I'm already... done for.

So...

Please... go and... save the other soldiers...

Stop spouting nonsense!

Do you truly not know... why I came to this cursed land...?

Everything was to protect you...

My love...

I... love you...

Falling for... someone as kind as you...

I'm so... glad...

Cecilia!!!

Looks like you need some help.

...

Well?

If you help me...

I could lend you my power.

...

Simple power... won't be enough.

...?

Make me... Emperor.

An Emperor no one can oppose...

The eternal Emperor of Britannia.

All right.

Then first, join hands with the barbarians.

In the distant future, they'll become your steadfast allies.

You're not going to... lay a hand on me?

We already have what we need from each other.

So I'd like you... not to ask for more than that.

Heh. That's exactly what I wanted.

Then let's begin the contract.

(I hope you survive... to the very end.)

(The day all wars come to an end...)

(This sword will pierce your hearts.)

You already used the key I prepared for the Swordbringer.

Fine. I'll admit it.

You've already... surpassed your father.

Kyaaah!

But...

Born with everything, you... cannot understand the hearts of the weak.

Your idealistic and reckless plan will bring the Empire down...

And place the people in danger.

Just like those soldiers... who fell for your sake.

Vortigern... what are you... doing?!

Elizabeth.

No... traitor who has walked over the blood of the people.

I will personally condemn your sins.

You sure talk a lot for a traitor.

So when you do it, it's a revolution, but when we do it, it's treason?

Ethan!

Everyone's got a story.

Save the sob speech...

Let's talk with swords, like always.

...

Swordbringer... what do you stand before me for?

Isn't what you need the power of the Holy Sword?

Why do you strive so hard for that girl?

Why ask what's obvious?

She's a precious companion. Of course I'm going to protect her.

And besides... I'm greedy.

Swordbringer.

Hope of the Allied Forces.

Hero who saved the world.

And... a companion of Elizabeth Pendragon.

I'm not giving up any of it.

Elizabeth. Let's go!

We'll end this damn war... with our own hands!

Yes, Ethan!

...

We... won.

We won, Ethan!

Is it finally over...?

I feel so relieved.

No more running for our lives now, right?

Yes... Ethan.

Thanks to you, Britannia can finally have peace...

That was truly a splendid battle.

A beautiful ending... worthy of the Swordbringer's fame.

...! Vivien...?

Why are you... here...

But... you're still one step short.

Kyaaah?!

Aaaagh-!!!

We've been dancing on someone else's stage this whole time...

I'll be waiting, Swordbringer.

Your resolve to become Britannia's hero.

This time... I'd like you to prove it.