Chapter 69: Tiamat

...

This is... the place we came to before.

Don't tell me the earth dragon... was in league with Vivien too?

...

No. This is not that lizard's nest.

Then where the hell are we...?

Ghk?!

Morgana?! What are you doing...?!

Eek?!

I'm sorry, both of you.

Unlike humans, I do not wish to repeat the same mistake.

Rest for a while.

I'll be back soon.

Ethan...

Ethan! Get a hold of yourself!

...Gah?!

I almost died...

Morgana! Was calling me a pig not enough for you?!

I almost got turned into a steak!!!

Ethan... Morgana isn't here.

What...?

While we were unconscious... I think Morgana left on her own.

Damn it, Morgana... Why do you always try to handle everything alone?

I know she got her power back, but... she's way too confident!

Does she even know what she might run into here...?

Nngh...?!

Bedivere!

The World Tree's will... is wavering.

Ethan... at this rate, Morgana's in danger!

That... a statue?

Ethan. Be careful.

I think the statue... is moving.

...Go back.

You who have bowed before a fate painted by false divination.

Hope turns its face from truth,

and the faith of the ignorant... shall return to the stars' breath.

...Go back.

Within the cycle of a dying star,

there shall be no paradise.

...Go back.

Together with us...

you are fated to vanish into the stars' shadow.

...Cut the ominous crap.

I've still got... fifty years before I end up a skeleton like you.

If you're lost and wandering, just say so.

I'll kindly guide you all the way to hell!

...

Ethan. Are those words from earlier... bothering you?

...Sorry.

I know this isn't the time for this... but I can't shake it off so easily.

It felt like they knew something about me.

It's okay, Ethan.

Actually, I also... noticed something that bothered me.

You too?

Yes. Normally, the dead have stopped circulating mana.

They are only manipulated... driven by the will and mana left behind by their master.

But... those skeletons were different.

Their mana was surging like that of living humans.

So they weren't ordinary skeletons?

Right. They were beings who, by their own will... rejected death.

...

Then what were they trying to tell us?

Morgana!!!

Morgana!!!

...

Cough... Why... did you follow me?

Didn't you hear me... when I told you to rest?

I'm begging you... leave this place right now...

Even if you stay... you'll be no help at all...

...

Even in a situation like this... is your pride really that important?

Look at yourself right now!

Why are you doing this...?! Do you trust us that little?

You were the one who said not to go dying on us!

You were the one who told us to think about the feelings of the comrades left behind... after acting so high and mighty...!

So why are you... acting like someone desperate to die!!!

...

I don't... want to be like this either...

Eating the stew Elizabeth made...

falling asleep on Bedivere's lap...

and even though you're usually a pervert... and a stupid pig who gets mad all the time...

sometimes... just sometimes, you actually look cool...!

I want to keep adventuring... with you...!!!

...!

But...

The God of Destruction can't be defeated... without the power of the Holy Sword.

And even with the Holy Sword... there's no guarantee we could win...

Could I really entrust that to you?

So... you useless lot should hurry... and go find Elizabeth...!

I don't want...

to lose any more precious comrades!!!

...

You're finally being honest.

...?

Bedivere, let's go.

The Fairy Queen needs our help.

Hehe. I've been waiting for this.

This time for sure, I'll show you what I can do!

Did you not hear... what I just said?

This enemy is... on a completely different level from anything we've faced before...!

This isn't someone you can beat with sheer willpower like usual...

Ow!

Same goes for us.

If we run away and leave a precious comrade behind, what would that even mean?

Morgana. We are never giving up on you.

And of course, we have no intention of losing either.

We're all going back together.

There is no other option.

Morgana. Please rest easy.

We'll protect you while you recover your mana!

...

...!

W-What are you doing all of a sudden?!

Did you run out of mana and lose your mind?!

...I don't know.

I don't understand why I'm doing this either...

but somehow... it felt like I had to.

...

Hehe. That's an unexpectedly cute reaction.

I shared a little of my mana, so you'll recover soon enough.

I also... don't want to be separated from all of you.

The God of Destruction can't be defeated... without the power of the Holy Sword.

Morgana...!

Bedivere...!

Eva... where is everyone...?! Answer me!

...!

...

Foolish mortals...

With your dull thrashing, you cannot stop me...

Bow down. And despair.

Brilliant civilization shall be buried in the earth and vanish...

and all things... shall meet destruction!!!

Aaaagh-!!!

You've gotten a lot weaker since I last saw you.

Don't tell me you're giving up already?

...

You are...

Get up, partner.

Your comrades are still alive.

Have you already forgotten the request from that day?

...

At first, I cursed you.

Why did it have to be me?

If I hadn't been chosen as the owner of the Holy Sword...

couldn't I have experienced more things, and with my precious family...

lived like an ordinary human...?

I resented it a lot.

But now... I think I'm glad.

Because thanks to you, I was able to protect the people I love.

...Partner.

It looks like... my journey ends here.

So just one last time... let me ask you something.

I know it probably won't happen...

but if... another crisis should come again...

then... I want you to step in.

You took my whole life away...

so you can grant me at least this much... can't you?

Ghk...!

...

Thank you for everything, partner.

I'll leave Britannia's future... to you.

...

There was never any need... to search for the Holy Sword in the first place.

The Holy Sword was inside me all along.

...Vivien.

If your objective was this very moment... then congratulations.

Your plan worked.

So when this fight is over...

I'll personally make sure you pay for your sins.

If only to console the countless souls... sacrificed for this filthy, inefficient plan.

All right, then... shall we put an end to this long fight?

I'll tell you now, I'm going all out from the very start.

Because right now... someone's waiting for us!

No!

Ethan, put the sword down.

As you are now... you must not face the God of Destruction.

We've finally reached land...

Thank you for helping us.

I'll guide us from here.

Vivien is probably... at the Church of Tiamat's headquarters.

...

Is trying to stop her... really the right choice?

Hm?

Vivien's plan has been in motion for hundreds of years.

As though you and I... the variables that could disrupt it... had been removed beforehand.

You have a point.

But there's no other way.

Ethan has something else to do right now.

If he learns he was being used... he may never be able to pick up the sword again.

I have an idea.

What is it?

...

The two of us... will seal away the God of Destruction.

...!

Vivien is going to lure the Swordbringer to the place where the God of Destruction is.

If we strike first, Vivien's plan will naturally fall apart.

Do you have... a way to seal it?

The God of Destruction can't be defeated without the Holy Sword.

Even if it won't be a perfect seal, there is a way to stop it from moving.

I'm thinking of... trapping the God of Destruction in ice.

If you all can find another method while I buy time...

then this time, we may finally be able to destroy the God of Destruction completely.

...

Will you be all right?

If you use that much mana at once...

even a dragon's body won't be able to endure it.

I'll be fine.

For this moment...

I want to be a hero at least once.

To protect the will... of a precious comrade.

...! Vivien?

Hehe. You've arrived earlier than I expected.

It wasn't a place you could have escaped so easily... was it thanks to the Saintess at your side?

...

Should I say you saved me the trouble of searching...

or do you have another card hidden away?

I didn't expect you to show yourself in person.

Whatever do you mean?

...I already know your entire plan.

To come to me pretending you wanted to be my disciple and use me...

as your teacher, I am deeply disappointed.

...Disappointing is exactly how I feel as well.

To think you would reject your disciple's request... so coldly.

If only you had quietly done as I said...

you could have met salvation... without ever facing the truth.

Salvation?

That insane plan of yours... you call that salvation?

Please calm down.

You already know, don't you? The time for persuading her with words... is already past.

If anything, I think this is better.

We can deal with Vivien before she gets to the Swordbringer.

...Hehe. Is that really so?

Vivien. From the moment I awakened... your plan was already as good as ruined.

...

Isn't that why you came here to stop me?

To someone like you, who intended to lure the Swordbringer to the place where the God of Destruction is...

my very existence must be a thorn in your side.

...What a foolish race.

You may laugh and call me a toothless dragon.

If I can stop your plan...

I won't even begrudge my life.

No, I mean that literally.

Why do you think I am guarding this place...

and you still haven't figured it out?

...!

Don't tell me... you've already reached the Swordbringer...?

Hehe. I won't bother answering that.

The moment salvation arrives, your doubts will be answered as well.

...

Hah!!!

Merlin. I think we're already far too late.

Please go on ahead and stop the Swordbringer.

But alone...

I'll be fine. I may not look it, but... I was once called a Saintess too.

I'll catch up soon, so please go first.

...

All right. I'll trust you.

But don't overdo it.

If anything happens to you... Morgana will be heartbroken.

Merlin...?

Why are you stopping me?! Don't tell me you too... got to by Vivien?

No, I'm fine.

As your teacher, I just don't want you making the wrong choice.

The Holy Sword Excalibur... was a sword that absorbed souls?

Yes. Right now... it holds the souls of the people from your home.

The moment you defeat the God of Destruction,

your family's souls will be absorbed into the ley lines and never return.

...

That's why we are not going to defeat the God of Destruction.

Even if they are beings from another world...

I don't want to go on living in cowardice by using other humans as sacrifices.

Then... what about Britannia?

The moment that thing gets out of here, the world will be destroyed.

Don't worry.

There is a way.

That water dragon you met in the depths.

If we can just buy time until that one arrives...

Good thing I'm not too late.

...!

Vivien...?

How did you... get here...!

The title of Saintess... is merely a relic of the past.

The will left behind by the primordial fairy won't crumble from something like that.

Swordbringer. Now you too... understand the whole truth, don't you?

The way to save everyone is simple.

With the sword you're holding...

save Britannia.

...

Why are you hesitating?

You can no longer return to your homeland anyway.

The only one who knows how to cross the Sea of Stars and reach another world...

is me.

Rather than clinging to a wall you cannot climb...

wouldn't becoming Britannia's hero be the happier path?

...Aren't you a little too full of yourself?

We have the Fairy Queen.

If I defeat you here...

we'll find another way.

...Sure.

Her Majesty will surely... find some way, no matter what.

But in the end, she will fall into despair.

Because the Fairy Queen has already given up much to save you.

...

The power called magic... is not some blessing bestowed by a god.

If the proper price is not paid, miracles cannot happen.

Look at the one lying there.

Can the Fairy Queen, who cannot even maintain her own body...

really send you back home?

Ethan! You must not waver.

Vivien's goal is to persuade you.

There is still hope!

...Exactly. Hope is the strongest weapon mortals have.

Of course, before that hope can come true,

Princess Elizabeth will disappear.

...! Elizabeth!

In the Sea of Stars, brimming with Arke...

it will be difficult for an ordinary human body to survive.

Swordbringer.

Rather than clinging to ties with a world you can no longer return to...

shouldn't saving the comrades before your eyes come first?

If you grant my request,

I swear I will bring Princess Elizabeth safely before you.

...

Merlin. Move aside.

Ethan...!

...I made a promise.

This time... I would save everyone with my own hands.

You may still see me as an immature disciple...

but this is my conviction. I cannot abandon it.

...

Are you sure you won't regret it?

but I learned a lot on this journey too.

It wasn't a journey I chose to begin...

but at least where it ends... I want to choose that myself.

...

Just as no parent can ever win against their child...

how could I refuse the request of my one and only disciple?

All right. Walk the path you desire.

I'll keep watch on Vivien here.

Hehe... there is no need.

I want to watch quietly.

The moment Britannia, trapped in the cycle of a dying star...

finally receives salvation...!

Grrgh...!!!

Why... do you resist fate...?

Destruction is... the sacred order of the stars...

Eternity is... nothing more than hollow glory...

Do you still... not understand...!!!

Yes... as you said, there is nothing eternal in this world.

If anyone claims eternity,

then that is the hollow glory you spoke of.

So we... have to step off the stage.

Salvation built upon sacrifice...

means nothing...!!!

...!

Ethan!!!

Ghk...!

I told... you...

I was going to... save... everyone...

...Swordbringer.

What... have you done?

Haha... It looked like...

everything would move... just as you planned... didn't it...?

Too bad...

Now... ghk!

the God of Destruction and the Holy Sword... will disappear together...

and the Holy Sword's curse... will not activate...!

Why...

Why would you choose this...!

...Heh.

That's a... nice expression...

From the very beginning... I was never planning... to do what you said.

If I had... gone along with your plan...

starting with me... innocent people...

would have kept... being dragged in...!

For a deranged plan like this...

one sacrifice... is enough.

Ethan...

...You really do take me for a fool to the very end.

Do you really think... I would give up like this?

I'll stake all my mana... no, even my life...!

I will never let you die!!!

...

Merlin...

Stop... that one...

...Ethan.

Do you know what that means... and still ask it of me?

...I do.

I know... it will leave... a deep wound in you...

But...

if this goes on... no one can be saved.

...

Merlin... please...

Save Britannia...

Save my family...

You're the only one... who can grant my request now...

...

Grrgh...

Merlin... there's no time...

Before its power... activates... hurry...!

...Haa.

You really are a foolish disciple.

I sent you to find the Holy Sword, and all you came back with was a head full of swagger...

...

But...

even if you are such a hopeless disciple... I am proud of you.

Thank you... Merlin...

Elizabeth...

please...

The more I look at you, the more interesting you become.

...

You are...?

...Tiamat.

The very Goddess of Destruction... you all were so desperately searching for.

Tiamat...?

You... were a real goddess?

How insolent.

If not for my power... you would have long since returned to Arke and vanished.

The only reason part of your soul still remains...

is because of me. Do not forget that.

...So why did you summon me?

If you're a real goddess... then you've seen everything I've done until now.

It feels like everything I had to do in Britannia is over now.

...Yes.

I have watched your journey all along.

The choice that saved both worlds... was truly magnificent.

It's been a long time... since I've had such entertaining amusement.

...Yeah, yeah. Thanks.

I'm so glad the goddess thinks well of me.

So... I intend to give you a chance.

...A chance?

Yes. Now that the Holy Sword's power has left you, you are no different from an ordinary human.

If you pass my trial,

I shall grant the wish you desire.

A wish...

No restrictions, right?

Yes. If you wish, I shall even return you to your homeland.

...

The offer sounds so good that it only makes me more suspicious.

Why me?

Like you said, I'm just... an ordinary human now.

I was curious.

Whether human faith and bonds

could surpass a god's expectations.

...?

Well, think of it as a god's whim.

Will you challenge it?

...Yeah. No reason not to.

I don't know what you want,

but I'm not letting a chance like this slip by!

Huff... huff...

Impressive.

Your sword stance was a little ridiculous, but it was a splendid battle.

Huff... the trial's... over, right?

Yes. Now tell me what you desire.

Do you wish to return to your original world?

Or... do you wish to set out on another adventure with your comrades?

No. My wish was decided from the start.

Elizabeth Pendragon.

Send my companion, adrift in the Sea of Stars... back to Britannia.

...

Then that means

you mean to accept death as it is?

That's right. My vow... was to save everyone.

But there was one person...

I couldn't save... Elizabeth.

Even now... she's probably grieving alone in that vast expanse of space.

...

I'm already dead, but Elizabeth is still alive.

Tiamat.

If you really are a goddess...

save my precious companion.

...

...Heh.

To think I would lose to a human...

What a delightful turn of events.

What...?

Girl.

This wager is yours.

As promised, I shall grant your wish.

...!

Elizabeth...?

Had you not been here...

the Swordbringer surely would have made a different choice.

...

You have my thanks.

It has been truly satisfying, after so long.

Lady Tiamat.

As befits the Goddess of Destruction... you truly are cruel.

Why are you... showing me these memories?

Do you wish for me as well... to meet a miserable end?

Do not be disappointed.

Since you showed me such an entertaining performance...

I too shall show the bare minimum courtesy.

...What?

I shall personally grant your wish.

Now then, speak what you desire.

...A wish.

You may wish to be returned to your original world,

or ask me to remove the root cause of this tragedy.

Anything at all. Just one.

I shall grant what you truly desire.

...

Then my wish is already decided.

Please send Ethan... back to his original world.

...

...Oh?

Even if it costs your life, you wish to save that man?

Ethan cast off the unreasonable fate surrounding him,

and protected my homeland and my precious people.

Now... I want to save him.

Even if I must give everything I have.

...I understand your sincerity.

But that differs from our agreement.

To grant that wish, I would first have to restore the Swordbringer's soul,

and then send that soul beyond the Sea of Stars once more...

That is no different from making two wishes.

...

I see...

In the end, I... all the way to the very end... ngh...!

I can't even... help Ethan...

...

However, if the two of you entertain me once more...

it would not be impossible.

...!

Then please, tell me at once!

Whatever it is you want...

if it means I can save Ethan... I'll do anything!

...It is a simple trial.

But if you fail to pass it, your wish will vanish just as it is.

Even so, are you willing?

Yes. I don't mind.

Because I believe in Ethan!

...The test itself was simple.

At the very edge of life and death, what choice would Ethan make...?

I already knew my answer.

Because I believed that even in his final moment...

Ethan would choose his comrades over himself.

So... you chose... to remain here?

To send me... back to Earth?

Yes, Ethan.

It's time for you to go home now.

...Ngh.

You idiot!!!

I'm already dead!

Why... why would you make a choice like this!!!

Did you think... this would make me happy?

Leaving you in a place like this... surviving all alone...!

Did you really think I could live happily like that!!!

...No, Ethan.

This isn't a wish for your sake.

What...?

I want you to suffer no more...

I want your family to grieve no more...

and I believe you deserve to be far happier than you are now...

This is a selfish wish... made purely for my own sake.

Thank you for everything... Ethan.

After meeting you, I received so much... far more than I deserved.

Because thanks to you... I was able to protect my precious people.

No... we can't part like this...!

Tiamat!!! This isn't what we agreed to!

Stop it right now, stop it!!!

...Ethan.

Do you remember?

You said there was something you absolutely wanted to tell me once the war was over.

Ethan...

I've always...

Son!

...!

Phew...

...

Elizabeth...

Even so... all I can do is believe and wait.

If Merlin and Morgana are out there, then surely...

Huh...?

Hold on...

That butt... I swear I've seen it somewhere before...

Eek!

Wah?!

Well, well.

I was wondering where that stuffed pig had gone, and here you were idly basking in the sun.