Percival's Episode

What... what's this... Hmm...

Good morning, my lord! It's dawn training time.

...It's you, Percival.

Didn't we finish the mission... What kind of training is this, showing up so early...?

The mission is complete. Morning jogs and stretches are important for building basic strength, so let's go!

What an awful idea... help... I have trauma waking up like this... this damn situation...

Haha! Looks like you're awake now. I'll go ahead and prepare.

There's a forecast for a strong northwest wind and rain, so I need to oil the equipment.

...

My lord...?

Ah, my lord! Don't go back to sleep with the blanket over your head!

Damn...

Percival. You don't have to treat me like your lord. Shouldn't you be following Elizabeth instead?

I can't do that.

Of course, I want to help the princess, but my family has already fallen, and I was searching for the Holy Grail.

Once I find the Holy Grail, I swear I'll be your sword as long as it recognizes you as the true lord.

The will of a knight is more important than the ruined family legacy...

Then can't you just leave me alone? Waking up this early is so hard...

I can't! You are my mirror, my lord. With thorough self-management and growth, you must become a great person.

You know, Percival, I really hate that stuff.

You should live your own life too. Would you die if I told you to?

Yes!

Oh my...

Alright, then...

Yes! I'm fine with anything!

... Huh?

Do you even know what I'm saying?

It doesn't matter. A knight must absolutely obey the orders of their lord and respect their wishes.

Ah... I suddenly got tired... I'm going to rest, so please just leave me alone... This is my order...

Understood. Loyalty!

Don't do that...

Good morning, my lord! Today is the OO-OO, and the current time is 5 AM!

I'm not sure how many days are left until we find the Holy Sword, but let's keep going strong!

...

...Mornings feel like hell.

What? What did you say?

Nothing.

Percival... You weren't this stiff before. Why are you getting so much more military-like?

Well, because you said you like me, my lord. Now that I've been recognized, I'll follow you to the ends of the earth.

I'm happy, but why are tears falling...

Honestly, I'm not confident. You don't intend to leave me alone, do you?

With all due respect, I don't think that's a retainer's duty. Your goal is still far away.

I believe there's no one by your side to guide you properly down this path. Everyone's good people, but they lack discipline.

Yeah, it's a life-risking adventure.

Sigh... Guess I have no choice. Since we've come this far, let's do it right.

My lord...?

I'm tired, but it can't be helped. I can't break your will, and it's not with bad intentions.

My lord...! You understand.

Honestly, everyone around me is soft and keeps causing trouble, which made me worried.

I guess I've become lazy too. When I lived with Merlin, I used to wake up early, train, and live properly...

My lord... you've had a hard time.

You're ready, right, Percival? I'm the kind of man who gets things done when it matters. If I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it properly.

Of course. I'll give it my all!

Hmm! Understood. Then first...

Let's go take out some goblins for a light workout. Come on, Percival.

To Salisbury!

...Percival?

Yes?

I'm standing here with my arms wide open. You should run like the wind, get me dressed, and equip me with my sword.

Ah! I didn't realize. I'll prepare everything right away.

Make sure to tidy up my bed too. Fold the blanket neatly, so it's folded with perfect angles.

Uh, bed... yes, yes! It's my lord's bed, so...

...You're following orders a bit too eagerly. You know, if you're shy, you can refuse.

I'm fine with it.

Sigh... This really isn't right. It's like the standard for senior knights bullying their juniors.

I'm really fine. It's for my lord.

Percival...

Good job, Percival.

You've worked even harder, my lord. Finding all those hidden goblins... This Percival is truly impressed!

Goblins, huh. I've fought them so many times since I started my adventure, it's starting to get old.

Seems like it won't be long before these nighttime patrols are over. Once we confirm the situation is stable, let's hand it over to the town guard.

To Salisbury!

The night wind's a bit chilly. Aren't you tired?

Not at all. It's perfect.

It's dark and quiet, so I'm a little hungry... Percival, want to grab a bite?

Huh...? Aren't we supposed to be on patrol right now?

The best food is always eaten at times like this. There's a lot of potatoes next to that mill over there; let's roast some.

Is... is this really okay...?

You're too stiff. How can anyone live with constant tension? You've got to eat well, rest well, only then will you fight well.

Right now, the war is still going on. Since you've joined the front lines, focus more on survival than military discipline.

Hmm... If that's what my lord says, I will follow...!

It's tasty.

Right?

But just potatoes make my throat dry. I could really use a hot bowl of soup... something like ramen...

Ramen? What's that?

Well... it's a noodle dish... you make the noodles from flour, fry them, and then mix in a strong broth, something like that?

My lord, you really know so much. I respect you, my lord!

...But is it really okay to just be so relaxed like this? What if there are still goblins lurking around?

We've set up plenty of magical traps near the village. Plus, we're patrolling, so those idiots won't be able to get into the village.

Hmm... still, it's a bit unsettling. It's so dark, maybe we can't see the enemies approaching. What if someone gets caught off guard?

Didn't you tell the guards the password? That's exactly what it's for.

The password... I see...!

By the way, what's the password? It needs to be something easy to remember but still identifies friend from foe.

Of course. I thought it through and gave the password. Today's password is: "My lord! So cool!"

...That doesn't sound like a password at all.

Ah! Who's there! If you move, I'll strike!

Isn't it a good thing if a cute girl strikes you...?

My lord!

...

My lord!!

I didn't hear anything. It must be a wild animal. And stop with the password, it's confusing me, it sounds like you're calling me...

This isn't good. I shouldn't let my guard down in situations like this. I'll go check it out!

Huh? Ah, no! I set up magical traps there to prepare for enemy ambushes!

What's this chaos in the middle of the night?

M-My lord...! Don't come any closer. It's dangerous!

No, the dangerous thing is your behavior. What were you thinking running off without considering anything?

If there had been an actual enemy, we would've been in big trouble. Let's go back.

The thing is...

...?

Don't tell me... you stepped on a trap?

No... I think I fell into a swamp. Something soft squished underfoot, and then I just sank right in...

For a knight to fall into a swamp, what are you even saying?

I'm sorry, my lord...

My lord... I'm fine, so leave this to me and go ahead. You shouldn't sacrifice yourself in a place like this!

What are you bragging about? Weren't you completely stuck because you couldn't do anything?

Well, that's true...

To fall into a swamp while patrolling... If anyone else hears about this, they'll laugh at you. What were you thinking running off into the darkness?

I must have gotten overly tense without realizing it. I have no excuse, my lord.

You really can't get out?

I can't... It's... pretty deep. I can't move...

Haaa...

Ugh... sticky... I feel like I'm getting pulled in... C-Could you help me, my lord... I'm sorry...

Wait. Stay still, I'll be there soon!

I am ashamed to face you, my lord...

Never mind, grab my hand. Alright, pulling now!

Y-Yes!

You need to stay calm in situations like this. Hmm... this branch should work, I think... but it's a bit weak, it might break...

M-My lord...? I feel like I'm sinking even more...

Ugh! No choice now. Grab this, Percival. Don't worry, I'm here!

My lord... thank you!

One, two, heave-ho...!

Argh!

I-I'm sorry, my lord... I've gotten you all covered in mud because of me...

I was moved. You tried to save me even if it meant getting yourself dirty. You truly have the qualities to be my lord!

I get it, now please, let go! My whole body is getting... Aaah! Don't hug me!

Myyyy looooord!!!