Chapter 466
Chapter 466. The Legendary Holy Sword
Before I knew it, Arthur was standing in a translucent world.
The floor resembled the surface of a lake, and above him were silver pillars of light towering like a great tree.
This was the mental landscape he always saw when summoning Excalibur—but this time, there was a giant round table set up there.
‘———!’
‘~~~~~~?’
‘———?’
‘~~~~!!’
Countless Arthurs surrounded the round table, engaged in a raucous debate.
It was as if an invisible wall blocked his ears, making it difficult to catch their voices. Yet, it was clear they were looking at him, pointing, and discussing something regarding him.
Some cast piercing looks, while others had sympathetic gazes.
While he had always felt that “his ancestors were watching over him” when using Excalibur, this mental landscape was always like a fleeting illusion, and the historical Arthurs felt more like a backdrop. But to see such clear self-awareness now filled him with an intense tension.
‘『……..』’
Gradually, the voices of the historical Arthurs began to lessen, and their gazes shifted from Arthur to another figure.
Across the round table, directly in front of Arthur, stood an elderly Arthur.
While most appeared as young men, he alone had a wrinkled face and a magnificent beard.
And atop his head, he wore a crown.
Ah, Arthur understood.
He was the beginning of legends. The Hero King, the very first Arthur.
The first Arthur rose from his chair and approached with slow, deliberate steps.
With each step, the lake rippled.
The weight of legend. He was the ruler of this space—or rather, the very essence of it. Greater than the familiarity with his ancestors was a sense of reverence. Without thinking, Arthur knelt and paid his respects.
However, the first Arthur came up to him and grabbed his shoulder to lift him up.
Such formality was unnecessary, he seemed to say.
We are in the same position, after all.
‘『……..』’
Facing one another, they locked eyes.
‘『……..』’
No, it felt more like he was being scrutinized.
“First, I want to fight alongside Alex. He must be the only hero who can defeat the Demon Lord and is undoubtedly humanity’s hope.”
The first Arthur, along with the other historical Arthurs, listened to Arthur’s words.
“Honestly, I have my doubts about him as a Prince of the Demon Lord, and it’s unbearable to think he might massacre people. If this continues… I can’t seem to accept it like Bishop Lexar.”
Determination clenched his fists.
“So, I thought I would quickly pass down the Holy Eyes to my descendants. That way, I could come to this place and no longer have to think about painful things… I foolishly thought that.”
The first Arthur’s eyes were calm, like a still lake. He remained unmoved, listening to Arthur’s monologue—or rather, confession.
“But that was a mistake. Heroes should not seek comfort. Even in difficult times, they must stand firm and fight against the enemies of humanity. And… passing down the Holy Eyes means that child will suffer again, and the farther away the battle between Hero Alex and the Demon Lord gets, the more countless deaths will continue—this was something I turned a blind eye to.”
Arthur met the first Arthur’s gaze directly.
“I wish to put an end to it during my generation.”
The only moment humanity can destroy the Demon Lord Kingdom is right now, with Hero Alexander and Prince Zilbagias at each other’s side.
“If I can land even one blow on the Demon Lord, it will give Hero Alex a better chance in battle. I want to help him no matter what. Even if it means abandoning innocent lives along the way!”
He gritted his teeth.
“Please, First Arthur! And all my ancestors! Can I ask for your strength just a little longer…!!”
He bowed his head fervently.
‘『……..』’
The first Arthur seemed to exhale softly.
He gently tapped Arthur on the shoulder. When Arthur looked up—The First Hero King wore a troubled, painful expression.
“I’m sorry.”
SMACK! Arthur was suddenly slapped across the face.
‘『!?』’
Out of nowhere, violence struck Arthur!
Though it hadn’t seemed like much force was used, he felt his whole body fly back in shock. A strange sensation arose, as if something substantial was being pulled from within him.
“U…uh…”
Arthur held his cheek in disbelief, but he soon noticed the silver shining sphere clenched in the first Arthur’s hand.
That was—the Holy Eyes.
He understood instinctively.
The Holy Eyes floated gently from the first Arthur’s hand. It shot off into the sky like a meteor.
“…It seems your last child has not yet been born.”
The first Arthur let out a sigh that seemed tinged with both regret and relief.
The Holy Eyes had now been passed on to the next generation—
“Thus, a new Arthur is born once again. The magic I crafted with my life can reliably produce powerful mages among humanity…”
The first Arthur’s expression twisted.
“I was not wrong. To ensure the survival of humanity, we need powerful protectors. But I have imposed the fate of fighting humanity’s enemies on my descendants. It would be a lie to say I bear no bitter thoughts about that…”
Just as Arthur wished not to send his children into battle—
“I understand your feelings. Finding hope in that Prince of the Demon Lord is likely correct. And if you were to ask if we alone can defeat the Demon Lord without the Prince’s help…”
The first Arthur fell silent, as if fearful of solidifying a fate that could become reality.
“…However, if the bearer of the Holy Eyes does not fulfill their vow to protect the innocent, the legend we have built may wash away into nothingness. That could not be overlooked…”
He looked up at the towering silver tree with a sigh.
“And the same can be said for you.”
He turned his gaze back.
A quiet stare. An oppressive weight reminiscent of a vast lake.
“You acted valiantly in your duties as a hero, but how you will be treated within our legend remains uncertain. It is unprecedented for an Arthur to be summoned by necromancy and linger in the present.”
That was a fair assessment from Arthur.
“If, without stopping the Prince from slaughtering our kin, you become merely a bystander—you may no longer be considered an Arthur. Ultimately, there’s even the possibility that your existence could be distorted by necromancy. If that happens, in the worst-case scenario, you will lose your right to stand here at this round table.”
The historical Arthurs lined up around the table.
“You have two choices.”
The first Arthur raised a finger.
“One, give up on aiding the Prince, or rather, Hero Alex, and join this table. If you do so, you shall also become a root of the legend and continue to support your descendants.”
Then he raised another finger.
“Two, even considering the risk of losing the Holy Eyes and being expelled from the table—stay in this world to help Hero Alex.”
One or the other—
“Ha ha!”
Arthur laughed.
“I will remain in this world. And I will help Alex.”
It was a no-brainer.
“While it’s a shame to not join the ranks of legends, I know I can do little without Excalibur. Still, I can use water magic, or maybe perform one final big healing miracle before I disappear—there might still be something I can do!”
Arthur replied proudly.
He answered with pride.
“If it increases Alex’s chances of victory, I will give it my all as a hero, as a friend!”
Even if it meant he would no longer be an Arthur…!
Receiving Arthur’s answer, the first Arthur smiled broadly.
“—Well said!”
He broke into a grin.
“If that is the case, I shall grant you this.”
He casually drew a sword from his sheath and offered it.
“What is this…?”
“This is my sword. The very sword that became the foundation of this legend.”
—The original Excalibur.
“Thanks to the dedication of my descendants, this legend has grown to this extent.”
He gazed fondly once more at the silver tree.
“Each of us is a root supporting it. Even if one of the oldest and thickest roots were to be lost, it would not cause a significant impact now. …Probably. Surely.”
Wasn’t that so? He looked back at the historical Arthurs behind him.
The gathered Arthurs, who had been watching with bated breath, wore expressions that clearly said, “How can we answer that?”
“No! It’s alright! It must not have a significant effect! I believe that! You all must believe it too, alright?! Now, let’s all chant together, ‘It won’t have a significant effect, so we’re fine!’ Yes!”
He gestured grandly.
‘『【——–】』’
The voices were still hard to hear, but it was clear the historical Arthurs joined in.
“Good, unanimous! If anything happens, it will just be my responsibility!”
Arthur turned back to Arthur with stunned expressions on their faces.
“Now—take it! It may not measure up to the legends you have built, but it is still a sword that is celebrated in legends.”
As he placed the holy sword in Arthur’s hands.
“Oh, and I have a few messages for the Prince. First, make sure to kill the Demon Lord. I won’t accept anything less than saving humanity.”
“Secondly, I will lend you the Absolute Defense Sphere for a while, but regardless of the circumstances, you must return it to the Hilburn House. That was the last work of my ally, Gaints-Gon-Sphiri. I can’t give it away!”
“Lastly, if you intend to destroy several countries as the Prince of the Demon Lord, then at least protect several while you’re being a hero. If you intend to become a hero of salvation, then you must accomplish something like that… While it may lead to you having to invade and destroy the countries you saved afterward, there will surely be lives saved.”
“And finally—if by some twisted fate, our paths cross, let him know I will knock him out cold!”
He paused, resting his chin on his hand in contemplation.
“Actually, let’s forget that last one! I can’t wait to do it myself, but I can’t! It’s unforgivable how he’s put my dear descendants through such pain! But given the circumstances, I have no choice but to forgive him! So, you should at least land a strong punch or two! That’s your final duty as an Arthur!”
“Can’t you at least say something else?!”
Arthur screamed in protest, but—
He noticed.
The surrounding space was beginning to fade.
The connection to the round table was—waning.
“It’s time,” the first Arthur said with a sad smile.
“I am proud of you. You will certainly defeat the Demon Lord. And hopefully, we shall meet again here!”
With a hand on his chest, the first Arthur saluted.
Without him noticing, the historical Arthurs rose and saluted behind him.
‘『We are the swords of the innocent.』’
At that moment, their voices rang clearly.
Arthur too raised the holy sword inherited from the first Arthur.
‘『We shall definitely vanquish the enemies of humanity!』’
Seeing that, the first Arthur smiled dreamily.
Farewell—
That smile, those figures of the historical Arthurs quickly faded into the distance—
†††
Moonlit night.
The sound of gentle waves.
Arthur stood on the beach.
Quietly carrying a blade of magical power.
—The Legendary Holy Sword.
A mythology passed down through generations,
Once again, in the hands of a hero.
