The magical energy around Mordred boiled, rushing through her veins. The air crackled with red sparks, discharges dancing across her now-restored armor.
She gripped Clarent tightly, and for the first time in so long, felt the blade truly vibrate, as if responding to something deeper than any hatred she had ever carried: a stable, solid bond that anchored her to the world.
Mordred sprang to her feet, firm and proud, crimson energy streaming from her sword like flames. Her eyes burned like blazing rubies, and her ragged breathing gave way to a wild laugh.
"Ha! Hahahaha! So this is it… I was dying, and now I feel more alive than ever! This feeling—it's insane! It's like my body's turned into a damn reactor!"
Arthur watched in silence, arms crossed, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He could see clearly that her flame had grown brighter—not unstable like before, but steady, burning with purpose.
Jeanne stepped forward, raising her banner slightly. Her eyes reflected both surprise and relief.
"Gilgamesh… you truly managed to stabilize her."
Arthur gave a quiet nod.
Mordred spun Clarent, testing the weight of the sword. The air exploded with magical pressure, as if her very movement could crush the space around her.
"Hah! Incredible! I could fight a thousand enemies right now without backing down an inch!"
She leveled her blade at Arthur, a ferocious grin stretching across her face.
"So then, my new Master… my partner… tell me, when do we start? Because I can't wait to start cutting heads and showing this world who I really am!"
Arthur chuckled, but this time there was no mockery in his tone—only confidence.
"Patience, Mordred. The battlefield isn't going anywhere. But remember: it isn't just destruction we're after. You have a path to walk… and I'll be by your side to make sure you see it through."
For a moment, silence lingered between them, until Mordred turned her eyes away with a scoff.
"Hmph… you talk too fancy. But I won't deny… it fires me up."
Jeanne watched the two of them, a soft smile forming on her lips. She knew that this newly-forged bond would change the course of the war.
Arthur extended his hand—not as Master, but as an ally.
"Then let's go, Mordred. From this point on… together."
Mordred eyed the outstretched hand, narrowed her gaze… then clasped it firmly, her laughter echoing across the ruined field.
"Hah! Fine, partner! Just don't regret this later!"
---
The silence after the pact still hung in the air, broken only by Mordred's heavy breathing. Jeanne, serene, watched the newborn bond shine like a golden flame, visible even to ordinary eyes.
Arthur, however, turned away from Mordred and slowly walked toward Sisigou.
He stopped just a few steps in front of him.
"You knew this was the price, Sisigou. The contract can only hold if you yield your rights as Master to me."
The cigarette trembled slightly between Sisigou's fingers. He took one last drag, exhaling smoke slowly.
"…Yeah. I knew. I just didn't expect you to actually take the curse part seriously. Do you really think you can break something that's destroyed generations of my family?"
Arthur studied him in silence for a few seconds before a faint smile curved his lips.
"I don't think. I know."
He raised his right hand, and dozens of golden portals immediately opened behind him. But this time, they did not spew weapons.
Each one radiated a mysterious power—magical treasures, prototypes of spells, the primordial concepts of what would later be called Magecraft.
Jeanne's eyes widened, and she instinctively stepped forward.
"Arthur… you're gathering… the prototypes of magical arts?"
Arthur nodded.
"Before they became modern techniques, before they degraded into what you now call sorcery… there was the origin. The primordial knowledge. Among these treasures lies the counterweight to curses born alongside the first blood contracts."
He lifted a small crystal chalice, engraved with glowing blue inscriptions. The artifact pulsed like a beating heart.
"And here lies the key."
Sisigou narrowed his eyes.
"…Are you serious? You're telling me you'll erase centuries of torment from my bloodline with a crystal trinket?"
Arthur stepped closer, locking eyes with him.
"It's not a trinket. It's the original concept of lineage purification—something humanity lost long ago. Your curse is heavy; I can feel it. But here…" He raised the chalice to the height of Sisigou's chest—"…this chain breaks."
Before Sisigou could reply, Arthur pressed his free hand against his chest. A golden wave surged through the necromancer's body. His eyes widened as the invisible chains crushing him since birth began to shatter.
It was as if the weight of centuries had been torn from his back in a single instant.
The chalice rang like vibrating glass, then fragmented into pure light, dissolving into the air.
Arthur withdrew his hand, meeting his gaze with calm resolve.
"It's done. You're free, and so is your bloodline."
Sisigou staggered, his cigarette slipping from his hand.
"…No… No way… You actually…?"
Arthur crossed his arms, smiling faintly.
"I told you I didn't need the Holy Grail for this. And I've kept my word."
Jeanne looked on, eyes wide, unable to hide her emotion.
"You truly… freed an entire lineage. No vanity, no domination… just… keeping a promise."
Mordred, still blazing with energy, snorted and laughed.
"Hah! I can't believe it… the old man actually looks younger now! Tch, Master, don't go getting smug just because my new Master cleaned up your hereditary mess!"
Sisigou ran a hand over his face, unable to stop a bitter laugh.
"…Damn it. For the first time in years, I feel relieved. It's like even my lungs are lighter. I have no idea how the hell to thank you for this."
Arthur looked away, still smiling.
"Don't thank me. Thank the chance you chose to accept. The rest was just consequence."
---
"Now that it's done, let's head back to Milenia Fortress. I'm curious to see their reaction." Arthur chuckled, followed by Mordred, who let out a raspy laugh.
After bidding farewell to Jeanne and Sisigou, the two set off for Yggdmilenia. The road back was quiet, but not a heavy silence. Mordred radiated excitement.
Arthur, on the other hand, appeared relaxed. His eyes wandered the night horizon, yet beneath them simmered something unspoken: a quiet satisfaction.
I think she and Diana might actually become friends… Arthur laughed at the thought.
When they reached the fortress gates, the reaction was immediate. The guards and mages of Yggdmilenia widened their eyes at the sight of the knight walking beside Arthur. And not as enemies—something between them was different. The invisible bond of Master and Servant shone clear to anyone with magical sight.
The inner doors opened in haste, and soon many family members gathered in the great hall. Vlad III was the first to speak, his grave voice tinged with rare surprise:
"…So it's true. The Red Saber has changed Masters. And you…" — his eyes narrowed at Arthur — "…were able to accomplish such a feat."
Shock rippled through the room.
"You… not only took another's Servant," Darnic said, his tone heavy and slow, "but you also freed Sisigou's bloodline from a curse that devoured them for generations. This…" — he clenched his fist — "…this is something not even the oldest families of the Association ever dreamed of achieving."
A wave of awe spread across the hall. To lift a hereditary curse of such caliber was the kind of miracle, until now, only the Holy Grail could bestow.
Mordred laughed fiercely, crossing her arms and lifting her chin.
"Hah! See? This guy's not just anyone! He didn't just beat me head-on—he kept his word and treated me as a warrior. Now he's my Master, and if anyone has a problem with that, come try to take my head!"
All eyes turned to Arthur.
He smiled.
"I only did what had to be done. Sisigou trusted me, and I couldn't ignore that."
Vlad, after a few seconds of reflection, allowed a faint smile to escape.
"…Interesting. Truly, you are worthy of being called king."
Mordred snorted, punching Arthur lightly on the shoulder with a laugh.
"I've said it before—this man's insane, but he's the kind of insane I'll follow without hesitation!"
Arthur just laughed with her.
---
End of Chapter
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."