"Your Majesty Lot, what did you wish to speak with me about?"
Stopped by Lot, Galahad turned to face him and asked.
"Don't call me 'Your Majesty Lot.' Have you forgotten? I'm your foster father. Shouldn't you call me 'Father'?"
Hearing Galahad address him so formally, Lot walked over and gave him a firm pat on the shoulder.
"Mmm."
Galahad nodded obediently.
Then, he turned to Lot and said, "Father."
"Yes?"
Lot smiled and nodded.
"Next, you'll be facing Lancelot as your opponent. Do you have the confidence now to defeat him with your own strength and utterly crush everything he stands for?"
"Of course. I will defeat him completely."
Galahad answered reflexively.
However, as soon as he finished speaking, Lot reached out and flicked him on the forehead.
"Father…?"
Startled by the flick, Galahad tilted his head in confusion.
Seeing his expression, Lot chuckled. "That sounded far too insincere. You could never truly harden your heart against Lancelot. But that's fine. If you actually meant it, you wouldn't be the 'Knight of Purity' anymore."
"Knight of Purity…?"
Hearing this title, Galahad murmured it softly.
"Of course. No one else is worthy of that title but you."
Lot smiled warmly.
Then, he continued questioning Galahad:
"Have you learned about your history in another timeline from Mash?"
He hadn't forgotten that the Galahad standing before him wasn't the one from history who had already returned the Holy Grail. This Galahad hadn't yet begun his journey with the Knights of the Round Table before crossing over.
"I haven't asked."
Galahad only knew that Mash had used the Spirit Origin of his future self, who had become a Heroic Spirit. But he wasn't entirely clear about the details of his own fate.
"In the future, you were originally destined to become the knight who lifted the Holy Grail. But because you had no wish of your own, you ultimately ascended to heaven. That process sounds holy and pure, but…"
Here, Lot paused before continuing:
"It also represents your sorrow. You lived without any desires."
"Mmm."
Galahad nodded without hesitation.
"As an upright knight "
He only got halfway through his sentence before Lot flicked his forehead again.
"You really are a fool! If a person has no desires, can they even be called human? Whether it's greed for wealth or lust, at least those are signs of a living, breathing person."
"But I truly have no desires."
Galahad answered honestly.
"That's exactly why you need to learn to express your emotions more."
Lot pressed on.
"What should I do?"
Galahad tilted his head again, awaiting Lot's instruction. He didn't know how to proceed he simply followed whatever Lot told him.
"If I told you to try falling in love, how would you react?"
Lot grinned as he asked.
He knew that in history, Galahad had shared a connection with Percival's sister. Had she not passed away, they might have developed romantic feelings. But in this timeline, Percival was still just a child, and his sister's situation was even more uncertain.
Still, there was no need to rush things.
"Your Majesty, I have no interest in such matters."
Hearing this, Galahad's face flushed slightly.
For him, the idea of romance was nothing short of torment.
"If you don't want to, then I won't force you. But you still need to find your own desires."
Lot continued.
"My desires…?" Galahad thought for a moment before pointing toward Lancelot, who was about to enter the arena. "My wish is to defeat Lancelot."
"Defeat Lancelot? If you'd said that a year ago, I might have believed you. But now? Not a chance. Boy, don't lie to me."
Hearing this, Lot raised his hand again, threatening another flick.
Seeing the motion, Galahad immediately stepped back to dodge.
Watching him react like this, Lot couldn't help but laugh.
There was something undeniably satisfying about teasing an honest child.
Checking the time, Lot spoke again:
"Last time you met, Lancelot didn't know the truth. Now that he does, you can make your choice once more."
"Mmm."
Galahad nodded softly.
Then, he picked up his sword and prepared for the coming battle.
Meanwhile, Lot turned his gaze toward where Lancelot stood.
"Now, it's time to see how the fairy knight will act."
He thought to himself.
On the other side, Lancelot was also preparing for battle.
Gripping his sword, he readied himself to move.
At that moment, Melusine appeared before him.
"What do you want?"
Seeing her approach, Lancelot tensed as if facing a formidable enemy.
From their last battle, he knew one thing clearly:
This fairy knight's skill and strength were on par with his own or perhaps, more accurately, she was a perfect copy of him. And her trump cards surpassed his.
At the very least, he couldn't transform into a dragon mid-battle.
"I came to ask you one thing."
Melusine blinked as she looked at Lancelot.
When she first learned the origin of her power, she had felt a deep admiration for him. But later, after discovering Galahad's origins and Lancelot's role in it, she also felt a hint of disdain.
Torn between admiration and contempt, Melusine wasn't sure how to express these conflicting emotions.
"What is it?"
Seeing that Melusine didn't seem intent on fighting, Lancelot relaxed his grip on his sword.
"I want to ask do you intend to take responsibility for Galahad?"
Melusine stared at him intently.
"That's none of your concern."
Lancelot shot back.
"Who says it isn't? I carry your Spirit Origin." Melusine blinked again, her expression serious. "If you refuse to take responsibility, I'll take care of little Galahad in your place. Besides, His Majesty Lot and Her Majesty Morgan both care deeply for him. If you won't step up, plenty of others will."
"That won't be necessary."
Lancelot's expression darkened.
"I'll handle his affairs myself. What's mine will not be taken by anyone else."
With that, he glanced at the time and strode past Melusine, heading toward the arena.
Watching him go, Melusine left alone couldn't help but smile.
"Just as His Majesty Lot said the Round Table Knights are never short on tsunderes."
She murmured to herself, her eyes brimming with amusement.
Whether it was Lancelot or Galahad, both needed a little push.
Otherwise, unless faced with a major crisis, they'd rather die than exchange more than a few words.
In the original history, it had taken the sacrifice of a young girl to bridge that gap.
But in this timeline, neither Melusine nor Lot wanted any sacrifices between them.
In the tournament grounds, the crowd watched the match with eager anticipation.
Though the two combatants hailed from England and France neither of which had much to do with Scotland their strength was undeniable.
Both had crushed their previous opponents with overwhelming power.
Now, they were finally facing each other.
How could anyone miss such a spectacle?
The Scots held immense respect for the strong.
This duel had their blood boiling with excitement.
"Go for it!"
"Fight! Fight!"
"Let's see who's stronger!"
"Good luck, Sir Galahad!"
Among the cheers, one voice stood out a young woman's.
Hm?
Since when were there women in the audience?
The crowd turned to look.
There, they saw Mash, shouting encouragements at the top of her lungs.
Wait weren't both of these men her opponents?
Why was she cheering only for Galahad?
What was going on?
Amid the noise of the battlefield, Lancelot and Galahad stood facing each other.
Both gripped their swords tightly.
"How many times have we fought now?"
Lancelot asked.
"This would be the third, I believe."
Galahad answered after a moment's thought.
In their previous clashes, Lancelot had either underestimated him or been caught off guard by the combat techniques Galahad had learned from Scáthach.
But now, Lancelot had grown through countless trials.
His battle experience had deepened considerably.
After a brief pause, he met Galahad's gaze and declared:
"But this time, I won't lose."
"Whether you lose or not will be decided after we fight."
Galahad tilted his head slightly.
Though Lot's words had lessened his burning desire to defeat Lancelot…
Seeing him like this, Galahad couldn't help but want to strike.
Anger genuine anger.
This damn Lancelot really needed to be beaten up first before anything else.
He charged forward.
His sword traced a sharp, crescent-shaped arc of light as it slashed toward Lancelot.
Lancelot stepped forward, gripping his sword with both hands, and brought it down in a mighty swing.
Their blades collided, sending shockwaves rippling through the air.
The spectators shuddered involuntarily.
Then, their eyes lit up with excitement.
If the first exchange was already this intense
How much more thrilling would the rest of the battle be?
The crowd buzzed with anticipation.
And true to their expectations, the duel did not disappoint.
After the initial clash, the two knights engaged in a fierce, relentless exchange of blows.
Neither gave an inch.
The thunderous clang of steel echoed endlessly.
The radiant light clinging to their swords offered a glimpse of their overwhelming power.
But contrary to what the audience imagined a desperate, teeth-gritting struggle
The two were still talking.
"Have you learned everything from Miss Mash?"
Galahad asked.
"Yes."
Lancelot nodded slightly.
Then, with a wry expression, he added:
"I never expected that the moment I arrived in England, I'd suddenly have both a son and a daughter."
Hearing this, Galahad's lips curled into a faint smile.
Seeing his son's expression, Lancelot grew even more exasperated.
"But it's fine. You can pretend you never found out."
Galahad continued.
At the same time, he thrust his sword forward several times, aiming to overwhelm Lancelot.
Lancelot parried each strike.
Then, he replied:
"How could I pretend not to know? I'll make sure you have no regrets."
"What's lost can't be recovered."
Galahad countered.
Even if he now knew what his future self had done, he wanted to hear how Lancelot would respond now.
"Once the timeline is restored, I'll have plenty of time to make it up to you."
Lancelot said firmly.
"And do you think you'll still remember any of this after the reset?"
Galahad's tone carried a hint of mockery.
He wouldn't show such an expression to anyone else.
But Lancelot was an exception.
Hearing this, Lancelot took several steps back.
Then, in a voice filled with conviction, he declared:
"I may lose my memories, but my feelings won't change."
"Oh? I find that hard to believe."
Though Galahad spoke dismissively, the corners of his lips lifted ever so slightly.
His words and Lancelot's response reached even Mash in the stands.
Hearing Lancelot's declaration, she froze in surprise.