"If it's necessary, I have no problem with it." Seiya straightened his back, his face taking on the noble expression of a young hero about to sacrifice himself for justice. His gaze was resolute, as if he were prepared to give everything to save Marin at any moment.
A hint of helplessness seemed to seep from beneath the silver-white helmet of the War God Lancelot. Her cool voice rang out, "It is a certain kind of 'essence,' yes, but it is not yours that is needed... To be more precise, nothing male will do. It requires the unique essence, rich with primordial power, that belongs to the lineage of Earth Mother Gods, Divine Ancestors, or Witches."
The Magic Holy Grail is the most renowned divine instrument in the entire world of magic. Legend says the Grail was not only a target coveted by multiple factions but had also triggered two large-scale wars in Europe. However, the Grails fought over in those wars were mere fakes, one of which was the one held by Alexander.
A mere replica possessed the ability to summon a Heretic God; the original Magic Holy Grail, forged by Guinevere herself, was prepared for the sole purpose of resurrecting the Last King.
Its creation process caused Guinevere to lose her divinity, degenerating into a Divine Ancestor. As a relic from the age of Earth Mother Gods, the Holy Grail has a deep connection to them and to Witches. To restore it, it is precisely this kind of essence that is required.
If a Divine Ancestor is unavailable, a lower-ranking Witch will suffice.
"That sounds... a bit troublesome." Seiya's brow furrowed, his fingers subconsciously stroking the cold edge of the Grail.
"Whether it's a Witch or a Divine Ancestor, they are all female... If you need me to act as some kind of converter, I can accept that."
His tone was heavy, filled with the resolve of one about to step into an unknown domain. "What exactly needs to be done?"
Lancelot's voice remained as placid as ever. "If you are not afraid of trouble, the most direct method is to use the Holy Grail to plunder their essence. However..."
She paused slightly before stating a cold number. "If we take the most common virgin witches as a unit of measurement, filling this Holy Grail would require approximately ten thousand and thirty-six of them."
"Over ten thousand... I'm actually starting to think letting Marin return to myth isn't such a bad idea," Seiya couldn't help but retort.
Over ten thousand, that was almost as many as the Misaka Sisters. Setting aside whether such a number of qualifying witches even existed in this world, even if they did, once he committed such an act, the name "Saint Seiya" would likely become a thing of the past. In its place would probably be titles like "Devouring Saint," "Maiden-Devouring Frenzy," or "The King of Seductive Witch-Slaying."
Besides, harming over ten thousand innocent young witches just to save one person? That was something Seiya could never bring himself to do!
"That is only the number for ordinary witches. For example, like that Witch of the Earth's Pole you once had dealings with, Zola. If we used her as the unit of measurement, it would only require about twelve. In any case, this primordial Holy Grail is already in your hands. The decision is yours to make."
Despite being a dear friend for a thousand years, Lancelot showed not a shred of concern for Guinevere's death or revival. After relaying the necessary information, she did not linger.
The silver figure transformed into a streak of light, disappearing from Seiya's sight with Divine Speed, leaving him alone to face the slowly rotating Golden Cauldron in his hands, and the Divine Ancestor Guinevere, forcibly held at the edge of life and death by the power of the Covenant of Decay and Revival.
Seiya looked at the Holy Grail before him, and at Guinevere, whose demise he had halted with the Covenant of Decay and Revival.
He drew the other divine instrument left behind after Alexander's death—Heaven's Reverse Scale—into his hand. Strictly speaking, this item was being returned to its original owner.
Driven by his will, a thick fog surged once more, completely enveloping the broken floating island. Space shifted, and the island silently vanished into an Otherworld, isolated from the rest of creation.
"Ten thousand and thirty-six ordinary witches, or twelve high-ranking ones like Zola... In that case, what about a being of an even higher rank?" Seiya fell into deep thought.
A moment later, his figure, as if melting into the mist, disappeared into the tranquility of Avalon.
—Late at night, the starlight was like a curtain.
Alexander Gascoigne, the fourth Godslayer to rule Britain, had been mysteriously missing for three days. For the magicians of Britain, a shadow hung over their hearts.
All sorts of speculation ran rampant, but the possibility they were most reluctant to face—that their king had fallen—was gradually becoming the consensus.
For reasons unknown, Princess Alice felt a whim to take a walk outside. The weather today was excellent; looking up, one could see the boundless starry sky.
The sky was so clear there wasn't a single cloud, and the gentle moonlight spilled over her. It was like a dream, with starlight circling by her side, as if the events of a few days ago were nothing but a dream from which she would awaken to find nothing had happened.
At this moment, Princess Alice was even somewhat eager to arrive at this quiet park forest. Due to her frail health, Alice rarely went out in her true body. The last two times seemed to be for major events, but all of them were related to a certain man.
Just as Princess Alice was thinking this, she saw that the park bench she had chosen was already occupied by a young man in a white shirt.
"Saint Seiya..." Princess Alice's pupils contracted, but she quickly realized what was about to happen.
It was her Spirit Vision that had compelled her to come here, for the future she had glimpsed told her that if she did not, she would only invite an even more terrible misfortune.
As Seiya took out the Golden Cauldron that all magicians dreamed of, there was not a trace of desire in Alice's eyes, only a helpless, bitter smile.
"It seems you already know what needs to be done. No need to waste my breath, then."
"O great King, I only wish to ask one thing. Is Alec truly dead?"
Alec was Alexander. Seiya looked at the witch before him, a being of the highest rank between Heaven and Earth, who stood with her hands in her pockets. "That depends on how you define death."
A flicker of hope rose in Alice's eyes as she heard Seiya say softly, "For those who reach a certain level, death is not the end. For someone like you, who stands at the pinnacle of Heaven and Earth, this shouldn't be hard to understand. After a Divine Ancestor dies, they will be reborn in the mortal world; when a Heretic God dies, they merely return to myth. And for many Godslayers, death is likewise not the end. But he is now just a remnant soul. Even if he were to be revived, it would likely be several hundred years from now, and he would not appear in this world again."
"That is enough..." Alice let out a long, silent sigh of relief, as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
She gathered her skirt and elegantly performed an ancient curtsy, her posture impeccable, carrying a sense of aristocratic composure and finality. "Thank you for your generous disclosure."
Seiya looked at the witch before him. Since she was so sensible, it would save him a lot of energy.
As a witch of the highest order, the moment she saw the Magic Holy Grail, she already knew the reason for Seiya's visit.
Then, under the tranquil starlight and moonlight, Princess Alice gently undid her restraints.
White silk slid silently to the ground, revealing skin as tender as ivory, yet overly pale from a lack of sunlight.
She tried hard to maintain a calm posture, but her entire body was instantly flushed with a captivating blush from intense shame, like the finest rouge spreading across her skin. Even so, she maintained a dignified appearance, not shying away from Seiya's gaze.
Her body was slender and delicate, lacking exercise, yet possessed the unique, shapely curves of a Caucasian girl. Under the moonlight, she exuded a fragile charm, like that of a mystical fairy.
It was as if a finely crafted but exceedingly fragile piece of glass art was presenting itself without reservation.
Her forthrightness, in turn, left Seiya momentarily unsure of how to proceed. He was no expert in these matters, being more accustomed to straightforward combat.
As if seeing through Seiya's tension, Alice spoke first. "You need not be troubled, my King. This is my... duty. As the defeated party, to be able to serve you and contribute to the resurrection of Lady Guinevere is... my honor."
Even though that kind of thing was about to happen, Princess Alice's frank and businesslike expression still made Seiya feel something—
—an impulse to trample on that frankness and pride of hers.
A crisp slapping sound echoed in the silent woods, accompanied by a ripple of soft flesh that made Alice freeze instantly, her mind going blank.
A crack appeared in the mask of calm she had struggled to maintain.
"Good girl," Seiya's burning gaze fixed on her cheeks, which had turned even more crimson with shame and indignation. "Call me Daddy."
Alice bit her lip, then, under Seiya's watch, she took the initiative to kneel.
"...Daddy."
"Hm?"
The next morning, back in the mist-shrouded Otherworld, Seiya looked at the essence within the Golden Cauldron, which only reached one-third of the way, feeling slightly surprised.
Although Princess Alice was frail, she was a witch of the highest rank between Heaven and Earth, her station equal to that of a Divine Ancestor. And yet her essence only filled one-third of it? Who should he find to provide the remaining two-thirds?
If it were an Earth Mother God, one should be enough to fill it completely. And the Earth Mother Gods currently manifest in the world... Seiya instantly threw that thought to the back of his mind.
While he very much wanted to save Guinevere, he had an old grudge with Princess Alice. He wouldn't feel any remorse for trampling on this witch who had repeatedly opposed him. But there was no need to involve other innocent people.
But there was no rush. The Covenant of Decay and Revival had halted Guinevere's march toward death, so Seiya didn't immediately hurry to fill the Holy Grail.
Instead, he began to organize the gains from his recent battle.
First were the Authorities that could be obtained from slaying the Heretic King Arthur.
King of Knights: Arthur Pendragon was the legendary king of ancient Britain, also known as King Arthur. He was called the Knight among Knights, the King of Knights. Possessing this Authority grants the favor of all who adhere to the code of chivalry and gives one the ability to govern a nation. With this power, a Godslayer can greatly boost the morale of the army they lead. They can also summon knightly attendants who inherit some knightly characteristics, possess the power of a Divine Beast, and will not die immediately even if their heads are cut off.
Red Dragon of Britain: Arthur is the incarnation of the Red Dragon of Britain, a spirit that has gained a physical body, a fantastical species of magic dragon that can directly breathe the essence of heaven and earth. The user can transform into a red dragon, possessing the power of a top-tier Divine Beast.
Excalibur: Sword of Promised Victory: The ultimate fantasy. A sliver of the light of the stars. It transcends all space and time, the very dream that all living beings have failed to achieve. Legend says it is the holy sword given to Arthur by the Lady of the Lake after the Sword in the Stone was lost. Regarded as the symbol of King Arthur, the most powerful and noblest of holy swords, it stands at the pinnacle of its category. The wielder's magical energy is converted into light, which is then emitted from the tip of the downward-swung sword like a laser beam, destroying all things.
The Distant Avalon: This is the final paradise where flowers of all colors bloom. The day is filled with the sunlight of spring and the scent of summer, while the night is covered by the air of autumn and the stars of winter. On the land are flowers and insects, in the forest are flowing water, greenery, and beasts. And by the water are enchanting and beautiful fairies. In myth, it is hailed as the Land of Eternal Spring, the Isle of Apples—a small world. An ideal realm that beasts without wisdom cannot achieve, cannot reach.
Domain of the Twelve Round Tables: The meaning of the Round Table is 'equality' and 'unity.' Legend says that King Arthur's knights numbered up to 150 at their peak. The knights charged on the battlefield and discussed domestic affairs at the Round Table. Although they would form factions based on shared or differing political views, only at the Round Table was there no difference in status or distinction between ruler and subject; everyone was allowed to speak freely. The user can sign contracts with followers such as warriors, divine beasts, demons, and artificial beings with souls, making them Knights of the Round Table under their command. The Knights of the Round Table are completely dependent on the King of Knights and can be reborn after a period of time even if their physical bodies are destroyed.
"..."
Although the number of available Authorities was not small, most of them were powers of little value. Upon closer examination of their functions, most were of limited use to Seiya.
The governance and attendant-summoning of the King of Knights and the morphological change of the Red Dragon of Britain incarnation were both rather useless. The Excalibur: Sword of Promised Victory could probably greatly enhance his sword-based combat techniques, which had some value.
But in that split-second moment, Seiya's instincts had chosen Avalon.
The Otherworld he was currently in was the ideal realm called Avalon, possessing the ability to isolate the inside from the outside and to evade enemy attacks at critical moments. It would also heal all of Seiya's injuries upon his arrival, and even the process of aging would halt. Furthermore, by fully deploying it, it creates a barrier of ultimate protection, shielding him from all physical interference. However, it cannot defend against attacks that can traverse worlds, like the Strong Wind Authority.
The Cloth he obtained was a very rare Sword Battle Cloth, which came with its own Holy Sword techniques of a Sword Fighter, namely:
Excalibur: Activate: Don the holy sword as armor to fight.
Excalibur: Manifestation: A sword born from the heart, materializing the holy sword in one's heart into the real world—to slay the enemy with its blade, this power is a guaranteed kill! It is a power usable only by a Sword Fighter.
Excalibur: Stand: Unleash a cross-shaped shockwave of light from the materialized holy sword.
As well as the combat techniques exclusive to this King of Knights Sword Battle Cloth—Excalibur: Sword of Promised Victory, Caliburn: Golden Sword of the Victorious, Sword of Infinity, and Excalibur Unsheathed (Arthur version). In terms of performance, it wasn't a superior Cloth, but its unique combat techniques and Cloth system were interesting.
The victorious gains from the God Cloth would, as always, require some more time to wait for.
At this moment, Seiya's gaze finally fell upon Guinevere, lying on the stone platform before him, looking at her serene face.
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