Character Panel
[Host: Rowan]
[Character Transformation Card: Artoria Pendragon (Alter) (20%)]
Subordinates: None
[Artoria Pendragon (Alter)]
Excalibur Morgan
Rank: A++
Type: Anti-City Noble Phantasm
Range: 1–99
Maximum Targets: 1000
The jet-black aurora sword, wielded with unrestrained magical energy, unleashed a power not composed of light particles, but of a darkness capable of swallowing even light itself—akin to the breath of Vortigern, the dragon that manifested to protect Britain.
Vortigern (King's Hammer)
Rank: C
Type: Anti-Personnel Noble Phantasm
Range: 1–2
Maximum Targets: 1
By gathering magic into the blade and releasing it in a single burst, the accumulated energy explodes like a hammer blow, producing overwhelming destructive force.
"Tsk, no Avalon?" Rowan clicked his tongue. Although these two Noble Phantasms were already more than enough—and he retained so many class skills and abilities—he still felt a hint of greed.
After all, a Saber with Avalon and a Saber without Avalon are two completely different existences.
If Avalon were available…
Wow.
He could practically bulldoze the world.
That would definitely count as cheating.
However, according to established lore, Alter doesn't possess Avalon.
So Rowan had to give up on that invincible defensive Noble Phantasm.
But even without it, with everything else he had, carving out a place on the seas wasn't a problem.
And later, he could always draw new characters—maybe even a non-corrupted Saber, which would be simply outrageous.
Positive thinking!
"Use card: Artoria Pendragon (Alter)!"
After making up his mind, Rowan activated the card.
A beam of black light shot into the sky, brilliant and blinding.
In the blink of an eye, it vanished.
The handsome young man standing on the shore had transformed into the very image depicted on the card.
Pale golden hair.
Jet-black armor.
Excalibur Morgan gripped tightly in her hand.
Dark marks etched across her beautiful face.
Slowly, Rowan opened his dark-gold eyes.
He felt the power coursing through his body.
"So… this is what power feels like…?"
Raising Excalibur Morgan, he gathered magic instinctively, focusing it along the length of the blade.
His golden eyes sharpened as he gazed toward the sea, the sword responding with a rising hum.
A black sword aura erupted from the blade.
Boom!
The slash tore across the ocean, lifting massive waves.
"The power really is impressive," Rowan breathed out.
In mere minutes, he had gone from a pretty face with no real strength to a warrior possessing terrifying combat ability.
And his body still belonged to the wife who created him.
This feeling of happiness was far more than simple addition—something beyond 1+1=2.
It was euphoric.
"By the way… why can't I unleash the beam attack? System, what's going on?"
Rowan looked at the jet-black Excalibur Morgan in her hand, feeling the stream of information pouring into her mind, and muttered:
"Not enough mana… or do I have to spend money?"
[Bite!]
[Newcomer Task Issued]
[To help the host gain a basic understanding of this world and the strength of its inhabitants]
[Proceed immediately to the battleground located five nautical miles to the north.]
[Eliminate Tiger Awei — Bounty: 18 million Berries]
[Reward: A yacht]
"Great, isn't this basically a mission delivered right to my doorstep?"
"A pirate with an 18 million bounty—can he withstand a single swing from this sword?"
Carrying Excalibur Morgan, Rowan sprinted northward, stepping across the surface of the sea as lightly as if he was running on solid ground.
[Guardianship of the Lake Spirit: Protected by the Lake Spirit, the host may walk freely upon water.]
———
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Across the vast sea, a pirate ship flying a tattered black flag marked with a grinning white skull sailed forward. Cannons thundered as the pirates repeatedly fired at a small black boat shaped like a coffin opposite them.
"Hahaha! Kid! Is that coffin you're sitting on prepared for yourself?"
On the deck, a burly man with a tiger-striped beard roared with laughter.
"Men! Speed up! Let's crush him!"
"Wooo! That's so cruel, boss! I love it!"
"Speed up, speed up! Charge! Charge!"
"Smash him to pieces and feed him to the fish!"
"OHhhhh!"
Amidst raucous shouts, the pirate crew eagerly steered their ship toward the lone coffin drifting closer.
Standing atop the coffin, a man rose from the only seat—dressed in a burgundy patterned shirt, long black coat, white trousers, and black boots. A black top hat trimmed with white fur rested on his head. Short black hair, sharp golden hawk-like eyes, a neatly trimmed beard, a tiny cross-shaped dagger on his chest, and on his back—a massive black sword taller than he was.
As the pirate ship drew nearer, Dracule Mihawk slowly placed a hand on the hilt of the great black blade, Yoru.
Then—something in the distance caught his attention.
Mihawk removed his hand from the hilt, picked up the small dagger on his chest, and with effortless precision shattered every cannonball fired toward him.
Only then did he lift his gaze, staring into the distance with clear interest.