The Land Where The Holy Sword Slept

Riding in Arthur’s carriage were three people: Arthur, Morgan, and Tristan. The holy sword was top-secret information, and most of the knights had already returned to Britannia to help evacuate the civilians.

“It was unexpected that Lancelot would go to the capital.”

“Do not worry, Arthur-sama. I, Tristan, will protect you.”

“It can’t be helped. Through him—since he belongs to Mordred’s faction—we needed to ask for a temporary truce with Agravain as well. Still, do you feel uneasy with just us, Arthur?”

Morgan, understanding that this crisis would greatly affect the struggle for succession, spoke to Arthur with a slightly gloomy expression…

“No. With you two here, there’s not much I’d be afraid of. More than anything, I feel safe.”

“W-what…?!”

Both of them flushed red at Arthur’s casual words, feeling the depth of his trust. Arthur had merely been tense because memories of his previous life had made him wary of Lancelot, but of course, neither of them knew that.

And as the atmosphere inside the carriage turned a bit strange, they finally arrived at their destination.

“So this is the forest where the holy sword sleeps… that’s some thick fog.”

“This isn’t ordinary fog. I can feel tremendous magic.”

“Both of you—once we enter, do not leave my side.”

As the three tensed up at the eerie presence and the fog that blanketed the trees, Rod—who had already gotten down from his carriage—called out to them.

“Hmph. If you’re getting cold feet, you can go back to the capital.”

“Rod-sama… if I may—where is your escort? You seem confident in your sword, but isn’t this overconfidence?”

Morgan’s criticism was understandable. There were no knights around Rod—only the maid called Maid Number Fourteen.

“Brother Rod… do you not have any friends…?”

“Arthur-sama… the truth can sometimes wound people.”

“That’s not it, you idiot!! And they aren’t ‘friends,’ they’re subordinates!! There’s no point bringing guards weaker than me!”

Rod flew into a rage at Arthur and Maid Number Fourteen. It is a small secret that Maid Number Fourteen smirked at that moment.

“So, Brother Rod—how do you use that rosary to clear this fog?”

“Hehehe. Watch closely. This is the power of the Relic of the Holy King!!”

Rod raised the rosary with a fearless grin. It blazed with a tremendous light—and the fog was sucked in at terrifying speed.

Arthur was briefly moved by the dreamlike sight, but beside him, Morgan looked genuinely shocked.

“What unbelievable magic… So it was a magical tool shaped like a rosary, created by the Holy King and Merlin working together…”

“So this is the power of the legendary mage Merlin… the scale is on another level…”

“Huh. That’s impressive.”

While Morgan, who could use magic herself, and Tristan, who had seen spells countless times on the battlefield, wore expressions of awe, Arthur reacted like a child.

“Then we go. I assume you understand—I’ll be the one walking in front, and I’ll be the one drawing the holy sword!!”

“Rod-sama… you truly look forward to obtaining the holy sword. How adorable…”

While declaring something that sounded like a bully staking ownership, Rod pushed forward, and Maid Number Fourteen followed with a blank expression.

“Alright, then. Shall we go too?”

“Honestly, Rod is making this unnecessarily troublesome.”

“It can’t be helped. Rod-sama is wary of Arthur-sama. Well… I understand how he feels, but…”

Only once Rod’s group was just barely still within sight did Arthur’s group enter the forest. Rod was probably wary of the holy sword being taken first. Bringing Arthur and the others into the forest had been the condition.

“Brother Rod worries too much…”

“And I think you just don’t worry enough…”

Arthur grumbled, and Morgan replied with exasperation. Arthur was about to fire back with a joke when—

His gaze locked onto a single point.

“This is… how beautiful…”

The moment they passed the forest entrance, cool, pure air greeted them. Leaves swayed in the wind as if whispering to one another, and somewhere in the distance came the clear murmur of a stream.

Looking down, they saw dew shining as it spilled across the mossy ground.

And most striking of all were the spirits—each with translucent wings like butterflies—floating softly through the air, watching them as if to welcome them. As they whispered among themselves, they scattered shimmering particles from time to time, creating a fantastical scene as if the forest itself were breathing.

No one who stepped into this place could remain indifferent. Even Arthur—normally dull, with a deadened sense of wonder—felt the reverence sleeping deep inside him awaken. He could only stand there, motionless, absorbing this miraculous world with his whole body.

“It’s incredible… I had no idea Britannia had a place like this…”

After Morgan let out a sigh of admiration at the beautiful scene, she inexplicably looked at Arthur.

“I know this isn’t the time, but… I wish we could’ve come here on a date, not in a moment like this.”

“…!!”

Perhaps because of the beauty around them, Morgan spoke like a maiden. Behind them, Tristan made a triumphant fist pump with a beaming smile—unnoticed. Arthur, still sighing in awe, replied without thinking.

“Yeah… you’re right. Once everything’s resolved, I want to come again with someone important. I want to show Kei too…”

“I see… you are close with that maid… Then go with her, the two of you.”

Morgan pouted when Arthur said his personal maid’s name. Behind them, Tristan clutched his head. But Arthur didn’t notice and continued.

“What are you talking about? I said someone important. Of course I’d invite you too.”

“Huh…?”

“Why are you surprised? Sure, at first I thought you were kind of naggy. But I get it now—you were thinking about me, and about the country.”

“Arthur…”

“So keep supporting me, okay? I might be unreliable, but I’ll do my best—as your fiancé… and as a prince.”

Arthur’s face turned bright red as he spoke his heartfelt words. He didn’t even know why, but he felt like he needed to say it now.

And as for Morgan…

“I’m sorry… don’t look at my face right now. It’s probably awful…”

“What are you saying—whoa!! What is that expression even supposed to be?”

“I told you not to look.”

Morgan’s slack-faced grin was indescribable, and Arthur blurted out his honest reaction—only to be glared at hard.

“Heh. This is nice. I wanted to see more moments like this.”

“Shut up. More importantly, you should be on guard for monsters.”

“Heh, Morgan-sama, you’re good at joking. There aren’t even animals here, let alone monsters. That fog probably had the power to keep out anything but spirits.”

Tristan teased Morgan as she lashed out in irritation. If anyone saw this scene, they would be stunned.

Because while Arthur might be like this, Morgan would never normally be talking like a romantic comedy when Britannia was in crisis—and while Arthur might be like this, Tristan, as a knight, would never tease his lady so directly…