Reaching the destination

It's been a few days since we started traveling together.

The vast desert slowly gave way to rocky plains—harsh and scorching during the day, then biting cold at night.

The wind carried dust and sand into every corner of our clothes, and the unchanging sky made time feel as if it were slowing to a crawl.

Astolfo, from the very first moment we met, never stopped talking.

From stories about his past adventures, his strange habits, wild and completely nonsensical theories, to trivial things like the shape of clouds he saw in the sky or how he thought my hair would look beautiful under the moonlight.

"Hey, Altria-chan, do you like watermelon or melon more? I like watermelon, 'cause you can throw it like a ball when you're bored! But melon is good too when it's cold! Oh, or do you prefer grapes? Purple or green ones?"

Every conversation always ended with a question—and not all questions needed answers.

But to him, every question was an invitation to start a new topic, as if a small storm constantly raged in his mind and had to be let out through his voice.

As a Servant, I don't feel physical exhaustion. My body was made to endure long and grueling battles without losing strength. But mental fatigue... that's a different story.

I can fight without sleep, but enduring Astolfo for more than two hours without pause is a test of patience not written in any summoning contract.

"Look! That hill looks like a turtle, right?" he shouted, pointing at what was clearly just an ordinary hill. "If you look at it from the right angle, it's like a little turtle head poking out of the sand! A desert turtle! So cute!"

I simply gave a small nod. There was no point in arguing with that wild imagination.

Every night, when we stopped and made a small fire for light—more for emotional comfort than functional need, since we didn't require human warmth—Astolfo would sit cross-legged and start telling stories.

It didn't matter whether I looked interested or not. It didn't matter that I just stared at the fire without saying a word.

And somehow, he always seemed happy.

"Altria-chan! Tomorrow when we get to the town, let's get something sweet, okay? I want cake! But there probably isn't a cake shop in the middle of the desert… hmm… do you think there's a cake shop in Camelot? Eh, do you think people still sell cakes in the present day?"

I just closed my eyes.

To be honest, I was starting to feel that fighting poisonous desert monsters or facing an Assassin from the Far East was easier than keeping my sanity beside Astolfo.

But beneath it all… there's one thing I can't deny. His cheerful voice, his endless laughter, and his unwavering energy—like the unrelenting desert sun…

They made this journey feel a little less lonely. Even for someone like me.

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That morning, sunlight slowly rose from beyond the horizon, illuminating the rocky plains that shimmered as if coated in glass. I opened my eyes and slowly sat up from where I had rested the night before. The small fire we lit had long since died out, leaving behind charcoal traces scattered by the wind.

Astolfo was still asleep—or rather, wriggling while hugging his lance like a body pillow, his mouth slightly open and mumbling incomprehensibly.

Seeing him so peaceful while sleeping made me wonder how someone so noisy could become this calm.

However, that peace didn't last long.

"Hmm... eh? HAAAH!? It's morning already?! D-Did I say anything weird in my sleep?!"

His loud voice greeted the morning in his usual manner, and I simply sighed quietly before standing up and brushing the dust off my cloak.

"We need to keep moving. Camelot isn't far from here."

"Hoooh?! Seriously?! We're close already? Aaaah, finally! I can't wait to see that holy city! I wonder if it looks majestic?"

I didn't answer. Not because I didn't want to, but because I knew that even if I stayed silent, he would keep talking anyway.

We resumed walking, and now the desert wind felt warmer. The dust that usually clung to our feet gradually gave way to firmer, more solid ground. A sign we were nearing civilization.

An hour later, beyond the hill we crossed, I saw it.

The city stood tall in the distance, its high walls looming proud and unyielding, as if daring the world to shake it.

Camelot. The holy city that once symbolized glory and purity. But now… I knew. Behind those walls, something was happening. Something dark.

"Aaaaah~!" Astolfo raised both his hands into the air. "We made it at last! Altria-chan, that's Camelot, right? Whoa! It really is majestic!"

"Yes," I replied briefly.

"Eh, what's going on there anyway?"

I stared ahead, the wind brushing against my face, and for a moment, the sky felt heavier than usual.

"...Something is about to happen. Something important."

Astolfo turned toward me, tilting his head with that ever-bright smile. "Okay then! Let's hurry over there! I love important stuff! It usually means something exciting!"

I didn't know if he truly didn't understand—or simply chose not to. But his face was filled with such certainty, as if nothing could ever shake his spirit.

We continued walking with quicker steps. The wind now carried the scent of life—the smell of smoke, warm bread, and metal—a sign that the city was near.

And for the first time since this journey began… I didn't feel completely alone.

Our steps finally brought us to the foot of the holy city's walls.

Up close, the walls were far more majestic than they appeared from a distance—towering, smooth, and seemingly untouched by time. But it wasn't just their grandeur that caught my attention.

In front of the massive, tightly shut gates lay a sprawling stretch of ragged tents pitched in disarray.

People from all walks of life had gathered there—wanderers, mercenaries, merchants. Some spoke in hushed tones, others argued loudly, and many simply stared blankly at the city as if waiting for a miracle.

Astolfo turned his head, looking confused. "Eeeeh? What's this? We can't go in just like that? Why is everyone camping outside?"

I observed the surroundings. The air was thick with a mix of desperation and hope.

They were all waiting—or rather, gambling. I lowered my hood and fixed my gaze on the massive gate.

"...There's a selection process," I said quietly. "A ceremony called the Holy Selection."

"Holy Selection?" Astolfo blinked several times, intrigued. "Like... an entrance audition or something?"

"You could say that," I replied calmly. "The Lion King will choose who is deemed worthy to enter the holy city. Only those who meet certain criteria will be allowed in."

"Waaah... that's kind of scary, but also cool! So we have to participate too?"

I turned slightly toward him. "That was the plan."

Astolfo clasped his hands together in front of his chest. "Whoa, like a festival! But seriously, what happens to the ones who aren't chosen? Do they have to go home or wait till next year?"

I paused. My eyes landed on a figure clad in shining white armor standing in the distance near the gate. The silhouette was unmistakable. With a tall, firm posture and a radiant holy presence, it could only be Gawain, Knight of the Sun.

"...They're simply not allowed in," I answered at last. "That's all."

I could feel Astolfo's sharp gaze for a brief moment, but as usual, his expression quickly brightened again.

"Yosh! Then let's join too! Maybe we can show off and get chosen right away!"

I didn't respond, only gave a slight nod.

But deep down, I knew—this was no ordinary selection. It was a brutal purification. And behind the smiles of the city's guards, a grim truth awaited: those who weren't chosen… would be erased. Without mercy.

I looked up at the sky, which had started to darken as the sun prepared to set behind the horizon. Evening was drawing near, and the shadow of Camelot's walls stretched long across the wanderers' camp.

"Tomorrow morning," I murmured. "The Holy Selection begins."

Astolfo, who was busy checking out the tents—and possibly tempted to swipe a piece of toasted bread from a nearby traveler—replied cheerfully, "Let's win this!"

I could only exhale quietly. In my mind, there was only one mission—reach Camelot, and confront the Lion King. But now I wasn't alone. And that made everything... just a little more complicated.

****

POV Astolfo.

Wow, this place is so crowded! I kept spinning my head around, looking at all the people setting up their tents however they liked.

Some were cooking, others were arguing about who arrived first, and there were even people napping on piles of straw. Wahaha, this is so fun!

I looked at my new partner—Altria—who was standing a bit farther ahead, completely still like a statue. So serious. Honestly, her expression hasn't changed much since earlier.

(A: Do not take it wrong)

But well, she is super strong. With just one slash back then, that giant worm was knocked out without even getting a chance to enjoy being alive.

I watched as she slowly pulled her hood back up, hiding her face behind the shadow of the fabric. Her movements were slow, careful, like someone who didn't want to be noticed.

I quickly jogged to catch up with her from the side.

"Hey, hey, Altria-chan~!" I called out to her, half-skipping as I did.

She turned slightly but didn't say anything.

I pointed at her hood and asked, "Why are you covering your face again? You looked super cool back when you fought that monster!"

She was silent for a moment before finally answering in a calm but heavy voice, "I... simply don't want to attract more attention than necessary."

I tilted my head. "Eh? But you're so pretty! It'd be a shame not to show off a little!"

I saw Altria take a slow breath, then shake her head. "No, Astolfo. There's a reason why I have to stay... hidden for now."

I could tell she was hiding something, but... well, who am I to force someone to talk about their personal stuff? I am a true knight—respecting others' privacy is part of the job!

"Hmmm, alrighty then! But if you ever feel like telling me, I'll totally listen!" I said, giving her a big thumbs-up.

Altria only gave a small nod, her movement almost imperceptible. But I could see it—a tiny, very tiny, bit of relief behind her cold gaze.

I glanced back at the tents and grinned. "In that case, we're camping out too, right? It's gonna be so much fun, like a real camping trip!"

Lifting my eyes to the sky, now turning red with the setting sun, I whispered to myself in my heart.

Somehow... I feel like this journey is going to be really exciting.

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Night was falling. The sunlight that had once bathed the desert slowly turned into a warm orange hue before vanishing completely.

In the distance, the tents of wandering travelers began to light up one by one, forming tiny specks of light at the base of the holy city's walls.

I followed Altria, who was walking slowly toward a quieter corner, a bit removed from the crowd of other tents. She stopped at a flat, open area.

Without saying a word, she raised her hand slowly. Soft blue particles began to gather in the air, like fireflies dancing in the night.

I stared in awe.

In an instant, those glowing specks began to shift form.

From the scattered fragments of mana, a wide, dark blue cloth and several sturdy poles materialized.

She then began assembling a tent before my very eyes, layer by layer, until it finally stood completely formed.

"Woah… amazing…" I whispered as I stepped closer.

Altria turned to me. Her gaze was still calm, but I could see the faintest curve at the corner of her lips.

"A little magical trick. Quite useful for surviving in a place like this."

I stared at the tent in admiration.

The material looked tough, the fabric thick, and there was even some sort of transparent barrier—probably to guard against sandstorms or sudden attacks. No wonder she looked like a knight straight out of legend!

I bounced on the spot with excitement. "That's so cool! So, so cool! Teach me how to do that too!"

Altria gave a small nod. "Perhaps someday."

I rushed into the tent and flopped down onto the sleeping pad that had somehow appeared along with everything else.

"Ahhh… this is so comfy!" I shouted as I rolled around a little.

Not long after, Altria entered the tent as well, quietly closing the flap behind her. She sat near the entrance, her posture upright like someone standing guard.

"Eh? You're not sleeping?" I asked, propping up my chin with my hands.

"I don't require much rest. You go ahead and sleep, Astolfo. I'll keep watch."

I stayed quiet for a moment, then gave her a small smile. "Alright. But it's my turn tomorrow, okay?"

Altria didn't respond—she simply kept watching through a small gap in the tent. I let my eyes close, listening to the soft sounds of the night and the steady hum from the distant tents all around.