Ch. 12 - Et Cetera (2)

"What's wrong?"

"I guess I'm not really good at lying," Mariel said after a long sigh. "It can't be helped," he continued, "I'll be honest. I can't fulfill your request because I want to explore the world. Being a member of Sterminatore or a mercenary would give me the freedom to do that."

"Coincidentally, I'm the same!" Selena exclaimed energetically. "I also need to travel the world to find Lady Merlin. Ah, but I'll only start doing that after a year of being part of the Round Table Knights. Oh, how about this?!"

"How about what?"

"I'll accept your rejection for now, but later, when I begin exploring the world to find Lady Merlin, you have to be willing. Your desire will be fulfilled, and so will mine. What do you think? A very fair solution, right?"

The way Selena presented it as a very fair solution was quite convincing. People with dull minds would immediately agree and praise the girl for her understanding. But it was clear that it was still coercion. This woman didn't want to accept rejection, and she was doing it in quite an elegant way.

However, as they both knew, Selena wouldn't be able to become part of the Round Table Knights until she was seventeen. And it was obviously impossible for her to decapitate Lukhiel. So, giving her a satisfying answer wouldn't be a problem. After all, as long as he didn't step foot in Pendragon when the time came, they wouldn't meet. This agreement would be pointless.

"Alright," Mariel replied after almost half a minute. "I agree with your words, but only if you're willing to answer my question."

"And that question?"

"Which one is stronger: Excalibur, Caliburn, or Rhongomyniad?"

Written information about the holy weapons was limited to their names and legends—excluding the "Sword of Salvation", which wasn't even known by name. Getting details about their forms was also difficult, but not impossible (Lukhiel had them). However, their abilities? There was no written information; only word-of-mouth stories.

"What do you think?" Selena asked in return, but she quickly added, "I want to hear what you think is the strongest, then I'll answer."

"As for me, I think Excalibur is the strongest. But Rhongomyniad catches my attention."

Selena smiled upon hearing Mariel's answer. "Your answer isn't wrong," she explained. "In terms of attack, Excalibur is the strongest. In terms of flexibility, Caliburn is number one. However, in terms of defense, Rhongomyniad is the best. Have you ever heard of the mysterious Tower of Babel?"

Mariel nodded.

"That's Rhongomyniad," Selena continued. "The original Rhongomyniad is in the form of a small spear, like a toy key. That spear can be transformed into anything. King Arthur often used it as a shield, which is why its defense is considered the strongest."

Mariel smiled and nodded slowly. He actually wanted to ask more detailed questions, but the sharp gazes from Selena's five subordinates were truly unsettling. Mariel worried they would suspect him of having hidden motives if he asked further.

"That's a very useful ability."

"That's why I want to take the spear back from Lady Merlin."

Mariel could say that Merlin had the right to own the spear after giving so much help to King Arthur. Besides, weren't all of King Arthur's weapons gifts from Merlin? Had Camelot forgotten that fact? Or was taking back Rhongomyniad simply Selena's personal desire?

"Is there anything else you need to discuss?" Mariel asked—completely ignoring the thoughts running through his head.

"If we've agreed, that means I—oooh! We still haven't talked about dinner! I owe you dinner at Pendragon!"

Ah, yes, about dinner. Mariel had actually intended to bring it up before leaving Camelot. However, now he had changed his mind. He didn't know what Lukhiel was doing, but it was highly likely he would ask Mariel to leave the cave after he returned to the cave—assuming he didn't meet him first.

"...You can delay paying it until then."

"Oh, a reason to meet? What a clever way of putting it."

Of course, that wasn't the case, but it would be troublesome to explain. Mariel just responded with a small smile as he pointed to the room's door with his right hand. "If you don't mind," he said, "I would like to rest now. Please have your subordinates go through that door and lock it from the outside. Is that alright?"

Various reactions of annoyance were displayed by Selena's five subordinates, but their boss just smiled, amused.

"Of course," Selena said. "I'll come back with dinner."

------⟨⟨ A Few Moments Later ⟩⟩------

Selena hadn't lied when she said she would return with dinner.

Mariel remembered that he had told the receptionist that the food should be delivered after three hours. But the food arrived an hour and a half earlier. Dinner couldn't be too late; earlier was better. It was clear from the way Selena entered without permission.

However, Selena's arrival wasn't the same as before. This time, she wasn't accompanied by any of her subordinates, just by herself. Selena didn't explain why the others weren't with her, and Mariel didn't ask. They enjoyed the dinner without much conversation. More precisely, they enjoyed the meal while observing each other.

"By the way, why are you staying at this inn?" Selena asked after they finished their food.

"Didn't you want to go to Pendragon or Londinia? Did you change your mind and decide to head to Birmithan?"

Ah, it had slipped Mariel's mind that Selena and her subordinates had planned to go to Birmithan. He learnt that Lukhiel was there from them, but their presence at the inn was still a surprise. More precisely, he hadn't thought he would meet them because he assumed he would arrive in the city first.

"How about you, how did you get here before me?" Mariel asked in return. "Didn't you travel by carriage? How did you get here so quickly?"

Mariel hadn't checked the inn's parking area. He had gone straight into the inn as soon as he arrived. So, there was no way he could have anticipated Selena and her subordinates' presences. Could they have left the carriage and run here?

"Clarent has teleportation abilities. She teleported us here. We've been here since noon. Soon, we'll leave and go straight to Birmithan." Selena paused to swallow a few sips of apple juice. "And you, you still haven't answered my question," she continued.

"My destination is Elchester," Mariel said, then he drank some water. "After that," he continued, "I want to explore the Kingdom of Denland. As I mentioned before, I want to explore the world. I want to start my adventure from Camelot's allies."

"Oh, that's a good idea. I've been to Denland. If you go there, try visiting the Nine Gods Tower. It's 2800 meters tall. You'll be able to see all of Denland from the top of the tower."

"I've heard of it. It's a lighthouse and the tallest tower in the world. Some say the Tower of Babel is taller, but there's no proof, so the Nine Gods Tower is decided to be the tallest. Can ordinary people enter that tower?"

"You have to pay 200 escal to enter, but it's a fair price for the view you'll get."

"Oh, that's affordable. I'll make sure to visit it. Thank you for the information."

Selena smiled, then stood up. The holy sword she had placed beside the sofa was back on her back. "Well, I guess we'll part ways here," she said, then approached Mariel. "Here's something for our meeting at a later date."

Mariel was about to ask what she meant, but that intention quickly faded when suddenly Selena's lips attacked his. Mariel froze. His body felt like it had been struck by lightning, delivering pleasure.

"Make sure you return it to me when we meet again."

"...Of course."

That was all Mariel could say as he watched Selena closed the door, flashing a grin brighter than the sun. Without realizing it, he had brought his right fingers to touch his lips.

"This feels so much better than what I dreamed..."

Mariel couldn't stop his lips from curving into a smile – he grinned like a madman.

It wasn't until an hour later that he snapped out of his daydream, and that too because two waiters came to ask for permission to take the dirty dishes. If it hadn't been for their arrival, he might have stayed lost in that deceptive fantasy for another hour or two.

"…As I thought, women are truly dangerous," Mariel concluded—and this time he was serious.

However, Mariel didn't hate it. On the contrary, he wanted it again. Just recalling the sensation from earlier was enough to make him addicted. He wanted to feel it again and again. Dreams couldn't compare to the sensation that reality gave him.

"Truly dangerous," Mariel murmured as he lay down on the soft bed the inn provided.

Contrary to the word "dangerous" that came out of his mouth, Mariel's lips curled. He couldn't wait to return the kiss—

—Mariel snapped out of it.

The fifteen-year-old boy suddenly remembered that he had to help Lukhiel, who might be in serious trouble.

Furthermore, Selena and her crew were already in Birmithan. No matter how strong Lukhiel was, there was no way he could handle the Round Table Knights, Selena, and her group at the same time. Not to mention if King Arthur IV showed up—and Sterminatore would definitely not just sit by.

Mariel planned to leave the next day, but it seemed the situation was worse than he could understand. Insisting on leaving the next day was like trying to boil grilled fish. Mariel needed to change his plans. He had to leave now if he didn't want Lukhiel to die foolishly.

Taking a deep breath, Mariel grabbed his bag and opened the window.

The pale light of the full moon made the night somewhat bright. Mariel jumped out of the window with his hands and feet spread open. He converted his prana into wind to glide through the air like a kite. Mariel didn't touch the ground until he had traveled over a kilometer away from the inn.

The village where the inn was located was exactly halfway between Londinia and Birmithan. That meant he was already halfway to the city. With full speed, he could reach Birmithan in about an hour.

"I can only hope I'm not too late."