Reflections

After the very straightforward talk with the king, Lancell went outside the throne room, and reunited with Aria. She had a peculiar expression, as if she couldn't believe what just happened.

It seems she listened to the entire conversation.

Lancell approached her, and asked, "So, what do you think?"

"It's unbelievable," she commented. "I don't understand why father would easily agree."

"Yeah, but what's important is that he gave his words. I saw a bunch of important knights with crest of major noble families in there, he can't easily break his promise."

Aria didn't say anything, as she seemed to be in deep contemplation.

"In any case, I just need to keep being wary as always. At least the promise won't let him blatantly betray me in the open." Lancell added.

"I hope so."

Lancell shrugged, and then began to walk away. "Well then, I'm leaving. Thank you for arranging the appointment."

And so, he left.

◇ ◇ ◇

Noon. The sun hung brightly above the skies, as the clouds were quite scarce today. From how peaceful things was, it could be mistaken that nothing was wrong with the world. However, Lancell knew better.

Whoosh!.. Whoosh!.. Whoosh!..

In a tiny forest located in the north-western outskirts of Selvenia, Lancell swung Arkenvalle in the air as he circulated the mana inside him with the Severing Blade's practice method.

But it wasn't just that either. Everytime Lancell swung his blade, the sword's tip would seemingly become shorter as the blade would emit as dark purple glow.

He was finalizing his second Spellblade.

Whoosh!.. Whoosh!.. Whoosh!..

His every slash sliced through the winds with linear trajectory, and he became even more absorbed in the act.

However, as he slashed the faint glow coming from Arkenvalle slowly increased in brightness, as mana circuits began to form inside Arkenvalle. It was a different one from his only Spellblade; Void Slash.

It was similar to a certain part of Void Slash, but it was much more intricate and optimized than that. And it was even more powerful than that part.

It was a slash that went through space-time, but with lesser time lag and more efficiency than the one that was a part of Void Slash.

Lancell stopped moving, as he then focused the reinforcement of the mana circuits. And as he did, a feeling of something solidifying was transmitted from Arkenvalle's connections with him.

It was complete.

Lancell stopped circulating his manager, and opened his eyes. He made a relieved sigh,

("So? What should we name this Spellblade?") Lancell asked. ("It's yours after all.")

("I'm not sure. How about you do it? You are at that age after all.")

Lancell made a dry laugh. ("Is that supposed to be a compliment?")

("Of course.")

Lancell sighed. He then pondered for a name, and finally settled on one.

("How about Transcendent Slash?")

("Why that?") Arkenvalle asked with genuine bafflement.

("The slash transcends space-time after all. It sound fitting right?")

(". . . Sure. As long as you're happy.")

Lancell felt that something was wrong with Arkenvalle words, but he didn't think too deeply about it. All that was in his mind was the fact that he had gone another step forward in his goal.

◇ ◇ ◇

Meanwhile, within the castle...

Someone wearing armour approached Margilus. "Your Majesty, why did you agree to his proposal? Do you really think you can kill him in 20 years?"

Margilus glanced at the person. "Of course not. That's why I lied."

"You lied? Do you think that's alright?" The man asked. "And I doubt the nobility will like it. They would lose trust in you, you know?"

"I am aware." Margilus answered. "However, I'd rather lose the trust of my retainers rather than keep a massive threat around. I value this kingdom more than my life. Also..."

Margilus then made a small grin. "don't you think having the support of the Holy Kingdom is a benefit that outweighs the demerits of losing my retainer's support?"

The man didn't say anything, but smiled. He agreed.

Lancell was unaware, but he had underestimated how irrational a human could be.

◇ ◇ ◇

When Lancell returned to Selvenia Castle, he was in a fairly good mood. He walked through the gate with a faint smile on his face, at the same time observed the changes in the guards' behaviour.

'As expected. They're not hiding their hostilities anymore, huh?'

Lancell could feel faint bloodlust coming from the guards, which was an upgrade from the sneaky bloodlust that would also disappear not long after. If Lancell was to be asked, he prefers thing like this rather than hidden hostility.

After all, hatred is a pure emotion with no traces of deceit.

Lancell entered, ignoring the hostile gazes, and then went on to the training grounds.

However, as he continued on, Lancell noticed something.

'Hm? There are way less maids than before... About 12 are missing from the usual...'

Lancell had a habit of memorizing small details at his current locations, as a single piece of detail may become an indispensable asset during unexpected times. Lancell had learned that the hard way.

'Did the king fire them? No... I doubt it. The castle is clearly lacking in manpower, so unless he's gone insane, he wouldn't do it. Perhaps they're just assigned to a different job than usual.'

Lancell didn't know it, but the king had already gone insane.

An insanity that clung on to obsession and murderous intent...

◇ ◇ ◇

When Lancell neared the training grounds, he heard a commotion from there, as he also heard faint sound of high-speed movement.

Is someone fighting?

Lancell was a bit curious, so he increased his pace a bit. When he reached the place, he heard a bunch of yelling and cursing, as a battle seemed going on.

Or practice, to be precise...

"Shit! Get back! Mages, try to see if he's weak against magic!!"

"It doesn't!! He's resistant to it!! The barrier disperses mana!!"

"Damn it! Why the hell are these guys so strong?!"

Lancell listened, as he then saw Lina and the others standing outside the ring, and only Argos was inside. He was facing 5 knights.

Lancell quickly appeared beside Lina. "So? How are things?"

"Eek!!" Lina was surprised by the sudden familiar voice beside her, as she then looked to see it was Lancell.

"Lancell! Geez, don't surprise me like that. And where have you been the past week?"

Lancell shrugged. "I had a bit of trouble, actually. I lost track of time, and didn't even noticed that it was already six days."

"Was it really that fun? You usually don't lose track of time."

"Hmm.... Rather than fun, it was annoying. We got swallowed up by a dungeon that appeared of nowhere, and it seems time moves slower in there compared to the outside." Lancell explained.

"I see... Don't push yourself too much, okay?" Lina was concerned.

"Don't worry. I don't have plans on dying."

Lina's eyes widened for an instant, but Lancell didn't notice. He was focused on the training—or more like, bullying onstage. Lina then hung her head as she muttered inaudibly, "That's not what I meant...."

Lancell then turned to Lina once again, and asked, "Come to think of it, where's Arthur?"

Lina raised her head in fluster. "A-Ah, pardon?"

"I asked where's Arthur. I haven't seen her lately." Lancell repeated. Not realizing he was unusually patient.

Lina pondered as she put a finger to her lips. She hummed in contemplation, "Hm... Now that you mention it, she's been a bit strange lately."

"Strange?" Lancell asked, but wasn't particularly bothered. That girl was strange all year round.

"Well... She leaves early in the morning; when the sun still hasn't risen, and then comes back when it nears afternoon. And her eyes are a bit red when she does." Lina elaborated.

Lancell nodded. "I see. That's indeed quite strange. Maybe she's trying out drugs?"

Lina furrowed her brows as she seemed a bit angry, "Lancell. Are you seriously saying that? That's quite rude."

However, Lancell brushed off her anger, as he shrugged. "Well, her circumstances are something that a normal person would never experience. And she's experienced something no one else had, so it's possible."

Lina's anger immediately rose, however, before she snapped, someone suddenly refuted Lancell.

"I don't think that's it."

Lina and Lancell turned to the one who spoke.

"Valle?" Lancell was a bit surprised, "You seem comfortable outside lately."

It was Arkenvalle who spoke. She left Lancell's sword sheath and carriage, and appeared in her human form.

"Valle!" Lina too, was a bit surprised, but as she had no ideas about Arkenvalle's circumstances, she only asked what she was curious about. "It's been a while. And what did you mean about before?"

Arkenvalle glanced at Lina for a while, but then turned to Lancell. "Lancelot, can I go with Lina to find Arthur?"

Bot Lina and Arthur was surprised. However, despite that, Lancell gave his consent, "Sure. I don't mind but, you won't tell me why?"

Arkenvalle shook her head. "It's a girl's matter."

Lancell made a dry laugh, but Lina was even more confused.

"Well then, we're going." And after saying that, Arkenvalle grabbed Lina's hand and went to find Arthur.