Episode 125 The Trial Of The Holy Sword
As they pressed deeper into the forest, dazzling light streamed through gaps in the trees, and their view suddenly opened up. There lay a quietly resting spring, and nearby stood something like a stone pedestal with an object embedded in it.
Standing before that pedestal were Rod and Maid Number Fourteen. No—there was also something else: a humanoid figure wearing a translucent hood.
“…Let’s go.”
Proceeding cautiously toward the unfamiliar presence, they noticed Rod briefly glance in their direction upon hearing their footsteps, only to immediately face forward again—
As if warning them not to take their eyes off the hooded figure before him.
“Ah, ah, looks like everyone’s here. Then shall we begin the trial? Both of you seem to carry that one’s blood. You are qualified.”
“Whoa? It talks?!”
Arthur couldn’t help but shout in surprise at the figure’s oddly flippant tone, and it began speaking with obvious amusement.
“Of course I do. I am the guardian spirit of this holy sword, created by Merlin himself. That much should be obvious.”
“Merlin… the mage who was a companion of the Holy King… I suppose someone like him could easily command spirits.”
Arthur had at least heard Merlin’s name in fairy tales—a powerful magician who aided the Holy King with mighty spells.
“We’re all here now. That’s enough, isn’t it? I arrived first, yet you made me wait until everyone showed up…”
“Nope, minus points for you. An impatient man is unpopular—and I judge him unfit to be king.”
“Wha—?!”
“Rod-sama, the opponent is a guardian spirit. It may be wise not to speak rashly…”
Rod let out a frustrated groan as Maid Number Fourteen tried to calm him. Watching the scene with a grin, the guardian spirit turned to Morgan.
“You keep saying ‘trial,’ but what exactly are we supposed to do?”
“Oh, it’s simple. You may not have noticed, but in this forest, lies cannot be told. The spirits’ power forces your true feelings to surface. That’s right—this trial exists so you face the holy sword with your true hearts.”
“Our true hearts…”
“So that’s how it is…”
Arthur and Morgan flushed red as they recalled their earlier exchange. It was true—they had spoken things they normally kept buried deep inside.
Just as they decided it would be best not to dig any deeper out of sheer embarrassment—
“I see… So Morgan-sama inviting Arthur-sama on a date, and Arthur-sama saying Morgan-sama is important to him—those were both genuine feelings!!”
“No, that’s not—”
“Be quiet, Tristan!!”
“Heh heh, you really are his descendants. I can see the resemblance.”
After laughing to its heart’s content at Arthur and Morgan glaring daggers at Tristan, the guardian spirit pointed toward the ancient sword embedded in the stone pedestal.
“Alright then, please touch this sword. That will begin the trial.”
“Arthur, you understand—I go first. Agreed?”
“Yeah, of course. Be careful.”
Rod shot Arthur a warning look, then stepped forward to touch the holy sword. At that moment, someone tugged gently at his sleeve.
“What is it, Maid Number Fourteen?”
“Rod-sama… about the Holy King. I don’t believe this is a trial that will cost your life, but please be careful. If it seems impossible, I think retreating is also an option.”
“Hmph. As a prince, there’s no way I’d run.”
Rod roughly shook her hand away. She let out a small gasp, her blank expression breaking as sadness flickered across her face.
“But… thank you for worrying about me. Ludmila.”
“Eh…?”
At Rod’s words, the girl who had been called Maid Number Fourteen—Ludmila—let out a startled cry. Rod himself wore a look of disbelief, then hurriedly turned away and touched the holy sword, almost as if fleeing.
“Rod-sama!!”
At that instant, his body shone brilliantly—
And then he collapsed, unconscious.
