"What is that?"
A flash of lightning, followed by a rumbling peal of thunder.
Under the vast white sheet of rain, a massive, powerful monster with the head of a serpent, the body of a leopard, and the haunches of a lion ran across the dark wilderness. It gradually slowed to a stop, then lowered its head as if to gnaw on something.
Kay's face grew grave as he looked at the monster in the distance, his hand subconsciously gripping the hilt of his sword.
"Should I call this fortunate, or just plain bad luck? First a giant, and now this... I'm starting to feel like this journey of ours is a real magnet for trouble."
Gazing at the scene out on the wilderness, Merlin's usual playful expression was gone, replaced by a rare seriousness.
However, perhaps sensing the tension in the group, he smiled to reassure them.
"Relax. That thing is a considerable distance from us. And with this rain, it won't be able to catch our scent. As long as we ignore it, it will eventually leave on its own."
Merlin's words, however, did not have a comforting effect—at least not for one particular person.
"Merlin... what is that thing eating right now?"
Artoria asked, her face expressionless. Her holy, cerulean eyes seemed to pierce through the heavy curtain of rain, staring at the feeding monster in the distance. Her hand, gripping the Sword in the Stone, was trembling with force.
"Probably those travelers we met during the day. It seems they had the misfortune of encountering this monster and became its food."
Merlin stated this matter-of-factly, his own expression unchanging. There was no anger, no pity, merely a statement of fact. It was as if this demeanor was a true reflection of his innermost self.
But his casual words, to the girl who was desperately suppressing her emotions, were like pouring oil on a fire.
Artoria took a step forward without hesitation, but Merlin immediately extended his staff with a serious look, blocking her path.
"I know you're angry, Lily. But do you know what that thing is? It's a monster of the Phantasmal Species. It's the Questing Beast."
"A normal human will not survive even a glancing blow from its attacks. Do you think you, in your current state, have the strength to deal with a monster like that?"
"How will we know if we don't try? Are you asking me to just turn a blind eye!? You know, those people were talking with us just this afternoon..."
Artoria clearly did not agree with Merlin's words, her pretty face flushed with anger.
But before she could finish, Merlin interrupted her.
"But they're already dead now, aren't they? You need to understand, Artoria, your life doesn't belong to you alone. Since you've decided to inherit the throne, you must understand that as a king, there are times to stand firm, but there are also times when you must choose to give up."
"Reality can't be changed by sheer hot-bloodedness alone. If, after I've said all this, you are still unwilling to change your mind, then I can only remind you."
"Are you truly prepared to bear all the consequences that will come from this decision of yours?"
The atmosphere in the cave instantly grew heavy. Artoria froze, glancing at Kay, who remained silent with a deep frown, and then at Aozaki Rin, who had his head tilted slightly as if pondering something. In an instant, the anger that had been erupting within her gradually cooled.
He's right. It wasn't wrong for her alone to feel angry at such injustice and want to seek retribution. But she had forgotten that her concerned adoptive brother and younger adoptive brother were right beside her.
If she were to charge out just like that, those two would absolutely not let her go alone. But to drag them into her own personal battle was a situation she did not want to see.
So... must I just give up like this...?
Thinking back on Merlin's words, Artoria truly couldn't guarantee that she could defeat that monster. But if she chose to give up now, wouldn't that be the same as the current state of Britain—forced to surrender simply because one cannot resist the tide of fate?
The reason she had drawn this sword in her hand was precisely to change this kind of helplessness, not to bow her head in defeat like this.
Just as everyone in the cave was lost in their own thoughts, Aozaki Rin suddenly spoke.
"Merlin, that monster... the Questing Beast. Is it strong?"
"Yes, deadly strong, and extremely tricky. It's nothing like the giant we encountered before. Lily might have a chance, but for ordinary humans like you and Kay, a single hit from its attack will lead to death from its venomous curse. So, I advise you all to dismiss any unrealistic ideas."
Merlin said without exaggeration. Although most of the Phantasmal Species of this era had already returned to the Reverse Side of the World, it didn't mean all of them had. Those that remained on the surface of Britain were either giants who hated humanity due to being physically shackled, or other creatures that were dangerous by nature. Of course, there were still some fae in existence, but they were even rarer.
What Merlin didn't expect, however, was that his warning didn't frighten the boy. Aozaki Rin simply stated as if it were obvious.
"If that's the case, then can't we just not get hit?"
"Er, that's easier said than done. How do you propose we guarantee something like that...?"
"Can't your illusion magic do something like that, Merlin?"
Struck speechless by the boy's counter-question, Merlin finally realized he had been checkmated. He stammered slightly.
"No, it's not that I can't. It's just that this is supposed to be Lily's trial..."
"But aren't we companions traveling together?"
Aozaki Rin walked up to Merlin, following the sound of his voice, and looked up at him, asking with pure sincerity.
Looking at the boy's earnest expression and feeling Artoria's suspicious gaze on him, Merlin knew that his impromptu idea to temper the girl's spirit would have to end here.
He sighed in resignation.
"I understand. Just this once, and never again."
After all, he couldn't let Artoria become too reliant on his abilities. Otherwise, this whole journey would have been for nothing.
However, Merlin was now a little worried.
Is this child... a little too easy for people to become dependent on...?
The thought couldn't help but cross Merlin's mind as he glanced at Artoria, who, after shooting a look at the boy, now had an expression that said, "Oh, so there's that option," and was now visibly relieved.
As for Kay, he hadn't been deliberately silent since Merlin started talking. He had seen that the carefree man was trying to be harsh to make his sister better understand reality. Now that they had reached some sort of consensus, he naturally broke his silence, sighing with a hint of disdain.
"Honestly, you people are experts at finding trouble... Let's get this straight: if we can't win, we run. I have no intention of dying here."
"I know. I'm not some stubborn fool either. Thank you, En, Sir Kay... and Merlin, I guess."
The corners of Artoria's lips curled up in a smile. She couldn't help but feel that having such a group of people—especially her adoptive brother—by her side was perhaps her greatest fortune.
"I'm just an afterthought, am I..."
Merlin muttered under his breath but said nothing more. The four of them gathered together and, after a brief discussion, finalized their plan of action.
In the midst of the downpour, the Questing Beast, a creature that seemed to be a hodgepodge of various animals, finished gnawing on the remains in its mouth. It shook its hideous serpentine head, flinging off some scraps of cloth stuck to its mouth.
What it didn't expect was that just as it tilted its head up to let the rain wash away the debris caught between the scales on its face, a girl's sharp cry, accompanied by thunder and the gleam of a sword, tore through the darkness without any warning and struck its head!