Chapter 16: King Hassan
"Uh... hmm..."
As his consciousness gradually returned and his control over his body became clear, Bedivere's mouth opened and closed slightly, emitting a hoarse sound.
After opening his eyes and scanning his surroundings, Bedivere discovered that he was in a small room. The space was only large enough for one person; a bed, a stool, pots and pans—these simple facilities allowed one to see the entire house at a glance.
The setting sun shone into the room from the doorway, with dust motes dancing in the orange beam of light.
Then, footsteps drew near. A red-haired youth walked in, and upon seeing Bedivere, he immediately revealed a sunny smile.
"You're awake."
Bedivere subconsciously wanted to get up, but then felt, with some surprise, that his body had recovered to its original state, as if he had never been injured at all.
He guessed that it was perhaps the youth before him who had helped him, so he asked.
"Ah... may I ask who you are..."
"My name is Shirou Orihara. You could say I'm a friend and comrade-in-arms who is somewhat familiar with your King. I've participated in two battles alongside your King."
Hearing Shirou's words, even though he still had some doubts about his identity, this didn't prevent Bedivere from understanding that the person before him was not an enemy.
If he were an enemy, how could he have helped him recover his body?
"I see. You are a friend of the King's."
Bedivere revealed a relaxed smile.
At this time, Shirou looked at the "Silver Arm" transformed from the Holy Sword on the silver-haired knight and spoke.
"That is the Holy Sword, isn't it?"
"Ah... yes." Bedivere was momentarily stunned, and only nodded after a few seconds.
Since he was a friend of the King's, and so formidable, it was only natural that he could recognize the Holy Sword.
While Bedivere was still thinking about this, Gudako and Mash also arrived.
"Wow, I didn't expect the food made by the people here to be quite delicious!"
Gudako touched her slightly bulging abdomen and couldn't help but exclaim.
"Senpai, that person has woken up."
Mash, who was following behind Gudako, saw Bedivere, who had already woken up, and immediately alerted her.
Gudako then looked at Bedivere and said to him: "It was Cursed Arm Hassan who found you collapsed outside. But speaking of which, you had so many injuries on you at the time. What happened?"
"..."
Bedivere was silent for a few seconds and subconsciously looked at Shirou.
"It's okay, just tell everyone. We're all going to the Holy City together."
"Is that so..."
Bedivere nodded, a warm current seemingly flowing through his heart.
Originally, he had intended to head to the Holy City alone, no matter how difficult it was. As it turned out, he could now have partners traveling with him.
"Then, I will tell everyone."
Bedivere told Gudako and the others his past, everything that had happened, and the mission he was about to undertake—returning the Holy Sword.
"So that's how it is."
Gudako nodded and then patted Bedivere on the shoulder.
"Don't worry, we'll help you!"
Mash and Da Vinci also smiled along: "That's right! Let's work together to save this Singularity!"
Bedivere couldn't help but have tears of gratitude in his eyes.
"Mm... thank you all..."
After this, everyone began to prepare for the journey to the Holy City.
Gudako packed some of the food made by the villagers, intending to bring it to eat on the road.
The amount of supplies Ozymandias had sent earlier was quite substantial; it was enough for the people here to live for a long time.
And just as Shirou's group intended to leave, a purple-haired, dark-skinned girl trotted over.
"Um, please wait a moment. If you need it, our King might be able to provide you with help."
Hearing the words of Hassan of Serenity, Cursed Arm Hassan and the late-arriving Hundred-Faced Hassan could not help but fall into silence.
And Bedivere spoke as if he had thought of something.
"Does that refer to the first 'Old Man of the Mountain' sleeping in the Temple of Azrael, where the Assassin order was first founded?"
Hearing Bedivere's words, Hundred-Faced Hassan could not help but be somewhat surprised.
"You actually know that, despite being a Knight of the Round Table!?"
Bedivere replied calmly: "Before arriving here, a magician once told me: 'If you want to oppose King Arthur, you can seek the help of the "Old Man of the Mountain." Not the successive ones, but the first and last "Old Man of the Mountain" '..."
"Merlin, huh... I also somewhat wish to meet that magician from the Age of Gods," Shirou said with interest.
"I am truly sorry, but I do not know the whereabouts of that magician now either."
Bedivere said apologetically.
"It's fine, there will always be a chance to meet in the future."
Shirou laughed indifferently.
Gudako took the opportunity to say excitedly: "Um, let's go to the temple of that 'Old Man of the Mountain' next!"
Shirou didn't dampen their spirits and nodded.
"Mm, we're already here anyway. Let's drop by and appreciate the presence of the 'Old Man of the Mountain'."
Led by the Hassans, the group headed toward the highest point of the mountain.
Looking out from the peak, the distant mountains appeared and disappeared in the layered mists. As time passed, they presented different charms. The mountains were piled up upon each other, like surging, roaring waves—majestic and magnificent.
"Ah, I can see it."
Hassan of Serenity pointed ahead.
"The temple over there is the Temple of Azrael, but..."
Looking from here, a huge undead-type monster was crawling at the entrance of that Temple of Azrael.
"So he really did anger the First One... he even prepared a gatekeeper like that..."
Cursed Arm Hassan followed up: "We cannot enter the temple without defeating that. Go, Lady Gudako!"
"Eh——!?"
Gudako made a surprised sound, and then swept her gaze over Mash, Da Vinci, Bedivere, and Shirou.
"Wh-which one should I choose?"
"..."
Everyone looked at Gudako, speechless.
"Let me go!"
Bedivere said with a smile. "Consider it as repaying the kindness of you saving me."
"Then, it's decided—you, Bedivere!"
Gudako had never fought such a "wealthy" battle before, and she immediately shouted excitedly.
"Mm, I'm going!"
With the current strength of Bedivere, who possessed the "Silver Arm," there was naturally no difficulty in defeating a necromantic monster.
As the "Silver Arm" of Bedivere erupted with flash, the monster guarding the entrance of the temple was obliterated in an instant.
The group immediately followed his pace and walked together into the temple.
Romani's voice subsequently came from Gudako's communication terminal.
"Is this the temple... but there's no special reaction..."
Mash, upon hearing this, replied with some difficulty: "No, Doctor... this is a crushing pressure that cannot be felt if you are not at the scene..."
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