A False Utopia

"Next, your king has returned, King Arthur has truly appeared. As Knights of the Round Table, you and Kay and the others have a new reason to fight. I will be back shortly, and the rest is up to you."

"The Saint..."

Percival was in extreme pain; he hated his own powerlessness, which allowed so many things to happen before his eyes while he was powerless to stop them.

However, Rovey didn't think anything of it. He went up to Gawain and Tristan, who were already questioning their existence, and smiled smugly before beginning to destroy their spirit.

"Hey, Sun Knight, how are you feeling right now? You keep calling us traitors, but who's the real traitor here?"

"..."

Gawain lowered his head and remained silent, but anyone could tell that he was on the verge of collapse.

However, the Lion King, being a deity, did not offer any words of comfort, guidance, or morale-boosting advice. She calmly stated, "Gawain, clean up the battlefield."

"Yes, ma'am."

"And you, come with me, I'll take you into the city."

The Lion King only said that, then realized that Rovey was walking too slowly, so he simply pulled him onto his horse and took him into the city, leaving Gawain and Tristan, the two unfortunate brothers, looking at each other in bewilderment.

"..."

"..."

Because what happened was so shocking and so overwhelming, even the two who were originally the most determined didn't know what to do at this moment.

The cracks in the White Alliance have already become apparent.

Chapter 196 A False Utopia

"Seriously, is it really no big deal that you and I ride the same horse?"

"What are you referring to? Since you are innocent, you can naturally stand by my side."

"No, it's not that... I just feel a little awkward."

He inwardly complained a little about why he had to ride a horse with the Lion King, which had attracted so much attention. Putting aside everything else, the Purification Knights alone had an urge to grab their weapons and chop him to pieces. But the Lion King didn't seem to mind at all, and even the elven horses below seemed very well-behaved, not minding that Rovey was on his back.

In many myths, elves are symbols of beauty. Elves are creatures that love nobility and purity, so those who can ride this white horse are undoubtedly those whom it approves of.

Normally, it only allows the Lion King to ride on its back.

Even Gawain, Tristan, and the others would be kicked away without hesitation if they got close to it, but today it was unusually well-behaved, which was one of the reasons why Gawain and Tristan looked like they had seen a ghost.

They undoubtedly understood what Rovey meant.

'An innocent person...'

The person they were hunting was actually innocent, and he was so close to the Lion King —something even they, the knights, couldn't do, but Rovey could.

This left them feeling frustrated, yet helpless.

Gawain felt particularly bewildered when he saw Artoria appear.

He is now somewhat confused about his own stance and the reasons for his insistence.

However, after much deliberation, Gawain realized that no matter how much he struggled with the situation, he couldn't change what had happened. So, as usual, he led the Purification Knights to clean up the scene.

The Knights of the Purification Knights were efficient; after all, this kind of work was second nature to them. When Rovey followed the Lion King to the city gate, all traces of the previous riot and massacre had vanished. The pristine white gates opened, and Rovey finally saw the situation inside the Camelot, and Gawain, his face filled with worry and a growing sense of existential Gawain.

"Sir Gawain, you will be in charge of taking care of the prophesied person."

After saying this, the Lion King put Rovey down from his horse, then rode away on his white horse, leaving the two, who were already unhappy, staring at each other.

"That..."

In the awkward atmosphere, Gawain was the last to speak.

"Alright, since the capital has said so, then come with me. I'll show you around Camelot."

Forcing himself to stay alert, Gawain put away his weapon, instructed the Purification Knights to close the city gates, and then approached Rovey with a complicated expression, leading him into this pristine Avalon.

--Bang!!

After Rovey entered Camelot, the despairing white city gate behind him slammed shut.

The pure white walls acted like a barrier, completely separating the scene inside and outside the city. It was hard to imagine that this was actually the same world.

The outside world is filled with death and despair: yellow sand, desert, monsters, and countless refugees. Everywhere is a wasteland and barren land, a scene resembling the approach of the apocalypse.

But inside, it's a well-ordered city, everything is different from the rest: clean, tidy streets, a castle carved from white marble, streams, greenery everywhere, and scattered residents strolling along the streets.

If we compare the two, this city can be considered an ideal place in the post-apocalyptic world. Even when Rovey saw the environment inside the city, he couldn't help but wonder if he had come to the wrong place.

However, whenever he thought about how the city's "Holy Selection" was based on "Holy Punishment," the tragic scenes of innocent people dying, and the blood flowing through the yellow sand, Rovey felt a deep sense of disgust.

Although it appears beautiful on the surface, the beauty and peace in Camelot are built on the bones of countless lives. No matter what the Lion King's ideals and grand plans are, he cannot agree with them.

This is a disagreement that exists on the basis of principle.

How do you think the environment here compares to the outside world?

As they walked forward, Gawain, who was walking beside him, suddenly asked.

"Very good, orderly, extremely peaceful. Even in any era, this place can be called an ideal land."

When asked by Gawain, Rovey also revealed his thoughts.

"I see... That's right, this place can be considered the last sanctuary, and also the only solace in my heart."

Gawain nodded silently. For him, after being stained with so much blood, seeing these chosen people able to live happily was one of his few sources of joy and purpose.

"But isn't that wrong? Gawain, how many people did you kill in the process of selecting these people? Even if you do build an Avalon, it will be Avalon full of killing and evil. The karma you have created cannot be offset by the lives of these people."

"I know..."

Gawain nodded. He wasn't angry, but his expression was somewhat melancholy.

"So, is there anything you want to know now, Mo... Stranger? Although we've had a lot of unpleasantness because of what happened before, I'd love to just throw you out now, but the Lion King's orders are paramount."

"The Lion King said she has other matters to attend to, so I will look after you for the time being. You can only see her when she wants to."

Unlike Mordred, who went out to pursue the demons, Lancelot, who went to eliminate the monsters, Gawain's only task was to protect Camelot. Therefore, after the Holy Selection, unless the Lion King summoned him to a meeting, he had plenty of free time, which was perfect for taking care of Rovey.

However, it's more accurate to say they were monitoring rather than taking care of him.

After all, even Gawain couldn't feel at ease with such a top-tier Servant's combat power roaming freely in Camelot.

"She's really busy... She invited me in, but I thought she was going to lock me up or imprison me. Instead, she dumped me on you, you gorilla. I don't know if she trusts you to keep an eye on me or if she trusts that I won't do anything wrong."

"..."

Gawain remained silent, gripping his sword hilt tightly.

"Because it is City of Ideals, there is no place to imprison you here. If you are guilty, the king will punish you. Since she has not imprisoned you, it means she has allowed you to live in this city."

"That's really magnanimous."

As he spoke, Rovey chuckled, "However, I certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to start a fight with you here, after all, there are too many innocent people involved. As for what I want to know..."

"There are quite a few, and the way you seem hesitant to speak clearly means you have a lot of things you want to ask me, right?"

Rovey followed Gawain around Camelot and finally came to a pavilion with several stone tables and chairs carved from white marble, a perfect place to stop and rest.

Because of Gawain's presence, the area that should have been shrouded in darkness was bathed in blinding sunlight. The light shone through the roof into the dim pavilion, illuminating the faces of the two men, yet not a speck of dust could be seen on the pristine white table.

Rovey wore a smile, while Gawain looked conflicted, unable to hide his inner turmoil.

"Yes, I do have a lot of questions for you."

After being seen through, Gawain did not hide it and frankly admitted it.

He now has so many questions in his mind that he can't even count them all. There are so many things that he's so curious that he's about to go crazy, which is also an important reason why he's willing to go around with Rovey.

Gawain really wanted to get the answer he was looking for from Rovey.

"What a coincidence, me too. How about we each ask one question?"

"Good..."

"My question is actually very simple, Gawain: do you really understand the Lion King who claims to be a god?"

Rovey rested his arm across the edge of the table, his hand lazily propping up half his face, leaning back slightly, exuding a nonchalant and relaxed air. He looked up at Gawain and casually asked a question.

"What a foolish question—no one can understand that king, including myself."

Upon hearing this question, Gawain answered without hesitation.

"Whether she was the Lion King or in any other form, we foolish Knights of the Round Table failed to truly understand her during her lifetime. Everyone imposed their own desires and responsibilities on her, which led to the destruction of Britannia and the kingdom."

"It is precisely because of the tragedy caused by her mistakes in life that I will follow her at all costs this time. For us, no matter what form our queen takes or what sins she has committed, this time, I will stand resolutely by her side and will not be absent again. This is the duty of Knights of the Round Table, and it is also my redemption."

During the Battle of Camlann, Gawain was preoccupied with seeking revenge on Lancelot for the deaths of Gaheris and Gareth. Therefore, Gawain, King Arthur's right-hand Gawain, was unable to appear on the battlefield in time and fulfill his responsibility to protect King Arthur.

Later, when he learned that King Arthur had been killed by the rebellious Mordred at Camlann, Gawain, who was fighting against Lancelot, went completely mad.

He hated Lancelot, this outsider, for destroying everything in Britannia; he hated Mordred's betrayal, for trampling on their efforts; but Gawain hated himself even more.

There were times when he couldn't help but wonder: if he hadn't impulsively led his troops to seek revenge on Lancelot, would King Arthur have been spared from Mordred's ambush and suppression due to insufficient forces? If he had been by her side in time, would Mordred have truly been able to kill King Arthur? Would Britannia have been spared from destruction?

As the Sun Knight, Gawain's Gawain to become King Arthur's shield caused him immense pain every time he thought about it. This was his eternal inner demon, and it was precisely because of this that he resolutely embarked on this path this time.

"I am no longer the Sun Knight, but just a man named Gawain. Even if I am used and then discarded, even if I cannot be taken away, it doesn't matter. As long as I can help her, that is enough."

At this moment, there was not a trace of confusion in Gawain's tone; his attitude was as firm as a rock, unwavering. He had resolutely cast aside all personal ties and concerns, willing to use his flesh and blood to become the unyielding gate of Camelot, defending against all invading enemies.

"So... you're also atoning for your sins, right? You're willing to do anything to help the Lion King?"

Rovey glanced at Gawain; he understood what the Sun Knight meant.

Compared to Mordred, who didn't know what he wanted to do or what his goals were, this Sun Knight undoubtedly had his own will and goals, and was much clearer about what he was doing.

"That's right, that's how it is for me."

"It's not just you, Tristan did too, right? Because of his words before he died, 'The king doesn't understand people', which led to the subsequent events, so he chose this path out of self-blame. Apart from that fool Mordred, even Lancelot did the same, all to atone for their sins."

"In my opinion, rather than you agree with the Lion King's ideas, it's more that you don't want her to continue on her journey alone, and you want to accompany her even if it means going to hell."

Rovey saw through the truth at a glance.

"You're right... As knights, we can certainly distinguish right from wrong. Sometimes, we really envy Kay and Percival for being able to resolutely choose justice. But no, this time we can't abandon her again."

Gawain said with a sigh.

However, he belatedly realized that he had said too much.

Those were thoughts that should have been absolutely forbidden to be uttered and taken to the grave, but when faced with this ordinary young man before him, he felt as if he had found someone to listen and confide in, and spoke his mind without any reservations.

"Sorry, I've said a bit too much. You were asking about the Lion King, but you ended up listening to so many of my complaints. And I must have gone crazy, subconsciously treating you like someone to confide in and talking so much. But—"

"Honestly, you have a magical charm about you. When you're talking to someone, you always make people instinctively want to trust you. Perhaps that's why the King values you..."

"No, you're just under too much psychological pressure and can't find a suitable listener."

After listening to Gawain's story, Rovey showed a relieved expression.

"Perhaps, but thank you anyway. Saying it out loud makes me feel much better."

"At first, I thought you Lion King followers were just a bunch of fanatical fans who had been blinded by their own minds, plunging headlong into idol worship and completely unaware of how wrong you were. But after hearing what you said, I have a new idea."

Rovey slowly rose from the table and walked straight to Gawain, the light from the floor-to-ceiling windows casting a golden silhouette on him.

"It's not that you don't know right from wrong, but that even if you know it's wrong, you've already made up your minds. You haven't denied this sin, but you've decided to bear this sin. In this respect, you are worthy of the name of knight."

"In that case, let's get to know each other again. I am not Moses, nor am I the last Master of mankind, but a Saint who has received divine revelation, traveling to different worlds, a Magus who is determined to open up a new future for my world, and also a pioneer. My real name is— Rovey Crowley. You can call me Crowley or Rovey."

Rovey's self-introduction caused Gawain to pause in surprise for a moment, then he reacted and gave a similar self-introduction.

"I am Gawain, the Sir Gawain. It's a pleasure to meet you, Crowley."

"I'm very happy too."

Rovey grasped Gawain's outstretched hand, and the two smiled at each other.

"Crowley, you are truly extraordinary... I always felt that someone like you would be very suitable to be a leader. You can gain people's approval with just a few words. No wonder Percival and Kay would follow you. It's a feeling that is completely different from the king's majestic aura."

"You are like Saint, a wise man, a pioneer, a preacher, a prophet who can lead mankind Prophet." Gawain, realizing what was happening, grasped his hand and then laughed as he expressed his feelings.

"Many people say that, so maybe I'm really suited to preaching."

Rovey smiled slightly.

"... Really, it's incredibly dazzling."