The Holy Child and the Holy Monk

"Next, I will also bring about a new future in my own way."

In a single, concise sentence, Rovey said it all; no further explanation was needed.

"Is this your opinion, Child of God? If this is your wish, then I will consider it carefully. However, is the path you have chosen truly not a dead end?"

"I don't know, but we have to go through it eventually."

Rovey's answer showed no sign of confusion.

"Is that so..."

Their conversation abruptly ended as the Lion King swung his Holy Lance, unleashing a violent storm, but the wind did not falter their steps in the slightest.

"I want to make a covenant with you, Lion King."

"I accept your bet, Child of God."

—Whoosh!

Nothing happened; the Holy Lance that had summoned the storm returned to the Lion King's hands at the last moment.

"Next time, you will be my enemy, and your soul will become my spoils."

"That's quite an arrogant declaration. Well, let's talk about next time then. Since it's a bet, you'd better be careful not to lose yourself to me."

Rovey turned around, put his hood back on, and strode off without hesitation, as if to prove that he was no longer the chosen one of the Lion King.

Now that the overall situation is pretty much settled, all that's left to do is...

Let's do our part to save this bleak world.

Rovey clenched his fist and turned to leave, the Black Mud swirling in his palm.

Upon noticing this thing, he couldn't help but look somewhat troubled.

"Bearing the consequences of sins... it's definitely not something you can just talk about..."

As he walked, he suddenly looked up and couldn't help but mutter a sentence to himself. Although he spoke it very softly, only he could hear it, the enormous being that existed in a very, very high place should have heard it very clearly.

"Why not just say it directly... What's the point of all this back and forth? Do you have to make things difficult for others to call it a test?"

Rovey said slowly, "Although humans seem useless and complicated, they can still accomplish something when they come together."

"If you insist on testing me, then come on over, and open your eyes wide to see what truly constitutes the work of a human being! My father!"

Rovey's steps forward never cease, for he still has a long journey ahead of him, both now and in the past and in the future.

Suddenly a gentle breeze blew by, raising a cloud of dust that enveloped the departing figure before it vanished. The whole process was silent and without fanfare; there was no awe-inspiring miracle or any sign of angels bidding farewell.

... He left, that's all.

Chapter 200 The Holy Son and the Holy Monk

Not far from the city of Camelot.

The disaster has passed, and on a wasteland that has lost its original pitch-black color and is beginning to sprout tender green shoots again, the Great Gawain, blessed by the [Never-Night Blessing], is leading his knights to inspect the situation and prepare to clear out any remaining demons and Black Mud.

This was the Lion King's order, and also something he wanted to do and confirm.

Before my eyes, on that land filled with death and crime, the seeds of life are developing once again, growing peacefully in the fierce storm overhead. Even though they are constantly swayed by the gale, they still survive tenaciously.

"..."

Standing there, Gawain looked at the saplings in front of him and couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Is the world being repaired...?

The Singularity, which should have died, has miraculously come back to life.

Recalling how the world, which had almost completely shattered and whom he had given up hope on, had suddenly shown itself again before his eyes, Gawain felt a complex mix of emotions, including a slight sense of... joy.

Rather than supporting the Lion King's escape to the ends of the earth and a new world, as a human, he would naturally prefer to stay in his homeland.

Does the current situation mean that what Rovey said is also correct, and that he himself represents a possibility for the world?

"Really... It's wonderful, but it's also a dilemma. You guys really like to give me difficult problems, my friends."

Gawain sighed wistfully, then scratched his head, looked up at the sky that was clearer than ever before, and a smile involuntarily appeared on his handsome face.

"In that case... let me see the future you've chosen, Crowley."

Just as Gawain was experiencing mixed feelings of joy and sorrow, the Black Knight, who was squatting in the rift of All the World's Evil and leading people to check the situation there, also had different thoughts.

"It's more accurate to say that it's a purification than a destruction of demons and calamities... It's truly remarkable. Even the Sanzang only managed to save a small portion of the calamities. This time, he actually purified both the demons and the Root of the curse. It's unimaginable. It can only be called a miracle."

"Gawain, what exactly happened during the week I was gone? It's impossible for the Lion King to have such an effect just by throwing the Holy Lance."

After inspecting the crack, the black-armored knight, Ironblood Agravaine, immediately ordered his knights to bring sand to fill and seal it. He then questioned Gawain, one of the knights involved.

"It's a miracle, but more of a redemption... Lionheart King has finally been freed and returned to the Throne of Heroes. The dead have gone to Heaven or the Underworld they each desire. All souls have found their own home. The curses and calamities accumulated in this land have disappeared. But— Agravaine, the sins we have committed have not yet been repaid."

"The Lion King said that this world was beyond saving, which is why he chose to give up and go to the end of the world. But now that the world's resilience has been shown to us, is it really necessary to give up on this world again?"

"Are you questioning the Lion King's decision, Gawain?"

Agravaine's tone was unfriendly, clearly indicating his dissatisfaction with Gawain's current wavering.

"No, I was just thinking about this important question. Wang has also stopped the Holy Selection. I wonder if she is also hoping to get the answer to this question?"

Despite being questioned, Gawain remained calm.

Despite his inner turmoil, his actions remained unchanged. After all, he was the first knight to kill his brother Gaheris, and also the knight who sacrificed Gareth to kill the Lionheart King. His body was already tainted with sin, and the label of "injustice" was already on him, never to be washed away.

He then proceeded to kill many: the Mountain People, the Pharaoh's Demonic Beast, the people of Jerusalem, and refugees who had not passed the selection process.

Since receiving the blessing to become the Lion King's blade, and having killed so many, his war has never ceased. He has no complaints; his purpose in existing is to become the Gate of Camelot, defending against all invaders who attempt to harm the Lion King.

But when he saw the true face of the Lionheart King, and the vengeful spirits of those he had killed turned into calamities that nearly engulfed the entire Camelot, he truly wavered... Especially when faced with countless vengeful spirits demanding his life, Gawain couldn't help but recall the Buddhist teachings that the Sanzang had given him in Camelot.

'As you sow, so shall you reap; all things are created by the mind.'

'Good and evil deeds are rewarded accordingly, fortune and misfortune follow one another; one must bear the consequences oneself, no one can take one's place.'

Gawain, who wasn't very bright to begin with, didn't quite understand these words. But when he saw them with his own eyes, he realized how awful he was, how he had unknowingly created such karmic obstacles.

Although Rovey freed them at the last moment and the curse of the Lionheart King was lifted, he knew that no one could bear his karma for him.

In the future, I, Camelot, or the Lion King will surely face my own retribution.

There's nothing to say about this, and there's nothing to run away from, because it's unavoidable.

Although it's unknown what the Lion King thought after witnessing that scene, Gawain felt that her resolute heart had indeed wavered because of Rovey.

The Holy Spirit contains the Old Testament and the New Testament, both of which are covenants between man and God. I myself witnessed a covenant between man and God. Although it was not explained, when the covenant was established, Gawain couldn't help but think of a certain word.

—The Creation of the Covenant.

This is truly remarkable; the miracles of the Holy Spirit are once again walking in this world.

Moreover, Gawain inexplicably felt that there was a reason why his friend could fascinate the king of another world; perhaps he really could save the fallen Lion King whom he was currently serving.

These were just his true feelings, so he didn't tell Agravaine or anyone else. He would just stay here and wait silently for an answer.

"You... Fine, even if you don't want to tell me, I'll find the answer myself."

Agravaine shook his head. "It's a good thing that the calamity has disappeared. No matter what happens in this world, all we have to do is steadfastly protect the city of Camelot."

At this moment, realizing that the gorilla wouldn't speak no matter what, Agravaine lost interest in wasting any more time, and Gawain was used to Agravaine's silence. This right-hand man, personally selected by the Lion King, was different from the other knights; he was more of a civil official and messenger, a special existence.

"Gawain, what are your thoughts on the matter of the other king?"

After much deliberation, Agravaine still found the appearance of another King Arthur to be more troublesome. So even though he had learned about this from Tristan and the soldiers, he still wanted to confirm the specific developments with Gawain.

"Actually, I'm very happy. After all, I'm able to see the king who is different from my memory but is still cheerful. I don't have any other thoughts."

"Is there really nothing left?"

"It's all over now," Gawain replied calmly. "If it were at the very beginning, upon meeting that queen, I would have absolutely abandoned the Lion King without hesitation to help her. I believe Tristan, Lancelot, and you would have done the same. But now it's a done deal. I am loyal to the Lion King, and even if another queen appears, I will not betray her. You can rest assured about that for now, Agravaine."

"Okay, your words are enough."

Agravaine nodded; he was satisfied with Gawain's answer.

Although the appearance of King Arthur caused his mind to buzz for a moment, he quickly sorted out his thoughts and made a choice.

Both the Lion King and King Arthur are their own kings. Even if they don't want to see them kill each other, there's nothing they can do. As a knight, all he can do is help the Lion King win, and then, after the victory, commit suicide to atone for his sins as a sacrifice to King Arthur.

However, all the Knights of the Round Table, including Gawain Tristan, shared a common premise.

When Artoria attacks, they will absolutely not stop her. Even if they are on different sides, she is still a queen, so the only one who can fight her is the Lion King.

Besides that, there is one more thing—

"Sir Gawain, the soldiers said that one of the chosen ones has escaped Camelot. Do you still remember that escapee?"

After confirming the most important thing, Agravaine asked Gawain again about the information that had been passed around among the other soldiers.

After all, Rovey's departure was so blatant that it couldn't be kept secret at all.

Agravaine said in a deep voice, "I've been dealing with the assassinations of the Hassan among the Mountain People and intelligence work these past few days, so I haven't been able to personally investigate this group of Holy Selection. But while I was away, two people happened to refuse the Holy Selection. One of them didn't enter Camelot, and the other entered but then left. Do you have any explanation or report on this situation? If you don't have an explanation, you can go to the Lion King to receive your punishment later."

"Do as you please, Agravaine. The chosen one was received by the Lion King himself, and his departure was also permitted by the Lion King. If you have any complaints, you are welcome to ask the Lion King."

"I'll also summon Lancelot back later, just in case that guy causes any more trouble—wait, what did you just say?!"

In an instant, the belatedly aware Agravaine suddenly realized that Gawain seemed to have said something extraordinary.

"Wait a minute... Gawain, how many days did the chosen one, who was personally summoned by the Lion King, stay? And why did the Lion King summon him personally?"

Agravaine wanted to find the chosen one summoned by the Lion King, but he suddenly realized that the other person had left the day before he was to return.

Agravaine immediately showed a look of stomach pain.

"The reason..."

Gawain was about to answer, but remembering that the Lion King had summoned her to her palace and was preparing for the wedding, and glancing at Agravaine's serious face, he hesitated and quickly shook his head, replying, "I don't know."

"Don't know? Never mind... I'll go find the king myself and investigate— Lion King! Why are you here?"

"Hmm!"

Just as Agravaine was busily preparing to return to meet the Lion King, he turned around and suddenly saw that behind Gawain, the pure white Storm King had actually left the city on his own initiative.

Gawain was already somewhat used to it, having witnessed it twice already. Agravaine, however, looked puzzled. Unless it was a specific day (the day she designated for the Holy Selection, though Agravaine's investigation revealed that the day coincided with the banquet held at the Camelot Holy Selection —a piece of information Agravaine immediately dismissed), the Queen would remain in her palace, adjusting the Holy Lance and preparing for the upcoming voyage.

"Agravaine, what are the results of the land survey?"

The Lion King ignored Agravaine's doubts and rode up to him to ask.

"Oh, Your Majesty, all the demons have vanished, and the accumulated calamities and curses have disappeared as well. The entire Singularity is recovering, and the once-dead wastelands are sprouting new life. The food problem in Camelot and the search for the Chosen Ones outside will be greatly alleviated now. All we need to do is send Tristan out..."

"There's no need for that anymore. The Holy Selection Ritual is over. My only goal now is to win the agreement. Getting him is far more valuable than getting the others."

The Lion King rejected Agravaine's proposal to further expand the Holy Selection's territory without hesitation. Having received the answer she sought, she turned to leave. However, after a moment's hesitation, Agravaine couldn't help but ask the question that had been troubling him:

"Why? Your Majesty... why is it that kind of person? He is a foreigner, and he has betrayed you... it must be him who has shaken your will!"

"——"

Hearing Agravaine's call from behind, the Lion King tightened the reins, and the white horse stopped, turning back to look at Agravaine.

"No, he is the Child of God who shattered the stars... that unique soul is the only one that can accompany me until eternity."

"But unfortunately, he cannot understand my will and is unwilling to be my comprehension. He has offered a second option, and in that case, I am willing to wait and see. Agravaine, Gawain, show no mercy, treat him as an enemy, take him seriously. My ideals will never waver, and I also want to be sure who can truly represent the future of the world."

After saying this, the Lion King left the land that had been revived and strolled toward the white city.

"King..."

For some reason, Gawain felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness about the figure on horseback. And what exactly was the ideal she was willing to become the god of the Wild Hunt to achieve?

Perhaps he will never find the answer, but that doesn't stop him from continuing to follow the light of the Holy Lance and wield his sword.

—Let's fight well next time we meet, Crowley. It's not just the King who's curious; I'm curious about the future you've created too. Don't let me down.

Gawain glanced at Agravaine behind him, who had only been gone for four days but seemed to feel isolated upon his return. He smiled helplessly, while still hoping for the answer he longed to find in his heart. He shouldered his sword and strode away.

"Hmm."

When Rovey opened his tired eyes, a simple yet tidy room immediately came into view. This unfamiliar scene stunned him. It was more like a simple tent than a room. He heard a series of somewhat complicated but understandable sounds, so he twitched his ears and listened carefully.

Then he heard—