Goetia

What puzzled Rovey was that if Lancelot, who had participated in the Holy Grail War, knew him, then why didn't Hundred-Faced Hassan and the Lion King recognize him...?

What special attributes does he have?

After careful consideration, Rovey quickly came up with the answer.

The Lion King is a special Artoria; she can't even remember much of her memories from her previous life, and she isn't a deceased Heroic Spirit, so she didn't go to the Throne of Heroes to share her memories. Therefore, it's normal that she doesn't recognize herself.

Hundred-Faced Hassan had never seen him until he was tricked to death, so how could he possibly know him?

After much thought, it's truly amazing that only Lancelot knows me in this Singularity.

"So it turns out there's such a connection between you two benefactors? It's truly a sign of destiny..."

The Sanzang, who had been silently watching the reunion of these comrades across the world, put his hands together and softly murmured, "Amitabha."

"Yes, fate is so wondrous, Sanzang."

"There are no coincidences in this world; everything that happens is inevitable. Sanzang, perhaps even our meeting was arranged by the Buddha and my father." Rovey smiled at this.

"My master... he could indeed have arranged it that way."

Sanzang did not deny this.

After all, the Buddha had taken good care of her during the journey to the West; otherwise, she wouldn't have had to suffer so much.

"In that case, Crowley, I remember you took Kay and the others with you. Your rebellion will definitely continue, right? In that case, I'll join you now. It seems we'll be comrades-in-arms again this time."

Lancelot, who was in a good mood after reuniting with his old friend, began to talk incessantly.

"Because of my rebellion in life, Agravaine still doesn't trust me, which is why he banished me, sending me out to hunt down Mordred like Mordred. Besides that, I still have the mission of finding Mordred. However, I haven't been able to find any trace of Mordred recently, so after leading the Purification Knights sent by the Lion King to the Pharaoh and sending them to their deaths, I trained some trustworthy knights myself. Fortunately, the blessing bestowed upon me by the Lion King wasn't a blessing that led to madness, which allowed me to make the right decision. And after meeting you, my determination to stop the King from falling into depravity has become even stronger!"

Lancelot raised his sword with a heavy heart, a sentiment that both Rovey and Sanzang could understand.

After all, it's really too difficult for a knight to wield his sword against the king.

However, Rovey felt that this guy was really hard to evaluate.

It is said that loyalty and righteousness are mutually exclusive since ancient times...

However, other things can actually occupy one of them to some extent.

This guy, Lancelot, first chose the Lion King over Lion King Knights of the Round Table, choosing injustice; now he's preparing to betray the Lion King, choosing disloyalty.

He achieved neither loyalty nor righteousness through his own abilities, and instead accomplished something disloyal and unrighteous.

However, seeing how serious this guy was, Rovey only muttered it to himself and didn't directly criticize him.

"Speaking of which, the changes in you are quite obvious. Although I felt you were unfathomable during the Holy Grail War in your world, your current state is even more shocking. It's hard to imagine what you've been through..."

After all, Lancelot had brought Rovey back to his camp with Sanzang last night. After recognizing Rovey's true identity, Lancelot had taken care of him for a long time, but because he still had things to deal with, he didn't take care of him as long as Sanzang did.

Putting everything else aside, just the aura emanating from him, that terrifying sin that resembled an aggregate of evil, made Lancelot wonder if this was some kind of demon god descending to earth.

"It's nothing. I just completed a divine initiation ceremony and then usurped the throne as the God Child. But the pigeons in the sky were so petty that they officially recognized me. I just finished cleaning up this mess of the Singularity for you Knights of the Round Table and was preparing to go back to lead my troops to attack Camelot and capture the Lion King."

Rovey didn't intend to recount his deeds, glossing over almost everything. He no longer needed others' praise to gain satisfaction and honor; being himself was enough for him.

Are these things really things that can be omitted?

After hearing these obscure terms, Lancelot wiped away a cold sweat. He felt that Rovey's experiences were far more exciting than he had imagined. Unbeknownst to him, the Magus had become someone he looked up to.

Compared to his initial cleverness and cunning, he has become more composed, stronger, and equally more responsible and dependable...

Perhaps it was an inevitable growth, after all, he used to have the Queen of the Land of Shadows as his support, but now he was just wandering alone, trying to become someone else's support.

What a strange fellow...

"Speaking of which, Lancelot, what brings you back here? Didn't you say you were in charge of pursuing them outside? You're not here to ambush me, are you?"

"Oh, that's right. Agravaine said Mordred is dead, so be it. He told me to capture you on the way and then set up a defensive line here, saying that invaders would be coming soon."

—Intruder?

Upon hearing this word, Rovey immediately recalled the blond figure wielding the Holy Lance and ramming it head-on into the gates of Camelot.

It's only been a few days...

She shouldn't launch an attack so quickly, right?

"Well, anyway, it's great to see you, Crowley. With you here, many things will be much easier from now on."

Lancelot stood up, a look of relief on his face.

"Why? Because of my combat strength?"

"That's only one aspect. Because your abilities are trustworthy, I know very well that your leadership and wisdom are impeccable. I, on the other hand, am a useless and dull-witted fellow. I'm terrible at interpersonal relationships; my whole life has been filled with struggles and indecision about what to do, what's right and what's wrong. No matter how much I think about it, I can't completely convince myself. Because I'm just that kind of useless guy who can't do anything right, who's always contradictory and conflicted. Whether it's the matter with Guinevere, the betrayal of King Arthur, or my loyalty to the Lion King, I've handled everything terribly—"

Lancelot reached out and pulled Rovey up despite the Sanzang's attempts to stop him, his eyes filled with utmost seriousness.

"But you're different, Crowley. You've always been doing what you believe is right, walking your path with unwavering steadfastness like a saint. Even when facing such a terrifying torrent of calamity, you haven't lost your way. With you guiding me, even a worthless person like me should have some value..."

Just then, a violent explosion suddenly rang out from the perimeter of the camp.

—Boom!!

The piercing sound startled Lancelot and Sanzang.

"What's wrong? What happened...?"

"It's an attack. Looks like your rescuers have arrived. I'll go out and catch them, then we can have a good talk."

Lancelot had a pretty good idea of what was going on, and said confidently.

He then led Rovey out of the tent, where they saw a cloud of yellowish-brown smoke billowing in the distance.

[Eye Reinforcement Magecraft]

Rovey stood still, gazing into the distance. He then narrowed his eyes slightly, a pale golden light swirling within them. And then he saw—

Amidst the billowing dust, Artoria rode the Sand Sphinx that Nito had entrusted to Nitocris for training, heading this way. Although she didn't understand why the Sand Sphinx, which was only the size of a house cat a few days ago, had grown to be as strong as a tiger and was being used as Artoria's mount.

In short, at this moment, Artoria held the Holy Sword in her left hand and the Holy Lance in her right, completely ignoring Ritsuka, Mash, and Bedivere, who were being jostled so much in the wooden cart behind her that they were about to throw up, as they sped towards Lancelot's camp.

"It really is them..."

Thanks to the God Child's powerful eyesight and the resonance with Avalon, Rovey could see Artoria's appearance, while Lancelot, whose vision was obscured by the dust, confidently stepped forward, ready to demonstrate the power of his strongest class to Rovey.

"Halt, intruders! Stop this pointless destruction immediately!"

He drew his sword, strode to the front, and loudly proclaimed to the invaders—

"Next, I, Lancelot, the Knight of the Lake, will stop you here."

"That voice, and that figure... Sir Lancelot! Even you have pledged allegiance to the Lion King?!"

Artoria, riding the Sand Sphinx at the forefront, immediately recognized Lancelot and shouted angrily.

"Lancelot! Lancelot...?"

When Mash, sitting in the cat cart, heard Artoria call out Lancelot's name, her expression immediately became extremely subtle.

"Ah—that's... the King?! Crowley, what's going on?"

Startled by Artoria's Sand Sphinx, transformed into a cat knight, Lancelot hurriedly checked with Rovey beside him.

"Rovey! Great, you were here after all!"

Upon seeing Rovey's figure, Artoria, who was still charging forward, hurriedly urged the Sand Sphinx beneath her to leap high into the air, disregarding the lives of her comrades behind her, and landed with a tiger-like leap.

"What exactly is going on?"

Lancelot was completely bewildered; his hands trembled as he didn't know what to do.

The knights beside him were even more bewildered. If their leader didn't know what to do, what could they possibly do?

"It's up to you, Mash! Teach him a lesson!"

In mid-air, Artoria spoke to Mash, who was on the cart behind her.

"Alright, alright, Miss Artoria, then prepare yourself! Lancelot, this is a gift from senior Galahad, accept it! —You useless old man!"

Upon hearing this, Mash leaped high into the air from the cart, raised her shield high in mid-air, and slammed it down heavily on Lancelot, who looked completely bewildered below, all the while shouting.

" —Clarent Blood Arthur (Clarent Blood Arthur)!!"

"Mordred... when did she arrive?! Aaaaaahh..."

Caught completely off guard, Lancelot hesitated like a groundhog before being slammed into the ground by Mash, his Venus blurring with stars.

"Huh? Is it that serious? I clearly used the back of the knife..."

Mash patted her shield and said.

"Um... young lady, where did you get the back of the blade from your shield?"

Even the Sanzang standing nearby couldn't help but voice his criticism.

As Rovey dodged his large cat, a soft, blonde figure crashed into his arms. He embraced her, and Artoria's hands gently rested on his back, her fingers unconsciously gripping his clothes as if afraid this was just a fleeting dream.

"I'm sorry I'm late."

"Welcome back, my foolish king."

Ritsuka, who had just been caught by Bedivere and landed, saw this scene and gave a strange look.

Tsk tsk, what a cold bowl of dog food slapped right in my face...

Meanwhile, in a very strange and special space that no detector could find.

A king, who had been peacefully sleeping on his throne, slowly opened his eyes.

If Ritsuka were here, she would recognize him immediately as the mastermind behind the Fourth Singularity, King Solomon.

However, compared to his fierce and violent demeanor when they first met, he was now filled with more confusion and bewilderment.

"... King Solomon has returned?"

Upon receiving the last message from Lionheart King before his death, he couldn't help but ponder its meaning.

As his voice fell, countless scarlet pupils suddenly opened on the pillars throughout the space, creating an incredibly terrifying scene.

"King--!!!"

Chapter 202 Goetia

"Then... the third meeting of the Temple of Time begins."

In a distorted time and a chaotic space.

The darkness overhead stretched as far as the eye could see, like an endless chaos.

The shattered void existed silently, and the empty temple contained nothing but the lofty, pure white Throne Room.

The white-haired king, who sat high on his Throne Room and had been in a deep sleep, constantly adjusting the final spell in preparation for the final Genesis, unusually put away his usual exaggerated expressions, and his heroic face became extremely serious.

If Mash and Ritsuka were here, they would definitely be terrified by this monster who nearly wiped them out in London during the Fourth Singularity —the legendary Grand Caster, the king of Magecraft who bestows miracles upon us by God, and the culprit behind the Humanity Incineration. However, even if they were here, he wouldn't bother with them for now.

Because he was completely absorbed in thinking about the last message that the puppet Lionheart King had sent.

"... King Solomon has reappeared. What's going on?"

The aura of the Magic King

The tenth gold ring

[Also, there is the power of the Holy Spirit, which shares the same origin as Solomon.]

These words, when put together, even made him, the owner of the place, put down his work and turn his thoughts to sorting out important intelligence.

The being whose true name was Goetia tapped the Throne Room lightly with his finger. The Magic King... no, actually the Demon God King, had fully awakened and his eyes showed contemplation.

Meanwhile, the Demon God Pillars below, having also received this information, began to wreak havoc.

Even though the massive project of Humanity Incineration had reached a critical moment, all the Demon God Pillars still gathered here to begin the Temple of Time Conference, which had not been held many times in thousands of years.

As for the last meeting, it was the official start of the plan to Humanity Incineration.

"..."

Seeing this, Goetia remained silent, simply observing the noisy Demon God Pillars below. He then carefully stated the main point of their plan, and the other Demon God Pillars ceased their argument, preparing to discuss the message Lionheart King had sent back. Had the King truly returned? Should they investigate further?

"What are your thoughts on the intelligence regarding Lionheart King?"