Chapter 49

With the power of dragon blood, only Siegfried and Avia managed to pierce through the Evil Dragon together. The dragon blood that gushed over the two appeared more vibrant and dazzling, akin to molten lava.

According to legend, the blood of the Evil Dragon Fafnir would grant Siegfried an impenetrable body, but this was only because a Bodhi Leaf was attached to his back, leaving one spot unbathed in dragon blood, which became its sole weakness.

However, Siegfried's back now had no Bodhi Leaf, only a leaf given to him by Avia. But due to the rapid movements during the battle, it had drifted out and attached itself to his back. The difference was that the dragon blood had flowed over the leaf, bathing his entire body and leaving no flaws.

Avia, standing nearby, felt a bit strange because it seemed... the dragon blood that strengthened the body after killing Fafnir didn't have much effect on him...

However, after defeating Fafnir, the only thing left to deal with was the 'cursed' Rhine Gold.

Siegfried had learned about this 'curse' from Dwarf Regin when he was commissioned, and he had also just heard Fafnir's final words.

Now, the Rhine Gold, having lost its host Fafnir, was continuously emitting light to attract its next host...

For both logic and sentiment, Siegfried felt it would be better to abandon it, but he knew he bore the responsibility of protecting others.

Therefore, at this very moment, he had decided to bear this curse himself to ensure that others, including his friend Avia, would not be harmed.

"Avia, give this to me—"

"Siegfried, leave the Rhine Gold to me."

But Avia held the same thought.

095: Journey to Britain, Taking Up the Strongest Sword

The so-called Rhine Gold, is theoretically a treasure so vast that it could not be fully distributed even if divided among everyone in the world. It is a giant mass of gold that continuously increases its radiance to attract a host and acquire them.

While it does have a physical form that needs to be carried, it is also a conceptual entity. This concept entwines itself around the host like a curse, causing them to prosper through means like the Golden Rule.

In short, it is something akin to a super-energy crystal, possessing characteristics of a semi-inorganic intelligent lifeform.

But the most troublesome aspect is its conceptual curse. In legends, although Siegfried's tragic end had partly to do with his own personality, these were not issues that could be fatal.

Even with overwhelmingly immense power, he would not act arbitrarily. He only acted when accepting people's wishes, and Siegfried was precisely that kind of person.

He was, without a doubt, a hero who lived up to his name.

Precisely because of this, Avia did not want such a person to live like a wish-granting machine. He wished even more that Siegfried could use his own will to determine what he perceived as justice.

Much like Attila, he hoped that Siegfried would not live solely for the single purpose of battle.

"No, Avia, please give it to me."

Siegfried gazed at Avia with an intensity he had never shown before.

Under such a gaze, Avia recalled how, in the first century AD, as he was about to reach Rome, he had responded to Lucius's gaze. Now, his feelings were the same as Lucius's then; he wanted this person to enjoy life to the fullest and not suffer through meaningless misfortune.

"Siegfried, I ask you, who contributed the most during the battle against Fafnir?"

Here, the light should have been swallowed by endless darkness, leaving only faint bioluminescent specks to dot the scene. The surrounding water flowed gently, bringing waves of cool, salty sea breeze, like the breath of the ocean.

However, bathed in the light of the radiant Rhine Gold, the boy's hair shone like a golden torch.

"It was you, Avia."

Without the assistance of the Avia before him, he could not have so easily attacked on the Evil Dragon's back and won.

Siegfried was clearly aware of this.

"Then the question is simple."

Avia's tone was extremely calm, yet utterly irrefutable.

"The one who contributed the most has the right to choose. I took the most valuable gold, is there anything wrong with that?"

Faced with this irrefutable statement, Siegfried nodded somewhat unnaturally.

"But, the curse—"

"Do you need to worry about such things?"

Avia patted Siegfried's shoulder, his voice filled with a smile.

"It's just a legend, who knows if it's true? Maybe it's just a lie fabricated by someone envious of this treasure. Yes, it's insignificant, this thing is insignificant. Anyway, I, who took the treasure, will spend it carelessly, enjoy it thoroughly, and even if misfortune comes, it won't be a loss."

As Avia spoke, he tapped the Rhine Gold with his spear, striking sparks of red and indirectly drawing a parabola that extinguished in the riverbed.

"Moreover, I am a Hun born with an inherently evil will. Even after slaying a dragon, my essence in the eyes of the world will not change."

In this deep sea, the immense water pressure made everything unusually quiet. Only the occasional low calls of marine life broke the silence, and now, Avia's voice echoed slowly.

Although the topic was about the cursed treasure, the silver-haired youth spoke as if it were an irrelevant matter, completely unconcerned.

Ultimately, Siegfried could only nod silently. He realized that although his expression and words were the same as usual, he somehow felt like he was holding something back.

"If that's the case, then farewell for now, Siegfried."

"...Yeah, see you next time, Avia."

Siegfried silently watched Avia's retreating back as he took the Rhine Gold, until he completely disappeared from his sight.

A memorable adventure remained between the two, worthy of a place in the annals of history, but a deep regret also lingered.

So, after returning, what else was there to do?

Siegfried desperately thought amidst the budding confusion.

If I had any hope, it would be to solely bear the curse of Rhine Gold myself, without burdening anyone else.

Though I couldn't fully grasp it immediately—

As he watched his 'friend,' with whom he had only spent fifteen days, depart, the great hero who slew dragons wore rather a gentle expression.

For Avia, killing Fafnir yielded little beyond obtaining the cursed Rhine Gold.

Regardless, his next destination was Britain.

After all, over the years, Avia had gained some understanding of the current situation.

While the Holy Church was gradually decaying, its establishment centuries prior and its role as the Roman state religion had granted it truly terrifying power. Not only had it nearly annihilated the Dead Apostles, but in the original history, the Clock Tower, which had established its own magic cities across various regions, could at least contend with them. However, the current situation was that a deal had been struck, and they were sheltered, holed up on the islands of Britain.

Perhaps it was because he returned the body of the Dragon of Albion in the first century CE. Regardless, the Clock Tower was currently in a dire state.

Yet, to bring the Church back to its proper path, Avia had no choice but to act this way.

After all, he knew that even Kouhaku, who had diligently served within the Church since its inception, was ruthlessly hunted by it due to his Dead Apostle status...

Avia mused that he hadn't exactly kicked a dog after it had served its purpose, but why had the Church become so increasingly corrupt since they jointly defeated Crimson Moon in the 3rd century CE?

However, since the changes were caused by his own actions, he had to take responsibility for them; he was aware of this.

So, besides the remains of the world's Strongest Dragon, what else remained in Britain, where mystery still lingered?

Naturally, it was the ultimate fantasy born from the planet's people's fervent wishes, forged when facing the world-ending Titan Sephalus thirteen thousand years ago—

And during King Arthur's era, the Star Sword gifted to the King of Knights by the Lady of the Lake.

In the Type-Moon world, the Lady of the Lake, Vivian, was Morgan, and also Mahgous; a trinity. In any case, she hadn't yet been born by 418 CE.

Regarding this, Avia had a bold idea:

Could the Star Sword currently be lying at the bottom of the lake within Avalon, the counterpart to the Inner Sea of Stars, which is the Lake of the Lady of the Lake?

Regardless, for that reason alone, it was worth a trip to Britain.

096: So this is my father!

On the island of Britain, where mystery lingered, in the southwest, there was a misty forest separated by a river.

In later ages, this place would be depicted as King Arthur's final resting place—Glastonbury, also known as the earthly Avalon.

And at this moment, as the morning mist slowly receded, sunlight streamed through the sparse canopy between the treetops, falling onto Avia's shoulders as he lay on the ground as if asleep, like a natural pattern dancing there.

The leaves swayed gently in the breeze, rustling like soft whispers, and the forest air was fresh and moist. Avia smelled the scent of earth mixed with grass, and as he listened to the birdsong echoing through the woods, he felt a moment of release, allowing himself to sink into the embrace of the sunlight.

Avia wasn't truly asleep, of course. He was deliberately waiting to see if any Fae would notice him in this state and become interested enough to lead him to a gate to the world's reverse side.

Although, after the Age of Gods, most Fae had left the surface world and chosen to go to the Fae Realm, leaving behind only Giants and Demonic Beasts who detested and hated humans.

They were unable to break free from physical shackles and couldn't become spiritual bodies like the Fae, meaning they couldn't move to the world's reverse side and could only remain on the surface, filled with apprehension.

However, from the Garden of Avalon, it was known that at this time, there was still a gate that allowed free passage between the surface and inner layers of the world. While theoretically it wouldn't last long, it had at least persisted until King Arthur's era, a century later.

After all, the White Chalk City of Camelot was built by half Earth Fae disguised as humans, and the other half by human artisans who knew they were Earth Fae but pretended not to, continuing their work.

Moreover, the Fae inhabiting Britain were beings that even King Richard the Lionheart, the Wandering King, encountered in the twelfth century.

Even in modern times, a small number still exist. For instance, Genmu Gotsuki from Kara no Kyoukai learned the common language of humanity before its division, the Unified Language, after being abducted and modified by Fae. And Hartless, the Master of Faker in the Episodic Records, was also taken away by the Fae and subjected to something.

In summary, the Fae of Proper Human History weren't as contemptible as those in a certain Lostbelt; they simply enjoyed pulling off pranks without regard for consequences.

Although being taken by Fae was clearly a high-risk affair, the rewards it brought were also extremely generous.

However, Avia had been lying here for three days and three nights, using magic. During this time, white horses with horns had passed by, and small birds with white feathers had flown past.

But not a single Fae had appeared. If they didn't come soon, he would have to consider other options.

To think they aren't even interested in me, who possesses Rhine Gold—

Just as he was having this thought, a light breeze suddenly blew, its rustling leaves masking the sounds from the grass. When the wind stopped and the leaves settled, everything returned to silence. The sun rose higher, and strands of sunlight, like fine threads, intertwined, casting warmth onto the dew-soaked land.

At the same time, within this forest, teeming with ancient life, many small beings emitting faint magical light flew closer to the reclining Avia.

They're finally here. It was worth waiting for so long.

Various thoughts flooded Avia's mind. He suppressed his emotions, maintaining an inner calm.

"Human."

"Why is there a human here?"

"There were no humans before."

"Mm."

The Fae, with transparent insect-like wings, were discussing. From their conversation, it seemed Avia was the first human to arrive here.

"Did they get lost?"

"Human, so pitiable."

"Please do your best."

Although the voices and words of these Fae were all so gentle and kind.

However, Avia was incredibly wary.

This was because, at that moment, he suddenly found himself unable to speak or move his body at all.

"It smells good. Let's not play with it, let's eat it."

"Let's take it back and eat it."

"Mhm."

"Everyone, let's eat together."

"Let's scrape off the meat and eat it."

"Let's roast it and eat it."

"Let's raise it to eat it."

Before Avia could even marvel at how inexplicably the Fae's topic had shifted from curiosity to encouragement, and then suddenly to eating him, a completely illogical progression, he felt his body being dragged by many things, gradually floating into the air.

If someone unaware saw this, they might think of allegories about little angels taking righteous people to heaven, but in reality, the Fae were merely dragging 'food' home.

Soon, Avia, being dragged through the air, disappeared into a mist formed by the condensed magical light emanating from the Fae's wings.

At that instant, his consciousness seemed to enter darkness, briefly cutting out, and then a magic different from that of the current world began to nourish his body.

But even so, Avia could not react in any way, and could only continue with his eyes closed, being dragged along by the Fae.

"I'm here because I wanted to rest. It's just a coincidence. Take it easy, take it easy, don't mind me."

Suddenly, Avia heard a voice that sounded like a child's. However, since he couldn't open his eyes right now, he had no way of knowing their appearance. He could only infer from the tone that they likely had a somewhat cold personality.