[45] Those Things that Seek to Kill Me

"If anyone considers me guilty, step forward and face your death."

His words lingered like the echoes in a hall, turning the murky noon into a silence so profound that even the wind seemed to hush. Vast and boundless shadows silently spread out, casting a desolate shroud over the entire town. Brilliant flowers wilted in the dimness, and vibrant colors faded away. The black knight stood in the center of the square, resembling a profound black hole.

Madness eroded the sanity of everyone present.

Insanity absorbed the gazes of everyone present.

However...

Until the words faded away, the sunlight dimmed.

The land remained silent and tranquil.

Yet...

No one dared to respond.

No one dared to step forward.

"Is there no one..."

The silver-haired youth's voice, light and distant, rang out.

His voice carried a sense of disappointment, a melancholy tone that echoed in the quietness, drifting far away.

"No one, wants to come and kill me?"

Although he had expected it.

But this result still left Alvin feeling disappointed.

Even... sorrowful, and sad.

The knights? The knights...

"Heh..."

He couldn't help but laugh.

"Hahaha."

Tears were almost coming out.

Artoria, can you see it?

The knights you admired and longed for.

What kind of creatures are they, exactly...

As he laughed.

It seemed as if he could sense the rich bitterness in the air.

Are you afraid?

Are you wavering?

Then let me give you some reasons to persist.

"I, the son of the Vile King Vortigern, Alvin Pendragon..."

Alvin spoke gently, word by word.

His voice was excessively light, as if he was worried.

Worried that these people in front of him would be scared away.

The hilt dropped from his palm, the sword plunged straight into the ground, and the silver-haired youth opened his arms, as if embracing the world.

"Now, I stand here in front of you."

"I didn't bring any army, nor did I call for any reinforcements."

"My respected father, Vortigern Pendragon, is gazing at me from afar, standing at the pinnacle of Londinium, waiting for my triumphant return."

"In ten minutes..."

"That dreaded, demonic white dragon won't arrive in time."

His words were like the morning bells and evening drums.

A ripple gently stirred in the hearts of those present.

"So..."

Alvin's eyelids drooped, and his soft voice suddenly lowered, echoing profoundly in the hearts of every knight in attendance.

"This is your only and final chance."

"You advocate fairness."

"So, I will give you fairness."

"For your ridiculous chivalry and righteousness, I believe I have been more than fair."

"Kill me, even if it leaves me wounded, and the illustrious reputation of every knight here will resound across this island!"

"This is your beautiful battle, the path you hope to tread, the code you should uphold."

"Kill me, and the righteous crown will be reserved for you."

"So..."

"Come! Come!"

The black knight roared suddenly.

"You bunch of useless, trash, and failures!"

"Exert all your means! Exert all your spirit! Pour out your sacrifice, your compassion, your righteousness, and draw your swords at me! Kill me!"

"That kind of knight! I will give him the utmost respect!"

Even so.

Alvin's roar gradually diminished.

In the end, it turned into a sorrowful, laughable sentence.

"Artoria, she's here watching."

Alvin's voice, like a flickering fireworks, gradually extinguished.

"Do you want to disappoint her..."

The last sentence.

Finally stirred the dim sunlight.

In this deathly silence.

A low voice slowly sounded on the field, the voice of a blonde youth.

"Do not be too arrogant, son of the Vile King Vortigern..."

"We, the Knights of the Round Table, cannot allow you to run rampant here!"

The Sword of Revolving Victory gleamed with a brilliant radiance.

That dazzling light instantly dispelled the shifting shadows around Gawain.

"Gawain..."

Artoria raised her hand in an attempt to stop the Knight of the Sun.

"You don't need to say much, Lady Artoria. This is an endless shame."

No more indignation, no more disdain.

Therefore, the sunlight that had been brewing and settling became even more scorching.

Gawain's expression at this moment was extremely solemn and serious.

Facing an opponent who was difficult for the Round Table comrades to deal with, and with Lady Artoria avoiding intervention, he knew he had to step forward, and it could only be him!

Today's unsheathing of the sword was supposed to be Artoria's coronation ceremony, but it was all robbed of its brilliance by the man in front of him.

Clearly, he had sworn to be a knight who would protect her for a lifetime, but now he saw Lady Artoria sitting slumped on the horse, unable to speak. This scene made Gawain unforgettable.

At that moment, he thought, if there was anything that could prevent Artoria from being heartbroken, he would surely give everything for it.

Now that the enemy was so arrogant before him, Gawain had to consider whether this might be the only chance in his life.

Rebuild the glory of the Round Table, we cannot shirk our duty!

Sword of Revolving Victory! Shine...

A dazzling light burst forth.

Holding the radiant glow of the holy sword as expected by everyone, Gawain walked slowly forward, standing in front of Alvin.

Just defeating the opponent or even killing him, Gawain knew that was far from enough.

Since you have crushed the hearts of all the knights.

Then, I will go and crush your heart!

Indeed, you are resolute and eloquent. Indeed, you speak the truth. But, you have no standing to say these things!

Even if you should speak, it's not your turn!

Your identity is your greatest flaw!

"You are right, Alvin Pendragon..."

The golden-haired youth's voice was deep and solemn.

"I acknowledge the sharpness of your words, piercing the hearts of us knights."

"But... so what?"

Gawain calmly spoke.

"Being human, I apologize, but since we are human, who has not had dark and filthy emotions?"

"Wanting to avoid one's own responsibilities, wanting someone to lead the way, wanting to bear less pressure, yes, these thoughts may indeed be shameful for the knight's spirit..."

"However, admitting mistakes and repenting for them is essential! Even if it is the enemy, if you speak the truth, I acknowledge your reasoning! This is the justice that a knight should uphold!"

"No need for the sword's proof, everyone can pursue becoming the king of knights. You have awakened me, Alvin... from now on, I will no longer fear the shadows of that dragon."

"But..."

Gawain narrowed his eyes and spoke sternly.

"As a son of the dragon, what standing do you have to criticize us?"

"Are you a knight? You are not!"

"On the contrary, you are even the enemy of all of us knights!"

"For the criticism of the enemy, we can humbly accept it, but we don't need to take it to heart! Because you just want to destroy our morale!"

"Today, here in Britannia without Lady Artoria intervening..."

"I, Knight of the Sun Gawain! Representing the Round Table, challenge you to a duel!"

He suddenly shouted.

"Kill you first! Then I will go to subdue your father, who is full of evil!"

These powerful and resounding words.

As if, like the dazzling sunlight, it instantly dispelled the accumulated shadows in the hearts of the knights caused by that man.

...Exactly.

Gawain is right!

Being human, who hasn't had conflicting and selfish thoughts?

Fear, retreat, and apprehension...

Should we be condemned for that?

Alvin Pendragon, as the son of the Vile King Vortigern, have you never been afraid or avoided?

Originally, before revealing his identity, what he said made sense and evoked a sense of guilt.

However, being so full of evil and sinful, what right does he have to condemn us?!

It's like a boss criticizing employees for not working hard enough, or humans complaining that cattle and horses are not diligent enough, which is laughable!

"You call me ugly."

"Whether we repent or not, that can be discussed later, but the simplest and most direct solution is not to deal with you first?!"

"Kill him..."

The murmurs of resentment, like self-talk, came from the mouth of a certain knight.

Then, as if a virus, it spread and diffused...

In just a moment.

It burned into a raging flame of resentment.

One by one, the knights roared, one after another sword unsheathed, cold light spilled, emitting a series of clanging sounds.

With a backbone, they seemed to have gained courage!

"Kill him! Sir Gawain! Kill this guy who is so full of evil!"

"As the son of the Vil King Vortigern, you dare appear before us!"

"What fucking qualifications do you have to criticize us?!"

"At least, as knights, we have done good deeds, and cherishing life is just human nature. What about you? You evil person! You only talk big!"

"Get out! Stop acting crazy here!"

"Kill him..."

"Kill him..."

"Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!!!"