Restraints of the Round Table

The land of redemption was here.

The day of redemption was now.

To sever the darkness that encroached upon the world and to fulfill his unfinished responsibility, the golden-haired king had returned from history.

Clad in silver armor and wielding a radiant holy sword, his resolve never wavered, his belief unchanged from ancient times to the present, from life to death—the ancient oath still beat in his heart.

To eliminate every bit of evil in the world.

To resist every ounce of greed in the world.

To pave the way for a brighter future for all things.

The brilliant light illuminated the entire world like a pale sun rising from the earth.

It was the very essence of dreams unfulfilled by countless beings across time and space, forged from a sliver of starlight plucked from the boundless universe.

Its brilliance was dazzling but not blinding, even filling one's heart with warmth, for within it was the resolve of the knight bearing the world's future.

Its power would be aimed solely at evil.

"Seal Thirteen—Decision start!"

Legend had it that Excalibur couldn't be wielded by the will of a single hero alone.

Forged to repel external enemies beyond the planet and meant to be wielded for salvation, it was too powerful as a personal weapon.

As a result, the King of Knights and his twelve knights established strict restrictions for the holy sword and strictly enforced them.

It was considered to be the second scabbard that hid the true power of Excalibur, known as the 'Restraints of the Round Table'.

Excalibur could only be unleashed when faced with situations that simultaneously fulfilled numerous conditions.

Likewise, in order to unleash its true power required the release of seven or more restraints. Even if the King of Knights and his twelve knights had passed away, these restraints would remain effective indefinitely.

If the current wielder intended to unleash Excalibur's power, the Restraints of the Round Table would automatically commence.

"This is a battle against the enemy stronger than oneself!" — Bedivere, approved.

"This is a battle of one-on-one!" — Palamedes, approved.

"This is not a battle against fairies!" — Lancelot, approved.

"This is a battle against evil!" — Mordred, approved.

"This is a selfless battle!" — Galahad, approved.

"This is a battle to save the world!" — Arthur, approved.

'No, it's still not enough...' Arthur thought in distress.

As the radiance on Excalibur had reached its peak, the power of its impending unleash made his hands tremble slightly.

Yet, even so, he still hadn't swung Excalibur.

In Tokyo Bay in the year 1991, he once unleashed Excalibur to destroy the yet-unborn Beast VI.

But times had changed.

Beast VI, now infused with the power of Manaka who connected to the Root, loomed closer to its pinnacle. Only one step remained until its complete form came into being. Because of this, even if he unleashed Excalibur now, he couldn't destroy the Beast.

To truly wield the true power of Excalibur, he needed to release seven or more restraints. Only then could he hope to slay the chaotic and greedy Beast.

However, for some unknown reason, the restraints residing within the Holy Sword remained unresponsive and seemed like an insurmountable obstacle, blocking his path.

"Ahh... Arthur, why are you still so stubborn?" Merlin sighed tiredly, shaking her head. "Isn't there another Knights of the Round Table here?"

Upon hearing her words, Arthur suddenly snapped out of his reverie, turning to look at Arkhan hovering in the air.

He took a deep breath and spoke in a resounding voice.

"Arthur Pendragon from another world, I am Arthur Pendragon! I've sworn to fight against all forms of evil! If you understand my will, please lend me your power!"

'To kindle the fire for all is to prevent none from freezing in the storm, huh...' Arkhan thought, gazing at Arthur's unwavering, emerald eyes for a while before nodding slightly. "Your conviction and determination, I have felt... From this moment forth, my will shall be united with yours."

After those words left Arkhan's mouth, a burst of radiance flew out from his body, merging instantly with Excalibur.

"This is a battle of faith and will!" — Arkhan, approved.

*WHOOSH—!*

In an instant, a brilliant light rose from the endless earth, unstoppable even by the Beast that sought to destroy everything.

It illuminated the endless dark night like the dawn.

Everyone looked up, witnessing the glorious golden light, feeling the weight of destiny.

In anticipation, in hope, in prayer.

As the true power of Excalibur was about to be unleashed, its infinite brilliance covered everything.

Arthur gripped Excalibur tighter, ready to swing it at the moment of judgment.

*ROOOAAARRRRRR—!!!*

Beast VI let out a piercing roar.

The power of its ten crowns was unleashed to the extreme, stretching into an endless barrier covering the world, attempting to stop Excalibur's attack.

Unfortunately, such resistance was futile.

Excalibur's dazzling golden light tore through the barrier in an instant, then continued its advance, completely submerging the seven heads and ten crowns of the Beast, shattering it with an awe-inspiring power that made the planet tremble.

As its ten crowns disappeared, the Beast's ultimate authority was stripped away.

*ROOOAAARRRRRR—!!!*

Beast VI howled and screamed, twisting its massive body in fear.

On the other end of time and space, Excalibur finally revealed its true form once again—a form so mighty that even the most powerful Servant could not withstand its destructive power, capable of destroying a star.

*Crackle—Crack—*

As Arthur's silver armor shattered and reformed, Avalon, with its power, aided him against the recoil from Excalibur. Without Avalon, he would've been crushed to pieces the moment Excalibur's power was unleashed.

Yet, even Avalon couldn't shelter Arthur every second.

In the intervals between each shattering and reforming of his armor, the power of Excalibur would act upon him.

Excalibur's weighty pressure felt like a mountain pressing down on him, veins bursting, blood staining his skin red, bones emitting crisp cracks, and his body rupturing with each second.

Still, he didn't let go of Excalibur.

Feet firmly planted on the ground, Arthur stood as an unyielding barrier for the world behind him.

"It's time to end this, Beast!"

"You should never have been born into this world!"

"There is no place for you here!"

Gathering all the sorrow and power of warriors from the past and present, embodying the trust and perseverance of heroes, the King of Knights loudly declared the true name of the miracle in his hand.

"EX... CALIBUUUUUURRR—!!!"

Dazzling golden light surged from the ground, reaching out into the vast and distant sky.

*BOOOOOOOM—!!!*

Before this incomparable power, the body of the Beast VI shattered like fragile glass, instantly disintegrating into countless fragments.

At the heart of the Beast, a girl dressed in light blue appeared.

Even as she was covered by the golden light symbolizing her destruction, she seemed oblivious, only gazing foolishly at the blond man swinging his sword toward her.