Chapter 89: Questioning

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Upon hearing this, Guinevere couldn't help but feel a surge of frustration.

It all started six years ago. Back then, Guinevere hadn't fully grasped the nature of Campiones, the Godslayers. 

As a result, she was caught off guard by the Black Prince Alec's surprise attack, causing a significant dissipation of the power within the Holy Grail.

Now, Guinevere understood. Campiones, were like sparks that ignited the flames of battle with their presence. Even if she conducted her affairs in secrecy, they would eventually be discovered.

When matters involved gods, Devil Kings would swarm towards them like moths to a flame.

They were unreasonable monsters. They were the ones who had slain gods, challenged beings beyond human comprehension, the illegitimate children of fools.

One could only prepare for the most improbable of events.

Having encountered the Black Prince, Guinevere learned this lesson. Since then, she had constantly used her clairvoyance to observe the Devil Kings's every move, careful not to be detected. Relying on the Holy Grail, she had managed to achieve this.

Then, three years ago, she was discovered. The most powerful and malevolent monster on Earth, Kasugano Haru, had found her. An Avatar of his power shattered Lancelot's holy shadow and nearly killed Guinevere on the spot.

Fortunately, she managed to escape the Devil King's grasp by forcibly unleashing the Holy Grail's power with a forbidden spell, fleeing in desperation. 

This harrowing experience taught her a bitter lesson. Now, Lancelot no longer manifested as a holy shadow but was summoned as the Heretic God Lancelot by Guinevere using the magical power of the Holy Grail.

However, due to the backlash from defying mythology, the influence of madness, even with the wisdom of the Witch Queen, Guinevere could only minimize its effects. 

Now, three years later, they were reaching their limit. Lancelot could succumb to madness at any moment, transforming into a Heretic God.

That was why they had taken such a great risk, venturing into the Strongest Godslayer territory, to confirm whether the steel that had manifested belonged to their master, the King Who Manifests at the World's End. If it was indeed him, any risk was worth taking.

After all, the last king served by Lancelot and Guinevere was known as the King of Steel, a hero who existed solely to annihilate the Godslayers on Earth.

Whenever multiple Godslayers appeared on Earth, this last king would awaken, exterminate them all, and bury every Devil King.

This last king had slain countless Godslayers, making him their natural enemy. Against them, he had never known defeat.

Therefore, both Guinevere and Lancelot believed that if The Last King awakened, even the Strongest Godslayer, as powerful as he was, would inevitably meet his end.

"However, the identity of that steel hasn't been confirmed yet. Moreover, we have entered the territory of that ridiculously powerful monster."

"Uncle's power needs to be enhanced. Fortunately, that weapon has finally been tempered."

A broad, long sword, radiating a white light, emerged from Guinevere's chest.

The double-edged blade was incredibly thick, its length close to 100 centimeters.

It was the steel known in Arthurian legend as Excalibur.

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"More radiant than gold, more pure than silver, that is you. born from the ashes of the dragon's bones. That is you!"

"Stars and sun shall lose their brilliance before you! All treasures shall lose their value in your presence! Therefore, I beseech you, awaken! Allow this maiden, your servant, to witness your light once more!"

"O, holy Sword of Salvation, Steel of all Steels, the Witch Queen implores you to rise again!"

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After finishing the incantation, Guinevere raised her hand. As the Witch Queen moved, the holy Sword of Salvation, radiating a soft white light, slowly transformed, taking the shape of a long spear with reversed barbs.

It was the holy spear, reforged from the remnants of the ancient, decaying holy sword that had slumbered for millennia within Guinevere's body, using the power of the Holy Grail and her own life force.

Guinevere breathed a sigh of relief.

"Please, Uncle, come and see. Guinevere has finally completed it!"

"Completed...such a feat cannot be ignored. Moreover, this blade is not one to be trifled with. It possesses a sharpness that cannot be easily dismissed."

The response, however, came from an unexpected intruder.

When Guinevere turned to face the speaker, her face was etched with astonishment.

"You have graced this place with your presence… Please allow Guinevere to offer her greetings."

Guinevere gently pinched the hem of her black evening gown, a garment typically worn by European noblewomen, and lowered her head.

Suppressing her surprise, she offered an elegant greeting. Despite her outwardly calm demeanor, Guinevere's heart was consumed by anxiety. She never expected this goddess to appear here!

Though she possessed the form of a young girl, her slender body radiated the majesty of a primordial Earth Mother Goddess. As the Earth Mother, the Queen of Darkness, and the Goddess of Wisdom in the Night Sky, she was a trinity.

Her name was Pallas Athena.

She was the chief Goddess of Greek mythology who had recently manifested as a Heretic God. Through her witch servants, Athena had even reclaimed the Gorgon Stone, regaining her most ancient divinity. To encounter this goddess while summoning the holy Sword of Salvation was the worst possible scenario.

"Earlier, during my afternoon stroll, I sensed an unusual surge of magical energy overflowing from Naples" Athena said softly, her voice like a gentle breeze.

Her hair was the color of moonlight silver, and she appeared as an adorable young girl, barely in her teens. She wore a simple white robe in the ancient Greek style.

Yet, her entire being radiated an overwhelmingly terrifying holy power. She made no attempt to conceal the fluctuations of power emanating from her body, her presence undeniable.

"Suspicious of an ominous omen, I investigated...and unexpectedly, I found the servant of that man polishing that forbidden steel!"

The fury in the goddess's dark eyes flickered like flames.

"Know shame, my former kin! We, descendants of the Great Mother, and the steel that slew the Serpent, have been sworn enemies since the age of mythology. Despite this, you still wield such a blade, staining your hands with filth, willingly embracing depravity!"

"With all due respect, Goddess Athena, you seem to be entirely mistaken. Since the age of mythology, we daughters of the Earth have been fated to serve the heroes who wield 'steel.' There may be times when the Serpent turns its fangs against them, but that is merely a fleeting dream."

Compared to the true Primordial Earth Mother Goddess, the Witch Queen was but a minor figure.

Nevertheless, Guinevere lifted her chin and addressed Athena boldly.

"We are 'Hero's Attendants,' servants of valiant warriors. Even you, Goddess Athena, have a myth where you served the Great God Zeus of Greek mythology as his beloved daughter. If you believe this statement to be incorrect, please point out the error."

"My, what a sharp tongue you have" Athena said, narrowing her eyes as she looked at Guinevere, a hint of admiration in her gaze.

"That man's servants are Really loyal. Such loyalty is admirable, regardless of the era."

The goddess's anger seemed to dissipate slightly after Guinevere's rebuttal.

Athena is also the Goddess of War in Greek mythology. Does she admire those who fight with their lives on the line? Guinevere wondered as she respectfully lowered her head.

Despite her childish appearance, the goddess nodded regally.

"Very well, witch. I shall overlook this matter for now. However, as I mentioned earlier, I saw that brilliantly shining...what is that steel?"

Athena's gaze fell upon the object hovering in mid-air.

"As the Goddess of Wisdom, I recognize that. Is it a creation born from the remains of that man's 'Holy Sword of Salvation'?"

Remarkable, Guinevere marveled at Athena's discerning eye. As expected of the Goddess of Wisdom.

She had recognized the origin of the newly reborn holy sword at a glance.

"Imbued with new life...though I doubt it can be used for long, it can certainly serve its purpose once more. However, these remains are your only trump card...and you intend to use them without hesitation?"

Guinevere saw Athena's eyes turn into serpent's eyes.

"Have you found it?"

Pierced by the gaze of Athena, the true Serpent Goddess.

Guinevere froze. The overwhelming power of the goddess held her life in its grasp, her body stiffening with fear.

"Have you found him? 

Have you located the resting place of the Last King, the One Who Manifests at the World's End? 

Where? Where does he slumber?"

...

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