The establishment of the Time Travelers Alliance began in the first year of Conan

Chapter 348 The Knight's Loyalty (Seeking monthly votes at the end of the month!)

"The world is so vast, yet there is nowhere for me to find refuge."

A low, mournful sigh echoed softly in the quiet woods under the moonlight.

The bright moonlight was also captivated by this sound and lingered there.

Silver light poured down, reflecting on that bewitchingly beautiful face.

Even a brief pause caused tremors and pain throughout the internal organs, limbs, and torso.

He frowned slightly because of the physical pain.

At this moment, the heroic spirit with its demonic appearance revealed a trace of melancholy and sorrow that would make any woman feel sad, heartbroken, and filled with boundless pity and a desire to protect it.

However, heroic spirits are ultimately miracles that transcend common sense.

Even though it was slightly damaged by a single "thread" extended from the [Leap Terminal].

The agility and heroic physique bestowed by the Lancer class still enabled Diarmuid to dash through the forest.

After confirming that the Servant named Saber would not pursue them.

Having chosen to become a spirit, Diarmuid immediately freed himself from the burden caused by his broken ribs and other injuries.

Furthermore, traveling in pure spirit form makes Lancer, who is already known for his agility, even faster.

The distance between Shinto and Fukayama-cho is several hours, even by car.

And the journey from this suburban Tosaka residence back to the famous Hyatt Hotel in the heart of the new city is even longer.

However, Diarmuid reappeared, dragging his half-wounded body.

As he stood before the Hyatt Hotel's glass facade, reflecting neon colors—

The moon hanging in the sky seemed to have remained perfectly still, without having moved an inch.

But at this moment, this spearman, known for his decisiveness and bravery, hesitated.

It was as if some invisible, enormous resistance was surrounding him.

He seemed like a fish swimming upstream.

In my ears, the voice of that mysterious goddess, whether it was a curse or a warning, echoed clearly once more:
“You must not reveal that you know this, or you will surely return to the path of fate.”

He instinctively covered his left rib, which was still throbbing with pain, with his left hand.

The unparalleled chief warrior of the Fiona Knights gave a wry smile.

He looked up at the moon, which seemed to have regained its brilliance, his eyes filled with struggle and confusion.

"Is it not even possible to fulfill the wish of simply being loyal to one lord until the very end?"

There is the need to speak out about knowledge, and the constraint of the seemingly necessary silence.

This is precisely the moment that caused this loyal and valiant knight pain.

……

Admittedly, if he followed the goddess's request and concealed certain things from his lord Kenneth...

Perhaps it is possible to achieve one's desire for "loyalty" in a roundabout way.

But isn't this concealment—even if well-intentioned—a betrayal of one's lord?
Looking back, it was precisely these seemingly kind selfish thoughts that ultimately led to his break with Finn, the monarch he had once sworn to serve to the death.

Not only were they forced to turn against their former comrades.

In the final act of the tragedy, he personally ended the life of his adoptive mother, the monarch.

The confusion in his eyes lessened, and Diarmuid tried to strengthen his resolve.

Since he had once again sworn all his loyalty to Lord Kenneth during this war,

Therefore, all important choices and judgments should be made by one's own Master, rather than by one's own selfish desires.

Ah! Diarmuid Ua Duibhne—

This knight's loyalty was so pure and fervent!
It's even regrettable!

Even Geis, who ultimately led him to his death and who deprived him of his freedom, was an imposition against his own will!

This was all because of what Locke Diokan, whose son was killed by his father, said:

“My dead son, I grant you this restriction: you will lead Diarmuid, grandson of Ua Duibhne, to the path of death; and your own life will not be longer than his.”

Because of what Granny, who eloped with him, said:
"Oh, Diarmuid, I place a prohibition on you: you must marry me before Finn and the others awaken from their slumber, and save me from this abominable marriage."

Even though the myriad hardships he suffered did not stem from his own mistakes.

Even if he had a million reasons to refuse and resist this unjust fate...

Nadilumuddin Audacity continues to uphold his belief in the "way of chivalry".

It even reached the point of blind loyalty.

This is a loyal, brave, and skilled hero!
I would rather be bound by the shackles of fate and led to death by the unjust constraints.

They would never allow their actions to tarnish the loyalty and righteousness in their hearts.

……

Finally, the knight, unwilling to break his oath, set off from Tara with Granny, Finn's chariot and horses.

Thus began a sixteen-year elopement and escape that was not Diarmuid's original intention.

And during those sixteen years of wandering and displacement.

Even by the standards of chivalry nine hundred years later.

Even if we examine his every move by the most stringent standards of "loyalty and righteousness" used by later generations.

His virtuous character is almost beyond reproach.

He was determined to protect Granny, but he never betrayed his loyalty to his lord Finn.

This knight, who learned from Diolain that "death would follow if he married Granny," harbored a sorrowful wish deep in his heart:
Hopefully, after all the turmoil subsides, the princess will return to her husband's arms unharmed and innocent.

Therefore, whenever the enraged Finn tracks them back to the places they had stayed,

He would always find Diarmuid's huts made of branches, soft beds made of rushes, and leftover food.

And in each place, Finn would find an untorn piece of bread or an uncooked fish—

This is the signal left by Diarmuid, the oath he swore to his lord in the honor of a knight:

He respected all of Finn's rights as a husband, always treated Granny as a sister, and never overstepped his bounds.

even--

When they rested in the woods, he always kept a distance from her bed, placing a stone between them.

When they stayed overnight in the cave, he always slept in the corner furthest from her.

Even though Granny seduced him in every way, causing him immense mental and physical torment and unease, and even openly mocked the hero as cowardly and incompetent,

Diarmuid remained steadfast in his loyalty, always maintaining respect and distance from Granny.

But, but...

Fate then dealt Diarmuid a cruel blow.

Despite sixteen years of exile, this powerful warrior constantly proved his loyalty through every act of restraint and perseverance.

But the estrangement and wounds that have already been inflicted cannot be repaired by actions or words.

finally--

Because Diarmuid had killed many of Finn's loyal men in the ongoing pursuit and conflict;
Because Finn's grandson Oscar admired Diarmuid's courage, he did not want to be enemies with the hero and warned everyone not to harm him;
Because of the intervention and demands of Diarmuid's adoptive father, Angus Mai Aug, the god of love and youth...

Feeling powerless, Finn eventually agreed to a reconciliation with Diarmuid on the surface.

But how can that unquenchable hatred be erased over the clinking of glasses and sincere apologies?

Diarmuid mistakenly killed Finn's foster mother, thus incurring the wrath of his lord for the murder of his mother.

The humiliation and casualties suffered by Finn during the sixteen-year pursuit were like venomous snake fangs piercing his heart, allowing the poison to seep into his internal organs.

Thus, this monarch, controlled by hatred and jealousy, never forgave his resentment.

He lured Diarmuid towards that cursed hunting ground, towards the boar destined to take his life.

This is undoubtedly a complete tragedy.

……

And it seems that all of this is about to happen again.

Diarmuid had absolutely no idea what he had done wrong.

The goddess's admonition still echoed in his ears.

It was something he found hard to believe, yet he had no choice but to believe it.

because--

Sola, the fiancée of Lord Kenneth.

The way she looked at him was so tender and full of passionate love, just like Granny had been back then.

If, before today, even if some omens appeared, he could still convince himself that it was just a coincidence, something that could be understood with wisdom and patience.

Once he received that warning, he could no longer escape it.

He then had no choice but to believe—

This tragic fate may indeed happen.

He looked down at the pair of rune-engraved magic spears in his hands.

At that moment, Dirumdo muttered to himself.

"What should I do?"

The knight's heart was heavy.

His lord's distrust of him was so obvious and undisguised that it was plain to see.

Even now, when I tell my lord all this truthfully, and reveal the warnings of the goddess who descended in her presence.

Will the Lord believe my words, believe that a divine being once possessed appeared, and trust me?

Or……

He might be more inclined to believe his fiancée's words, and might even punish and sanction himself out of shame and anger.
Moreover, he hasn't even completed the task given to him by his lord—to monitor the Tohsaka mansion.

Diarmuid looked down at his now battered body.

He even failed to heed the most basic instruction to "avoid unnecessary battles."

"Could it be... that such a tragedy... is about to repeat itself?"

At this moment, the knight's eyes lost their former brilliance, filled with utter confusion due to that terrible fate.

"But if... we do as that god says—"

He unconsciously tightened his grip on the gun.

If... I'll pretend none of this happened, and follow my lord's orders, searching along those broken spiritual veins until I reach that harbor tomorrow...

After all, Lord Kenneth's command and the goddess's admonition seemed to be completely compatible.

All you need to do is keep a few things to yourself.

The aviation warning lights on the top of the Hyatt Hotel were flashing.

The flickering red light mirrored Lancer's own thoughts—unstable, uncertain, and filled with uncertainty.

It is about upholding the honor of chivalry.

Or is it to fulfill one's own desires by temporarily betraying one's true loyalty?
……

"My lord, this is how things went."

The kneeling figure in blood-stained armor spoke with a heavy tone, conveying unwavering loyalty to their lord.

Said so.

This is what is meant by chivalry and loyalty.

Holding onto the conviction that they will still follow the trajectory of "fate." Holding onto a kind of "blind loyalty" that may never receive a response or be understood by others.

Diarmuid then reported to Kenneth in detail about the battle and everything he had witnessed that night:
His encounter with Saber, his inability to overcome her, the immense power that changes the world's celestial phenomena, and the divine manifestation and admonitions.

Even those two Geasa streaks, like a curse—

"If you do not conceal your demonic nature, you will surely die in betrayal in this Holy Grail War."

“You must not reveal that you know this, or you will surely return to the path of fate.”

Lancer didn't even try to hide his almost humiliating provocation.

"If he is not a coward who doesn't care about women's contempt and wants to win love, then fight Saber at the harbor at this time tomorrow."

He spoke with utmost sincerity, as if he were about to rip out his own heart and lungs to prove his loyalty.

……

At that moment, Kenneth concealed his face in the glow cast by the magic reactor.

He remained silent in response to these remarks.

— Lancer seems to have done everything without holding back.

Even as this blood-soaked warrior appeared, writhing in pain, and as Sora ran to him with eyes full of worry and anxious calls—

"Miss Sora, could you please leave for a moment?"

The cold and distant words, like an invisible barrier, suddenly stopped Sora in her tracks.

This person simply hopes to help the hero.

The woman, who had only hoped to gain some small amount of gratitude by treating Diarmuid, looked up at him in astonishment.

Who could remain unmoved after learning about this hero's past?
She even stared at Lancer's pained expression, hoping to get some explanation to comfort her.

Ah, look!

My hero, covered in blood and with his shoulder armor dented!

What kind of battles did you go through to return?
What kind of cruelty did you face to return?
What kind of formidable enemy could have wounded you, an unparalleled warrior, to such an extent?
What kind of fate could have caused you, a glorious knight, to be so heartbroken!

At this moment, the girl's heart shattered at the pain revealed by the hero, and her soul mourned Diarmuid's defeat.

Like a lost fawn, bewildered and lost, their hearts were filled with emotions they could not suppress.

Sora then gazed at him.

She so wished she could stay, hear his battle reports with her own ears, and longed to heal his wounds with her own hands.

The girl was secretly worried, fearing that Kenneth would punish her severely for his failure.

Some, at a loss, tried to persuade the other to stay in a gentle tone:
"But... Lancer, your injury..."

"Please go and rest, Miss Sora."

Diarmuid, however, declined her offer of treatment with chivalrous restraint and tact.

"The cruelty of war should not tarnish your ears and heart."

"If I were to cause you even the slightest harm in front of my lord, it would be a stain on the honor of a knight."

Fate is so strange.

Or is this what is called "fate"?
At this moment, Diarmuid had completely captured Sora's heart.

Yes, who wouldn't be captivated by such a wounded yet steadfastly loyal hero?
……

However, Kenneth obviously wouldn't.

To Kenneth, Lancer's statement was undoubtedly an insult to his own abilities and to his fiancée's loyalty.

Lancer's loyalty is highlighted by the brilliance of others' disloyalty.

They made no attempt to heal Lancer's wounds, nor did they even ask the kneeling knight to get up.

Kenneth coldly looked down at the knight awaiting his decision, his tone filled with extreme sarcasm.

"A god possessed by flesh, Lancer, do you really know what you're saying?"

For this monarch of the Clock Tower, Kenneth rarely showed his emotions due to "outward anger".

Like the apprentice who stole his own sacred relic.

Such things are simply unpredictable accidents, like failing in a magic experiment.

Simply keep your negative emotions to yourself and deal with them calmly and realistically.

But the monarch could not tolerate “inner anger” at all.

This is a characteristic that every true genius possesses.

Kenneth's extraordinary talent has ensured that his life has been free of failure so far.

Therefore, whenever his relatives or subordinates do things that do not suit his wishes, he will...

Just like now——

Those eyes, filled with rage, said it all.

Yes, Kenneth didn't believe Lancer's ridiculous lies at all.

The age of gods has ended; it is impossible for any deity to descend to earth.

What's more important is——

"Lancer, are you trying to tell me that the god who could change the heavens with a wave of his hand and defeat you only spared you in the end to witness your bravery?!"

Kenneth's voice suddenly rose, filled with an incredulous and mocking expression.

"And you're even standing on the side of Saber, whom you claim to be, to witness your bravery?!"

“My lord! I swear on my honor that my words are not false—”

"There's no need to swear an oath about this!"

Unable to contain his emotions any longer, Kenneth roared, sternly interrupting Lancer's explanation.

"You should have told me the truth without holding anything back!"

"Ah—this is utterly absurd."

Kenneth raised his hand to his forehead, feeling dizzy from extreme disappointment and anger.

He felt he must have been out of his mind to summon such a disloyal and delusional servant.

"Are you saying that Sora let down her guard the moment she saw you and was willingly bewitched by your enchanting appearance?"

He sneered, uttering words as sharp as venomous bees, revealing Lancer's deepest pain.

"I'm afraid it's you who's trying to instigate her to influence my decision, deliberately seducing him—just like you did to Finn."

"What... Absolutely not! My lord, please retract your statement—"

Lancer felt utterly speechless.

Kenneth's words were harder for him to accept than divine retribution.

As if struck by a heavy blow, his already injured body swayed weakly, and his drooping arms trembled violently due to intense emotions.

Lancer didn't know, and he couldn't understand, why his unwavering loyalty would be met with such vicious speculation and humiliation.

That's how it should be.

Standing before him, the arrogant magician thought to himself.

I should have humiliated this spirit long ago.

Let this restless spirit recognize his place, and even let Sora see for himself his disheveled and pathetic state.

"However, no matter what, even if things were lost to Saber, such absurd words should not be uttered."

Recalling Lancer's rhetoric about the gods, Kenneth snorted coldly.

Sure enough, following the spirit is following the spirit; it is completely incapable of understanding the truth of the matter.

In his view, Lancer's predicament was probably due to the magician on the other side using some kind of grand magic trick that relied on the terrain and the spiritual veins.

"The promise that you will go to the harbor tomorrow to fight Saber is an obvious trap."

He paused, then spoke after seeing Lancer's touched expression.

"If the ritual array that shot you down was only set up halfway, Saber's Master will probably set up an even more powerful workshop in the harbor."

"But I'm certain that it altered the celestial phenomena..."

"Enough! Lancer!"

Kenneth interrupted sharply, his voice filled with an unquestionable tone.

"Do you expect me to believe that a real god would appear in this small Holy Grail War ritual in the countryside of the Far East? Or that such a spectacle would spread throughout the entire city?!"

Kenneth then pointed out the most obvious flaw in Lancer's statement and questioned Lancer, demanding an explanation.

"Sola and I have been staying in the hotel the whole time, and we've never discovered any magic that alters the celestial phenomena!"

Lancer could only shake his head in pain and helplessness.

However, seemingly inspired by his suffering, Kenneth paused thoughtfully for a moment.

"If those two Geasa are real... then—ah, I understand."

He suddenly changed the subject, and his tone softened.

"Lancer, I take back what I just said."

"My lord...you...you finally believe me?!"

Dirumdo looked up in disbelief.

In those golden eyes that were originally filled with sorrow, a glimmer of light flashed, as if they had glimpsed a ray of light in the midst of despair.

"yes--"

Kenneth chanted a short incantation, drawing upon magic through the [Three Foundations Magic Furnace].

Immediately afterwards, Lancer's gruesome wounds began to heal at a speed visible to the naked eye.

But—no, completely different.

Seeing the cruel, gleeful smile on the lord's face.

Diarmuid's ominous premonition and the shadow of misfortune grew ever stronger.

"'If you do not conceal your demonic nature, you will surely die in betrayal in this Holy Grail War.'"

"Lancer, that's what that 'god' warned you, isn't it?"

The knight already sensed what his master was about to say.

That familiar expression, filled with resentment and cold calculation, instantly extinguished the ignition in his heart, like ice water.

With a sorrowful smile on his face, Lancer slowly and laboriously uttered his response.

"Yes... to... my Lord."

Kenneth nodded as if in complete agreement, clicked his tongue, and said with feigned concern:
"Tsk, two Geasas from the gods, this is indeed difficult to handle... It's best not to disobey them..."

As the ruler of the Clock Tower, Kenneth is perfectly capable of creating a mask to conceal Lancer's demonic appearance.

But at this moment, he spoke casually, even with a hint of pleasure:
"If you are going to the port tomorrow, fetch for your lord a way to break the curse."

“Then use your Gae Dearg to pierce your cheek, Lancer.”

A brief, deathly silence enveloped the room.

The crimson spearhead, gleaming with an ominous, cursed light—

Its owner slowly turned it around.

He was stabbed by his owner.

now--

A knight's loyalty is the blood and tears that flow down his cheeks.

(End of this chapter)