Deep down in the basements of Camelot's great castle, there was more than just gold and silver. While yes, the treasure of Albion was vast and rich, the true treasure stored down there was something much smaller—something that had only just joined the collection.
I had fully utilized my divine abilities as a Divine Spirit to protect this chamber, using my lance to stop anyone from teleporting inside and bypassing all the other defenses. I wasn't entirely sure it would stop someone like the Ancient One, but I at least hoped most people would be.
Not that I didn't have measures in place in case something like that did happen—if someone got into this room.
I was rather proud of the four guardians I had placed here.
Four very special Enforcement Knights, each one causing the room to be filled with bright light, as if the chamber weren't deep underground, but outside in the midday sun.
Using the form of Enforcement Knights—and my own abilities—I had made copies of Gawain's Saint Graph and turned these knights into four shadow Servants, or something close enough.
Each of them held a copy of Excalibur Galatine, Gawain's weapon, and each carried the blessing I had granted Gawain back when I foolishly tried to save humanity from incineration.
They each carried with them the light of the sun, triggering Excalibur Galatine's effect of invincibility during the day.
This blessed Gawain had earned himself quite a reputation. I knew about Fate/Grand Order, just like I knew about Marvel, so I knew that Gawain was considered one of the hardest fights in Part 1—even harder than the fight against me.
Gawain had been a nightmare for countless players, and now there were four of them.
Sure, they didn't have much in the way of intelligence—no ability to talk, to really think on their own.
But for fighting?
These four were, without a doubt, my greatest fighting force. I would dare to challenge pretty much any force in the universe with these four at my side.
Though I still reminded myself not to get too arrogant. The Marvel Universe had its own share of powerful beings—multiversal gods and whatnot—beings that even the Goddess Rhongomyniad would be unable to beat.
But I doubted any such being would attack here, trying to steal my newest treasure.
The Mind Stone Scepter.
I was not foolish enough to hand this over to SHIELD, or HYDRA, or anyone.
The Tesseract and the Space Stone could go to Asgard. Having witnessed the power of the Asgardians myself, I was confident they could protect it.
As for the Mind Stone, it was safely locked up here, where none would be able to touch it.
I myself had no desire for it, but I knew well that mortals were easily swayed by power. Even someone like Tony Stark had fallen for the temptation to use it as a shortcut to a truly powerful AI.
Never mind someone like Doom. That man was troublesome enough with his boundless arrogance. He had no respect for the divine; to him, we were just another peak to climb over—another challenge to conquer.
If it wasn't because this world lacked better options, such as Black Bolt or Danvers, I wouldn't have allowed him to join the Illuminati.
But without him… the council would have lacked vital strength, and he would have fought against it with everything he had, creating a formidable enemy for the new organization.
Someone who could reach such heights as he had done time and time again in multiple other universes was not to be underestimated.
He wouldn't be easy for the rest of the Illuminati to kill, so rather than him being their enemy, it was better to allow him to join.
Sure, he would try to use that seat of his for his own benefit, but as long as he didn't cross any lines, the others could deal with him.
As long as he didn't get his hands on items such as this Infinity Stone, then he shouldn't be able to break free of the chains they would place on his ambition anytime soon.
"Alright," I finally told the four guardians, "defend the object with your lives. Let none but me enter this room."
Then I left, the heavy steel door shutting behind me, sealing them inside—not in darkness, but in bright daylight.
Honestly, having four of those… it was a bit too bright.
Ah, Gawain. He truly was powerful and loyal—the Knight of the Sun, worthy of the name.
"Your Majesty, Prince Thor of Asgard has arrived," Bedivere greeted me as soon as I left that forbidden tunnel.
"Thor?" I couldn't help but ask.
"Correct. He arrived shortly after you entered the basement level," Bedivere explained as he fell in line with me as I began walking.
"Strange. He only just returned to Asgard. I figured he would want to spend more time back home," I said, honestly unable to understand why he was back so soon.
"He didn't say why he was here, so I'm afraid we will have to meet with him to know what caused his sudden visit," Bedivere replied.
I merely nodded, curious about what had caused Thor to visit, but not taking it to heart.
Soon enough, we reached the throne room, where I took my seat upon my throne. Thor was now a prince of Asgard, and as such, there were formalities to a state visit such as this.
"Presenting Thor Odinson, Prince of Asgard, God of Thunder, Prince of the Aesir, Heir to the Throne of Asgard," Bedivere cried out as Thor was escorted in before me.
He wore his armor—silver and bronze, or at least in appearance. In truth, the metals of his armor weren't something you could find on Earth. It was still a striking piece, highlighted by his red cape.
And the crown piece: Mjolnir, in his hand.
The very hammer that had spent so long within my city, becoming something akin to a monument, was now back where it belonged.
"Thor Odinson," Bedivere continued, "before you sits Arthuria Pendragon, King of Knights, Ruler of Camelot, Lord of Storms, White Lion of Albion, Goddess Rhongomyniad!"
"Well met, Thor, Prince of Asgard," I greeted him with a nod of my head.
Thor, in turn, let out a booming laughter, one that sounded almost like thunder. "Arthuria! It is good to see you once more. I admit, I wish we had had more of a chance to fight side by side back in New York!"
I let out a sigh at his words. Yes… that was Thor—someone who didn't observe ceremony like his brother did.
Thor was a bit too simple to enjoy having titles called out again and again, each one grand and mighty.
"Thor, I welcome you to my city. I did so when you were exiled, and I do so again now as a prince," I said.
Barely had I finished before he started laughing again.
"I'm thankful, Lady Arthuria. I admit, I quite like this city," Thor said, a rather fond look on his face.
Another nod. "I admit, I am curious as to why you return so soon. I imagine that after so long away from home, you would be eager to spend time with your friends and family."
"Indeed, but after spending so long here, I admit I made many friends—friends I never got to say goodbye to before I went off to fight and returned home," Thor said earnestly.
"So you came to say goodbye to your mortal friends?" I asked. It wasn't a strange thing to do, and I could understand the reasoning behind it.
He hadn't fallen in love with… I couldn't remember her name, but he hadn't fallen for a mortal woman, and so he likely had little reason to return to Earth often. He was a god—or an Asgardian, at least—and he would live for thousands of years.
If he wasn't careful, it would be easy to forget about time, and when he remembered his friends in Camelot, their bones would be all that was left.
I had been in Asgard myself and had heard tales of how long some of their feasts and celebrations could last. And I wouldn't be surprised if Thor were one of those who would drink endlessly for years upon years.
"Indeed, Lady Arthuria. Many of your people helped me a lot over the years. It didn't feel right just to leave without saying goodbye, so I have a request." Thor lowered his head slightly, as if nervous about his request.
"Go on," I urged him.
"I would like your permission to hold a celebration honoring all my friends of Camelot," Thor said.
I leaned back slightly in response to his request.
"Very well. When I visited Asgard, Lord Regent Loki was kind enough to hold a grand banquet for me, so now I shall return the favor. Sir Bedivere, please arrange it at once."
(End of chapter)
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