If the first month since my arrival was spent on establishing Camelot and developing its power, then the second was about expansion, and it quickly encountered issues. Not far from Camelot, another summoned Servant established his dominion and clashed with our knights, causing not small losses. That Servant looked for the Grail, but as its power was consumed by me, they returned empty-handed after being repelled at the gates.
That day, I had to confront the attacker head-on, and it caused an idea of some kind of rivalry to develop in his mind, so now I had a Pharaoh that would appear from time to time and challenge me. And to make me even more annoyed, a band of assassins started to attack knights, causing no less trouble than the Pharaoh.
With my power not restricted by a curse, I could defeat both of those factions, but as their existence was necessary for a 'good' future to occur, I let them be. I also didn't have to worry about any repercussions, as no matter what happened outside the city walls, Artoria would ignore it all, her focus solely on the Holy Selections.
But as more time passed and as the situation stabilized, I got more time for myself to deal with some private matters. The first issue was the Grail itself, as after absorbing its power, there were more changes than just the creation of the Divine Core. The Holy Grail, in its core, is just a mass of magic energy, but to exist in such form, it needs structure.
And that structure was something of great importance to me, as it was a flawed and incomplete mechanism of Third Magic. Even if it alone wasn't enough to achieve the purpose it was created for, I still could glimpse some of its abilities and principles.
As Third Magic touched upon the soul, it was very valuable to me, not only due to my druidism touching upon the cycle of life and death, where the soul is often the only constant, but also to further improve my Remembrance. As such, most of my free time was spent on research, the kind where one wrong move could leave me with grievous wounds.
Here I was thankful for the side effect of the divinity, as the cold, calming numbness of it helped me immensely when I needed to meddle with things inside my spirit. One of the first things an aspiring mage learns is that if one messes with the body, it results in painful life; with the spirit, it results in painful death; with the soul, you won't even get the relief of death nor hope of life. So, having the absolute rationality prevented my hands from shaking or from doubting myself. I also tried to touch upon my soul, but for some reason I couldn't reach it.
The Divine Core itself was also an important research avenue in itself, especially due to its connection to Law, making it perfect for me. With this power, I didn't have to be afraid of being taken over by the Law, allowing me to at least relax on that point. Of course, the side effects brought by the divinity that now wasn't just borrowed, but originated from me, were serious, so I needed to learn how to manage them.
Because of all of that, I would spend weeks of time in Camelot, managing the 'kingdom' and researching, then leave to test my results by either fighting with Pharaoh or assassins. Because I didn't have access to my Azure Dream from here, I couldn't depend on Lemuen to assist me from Laterano, nor Mostima or my Knights who remained in Britain, so I had to do almost everything by myself, with limited assistance from Promulgator, Otto, and Mobius.
Mobius was the most interested in changes in me, as, in her words, she finally got to dissect a god, not just some false idols. She made some progress on creating a serum that would work on me, allowing me to gain part of Albion's power. But she also admitted that what she can achieve from just some blood is rather limited.
-"Have you read my research about MANTIS?"
-"I did, but there were some parts I couldn't understand."
-"So, I plan to use Albion's blood as your ICHOR, but I encountered an issue. The blood isn't compatible with you."-She ignored the part about not understanding.
-"Compatible?"
-"Every sample of your tissue had a strong reaction when it came into contact with Dragon's blood, even the blood of that little Artoria or the big one here. The rejection is so extreme that it's fascinating on its own. It's like you reject it from the core of your being."
-"Angels and Dragons never went along. Can this be solved?"
-"Yes, but I can't do it here. If I still had access to my laboratory, I might be able to slowly wear down the rejection by making your body adapt to it over a long time, but it'll require some tools and materials only existing in my world."
-"Meaning I have to make the trip."
-"Yes. I'll gather more data and samples from interesting beings here, but you'll have to use that strange orb of yours if I'm to make any real progress."
-"I'll keep that in mind, but first I need to deal with everything at hand."
-"Sure, I'll keep myself busy with some other projects. Don't forget to bring me more interesting samples."
I nodded and returned my attention to the documents before me. I had maybe ten minutes of peace before a knock sounded from my door.
-"Come inside."-I looked up from the papers.
-"Sir Justiciar!"-A knight saluted me.-"King requests your presence."
-"Good. You may leave."-I nodded and stood up.
I slowly walked through the clean corridors, entering the throne room where everyone else was already present. Artoria looked at me and nodded before starting to speak.
-"My Justiciar, I need your assistance.
-"I'm at your service, King."
-"I hope you can bring back a thief who tried to infiltrate Camelot not long ago."
-"Your majesty, why do you concern yourself with such minor matters?"
-"It's because I found the purpose of the intruder strange. Rather than seek me or trying to harm knights, they looked for your location. I'm wondering if there is some conspiracy going on."
-"Don't worry, Your Majesty, it's just some defeated enemy seeking revenge. Nothing worth worrying over."
-"Is that so? I'd still like to see the infiltrator."
-"I'll bring them then."-I nodded and was about to turn around when she addressed me once again.
-"My Justiciar, is there any reward you wish for your service?"
-"I'm not serving you for any reward, King."
-"I know, but I also know that I'm not the same person you vowed to serve."
-"No, in my eyes, you two are the same."-I shook my head and left the room.
I could feel her emotionless eyes looking at the back of my head, but I ignored them. I didn't return to my tower, but went outside directly, calling out Arion to take me to the mountains on the horizon.
I traversed the tens of kilometers between Camelot and the mountains in about an hour, arriving at the foot of the mountain before the sun started to set. I was about to enter the valley between two mountains when I found myself surrounded by dark shadows.
-"What brings you here, infidel?"-A tall man with a skull mask spoke.
-"Your people infiltrated the Camelot, arousing the King's ire. I'm to apprehend them and bring them before the King."
-"We won't let you take our people."
-"I expect that, so I wished to see that Old Man."
-"He doesn't wish to receive you, infidel."
-"I can either be a guest or an invader, your decision."-I looked at him, my white eyes pressuring him.
-"We won't…"-He was about to reject me when he was interrupted by another shadow appearing nearby.
-"Leader agreed to see you, Lion King's Justiciar."
-"Thank you. Please, lead the way."-I nodded and started to walk forward.
I walked through the barren mountains, looking at the villages we passed by, ignoring both the scared gazes of villagers and the wary stares of shadows following me from a distance. I looked at the assassin leading the way, and I found her familiar.
-"You… You are that assassin who almost died during the last fight, aren't you?"-I asked, unsure.
-"Yes…"-The young-looking girl answered, her face under the mask appeared red, most likely due to shame.
-"I see. I hope you can forgive me for injuring you back then."
-"We were enemies. I'm thankful that you spared my life."-She shook her head, then she lowered her head, speaking in a quiet tone.-"And you touched me…"
-"Excuse me?"-I couldn't hear her properly.
-"Ehem."-She cleared her throat and slowed down so that she walked next to me.-"Can I ask you something?"
I nodded.
-"Can I touch you?"
I looked at her strangely, but I extended my right hand to her. She touched it carefully, as if afraid she would harm me, but seeing I was ok, she grabbed it tightly. I watched how she played with my hand, before putting it on her head and moving it as if I was petting her. But I couldn't help but feel my brow twitch when she tried to put it in under her already skimpy outfit, forcing me to take it back.
She looked at me with a pitiful gaze, but I didn't give her my hand back; she could only continue leading the way. We walked in silence for a while before she spoke again.
-"Why can I touch you?'
-"Hmm? Ah, you mean your poison? I started working on my poison immunity some time ago, and was able to build up quite a resistance, though the main issue is that you are a Heroic Spirit."
-"Is that an issue?"-She tilted her head, not understanding.
-"I'm a Nature Spirit, the same Transcendent Kind as the True Ancestors. While I can now only utilize the power equal to Divine Spirits, not a Planet-class Spirit, but part of their properties can be inherited despite the difference in rank. Among said properties is the rejection of human power."
-"But Heroic Spirits can easily overcome this property of vampires."
-"Only Dead Apostles, not True Ancestors, as they can be countered only by Grand Servants. I can negate anything below B rank while weakening A rank skills and Noble Phantasms created by or for humans. And as I'm not a 'dark creature', holy sacraments won't work on me."
-"I see. But it is good that there is something like that with an enemy."
-"While this might sound impolite, I never considered you an enemy. We might not align in our ideas, but they don't oppose each other."
-"How can you say that? You kill our people, steal our land…"-I heard the tall assassin from before say, but I ignored him.
-"Then what do you see us as?"-My guide asked.
-"Heroes of humanity. That's why I don't see you as an enemy. I might not stand on the side of humanity, but I'm definitely not their enemy."
She nodded and continued to walk forward. A few minutes later, we arrived at a stone gate in the side of the mountain. No shadow other than my guide followed me here, as their leader wasn't exactly known for being easy to get along with. I walked inside, the darkness not bothering me as my overhead LED served its purpose. After walking for a good minute, I stopped before a tall armored man with a skull burning with a blue fire.
-"What brings you here, Spirit of Gaia?"
-"Orders of my King and to see you."
-"Speak."
-"I need the person responsible for the infiltration of Camelot to follow me back, my King wishes to see them."
-"You'll need to ask the person responsible."
-"I'll follow."-My guide spoke up.-"It was I who sneaked into that castle. I'll follow you back."
-"Remember not to disgrace your name."-The Old Man of the Mountain spoke to her.-"What is your business with me then?"
-"To see death."
This made him look at me. He stared at me silently before raising his sword. I stood still, watching his blade fall, then everything went dark.
-"Run!"-A scream woke me from my stupor.
I looked around, feeling a chaotic storm of magic energy everywhere. Before me, a group of Night Elves was rushing away from a collapsing portal, a familiar Priestess and Druid leading them away. On the side, I saw my good Highborne friend evacuating innocent civilians, and Wild Gods dealing with a few remaining demons.
Then I looked at the person responsible for everything, kneeling in despair before the breaking portal. Knowing that something needed to be done, I walked to her side, forcefully bringing her to her feet. She looked at me with her golden eyes, and for the first time ever, I saw a hint of doubt in them.
-"Queen, what is done is done. We need to ensure the people survive."
-"You…"
-"I can use the remaining power of the Well to send everyone to safety, but I'll need Your Majesty's assistance."
-"Why are you doing this?!"-She screamed.
-"Because they are innocent. I might be an outcast of Highborne, but they are still my brethren."
-"Heh, rich coming from a traitor."
-"Queen, there is no time. Will Your Majesty assist me or not?"
-"I allow you to use your magic to assist my people."-She agreed in a roundabout way.
I nodded and got to work, using myself as a conduit to gather all the chaotic energies, be it Void, Light, Arcane, or Fel. I could feel the forces ripping me from inside, but I forcefully controlled them, calming them down as much as I could. Using powers of Life and Death, I could create a somewhat unstable equilibrium, but it was enough to work with.
Using this energy, I started to forcefully teleport people from the city, starting with innocents and those injured. But I was quickly overwhelmed by the still chaotic nature of this power, forcing me to give up controlling the spell, leaving it in the Queen's hands. She didn't have much care for the order of teleportation, just sent away everyone but her closest subordinates.
From the corner of my eye, I saw how the Priestess tried to rush to my side, only to be stopped by two brothers and then teleported away. I also saw the artifacts that ended this war falling into the rift that was appearing, its destruction all but certain. But as more time passed, the less I could see, my thinking slowly getting harder and harder as my spirit was burnt away by the chaotic energies.
Even my soul was slowly crumbling away, but I held firm. The Queen saw that from the side, but didn't comment until everything was over. When the last person disappeared, she looked at me, who now lay on the floor, barely able to open my already blind eyes.
-"Was it worth it?"-She asked the last question.
-"It's not a matter of worth, Queen."-I answered, my voice hoarse.-"It's just duty."
I could feel her gaze on me, but I couldn't even form any complete thought, so I just waited for the end of everything.
-"Sigh."-Queen sighed before kneeling by my side.-"Knight, I restore your name and honor. You may leave knowing that you earned this title."
-"I hope that next time, I can find a liege before my deathbed."-I tried to force a smile.
-"Your life belongs only to me, now or ever…"
I couldn't respond to her words, as the last breath of life already left my body.