Chapter 12: Mordred's Longing
It must be said that Mordred still had her wits about her; she had anticipated the direction the refugees might head and had come here to set an ambush with Lancelot, the best swordsman in the Knights of the Round Table.
However, after they arrived, they waited for a full day, as Shirou and Gudako's group were busy eating and drinking at Ozymandias's temple at the time.
"What a pain. If I can't find that guy, even killing everyone in this little village is useless. Forget about rewards; I might even get reprimanded! And there aren't many days left until the day of execution...!"
Hearing Mordred's complaints, Arash asked with some confusion: "Execution? You're going to be executed? Aren't you a Knight of the Round Table?"
Mordred replied nonchalantly to this.
"As soon as Father King's 'Selection' ends, everyone outside the Holy City will die. Since I didn't get to take a city in the Holy Name, I'll be burned along with them, how congratulatory!"
As Mordred said this, she glanced at the royal sword she held. The exquisite patterns on it were stained with blood, reflecting an eerie red glow under the sunlight.
Suddenly, her pupils trembled slightly, and she instantly turned to look.
Mordred, who had locked her gaze onto Shirou on the flying craft, revealed an excited smile.
"Ha! So you trash were here all along!"
Continuing to scrutinize Gudako and Mash, Mordred frowned.
"That mage over there is the Master of Chaldea, right? Agravaine said, don't show any mercy and kill you!"
Gudako spoke up at this, "We met back in London, didn't we? There's no need to cross swords, is there?"
Mordred looked at Gudako in confusion, not understanding what she was talking about.
"Who are you? Are you a fan of mine? Though, since I've killed so many heretics, I suppose I really am a celebrity."
Mash, seeing this, said to Gudako: "Senpai, this Mordred is simply not the same person as the one summoned in London..."
Mordred examined Gudako carefully, then looked at Mash, recognizing Galahad's magical energy.
"Galahad, huh... although your form is different, I still remember your mana. I was just wondering why this guy didn't respond to Father King's summoning, and why you became a girl..."
As she spoke, Mordred looked at Mash's chest, which was much larger than her own, and became somewhat stunned.
"Um, Mordred, can we calm down and talk now?" Gudako asked.
"Idiot, who would consult with you! Anyone who stands in my way is an enemy!"
Mordred's face hardened instantly, and she said seriously.
"Give it up. I don't know what kind of fool the 'me' you know is, and I don't want to hear about it. The current me is the Lion King's knight, Mordred-sama, the 'Rebel Knight' named the Dishonorable Hound!"
Recalling Father King saying that she was needed, Mordred couldn't help but show a somewhat joyful smile.
"Do you understand? Taking off the collar means I've received permission to go on a rampage whenever I like~ This is super suitable for me, the best treatment ever! So whoever you are, as long as you raise your sword against the King, I will kill you!"
To say she had absolutely no resentment toward Father King would be a lie.
Even learning has its limits.
If she were rejected, she wouldn't even be able to intervene... even if this was the maximum Father King could do at the time, she thought there must have been some other way. Of course, that was just attachment and excuses—she thought with a touch of self-mockery.
What Mordred hated was only the King, not Father King.
It was that country, that era, that forced Father King to bear everything, forcing all of it onto that person, merely through the title of "King."
Being forced into a solitary position was entirely because that person was the King.
That person was absolutely not an existence deserving of hatred, yet was hated. It was also because of the status of King—everyone, without any consideration, selfishly pinned their dreams, hopes, and wishes onto that person.
Mordred held hatred for this, yet at the same time, she wanted to correct it.
Because in her eyes, Father King was not an existence meant to bear people's hatred.
Every time she closed her eyes, she would dream... she kept having that dream where she wanted to challenge the Sword of Selection but couldn't. So, she thought there must be something missing—something necessary to become a King... but in reality, that wasn't the case.
It wasn't like that... it wasn't that something was lacking; it was that her starting point was completely different from Father King's.
To make total strangers smile—it was solely for this purpose that that person was determined to become King.
What an absurd reason.
What a foolish reason.
What a pitiful reason.
What—a fleeting and precious reason it was.
Those who served the King feared that the King had no selfish desires, and even Mordred herself thought that was the kind of existence that person was.
In reality, it wasn't like that.
It was just that the reward Father King sought was not considered a reward by anyone else; it was something everyone threw by the roadside.
That person didn't care about sparkling gems but held love for the inconspicuous stones rolling by the roadside.
What kind of thoughts was that person harboring while being a King... Mordred wanted to know every single moment.
If she could have the chance to understand that person, she would be willing to give up anything.
"As expected, it looks like we only have..."
Watching Mordred, whose gaze was unwavering, Gudako said with some helplessness.
Mash had already raised her shield, ready for battle.
Seeing this, Mordred grinned, excitedly revealing her small fangs.
"Heh, want to have a go with me? The blessing I've been granted is 'Rampage.' I can unleash my holy sword to my heart's content until my soul burns out. Hundreds or thousands of troops wouldn't be my match. Don't you think you're underestimating me by trying to fight me with just the few of you?"
Although she said arrogant things, Mordred remained constantly vigilant of Shirou's movements.
At this moment, Shirou moved slightly, and Mordred immediately gripped her royal sword as if facing a major threat.
After all, this was the enemy who had thoroughly defeated Gawain. Even if she threw threats at Gudako and the others, she wouldn't underestimate Shirou's strength.
However, Shirou had no intention of attacking; instead, he looked at her with a smile.
"For the sake of you being her child, I'll explain the reason to you briefly."
Shirou gave a brief summary regarding the Goddess Rhongomyniad in the Holy Spear, as well as the series of events that happened to Saber on his side.
"How about it? Do you understand now?"
Mordred's eyes began to swirl; there was too much information, too complex, causing her brain to overload instantly.
"I have no idea what the hell you're talking about!"
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