When the plot-skips players into the game world

And after a brief moment of confusion, Aiwass saw a clear memory.

But compared to the earlier, dreamlike, first-person view memory, this one was in the third person. Just like a movie, it even had frames and camera movements.

It was on the village square.

A young version of "Arthur" and several Knights of the Round Table, whom Aiwass was quite familiar with, were talking about something on the stone platform.

But at that moment, people were not paying attention to Arthur's speech.

Because a stunningly beautiful Fairy suddenly appeared among the crowd.

Her whole body was draped only in a semi-transparent black veil. Under the midday sun, it barely concealed anything.

She had enchanting long black hair and eyes as green as tourmaline. Just one glance would captivate one's mind, her creamy skin looking as delectable as cream.

Her mere appearance drew the crowd's gaze. Even several Knights of the Round Table couldn't take their eyes off her, utterly mesmerized.

"Is she joining us too, Merlin?"

Gavin asked Merlin.

His question was quite simple—because the woman was holding a holy and exaggerated Holy Sword. The scabbard was strapped to her waist, and the sword's hilt was right in the middle of her chest, almost completely hidden by softness. Yet the sword seemed to be teasing them, making them full of dynamic. This scene made people unable to look away.

And that Holy Sword was so brilliantly splendid that even Arthur widened his eyes.

But Arthur was not looking at the person, but at the sword.

"...No," Merlin's face turned somber, "She should be a Lake Fairy. I think she's here to cause trouble."

"My brave knights, my lords."

The woman spoke with a soft, heart-quivering voice, "I am not a knight, nor do I wish to join you.

"As the Mage said, I'm here to present you with a challenge.

"This sword on my chest... it has troubled me for a long time. It's tightly bound to me... With it here, I can't even wear clothes."

She said, gently patting the sword. This made the sword's hilt twitch, and the white light made people dizzy.

"Only the purest and most upright person can pull out this sword and free me. Morgan told me that this place is full of righteous people of the empire... If even you cannot save me, then I fear no one else can."

She looked at Arthur, with an expression that was almost smiling: "Morgan's beloved, the great Arthur... Would you give it a try?"

"...I'll do it."

After a moment of silence, Arthur stepped forward.

He reached out, and under the guidance of the Lake Fairy, reached into her chest. But as soon as he grasped the sword, he felt a strong desire magnified.

—The great Arthur was aroused in public!

His hand froze in place, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't pull out the sword. His solemn and upright face turned even redder, and his breathing became heavy.

At this point, the knights realized... This was not a plea for help in good faith, but a malicious humiliation.

"I'll do it!"

Gavin, without hesitation, rushed forward.

Considered the perfect knight, Gavin was humble, courteous, restrained, and just, the embodiment of all good virtues. But even he could not pull out the sword, and his outstretched hand caused the Lake Fairy's chest to ripple, making her let out a low moan that everyone could hear.

As expected, he also failed.

Under the subtle gaze of the people, Bedivere, Kay, Merlin... one by one, they all failed.

No one could pull out the sword, which meant... none of them were "the purest and most upright person."

"—What are you looking at! No one is allowed to look!"

At this moment, an incredibly angry voice rang out: "How does it concern you how we are?! If we cannot pull out the sword, can you do it?

"Damn it, it's just a sword! I want to see exactly how difficult it is to pull!"

No sooner said than done, a strong and fierce-looking knight charged directly forward.

Balin was not interested in the woman, so he hadn't paid attention to this farce from the very beginning. In fact, he wasn't even interested in Arthur's recruitment speech but was squatting in the corner eating. But seeing his colleagues fail one by one, Balin finally couldn't hold back.

He rushed forward and grabbed the sword.

His movements were so rough that the Lake Fairy let out the loudest moan.

However, Balin did not waver in the slightest.

Or rather—when he held that sword, what inflated a hundredfold in his heart was not lust.

He wanted to kill the woman who had dishonored him and his brothers.

He wanted to transcend Arthur's status.

He wanted greater strength.

He wanted people to worship him, to kneel before him.

He wanted to kill everyone he desired to kill!

Right now, immediately—

The whispers in his heart made him instantly lose his sanity.

Balin finally couldn't hold back.

He not only drew his sword but also, in the moment of drawing it, casually beheaded the Lake Fairy!

The wanton pleasure of slaughter brought him immense satisfaction—a blissful ecstasy that surpasses even the indulgence in fine cuisine!

As Sir Balin gripped the Marmituva Sword, his eyes gleamed with a cold, crimson light.

In that instant, Merlin suddenly froze.

He felt the will of the stars, and the prophecy escaped his lips:

"—Whoever draws this sword will bring the world's bravest knight to his doom. The empire will face crisis, fragmentation, and become desolate."

He paused, then delivered a more precise prophecy: "This sword will do good and evil. Its mighty power shall never diminish until the cycle of the world ends."

Immediately, Merlin's hollow gaze turned toward Balin, delivering a divine-like judgment: "Thou shalt kill the dearest one in the world. Thy blood and his blood must interlace as per the will of the stars."

Then, Merlin suddenly returned to normal.

Arthur's brow furrowed, as if worried about something.

He seriously inquired of Merlin: "Is there a way to lift this curse?"

"...I'm afraid not."

Merlin shook his head with some distress: "The power of fate is stronger than personal will.

"This is a future already decided... a destined fate from which no one can escape."

In the next moment, the hallucination became clearer.

Balin had somehow disappeared, and the one holding the Holy Sword was now Galahad.

But beside Galahad stood another person.

He was a crazed figure, bearing an eighty percent resemblance to Balin, only with different hair and eye colors.

He had long black hair and green eyes. Just like the Lake Fairy of the past.

He was a knight unseen by other Knights of the Round Table. A knight existing only in fantasy.

"Fate's design is better than we hoped!"

The knight laughed loudly, pointing his sword forward: "Look, Lord Galahad! There are over thirty giants there! Come with me to defeat them!"

"Those are windmills, Sir Balin."

Galahad said calmly.

"Call me Don Quixote, Lord Galahad! I am the Guardian of the La Mancha Territory, a title bestowed by His Majesty!"

The knight laughed: "Come quickly with me to defeat those giants! These vile giants must have prayed to Supreme Heaven for divine arts and cast illusions to make us see giants as windmills. You joined the Round Table too late; you don't understand my bravery in past battles!

"Quickly, charge with me! In matters of combat, even the slightest flaw should not be missed!"

"You've already mistaken many things for giants, Lord Don Quixote."

Galahad retorted: "Just like Heracles the First. You even mistook Gavin for an armored giant before."

In that instant, Don Quixote's pupils contracted for a moment.

As if some lost memory was about to be recalled in that instant...

But he quickly abandoned it.

"What are you talking about?! You don't understand these things. I am an expert in battling giants! If you're afraid, stand aside! I can defeat them alone!"

Don Quixote laughed heartily and launched his charge with high spirits.

But naturally, he did not exist. Just as the giants did not exist.

In the hallucination visible only to Galahad, Don Quixote collided with the windmill and passed right through it.

Yet seemingly in Don Quixote's perspective, he had driven the thirty giants out of the illusion—

"Look, Lord Galahad! I pierced a great hole through the sinful and strong bodies of the giants! I struck through thirty giants in one blow!"

"You are truly remarkable."

Galahad responded calmly. And just this was enough to satisfy Don Quixote.

Suddenly, Don Quixote turned his gaze and met Aiwass eye to eye.

"Look, Lord Galahad! The future Majesty watches us!"

He laughed: "He is watching our brave deeds!"

"Has paid homage to His Majesty."

Galahad's features remained unchanged. He nodded as if he had paid homage.

Don Quixote was somewhat dissatisfied: "So disrespectful, Lord Galahad! Do you know what a great figure he is? He is the Serpent Father and Son of Candle Master, the future savior! He traversed time and space to see us—especially my brave battle!"

He eagerly looked at Aiwass and performed an exaggerated knight's salute: "Great Majesty, please wait for me! After a long time, the Guardian of La Mancha Territory will finally come to your side!

"—Please allow me to protect you, just as I protect my victory and glory!"

With his words, the illusion before them suddenly crumbled and shattered!