"This is—"
As the radiance faded, Alaric felt a significant change in the sword he was holding.
The grip felt incredibly familiar.
Even though it was a longsword, Alaric experienced the distinct sensation of wielding a spear.
"The Holy Lance?"
The illusion created by the sword in his hand was nearly indistinguishable from the Holy Lance Rhongomyniad wielded by the Lion King.
"This is—The Tower at the End?"
In an instant, Alaric's thoughts raced. He knew the Holy Lance Rhongomyniad, wielded by the Lion King, could take two forms: one as a towering structure piercing the heavens, manifesting as the Tower at the End—an unreachable edifice standing at the world's edge. The other was the Holy Lance itself, essentially a projection of the Tower on the ground, serving as a personal weapon capable of channeling the Tower's immense power.
In his understanding, the Holy Lance in its Tower form belonged to the core system, while the lance wielded by the Lion King acted as a remote terminal. Yet, the spear-like aura radiating from the sword in his hand felt strikingly similar to that of the Lion King's Holy Lance.
"What is this?"
Alaric knew the Lion King's Holy Lance could manifest as a Noble Phantasm thanks to the constraints of the Thirteen Seals. But what exactly was the sword he held now?
"My king, what is this—?"
Alaric asked hesitantly. He could tell the Lion King had blessed the sword, but wasn't the effect of the blessing a bit too extraordinary?
Alaric had only hoped for a longsword sturdy enough to withstand battle. But it seemed the Lion King had gone far beyond his expectations.
"You may call it the Sword that Shines at the World's End (Ex Rhongomyniad), a weapon similar to my Holy Lance. It can perform a Noble Phantasm release, though the tower's power it commands is derived from my Holy Lance, and its potency is significantly weaker. You could consider it a downgraded Holy Sword."
The Lion King spoke casually, her words leaving everyone stunned.
"My king, is this not inappropriate?"
Aggravain couldn't help but voice his disbelief.
The Lion King responded without turning, "Do any of the Knights of the Round Table object?"
Though the question seemed open, apart from Alaric, only Aggravain and Gawain were present. Mordred had already been banished by the Lion King.
Gawain was the first to respond: "Since it is the king's decision, I will support it."
Aggravain followed shortly after: "Forgive my rudeness, but the king's wisdom is beyond question."
After they spoke, the Lion King turned to Alaric.
"Sir Alaric, do you have any objections?"
Alaric gazed at the sword, perhaps best named the Sword of the End. A weapon similar to yet distinct from the Lion King's Holy Lance.
If the Holy Lance was the shadow of the Tower cast upon the earth, then the Sword of the End might be considered the shadow of that shadow.
Despite receiving such a powerful Noble Phantasm, Alaric felt no excitement or joy. With calm determination, he knelt on one knee and said, "Thank you, my king, for granting me this sword. My blade shall claim the head of the Lionheart King."
His voice echoed through the grand hall, resolute as on the day they first met.
"If there is nothing else to report, you may take your leave," the Lion King said, turning away, her interest in Alaric seemingly spent after bestowing the blessing.
Before long, all but Agravain had left the hall.
Left alone, Agravain hesitated before speaking.
"My king, though I know this is not my place, I wish to ask—what is Sir Alaric's true nature?"
"Agravain, this is the second time you have asked an inappropriate question. Prepare yourself for punishment."
The Lion King's cold reply, accompanied by a glance, made Agravain break out in a cold sweat.
"Yes—"
Realizing the Lion King would offer no explanation, Agravain abandoned his curiosity.
"You may leave, Sir Aggravain," the Lion King dismissed him indifferently.
Startled, Aggravain opened his mouth to speak but, after a brief internal struggle, bowed and left decisively.
...
Whatever transpired in the grand hall, Alaric and the others were completely unaware. At that moment, they followed Gawain out of the Tower at the End and into the city of Camelot.
Only then did Alaric realize the city's population far exceeded his expectations. There weren't just the original nine who had passed the Holy Selection—over time, dozens more had joined, forming a small settlement.
"Are these the people Sir Tristan and Sir Gawain brought back?"
Among the crowd, Alaric noticed the young girl Nina, whom he had rescued earlier. Now dressed in clean clothes, she noticed them and ran over.
"There would have been more, but Sir Lancelot's actions were restricted for several days, which slowed our progress," Gawain explained with a smile.
Everyone in the Round Table knew Lancelot had been inactive for three days. It was later revealed his absence was due to training Alaric, the newly appointed knight.
As Alaric and Gawain chatted, Sanzang had already dashed excitedly toward the market.
Meanwhile, Nina approached, her eyes darting nervously between Alaric and the princely Gawain.
"Sir Knight!"
Nina called, though her gaze lingered on Gawain.
Alaric noticed but didn't mind. Even he couldn't deny Gawain's natural charm.
"Nina-chan, it seems you've adapted well. The knight did take you to the other residents, right?"
"Yes! Mr. Lasse took me to Mr. Billy, who's been taking care of me. They're all so kind!"
A bright smile lit Nina's face—a smile Alaric hadn't seen before.
It seemed just mentioning Billy and Lasse brought her genuine happiness.
"Is it impossible for others to come in?"
Nina asked cautiously.
"Only those who pass the Holy Selection can enter Camelot, Nina-chan," Alaric explained, shaking his head.
Before he could continue, Gawain interjected, "Oh? Does this young lady still have companions outside?"
Nina's face turned red, and she was about to nod when Alaric interrupted.
"Nina's companions are still wandering the wilderness. If I encounter them, I'll encourage them to participate in the Holy Selection."