Arthur Pendragon.
A year ago, during the Holy Grail War, Naoki summoned him as a Servant. At the end of the war, Arthur willingly sacrificed himself to save Naoki, who had lost his body and was lost in the Root, before returning to the Throne of Heroes.
That was what Naoki knew from Merlin.
However, the tone of that voice—
"You are…"
Muttering softly, Naoki's eyes instantly refocused.
"No! You're not the real one, you're just a replica created by Logos React—"
[Ah, that… I am indeed me, Master]
Arthur opened his mouth, interrupting Naoki.
[It's more like a case of resonance. Because this re-enactment device has replicated my soul almost 100%, my soul in the Throne of Heroes reacted, actively resonating with this place. That's why I was able to meet you again in this way]
The explanation left Naoki stunned.
Not a fake?
The real Arthur?
"You… you're really…"
Hard to believe, and even in his heart, there was still a hint of uncertainty and doubt. But even so, seeing him appear before him, Naoki's heart—
[It's been a long time, Master]
"Yes."
Taking a deep breath, Naoki smiled faintly.
"It really has been a long time—so long, Arthur. Welcome back."
[Yes, I'm back, Master]
Arthur smiled.
[However, I can't stay for long. In a few minutes, the connection will likely be cut off]
"I see… Even so, being able to meet you again, truly, I'm very happy right now." Placing his hand on his chest, Naoki took a step back and bowed deeply to Arthur. "Let me thank you properly, Arthur. Thank you for saving me, for giving me a second life."
[Thank me? It's I who should be thanking you]
Smiling, Arthur helped Naoki stand, then looked around.
[By the way, where is this? It seems like some ruins. Aren't you a student, Master? How did you end up in a place like this?]
"Ah, about that…"
After organizing his thoughts, Naoki briefly explained to Arthur what had happened over the past year, including how he came to the Clock Tower to study, met Merlin, his purpose for coming to the Blackmore cemetery—and about the village near the Blackmore cemetery.
Considering that Arthur wouldn't be staying for long, Naoki skipped many less important details, focusing only on the most crucial parts.
Namely, the [Revival of King Arthur].
[—Reviving me in this world?]
After hearing Naoki's explanation, Arthur's brows furrowed visibly.
[My sister here has truly planned something with far-reaching consequences. For that, she's kept this village running for hundreds of years, heading toward a destined tragedy… How pitiful]
Pitiful?
"I think for this village, the revival of King Arthur has become a belief. King Arthur has been deified in their hearts. For their god, humans will do anything." Naoki said. "In that regard, I'm no different."
[Master, you also have a god you believe in? This is the first time I've heard of it]
"There's a lot you don't know. You've only known me for a little over a month. Don't think you know me so well."
[That's true.]
Specks of light, like scattered powder, began to drift away from Arthur's body.
Naoki frowned: "Time's up?"
[It seems so. I thought it would last longer, but the connection is more fragile than expected. Even a great weapon like the Seven Great Weapons is a bit too heavy to maintain a resonance that transcends space and time]
As if unable to hold back a laugh, Arthur looked at Naoki seriously.
[Master, before I go, let me say a few more things]
[Your life in the future will undoubtedly be full of difficulties. Although Merlin is said to be watching over you, I think she'll treat you as a second me. In that regard, please be patient. And I can assure you, if you can overcome the many hardships ahead, you will undoubtedly achieve, even surpass me]
[And if you face problems you can't solve now, then use my power. Anytime, anywhere, as long as you call, my power will be yours—the power that protects your life, and a powerful weapon for you]
[Lastly, this might be meddling—but if possible, please resolve the issue with this village, Master, within your ability. This request might be a bit forceful…]
"You don't need to say it. I'll do it anyway."
Naoki interrupted Arthur, scratching his head, then laughed.
"[Helping others as far as this hand can reach]—that's how I intend to live. So, there will definitely be times when I'll [meddle], right?"
"So, those last words of yours aren't necessary. Return to the Throne of Heroes in peace. I'll be fine, Arthur."
I'll be fine.
[Yes, you'll be fine]
Arthur's face showed a relieved expression.
[Master, you're no longer someone I need to constantly protect—that really goes without saying. May your journey in the future go smoothly, my accepted Master, Natsukawa Naoki]
As those words fell, Arthur's body completely turned into scattered particles of light. The Philosopher's Stone reformed, taking back the shape of the Corpse King.
[Just now… that was—]
Although possessed by Arthur's soul, the Corpse King, or Logos React, did not stop functioning. It had received everything that had just happened, and now, an immeasurable amount of data from beyond this world had flowed into it through that fragile connection.
"Now you should understand, the person you're trying to imitate is someone like that."
"That's not a King who doesn't understand human hearts in this world, but a hero filled with compassion, like the white knight dreamed of by every child's heart. No matter how you imitate it, that person's soul cannot be replicated 100%."
"That is the King of Knights who exists only once across all parallel worlds, the one and only King of Knights."
[…]
[Cannot comprehend… cannot analyze… illogical… cannot understand… incomplete assessment… theoretical contradiction… invalid calculation…]
Like a machine stuck in a loop, Logos React seemed to freeze, its voice growing quieter until it completely stopped.
Taking a deep breath, Naoki removed and then put back on his Mystic Eyes before turning to Bersac: "It seems like it's over, Graveyard Keeper."
"To me, it all felt like playing around, all these events."
"Isn't it because there's too much information, and you've grown old and can't handle it all at once?"