The extraction of the Holy Grails went smoothly.
Though it was Naoki's first time using Displacement Magecraft for this, having seen Angelica use it multiple times, he managed to mimic it well. The Holy Grails held by the three knights now floated in his palm.
Meanwhile, in front of him, the three who had suddenly gained immense power and then had it abruptly taken away were left extremely weakened, unable to muster any strength. Bound by chains at their hands and feet, they hung in the air, their faces pale and gasping for breath.
Approaching Naoki's side and seeing the three bound knights and the Holy Grails in his hand, Artoria said, "Master is as strong as ever, able to quickly defeat three Knights of the Round Table working together."
"It's just relying on the cheat-like nature of this ability. If we fought with actual swords, it wouldn't be this easy."
In the end, Imaginary Manifestation was just too overpowered.
"A win is a win, no matter how you do it." Jeanne Alter said, glancing at the city wall not far ahead. "So, what's left is opening the city gate, right?"
"Yeah, but before that, there are some things I want to know. After all, half the reason I came to the front gate was for this."
If his goal was simply to enter the city and defeat Arthur, that would be easy. Naoki wouldn't even need to enter the city; he could stand on a distant mountain and hurl hundreds or thousands of moons at the White Dragon Nation. Let's see if the other side could withstand it. He could blast it thousands of meters underground.
But that way, he wouldn't learn much. There were too many strange things in this Singularity. Naoki's instincts told him that rushing to resolve everything without clarifying all his doubts could lead to a very serious situation in the end.
So—
"Can you three answer some questions for me? Sir Gawain, Sir Tristan, Sir Lancelot." Naoki asked, looking at them. "Though we just fought, I don't consider us enemies. For Arthur's safety, can you tell me what you know?"
"What exactly are the dragon calamities, and what happened with that beam of light half a year ago… I hope you can tell me about these things."
The cause of everything in this Singularity was undoubtedly that beam of light from half a year ago.
The three Knights of the Round Table fell silent for a moment. After exchanging glances, as if sharing their thoughts, Gawain sighed softly. "I understand. Since we've been so easily defeated by you twice and are now your captives, I won't resist further. Moreover, you're the successor acknowledged by His Majesty… We'll place our trust in you this time."
"As for the things you want to know, we'll explain everything, but before that, could you release our bindings? This position is a bit… improper…"
As she said this, Gawain's cheeks flushed slightly, and Tristan and Lancelot were in a similar state. Being bound hand and foot in a '大' shape like this was, for women, truly pushing their limits.
In various senses.
"Yeah, I'll release you. Sorry, at the time, I was only thinking of subduing you as quickly as possible, so I didn't think much about how to bind you and just used the easiest method."
Naoki said as he snapped his fingers. The chains binding Gawain and the others vanished instantly. The three fell to the ground, landing on their rears.
Rubbing her backside and standing up, Gawain stretched her hands and feet slightly. "Phew… Thank you for your understanding. Please, come this way. It's not proper to talk here. Let's go to my tent. We'll explain everything you want to know one by one."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Inside Gawain's camp, not far from the city gate.
Removing her armor as if shedding a burden, Gawain sighed, turned, and sat on the edge of her bed. "So, what you want to know is about half a year ago?"
"Yeah… um… sort of…"
Naoki answered, his gaze wandering.
(Sir Gawain in the camp, I think I understand how you feel now. I really don't know where to rest my eyes…)
Seeing Naoki's wandering gaze, Tristan and Lancelot, accustomed to such situations, both chuckled. It seemed even the Holy Sword wielder was no different from ordinary people in this regard.
As for Jeanne Alter and Artoria, they froze as if turned to stone when Gawain removed her armor.
The overwhelming gap in stature threw their minds into disarray.
As for Gawain herself… she seemed oblivious to the awkward situation she caused and began explaining with utmost seriousness.
"Actually, the truth about half a year ago is quite simple. That beam of light was caused by our battle, the Knights of the Round Table, against an enemy within this Singularity trying to destroy the Human Order and alter history."
"No, it's not entirely accurate to say it was caused by our battle. It was triggered by the enemy, and we, along with this Singularity, were affected by that beam of light."
The Knights of the Round Table, led by Arthur, fought an enemy within this Singularity, and as a result, the beam of light caused by that enemy led to the current state of the Singularity?
As Gawain said this, Naoki shifted his previously wandering gaze and looked at her directly, asking, "Who was the enemy you fought?"
"It was a calamity we once eradicated."
After a brief pause, Gawain spoke with a heavy tone. "I'm sure you know as well, in the past, to bring peace to a war-torn Britain, His Majesty led us, the Knights of the Round Table, through countless battles."
"And among those countless battles, only one nearly wiped out our forces. Countless comrades fell, and the knights who accompanied us were constantly defeated. In the end, only His Majesty and I reached the final enemy."
Naoki might know who Gawain was referring to.
"—Vortigern."
"Just like His Majesty, he represented the white dragon of the island of Britain. He was the demon who once tried to destroy Britain in the past."