Chapter 937: Barghest's Contrasting Cuteness
Barghest had won the war against the minor Calamity two hundred years ago, earning the Queen's favor. She was granted the name "Gawain"—a Round Table knight from Pan-Human History—and became Britain's first Fairy Knight.
The so-called "bestowal of a name" involved drawing power from a Heroic Spirit of the same name in Pan-Human History and granting it to the fairy in the form of a blessing, allowing them to inherit that Heroic Spirit's abilities.
In Barghest's case, after receiving the name Gawain, she gained the power of the Sun Knight Gawain from Pan-Human History, including skills like "Numeral of the Saint," which triples her strength under sunlight. It was an utterly unreasonable way to acquire power.
One could only say the Queen was truly formidable!
However, receiving a bestowed name also had its drawbacks.
Once she became the Fairy Knight Gawain, her original name would be concealed, as if under a curse. No one could correctly perceive her true name—even if they saw it with their own eyes, they couldn't speak it aloud.
Only when she was defeated would that name be properly recognized.
For instance, Eiji, having defeated her once, learned from her own mouth that her true name was Barghest.
Similarly, the Fairy Knight Lancelot was not that loli knight's real name either. Though Eiji had defeated her, he never asked, so he didn't know what she was called.
No particular connection there.
"The soldiers are handling it well."
"That is what they ought to do."
Barghest lifted her chin, her expression calm yet proud.
These knights had all been promoted by her own hand, and they already had a rational and effective procedure for dealing with Mors. A few Mors were hardly enough to break through the knights' blockade!
Seeing how methodically the knights were handling the situation, Eiji set aside his concerns.
"By the way, when I was in the royal capital, I heard you're quite passionate about romance?"
"Wh—! How do you know about such a thing?!"
Barghest was caught completely off guard, her cheeks flushing with a shy blush that clashed sharply with her upright knightly demeanor. She trembled with visible agitation.
"Oh, what an interesting reaction!"
"P-Please don't tease me!"
"Not a chance. Someone as straight-laced as you having such an interest—how could I not dig deeper? Come on, tell me more. Entertain me!"
Eiji issued an unyielding command.
Barghest clenched her fists, feeling an inexplicable, indescribable impulse rising within her at that moment.
If Aoko Aozaki, Kojou Akatsuki, and Kazuma Satou had been there, they would have deeply empathized with her feelings.
It was the urge to pummel this infuriating man!
"...Though I am a knight, I am also a woman. Is it so strange to have an interest in romance?"
"But it doesn't match the impression you give off."
"Your Highness, I don't know what kind of stereotype you've formed about me, but I hope you can understand me more comprehensively."
Barghest replied with an expressionless face.
A tall, muscular woman who at first glance seemed like a warmonger sworn to clear all enemies for His Majesty—that was Eiji's initial impression of her. Of course, after crossing swords, he also recognized her as a very upright and etiquette-conscious knight.
But when he learned about her advocacy for romance, Eiji couldn't help but spit out in disbelief.
"To help me understand you more fully, tell me how many times you've been in love?"
"...Fifty-four times."
Unable to escape the topic, Bagster reluctantly muttered the answer.
"Wow, that's surprisingly high! Do you change boyfriends that frequently?"
Eiji was a bit shocked.
Admittedly, fairies have nearly limitless lifespans, but Bagster had only been alive for about four hundred years. Changing a boyfriend every ten years or less on average... seemed plausible?
For a moment, Bagster's expression froze.
Unclear what scenes flashed through her mind, her eyes overflowed with anger, fear, sorrow, and intense self-loathing.
"What's wrong? Was I too blunt just now... Well, I think you're quite open-hearted in love, at least you've always been creating love for everyone. Honestly, I actually admire you in that regard!"
"Thank you for your comfort, Your Highness, but it has nothing to do with your words."
Bagster shook her head and quickly composed herself.
Eiji was a bit puzzled. Seeing she didn't want to elaborate, he didn't press further.
Seems like there's some story there—was her heart broken by someone?
"Are you really okay?"
"My current lover is Adonis. As long as he is here, I will be fine. The meaning of my existence now is Adonis!"
Thinking of her lover back at the estate, a rare tenderness flashed across Bagster's face.
"Ohh!"
Eiji couldn't help but applaud for her.
Words like "He is the meaning of my life"—Eiji admitted he couldn't say such things himself!
His path as a playboy still needed cultivation!
"Are you satisfied now, Your Highness the Queen Consort?"
"Pretty much. It's a good romance, I can assert."
"...Thank you for believing me."
Bagster was taken aback for a moment, then sincerely expressed her gratitude.
"The battle is almost over. The soldiers' quality is really good."
Eiji surveyed the battlefield.
Despite all being at a disadvantage against the Mors, the knights suffered no casualties and quickly defeated many Mors. Once defeated, the Mors turned into black ash and dissipated.
"That black ash..."
Eiji suddenly focused.
The black ash left after the Mors were destroyed was so fine it was almost unnoticeable without close inspection.
And this Britain Lostbelt was filled with this strange black ash everywhere in the air!
What exactly it was, Eiji couldn't determine.
"I will convey Your Highness's praise to the soldiers truthfully."
"Bagster, how exactly do these Mors creatures appear?"
"This..."
Bagster hesitated briefly.
Her gaze suddenly sharpened, and her expression darkened.
"Please forgive me, Your Highness. It seems some villains have approached our surroundings!"
As soon as she finished speaking, battle cries suddenly erupted.
"Kill!"
"Kill that nonsensical Queen Consort!"
Shouts full of resentment came from the side of the national road ahead, cleverly avoiding the Mors and knights on the other side.
In total, there were only about a dozen figures, each clad in armor and gripping iron weapons, charging toward the carriage with a murderous aura!
"Who goes there?"
The knights showed a hint of panic.
"Do not panic! Focus on dealing with the Mors—I will crush this rabble myself!"
Bagst's resolute shout swiftly cut through the disarray in the troops' morale.
"Daring to assault Her Highness the Queen's carriage—you deserve nothing but death!"
Her face contorted with rage as her burly frame, like a heavy artillery tank, strode forth to meet the dozen or so assassins head-on!
With a single swing of her greatsword through the air, a thunderous shockwave erupted like a peal of roaring thunder!