Chapter 977: The Name of Cernunnos
"Gloucester? Auction? An iron-armed fairy?"
Eiji's heart stirred.
Could it be him?
That Servant who swaggered into the royal capital on the very first day when all of Camelot was celebrating him as the new queen consort, boldly declaring he would behead the Queen, only to be swiftly defeated when Eiji charged forward to demonstrate his loyalty—the one who clearly excelled in swordsmanship and possessed a Reality Marble?
Out of consideration for a potential future colleague, Eiji had deliberately spared his life, merely imprisoning him in the royal capital's dungeon.
How had he ended up as a commodity at Gloucester's auction?
"Since we're going to Norwich anyway, why not take a detour and visit Gloucester?"
Oberon tempted, "It's incredibly lively there—the trendsetter of all Britain! You could say it's a must-visit spot for high-class fairies!"
"Fortunately, the calamity in Norwich is still gathering and shows no signs of erupting anytime soon. Let's go see this so-called Child of Prophecy. If they're an asset to Proper Human History, it'd be best to win them over as much as possible!"
After a discussion between Da Vinci-chan and Gudao, everyone agreed.
"Gloucester...Artoria's expression turned subtle.
She didn't have good impressions of that place.
"I won't be going."
At that moment, Eiji suddenly stepped forward.
"There's something else I want to investigate, so I won't be going to Gloucester."
"You're going to investigate too?"
Da Vinci-chan looked at Eiji in surprise, then glanced at Oberon.
Why were so many of this mission's collaborators choosing to act alone?
"Yeah, let's split up."
Eiji nodded.
"It shouldn't take more than a few days. We'll regroup in Norwich later. I'll help with the great calamity there too."
After bidding farewell to Gudao and the others, Eiji left the Mic's Bar under everyone's watchful eyes.
"What a shame—I never got to see his face today!"
Fujimaru Ritsuka sighed with regret as she watched his retreating figure.
Judging by his physique, he was definitely a beautiful youth. She was quite curious about how handsome this beautiful man—who had amazed Mash—actually was.
"We'll see him again later."
Da Vinci-chan said unconcernedly.
Their current combat power was quite sufficient. Losing one Eiji wouldn't be a fatal loss.
Artoria secretly glanced at the departing Eiji.
Oberon smiled with narrowed eyes, watching him leave.
Each person had different thoughts.
After parting ways with the group, Eiji left Salisbury.
The reason he chose to separate from Chaldea was that Gloucester was absolutely off-limits.
If that iron-armed fairy being auctioned was really the Servant he had defeated before, he might be recognized immediately upon meeting.
He still maintained his identity as queen consort, so it was better not to expose himself for now.
Of course, it was also true that he had matters to investigate.
"Speaking of which, there is something rather strange..."
Without alerting anyone, Eiji walked out of Salisbury's city gates. After getting his bearings, he quickly headed east.
"I've hardly ever revealed my identity in Salisbury. Aside from Aurora and Melusine, no one knew I was the Queen—so how did the leader of the rebel army learn of my arrival?"
...
In the southeast of Britain lay the ruins of a city with a remarkably long history.
This city was nearly half-destroyed, with most of its buildings burned to ashes. Across the vast land, it was almost impossible to find an intact house fit for living. The traces of wind and rain erosion revealed millennia of accumulated history, and a profound sense of desolation washed over anyone who saw it.
The northern and southern city gates, however, remained intact, though their relatively fresh appearance suggested they had been repaired by later generations.
Under the cover of night.
"So this is Londinium?"
At the city gate, Eiji used the technique of "Pulling Steps" to blend into the crowd.
Without the gate guards noticing at all, he slipped into the ruined city known as Londinium.
"This is the base of the Round Table Army led by Percival of the White Light... The conditions are quite crude."
Londinium.
In Pan-Human History, it was known as London, the capital of Britain.
And in this Lostbelt, it had once been the center of Britain as well.
That was during the Autumn War 2,400 years ago, when King Uther, raised by the savior Cnoc na Riabh, swept across Britain and was on the verge of becoming its ruler.
At that time, Londinium was the most prosperous city in Britain!
However, a single poisoned cup and a great fire wiped out that prosperity.
Walking through the city, now in ruins, one could see remnants of the chaotic battles from that era everywhere. King Uther, who had contributed greatly to humanity and Britain, and the Round Table Army of that time were now buried in the long river of history, scarcely remembered by anyone.
Nothing could withstand the passage of time.
"What's this?"
Eiji suddenly halted.
He had come across a mural.
"A sense of revulsion..."
Eiji frowned, finding it unbelievable.
Why would he feel this way just from looking at a mural?
Could this mural affect people's minds?
Eiji stared intently at the mural.
A massive beast stood in a pit.
Six figures danced and sang around it.
For a moment.
An inexplicable sense of panic emanated from the mural.
It was as if something beautiful was being torn apart, and that panic welled up from the depths of Eiji's heart.
This mural was anything but ordinary!
Eiji looked toward the top of the mural.
There, written in some kind of special script, was a word. Eiji, with his mastery of languages, instantly understood it.
"—The Abyssal Worm... Is this the Shrine Maiden's prophecy?"
Eiji's gaze sharpened.
That word was "The Abyssal Worm," which immediately made him think of the prophecy mentioned by Grim!
The Shrine Maiden had prophesied four wars—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—as well as the Abyssal Worm.
The four wars were events of the past, while the Abyssal Worm was believed to be something that would happen in the future!
However, no one had any clue what the so-called "Abyssal Worm" actually referred to. Even Grim and Habenyan were completely in the dark about it.
Eiji then shifted his gaze to the bottom of the mural.
There, another word was inscribed in the same script.
"—Cernunnos?"
Strange.
Very strange!
Wasn't it said that this Fairy Kingdom of Britain showed no traces of any gods having existed?
Why would Cernunnos—this horned god from Celtic mythology—have his name appear on this obviously ancient mural?
And even placed alongside the witch's prophecy?
What exactly happened in the past of this fairy kingdom?
"Who's there?!"
Just then, an angry shout came from behind.
Only then did Eiji snap back to reality.
Due to his extreme astonishment, he had forgotten to maintain his Foot Drawing technique.
He turned around to face the newcomer.
It was a tall man who appeared to be around twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, with graying hair, a burly build, and a vigorous aura. His expression was sharp and formidable, likely from regular training. He was clad in heavy battlefield armor.
More crucially, he held a silver knight's lance that looked exceptionally extraordinary!