Chapter 1097: The Final Holy Lance?
Blue light descended from the sky, revealing the face of the most beautiful fairy in Britain.
"Fairy Lancelot, the strongest Fairy Knight, has finally appeared!"
Muramasa tightened his grip on his sword, speaking as if facing a formidable enemy.
Beside him, the Sage Grimm and the Limiter of Human Territory, Percival, stood ready for battle.
As the second wave to breach the city, they had, as expected, encountered the descending Fairy Lancelot.
"Since you've been looking for me so persistently, I've generously decided to show myself."
Fairy Lancelot raised a smiling face, revealing a straightforward pride.
"However, I'm actually not interested in you. After all, whether it's Grimm or Muramasa, you both seem rather weak—certainly not able to withstand more than a few strikes from me."
"To be looked down upon to this extent truly hurts my pride."
Muramasa chuckled lightly, as if unbothered.
"Then what is your purpose here, Fairy Lancelot?"
Grimm, entirely indifferent to her assessment, instead asked her directly with clear intent.
That said, judging from his meaningful gaze, he had likely already guessed the reason.
"I have something to ask you, Percival."
Fairy Lancelot turned her gaze to Percival, a trace of sorrow flickering in her eyes.
"But seeing you like this, it seems I need not ask further."
Percival remained silent, simply watching Fairy Lancelot quietly.
His head of gray-white tousled hair had, at some point, lost its original color and luster, now mostly darkened.
The aura of weariness about him was more profound than ever before.
"So it was during the battle at Oxford, when you fought Woodwose?"
"Indeed, you, whom I respect like an elder sister."
Percival let out a long sigh.
"Woodwose... Father was truly strong. Even after exhausting his magical energy, I only managed to kill him by unleashing this Lance of Selection."
How foolish.
Fairy Lancelot wanted to say this, but she knew in her heart that this was an inevitable outcome.
As his guardian, she absolutely did not approve of Percival using the Lance of Selection.
Yet, from another perspective, this also represented the growth of Percival, whom she regarded as a younger brother. He had wielded that lance of his own will, no longer the ignorant younger brother who needed her strict guidance.
"But in doing so, you have already wielded the Holy Lance twice..."
"Correct."
Percival nodded in acknowledgment once more.
Immediately after, his expression suddenly turned resolute.
"And it seems the time to use the Holy Lance for the third time is right before us! No matter what, I must defeat the Queen. So, just as you, who taught me many martial arts like an elder sister, I shall wield this final Holy Lance against you!"
The final Holy Lance.
Grimm and Muramasa remained silent.
They had anticipated this outcome from the very beginning.
Due to an incident 2,400 years ago, the Lance of Selection, which once consumed magical energy, now consumed life force. Each unleashing of the Holy Lance cost the wielder ten years of their lifespan!
Percival was only 16 years old this year, but because he had wielded the Holy Lance twice, his body had now aged to that of a 36-year-old!
But let us not forget—humans in this Lostbelt typically only live to 30 years of age!
Percival's ability to break through this limit truly demonstrates why he is the Boundary of the human realm. Woodwose's keen eye in selecting him from the human pasture was indeed accurate.
Just as there are long-lived individuals in Pan-Human History who live beyond a hundred years, Percival himself is exceptional.
However, he will absolutely not surpass the lifespan barrier of forty years!
In other words.
The next time he uses the Holy Lance will inevitably mark his end!
"Is that your ideal? Is it truly necessary to stake your life for it?"
Melusine could not understand. She could not help but ask Percival.
"No, that is not my ideal."
Hearing this, Percival instead revealed a self-mocking smile.
"I have always maintained the Round Table Army for my own purposes. Defeating the Queen was never my goal..."
"If that's the case, then why?"
"Because I have betrayed everyone's expectations."
Percival spoke candidly: "Clearly, I did not pursue such a grand goal as the coexistence of humans and fairies. I merely exploited the Round Table Army for my own selfish desires for so long—exploiting the title of the Child of Prophecy, exploiting everyone's trust and expectations!"
"They must have realized it long ago, yet they never spoke of it, pretending as if nothing was wrong. I cannot forgive myself for remaining indifferent despite knowing their tolerance. Therefore, this time, and only this time, I must truly live up to their expectations!"
He did not gather the Round Table Army for such lofty goals as coexistence.
From the very beginning, he decided to do these things out of personal selfishness.
And his selfish desire.
Was to liberate his elder sister, the Fairy Knight Lancelot.
Six years ago, Percival, who had just obtained the Selected Lance and was eager to share the news with her, witnessed Melusine weeping in the heavy rain outside the cathedral.
The young Percival firmly believed that the Queen's restraints were the cause of his beloved's tears, filling his heart with the desire to free her from the Queen's grasp.
Participating in the Robin Royal Contest and winning the championship were, to him, merely means to get closer to the Queen.
However, he failed to achieve his goal at the time, as the Queen's strength exceeded his expectations.
Thus, he declined the Queen's recruitment and left Camelot.
It was only by chance that he encountered Oberon, who persuaded him to establish the Round Table Army under the name of the Child of Prophecy.
Since their interests aligned, he agreed to the suggestion.
Although he always publicly advocated coexistence—even to Artoria herself—he secretly felt guilty for deceiving everyone and betraying their expectations.
After learning that the Fairy of Paradise possessed Fairy Eyes, his shame grew even deeper.
Especially when he discovered that Melusine's restraints did not come from the Queen but from someone else, he felt utterly ashamed.
This guilt made it impossible for him to continue as if nothing had happened. No matter what, he had to find a way to atone!
And the best method of atonement lay within this final battle.
"I will defeat you here!"
Percival raised the Holy Lance.
His resolve was so firm that there was no room for negotiation.
Since this was already the final battle, he would offer everything at this very moment!
"Swish!"
A blue light soared into the air.
Without another word, Yaolan left the royal city, heading toward the distant horizon, never to return.
"Whoa, is that even a way to win?"
Upon witnessing this, Muramasa couldn't help but marvel.
"It proves this kid has a sister who truly loves him."
Grimm placed a hand on his hip and let out a sigh of relief.
Even Percival was left speechless, momentarily unsure how to react.