Chapter 91: The Mysterious Guest
"Hello, you're the transfer student, right?"
"My name is Roland, that one over there is Astolfo, and the girl next to me is Bradamante."
"Transfer student, are you interested in joining our Charlemagne Twelve Paladins Club?"
"To be honest, you don't look like a Frenchman, nor like a European, so why did you join the France United Class?"
"Even though we've been talking for less than half a minute, I already see you as my good friend! In this one-year semester, let's get along well together!"
"Eh, you're asking me why I take my clothes off in the middle of talking? Well yes, that's true, it's just muscle memory, don't mind it too much..."
"Oh right, transfer student, I almost forgot, what's your name again——"
...
On the race field.
"There's always this feeling, like we've met somewhere before, from a very, very long time ago..."
Knight Roland held the Holy Sword Durandal, his face full of doubt as he asked.
"Is that so..."
Eikou stroked his chin, pondering.
"But I really don't have the slightest impression, could it be... we once went to some kind of weird club together?"
"Why would it be a weird club?!"
"It just feels like someone like you could only exist in those shady places. To add, I've never been to one myself! But seeing you so casually naked like this, it really does evoke a nonexistent memory, how philosophical!"
Yet when looking at Roland and the Twelve Paladins, Eikou truly did feel a strange sense of familiarity.
"Sir Eikou, we're almost at the checkpoint! Hurry and get ready!"
Gawain shouted anxiously.
The two Round Table Knights pedaled with all their might, and up ahead the checkpoint was already visible.
Eikou glanced at the checkpoint, then back at the Twelve Paladins who were still tailing closely behind.
"Damn it, we still haven't managed to widen the gap with the Twelve Paladins..."
He frowned, a little worried.
The encirclement of France Class might have collapsed, but the Twelve Paladins still clung to them like shadows.
Moreover, this was items racing — who knew what kind of unexpected mishap might occur at the next checkpoint.
"If we end up drawing another punishment game, we really will be overtaken by the Twelve Paladins..."
"Think positive, the last two rounds were both punishment games, maybe this time luck will change." Tristan said.
"Even though you're Luck E, your mood is still quite optimistic."
Eikou sighed,
"But if I'm not wrong, the enemy's Astolfo should definitely be Luck A+, which gives them a huge advantage in drawing lots."
He had already braced himself for the worst-case scenario.
Forget about maintaining the lead, the next checkpoint would very likely see them left far behind by the Twelve Paladins.
"Oh oh, both teams have reached the third checkpoint, let's look forward to seeing what kind of event they'll draw this time.
"On Team Eikou's side, there's Tristan-kun with Luck E, abandoned by Lady Luck two rounds in a row. Meanwhile, over on the Twelve Paladins, there's Astolfo-kun with Luck A+, comparing lineups like this really doesn't put one at ease."
Finn-sensei spoke with some worry.
"As the saying goes, luck is also a part of strength, let's keep our eyes wide open and see who will be the final victor!"
On the race field, both teams nearly arrived at the third checkpoint at the same time.
[You have passed through another checkpoint, please perform a Luck check.]
[The target of the check is... Tristan!]
Again you, take a punch from me!
Eikou could only feel like crying without tears, again it was Luck E, how the hell was he supposed to win like this.
[Dice result is EX, great failure!]
Damn it, not only did it land on Tristan, it even directly rolled a great failure result!
Seeing the bad omen just drawn, all three of them showed heavy expressions on their faces.
Before Tristan could even say anything, the other two regretfully shook their heads, saying:
"Truly, too tragic..."
Eikou also wanted to use an Encouragement Dice to defy fate, but that item could only be used on his own dice rolls.
"It's over, this time we're screwed, our progress will be left far behind!"
"Haha, don't be so depressed,"
Seeing Team Eikou wailing pitifully, Roland couldn't help but laugh,
"Maybe you'll still have a chance to catch up with us, Lady Luck is always unpredictable. When the time comes, we can fight it out again."
"Damn it, are you that confident?"
"It's not boasting, my Luck is B, and Astolfo on our side has Luck A+, we absolutely cannot fail..."
[Luck check of the Twelve Paladins complete, target is Astolfo.]
[Dice result is EX, great failure!]
Everyone was stunned.
Not only the two teams, but even the contestants watching inside the Simulation Room and the waiting room were silent as death.
A full three seconds passed. Under the dumbfounded gazes of the Twelve Paladins, the gloomy expressions of Eikou and the two Round Table Knights suddenly vanished, as if they had come back to life from the dead. They instantly jumped up, raising their hands high in cheers.
"Awesome!!"
"..."
"Oh oh, what a coincidence, both teams rolled a great failure at the same time!
"The contestants of Team Eikou are extremely excited. It seems they never expected their own luck to improve — as long as 'others are just as unfortunate as them, that's enough.'"
"Alright, in that case, both teams will set off from the same line and accept the punishment game together. Let's wait and see what the punishment game will be this time..."
Seeing the guest of the game slowly step out on the live broadcast screen, Finn-sensei revealed a look of great astonishment:
"This… this seems to be a member of our Britain as well, but something feels off, as if not a student of this school,"
"A cold aura like ice, a regal posture high above all, like an untouchable flower atop a lofty mountain,"
"That is the Queen of the Fairy Kingdom, Lostbelt King— Morgan!!!"
A long red carpet was rolled out.
Everyone instantly froze, staring unblinkingly at the Fairy Queen walking upon the carpet.
"Mother-sama..."
Gawain could not hide the shock on his face,
"Why are you here?!"
"Just received an invitation from my former school, asking me to temporarily be a guest at the checkpoint." Queen Morgan spoke with a calm tone. "Originally, I had no intention of setting aside my busy work to come here, but when I thought there might be something happening, I was willing to take a look."
As she spoke, Morgan's deep green eyes swiftly swept over Eikou once.
Eikou: "..."
"Then let us begin our most entertaining punishment game,"
The sound of Morgan's high heels pounded powerfully on the red carpet as she walked straight forward and sat down on the throne her attendants had prepared.
The Queen elegantly crossed her legs, one hand resting on the throne's armrest, looking down from above at the contestants with disdain.
"The theme of this punishment game is..."
Her gaze turned toward Eikou.
"—— Love!"