Arthur remembered that it was an instant reaction when he touched the knife. He was also sure that the demonic seal was inside this old gun, because he could see the dark aura around it.
Did it have any requirement to unleash the demonic seal?
Arthur wanted to ask Dullahan, but he didn't want to be seen as crazy.
"This is strange. Usually, it is a quick reaction. Has things changed from a thousand years ago? Or did I miss something?" Dullahan was also questioning his credibility.
Lancelot watched Arthur's dazed expression, and chuckled, "Why are you giving me that dumb look? If you really want this gun, then I'll give it to you."
Lancelot handed the old gun, but Arthur quickly took a step back, "I don't want it!"
"Really? Then why do you want me to take it out?"
"Uhm, I just think that you look cool while carrying that old gun!" Arthur made-up the reason on the spot. "Y-you should hold onto it as often as you can!"
"You… you are acting strange, Arthur. But if you say so, then I'll keep it in my room instead," Lancelot was following the order without thinking much about it, like the blind leading the blind. "I'll ask someone to get it inspected, maybe it can be restored and used. I'm actually trained at handling guns."
"Good! Please hold onto it tightly, okay?"
"Alright. Now, do you want to continue playing or…"
"Nah, I'm beat. We've been playing for hours," Arthur faked a yawn. He had to make sure that Lancelot was asleep, so he could fight that old man's demon in the middle of the night. It was simply the best time to do it.
"Really? It's still behind my sleep schedule," Lancelot said. But he shrugged after that, "But I understand if you have your own schedule. Let's head back to my room."
As Arthur and Lancelot left the library, they were met with the watchful eyes of the head butler.
Arthur held his breath as he saw the big demon in silver armor behind Albert. The last time he saw the demon, the armor was only around its chest. But now, Arthur could see the demon was wearing a complete set of silver armor on its upper body.
Albert was smiling at them, but when he noticed the family heirloom in Lancelot's hand, his smile dropped a little.
It was subtle for those who couldn't see the demon, but for Arthur, he could see that Albert's demon had equipped a pair of silver knee guards, seemingly ready for a fight.
"Young Master, why did you take that gun out? You do remember it is a decorated gun your great-great-great grandfather used to defend himself, right? It's a prized family heirloom," Albert reminded. He glanced at Arthur and sneered, "You're a smart man, Young Master. I'm sure you wouldn't do such stupid thing without external influence."
Lancelot didn't take Albert's advice seriously, "Albert, go call a gun expert tomorrow. I want to know if this gun can be restored and used."
"Used?! Young Master, using such an old gun will destroy it! You'll ruin a priceless heirloom!" Albert raised his voice against the Young Master who had grown increasingly irresponsible.
"It's better than leaving it dusty inside a safe. Just do what I told you, Albert."
"Is this a request from you… or from this kid?" Albert asked while glaring at Arthur.
"It is my request," Arthur admitted without hesitation. He was only doing it because he wanted to taunt the old man even more, knowing it would help to show the inner demon's true form.
But Lancelot suddenly stood in front of him and said, "Stop trying to intimidate my friend, Albert. You said that I deserve to have a friend."
"Of your level, Young Master."
"He is of my level. Perhaps a bit better than I am. Since he has defeated me in a fight, twice."
Albert was unable to rebuke that statement because the heir of Fairmont actually liked to have a fight, and to have someone who could beat him fair and square meant he had an immense respect for that scrawny-looking idiot hiding behind him.
"I see. Then I'll call someone to check the gun tomorrow. Please have a rest, Young Master. It's getting late," Albert said.
"Let's go, Arthur."
Arthur followed Lancelot without looking back. But Dullahan kept his eyes on the inner demon behind Albert, and reported, "That demon is on the verge of showing its true form. We should try to kill it tonight, boy."
Arthur nodded.
He still hadn't fully grasped the control and influence the old man had on Lancelot.
But it was obvious that Albert was hiding something about Lancelot's past. So, if he could dig that out, he was sure that Albert's demon would show its truest form.
*
"I know that Albert can be suffocating. But please don't take his words and actions at heart," Lancelot said as he put the gun on the drawer and sat on the big bed next to it.
"Mm, I'm used to getting those looks anyway. So it doesn't bother me," Arthur replied honestly.
Getting a nasty and condescending look was the least of his worry. For now, all he wanted was to kill that demon, so he could save his friend.
Friend.
That word echoed inside Arthur's head.
He wondered if he was doing too much for a friend he just knew.
Besides, he was sure that Lancelot would forget about him and moved on with his busy schedule once he left Fort Garden. Arthur knew that he was insignificant in Lancelot's grandiose life.
This might be a futile effort as he would be left in the dust eventually. But for now, Arthur simply thought that saving his friend was the right thing to do.
"You… shouldn't get used to it, Arthur," Lancelot said. "Don't let them look down on you. You have to confront them."
"And prove their point that I am a nutjob just like my grandma?" Arthur sighed. He sat next to Lancelot and said, "You and I live a completely different life, Dean."
Lancelot opened his mouth, ready to rebuke that statement. But then he paused when he realized that Arthur wasn't wrong.
He had always been above everyone else as the heir of the Fairmont family. So, he would never understand the feeling of being ostracized by the entire town just because you weren't born from the right lineage.
Arthur smiled seeing Lancelot who was silenced. He elbowed him and said, "Hey, don't give me that guilty look. I'm glad that you're willing to be my friend. You are my very first friend, you know."
"And you are also my first friend," Lancelot confirmed.
"And a friend will protect each other, right? So…" Arthur lowered his head ashamedly as he felt what he was about to say next was very corny.
But he wanted to say it anyway.
"I will save you this time, Dean."
"… Save me?" Lancelot repeated.
Arthur didn't want to continue the conversation. He hopped off the bed and said, "Alright, time to sleep. Night, Dean."
They were dead quiet after their last conversation. As if there was a barrier between Arthur and Lancelot that made it awkward.
They went to their respective beds prepared by the butler, and it didn't take long for both of them to fall asleep.
Or so, Lancelot wished.
He couldn't sleep after Arthur said that he would 'save' him. He had a bad premonition that Arthur would get into a dangerous situation and possibly get hurt, or worse… killed.
Thus, Lancelot kept on glancing at his friend who was in deep sleep at the smaller bed. He did it so many times that he lost count, scared that Arthur would suddenly disappear.
'Damn it, what is wrong with me?' Lancelot cursed as he was battling his own anxiety. He felt restless. 'Surely, he won't do anything, stupid, right?'
Lancelot didn't want Arthur to 'save' him. He didn't think that he needed any saving.
If he could be honest, he should be the one saying that to Arthur, since Arthur was the one who got shunned by the entire town.
Hours passed, and in the end, Lancelot could only close his eyes and hoped that the sun would come up as soon as possible, so he could let go of this nonsensical worry once the night passed.
*
"Wake up, boy. It's already past midnight."
Arthur opened his eyes immediately.
He hadn't slept at all, because he knew if he fell asleep, then he would definitely miss his chance tonight.
He glanced at Lancelot who was tucked under a blanket, and sighed in relief.
"He is finally asleep. I was getting worried that we have no chance to leave," Arthur said in a low voice as not to wake Lancelot up. He put Dullahan on his shoulder and said, "We need to move now. There is no time."
"Right. Get your demon dagger and go to that old man's room," Dullahan said.
"The dagger… ah! I left my bag in the game room!" Arthur said as he sprang from the bed and used a sandal to get out of Lancelot's room immediately.
Meanwhile, Lancelot slowly opened his eyes. He had the old gun under the blanket. He turned towards Arthur's bed, and then at the door.
"Who is he talking to?" Lancelot questioned as he sat on the bed, still holding the old gun.
He continued to observe his surroundings, and was certain that there was nobody else but the two of them in this room before Arthur left.
Moreover, Lancelot's bad feeling was worsening, especially when Arthur mentioned a dagger in his bag.
He tightened his grip on the old gun, and clenched his jaw, trying to dispel a bad thought in his mind.
"Don't tell me that he asked to have a sleepover because of something else, not because we are friends."
Lancelot's gaze cooled down.
He got up from his bed and gripped the gun so tight that his hand turned red. He was so focused on what Arthur was up to, that he didn't realize the gun had changed its shape, from a regular military revolver from the 1800s, to a gun made out of pure gold. Its cylinder was fully loaded with unique golden bullets, and there was an intricate carving of undecipherable spell on its solid wood handle.
'I don't want to hurt you, Arthur. So, please don't disappoint me,' Lancelot thought as he walked to the door. He held the door handle for a while as he took many deep breaths to calm the rage inside his heart.
His father told him once that he would find many traitors in his life. So, he had to be heartless when the time came.
He had to discard any foolish attachment and kill, even if he didn't want to.
"Tonight might be my first kill," Lancelot said coldly as he opened the door and left.