We’ve lost Mimi to Boss’ group and I doubt our chance of taking her back right now is high. With unknown objectives, it’s harder to read their movements. Also, with my suspicion that Boss is actually Higan is for certain, it got really complicated, at least inside my head.

And then, beside the war with the dwarves, we got this another problem…

“Well, first, will you introduce yourself to everyone here?”

“But of course.”

In front of me sitting across is the infamous King Arthur from the English tales back in my world who took over Daisy’s body. I wasn’t anything weird or phenomenal for me anymore since I’ve seen god and goddess took over the twin’s bodies.

Currently, the moon hovers above the sullen world of clouds as the downpour was reduced into a mere gentle rain. Only pleasant drops of the rain reverberated around the gloomy manor where we are currently staying.

The guest room’s couches are filled with people sitting, specifically our whole group together with Lady Hinoki watching a bit far away. Even if we stay wary of the King’s presence and actions, hurting Daisy’s body is unthinkable for many reasons.

As for the main subject himself, he stood up for an introduction.

“To keep it brief, I am King Arthur Pendragon, the ruler of Great Britain…is what I’ve wanted to say but I guess it is irrelevant.”

“King Arthur, why do you think so?”

“Formalities are tiring as well as pleasantries with words. Simply put, my title or anything that was left before I died is something irrelevant in this world.”

“For someone who just woke up…you are quite aware.”

“This world isn’t my world anymore. Even the world where you came from isn’t my world. My world’s location is in a plane of existence parallel but not aligned to yours. So that’s why you have a concept or rather, the tale of King Arthur as a figure in a novel rather than an existing one.”

“You suddenly blew off a lot of crap I can’t understand!”

“In layman term, I existed in a world similar to yours and yet I don’t. Then, from the perspective of this world, I do not exist.”

“I get it, I never asked for this explanation.”

I raised my hand and stopped him from explaining it further. I do kind of get what he is trying to say…or not. Even the others are pondering about it. The only one who has light in her eyes is Lady Hinoki since she was greatly educated by none other than Astlan Lionheart himself.

Certainly, the story about King Arthur of Camelot and his Knights of Round Table is so popular it has games and such produced. It was a tale written about chivalry, war, power struggle, coveting, and a lot more which in hindsight, nothing glorious about the story.

With how King Arthur fell on his life, he might have some deep-rooted wish or grudge and we need to be wary of that. I need to straighten out things. If he proves to be a threat, I’d have Violetta remove him inside of Daisy.

“Then, Firstly, King Arthur, why did you suddenly take over Daisy’s body?”

“Do not be alarmed, I am nothing but a shadow of the past. I am no more than but a loser. I cannot consume this girl’s consciousness.”

“What do you plan then?”

“As of now, I do not have any plan. My consciousness suddenly surged up from this girl and before I knew it, I was acting out of her desire and will that was left before I took over.”

“How long will you stay awake?”

“I do not know, however, by the end of it, this girl herself will consume me, my knowledge, and all of my skills.”

“…!”

That’s kind of unfair. Leaving aside the Daisy basically inherited the sword from King Arthur, he will also grant her his skills and knowledge, the wise mind of a king.

It only means that Daisy will be getting a complete powerup. But…that also means Daisy’s efforts…

Suddenly…

“This isn’t what I wanted!”

Daisy’s consciousness resurfaces.

Figures!

Everyone is dumbfounded from the sudden outburst that even King Arthur himself, I can imagine making a complicated face under the complete change on the pilot of the body.

“I do not like how it sounded like you are thrashing my effort for my pursuit of power! Suddenly invading my body and now kicking around my pride like it is a ball. The hell is that!?”

“I understand you are displease, however, it will be the course of action that shall happen once I vanish.”

Stolen novel; please report.

“What?! Can we at least separate you from me or something?!”

“That all depends. You are chosen by that sword, the Caliburn.”

“So that’s its name…Wait! That’s not it! What do you mean it depends?!”

We…all of us are all flabbergasted by the freak show in front of us. Daisy normally has a lively and cheerful countenance. Right now, that expression shifts to a cold and dignified persona that is King Arthur. The exchange between them is like Daisy talking to her own self with changing facial expression.

…Which looks silly.

Every single time Daisy takes over, her tail stands up and her rounded ears get really reddish whereas King Arthur sprouts a calm demeanor even at point blank one-sided argument with Daisy.

I wonder if the same case could happen with Higanbana, Casablanca, and Hibiscus if they get into argument with the gods inside them.

But what if they can argue inside their heads?

“Still, I don’t want something as easy as that!”

“I know where you are getting at. So that’s why let’s ask him if he could do something about it.”

“…Him?”

“Yes, him…whenever I need a piece of advice, he always comes.”

A sudden chill took over the place and everyone felt the air shaking. The ever night sky brightens momentarily and in reaction the incoming presence that far surpasses the logic of this world’s magic system, Lady Hinoki conjured two high-level Valkyries-like summons.

I said Valkyries-like summon because they sprout angelic wings and they are armored from head to toe wielding lances and shields made of light. This is where Lady Hinoki’s power truly draw the line against the commonality of people.

I actually knew about her wariness to this level since earlier with her spells ready to deploy at moment’s notice.

Well…she already deployed them so…

At the empty air beside King Arthur…err…Daisy… The two Valkyrie raised their lances and pointed it there. Not even two seconds passes and that guy…the nameless wizard appears with his hands in the air as a sign of resignation.

“Now, now, I’m not fond of violence.”

“You are the powerful wizard that these children talked about. I’d like to handle this a bit by myself.”

Lady Hinoki strongly stated as she stood up and faces the pale wizard. I obediently nod at her words as I do not have any words to say in this matter. Per se, I do not have any voice against a Queen in her own territory.

“The fact that someone as powerful as you were hiding under our noses is something I cannot ignore. What do you have to say for yourself, wizard?”

“…In the name of…those bosoms are incredible! Right, my king?”

Hey…!

Hey!!!

I know those bosoms are incredible but you really don’t have to openly ogle at it, idiot! Cold eyes are directed towards the nameless wizard mixed with animosity. Lady Hinoki took a few steps back while hovering a capelet around her shoulder.

Though it was useless as the bosoms are too big…

“Merlin…this is no time to show off how much of pervert you are. Though I admit, it is indeed incredible. It would be something Sir Gawain and Sir Tristan would also compliment.”

“Please take us seriously.”

Those are cold, condemning voice seething with animosity, words that came out from Topaz’s lips. Her normally relaxed countenance is now overwritten with a deep furrow of the brows and sharpened eyes that looks at the nameless wizard, or should I say, Merlin, with a grudge.

Topaz is really pissed.

I can understand how she feels right now. Mimi and Topaz have become close friends over the time they are together, setting aside the incident that happened when they first met. Mimi’s situation right now was instigated by this wizard.

Honestly, I think it is only due time before it happens to Mimi. The thing is it happened abruptly.

Also…it’s rare for Topaz to get this angry.

“My bad it is. I’ll refrain from doing it.”

“Merlin, something about the situation right now…”

“Right, about the absorption of my King to the current host, or rather, the new wielder of the Caliburn.”

“The new wielder, Lady Daisy, isn’t fond of the idea of my knowledge passing down to her.”

“My king, a lot of years passed since we last met. Your soul was sealed inside this sword together with the Knight of the round table. Time flew by and as people changes, so are the way of their life. How it sounds right now, you are throwing dirt on Lady Daisy’s efforts in her way of life.”

“That’s…”

“She wouldn’t be chosen by the sword if she doesn’t have the qualifications. It was the same for you.”

“That doesn’t matter!”

Upon the ensuing conversation between King Arthur and Merlin, Daisy intervened strongly with an anguish frown looming on her face. Confused, I tilted my head over the matter that Daisy was trying to speak of.

Lady Hinoki’s face sunk in a sullen countenance as if she knew where Daisy is coming from.

“I could never be something as great as a king or a leader…In the first place…Lady Higanbana…the new Beast Queen, has already taken the opportunity. She was able to show great intellect and superb combat capability…all better than me…like how you would compare the heights of the land and the stars!”

Daisy let out those words as if she was venting her frustration. It was a first for me to see her actually venting like that.

No…

It wasn’t even a vent, all of it is words of resignation. Daisy has the desire to follow the step of her father, the former Beast King Folga. I know that due to old age, Beast King Folga has to retire and once chosen from anyone to be the next leader…

However, all of his sons are disappointment leaving Daisy alone who, by some reason, couldn’t call for the challenge. Was it age, or was it strength?

I dip in for both of those factors.

But that’s not all if my theory is correct.

Daisy who admires her father dearly wanted to become the next leader of their kingdom…but let’s stop and think for a little bit. Someone steps up and stole that goal…right on her face.

Her reverence for Higanbana all crumbles down into her subsiding her frustrations.

Not only that, upon realizing Higanbana’s power and superior intellect I supposed, really dented her confidence.

I step and fair enough, Merlin and King Arthur directed their sight towards my direction.

“What are the qualities that a king needs then? My elder brother, Ashfon Astlan Lionheart, is the King for the humans and he admitted that he doesn’t do the best job but I saw how the people of our kingdom smile.”

The question sparks an intriguing interest in both of their eyes. I step one closer to them again with a demand for an answer.

“The same goes for Lady Hinoki! She is Queen Hinoki Prasiolite, the queen of the elven kingdom, this kingdom! Her land is prosperous and they live in constant harmony until the war with the dwarves started. What are those qualities that we should see?”

Merlin gazes upon my questioning eyes with great pique. He kneeled down one of his knees and gets into my eye level. His stares are warm and understanding.

“What does a king or queen needs to be one? It is the kind heart to serve and protect his subjects before him or her own interest, the heart to listen to each and every subject’s woes, and the strong will the keep moving forward.”

“…That’s an ideal king, yeah.”

“I’m sorry, I gave you some boorish answers.”

“…Eh?”

“In my opinion, the best quality a king or queen can have is…the ability to judge whether something is worth killing or not. Don’t you agree, Queen of the long ears, Lady Hinoki.”

It doesn’t matter if he said that jokingly or not. Those words sent a chill down to my back. It won’t even take one to know that it’s morally wrong. Why does one need to see the worth of a life? In the first place, my morals largely differ than everyone here…

Merlin’s words were like an arrow that struck Lady Hinoki. The Queen of the elves slowly nods on Merlin’s words.

But…for Daisy…

I look at Daisy who seems to have gotten control over the body.

“Don’t you think that kind of qualification even exists in Daisy? I think--!”

Before I could continue what I was about to say and complaint, Daisy raises her hand to stop me from talking. It wasn’t King Arthur who looks at me with those pained eyes but Daisy herself.

“Asagao, even since I was small, I was taught by my father how to. Every single one of us siblings was taught how to judge a person’s worth. After all, for us, it is the world survival of the fittest, hence, my desperation for strength.”

“……”

“I am ready to bloody my hands in the pursuit of it. However…all my chances to use what was taught to me flew away with the dust…”

The ability to judge whether a person is worth killing or not… it was Merlin’s opinion…but in the end, it made me think…

Fonfon judges people before killing them…

Lady Hinoki did the same in the past as I saw the memory fragment of Astlan Lionheart…

It might have been all the same for all the Kings and Queens…

If that’s how it will go, a tiny wish that Daisy will stop pursuing the throne blooms. If such qualification really exists, I want to pull out Higanbana too from such world…

It’s all messed up…