Five days later, Saturday, in Glastonbury.
Walking on the dirt roads across the vast plains, Naoki's eyes were filled with the green expanse of Somerset's meadows and a few ancient stone buildings that felt steeped in history.
"Finally, we're here..."
Naoki wasn't surprised by Merlin's suggestion to come to Glastonbury.
In the world of Magecraft, especially for spirit summoners, Glastonbury is a place that one is bound to visit. The best locations for spirit summoning are usually graveyards, particularly those built atop leyline flows. If a deceased person still has lingering attachments to this world, their thoughts can transform into bound spirits, vengeful spirits, or even evil spirits, making spirit summoning easier in such locations.
Of course, it doesn't have to be an actual graveyard—just a place with the concept of a burial ground. In Magecraft, concepts and associations are extremely important. Low-level spirits lack consciousness, so as long as a place carries the concept of a "graveyard," spirits will remain there.
For spirit summoners, Glastonbury could be considered the "beginner's village." This place is famous as the burial site of King Arthur, and perhaps for that reason, spirit summoning here becomes much easier.
Conversely, if someone can't perform spirit summoning here, they might as well give up on trying to become a spirit summoner.
If necromancers were to come here, they would undoubtedly choose Glastonbury as the best location.
However...
Naoki gazed toward the abbey in the distance.
"So that's the place?"
"Naoki, why are you just standing there?"
Merlin, who was walking ahead, suddenly turned around and asked. Then, as if understanding something, she added, "Could it be that you're nervous? Because you're about to meet 'him' in this world?"
"Of course not! Why would I be nervous about meeting a man?" Naoki snorted in annoyance. "It's just... Should I say I'm looking forward to it? Or rather, reluctant to meet him? It feels like... like a child who had a fight with their parents, left home for a long time, and now, when about to return for the New Year, hesitates at the doorstep."
"Your analogy is strange, but why is it so specific? Don't tell me you've run away from home before?"
"It's just an analogy!"
Taking a deep breath, Naoki looked back at the abbey. He adjusted the straps of his backpack and said, "Let's go, Merlin. No matter what, we're already here. Avoiding meeting him isn't an option."
"Coincidentally, I also want to meet him."
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The interior of the abbey felt vast and empty. Sunlight streamed directly onto the single wooden floor inside.
"Hic iacet Arthurus, Rex quondam, Rexque futurus."
"Here lies Arthur, the Once and Future King."
Reading the inscription on the tombstone, Naoki set down his backpack. He sat on the grass, facing the simple tombstone.
"This isn't his actual grave."
Merlin stood behind him, also gazing at the tombstone, and said, "But for a long time, this place has been considered his final resting place. From a Magecraft perspective, this can be considered his grave in concept."
Naoki remained silent.
"If there's something you want to say, say it. Even if he might not be able to hear it."
What should he say?
Even so, Naoki still didn't know what to say... or rather, there were too many things he wanted to say, so he didn't know where to start.
Seeing him silent, Merlin let out a small sigh. "I'll wait outside."
"Mm."
The sound of Merlin's footsteps faded away. Naoki sat cross-legged, raising his hand as if to touch the tombstone. But just as his hand was about to reach it, he pulled it back. His lips pressed tightly together before he finally let out a resigned sigh.
"Where should I start? At a time like this... I should..."
"It's been a long time, Arthur."
"Oh, and even though it's a year late, honestly, it's your fault for leaving first, so I didn't get to say it... But still, thank you, Arthur. Thank you for giving me a second chance at life."
"Actually, there are so many things I want to tell you—as many as the stars in the sky. But no matter what I say, you probably can't hear me..."
Yet, even so, there was one question that constantly haunted his thoughts.
A year ago, after his death—
"Why did you save me, Arthur?"
This was a question that had been haunting him for the past year.
"Killing someone might require a reason, but saving someone doesn't need one."
But Naoki didn't believe Arthur did it for such a simple reason. It did sound like something Arthur would do, but he felt there was more to it.
Why did Arthur save him? For what purpose? What did he expect from him?
He wanted to know all the answers.
Yet, no one could give him the answers. He could only think about it himself.
Why was he still alive? Why should he live? And how should he live?
Naoki had been pondering this for a long time. And finally, before receiving the letter from Kayneth, he found his answer.
"Arthur, you've saved me countless times. My life exists because you saved it. So... this life you've saved, from now on, I'll use it to save others. I don't know how far I can go, but at the very least, as long as I'm able, I'll help those within my reach."
"A 'knight'... I guess that's what they're supposed to do, right? 'King of Knights'?"
Saying that, Naoki chuckled softly.
"By the way, I'm not even a knight. It feels inappropriate to talk about the knight's code in front of you, doesn't it? Good thing you can't hear me now... or maybe not, because with your personality, you definitely wouldn't laugh at me, right?"
"But that doesn't matter. Even if you laughed at me, I wouldn't change. This is the way of life I've chosen."
Because the Holy Grail War might be over, but his life continues.
For years, decades, maybe even a century ahead—he will live by this belief.
Standing up from the ground, Naoki brushed off the grass clinging to his clothes.
"Alright, Arthur. Until next time. I'll come again if I have the time, even though my studies are busy, I can still make time on weekends. Don't get tired of seeing me, okay?"
"Goodbye, Saber."
And without him realizing it, just as he turned around, a shadow he knew all too well appeared briefly behind him—as fleeting as the blink of an eye.
"Goodbye, Master. May your life ahead be filled with adventure."