Chapitre 78: My Friend, Galahad
"Go ahead, you bunch of scumbags, try lifting the Holy Grail if you dare!"
Artorius shouted loudly at the people of the suicide squad.
"No matter if you succeed or not, all the sins you committed before will be forgiven. And if some lucky guy manages to hold the Holy Grail, then he's in luck! Bonuses, titles, land! Whatever you want, I will fulfill it for you! I give you my word!"
Artorius shouted at them, and as he finished speaking, the people of the suicide squad began cheering excitedly.
Just as Artorius described them, this group of people were all villains, scum, mercenaries, and criminals. They had been captured, forced into military service, or sent for 'rehabilitation'.
Now Artorius had given them a chance at redemption, and naturally, they were overjoyed.
Artorius's reputation on the continent of Europe was indeed as he claimed, unparalleled.
Except for those who had been fooled by him and ended up dead and cremated, Artorius had never deceived anyone.
Except for the things he hadn't been exposed about, Artorius had never told a lie of course.
So his credibility remained at its peak. The prisoners believed that this leader wouldn't deceive them. Several brave members of the suicide squad even started flexing their muscles, shouting about earning a huge fortune.
Watching the chaotic crowd, the Knights of the Round Table exchanged glances, feeling helpless but choosing not to intervene.
They also thought that the suicide squad would likely be useless, just as Artorius had predicted.
However, at the same time, they also anticipated the possibility of success, just as Artorius did.
After all, trying it out wouldn't cause any problems.
Thus, the Knights of the Round Table eagerly watched as the members of the suicide squad charged forward one by one. They were filled with anticipation and then filled with disappointment. It was like mobile gamers staring with expectation at their gacha pulls, hoping for an SSR, but no matter what, it just wouldn't come.
Afterward, Galahad took the initiative to pull Artorius aside and spoke to him.
"I have something I want to tell Your Highness."
"Galahad..." Artorius looked at him seriously, "Do you have any thoughts? Looking at this Holy Grail, do you have any wish? Do you want to use it to save Britain, just as we agreed before?"
"Yes, of course." Galahad nodded without hesitation.
Artorius could indeed deceive his friend for the sake of his mother and have Galahad take the Holy Grail from the start. But he didn't want to do that. So he wanted to make it clear to Galahad, to explain the dangers involved, the traps that might be hidden within.
In any case, Galahad was his most important subordinate and also his best friend.
He had been helped by Galahad since the beginning of his journey.
It was with Galahad's help and support that he had come this far.
If only there were more time, maybe he could think of another way.
"...I didn't expect there to be hidden secrets in this..." Galahad said with a complicated tone. After Artorius told Galahad everything as it was, the young knight's expression mixed with surprise and awe.
"So, Galahad." Artorius placed a hand on his shoulder. "From the bottom of my heart, I don't want you to take the Holy Grail. Because I don't want you to die."
"You are my best friend and also my most exceptional knight. Moreover, you are younger than Sir Gawain and Sir Lancelot. You can accompany me for a longer time."
"Your Highness... this is exactly what I wanted to tell you."
"Just call me by my name, Galahad." Artorius looked at him gently and asked, "Galahad, do you have wishes or dreams?"
"Your Highness..."
"Remember what I said before, answer my question."
"Yes, I do."
Galahad's voice became resolute.
"...I want to save this world! Whether it's the Celts, the Germanic peoples, or the Romans—all the people living on this land—I want to save them all. I want to create a world without hunger, without war, without suffering. But if we use the Holy Grail to save Britain, what about the people beyond Britain? What about them? I don't want to abandon them! I want to save everyone!"
Galahad continued with more resolution.
"So, I have chosen to follow you rather than the King, Your Highness... I have always believed that you have the talent to rule. To achieve those goals, a strong nation and army are needed. We must use forceful means to unify everyone and establish a unified, authoritarian empire!"
As Galahad spoke, his eyes gleamed brightly.
"Without a doubt, Your Highness, you are that person—the one who can do it. Not the King of Knights, nor the Roman Emperor or any other barbarian leader. Among the people I know, only Your Highness possesses such charisma and ability. You can achieve peace through war and establish a unified entity that encompasses all the nations of Europe—a well-functioning and efficient nation. That's why I follow you, willing to sacrifice my life for you. You are the greatest."
"Galahad..." Artorius looked at Galahad with surprise.
His words were different from what Artorius had expected.
He wasn't blindly echoing others, nor did he adopt King Arthur's ideals and make 'saving Britain' his only task and mission.
"You will unify all of Europe! Bring together the Romans, Celts, Germanic peoples, Slavs, and others! Establish an empire that accommodates all the nations of Europe! A nation surpassing Rome! To ensure peace, order, and governance—yes, you can do it—you are justice. Your Highness's dreams are my dreams, that's why I want and decided to take the Holy Grail!"
At this point, Galahad kneeled before Artorius.
"I want to offer the Holy Grail to you. I hope to use the power of the Holy Grail to assist you in achieving your grand endeavor. We are not here to save Britain alone, but this era of suffering and all those who face setbacks."
"You..." Artorius was left speechless, his heart rarely shaken.
He was really wrong, he didn't expect Galahad to think like this. Is Galahad really this trusting and loyal to him, even more so than to King Arthur?
Galahad remained resolute.
"No one forced me into this decision, nor did anyone manipulate me. I have carefully considered everything, Your Highness."
Galahad continued.
"In fact, I am aware of the dangers hidden within the Holy Grail from the beginning. But at the same time, I can sense the power contained within it. Indeed, it is a power that can fulfill Your Highness's endeavor. That's why..."
After uttering these words, he turned decisively and headed toward the direction of the Holy Grail.
"Galahad?!"
"For you, I am willing to take this risk! It is worth it for me to venture into it!"
"Wait! Galahad!"
As Artorius called out, Galahad unhesitatingly pushed aside the person who was about to touch the Holy Grail with his hand. Before the person could protest or retaliate, Galahad swiftly knocked him to the ground with a punch.
"This risk is worth it!"
"Hold on, Galahad!"
"I will fulfill His Highness's dreams!"
Speaking such words, under the gaze of the onlookers, Galahad gripped the Holy Grail with both hands.
"I shall open the door to a new era—for His Highness!"
"Galahad!"
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