Bab 4: The Return of the King of Knights
Sirzechs Lucifer is known for many things. For the Devils, he is revered as Maou Lucifer, a good ruler and a Super Devil, one of the strongest beings alive. For his enemies, he is the Incarnation of Destruction, a monster that carved his way through the hellish conditions of the Devil Civil War on a road of ash and blood to reach where he is today. For his friends and family, he is a good son, father, husband, and friend. However, each group knows about a certain side of Sirzechs Lucifer, that if it is awoken, can pose danger to all life on the planet. It is the fact that...
Sirzechs Lucifer is a siscon.
And the only thing that is stopping Sirzechs Lucifer, the overly obsessive and protective brother of Rias Gremory, from currently becoming classified as a "Threat to Humanity," is not the calming hand of his wife and Queen, Grayfia, but the unassuming presence of the beautiful girl, no, woman in front of him.
Arturia Emiya, is someone that Rias often talked about in calls back home. A tall, athletic, and curvaceous blond woman, coming from a rich British family and, surprisingly, with a husband. Where unlike Rias who came to Kuoh trying to escape her future husband, Arturia came to Kuoh to learn more about the culture that her husband was raised in. She adapted very quickly to the culture and became quickly well loved by students and faculty alike for her mature and intelligent demeanor, as well as wisdom beyond her years. She gained a reputation for providing bits of advice and wisdom to people who sought her counsel, as well as providing a helping hand to those in need. A noble and regal knight in nature that earned her a nickname the Queen of Knights. Also, if Rias is to be believed, a friend to her and many of her peerage, as well as that of Sona's. That was all that Sirzechs really knew about the young adult, and all that he really cared to know. If Rias is happy having made a human friend that she could talk to, he is happy.
Now though, with the absolute disaster that occurred only 24 hours ago, he needs every infinitesimal scrap of information he can get on Arturia Emiya, or rather, Arturia PENDRAGON, to figure out HOW EXACTLY A PENDRAGON OF ALL THINGS GOT INTO THE SCHOOL UNNOTICED AND UNDETECED AND CLOSE TO HIS SISTER!
His aura flares and whips angrily out of him, a feeling of absolute destruction and decay wafting through the room, scaring the absolute hell out of just about everyone. Sona sitting to his left on the velvet couch starts paling and sweating bullets, frozen deathly still. Tsubaki, Sona's Queen and behind Sona, is also completely still and is clenching her fist so tight around her naginata, that it's turning white. Sona's various pieces behind her go into various different states, either adopting a similar look to their King or absolutely tremble in fear. On the other hand, maybe due to just recently being in a life or death combat situation or the large difference in battle experience compared to Sona and her peerage, Rias and her peerage, as well as the exorcists, act differently.
The two young exorcists, present on the newly added couch closest to the ORC room door, sit straighter and their faces tense, hands grasping for swords that aren't there, but still ready for a fight. Rias, face tense but cool as a cucumber, betrays little emotion of fear beyond the aura of destruction covering the hand clenched in her lap. Akeno, standing behind Rias, tries to remain cool as her King, but her tense posture and face, as well as the sparks dancing in her hand, give away her combat readiness. Little Koneko, standing behind Akeno with the rest of the peerage and face paler than a sheet, also gets into a combat stance and unknowingly awakens her Nekoshou traits, letting Senjutsu naturally run through her. Asia, the cute and demure bishop that Rias recently added to her peerage, shakes like a leaf in the wind, but summons her sacred gear nonetheless. Kiba silently awakens his sacred gear, sword now gripped in hand, ready to defend his King at any moment, if not also still slightly conflicted by the sight before him. Issei, Rias' newly acquired pawn and potential crush (he will have to vet the boy later, but he approves of his reaction), despite sweating bullets, also immediately activates his sacred gear silently and moves closer to his master. He would normally praise them for their immediate reaction and readiness towards a threat, but in this delicate situation and their their threat response being towards him, he could not, much to his hidden dismay and embarrassment.
He immediately reins his aura in after realizing his slip, to the relief of the majority in the room. Now faced with all sorts of emotions all across the room, the most painful is the sharp glare of his sister digging into the side of his face and her fingers pinching into his side, and the most actually painful is the mountain crushing grip of his frosty wife's hand digging into his shoulder. Despite all sorts of resentment hammering in the guilt of his mistake, he can't afford to placate them right now due to the source of his fervent emotions in front of him, simply raising an eyebrow to his actions before her focus returns back to the object on her lap.
On the opposite couch from him in the meeting space of the ORC room, is the one and only Arturia Pendragon. Dressed in a navy blue military uniform-dress and a white-blue cape draped over her shoulders (AN: See Heroic Spirit Formal Dress: Artoria Pendragon), she sits poised and collected, casually sipping the steaming tea with her left hand, while her right gently strokes the object of Kiba's confliction and reason of the exorcist's lack of swords in her lap. Acting like an affection-seeking puppy, is the almost completely reforged Excalibur trying to bury itself in Arturia's lap.
Arturia, nonplussed of the Excalibur situation or the chaotic mess the Devils and exorcists, just strokes the blade without a care in the world and the sword even seemingly seeking her touch. Kiba looks upon the absurd scene, seemingly both annoyed and bewildered, which makes sense given his past history with the Excaliburs. The exorcists on the other hand, are looking at Arturia with awe, like they are seeing the second coming of their lord and savior. Sirzechs himself is admittedly bemused at their expressions, but he doesn't show it due to how on guard his entire body is.
Arturia Pendragon doesn't show any traits becoming of anything but a normal human. If he didn't know that she absolutely massacred the Angel of the Stars, he would have brushed her off just like any other devil would a normal human. However, she did singlehandedly defeat the Angel of the Stars and that is concerning. The Top 10 list is less like a list of the Top 10 strongest beings in the supernatural, and more like tiers/classifications that group beings at the peak of the supernatural together. While the Angel of the Stars doesn't come close in strength to the likes of himself, he is still a cadre-class Fallen Angel, ranking at number 10 in the Top 10. Sirzechs himself is ranked at number 6. At his level of strength, even if someone had complete mastery in controlling/hiding their aura, he would be able to tell the relative strength of the person...unless they are equal or above him in strength. The fact that he cannot see the scope of Arturia Pendragon's strength, means that, somehow, she is equal or--more concerningly--above him in strength. That fact alone necessitates he investigate and uncover everything about the threat before him.
He remembers meeting her for the first time in the aftermath of the battlefield yesterday.
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A distressed Sirzechs Lucifer rushes from the teleportation circle, alongside his wife and Queen, Grayfia Lucifege, and fellow Satan, Serafall Leviathan, to the ruined landscape of the once beautiful Kuoh Academy.
He was in a late night meeting with the other Satans when he and Serafall received a distress call from Serafall's sister and Rias' friend, Sona, out of nowhere. She was on the verge of tears and incredibly relieved to finally be able to reach them both, saying that the academy had been attacked by Kokabiel, the Angel of the Stars, and that Rias and her were in danger. She said that Rias and her peerage, as well as some allied exorcists, were holding off Kokabiel, while she and her peerage was to maintain the barrier around the school. Communications were cut and she couldn't help Rias unless the spectacle be seen by the entire city. She was able to eventually reach them through Kokabiel's interference, because a large explosion of light shattered both the barrier that she put up to keep the fight hidden as well as whatever barrier was interfering with communication. Sona, at this point fully crying, said that she didn't know what happened and that everything is silent, and she could barely muster the energy to call them, lest even move a finger to know if Rias and her peerage were okay. Pleading for them to come help, the call ended due to Sona likely passing out from fatigue, though she didn't really need to worry, as the moment Sona's trembling voice was heard through the communication circle, all four Satan's were on the move, getting ready for action, including even the lazy Falbium.
Falbium was barking orders on multiple communication circles notifying the relevant armies to begin mobilizing, Ajuka started reaching out to the other faction leaders to notify them of what was going on, meanwhile Serafall and himself were getting ready to make the necessary preparations to go guns blazing into Kuoh, the moment Sona finished explaining. As soon as the call ended, Grayfia had already arrived, and the three of them were midway teleporting to Kuoh.
This all leading to now, with them face to face with the desolate landscape of Kuoh; no sign of Kokabiel and the unmoving bodies of Rias and her peerage resting together in a makeshift infirmary.
"RIAS!" He screams, blitzing to the infirmary to be by Rias' side, only to almost get his head cut off the shining lance directed towards his throat.
"I don't know who the HELL you think you are." He growls from his throat, batting away the lance with his hand--not noticing or caring that the light didn't burn him--and facing his assailant. "But if you dare stop me from seeing my sister, you'll know why I earned the Lucifer title."
His assailant, a blond, young woman, armored to the teeth and pointing the large, luminescent lance at his throat, relaxes, lowering the lance and turning away back to the infirmary without a word. Sirzechs, too distressed to care about the mysterious woman, launches to the side of Rias without a second thought. Grayfia follows close behind him as Serafall darts towards the last location Sona was seen.
Rias is fortunately just unconscious, but that's all that he could really say is fortunate about her state. She is completely battered, clothes ripped and torn, bruises covering her arms and legs, multiple bandaged cuts and third-degree burns, broken rips, and severe mana depletion. Rias' peerage is in a similar state to her, with her new pawn in the worst state out of all of them, having shaved off some of his lifespan, while not much to a devil, it shows how desperate their situation was.
While he was watching over his exhausted sister, the blond woman returned--lance now on her back-- bandages, cloths, and ointments in hand. As she heads over to side of Issei Hyoudou, Grayfia moves to intercept, but piercing emerald eyes stop her.
"I understand that you are suspicious and concerned," She states firmly. "As I would expect you to be. However, if I truly wanted to harm anyone here, we wouldn't be having this conversation."
With that, the woman moves towards the pawn's bedside and starts changing his bandages. Grayfia tries to relent, but Sirzechs stops her by grabbing her hand and shaking his head. The mysterious woman was right and there is no point in starting a conflict here. Of course he is still cautious of the woman, but a helpful unknown, is better than a complete unknown. Even then, who--an unassuming human even--would dare start something in front of the Maou Lucifer?
As the silence returns over the former battlefield, an immense presence makes itself known and the hefty clunk of something landing kicks up dirt in the air.
His eyes dart over to the source, a figure clad in white and blue armor with two glittering wings protruding from their back. He recognizes who this is without even having to ask.
"Why are you here, White Dragon Emperor?" He states calmly, but ready at any moment to move.
"The dusty old crow sent me to retrieve the warmonger." The voice--now revealed to belong to a man--responds, his scoff echoing through his armor. "Though it looks like he wasted my time. Fight's over before I even got here. Shitty ass old man."
He pauses, gesturing to the empty battlefield.
"Given how empty it is, guessing that waste of space of a Fallen Angel is dead. That your doing, Lucifer? I'm surprised you had in ya, with how dull these peaceful days are. Makes me want to see how rusty you really are."
The Heavenly Dragon of Supremacy's aura grows thicker, seemingly trying to goad a reaction out of Sirzechs, but his stoic facade stays.
"Unfortunately not." Sirzech says, answering two questions. "This is the scene I arrived to not long before you, and frankly I could care less about the state the Angel of the Stars is in."
"Shame." The man says disappointed for all the wrong reasons, aura and figure visibly relaxing. "Still, the old man's gonna bitch and groan at me if I come back empty handed. Who did war-for-brains in?"
"I believe I can answer that question." The blond woman says, breaking into the conversation, directing the White Dragon Emperor and his attention to the previously silent woman. She gets up from her spot and heads over to the armored figure, extending out a hand grasping a long black feather.
The action gets a reaction out of both of them, the mysterious woman's threat level rising several levels in his mind, any arrogance Sirzechs had towards the woman gone, as well as the draconic pressure rising once again.
"Oh?" The White Dragon Emperor exclaims seemingly pleasantly surprised at the revelation. "A random human did that old mongrel in?"
The woman doesn't skip a beat, still holding the feather out to the armored man. Sirzechs could almost see the excitement start to rise from the figure as he looks the woman up and down.
"Maybe coming here wasn't such a waste of time after all." He says, voice tinged with glee, seemingly getting ready to pounce.
Before the White Dragon Emperor, himself, or even himself and Grayfia could react, a new voice stops everyone with words in a deep and resonating timbre.
"Calm yourself, Vali." The sapphire jewels within the white armor glow, revealing the voice of the true Heavenly Dragon of Supremacy echoing from within. "She is not an opponent you can win against."
"You saying that makes me want to fight her even more Albion." The man--now revealed as Vali--says, battlelust prevalent for all to see.
"I'm serious Vali." Albion says with an ironclad sternness. "You will not live if you fight her. I do not want my strongest host dying before we can settle things with Ddraig and his host."
Vali, seemingly shocked by Albion's tone, completely stills, likely talking with the dragon in his head. After a brief moment, Vali tsks and returns his armored gaze back to the woman before him, taking the feather from her.
"What a waste of time." Vali says, frustration seeping into his tone. "I don't even get to fight and that shitty crow is going to nag the hell out of me."
Vali turns to take a step to leave, before stopping and gazing back at the woman one more time.
"What's your name, woman?" He asks.
"Arturia Emiya." The woman replies evenly. "Though, I was once called Arturia Pendragon."
The reveal shocks Sirzechs, but it seemingly shocks Vali even more so; though the shock doesn't last long as laughter echoes throughout the armor.
"Pendragon?" Vali says, shaking with laughter. "Wait till four-eyes hears about this!"
He laughs for a bit longer, before calming down and facing the newly revealed Pendragon and himself, glittering wings glowing brighter.
"Then, Arturia Pendragon, we shall meet again." He says--all frustration seemingly gone and replaced with joy--before turning back to him. "Oh yeah Lucifer, make sure my rival knows to be awake and much stronger when I meet him again. No rival of mine will remain a weakling."
With those parting remarks, the White Dragon Emperor takes off, disappearing into the night sky and breaking the sound barrier as he does it.
Unperturbed, Arturia Emiya, or rather, Arturia Pendragon, just strolls back to the side of Issei Hyoudou and continues her work, all the while, his mind works at lightspeed to process all the information that was just revealed.
He internally groans and starts to rub his head, now fully realizing the mountain of paperwork in his immediate future.
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And paperwork there was for him, but that's beside the point.
Sirzechs sighs and coughs to regain the attention of the room, having had enough of the absurdity and chaos, wanting to get back to the matter at hand.
"Arturia Avalon Emiya or Arturia Avalon Pendragon." Sirzechs declares, as if reciting information of a docket. "Heiress to one of the largest corporations in the human world, Avalon Industries, as well as a far distant relative of the main branch of the Pendragon Family. After the death of her parents, she came to Japan to escape the media and pressures of being the next CEO of her family's company, and finish her schooling until she could take up her duties as acting CEO. Engaged to one missing Shirou Emiya, you adopted his surname and used him as an excuse to hide your identity as one of the most influential people in the human world. Despite having roots from the Pendragon Family, neither her parents or Arturia Pendragon have ties to the supernatural."
Arturia simply nods her head at the information, stoic and calm visage completely unchanged despite having her entire life story read out in front of her, where even the reincarnated humans amongst the peerages are reacting to the news.
Avalon Industries is quite the renowned corporation, even in the supernatural word, dipping into various sectors of the economy and always innovating cutting edge technology. Nearly all of the smart phones that the modern Devils use are Avalon Industries models, due to their ahead-of-the-current-market technological prowess and surprising compatibility with magic. In fact, nearly every faction in the Supernatural utilize some form of product or service provided by Avalon Industries, due to how effective their products/services are. Despite this influence, suspiciously, a lot of the supernatural couldn't care about a puny human company or wouldn't interact with it due to the secrecy pact. Even the supernatural eyes that are on the company due to their massive influence and innovation, unlike seen in any other human company, show little evidence of interfering with the company. Ajuka Beelzebub, is one such example, who is incredibly interested in the research and development behind the company, yet has never made an attempt to reach out.
Sirzechs, for one, also never questioned the growing rise/presence of the company and used their products and services occasionally. Until looking into it as a means to find out more on Arturia Pendragon, the company would never have crossed his radar, making the company, and especially Arturia Pendragon all the more suspicious.
"So how then," Sirzechs presses on. "Despite zero evidence of ties to the supernatural, do you Arturia Pendragon know about the supernatural and possess enough strength to fell the Angel of the Stars, a cadre class Fallen Angel, all while remaining undetected? Furthermore, how does one human company become so influential in the supernatural world without directing questions and investigations towards itself? What say you on that acclaimed 'King of Knights'?"
Sirzechs lets the questions stew in the room, as he leans back into the couch with his arms crossed. Silence persists for a while, as the entire room watches Arturia pick up her cup of tea once again and take a sip, demeanor not changing at all before she answers.
"You've certainly done your research, Lord Lucifer." Arturia says calmly and poised, her voice strong and smooth as silk. "While the nature of your questions are understandably valid, I must answer with a question of my own."
The air around her seemingly shifts in a way that only Sirzechs could notice, putting him on guard.
"For what reason should I answer your questions, 'Apollyon of the Civil War'?" She questions back, voice tinted with a slight edge. Though the tone is not the cause of his eyes and Grayfia's widening or the confusion of the younger devils and exorcists, but rather the name the Pendragon called him.
It's no hidden secret that the Devil Civil War was a horrific and bloody affair that resulted in the already dwindling Devil population to shrink even further. However, the larger details of the war were swept under the rug in order to give the new Devil regime a cleaner reputation. Of course, if anyone bothered to look, the information of the war would be there, but no Devil alive at that time wanted to relive the tragedy and trauma of the Civil War, so a lot of the details passed with time, the wartime reputations and nicknames of the new Satans included.
Falbium Asmodeus, now known for his Absolute Defense, was once known for his crushing physical strength, beyond the physical strength of even himself. His absolute strength and defense earned himself the nickname of "The Juggernaut," for pulverizing enemies into bloody mist with a single punch and tanking any blow completely unfazed, tearing paths through armies just walking. The trauma of the lives Falbium had to take with his own two hands turned him to a life of laziness and resolve so that he never makes a fist again. Despite his strength, he still took the least number of lives amongst the four Satans.
Ajuka Beelzebub, now known for his incredible genius and magical prowess that is directed towards revolutionizing Devil Society, previously directed that same prowess towards the sole purpose of killing his enemies. He earned the nickname "Frankenstein," after the mad scientist that played with life, for using his Kankara Formula to engineer countless magical spells, poisons, and diseases with the sole purpose of killing as many enemy devils as possible. He released his creations not only on the front lines, but in enemy camps, supplies, and even prisoners. Although he killed the second least amount amongst the Satans during the war, arguably he has an even larger kill-count due to the devastating after-effects his creations have wrought after the war. It's why he's so particular in helping Devil society as much as he can and is absolutely zealous in recovering any King Pieces out there, due to the guilt and trauma of knowing how much suffering his creations have caused and still cause to this day.
Serafall Leviathan, now known for her cheery and up-beat personality and incredible Ice Magic, did not hold the same disposition for the war. Serafall's specialty was not Ice Magic back then, but rather the Sitri Clan specialty, Water Magic. She had such a mastery with Water Magic that she could control water on a molecular level, that with a snap of her fingers she could explode the bodies of an entire army in an instant. Her Ice Magic was not entirely inferior either, with what is now called "The North" in the Underworld, being a result of her turning the previous lands of fire and brimstone into a frozen and almost inhabitable wasteland. Her downright terrifying power with water and ice and her frigid-cold demeanor is what earned her the nickname of "The Leviathan of Blood," ironically shooing her in for the position of Leviathan after the war despite her dismay. Serafall arguably was the most affected from her actions in the war, killing the second largest amount of Devils in the war amongst the Satans. After the war, she refused to ever use Water Magic again and covered her pain in the cheery disposition she shows now, her Ice Magic the only thing that remained the same of the Serafall in the war.
Then there is of course, himself, Sirzechs Lucifer, known for his Power of Destruction now and known for it back then, although much more for the atrocities he committed with it. Of the total number of casualties in the Devil Civil War, Sirzechs was the cause of 30% of them. Despite what the stories say lauding him as a Hero, he was more like a monster reflective of the original Satans themselves. Wherever he walked, blood, dust, and ash followed. He would leave mountains of dust made from enemies slain in his wake, eventually turning into the deserts seen around the Underworld today. He killed more enemies than there were allied casualties made by the entire Old Satan Faction combined. This earned him the nickname "Apollyon," a name meaning "Destroyer" in Greek. Although he despises the nickname, just as much as the other Satans do theirs, Sirzechs does not hold the same amount of guilt for his actions in the war as the other Satans. Although he regrets having to resort to such methods to achieve peace, he would let "Apollyon" out again and again, if it meant building an Underworld where Rias could live happily.
Though back to the matter at hand, the use of that nickname wasn't just to bring up Sirzech's old dirty laundry. It was used to show that Arturia Pendragon knows just as much of him as he does her, if not even more, and possibly who knows what other information. It was a flex of power to show that she does not only possess strength equivalent or superior to his, but influence and information equivalent or beyond his as well. The question shut him down in his tracks and made him clench his teeth in frustration.
Arturia Pendragon is not in a weaker position to where Sirzechs can demand answers from her. She will not be cowed by strength or threats, she is not lacking in information and influence, in fact, he is in a position beholden to her. She not only stopped a new Great War from breaking out, but also saved the lives of his beloved Sister and her friend, as well as their peerages. Her casual demeanor only makes it worse, making it seem like this entire scenario is barely any effort at all.
He can tell that doing the typical political song and dance is not going to cut it with her, so he swallows his pride and bows his head to her, shocking everyone except Arturia herself, a little glint in appearing in her eyes.
"You're right, Ms. Emiya." He says acknowledging and resigned. "You have no reason to answer my questions, nor shall I try to force you to either."
He raises his head and meets her glimmering, emerald eyes.
"I owe you a great debt for saving my one and only sister." He says, truly grateful, his gaze softening as his eyes drift over to his beloved sister besides him. "If I lost her that day...I...I don't know what I'd do."
He looks back to the woman in front of him, the resolved eyes of Sirzechs Gremory, brother to Rias Gremory, taking place of the eyes of Sirzechs Lucifer, the Maou.
"Name one wish." He says, resolute. "Name one wish, and I will do everything in my power as Sirzechs Gremory and the Maou Lucifer to fulfill it. It is the least I can do and it should have been the first thing I offered to you instead of interrogation."
Silence fills the room, as Arturia and Sirzechs stare each other down. A turbulent storm of emotions brew in the onlookers, nervous looks shifting between the impassioned Lucifer and the neutral Pendragon. The tension is broken as a small smile makes its way onto Arturia's once stoic face.
"Very well, Satan Lucifer." Arturia says warmly. "You have done well enough to prove your sincerity to me, so let us not be so tense."
The entire room visibly relaxes with those words, smiles gracing everyone's features and Rias letting out a sigh of relief.
"Thank you for your kindness, Ms. Pendragon." Sirzech replies and to which Arturia nods her head.
"As for the matter at hand, I will say this." She says, her seriousness returning and tension filling the room once again.
The Maou Lucifer returns to the eyes of Sirzechs as he nods his head for her to continue.
"While this has been mostly pleasant, and the tea has been quite lovely, Akeno." She says evenly and nodding to the Yamato Nadeshiko. "I rather settle these affairs now, so that I am not consistently bothered by matters I couldn't care less for."
She pauses to take a sip of her tea, before continuing.
"First things first, I will confirm that everything you have said, Maou Lucifer is true and that my reasoning to stay here a peaceful one." She says, confirming the Satan's information. "As for the rest, there is little I will say on that matter beyond what I've shown on the battlefield and what I will say in relation to this next matter."
She directs her attention to the two exorcists.
"I imagine that your presence here is to not only to find out more information, but also to collect the reforged sword." She looks to the exorcists for confirmation, to which the nervous exorcists nod. "While I would be more than happy to return the sword to the Church, as you can see, it is quite adamant on its refusal to leave my side."
All eyes turn to the sword almost glued to Arturia's lap.
"So, I hope it is not to much of an issue, that I request for the sword to remain with me for the time being." Arturia says, slightly bowing her head to the two.
"Please raise your head Pendragon-san!" Irina says bashfully, rubbing the back of her head. "We understand that it is not your fault and I know that you're a good person that will protect and not use the Excalibur fragments for evil purposes. Plus, I don't think either of us could take it off you if we tried, tee-hee~."
"That's great then." Arturia says, smiling warmly.
"Though, do you happen to know why the fragments are acting this way?" Irina asks curiously. "The Excalibur fragments have never responded like this in front of any user capable of wielding holy swords, even with members possessing potent blood of the Pendragon family."
Arturia's warm smile changes to a knowing one, a nostalgic look in her eyes as she gazes at the sword in her lap.
"In fact I do, and it's related to the last thing I shall say here." She says, as her hand gently brushes over the sword.
"There is a misconception, that I would like to clear up." She says, after a pause. "These shattered fragments that you say are the fractured pieces of Excalibur, do not belong to Excalibur at all."
Many emotions rise in response to that revelation, but a few attempt to speak up in confusion, only to silence themselves as Arturia continues.
"Excalibur, is the Sword of Promised Victory. It is the Last Phantasm of the Planet to protect the world from all foreign threats. It is the crystallized hopes and wishes of mankind that bring about glory, and cannot be shattered by any means."
She grasps the handle of the sword and raises it from her lap, emerald eyes gliding over the gold and blue ornamentation on the guard.
"The matter alone tells me that this is not Excalibur." She says nostalgically, something Sirzechs, Grayfia, Rias, and Sona pick up on.
"How can you be so sure?" Xenovia--although uncertain on her current feelings towards the Church--asks skeptically of the information commonly known throughout the clergy.
Arturia's smile gains an unknown emotion towards it, almost looking bittersweet.
"I'm sure that this is the case, because Excalibur does not choose it's wielder, as any human wield Excalibur to save the world." She says, and with each passing word, a regal and heroic aura grows around her. "I'm sure, because Excalibur did not shatter in the hands of the King, while another one did."
The sword glows brighter in recognition of Arturia's words.
"I'm sure, because I watched it shatter in my hands." She says, her words gaining more weight. "Because I can hear it calling to me, as it did all those years ago in my youth from within the stone."
No one can say a word, completely immersed in the declaration before them.
"I know because it is the sword of the Once and Future King of Britain."
"I know because it is the sword of the King of Knights."
"I know because it is the Sword in the Stone, the Sword of Selection."
"I know, because this is MY sword." Arturia declares, the sword resonating in her grasp excitedly.
She plants the sword face down in front of her, standing proudly to the awed audience.
"It is Caliburn. The sword of I, King Arturia Pendragon, the Once and Future King of Britain and the King of Knights."
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To be continued....
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AN: Welcome to the end of the chapter!
This chapter was both interesting and difficult to write. I wrote it from the perspective of Sirzechs, because I wanted to try my hand at writing someone not of the main cast and who did not get a lot of development in canon, so I tried my best to see if I could display the complex devil leader and siscon he is/should be.
As for the contents of this chapter, as the name and ending imply, Arturia's true identity has been revealed to the main cast, and will reach out into the larger supernatural world. If you're wondering why I decided to go this route instead of holding onto the reveal for later, there's a couple reasons.
Arturia needs to get her name out there and accumulate more fame, something that we will get into next chapter. Nevertheless, her initial feat of beating Kokabiel was a good start, but by revealing her identity as the true King Arthur, it will cause an even greater buzz within the supernatural world. Think about it. Whether people believe Arturia is truly King Arthur or not, she poses an impossible conundrum, because those who know of the DxD King Arthur, know that she is not King Arthur, yet at the same time, she possesses the qualities of King Arthur that are not related from being an incarnation/descendant. She'll be an object of mystery and curiosity and we all know how the supernatural tends to be with things like that.
Before I wrap this up, I saw a couple questions and comments pop up that I should probably address.
This is a Saber x Shirou fanfiction. Arturia's entire reason to be in DxD is to actively try and make it easier for the man to find her. That's why I married them together, because one, it's hilarious, and two, Arturia will not get together with anyone from DxD, only Shirou. Of course people will try and woo her, but with no success.
Another thing is this DxD is NOT like canon DxD. I changed many things around about the world of DxD, either to merge it with some Nasuverse elements, keep consistency, deepen the world, or because I liked some ideas and wanted to add them. On a larger scheme of things, DxD shouldn't change too much, and I will endeavor to keep it that way, but elements of DxD still have changed for this story. So do not expect a 100% canon DxD here.
Besides that, I hope y'all enjoyed the chapter, and I'll see you in the next one!
Peace!
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