Magic, Baby! Magic! (FateNasu - Artoria Pendragon SI Chapter 9)

I wanted to be a knight. To gain fame and recognition of my own merit.

At least that's what I told my father when I left our home. In truth, I just wanted to find a worthy lord. Someone noble that truly wanted to protect this realm, and bring peace to it. Throughout my travels, none of the lords I've met felt genuine. They seemed far more worried about their wealth than the people.

I heard tales of a young king, one that's even a few years younger than me, yet he claim to be King Uther's hidden son. Even more he proved his prowess by slaying the evil giant, King Rience. A ruthless king who would slay men to eat them, demand maidens as a monthly tribute, and...collect the beards of kings, as a decoration. Truly awful and wicked.

I went to Northgalis to see this "Arthur" for myself. Volunteered for his army that's heading to fight the Picts that for some reason gathered at the Isle of Man. All four chieftains were there. No one knew why they would take such risky action, but King Arthur saw it as an opportunity that couldn't be ignored.

And as for my experiences at Castle Aravius and the king thus far, well...

"Is...is that a dragon?" I stared in shock at what I'm seeing. What on earth...how on earth...why on earth is there a dragon in the stables? And how are any of the other horses still around? Wouldn't it eat them?

Yet, the horses were docile, so the dragon is safe? Or is it that they are too scared to move?

"H-Hey," I stopped one of the other troops passing by. "Am I...seeing that?"

"That's a dragon, yes." He answered with resigned tone, as if he had been asked that question many times. "It's his majesty's horse. Yes, I know what I said. No I'm not going to explain it again." And then he turned and left.

I turned to look at the dragon one more time, just perplexed by it's passivity.

"This is...kinda disturbing. It's definitely amazing, but disturbing." I found myself saying.

"You think so?"

A voice that was filled with energy yet kindness came from next to me. Yet, that lively voice held a sense of regal and beauty to it, and as I turned to see them, just as the impression I got from their voice, they were beautiful and awe inspiring as well.

I have heard tales of him thus far. Only seen glimpses around the castle, but here he stood next to me in the stables. King Arthur, emerald eyes and golden hair as people tended to describe. I shook the feeling that maybe the stories I've heard about him, have influenced my first impression before I actually had it.

"Hmm, maybe I should get Merlin to make something to turn him into a horse, so it doesn't scare people." He rubbed his chin in contemplation.

"Y-Your majesty!" I went to kneel, only for him to gently but firmly grab my arm.

"Relax, we're not in a formal setting. And I literally can't have every single person kneel when they see me, every single time. We're never gonna get things done that way."

"B-But-"

"I told you, I'm alone without anything important happening. I don't mind it right now." He waved me off. Arthur looked at my uniform, noting the markings designate me as one of the volunteer soldiers. "You're not a conscript?"

"I wished to be of service in the coming battle against the Picts, your majesty." I informed him.

"Hmm," the way he was looking at me now, almost seemed like he was undressing me. I knew I was handsome, but I hoped this king wouldn't think of me based on my looks, but my actions. I wanted to be a knight someday, not some royal bedwarmer. "Work on your stance more. Always keep your balance ready even in a peaceful setting."

"M-My lord?" I found myself taken back by his words.

"Also," he lightly slapped my bicep, which to my embarrassment was soft looking. Not because I don't train. That's just how my arm looked. "Eat some meat and work on your arm training."

"Y-yes, my lord!" I saluted, to which the king chuckled, and walked away calling for his court mage.

To my shame the thing I recall most from my first meeting with King Arthur, was his child-like laugh, that chimed in a way that warmed the heart.

"New guy." Called one of the Army Officers.

"Yes, Captain." I answered.

"Take one of the cow and place it in the Beast's pen."

"Captain?"

"Also don't stay around to watch." I said dismissively and left.

I blinked a few times, looking the other trainees for explanations. All I got were direction and people with dead eyes telling me: "No, seriously. Don't stay and watch."

I did as instructed, taking one of the cows and went to the place I was told about.

I found a...small rabbit...squirrel? thing. The cow began to violently fight me now, and it took some effort to tie it to a pole in the pen.

"Fou."

...Was I mistaken or was that rabbit dismissing me?

I turned to walked away as many advised, the cow mooing loudly, when a sudden crunch rang out.

I should have kept going. I really should have, but my curiosity won out.

I looked back.

I shouldn't have looked back.

Later on as I stumbled from that special designated pen, I walked with wide-eyes, thinking of how horrifying life can be. How vicious it is in snapping away life so easily and quickly.

"You looked back, didn't you?" Said one of the other trainees when I returned. He recognized the look on my face. He patted my shoulder sympathetically. "Don't worry, brother. It gets easier."

He hugged me and I hugged him back.

"Oh for fuck's sake," Sir Kay who had been making the rounds on the training fields, said as he passed by. "You're all being melodramatic like maiden fainting at the sight of blood. Have none of you ever seen wild animals killing each other before!"

"It wasn't a cute rabbit that did it." Argued one of the braver, or maybe traumatized trainees.

"Well let thay be a lesson to you. Also hold constant vigilance, even against the most innocent looking creatures!"

For four months we trained vigorously. One of the army leaders, the knights Sir Kay and Sir Ector have trained us until we bled, until we have broken bones.

But then the king had ensured his mage would heal us up, giving us magic beds of some sort, that with a night's rest we would wake up refreshed and at full health. All damage fixed up.

The king said it meant we could train as harsh as the knights wished, to get us up to his standards as quickly as possible, without too many days off.

Some immediately wanted to quit, which surprisingly, King Arthur granted.

However looking at my comrades at my side now, I could feel we are better for it. We were more firm, more discipline, and more than ready to endure whatever came next.

Naval training was equally as hard, but the king wanted us to be ready should the Pict have taken completely control of the Isle of Man, requiring a protracted battle to take the shores.

"You seem to be in a good mood." Merlin had said to Arthur while they were on the flagship sailing.

"I won ten bouts with Friedy." Arthur smiled and it seemed to just cheer up the people around him that saw him. "Straight, no breaks in the streak."

"...Okay, that is actually impressive." Merlin nodding, looking taken aback a bit.

I have no idea who 'Friedy' was, but he must be a powerful warrior for the king to praise him so.

All too soon we arrived. The ships have surrounded the isle, but on the king's order, they were stopped from taking the empty beaches.

"Your hunch is right, sire." The court mage said from next to Arthur. "It seems they have made the island there. There are no longer any living Britons there. Only the Picts."

Arthur clicked his tongue.

"Sire, we must do something. we must pay them back for the blood on their hands." Shouted one of the Castle Aravius' knights.

"Hold your tongue!" Shouted Sir Kay. "Whom do you think you're speaking to?"

"I-I-I didn't mean anything by it, Sir K-"

"Enough." The king's demeanor was different to his usual jolly attitude. There was a seriousness there, that while unexpected, reassured the men and removed any panic.

The king then put his index and thumb in his mouth and whistled. One of the doors to the lower deck slammed open, as a horse fully equipped came running out. It was Llamrei. Arthur's horse. Which was a dragon. That served as his horse.

The king had peculiarities, but it was better than most.

"Fou, can you add anything?" The king asked his rabbit-squirrel thing. I wished he would stop doing that, it made him seem like a mad man.

"Fou, fu fu fou, kyu fou." It made noises and some odd gestures with it's paws.

"Hmm," Arthur nodded, then brought his hand up and called his magic. "Form a line!" He commanded, and all the present combat ready men did as ordered.

Magic. It wasn't something new to me to witness, but somehow seeing a king openly use it, and without any care for secrecy was...odd but not in an unpleasant way. It was refreshing to witness a king who had nothing to hide.

Arthur extended his arm out, and a ray of light shoot of it. Before us was a glowing wall of blue light. Like a sheet of water standing before it.

"Walk through it. Those of you that can do so without any problems will be joining the attacking force, the rest will man the ships, and make landfall once the battle is over." Arthur ordered.

Some hesitated, I didn't.

I walked through the magic wall, feeling an odd pressure as if the air was heavier somehow, but beyond that I was able to move and act fine. Others were the same, just a shake of their head, and they were focused, and right as rain.

Some however fell to their knees, and others seemed like they were sudden sea sick.

"Alright, those of you that passed, get ready. Go get the boats to make land." Arthur order and we moved.

"You made the concentration higher than on the island." Merlin commented.

"Better that they can handle something tougher, so they wouldn't be overtaken by any unexpected changes on the isle." Said Arthur. "Go make the same test to the rest of the ships." Merlin sighed, something about 'slave drivers' and 'this is revenge isn't it' and disappeared in a flurry of flowers.

"Arthur," Sir Kay spoke up. "If what Merlin said is right, very few of the men couldn't actually make it pass the wall of that test. We would have much more if we also get the ones who actually did. Heck, I'm pretty sure some faked their illness."

"A good commander doesn't waste his men's lives, nor does he put them in danger that brings no merits. If I'm going to have them fight and die for me, then at the very least I won't put them in a situation with absolute zero chance of survival. And right there," he pointed with his blade at the Isle of Man. "Is a land that's the same as the Fae Realm. SO I as sure as fuck I'm not going to bring people that will just die the moment they set foot on it."

There were some mutters of worry and surprise from the soldiers. And there were others like me who were moved by the care the king showed for his people. I couldn't help but smile.

Maybe he is the real Arthur Pendragon. In my heart I really wished so.

"Now then," then the king got up on his horse. Who is the transformed dragon with a glowing bridle. That is never gonna stop being weird. "Try and hurry up, okay? I'll try to leave some of the Picts for you to fight and say you contributed, but honestly no promises." Arthur grinned in his usual devil may care, and commanded his horse to run.

I and the rest of the soldiers didn't quite catch on to what he meant right away.

"Wha!? Wait, Arthur! Don't you dare-" The king rode Llamrei and jump overboard, in shock we ran to the port side, only for the horse to transform into a dragon and fly up and away toward the Isle of Man. "That crazy, insane, daughter-sunnva-" Sir Kay seemed unable to rant from too many curses wanting to fly from his mouth at once. "ALL OF YOU! THE FUCK ARE YOU LOT WAITING FOR! THE KING WENT TO FIGHT! STOP DANCING IN YOUR MOTHERS' SKIRTS, AND GET THE DAMN ROWING BOATS ALREADY!"

We ran in panic to catch up to the king.

The air on the Isle of Man was heavy like the king warned us, but it was much, much less pronounced than his test was.

There was an eerie feeling as we marched inland, it was as if there were eyes upon us with every move we did. There were strange drawings on almost every surface, and building we passed by. Drawing of circles connected by lines, that are known for the Picts to make. Yet I found it even on individual leaves.

Who the hell would take the time to do that? Are they trying to mark the land? Is that what the wizard meant by making the land they conquer part of their realm?

I shook my head, ignoring the useless questions to focus on what's important. Reaching the king.

Along with my squad, and the rest of the army, we eventually did so.

I always knew King Arthur was strong. I understood that fact, given that even the biggest of men couldn't beat him, even in training, or the practice duels, no matter the advantages the king gave his opponents.

And some of those handicaps were embarrassing. Seriously, losing to a small looking five foot nothing boy with both hands behind his back, was just devastating to one's pride. Everyone begged the king to just spar with them normally after that.

Thus seeing Arthur mowing down Pict soldiers with his legendary Heracles Sword, like a farmer reaping his harvest shouldn't be shocking.

It took an hour for the boats to land and for us to reach the king, by then the town used as a base he was passed by was in ruins, on fire, and Circinn, one of the Pict Chieftains was dead. I knew it was a chieftain because they were the only ones with actual armor. Even if theirs was odd and sparse.

We reached Arthur only to find him swinging Marmyadose, shining with blazing fire in a circle around him. The enemies weren't sliced, but rather exploded in flames leaving only burned skeletons behind. Also I was sure one of them was another Pict Chieftain, but I wasn't sure which one.

Arthur looked at his blade in disappointment for some reason, clicked his tongue, then took one of the spears laying by, and dash forward using a weapon in each hand.

Even if I and others didn't get to see the power of the Heracles Sword again, it was still awe inspiring to watch him wield that giant sword with ease, one-handedly.

"COME ON YOU GOD DAMN LAZY FUCKS! ARE YOU GONNA LET HIS MAJESTY DO ALL THE WORK!? WHAT GOOD ARE YOU THEN!" Shouted Sir Kay whose voice boom as he was now as tall as a castle tower.

It made many of us rush to fight the enemy viciously, so as not to incur the wrath of our now giant leader, and former combat instructor. At least I hope former.

The king once jokingly said to have Sir Kay spar with us in his giant form, and that any who won would be knighted on the spot.

"HA HA! You're not the only one motivated Sir Kay, for I the Knight of the Sun won't fall behind!" Shouted Sir Gawain, his blade shining like the evening sun.

Sir Agravain and Sir Gawain had stayed behind, when King Lot and his wife, the Lady Morgan, had left. They had wished to aid Arthur in his efforts to fight the Picts and liberate the Isle of Man. It seems like Lady Morgan does care for her brother, adding to the validity of Arthur being the real son of Uther. Although knowing nobility, it is likely that Arthur will have to support King Lot in something later on.

Sir Kay crushed Fortrenn Pict Chieftain underfoot, and Sir Gawain slayed Fife, the last Pict Chieftain. Fife body fell into two pieces, the halves smoking from the heat of Sir Gawain's blade. The body turn gray like it was made of metal and rock.

Which meant the the other chieftain Arthur slayed was Atholl.

Only the Grand Chieftain Galem was left.

It took six hours of combat and rest to retake most of the island. Only the center was left.

However once we reach it, we were greeted with the oddest of structures.

It was a glowing tower bursting with magic. It seemed to hold the sky itself in its grasp.

"Arthur, we need to destroy that immediately." Merlin appeared next to the king with a look of worry. "That thing is acting like some kind of amplifier. No," he paused. "Not just that, it will expand the boundary of their realm, allowing them to claim any matter within it to convert without direct connection."

I didn't understand what the wizard was saying, but given the look on Arthur's face, I understood it was ominous enough.

The Grand Chieftain of the Picts, Galem, started speaking in a sound that King Arthur once described as 'Mongolian throat singing with robot beeps inbetween'. I wasn't sure what it meant, but it did sound otherwordly.

"Master! It seems our adversary is finally here!" Galem then spoke in Welsh, to the shock of everyone present. His voice echoed as to be heard by those present in the valley, obviously by magic.

The Grand Chieftain of the Picts, Galem was at the base of tower, and next to him was some kind of monstrosity.

"So! We meet at last, Red Dragon King! Arthur Pendragon!" The monster spoke, there was an odd infliction to it's voice, as it dramatically exclaimed each word. "It seems unlike the ignorant brutes of this world, you recognize true power! No wonder you were fearful of it. Gather all this force so quickly to defy us. From one monarch to another, I wished to congratulate you on such wisdom!" Shock rang through our ranks. That was Drust the 3rd, King of the Picts? Drust III then pointed a finger at Arthur, menacingly. "The wisdom...that lead to your doom!"

"Huh..." Arthur said back, an intrigued expression on his face. "Something...Just the way he's talking, the way he looks, it...kinda reminds me of-"

"We may have had to accelerate our plans because of you!" Drust III continued.

"Oh, he's just gonna keep the monologue on." Arthur then gestures for the archers to take aim.

"But it is too late! You're not the only one to anticipate their opponent would bring their full strength to bear, so we did the same! Galem!" Drust III shouted.

"Loose." Arthur said lazily, and the arrows were let loose.

"At once my king-GAAHK!" Galem was riddled with arrows and even some spears.

"Sorry about that." The king didn't look sorry. "I would let you finish, but honestly after how disappointing your other generals were, I just didn't feel like getting my hopes up."

"No worries." Drust III said amicably. "Go ahead and raise them, so that I may crush them into the depth of despair!" Drust III raised his hand and dramatically closed it into a fist.

"Okay seriously, Merlin, is it me or does he actually look and sound like a Power Ranger villain?" Arthur asked to the confusion of us all.

"Again." Merlin sighed in an exasperated tone. "I have no context for that my lord."

"WE. ARE. PRITENI!" Galem suddenly shouted. "We have crossed the dark oceans of the stars to come here. We may have once been defeated, but this planet will not be our end. Our navigator may have fallen to Morphius causing us to land in the Reverse Side of this world, but we have clawed our way up. This world affected us. Changed us!" He shouted in rage. "But now! It is time for us to change it!"

"Do it, Galem! Our fallen brothers will fight with you once again! Fulfill your destiny!" Commanded Drust III

"Arthur!" Sir Kay called his king to action.

"I kinda wanna see what they'll do." Arthur said in curiosity.

I slowly turned to the king in shock. Really? This you're curious about!?

"Come to me, comrades! Let us unite in spirit and fight as one!" An aura of power exploded from Galem as motes of light and energy gathered from around the isle, flying into him. Specters of the other Chieftains could be seen flying and merging into Galem as well.

"...Yeah no screw this." Said Sir Kay as he brought his sword down.

Only for Galem to glow into a sphere of light, and sphere that kept expanding and growing, till it was as tall as Sir Kay himself. Sir Kay's sword was broken on impact, leaving him defenseless.

"Once more, we rise again. The sacrifice is fulfilled. The vessels accepted. Thus rises the champion of the Priteni once more. We are the Horned One." Shouted the colossal titan. "We are Cernunnos!"

"HOLY FUCK YEAH! THEY REALLY ARE POWER RANGER VILLAINS!" Arthur shouted in excitement as he threw his extra spear away, and held Marmyadose with both hands, as it glowed with power once more. "KAY!" The king shouted, getting his knight's attention, only for Sir Kay's eyes to widen as Arthur threw the Heracles Sword toward him that grew in size to be a weapon for him to wield.

"A-Arthur, this is-"

"I'm lending it! Make damn sure to beat him, and take the fight away from here." Arthur turned his gaze to the Pict King, readying to fight with his bare hands.

"Your majesty here!" One of the knights offered his sword.

"No, for this I think I wanna use my fists." Arthur grinned his body glowing with power.

Large bangs rang out as the two giants fought. Men shouted as they ran so as not to get caught in the crossfire. Thankfully, Sir Kay listened to the king's order and lead the armored titan away.

"I'm afraid there will be no fighting today, Arthur Pendragon!" Said Drust III.

"Oh? And why is that?" Arthur confidently said back. He was vibrating seemingly unable to stand still.

"Because!" The King of the Picts shouted, raising a fist into the air. "Soon enough, you, like all beings on this world, will bow to me! We shall take this earth and make it as our base to renew our conquest of the universe!" The magic tower started glowing.

A ball of black water gathered at the heart of the tower. Arthur's eyes widened as his magical energy exploded, hundreds of floating walls of light started to encircle the tower. Magic shield covered it from all sides like a dome.

"SAETH CYMATHU!" Drust III roared. Hundreds of metallic spears fired from the black water sphere, impacting the king's shield-that I could not see Merlin doing the same, adding another layer to the shields-with a booming force.

Arthur cried out in pain and determination, trying to make his spell hold up. However, inevitably sadly, some arrow either made it past the shield before it could be completed, or broke through tiny weak points.

Cries of shouts and surprise came from various concentration of soldiers, as one of the men hit by the black spear shouted in pain and horror as the spear melted and covered him in black goo.

In a moment, one of the people I trained and sparred with, someone I knew these past 4 month was gone, and in his place was a man in painted colors and a helmet that covered his head. The Briton was gone and in his place a Pict.

"Dammit, they can now assimilate even those who are living!" The mage had shouted in worry.

The troops caught on quick and began using their shield as we were trained. Thankfully the black spear could be stopped by the shield. The first few rounds. Other started to fight the newborn Picts, only to quickly realize they held the strength and skill of their former comrades.

Worse there was one person without a shield, and I wasn't the only one to notice.

"Your compassion for your men will be your undoing, Arthur Pendragon!" Drust III said as he pointed sharp claw finger at him. "It is time for your assimilation, Red Dragon King!"

Fire rushed to my limbs. I was running before I could think.

A particularly large black spear was shot toward the king. Arthur could see it coming, but it was a choice between saving himself, or protecting his men.

My king was truly noble, and one worth dying for.

I made it in time, held my shield up in the path spear, ready to divert it away.

It slammed into my arm with a force beyond any I could remember. Bones in my arms broke on impact, one arm's muscles were ripped a part, the only though in my head was 'angle spear away', as I pushed the shield in one part to let the spear slide away.

The spear did diver it's course slamming up into my bicep and throwing me off my feet. I remember the king's words on stable foot allowing you to do any maneuvered or move into any direction. I made myself move with the force, directing the momentum so as no to hit the king.

I crashed into the ground, pain becoming my world, and an icy feeling spreading from my arm. I didn't know how I could move, but fire was burning within me to act. I moved before that fire was quenched, grabbing the black spear even as it dug into my hand-

"RAAAAAAGH!"

-and ripped it out. The black spear was dyed partially in red with my blood. Remembering all my training, holding onto all my focus even within the bounds of pain, I took aim and threw it away from my king, so it may do him no harm.

The spear slammed into the tower, digging deep into it. Lines of light began to break out from where the returned spear hit, causing the ball of black water to break down, as the tower lost it's power.

"IMPOSSBLE! Human blood had corrupted the tower! How could this have happened!? Inconceivable!" Shouted Drust III.

Without the constant magic spear attack, Arthur and Merlin could let the shield down.

I might be delirious from the pain and blood loss but I was seeing the king rush to my side. I smiled, this wasn't a bad vision to end thing one.

"Hey, hey kid, stay with me. Merlin!" Arthur calling me a kid, when he's younger than me. Funny.

"I'm afraid he won't have long. Soon the black blood will spread and-"

Pain burned through me once more, before suddenly ending. This time I felt something missing.

My arm was gone, and Arthur's burning hand was in it's place.

"Sorry about that, I'll make sure it's replacement worthy of your deed." Arthur said apologizing. "What's your name, kid?"

"B-Bedivere, my lord." I pushed the words out, feeling blackness over take my vision.

"Bedivere." Arthur nodded, then open his palm straight, and tapped me on each side of my shoulder. This definitely a dream now. "You're now my knight. My first order to you, live." Sudden the blackness was pushed back, as I felt my will to fight return just a bit. Arthur gently placed me on the ground, as he stood up and turned to Merlin. "Make sure he does."

Then I was treated to something I'll never forget, the king's rage.

The expression on his face was far removed from his serious look, or his excited grin, or his cheerful smile.

There was a stoic look of wroth and magical fire burning up around him.

There are no gods that would save King Drust III on this day.

*Last Chapter Agravain Appears*

Reaction: Oh wow, best boi of Camelot is here!

Me: *This chapter* I humbly disagree.