I'm not very sure either.
Wood spoke truthfully, his gaze also turning toward Master: "Boss, we—"
It's about time.
Master suddenly spoke, breaking the nearly stagnant atmosphere.
Immediately after—
A golden arc flew from his hand, landing in the calm, waveless sea.
Boss, what was that you just threw?
Wood couldn't help but ask curiously.
Fishing requires bait, fishing for a dragon requires offering the food he loves most.
Master spoke calmly, signaling the people on the deck to remain vigilant.
That thing will come out soon—
Before the words had even faded, the once calm and still surface of the sea began to emit hot white steam and boiling bubbles like a pot of boiling water. A vast number of instantly cooked sea fish and shrimp, including the carcasses of small whales and sharks, were washed up onto the sea, lying scattered in a gruesome and shocking sight.
Th-th-this..
Lancelot, who had never seen such a tragic scene, trembled so violently that his legs gave out, he collapsed onto the ground on the spot.
The staff of the Avalon Special Events Investigation Department were also terrified by this gruesome scene. Forcing themselves to suppress their trembling, they stepped forward and threw copperware and aluminum kettles—which had been polished beforehand to look exceptionally shiny—into the sea.
“What is this for?”
Wood inquired curiously about his surroundings.
Dragon-kind likes things that sparkle.
Merlin explained with a smile.
Humans also love shiny things..
Arthur added with a hint of mockery.
Wood did not dare to interrupt.
Lancelot didn't even dare to breathe heavily.
..
As large amounts of flashing metallic vessels were thrown in, the boiling of the Seawater grew increasingly severe, the hundred-ton massive ship tossed and turned with the swaying of the sea surface.
I.. I.. I..
Lancelot was terrified, his hands gripping the metal cleats on the deck with all his might. The Avalon staff, led by Ken, had all entered a combat stance, while only Master, Arthur, Merlin watched the black whirlpool rapidly forming on the sea's surface with composure.
Wood stood beside Arthur and Merlin, too nervous to say a word.
Are you afraid?
Arthur spoke suddenly.
Wood nodded, "I'm very afraid."
Then why are you still standing here?
Because..
Wood turned his head to look at Master: "Because someone wishes for me to stand here, I cannot ignore his wish."
Oh?
Arthur turned his head, a subtle smile appearing on his face. "I'm starting to suspect that everything that has happened so far was your design."
You underestimate yourself too much.
Master spoke calmly, neither affirming nor denying.
Arthur was clearly dissatisfied with this answer and was about to speak further—
Sizzle!
Sizzle!
A large number of black tentacles suddenly emerged from all around the ship!
Every tentacle was covered in suckers, at the center of each sucker was a massive mouth, its interior densely packed with terrifying fangs.
Ah—what is that thing!
Lancelot let out a piercing scream; he felt as if he were trapped in a nightmare, fearing he would lose his mind at any moment.
These are nothing more than parasites on its body.
Master said nonchalantly, then commanded Wood, "Get rid of these things using the method I taught you."
But—
(They look super incredibly disgusting!)
Wood looked troubled.
Can't you do it?
I..
You cannot do it, but the Holy Sword can.
Holy Sword?
Upon hearing the words "Holy Sword," Lancelot's eyes instantly lit up: "You.. you actually possess the Holy Sword! Quick! Let me see it! The Holy Sword given to King Arthur by the Lady of the Lake! The Holy Sword!"
I am also just—Watch out!
Seeing the tentacles covered in suckers and mouths lunging toward the defenseless Lancelot, Wood decisively rushed forward, the Holy Sword naturally falling into his palm from his arm, carrying an unprecedented lightness—
Splash!
The tentacles were severed at the waist by the Holy Sword, foul, filthy dark green blood spilled recklessly across the deck.
Having narrowly escaped death, Lancelot raised his head, staring blankly at Wood, who had saved him. "It was just.. just.. I finally understand why princesses marry the knights who slay dragons.. I.. I am certain I am not gay, but in this moment, I.. I have fallen hopelessly in love with you!"
Sorry, but I—
Wood waved his hand, shaking off the green blood clinging to the Holy Sword, then raised his hand to wipe his face, revealing cheeks flushed from high-speed movement: "The battle has only just begun."
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
Lancelot was captivated by the blood-soaked Wood, nodding repeatedly as if he had lost his soul.
Seeing this scene, Mage Merlin could not help but say, "I was the same back then; before I realized the destiny you carry, I was already captivated by your fighting stance.. Perhaps, you are most beloved by me when you are in battle.."
Life has an instinct to worship power.
Arthur spoke in a tone as calm as possible.
Merlin did not respond, because—
More tentacles curled toward them.
Come! Your enemy is me!
Merlin let out a loud shout and raised his staff high. Countless vines grew and spread wildly from the center of the Druid Staff, entangling the rushing tentacles.
In the blink of an eye, the tentacles and vines had reached a delicate balance.
Now, it's your turn to perform!
Merlin smiled, looking toward the many staff members of Avalon: "Let me see—after fifteen hundred years of development, has modern technology finally been able to surpass ancient magic!"
Yes!
The Inn Staff, encouraged by Merlin, cast aside their fear one by one, picking up their weapons to engage in combat against the tentacles trapped by Merlin's vines.
Arthur walked up to Wood: "Since you have successfully mastered my Holy Sword, you have the obligation to complete the task that should have been completed by me."
My mission—
Yes.
Arthur pointed toward the ocean, which had now turned dark and was churning with multiple whirlpools: "Jump into the sea and kill the White Dragon."
Me? Slaying a dragon?
Wood gasped, "I'm just a—"
But you hold the Holy Sword in your hands.
Arthur said calmly, "Slaying dragons is a mission that every holder of the Holy Sword must complete."
Then I will—
Impossible.
King Arthur grasped Wood's hand: "There are only two ways for one chosen by the Holy Sword of Avalon to let go of the sword: one is their own death, the other is to complete the task of the oath made when they first gripped the sword. Do you choose death or completing the task?"
.. Is there a difference?
Wood gave a dry laugh.
Yes," Arthur said with a smile, "Death does not mean the mission is complete; even after the mission is finished, the person who carries it out may still be alive.
“..”
Wood was speechless: "Are all you British people so skilled at being sarcastic?"
I'm just telling the truth.
As the words fell, Arthur's voice suddenly turned stern: "We have awakened that dragon; we now have only two choices: kill it, or be killed by it! Do you choose to kill it, or be killed by it?"
That would obviously be—
Wood took a deep breath: "I don't want to die!"
Fine.
Arthur nods, turns around, and—
—Hey, hey, hey!
Screaming, Wood was thrown into the pitch-black vortex by Arthur.