The temple is engulfed in a blinding white light. Without the Eye of God active, nothing can be seen.

In the dark, even without light, everything would have been visible. Any tactic or move would be easily seen through by the light illuminating the dark.

But in the midst of this light, the eye can’t exert its power. It’s structurally impossible for a human to open their eyes amidst such a dazzling flash.

 

Lancelot: “Guh! This… light isn’t from magic?”

 

Lancelot-san’s eyes close.

I run, keeping my eyes shut. He hasn’t moved from his last position and there’s a momentary stiffness.

 

Kai: “Haaaaah!”

 

I charge straight in.

 

Lancelot: “Don’t underestimate me! Even if I can’t see!”

 

But Lancelot-san uses his remaining senses to grasp everything. Our swords clash. His reaction to counteract in this situation is truly remarkable. The sound of footsteps, the ambient noise, the clang of swords, and my battle cry.

But this is fine. A single blow isn’t going to defeat someone of his caliber.

The light begins to fade, and Lancelot-san squints.

I confirm that.

And then…

 

Kai: “—Lightning.”

 

My magic ascends to the heavens. This indicates a transfer to Lancelot-san’s shadow, meaning right behind him. The ability of Lightning is such that when you want to move, the magic extends in the direction of the shadow. That’s why it’s impossible to surprise someone in front of the Eye of God.

But when transferring to a marked being’s shadow, the magic extends upwards.

Lancelot-san already knows this, having seen it multiple times.

And I’ve ingrained that into him, again and again.

 

Lancelot: “You’re pushing your luck! But I can see you now!”

 

My form vanishes skyward like lightning. Seeing this, Lancelot-san swings his sword to cut down what he believes to be me, teleporting behind him.

The Eye of God is regaining its power.

A perfectly timed swing, a sword technique that could even cut down lightning.

 

Lancelot: “—!?”

 

But I’m not there.

Because I teleported…

 

Lancelot: “Wha!?”

 

Not to the shadow behind Lancelot-san, but to the one created on the ceiling by him.

 

Crack!

 

Kai: “—Lightning.”

 

The air explodes, and lightning strikes.

Lancelot-san, thinking I was behind him, had fully extended his arm. And right after, descending from the sky as a bolt of lightning, I was already in a stance to thrust.

Wrapped in lightning, I stare straight at the divine knight.

I had teleported above. To be precise, to the shadow on the temple’s ceiling created by the stun grenade’s explosion. When teleporting straight up, it’s impossible for Lightning to discern whether it’s going up or to a shadow behind.

And having exited the gaze of the Eye of God, I teleported again, right in front of Lancelot-san using Lightning.

 

Lancelot: “…I see.”

 

His sword swung wide; my thrust goes straight through. And it looked as though Lancelot-san smiled.

 

Lancelot: “—Thank you.”

 

My sword pierced straight through the white armor, impaling his heart. Red blood oozed out slowly, and Lancelot-san, drained of strength, dropped his sword. I, determined to finish him, pushed further, pressing myself against him.

 

Lancelot: “You did well… Kai.”

Kai: “It’s unfair… I have various abilities. Powers you don’t know about… And you, without even a single skill… and I have so many…”

 

Dropping his sword, Lancelot-san gently embraced me.

 

Lancelot: “What are you saying… That’s your strength. Your collective strength… Thank you, for defeating me…”

 

As Lancelot-san collapses, I sit down on the floor with him, cradling his head and staring into his eyes. Even after a life-risking battle, I found myself crying.

 

Lancelot: “Why do you cry… for me, who tried to kill you unreasonably…”

Kai: “I don’t know, but I’m crying because I’m sad.”

Lancelot: “…I see. …I’m sorry, Kai. May I have a moment of your time? Can I entrust you with everything?”

Kai: “Of course. I’ll take it all.”

 

I nodded immediately.

Seeing that, a smiling Lancelot-san extended his hand towards me.

 

Lancelot: “Thank you… then let’s proceed… to the journey of memories. I want you to engrave everything in your eyes. Everything that happened in this world… all my sins as well.”

 

With that, Lancelot-san grasped the tablet hanging around my neck.

Suddenly, images flooded my mind.

 

Lancelot: “—I entrust you with this. Along with this pitiable knight’s sword skills.”

 

◇ Journey of Memories

 

I became one with Lancelot-san.

 

Knight: “Lancelot, the most talented in our empire, soon to sit at the Round Table.”

 

Before my eyes were knights clad in black armor. Seated at the Round Table were eleven knights, and another man, a mage named Merlin.

It was Merlin who gave me my orders.

 

Merlin: “Infiltrate the White Kingdom and become a knight of the white god. We will seal your memories until then. From today, you are of the white lineage. Dedicate your life to aiming to become a god’s knight. And when you become one…”

 

A young me just nodded. Being stared at by those black eyes, my heart agreed without protest. And then, I even forgot that I was from the empire.

And so, my journey began.

 

Merlin:”──Kill the God.”

 

～

 

The scene changed, and I was in a dojo. I recognized this place. This was Lightning-san’s dojo, where I practiced my swordsmanship. I swung my sword innocently, talking about my dreams, having forgotten even that I was being manipulated.

 

Lancelot: “I’m going to become a Knight of God! Definitely! I’ll risk my life to become a Knight of God! Because that’s my mission!”

Lightning: “Hahaha, indeed. Lancelot, you surely can become one. Currently, our leader is reaching the end of his natural life. Next in line to become God is Lady Athena, and as for Lord Odin… Well, I’m sure you can become that knight. You, who have practiced more than anyone, pursued it more than anyone, surely can!”

Lancelot: “Yes! Even though my magical power is less compared to others… I won’t lose in terms of effort! I will definitely become a knight for Lady Athena!”

 

I declared it loudly in the dojo. The other trainees around me laughed. A bit embarrassed, I clenched my fist and looked their way.

There was a girl about my age. With beautiful wings – it seemed only the women had them. She was beautiful, almost divine. The feeling I had when I looked at her was unmistakably…

 

Athena: “Hehe, do your best, Lancelot. I’m looking forward to it.”

 

──It was love.

 

Mirage: “Lady Athena, he’s not suitable. After all, his magic is weak.”

Man 2: “Exactly, Lancelot can’t do it. Just give up. After all, I’ll become the knight.”

Lancelot: “Mirage, shut up!! I will definitely become one, Lady Athena!”

Athena: “Yes, I’m looking forward to it.”

 

～

 

After that, I continued practicing. From dawn to dusk, no matter how tired, I swung my sword like I was possessed. Before long, I was recognized as the best swordsman of my age group. I won every match, and everyone believed that I would become the Knight of God.

 

But I became weak. To be precise, everyone else became stronger.

 

Man: “If only he could awaken his skill…”

Woman: “Why can’t Lancelot awaken his, even though he’s stronger than anyone else?”

Man: “Who knows… Well, he’ll awaken it eventually.”

 

When I turned 16, my fellow trainees who had trained with me started becoming knights one by one, awakening their skills. But I was the only one who didn’t.

 

Anxiety welled up within me.

 

Those who were weaker than me before were becoming stronger just by acquiring skills.

 

Kai: “I can’t see… Damn it!?”

Mirage: “There, I win!”

Kai: “Guh!?”

 

An invisible blow from behind. A power resembling a mirage.

 

Mirage: “Haha, if anything goes, even someone like me can beat Lancelot. Though, me being invisible is a bit too unfair, don’t you think?”

Lancelot: “…Damn it!!”

 

Annoyed, I fled from the dojo.

The funeral of Lady Athena’s father, the leader of this country, would be held tomorrow. It’s the day Lady Athena would be crowned as the new God.

And it’s also the day of the trials to determine the next Knight of God.

 

～The next day.

 

Man: “Now, at the same time as the funeral, we will begin the trials for the Knight of God. Those who are prepared, step forward to the Golden Cube.”

 

Amidst the uproar of the nation, we stepped forward.

Before me was a Cube, shining in gold. Inside it awaited trials that were said to be unimaginably challenging, with a possibility of even losing one’s life.

I stepped in without hesitation.

I might die, being as weak as I am.

But I…

 

Lancelot: “I have to become the Knight of God, even if it costs my life.”

 

And so, I entered the golden cube.

Trials attacked us one after another. They were hellish but were not just about strength.

I fought.

Against monsters of the same level as me.

I pondered.

On how to overcome enemies that couldn’t be beaten with just power.

And then…

 

Lancelot: “Go on, everyone. I’m the most worthless here. Lady Athena… please…”

 

I risked my life. But that turned out to be the correct solution to the last trial.

Suddenly enveloped in light, I was transported to a mysterious room with a throne in front of me.

And the one sitting there was…

 

Athena: “Lancelot!!”

 

The person I loved. It was Lady Athena who embraced me.

 

Athena: “I believed in you, always. I knew you would do it; I knew you would!”

Kai: “Lady Athena? Did I… pass?”

Athena: “Yes, you did. Right now, at this very moment, you’ve become the Knight of God!”

Kai: “Me… a Knight of God?”

Athena: “Yes! Yes! You are my knight now… Eh? Lancelot…?”

 

I had pushed Athena away. Something dark surged from the depths of my heart.

 

Kai: “Knight of God… Guh… Ru… Run… Ahhh!!”

 

With that scream, I once again grasped my sword.

And then, with eyes turned pitch black, I stared straight at Athena.