Fate/Magus Path

"Friendly?"

With his Reality Marble dispelled Roy scrutinized the disheveled Merem with a piercing gaze.

"Yes, a friendly. I'm a friendly." Merem quickly replied, sensing Roy had truly ceased his attack. "My name is Merem Solomon. I'm a member of the Burial Agency under the Holy Church, a colleague of Ciel, and a devoted supporter of Princess Arcueid. We're on the same side."

"Merem Solomon?"

The peculiar name caught Roy off guard.

Moreover, the ten golden rings on Merem's fingers bore an uncanny resemblance to Solomon's legendary image. Yet, his frail physique suggested he wasn't suited for close combat.

The fabled Ten Rings weren't mere ornaments. They were divine constructs capable of summoning demon pillars from afar and serving as brass knuckles in melee. This imitation fell embarrassingly short of the original's grandeur.

Under Roy's sharp scrutiny, Merem felt uneasy but wisely chose to remain silent.

Victory belongs to the stronger. Having just been kicked around like a ball, his survival owed entirely to his connections with the princess and Ciel.

He had no room for complaints.

Roy, after a brief evaluation, cast a spell to restrict Merem's movements, ensuring he wouldn't pull any tricks.

Moments later, Arcueid arrived.

"Roy! Merem! You're finally out. How are you? Roy, are you hurt?"

Seeing Roy calm and unscathed, not even his clothes ruffled, and comparing him to the battered Merem Solomon beside him, Arcueid immediately understood how the fight had played out.

As expected, Merem had been thoroughly trounced by Roy.

And judging by his condition, he had been beaten quite badly.

Fortunately, Merem was a Dead Apostle Ancestor. His regenerative abilities were exceptional. As long as he was breathing, he'd recover before long.

As long as Roy wasn't harmed, that was all that mattered.

When Arcueid finally made her way to them, Merem's dejected expression softened into a smile.

"Princess, we meet again."

"Yes, it has been a while since we last met. I believe it was back in Millennium Castle?"

Arcueid nodded slightly.

"Indeed, it's been quite some time. So when I heard you'd left Millennium Castle again, I rushed over from Europe without delay. But…"

Merem glanced at Roy and shook his head with a bitter smile.

"It seems you now have someone far stronger than me by your side. With him protecting you, not even Ortenrosse himself could harm you."

"Hehe, of course! Roy is incredible!"

Arcueid, delighted by the praise, eagerly added, "Not only did Roy help me heal the injuries from the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, but he also took care of that troublesome beast for me."

So, Nrvnqsr Chaos had indeed been slain?

The news surprised Merem, though he wasn't entirely shocked.

Having experienced Roy's prowess firsthand, he had already formed an impression of his capabilities.

Defeating Nrvnqsr Chaos, that detestable creature, was well within the realm of possibility for someone like him.

Merem turned to Arcueid. "And… Princess, how have you been?"

"How have I been?"

Arcueid pondered for a moment before smiling warmly. "I've been very happy. I've made plenty of new friends outside. They're all kind people, just like Roy."

"And what about you, Merem? How are you doing? Still working for the Holy Church?"

Seeing Arcueid's genuine smile, Merem was momentarily stunned, then smiled faintly himself.

She truly seemed happy… That's all that mattered.

"Yes, I'm still with the Church. It's one of the few places I can call home."

"Merem, why did you and Roy end up fighting this time?"

Arcueid tilted her head curiously, diving straight into the heart of the matter.

"…"

Roy turned his gaze toward him as well.

He, too, was curious about why Merem had been lurking in the apartment building infested with Dead Apostles, seemingly lying in wait for him.

Naturally, he assumed Merem to be one of Roa's accomplices, setting a trap. He even suspected Roa might be hiding nearby.

Thus, he attacked decisively, every strike aimed to kill, hoping to draw Roa out and eliminate him on the spot.

But as it turned out, the so-called Dead Apostle was an ally... and apparently, a friend of Arcueid's.

The situation had become awkward.

Fortunately, Merem recognized his own fault in the misunderstanding. His attempt to probe Roy had backfired spectacularly, leaving him beaten half to death. He couldn't blame anyone but himself.

Who would've thought a magus could fight like this?

His perceptiveness, magical power, and speed were unparalleled. On top of that, he had mastered a Reality Marble.

Since when did such a monster appear in the world of magecraft?

"…"

Merem sighed deeply and finally spoke. "My apologies, Princess Arcueid, and to you as well, Lord Roy."

"It was entirely my decision this time. After hearing from Ciel that you, Lord Roy, might have killed Nrvnqsr Chaos and are serving as the princess's guardian, I couldn't help but grow curious."

"So, I decided to test your strength and verify the rumors. I set an ambush near a Dead Apostle's hideout where you were expected to appear. And, well, the rest of the story is…"

…me being thoroughly thrashed, dragged into a Reality Marble without the slightest chance to fight back, and only spared thanks to Ciel and the princess's intercession.

It was utterly humiliating.

"..."

Arcueid's expression shifted, her face tinged with a mix of sympathy and bemusement. Clearly, she had a good sense of what Merem had endured.

Wasn't Nrvnqsr Chaos's experience strikingly similar?

Roy, however, remained composed. With a faint smirk, he addressed the dejected Merem. "So, did my strength meet your expectations, Merem?"

"Ah… please don't tease me, my lord. Your power is immeasurable. Even if I joined forces with Ciel, there's no way we could stand against you."

Hearing this, Merem let out a bitter chuckle, readily admitting defeat.

Though he bore the pride innate to those blessed by Crimson Moon, he wasn't so blinded by arrogance that he couldn't recognize the insurmountable gap between them.

"Merem, was testing my abilities really your only objective? I understand your concern for Arcueid's safety, but…"

"Traveling all the way from the Holy Church to Japan, you must have come with more pressing information. Would you care to share it with me? Consider it the price for your rather impolite experiment."

Though Roy's tone was calm, it carried an undeniable authority.

Despite calling it a test, deliberately lying in wait in a potential hotspot and employing specialized mystic codes to mask his presence was far from respectful.

Merem's concealment techniques were excellent, so much so that even Roy had struggled to detect him. It left Merem puzzled about how he had been discovered so quickly.

Perhaps he thought his skills were lacking or wondered if Roy had some kind of advanced sensory magecraft.

But the truth was simpler, Roy's mastery of soul magecraft made him extraordinarily attuned to even the slightest trace of hostility. No magecraft was required.

Casting a brief glance at Arcueid, who seemed concerned for Merem, Roy chose to let the matter rest.

"Yes, I do have critical information regarding Roa and Ortenrosse. I intended to share it with both the princess and yourself."

Merem lowered his head.

Initially, he had hoped to trade this intelligence for some sort of advantage after gauging Roy's strength.

But now, in the face of defeat, bargaining was no longer an option.

A "request" made to someone who could crush him effortlessly wasn't a request at all... it was an order, plain and simple.

Moreover, Roy's aura carried a subtle but palpable killing intent.

"Very well, then." Roy said with finality. "Share everything you know. This prolonged game of cat and mouse needs to end."

"Yes." Merem replied obediently.

Under Roy's unrelenting pressure, Merem left nothing out. He repeated what he had told Ciel the night before: Ortenrosse's plot to eliminate the princess, consolidate power, and his recruitment of other Dead Apostle Ancestors.

Among the names he mentioned were Nrvnqsr Chaos, who had been slain by Shiki Ryougi's Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, and Vlov Arkhangel, who had just arrived in Misaki City.

"Vlov Arkhangel…"

"That frail lunatic has come as well?" Arcueid seemed genuinely surprised, clearly familiar with the name.

"Yes, Princess. That man would have come regardless of Ortenrosse's manipulations because his intentions are anything but subtle."

Merem's face twisted in visible disgust as he uttered Vlov's name.

Roy gestured for him to elaborate.

Merem obliged, his tone laced with disdain. "That man carries a dreadful curse, constantly tormented by unending flames. The curse is so powerful that even other Dead Apostle Ancestors fear it. But the agony has driven him mad. To break the curse, he seeks the hearts of the True Ancestors."

"The hearts of True Ancestors?"

"Exactly." Merem nodded grimly.

"But due to the Black Princess being under the protection of the Black and White Knights, he wouldn't dare provoke her. As for the White Princess, she's been unreachable, residing in the Millennium Castle all this time."

"This time, however, Ortenrosse must have informed him of the princess's presence in Japan. That lunatic has likely come here to hunt her."

"He's hunting me?" Arcueid's expression darkened slightly, though she didn't appear particularly worried.

Despite being called the Princess of the True Ancestors, she wasn't some fragile ornament.

With over seventy percent of her strength restored and only certain limitations holding her back, Arcueid didn't consider someone like Vlov a true threat.

Confidence radiated from her.

"Thanks to Roy, I'm almost fully recovered. If he dares make a move against me, he'll regret it." 

"Yes, Your Highness." Merem acknowledged. "Knowing that you're unharmed has eased my concerns."

Then, turning toward Roy with a look of earnest sincerity, Merem spoke again.

"Lord Roy, I have one more favor to ask of you."

"Go on." 

"I wish to entrust the princess's safety to you." Merem declared solemnly.

Though Arcueid was powerful, her pure-hearted nature left her vulnerable in ways that Merem found deeply troubling.

Her recent injuries had proven that danger was never far away. If it had happened once, it could happen again.

Merem understood the hostility of the Black Princess's forces and Ortenrosse's ambitions all too well.

Alone, he couldn't offer the princess adequate protection.

But the man before him was a different story.

Not only was Roy's power unparalleled, but his cautious demeanor made him the ideal guardian. Most importantly, the princess seemed to trust him implicitly.

Ever since Merem reunited with Arcueid, he'd noticed how she spoke of Roy... with the kind of trust and affection reserved for family.

Since that's the case, entrusting the princess to his protection for the time being would put his mind at ease.

"I will ensure Arcueid's safety until she returns to the Millennium Castle."

Roy nodded, agreeing to the request.

"Very well, I'll leave it in your capable hands."

Hearing Roy's assurance, a faint smile appeared on Merem's face. He reached into the folds of his white clerical robe, rummaged for a moment before producing a card imbued with a faint magical glow. He handed it to Roy.

"This is my card. It's recognized in many secretive circles worldwide. Whether it's among the Dead Apostles or within the Church, my name carries some weight."

"With this card, you'll find many conveniences. Any expenses you incur at such places will be charged directly to my account."

Though Merem doubted Roy would ever need his connections, the card was nonetheless a gesture of goodwill.

It wasn't just about capability... it was about attitude.

"I understand."

As expected, Roy didn't refuse. He accepted the white card, nodding slightly as he tucked it away.

"Now that I've taken up enough of your time, I shouldn't overstay my welcome."

"I must return to the Church to continue tracking Roa and Vlov. Should you have need of my assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me, Your Highness."

Having shared all the information he had with Roy, Merem dropped to one knee before Arcueid, offering a reverent bow with precise formality.

Arcueid, ever the free spirit, found such rigid ceremony rather dull, a stark contrast to someone like Altrouge. Nevertheless, she nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

"I understand, Merem."

"As you wish, Your Highness."

With that, Merem rose to his feet and departed swiftly.

As Merem's figure disappeared into the distance, Arcueid's gaze lingered, her expression subtly melancholic.

She knew Merem's capabilities well. With his help, they would surely locate Roa and Vlov soon. But that also meant this little interlude was drawing to a close.

She, too, would need to return to the Millennium Castle.

Yet… why did her heart feel heavy with reluctance?

This had always been the plan. So why did it feel so hard to say goodbye?

During this journey, unlike her usual outings to pursue Roa, she had spent time with Shiki and Roy. There was a selfish part of her that cherished these days.

She didn't want this time with them to end so quickly.

But seeing Merem's resolve and Roy's serious demeanor, she understood. This journey was nearing its conclusion.

Once Roa was defeated, she would return to the Millennium Castle and resume her slumber. Staying with everyone indefinitely might one day lead to the same catastrophe that once unfolded in the castle... when she lost control and hurt the people she held dear.

Though she believed Roy would undoubtedly stop her if such a day came…

She couldn't bear the thought of causing him grief or being a burden.

Returning to the Millennium Castle was the best choice for everyone.

"What's got you so lost in thought?"

Roy's voice snapped her out of her reverie. He had noticed the shifting emotions on her face.

"Ah? It's nothing!"

Caught off guard, Arcueid quickly masked her emotions, forcing her usual cheerful demeanor. But under Roy's watchful gaze, her attempt felt clumsy.

Roy gently placed a hand on her head, his voice soft yet firm.

"Don't keep everything bottled up. If something's bothering you, just tell me. Aren't we friends?"

"Friends…"

Arcueid's lips curled into a faint smile, though her heart remained conflicted.

"Yes, of course. You, Shiki, and I... we're all friends!"

And it was precisely because they were friends that she had to leave.

She would never allow herself to harm her friends.

___

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