Type-Moon: The Human Love Simulator

"You are... Kaelar? The Saint Kaelar?"

The two nobles stared in disbelief, but under the compulsion of comparison, they could neither lie nor question it. They simply repeated the name, a look of despair settling over them as they admitted, "Yes... it's true. You are stronger. We can never be stronger than you…"

As they spoke, the two lords—wealthy, influential, and powerful—drew their swords in unison, prepared to end their lives.

Such was the nature of the Beast of Comparison.

Under the rule of comparison, "being stronger than the other" replaced all human desires, becoming the ultimate goal of life. Once they acknowledged they could never surpass their opponent, they saw no reason to keep living.

This was the dreadful logic that could strip humanity of its will to survive—a catastrophe that had to be overcome and eradicated.

Cath Palug, the fourth Beast, showed no intention of stopping the nobles. Instead, she watched them with keen interest, reveling in the display, for this, too, was part of her twisted pleasure.

But Kaelar could not permit any form of killing—not even suicide.

Because he simply would not allow it.

Kaelar's sword flashed faster than the nobles' desperate hands, shattering their weapons. The twisted principle, the overprotective love he bore for every life—even more than the people cherished their own—pulled the nobles back from the brink of madness.

He fixed them with a stern gaze and spoke firmly:

"Comparison is evil."

"'Comparison' is a useless emotion humanity does not need. We were born to love, not to compete. Seeking to be stronger than others is a meaningless pursuit."

He reached out and grabbed the scruff of Cath Palug's neck, who had been trying to sneak away. "The reason you became like this is because of this magical beast. It made you succumb to the evil of comparison."

Kaelar's overwhelming desire to protect life rekindled the nobles' will to live. Realizing they had narrowly escaped death, they expressed their gratitude with trembling voices:

"Thank you, great Saint Kaelar. Thank you for saving our lives."

"You truly are as merciful as the legends say, Sir Kaelar. Even the Vile King Vortigern is said to be shaken by your compassion."

The noble loyal to Uther bowed deeply. "Sir Kaelar, it is because of that vile White Dragon—Vortigern fears you."

"Go back. Do not meddle with these cursed things that endanger life."

After dismissing the nameless nobles, Kaelar turned his attention to the pitiful, innocent-looking creature in his grasp—the Beast of Comparison.

This small, seemingly harmless cat had many notorious titles in other timelines and parallel worlds—Fourth Beast, Slayer of Humanity, First Seat of the Twenty-Seven Dead Apostle Ancestors...

But here and now, in this timeline, it was simply an odd little cat.

"Lucky for you, you're not the Slayer of Humanity in this world," Kaelar muttered. If it had been that Slayer, he would have had no choice but to seal it away.

The Slayer of Humanity's power was frighteningly absolute—so simple, so overwhelming, that it targeted any human indiscriminately. A natural-born hunter of humanity.

Fortunately, this Cath Palug was merely a whimsical Beast of Comparison.

With a firm grip on the deceptively innocent cat, Kaelar mused aloud, "A cat like you would never be found in a proper household. What kind of proper cat would come all the way out here?"

"Fou? Fou-fou!"

The little creature mewled sweetly, its fur pattern eerily similar to Merlin's. Who copied who remained a mystery. It blinked its large, pink eyes, adopting an expression that radiated innocence.

Artoria's sacred blue-green eyes widened, her face softening at the sight. Kaelar had shielded her well over the years, allowing her to retain the innocent tendencies of a young girl.

But as she looked closer, Artoria furrowed her brow. The resemblance to Merlin was undeniable—how could a cat that looked so much like him not have a sinister side?

"Fou-fou-ing won't save you!" Kaelar declared seriously. "We haven't eaten today, and we just caught ourselves a magical beast. Let's make a meal of it!"

Cath Palug's paws flailed helplessly, her tiny voice mewling in protest. Panic flickered in her wide eyes—she was no match for this twisted human in front of her...

It's over! I'm going to be eaten!

"So cute…" Artoria murmured, torn between her suspicion and the kitten's charm. Though it resembled Merlin, the small creature's endearing antics tugged at her heartstrings. "Kael, do we really have to eat it? It's so adorable, even if it looks like that guy..."

"Lily, get the knife!" Kaelar's voice prodded her, but Artoria hesitated. Her usual ironclad appetite wavered, the kitten's innocent appeal creating doubt in her mind.

Sensing an opportunity, Cath Palug rolled to her back, exposing a soft, snowy belly and wiggling her fluffy paws. Artoria dropped the knife immediately and pleaded, "Kael, maybe… we shouldn't eat her…"

Kaelar had been waiting for that. A naive kitten like this was too easy to manipulate.

"Well… if you like her that much…" Kaelar sighed, pretending to give in. "Then you can keep her."

Cath Palug, sensing a narrow escape from doom, meowed triumphantly. Kaelar, still holding the little Beast, gave it a stern warning: "Lily, if you ever get tired of her, just let me know. We'll fry up some cat meat right away."

"Fou! Fou-fou!"

The cat hissed and scurried to Artoria's feet, snuggling up to her while casting wary glances at Kaelar.

"So this is the same cat that Arthur and Kay had to outwit using all their cunning?"

"Seems like I've got her right under control."

Kaelar reached out and scratched under the cat's chin. At first, the cat leaned into the touch, purring, but as soon as she realized it was Kaelar's hand, she jerked away, swatting at him with a tiny paw.

He chuckled, unfazed. "Lily, whether or not humanity can overcome its vices will depend on you."

Artoria blinked in confusion, but she was used to Kaelar's cryptic comments. She had long learned not to dwell too deeply on the things he said. If she couldn't understand, she'd leave the thinking to the mind of her king—Kaelar. Why trouble herself?

Ugh, my brain is itching! Better stop overthinking!

The creature before them was dangerous, not something easily slain. If the evil of comparison was to be overcome, it might be best to follow the original solution found in Mash's story.

In that tale, Arthur and Kay defeated and outwitted the creature, eventually letting it go free. The cat wandered off to join Merlin, that old trickster.

But Kaelar, having cowed the little Beast, chose a different path. He didn't let her go; instead, he left the cat in Artoria's care as a pet. After all, the creature did have a certain charm.

Merlin was fond of prophecies, wasn't he?

Well, let's see what he predicts now.