A cool sensation spread across my forehead.
As I slowly opened my eyes, having been frowning with them closed, my gaze met Xenon's, who was looking down at me from close by.
"Have you come to your senses?"
"What happened?"
Why was I lying down?
Startled, I tried to sit up abruptly, but Xenon grabbed my shoulders, preventing me from rising.
"You collapsed."
It was an unexpected statement. I looked around blankly, trying to piece together my memory.
After entering the relatively intact building, the Dullahans had gone out in a rush, saying they would look around the vicinity.
Thinking they must have a lot on their minds after losing two comrades in an instant, I let them go, intending to ask Samuel about the structure of this castle.
Additionally, I wanted to hear in advance where the other Dullahans might retrieve their heads and keep it in mind...
My memory cut off abruptly after that.
Glancing at the window, I saw it was dark outside, and the sound of pattering rain could be heard. It seemed I had been lying down for quite some time.
"I suppose the tension eased a bit."
"Not that. It's because you've been using your power without rest."
Xenon did not believe my words of reassurance at all. It was understandable, given that he had seen me collapse before his eyes.
And truthfully, perhaps because I hadn't been awake for long, my head felt a bit throbbing.
"I don't know how urgent the matter is, but for now, you must refrain from using your power. You can resume tomorrow when the day breaks."
Looking at Xenon with a sullen expression, I reluctantly nodded.
We had finally arrived at Veladia Castle, and likely, all the Dullahans would retrieve their heads here.
No one would chase us this far, and having confirmed twice that Dullahans do not go berserk upon regaining their memories, there was no need to rush the process hastily.
Confirming that I had no intention of moving hastily, Xenon got up, saying he would prepare a late supper.
"And the Dullahans?"
"They are in the adjacent building. This place is too cramped to accommodate all the animals."
Samuel, who had been standing guard near the doorway, replied bluntly.
Animals? It seemed they hadn't transformed back to their true forms despite having a rare place to rest comfortably.
"If you're going out, use this at least. It's a waterproof cloth."
Samuel offered his own large cloak. It was so enormous that when I flipped it over my head, it covered my entire body.
Pushing aside the pitiful wooden plank that served as a door, the gloomy scenery outside came into view.
The already ruinous landscape, combined with the dark evening and falling rain, made the atmosphere even more desolate.
"Huh? Captain?"
A figure suddenly emerged from the dark scenery.
"Pallides."
Appearing in a manner that would have startled Xenon into falling backward was Pallides, clad in armor.
Having been caught in quite a bit of rain, water was dripping steadily from Pallides's armor.
"It's raining heavily, Captain! Please go inside!"
"And why are you standing in the rain?"
"Well, I... I actually like getting rained on."
Pallides scratched the back of his head, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"I like water, you see."
Come to think of it, he had been particularly obsessed with boating. I nodded and stepped fully outside.
"By the way, Captain, you collapsed earlier. Is it alright for you to move around like this?"
"Yes, it's fine."
My head ached, and I'd rather get some cool air. It would have been better if it weren't raining, but even now, with the strong scent of damp earth rising due to the rain, it wasn't bad.
"Do they all find their animal forms more comfortable? Here, they can stay in their Dullahan forms if they wish."
I spoke as I approached the adjacent building, but Pallides didn't answer.
Glancing sideways, I saw Pallides standing still with slumped shoulders.
"Pallides?"
"Captain, about... eternal rest."
Hesitantly, Pallides cautiously began to speak.
"Since the final authority is more important, perhaps we could realize that first and find our heads afterward?"
The final authority first?
"That seems out of order. Don't I need to find your heads first to realize the final authority?"
When I asked with a puzzled voice, Pallides flinched his shoulders and lowered his head. His rain-soaked helmet clattered and then poured out a stream of water.
"Ah... I suppose that's right, isn't it?"
"You said you disliked the Dullahan form because it's creepy."
Among the Dullahans, Pallides was the knight who most detested his own headless state.
If the other Dullahans transformed into animals for convenience, Pallides wanted to remain in human form because he disliked his Dullahan appearance.
Even then, he always lamented being headless.
"Of course I dislike it!"
As expected, Pallides affirmed strongly without hesitation. But then he returned to his sullen demeanor.
"It's just... I didn't know that after finding our heads, we would attain eternal rest so immediately."
The falling rain streamed down the curves of his helmet. The dripping droplets looked almost like tears.
Pallides, being headless, couldn't shed tears either.
"You've waited a long time."
"That's right. Yes."
Through the dense sound of rain, Pallides's low muttering reached me.
"Having waited so long, to disappear so meaninglessly..."
Was Pallides thinking of Dasha and Ganik now?
Just as I was about to speak to her, a loud call came from the direction of the adjacent building.
[Captain! Pallides!]
A horse's head, poking out from a gaping window, was looking this way.
[Captain! Why are you standing in the rain?]
Next to Nadav, Zigore also chirped, calling out.
Checking that side, I intended to first conclude my conversation with Pallides and parted my lips. But Pallides was faster.
"I want to stay in the rain a bit longer, so please go inside quickly, Captain!"
Pallides was an exceptionally emotional and sensitive Dullahan. Undoubtedly, the eternal rest of Dasha and Ganik had affected her in some way.
I had thought all the Dullahans were eagerly awaiting only to attain eternal rest, but perhaps that wasn't the case.
Gazing at Pallides for a moment, I readily turned away, leaving her behind.
She probably needed time alone to sort out her thoughts.
It was a judgment to give her, facing the impending farewell with her comrades, some time.
...Little did I know that hours later, I would regret it, calling it complacent judgment.
* * *
The remaining nine knights, excluding Dasha and Dieris, had met their deaths at Veladia Castle.
First, Ganik fell defending the castle gate of Veladia, and starting from that, the other knights lost their lives striving to block Samuel and protect the Captain.
Samuel at that time was immensely powerful. He was the first knight to receive the Captain's salvation, and having guarded her side for so long, he had cultivated his strength accordingly.
The longer the knights of the Round Table stayed by the Captain's side, the stronger they became.
In the past, Samuel was the first sword and the most powerful sword. Thus, no one could surpass him.
Moreover, at the time of his betrayal, having returned to being a divine puppet and even accepting the power of creation, he was even stronger.
But now?
"This place is..."
Samuel, who had halted his steps, quietly surveyed his surroundings.
Although the heavy downpour had subsided, a drizzle was still falling, leaving everything damp.
Having given his own cloak to Anelli, he was getting thoroughly drenched by the rain. At least the rain had lightened; otherwise, it would have been quite uncomfortable.
"No one is here."
Samuel shook his head lightly to shake off the droplets gathered at the ends of his hair and stared at the person standing before him.
"Didn't you say Lady Anelli is here?"
Samuel recalled the situation from just moments ago.
So, it was right before. Xenon, constantly stirring the ladle for fear the soup would stick, had urgently pestered Samuel to bring Anelli quickly.
Naturally, she would be with the Dullahans in the adjacent building.
Thinking so, Samuel had stepped out of the building, only to be blocked by this person, who claimed Anelli was here and led him to this very spot.
"I don't see her in my sight."
As he followed, Samuel felt a subtle sense of déjà vu and searched his memory. Finally, upon reaching this location, he recalled the fitting scene in his mind.
Perhaps the other party felt the same. Otherwise, why would they stop here?
The center of the ruined residential district.
Amidst the debris where everything had collapsed.
Right here, where he had slain another knight.
"You didn't really follow me here thinking she was here, you son of a bitch."
Samuel remained unshaken by the hostility in the fierce voice. Instead, he calmly raised his hand and gripped the sword fastened at his waist.
The other party, watching Samuel's actions intently, also slowly raised a hand. Naturally, the other held a sword.
At the tip of the sword stood Samuel.
"You have the audacity to guide her?"
"I guide her because it is my duty."
"You damn bastard."
Sharp curses echoed through the silent air. Yes, perhaps it had been the same in the past.
Samuel, who had advanced by breaking down everything in his path, had stopped here. Back then too, the other had gnashed their teeth and hurled curses at Samuel.
Samuel shook his head once more to clear the moisture obstructing his vision.
"I'll kill you."
"You said the same thing back then."
Samuel replied indifferently and drew his sword.
"And I recall answering that I could not die here because I had a duty to fulfill."
That was how he had been back then. Preserving Anelli's soul intact was the sole goal he had to achieve.
All that comfortable talk about the world's freedom or eternal rest, he didn't even listen with half an ear.
Moreover, seeing the knights who so cherished the Captain leading her headlong into oblivion had made him somewhat, perhaps, angry.
"Even now, my answer remains the same, Sir Pallides."
At Samuel's reply, the eyes within the helmet glaring at him shone coldly.
Just like that day.