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IBHJ Chapter 219
🕑 Added 2023-04-21 22:29:04 +0000 UTCAs Shirou stepped into the capital city of the Dead Apostles, a red night veil draped over the entire area. The buildings and rooms were all empty, creating an eerie atmosphere.
Despite the unsettling surroundings, he remained unfazed as he continued walking forward. Suddenly, he noticed a middle-aged man adorned with armor and a crown standing nearby, silently observing him.
Shirou directed his attention to the middle-aged man and asked, "Who are you?"
The man was a stranger to Shirou, and he had never laid eyes on him before.
"I am the king of this kingdom," the man responded in a calm tone.
"I see. You must be Lamorak's father."
The dead king nodded in response.
"So, are you going to beg for mercy from me like the previous coward?"
The dead king shook his head and instead gestured towards the palace, saying, "Her Highness wishes to meet with you. Please follow me."
Acknowledging the king's words, Shirou followed him towards the palace.
The blood moon hung high in the sky, and the entire land was covered in a veil of blood mist. A kingdom with numerous buildings, yet empty of any people, appeared exceptionally eerie.
As they continued walking, he asked, "King Pellinore, where are the people of this kingdom?"
"The inhabitants have all been turned into blood bags and buried underground. They will be taken away when Her Highness departs," King Pellinore calmly replied.
Shirou nodded in understanding, "I see."
It was a gruesome reality - an entire kingdom of people turned into blood bags and buried underground to gestate as Dead Apostles. The situation was horrifying, but both kings maintained a stoic composure on their faces. It was impossible to discern what thoughts were running through their minds at that moment.
As they approached the palace, King Pellinore's expression became hesitant, and he asked, "King Arthur, I have heard that Lamorak is now serving under your command. How is he performing?"
"Lamorak's performance has been outstanding. He made significant contributions when I took over Londinium."
King Pellinore snorted, "So, even that waste has shown some improvement."
Shirou glanced at the King before asking, "You didn't choose to become a Dead Apostle willingly, did you?"
"No... I did make the choice of my own accord," King Pellinore responded, shaking his head. He promptly shifted the conversation, "King Arthur, may I ask what brings you to my realm? Even if your purpose is to vanquish us, I fear that the timing is less than ideal."
"I've come to recruit you," Shirou declared.
King Pellinore appeared taken aback by the statement and couldn't help but ask, "Would you mind repeating that?"
"Your hearing is fine, so there's no need for me to say it again."
King Pellinore let out a deep sigh. It was apparent that King Arthur's intentions were a bit overbearing, but the fact that he even considered recruiting Dead Apostles was beyond ludicrous. After all, the primary sustenance of Dead Apostles is human blood, so how could they possibly ally with their prey?
Feeling conflicted, King Pellinore remained silent as they approached the palace gates. As Shirou prepared to enter, King Pellinore gave a word of caution, reminding him to be careful.
Shirou stepped inside the palace, and darkness enveloped him like a shroud. The room was bathed in dim, flickering light, casting an eerie and unsettling vibe.
He glanced around, spotting a raven-haired girl lounging on a throne, her eyes sizing him up.
"You're King Arthur, right? The Human King?" she asked.
"That's me," he replied, "Tell me, are you your own being or the Crimson Moon?"
The girl's expression soured as she replied, "I am Altrouge, not the Crimson Moon. Pay attention, my name is Altrouge, and I am my own person!"
"Why's the Human King in my territory?" She leaned forward, a smirk playing on her lips. "Hoping to be my servant?"
"I'm not here to be some Dead Apostle. I've come to help with the siege around you."
"Hmm?" she raised an eyebrow, "Siege? What are you talking about?
"White Dragon - Vortigern."
Her eyebrows shot up. "The matter of the White Dragon has nothing to do with me. Why drag me into it?"
Shirou responded with a thoughtful expression, "I beg to differ. The White Dragon's attack not only hit its intended target, but it also hit this kingdom. I'm sure Lady Altrouge has already experienced the devastating power of that light blast."
The girl's expression turned into a frown as she tapped her slender fingers lightly on the table. The attack of the Tower of Light had indeed caused them trouble, which was why they had resorted to sending troops to attack Vortigern's territory under the cover of night.
"So, are you here to propose cooperation and attack Vortigern together?"
He nodded, "Yes, but before we move forward with that, there's something that needs to be clarified."
"What is it that you want to clarify?"
"I would like to have a conversation with Lady Altrouge."
"That would be me."
Ignoring her, his gaze traveled past the throne, locking onto the shadows behind. "Why not reveal yourselves, you two hiding back there? I've come in good faith."
A hushed silence enveloped the room.
The girl on the throne narrowed her eyes, remaining seated.
King Pellinore maintained his composure, giving no indication that he had seen or heard anything. The vast palace seemed almost deserted, with only a few people present, adding to the eerie silence that permeated the court.
After a moment of silence, Merem stepped out from behind the throne and addressed him, "How were you able to see through the Rat King's disguise, human?"
Shirou's gaze shifted towards Merem as he responded with a question of his own, "Can I assume that you are in charge here, Merem Solomon?"
Merem was taken aback by the inquiry and asked in surprise, "You...you know who I am, human?"
He was surprised by Shirou's knowledge of him. Despite having been one of Crimson Moon's subordinates for hundreds of years, Merem had always remained in the shadows and kept a low profile. Thus, very few people were aware of his existence, let alone his true identity.
Merem found himself wondering how this king could have possibly known about him.
Shirou replied confidently, "I am the Red Dragon of Britain, the King of Destiny. Naturally, I know everything."
His calm demeanor and confident words gave the impression that he believed everything he said to be true. In reality, there was some truth to his statement. As a time traveler and a fan of the Fate series, Shirou was well-versed in the lore and history of the franchise, including the existence of Merem Solomon as one of Crimson Moon's loyal dogs.
The girl occupying the throne cast a sidelong glance at Merem, who stayed quiet and stood beside her seat.
She then turned her attention to Shirou, asking, "You walked in here alone; do you not fear we might devour you?"
"Are you in command here, little mouse?"
Her brow furrowed in response.
Shirou paid no heed to her reaction, focusing instead on the area behind the throne with an intense stare. He spoke, "Lady Altrouge, you've been on the island of Britain for nearly three years, neither advancing nor retreating. I suspect the Crimson Moon has assigned you a task, hasn't he?"
He added, "Your attacks are directed at Vortigern's territory, which implies you're aware of the truth surrounding him. If he regains control over sixty percent of the land and the Tower of Light reemerges, are you confident in your ability to survive?"
"Well..."
Before the girl could respond, a cold snort interrupted her. "The so-called light blast is nothing but a mere trifle!"
The girl on the throne let out a sigh and then vanished into thin air, revealing her true form as a white mouse wearing a crown.
"If it's truly nothing, then why bother invading Vortigern's land?"
"Well, that's..."
Altrouge hesitated for a moment before Shirou continued, "Let's work together. If you wish to remain on this island and complete Crimson Moon's mission, then Vortigern must be a significant threat!"
"Coming to this place as a human, and even talking about cooperation with us? Are you not afraid of being eaten by me?"
He remained unfazed. "If I were afraid, then I wouldn't be King Arthur."
"You have more courage than King Mark," she acknowledged.
With a sudden shattering sound, the throne dissolved like a mirage, revealing the scenery behind it. It was as if the throne itself had been an illusion, and the scenery behind it was the true reality all along.
As the pieces of the throne fell away, a small white mouse landed gracefully on the ground and scampered up onto Merem's shoulder.
Shirou glanced upwards, spotting Altrouge perched on a lavish gold throne, her legs elegantly crossed. Her face, young and indifferent, held a regality the imposter mouse girl lacked.
However, his attention was not on her; instead, it was focused on a nearby alchemical container filled with liquid that shimmered in the light.
Inside the container, a soft crimson liquid surrounded a golden-haired girl, dressed in elegant clothes. Each of her features was beautifully defined. With closed eyes and a tranquil expression, she seemed to be in a deep sleep, floating in this eerie blood-like substance.
Recognition flashed across his face as he looked at her.
It was none other than Arcueid!
