The Delinquent's Grand Order

The Atlas Institute

Like they hadn't made any progress, the group departed once again, heading towards the desert region. Then again, it was more just the fact that it appeared to be a desert nearly everywhere that they went. "Senpai, are you okay? How is your recovering going?"

"I'm managing. It's just... well, I couldn't imagine the loyalty of the Tristan, too. It isn't too pleasant to have ripped his soul out the way I did... but I did warn him. He refused," Keiji recounted what had happened moments ago, grimacing slightly.

Mash accepted that. She didn't know how everything worked with him, but the remnants of anger, and mixed with her justice, made her less sympathetic to the cause of Tristan. "I understand, but you knew that it was necessary to do. They would have done far worse to the village. Does it cause you extreme pain when you do that?" Mash asked.

Keiji shook his head. "I can manage it fine, it's just something that I don't like doing. Good or evil, they are Heroic Spirits all the same. Part of me just feels kinda funny by desecrating them like that, but I might get over it. Muramasa... any update?"

"I'm close," Muramasa affirmed. "With two of them, I'm getting closer to cracking their Spirit Origins," he explained, a golden spiral catching his attention as he analysed them. "I may be capable of doing something even more."

Sanzang smiled as she heard everything. "Yep, that's my disciple!"

Touta sighed. "Yeah... who is doing everything without the help of his mentor, but that's neither here or there. Let's hurry up ahead, yeah? Wanna speed up?" Touta asked.

"I'm capable of that much," Da Vinci replied to Touta's suggestion.

***

"I have returned, Majesty. Apologies for the delay."

"It's fine. I ordered you to protect any humans fit for the Holy Selection. If that is achieved, I have no punishment to give. Raise your head," the Lion King told him.

Lancelot nodded. "I am honoured, Your Majesty. Thank you most kindly. Knowing that I have not defiled Your Majesty's kindness brings me unspeakable joy. There are twelve humans fit for the Holy Selection. We've already brought them to the Holy City, and handed them off to the supervisors. From now, I will also join in the defense of the Holy City."

Gawain nodded. "Well done, Lancelot. Although, I see that Sir Tristan is not with you. What has happened?"

"Before that. I beg our king to please allow me a question."

Gawain's eyes narrowed. "Why do you avoid my question, Sir Lancelot? Answer me—"

"Wait, Gawain. It is the wish of a knight who has not once asked for a reward in all his years of service. I cannot turn it down."

"I have just returned from attacking the village of rebels, in response to Sir Tristan's request. I did so as that village hosted rebels that committed sins before the main gates of the Holy City."

" I heard. It was brilliant work, Lancelot. What of it?"

Lancelot's face turned rough. "Why was the sacred lance unleashed? Sir Tristan setting fire to the battlefield was already excessive. Dropping the Light of judgment on top of that was simply cruel. Thus far, Your Majesty has brandished the sacred lance to rule these wastelands. But, even for rebellions, not once has the Light of Judgment been unleashed upon human settlements. Under these pressing circumstances, we utilize fear to speed up governance. We've believed that this is the righteousness of the Lion King. But using the sacred spear against a village is wrong. That is not justice. That is not even fear. My king. Why do such a thing to the village? I would like to hear the true intention behind it. Even more so if it was not Your Majesty's decision but that of someone else... the opinion of someone who keeps the government."