Fate/Magus Path

138 Friends

"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.