Type-Moon: The Araya Knight's Holy Grail Journey Author: Kotomine Satsuki
Seeing the moon of the Millennium Castle once again, Ludwig suddenly had a peculiar sensation.
It was clear and flawless; no matter how many years passed, it never waxed or waned.
In the end, physical time does not flow within the Inner Sea of the Planet. For a lifeform living on the surface of the world, reaching this place from anywhere felt like a mockery of that famous philosophical paradox:
"No man ever steps in the same river twice." "But a man can arrive at the same Inner Sea countless times."
Amused by this little thought, Ludwig couldn't help but close his eyes and chuckle silently to himself.
That was until the sound of rustling footsteps slowly approached him.
He opened his eyes once the sound stopped and saw the Princess standing beside him, looking at him with a slightly surprised gaze.
"You managed to escape, after all. I thought you wouldn't return," she said.
"Why? Did you think I'd spend the rest of my life running away in the outside world? Just in case you suddenly changed your mind and decided to execute the Planet's will, so I could live a little longer?" Ludwig shot back with a grin.
The Princess shook her head. "No, it was merely a hypothesis. And you have overturned it."
"Sorry to disappoint. I had nowhere else to go. I got tired of wandering around outside, so I couldn't help but come back," Ludwig said. "If I'm in the way, I'll head to Avalon next time."
The Inner Sea was full of mysteries. He felt as though Avalon was boundless—that he could walk forever without reaching an end—yet the moment he regained his senses, he found himself back at the Millennium Castle, Brunestud.
"It matters not." The Princess lifted her skirt and sat down beside Ludwig. "However, you carry the scent of a Beast of the Planet."
"A Beast of the Planet?" Ludwig was puzzled, unsure of what that meant.
He reflected on the past few days of the Holy Grail War and the people he had encountered. Suddenly, the answer hit him.
Could she be talking about Merlin...?
The Princess did not elaborate. She simply sat there, as if whiling away time that did not physically pass was the finest form of leisure. Perhaps she would spend thousands or tens of thousands of years here in this exact manner.
Then, Ludwig remembered something and slowly sat upright.
"By the way, Princess, I met someone out there... a Magician, actually. His name was Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg," Ludwig said.
The Princess gazed at him for several seconds with eyes a thousand times more magnificent than rubies. "You mean the old man? What about him?"
"Nothing much. He just asked me to give you his regards since he ran into me." Ludwig tilted his head and smiled at her. "According to him, he's something like your guardian?"
"It is not exactly wrong for the old man to say that. But we are also natural enemies," the Princess added. "Shortly after I was born, the old man came to see me once. That is how I know of his existence."
"I see..." Ludwig mused.
The Second Magician was an existence who had lived for thousands of years, one of the few humans who had "graduated" from this planet, remaining only for specific reasons.
Maybe I should chat with Merlin later and find out the truth about the Princess's origins, he thought to himself.
During the days of the Holy Grail War, his vision had been occupied by other matters; it had never occurred to him to investigate the Princess's background.
The Princess suddenly spoke: "But why would the old man seek you out? Why have you bring his regards?"
"Well..." Ludwig couldn't really explain it himself.
Zelretch had appeared out of nowhere, as if invited by someone, or as if he had been watching the Holy Grail War from the very beginning. But regardless, he had a hunch that the biggest catalyst was himself.
If he hadn't been in Fuyuki's Holy Grail War, Zelretch likely wouldn't have appeared.
Under the Princess's questioning gaze, Ludwig leaned his chin on his hand and thought for a long while.
"I don't know. I feel like I'd have to ask him in person to be sure," he finally said.
After all, Zelretch had invited him to the Clock Tower. Whether it was a trap or a genuine invitation to be a guest, Ludwig didn't know. If the opportunity arose, he might go take a look.
"Is that so." The Princess lost interest.
"But he kept calling me 'Brunestud,' even though I have my own name," Ludwig complained offhandedly.
A slight change appeared in the Princess's eyes. "If you had not introduced yourself as such, no one would call you that."
"..." Ludwig realized he had let the cat out of the bag. A cold sweat broke out on his face. "Let's talk about something else, like that Holy Grail War—"
"Tell me." The Princess didn't take her eyes off him, but her words referred back to the previous topic.
"Fine... I admit I was being a bit mischievous." Ludwig sat cross-legged, hands grabbing his ankles, shoulders slumped. "When I was asked for my name outside, I didn't give my real one. Instead, I called myself Ludwig van Brunestud."
"Ludwig van Brunestud." The Princess widened her eyes, a look of surprise surfacing as she repeated the name in a low voice.
A moment later, a faint smile appeared on her face. "It is a fine name. Something that was originally unremarkable has suddenly become extraordinary."
"Hey..." Ludwig called out in protest. He got the feeling the Princess was being a bit "black-bellied," teasing him about his name on purpose.
But in the next instant, the Princess leaned forward. With a hand encased in a blue silk glove, she touched his cheek.
"I permit you to call yourself that. From now on, wherever you go, you shall use this name. This Millennium Castle, Brunestud, is where you come from." The Princess's face was expressionless and her tone was flat, yet it carried an irresistible authority.
It was as if she were declaring sovereignty over her own property.
"Yes, yes... my life was already on your tab anyway, Princess. If that's what you say, then from now on, I am Ludwig van Brunestud." Ludwig gave in.
He had expected her to take issue with him using her family name falsely, but instead, she had given him official recognition after the fact.
The Princess withdrew her hand. "Your life is my possession. The only one allowed to take it is me."
"You said 'stay of execution' last time." Ludwig frowned slightly. "I'm not going to be your slave or accessory."
"I have no such intention." The Princess merely smiled faintly, making it impossible to guess her thoughts. "Now then, let's hear it. What interesting things did you encounter out there this time?"
"So you actually want to hear it." Ludwig couldn't help but laugh.
He adjusted his posture, turned to face the Princess, and began to recount his experiences in Fuyuki City. He hoped this little adventure tale would dispel at least a bit of her boredom.
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Type-Moon: The A-Ray Knight's Holy Grail Journey(119 Chapter - Ongoing)
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