Era of Heroic Spirits: I Was Exposed by Alaya

Under the gaze of countless onlookers,

King Arthur paused her steps ever so slightly, her eyes casually scanning the surroundings.

The dense crowd surrounded them like an ocean, making it impossible to distinguish one person from another.

Have you really come?

Artoria's focus wavered for less than half a second before she continued forward with perfectly measured steps.

She had sensed the faintest ripple of Avalon.

So faint that it seemed as though it had long been shattered into dust, only to be forcibly pieced back together.

No—worse than that.

It was as if it had been utterly annihilated, leaving behind only the barest trace of its existence, with no physical form whatsoever.

And now, under the influence of some mysterious force, it was slowly reviving.

Was this the effect of the exposé video released by [Alaya]?

A faint smile appeared on Artoria's flawless, beautiful face.

It had been over fifteen hundred years since she last saw him—since the final battle at Camlann.

You vanished from my world.

Now, I've come to yours.

I wonder… would you be willing to see me?

Beside her, Tamamo-no-Mae's three golden tails swayed slightly as she asked in puzzlement, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just didn't expect the people of Fuyuki City to be so welcoming," Artoria replied with a smile.

"Isn't it a joy to have friends come from afar? This hospitality has been passed down in our country for thousands of years."

Tamamo-no-Mae answered naturally.

Tamamo-no-Mae's fox-like eyes gleamed with amusement.

Others might not notice, but she, a nine-tailed fox, could see right through the little act.

King Arthur had clearly detected 'his' presence!

How interesting!

And soon, another person would arrive. She couldn't wait.

Fight! Fight!

Of course, as the host, she had to maintain proper decorum on the surface.

With graceful courtesy, Tamamo-no-Mae led the way. "Next, I'll escort you to your accommodations at the Fuyuki Grand Hotel. In the evening, you'll meet with student representatives from Fuyuki Magecraft Academy."

"We appreciate your hospitality."

Artoria followed her through the crowd.

The group boarded a waiting motorcade, which would take them to the Fuyuki Grand Hotel.

There, a press conference would be held, followed by an even grander banquet befitting Heroic Spirits.

At the event, alongside the top dignitaries, student representatives from Fuyuki Magecraft Academy would also attend, mingling with the Heroic Spirits in close, cordial conversation.

This was the dream of every student representative.

Except for one ordinary high schooler.

Souma wiped cold sweat from his brow as the faint trace of Avalon's presence vanished completely.

Had he gone unnoticed?

But he couldn't be sure.

After all, it was her possession.

At the Battle of Camlann, he had been caught in the crossfire while trying to mediate—only to be obliterated by Artoria and Mordred's combined attack.

In an attempt to save him, Artoria had taken Avalon from within herself and implanted it into his body.

This was why she had succumbed to her fatal wounds at Camlann, eventually corrupted by Rhongomyniad into the Lion King.

With Avalon's protection, it had been impossible for Mordred to kill her—

No, she couldn't even injure her!

But this was only the beginning.

Souma was getting more and more of a headache. "How am I going to handle tonight's meeting?"

If he were to be recognized on the spot, it would definitely cause an uproar.

By then, the ordinary life he had finally managed to enjoy after tirelessly fighting across countless timelines and worlds would be completely gone!

At this moment, Souma seemed to hear that devilish voice again—

"You can't rest yet, Master!"

Damn it!

Souma finally understood.

Alaya was exposing him time and again, clearly trying to work him to death and then force him to become a Servant laborer again!

Where else could you find a second Guardian of Humanity as outstanding as him?

Alaya, do you hear me? Screw you!

No, he had to avoid this somehow.

His chances were good!

As long as that brat didn't bring her home—

Hmm, last time the brat's identity was exposed by Gilgamesh, it was purely because he sensed the aura of Enkidu.

The "Wedge of Heaven" and the "Chains of Heaven" were fated rivals, so it made sense for them to sense each other.

There shouldn't be any trace of Avalon on the brat, right?

[Avalon — The Everdistant Utopia]

It possessed invincible, magic-tier defense, impervious even to Ea, the Sword of Rupture.

The strongest defense naturally could also forge the strongest shield.

During the final battle, Avalon had transformed into the ultimate prison, sealing him and that terrifying enemy inside.

The battle shattered this invincible defense, and it was later used as a sacrifice to restart the world.

There shouldn't be any lingering traces of it on the brat, right?

"Just to be safe, I should get Gilgamesh to help too."

Souma specifically called him to discuss it.

The King of Heroes in his strongest form was unfathomably powerful.

With his help, things would be secure.

"Don't even think about it. I'm here to watch you get stabbed to death—why would I help you?" Gilgamesh replied with a smile.

He had already arrived in Fuyuki City via private jet.

He had bought the hotel, along with the bank behind it, and naturally had it remodeled to his extravagant tastes.

Magus after magus scrambled to personally coat the hotel in gold!

Money could make ghosts turn millstones—let alone mere magi.

The other end of the call gritted his teeth before hanging up. "You're ruthless!"

"Hahaha, how delightful!"

Gilgamesh laughed heartily.

Once he finished laughing,

he reverted to his ordinary "Mr. Gold" persona and had Roya brought before him.

He handed her an exquisite gift box. "Little Roya, I didn't give you anything last time we met. Here's a small gift."

"Ah, I couldn't possibly—"

Roya tried to refuse with a serious expression but ultimately "reluctantly" accepted it.

She eagerly opened the golden gift box.

Inside was a beautiful white hat.

Its wide brim was edged with gold and embroidered with green plants.

The boundless elegance and fashion, combined with the touch of nature, instantly captivated her.

Roya cautiously asked, "Mr. Gold, this must be very expensive, right?"

"Not at all. It's quite cheap."

Gilgamesh smiled.

What appeared to be an ordinary, beautiful hat was actually one of the highest-tier Divine Constructs he had retrieved from the [Gate of Babylon].

Its true name was—

[Hades's Cap of Invisibility!]

***

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