I was a Nerfed Hero in Another World

Third Person Point of View

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People in Magique thought that the Legends of King Arthur were a story without proof. However, the man himself sat on the marvellous looking throne painted with gold.

King Arthur Pendragon had his armour intact on his skin with an Excalibur clipped in his hand. It was the most sought weapon across the land, and nobody could wield the sword but him. And it was one of its kind, meant to slaughter evildoers.

Beside him was an old man who wore a hooded cloak. That clothing concealed the man's face in the dark, just like his goal. People called him the Merlin Myddrin and deemed him as the most powerful sorcerer living on this planet.

The two of them worked hard to attain peace by spilling blood in their hands. King Arthur believed he was the hero that created Camelot. Merlin's destiny was to accompany him to destroy sinners and conquer the sinful land.

After creating the kingdom of Camelot, King Arthur Pendragon and Merlin Myddrin went on a quest to find the holy grail. Gathered around the round table was the group of elite soldiers.

From the last decade, twelve knights joined the round table. But after the rise of the demon lord's kingdom, six remained on their chairs, while the other half got incinerated inside the forsaken place.

These benevolent knights include Sir Lancelot, Sir Gawain, Sir Geraint, Sir Lionel, Sir Uther, and King Arthur.

Sir Lancelot was a talented knight who believed and followed the meaning behind the word "justice". He swore to the knight's plea to remain truthful about his words and his actions.

Sir Gawain was the brother of the deceased best knight, Mordred. Although the story was about the tragic past of Arthur, the people inside the kingdom kept the memories hidden from everyone's eyes.

Sir Geraint was the eldest among the knights and the wisest among them. He was a good friend of King Arthur and a loyal knight for the Kingdom of Camelot.

Sir Lionel was the cousin of Lancelot. The two of them cared for each other. But Sir Lionel confided his faith to King Arthur. He, too, believed that vanquishing evil would lead to peace in the world.

Sir Uther was the father of King Arthur. He was the former king before he crowned his son as the succeeding ruler of Camelot. Uther believed that his son's goals aligned with his. That man did not even say anything. And yet Arthur, his son, walked down to his steps.

"Rise, my trustworthy comrades of Camelot. I grant this toast to our recent achievements," cheered the king himself as he stood from his seat.

The five others did the same and raised their glasses with glee. Everyone put on their masks except for Sir Lancelot.

"What are you thinking, Lancelot, my friend? Is there something turbulent in your mind?" Arthur Pendragon asked, with his eyes scrutinising the weary Lancelot.

"I drew tired of drawing my sword at innocent people. Those children did no harm, and yet they suffered the same fate as our enemies," Lancelot commented, as he looked Arthur in the eye.

If the elders heard his statement, those officials would seize Lancelot, regardless of his status. However, Arthur paid it no concern and shrugged the words off his shoulder. He knew Lancelot would change his mind after saying his petty words.

"My dear Lancelot, have you forgotten our pride and honour? The knights of this roundtable gave their lives for the peace of our people. We consider outside those barricades as hideous as the night skies. Therefore, we shall not place our sympathy in the wrong heart. We shall stick our judgement close to our people," King Arthur mentioned, while raising his wine glass once more.

"Knights of the Round Table. My apologies if I have shaken your belief in the name of just. Do not falter by the words of monsters and evil beings. We called those beasts monsters for a reason. They wreak havoc on our villages and destroy the livelihood of our people. With them gone, our citizens would carve their faces with glee!" Arthur Pendragon continued.

The four knights hailed the ruler and his words as they struck their glasses into their blissful imaginations. But Sir Lancelot could not bring himself to accept such an injustice.

He did not believe King Arthur's words of wisdom. Although he was a good friend of his, killing innocent lives was out of the matter.

"Believe what you must, Lancelot. But the Round Table shall move on. You must trust the boards… and put your trust in me." King Arthur rested his hand on top of Lancelot's shoulders before leaving.

The poor Lancelot shut his mouth tight, unable to bear the pressure and weight on his shoulders.

"All of us have a mission to complete tomorrow! We shall find the enchanting chalice known as the Holy Grail that will feed our kingdom! If we have the strength of our masses, we could save the world and its beliefs. The surrounding borders plague themselves with cruel thoughts. We shall finish this war in our own hands, even by drenching them with blood."

Arthur's words only meant one thing. He wished to bring peace by ordering a war across lands. We conquered half of the continent and won our battles. The only terrain we had not visited was the demon's lair.

Arthur planned to save the worst for last… He even called it his dessert on the Round Table's plate.

It was what King Arthur had mentioned earlier. The Round Table and the knights would carry on the task. Sir Lancelot had no power changing the course of the tide, for he was just a sole man.

Lancelot returned to the set of steps earlier than the five knights. On the staircase, he met the love of his life, but the wife of another man.

"Guinevere! You're still as lovely as the golden sun above," Lancelot exclaimed, accompanied by his cheesy yet sincere words.

"Geez… I told you not to act formally in front of me," Guinevere teased, with her lips curving upward.

The girl found love in the man in front of her. However, Guinevere met Lancelot a year before she could marry the King of Camelot… The queen did not marry Arthur of her own volition.

It was a curse to save her own family.

"If Arthur sees us, I will become dead meat!" Lancelot cried, as he attempted to climb the stairs.

"You're already dead meat… and skinny to boot!" Guinevere teased again, striking a nail in Lancelot's mind.

"Brilliant! Hilarious! I might die while laughing!" Lancelot mocked. But his eyes never took off from Guinevere's figure.

That man could not bring himself to hate the love of her life. Lancelot hated himself for not meeting her early. But even if he did, who knew what could happen? Maybe… Guinevere's family would not suffer any dangerous situation in the hands of Arthur.

But these were Lancelot's mere speculations.

"Are you going tomorrow… on the quest to find the holy grail?" Guinevere whispered, with her hands clasped against each other.

My feet stopped before I could reach the second floor's apex. The two of us fell silent after hearing such words coming from Guinevere's mouth. The queen attempted to save the conversation and took back everything she said.

But I interposed and gave her my answer. "Yes. We will not stop until we find the Holy Grail. That chalice could feed the entire kingdom and grant us the power to relieve the famine of this world. If we got our hands with that power, maybe Arthur could…"

"Change? Is that what you're thinking, Lancelot?! Do you think my husband would change?"

"Your… husband. I see."

"Wait!" Guinevere called out, but another voice kicked in the background.

"Guinevere, my life! I knew you'd be here! I was looking forever for you!" Arthur's voice came into light as he emerged from the distant shadow. "Oh, you're here too, Lancelot! Thank you for telling me the whereabouts of my wife!"

"Yes, of course. Guinevere just reminded me about the Holy Grail. She wished me luck, and I accepted her words. I will leave you two alone now," Lancelot replied, and gave King Arthur and Guinevere a nod.

He went upstairs and into his room, shutting the door gingerly on his way back. Lancelot's heartbeat a million times as he witnessed the girl whom she loved with a man. He vowed his knighthood to Arthur.

However, there was a hole in his heart that told otherwise.

Lancelot could do nothing but stare in agony at the two figures. He could even hear the voices of the two making love in the other room.

But Guinevere was not the only problem he had in mind. Lancelot also needed to complete his quest and find the Holy Grail.

As the night grew hold, Lancelot took his rest on his bed. Despite the morning sun greeting him in the window, terrible news struck the kingdom of Camelot.

"King Arthur has gone missing?!" Lancelot shouted, as he talked to the knight, who informed him about the news.