It had been almost a month since Martel came to this world. He was eating breakfast along with Freyja and Morgan, as has become a routine. Freyja was the first to speak up. “So Martel, tonight is the bimonthly ball that we hold with the nobles. Do you plan on attending?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Oh? That’s a shame. More nobles and their families are coming than normal, so it’s going to be grander than usual.”

“I see, and how many of these non-regular attendees have daughters of marriageable age.”

“What do you… Quite a few of them.”

“It’s a situation I would rather avoid. I may join one at a later date, but I believe this first one I should let pass. I apologize for giving you more work for you, Freyja.”

“What do you mean?

“Given that you’re my diplomatic representative, I imagine all the attention that would go to me will go to you. Thank you for your dedication.” Martel replied with a sarcastic smile. 

In comparison, Freyja looked a bit shocked. “Y-yes.”

...

“I just can’t believe it!” Freyja said outside of Martel’s base in the late afternoon. She seemd to have had a tad too much wine to drink.

[Should I keep quiet and listen? No, she’s not inebriated, I might as well keep her company since I’m the cause.] Martel thought with a bit of guilt. “I was under the impression the ball would last longer.”

“It does, I left early. Those nobles wouldn’t leave me alone! I’m used to the attention of these things, given my position, but they wouldn’t stop barraging me with questions. The young ladies wanted to know if you are handsome. The young men wanted to know if you are strong. The old nobles want you to meet their daughters.” she replied while pouting. “Seriously, I don’t know what’s wrong with those nobles. They see their daughters as tools for political power, and they are so selfish.”

“All actions are selfish.”

A surprised expression appears on Freyja’s face. “What do you mean? I’ll admit that a lot of people take selfish actions, but that doesn’t mean that selfless actions don’t exist.”

“Okay, then please name one.”

“That’s easy. There is a story about the virtue of selfless actions. A traveler found a wounded man on the road. He was beaten and robbed and left to die. The traveler took him to a town, and paid for his living expenses in medicine and left without a word, not even leaving his name. Years later, they met again. The beaten man became a wealthy businessman who rewarded him handsomely.”

“So, the moral of the story is, if you do good things and good things will happen to you?”

“No... good things can happen to you.”

“So it can be inferred that an evil person will only have bad things happen?”

“That… Isn’t entirely correct…”

“I understand. It’s a story that’s meant to bring a message. However, why did the traveler help the man?”

“Because it was the right thing to do?”

“And why did he do the right thing?”

“Because if he was in the same situation, that’s what he would’ve wanted to have happened to him.”

“So it can be argued that he did it to promote others to do the right thing so that someone would help him in a similar situation?”

“… I guess.”

“Could he have also found satisfaction in helping this person?”

“Possibly…”

“Then, I make this point. The action that you call selfless was done for the betterment of society and thus himself. On top of this, he could’ve found personal satisfaction in committing the act, which was worth more than the money and time spent. Ultimately, he judged that he gained more from the action than if he had left it alone. And isn’t the definition of selfishness not committing actions for one’s gain?”

“I… I guess but…”

“But there’s a difference.”

“Yes, there are actions that are selfish, but I can’t designate all actions as selfish.”

“And I agree with you. I’m not saying that selflessness doesn’t exist, I’m saying that the concept of selflessness is misguided. I believe that a better way of stating it is that there are selfish actions and selflessly selfish actions. Selfish actions are those where one finds happiness from them. Selfless actions are those where happiness is gained solely from the happiness of others. In other words, the action itself brings one no happiness, but the happiness of others caused by it does.”

“I guess… I guess this is just a matter of how you define them. Then what about you? Are you here for selfish or selfless reasons?”

“Selfish reasons. While I wasn’t brought here of my will, I’m staying here of my own free will. I’m gaining abilities that were only pure fantasy. I have power here compared to my world. My sense of curiosity and discovery is also being heavily fulfilled and, finally, the company’s wonderful.” Martel replied with a sly smile which caused Freyja to be slightly flustered.

“So you’re saying that none of your actions are selfless?”

“While I can’t cite any examples, that is not the case. You see, I am happiest when the girls I like are smiling. That is my selflessness.”

“I… I see. At least, you are honest.” 

“For the record, I plan to continue being selfish.”

End of Day -297

 

Morgan rubbed her eyes as slowly made her way back to her room, dimly lit by the moonlight. Unlike the main hall, the guest room didn’t have an adjacent facility she had become used to. This fact aroused her anger even though she was half asleep.

“It’s all that stupid–” *thump* She began before she walked into Martel.

“Careful there, Morgan.”

“What are you doing up so early?”

“This is about the time I go do some training.”

“Seriously? The sun’s not even out yet.”

“Yeah, I only need about four hours of sleep every day.”

“What can you do so early in the morning?”

“My daily workout regimen and basic Ki training.”

“You’re still working on the basics?”

“Yes, the best way to break through the wall that is talent is to build a strong foundation. I plan to build my house on a rock, and not sand.”

“Yeah? Well, I’m off to bed.”

“Okay, goodnight, Morgan.”

“Goodnight.”

Still half asleep, she walked and fell into her bed. [Huh? Was he always so muscular? And he didn’t call me Goldie.] She thought just before the embrace of sleep took her.

...

Freyja and Morgan watched Martel and Duran as they trained under the morning sun. 

“I must say, for someone who hasn’t even been here two months, he is doing quite well,” Freyja said with a smile that had a hint of a smile.

“I think he’s training more than we believe,” Morgan replied with an expression that shows her apparent lack of interest.

Martel and Duran had crossed swords, real swords. 

“Oh, they are starting to infuse Ki in the blades. That’s dangerous.” Freyja said with some well-deserved worry

The sound of clashing metal reverberated in the surroundings as Duran and Martel crossed swords a couple of times, but Duran’s Ki was too powerful as his sword bounced Martel’s blade aside which knocked Martel off balance. Duran’s sword continued towards Martel. *Ting*. With a flurry, half of Duran’s blade went flying. Everyone froze for what felt like seconds while Martel caught his breath.

“What was that?” Freyja finally managed to say. “All I saw was Martel moved his hand in the path of the blade.”

“That is right,” Martel answered. “Here, I will show you.” He raised his hand and Ki extended from it to a length of about a foot. “First use Manipulation Ki to extended out then I use Reinforcement to compress the Ki down to a thin blade. It appears that you need a certain amount of Ki or defense to block it; otherwise, it can cut through most things.”

“Seriously? You did that in that instant?” Duran asked.

“It surprised me too. Good thing I practiced it so much otherwise I would be hurt right now. By the way, it also has one more function.” Martel said before he pointed his hand towards a tree and continued. “If you use it like an emitter you can also do this.”

He fired the plate of Ki towards the tree and… Nothing happened.

“Ha, you failed miserably,” Morgan stated, having recovered from the shock of what happened.

“Morgan.” Freyja reprimand. “Even if it wasn’t perfect, he still combined all three principles of Ki. That is-”

“It’s all right Freyja,” Martel said which caused Freyja to become confused. To alleviate her confusion, Martel promptly fired dense Ki at the tree. It hit with a *thump* followed by a creaking as the tree fell over, cleanly cut.

“What?” Morgan stated in disbelief. Freyja couldn’t help but have a look of shock. 

In comparison, Duran had a relatively dull look on his face. “Seriously, you are progressing in such a strange way at such a fast pace I can’t say I’m surprised by it anymore. At any rate, I apologize for my incompetence in controlling my Ki. Also, thank you for not killing me with that. Couldn’t you use it on the sword?”

“Yes, I could. I must say, I get all of these ideas and all I’m getting are killing techniques even though I want to come up with something non-lethal.”

“You may not have such leisure on the battlefield. At any rate, your skill with the sword has gotten adequate so, seeing as my sword is broken, shall we move on to other weapons?”

“Sure.”

“Very well. What shall it be? The bow or spear?”

“What happened to the chakrams?”

“No one uses them anymore. Think about it. Its reach is shorter than the sword when swung and the bow when thrown. On top of this, it’s just bad practice to throw your weapon in the middle of a battle.”

To this information, Martel pondered for a short time. “The chakrams were the weapons of the Spirit King of Lightning correct?” Martel asked Freyja, who nodded in confirmation.

A smile crept across his lips. “Why don’t we stop here for now, but why don’t you give me one of each so that we can start tomorrow. Please include the chakrams.”

“Very well, I can get you the bow and spear immediately. The chakrams… I will try to get you some by the end of the day.”

“Very well.”

End of Day -275

 

“I don’t think pacing will help the situation,” Martel said to Duran.

“I can’t help it. My child is being born. I think I’m too young for this.”

“I agree, but you reap what you sow.”

“Of course he does,” Morgan interjected as she walked up to them. “Did you hear about the circumstances of their marriage?” She asked Martel, who shook his head.

“Her father was a noble who was friends with our father. As such, both he and Sarah would come by often when she was young. The results were Duran and Sarah becoming childhood friends. Then, at her 16th birthday party, he went straight up to her and proposed, which she accepted. Our parents weren’t pleased because he never consulted them, but it would look bad if they went back on it, especially given how happy they were together.”

“So, from a young age, she was able to manipulate his heart and marry into the Royal family.”

“Yep.”

“She’s not like that at all!” Duran protested adamantly.

“Sure, sure,” Martel replied with a chuckle. “At any rate, you don’t have much to worry about. Grandma and Freyja are going to help the birthing with their healing Magic, and Sarah will make a great mom.”

“Yeah, but I feel like I should be doing something.”

“For now, wait. Once they tell us we can go in, then you act. Don’t hold the child out of Sarah’s sight. Split your time between Sarah and the child. And finally, be sure to thank Sarah for going through the hell you just put her through.” Martel said with a smirk while he elbowed Duran. 

The door opened behind them as Freyja walked out. Her hair was slightly disheveled, her sleeves were rolled up, and she had a tired expression on her face. She gave a smile, looked at Duran, and spoke. “Congratulations, it’s a boy. Now if you excuse me, I’m going to go get cleaned up.” 

Morgan, Duran, and Martel walked in to find an exhausted Sarah, who held a baby boy wrapped in cloth. Grandma sat in a chair near the bed. “There were no problems, it’s a healthy boy,” she said. 

Duran walked over and hugged Sarah while he whispered a “thank you” to which she smiled. She handed the boy to Duran, who coddled him gently. 

“Are you going to ask him?” Sarah asked Duran while she eyed Martel.

“Ask me what?”

“Well…” Duran started. “We… If you don’t mind, we decided that if we had a son, we would name him Martel. Is that alright?”

An expression of surprise appeared on Martel’s face. “Well, I don’t mind, and he is your child. Besides, what right what I have to deny you to give your child a name that I gave myself.”

“So, your name isn’t Martel?” Morgan asked with a look of confusion.

“It’s not my birth name, Goldie.”

“W... Why do you keep calling me that!”

“Let me ask you this, what is a name but a word that you respond to? Right, Goldie?”

“Humph.” She huffed while she turned her head to the side defiantly. 

Sarah started to laugh weakly. “Well, if it’s all the same to you, I still would like to name him Martel.”

“Then it’s official,” Duran said.

Freyja came back after she cleaned up and everyone had a turn holding the baby. When Freyja’s turn came around, Martel can’t help but stare.

“W-what is it?” Freyja bashfully asked when she saw Martel’s soft gaze.

“Nothing much, I’m just surprised. I didn’t think you could get any more beautiful.” Martel replied with an honest smile.

Freyja pretended not to react while she played with baby Martel, but she couldn’t hide her reddened face.

After a bit, Duran, Freyja, and Martel exited the room and went out to the balcony.

“Hey Duran, there is something I want to talk to you about,” Martel said.

“Go ahead.”

“Back when I met with you and your family privately, you said something that bothered me. It was that you wanted to find ‘glory on the battlefield.’”

“And why does that bother you?”

“Because you will find no glory on the battlefield,” Martel said with a sigh. There is only death and grief. Wars are fought with the lives of soldiers. Someone’s father, brother, uncle, son. All of them are innocent people who are forced to follow orders.” Martel said as he pointed to the room. “I doubt that there is a man alive who would not have someone missing him.”

“I suppose… I suppose there is some merit in that. Then would you not have us fight a war at all?”

“No. One goes, fights, and dies out there so that they will live safely here. Even I have been steeling myself for the day that I may have to take someone’s life to protect those that I care about. Make no mistake, Duran. Your glory is not on the battlefield; your glory is lying in bed; your glory is wrapped in cloth.”

A slow smile comes across Duran’s face. He nodded and walked back into the room. Silently, Freyja took Martel’s hand and whispered to him. “I hope that day will never come.”

“But what if it does?”

Freyja paused for a moment. “Just promise me you won’t kill unnecessarily.”

“Of course. I’m not for killing. Besides the fact that it forever changes a person, life should not be casually taken.”

“But there are times that you think killing is acceptable?”

Martel nodded tentatively. “Self defense, when there is no other safe alternative, or for heinous crimes.”

“What would you call a heinous crime.”

Martel slightly shrugged. “Most of which would be decided by society.”

“So you are saying killing a person out of justice?”

Martell’s face made a slight grimace. “True justice, yes. But justice is often used to justify someone to get what they want while it is otherwise ignored to protect the ones they care for. If justice could be objective, then I have no complaints.”

“Then what about revenge or vengeance?”

“Absolutely not. Revenge or vengeance is completely personal and left to the individual. If someone bad mouthed me, killing them for revenge is wrong.”

“Then what about self-defense? Is that not the case?”

“No, you are protecting yourself in the moment and not going out of your way to kill them as you would for revenge or vengeance. Ironically, revenge and vengeance are often committed under the guise of justice.”

“If someone has committed a heinous crime and found guilty of death by others, do you think the harmed party has a right to execute.”

Martel paused as he studied Freyja’s face as she seemed incredibly earnest on the subject. “I don’t have a good answer for that. At the very least, I wouldn’t do that. Besides the fact that I don’t want to kill, giving into revenge would only make me suffer more.”

Freyja nodded with a look of relief.

“Does my answer satisfy you.”

“It does. I’ve gotten tired of nobles who do not value human life. Your mention of how justice is used also struck a chord with me. It isn’t uncommon for a noble to remove subjects they don’t like in such a manner while ignoring the crimes of their own families. I’m glad that you have such a high value of life.”

“Now I can only hope that the ‘darkness,’ if I have to kill it, is either not human-like, sentient, or not objectively evil. I don’t want to have to kill.”

Freyja nodded and gently whispered, “I hope that day never comes.”

End of Day -269

 

Duran, Freyja, and Martel sat around the table in the room dubbed ‘the war room.’

Shortly after, Stephanie joined us as she carried a stack of papers.

“You’ve been busy,” Martel said with a chuckle.

“I enjoyed it. Would you mind if I chose the topic order?”

“By all means, go ahead.”

“Before that, there is something that has come to my attention that I feel I must share with you.” Freyja interrupted.

“Go ahead,”

“The kingdom of Carlisle is claiming that they have the hero of prophecy.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Two months ago, around the time you showed up, Carlisle guards found a young man who spoke a language none had heard before. He was belligerent, so he was imprisoned for a month. However, one of the guards noticed his abnormal Ki. The result was his obtaining of a similar ring to yours. Carlisle is officially backing this hero who is simultaneously undermining your influence.”

“What are the chances that this is a political ploy?”

“I would believe it to be very high. Given that we are on bad terms, they could be using it as a way to ensure that too much power does not conjugate here while simultaneously using it to gain more power themselves.”

“Is there any other information?”

“This hero goes by the name of Freed.”

[Seriously? I hope that’s just a coincidence.] Martel thought with surprise when he heard a name he was familiar with, and yet, should be foreign in this world. “At any rate, please keep me informed as to any information that comes up about him.”

“I understand,” Freyja replied with a nod. “However, there is tight security surrounding him, which means information may be scarce.”

Martel nodded, “Stephanie, you can begin.”

“Then, I shall start with the first recorded darkness. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find any new noteworthy information outside of oral tradition scribed recently. Arthur Le Fay slew the Black Dragon that appeared, thus protecting the people and becoming a hero. One source mentioned that it had dark servants, but this was the only source so I cannot deem it to be reliable.”

“Understood. This information might be significant, so continue looking.”

“Very well, next are the summaries of consensus, death reports, and economic standing of Roxburghshire and Camelot.”

“You are very thorough,” Martel noted when his vision fell upon the stack of parchments she separated.

“It was a tremendous amount of information. Plus, I believe I found what you are looking for.”

She handed him a couple of pieces of paper which he looked over. Even though Martel couldn’t read their language, the numeral system was the same. After he looked at the paper, he couldn’t help but rub his forehead.

“What’s wrong?” Freyja asked as she noticed his displeasure.

“I believe I have found one of the main reasons for Roxburghshire’s policy in fighting the war against the Demihumans.”

“Isn’t it because of the threat they pose?” Duran asked.

“Officially, that is most likely the stance they are taking, but the numbers I have here support a different theory. It is to my understanding that 60 years ago, Roxburghshire was two kingdoms that merged into one. What is the reason for this?”

“I believe the given reason was to help combat the Demihuman threat that they were fighting.”

“I highly doubt that two Allied Kingdoms would unify for such a reason. The numbers I see here suggest a different cause, starvation. As you know, most of the north of Roxburghshire is desert and unfavorable. There isn’t enough land to feed the populace of larger cities, and the numbers substantiate that. There was a high rate of deaths until Roxburghshire started committing troops. They ended up securing land north of the forest up to the merchant Republic. This land was fertile, and they have been farming it ever since, temporarily solving the problem. However, this changed roughly 19 years ago. They committed more troops to the north and requested food from Camelot at a low profit. Shortly after that, the Prince of Roxburghshire was killed in action, causing them to declare war officially. It seems this was the excuse that they used to gain access to food.”

“What are you trying to say?” Duran asked.

“With the limited number of facts here, I can’t say with certainty, but Roxburghshire seems to be demonizing the Demihumans and provoking them for the following effects. 

“Firstly, to lower the population via the skirmishes and indirectly from their future offspring. Secondly, to gain land for hunting and farming. And thirdly, to secure cheap food from Camelot.”

“I find this to be highly unlikely,” Duran replied.

“I must agree with Martel,” Freyja said. “While not proving it, these numbers do support his theory.”

“I am quite surprised. This was also the theory I came up with,” Stephanie added.

“All right, all right. I’ll concede the possibility,” Duran replied.

“Well, I want all kingdoms to preserve their military strength so we should focus on ending wars. Given that the demihumans don’t appear aggressive, but retaliatory, peace should be possible if Roxburghshire gets what it wants. Stephanie, please continue.”

“I did not find any reference to Excalibur and no one of any note with the name Freyja aside from the Princess here.”

“You had her research my name?” Freyja asked Martel in surprise.

“As I said, your name was strange, given the circumstances. Anything else?” Martel asked Stephanie.

“I did find one mention of a unique weapon. There were not any other sources for this that I could find, and the information was slightly compromised. I managed to find mention that someone whose name was or contained Sigurd and had a sword said to hold Magical properties. However, I cannot find any more references to this.

[Sigurd? Why does that sound familiar.] Martel pondered for a moment. “Oh… Why didn’t I think of that.” He said with a laugh.

Freyja gave him a puzzled look. “Think of what?”

“The link between the Norse and King Arthur. Stephanie, I have a new word for you to look at for me. Find and bring me anything that contains the word ‘Gram.’”

End of Day -263