I was a Nerfed Hero in Another World

"It seemed like your partner wanted some share from that power, Arthur. But I don't mind it at all! Even though that mage doesn't have an Excalibur., she could still handle the pressure. If that girl was a normal human, she would have died absorbing those arcanes…. But she didn't" 

According to Crayman, transferring these arcanes would kill someone who didn't have Excalibur. A regular human body would die after absorbing such immense purple power. Crayman didn't have the luxury to prove it to me, but I believed his words. 

Fortunately, Crayman added that knights had resilience against pain. It was also shown earlier how I gritted my teeth and waited for the throbbing sensation to stop. 

Crayman stated that most people would have already fainted after experiencing such a traumatising event. And when they tried, those people ended up dying from overwhelmed magic.

While that happened, magic circles surrounded our figures. Each of those circular runes had dark colours painted on them, with a hint of golden at the outer layer. But one spell took our attention and pulled us closer in the void. It had a lighter shade of purple, mixed with some crimson pint on the outside.

"The magic circle is ready. Those who wish to enter this portal, you may do so. This magic circle will only last for two minutes. Decide with haste as you brainstorm yourselves there," Crayman instructed, with his eyes staring into mine. "And by the way, this magic spell isn't visible from the otherside….yet. But as soon as you enter this portal, a violet magic circle would appear at the opposite side."

After Crayman gave us what we needed, I glanced at my team and studied their reactions. Even though Fenrir and Merleen could still talk to me, they didn't have the energy to walk around. And if they did have some spare energy, those two women couldn't wield their weapons. 

Meliodas, the bard, remained idle for a while. It only meant that he was not part of my plan arriving on the citadel. 

Lilith, who had currently lost all of her mana, remained stationary in her place. Despite containing all the arcane in the world, She couldn't even lift her fingers as the demonic girl returned my gaze.

"Don't worry about me, Arthur...Protect my father and bring peace to this world... You're the only one that's everyone looking up for….Please make this count," Lilith struggled to say those words. "I need….to rest first…..Since this fight depleted my mana, I have to…..check on Meliodas….and join you later."

"You don't have to, Lilith. Rest as long as you need. Let me handle this problem, okay?" I replied, and returned Lilith's nod.

I heard the demonic's request clearly through my eardrums while watching her carry Meliodas. That bard remained in his dream world, unaware about the current happenings. But there was nothing we could do but accept Lilith's resignation from our team. That demonic girl needed 

I gave Lilith a nod and hoped for the best for the two of them. Since those two teammates won't join me for this mission, I handed them off to Mordred and Rain. 

Mordred rejected my offer at first, considering Lilith was a demon. But after understanding the situation, Mordred forced himself to watch over my friends. That knight vowed to protect them until making peace with King Arthur.

Mordred and Rain also didn't want to join us inside the citadel. The two of them mentioned that they needed to protect the kingdoms and my friends. It was enough to keep my worried heart at ease after learning about Mordred's decision.

Guinevere also mentioned that she didn't have any fighting powers left inside of her. Although she could walk around fine, Guinevere insisted on leaving her behind this land. She didn't want to join our cause, despite changing the world.

"I want to create peace and prevent the war from happening. But I just don't have the mana to help you. It doesn't look like it, but I am already drained of arcane. Just like Lilith, I used all my spells. And they are currently on cooldown, thanks to Arthur's systems," Guinevere narrated, as she bowed her head in front of me. "And I want to check if my partner is still alive. I have also sensed an impending danger behind you, Arthur. I will take the rest of those soldiers, so you could focus on defending the demon lord."

Since Guinevere's explanation made sense, I allowed it to happen. She remained here with the rest of the crew and promised to protect our flank. That mage also had a life apart from our mission, which was more important than this fight.

If I was in Guinevere's shoes, I would have done the same thing too. I wouldn't let anything bad happen to Merleen. And whoever planned on killing her shall face my wrath!

"I know I may be a nuisance, but I can fight with you!" the wounded, humanoid wolf approached me.

Fenrir had a stern look in her eyes as she mentioned those words. Despite getting covered with blood, Fenrir desperately tried joining my team. If Fenrir could only see her past, she could have flinched pretty bad.

"Are you sure you could still defend yourself? Even I don't know if we could return to our usual place….I honestly don't think we could win this battle, Fenrir."

"Which is why I will help you….." Merleen interposed, while coughing to herself. "I could provide you with absolute defense and offense using light magic. Your Aegis is still on cooldown. And I doubt it would prove its worth on the battlefield."

"Merleen, I can't have you there dying in front of me….I don't know what I would do if those people take you away from me," I said, and headed towards Merleen.

When King Arthur infiltrated the demonic castle, he must have brought some knights of the round table with him. Each of those knights could destroy a kingdom if they wanted too. It only meant that the knights of the round table were stronger than average players. And since I didn't have my cheat character, this might cause a problem in the future.

If my thoughts turned into reality, we would have an arduous time winning that clash. And I didn't want to risk losing Merleen in my life!

But when I marched towards Merleen, she shook her head and weakly retorted, "No….Arthur…I can go….Don't leave me behind."

"You're the one who told me that we are all on this together! You're the one who told me that we will do things as a pair….as a partner! Even though I saved you from the lake, you saved me from my despair! If you didn't stick by my side, I would have…..I don't know what would have happened to me…..That's why I want to be there for you when you need me the most!"

A strong sense of guilt rose from my insides upon listening to those words. Everything Merleen had mentioned reminded me of everything about the past, which helped the two of us. The two of us also promised each other that we would do everything we could together.

These negative thoughts inside my head were just selfish thoughts, which excluded Merleen as a part of my life. 

"And what if you died, regardless if you failed or won the battle….What do you think I would feel?" Merleen asked, as she desperately hid her teary eyes. "I would lose my mind, hoping you could come back…..I don't know what I would do Arthur if I can't see you anymore."

"I know….I'm sorry for being selfish….It's alright. You could join the team."

I met Merleen with a hug as the two of us squeezed into each other's arms. Our system fortunately rewarded our emotions, granting us some buffs for the futuristic battle. Those additional powers included movement speed boost and strength that could help us against King Arthur.

However, I doubted we could dent his sword. Even with all these extra strength, that Excalibur was still the legendary sword. And that blade was a better weapon than I had in my hand.

"Are you sure you are taking two people on the other side? You only have roughly a minute to decide, Arthur," Crayman reminded us about the clock, as he maintained the magic circle before us.

I gave him a nod and answered, "Yes….We are going on the other side….But before that."

"Is there something else you wish to have or know?" 

Although Crayman gave us everything we needed to travel, he forgot something. I still had one question that I wished to ask for Mordred's sake. And since he was my friend, I wanted to avenge whoever killed the town.

Even Mordred had his ears peeled as soon as I asked the question.

"Who do you think ordered the monsters to attack the Cornwall town?"