Chapter 12

Chapter 12

A young mermaid girl, Ninian, was famous as an eccentric amongst her people.

She took up residence at the bottom of the largest lake on the British isles, Loch Lomond, and lived in a huge shell and pearl house. It was rare amongst the mermaids who inhabited the ocean.

As the mermaids obtained their life energy from the ocean, they would become weaker the further from the ocean they were. Loch Lomond was connected to the ocean by means of a river, and possessed plenty of volume, so mermaids could somehow manage to survive on the energy they obtained there, but even so it would force them into a rather constrained life. Ninian who was fond of living in such a place was none other than an eccentric.

Ninian worked hard to learn the humans language (English), and could speak to the humans that came to the lake. As the generations of local people passed, from their grandfathers age, to becoming grandfathers themselves, Ninian became known as the [Lady of the Lake], and was honoured, even as they feared her.

The Lady of the Lake often acted as a mediator between the elves and humans, when they ended up confronting each other over the territorial rights of the forest. She was a welcome, mysterious existence that cheerfully lent her wisdom to the troubled humans.

The events of a certain day. They once again came to consult the Lady of Loch Lomond.

A handsome knight brought a single valet with him, and borrowed a small boat from the citizens that lived by the lakeshore, rowing into the lake. A faint mist covered the lake, and at times, fish would jump up, producing splashing noises in the otherwise quiet environment.

After advancing to the middle of the lake, the knight stood up and shouted with a loud voice.

Beautiful lady of the lake, Ninian! I offer you a present! Answer the voice of this mortal!

Answering his charmingly ancient-styled call, air bubbles rose close to the small boat, and the lady of the lake popped her head out of the waters surface.Follow current novels at novelhall.com)

The knight did not appear perturbed, but the valet who was seeing the lady of the lake for the first time fell on his backside in amazement. The lady of the lake had deep blue hair that reminded one of the ocean, characteristic of mermaids, and wore a silver tiara that had a large red jewel embedded in it. Pale, white skin could be seen through her light, smooth robe.

The valet was surprised at seeing a lady who seemed like nobility appearing so suddenly from the middle of the lake, and after noticing that the bottom half of her bottom was like that of a fishs, he was surprised yet again. Hearing about it and seeing it in person were two completely different experiences.

Arthur shrugged his shoulders in disappointment at his valets unsightly state, and then kneeled to hand over his present (a small horse ornament created by a mason). The lady of the lake happily received it and peered at Arthurs face, tilting her head.

Oh, arent you Arthur? You suddenly grew bigger. Whats wrong? Are you ill?

After taking the broken sword and examining it closely, the lady of the lake sunk to the bottom of the lake while still holding the sword.

As they waited for the lady of the lake, the valet that had been waiting silently offered his advice to Arthur.

My King, is it truly alright to leave such an important sword to such a strange person?

Sir Bedivere, that would be like doubting the true meaning of the earth and skies. If you can not believe in her, then nothing living on this land is worthy of belief.

As Arthur spoke far too clearly, Bedivere also withdrew.

After a little while, bubbles once again formed on the surface of the lake, and the lady of the lake appeared.

She did not carry the broken sword, but presented to Arthur a magnificent sword that shone despite the surrounding mist.

Receiving it as he displayed his admiration, Arthur could distinctly feel a mysterious power from the sword.

Its a sword forged by dwarves in the Town of Avalon. Since its made from an alloy that has a Dragon Crystal mixed into it, there shouldnt be any worries about it breaking as long as youre using it in the human world. Will that work?

Of course. There is no sword of greater repute than this.

Thats good. But once youre done using it, remember to return it. Its an important sword that I used for my coming of age ceremony. Everyone laughed and said it was weird that it wasnt a trident, but as expected Innn, *cough*. Its fine even if you need to have someone come to return it in your stead, Arthur, so please dont forget.

I swear on my honour as a knight that I will definitely return it. Incidentally, what is the engraving on this sword? There appear to be words on the handle, but I cant read it.

The lady of the lake smiled and answered.

Its Excalibur.