"Have you thought it through? If you choose to cling to your small and unnecessary dignity, continue fighting against me, and end up crushed and killed… or…"
"Give up resisting, obey me, and embrace a wonderful future?"
Leon slowly walked toward Artoria with a relaxed expression.
Even while facing the King of Knights wielding both the Holy Sword and the Holy Lance simultaneously, he showed no caution or tension whatsoever.
However, anyone who knew Leon understood perfectly well.
That seemingly defenseless figure was, in truth, more untouchable than any fortress.
Even if Artoria was armed to the teeth, the person standing before her could still suppress her effortlessly.
"Friend or enemy. Choose."
Leon spoke emotionlessly.
For some reason, he found it unfortunate that he was not holding an enormous flaming two-handed sword at that moment. If he were, he would probably look even more intimidating.
"Kuh…"
Artoria clenched her teeth.
An indescribable tension enveloped her body at that instant.
Even though no blade was pointed at her throat, she felt as though her entire life was hanging by an impossibly thin thread.
Every word she spoke now needed to be carefully considered.
Because if she made a mistake…
The Prince of Palettia would judge her as an enemy.
And the consequence would only be one thing.
Death.
"Camelot… and Britain are willing to surrender."
Artoria took a deep breath before finally uttering those words.
"My king!"
"How can this—?!"
"My king, we can still fight!"
The knights behind her immediately fell into an uproar.
Some even tried to charge forward impulsively.
However, in the very next second, all of them were stopped by Artoria's stern voice.
"Stop!"
The pressure in her voice made everyone freeze.
"Do you want to drag all of Britain into the abyss?! We… have no choice but surrender."
Unlike those who had never left British lands, Artoria understood the outside world.
Even without traveling much, she knew the weight carried by Leon's name.
She knew the power of that man.
And above all…
She knew better than anyone that he was exactly the ideal leader Britain had always needed.
Unlike the artificially forced "ideal king"…
Leon was a true born monarch.
Perfect.
Talented.
Absolute.
"Britain's tragic situation can only be resolved by surrendering to His Highness Leon."
"Only then can this land… and the people living in it… continue surviving."
Artoria spoke with extreme seriousness.
Those words did not sound like they came from the mouth of a king.
But that was Artoria.
From the very beginning, that girl had never been attached to the throne itself.
Her goal had always been only one thing:
To allow that land to continue existing.
To allow the people to live well.
That was why Artoria carried expectations so heavy that even her dignity, glory, and life could be sacrificed without hesitation.
After all…
From the very first day she wore the crown, she had never enjoyed the privileges of a king.
She had received only endless responsibilities.
"As expected of you. You understand the situation clearly."
Leon nodded in approval.
That's right.
It would be wonderful if everyone in the world were like Artoria.
They would honestly acknowledge that they were no match for him and obediently hand over their thrones.
"As long as you obey me, all problems will disappear."
"Everyone will have enough food."
"Wars will cease to exist."
"And everyone will have a bright future."
Gulp…
The moment those words were spoken, countless people unconsciously swallowed hard.
Some instinctively wanted to question Leon.
But upon remembering the identity of that man… and the countless miraculous achievements he had accomplished in the past…
They chose to remain silent.
Food?
The Magic Kingdom's supplies were already capable of feeding not only its own nation, but also exporting to other kingdoms.
War?
Anyone who dared to start a rebellion within the Prince of Palettia's territories did not even need to be executed by knights.
The common people themselves would spontaneously kill them.
Because, at long last, they had obtained a good life.
And only at that moment did everyone realize something.
The bright future they had desperately pursued…
Was it really this simple to obtain?
All they needed to do was surrender to Leon.
Far too simple.
"So?"
"What is your choice?"
Leon released part of his draconic pressure.
Instantly, an overwhelming presence covered the entire battlefield.
His gaze slowly swept across everyone present.
And, almost instinctively, countless people knelt.
They lowered their heads before him and answered in heavy voices:
"I… am willing to surrender!"
"We are willing to surrender!"
"We are willing to surrender!"
Although the glory of the King of Knights was sacred and inspiring…
Faith did not fill stomachs.
For the people of that world…
Whoever gave them food became their true faith.
Thus, Britain's fate was decided.
Mordred and Artoria, the island's two greatest forces, surrendered to Leon at the same time.
As a result, everyone else had only two paths remaining:
Submission.
Or destruction.
"Excellent."
Leon nodded in satisfaction.
Fortunately, no one there was foolish enough to reject praise.
However…
Compared to Britain itself, there were treasures far more valuable within that land that Leon wished to obtain.
His gaze slowly returned to Artoria.
The girl still carried wounds from her battle against Mordred, and her face was slightly pale.
"Artoria Pendragon. I still need you to do one more thing."
Leon raised his hand.
In the next instant, an extremely high-level healing spell enveloped Artoria's body.
A gentle light covered her wounds.
And within seconds, all pain completely disappeared.
"Eh…?"
Artoria widened her eyes.
That level of healing magic was absurd.
It seemed dozens of times superior to that certain useless mage's.
"Hand over the crown upon your head."
"And become my knight."
"…What?!"
Artoria was utterly stunned.
Leon smiled faintly as he looked at her.
"Compared to this remote territory, you are the one who truly moves my heart."
"I want you to become my exclusive knight."
Any knight in that world would consider that the greatest honor possible.
But Artoria was different.
She was not merely a knight.
She was a king.
To ask a king to serve someone as a knight…
Everyone felt that Leon was absurdly provocative.
But the worst part was:
He was serious.
"I saw your brilliance."
"And I'm certain it is worth more than barren land or millions of lives."
"That is why…"
"I want you."
"Become my knight, Artoria Pendragon."
Those direct, sincere, and burning words caused Artoria to freeze for a moment.
Because she could tell.
Leon was not joking.
He truly wished to make her his knight.
However…
After a long silence…
Artoria slowly shook her head.
"Thank you for your recognition…"
"But please allow me to refuse."
She could not find any reason to become Leon's knight.
Or perhaps…
She was simply tired.
After so many years carrying invisible chains, Artoria had finally been freed from the throne.
At that moment, she felt strangely light.
Like a bird escaping from its cage.
The world was enormous.
And she wanted to finally see it with her own eyes.
However…
Anything Leon desired never escaped his grasp.
"Eh…"
"It's been a very long time since someone rejected me."
Leon placed a hand over his chest, pretending to be surprised.
"I'm a little shocked."
"But don't be hasty in rejecting this prince's greatest treasure."
(End of Chapter)