In a corridor of the royal court.
Artoria walked in front, and Ian followed behind her.
"Um—"
After confirming there was no one else on either side, Artoria finally spoke cautiously.
"Why did you suddenly go to her room?"
"Am I not allowed to do that?"
Ian quickly replied.
"Artoria, are you unhappy?"
"N-No, it's not that!"
Artoria quickly shook her head.
Her face slightly red, she said:
"I just wanted to know."
"After all—"
"Showing up in a girl's room for no reason, no matter how you think about it, that's pretty strange, isn't it?"
Actually, that wasn't entirely true.
At least, when she saw Ian appear in front of her sister, Morgan, Artoria had been a little unhappy.
After all, just last night...
*Ahem.*
Recalling some embarrassing things, Artoria coughed lightly a few times.
"But I know there must be a reason."
"Ian, tell me."
"Mm..."
The boy nodded.
"She smells like my mother."
"Eh?"
This was something Artoria had not expected at all.
"Is she your mother?"
"But... according to what those guards say, she shouldn't even have a husband yet."
"How could she have a son like you?"
"No."
"She is not my mother," Ian replied.
"It's just that there's a somewhat similar scent."
"..."
"Then..." Artoria cautiously probed.
"Would you rather stay by her side?"
"After all, if the scent is more like your mother's, you'd be more comfortable, right?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Artoria felt a little regretful.
She didn't understand why she would want to ask such a question.
If she hadn't asked, everything would have been fine.
But...
She really wanted to know.
"No."
While Artoria was conflicted, she heard this answer.
"You smell more delicious."
"I want to stay by your side."
"..."
Hearing this answer, Artoria's heart felt a small sense of triumph.
"Is that so?"
"That's good..."
For a while after that, Artoria seemed very happy, even humming a little tune.
It was the kind of behavior that would make other passersby feel that such a king was perhaps a bit too lively.
They proceeded unobstructed.
The two finally stopped in front of a thick, heavy door.
The two soldiers standing at the entrance, upon seeing it was Artoria, both gave a respectful salute.
But after noticing Ian following behind her, they revealed looks of astonishment.
Artoria knew why—the story of Ian beating Merlin to a pulp had spread far too wide.
Bringing him along now would naturally cause such a reaction.
However...
It didn't seem to be a bad thing.
At least with Ian by her side, these knights wouldn't dare to look down on her.
Pushing open the heavy doors, Artoria saw an old man sitting on the throne.
That was King Uther.
Only, he now looked completely frail and in his twilight years.
This couldn't help but make Artoria a little worried.
"You have come."
King Uther, seated on the throne, said as much.
"Mm."
Artoria nodded, then led Ian to stand before King Uther.
"I have come."
A deathly silence.
The old and new kings just looked at each other, not even making a sound.
And the one who finally broke this silence was Ian.
He directly drew Caliburn, the Sword of Sure Victory, and pointed it at King Uther.
"Get down."
"Give that seat to her."
"Isn't that what was agreed upon?"
"..."
"..."
Artoria was stunned.
Even if she was indeed the final victor of the king selection, this was not the way Ian should be doing things.
Wasn't this blatantly trying to drive King Uther from the throne?
However—
Faced with Ian's words, King Uther laughed instead.
"Hahahaha~"
"If I'm not mistaken, you're the knight who beat Merlin so badly he's still lying in bed, aren't you?"
"Seeing you today, you seem even more formidable than the legends say."
Artoria relaxed a little.
According to the original course of events, it should have been Merlin standing beside her right now.
But Ian had very simply and brutally changed the reality to this.
Fortunately—
Merlin hadn't resorted to any petty tricks.
And King Uther had no intention of making things difficult for them.
It was truly fortunate.
However, faced with the olive branch King Uther had extended, Ian did not just go along with it.
"So are you still not planning to get down?"
"The throne is Artoria's!"
"..."
Artoria covered her forehead.
If she could, she wanted to learn a silence spell right now.
However...
Artoria secretly glanced at Ian.
This guy, he really dared to say anything for her.
The words of a dragon were indeed direct and reckless.
But King Uther was still not angry.
"Ahem—"
He coughed a few times, and his aged body trembled violently with them.
"I will, of course, hand the throne over to the one who pulled the sword."
"But—"
"Now is not the time."
"Not the time?"
Artoria vaguely sensed something.
"Is there some other requirement?"
"Not a requirement."
"But something that must be done."
King Uther, with considerable effort, rose from his throne, and then took out something from the side.
It was a map of Britain drawn on parchment.
"Pulling out Caliburn, the Sword of Sure Victory, means you have the ability to save Britain."
"But before that, I want you to understand what Britain needs."
"Go, complete a journey like this—"
"Then, return to Camelot, and take back your throne."
"This..."
Taking the thick parchment from King Uther's hands, Artoria felt that she had also taken on a heavy responsibility.
The King of Britain is the soul of Britain.
Every living being on this land is the king's responsibility.
"I am just a knight from the countryside."
"I only have a partial understanding of Britain."
Artoria said softly.
"Can I—"
"Can I really complete such a journey?"
"But aren't I here as well?"
The great doors were pushed open once more.
Morgan, whom they had just seen, walked out with a smile on her face.
"You are the one who pulled out Caliburn, the Sword of Sure Victory, after all—"
"Let me help the King complete this journey."
"Oh, right, my King."
Morgan pretended to glance at Ian unintentionally, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly.
"Bring him along as well."
"Thus, you will surely obtain everything the King needs."