A blue sky, clean and tidy streets, and citizens who could still smile even in the face of apocalypse.
Of course, the main reason the people could smile was that the Demonic Beast Front was still a considerable distance away.
"Miss Siduri... no, Madam, I don't know why your King is reacting so strongly, but we've truly heard so much about you. We know some stories about Uruk, and we know that after the King of Heroes' only friend passed away, you became his most trusted person.
Only you can make him pause, even slightly, when he's set on charging forward in one direction."
The conflict in the Royal Palace was limited to words. After leaving the palace through the main entrance, Guinevere continued to 'tease' Lady Siduri while observing their surroundings.
As Uruk's Chief Priestess, her beautiful face was hidden beneath a veil. The 'result' of being teased was that she couldn't help but sigh and say dejectedly:
"If only I could truly make the King pause, even slightly. I can't even get him to sleep for ten minutes a day. Ever since the King returned from the Underworld and more and more Magical Beasts began appearing throughout the Babylonian region, he has barely rested at all.
Never mind, let's not talk about that. Based on our previous experience hosting Servants, I assume you've already received information about this era from the Counter Force.
I won't say anything more for now. Please follow me. I'll arrange your accommodations and identification first, then you'll be free to move about until you join the team for a mission tomorrow."
"Um..."
"Just call me Guinevere."
"You can also just call me Artoria, or..."
As they spoke, the three walked down the street. Because Siduri was with them, people continuously greeted her, and gazes were constantly drawn to Guinevere and Artoria, who were clearly foreigners with their exotic clothing and elegant beauty.
When it came to names, the King of Knights faltered. She didn't want anyone other than Guinevere to call her Lia, but "Artoria" felt too long and distant.
"Chief Priestess Siduri, you can just call me Ms. Arthur."
At this, Guinevere couldn't help but chuckle. She moved closer, wrapped an arm around Ms. Arthur's waist, and kissed her on the cheek right there in public.
How to put it... when they first appeared and Siduri learned this pair of girls was a King and Queen, she hadn't thought much of it, not until the King of Heroes reacted so strongly to this foreign Queen's 'teasing'.
After that, Siduri's eyes were opened to a whole new world, and she finally understood what was 'off' about this couple.
Now, though, she simply felt that Ms. Guinevere and Ms. Arthur were overly affectionate and completely unconcerned with others' opinions, and she hoped the many children on the street wouldn't be corrupted by their example.
And then...
"Ms. Guinevere, Ms. Arthur, we've arrived. This is the State Guest House for summoned Servants. Currently, there is one other Servant residing here...
Hmm, if you find you can't get along, please let me know promptly. I will arrange new accommodations for you or her, depending on the situation."
The journey passed unnoticed, and their destination was a square, mud-brick building. It was located right in the bustling market, its walls covered in ivy-like climbing plants.
Of course, as the three arrived, people continued to greet them and stare curiously. Once they entered the building, their rooms and identities were quickly arranged by the administrator.
"Well then, you two, I must return to the King's side. There's an endless amount of work waiting for me there.
By the way, the cloaked girl who was standing in front of the flower shop next door... she is the other Servant currently residing at the State Guest House."
She gave a slight bow, her semi-transparent veil revealing a hint of worry. Still, there was nothing she could do about whether Guinevere and Artoria would get along with the other Servant.
After she bid them farewell and left, Guinevere and the King of Knights exchanged a glance, instantly deciding their next course of action with just their eyes.
As expected, they had no intention of resting just yet. They would first go greet the petite, cloaked girl, and then explore Uruk.
But just as they turned around, the cloaked woman appeared at the entrance of the State Guest House.
Evidently, she had anticipated the pleasantries and didn't want to cause trouble for the flower shop that had helped her.
"Anna, that's my name. My Class is Lancer. Beyond that, I have nothing more to say."
That was all she said. She kept her head bowed as she spoke, unwilling to meet the eyes of the two who had positioned themselves on either side of her.
As they drew closer, the clinking of chains could be heard from beneath her cloak. It seemed if they took one more step, she wouldn't be able to restrain herself from attacking.
Sensing her "social anxiety," the King of Knights, Compared to Guinevere, stopped first. She shot Guinevere a glare for stepping so close to Anna's attack threshold and mouthed:
"Don't bully the kid. She's not Mordred, Sakura, or Gray..."
Guinevere mouthed back:
"How could I expect anything from a strange kid? Besides, as Servants, there are hardly any true children!"
The mouthed conversation caused a delay. To the cloaked girl who called herself Anna, those ten-odd seconds of silence felt like the two were plotting something sinister.
She found the feeling of being scrutinized and discussed by others deeply unsettling.
"The greetings are done. I'll be leaving now. Even for Lady Siduri's sake, I won't clash with you, even if you're tainted with the scent of Merlin, whom I despise."
Anna wanted to leave, to slip away. Guinevere moved to block her, but the King of Knights shot her another glare.
They had just finished watching the series; they knew Anna's true identity. But precisely because they knew, they wanted Anna to complete her own growth and wouldn't foolishly expose her now.
"Lia, I just want to hug her! Such a slender, petite child—we won't encounter another one like her in this Singularity!"
A cloak, a hood, and an eye pattern on the hood.
Beneath the cloak, Anna's calves, clad in white stockings, had already caught Guinevere's eye, sparking a girlish desire to touch them.
Moreover, little Anna stood just over 1.3 meters tall. Even the King of Knights, at just over 1.5 meters, could easily cradle her in her arms.
A light kick from the King of Knights landed on Guinevere's shin. Steel boot met steel boot, producing only a crisp clang, which conveyed the King of Knights' current mood to Guinevere.
"I said I trust you, but that's no reason for you to openly try to take advantage. Besides, with a Servant's hearing, she probably heard our conversation."
"Then why didn't you lower your voice?"
"Because you were right. I want to hug her too, and I want her to hear our goodwill."
At the mention of goodwill, the King of Knights glared at Guinevere for a third time, emphasizing her words.
But Guinevere just smiled nonchalantly and, with a snap of her fingers, shed the armor she'd been wearing, changing into casual trousers for easier movement.
"Honestly, if shorts weren't so eye-catching and attention-grabbing, I'd have worn them."
Guinevere twirled around. Her braided ponytail gave her a cool look, but she still couldn't match the dashing, heroic air of the King of Knights in her suit and trousers.
"Let's go. We'll start by exploring the area."