"As long as you can pull out the sword, you can become king?" Hearing Kay's words, Artoria's expression turned to one of surprise. "Doesn't that mean... anyone can become king?"
"How could it be that simple?" Kay glanced at his "younger brother." "That is a sword that can only be drawn by the chosen one! What do you think it is, a wooden stick? But..." Kay stretched his muscles. "...the prophecy didn't specify the identity of the sword-drawer. Anyone who wants to try can give it a shot."
"That—" Artoria blinked, as if an idea had struck her. She looked over at Ian and found him looking back at her. Their eyes met, and they reached a silent agreement.
"Brother Kay, I'm stepping out for a bit!"
"..."
"I'm stepping out for a bit too."
With two whooshes, Artoria and Ian ran out one after the other, leaving Kay all alone. Watching their departing figures, Kay frowned. "Are those two not even going to bother acting anymore?"
Meanwhile, on a village path.
"Ian, did you hear that?" Artoria said excitedly. "As long as you can pull out that sword, you can become king—"
"Yes, I heard."
"You... want to go try, don't you?"
"Hehe~" Artoria scratched her cheek, a little embarrassed. "Is it that obvious?"
"It is," Ian nodded.
"You really just say it as it is!" Artoria pouted. "So you mean—"
"Go," he said. "I'll go with you."
"..."
Although she had already planned on it, hearing him say it first still touched Artoria's heart. "You... you're not even going to think about it?"
"No need. If you want to, I'll go with you."
"..."
It was a simple, unadorned reason. Artoria's face flushed slightly. "I understand. Then, let's set off as soon as possible!"
"Alright."
A straightforward exchange, yet filled with the most easily understood sentiment. Artoria felt filled with strength.
However, the process wasn't that simple. At least, when Artoria asked Kay for help, coming up with a convincing reason was difficult. But Kay seemed completely unconcerned.
"Oh, you're going out. Then go ahead. It doesn't matter where you go anyway."
Despite his sharp tongue, Artoria still received a carriage big enough for her and Ian, as well as food for the road. It seemed he knew everything, yet at the same time, knew nothing.
Nighttime, by a bonfire.
This was the second day since they had left the village. Reaching the capital city of Camelot, where the Sword of Selection was located, was not a short journey.
By the fire, Artoria gnawed on a piece of rye bread, her eyes shining like jewels.
"Ian, do you think I can do it?"
"You mean drawing the sword?"
"Yes!" the girl nodded. Her beautiful golden hair was tinged with the light from the fire. "It doesn't sound that simple, does it?"
"I don't know," Ian said, also taking a bite of bread. "So I can't tell you."
"You're not even going to encourage me?" Artoria grumbled. "That's so discouraging."
"But I don't think you need my encouragement, Artoria. Your mind has been made up from the very beginning, hasn't it?" Ian's eyes met hers at that moment. "So, although I'm not certain you can do it, I believe you can do it."
"..." "..."
"If you want to do that, just say so," Artoria glared at Ian. "Giving a long speech before expressing your desires makes you seem very insincere."
"I do want to do it, but I also do believe in you."
"..."
"You..." Artoria sighed helplessly. She glanced left and right, and after confirming no one else was around in the silent night, she nodded. "Just for a little while... We have to travel tomorrow."
"Okay."
By the bonfire, the girl's shoulder was exposed from under her simple cloth shirt. It was a sight that was hard to forget once seen. But even so beautiful, it was not the main event.
Slurp—Slurp—
Artoria watched Ian on her chest. A month ago, she would never have dreamed she would be doing something like this. But... it seemed to be gradually becoming normal. Dragons seemed to have a natural advantage in these matters. If his previous actions could be called biting, then now, it was definitely a caress.
Of course, Artoria wouldn't say it out loud. If Ian knew, wouldn't his tail point to the heavens? Speaking of which... does he actually have a tail?
"Alright," Ian said, interrupting her whimsical thoughts. "I feel much better now."
"So soon—How could you just..." Artoria stopped mid-sentence. She realized it sounded a bit like she was asking, "Why aren't you continuing?"
But Ian was direct. "We have to travel. I want you to rest well."
"..." Artoria naturally understood the weight of this act. His mouth had stopped, but his desire had been restrained. "You don't have to be so..."
Before the girl could finish, she felt herself being lifted up. "Let's go back to the carriage to rest."
"No, wait a minute..." Artoria tried to struggle a bit, but found that in terms of strength, she was no match for him. She couldn't help it. He was doing this for her, after all. At least... let me get my clothes on first.
The girl hurriedly fixed her undone clothes, but she soon noticed that Ian, who was carrying her towards the carriage, had stopped.
"What are you doing? You're not having second thoughts and want to continue, are you? I'll get angry if you do!"
A cold wind blew past.
"Don't make a sound," Ian said, clamping a hand over Artoria's mouth. It was a roughness completely different from his earlier gentle concern.
After the surroundings fell silent, a blood-red light flashed in the boy's eyes. Artoria could feel his body tense, a visible enhancement. She grew alert.
"Ian, what's wrong?"
"There's something that smells bad near us."
"What?"
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