189 Headache

"..."

"..."

After this conversation, Artorius and Agravain looked at each other. For a moment, they both felt a bit awkward, unsure of what to say.

In the end, Artorius spoke first.

"Tell me anything related to the Artoria Species."

"...We couldn't find any Artoria Species." Agravain continued, trying hard to sound serious but failing miserably. "We thoroughly searched all of Orleans and the surrounding towns and villages within a 20-mile radius based on the information provided by Miss XX, but we came up empty-handed. I suspect that those Artoria Species might—"

"..."

Artorius made a gesture to stop Agravain.

"You don't need to say more; this isn't your fault."

It wasn't Agravain and his intelligence personnel's incompetence; it was the trickery of the Artoria Species. With technology from a foreign civilization thousands of years ahead and their powerful strength, it was nearly impossible for ordinary intelligence agents of the empire to locate them.

"So... I'll give you a tip." Artorius, seeing Agravain's worried expression, spoke up, "Investigate the food supply situation in various areas. Look for places with a sudden increase in food consumption, follow that lead, and you're bound to find something."

"..."

"Yes!"

Hearing Artorius, Agravain was silent for a moment and then suddenly understood. Artoria Species needed to eat a lot, and increased food consumption would leave a trail that couldn't be easily concealed. No matter how advanced their hiding techniques were, they couldn't cover up such information. Even the most skilled Artoria Species couldn't escape this.

'Yes, that makes sense!'

With Artorius's guidance, Agravain finally had a clue.

"I'll arrange it immediately."

"Good, get to work." Artorius nodded and prepared to leave.

On his way, he pondered.

Before, when he went to find XX's organization to recruit them into his empire, he unexpectedly met X. After a fierce battle between X and XX, his progress had stalled.

There was also an assassination incident of Omega along the way, making Artorius more hesitant about subduing all the Artoria Species for his use.

Although he was the beloved child of the Artorias, could he really gain the love and support of hundreds of Artorias that easily?

All Artoria Species were powerful and had different personalities. Some were free-spirited, like X, and some were unpredictable, like XX, a seasoned galaxy police for many years.

Getting them to join him might be possible, but getting them to be obedient and well-behaved was something even gods couldn't achieve.

Just thinking about fixing the behavior of X and XX alone was troublesome, and when he thought about having hundreds of Artorias under his command, Artorius felt a headache coming on.

"Ahh, what should I do..." Artorius muttered to himself when no one was looking as if he wanted to vent all his frustrations. "Why can't they be as sensible as this world Artoria?"

Artoria was not only his apparent sister but also the mother who raised him; she belonged to the local Artoria Species. She was known for being sensible, obedient, and well-behaved. Aside from having a hearty appetite, she had no other flaws. Artorius was very satisfied with her.

If all Artoria Species could be as well-behaved as Artoria, it would be great. Of course, Artorius knew that was impossible.

"..."

'Whatever...' After a moment of desolation, Artorius shook his head. 'I have work to do. No matter how difficult it is, I must open the gate to the new world.'

With this determination in mind, he disappeared and reappeared in the dungeon.

"Arto—"

Seeing Artorius's figure, XX widened her eyes, eager to speak. But before she could, Artorius covered her mouth.

"Don't make a sound."

When XX nodded in agreement, Artorius released her and took out a hidden container of chicken noodle soup.

"Is this food?!"

XX's eyes instantly lit up, and looked at Artorius with disbelief.

"Y-You..."

Artorius appeared helpless. "Despite the terrible things I've done, it's hard for me to see you suffer like this y'know..."

While saying this, he picked up a noodle with chopsticks and brought it to XX's mouth.

"Open up, aaa..."

Since he hadn't undone XX's restraints, he had to feed her himself.

"Aaa..."

XX opened her mouth and then slurped the noddles with delight.

"I don't have any other choice but to punish you like this." Artorius continued his speech. "You... almost destroyed the entire planet. If I don't show any authority and forgive you, no one below will respect me. The whole empire would be in ruins."

*Slurp!*

Artorius spoke calmly as he gently tapped XX on the back of her head. She blushed and didn't say anything, continuing to slurp her noodles. After she finished slurping the noodles, she hesitated and started to speak.

"But—"

"Hmm?"

XX instinctively wanted to argue, but before the words could leave her mouth, she met Artorius's stern gaze. She shivered and immediately stopped herself from saying anything provocative.

"I'm sorry..." XX lowered her head and mumbled softly.

"..." Artorius didn't respond.

It went on like this for a while, before XX continued, "I shouldn't have... shouldn't have been so impulsive..."

"Mhm..."

Artorius made a noncommittal sound, acknowledging her, and continued to feed her.

The bowl of chicken noodle soup quickly emptied. Afterward, XX looked at Artorius with hopeful eyes, as if expecting him to deliver more food for her.

But there was nothing.

"Nothing left."

"Artorius..."

XX looked at him pitifully but met with Artorius's imposing gaze.

"I understand..." She lowered her head again in fear.

She was still in the middle of her punishment, and the small amount of food Artorius gave her was an act of kindness. But if he let her eat to her heart's content, it would defeat the purpose of her punishment. So, he couldn't give her any more food.

XX, who had become more obedient, had started to favor Artorius almost instinctively.

Even though he had been treating her cruelly, not giving her any food for days, and making her watch as he enjoyed his meals, giving her only a bowl of chicken noodle soup had completely won her heart over, and maybe more.

Of course, this was all part of his plan.

"Then wait a little longer. After we're out of here, I'll treat you to a big meal."

After saying those words, Artorius kissed XX on the forehead, and then, under her watchful gaze, he left and headed into the adjacent room.

Unlike XX, who managed to maintain her composure, X cried uncontrollably. Seeing Artorius serving her food, she was overwhelmed with gratitude. She didn't even eat the meal; she just buried herself in Artorius's embrace, sobbing continuously.

"Hiks... hiks... waahhh...!"

"There, there..."

Seeing X look so wronged, Artorius couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. After all, she was a 'mother' he acknowledged. The one who had traveled through time with him and fought alongside him in the Fourth Holy Grail War.

Hunger in the mother's stomach, pain in the son's heart. But this was for her own good, he wouldn't do this if he didn't care for her.

"You should be more careful in the future." Artorius held her in his embrace and said earnestly. "Promise me you won't do such things again."

"Hiks, I-I know, I promise, I'll be good girl, I won't do anything bad again! Waaaah...!"

X, who had collapsed into Artorius's embrace, continued to sob and then made a promise.

"Yes, yes, you're a good girl."

Artorius put down the bowl of soup and simply held X in his embrace gently.

"Artorius~"

In an instant, the atmosphere became very warm again.

With teary eyes, X looked at Artorius and parted her rosy lips.

"So, can you let me go now?"

"No."

"?!"