My Dearest Sister

It was nine o'clock in the evening.

The day's training had long concluded, and the time for dinner and evening studies had passed as well.

Artorius demanded not only impeccable combat skills from his knights but also a wealth of knowledge.

As is well-known, one cannot become an outstanding leader without a thorough grasp of mathematics, geometry, and calculus. These skills have profound applications in calculating trajectories, artillery deployment, fortress construction, logistical coordination, and supply management.

Whether it was Hannibal or Napoleon, historically brilliant military commanders were usually accomplished mathematicians.

Beyond mathematics, there was geography; beyond geography, history; beyond history, politics; beyond politics—of course, the art of war and strategy was indispensable.

Mostly, these military texts and manuals were imported from the East. This was a somewhat regrettable situation since there were very few military books from the Western medieval period.

It was only in more recent times that some individuals, who couldn't win battles no matter what they did on the battlefield, wrote materials meant to deceive people.

Artorius ensured that his knights studied and mastered everything he believed an exceptional general should possess.

Given the multitude of subjects, the difficulty of mastery was evident.

Even with a sharp mind like Mordred's, a military prodigy of sorts, trying to learn so much at once could lead to mental fatigue.

Fortunately, Mordred had a resilient constitution. After completing her studies, she could step outside for some fresh air, take a bath upon returning, lie down on a soft bed, have a cup of warm milk before sleeping, and then wake up the next day ready to excel just like the previous day.

After a while, when Artorius saw her again, she was about to head out for some fresh air. Her body was soft, with certain areas feeling sore, and lacking strength. She walked with a slight dizziness.

She had just finished dinner at the grand dining hall. Adding to that, she was feeling lazy due to a full stomach and bloated feeling.

"Little Mo."

Nevertheless, even in the face of someone suddenly appearing behind her, Mordred reacted promptly, grasping the sword hilt in preparation to strike. It was only when she heard Artorius's relaxed voice from behind that she stopped.

"Ahh! Big brother?!"

Encountering her big brother in such a circumstance made Mordred flustered. She felt embarrassed about him seeing her in such a condition. In her fluster, she tried to move slightly to dodge his gaze.

Having removed her armor a while ago, her body was almost soaked in sweat. Her hair was limp, clinging to her face, giving her a disheveled appearance.

"It's alright..." Artorius said with a smile.

In the next moment, with the effect of the Third Magic, Mordred's body was instantly cleansed. If those mages who were already obsessed with pursuing True Magic saw this scene, they would surely lose their minds.

To use precious True Magic just for cleaning one's sister. However, Artorius didn't care about such bullshit.

"Do you need to rest?"

He continued to inquire of Mordred in a gentle tone.

"Yeah—I mean, no..."

"Then, stay with me for a while."

"Um..."

Upon hearing Artorius's question, Mordred became slightly flustered again, but she quickly agreed.

Holding hands, the two of them appeared on the palace rooftop the next second.

Artorius had established a small observatory here, complete with a telescope, reclining chairs, and a place to rest.

There were alchemical devices for regulating temperature and ones to prevent wind disturbance, ensuring that even at this height, there would be no inconvenience.

Here, one could rest, look up, and see the stars and the moon. It was a perfect spot for that 'kind' of rendezvous.

"Brother."

Once Artorius brought her here, Mordred seemed somewhat embarrassed.

"What's the matter?"

"N-No, nothing."

Subconsciously, Morder moved closer to Artorius's side and hesitated briefly, seeming a bit unsure. But in the next moment, he gently embraced her waist, pulling her into his embrace.

The sense of embarrassment quickly disappeared, leaving behind warmth, joy, and tenderness.

"It's like a dream." Mordred murmured like a content cat, nestled in Artorius's arms.

Her words amused him.

"It's not that exaggerated..." Artorius said gently.

Holding his dearest sister, reclining in the chair, gazing at the moon, it was indeed cozy, romantic, and made them happy. However, he felt it was just a typical sense of joy. It wasn't as dramatic as her reaction.

It was simply an everyday source of amusement.

Artorius thought so to himself.

If her sense of time matched him when he went to the future timeline, it would have been appropriate to say what she said. However, from her perspective, they had been together every day.

"But... Big Brother."

Seeing Artorius looking at her with curious eyes, Mordred thought for a moment and then said, "If Brother didn't exist, Camelot would perish, right?"

As a core member of the empire, Mordred was privy to many secrets. About Artorius's origins, and the prophecies involving Merlin.

"We won't enjoy the warmth of the present, but instead, we'll head towards destruction. Everyone will die, wars will ravage our country, destroying everything we hold dear."

Saying those words, Mordred seemed to grow a bit tense, until Artorius held her even tighter. She then snapped out of it, casting a somewhat embarrassed look at him.

"I've been thinking these past few days, about what the world would be like without Big Brother. After that, I felt... really scared. Big Brother, you won't leave me, right? You won't, right?"

"Of course not." Looking at Mordred who gazed at him with longing eyes, Artorius gently replied, "I won't leave you. After all, you're my dearest sister."

"Brother~"

Hearing Artorius say that, Mordred felt not only happy but also a bit bashful.

Even though she had already become a prominent figure of the empire, and the commander of the Imperial Guard.

Even though she had told herself to be strong, to be an example for everyone.

Yet, in front of her big brother, she couldn't help but reveal her vulnerability.

"It's alright..."

Artorius naturally sensed her inner turmoil. He continued to console her gently.

"You're always my little sister, no matter when, no matter what. So whenever you feel sad, down, or uncomfortable, you can come to me. After all, I'm your big brother."

Artorius's words softened Mordred even further. She leaned into his embrace, looking at him with watery eyes. He understood this implication well, he smiled and reached out, giving her resilient little bottom a playful lift, ready to inject some 'vitality' into the tired her.

But before that could happen...

*Rustle!*

Hearing a strange sound, both Artorius and Mordred turned to look. They spotted a figure acting suspiciously.

"..."

"It's X."

Wearing a baseball cap, clad in a tracksuit and sports shorts, X was crouched low, using a small tree branch as cover, comically sneaking forward.

Her posture was akin to a hunting lioness, only lacking someone carrying a camera to record the whole spectacle for a particular animal channel.

"What's that dolt doing?" Mordred asked curiously.

"Probably investigating the Artoria Species again."

Artorius shook his head somewhat helplessly.

"Don't mind her... how about going to your room next? Take a bath first, have a midnight snack, and then..."

"Umu, that sounds good."

Hearing Artorius's suggestion, Mordred blushed a bit and felt a little embarrassed. Nevertheless, she obediently followed his advice, and together, they happily headed back.

As Artorius had said, they took a bath, had a late-night snack, and then, obviously 'training' their 'sword' and 'sheath'.

With Mordred nestled in her big brother's arms, there was no room for anxiety or sorrow. Everything felt natural and blissful.

However, at the same time.

While Artorius was comforting his adorable little sister, his own room was being quietly invaded.

"Artorius~"

It was X, who quickly discarded her shorts, revealing her disheveled appearance with a naked bottom and a pair of fair thighs. She jumped onto Artorius's bed with the enthusiasm of someone who had just found a treasure.

Of course, it turned out to be empty.

"Um?"

"Eh?"

"He's actually not here?!"

"Where did he go?!"

The emperor's sleeping chamber, devoid of anyone, had its lights off.

In the darkness, a voice of apparent frustration could be heard.

"Artorius..." She rolled around on Artorius's bed, then sighed in lament. "Seriously, where on earth did this child go..."

As she continued rolling, she sensed something amiss.

"Ahh~"

There was someone's voice as her hand touched something.

""Artorius?!""

""Ehh?!""

The two surprised voices overlapped. After a brief pause, X swiftly confirmed that the other person wasn't her gentle, considerate, and well-behaved son, Artorius; it was an evil, self-willed bad woman. So, she quickly switched into combat mode.

"Damn you, sneaking around like this!"

"Aren't you doing the same?! Why point fingers at me?!"

"I-I was..."

As if running out of excuses, X who had been rolling on Artorius's bed initially exclaimed loudly while pointing above, "Look, a UFO!"

In the next second, amidst a sound akin to the collision of two heated iron rods, the glow of a lightsaber flashed briefly, illuminating the faces of the two women—from surprise to astonishment, then disbelief to anger, and finally, battle-ready expressions.

They both had an X Face, or rather, an Artoria Face. Obviously, they weren't the real X and had disguised their appearance as X.

"This dirty trick, don't bother showing off!"

"Hmph, aren't you doing the same? Trying to trick my son with this?"

"Considering our past relationship, I'll spare you this time. Leave quickly; my son belongs to me alone!"

"Aren't you afraid of alliance repercussions?"

"Afraid? Why should I be? What alliance?! Do their intentions differ from mine? Anyway, everything they say is bullshit; only my son is real. Rules? Who gives a damn!"

While the two conversed, their hands didn't stop moving. The lightsabers danced, and amidst the buzzing sounds, they nearly destroyed Artorius's entire bedroom.

"You seem determined."

"You're no different; you sneaked into my son's room just like I did. Aren't you planning the same thing as me?!"

"..."

As Artoria Face No. 2 heard Artoria Face No. 1, she fell silent for a few seconds, then revealed an evil smile, too.

"Heh, indeed, you're right!" She exclaimed loudly. "Alliance? Rules? They're all bullshit! If there were any rules, there's only one!"

"Hehehe, you're right, just one!"

""Son should only belong to the strongest mom!""

As if having reached an unspoken agreement, they said the same sentence simultaneously.

After saying that, the two exchanged glances and prepared to unleash their ultimate moves, to decide life and death. The victor would have the privilege of being with their son, while the loser would bite the dust.

But before that could happen...

*Swish!*

*Zap!*

"Y-You!"

"Ughhh...!"

A pure white light blossomed in the dark room. The two Artorias were simultaneously knocked down as they widened their eyes, looking at the newcomer with disbelief.

"You said it right." The newcomer's tone was casual. "Son should only belong to the strongest mom... and now, it seems I'm the stronger one."

After saying that, the newcomer finished off the two fallen Artorias without hesitation with her weird-looking lance.

"Before... before I die..."

"I really want to see my son one more time..."

With those words, the two Artorias both turned into light particles and vanished.

The newcomer surveyed her surroundings, snapped her fingers, and the previously chaotic sleeping chamber was instantly restored.

She nodded in satisfaction and then disappeared.