C408

"Ah, now you're getting angry. But no matter, speaking the truth always brings resentment. I've come to understand that long ago," Gil chuckled, "So carry this burden well and continue tormenting yourself. However, mark my words, you will definitely end up drowning yourself."

"I'm not upset about that!"

Gil asked curiously, "Then what is it?"

"I'll endure your ramblings because I want to know who the enemies of my King are! I won't let anyone harm my King, and I will protect him at all costs!"

"Is that a vow?" Gilgamesh was taken aback by her determination but couldn't help but laugh, dismissing it with a wave of his hand. "Forget it, your vows are as pointless as the Eternal King's plans! However... all of you are truly interesting! Alright then, I'll tell you some information about King Mordred."

"Mordred..." she trembled inside and quickly asked, "What information?"

"King Mordred is someone who defies fate."

"What do you mean?" she was startled.

"Who knows," Gil chuckled and turned to leave.

"Wait, Gilgamesh!"

Gil paused and glanced back at the anxious woman, his expression softening slightly. "Lower your voice. Do you want the Eternal King to carry her burden to the battlefield?"

She reluctantly closed her mouth.

With that, Gil turned and left, leaving Artoria lost in her thoughts.

Mordred... 

As she watched Gilgamesh's figure fade into the distance, she couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of pain in her heart.

Gray approached her cautiously and asked, "Your Highness?"

Taking a deep breath, she responded, "What is it, Gray?"

Gray hesitated for a moment before delicately asking, "Are you... feeling troubled about something?"

"I suppose I'm just not accustomed to manifesting in this form. My apologies for causing you worry."

"Is that so..." Gray felt that something was off, but she didn't know how to say it.

Meanwhile, inside the cockpit of Uruk No. 1, Shirou's attention was fixed on the array of buttons and controls for driving the gundam.

Gil returned to the cockpit, engaging in some silly banter with Chloe before settling into the throne, eyeing Shirou with a grin. "So, how does it feel? Isn't this just amazingly cool?"

"It's impressive," He nodded, then asked abruptly, "What did you say to her?"

Gil laughed nonchalantly, "Oh, nothing much, just teasing her a bit. Couldn't resist the opportunity."

"Well, next time, don't. Otherwise, I might have to punch you."

"Do you want to protect her?" Gil raised an eyebrow.

"Of course, it's only natural. She's not just my subordinate; she's also a dear friend. I can't simply stand by and watch her being bullied."

"Seems like you're quite protective," Gil laughed.

"Gil, I already have a rough idea about what's going on in that world. If I'm not mistaken, our final enemy is likely connected to Pandora's Box. We need to come up with a well-thought-out plan to confront it."

"A plan?" Gil's forehead glistened with a light sheen of cold sweat, and he suggested hesitantly, "Perhaps we could bide our time. Once your magical energy is fully restored, we can charge in without hesitation!"

Shirou's frowned, "Regardless, we need a plan. Charging in without direction is reckless and dangerous!"

Gil couldn't help but retort, "Your plans are as useless as your knights, always ending in failure. Don't think I haven't noticed; your plans always went sideways!"

"What does that have to do with anything? Real battles involve unpredictable factors, and the enemies aren't training dummies. Plans will naturally deviate. But have my plans ever failed to achieve a result?"

Hesitatingly, Gil replied, "Well... it seems not?"

"Exactly! So trust me, my plans will undoubtedly lead us to success!"

Gil finally relented, nodding in agreement. "Alright, I believe you," he conceded.

Despite initial doubts, upon closer examination, it became evident that Shirou's plans consistently led to success, even when they seemed to deviate from their intended course.

After the intense battle against Saber, the group dispersed.

Shirou, Artoria, Gray, and Miyu returned to the Fujimaru house.

Seeing Artoria, who greatly resembled Gray, both Ritsuka and Sakura appeared slightly perplexed by her presence.

"Twin... Twin sisters?" Sakura pointed at Artoria and Gray with puzzled face.

Shirou shook his head, "No, not twins. This is my most trusted subordinate and friend from Camelot, Artoria Pendragon. In modern terms, she holds the title of the King of Knights."

"King... King of Knights, and she's a woman?" Sakura looked confused.

He confirmed with a nod, "Yes, that's right."

Sakura looked at her in a daze.

As she heard the mention of King of Knights, she couldn't help but recall the legends she had heard in the British version.

The tales spoke of the Eternal King and the King of Knights, who had been inseparable since their initial journey as kings.

And now, considering her brother's return and his eight-year absence in Britain...

It dawned on her that this woman had been faithfully by her brother's side for those entire eight years.

Moreover, Shirou himself had openly acknowledged Artoria as his most important subordinate and dear friend from Camelot.

Sakura felt her head spinning.

In her mind, her greatest enemy had always been Arcueid. It was Arcueid who had been by her brother's side during the Camelot era.

But now, with Artoria's presence and her undeniable connection to Shirou, She couldn't help but feel that the most formidable enemy might not be Arcueid after all. This woman, Artoria Pendragon, seemed to have become the unexpected contender for that title.

Just when this realization hit her, the doorbell rang, breaking the tension in the room with a gentle "ding-dong" sound.

Miyu went to open the door.

Arcueid burst in, hands on her hips, and laughing loudly, "Kukuku! The legendary True Ancestor has returned from resurrection!"

Immediately, she rushed to Shirou and wrapped her arms around him, rubbing her face against his as she asked with a smile, "Did you miss me, Shirou?"

"Tch!" He said displeasedly, "Let go!"

He pushed her shoulders, but her strength was too great, and he couldn't push her away.

"I won't let go! This is the fate of those who betray the True Ancestor! Kukuku, the fate of crossing me!" she laughed.

"If you don't let go, I'll call Matou Kariya!"

She burst into laughter, "It's no use! Kariya is down with an illness from overnight works, and he can no longer control me! Hahaha!"

Shirou: "..."

Artoria stared at Arcueid, her frown deepening as she expressed concern, "Arcueid, please let go of the king. You're going to hurt his waist like this!"

"Huh?" Arcueid turned her head and peered at her skeptically, "Artoria? Is that really you?"

She nodded, "Yes, it's me..."

Before Artoria could finish her sentence, Arcueid suddenly released Shirou and embraced her instead, her face lighting up with joy, "Long time no see, Artoria!"

Seemingly delighted to reunite with her long-lost friend, she clung tightly to her.

"Let go, let go, Arcueid!"

"I won't let go!"

Sakura slumped onto the sofa, feeling a bit overwhelmed and dizzy by the things happening in front of her.

Gray and Miyu observed the scene, both feeling puzzled about how to handle the situation. For now, they decided to watch and see how things played out.