C180

After successfully driving away the last group of magical beasts for the day, Artoria came to a halt. Though she had the urge to pursue and eliminate them, she was the sole protector of the front lines. If she were to give chase, there was a risk of leaving the civilians behind the defense line vulnerable to potential magical beasts attacks.

Above all, she recognized that she wouldn't have been able to catch up to them even if she tried. In truth, beneath her lion helmet, her complexion was somewhat pale. Her spirit was utterly exhausted.

Despite possessing the Factor and Heart of a Red Dragon, and having an abundance of magical energy, she remained a human body. After six consecutive days and nights of unceasing battles, she had depleted a great deal of her energy and stamina, and was now starving. Even after Bedivere brought her a specific batch of food, it was still insufficient to satiate her hunger.

Due to possessing the Factor and Heart of a Red Dragon, her appetite was only marginally smaller than that of a typical dragon. It would be a significant burden on the kingdom if she were to consume food to her heart's content.

She was well aware of the pressure that Shirou was currently facing, so she purposely curbed her appetite to a degree that allowed her to move with ease.

Furthermore, her silver mount, Dun Stallion, was also approaching its threshold. As a crossbreed between a dragon and a horse, it had accompanied her in slaying monsters in the sea of beasts for six continuous days and nights without any decline in pace. Nevertheless, it was undoubtedly nearing its limit. On several occasions, it had intensified its heart rate and respiration and was gasping for air.

...

Night had fallen, and darkness engulfed the surroundings. Artoria stood guard at the border, having set up a campfire and was cooking porridge for herself. Dun Stallion grazed nearby, taking a break from the day's arduous battles.

Sitting with her helmet on and back against a tree trunk, she gazed absentmindedly at the rising smoke. She was aware of her own voracious appetite and understood that these meager rations were insufficient to fill her stomach. In fact, she had intended to hunt magical beasts for food. However, for some inexplicable reason, the creatures under Vortigern's control were strange. Upon being slain, their bodies would only linger for a moment before disintegrating into thin air like snowflakes, leaving no traces behind.

Initially, she suspected that these magical beasts were artificial constructs created by some magi. However, after six days of battling them, she came to realize that the situation was far more complex. These magical beasts were not mere magical creations but living beings. Despite this, their bodies would dissolve upon death like snowflakes. This was not a normal natural decomposition process; instead, it seemed as if they were being rejected by the world itself!

These magical beasts were being rejected from existence, and their actions were also being denied. Therefore, their bodies were rejected after their deaths as well. It was a bizarre phenomenon, and she recalled traveling with the King through various territories, camping and feasting on many boars in the forests. The bodies of those boars did not dissolve like this, allowing them to be roasted and consumed. However, these creatures under Vortigern's control exhibited this strange vanishing phenomenon.

The perplexing situation was beyond her comprehension, leaving her in a state of bewilderment.

"This matter is too critical. When I get back, I must report this finding to the King and seek Merlin's counsel. As a wise man, he should be able to explain the reason behind this matter," Artoria pondered to herself.

Nonetheless, for the time being, she had to remain here and protect this location. Until the defensive wall was constructed, she couldn't leave her post.

The King was besieged with an overwhelming number of intricate and demanding issues that she could not solve. However, she could at least alleviate some of the burden on the King through her physical prowess and combat skills.

Observing the fatigued and drooping Dun Stallion, she reassured it, "Hang in there a bit longer. We'll be returning soon."

Dun Stallion, possessing human intelligence, responded with a neigh, but it was feeble.

She leaned against the tree trunk to rest, but she remained vigilant and alert. With the possibility of Vortigern's magical beasts launching an attack at any moment, she tightened her grasp on Caliburn and Gáe Bolg that Bedivere had brought to her.

And at that moment...

"Rustle, rustle"

A rustling sound emanated from the nearby grass.

Artoria's formerly unfocused gaze immediately sharpened, and she stood up, gripping Caliburn and Gáe Bolg tightly. Clad in mithril armor, her body exuded a terrifying killing intent.

"Sis, there's no need to be on edge. It's just me," Kay announced as he approached.

"Oh, it's my brother," She eased up and then shifted her attention to Lancelot, asking, "And who might this be?"

"This is the prince of Benoic, Lancelot," Kay explained before adding, "Benoic is a Gaulish ally of Camelot."

She was somewhat taken aback. It wasn't surprising that the King had established an alliance with a country in Gaul, but to do so within just six days of their migration, during such a vulnerable moment - it truly demonstrated his exceptional leadership skills. She silently praised her King, then turned to Lancelot and introduced herself, "I am Artoria, the King's apprentice knight. Your Excellency Lancelot, you can just call me Artoria."

"You needn't address me as 'Your Excellency.' Just Lancelot will suffice," Lancelot replied, his admiration for her apparent in his tone. "You are an incredibly powerful knight! I am sure you must have played a significant role when King Arthur defeated Vortigern and pushed him to the north, right?"

'King Arthur defeated Vortigern and pushed him to the north?' she was taken aback, and her expression beneath the lion helmet was one of bewilderment.

"Ahem..." Kay cleared his throat and interjected, "Artoria played a pivotal role in that victory. She is an exemplary model for all of us knights!"

She hesitated for a moment before pulling Kay to the side and whispering, "Brother, what's this about King Arthur driving Vortigern to the north?"

"I have no idea. I suppose the King told that to Benoic."

"What? Did the King...lie again?"

"Likely...But in any case, let's keep it under wraps. The King mentioned that if we don't, Benoic may turn from friend to enemy."

"But...but I don't know how to lie!" She said hesitantly.

"Isn't it easy? Just praise the King's greatness and magnificence whenever he asks you anything."

She widened her eyes and nodded, "I see."

The pair returned to the campfire, where Lancelot gestured towards Artoria's lion helmet and asked, "Sir Artoria, there is no battle now. Why don't you remove your helmet?"

"I won't take it off."

"Why?" Lancelot asked in astonishment. After every fight, he would hastily remove his armor due to the overpowering scent of blood. It was too intense, and even Galahad found it unbearable.

She retrieved a notebook from her armor, holding it with a certain solemnity akin to holding a sacred book, and flipped to the seventeenth page. She responded, "The King once said that in battle, armor should never be removed from the body. You never know when you may be ambushed, and the enemy will not give you time to don your armor or take up your weapons."

Lancelot nodded as he recalled his own experience of being ambushed. "That's a logical approach. But if you've slain most of the monsters, why not just give chase and exterminate them all?"

Flipping to the twenty-second page, she responded, "The King also advised against chasing enemies who have nowhere to escape, as it can lead to a counterattack and unnecessary losses. Moreover, you can't be sure if the enemy is truly fleeing or trying to bait you into a trap."

Recalling his past experience of pursuing retreating Burgundians, Lancelot realized the wisdom in her words. He had pushed them into a corner, forcing them to fight to the death. Had it not been for the Holy Sword, he would have suffered significant losses even if he emerged victorious.

Lancelot nodded empathetically and concurred, "Indeed! King Arthur was undoubtedly a wise king!"

After a brief pause, Lancelot asked, "Artoria, I've heard tales of King Arthur's journeys, and as a knight of King Arthur, you must have accompanied him. Can you share more about it? I'd like to hear about it from someone who experienced it firsthand."

"Absolutely, I would be delighted to!" she agreed wholeheartedly and proceeded to recount her experiences of traveling with Shirou.

However, whether it was an illusion or not, Kay couldn't shake the feeling that Artoria's tone was strange when narrating the tale. She appeared overly excited, almost as though she were trying to sell something.

And this story...

'It's too far-fetched!' Kay couldn't help but thought to himself.

In Artoria's story, the King was revered as a divine, all-knowing figure, who embodied wisdom and kindness. He effortlessly resolved disputes and restored order, and anything that came under his purview was swiftly and easily resolved. He was hailed as the omnipotent ruler, the great sage, and the King whom the people adored, inspiring hope and admiration among his subjects. It seemed that anyone who encountered the King was inevitably swept up in his magnetic aura and became an ardent supporter.

Kay felt a sense of embarrassment simply by listening to the story, having been a participant in the events. However, Lancelot was so taken aback by her words that he continued to heap praise on the story, rendering Kay utterly speechless.

Although she claimed she could not lie, it was clear that she had a talent for exaggerating the truth!

In fact, the reality was quite different from what she had stated. The King had actually assigned Artoria specific tasks, while he focused on giving speeches and gaining support. Furthermore, Merlin had a habit of using the his name to pursue women, leaving him to deal with the consequences on his own.

After hearing Artoria's retelling of the story, it became apparent that the entire narrative had been transformed into something entirely different. In her version, the King was depicted as an all-powerful and radiant figure, while everyone else, including Artoria herself, were mere hindrances in comparison. Her delivery was so passionate that it almost seemed like she truly believed what she was saying.

Kay was thoroughly bewildered by her story. He began to harbor serious doubts that someone had secretly replaced his sister, causing her to fabricate this new version of events.

Despite her claim of being unable to lie, her ability to manipulate the story was undeniable. Kay found himself questioning whether this was still the same sister he knew. He was perplexed by how convincing her story was, to the point where he almost believed it himself!

Artoria moistened her lips, realizing that her mouth had gone dry. She wasn't particularly skilled at socializing, but once she began recounting the King's story, she found it hard to stop. As she spoke, she wasn't merely sharing their journey, but also expressing her personal perception of the King.

Despite his adeptness at deceiving others, the King was endowed with wisdom, kindness, divinity, and a deep understanding of human nature. He was a beacon of hope for his people.

As she described him, Lancelot found himself irresistibly drawn to the King's persona. A vivid image of a sagacious monarch formed in his mind, prompting him to exhale wistfully and remark, "Truly, a wise king!"

"By the way, Artoria," Lancelot interjected, his eyes gleaming with excitement, "I greatly admire your swordsmanship. Would you be willing to engage in a duel with me?"

Her expression shifted as she replied apologetically, "Please forgive me, but I must decline your request."

Lancelot was puzzled. After all, he had come to Britain to inspect Camelot and engage in battles with others. "Why not?" he asked her, unable to hide his confusion.

She flipped through her notebook and replied with a serious tone, "The King believed that true strength is not measured by being ten or a hundred times stronger than ordinary people, nor is it defined by one's competitiveness and eagerness to win. True strength is measured by how much hope you can bring to the people. Lancelot, as the prince of your country and the future heir to the throne of Benoic, please forgive my frankness, but you still have a long way to go before you can be compared to our King in terms of your qualities as a monarch."

Lancelot was shaken by her words and remained deep in thought for a moment. After taking a deep breath, he acknowledged, "You're right, and so is Arthur. True strength is not merely about competitiveness, but also about the extent of hope one can instill in others. This is not just the way of the King, but also the way of the knight. I still have a long way to go..."

Following a brief silence, Lancelot turned to her with earnestness in his eyes and requested, "Artoria, would you be willing to lend me your book of King's quotations? I want to delve deeper into Arthur's wisdom and teachings."

To his surprise, Artoria, who was usually generous, snapped her notebook shut, tucked it into her chest, and regarded Lancelot warily, "Absolutely not! The King once said that if you want something done right, you must do it yourself. Anything handed to you on a platter will not be cherished as much as something you've earned through your own efforts. These are the words of wisdom from the King that I've meticulously recorded, and I cannot give them away to just anyone."

"That's a shame..." Lancelot let out a disappointed sigh. As someone who was destined to inherit the position of the King in the future, he was eager to learn about the so-called wisdom of the King. However, if she refused to share her notebook with him, there was nothing he could do.

She hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "You can always take a notebook and record the King's wisdom yourself."

Lancelot looked surprised and asked, "Is that really okay? Won't Arthur be upset if someone else records his wisdom?"

Kay, who had been listening to their conversation, interjected, "Of course it's alright. I have a notebook here that contains the wisdom of the King that I've recorded myself. Our King has never refused anyone who wishes to learn from his teachings. He is a noble King who is always willing to share his profound wisdom with others."

"Is that so?" Lancelot stroked his chin, deep in thought. Perhaps he should take the opportunity to record some of the King's wisdom as well?

...

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