C131

Shirou spent three days in Garrod, during which he entrusted Artoria with resolving the town's grievances and endeared himself to the locals. However, when it came to confronting the nobles who held land and property, Shirou adopted a more cautious approach.

He began by carefully reviewing all the cases in his mind before taking action. He targeted a group of particularly corrupt nobles and also included a group of relatively more reasonable ones. This allowed for a compromise to be reached where the common people were able to regain some of their land and interests, while also ensuring a fair outcome for the nobles involved.

Despite the small gains, the common people were greatly encouraged, and Arthur name became even more renowned in Garrod.

Following a pleasant conversation with the lord of Garrod, Shirou bid farewell and left the town. Despite the other party's reluctance to see him go, he hurried on towards Camelot.

It took Shirou over two months to complete his journey to Camelot. As he passed through each city, he would allow Artoria to stir up some commotion before taking the opportunity to address the crowds from a high platform. This helped to increase his renown and familiarity with the people of Camelot. In the meantime, Kay was left with the daunting task of cleaning up after the mess created by Artoria.

Throughout their journey, they battled against monsters, evil witches, bullies who took advantage of the market, and corrupt nobles.

Their adventures left behind a trail of stories and legends. Arthur's name became well-known throughout the cities of Camelot, and alongside it, the tale of a brave and chivalrous girl who fought for the weak, possessed a straightforward and proactive attitude, and gave her all to everything, just like a lily. This girl was affectionately called the "Knight Princess" by the people.

Kay was often seen working tirelessly and complaining about the situation. He felt burdened with the task of cleaning up after Shirou and Artoria's shenanigans, which left him exhausted and frustrated. He had once hoped to bring Shirou serve Artoria, but instead found himself working for Shirou, cleaning up after their adventures and becoming a useful tool to them.

Merlin, on the other hand, always seemed to disappear during their adventures, only to reappear later with a smug smile on his face. He would often carry the scent of a woman and even lipstick marks on his face, leaving no doubt that this notorious magus, known for his romantic exploits in human history, had taken the opportunity to indulge in some pleasure-seeking during his absences.

For some reason, every time Kay saw Merlin, he felt a growing sense of unease and discomfort throughout his body.

Despite this, he managed to focus on his cleanup duties and complete them without any issues.

Furthermore, Shirou did not delegate all responsibilities to Artoria. There were certain situations he preferred to handle himself, such as when two men were competing to see who could pee the farthest and accidentally splashed a third person.

Shirou typically did not intervene in these types of situations, nor did he allow Artoria to do so.

However, he had a trick to prevent her from taking action. For instance, in this case, Artoria had attempted to intervene, but Shirou managed to stop her by grabbing her ponytail, causing her to cry out in pain and tears to stream down her face.

He released Artoria's hair, and she immediately held onto her ponytail at the back of her head, shooting him an angry glare. "My king! This is the seventh time you've done this! Even if you are the king, you cannot simply grab my hair every time. Surely, there must be another way to stop me?"

Shirou looked at her angry expression and grinned. "You're angry,"

"No, I'm not angry," she retorted, still seething. "I just want you to stop grabbing my hair all the time!"

"That's great," Shirou said, nodding. "It's good that you're expressing your emotions and thoughts now."

She was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

Shirou took her delicate hand and placed it gently against her breastplate. "Always remember to express your innermost feelings with words. Otherwise, no one will ever know how you truly feel."

"Is this also the way of the king?"

"Um," Shirou paused to consider her question, then nodded slowly. "I suppose it is."

She retrieved a notebook from her pocket and proceeded to jot down his response with utmost seriousness.

After more than two months of traveling, Kay was no longer surprised when a mother lion, previously irritated and humiliated by teasing, suddenly transformed into a docile housecat.

However -

Kay narrowed his gaze, staring at Merlin with sharp intensity. Merlin rubbed his face oddly and asked, "What's with the intense gaze, Kay? Is something bothering you?"

"Tell me the truth," Kay interrogated, "Did you do something to me that you shouldn't have, you sneaky little mouse?"

"Why would you say that? Do you think I'm capable of doing something like that to you?" Merlin remained composed and even flashed a faint smile.

"Really?" Kay furrowed his brow and questioned.

"Absolutely," Merlin affirmed with a nod, "I, Merlin, would never intentionally harm anyone."

Kay muttered under his breath, "Then where did this creepy feeling come from...?"

Shirou turned his head slightly towards Merlin and asked, "Merlin, Caerleon is our last stop before reaching Camelot, correct?"

Merlin nodded and said, "Caerleon is the gateway to Camelot. Once we pass through Caerleon and head west, we will arrive at Camelot."

Shirou acknowledged Merlin's response with a nod and led the group onwards.

The path to Caerleon wound through the mountains.

Over the past few days, there had been heavy rainfall which triggered landslides, blocking the mountain road with debris.

Shirou intended to use his Noble Phantasm to clear the road, but due to its excessive power that could potentially cause further damage to the road, he opted for a different route. Instead, the group took a detour through the forest at the base of the mountain to reach Caerleon.

As the sun began to set, the light grew dim, and the group was forced to spend the night in the forest. Luckily, Artoria stumbled upon a cave which provided them with shelter, sparing them from spending the night in the forest with potentially dangerous wildlife.

Merlin used his magecraft to ward off insects, while Kay unpacked his backpack and set up a rudimentary campsite by laying out bedding and starting a small bonfire.

Artoria hummed a tune as she cooked meat over the bonfire, while Shirou studied the map of Camelot with a hand on his chin, lost in thought.

Their travel for the past two months served not only to garner recognition and reputation but also to gain a fundamental understanding of the state of Camelot.

Shirou lacked any prior experience in governing a country, let alone being a king. Nevertheless, having undergone the mandatory nine-year education, he understood the significance of being practical and realistic.

Merely having an abundance of ideas was insufficient. He needed to comprehend the current circumstances of the kingdom and make necessary modifications accordingly; otherwise, it would amount to nothing more than daydreams.

As he had anticipated, after two months of travel, he discovered that the power of the nobility in Camelot was exceedingly strong and dominant. They held ultimate authority over the interpretation of the law, and the system of slavery was deeply ingrained.

Moreover, Shirou was taken aback by the state of agricultural production in Camelot. In the modern era, traditional agriculture had evolved into an intensive type that relied on local conditions and meticulous cultivation techniques to improve land utilization and yield per unit area. This was due to the emergence of small-scale farming practices and a growing population that requires more efficient use of limited arable land under the modern economic system.

However, Shirou was disappointed by the state of agricultural production in Britain. He observed how several villages cultivated their crops, simply using a fork to turn over the soil, throwing in the seeds, covering them with soil, and that was it. It was typical subsistence farming that relied on the land and the weather alone.

He had made inquiries to the farmers in detail and learned that Britain had implemented a two-field system and had some agricultural tools. While most villages used oxen for plowing, according to Shirou's calculations, the proportion of animal power used in agriculture was less than five percent.

It was no surprise that Britain's grain production was subpar. The country's temperate maritime climate was unsuitable for grain production, and more suited for cultivating lush grasses, which was already mentioned in high school geography textbooks.

Given the unsuitable climate and primitive cultivation techniques, it would be strange for Britain to achieve high yields.

Camelot's low productivity in grain production, along with severe conflicts between the noble class and common people, and a decade without a leader or king, all contributed to the overall poor living standards in the kingdom. Additionally, the war instigated by Vortigern only worsened the situation for both the noble and common classes.

Many people believed that the absence of a leader was the root cause of the situation, but in truth, there were several factors at play. The fundamental contradiction at the heart of the matter was low productivity - the group was simply not getting enough done to achieve their goals.

The low productivity of the kingdom intensified various conflicts, resulting in the complex situation that existed at the time. In all honesty, after Shirou investigated the country's basic situation, if Merlin had not confidently promised a way to return home after defeating Vortigern, he would have wanted to flee from the kingdom.

The situation was extremely complex, with a multitude of problems arising one after another. If the underlying conflicts were not analyzed and solutions were not carefully considered, it would inevitably lead to an explosive outcome.

It was a headache-inducing situation. However, if Shirou wanted to return home, he had to face it positively.

After finishing their grilled meat, he and the others went to sleep.

"----!!!"

Shirou tried to find a comfortable position to sleep, but he couldn't seem to relax. After tossing and turning for what felt like hours, he let out a heavy sigh and sat up. Running his hands through his hair in frustration, he muttered to himself, "Here it comes again, that feeling of being watched."

As they continued their journey, two months had already passed. Throughout this time, Shirou couldn't shake off the feeling that he was being watched, particularly during the quiet of night.

At first, he suspected that a noble or king might have sent an assassin after him, so he remained vigilant for a long time. However, the watcher's gaze continued to linger without any action, leaving Shirou feeling troubled.

The lingering gaze with no discernible source made it impossible for him to get a good night's sleep, leaving him troubled and restless for weeks on end. He let out a deep sigh before rising from his makeshift bed.

Kay looked up at Shirou and asked. "Arthur, where are you going?"

"I'm just heading to the restroom. I'll be back soon, Kay. Get some rest."

Kay nodded and settled back down to sleep.

Shirou stepped out of the cave and made his way to a nearby tree where he tended to his needs. As he was pulling up his pants, he heard the melodic sound of a harp coming from a distance.

The sound of the harp was hauntingly beautiful, its ethereal melody drifting through the forest like a delicate mist. It carried a melancholic quality that spoke of a deep longing and yearning, a feeling that Shirou couldn't quite put into words. Despite not understanding the meaning behind the harp's tune, he found himself drawn to its alluring sound.

Unable to sleep due to the unsettling feeling of being watched back at the cave, Shirou made a decision. Without further hesitation, he decided to follow the source of the harp sound.

The Welsh night was humid, and a mist hung over the forest, casting an eerie atmosphere. Within the mist, there were sporadic flickers of light that resembled stardust, adding to the otherworldly ambiance.

As Shirou turned to look, he was taken aback by what he saw. A fairy, which he had not encountered in over two months of traveling, emerged from the forest at that very moment. They were drawn by the enchanting sound of a harp and moved gracefully toward it.

He traced the source of the harp's melody, which grew increasingly distinct, cascading like a gentle stream. Its notes ebbed and flowed, reminiscent of a bubbling spring - sometimes calming, sometimes rushing with the force of a waterfall. The sound would crystallize like drops of jade onto a surface, then soften to a hushed whisper. The mournful tune hung in the air, as though conveying a message, evoking emotions that spilled out from within.

The fairies were completely intoxicated, with some of the fairy girls even hiding in the grass, their faces flushed as they tried to tidy up their disheveled appearance.

As Shirou emerged from the forest, he found himself at the very source of the enchanting harp sound. A strikingly handsome young knight with long, flowing red hair was perched on a tree branch, his back against the trunk, softly plucking away at the harp in his hands. The mellifluous sound of the harp drifted lazily through the air, filling Shirou's ears with a sense of calm and wonder.

A cluster of fairies had gathered around the tree, their eyes fixated on the young knight with his fiery red locks. Each of the fairies wore an intoxicated expression, as they watched the handsome young man with rapt attention.

Although Shirou looked out of place among the fairies, he sat calmly on the ground, closed his eyes, and listened to the knight's harp playing.

The knight stroked the body of the harp gently, and his slender fingers moved smoothly over the strings.

As the strings vibrated, the harp produced a haunting melody tinged with sadness. The sound seemed to emanate from deep valleys and mountains, weaving through the ups and downs of life, the turbulence of time, and the sorrow and melancholy in one's heart. It flowed quietly, like a chapter of music.

As the song ended, the fairies were all entranced, their faces revealing a mesmerized expression. The knight, lost in his own melancholic mood, was also deeply moved. Suddenly, Shirou clapped his hands, abruptly shattering the somber atmosphere.

"Clap, clap, clap, clap-"

The fairies couldn't remain entranced any longer and, one by one, they turned their heads and glared at Shirou with anger. This made him, who was already standing out among the fairies, even more conspicuous.

Upon seeing the fairies, who appeared as though they were about to devour him, Shirou nervously scratched the back of his head and apologized, "Sorry about that. The thing you did sounded so amazing that I couldn't resist clapping."

The red-haired knight didn't seem upset, instead he directed his gaze towards Shirou and asked, "Did you understand what I was expressing?"

He shook his head, "I'm sorry, but I don't understand."

The fairies became even more angry, but the red-haired knight just smiled lightly and wasn't bothered by it.

"Are you knight Tristan?"

"I'm Tristan, but I'm not really a knight. I'm just a musician who plays the harp,"

"I see," Shirou said with a smile, "My name is Arthur, the future king of Britain."

Tristan furrowed his brow, and his gaze turned cold for a moment as he looked at Shirou. However, he quickly regained his composure and spoke in a calm tone. "Is that right? So you're the legendary Red Dragon Incarnation."

He smiled and nodded, unfazed by Tristan's earlier coldness. "Yes, that's me. Although I couldn't comprehend the emotions in your harp playing, I could sense that there were many sorrowful stories buried deep within your heart that yearned to be told."

Shirou stood up, brushed off his clothes, and flashed a smile. "I have to be going now. My companions must be getting worried. Hopefully, I'll get the chance to hear the stories you wish to share the next time we meet, if fortune permits it."

Under Tristan's gaze, Shirou turned around and left.

After a while, a cavalry unit arrived at the scene, and the commanding knight shouted to Tristan, "Tristan, put away the harp. It's time to go! Our intelligence reports indicate that Arthur will be arriving soon. As per the king's orders, we must ambush him at the Caerleon castle!"

"I understand," Tristan jumped down from the tree and mounted his horse. Unconsciously, he turned his head to where Shirou had left.

"What are you looking at?"

"Nothing," Tristan replied. "Just a strange audience."

...

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