Chapter 62: The Courtyard of Disappointment (1)

When she came to her senses, Artoria couldn't open her eyes because of the bright sunlight, and she instinctively reached out to block it.

Gradually regaining her vision, she found herself standing outside the stable.

She suddenly couldn't remember who she had just been looking at. She only recalled taking a knight's oath, swearing to protect someone's safety until the very end.

"Am I dreaming?" Artoria wondered, looking at the coarse clothes she wore.

She gradually remembered that her task today was to take care of her adoptive father Hector's warhorse. Perhaps she was so tired after finishing the work that she had ended up sitting outside the stable, staring at the glaring sun.

In front of her stretched a vast grassland, illuminated by the morning sun.

Hector lived outside the town, far from the populated areas.

"Are you just sitting here in a daze, Artoria?"

She didn't know if he was there to supervise her, but her adoptive father Hector approached, holding a knight's spear in his hand.

"No, I just..." Artoria tried to defend herself.

But it was true; she had indeed been in a daze.

"Never mind. It's good to take a short break." Hector didn't seem to care. "I have something to give you. Kai seems to have forgotten something. If we hurry, we can still catch up with him. You can deliver it to him in town."

Artoria was stunned by the words, as they felt oddly familiar.

There was a special celebration in town today.

To attend the festival, Kai had ridden his father's warhorse to town but had forgotten to bring the most important weapon for a knight.

And there was no warhorse in the stable waiting for her to tend to.

Artoria would never forget what day it was.

She silently took the knight's spear from Hector and ran toward the town.

It was a surreal scene, taking her back to the day when she had drawn the chosen sword, Caliburn.

Running through farmlands and fields, she headed toward the town.

The town seemed more lively than usual, but the atmosphere was slightly different from what Artoria remembered.

Everyone was heading toward the knight training ground outside the town.

Children rushed out noisily.

The adults' eyes flickered with excessive expectations. Though they tried to hide their excitement, their pace was quicker than usual.

"It's the King!"

"The King is coming to town!"

"Today, the King will select his personal knights in the town!"

The conversations, slightly different from what Artoria remembered, made her pause.

"King? Is it my father, King Uther?" she wondered.

"Hey? Isn't this Artorius? Is it really okay for you to just sit there staring blankly? Even if you're an apprentice knight, you're still a knight. Maybe you'll be chosen by Queen Morgan!"

The young man who knew her called out her male name and spoke about what was to come.

"Queen... Morgan?"

Artoria stayed where she was, but the young people in the town, familiar with her, were enthusiastically discussing who might become the knight of the "Queen."

Not wanting to delay the grand event, they left her and walked away when they saw she didn't react.

As the road outside the town gradually emptied, and all the hustle and bustle converged in one place, she saw Kai approaching with a horse.

"Brother Kai, this is—" She handed him the spear.

"Oh, thanks." Kai took the knight's spear.

"Um... what's going on with the Queen's selection?" Artoria asked, her mind in turmoil.

"It means exactly what it says. We don't have time to dream with Merlin and Uther. Compared to the sword of the chosen one, it's more appropriate to rely on troops, money, and strength. On top of that, your sister knows how to integrate the interests of all parties, get everyone to cooperate, and take responsibility," Kai said. "That's enough."

"..." Artoria remained silent.

"If you want to go, go. If you don't, just wander around town and be back before dark." Kai mounted his horse. "You don't need to carry everything on your shoulders anymore, Artoria."

As if to convey something, Kai said this in a rather serious tone and then rode away.

In truth, Artoria knew that Kai had never wanted her to bear the responsibilities of Britain and the King from the beginning, but she could only watch as everything unfolded helplessly.

Now, suddenly someone was telling her that she didn't need to be king, that someone else had taken over her responsibilities.

She didn't have to work so hard anymore.

Artoria lowered her head and stood where the Sword of the Chosen should have been. The stone was empty, with only traces left where the sword had once stood.

Looking at the gap in the shape of a sword blade, Artoria covered her heart, feeling as though something was missing there.

"Isn't this what you wanted?"

A familiar voice sounded.

She looked up and saw the magician sitting not far in front of her. The shadow of his white hood covered most of his face, leaving only his familiar faint smile visible.

"The result I expected," Artoria thought.

Britain had been destroyed, and she felt deep regret, wanting to change the ending. She wished to return to the time before she drew the Sword of the Chosen and have a more suitable king elected to alter the fate of the land.

So she saw it all.

Indeed, another king had been chosen, and everyone supported that king.

Queen Morgan... Artoria Pendragon's sister.

Her royal bearing and love for Britain might have surpassed Artoria's, but she was a sister Artoria had never truly understood.

"You don't have to draw that sword again. You won't be hated by all humans, and you won't face a tragic death. Whether as a knight Artoria or as the girl Artoria, you can live a more normal life."

The right result, one that won't hurt you anymore.

However, when she actually saw this outcome, she hesitated.

Even though she knew this might just be Morgan's illusion, it still struck Artoria's heart.

"Under Queen Morgan's rule, perhaps Britain will have a completely different ending," the magician said with a faint smile, as if he was neither happy nor sad.

The next second, another voice sounded from behind.

"Or, can you not accept this situation?"

Artoria turned suddenly and saw Morgan.

She stood in the sunlight, expressionless, simply asking the question and then looking at her.

"In that case, it's not impossible to take it back from Queen Morgan now. You still have the qualifications."

The magician's voice echoed again.

Then, there was no one around—only Artoria, standing there—and the Sword of the Chosen reappeared.

___________

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