74. The Holy Lance, the Maiden, and the Bittersweet Wine 

[Like Bedivere before him, Percival had come seeking the famed King Arthur.]

[Upon first arriving, he nearly mistook you—taller and more imposing—as the king.]

[When he finally realized that the true Arthur was the young woman beside you, he seemed taken aback.]

[However, he quickly apologized, making it clear that he meant no offense.]

[Artoria, of course, bore no resentment.]

[On the contrary—when he mistook you for the king, she seemed… pleased.]

[Thus, Percival was granted an audience, just as in the previous Round Table meetings.]

[And while this took place, Gareth approached you with something to say.]

"Father, Father~"

Gareth waved at Rei enthusiastically.

"Can you come over for a second?"

"..."

Rei wasn't sure what she wanted, but he still walked over to her.

"What is it, Gareth?"

"Father, I have a question~" Gareth blinked her big, bright eyes.

"Why did Mother ask Gawain and me to keep an eye on you and the King?"

[…]

[Gareth's words made you realize that Morgan hadn't fully dismissed her suspicions of you, despite your previous explanations.]

[This should have been an unsettling thought, yet for some reason, it gave you a sense of familiarity—like a ray of sunlight breaking into a long-forgotten shadowed corner.]

[Even so, you knew this wasn't something Gareth should involve herself in.]

"It's nothing."

Rei smiled and gently ruffled Gareth's hair.

"Your mother is just concerned about me, that's all."

"Just concerned?" Gareth didn't seem convinced.

"Yes, just concerned." Rei reaffirmed.

"Gareth, this isn't something you need to think too much about."

"Eh—?! Why is even Father saying that now?!"

"Even me?" Rei raised an eyebrow.

"Mhm!"

Gareth pointed toward Gawain, who was standing a short distance away, listening to King Arthur's conversation with Percival.

"Gawain said the exact same thing!"

"..."

Rei glanced at Gawain, a complex smile forming on his lips.

"Then, Gareth—my child, you should understand that this really isn't something you should interfere in, right?"

"Oh… I guess so." Gareth nodded thoughtfully before suddenly remembering something.

"But Father, you're not in danger because of this, are you?!"

"Of course not."

Rei looked at her gently.

"As your father, I won't fall so easily."

"Ehehe, hearing you say that makes me feel a lot better."

[A Summons from the King]

"Father."

Gawain approached.

"The King wishes to see you."

"Understood, I'll go now."

Rei turned back to Gareth.

"Do you understand what I told you?"

"Mhm!"

As Rei walked away, Gawain lowered his voice and questioned Gareth.

"What were you talking to Father about?"

"Nothing much!" Gareth watched as Rei disappeared from sight. "I just asked him why Mother wants us to keep an eye on him and King Arthur!"

"You—!"

Gawain nearly lost his composure.

"You actually said it out loud?! Are you an idiot?!"

"Wh-Why does that make me an idiot?!" Gareth puffed up her cheeks. "If there's a question, of course, it's best to ask the person directly!"

"..."

"Sigh." Gawain let out a deep breath. "And what did he say?"

"He said it's just because Mother cares about him." Gareth answered honestly.

"…Is that so?"

Gawain's expression grew complicated.

[A Meeting with Percival]

[You weren't aware of Gawain and Gareth's conversation.]

[By the time you reached Artoria, Percival was still there.]

[Because of what had happened earlier, he looked a little awkward upon seeing you.]

[However, you quickly reassured him with a friendly demeanor, making it clear that you weren't bothered by it.]

[The atmosphere between you two soon became comfortable.]

"I hope I'm not being rude."

Percival looked between Rei and Artoria with an expression of pure sincerity.

"But King Arthur… Sir Rei… I sense a very similar aura from both of you."

"May I ask—how is that possible?"

Percival's tone was respectful, the way a knight should ask a question.

But Rei couldn't possibly give him the real answer.

He knew the truth—

It was the lingering trace of dragon mana he had absorbed from Artoria.

Of course, the way he had received it… was something that could never be spoken aloud.

Fortunately—

Artoria had long anticipated that someone would notice.

She swiftly provided an explanation.

"Sir Rei is my most trusted knight. Naturally, we spend a great deal of time together."

"It's only natural that my aura would linger on him."

"I see."

Percival nodded in understanding.

It seemed he had no reason to doubt her words.

Seizing the opportunity, Rei redirected the conversation.

"Speaking of which—"

"Your attire doesn't resemble that of a Camelot knight."

"That's correct."

Perhaps because he had already introduced himself to Artoria, Percival did not hesitate to reveal his origins.

"I am not a knight of Camelot. I come from a land much farther away."

"And my reason for seeking King Arthur's service is not simply because of her renown."

Percival met their gazes, his eyes filled with something akin to devotion.

"I seek the legendary Holy Lance."

"For this purpose, I am willing to offer my lands in exchange."

[You took note of Percival's words.]

[With Artoria's silent approval, you engaged him in conversation.]

[He did not hold back anything about his origins.]

[Through his story, you learned that he was the son of King Pellinore.]

[From the moment of his birth, he had felt the weight of destiny upon him—to recover the Holy Lance, Longinus.]

[He had pleaded with his father to support his quest, but had been denied.]

"My son, the Holy Lance is nothing more than a legend."

[King Pellinore dismissed his son's request with those words.]

[But Percival remained convinced—he could hear the call of fate itself.]

[He was meant to recover the Holy Lance and return it to its rightful owner.]

[If his father would not aid him, then he would see it through by his own means.]

[Hearing his tale, you realized that he truly believed every word he spoke.]

"That is my truth."

Having finished his story, Percival looked at them both.

"This is what I offer—and what I seek."

"..."

His conviction was so sincere, it left no room for doubt.

Rei turned to Artoria, and upon seeing his reaction, she gave her answer.

"Percival, I understand your request."

"However—"

"I must weigh the benefits and risks before making my decision. Please be patient."

It was not a refusal.

But it was not an acceptance, either.

Sensing there was still a chance, Percival nodded.

"I understand."

[The conversation was not yet over.]

[Watching Artoria stand, you knew she wanted to speak with you in private.]

[Following her lead, you both returned to the tent.]

As always, silence greeted them.

Artoria gazed into Rei's eyes, and for a moment, they saw nothing but each other.

Then, she stood on her toes and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek—

A gesture to begin the discussion.

"Sir Rei, what do you think we should do?"

"Artoria… are you asking for my opinion?"

"Yes."

The young king nodded.

"Your opinion is very important to me."

"Then—"

Rei gently took her hand.

"I believe this offer is worth accepting."

"After all, securing land through diplomacy is far better than conquering it through war."

"Not that I doubt your abilities."

Rei met her gaze.

"But if there's a way to keep you from getting hurt, I believe it's worth considering."

Hearing this, Artoria's face flushed.

"Sir Rei… are you worried about me?"

"I am."

"Then—"

She lowered her head, resting it against his chest.

"I was actually thinking the same thing."

"Sir Rei, it seems we share similar views on many things."

"That's a good thing." Rei responded.

"Since that's the case, Sir Rei, may I ask you a small question?"

"Go ahead."

"It's just—"

Artoria's hand traced down Rei's waist.

Even though they had already shared some rather intimate moments, when her fingers brushed against the undeniable proof of their union, the young girl still couldn't help but blush furiously.

Yet, summoning all her courage, she softly asked:

"Sir Rei, do you think… I am ready to continue what we started?"

"..."

Rei understood exactly what she meant.

But at this moment, his thoughts were elsewhere—not because he lacked desire, but because he knew there were still more pressing matters to address.

"You are more than ready—but there are more important things we need to take care of first."

"I-I see…"

Artoria quickly withdrew her hand, her face turning crimson.

"I'm sorry, Sir Rei. That was inappropriate of me."

"Not at all."

Rei lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"For now, I don't intend to continue that part of our bond… but—"

"It's been a long time since I last had a drink of wine."

Rei's hands took control.

"And right now, I'm missing a proper cup."

"Eh?"

Artoria bashfully nodded.

"Mmm… I happen to have a cup right here."

[As it turns out, the vessel in which wine is poured greatly affects its taste.]

[The goblet of a king was far tighter than that of any ordinary chalice.]

[Even the silent atmosphere seemed to influence the fermentation of the wine.]

[With the absence of the usual soft sighs, the taste of the fine liquor took on a hint of unexpected bitterness.]

[With no better solution, Rei had to use the snowy fields of untouched purity to refine its essence—blending it into the drink to balance its taste.]

[Fortunately.]

[Artoria's garden and rolling hills were always open to him.]

[He was the only one permitted to partake.]

[The 'Gift of the Red Dragon' has been enhanced to 'Gift of the Red Dragon+': You have absorbed a significant amount of mana from Artoria, allowing you to wield even greater weapons.]

[Percival's request was granted.]

[Under the banner of King Arthur, he was allowed to search for the legendary Holy Lance.]

[In return, his lands were offered to Camelot without condition.]

[It should have been a cause for celebration—yet, as if by fate, an unexpected turn of events followed.]

[As the transfer of land was about to be finalized, Percival's father, King Pellinore, appeared.]

[He refused to acknowledge such an arrangement and challenged King Arthur to a duel.]

"I accept your challenge."

"But as rulers, our stakes must be equal in weight."

"Let our kingdoms be the wager—whoever loses shall have nothing left."

With her small frame, Artoria spoke words with the weight of a true monarch.

[King Arthur won an overwhelming victory.]

[Yet, as a merciful victor, she did not execute the fallen King Pellinore, merely demanding his fealty.]

"If your children seek their own path, then as a father, you should support them."

"Your lands now belong to Camelot, but your spirit remains free."

Artoria pointed her sword toward the defeated king, declaring her triumph.

[On the surface, the matter had been resolved perfectly.]

[King Pellinore's lands were now under Camelot's rule, and Percival had officially joined the Round Table.]

[Yet, despite this near-flawless resolution, the Caliburn did not approve.]

[One fateful night, as you shared a deep kiss with Artoria, it shattered into two pieces.]

[Though the sword had already fulfilled its purpose the moment it was drawn—becoming nothing more than an ordinary blade—the timing of its breakage was ominous.]

[For an army on the march, a king with a broken sword was a troubling omen.]

[But Artoria was, without a doubt, the destined King of Britain.]

[That very night, she dreamed of a voice calling to her from the lake.]

"O noble King, do not grieve over your shattered blade—it is merely your farewell to the past."

"Within the clear waters of the lake, you shall receive a weapon truly worthy of your reign."

[Artoria knew it was the Lady of the Lake's guidance.]

[She wished for you to accompany her.]

[You agreed without hesitation.]

[Yet, unbeknownst to you, this journey would entwine your fate in ways you had never imagined.]