82: To the King, There Is Only You 

A duel between knights is often determined by two things:

One, their weapons.

Two, the knights themselves.

A good weapon allows a knight to fight stronger foes, while a bad weapon becomes a burden.

But weapons alone do not decide everything.

When two knights wield weapons of equal caliber—

The battle is no longer about the swords.

It becomes a contest of the knights' own abilities.

Now, Artoria faced such a situation.

The Unfading Lake Light (Arondight) and the Sword of Promised Victory (Excalibur) were both sacred swords born from the lake.

Their strengths were equal—neither blade held an advantage over the other.

They were twin swords beneath the moon, capable of countering one another.

Of course—

Artoria had no intention of fighting Lancelot.

She had only stepped in because Rei's condition had worsened once again.

And so—

She could never simply stand by and do nothing.

She was the King of Camelot, but she was also a young girl in love.

The Sword of Promised Victory was drawn.

Unlike the Sword of Revolving Victory (Excalibur Galatine), this was a blade blessed by the moon.

At midday, it could not display its full power.

But to Artoria—

This was not an insurmountable issue.

She was the incarnation of the Red Dragon, possessing a heart of a Dragon's core.

Where divine blessings lacked, she would supplement them with her own magic.

Where power was already present, she would amplify it further.

Thus—

Even against the blazing sun, her moonlit blade could still shine as it was meant to.

The young king cast aside all distractions, focusing entirely on the absolute stillness that surged toward her.

Her sword struck.

The wind followed.

For a moment, all was silent.

Then—

A storm erupted.

A gale fierce enough to sweep everything away.

Against it, the so-called "domain" shattered like glass.

BANG!

Something broke.

Artoria planted her Sword of Promised Victory into the ground, gazing wordlessly toward her opponent on the dueling field.

Lancelot was still in shock.

The domain released by his The Unfading Light of the Lake (Arondight) had lasted less than a second before King Arthur.

Like Rei before him—

Lancelot could feel that their swords were of equal rank.

Then—

The reason he lost could only be himself.

The Third Law of Duelists: One Must Acknowledge Defeat.

Lancelot sheathed his solid blue sword and knelt before King Arthur.

"I have lost."

This was the defeat of a foreign knight—

Yet no knight of Camelot cheered.

For what concerned them more—

Was the fate of King Arthur's shadow.

[The Celebration Was Cut Short.]

[Artoria Carried You in Her Arms.]

[She Brought You Back to the Private Tent That Only You and She Could Enter.]

[She Temporarily Bestowed Avalon Upon You.]

As the sacred scabbard of Excalibur, Avalon possessed tremendous healing power.

Even the curse Morgan had placed upon the dagger was no match for it.

However—

Avalon was not yours to wield.

Thus, it could only restore you to consciousness.

Rei's eyes slowly opened—

The first thing he saw was Artoria, gazing at him.

"Sir Rei!"

The girl no longer cared if the knights outside could hear her voice—

She sobbed, choking back tears.

"I'm sorry!"

"I shouldn't have let you take part in this duel!"

"..."

Watching Artoria cry, Rei felt as if something inside him was slowly corroding away.

He reached out and gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"If anyone should apologize, it's me."

"Even though that knight Lancelot looked down on you—"

"I still didn't teach him a lesson for you."

"You don't have to."

Artoria embraced Rei.

"I don't need you to fight my battles for me."

"I will prove myself in my own way!"

"Mm."

Weakly, Rei nodded, then softly ran his fingers through her silky golden hair.

"I know."

"I saw it—"

"That strike which shattered his domain, right?"

"Artoria, you are truly deserving of the title of King of Knights."

[You Did Not Acknowledge Artoria as a King.]

[You Simply Recognized, From the Bottom of Your Heart, That Her Strength Was Beyond Imagination.]

But what you did not know—

Was how painfully ironic your words were to her.

The weight of her title as King felt heavier than ever.

Assassinations. Challenges. Troubles arising one after another.

And all of this—

Was because she was born a king.

[Gifted Maiden's Prayer Has Been Replaced with The Maiden's Awakening.]

[Your Existence Now Serves as a Constant Reminder to Artoria—A Reminder of the Decision She Must Make at the End of This War.]

[This Will Become Part of Her Soul.]

You remained unaware of the storm raging within Artoria's heart.

Your thoughts—

Were still focused on the knightly challenge Lancelot had issued.

[You Had an Idea.]

[You Decided to Tell Artoria.]

"Artoria."

"Sir Rei, what is it?"

The girl—who had only just managed to suppress her emotions—looked up at him.

"Are you still feeling unwell?"

"No." Rei shook his head, reassuring her.

"I feel perfectly fine."

"It's just—"

"Just what?"

Artoria blinked, her emerald eyes shimmering like a vast forest.

"Sir Rei, you don't need to hesitate around me."

"Our relationship—"

Blushing slightly, Artoria took his hand, looking both shy and beautiful.

"You don't have to hold back anymore."

Rei did not hesitate this time.

He nodded.

"You're right."

"Then—"

"Artoria."

"I want to speak with Lancelot alone. May I?"

[Artoria Had Not Expected This Request.]

[After All, You Had Nearly Died by Lancelot's Arondight.]

[If It Had Been Her, She Would Never Have Bothered Speaking to Him Again.]

[But No Matter What, She Respected Your Decision.]

"Understood."

Without hesitation, Artoria nodded.

"Sir Rei, if that is what you want—"

"Then I will support you."

"Artoria…"

"..."

Before the girl could react, she felt the man's lips press against hers.

But she did not panic.

Because receiving a kiss like this—

Was one of the rare moments in her life where she could feel true happiness as a girl.

This was the only greed she ever allowed herself to have.

[Artoria Agreed to Your Meeting with Lancelot.]

[To be cautious, she temporarily entrusted you with the scabbard of the Holy Sword—Avalon—until the meeting ended.]

[Though you didn't think it was necessary.]

[After all, you could tell that Lancelot had come to Britain with nothing but the heart of a challenger.]

[You Met with Lancelot.]

[A Meeting That Would Shape the Course of Future Wars Began.]

"It seems you've recovered well."

Lancelot spoke with a hint of awkwardness.

"Good thing King Arthur stepped in."

"Otherwise, I would have made a grave mistake… My apologies."

"No need for that."

Rei, ever magnanimous, waved off the apology.

"A true duel means showing your full strength—it's a sign of respect toward your opponent."

"Besides—"

"You knew I could handle that level of a domain, didn't you?"

"From that perspective, it was my failure, not yours."

"Heh."

Lancelot chuckled.

"Rei, as the victor, you certainly speak with ease."

"Compared to you, I really do seem rather dishonorable—perhaps even condescending."

"I don't mind if you look down on me." Rei smiled.

"But whether now or in the future—never look down on the King of Camelot."

"Mm." Lancelot shrugged. "The victor's words are always right."

"However—"

"You didn't ask to meet me just to say that, did you?"

"Of course not."

Rei reached for his Sword of Revolving Victory (Excalibur Galatine).

"Lancelot, your sword was also obtained from the lake, wasn't it?"

"..."

Seeing Rei's intent, Lancelot drew his own blade—

The Unfading Light of the Lake(Arondight).

"You could say that… but it's not entirely accurate."

"Oh? What do you mean?"

"I didn't obtain this sword from the lake."

Lancelot gazed at his weapon, its blue blade as still as the moonlit surface of a lake.

"I was raised by the Lady of the Lake."

"They gifted me Arondight, allowing me to wield it as I roamed the lands of France."

"I see."

Rei nodded thoughtfully.

"So by that logic, you didn't take the sword—you inherited it."

"Perhaps."

Lancelot didn't seem to mind.

"Either way, it has accompanied me for many years. It is my most trusted weapon."

"In that case—"

Rei looked at Lancelot.

"Have you ever considered finding a new purpose for the sword you inherited from the lake?"

"..."

Lancelot understood the implication.

"Rei, you can speak plainly."

"Alright, then—"

Now that things had reached this point, Rei saw no reason to hide his intentions.

"Lancelot, fight for King Arthur."

"The Knights of the Round Table need your sword."

[You Explained to Lancelot the Purpose of Camelot's Campaign.]

[Every conflict, every crisis—led back to Vortigern.]

[You didn't want Artoria's rule to be threatened.]

[Of course, you didn't expect Lancelot to immediately agree.]

[After all, he was a knight of France—not Britain.]

[But, as fate would have it, things once again exceeded your expectations.]

"I understand."

Lancelot nodded as soon as Rei finished speaking.

"I accept."

"..."

Rei's silence made Lancelot frown.

"What's with that look? Are you doubting my words?"

"…A little." Rei admitted.

"Fine," Lancelot said without offense.

"Then allow me to give you an additional reason."

"France and Britain are lands separated by the sea."

"I could wait until the day I must fight enemies who cross the ocean to invade."

"Or—"

"I could join forces with you now and eliminate the threat at its source."

"The latter is clearly the wiser choice."

"Now, do you still doubt me?"

"…No, I don't." Rei extended his hand.

"I look forward to fighting alongside you."

Lancelot smiled faintly and clasped Rei's hand.

"Likewise."

"But before that—"

"Can I ask you one more question?"

"Of course." Rei replied with a smile.

"We're allies now."

"Mm." Lancelot nodded.

"Then—"

"Can you tell me… what exactly is the relationship between you and King Arthur?"

"..."

Rei hesitated for a moment before meeting Lancelot's gaze.

"She is someone worth giving my life to protect. Nothing more, nothing less."

"I see…"

Lancelot smiled knowingly.

"If you are willing to stake your life on your oath, then I understand."

"Understand?"

Rei was puzzled.

"Lancelot, did you realize something strange?"

"Not exactly."

Lancelot raised his sword and pointed toward the distance.

"I simply noticed that King Arthur's eyes see only you."

"To her, everything else seems… secondary."

"Now that I know you share a bond of life and death, it makes much more sense."

"..."

Rei felt a mixture of emotions.

After a long pause, he forced a smile.

"Yes… a bond of life and death."

It was the perfect way to describe their relationship.

Every word, a story of its own.

[Camelot's Army Resumed Its Campaign.]

[With Lancelot's Addition, You Were Stronger Than Ever.]

[This Foreign Knight Truly Possessed Extraordinary Skills.]

[And the Gathering of Three Sacred Swords Made Your Forces All the More Formidable.]

[More and More Knights Came, Drawn by the Reputation of the Round Table.]

[The Name of Camelot Resounded Across Britain, Reaching Its Peak.]

[At the Same Time, You Increased Your Corruption of Artoria.]

[The Girl Had Grown Used to Lying Beneath You, Surrendering Herself to the Midnight Hours in Your Private Garden.]

[Sometimes, She Would Even Shyly Ask If She Had Performed Poorly That Night—And Whether That Was Why There Was So Little.]

[As If, To Her, That Place Had Truly Become the Source of Life Itself.]

[The Final Barrier Between You and Her Was Now Almost Gone.] [Time Flew By Amid Victories on the Battlefield.]

[At Last—The Day to Face Vortigern Had Come.]