—Thump.
Before he could react, Aozaki Rin felt himself being tackled into the snow.
Feeling the arms embracing him tighten and the slight trembling of the girl on top of him, the boy froze for a moment. Then, he freed his own arms and hugged her back, speaking softly.
"Just as I promised, I'm back, Sister."
"...You still have the nerve to say that. Don't you ever do something so stupid again!"
Artoria lifted her face from the boy's chest, pinning him to the snow with a "fierce" expression, the corners of her eyes slightly red.
It was clear that she had been worried sick.
"Mhm, I promise you, Sister."
Aozaki Rin nodded with a smile, his words sincere.
Seeing him like this, the girl, who had been planning to give him a proper lecture, felt most of her anger dissipate.
But she couldn't just let the matter drop. So, Artoria naturally redirected the barrel of her emotional release, turning her head to look at Merlin.
"Merlin, if you ever dare to use your magic to put me to sleep again, I will definitely chop you up when I wake up!"
Knowing the girl was being completely serious, Merlin didn't dare to provoke her further and quickly nodded with a苦笑 (wry smile).
"I understand. It will never happen again."
"And you, Sir Kay!"
Artoria stood up, pulling Aozaki Rin up from the snow and patting the snow off his clothes before glaring at her adoptive brother.
To her surprise, Kay simply glared back at her with an annoyed expression, leaving the girl momentarily speechless.
"...As for you, I won't even bother. I know I can't win an argument against that mouth of yours anyway..."
Fully aware of her own limitations, Artoria muttered under her breath, feeling a little frustrated.
She subconsciously began to knead the warm, soft little hand of the boy beside her, as if it were a way to relieve stress, working off her remaining resentment.
After all, in the recent incident, everyone had simply ignored her will and made their own choices.
That was what truly made her angry.
However, Kay clearly didn't care much for Artoria's dissatisfaction. He just shook the snow from his armor and looked at Merlin.
"So, are we heading back directly? Or are we going to continue?"
"Continuing is unlikely. I don't know why Vortigern let us go so easily this time, but if we encounter him again, it will probably be a fight to the death. Besides, if we calculate the time, it's about time for us to head back anyway."
Merlin stood up, brushing the snow off himself. He was actually quite curious as to how Aozaki Rin and Kay had managed to get away so quickly, and why Vortigern had chosen not to pursue them.
So, without hesitation, he asked. And Kay, after glancing at the boy, briefly recounted everything that had happened.
"I see, so that's why he let us go... Vortigern, despite his cruel and volatile personality and his strong desire for control, has always been one to keep his promises. This time, we can only count ourselves lucky. But..."
His gaze fell upon Aozaki Rin, who was repeatedly reassuring the girl. Merlin narrowed his eyes, sensing the change in the boy.
As I thought, this child, just like Artoria and Vortigern, is a "miracle" that doesn't belong in this era. I really don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing...
Completely unable to deduce the boy's future based on the information his eyes could currently perceive, Merlin frowned, temporarily suppressing the confusion in his heart.
Just then, Aozaki Rin, having finally managed to calm Artoria down, spoke at the right moment.
"Are we going back now, Merlin?"
"Mhm. After all, we're a considerable distance from the town we started from. If we head back now, the timing should be just about right. Also, I think... you should be prepared by now, right, Artoria?"
Staring into the girl's eyes, Merlin asked solemnly.
After a moment's pause, Artoria didn't answer immediately but began to consider his question seriously.
Several minutes later, the girl finally looked up, glanced at the boy beside her, and replied with equal solemnity.
"Yes, I'm ready."
"Also, regarding that question you asked me before, I have an answer now, Merlin."
"What?" Merlin blinked, not immediately remembering what she was referring to.
But Artoria simply held the boy's hand, smiled, and walked past Merlin, saying softly.
"My answer is... I want it all!"
As if stunned by the girl's words, Merlin stood frozen on the spot, speechless. After a long moment, he looked at the backs of Artoria and Aozaki Rin and gave a somewhat troubled laugh.
"She hasn't even become king yet, and she's already learned a king's 'greed'. This is really..."
"But, how should I put it? A choice like that... doesn't seem so bad after all."
[Your party embarks on its journey once more.]
[This time, however, you are not pressing forward, but returning home.]
[During the return journey, Merlin begins to constantly spread the rumor that "the heir of King Uther, the master of the Sword of Selection, the future King of Britain, is about to return." ]
[Like a dead memory suddenly revived, with this rumor, many people begin to recall the news of the Sword of Selection being drawn a year ago.]
[And so, whether out of hope, curiosity, or pure suspicion, countless people begin to head toward the territory where the Sword of Selection was once embedded.]
[You also sense that your sister's demeanor is gradually becoming more majestic and serious. But in private, she is still the same as before, occasionally liking to sleep while holding you during the journey.]
[Finally, after crossing a vast distance, you return to your hometown. This land was the territory governed by the loyal retainers King Uther left behind after his passing—a starting point specially prepared by Merlin and Uther for the next king.]
[And now, all preparations are complete. Only the final step remains.]
[On this day, with Merlin's help and counsel, before thousands of people, your sister Artoria, in the identity of "Arthur," declares that she is the child of Uther and presents the Sword of Selection in her hand.]
[Although this fact causes considerable shock at first, under Merlin's verification, the various discussions gradually die down.]
[However, your sister Artoria understands that while Merlin's prestige can suppress them for a time, it can never make these people truly submit to her.]
[And so, to prove that she possesses the caliber to bear the title of King of Knights, your sister Artoria decides to hold a tournament among knights before her official coronation ceremony.]
[Anyone who can defeat her through proper means can take the Sword of Selection from her hand.]
[For a time, a commotion ripples through the crowd. You hear Merlin gasp in a low voice; it seems even he never expected your sister to do such a thing.]
[But words spoken are like water spilled. Moreover, the speaker was the master of the Sword of Selection.]
[Helpless, Merlin can only comply with your sister's decision and organizes a tournament the very next day.]
[Fortunately, though the knights who step up to challenge her are endless, your sister never once falls. You don't even hear her footsteps retreat.]
[You understand that your sister's diligent training late into the night over the past days was meaningful, and you feel silently happy for her.]
[As the number of challengers dwindles, the crowd begins to realize that your sister truly is the child of Uther, the heir to the King of Knights.]
[Everyone begins to cheer your sister's name, "Arthur," welcoming the official return of Britain's new king.]
[But just as the crowd is in a state of excitement and fervor, a voice suddenly calls out, challenging your sister.]
[You can tell from the voice that it belongs to a young man, close to your brother's age.]
[And after stepping out from the crowd, he announces his name.]
[He says his name is—Gawain.]