It was half a day after the end of the battle that Arthur suddenly felt it. A familiar presence, almost like the warmth of a candlelight directed toward his chest, had appeared inside the palace.
Arthur was sitting inside the throne room, with Ozyrae sitting on the opposite side. In front of them was a chessboard with the pieces carved a lot differently than their usual forms.
"My friend has arrived," Arthur said as he stared at the chessboard. "Our lesson will have to wait, but I do enjoy the game. It feels like… the gears in my brain are moving."
"Chess always nourishes the mind," Ozyrae said before she waved her hand, and the chessboard scattered like ashes. "I understand your sentiment. You can leave and meet her."
"Thank you, Ozy," Arthur said, which was a nickname he hadn't used before. The woman was silent, staring at him with dark eyes. Then, she smiled.
