"Fire off fireworks with me, a dignified Grand Strategist???"
Komei stared blankly at the emperor.
Could it be that the plan wasn't detailed enough? That he hadn't fully utilized the Imperial Teacher to his utmost potential?
Seeing the astonishment—and growing delight—on his deputy's face, he immediately pleaded,
"Your Majesty, please give me more time. I swear I can use the Imperial Teacher to completely drain both Britain and France dry!"
If he didn't work harder, that heartless bastard Chin Kyū really might fire him off like a firework!
"Komei, I think that's enough," Shikotei frowned slightly.
This Chancellor-slash-Strategist had been working obsessively every day, managing the empire diligently.
The problem was… he treated himself like a machine, thinking only in terms of gains and losses.
If necessary, he could sacrifice anything without hesitation.
He even dared to use the Imperial Teacher—who had protected, taught, and supported the First Emperor since childhood—as mere bait!
"…Is it really okay?" Chin Kyu was stunned.
The First Emperor actually agreed to him sacrificing a comrade—
Wait, no, he meant fully utilizing a comrade's ultimate strength!
Pushing up his glasses, Komei gave a gleaming smile. "Chancellor Kyu, it's all a necessary sacrifice!"
Such a magnificent strategist, yet zero sense of human decency?
Did he not realize that in the Emperor's eyes, even all of Europe and the entire west combined couldn't compare to the value of one Imperial Teacher?
This strategist was truly great.
He clearly knew the dragon had a reverse scale, yet he kept testing it, again and again, just to demonstrate the danger—bravely offering his own body each time.
It was enough to move Chin Kyu to tears.
"Don't you come near me!" Komei backed away with a look of despair. "Your Majesty, what exactly do you want from me? Alaya hasn't even exposed Nameless's connection to the Greek gods yet—assuming he did! I can't use that to trick America!"
"..."
Shikotei fell into silence.
Should this man be forced to take a break?
He really wanted to use Nameless as a breeding stallion to spread across the globe!?
Shikotei took a deep breath and stared coldly at him.
"Teacher's contributions are so great that there is no reward or title sufficient. I would even share rule of the world with him—and you dare suggest he marry some woman?"
"Uh…"
Sweat burst from Komei forehead.
Only now did he realize how completely, utterly wrong he was.
For an emperor, the very concept of equal rule with another was unthinkable.
Yet His Majesty had just said he'd share the throne with Nameless.
That meant the Imperial Teacher's importance in the emperor's heart was beyond comprehension!
"Shokatsu Kōmei, this time, I'll overlook your offense," Shikotei said icily, his crimson eyes glowing like burning coals.
A mountain-like pressure erupted around him.
Behind him, a radiant golden dragon seemed to appear, radiating a majesty that reigned over all.
Even gods would not dare to disrespect such power.
This was the Humanity Dragon Order, forged by 2 billion peoples will—enough to challenge the gods themselves.
Both chancellor and vice-chancellor bowed low.
The emperor's voice thundered proudly:
"Convey My decree—Should anyone dare to suggest sacrificing Teacher's future happiness, Should anyone dare to pressure him into self-sacrifice, I shall execute their entire family!"
Back then, when the emperor was powerless, it was Sanjiro who protected him.
Now that Sanjiro was weak and wounded, he would protect him.
Sanjiro had already given too much for him, serving the foundation for the empire he built, and for the world.
He would not allow anyone else to exploit him!
With bold steps, Shikotei left the hall, leaving the two ministers with bowed heads.
Execute the entire family.
Those words—long unheard in modern times—sent chills down both their spines.
Chin Kyu sighed. "Komei, I know you desperately want me to launch you as a firework, but this is too much, man."
"Get lost."
Komei looked at him with pure disdain.
Out of the 100+ Heroic Spirits in the Empire, not a single one didn't find Chin Kyu annoying.
That bastard's favorite pastime was researching how to activate each Heroic Spirit's strongest combat power and launch them like living nukes.
Komei stared off into the direction the emperor had gone and sighed. "I do know how much Nameless has done. But all I did was offer him some girls—why won't His Majesty approve?"
Artoria, Jeanne, Mordred… These were all top-tier women among female Heroic Spirits.
To any man, that kind of "reward" was definitely not a sacrifice.
"I think… you really need to take a leave of absence," Kyu looked at him with sympathy, as if watching a firework slowly rise into the sky.
"…Maybe I really do," Komei admitted wearily.
"I was a mere cloth-robed scholar, plowing fields. I only wished to preserve my life in a chaotic age, and not to be known among the lords…"
I'm tired.
Let it all burn.
[King Arthur voluntarily abdicates, passes the throne to Mordred, and plans to marry the Empire's Imperial Teacher]
This headline stirred up massive buzz online.
Yet just three hours later, the Empire issued an official response:
[The Majesty rejects the marriage alliance, stating national cooperation should not be mixed with personal emotion]
After seeing this official statement…
Jeanne couldn't help but raise her wine glass and take a deep drink.
"Hahaha, Arthur, now you've had a taste of rejection!"
Even if you want a political marriage, the other party has to want it too!
In the First Emperor's eyes, a sullied(sullied reputation) King wasn't even worthy of marrying his Imperial Teacher!
As expected of New Year—what a festive day!
"Your Majesty, aren't you celebrating a little too early?" Astolfo reminded her. "This just means you have another rival now!"
"…What rival?"
Jeanne froze slightly and set down her glass.
Just the mention of it annoyed her.
If Alaya had only published that first video—"The Witch of Vengeance"—then she could've had Nameless all to herself!
But no—Alaya had kept dropping one video after another, exposing more and more people who had fallen for him.
Her number of romantic rivals skyrocketed.
Only God Himself probably knew how many were out there now!
Oh right—ever since her time in Academy City, when she accidentally tapped into the perception of the Lord beyond…
Jeanne had started wondering if God had taken notice of her again… trying to help her find Nameless?
…Could it be God also liked to watch drama?
Astolfo blinked innocently.
"Your Majesty, the First Emperor's gender is officially I/We, so… maybe that 'existence' has some special feelings too!"
"No way! Absolutely not!"
Jeanne scowled at him.
What a joke.
They highly values the idea that "a teacher is like a father for life."
Given Nameless and the First Emperor's relationship, how could that be possible!?
Surely His Majesty wouldn't want to become some… ungrateful disciple!?
Astolfo timidly replied, "Well… didn't King Arthur also think Mordred was impossible before…"
"SHUT UP!"
Lancelot charged over and pinned him down.
You little gremlin—are you trying to fan the flames!?
As the two wrestled with chaotic energy…
Jeanne glanced at the screen—at Shikotei, who possessed beauty that transcended gender and reason—and suddenly, she wasn't quite so sure anymore.
No, no—the real problem right now is—
How the hell are we supposed to find Nameless!?
=============
[King Arthur proposes marriage to the Imperial Teacher]
[The Emperor of France declares sanctions on Britain]
[The First Emperor refuses political marriage]
Three international headlines in a single day—totally blew up the internet.
"No wonder this is called the Age of Heroic Spirits," Kirina said, nearly choking on the sheer amount of gossip. "Every one of them is a top-tier superstar!"
But unlike traditional celebrities…
These people were living legends—towering figures of human history who made indelible contributions to their countries.
Everything they did drew the attention of millions.
She clicked her tongue. "So, King Arthur's plan to ditch her mess and live a happy little life with Nameless totally fell through, huh?"
"…"
Sanjiro had a complicated look on his face.
He was now certain that the once-adorable and pure Artoria had absolutely been influenced by the memories of her Lion King self—becoming increasingly forceful.
She'd gained a bit more of a human heart.
In her old selfless state—always thinking only of Britain and willing to give her life without hesitation—there's no way she would've done something like this.
Artoria… if only you had that much humanity back then, maybe the Battle of Camlann wouldn't have ended the way it did…
Sanjiro shook his head.
"Kirina, go grab a bottle of soy sauce—we'll need it for dinner."
"Got it~" Kirina pouted as she climbed out from the warm kotatsu.
She shot a glance at Mr. Tei, their frequent guest.
He'd been coming over more and more often lately.
But it wasn't a problem—he always brought good food and fun stuff. The more the merrier!
Once she left…
Sanjiro stared out at the falling snow and chuckled.
"Shikotei… back when you were her age, you also wanted me to go play in the snow with you."
"Mm. That's right."
Shikotei's impossibly beautiful face was filled with nostalgic warmth.
In the blink of an eye… over two thousand years had passed.
At the beginning, the one who would one day build this empire—Shikotei—was just an ordinary child.
"Who would've thought a hostage living in an enemy nation could one day become an emperor?" Sanjiro smiled.
The first time they met, he was still a fragile and adorable little boy.
Nine years of living in an enemy territory had made him extremely withdrawn and insecure.
Thankfully, under Sanjiro's guidance, he gradually grew into a ruler radiating pride and dominance.
Even the way he looked at Sanjiro changed—from blind adoration to a burning ambition to conquer everything.
Though Sanjiro never referred to himself as the emperor's teacher, he couldn't help but see him as his proudest student.
Shikotei replied with utmost humility, "It was all thanks to you, teacher."
"I was only a support. You worked hard to get where you are." Sanjiro thought of the news he'd seen earlier and smiled. "I'm really too tired. I don't want to be in the spotlight anymore. Thank you for rejecting that proposal."
After countless years of battles and endless overtime, all he wanted now was to enjoy his twilight years in peace.
Shikotei's firm rejection of Artoria's proposal left him deeply relieved.
Compared to that—
Gilgamesh was just there for the drama.
Mordred? The textbook definition of a problematic child.
Jeanne had gone dark—who knew what she might do.
And now even Artoria seemed to be walking down the path of 'darkness'.
In the end, only the student he personally taught—was the one who truly cherished him.
Shikotei smiled gently. "Don't worry, teacher. As long as I'm here, no one will disturb your peace."
As the one who wielded the Dragon of Human Order, even the gods would never take Sanjiro from him!
"Mm, you really are the best." Sanjiro nodded.
Only in front of this disciple did he feel truly at ease.
He subconsciously wanted to pat Shikotei's head—only to realize that the other was now slightly taller than him.
However—
He bent down slightly, letting Sanjiro reach him.
That scene stirred a wave of emotion in Sanjiro.
It reminded him of the time when the boy was only thirteen, freshly crowned.
That small, anxious figure who'd once rubbed against his hand for comfort…
Sanjiro sighed softly. "That tiny kid from back then… is now taller than me."
(T/N: Ahhhh boizzz, I can't unsee it, I can't fucking unsee it with all this innuendo author be dropping, I think he gonna make him a girl! Tough his genderless, still!)
==========
Meanwhile…
Outside the neighborhood.
Kirina stomped her feet and blew into her hands. "So cold!"
Snowflakes drifted gently from the sky, covering the earth in a blanket of white. With the temperature several degrees below zero, she felt completely frozen.
She'd planned to buy soy sauce from the store near the gate, but it was sold out.
So she had no choice but to go farther to the market.
But just as she walked out with the soy sauce in hand, she saw a blonde, regal-looking woman standing and staring at her.
The woman smiled. "What's wrong? Don't recognize me?"
"You're… King Arthur???"
Kirina stared at her, dumbfounded.
Right now, the woman was wearing a pure white down jacket, looking just like a foreign lady—an elegant older sister.
There was none of Artoria's usual regal pressure.
"Correct."
Artoria smiled.
She'd gone for a walk, frustrated after the Empire rejected her marriage proposal.
Following a faint resonance with [Avalon], she'd been led here again.
And once again, she ran into this adorable little girl.
There was a faint trace of Avalon on her body.
Not to mention she was hidden by the Helmet of Hades, a gift from the King of Heroes.
Clearly, this girl was no ordinary person.
"W-W-Wait, Y-Your Majesty…"
Kirina almost blurted out in shock.
To meet King Arthur in a local market?
Unbelievable.
Did this market hide a whole squad of Heroic Spirits?
"Take a walk with me."
Artoria glanced toward the side—where the Celt hero Cú Chulainn, now a fishmonger, was idly watching—and led the way forward calmly.
Ever since Alaya started publishing videos, more and more Heroic Spirits had been gathering in Fuyuki City.
"O-Okay!" Kirina could feel her blood racing, heart pounding like a drum.
To walk side by side with the exalted King, like two close sisters—
No, like a mother and daughter duo—
It all felt too surreal. Like a dream.
Maybe she was still asleep!
As they walked, Artoria asked softly, "What is it? Did watching that video make you afraid of me?"
"N-No! Not at all!"
Kirina shook her head rapidly.
Honestly, when she first watched Alaya's Sacred Round Table Domain, she had been terrified of the ruthless, emotionless Lion King.
Almost turned from a fan into a hater.
But after learning that the change had been due to the Holy Lance's divine corruption—and Goetia's conspiracy—she realized it wasn't her fault.
If that bastard hadn't tried to destroy human history, Artoria would've never become the cold and merciless Lion King!
It was all that bastard Goetia's fault!
"No need to worry. I won't blame you. It was my fault after all," Artoria gently patted her head.
Just being near Kirina let her sense Avalon's presence even more clearly.
Which was a bit odd.
In the previous singularity, when Nameless left, he'd returned Avalon to her.
But now, she didn't have it with her.
Which meant… he must've taken it back before the final battle?
And it shattered during the fight?
Even Avalon, said to be indestructible, was broken.
Could Goetia really have succeeded in becoming Gaia itself?
Artoria looked up at the gray sky, a suffocating pressure weighing down her chest.
Only as the planet's own consciousness could someone truly destroy Avalon.
Then why was its lingering aura on this child?
Could it be—she was his daughter?
"You didn't do anything wrong. The one at fault was that terrifying Goetia!" Kirina quickly tried to comfort her. "But it's okay now. No more fighting is needed. Nameless must've defeated him once and for all—saved all of us!"
"Yes… once again, he saved us all."
Artoria's expression was distant, dazed.
That man—who knew how many horrific battles he had endured?
He had saved everyone, protected the world…
And yet, never once remembered to save himself.
Kirina hesitantly asked, her eyes burning with gossip, "Your Majesty… when you were with Nameless back then, were you happy?"
"Before I drew the Sword in the Stone… that was the happiest time of my life."
Artoria's holy blue eyes were filled with nostalgia.
At night, she'd receive instruction from Merlin in her dreams. By day, Nameless taught her swordsmanship, hand in hand.
It sounded exhausting.
But back then, she didn't need to think about anything.
She just needed to grow stronger.
However—
Once she drew the sword, everything changed.
She wore the crown. She became King Arthur.
Her young, delicate shoulders carried the entire burden of Britain.
Countless people prayed for her to bring peace and happiness.
The pressure forced her to mature far too quickly.
Love, fun, rest… all such words vanished from her life.
Even though it was like drinking poison to quench thirst, she had no choice but to lead her weary troops into endless wars, keeping Britain barely alive.
In those endless wars, countless families were torn apart.
People began to fear her more and more.
In the end, just one call from Mordred rallied countless others to rise up—to end it all. But they didn't realize that ending her reign would only bring even darker chaos…
"Your Majesty… have you ever regretted it? Back then, you were only fifteen. You could've refused to be king!" Kirina asked curiously.
"A king does not regret." Artoria smiled gently. "And don't forget—Nameless also stepped onto the path of saving the world and protecting humanity at a very young age."
"That's true…"
Kirina nodded.
The legendary hero of humanity, Emiya, was just a normal boy at the start.
Normal?
Kirina's eyes lit up as an idea struck her. "Your Majesty, would you like to come to my house and try a regular family dinner?"
Someone like King Arthur, raised in nobility since birth—
And even after coming to Japan, staying in a luxurious hotel—
She had never experienced true everyday life.
Most importantly…
It would give that shut-in back home a chance to meet her.
After all, this was King Arthur—someone the entire world wanted to meet!
=========
Ma boi's fucked....