"What's wrong, Artoria?"
In the middle of the night, Bawanxi, who had been poring over the schematics of the Palball assembly line, looked up in confusion as Artoria suddenly stood up and started glancing around restlessly.
"…I suddenly have a bad feeling. Maybe it's the effect of my Sixth Sense Enhancement Badge."
Artoria replied.
"Sixth Sense Enhancement Badge? What's that?" Bawanxi blinked.
"It's a new gadget I cobbled together recently… Here, this one."
Artoria pointed at a small star-shaped badge pinned to her clothing.
"According to the system's description, it's supposed to enhance the wearer's sixth sense… You know, that vague ominous feeling that something major's about to go wrong. This badge just amplifies that feeling."
"Huh?" Bawanxi blinked slowly, as if a question mark appeared over her head.
"Anyway, what I'm saying is—if I'm getting a bad feeling, something bad probably is about to happen." Artoria grabbed Bawanxi by the arm. "So quit talking and come with me. Let's check on Guinevere. I've got a really bad feeling something's gone wrong."
…
"…What if we gave it a try?"
The Queen of the North averted her eyes, casually offering the suggestion as if it were of no consequence.
But despite her tone, her awkwardly fidgeting hands, the subtle tremble in her posture, and the deep blush creeping up her face betrayed her emotions.
Clearly, she wasn't as composed and worldly as she always acted in front of Artoria, talking big about how to win over men. In truth, she was just a maiden who'd never experienced love—how could she not be embarrassed at a moment like this?
But it was nighttime, and the two were standing on the dark city walls. So whether it was her awkward hands, trembling body, or ears flushed red to the tips, Guinevere hadn't noticed any of it.
He simply paused when he heard Nocknare's unusually bashful voice.
—Wait… does she… like me?
The thought jumped into Guinevere's mind.
But he quickly shook it off.
No, no, no—Guinevere, calm down. Don't be so full of yourself. Just because you're a sinful man now doesn't mean you can go around thinking every woman's into you.
This is probably just one of life's great illusions—"She likes me"—making another appearance. Sure, Artoria and Bawanxi liking him made some sense. He had successfully wooed them in the simulation, and their full-version simulators retained those memories, so it was logical they'd carry those feelings over.
But what would Nocknare see in him? His youth? His questionable hygiene?
Let's be real. In the Sacred Sword simulation, they barely interacted. Later, in the postscript, he became king and her superior. And in the Blood Lord simulation, he literally punched her in the face. Honestly, the fact that she didn't hold a grudge for that just showed how big-hearted she was.
So why would she suddenly be interested in him?
Artoria had mentioned Nocknare was a bit desperate to marry, but even so, it wasn't like she was so thirsty she'd go for just anyone. If she really were that desperate, the line of gold-diggers trying to marry into wealth in Edinburgh would probably stretch all the way to Gloucester.
There's no way she looked at him once and just fell in love on the spot like he was some walking aphrodisiac.
No chance. Absolutely not.
He wasn't Fujimaru Ritsuka, after all.
So if she didn't like him that way… what was this about?
Was she trying to recruit him, hoping to win him over?
But c'mon, she's a dignified Queen of the North. No way she'd resort to seduction tactics just to gain an ally.
Though, if he were being honest, the fact that she built an entire Pocky factory just to suit her tastes had already moved his heart—no wait, that was just gratitude, nothing more. He wasn't planning to defect to her camp. Not yet, anyway.
While Guinevere was still tangled in thought, trying to decipher what game Nocknare was playing, she, on the other hand, had already reached her limit. Her face, redder than ever, looked like it might start steaming.
In truth, the moment she said those words, she regretted them.
Mistake—huge mistake. She hadn't even thought before speaking.
Just moments ago, she'd reminded herself that her relationship with Guinevere wasn't close enough yet. He was still a bit reserved. She needed time to build trust, to deepen their bond. So why had she rushed things like this?
Nocknare's internal monologue was now a wail of despair. She even felt like smacking herself in the face.
Especially when she saw how, ever since she made her suggestion, Guinevere had stood frozen like a statue—silent, motionless. The emotional groundhog in her heart was screaming bloody murder.
At this point, how could she not know what he was thinking? If he hadn't responded by now, he was probably trying to figure out how to let her down gently.
She wanted to dig a hole right here in the city wall and bury herself in it.
Damn it, Nocknare! What are you doing?! Don't you know love takes time?! Acting like some lovestruck girl who's never seen a man before—it's humiliating! It's a massive turn-off!
"T-That was just a joke, you know. You're taking it so seriously... You're not actually considering it, are you? Just kidding, haha…"
Nocknare laughed awkwardly, trying to backtrack.
But the moment the words left her lips, she regretted them again.
—Shit. That sounded way too flippant. Now he'll think I'm some shallow, easy woman. Who jokes about stuff like that?! His impression of me is definitely going down now. Nooooooo!
Meanwhile, hearing her words, Guinevere let out a breath of relief.
"Oh, so it was a joke? You really scared me there."
"H-Haha… I scared you? I guess that means the joke worked then…"
"But Lady Nocknare, that's not something you should joke about. Spare a thought for my heart next time, please. I could've had a heart attack," Guinevere said seriously.
Now it was Nocknare's turn to feel like she was having a heart attack.
—That wasn't a joke!! Damn it, Nocknare! Are you actually stupid?! How did you manage to pick the wrong option every single time tonight?!
Her inner despair had been running non-stop since this conversation began. She wasn't even sure what was keeping her upright anymore.
Still, the last sliver of her pride as a queen allowed her to compose herself and maintain her royal demeanor:
"Ahem. Consider that your counsel, then? Very well, I'll take it to heart. As queen, I must be mindful of my words and actions."
"Willingness to heed advice—now that's the mark of a true ruler," Guinevere nodded approvingly. "In that case, it's already quite late. I'll take my leave."
With a final bit of praise, Guinevere departed. Even long after he was gone, Nocknare remained standing atop the wall, staring blankly after him.
Then suddenly, she clutched her head and let out a low moan.
—Damn it. This just cemented our relationship as strictly ruler and subject!
She had hoped to use this Pocky-making session to get closer to him. But now it felt like all her efforts had backfired and reset his affection to zero.
Aaaagh! What am I doing?! Why does it feel like I picked the wrong option at every turn tonight?!
…
Meanwhile, on the other side of Edinburgh, Artoria—still searching for Guinevere alongside Bawanxi—suddenly stopped walking.
"What is it? Why'd you stop all of a sudden?"
Bawanxi looked at her in confusion.
"Hmm… I don't know why, but that ominous feeling I had—it's gone," Artoria frowned.
"Huh?" Bawanxi scowled. "What do you mean?"
"I mean… I think the danger passed. We can go back and keep working on those stupid schematics," Artoria said, scratching her head.
"???" Bawanxi's face twisted in confusion. "Are you messing with me? Just a minute ago you were all panicked—"
"That was then," Artoria sighed. "I mean, sixth sense stuff is hit or miss anyway. Maybe I was just wrong."
"Then what's the point of that dumb badge?" Bawanxi scowled harder. "You're wasting our time. If Nocknare ends up pushing Guinevere down and we can't finish the Palball in time, you're gonna regret it!"
"Hey, it's not like you're the one doing the technical work anyway," Artoria snapped back. "I'm the one doing the research! You're just my clumsy assistant who can't even read the blueprints!"
"Then do it yourself!"
"Fine! But when I finish the Palball myself, catch Guinevere, and make him obey me, don't come crying!"
"…Wait, I was just joking. Let's work together, okay? Teamwork, yeah…"
And so, bickering all the while, the two wandered off into the night.
…
[After returning to the residence Nocknare had arranged for you, you were left with many thoughts about today's events.]
"She's actually… kind of a good person, huh?"
[Though you had no intention of switching allegiances and swearing loyalty to Nocknare, you felt you should at least do something in return for her kindness.]
"Come to think of it, when I had those craftsmen working on firearms, I never told them about rifling. And Nocknare's copy of the Moxu Type-1 doesn't have it either…"