The plaza in Camelot was bustling once again.
For no other reason.
It was simply the crowd that had gathered after learning of Mélusine's knighting ceremony.
You couldn't blame them for enjoying the spectacle.
After all—
Who could have imagined that Mélusine, who had only been here for a few days, already possessed the qualifications to be knighted as a Knight of the Round Table.
You have to understand...
That was a status on equal footing with "the monster" Ian.
Not to mention, she was a woman!
Thinking of it this way, the strength of the knight named Mélusine was probably also beyond imagination.
However—
What they did not know was that Mélusine, standing there at that moment, was actually a little panicked on the inside.
Although she called herself a knight from across the sea.
In reality...
She had never received any formal knighting before this.
That's right.
Her so-called title of knight was self-proclaimed.
Now that she was truly about to be knighted by Artoria, Mélusine found that she was, in fact, getting a little nervous.
But, just at that moment.
A hand patted her shoulder.
"It's alright."
"I believe in you—"
The one who said this was none other than the only person who could be called a "Knight of the Round Table" until now.
It was Ian.
"..."
When she recalled the words Artoria had spoken to her and looked back at Ian, Mélusine's feelings became complicated in every sense.
He possessed a sufficiently pure strength, one could even say he was the kind of straightforwardly powerful person she acknowledged.
But at the same time, his perception was so unique.
"You guy..."
Mélusine sighed helplessly.
"I'm not nervous."
"But, thank you for your concern."
After saying this, Mélusine took a few steps forward, putting a small distance between herself and Ian.
She did not want the approaching Artoria to mistake her for an enemy.
"The King is here!"
Someone in the crowd shouted.
Soon, everyone's gazes focused in that direction.
Artoria, having changed back into her usual royal attire, walked over step by step.
Her expression was solemn, her eyes serious. Aside from her relatively petite frame, one would never associate her with being a girl.
But even so—
Once she knew of Artoria's feelings for Ian, Mélusine noticed many things that were amiss.
That's right.
Even on an occasion like this, Artoria was actually paying attention to Ian.
It was a look that, without knowing the inside story, could easily be mistaken for a king's approval of their First Knight.
But Mélusine knew that was not the case at all.
It was an unrequited love.
A feeling that could not be confessed with words.
If not for the burden of her identity as King Arthur, Mélusine felt that the Artoria before her would probably throw herself directly at Ian.
But...
Reality dictated that such a thing could never happen.
She was Britain's best king, the most suitable king.
Such a fervent expression of emotion would probably never happen.
Thinking of this, Mélusine couldn't help but feel a touch of sadness in her heart.
Tap.
Tap.
The King's long boots walked across the ground.
Artoria arrived before Mélusine.
"Mélusine-kyō."
"My King."
The petite swordswoman met the gaze of Britain's king.
It was a scene almost identical to when Ian and Artoria had looked at each other.
"Mélusine-kyō, are you willing to swear fealty to me?"
Artoria asked, yet her gaze couldn't help but drift in Ian's direction.
In her heart, the only one who could truly be called a Knight of the Round Table was probably him alone.
Of course, Mélusine understood this as well.
So, facing Artoria's almost absent-minded inquiry, she simply gave a polite nod in return.
There was no knightly salute.
No further exchange.
There was only another meeting of the eyes between Artoria and Mélusine.
The former's gaze seemed to be saying one thing.
"My apologies for being so perfunctory with your knighting ceremony."
The latter's gaze, in turn, gave a reply.
"It's alright."
"You have forgiven so many of my mistakes."
"I, too, will offer my protection for your relationship with Ian!"
"May glory bless you, my knight."
"Mélusine-kyō, you will surely achieve great deeds."
With a simple yet sincere sentence, Artoria concluded Mélusine's knighting ceremony.
"Woohoo—"
Cheers erupted from the plaza.
The people of Camelot were overjoyed at the birth of the second Knight of the Round Table.
From somewhere in the crowd, a song began to be sung.
"O, wise King."
"Your followers will surely increase like bamboo shoots after a spring rain."
"You will lead Camelot to glory once more."
Artoria and Mélusine's eyes met once again.
Without another word, they gradually walked into the distance amidst the calls of the people.
"Thank you, Mélusine-kyō."
"There's no need to call me that in private."
"You're right..."
"Let's go, tell me more about Ian!"
Mélusine clutched her chest, disguising her movement as if she were swearing an oath of fealty to Artoria.
"I will help you keep him!"
"...Mm."
Artoria nodded.
She found that she had gained a good accomplice.
The people did not know that King Arthur Artoria and the second Knight of the Round Table, Mélusine, had reached a secret agreement.
They were still immersed in that rare joy.
Ian was no exception.
It was just that, compared to the average person, his joy was a little deeper.
Mélusine was his good friend, a friend whose great martial skill he acknowledged.
And now, such a friend had become a Knight of the Round Table alongside him, able to properly help Artoria realize her wish.
"This is really wonderful."
"Is it really?"
A familiar voice came from nearby.
Morgan had appeared from the crowd at some point and walked to Ian's side.
Right now, however, she was wearing very inconspicuous clothing, making her difficult to recognize at first glance.
It was clear that, having secretly watched Mélusine's coronation, she did not wish to be recognized by others for some reason.
So in the end, she could only approach Ian alone like this.
"Your Highness the Princess..."
"Heh."
"You finally got it right this time."
Morgan smiled faintly.
After glancing left and right, she quickly blew a soft breath by his ear, and then said gently:
Her words were simple and clear.
"Come find me tonight—"
"Don't let anyone find out."
"You know how to do that, don't you?"