"..."
At this moment, Mélusine finally realized that Artoria was not just sitting back and waiting for defeat.
On the contrary, what she was considering was a much more long-term, and also a more decisive, method.
And that was...
To marry Ian as her husband.
This way, no matter the situation, Artoria would always have a foolproof reason to summon him to her side.
This was a far more secure method than just his status as a knight.
The King's vision was on full display at this moment.
"So this is what you were thinking, Artoria."
Mélusine nodded.
"Then I'm relieved."
"I thought you hadn't thought of anything at all."
"That's impossible, Mélusine."
Artoria revealed a smile completely different from her usual gentle one.
It was one that carried a hint of coldness, yet in a way that left no doubt it was befitting of the title of King.
"Britain, I will protect."
"Ian, I will keep him as well."
"The power of a King is limitless."
Artoria clenched her fist.
"Only children make choices."
"I... want them all."
"..."
Although hearing Artoria's incredibly proactive words reassured Mélusine a little, she soon felt that something was a little off.
If she had to put it into words...
It was just that the Artoria before her felt a little unfamiliar.
"Um—"
Mélusine looked at Artoria in confusion.
"Why did you suddenly start thinking like this?"
"You didn't think this way before, did you?"
"Because I've figured it out."
Artoria's eyes had turned completely black.
"Everything I was before stemmed from a lack of power."
"Because I couldn't do it, I worried. Because I worried, I held back."
"But—"
"Now, things are different."
"Different?"
"How are they different?"
Mélusine recalled everything she had encountered these past few days.
"Isn't it still the same?"
"No."
Artoria shook her head.
"Mélusine, everything is different."
"Especially—"
"Those dragons."
Artoria turned around, her hair down, and walked step by step until she was in front of Mélusine, under her gaze.
"Do you think their appearance was just a coincidence?"
"I don't know..."
Feeling the powerful aura emanating from Artoria, Mélusine was a bit overwhelmed for a moment.
"But, it probably wasn't that simple."
"Yes, you're right."
"It certainly wasn't simple."
Artoria smiled faintly.
"My father, King Uther, had a deep friendship with Merlin."
"Since I was able to become King, there must be some secret hidden in Camelot."
"So—"
"I used a little trick and found it."
"..."
"Found it?"
Mélusine could feel that she seemed to be facing some great secret.
And the truth did not disappoint her premonition.
"Yes."
"Mélusine."
Artoria gripped the shoulders of the petite swordswoman before her.
"I'm a dragon too."
"Just like him, I'm a dragon too!"
"Eh?"
Mélusine's eyes widened.
"Artoria, you're a dragon too?"
"Yes!"
Artoria's voice grew more and more confident as she spoke.
"Since he and I are the same, then I must have the ability to do all of this."
"So—"
"There's nothing to be afraid of."
"He's a dragon, I'm a dragon, I can definitely do it!"
"..."
Mélusine's expression was a bit complicated.
It was certainly a good thing that Artoria had learned the secret of her birth and was encouraged by it.
But the problem was—
Was she a bit...
A bit...
Misunderstanding something?
Is this how the King of Camelot is supposed to be?
After thinking for a long time, Mélusine still couldn't find an answer.
She simply gave up thinking.
"Then, what do you plan to do?"
"Since you've told me, you must have an idea, right?"
"That's right, I do have an idea."
Artoria returned to the window.
She tied her hair up again, looking no different than before.
Those black eyes also gradually returned to normal.
"I want to turn Camelot into a kingdom where humans and dragons can coexist."
"This way—"
"No one will be able to disturb him and me."
"..."
Mélusine reacted almost instantly.
"Are you trying to control those dragons?"
"Artoria, snap out of it!"
"Those things will harm the people! How can they possibly coexist with them?!"
"That was in the past, Mélusine—"
Artoria said unhurriedly.
"The dragons that attacked Camelot before were dragons without reason, flawed dragons."
"As long as I can overcome these issues, I won't have to worry about people getting hurt anymore."
"Besides—"
"Aren't you and Ian dragons too? Have you ever hurt anyone? Or rather... has anyone ever been injured because of you?"
"Of course not."
Mélusine turned her face away.
"Attacking the weak is truly beneath the dignity of a knight."
"Right? So you are the source of my confidence."
Artoria stated her point of view very completely.
"I don't think this is a dream, nor do I think it's anything unbelievable."
"Camelot can absolutely become like this."
"..."
Although she still felt a vague sense of unease, seeing Artoria's expression, more resolute than anyone's, Mélusine no longer hesitated.
"I understand."
"I will support you."
"It's just—"
"It seems I can't help you with anything, can I?"
"No." Artoria shook her head.
"You can help."
"Mere words alone will never be enough to realize this plan."
"I... want to send you to find something."
"Oh?" Mélusine asked cautiously, "What is it?"
"A spear."
Artoria said.
"A spear that has appeared in my dreams countless times."
The King of Camelot said this, and then looked at Mélusine once more.
"Can you help me, Mélusine?"
"What are you talking about!"
Mélusine puffed out her chest.
"I'm the one who swore to protect your love! There's no way I'd back down!"
"Is that so?"
Artoria laughed.
"I thought you, like Barghest, also had some special feelings for Ian."
For some reason, after hearing this, Mélusine suddenly remembered that confession from Ian.
Her face turned red, and she quickly shook her head.
"N-no, nothing like that!"
"Artoria, just tell me how to find it!"
"..."
Focused on getting away from the topic of that confession, Mélusine completely failed to notice the slight change in Artoria's eyes at that moment.
But soon, everything returned to normal.
"Mm."
"I hope you do as you say."