"You want me to teach you how to use a sword?"
In the plaza several days later.
Looking at Barghest walking towards him, Ian, who was on duty, showed a look of confusion.
"Y-yes, that's right!"
Barghest mustered up her courage and nodded.
"Is that alright?!"
"I really want to become a knight just like you!"
"..."
The moment Barghest finished speaking, she felt her hand being held.
And the one who did this was none other than Ian.
"Let's go."
"Eh!"
Without any unnecessary requests or excuses, Ian responded directly.
A blush appeared on Barghest's cheeks.
She suddenly realized something:
The biggest obstacle between him and her might just be her mother, Morgan.
"What's wrong?"
"Weren't you just saying you wanted me to teach you?"
"It's nothing!"
Barghest patted her own cheeks.
"I was just thinking about how you would teach me!"
"Now, I've figured it out!"
"Let's go!"
A few minutes later, at Camelot's knight plaza.
This was a place that Artoria had specially set up for the knights. Those who dreamed of becoming Knights of the Round Table would train diligently here.
As an aside—
After expending a great deal of manpower and resources, Artoria had the remains from the previous dragon disaster moved here, and had them carved with intricate patterns.
Rather than a knight's plaza, it was more like a plaza for dancing with dragons.
"So, tell me what you want to practice."
"..."
Although she held a near-fanatical adoration and love for Ian in her heart, seeing his serious expression, Barghest couldn't help but become serious as well.
"Um."
"If it's possible, could I ask you how to control my strength?"
"I... I'm a bit troubled by it."
Her sturdy physique gave Barghest strength nearly dozens of times that of an ordinary person, but for her, it was also an extremely terrible burden.
She had to be careful when walking, otherwise it was one step, one crater.
She had to be careful when eating, otherwise all she got was crumbs.
And that's not to mention when she was angry.
By the time she came to her senses, her surroundings would look like a ruin.
No.
That's absolutely not okay.
If—
Barghest looked at Ian before her.
If he really is my father, he must have had similar experiences, right?
"Come here."
"Eh?"
Suddenly hearing Ian's words, Barghest looked left and right.
"Are you talking to me?"
"Yes."
"..."
Barghest cautiously walked up to him.
What she didn't expect was that the moment she did, she was immediately embraced by Ian from behind.
Barghest's figure was solid and very strong, so ordinary people didn't dare to get close to her, let alone hug her like this.
Ian...
Was the first person who dared to do so!
"What is this for?"
Becoming a little flustered, Barghest couldn't help but ask.
"Why did you suddenly do this?"
"Focus your attention, Barghest."
Ian paid no mind to her slightly shy tone, and very seriously continued his "guidance."
"Feel how your power flows."
"And then, control it!"
"How it flows..."
Barghest couldn't help but close her eyes.
But the moment she did, she recalled the extremely seductive way her mother, Morgan, had looked in front of him.
Speaking of which...
The way the two of them were back then, isn't it almost the same as how I am now? It was just reversed?!
The moment she realized this, Barghest panicked.
She found that she wasn't as brave as she had imagined.
At least—
After knowing who he was, she wasn't so brave anymore.
But...
Ian's voice sounded at this moment as well.
From behind, he held her hands, one on each side, and whispered encouragement in the ear of the tall, monstrously strong swordswoman.
"Barghest, believe in yourself."
"You can do it."
"..."
Feeling his body temperature, which was similar to her own, Barghest involuntarily began to pant with hot breath.
At this moment, she became even more certain that she needed him.
"I can do it."
"I can definitely do it."
"Why wouldn't I be able to do it!"
Barghest panted, one breath after another.
The feeling of wanting to show her best self in front of Ian had completely taken over her heart.
Gradually, she seemed to understand what Ian meant.
No.
To be precise, based on his words, she had found another path.
Because I want to show my best self in front of him.
Just by thinking of him, I can control myself.
No matter how wrong things feel, I can control myself properly.
When Barghest came to her senses, she discovered a new world.
She stomped her foot with all her might.
There was none of the earth-shattering impact she had imagined.
There was only the sound of her shoe hitting the ground.
"I did it!"
This was the first time Barghest had controlled her strength so easily.
"Ian, did you see?"
"I did it!"
"Mm, you did it." Ian nodded.
"..."
The moment her gaze met Ian's, Barghest realized that she was now the one actively hugging Ian.
The knights... they were all looking at her and him.
But Barghest, on the contrary, didn't want to let go.
She buried her head in his chest, feeling the scent that she could call kindred to her own.
I love it...
I love it so much...
How could there be a feeling so perfectly suited to my tastes...
It's simply...
Delicious...
Eh?
The moment she realized she had a desire to eat, Barghest froze for a second.
But soon, she became even more excited.
You see, in front of Mother, Ian also looked like he was wolfing down a meal.
Now she wants to do the same...
Doesn't that just prove that she was the existence most similar to him?
Heh.
Heheh.
Heheheh.
The corners of Barghest's mouth turned up, and she felt her whole body trembling.
It was a feeling that only came with excitement.
But—
There were many knights watching from the surroundings, so she had to restrain herself a little.
Forcibly suppressing the desire to eat in her heart, Barghest temporarily let go of Ian's body, which held a strong temptation for her.
"Thank you, thank you so much."
"I'm glad I could help."
Ian's reaction was as calm as ever.
"If there's nothing else..."
He looked over at the other knights, who were already staring in a daze.
"I'll go teach them now."
"..."
"Wait, there is something!"
"What is it?"
"Tonight—"
"I mean, tonight!"
Barghest looked at him.
"Are you free to go for a walk?"