"Why are you so obsessed with becoming a king?"
"Is the identity as King Arthur so important to you?"
"Isn't your greatest desire to return to the past through the Holy Grail and rechoose King Arthur?"
Aslan whispered teasingly into Artoria's ear.
For him, artificially creating a Lostbelt wasn't difficult now. After creating a Lostbelt, he could package the entire compatible Earth into a Land Card.
Or, when he grew stronger, he could package the entire world line into it.
It was very easy—it was just one planet.
"You..."
Artoria wanted to argue, but the phrase "A King Does Not Understand The Hearts of The People" kept echoing in her mind.
The ruined nation, the rebellious army.
Before her death at Camlann Hill.
Artoria questioned herself—had she truly fulfilled a king's responsibilities?
The answer, of course, was no.
"As a king, I couldn't stabilize the nation; as a general, I couldn't purge the traitors; as a husband, I couldn't satisfy my wife..."
Artoria lowered her head. Her golden ahoge (cowlick) drooped, and her sea-green pupils darkened.
At this moment, Artoria showed her most sincere emotion.
It was regret.
"If at that time, it wasn't me who pulled the Sword in the Stone, but someone else, perhaps Britain's fate would have changed?"
If the one who pulled the Sword in the Stone wasn't her, a woman, but the Arthur before her—who was stronger than her, better understood human hearts, and was more free?
What would happen to Britain's fate?
The only certainty was that it wouldn't be worse than before.
"So, Artoria Pendragon, what if you became my knight?"
Just as he had absorbed Arthur Proto's Spirit Origin, Aslan could completely consume Artoria's possibilities, her existence.
But Saber's value was far higher than her Heroic Spirit form. Besides, Aslan didn't lack such minor strength now.
"What if I replaced you, became King Arthur, and saved Britain?"
"What do you think, my little fan?"
Aslan's voice rang in Artoria's ears, entering her mind and shaking her soul.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
On the other hand, the Round Table Conference in Artoria's mind.
Saber, sitting in the central chair, supported her chin with both hands and remained silent.
Aslan's words truly touched her heart, and Aslan was indeed the most ideal version of herself in her heart.
Except for the slight "trashy" vibe he picked up from spending too much time with Merlin.
But because of that, Artoria increasingly felt that Aslan could lead Britain to its peak.
"Hey, don't actually get moved. Don't forget our true purpose!"
Saber Alter said unhappily. If there was an Artoria who hated Aslan the most, it was definitely her.
She was beaten, then immediately lifted up like a trophy!
She could accept being killed, but why be lifted up?
"I..."
Artoria was slightly at a loss for words. It was indeed her desire.
"I, Lily, think it would be great if he became king."
The innocent and lively Artoria Lily said. She had just drawn the Sword of Selection and was very confused about everything.
She could now only be called a Knight Princess. She didn't mind becoming another's knight.
In fact, she really hoped to do so, because a king's responsibilities were too heavy.
*CRUNCH-CRUNCH-CRUNCH!*
A Lion King wearing a lion costume was quietly gnawing on the imagined Round Table in their minds.
She didn't give any comments, just ate silently. After all, what could a Berserker think?
"Artoria, this is your choice. We can't help you."
Lancer Artoria looked at her very calmly. As the Artoria who chose to return the Holy Lance at Camlann Hill, she was also the ideal Artoria—the most mature king.
She had no regrets, or rather, she chose the world line where she personally returned the Holy Lance and went back to the earth.
Britain's destruction was the collapse of the Age of Gods, an unavoidable history. Though she regretted it too, in the end, she had done the best a king could.
She wouldn't interfere with Artoria's thoughts.
Finally, Artoria in the central, most central chair, made the decision.
"I decide to become his knight and watch over his actions from the side."
After all, she was already in the worst possible future. How much worse could it get?
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The next second, Saber exited the Round Table Conference in her mind and spoke to Aslan.
"I agree to become your knight, but how can you guarantee that you'll fulfill your promise?"
Artoria stared at him firmly. If there was even a hint of doubt in Aslan's eyes, she would immediately change her decision.
"I swear by the name of Arthur—if I don't help Artoria restore Britain, then I shall never deserve the name of knight, nor the name of king."
Aslan said lightly. After all, he'd gotten this name for free, so naturally, he had no hesitation in swearing.
At worst, he'd only need to shift one world line, or at most create a Lostbelt. He wouldn't trigger a Historical Transition Period and change the entire history of all Type-Moon World world lines.
"Then I shall pledge my loyalty to you, King Arthur."
In the end, Artoria made her decision—to become Aslan's knight.
Done. Now even the Stand-In issue was resolved.
Indeed, this world was a treasure trove. Of course, it was also a dump.
He was still considering whether to let Little Garden's Central Core observe this world.
"Have you finished talking with your knight? So, how about considering my opinion?"
"Since you called me Shishou, then become my disciple properly."
Scáthach stared at Aslan and narrowed her eyes. From a senior and teacher's perspective, she could naturally see Aslan's immaturity and character.
But she couldn't see beyond that. She didn't know why, but Wisdom of Dún Scáith couldn't be used in Fuyuki City.
She couldn't locate the Demon God. Otherwise, she wouldn't use Wisdom of Dún Scáith.
Now she was more curious about which world Aslan came from.
"But I already have my own master."
Aslan shook his head. Although he could call her Shishou, Leticia was his martial arts master.
One month of intensive training was only enough to build the foundation. Leticia had carefully prepared a training plan for him.
So why should he create trouble for himself while on vacation?
"That's truly unfortunate."