NOVEL NEXT Chapter 59: Chapter 59. I Want to Tell You That
Chapter 59. I Want to Tell You That
Artorius appeared once again on the streets of Camelot.
She wore a thick outfit, holding the reins of Dun Stallion. Her delicate face only added to her gentleness.
She looked around with a curious expression—an expression only someone who hadn't been in the city for a long time could show.
Ian felt that something was off about the situation.
Artorius, why is she entering the city at this time?
[Noticing something unusual, your instincts urge you to avoid Artorius.]
[But everything seems to have been destined.]
[Artorius begins asking for information from passersby.]
[All the coincidences in an instant converge into inevitability.]
[The crowd on the street walked in a complex manner, but somehow, they seemed to "clear" a path between you and Artorius.]
["Lord Ian?"]
["Is that the person up ahead?"]
["It seems to be!"]
[Artorius thanks them and quickly walks toward you.]
"Sir Ian!"
A familiar voice called from behind Ian.
The distance was so close that it was impossible to pretend he hadn't heard.
Ian turned around and saw the excited face of a young girl.
"Just as I thought, it's you, Sir Ian!"
"..."
Artorius' level of excitement made Ian feel even more uncomfortable about the situation.
His entire mind was focused on the throne election, and he truly had no energy left to handle anything other than that.
However—
The necessary fake appearance still had to be maintained.
"Ah… long time no see, Artorius."
Ian glanced at the crowd around them, smiled lightly, and said:
"Let's talk somewhere else."
[You arrange for someone to help Artorius take Dun Stallion to the best stable.]
[You lead her to the largest tavern in the city.]
[All eyes are on you and Artorius, but when you slightly draw your sword from its sheath, their gazes are quickly withdrawn.]
[You want to find a way to get Artorius to leave quickly.]
"Feel free to eat, don't be polite with me."
Ian looked at Artorius in front of him with a fake smile, and no one would have thought that he had numerous times entertained thoughts of wanting to kill her.
"Umu…"
It seemed that, having learned from the "lesson" before, Artorius was much more restrained this time. She no longer ate ravenously like a storm, and her actions were much more careful.
"Tell me, Artorius, why are you in the Camelot this time?" Ian asked.
"Still selling apples?"
"No, no, no!" Artorius hurriedly waved her hand. "That lesson from my father is over, I don't need to sell apples anymore!"
"And—"
Artorius took a small bag from her belt and placed it on the table.
Inside were golden ears of wheat.
"Sir Ian, I saw so many wheat fields on the way here. Did you have someone plant them?"
"…Pretty much."
"I knew it!" Artorius said, her face lighting up with joy. "I knew Sir Ian must have listened to what I said!"
"…"
Even though Ian knew Artorius didn't mean it that way, he still felt a bit uncomfortable.
He quickly changed the subject.
"By the way, where's Kay?"
"He doesn't come into the city much. Didn't he come along this time?"
At the question, Artorius tilted her head slightly and murmured under her breath:
"I did it on purpose."
"Because my older brother is really a good person… but he's very loud."
A very honest reason.
So much so that Ian didn't know how to argue with it.
"Well then—"
"Artorius, what exactly are you here for this time…?"
As the question hit the mark, Artorius became even more excited than before.
"Sir Ian, you must have heard the legend of the Red Dragon, right?!"
"…"
A look of displeasure flashed across Ian's face but was quickly concealed.
"Ah, I've heard of it. The one who pulls the sword from the stone will become the new king of Britannia."
"Exactly!" Artorius nodded seriously.
"So, I want to try!"
"Artorius, are you saying you want to become the new king of Britannia?"
"I wouldn't say it like that…" Artorius fidgeted, gently rubbing her fingers.
"Sir Ian, you gave me Dun Stallion and the sword, making me a knight."
"If I'm a knight, isn't it only natural to test myself against something like this?"
"But Artorius, no one has ever been able to pull that sword out of the stone."
"It's fine!" Artorius smiled, "They are them, and I am me!"
"As a knight, how can I back down without trying?"
[You know that Artorius is someone who always keeps her word.]
[You also understand just how difficult it is to pull that sword out—because you tried it yourself one late night when no one was watching.]
[Logically, a girl like Artorius would have no chance of pulling the sword out.]
[But you have a feeling that this logic might be broken.]
[This isn't the first time you've encountered something like this.]
"Sir Ian."
Artorius' voice pulled Ian back to reality.
"Sorry, I was distracted. What did you say?"
"It's just—"
Artorius' expression became somewhat tense.
After a moment of hesitation, she seemed to gather enough courage to speak to Ian:
"It seems like you don't want me to do this."
"…"
"It's not like that." Ian smiled faintly. "You, a knight, willing to challenge something like this—it's of course a good thing."
"How could I not want to see you do that?"
[You just lied.]
[But Artorius doesn't seem to notice.]
[She even seems to take it as encouragement from you.]
[She adjusts her sitting posture and smooths her hair.]
[Her deep, forest-like eyes glimmer with a pure courage.]
"Sir Ian, actually, there's one more thing I want to tell you."
"What is it?"
"I like you."
Artorius, her face slightly flushed but her gaze firm, uttered those words.
"Artorius, are you joking?"
She shook her head.
"I'm not joking."
"After you left, I thought about it seriously."
"Finally, I realized that whether it's the me in my own eyes or the me in your eyes, there's no difference in this matter."
"So—"
Artorius looked at Ian in front of her, and in her eyes, there was the purest affection of a young girl.
"Tomorrow, will you come witness me pull the sword out?"
"I want to give it a try, without any regrets, under your gaze!"