A Story Beginning from Nothingness

In the 10th century, Britannia was in the prime of its life, with grass growing and birds singing.

But ever since King Uther's death, the Kingdom of Camelot, which exists on this large island surrounded by the sea, has never been stable.

While King Uther was still alive, Camelot, despite his best efforts, was able to maintain a stable foundation for his rule in the face of oppression from Vile King, the Vortigern of the North. Although King Uther could not defeat Vile King, he was able to unite the nation's strength and confront him.

But King Uther died, and there was no one like him in this kingdom anymore.

The king's death was a misfortune for the kingdom.

The birth of King Zi was an even more urgent matter.

That was on this day.

Some people draw their swords and become kings.

This day.

Someone abandoned the past, carrying everyone's expectations, and ascended the throne.

What no one knows is that the original Artoria Pendragon did not actually intend to become a queen.

She had once looked up at the figure of the Royal Authority in the pages of paper, and she had also stood among the people gazing at the shadow of the past years.

Rovi in Rome, at the beginning of the early Common Era.

That period, recorded in history books, bears the mottled marks etched by time...

But she eventually became queen.

Guided by Melly, he pulled the Sword in the Stone and became king.

On the night of King Cheng's death, someone whispered a question to her.

Are you sure you want to become king?

"Yes, I want to be king."

"What king? King Arthur?"

"..."

"No, it's the King of Knights."

The resolute girl's voice was clear and sharp, echoing across the wilderness. She knew she was dreaming, that she was facing a phantom that no longer existed in the real world, and that the other person might not even be able to hear her, but she still wanted to speak.

"The Royal Authority upheld the righteousness of a knight."

"Is this a violation of chivalry?"

The person in the dream responded softly, "Then strive to move in the direction you desire!"

"I will stay here and watch over you."

"Me too. I will not be your heir. I am Artoria, I am Arthur Pendragon."

"Instead of 'the successor of Rovi's power'."

"Hahaha, then let me see, Wang Arthur!"

"It's King Arthur!"

"Your Majesty, we have arrived—"

In a blur, Artoria opened her azure eyes.

His face remained expressionless as he looked down at the spacious, Serenity cabin and the attendant standing before him.

The Azure King's gaze deepened. Was she dreaming again?

She had a dream about the past... She dreamed about the past, and also about dreams she had had in the past.

The dream was supposed to be a double illusion, but the feeling it gave her was extremely clear.

That was, after all, her real experience...

The rejection in the past.

The denials of the past.

Everything felt real in that dream.

Has the past changed?

Artoria could clearly sense this; what had once lingered beside her was merely a phantom shadow, repeatedly reciting words from the past.

But after the Heroic Spirit appeared in the world,

That illusory shadow, however, possessed a real personality.

Rovi brings together the past and the future.

"Self" also includes the Britannia "self".

Artoria does not reject such a change.

After all, she herself has not changed.

That's enough.

The tall and graceful King Arthur nodded. She stood up, her tall and graceful figure, wrapped in a dark blue robe, highlighting her nobility and pride as Royal Authority.

Surrounded by servants and maids, I stepped onto the steps leading out of the plane, surrounded by a cacophony of noise.

"We warmly welcome the King of Britain to Japan!"

"Today, the King of Britain will visit Japan to determine the world order and strategies!"

"A little-known fact is that King Arthur's journey to Japan was solely to find someone..."

With her hearing, the Heroic Spirit could easily pick up all the conversations in the city, but she simply smiled at them and paid them no heed.

Perhaps she used to care a lot about this.

Caring about how others perceive you.

Caring about how others perceive you.

But the person in her dream had told her that Royal Authority should forge ahead without hesitation, even if she was not understood by others.

This demonstrates Royal Authority Royal Authority's magnanimity and sense of responsibility.

Therefore, she had long been able to keep her emotions hidden... under normal circumstances and in situations that were expected.

"Your Majesty, a banquet has been prepared in Japan to welcome you and celebrate your arrival..."

"Himiko, the Queen of Yamatai, is waiting for you."

The heroes who are renowned throughout Human History can only be heroes like him.

This is diplomatic etiquette.

Fortunately, although Japan is a small country, its history is not short. From the founding of the country by Emperor Jinmu to the present day, it has been divided and united many times, but it has always followed the path of China.

There are few world-class heroes, but there are quite a few Heroic Spirit that can be etched into the Human Order.

Artoria stepped off the plane and onto the ground. She stood on the spacious platform of the airport, turned around and glanced at the huge aircraft parked behind her, her expression unchanged.

As Heroic Spirit, the celestial horse she rode was far faster than modern airplanes. However, since she was visiting as the prime minister of a country, it was not appropriate to be too ostentatious.

We must not let Japan as a whole become tense.

Not...

How could Rovi be brought out of this country?

"Let's go!"

Artoria waved her hand and looked into the distance.

"Your Majesty, there is one more piece of news."

"What?"

"Roman Emperor Nero Claudius and Emperor Guangwu of Han Liu Xiu) will also arrive in China in the next two days..."

"Don't worry, I won't have any conflicts with them."

Artoria understood what the servant was trying to say, and she shook her head. "I didn't come here to fight."

But they don't mind showing their strength.

Outside the airport, shadowy figures loomed. Over this period of time, people who originally lived in the ordinary world had gradually become accustomed to the presence of the Heroic Spirit. This change was extremely abrupt, yet it seemed quite natural.

After all, as long as people are alive, they must get used to and adapt to the world.

After getting used to it, countless people who admire ancient heroes will also be born.

In modern terms, perhaps we should call them 'fans'?

For fans, being able to see their idolized ancient heroes, even just a glimpse from afar, is an immense honor.

Unfortunately, this group of people, including many reporters from major news newspapers, all came up empty-handed.

After landing, Artoria did not leave through the front of the airport.

She dislikes noise and doesn't feel like interacting with too many people.

Meanwhile, the Japanese had already prepared a secret, prestigious envoy for them...

They made their way to the banquet venue.

Amidst the flashing lights, Artoria also met the Japanese representative.

"Ah, is it you? The great King of Britannia— "

This is a beautiful young woman with black hair dressed in an ancient robe. Her starry eyes sparkle, her lips are pretty, and her open robe reveals her full chest. The hem of her robe hangs down, revealing a magnificent and expensive dress. She wears a fiery red crown on her head, shining like the rising Blazing Sun.

The moment Artoria stepped into the venue, she took the initiative to greet her.

"Queen of Yamatai, Himiko?"

"It's me?" The queen of the Yamatai Kingdom, who was active in the 1st century AD, displayed an extremely lively and energetic personality.

She skillfully took Artoria's hand, her enthusiasm genuine and without any pretense. "I've been waiting for you for a long time, shall we take our seats?"

"Thank you for your trouble." Artoria was quite polite, not rejecting Himiko's enthusiasm.

Such was the era in which Himiko lived; sincerity in dealing with people was always evident, making it difficult for people to feel any ill will towards her.

Artoria had long been accustomed to the lavish banquets and social gatherings along the way.

"So young... Your Artoria?"

"Just call me Artoria."

"Then I'll call you ' Ria '!"

"Alright."

"Oh, that's great! I heard that after Ria became queen, she led her army on many expeditions and conquered a vast land. I'm so envious... To be honest, I don't understand why a queen can't go out freely!"

Despite being an important occasion for Japanese foreign dignitaries, it felt more like a scene where girls formed a friendship.

In the spacious palace hall, the glass chandeliers hanging overhead swayed and cast dappled light and shadow. The young maids standing around her wanted to remind Himiko be mindful of her manners several times, but they held back.

Those are Heroic Spirit, Servant.

It is a reappearance of heroes who will be remembered in history.

Perhaps there is a deeper meaning behind doing this?

But actually, no.

At least Artoria could tell...

As queen, Himiko was a pure and simple person.

Pure and innocent.

Just like... my original self.

Artoria sat gracefully in the soft seat, swirling her wine glass, her crimson lips dipped in the vermilion wine, releasing a sweet fragrance.

As she listened to the Queen of Yamatai's incessant complaints, she suddenly remembered herself from a long time ago.

It is obvious that Himiko envied herself.

He envied his own chaotic self in Camelot, and even more so, he envied his own self who led an army to conquer the European continent, crossing endless seas and mountains.

But what Himiko didn't know was that there was nothing to envy about it.

For Artoria...

That was really just a promise.

I want to step out of Rovi's shadow.

I want to be my true self.

In the eyes of many Camelot, King Arthur's figure has always been unwavering, even though he has been misunderstood countless times and said countless times to be a king who does not understand emotions.

She has sacrificed a few people time and time again to ensure the safety of the majority.

It has put the knights in danger time and time again.

Reason is like a monster.

But Wang is not incapable of understanding emotions.

Rather, it is knowing the meaning of sacrifice.

Every knight who sacrificed his life had declared his will to the king, and the king carried the will of each knight upon himself.

Why must one become king?

Because they do not want to see the people suffer again, because they do not want to see the country in turmoil again, because they are unwilling to submit and yield.

Because the knight's will is always under the king's control.

As a king, isn't it only natural to bear the infamy?

"I'd rather die singing than live kneeling."

If Kuo does not do so, Camelot will inevitably be in turmoil.

If you don't take that step.

A shadow is always just a shadow, and can never be your true self.

Life will be like a dream.

Artoria doesn't want her existence to be an illusion.

"So, in the end, did you manage to do it?"

Himiko blinked.

"Dang dong." Artoria smiled, perhaps because Himiko had also revealed her true feelings, she also revealed her past.

And so the shadow of the dream reappeared.

The light and shadow of long ago appear in the present.

The surrounding space and time shifted, the reception hall remained the same, but Himiko in front of her instantly transformed into her all-too-familiar figure.

"I knew you would come looking for me."

Artoria's azure eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a smile.

"Lord Rovi."

"Yes..."

Rovi had actually been there for a while.

After leaving the hotel, he rushed to the airport. He was already watching Artoria as she set foot on Japanese soil.

Watching her dine and dance gracefully, displaying the demeanor of a queen.

Watching her reveal her innermost thoughts and the mindset of a king.

Even ancient monarchs possessed a soft heart.

And so, at that moment, Rovi transformed the world.

The scenery of the palace venue remains unchanged.

But this place is no longer the present world.

"Thank you for your hard work, Ria." In Rovi's memories, there also exists a memory of Artoria.

After gathering countless shadows, even the illusory shadows carry a real personality.

He truly watched her grow up.

Even in a dream.

"No, it's not hard work." Artoria smiled as she looked at the hand that Rovi extended to her.

Rovi extended his hand.

He has insisted on not avoiding or dodging from the very beginning.

The avoidance beforehand is simply to buy time for digestion.

Now, the time is almost right.

Artoria blinked, her smile elegant and beautiful, "Because I won, it was all worth it."

"Isn't that so?"

Artoria gently took Rovi's hand, her face beaming with joy.

She was born from nothingness.

It is merely an existence that carries the Human Order.

The first awakening was due to rebellion.

My first awakening was because I wanted to embrace someone.

Rebellion is not real; it is merely defiance.

Embracing is truly about being yourself.

Yes, the reason why she was able to persevere through the arduous journey was not because of the victory at the end, nor because Human Order, nor because Artoria's will was truly so firm.

It was because of Rovi's constant companionship.

Because of the desire to embrace reality.

When I feel lost, confused, or want to give up... in so many moments...

At this moment, Artoria's journey has truly come to an end.

"Lord Rovi, I won't force you to return to Camelot, but..."

"At least for this moment, you belong to me!"

"Oh my, where's the truly beautiful scene?"

In Avalon, applause rang out at just the right moment.

A beautiful figure with flowing white hair smiled broadly, "Can a story that begins in nothingness also have a happy ending?"

"Fou!"

"Is that what you think too, Fou?"

"Fou!"