Chapter 904

This guy... hasn't finished his work yet, has he? Shirou secretly thought.

Oberon said gravely, "We just received news that Morgan's army is advancing towards the Wales forests..."

I have to go back right away.

Wales is a forest where weak fairies, excluded from the Fae Kingdom and unwanted by it, gather; it is also Oberon's birthplace and base.

The difference between the fairies of the Nameless Forest and Cornwall is that the fairies of the Nameless Forest are those who fall behind later in life, while the fairies of the Wales Forest are unable to survive in the Fae Kingdom from birth.

Upon hearing the topic of the Queen's invasion of Wales, Artoria's eyes widened. "There shouldn't be any strategic value there, right?"

Oberon shook his head. "I think this is Morgan's punishment for me for secretly supporting you and Shirou."

"How could that be! That's outrageous, Morgan!"

Artoria puffed out her cheeks angrily. "Because you're too scared to face Shirou head-on, you're taking it out on that weak fairy from Wales! That's so despicable!"

"That's all for now. I'll take my leave."

Oberon transformed into a chibi-style flying form, but the Paradise Fae grabbed him just as he was about to fly out the window.

"Wait! What good will it do you to go back alone?"

Oberon turned his head and met Artoria's gaze, calming down slightly.

"You're right, I might be able to catch up on my own, but there's nothing I can do."

Oberon said, "Could you lend me a hand, Shirou, Artoria?"

I'm going to save the Wales forest, to save the fairies, who had nothing to do with me in the first place.

"I should be the only one who bears the Queen's wrath."

Artoria shook the white-haired youth's shoulders frantically. "Hey! Shirou! You're not just going to stand by and watch the fairies of the Wales forest be destroyed by Morgan, are you?"

Shirou: "..."

Shirou thought that Artoria wanted to help the Wales fairy, but another reason was that she was probably bored from staying in the office all day.

After a moment's thought, Shirou agreed.

Perched on Oberon's shoulder, the fairy Blanca, who looked like a pure white silkworm moth, took flight and hovered merrily around Shirou.

Seeing this, Oberon smiled slightly, "Blanca seems to want to thank you... Shouldn't I thank you too?"

Shirou said, "I appreciate the White Princess's gratitude, that's enough."

There's no need for Oberon's thanks; after all, I did it for my own satisfaction.

Shirou only accepted Blanca's thanks, who was a Wales fairy, and firmly refused Oberon's thanks.

Oberon, realizing Shirou's thoughts, instantly displayed a rather complicated expression.

"... Is that so?" That was all he replied.

Artoria was unaware of the subtle shift in the atmosphere.

The girl was somewhat excited because this was likely her first direct confrontation with the Queen's forces.

She asked curiously, "By the way! Who is the fairy who commands the army?"

"It's the Fae Knight Gawain," Oberon replied.

And so, the Theater Company temporarily stayed in Norwich, while Shirou and Artoria set off for Wales.

To be precise, it's not two people, but two people and one horse; Redra Bit will also be going.

With the help of the fairy horse, they should be able to reach the forest before Gawain.

The sky gradually darkened.

After a long day of travel Shirou and Artoria are camping out, taking the opportunity to stand guard for the resting Youkai horse.

Shirou ladled soup from the pot on the campfire, poured it into a bowl, and handed it to the blonde girl.

"Mmm~~~ This is so delicious! Shirou, you're such a great cook!"

Artoria offered exaggerated praise, while Shirou shrugged.

"Artoria, you're so skillful, but you're so clumsy when it comes to cooking."

The Paradise Fae made a low moaning sound.

This kid is the type who will needlessly add ingredients to the pot.

"Lately, as long as I don't add weird ingredients, I can cook properly!"

Since they knew it was an unusual ingredient, they should have avoided adding it in the first place.

In fact, she's capable of making Magecraft catalysts properly; as long as she doesn't develop strange adventurous thoughts while cooking, she should be fine.

"As long as you follow the steps carefully, you can make delicious food."

Have more confidence, Artoria... After all, you are my number one disciple in this Fae Kingdom.

It's not just about giving reminders; you should also give praise where it's due.

As she herself said, the number of strange failures has decreased significantly compared to the beginning, and her skills have also improved.

Artoria seemed a little shy, and continued eating to hide it.

Shirou didn't say anything more and quietly ate his dinner.

"Shirou, you've been hesitating about something the whole way here, haven't you?"

Artoria is probably waiting for Shirou to finish eating.

After they had both finished dinner, she asked this question with a serious expression.

As expected of someone who possesses the Fae Eyes, they were able to detect it.

Shirou was indeed hesitating.

"Yes. To be honest, I'm hesitant."

Shirou answered frankly while washing the pots and dishes with water generated by Magecraft.

"May I ask what kind of trouble you are?"

Artoria blinked.

It's hard to imagine that Shirou would have worries.

Because in the girl's eyes, Shirou seemed capable of anything.

He was always so calm and decisive in whatever he did.

How could someone like that have any troubles?

"..."

Shirou remained silent for a moment.

Perhaps it was time to talk to Artoria, he thought, and then began to explain the situation to her.

The Fae Knight Gawain of today was once Shirou's attendant knight more than 2,000 years ago.

Their relationship is similar to that of Artoria and Gareth right now...

"W-It's really true! Shirou, you really are from the Fairy Era?"

"That shouldn't be the main focus, right?"

"No, no, no, this is absolutely astonishing!"

Artoria opened her mouth slightly, observing Shirou as if he were a rare and exotic creature.

"I am a human who drifted to the Fae Kingdom. Although I have extended my life through Magecraft research, there are still limits."

"Then, before I died, Gawain swore to me that he would wait for my return and would never acknowledge any other master than me."

Artoria tilted her head and said, "Hmm~ Isn't this a beautiful story? What's the problem?"

Could it be because Gawain is now serving Morgan, and the narrow-minded Shirou is unhappy about it...? Ouch!

Shirou chopped Artoria on the head with a chop, and she clutched her head.

"No, I have no problem with Gawain serving Morgan; in fact, that's exactly what I expected."

Something must have happened between them...

Ultimately, the compromise was that Gawain received Morgan's gift and became Camelot's Faerie Knight.

Shirou continued.

But... what was Gawain thinking?

Unlike Lancelot, Gawain is very serious.

And unlike Lancelot —who recognized me at a glance— Gawain couldn't.

This can't be blamed on Gawain, after all, 2000 years have passed.

The year 2000 was but a fleeting moment for Lancelot, who had existed for 4.6 billion years.

But for Gawain, those were years long enough to wear down his soul, years that stretched to almost eternity.

This is the only thing Shirou can't blame her for.

Ultimately, Shirou cannot blame anyone for abandoning them and leaving alone.

"In other words, what Shirou is really worried about is..."

"Ah, if Gawain knew the truth, he would feel extremely guilty—"

She might do something irrational.

Shirou said, "So lately I've been thinking... is it for Gawain's happiness to continue this lie?"

"That's not true!"

Artoria stood up excitedly. "I think Shirou should tell Gawain the truth!"

No matter how embellished a lie may be, it is still just a lie; and no matter how cruel the truth may be, it is still the truth.

Rather than living in ignorance amidst falsehoods and lies, we should face reality head-on...

If Gawain is an important person to Shirou, then this is even more important.

"I see, so this is what Artoria was thinking?"

Shirou smiled happily.

Seeing his cheerful smile, the Paradise Fae was stunned for a moment, and then finally realized what he meant.

"Wait... wait a minute, Shirou! You weren't just... testing me, were you!?"

"No matter how beautified a lie is, it is still a lie; no matter how cruel the truth is, it is still the truth."

Rather than living in ignorance and deceit, we should face reality.

Shirou said with a smile, "Well said, Child of Prophecy."

"... Waaaaah! Shirou, you big idiot!!!"

Artoria blushed with embarrassment and raised her small fist, but it was firmly caught.

"I'm sorry to have worried you," Shirou said sincerely.

"I'll never trust Shirou again!" Artoria gritted her teeth.

Shirou said, "I'm really happy. It seems that Artoria and I are the same kind of people... at least in terms of our thought processes."

"I don't have Shirou's perverse sense of humor! You wicked manipulator who plays with girls' hearts!"

A small fist broke through the defense and gently struck the man's chest.

Shirou sighed, "What a pity, it seems I don't have much to teach Artoria."

The girl snorted, "You have nothing left to teach me!"

"Haha, maybe that's true, but..."

While enduring the attacks from the Paradise Fae, Shirou placed his hand on her hat.