Fate Night, Countdown Activated

Rustle..

Rustle, rustle, rustle...

The rustling sound of rushing through the grass, I ran quickly through the bushes.

The sun hanging high in the sky still emitted warm sunlight, but I couldn't feel it at all...

It's been almost 10 minutes since I lost track of Artoria, but I haven't found any clues. Artoria seemed to have vanished into thin air.

Panicked, I was running wildly through the grass. How many times did I trip? How many times did I crash into trees due to my speed? I didn't have time to tend to these minor injuries. But... the wound on my back, which hadn't healed yet, split open again due to strenuous activity. Fresh red blood seeped through the clothes on my back...

"Ngh...!!"

With a pained cry, my back injury worsened due to my recklessness. The pain, which felt like it had reached the bone, made it impossible for me to stand up straight.

After a few more hurried steps, I finally lost my balance and slammed sideways into a large tree, slowly sliding down...

"Damn it! Where did she go?! Artoria!!!"

My eyes red, I angrily slammed my fist against the tree and roared in a low voice.

"Please don't be in trouble... please, please don't be... Artoria."

Biting my lip, I suppressed the hatred I felt for my own powerlessness and walked forward step by step, leaning on the tree trunk.

Swish, swish, swish...

Not long after I started walking, I suddenly heard a faint sound of water, like a waterfall cascading from high above...

"Is it to the left?!"

Having confirmed the direction, I immediately maintained my bent-over posture and ran quickly towards it. {If there's a water source there, then maybe Artoria will also...} With this thought, I could no longer ignore the intense pain in my back and sped towards the source of the water.

Thump, thump, thump, thump... Running quickly, I passed through dense bushes and quickly arrived at a lake with a waterfall. Anxious, I leaped out of the bushes without caring about the branches and leaves clinging to me, shouting.

"Are you here?! Arto...?! Eh...?!"

Mid-shout, I suddenly stopped. Mid-air, I stared blankly at the beautiful scenery before me.

A beautiful woman with flowing golden hair emerged from the water. Water droplets clinging to her hair slowly dripped down her radiant golden strands, landing on her collarbone, which made one want to gently bite it. Her stunning emerald green eyes were wide with surprise at my sudden appearance.

"Drip..." Another drop of water fell onto her body with a crisp sound. The falling water droplets didn't stop after reaching that alluring collarbone... they slowly continued to slide down. All the way down to Artoria's chest...

As I unconsciously wanted to lower my head to follow the trail of water dripping from her golden hair, I suddenly snapped back to reality.

{Damn it! Did I almost lose my mind just now?!} I thought angrily, though I still felt a bit regretful...

And so, under Artoria's bewildered gaze.

Plop~! I fell from the air and landed heavily on the water's surface.

"Ngh, that hurt."

Hearing the solid "plop" and watching me fall face-first into the water and slowly sink, Artoria said as if she felt the same.

--- Roasting by the fire ---

Snap..

Crackle..

The burning logs formed a small bonfire.

I took off my clothes and draped them over a wooden frame, placing them near the fire to dry slowly.

Bare-chested, I squatted down with my arms wrapped around myself, leaning close to the bonfire for warmth. After sitting down, I cast my gaze towards the rosy-cheeked girl sitting beside me.

"Next time you want to wash up, please tell me or remind me. Do you know how worried I was when you suddenly disappeared without a word!"

I said to Artoria with a pout, full of grievances.

"...Sorry."

Understanding that she was in the wrong, Artoria apologized with a wronged expression.

"...I don't want you to apologize, Artoria. You are the future Knight King, you can't apologize so easily!"

I scratched the back of my head and said to Artoria.

Artoria looked at me as if she didn't quite understand, then nodded. Perhaps she was still wondering why she, who couldn't even be a basic knight now, would have the title of Knight King in the future...?

If you like this book, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.

Then, our conversation stopped, and an awkward silence fell upon us...

This silence lasted until my clothes were completely dry...

"En, they're dry now. You can wear them... Sorry, what was your name again?"

Artoria pinched the corner of the clothes on the fire rack with her hand and rubbed them a few times to confirm they were completely dry before taking them off. But when she was about to tell me they were dry and call my name, she suddenly realized she had forgotten the name of the person in front of her, so she asked somewhat awkwardly.

I reached out, took the clothes, quickly put them on, and then turned around with a smile, looking at Artoria and saying, "Drake D. Xia. My name is Drake D. Xia. Please be sure to remember this name, future Knight King."

"En, I'll remember..."

Artoria said, scratching her cheek a little embarrassed.

{Heh, Saber before she became the Knight King is indeed much cuter.} I thought with a smile, looking at the childlike Artoria before me.

"So... what should we do next, Xia? If possible, I'd like to start my training to become a knight right away."

Artoria looked at me with hopeful eyes. Becoming a knight was probably more important to her than anything else.

When I heard her request, my first instinct was to resist. Anyone who's seen Fate/stay night knows how Artoria eventually became a Heroic Spirit, in what form she became one, and what kind of ending her life had.

Seeing Artoria frown slightly, her excited expression calmed down. She looked dejected and sat silently on the ground.

*{As expected, no matter how well this person says it, it's still impossible... To become a glorious knight... How could someone as lowly as a servant like me ever achieve that?! The dream of becoming a knight was just a dream after all? Not to mention the knight this man spoke of, who held the title of King of Knights. As expected, I can't do it...? Am I really just a lowly servant? Forever unable to become a noble knight?!

Even though... even though I tried so hard, tried harder than anyone, worked harder than anyone, endured more hardships than anyone. But... but... why! Why?! I'm so unwilling... so unwilling..!! Waa... sob... Waa..*}

Huh? I was just thinking about how to train Artoria to become a knight while ensuring she wouldn't stubbornly adhere to the knightly code when I suddenly heard sobbing.

Following the sound, I turned my head and my pupils constricted sharply when I saw the source of the sound.

Artoria was crouching in the grass, hugging her knees and burying her head deep within them. Her entire body was trembling, and she kept letting out sobs.

Was she sad because she couldn't become a knight? Or was she sad because she felt deceived by my momentary hesitation?!

Looking at Saber like this, I slowly crouched down, my heart aching...

I reached out and gently patted Artoria's golden hair.

"Waa... sob! Don't touch me, you big liar! sob sob.." Artoria shook her head, batting my hand away before burying her head again and sobbing.

Seeing Artoria throwing a tantrum like this, I couldn't help but want to tease her more...

But I'll refrain for now. I can't forgive anyone who makes Artoria cry! Including myself!

I spread my arms and suddenly pulled the still-crying Artoria into my embrace.

"I understand... Your wish is my goal, even if I have to fight to the death. Your thoughts are the dream I will realize, even if I have to go through a thousand reincarnations. I apologize for my momentary hesitation just now... Artoria."

Artoria, held in my arms, stared blankly at the sky. She had never had such close physical contact with a man since she was little, and she was momentarily stunned and unsure of what to do. {Being raised as a boy doesn't mean everything is the same as a boy. Are you planning to let others take advantage of Artoria? Kill them all!}

"So... will you help me become a knight?" Artoria asked somewhat dazedly.

"The King's command supersedes Alaya..." I released her from my embrace and said with a smile.

"You won't lie to me, will you? You're not just placating me, are you?! Xia."

"I swear my loyalty unto death, my oath is higher than the heavens."

"Even if I might not become the outstanding knight you speak of, I won't betray you, right?"

"Your name is Artoria, and that is the contract that makes me swear my loyalty to you for life..."

"Then! Let's begin, Xia! Special training to become a knight." Artoria finally broke into a smile, her expression full of happiness, her gaze content, and her smile made my soul burn with fervor...

"Yes! May the Goddess!"

Kneeling on one knee, right hand placed over my chest. For my soul, I offer my first tribute...

The first thing is physical strengthening.

Time until the Sword in the Stone appears: 2 years, 9 months, and 23 days.