A Silent Farewell

The crescent moon hanging in the sky slowly descended...

The sun rising once again in the east marked the start of a new day...

The newly risen morning sun cast its light upon the land once more, and a gentle breeze stirred. Those who had woken early began their preparations for the day. The streets, initially as quiet as ever, were soon broken by shouts and the clang of hammers as people began their work to survive.

I stood by the window, smiling as I watched the simple folk outside, then turned to place the breakfast delivered by the inn on the table. I then went to the side of the person still fast asleep in bed, gently pinched the maiden's cheek, and softly said, "Time to get up, Artoria, a new day has begun!"

"Mmm...?" The maiden on the bed blinked her eyelashes a few times, then sat up, groggily rubbing the corners of her eyes. When her large emerald eyes opened, she saw me standing before her with a doting smile, holding food. She couldn't help but blush and lower her head, yet she also couldn't stop herself from looking up and smiling happily at me...

After a moment of struggle, her shy, flushed feelings were finally overcome by a warm happiness. She looked up at me with a very happy smile, then took the food tray with both hands, picked up a piece of bread in one hand and goat milk in the other, and began to eat with gusto...

Standing beside her, I watched Artoria's happy smile and her current expression of pure enjoyment. I thought... I truly can't escape this anymore...

After Artoria finished eating, I placed the food tray back on the table. Then, I took out a white handkerchief and gently wiped the corners of Artoria's mouth, which still had bread crumbs on them. The maiden, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, closed her eyes and enjoyed my care and affection.

At that moment, the sunlight that had been outside the window now streamed into the room... The warm light shone upon the black-haired youth and the golden-haired maiden. One was happily taking care of the person before him, while the other was enjoying the other's care and affection with a blissful expression. (Mhm~! My King is the best~!)

When the maiden opened her eyes again and met the youth's gaze, both of them couldn't help but smile at each other. A happy smile? A joyful smile? Or a smile of indulgence?

Heh, I only wish this moment of smiles could last forever...

Xia and Artoria walked through the bustling street. Artoria kept wanting to touch all the strange and wonderful little trinkets around them, though I always pulled her restless little hand away.

Watching Artoria look around with constant wonder, I smiled and patted her head.

{Right now... I just want her to laugh and be happy as much as possible before she has to bear that heavy responsibility. My time is running out... this thought-form is collapsing faster and faster. It will completely dissipate in three days at most.} Thinking this, I couldn't help but frown.

My body's collapse didn't matter... but what would happen to Artoria if I suddenly disappeared? I couldn't imagine it right now.

"Hey, hey~ Why the long face? Xia?" Artoria's voice suddenly interrupted my thoughts. It turned out Artoria had just seen something interesting and wanted me to take her to see it, but she noticed me frowning and lost in thought, so she asked with some concern. She had even forgotten about the interesting item she'd just seen.

Looking at Artoria's worried expression, I gently pinched her cheek and smiled, saying, "It's nothing, I'll handle everything. So please don't worry about me."

"...Xia is lying to me! Even if something is really wrong, you won't tell me, will you?!" Artoria said, turning her face away with a slight pout.

"Haha... ha." I awkwardly scratched my head and chuckled.

This little interlude didn't delay us for long. It was forgotten in the blink of an eye.

Whether it's me now, or Artoria, who hasn't yet become king, we are both just ordinary humans. So, before we truly bear our responsibilities, please let us have more time to laugh and rejoice together.

I spent the entire noon taking Artoria to play in the nearby market. When we were thirsty, I'd drink the spring water I carried with me. When we were hungry, I'd buy some white bread, and then Artoria and I would sit by a pond and eat together.

{No matter how difficult the road ahead may be, no matter how many setbacks and pain the future holds. Please persevere... until I return to your side. My goddess, Artoria...}

The three days in this town were memories I would never forget.

But, as the third night fell in this town... Artoria, who had been playing wildly for two days, now lay quietly in bed, holding my hand. She slept soundly with a peaceful smile on her face.

The faint candlelight illuminated my face, and my slightly reddened eyes stared intently at the person on the bed.

With one hand, I gently brushed the golden hair that had fallen onto Artoria's face. To love, to protect, to kill, to hate. Everything exists for your existence. But... this body, which has reached its limit, can no longer do anything for you. I'm so useless...

Thinking about everything my beloved would have to face next... I couldn't suppress the urge for mad destruction deep within me!

Sitting by the bed, I slowly lay down, supporting my entire weight with my right hand. My face slowly drew closer to the sleeping beauty.

"Heh, I really can't let you go..." I admired the beauty before me at zero distance. Her closed eyes, her delicate face, and her smiling lips all captivated me immensely...

Can't find the book title? Try searching for the author, maybe they changed their name!

I spent the entire night watching Artoria sleep, because... for a long time to come. We probably wouldn't see each other again...

What must come will come. The final screw of the wheel of fate has begun to turn.

On the morning of the fourth day in this town... word arrived that the Archbishop had summoned the nobles and knights of the entire country.

According to historical records, after King Uther's death, the Archbishop, following the advice of the prophet Merlin, summoned the nobles and knights of the entire country. He gathered them all together to spar with each other, and the victor would be able to attempt to pull out the sword of selection, the Sword in the Stone.

"The one who pulls out this sword shall be the new King of Britannia!" No one knew who uttered these words, but all the knights believed and respected them. Including Artoria...

Here, on a vast, boundless grassland not far from the town. What was once a desolate place had now become the liveliest and most bustling spot in all of Britannia. Look at the rows of fine horses tethered in the stables. Then look at the tall and mighty knights pacing back and forth in the grass.

Hundreds of banners fluttered in the wind, representing the thousands of nobles of Britannia and their favored knights. Their shining armor, the glinting silver of their helmets, and the bright red cloaks that were clearly crafted with great care. Hundreds of nobles, knights, and their retinues had gathered here.

The person standing on a high rock in the grassland was none other than the one who initiated the selection of the Sword in the Stone, the great prophet Merlin. Clad in a peculiar black robe, with a slender build, he sat cross-legged on a small high rock. And beside him... was the Sword of Kings, the "Sword in the Stone," which seemed to sense the arrival of its master and shimmered with golden light, filled with excitement.

Click... I carefully fastened the last piece of armor, the breastplate, onto Artoria. Then, I gathered all her golden hair that had fallen behind her head, braiding the finer parts into several plaits that were then coiled together.

When everything was ready, I stood up with satisfaction and looked at the majestic Artoria before me. Although the style of the armor differed from my memories of later generations, it was the closest I could commission the blacksmith to make it based on what I remembered.

Artoria twisted her body slightly, feeling a bit awkward. The armor that tightly protected her body made it a little difficult for her to breathe. But even so, her heart was filled with excitement. She could finally wear knight's armor! She could finally appear before everyone as a noble knight.

Although Artoria didn't understand where Xia had gotten the proof of nobility, she no longer cared about such things! She swung her left arm, then her right leg, and then performed a move on the spot, mimicking a powerful downward strike.

The armor that clung to her body was a bit too tight, but its thick protection for vital areas and the soft leather at the joints allowed her to maintain defense without being slowed down by the armor's bulk and hindering her movements.

Artoria patted the armor protecting her body with satisfaction, then looked at me with a smile. It was as if she was asking me how I felt about it.

"Hahaha, do I even need to say it? It's the best~!" I laughed, patting Artoria's little head, then handed her the last part of the knight's attire, the knight's sword, and gestured for Artoria to head to the sparring area.

Just before entering the sparring area, Artoria suddenly turned around and grabbed me. To my surprise, she leaned in and lightly kissed my lips, then, blushing, quickly ran towards the sparring area... Leaving me standing there, dumbfounded, watching a golden figure gradually disappear into the distance.

...I was silent for a moment.

Then, I couldn't help but cup my face with both hands, and uncontrollable laughter burst from my mouth.

It started with a muffled chuckle, then evolved into clear laughter, and finally, into a wild, unrestrained roar of laughter directed at the heavens...

"Hahaha~~ Hahahahaha!! Hahahahaha!!!!"

The commoners and ordinary knights who had gathered around me to witness the spectacle now looked at the black-haired youth standing on the grassy plain, laughing hysterically, as if he were a madman.

Then... to everyone's stunned gaze, the youth's body slowly began to shimmer with specks of light. A gentle breeze then blew..., completely erasing the youth's already transparent and glowing body from existence, as if he had never been there at all...

At this moment, Artoria, who had just entered the dueling area to begin her match, suddenly felt a tightness in her chest. It was as if something most important to her heart had been ripped away. Her previously bewildered gaze seemed to suddenly recall something. She abruptly turned and began to run frantically back the way she came.

The closer she got to the direction she had come from, the greater the sense of dread grew in her heart... The pain felt like a deep cut from the very core of her being, causing Artoria to involuntarily clutch her chest. Crystal tears flowed uncontrollably from her eyes.

When Artoria finally reached the place where that person had given her their last farewell...

Only a single, solitary white flower remained in its place, swaying unsteadily in the gusting wind...

No updates during the holiday. Updates will be every two days.

Also...

The next chapter will enter the Fate/Zero chapter. That's all~!