Artoria's Resolve

After the initial shaking, panic swept through the royal city, but it was quickly suppressed. Once martial law was declared, people were ordered to stay indoors.

A broad, imposing mansion stood near the palace. High walls of white marble surrounded it, their construction neat and orderly, but the details lacked any ornamentation or polish.

In the courtyard, a girl stood before the neatly trimmed garden. Hearing the commotion outside, the distinctive ahoge atop her head swayed slightly, betraying her unease.

She could easily endure the thin air and rapidly dropping temperature with her formidable physique, but she worried about the sudden turn of events—and about what sinister scheme her sister might be plotting in secret.

"Royal sister, what are you trying to do...?"

The girl was in the prime of her youth, dressed in a snowy-white gown embroidered with a few blue patterns. A small azure cape hung from her shoulders, and she held a slender wooden staff.

Her smooth golden hair shone like the sun. Her delicate features and emerald eyes gave her a pure, youthful air, like an elf stepping out of a fairy tale.

But now her brows were furrowed, a trace of worry between them that marred her innocence and beauty.

The girl was Artoria Pendragon, Britain's Red Dragon, the daughter of the former king, King Uther, and the younger sister of Queen Morgan.

Ever since the Lion King had formally taken the throne, Artoria had voluntarily withdrawn from public life. After the capital was moved, she lived in the grand mansion the Lion King had given her. She spent her days practicing swordsmanship at home, studying Magecraft under her teacher, or occasionally visiting her royal sister at the palace.

Today, she had sensed an unusual atmosphere. At first, she had thought the king was preparing to launch a military expedition, but then Agravain had suddenly informed her that her royal sister had started a rebellion.

Ever since learning what had happened, she had been turning it over in her mind. Even now, she still couldn't understand what her royal sister was thinking.

Her royal sister had already found happiness. Her beloved husband doted on her, her dear children were by her side, and the king had even promised her a fiefdom. So why resort to such extreme measures?

Artoria couldn't understand.

Considering how sensitive her position was, making an appearance would only complicate matters. So she didn't act rashly, but stayed in her mansion, carrying out Agravain's request while secretly observing how things unfolded.

"Auntie, what's happening outside? Does it have something to do with Mother?"

A small figure came running unsteadily over, stopped beside Artoria, and tugged at her skirt. She looked up at Artoria with blue eyes.

Artoria came back to herself and looked down at the little girl. She wore fine clothes and, like Artoria, had golden hair. But her hair seemed coarser, and even when combed, it looked disheveled.

Her delicate little face was nearly identical to Artoria's—no, to Morgan's. But there was a wildness between her brows, and her prominent canine teeth showed whenever she spoke, giving her a fierce air.

Artoria crouched down and placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. The worry on her face vanished, replaced by a warm smile. "It's all right, Mordred. Stay here with your aunt and play for a while. After that, I'll take little Mordred to see your royal sister, all right?"

"Really?"

The little girl was Mordred, the eldest daughter of Leon and Morgan, and Britain's heir to the throne.

At her aunt's reassurance, Mordred furrowed her brow. The wildness in her expression receded, replaced by doubt and suspicion.

She had always been clever, and by now she was old enough to understand some of what was happening around her.

Earlier, a black-haired older boy had brought her here. He'd looked vicious, like a bad person, and at first she'd been worried about her safety. It was only after he brought her to her aunt and she saw someone familiar that she'd relaxed.

She had overheard people mention her mother's name. They must have thought she was too young to understand and spoken freely in front of her, but she had heard every word. Something had definitely happened to her mother.

She was worried, but there was nothing she could do. She was still too young and weak to make a difference.

A heavy, ominous feeling had been weighing on her heart. Even her aunt's gentle reassurance couldn't make her feel at ease.

"Of course it's true. Why would I lie to Mordred?" Artoria stood and took the girl's hand, leading her inside with small, quick steps. "Let's go in first. It's suddenly gotten cold outside, and it wouldn't do to catch a chill."

Agravain had asked Artoria to protect Mordred and prevent the heir from being taken away by Morgan.

Holding Mordred's cool little hand, Artoria felt herself relax a little. No matter what, the simple innocence of a child could always put one at ease.

What a sweet, sensible child.

But the more she understood how sensible Mordred was, the less she could understand her royal sister's actions.

Just as she was about to play with Mordred and distract her from her worries, Artoria had taken out a little wooden sword when a familiar voice suddenly called her name.

"Artoria, I hope I'm not interrupting. I need your help urgently."

Hearing Merlin's voice, Artoria froze. She deliberately lowered her voice, not wanting Mordred to hear from the other side.

"Teacher, what is it? Is my royal sister doing something terrible again?"

Artoria still didn't know the full state of affairs in Britain. But Merlin had contacted her at this moment, and, considering the strange changes in the royal city, she was almost certain her sister Morgan had made another major move—one that even Merlin and the Lion King were having trouble handling.

"Artoria, you guessed right. It's Morgan. She's caused an earth-shaking disaster..."

Merlin quickly and clearly explained the situation in Britain and on the continent. Artoria rapidly pieced together the general picture, and when she finally understood, she was stunned.

"The great god Zeus has been revived on the continent, and the Vile King has come back to life here in Britain. My royal sister intends to bring back the Age of the Gods, and now she's—"

Wasn't the Age of the Gods already over? Why was a great god involved, and why were the dead coming back to life? And her royal sister had created a giant taller than the clouds on British soil...

Artoria could only wonder: Was there any hope left for Britain?

"It's all right. Whether the enemy is Zeus or Morgan, Britain won't lose."

Merlin's voice rang out. It seemed he had sensed the uncertainty in her heart, and he reassured her with utter confidence.

"The king will handle the great god in Rome. We don't need to worry about that. Our immediate concern is Morgan, deep within the Spirit Tomb!"

Merlin's words made Artoria nod involuntarily. That was right. Britain hadn't lost. As long as they kept fighting, there was still a chance of victory.

But then she frowned again and asked hesitantly, "What about my position...?"

Her position was simply too sensitive. She couldn't act rashly.

"The situation is urgent. The king has entrusted me with the fate of Britain. As long as we can resolve this crisis, neither the king nor the nobles and ministers will care about that sort of thing." Merlin's tone turned firm. "Artoria, your strength is needed now. This is your chance to save Britain."

At Merlin's promise, the worry vanished from between Artoria's brows, and her expression brightened.

With her royal sister in revolt, if Artoria got involved, it would be one thing if her own life and reputation were at risk. What she feared was that it would drag in her father, her brother, Merlin, and the others, harming them for nothing.

But Britain was in danger, and her teacher had given her his assurance. She could set her worries aside and act without hesitation.

"Teacher, what should I do now?"

"First, make arrangements for Mordred. Then go to my residence and choose a sword. After that, head to the outer gate of the palace. Your allies will be waiting there, and they should have arrived by the time you get there... I'll explain the plan on the way..."

Artoria decided to entrust Mordred to her adoptive father, Ector.

Old Knight Ector hadn't returned to his fiefdom during this time, nor had he gone to live with her brother Kay. Instead, he'd stayed here with her and looked after her.

Mordred seemed to understand what was about to happen. She neither cried nor fussed, simply allowing Old Knight Ector and his people to surround her with layers of protection.

Looking at the old knight's serious expression, Artoria relaxed and gave him a small smile. "Father, I'm entrusting Mordred to you."

Ector's expression was solemn. He nodded gravely. "Rest assured. I swear on my honor that even if it costs me my life, I'll keep the heir safe."

Artoria knew her father was the finest of knights and never made promises lightly. Once he gave his word, he would protect Mordred even if it meant laying down his life.

Looking at his adoptive daughter's resolute face, Old Knight Ector pressed his lips together, then finally gritted his teeth and said, "Artoria, take care of yourself. Even if... even if it means abandoning Britain—"

"I'll be fine, Father."

Artoria cut her adoptive father off.

She knew her adoptive father had always felt guilty about her. He had treated her harshly ever since she was little. Before, he could console himself that it was training to prepare her to become king. But after the Lion King took the throne, her father could no longer suppress the remorse and guilt in his heart.

She put on a specially made blue hat, and her smile faded, leaving her expression grave.

"Father, I'm going to save Britain."

With those calm, resolute words, she leaped onto the high wall and ran along it. Ector watched as his daughter's figure gradually disappeared from sight.

Ector could see just how determined his daughter was to fight.

Perhaps she would die...

Perhaps her destiny had always been to save Britain.

Merlin's residence was on the opposite side of the palace. Artoria pushed off with her feet and ran steadily across the white walls and rooftops. With her formidable physique, she reached her destination in no time.

Having studied Magecraft under Merlin, she knew the layout of his residence well. She made her way straight to her teacher's treasure vault. Ignoring the dazzling array of weapons and gems, she went straight for a broad, heavy greatsword at the very center.

"Clarent!"

The Sword of Promised Victory!

It was the most expensive weapon in Merlin's collection, without a doubt. It was said to be worth as much as the Lion King's Sword of Promised Victory.

The sword was a classic greatsword. Its guard and hilt were nearly covered in crimson, and its broad, heavy blade shone more brilliantly than any silverware. Even an ordinary person who knew nothing about swords could tell at a glance that it was extraordinary.

"Hah! Ha!"

Artoria swung it a few times in her hands. Its size and weight were just right—comfortable and easy to wield.

She'd had her eye on this sword for a long time. Now that she finally had it in her hands, she couldn't help but savor the feeling.

With her treasured weapon in hand, Artoria felt fully confident about the battle ahead.

By the time she reached the outermost gate of the palace, two figures were already standing on the wall above it. Both were breathing hard, their chests heaving as they stared in astonishment at the scene within the palace.

Artoria leaped up, ignored the howling wind, and landed on the wall beside them.

Her arrival caught the two knights' attention, and they immediately turned to look.

"Artoria..."

"So Merlin's trump card really was you."

Seeing the purple-haired and white-haired knights before her, Artoria's expression eased. She felt much more at ease.

"Brother, Sir Lancelot, so you were the allies Merlin mentioned."

They were Kay and Lancelot, both of whom had rushed over as soon as Merlin's urgent summons arrived.

Lancelot looked a little awkward and gave her a slight nod.

Kay, on the other hand, sighed as if resigned to his fate when he saw his younger sister.

When Merlin had summoned him, he'd said there was a powerful fighter in the royal city who could serve as their trump card. Kay had tried to guess who it might be. Now that he'd seen her, it was exactly who he'd expected: his own younger sister.

That made sense. Of everyone in the royal city, only Artoria fit the bill. Only she had such formidable fighting ability.

Given the circumstances, Kay wasn't about to complain about Merlin. He simply resolved to protect his sister, no matter what.

After seeing her brother and Lancelot, Artoria glanced around. The moment she saw the surrounding scenery, a look of astonishment rose to her face, despite her being prepared for it.

The palace walls stood much higher than the city walls. From atop them, the royal city stretched out below, its interior and exterior clearly visible at a glance.

Inside the city, everything was as it had been, except that the streets were empty save for the occasional patrol of the security forces.

But beyond the city, it was as if they were standing above the clouds. The whole city rested atop a mountain peak, with thick clouds gathered halfway down the mountainside. The clouds rolled with the wind, an endless sea of white stretching as far as the eye could see.

There was no time to marvel at the view. Artoria looked at her brother and Lancelot and gave a slight nod.

"Now that we're all here, let's break in."

Before them, the Chalk Palace stood as majestically as ever, its buildings packed close together. The three of them could see it clearly. A simple Magecraft barrier covered the palace, likely serving to confuse intruders and warn of their approach.

Before Artoria could try to break it, the barrier seemed to sense their hostility. It shattered instantly, revealing the palace's true appearance.

All the buildings inside the palace had vanished, leaving only a vast expanse of ugly, earth-brown ground before them.

"My royal sister sensed our approach."

"Stealth is out of the question now. We'll have to force our way in."

"Then we attack head-on."

The three leaped down and landed on the palace grounds.

Deep within the Spirit Tomb, Morgan had sensed the arrival of the three uninvited guests from the start.

She opened her eyes, a trace of mockery in her sky-blue gaze.

"Artoria, Kay, and Lancelot... Only three of them? Hmph. Leon and Merlin must have no other cards left to play."

"Then I might as well put you to good use."

She was using the magic within the Dragon Heart to dig a tunnel underground and reverse the flow of the great Magecraft circuit. She couldn't spare a moment.

But she didn't need to go herself. All she had to do was send someone to stop the three of them.

As Artoria and the others reached the entrance to the Spirit Tomb, a familiar figure stepped out.

He had been waiting for them for a long time.

The figure wore black armor. Long silver-white hair fell to his waist, waving behind him like tentacles. He held a greatsword at his side, its silver blade gleaming with a cold light.

When he saw the three of them, he raised an eyebrow and gave them a teasing smile.

"Heh. I wondered who it would be. So it's you three. You'll do as opponents, at least."

Artoria and the others stopped when they saw the figure blocking their path. Their faces darkened, and they regarded him with grave expressions.

"Britain's White Dragon, the Vile King Vortigern..."