The sword had always been there.
It represented the throne, royal authority, responsibility, and stability.
As long as Anno drew the sword, Britain could attain stability.
With Anno's abilities, he could have done it.
Artoria, who had not yet become King Arthur, knew it. King Uther knew it. Merlin knew it as well.
Even Anno himself knew.
Yet he had not drawn it.
Was it truly only because of so-called "loyalty"?
From the perspective of later generations, if Anno had drawn that sword, he might not have done any worse than King Arthur.
Why he had not drawn the sword was something only Anno himself knew.
It was an expectation so cold it was nearly inhuman, for one simple reason—he did not want to become king.
He did not believe he was suited for that position, so he refused. That was all.
He believed Artoria could give Britain a better future, so he devoted all his effort to training Artoria. In doing so, he completely abandoned Britain's situation at the time, even abandoning the foundation King Uther had built over years of war, abandoning the Chalk Knights he had founded with his own hands.
All for that expectation.
That was why Anno regretted it.
From the very beginning, he had known that this plan was wrong. It was unreasonable to place the responsibility of an entire nation upon a young girl's shoulders. King Uther and Merlin's plan had been cruel, merciless—but he had still gone along with it. He gave up becoming king, all so he could assist the new king.
He truly regretted it.
He had destroyed the girl named Artoria.
Arthur had been a qualified king, an outstanding and great leader.
But she should never have been a king.
It had been cruel to Artoria.
Anno had once