Not Much Time Left

Anno glanced at Ector. "The requirements for joining my Chalk Knights are very strict."

He commanded Britain's most elite force, originally called the Glory Knights of Britain. Every knight in the order wore the same gleaming silver plate armor as Anno.

Anno was a lord who had never lost a war. Each time he returned victorious, he would ride through Camelot on horseback in his armor. The people of the city called them "the Chalk of Britain."

Later, Anno simply renamed the order the Chalk Knights of Britain. He himself came to be known as the Chalk Knight of Britain.

The order was small, with only a hundred or so knights. Every one of them could take on at least ten men, making them astonishingly formidable.

"That's all right. I have faith in Kay," Ector said with a smile. These children were full of vigor and brought hope.

"Father, Sir Anno." Artoria bowed to the two men.

"Father. Sir Ector." Lancelot seemed a little restless.

Kay had already greeted Anno.

He seemed quite carefree.

"Is Mr. Merlin not here?" Artoria asked. Whenever Anno visited in the past, he usually brought Merlin along.

At the sound of that name, a vein bulged on Kay's forehead.

"Why are you asking about that old geezer, Lia? He does nothing but cause trouble for people," Kay said angrily.

Artoria had to farm, tend the horses, and train as a knight during the day. After dark, she had to learn from Merlin in her dreams. For Kay, who had doted on his little sister since they were children, this was completely unacceptable.

Artoria had tried to reassure him: It's fine. At least I still get two hours of sleep a day.

That only made Kay more upset. He kept going on about wanting to teach Merlin a lesson.

Under this almost exploitative regimen, Artoria had become a perfect knight by every measure.

"Merlin didn't come," Anno sighed.

To make a child so young bear the burden of all Britain...

"The reason I came this time is to tell you, Artoria." Anno patted Lancelot on the shoulder, then walked over to Artoria and said gravely, "You must begin preparing to accept your fate, future king of Britain."

Artoria froze.

The air seemed to grow still.

Lancelot stood awkwardly to one side, too nervous to speak, while Ector sank into another bout of sorrow.

"Hey, hey, Uncle Anno, you mean..." Kay could hardly believe it.

Anno nodded. "Lia's birth father, King Uther of Britain, doesn't have much time left."

"But... but Lia's still so young," Kay said urgently.

He felt for his adopted sister.

"Brother Kay, there's no need to say more." Artoria stopped him, her gaze sharp. "I understand, Mr. Anno."

Anno nodded. "Go and study as much as you can. You don't have much time left."

Lancelot looked at Artoria, blushing slightly.

Kay sighed to himself.

"The next time I visit, it'll be time for you to leave for Britain," Anno continued. "We won't stay long today. Come on, Lancelot."

"Yes, Father." The purple-haired boy waved to Kay and Artoria, then followed his adoptive father.

The three of them stepped outside. Anno and Lancelot were already riding away at a gallop.