Royal Selection

Anno and Lamorak met on the road to the Knights' Cemetery; to reach the Knights' Cemetery, one must first pass by the entrance of the Royal Court.

"Captain Anno!" Lamorak's expression was filled with excitement as he walked toward the group.

Anno looked at Lamorak, who was taller than himself, and squeezed the muscles on his arm with a sigh of emotion. "Lamorak, it seems you haven't forgotten to train your martial arts in the year I've been away."

"Of course not!" Lamorak said proudly. "I can easily take on ten men at once now!"

"Heh." Kay chuckled softly. "Looks like this fellow is quite confident in himself."

Since they were of similar age, Kay couldn't help but feel a desire to spar.

"Hm?" Lamorak glanced at Kay, then looked at Lancelot and Artoria standing to the side.

He greeted Lancelot, as the two had once fought side-by-side on the battlefield, before his gaze settled on Artoria.

"Captain Anno, so are these two the kings of Britain you found?" Lamorak couldn't be sure which one was the person Anno had brought.

Anno smiled. "Let's head to the cemetery first; you'll know which one it is when we get there."

Artoria was lost in her own thoughts.

Gawain, hiding behind Lamorak, sized up Anno. He felt the man was a very serious uncle, but not nearly as terrifying as his mother had described.

Anno saw Gawain and asked, "Who is this child?"

"He is the second son of Princess Morgan le Fay." Lamorak chuckled.

"Morgan's second son, is he?" Anno glanced at Artoria.

"Does that mean he's Lia's nephew?" Kay crouched down slightly, looking at the somewhat nervous Gawain.

Anno walked over and patted Gawain on the head. Having encountered many children over the years, head-patting had become a habit. "Little one, is your mother doing well?"

"Ah, Sir Knight, my mother has been quite well lately." Gawain's voice was still very resonant.

Anno nodded. "After the King draws the sword, I will pay a visit to the Eldest Princess."

As for now...

Lancelot tugged at the distracted Artoria. "Let's go. You are the main character, after all."

Knights' Cemetery, before the Sword of Selection.

Anno looked at the chaotic Knights' Cemetery and asked Lamorak angrily, "What happened here?"

Lamorak sighed. "After Princess Morgan le Fay failed to draw the sword, the knights who came upon hearing the news acted like mad dogs, turning this place into what you see."

Anno was indignant. "Trampling on the graves of our ancestors—what a ridiculous bunch of people!"

Many of his comrades were buried here. Looking at the cemetery that had been almost completely leveled, Anno felt both angry and helpless.

The temptation of the throne was simply too great for these knights. No one, not even Anno, could remain indifferent to it; Anno had merely restrained himself.

Merlin walked up to Artoria.

"Lia, are you prepared?"

Artoria did not answer, staring straight at the long sword embedded in the Meteorite Iron.

Anno also composed his emotions. "When you draw it, it means you will no longer have any connection to the girl named Artoria. You will rule a country and govern a nation."

"There is still a chance to turn back now." Merlin glanced at Anno.

"I will not regret it; this is my destiny!" Artoria stepped forward and gripped the hilt of the golden sword.