Hearing the cry of the knights and the townsfolk, I couldn't help but to chuckle.
Well, that's a tough crowd I got here. In any case, I did what I wanted to do, so I guess I'll put this back in place.
Not wanting to do anything with Caliburn after creating a spirit sword out of it, I put back the sword along with the pedestal in the ground, somehow burying it deeper than it was originally, before I walked back to Artoria and Ector's side, passing by the the knights all staring at me in shock, an expression shared by everyone watching from the sidelines except Artoria who looked disappointed.
"What's with that face?"
"I'm just a little let down that you didn't manage to pull out the sword. I'm sure that you would have made a good king."
"Sorry, but there's no way I'd be able to run a country decently. If anything, I think I'll end up being a tyrant or something if someone leaves me a territory to rule over."
Or I'd just bolt out, leaving the country and duties behind me, to go on an adventure in some other worlds. There are some worlds I would like to visit, if I manage to get access to them. I also promised Djeeta and the others that I would come visit them when I have time too.
Well, thanks to my perk, I could go to the Granblue universe anytime I wish. Perhaps I'll go over there once everything has calmed down on this side.
"That said, enough about me…" I said as I snapped my finger, creating a Bounded field surrounding both Artoria and I to soundproof our conversation, before looking straight into the eyes of the girl standing in front of me.
"Have you made up your decision? Will you stay here, not taking part in the selection before going back to our little town where you will live in peace, away from the battlefield? Or will you take that sword and walk upon the path that was laid before you by Uther and Merlin, facing a second war?" I said, referring to the past year in the Granblue universe where we helped Djeeta and her crew rescue their friend who got kidnapped by the Erste Empire, overthrowing it in the end.
During our conflict with the empire, it wouldn't be a lie to say that Artoria fought a lot, so she got a lot of fighting experience under her belt. However, it also meant that her death count is quite high, despite her young age... though I'm not one to talk since I made my debut when I was eight.
Still, that's something I wished to avoid but Artoria can be as stubborn as a mule, she would often follow me on the battlefield without my consent. It didn't help that Lyria and Io were younger than her and were participating in the battles, fighting the imperial soldiers.
Although, unlike us, Djeeta and her crew were mostly pacifists as they would never kill their enemies if they could, something which I personally thought to be foolish, but still admirable in a way.
In any case, she already tasted what war was like, along with the death it brings. I won't blame her for not wanting to participate in another war and killing more people as a result. No matter what choice she makes, I'll respect it.
"It's okay, Kay. You don't have to worry about me." Artoria said, surprising me since she didn't address me as 'Brother' like she usually does but by my name, before she placed her hand on her chest, closing her eyes.
"I don't know what Uther and Merlin were thinking when they decided to engineer my birth...but if there's anything I do know, it's that this country needs saving, that it needs a king. And if that's the role they gave me, then I'll gladly accept it, but not because they wanted to, but because I want to help those who are currently unhappy and living in anguish because of the ongoing war."
"Are you sure about this? I wonder if you remember this but I believe I told you once that it was impossible to make everyone happy. Even if your intentions are good, it doesn't mean everyone will appreciate your actions and goodwill. Some won't accept you as their king, even though you have been chosen by this sword. Some will even resent you for taking the crown away from them and consider you their sworn enemy. And these are only a few examples among many. This path is a harsh one and you may not end up with the happy ending you envisioned. If anything, you might even die a miserable death."
I said, a certain scene popping into my mind of a bloodied Artoria standing on top of a mountain of corpses.
The Battle of Camlann, the last battle Artoria fought before she died of her wounds, a scene I still remember from what they showed of Artoria's past in the anime. If possible, I want her to avoid that fate.
"Despite knowing that, will you really go down this path?"
"Before I give you my answer, can you answer one of my questions?" Artoria asked me as she looked me straight in the eye, to which I nodded.
"Then, will you follow me if I take this path?"
"Obviously, you don't need to ask."
"Then, my choice is clear as day..." She said as she walked past me towards Caliburn, and I blinked when I heard her murmur under her breath, "...because you being by my side is the only thing I need."
And as I watched Artoria walk past the knights who were rejected by the sword, all eyes in the training ground being on her back, I couldn't help but to let out a sigh.
"What did you discuss with Artorius?" I heard Ector speak up as he approached me and stood by my side, his arms crossed against his chest. I could see from the corner of my eyes the sad expression he had on his face as he looked at Artoria who was standing before Caliburn, placing her hand on its hilt.
"Nothing important. I just wanted to see if she was really resolved to face her fate, that's all."
Then, with an ease that rendered the knights' efforts in vain, Artoria slowly pulled Caliburn out from its pedestal before raising the sword skyward, the sun's rays reflecting off its golden blade.
A silence pervaded the training ground as everyone could only stare at Artoria and the sword in her hand, not moving or speaking. At this point, I was even wondering if they were still breathing.
This continued until Merlin chose to finally show up, appearing beside Artoria with an explosion of pink flowers, which surprised the onlookers, before she opened her arms and shouted with her voice being enhanced with Magical Energy.
"The sword has chosen its wielder. Here, in this place, is born the Once and Future King, the one who will save Britain! Hear his name as he is Arthur Pendragon, Uther Pendragon's son and heir!"
I could hear gasps coming from the townspeople when they heard Merlin's statement, but what caught my attention was the look of anger that was on the faces of several knights among those who failed the selection.
"You can't be serious!"
"There's no way that brat could be the promised king! I'll never accept it!"
"This selection must be rigged!"
One by one, the knights began to shout out their complaints with fury in their tone, seemingly offended that Artoria managed to do something they couldn't achieve.
Seeing this, I just shook my head as I knew this was coming and one of them was right in their complaint. But what surprised me was Artoria who, after glancing at the knight, pointed Caliburn at them which made them stop in their shouts, all glared at her with animosity.
"If you have any complaints, I'm willing to hear them out. It is your right to do so and I will respect that. But if any of you think you're stronger than me, then feel free to come at me. As the one who was chosen by this sword, I shall meet your challenge right here, right now. I'm willing to use a wooden sword if I must."
"Wow..." I couldn't stop a smile from appearing on my face, seeing Artoria provoke the knights who all became red with rage.
"You damn brat! Don't underestimate me!" One of them shouted, drawing his sword, before he charged at Artoria with many following behind him, doing the same.
Then, in a matter of seconds, a one-sided massacre happened as Artoria effortlessly defeated all of her opponents, knocking them out with the flat part of her blade, without breaking a sweat.
"So young and already that strong..."
"If it's him, maybe..."
I heard some townspeople talking to each other, looking a little optimistic after witnessing her sword prowess against the knights, but I also noticed that not all of them were convinced of her strength.
Well, the only thing we can do to make them trust Artoria is to give them results, to defeat the Saxons and other foreign tribes in the country. In any case, we passed the point of no return, Artoria decided to play her role in this stupid tale... and I guess it's my turn to play mine.
Putting on my Eternal garments, I walked towards the girls who were watching over me with smiles on their faces. And once I was in front of them, I took out my Seven-Star Sword and knelt in front of Artoria, my eyes closed.
"I, Kay, pledge my services to the Once and Future King, Arthur Pendragon. I am nothing but a fledgling, but this body and sword of mine are yours to freely use, my lord."
"Pfft..." My eyes twitched when I heard someone snort, prompting me to discreetly glance up to see Merlin trying to hold back a laugh and, for some reasons, Artoria's face was as red as a tomato.
Did I say something wrong? Personally, I think I nailed my lines.
"Hey, what's going on over there?" I heard one of the townspeople speak up, snapping me out in my thoughts, causing me to look at him as he pointed in a certain direction. And when I turned my gaze, I blinked when I saw some dust smoking on the horizon.
And once I used my Clairvoyance, I was surprised to see the cause of it being a large group of mounted soldiers.
"Oh, it looks like some Saxons are coming our ways." Merlin nonchalantly said, her words causing Londinium's villagers to panic, a reaction Merlin seemed to enjoy considering the wide smile as she observed them.
"Merlin." Artoria muttered as she nudged Merlin with her elbow, making her look at her charge in confusion.
"Hmm? Ah yes, yes. Ahem. Please hear me, people of Londinium!" She quickly shouted after she saw the glare casted by Artoria, drawing all the attention to her.
"Please fear not the Saxons soldiers... as they won't stand a chance before King Arthur and his champion, Kay! These two alone are enough to face this ordeal!"
"Is that true, Lady Merlin?!"
"Can we really believe you?!"
Hearing this, Merlin gave us a smirk before she looked at the townspeople and she raised her staff high in the sky, which started to shine in a bright light.
"I swear upon my name and my very being that the two who stand before you are the heroes that this country was waiting for! Now, witness them as they begin their journey to save our beloved land, Britain, by defeating these invaders from across the sea!"
And just as she shouted, the townspeople did the same as they started to cheer on us, screaming our names.
"Merlin, did you really have to do that?" Artoria mumbled, shaking her head, while I resisted the urge to do some wrestling moves on the succubus who let out her tongue and winked at us.
"Then, brother, shall we?" I heard Artoria ask me, looking at me with a smile which I returned with a nod.
"I'm right by your side."
Standing up from my spot, I then walked in the direction of the approaching mounted soldiers next to Artoria, both of us gripping on our respective golden weapons. And then, we charged at them, ready to take them down to the very last one.
Meanwhile, not far from the training ground hiding behind a tree, a woman nodded as she saw the events unfold.
"It looks like everything went well." She muttered before she clenched her head in pain, a voice screaming in her mind like a banshee.
"Those cursed Uther and Merlin! I'm the one who's supposed to be the ruler of Britain! Not that wet-nosed brat! And Kay... How dare he betray me like that! I won't forgive this infidelity! His power... his talents... They're all mine!"
"And his body..."
"Shut up, Morgan!"
As her other selves began to fight in her mind once again, Vivian could only let out a sigh, trying to push the blush that was rising to her face, silently cursing Morgan Pendragon for her dirty mind.