Although her physical condition was rather unique, and several magi had cast spells on her body before she arrived at this seaside city, the genuine appearance of King Arthur in this Holy Grail War still had a certain impact on her body.
Gray had been modified by the people of her village to serve as a vessel for King Arthur. Precisely because of this, the young girl's body had suffered irreversible damage. If she were to approach King Arthur, this irreversible damage would become even more severe. It was fortunate that this was the King Arthur wielding the Holy Lance, whose essence had undergone certain changes and influences.
Although she had not been twisted into a goddess, she was still different from when she wielded the Holy Sword. It was precisely because of this that Gray's physical condition was not as severe as imagined. Furthermore, seeing her teacher handle this matter so seriously, she surmised that this Holy Grail War event must be extremely important to him as well.
Her teacher had already helped her a great deal. Before her body deteriorated further, it was better not to disturb him. Gray was, at heart, a very gentle and kind girl.
Holding the pocket money her teacher had given her, Gray carried Add and thought for a moment, deciding to go for a stroll on the streets. However, due to her personality, Gray was somewhat unaccustomed to lively places with many people, so she chose the small streets of a residential area that wouldn't be too bustling.
Before long, just as Gray sensed a familiar magical energy, Add also began to grow restless. Gray understood that the distant King of Britain must be nearby.
Although she understood that approaching that King's body might trigger various negative states, Gray still could not suppress her curiosity and yearning for that King. What kind of King was she, to be loved by people 1,500 years ago, then abandoned by them, yet still have the legend of the Greatest King passed down today, with many Britons still believing she would return to Britain in its time of peril?
What kind of King was she, to leave her teacher with psychological trauma yet also evoke sighs of emotion and admiration? What kind of King was she, to make the people of that former village continue researching methods to resurrect her 1,500 years later? Even though she was a victim of this, it did not affect her curiosity and admiration for that King.
Therefore, involuntarily, Gray walked in the direction indicated by Add. Even though the closer she got, the more she felt a sensation of her body being gradually torn apart, and sweat flowed incessantly beneath her cloak, even though the cloak had practical magecraft applied to it to insulate against the summer heat.
It wasn't long before Gray saw the elegant lady sitting in the specially made pavilion, with a parasol beside her, tasting cake and cool summer drinks. While filled with aristocratic temperament and exquisiteness, she did not lose the majesty of a strong woman. Sitting there, she looked like a work of art. However, according to her teacher, historically, this King did not rule with such an image until the end.
Although Gray's body was in pain, all her attention was attracted by the King before her. In this moment, it was as if the physical pain had ceased. However, the throbbing veins and her pale complexion still caused a flash of worry in Add.
"Are you alright?! Gray! Your body!"
Gray tightened her grip on her cloak and shook her head gently, indicating she was fine. However, as Add spoke, the magical energy on his body inevitably dispersed. That familiar magical energy naturally attracted the attention of Artoria, who was currently acting as a gourmet.
Artoria looked at the cloaked girl and the Mystic Code she was carrying. With just a glance or two, she identified several issues.
First, this girl's current body seemed to have some problems. Second, this problem was related to her; after all, this girl's face was far too similar to her self who wielded the Holy Sword—one could even say they were identical. It looked as if she were a prepared vessel. Third, the Mystic Code in the cage in the girl's hand contained her sealed Holy Lance.
It was fortunate that the Age of Gods had ended. Otherwise, letting the Holy Lance leave the Isle of Britain would not have been a wise choice.
Regardless of what kind of fate it was, the girl before her was related to her. Artoria raised her hand and waved gently to the girl not far away, gesturing for her to sit opposite her.
Although she understood that sitting there would have an even greater impact on her body, Gray still involuntarily walked towards the location of that King, then sat somewhat constrainedly opposite this King Arthur.
Artoria soon discovered that after the girl sat down, her physical condition seemed to become even more severe than when they first met. Connecting this with the girl's body being so similar to her own, Artoria, having been a King, was naturally no fool. Even if she couldn't guess everything clearly, she understood that the girl's physical condition was related to her.
Thus, she opened the handbag she carried with her and took out two magical bracelets. After placing one of the bracelets on her own wrist, the aura and magical energy belonging to King Arthur vanished without a trace. The physical condition of the girl before her also alleviated in a straight line.
In truth, Artoria in this state did not really want to wear this kind of bracelet that concealed presence and magical energy. She did not deny the fact that she was King Arthur; she was even proud of this identity. Such tools for hiding magical energy and presence might be more suitable for an Assassin.
However, her royal sister always said, "Take this with you; it might give your enemies a surprise (scare) when the time comes." Because it was given to her by her royal sister, she reluctantly kept it, though she hadn't worn it.
As for the other bracelet, it was used to slowly recover from negative physical states. This was a small contingency prepared by her royal sister, who was worried that in some special situations, she wouldn't be able to provide immediate magical support. She hadn't expected it to be used here.
Perhaps it couldn't completely resolve the physical condition of the little girl before her, but it could more or less alleviate it. This little girl probably couldn't leave this city for the time being, and neither could she. Since the little girl's body was related to her, as a King, she would not evade the responsibilities she ought to shoulder.