"A prophecy?"
"What prophecy?"
Artoria tilted her head slightly.
"I... have no idea."
"That's because it hasn't reached this village yet."
Kay, dressed in casual clothes, gripped the sword at his waist.
"King Uther is advanced in years, and the selection of an heir is now on the agenda."
"The incarnation of the Red Dragon shall become the new king. It will gather all the Knights of the Round Table and restore the glory of Britain."
"The White Dragon will be defeated then—"
"The Red Dragon shall, in the end, stand tall upon the earth."
"And before that, the Sword of the King shall emerge from the earth to welcome its master."
The ballad-like words couldn't help but make Ian a little curious.
A descendant born from the Sea of Life had never heard of such things.
I really want to understand what this means.
"What does this mean?"
The boy asked.
"Hm?"
Only then did Kay notice that another person was standing beside his adopted sister.
"Who are you?"
"How come I've never seen you before?"
The thing she was worried about had happened after all.
How on earth am I supposed to explain Ian's identity?
I can't possibly tell Brother Kay that he fell from the sky, took a bite out of my chest, and then almost had his way with me, right?
"He's a friend."
"Hm?"
Artoria hadn't figured out how to answer yet, but Ian had already given one.
He pointed to himself.
"Got hurt."
"Artoria helped."
"She is very good."
"..."
Kay's gaze shifted, and he quickly noticed the firewood Ian was carrying.
In an instant, he had his "answer."
"You got hurt while chopping wood and then met Artoria, is that right—"
"Yes, yes, yes, that's it!"
Realizing this was a very good answer, Artoria quickly went along with it.
"Because he's injured, he's staying at our house for the time being."
"Brother Kay, I haven't had a chance to tell you yet."
"..."
Kay glanced at Ian, then at Artoria, and then nodded.
"I see."
"Then, rest well."
Kay patted Ian's shoulder.
"If you need anything, just let me know."
"Thank you."
"Quite polite, aren't you."
Kay smiled.
"Alright, I'm going to help Dad unload the goods—we brought back a lot of things from town this time, he can't manage it alone."
"Okay, you go on, Brother Kay~"
Finally, a big problem was solved. Watching Kay's retreating figure, Artoria breathed a sigh of relief.
She looked at him beside her and gave a thumbs-up.
"So you're not completely clueless after all—"
"At least you used the 'friend' identity very well!"
"..."
"What is a 'friend'?"
Ian's sudden question made Artoria freeze for a moment.
"You don't know what it means?"
"Mm."
"Then why did you say it just now..."
"Because—"
Ian looked directly at Artoria.
"I wanted to help you, so it suddenly came to mind."
"Eh?"
A very simple reason.
But also very convincing.
"Ahem."
Artoria cleared her throat.
"Well, a 'friend' is someone who helps you out, and you help them out!"
"We..."
"seem to fit that description pretty well, don't we?"
"..."
"What's with that look?"
"My first friend."
"Artoria, you are my first friend."
"Eh?"
Suddenly being given such a title by Ian, Artoria actually felt a little shy.
"Is that so?"
"Then, that's wonderful."
The young woman said, and then noticed Ian's throat moving as he swallowed.
"What are you doing!"
"Are you thinking about that again?!"
"No."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Then..."
Artoria took half of the firewood from Ian.
"Let's go home first."
"Talking about this on the street... feels a bit strange."
"Mm, let's go home."
Walking on the village path, Ian looked at the sides of the road.
People in small groups were gathered in various places, discussing something.
Vaguely, he could still make out things related to the prophecy from earlier.
"Artoria."
"Hm?"
The young woman turned her head.
"What is it?"
"Why does everyone care so much about what Kay said earlier?"
"Is it... very important?"
"Of course it's important!"
Artoria said with a serious expression.
"The King is the person who rules all of Britain!"
"If a stupid person becomes king, wouldn't we be doomed?"
"Mm..."
Ian nodded.
"Then, how can you be sure that the person who becomes king is the most suitable one?"
"Well..."
Artoria shook her head.
"I don't really understand either."
"But—"
"There must be a way!"
"Isn't there a prophecy just like that?"
"But that's just a so-called prophecy, right? Why isn't anyone doubting whether it's true or not?"
"That's because—"
Artoria was just about to explain but found she had no reason in her head at all.
That's right... why?
Ian was right.
Why is everyone's first reaction to believe such a prophecy, and not to doubt it?
It's as if...
...they've all been bewitched.
"Well..."
"I can't answer you either."
"Since everyone thinks so, there must be a reason for it!"
Artoria explained.
But as soon as the words left her mouth, she felt how weak and unconvincing they sounded.
Because it was less of an explanation and more like just fobbing him off.
"Is that so?"
"The path that everyone chooses is the right path—"
"Can I understand it that way?"
"I guess you can..."
Artoria felt her own mind becoming a mess.
"Alright, let's not get hung up on this!"
"There's probably no answer anyway, right?"
"Understood."
Ian nodded.
"But—"
"Artoria, if one day you feel that path is uncomfortable..."
"...you can tell me."
"We'll go and walk the path you like."
"Eh?"
The young woman's cheeks flushed slightly.
"The path I like?"
"Mm," Ian nodded.
"You make it sound like I've already hit a dead end..."
Although the young woman seemed to be complaining, her tone was very gentle.
With a smile in her eyes, she continued to speak softly.
"But, thank you anyway."
"That sounds like a very valuable promise!"
"Then can I exchange it for something?"
"What thing?"
"This—"
Ian extended his finger without any attempt to hide it.
And its destination, naturally, was Artoria's chest.
The young woman's face immediately turned red.
"I knew you'd say that!"
"Ab-so-lute-ly! Not!"
"It seems its value is not enough."
"That's not it at all!"