During the time spent setting up the ritual, Artoria had also gained considerable understanding of the basic situation of the Campione world.
She knew that beings called Heretic Gods often descended to this world, and she also knew that her Master wasn't a god, but rather the opposite - a Campione.
However, she really didn't know what connection Heretic Gods could have with her.
She hadn't seen any gods during the end of the Age of Gods!
Erica beside them, after hearing this, quickly understood Ryuga's meaning.
"Artoria-senpai, you might not have noticed, but 'The Arthurian Legend' itself belongs to Celtic mythology."
She immediately reminded her.
"You mean?!"
Artoria's eyes widened as she immediately reacted.
Just then, the sun overhead suddenly cast unusually brilliant sunlight, and Artoria's ahoge sensed an abnormally powerful presence appearing.
The light gradually dispersed, revealing a male knight in silver armor carved with Celtic patterns that reflected the dazzling sunlight, appearing before everyone.
This was an existence that could give the impression of a white knight prince at first glance, because he really did have a white horse behind him.
Rather, this very being was the source of the term "white knight prince."
"Hmm~ Master still looks better."
Erica muttered in her heart, then cleared her throat and stepped forward.
"May I ask, which knight of the Round Table are you?"
Just from the amazing divine aura emanating from the other party, she could judge that he must be a Heretic God, but she didn't know which specific one.
Under the poets' praise, all the knights in the Round Table basically belonged to the type with proper appearance and noble character. Celtic patterns and white horses weren't enough to distinguish them.
Faced with Erica's inquiry, the Heretic God before them showed an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry, before answering that question, I have something more important to know."
After saying this, he turned to look at Artoria, his eyes slightly confused but filled with excitement and awe.
"May I ask, do you recognize me?"
Faced with the Heretic God's inquiry, Artoria exchanged glances with Ryuga.
"Master, could it be?"
Clearly, she already had a guess but didn't quite dare believe it.
"With such obvious solar protection, your guess is correct."
Ryuga, who had already seen through the other party's identity, gave Artoria reassurance.
The Ahoge King took a deep breath before looking at the brilliantly radiant Heretic God before her and calling out his name.
"Sir Gawain."
"Knight of Sun Gawain?"
Hearing Artoria's words, Erica was slightly surprised.
Even within the entire Round Table, Knight of Sun Gawain's combat ability was in the top tier. As King Arthur's right-hand man, mythology even claimed he possessed strength no less than King Arthur's level.
Thinking of this knight's mythology, Erica couldn't help but look up at the sunlight overhead. If conditions were right, this battlefield seemed somewhat disadvantageous.
However, thinking of Ryuga's overwhelming strength, that small worry in her heart immediately dissipated.
On the other side, seeing that Artoria had indeed recognized him, Gawain no longer doubted.
He immediately knelt on one knee, showing submission to Artoria before him.
"My King! It really is you!"
Even seeing that the other party's condition was inferior to that of a god, Gawain didn't hesitate at all.
For him, who adhered to the eight virtues of chivalry, as long as the person before him was King Arthur, let alone not being a god - even if the other party became a powerless mortal, they would still be his lord.
Facing his lord, he naturally had to offer the greatest loyalty.
"Sir Gawain, please stand up. Although I am indeed King Arthur, there are probably differences from what you think."
Watching a god-level being kneel to her, even Artoria was stunned for several seconds.
However, drawing from her experience as a king, she quickly adapted.
Although their strength was completely different, no matter which world's Sir Gawain seemed equally loyal and righteous.
"Yes!"
Gawain naturally wouldn't refuse Artoria's command.
After standing up, regarding what Artoria mentioned, he also voiced his confusion.
"My King is indeed different from my memories. Setting aside height issues, why are you wearing a battle skirt? Your hair also seems somewhat androgynous?"
Although Gawain expressed this very tactfully, his core meaning was simple.
—My King, why are you so feminine?
In his impression, King Arthur was tremendously tall with distinctly rugged features - a large, fierce man.
The king before him was not only petite but dressed and styled without any fierce masculine aura.
If not for the familiar spiritual core fluctuations and sufficiently stern demeanor, he really couldn't imagine this was his lord.
Hearing this question, Artoria nearly choked.
"Ahem! I am originally female - I just cross-dressed as male to inherit the throne!"
"Ah?"
The Heretic God before them was somewhat dumbfounded.
Was that how it was in the mythology?
After resolving this confusion, Heretic Gawain looked around, his gaze stopping briefly on Ryuga and Doni, then spoke to Artoria:
"If I heard correctly, My King just addressed this Campione as Master."
"Offering loyalty to one's lord is a knight's duty, and I don't intend to lecture you on this point... However, what are you planning to do here? Execute this fool's child?"
When saying the last sentence, he was clearly referring to Doni.
No matter how you looked at it, this guy looked like a sacrifice about to be offered.
"...Could you Heretic Gods please say something nice? Stop constantly reminding my friend to kill me!"
Doni was completely speechless.
Finally encountering a Heretic God, not only couldn't he fight, but he was being mocked by the other party.
If he could fight, he would definitely give this Heretic God a good slash.
"No, Master doesn't plan to execute him yet."
Artoria shook her head. After answering Gawain's question, she immediately added:
"There's one thing you seem to have misunderstood. I'm not from your world's—"
Just as the most crucial explanation reached halfway, suddenly a stern roar came from the sea, interrupting Artoria's voice.
"Sir Gawain, what are you doing? Though it's still daylight, can you no longer recognize your own king?"
Except for Ryuga who had already sensed it, the others immediately shifted their gaze toward where the roar came from.
On the waves not far from the port, a Heretic God in full knight's armor was charging toward the port, treading on the waves.
This Heretic God wasn't wearing a helmet, so Gawain immediately saw his appearance and sensed his divine nature.
"King... Arthur?"
After confirming that the distant Heretic God should indeed be his king, Gawain looked back in confusion at Artoria, whose spiritual core fluctuations were identical to the king's despite not possessing divine nature.
"Why are there two kings?"
The loyal and righteous Knight of Sun was confused.
To be continued…
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