That was a heavy punch.
The power of a dragon was absolutely not something an ordinary person could withstand.
Merlin's facial features were twisted by the extreme external force at that moment, revealing a ferocious expression.
But—
This was just the beginning.
Because soon, Ian's next punch arrived.
Another mouthful of fresh blood flew out.
Merlin staggered backward and fell to the ground in an utterly pathetic state.
But Ian did not stop there.
On the contrary, he walked step by step towards Merlin.
Clip-clop—
Clip-clop—
Every step Ian took was like a final evening bell.
He was, after all, the court mage; after seeing Merlin get punched twice by Ian, knights soon came out to protect him.
Holding silver blades, they shielded Merlin behind them, one on his left and one on his right.
"Stop!"
"Stop right there!"
The knights said this, only to be surprised to find it was completely meaningless.
Ian had absolutely no intention of stopping.
He only said a single sentence after walking up to the knights:
"Get out of my way."
"Or else—"
"I'll beat you up too."
"..."
"..."
The knights were hot-blooded men, too.
Hearing what Ian said, they naturally grew angry.
"How dare you be so rude!"
In an instant.
Two blades thrust towards Ian at the same time.
Only to be broken in the next moment.
To be precise—
They had been twisted apart.
That's right.
Ian, this silent boy before them, had simply grabbed the two swords, one in each hand.
And then—
The blades snapped.
They fell to the ground, making a crisp sound.
"What is this monster?"
Such surprise couldn't help but arise in the knights' hearts.
But in a flash, it turned into fear.
Because the boy's gaze fell upon them.
In his blood-red eyes was a killing intent that had been completely absent before.
"Now..."
"Are you still not going to move?"
"..."
The knights very much wanted to resist such pressure.
But their bodies had already begun to move involuntarily.
Soon, a path to Merlin was cleared.
"Thank you."
The boy said politely.
And then he continued to walk forward, step by step.
Once again, he came before Merlin.
"Do you know what you're doing?!"
"Do you know who I am?"
The mage who had been somewhat frivolous just now now had a hint of fear.
After all, normally, no one would ever dare to lay a hand on him like this.
And now, not only had this person done so, but he had done it without holding back at all.
"Of course I know what I'm doing."
Ian raised his fist.
"I also know who you are—"
"The guy who smells bad."
"What?"
Before Merlin could say more, he was hit squarely by another punch.
But Ian soon realized something.
He grabbed Merlin by the collar, his brow furrowed.
"Can't I just beat you to death?"
"What a disgusting existence."
"..."
Ian's words made Merlin's eyes widen.
He realized the other party seemed to be able to see through his immortality.
This guy...
He's not as simple as I thought!
Back on Artoria's side.
It had to be said, she had not expected Ian to throw a punch so directly.
In the past...
He would at least say a few words to her first.
Wait.
Artoria realized something.
Ian wasn't the kind of person who would display such violence towards just anyone.
His reason for judging whether a person was worth hitting was their "scent."
Artoria looked at the head that was swaying left and right from Ian's punches and understood.
So that meant...
This mage named Merlin had a very bad scent?
Thinking about it, that did seem to be the case.
He was the mage sent to receive her, yet he had such a flippant attitude.
When Artoria first saw him, she had also felt more or less uncomfortable.
Ian going up there like that was actually incredibly stress-relieving.
"My King—"
The voice of a knight sounded in the young woman's ear.
"Should we really not do something?"
"If he kills Merlin, then..."
The knight's words brought Artoria back to her senses.
That's right.
This was only the first day.
If things got so out of hand right from the start, there would probably be more trouble later.
"I understand."
Artoria dismounted from her horse and walked towards Ian.
She took his hand.
"Ian."
Hearing the familiar voice, the boy turned his head, and after seeing it was Artoria, he stopped.
And the young woman knew, too.
This was temporary.
He—
Was waiting for her to give him a reason.
"Don't be like this."
"You'll scare the others."
"If—"
The young woman bent down, pretending to pull Ian back, but actually whispering in his ear.
"You really hate him that much."
"We'll find another chance to beat him up later."
"..."
Although he hadn't completely wanted to stop, Ian still did not object to Artoria's suggestion.
And Merlin, who had been beaten into an unrecognizable state, was finally able to get up.
He had thought Artoria was coming to save him, but in the next second, he heard words that made his head spin.
"Disappear from here at once—"
"..."
Merlin thought he had misheard.
But the reality was right in front of him.
Artoria said once more:
"Do you not understand what I mean?"
"Now, leave here immediately."
"Merlin, I am very grateful that you could come to welcome me."
"But—"
Artoria looked almost pointedly at Ian, who had stopped his hands for her.
"My most important friend does not wish to see you."
"So, disappear immediately."
"Otherwise—"
Artoria let go of Ian's hand.
"In a moment, I'm afraid I won't be able to stop him anymore."
"..."
Merlin glanced at Artoria, then at Ian.
After confirming that their attitudes were absolutely in sync, he bit his lip.
But in the end, the only answer Merlin could give was a single sentence;
"I understand."
Fleeing in an utterly pathetic state, Merlin did indeed disappear from Ian's sight.
And Artoria also turned around and, steeling herself, said:
"Everyone, it's alright."
"Let the welcome end here."
"I... will not fail your expectations."
"I swear it on this sword!"
Artoria's voice was not loud, but it was very infectious.
This was especially true when paired with that ceremonial Sword of Sure Victory (Caliburn).
Cheers erupted in front of the castle once more.
But at a moment like this, Artoria nonchalantly tugged on Ian's hand.
She said softly:
"Come up to the castle tonight."
"I have something to tell you—"