[Two years later, the now fully grown Artoria was about to celebrate her coming-of-age ceremony. The day before the ceremony, you summoned her to the royal hall.]
The crackling sound of firewood burning was crisp. Waiting for the moonlight to descend, Ryuya looked at Artoria and smiled. "Artoria, you've grown up too."
Over a dozen years had passed. Having served as king in Camelot and nurtured Artoria for over a decade, Ryuya had long grown weary of this life.
If not for the needs of Britain's people, if not for Artoria not being perfect yet, he would have likely retired to the countryside long ago with Morgan and Merlin to enjoy a good life.
Now, watching the once childish little girl grow into the adult before him, Ryuya had never concealed his intention to nurture Artoria as his successor. It was just that today, he planned to make it explicit.
"I... I'm foolish, still a child, Teacher."
Already eighteen years old, slightly older than the historical age of fifteen when she pulled the sword from the stone, Artoria's shoulders trembled slightly. She hesitated for a moment, seeming to guess something, then said calmly, "I can't do anything, Teacher."
"Haha, that won't do."
Laughing frankly, time had left no trace on the Pure White Knight, now the Sun-Crowned King. The king, who looked about the same age as Artoria, patted the girl's shoulder, "From now on, Britain is entrusted to you."
"I can't do anything, Teacher."
Artoria still said this.
Her heart ached.
Not daring to imagine the time to come, Artoria was at a loss.
"Don't make things difficult for this old man. At least let me enjoy my retirement."
"You were always the most obedient."
Wanting to respond to Ryuya's words but not knowing how, Artoria remained silent.
"Sigh..."
Looking at the stubborn King of Knights, well aware of Artoria's nature, Ryuya knew she would absolutely refuse the throne.
Even though Artoria, under his tutelage, now possessed considerable prestige, she still saw herself as a knight, not a king.
"Artoria, I am going to die."
Despite it being a midsummer night, despite being only in his forties, still considered in his prime, Ryuya only felt an all-pervading coldness.
Slightly narrowing his eyes, he moved closer to the fireplace, seeking meager warmth.
"I'm going to die, Artoria."
"Britain from now on is entrusted to you. Morgan and Merlin will assist you, as will the knights and nobles. Don't worry about the North, although it's a bit far, the people there trust you too."
He repeated it, as if giving last instructions. Ryuya spoke slowly.
"You... are going to die?"
As if hearing something unbelievable, staring blankly at Ryuya, Artoria suddenly realized that the man who had always cared for her, watched her grow up, no longer seemed so youthful and vigorous.
The hair at his temples was graying, the eyes that once shone like stars were now turbid, his tall frame slightly stooped.
'Since when...'
Beneath her expressionless face was a completely panicked heart. Her emerald-green eyes could not remain calm.
"Yes, yes, I'm going to die. Probably only a few months left."
Was it due to the arduous years of governance? Or because the White Dragon bloodline within him was too powerful for a human body to bear? Or perhaps the work of fate, the curse of the Pendragons?
Ryuya was indeed nearing his end.
[Because the Red Dragon of Britain has matured, as the White Dragon, you have completed your task. Your lifespan is nearing its end.]
[You are the one who prolonged the world. But at the end of the Age of Gods, all of Britain cannot sustain the existence of both the Red and White Dragon Monarchs. Only one of you and Artoria can remain.]
[You chose Artoria, because you believe this child who inherited everything from you will surely make Britain prosper. The future she brings will be glorious.]
Choosing to entrust everything to Artoria, Ryuya patted the girl's head. He felt that this time, by handing Britain over to Artoria, he could complete this life simulation.
"Teacher."
"I haven't grown up yet, I'm still immature, I'm not mature enough, what I do is far from sufficient."
"I am rigid in my work, I lack your magnanimity, I... can't do anything."
Struggling to keep her voice from trembling, but unable to calm down, Artoria could only repeat her own incompetence, only wishing to beg Ryuya to stay.
"Teacher." She looked up slightly, her exquisite face now covered in tears, "I need you. Please... continue to guide me."
Hearing Artoria's words, Ryuya's body trembled. Finally, he shook his head weakly, "Heh, but I... can no longer move."
Under the vast, cold moonlight, gazing at the gentle night, Ryuya felt so cold.
"Artoria, you are stubborn, persistent, childish. But it is precisely this stubbornness that has made you grow."
"You are still young now, but who doesn't slowly grow from a child? When I inherited the throne, I was about your age."
"You have the Red Dragon's bloodline, our assistance, the world's favor. You have enough time. But I have no time left."
Looking at Artoria, who kept staring at him, Ryuya stood up again, patted the wrinkles on his clothes, and placed the crown from his own head onto Artoria's.
"Artoria, one day you will become a great king. You have time, power, dreams, everything needed to become king."
"Believe me, Artoria. At your coming-of-age ceremony tomorrow, you will step into the brilliant sunlight and witness the salutes of the entire world cheering for you."
"Because you are Artoria, my most excellent successor. Just as the Vile King and Uther chose me back then, you can do it too."
His voice was forceful at the start, but the decline of mystery reached its extreme within Ryuya.
He began to cough, each hack seeming to drain all his strength and blood. But Ryuya still straightened his body, "Artoria, believe in yourself."
Silver eyes met emerald-green. The wills of the White Dragon and Red Dragon intertwined at this moment.
"What I want to tell you, what I want you to understand is..."
It seemed to return to that moment in childhood, when Ryuya was still young, and Vortigern spoke to him.
'Isbel Pendragon.'
"Artoria Pendragon."
'You are Britain's hope.'
"You are Britain's hope."
'And you, shall surely...'
"And you, shall surely..."
"Become King!"