Tiamat, I'm going to find a girlfriend!

"..."

This was the first time Artoria had heard about this.

She had no doubts whatsoever.

Because Ian has no reason to deceive himself about this kind of thing.

"So, Ian, do you like it this way?"

"I love so much."

The boy answered without hesitation.

"The outside world is even better than I imagined."

"Um……"

“It would be even better if you were a girl. My mother once said that ‘girls are the most dangerous beings in the world.’”

"She was particularly worried about me interacting with girls, afraid that I would be deceived."

"..."

Artoria felt a little embarrassed.

She had previously said that she was not a girl because the old knight who raised her had told her never to reveal her gender under any circumstances.

Unexpectedly, Ian actually took it seriously.

That means...

Did he actually always treat him like one of the guys?

The moment she realized this, Artoria felt a pang of sadness.

But she quickly added:

"That's a real pity..."

"But even if she's not a girl, she can still help you explain things, right?!"

"is it?"

"Yes, I guess so..." Artoria's voice trailed off, her confidence waning.

"Forget about it! Maybe I'll turn into a girl by then!"

Is this even possible?

"Who knows!"

Despite the commotion, Artoria was carried home by Ian.

And it became a microcosm of the girl's life thereafter.

Train him, then defeat him!

Everything seemed so simple.

until……

The prophecy of the new king was interpreted in detail.

10. The one who draws the sword is the king.

"Can one become king simply by drawing the sword?"

Hearing Kai's words, Artoria's expression also turned surprised.

"that is not……"

"Can just anyone become king?"

"Is it really that simple?"

Kai glanced at his "younger brother".

"That is a sword that only the chosen one can draw!"

"What did you think it was, some kind of wooden stick?"

"but……"

Kai stretched his muscles and bones.

"The prophecy did not specify the identity of the person who drew the sword."

"Anyone who wants to try can give it a shot."

"this--"

Artoria blinked, as if she had thought of something.

She looked at Ian not far away and found that he was also looking at her.

Soon, their eyes met in agreement.

"Brother Kai, I'm going out for a bit!"

"..."

"I'll go out for a bit too."

Two whooshing sounds.

Artoria and Ian ran out one after the other.

Kai was left all alone.

Kai frowned as he watched the two figures disappear into the distance.

"Aren't these two even going to put on an act?"

at the same time.

On the village walkway.

"Ian, did you hear that?"

Artoria said excitedly.

"Whoever can pull out that sword can become king—"

"Yeah, I heard that."

"You...you want to give it a try, right?"

"Hehe~"

Artoria scratched her face a little embarrassed.

"Did my reaction seem that obvious?"

“Yes.” Ian nodded.

"You're really going to be straightforward!"

Artoria pouted.

So you mean—

"go."

"I go with you."

"..."

Although she had already planned to do so, Artoria was still touched when she heard the other person say it before she did.

"Aren't you going to even consider it?"

"No need."

"If you're willing, I'll go with you."

"..."

Simple reasons.

Artoria's face flushed slightly.

"I see."

"Then, let's set off as soon as possible!"

"it is good."

The communication was simple and straightforward, yet it conveyed the most easily understood sentiments.

Artoria felt herself filled with power.

but--

This process is not that simple.

At least when Artoria sought help from Kai, the reason that was convincing enough for him was hard to come up with.

Kai, however, seemed completely unconcerned.

"Oh, you're going out?"

"Then go ahead."

"It doesn't matter where you go."

Despite her sharp tongue, Artoria still managed to obtain a carriage large enough to carry her and Ian, as well as food for the journey.

He seemed to know everything, yet he also seemed to know nothing.

Late at night, a campfire.

This is already the second day since we left the village.

Reaching Camelot, the capital city where the Sword of Kings is located, is not a matter of a single moment.

By the fire, Artoria ate rye bread, her eyes sparkling like jewels.

"Ian, do you think I can do it?"

Do you mean drawing your sword?

"Ok!"

The girl nodded.

Her beautiful golden hair was already tinged with the glow of the fire.

"After all, it doesn't sound that simple, does it?"

"I do not know."

Ian also took a bite of the rye bread.

"So I can't tell you."

"Isn't this supposed to be encouragement?"

Artoria pouted.

"That sounds really discouraging!"

“But I don’t think you need my encouragement, Artoria. Your mindset has been firm from the beginning, hasn’t it?”

Ian's eyes met Artoria's at that moment.

"So, although I'm not sure you can do it, I believe you can."

"..."

"..."

"Just say you want to do that kind of thing."

Artoria glared at Ian.

"After saying all that, it would seem hypocritical to then express your own desires."