Era of Heroic Spirits: I Was Exposed by Alaya

Yet she didn't possess this Noble Phantasm now.

Meaning he must have reclaimed it later, only for it to shatter in the final battle?

If even the supposedly invincible Avalon was destroyed, how devastating must that battle have been!

Could Goetia have truly succeeded in becoming Gaia?

Artoria gazed up at the leaden sky, feeling an indescribable suffocation.

Only by becoming the planet's consciousness itself could one completely shatter [Avalon].

So why did its fragmented essence linger on this child?

Could she be Nameless's daughter?

"You did nothing wrong! The fault lies with that terrible Goetia!"

Roya hurried to comfort her. "But it's alright now—the fighting is over. Nameless must have defeated him completely, saving us all!"

"Yes... saved by him again."

Artoria's expression grew distant.

That man... who knew how many brutal battles he'd endured?

Having saved everyone, having protected the entire world, yet forgetting only to save himself.

Roya asked quietly, the flames of curiosity burning in her eyes: "My King, you must have been very happy during your time with Nameless, right?"

"Before drawing the sword from the stone... those were my happiest days."

Artoria's saintly blue eyes brimmed with nostalgia.

Back then, she would receive Merlin's magical teachings in her dreams at night, while being personally instructed in swordsmanship by him during the day.

It sounds exhausting just remembering.

But back then, she didn't need to consider anything at all—she only had to grow stronger.

However.

Everything changed after she pulled the sword from the stone.

She donned the crown and became King Arthur.

The weight of all Britain fell upon her young and delicate shoulders.

Countless people desperately begged her to bring peace and prosperity.

The crushing pressure forced her to mature completely, shedding all traces of her former naivety.

Words like love, play, and rest… vanished entirely from her life.

Though it was like drinking poison to quench thirst, she had no choice but to lead her exhausted army into battle after battle, barely keeping Britain alive.

In the endless wars, countless families were torn apart, wives separated from husbands, children from parents.

More and more people began to fear her.

In the end, when Mordred raised her call, countless others instantly rallied behind her, seeking to end it all.

Unfortunately, they didn't realize that ending her rule would only plunge them into even greater darkness and chaos…

"Your Majesty, have you ever regretted it? Back then, you were only fifteen—you could have refused the throne!" Roya asked curiously.

"A king does not know regret."

Artoria smiled warmly. "Don't forget, Emiya also embarked on the path of saving the world and protecting human history at a young age."

"That's true…"

Roya nodded.

The legendary hero Emiya, sung by thousands, had once been just an ordinary boy.

Ordinary?

A thought struck Roya, and she instinctively asked, "Your Majesty, would you like to come to my home and try some ordinary home-cooked food?"

As King Arthur, she had always lived high above, raised in noble halls.

Even after coming to China, she had stayed in the luxurious Fuyuki Grand Hotel, never experiencing the life of an ordinary person.

Most importantly, this would give that shut-in at home a chance to meet her.

This was King Arthur—someone countless people dreamed of meeting!

Killing Two Birds with One Stone!

"An ordinary household?"

Artoria hesitated slightly.

Given her special status, she naturally couldn't just casually visit someone else's home.

She shook her head. "Never mind, it's better not to go."

"Oh, what a shame."

Roya clicked her tongue.

She had originally planned to give her shut-in housemate the surprise of a lifetime, but it seemed her plan had failed.

If she really brought King Arthur home, he would undoubtedly be ecstatic and would want to reward her generously!

The other party suddenly asked, "Do you have someone you like?"

"Y-yes, I do!"

A blush spread across Roya's small face.

Discussing this topic in front of such a domineering queen made her a little shy.

After all, she was just an adorable little angel.

Artoria's voice was soft. "When you like someone, you want to possess everything about them, to be together forever."

"Mhm, that's exactly right! You can't allow anyone else to share them!"

Roya nodded in agreement.

Liking someone naturally meant wanting to monopolize them entirely—sharing was out of the question.

This made her feel a little sorry for the other woman.

Falling for someone as extraordinary as the great hero Nameless meant facing a terrifying number of rivals.

"Yes, I don't want to share, not even with the closest of kin."

Artoria sighed. "I owe that person far too much. Wanting to possess them alone feels like nothing but a delusion."

When she pulled the sword from the stone, he had advised her time and again.

During the battle at the Hill of Swords, she had accidentally wounded him.

And in the Singularity, she had arrogantly tried to kill him.

She wanted to make it up to him—to abandon the throne entirely, pass it to Mordred, and offer herself as well. Yet China had rejected her without hesitation.

"You can definitely do it!" Roya hurriedly encouraged her.

The flames of gossip in her heart were burning wildly, completely dispelling the winter chill.

Fight! Fight!

She loved watching women fight the most!

"Yes, thank you."

Artoria's mood improved considerably. "You should hurry home. That person must be waiting for you."

"Mhm, mhm! See you later~"

Suppressing her excitement, Roya waved goodbye.

She skipped away cheerfully, feeling as if she were floating on air.

After she left, Artoria's gaze followed the little one all the way until she entered a residential building.

A light was on in one of the apartments.

She could clearly see two figures standing on the balcony.

Beside the boy Souma, who lived with Roya, was a tall, slender figure.

Their behavior was rather peculiar.

The boy, who looked like an ordinary high schooler, carried himself with the maturity of someone who had seen the vicissitudes of life.

Meanwhile, the tall, beautiful adult beside him bent slightly, wearing a gentle expression as if allowing him to pat his head.

But when Artoria looked at him, it was as if she were seeing a divine dragon soaring through the heavens—overwhelmingly majestic and authoritative!

Artoria stood frozen in place, letting the snowflakes fall upon her. "So... you really did find him, after all."

***

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