Chapter 48: Chapter 48. If Possible, Let’s Pretend It Never Happened
Chapter 48. If Possible, Let's Pretend It Never Happened
"Can you still walk?"
"Yes, I can."
No matter how tough her words were, she couldn't keep her weak legs from collapsing.
Right after trying to appear strong in front of Ian, Artorius almost fell.
Fortunately, Ian was quick, catching her with one hand.
"Ha, Artorius, is this what you call being able to go? An eighty-year-old man might stand better than you."
"..."
Artorius lowered her head.
"I'm sorry, Sir Ian, I can't go any further."
"I know."
Ian couldn't forget the image of Artorius trying to walk.
Her long blonde hair flowed like waves.
"If you had said something earlier, that would have been better."
[You pick Artorius up.]
[You carry her towards the horse.]
[You and she both ride the horse.]
To be honest, Ian was filled with a strong sense of failure at this moment.
He really wanted to kill the weak Artorius in front of him, but he couldn't take another step because the powerful Magecraft was protecting her.
He didn't care about her frail body, but he couldn't deny the effort she had put in, never stopping.
He had always considered himself someone who could be ruthless to all women except Morgan.
But now, it seemed, that wasn't the case.
After returning, explaining things to Morgan wouldn't be easy.
"Sir Ian."
"What is it?"
"Nothing." Artorius sat in front, head lowered, looking a little worried.
"You've been silent for so long… I thought you were angry."
"Angry? Why would I be angry?"
"I… in the end, I still can't accept what Sir Ian said." Artorius' voice was still very soft.
"I'm sorry that I couldn't become the person you wanted to meet."
"The person I wanted to meet?"
Ian gave a bitter laugh.
He wasn't interested in her becoming the person he wanted to meet; if anything, death might be a better option.
Of course.
These words could never be spoken aloud.
After confirming that he couldn't break the Magecraft, Ian knew that he could only continue to maintain the pretense with Artorius.
"Artorius, your thinking is wrong."
"Who you should become is not for me to decide, it's up to you."
"You have the right to go North, and you have the freedom to go South—all of this is allowed in Britannia."
"Then—"
Artorius looked up.
"Sir Ian, do I also have the right to ask you to take me for a walk?"
"I don't want to go back to the village."
"..."
He had been tricked.
This girl still had a bit of cunning.
"…Where do you want to go?" Ian asked.
"Anywhere." Artorius touched Ian's hand, and this time, she was clearly much bolder.
"Sir Ian, as long as I have you, that's enough."
[You don't answer Artorius' words and pull your hand away.]
[But you truly follow her request and turn off the road.]
[The sound of hooves gradually fades away from the village.]
[If Kay were here, he would definitely be furious at how forward Artorius was.]
[You stop at a hill where a large area can be seen around you.]
[The breeze blowing makes you feel a little more comfortable.]
"Sir Ian." Artorius looks at the land in front, her beautiful green eyes shining even brighter.
"Britannia is so beautiful."
"That's why so many knights are willing to sacrifice their lives to protect it, right?"
Ian nodded.
"Artorius, you're right."
"Then Sir Ian, is the situation at the front line really bad?" Artorius looked towards the village.
"Have many knights fled? Is the enemy stronger than we thought?"
"..."
Ian truly didn't know how to answer this question.
After all, he had faced Vortigern—his opponent not only anticipated every move but also counterattacked quickly and powerfully.
But he couldn't speak of such negativity.
"Artorius, although the enemy is indeed very strong, I believe we will eventually win."
"Really?"
Artorius smiled, her hair flowing down, looking beautiful and charming at this age.
"Sir Ian, if you say that, then I can rest assured."
"Really? Well, that's good."
"Ah, Sir Ian, I have a question."
"Hmm, go ahead."
"It's—"
Artorius lowered her head.
"Just now, did my actions make you dislike me?"
"Dislike?"
"Yes." Artorius nodded. "Was my way of doing things a bit too reckless?"
"Not asking for permission and—"
Artorius raised one finger, then gently curled it.
"Just doing things according to my own will."
"Well then, Artorius, what do you think?" Ian countered.
"I don't know." Artorius shook her head. "That's why I want to ask how Sir Ian feels!"
"Artorius, you're really straightforward."
"But isn't this the most effective way to communicate?"
"Sometimes, though, we need to be a little more tactful."
Ian sighed.
He really wanted to know why Artorius had turned out like this—even though now, he really wanted to kill her.
"Artorius, since you asked, my answer is that it's not very good."
"Is that really the case?"
[You notice that Artorius doesn't seem upset by your words.]
[On the contrary, she seems to want to say something.]
[You realize this.]
"Artorius, if you have something else to say, then go ahead."
"Well—" Knowing Ian didn't like long-windedness, Artorius quickly spoke again.
"Sir Ian."
"I have a thought."
"How about this time… let's pretend it never happened?"
"Pretend it never happened?"
"Right!"
Artorius turned her head.
"If Sir Ian thinks it's not good, I think so too."
"Then let's treat this time as if it never happened."
"Wait for a better opportunity in the future… and we can start over from the beginning! Maybe by then, I'll be able to admit the identity Sir Ian mentioned!"
"Sir Ian, you could also change your perspective on this!"
[You don't respond to Artorius.]
[However, you clearly know that what she said benefits you—at least you don't have to worry about Artorius telling Kay about this.]
[You silently agree.]
[However, you don't know that.]
[Your agreement has planted a small seed in Artorius' heart.]
[And one day, that seed will eventually grow into a tree full of thorns.]