Fate: I Will Eventually Become the Hero of Justice II

Chapter 228

"I've been summoned back by the king? I understand. I'll leave immediately."

"Gawain, I'm leaving these matters to you. The king has given orders that the captured Saxons can be integrated into the army in small numbers, while the others should be enslaved. It's your responsibility to keep an eye on them, and if any attempt to rebel, they should be killed!"

"Understood, Sir Artoria."

"Please don't address me as 'Sir.' I am just an apprentice knight serving the king, and I don't yet deserve such a title. In any case, I'll leave these matters in your capable hands, Sir Gawain, Sir Lamorak, and Sir Lancelot. I must be on my way as the king has summoned me."

Upon hearing the king's call, Artoria swiftly relinquished her authority, mounted her horse, and departed with Excalibur in hand. Witnessing this, Gawain and the others were deeply moved.

Although Artoria may not have been aware of it, her face bore a genuine smile from the heart.

"Sir Artoria, you always execute the king's commands with such remarkable efficiency," Gawain expressed, unable to articulate his emotions beyond this single statement.

Urging her horse towards Cornwall, Artoria felt a surge of excitement and indescribable emotion within her, compelling her to hasten to the king's side and help shoulder his burdens.

For Artoria, this feeling was the very embodiment of loyalty—a knight's unwavering devotion to their king.

She viewed the king as wise, with a deep understanding of human nature, and an unparalleled ability to bring happiness to his people. To Artoria, he was the ideal king she had always sought.

At least, that was how Artoria perceived it.

For two long years, she had watched as the king worked tirelessly to impart his wisdom and lift the kingdom from the depths of despair, one step at a time.

To Artoria, he was the embodiment of the perfect king and the very embodiment of her sworn loyalty.

In the presence of the king's unparalleled wisdom and strength, she couldn't help but feel small.

The king was like a mighty tree, providing shelter from the scorching sun and allowing them to rest in its cooling shade.

With the king holding up the collapsing sky, Artoria felt no fear of danger.

She knew that as long as she remained by his side, all worries would vanish. The wise king had a solution for every problem.

However, as soon as the king promised to return her to the throne, she knew deep down that it was all just a beautiful but fleeting dream. After all, dreams eventually come to an end, and the king must eventually depart.

But this particular dream was cruelly short-lived, lasting only two and a half years before it was over. According to the agreement between the king and Merlin, he was to serve as a proxy ruler until Vortigern was defeated and Merlin could guide him back home.

At that moment, she couldn't quite put a name to the jumble of emotions swirling within her. All she knew was that she felt content as long as she remained by the king's side, attending to his every word and executing his every command.

...

In the north, the defensive line had been fortified, but the relentless attacks by the monsters had taken a heavy toll. The battleground was littered with the corpses of both soldiers and beasts, and the air was thick with the stench of blood.

Despite the overwhelming odds, the soldiers behind the barricades refused to yield. With fierce roars, they fought with every last ounce of their strength.