The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

Page 586

Kiana.

"what?"

Kiana, who was accompanying Artoria to observe Fuyuki City from another high-rise building, turned around and asked with a faint smile.

"Having met for so long, can we be considered friends?"

Artoria asked this question.

"Friends? Are we friends?"

Kiana asked in surprise.

"If you don't dislike me, then maybe you do."

Altria said with a smile.

"So... what's your opinion on this kind of relationship?"

Kiana continued to ask, a smile on her face, but a hint of inquiry in her eyes.

"That kind of relationship?"

Hearing Kiana's question, Artoria asked in return with some curiosity, then pondered for a moment before answering:

"If you consider our relationship to be friendship, then it should be considered friendship, after all, we've been through thick and thin together, and our beliefs don't clash much. Shouldn't we be considered friends?"

"Is that so? I'm honored."

Kiana said softly.

"So...my friend, could you listen to some of my secrets?"

"Artoria asked."

"I'm all ears."

Kiana simply stated.

"Do you think I'm wrong? Since you know Lancelot's story, you should also know mine."

Artoria has her own understanding of what constitutes the "royal way."

Lead by example, guide the entire nation, and never tolerate evil and injustice.

This is the chivalry she upheld, which can also be called the way of the king.

However, in the final years of her life, she felt increasingly powerless and increasingly found human nature unfathomable.

In the end, after he perished in the Battle of Kamran, taking his own child with him.

She suddenly realized that she had never truly walked the path of righteousness, but rather a path filled with blood and corpses...

On the way of the king.

"If I hadn't drawn this sword, would everything have been different? Would ancient Britain have survived? Was I an incompetent king?"

Driven by self-doubt and introspection, Artoria embarks on a journey to seek the Holy Grail.

This time, she hopes to make amends for her mistakes.

She hoped she wouldn't draw the sword, so there would be no legend of King Arthur, and no destruction of ancient Britain.

Everything will return to normal, and I will be able to break free from the shackles of legend...

However, Kiana was unaware of the intricacies involved.

In her view, a person who completely denies their past behavior is like complaining about why they were born.

So when Artoria asked that question, her first thought was to ask a counter-question:

“That’s impossible, Saber.”

"But the Holy Grail can turn the impossible into the possible."

"Artoria said slowly."

"What I'm saying is, you can't stop the course of history."

Kiana slowly delivered a heavy blow to King Arthur.

"Even without you drawing the Sword of the Chosen and unifying Britain, this small change would have been nothing more than a ripple in the long river of history."

Because in the original history, Britain had already disappeared, which is why we have the human society we know today.

So whether someone draws their sword or not, it won't affect the final outcome.

Your ancient Britain will still perish, and as for the process of its demise... it is caused by people, and therefore, it is decided by people.

"..."

When Artoria first heard Kiana's statement, she instinctively wanted to refute it.

However, she couldn't find a reason to refute it, because the theory made perfect sense.

Since the outcome is already predetermined, any changes to the process are meaningless.

In that case, right and wrong seem to lose their meaning.

So, what is the purpose of my existence in this world?

For a moment, Artoria was in a daze.

However, after a brief moment of confusion, her gaze hardened again.

“A thought-provoking point, but the Judge... I must obtain the Holy Grail no matter what, because the suffering of Lancelot and the others must be ended by me!”

Faced with the choice between negating everything she tried and persisting on her path, Artoria chose the latter.

Kiana didn't have many thoughts about this choice.

After all, this was her wish, and it had nothing to do with her until it caused a huge impact.

"Ok?"

Suddenly, as if she had noticed something, Artoria switched from her spirit form to her heroic spirit form.

Because they were both Servants in this world, Kiana also noticed a Servant rushing by in the distance.

"Rider?"

As they watched Rider drive his carriage toward the Einzbern manor at dusk, Kiana and Artoria both sensed danger.

This Ruler is so fair! (F/Z): Chapter Twenty-Two: The Two-Faced Priest, Untrustworthy

Considering that there are no flying vehicles like this carriage in this world.

Kiana and Artoria both confirmed that this was indeed the Conqueror King.

This leads to a rather crucial question.

Why would this king appear here?

Surely they're not here for sightseeing, are they?

"That direction... we can't let it go unchecked."

Although Artoria, in reality, was somewhat dissatisfied with her Master, Kiritsugu Emiya.

But since she had agreed to the order, she would definitely carry it out well.

Excuse me!

After leaving those words, Artoria drew her sword and leaped down from the high building, then used her agility to run towards the mansion where Lady Irisviel was.

Kiana, of course, wouldn't let the match slip away right under her nose, so she immediately leaped into the air and caught up with Artoria.

---

At this moment, Mrs. Irisviel was standing by the window looking out, gazing at the distant sky.

He seemed to have something on his mind.

"Madam, why are you looking outside?"

Lady Irisviel's personal maid and bodyguard, Hisayu Maiya, walked in from outside, placed a plate of pastries on the table, and then asked Lady Irisviel, who was sitting at the table.

“I’m looking at the sky,” Mrs. Irisviel replied softly.

"What's so interesting about the sky?" Hisayu Maiya asked Mrs. Irisviel with a calm expression.

Mrs. Irisviel smiled but said nothing.

"Mrs. Phil seems to have something on her mind?" Hisayu Maiya continued.

"fine!"

Mrs. Irisviel shook her head, then instructed Hisayu Maiya, "I'm a little tired, I'll rest for a bit. You can tidy up the snacks and call me for dinner later."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Upon hearing this, Hisayu Maiya turned and left the room.

After Hisayu Maiya left, Mrs. Irisviel picked up a pastry from the table and began to eat it.

Just then, Hisayu Maiya suddenly rushed in from outside the door.

"Hiyuu Maiya, is something the matter?" Mrs. Irisviel asked while chewing the food in her mouth.

"Madam, someone is looking for you!"

"Someone's looking for me? Who is it?" Mrs. Irisviel asked curiously.

At this critical juncture, who will come to visit me?

Could it be Kiana?

"It's a man."

Hisayu Maiya answered, then pointed out the window.

"what?"