In this crossover anime, Yoshikage Kira longs for a peaceful life.

For example, if she were to assassinate the king of the enemy country during a battle, everyone would suspect her.

Therefore, every action must be timed precisely so that no one can find any fault with it...

"wrong!"

Artoria patted her cheeks to calm herself down.

If she continues to indulge in using schemes and tricks, wouldn't she become a dark person?

That's not like a knight at all!

Don't fall in love! Absolutely don't fall in love!

Even if she protects Yoshikage Kira this time, it doesn't mean she'll habitually use this method to solve problems!

Really.

Can't we have a little more faith in her?

Ultimately, it was probably because they were worried that she wouldn't be able to handle the situation that they took matters into their own hands.

I am clearly the king!

Why do you still treat me like a child?

Artoria puffed out her cheeks slightly to express her dissatisfaction.

"What do you think?" Kira Yoshikage seemed oblivious to her dissatisfaction, which only fueled Artoria's resentment.

"No!"

Artoria flatly refused, but her inner thoughts were quite different—

Perhaps she could indeed establish a knightly order, and if she really wanted to form an inner circle, she would have suitable candidates in mind.

Without a doubt, Yoshikage Kira is one of them.

But one can imagine that the other knights would find it very difficult to accept such a thing.

Whether it's Gao Wenqing, Kai, or Bedivere, they would all vehemently oppose the existence of the Inner Ring once they learned of it.

Therefore, this matter must be kept secret from them.

Even if the inner ring cannot become a reality, this discussion must not be leaked, otherwise it will inevitably create an irreparable rift between Yoshikage Kira and the other knights.

Fortunately, only she and Yoshikage Kira knew about this, and neither of them would voluntarily reveal it to anyone else. Merlin might find out, but given the magician's personality, even if she knew, she would definitely not object; she would only applaud it.

"Then let's forget about it."

Seeing that Artoria had rejected him, Yoshikage Kira did not press the matter.

You have to eat one bite at a time, and you have to go step by step.

Artoria's refusal to establish the inner ring does not mean that the inner ring does not exist.

In any case, in his vision, the inner ring was an organization that never existed.

Since it's an organization that doesn't exist, it's reasonable that it can't gain the king's approval, right?

Since they can't gain the king's approval, it's reasonable to secretly do some unreasonable things behind his back, right?

However...

Although it's said that it won't be accepted, Artoria isn't stupid, and she'll definitely be able to find some clues.

But even if she were discovered, Artoria wouldn't investigate.

Although she believed that Yoshikage Kira could do it without leaving any trace, what if he accidentally discovered something?

Knowing that something is wrong but failing to investigate it is, in itself, a form of indulgence and support.

So, you see.

Wang was simply too young and naive to understand the wickedness of the world, nor did she comprehend the true purpose behind Kira Yoshikage's suggestion of the Inner Ring—from the moment she learned of the Inner Ring, whether she admitted it or firmly denied it, she was essentially tacitly approving it.

Chapter 253 Are you sure you're traveling?

One morning, the king of Camelot secretly left the town without telling anyone.

She received a revelation from the nightmare demon in her dream that the magician was already waiting for her at the destination.

If all goes well, she can obtain the new holy sword before anyone else discovers it and return to London before sunset.

This was supposed to be a fairly easy journey, since the magician had already made an agreement with the fairy that she could obtain the Holy Sword if she went to the Fairy Lake herself.

But perhaps it was out of personal motives.

The queen chose to bring a guard with her, but since the guard couldn't ride a horse, he could only share a ride with her.

"Hmm~"

Artoria gazed at the endless grasslands on the horizon and murmured softly:

"This should be our second trip, right?"

"It should be."

Yoshikage Kira nodded. If the last time he went to kill Count Walker counted, this was indeed the second time.

"It's not really a trip."

Artoria muttered to herself, "Every trip is always purposeful; it can hardly be called relaxing, can it?"

Some say that life is a long journey, and what matters is not the destination, but the scenery and insights along the way.

"is that so?"

Artoria paused slightly, then subconsciously began to think.

Although it feels a bit strange, it sounds quite philosophical.

Artoria said seriously:

"Although I don't quite understand it yet, I will try to comprehend it..."

"Actually, there's no need to take it to heart."

Yoshikage Kira casually remarked, "Because some people say that life is a journey, and what matters is not the scenery along the way, but the person who accompanies you to see the scenery."

"Huh?"

Artoria blinked, then her cheeks flushed slightly.

Is this implying something?

But this seems to make more sense!

Even if the scenery along the way is beautiful, wouldn't you be in no mood to appreciate it if you were traveling alone?

If she needed someone to travel with her and witness the scenery along the way, Artoria could only think of a handful of people.

She would rather travel with Brother Kay than with Sir Hector.

Because Sir Hector was too serious, although she wasn't complaining, she didn't slack off in her training.

But if it were to travel together, Sir Hector would clearly not be the right person.

In contrast, although Kai has a sharp tongue, people who don't know him might find him difficult to get along with.

But in reality, Brother Kai was far more adept at understanding human relationships than any of her knights.

Traveling with him would probably avoid a lot of trouble.

But if only one person could accompany her on her journey, Artoria would rather travel with Vivian than with Kai.

Before she became queen, almost every time Vivian taught, she would drag her on a trip. With the aid of magic, the horse could run very fast, reaching faraway places to see beautiful scenery she had never seen before. That period was also a time of great joy for Artoria.

One of the few relaxing times in her life, even now, when she thinks back on it, Artoria feels that that time was very happy.

Vivian never treated her like a man, but rather cared for her like a younger sister, buying her beautiful dresses that suited women, instead of the thin, patched blouses she wore because she was too frugal.

Although she never had the chance to wear those dresses, Artoria treasured them as precious gifts.

Even so, if Artoria could only choose one person to travel with, she would not choose Vivian.

Although she enjoyed her time with Vivian, Ertoria still felt something was missing, though she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was. But she knew exactly what she would choose as a travel companion to enjoy the scenery along the way.

Just like it is now.

Although she couldn't quite put her finger on what was so great about traveling with Yoshikage Kira, she always felt inexplicably at ease whenever she was by his side.

If I had to describe it, it would probably be similar to Merlin's teachings—

Although Merlin was rarely seen using magic, it is impossible to know whether she was qualified as a magician.

But Merlin's talent in creating and nurturing kings has always been convincing; otherwise, King Uther and Sir Ector would not have trusted Merlin to mold her.

Perhaps the description isn't quite accurate, but Artoria thinks that Kira Yoshikage is probably similar.

Even if they don't say anything to each other, Artoria will still feel a strong sense of joy without realizing it.

"This should be the place, right?"

The horse galloped across the plains, and Artoria finally saw the lush forest in the distance. Comparing it with the scene in her dream, she quickly came to a conclusion:

This was the forest that Merlin had shown her.

In the center of the forest, there is a lake where fairies from paradise live.

The holy sword that Merlin sought for her was also in that lake, guarded by fairies.

Artoria tied her horse to a large tree on the outskirts of the forest, and together with Yoshikage Kira, they walked along the forest path through the dense, lush green forest.

At the end of the road lies a dreamlike and beautiful lake.

The shimmering lake surface sparkled under the sunlight, like a giant gem embedded in the forest.

The large trees by the lake are lush and leafy, casting dappled shadows, and the clear chirping of birds can be heard from time to time.

There is a colorful sea of ​​flowers dotting the lakeside, emitting a faint fragrance.

"My king, you have finally come."

A succubus girl with cascading silver hair stood among the flowers, offering Artoria a faint smile as she gracefully plucked a vibrant bloom. It seemed to be an invitation.

Artoria, however, did not immediately step forward; instead, she seemed to experience a strange and inexplicable emotion—

Something's not right, something's very wrong!