Chapter 46: 46 Hand in Hand
"What place are you taking me to?"
After letting Roy lead her for a while, Artoria couldn't help but ask.
Since the effect of the eye scales hadn't worn off, she had no idea where they were going.
"It's a place you'll like, and it's not far from here. We'll be there in a few minutes."
"Okay."
Artoria nodded, choosing to trust him.
It's normal for the defeated to follow the victor's lead, and she sensed no malice from Roy.
If he wanted to kill her, the best opportunity would have been earlier when she dropped her sword; there was no need for unnecessary actions.
Indeed, as Roy said, the distance they walked wasn't long; it took about five minutes to arrive at a shop with two red lanterns hanging from the eaves.
"Is this a diner?"
Though she couldn't see yet, the enticing aroma wafting from inside led Artoria to guess what Roy's good place was.
"That's right; it's a diner that only opens late at night. The owner is quite skilled; I used to come here often when I was working late."
"Alright, let's go in. If there's anything to discuss, we can talk while we eat. Miss Artoria, you haven't had a chance to enjoy modern cuisine since being summoned, right?"
With that, Roy took her hand and led her into the diner.
Inside, the middle-aged owner, dressed in a clean work uniform, was meticulously wiping down the counter, while drinks in the cooler were neatly arranged on the bar.
Though it was already late at night, it was just the beginning for him; soon, he would welcome the guests arriving throughout the night.
Look, they're already here.
As the door swung open, the wind chime jingled softly, and a couple entered.
"Welcome, you two."
"Hey, isn't that Roy-san? I haven't seen you in a while." The owner greeted, smiling at the familiar face but was slightly surprised to see Artoria beside him.
Seeing Roy holding Artoria's hand, the owner suddenly understood everything, a smile of recognition lighting up his face.
"Well, kid, no wonder we haven't seen each other in so long. Looks like you found yourself a girlfriend. Been spending time with her lately?"
"It's not that kind of relationship; we're just friends..." Roy chuckled awkwardly, waving his hand to clarify.
"She has some trouble with her eyesight, so I'm just acting as her cane for a bit."
"...Hmm, such a beautiful girl; what a pity."
Noticing Artoria's grayish-white eyes, the owner couldn't help but express his regret. He then pushed the menu in front of Roy and asked, "What would you like to eat? Same old, same old?"
"I'll have my usual. As for Saber, just get her the same set meal as mine."
"Is that alright with you, Saber?"
Roy asked while pulling out a chair for her.
"That's fine." Artoria nodded.
Hmm... Saber? What a strange name. Do foreign girls have such odd names?
The owner felt a bit surprised but didn't say anything, as discussing someone's name in front of them was quite rude.
"Two orders of eel rice, fried fish rice, along with two bowls of oden and two bottles of beer, right?"
"Exactly."
"Alright, I'll get that right away."
The owner nodded and headed into the kitchen to begin his busy night.
"What exactly is your purpose in bringing me to a place like this?"
After hesitating for a moment, Artoria finally asked the question she most wanted to know.
"What do you mean?"
"Is it really just to eat..."
"What else would you do in a restaurant besides eat? Relax, we're just here to grab a bite. I don't have the physique of you Servants; my stamina is limited. After fighting with you for so long, I'm starving." Roy chuckled as he began to unwrap the plates.
"There's a small place open late at night, and since we need to talk, it makes sense to eat and chat here, right? After all, there's a saying... hunger is a great enemy."
Though she couldn't see his expression, Artoria could still hear the sincerity beneath his half-joking tone.
So he really just wants to eat and talk?
"Here comes the food."
Soon, two steaming plates of eel rice were brought to their table, along with hot oden and a complimentary bowl of miso soup from the owner, all of which smelled delicious.
Though she couldn't see, the enticing aroma made Artoria instinctively lick her lips.
"Enjoy your meal."
"Thank you."
Roy thanked the owner and then raised his right hand, waving it slightly in front of him.
"You go on with your work; forget about what we're going to discuss next, okay?"
"Got it." The owner nodded and nonchalantly returned to the kitchen.
"Alright, Miss Artoria, now we can eat and talk..."
Looking at the empty plate in front of Artoria, Roy sighed, hesitated for a moment, and then pushed his food toward her.
"Eat up."
"Thank you..."
Artoria pursed her lips and lowered her head to eat.
Unbeknownst to her, she had just eaten Roy's portion.
After she finished, Roy decided it was time to get to the point.
"Okay, let's continue our previous discussion. The first question is..."
"What kind of demise can you accept? Are you simply unwilling to accept death by internal strife? Or is there a more specific way you envision your demise?"
"Demise..." Upon hearing this question from Roy, Artoria showed a troubled expression.
Compared to the rebellion instigated by Mordred, she undoubtedly hoped for a much gentler exit.
She envisioned a calm end, like falling into eternal sleep, a quiet departure without madness or resentment, in a way that everyone could accept.
But to specify a more concrete method of demise?
This question was too abstract; a normal person wouldn't typically contemplate how they should die.
"So, you haven't considered this at all..."
"How could a king ponder how their nation should meet its end?"
"Indeed, no king would consider how their demise would be deemed correct." Roy paused, beginning to understand her perspective.
"But have you thought about it? Perhaps Mordred's approach is already considered gentle. At least she left you with a thought, a hope that is very gentle for you..."
*Crack*
A crisp sound echoed in her ear as Roy turned to see that the wine glass in Artoria's hand had been crushed into pieces. The magical energy around her began to surge with her anger, creating a gust that scattered the nearby stools.
"Nonsense!"
Artoria's eyes widened.
"I absolutely will not acknowledge such an absurd way of demise!"
"But why don't you acknowledge it? Even if you don't agree, there should be a reason, right? Merely subjective rejection isn't valid; is it simply because it isn't as gentle as you expected?"
Roy remained unbothered by her agitation, gently pressing down on her shoulder. "Let's change our perspective, Is what you expect really gentle?"
"What do you mean?"
"Relax; I'm not trying to lecture you with meaningless words. Ultimately, the truth needs to be contemplated by yourself."
Roy stood up and leaned in closer to Artoria.
"Is the future you envision one where Lancelot and Mordred didn't incite rebellion, where the Battle of Camlann never occurred, where your sister Morgan never opposed you, where Vortigern met its demise, where Romans and Saxons did not invade, and where the Knights of the Round Table and various lords remained united in love in Britain?"
"Yes... What I desire is a united and prosperous Britain..."
Artoria gritted her teeth. "A place where everyone coexists, where the king and the people silently welcome the end together with Britain."
"Well, I can guess that; it truly is a gentle way to die, where everyone can accept death and achieve a good ending."
Hearing this, Roy's lips curled into a slight smile. "But do you think this is really realistic? Are your people and knights as noble as you, able to calmly accept death? Have you thought about this important question?"
Roy's merciless questions shattered Artoria's defenses.
"You, who once ruled as a king, should understand that humanity has inherent flaws; even as their king, you cannot bind their choices."
"No, that's impossible... They... won't, my knights and people... they will accept..."
Artoria's gaze began to falter, colors resurfacing in her pale eyes as she started to question this issue within herself.
"Will they truly accept it?"
The answer was already clear.
"Hey, Artoria, have you thought about it? A knight's order where half of the knights would betray their king upon Mordred's persuasion, combined with citizens who would rise in rebellion merely due to incitement... what wouldn't they do?"
"So, humanity is the most complex thing, isn't it? The reason that heroic king is so vile is largely because he has long seen through humanity."
Roy's unrelenting words fell like the last straw, causing Artoria's momentum to deflate. Her pale eyes began to waver.
"See, think carefully, even during the latter part of your reign, when the national strength was declining but not yet on the brink of extinction, they were able to betray you. Now consider, if it truly reached the end, what kind of social environment would that be?"
"Would land be unable to produce grain? Would citizens stay in Britain while unable to guarantee their basic needs? Even ants strive to survive; how could humans not? Making everyone accept death has always been impossible."
"At that time, would the citizens flee, or would there be widespread rebellion? Would there even be... cannibalism? You should be able to foresee that..."
"Don't... say anymore!" Artoria began to retreat, her body trembling uncontrollably.
"Nothing is impossible. The gentle demise you speak of, the natural death now seems to be the cruelest death."
"To be powerless and await the arrival of death in despair... such waiting is a torture comparable to hell, with Britain ultimately littered with corpses and extinguished hopes. Compared to that, Mordred's swift actions are truly angelic."
"No... it won't be... that... is absolutely impossible..."
Artoria's gaze became hollow.
Thinking of the future described by Roy, her heart began to tremble. That desperate future was entirely possible.
The tranquility she pursued... was it actually hell?
Then what were all her resentments and struggles for until now?
"See? I've said it all. What you pursue may not be the correct path, and what you deny may not necessarily be wrong."
He had also discussed how Britain would meet its end with Merlin in dreams for a long time. In the end, through their endless deductions, they found that Mordred's actions were surprisingly the optimal solution.
This bear child had inadvertently struck the mark; though her rebellion was tragic, it was indeed the quickest resolution. Rather than letting everyone wait to die in place, swiftly cutting their throats was indeed a form of mercy.
So, lies don't hurt; the truth is the sharp blade.
And the knife at hand had completely shattered Artoria's spirit.
"But… I…" Artoria clenched her fists.
"Saber, let go of the Holy Grail, abandon this doomed ending. You've already done your best; it's time to learn to let go." Roy pushed a glass of beer in front of her.
"What are you saying… to give up…" Artoria's face was filled with reluctance. "The Holy Grail? How is that possible…"
"But you have no wishes left to fulfill, do you? Even if you really went back to the past, how would you change this outcome? It would only make things worse, wouldn't it?"
"Please look into my eyes, Miss Artoria. You can see it, right?"
Roy suddenly leaned in closer to her face, seriously gazing into her green eyes, which had regained their color. However, Artoria's gaze began to drift away as she instinctively wanted to retreat.
"Even after understanding everything, you still insist on going back to the past? Are you willing to witness your country and people fall into a more brutal hell again? King of Knights, you are the real demon."
"I…"
Artoria's face showed signs of struggle.
"...I don't know."
"Since you don't know what to do." Roy smiled, "Would you like to hear someone else's opinion?"
"Your opinion?"
"No, it's not mine. My role in guiding you has pretty much reached its limit."
Roy shook his head and gently touched her forehead with his fingertip.
"What you have to face is them…"
As soon as the words fell, a strange magical power flowed from his fingertip, and the scenery before Artoria began to shift. The narrow shop instantly transformed into a sea of flowers.
"Where is this?"
In an instant, she realized she was in the midst of a flower field.
The faint fragrance of flowers and the warmth of the sun surrounded her.
"Hi, Artoria, long time no see."
A familiar voice came from behind her.
That flippant tone belonged to Merlin.
"Merlin?"
Artoria turned to look and slowly widened her eyes...
She saw many familiar knights in armor waving at her.
Bedivere, Agravain, Lancelot, Gawain, Tristan, Gareth, and other familiar Knights of the Round Table were all here, even Mordred.
"Forgive me, my king, for causing you such worry."
Gawain...
"My king, as knights, it is our failure to make you feel this way."
Agravain...
"I'm sorry, my king, for saying such rebellious things…"
Tristan...
"King, I am guilty. All these tragedies are my fault, so please punish me!"
Lancelot...
And, Mordred reluctantly stepped in front of Artoria and knelt down. "I'm sorry, father."
"Mordred, you…"
In the next moment, all the knights present knelt before her, clearing a path.
"What is all this?"
"This is Merlin's doing. These Knights of the Round Table are all manifestations of your subordinates' memories, and now your consciousness has entered the dream realm."
"Manifestations of memories?"
Unfamiliar with magecraft, Artoria did not understand this concept.
"Well, let me explain this to Artoria." Merlin suddenly jumped in.
"After your death, I went to the Land of Shadow to find their souls, recorded the last words they wanted to say to you with illusion magecraft, and preserved them in a projection."
"So… hurry up, Saber. The duration of Merlin's illusion is limited. You should still have a lot to say to the Knights of the Round Table, so it's better to leave other matters for later."
At this point, Roy's figure began to gradually dissipate.
"But please remember, Artoria, the final choice is ultimately yours. Therefore, I hope you won't leave more regrets on this sad wish…"
"Think carefully and make the right decision in the end. This is not only for your sake but also for everyone's."
With that, Roy's figure completely disappeared.
"I've said what I needed to. I hope you take care of yourself."
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