Era of Heroic Spirits: I Was Exposed by Alaya

"Unnecessary."

Artoria flatly refused.

As a king, she naturally had to consider her people.

This trip to Japan wasn't just about searching for Nameless.

She had come with full sincerity, hoping to sign massive trade deals with Japan.

If the goverment nodded in agreement, Britain's livelihood crisis could be resolved in an instant!

Artoria snorted. "Meanwhile, your own country is riddled with endless protests. Do you really think you can dominate all of Europe?"

The two were locked in a battle of wills, neither yielding an inch.

Trapped between them, Souma wished he could vanish into the ground.

Damn, was the kid's dazed expression caused by these two hostile figures?

Then—

Jeanne suddenly looked at him with interest. "The Fuyuki Magecraft Academy—was it your Emperor's idea, or Nameless'?"

"Huh? Of course, it was the Emperor's idea."

Souma gave her a puzzled look.

"Back then, Nameless once said he wanted to create a world where everyone could become strong, where everyone had the opportunity to grow."

Jeanne's silver hair fluttered slightly, her golden eyes filled with reminiscence.

"Sorry, I don't know."

Souma shook his head without hesitation.

In his most chuunibyou phase, he had indeed dreamed of such a thing—

Allowing everyone to learn magecraft, pushing humanity toward a new evolution.

After he reset the world—

The world overflowed with boundless magical energy, and everyone could study magecraft without hiding.

As if the Age of Gods had returned!

Could it be—

That this was his subconscious wish, granted by the Holy Grail after he sacrificed everything in the final battle?

Or was it the Emperor, vaguely recalling their conversation, fulfilling his wish for him?

The two Heroic Spirits said nothing more and began walking back toward the plaza where the others gathered.

As they left—

Jeanne suddenly looked at him, sighing faintly. "On the pyre, Nameless reached out to me. I took his hand, thinking I had grasped the whole world."

There was no reason—she simply wanted to confide in the boy before her.

"You…"

Souma found her words unbearably heavy, unsure how to respond.

"But then I realized—he was merely passing through my world, leaving no trace behind."

Jeanne watched from afar as King Arthur walked toward Mordred's silhouette.

The usually domineering and imperious Emperor of France let out a soft sigh. "That person left her with a child, making me so jealous I could kill!"

Her expression remained calm, golden eyes fixed intently on Mordred.

Yet, her peerlessly charming face was filled with unmistakable sorrow.

"..."

Souma was at a complete loss for words.

He had merely been used as a tool by Alaya, traversing all of human history while carefully avoiding overly intimate relationships with any Heroic Spirits.

As for Mordred... she was purely an accident.

A pitiful pawn used by Morgan.

Feeling sympathy for her, Souma had taken her under his wing from a young age, raising and teaching her.

But man proposes, God disposes.

Despite being the Nameless Heroic Spirit who safeguarded human history, he had still formed deep bonds with all of them.

This was all Alaya's fault!

For some reason, Jeanne d'Arc reached out and patted the top of his head, wearing a "kind" smile as she said, "I see a trace of Nameless in you, which is why I couldn't help but share these thoughts."

"Don't tell anyone, alright? Otherwise... you know what will happen."

Her golden eyes radiated undisguised pressure, brimming with the lofty authority of the Emperor of France.

The unspoken threat was clear: disagree, and she would end him on the spot.

"Y-Yes! My lips are sealed! I won't tell a soul!"

Cold sweat poured down Souma's forehead.

At her first words, he had thought she had uncovered his identity, nearly sending him into a panic.

But it turned out she was just threatening him to keep her embarrassing confession a secret.

Truly the Dark Saint.

Terrifying!

Souma casually glanced around, pretending to admire the scenery.

He couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

Having walked through all of human history, battling Heroic Spirits, gods, and even the Evils of Humanity, he could easily detect any form of surveillance.

Unfortunately, with less than one percent of his power remaining, he couldn't pinpoint the source.

But he could guess with his eyes closed—

Is that you watching me, Merlin?

That bastard son of an incubus was definitely lurking somewhere, using his Clairvoyance to monitor the surroundings.

King of Magecraft Solomon's Clairvoyance saw the past.

King of Heroes Gilgamesh's Clairvoyance saw the future.

But Merlin could only see the present—effectively using it as a telescope to spy on the entire world.

An incurable, horrifying peeping tom!

The oldest NEET in history!

...

Later.

After the Heroic Spirits toured the campus, they would offer guidance and gifts to the students, showcasing their magnanimity.

Jeanne d'Arc unceremoniously pulled out a magical gemstone, flaunting her wealth without hesitation.

Then, with a hint of provocation, she glanced at King Arthur beside her.

She wanted to see what the other could offer.

"Praise Your Majesty!"

Souma eagerly accepted the gemstone.

This gem was worth at least hundreds of thousands.

And since it was personally gifted by the Emperor of France, its value could skyrocket to millions.

An absolute windfall!

Under his expectant gaze, Artoria smiled faintly. "Souma, as the King of Knights, I do not deal in such vulgar offerings."

...But I need vulgar offerings, Lily!

Souma screamed internally.

He was desperately short on cash, still owing the King of Heroes a whopping 105 million!

Please, drown me in money!

Alas.

The perfect King of Knights didn't produce any gemstones or gifts.

Instead, under the watchful eyes of both Souma and Jeanne, she drew Excalibur with a smile.

"How would you like to become an honorary apprentice knight?"

"Eh???"

Souma was instantly startled all over.

Had his identity been discovered?

Where exactly had he slipped up?

Jeanne d'Arc was also looking at him strangely.

This was the King of Knights who commanded the Round Table.

Ordinary people weren't even qualified to receive the so-called knighthood ceremony!

Under the astonished gazes of both.

The ceremony officially began, with the youth kneeling on one knee before her.

Artoria drew her sword and pointed it at the heavens, not unleashing anything, merely stating calmly, "In the name of Artoria, I grant you the qualification of a squire!"

Then.

She removed the white gloves she had never taken off before and extended her hand to the youth with a smile.

"..."

Souma froze slightly, feeling his heart racing wildly.

Had he been discovered?

He could clearly sense Jeanne d'Arc's intense stare beside him.

His mind was in turmoil, barely able to believe it.

Lily, why have you suddenly become so mischievous, insisting on doing this right in front of Jeanne?

Beside him, Jeanne d'Arc stood dumbfounded, suddenly unable to comprehend the other's actions.

Why did this squire knighting ceremony suddenly feel like a marriage proposal on bended knee?

***

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