Simulator in Type-moon, Starting with becoming Morgan husband!

Chapter 74. Holy Spear, Maiden, Bitter Wine

[Much like Bedivere, Percival also seemed drawn here by admiration for King Arthur's reputation.]

[Upon his initial arrival, he nearly mistook you—taller and more imposing in stature—for King Arthur.]

[When he realized that Artoria by your side was the true King Arthur, he appeared quite surprised.]

[Nevertheless, Percival repeatedly apologized, eager to prove that it was an unintentional mistake.]

[Of course, Artoria didn't mind it much at all.]

[In fact, during the brief moment of mistaken identity, she almost seemed… pleased.]

[This moment of amusement granted Percival the chance to participate in an evaluation by the Knights of the Round Table.]

[Meanwhile, Gareth had something she wanted to share with you.]

"Father! Father!"

Gareth waved her hand energetically at Ian.

"Could you come over for a moment?"

"..."

Though unsure of Gareth's intentions, Ian walked toward her, following the request.

"Gareth, what is it?"

"Father, I want to ask you something~," Gareth said, blinking her large, sparkling eyes.

"Why did Mother tell me and Brother Gawain to watch you and the King?"

"..."

[Gareth's words made you realize that Morgan hadn't fully let go of her suspicions about you despite your prior explanations.]

[This could have been an unpleasant realization, yet somehow, you felt a rare sense of warmth—as though a long-darkened corner of your life had been illuminated by a ray of sunlight.]

[Even so, you knew this wasn't something Gareth should concern herself with.]

"It's nothing."

Ian smiled and gently patted Gareth's head.

"Your mother is simply worried about me."

"Just worried? Really?" Gareth didn't seem convinced by the explanation.

"Umu, just worried." Ian affirmed once more.

"Gareth, this isn't something you need to concern yourself with."

"Ehh—?! Father, why are you saying that too?!"

"Why am I saying that too?" Ian raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Yes!"

Gareth pointed toward Gawain, who stood nearby, listening intently to the conversation between the King and Percival.

"Brother Gawain said exactly the same thing as you!"

"..."

Ian glanced at Gawain, a complex smile forming on his face.

"Hmm——"

"Gareth, my daughter, that's why you must understand this isn't a matter for you or your brother to meddle in, right?"

"Ah... oh..." Gareth nodded, appearing to grasp the point, but then suddenly seemed to remember something important.

"Then, Father, you won't be in danger because of this, will you?!"

"How could that be?"

Ian gazed at Gareth with gentle eyes.

"As your father, I won't falter so easily."

"Ehehe~, hearing you say that makes me feel so much better."

"Father."

Gawain walked over.

"The King wants you to come over for a moment."

"Alright, I'll be there right away."

"Gareth, do you understand what I said earlier?"

"Umu!"

(t/n: I hope this precious girl doesn't get trampled by ntrlot in the future.)

After Ian left, Gawain turned to Gareth.

"Gareth, what were you talking about with Father just now?"

"Nothing much." Gareth kept her eyes on Ian's receding figure. "I just asked him why Mother told us to keep an eye on him and King Arthur!"

"You!"

Gawain looked as though he was about to lose his mind over his younger sister.

"How could you say something like that out loud? Are you a fool?"

"Wh-why does that make me a fool?" Gareth puffed out her cheeks, glaring at Gawain. "If there's a problem, then it makes sense to ask the people involved directly!"

"..."

"Aiya, this is bad." Gawain sighed deeply. "So, what did Father say?"

"He said it's just because Mother is worried about him," Gareth answered earnestly.

"Is that so?"

After hearing her response, Gawain's expression became complicated and difficult to read.

[You are unaware of the conversation between Gawain and Gareth.]

[You have arrived by Artoria's side.]

[Percival is still there.]

[Because of the earlier incident, he seems a bit uneasy when he sees you.]

[But with your warm demeanor, you quickly put him at ease, letting him know you weren't offended.]

[The atmosphere between you all becomes much more amicable.]

"Although it may sound a bit presumptuous,"

Percival looked earnestly at Ian and Artoria before him, his eyes filled with sincerity.

"King Arthur and Sir Ian, there is truly a certain quality about both of you that feels remarkably similar to me."

"May I ask, how did you achieve this?"

Percival's question was posed with such genuine respect that it felt like the proper way to inquire.

But Ian couldn't answer at all.

He knew the answer lay in the Dragon "Blessing" he had received from Artoria.

But the way in which he had acquired it was something that could never be disclosed.

Fortunately, Artoria seemed to have anticipated that someone might notice this similarity.

She promptly responded to Percival's question.

"Sir Ian is the strongest knight under my command, so it is natural for him to spend a great deal of time in close proximity to me."

"It's not surprising that he has unconsciously absorbed some of my qualities."

"I see."

Percival nodded thoughtfully, appearing to accept the explanation.

Judging by his demeanor, it was clear that he believed her.

Ian quickly shifted the topic. Looking at Percival, he remarked:

"By the way—"

"Your attire doesn't look like that of a knight from Camelot."

"That's true."

Perhaps because he had already explained it to Artoria beforehand, Percival did not hide his origins.

"I am not a knight of Camelot but come from a faraway land."

"The reason I wish to join under King Arthur's command is not solely due to he legendary reputation."

Percival looked straight at the two in front of him, his eyes full of unwavering belief.

"I hope to rely on the King's power to find the legendary Holy Spear."

"For this, I am willing to sacrifice even my own territory."

[You paid attention to Percival's words.]

[With Artoria's consent, you began a conversation with him.]

[He hid nothing about his origins.]

[From his account, you learned that he is the son of King Pellinore.]

[From the moment he was born, he felt the destiny he had to bear—to find the Holy Spear Longinus.]

[He had proposed this idea to his father but was refused.]

["My son, that Holy Spear exists only in legend."]

[King Pellinore refused his son's request with these words.]

[But Percival always felt the call of destiny—to find the Holy Spear and hand it to the one destined to receive it.]

[Unable to gain his father's support, he resolved to accomplish this in his own way.]

[After hearing these words, you realized he fully believed in the path he had chosen.]

"Perhaps so."

After finishing his explanation, Percival looked at the two in front of him.

"This is everything I am willing to sacrifice and all I hope to achieve."

"..."

Percival spoke so sincerely that no one could doubt his intentions.

Seeing Ian in contemplation, Artoria directly responded:

"Percival, I understand your intention."

"But—"

"I need to carefully consider the losses and benefits before making a decision. In the meantime, please be patient."

It was neither a rejection nor an acceptance.

Percival sensed there was still hope and nodded.

"I understand."

[The discussion did not end here.]

[As Artoria stood, you knew she wanted to move somewhere else to talk.]

[You followed her into the command tent.]

[As always, the atmosphere inside was quiet.]

Ian and Artoria looked at each other, their reflections clear in one another's eyes.

The young woman rose on her toes, gently kissed the cheek of the man before her, and began the conversation.

"Sir Ian, what do you think we should do?"

"Artoria, are you asking for my opinion?"

"Yes." The young woman nodded. "Your opinion is very important to me."

"Then—"

Ian took Artoria's hand.

"I think this is something worth agreeing to."

"After all, compared to fighting, being able to directly take over territory in this way is clearly much better."

"Although I have no doubt about your abilities."

Ian looked at Artoria in front of him.

"But if there's any way to minimize the chance of you getting hurt, I think it's still necessary to try."

Upon hearing this, Artoria's face slightly flushed.

"Sir Ian, are you concerned about me?"

"Yes."

"Then—"

Artoria buried her head in Ian's chest.

"I truly think the same."

"Sir Ian, we have so many similar thoughts, don't we?"

"That's good to hear." Ian replied.

"Well, Sir Ian, may I ask you a small question?"

"Go ahead."

"It's just—"

Artoria reached her hand around Ian's waist.

Although they had shared some awkward touches before, when she really touched something that could symbolize a marital bond, the girl felt incredibly embarrassed.

But she bravely spoke to the man in front of her:

"Sir Ian, do you think I am suitable to continue what has already passed?"

"..."

Ian knew what Artoria was asking.

But at this moment, his thoughts weren't about that—he wasn't a person entirely out of control, but simply knew that there were still things left undone.

"It's enough, but there are still more important matters to finish."

"Yes, that's right..."

The girl quickly withdrew her hand, her face turning bright red.

"Sir Ian, I'm sorry, I've bothered you."

"It's fine."

Ian bent down and gently kissed Artoria's forehead.

"Although I'm not planning to continue that right now, but—"

"I haven't had wine in a long time."

Ian's hand moved in a purposeful motion.

"Now, I'm missing a glass."

"Huh?"

Artoria shyly nodded.

"U umu... I just happen to have a glass."

In fact, the packaging of the glass did have a significant effect on the taste of the wine.

The glass beneath the royal attire was noticeably more refined than a regular glass.

The silent environment seemed to also influence the fermentation process of the wine.

Without the usual bustling sounds, the taste of the wine in the mouth gradually became more bitter.

There weren't many ways around it, so Ian had to add more ingredients to the wine to help tone down the bitterness.

Fortunately,

Artoria's garden and the hills would always be open to him.

He was the only one who could do this.

["Gift of Red Dragon" has been enhanced to "Gift of Red Dragon+": You have absorbed a great deal of mana from Artoria, enabling you to use more powerful weapons.]

[Percival's request was accepted by Artoria.]

[The title of King Arthur would protect him on his quest for the Holy Spear.]

[In exchange, Percival's lands would be offered freely to King Arthur.]

[This should have been a joyful matter for all, but an incident occurred as if it had been destined.]

[Just as the land transfer was nearly completed, Percival's father, Pellinore, appeared.]

[He refused to recognize this and challenged King Arthur to a duel.]

"I accept your challenge."

"But in a battle between kings, there must be an equal wager."

"Let our kingdoms be the stakes, and the loser will have nothing left."

Artoria, with her small frame, spoke the words of a king with great authority.

[King Arthur emerged victorious.]

[But with the mercy of the victor, she did not execute King Pellinore, who had drawn his sword against her, but instead only demanded that he bow his head in defeat.]

"Just as children have their wishes, so must parents support them."

"Your lands will belong to Camelot, but your soul remains free."

Artoria pointed at the defeated man.

She declared her victory.

[Everything seemed to have been resolved perfectly: Pellinore's lands were now Camelot's, and Percival became a member of the Knights of the Round Table.]

[But this nearly perfect resolution was not acknowledged by the Sword in the Stone.]

[One night, as you were kissing her passionately, the sword broke in half.]

[Even when drawn, the Sword in the Stone had fulfilled its duty—this meant that it was now just an ordinary sword.]

[But for the knights marching onward, this was not a good omen.]

[A king with a broken sword had great difficulty maintaining the courage of his army.]

[However, Artoria remained the destined king of Britannia.]

[On the night the sword broke, she dreamed of a call from the lake.]

["Dear honored King, do not worry about the broken sword, it is a parting with your past."]

["In that clear lake, you will find a weapon worthy of a king's dignity."]

[Artoria realized this was the help of the Lady of the Lake.]

[She hoped that you would accompany Artoria.]

[You gladly agreed.]

[But what you didn't know was that—this journey would also leave its mark on your fate.]