Asher glanced at Artoria, who had fallen into thought, and slipped his hand into his pocket, gently clutching the small glass bottle containing some mysterious liquid.
Although he said he would consider it, from the moment he accepted the liquid Morgan gave him, it was basically destined that he would agree to Morgan later.
Although he didn't know why Morgan was helping him so wholeheartedly, there was no doubt that accepting Morgan's request at this moment would only bring him benefits and no harm.
The only hidden danger was probably the matter of joining the Knights of the Round Table in the future.
Asher still didn't know Morgan's purpose, but when Morgan saw that Asher seemed a bit hesitant, she immediately placed a geis on herself, vowing, "I will not actively ask Asher to do anything that harms others."
This vow reassured Asher, but it also made him wonder.
What exactly did Morgan want him to do?
While thinking, Asher walked back with Artoria.
The two passed through the village, walking along the small path between the fields. Raindrops fell on them, and the fields were shrouded in mist.
"Yo, Artoris, didn't train properly today?"
At this moment, a villager's greeting suddenly came from the field. Artoria turned her head to look at the villager and nodded slightly. "Just a little something."
"Is that so? You can't slack off! Maybe one day you can get rid of the title of squire!"
"Mm, I'll work hard," Artoria just nodded slightly and then walked straight through the fields.
Asher glanced at the villager behind him and quickly caught up with Artoria. "They all think you're a man?"
Artoria didn't say anything. After a long time, she nodded lightly. "Don't tell anyone about this."
"I know, I definitely won't blab. Don't worry," Asher assured her.
The girl just said "Thank you" and then continued in silence, walking towards the direction of her home.
Asher looked at the extremely primitive scenery around him and couldn't help but sigh.
Britain at this time was really quite backward in development...
But this was also understandable. After all, it hadn't been long since the Dark Ages, and this country still needed a certain amount of development time.
About a few years ago, the empire collapsed. In order to obtain resources, food, clothing, and shelter for survival, the foreign tribes did not hesitate to cross the sea to invade Britain, occupying land. The originally warring tribes united to jointly resist the foreign enemies.
This should have been a story of everyone repelling foreign enemies and working together to build a better home.
However—
Vortigern Pendragon, King Uther's brother, this vile king who had already transformed into a demonic dragon, attempted to bring Britain under his control. Thus, he attracted foreign tribes, divided the united tribes, and raised the banner of rebellion. His destructive power covered the entire country. He defeated King Uther. Just when everyone thought he would rule the country like this—
Vortigern mysteriously disappeared.
Yes, after defeating King Uther, this demonic dragon could have ruled the country, but in the end, it mysteriously disappeared. At that time, some people heard its mournful roar, the sound shaking the heavens, but no one knew what had happened.
Even so, King Uther still firmly believed that Vortigern would one day return. Thus, the Red Dragon, Artoria, was born.
Facing the world as a man, waiting for the day she would become king, this was a predetermined outcome.
It was just that a certain sister-complex madwoman was unwilling to accept such an outcome...
---
Asher and the others had set off at noon, and it was now past midday. The sky was gloomy. He had to say that Artoria's stamina was indeed too good. She hadn't shown much fatigue after traveling for most of the day, but Asher was exhausted. He was already panting, and he looked up at Artoria and said:
"Why don't you go on ahead? I should be going straight back to the Land of Shadows in a bit."
He was also considering that so much time had passed, Kay and Sir Ector should have already noticed that Artoria wasn't near their home, and they might be looking for her everywhere.
But Artoria just shook her head. "Then let's rest for a while first."
After saying that, she sat down next to Asher. The two watched the rain under the eaves, as well as the villagers passing by in a hurry through the rain.
"Say, why exactly did you come with me?" Asher suddenly asked.
Thinking carefully, after Artoria followed him, she hadn't done anything, and then she followed him back. It was simply unbelievable.
Artoria looked at the rain, her eyes somewhat dazed. She didn't snap back to her senses until Asher's voice rang out, and she shook her head lightly. "I don't know."
She just wanted to take a look at her Big Sister. She didn't know what use it was after looking.
"Forget it," Asher sighed helplessly. "I'll go back with you first."
Artoria turned her head to look at Asher. "Why?"
"You're probably not very good at lying, are you? Since that's the case, then let me explain for you."
"Or do you think they haven't noticed that you secretly left the island?"
Artoria remained silent.
The matter of secretly slipping out of the island should have already been discovered. As for how to explain to her foster brother and foster father after returning... she hadn't really figured it out yet.
"So, let me explain for you. Just say we went to the nearby town," Asher said. "But don't expose me when I'm explaining..."
For some reason, he always felt that Artoria was a bit unreliable, afraid that she would say something like a good child, "I came with Asher to play with Big Sister."
If she said that, Asher felt that he would definitely be beaten to death.
Artoria nodded lightly. "Thank you."
---
"Is that so... It's better to tell me or Father about this kind of thing in advance next time."
In the wooden hut, Kay sat opposite Asher, looking at Artoria with a gentle tone. "Your identity is special. If you want to go out to play, you absolutely have to explain it first."
Artoria nodded silently, accepting her brother's reprimand... oh no, this wasn't a reprimand, just simple education.
Asher secretly breathed a sigh of relief seeing this scene.
It seemed that this knight named "Kay" had a much better temper than he had imagined.
Or rather... because he was facing his own sister, his temper was so good.
"If there's nothing else, then I'll go back first." Asher stood up and bowed slightly again. "I'm really sorry about today's matter."
"It's not your fault. With your current abilities, it's indeed difficult to notice someone secretly following you." Kay's tone was still gentle. "Do you need me to see you back?"
"No need." Asher left the wooden hut after saying that.
"Asher." Artoria suddenly stood up, seeming like she wanted to say something.
Asher stopped in his tracks.
Kay looked left and right, then smiled. "Then I'll go out for a bit."
After saying that, he left the small wooden hut.
He turned back to look at Artoria. "Is there anything else, Lily?"
Artoria had a look of confusion in her eyes, seeming a bit unaccustomed to Asher's sudden change in address.
"Sorry, it really isn't very good to call you that directly, is it? It just feels a bit too long to just call your name..."
"No, it's okay. Call me whatever you want," Artoria quickly regained her senses and shook her head lightly. Then, she raised her head, looking at him somewhat uneasily.
"Aren't you angry with me?"
"Angry at you for what?" Asher asked.
"For secretly following you to find my el... that matter."
Thinking that Kay might still be listening to their conversation outside the house, Artoria forcibly swallowed the word "Big Sister" and instead used a very vague way of speaking.
"Oh, you mean that?" Asher smiled. "Of course I'm angry. How could I not be angry? Secretly following me out and all that. If something happened to you, I would be responsible."
Seeming not to have expected Asher's reply, Artoria lowered her head, the ahoge on top of her head swaying slightly, looking listless.
"So," Asher lowered his voice, "tell me in advance next time if you want to go. If something happens, we can at least look after each other."
Artoria raised her head, her eyes brightening slightly. "Do you mean—"
"Mm," Asher nodded. "Next time you want to go, let's go together. Your strength is greater than mine, and we can look after each other on the way."
Under Asher's gaze, Artoria nodded heavily and said seriously, "Mm, I will protect you well."
"Isn't that backwards?" Asher smiled helplessly. "I'm still a man—"
"But you can't beat me," Artoria said.
"But I'm a ma—"
"You can't beat me," Artoria continued.
Asher: "..."
Alright, whatever makes you happy.
-----More Bonus Chapters!!!!
Every 300 power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter