"Stop right there! You can't escape!"
White and golden figures flashed rapidly through the alleyway. Their movements were swift and agile. Even the arguing people on the streets who caught a glimpse of this scene couldn't clearly see what had happened.
They only felt a gust of wind sweep past them, and heard a voice in their ears say, "Excuse me, coming through." Aside from that, they knew nothing.
"Fou?"
Stepping on a pile of wooden crates and gracefully leaping over a high wall, Fou stopped and looked back in surprise at Artoria, who was in hot pursuit.
How is this human keeping up with my speed?
One must know that although it wasn't using its full strength, it was running with the intent of putting as much distance between itself and Merlin as possible.
Yet this person's speed was not inferior to its own in the slightest, and she wasn't even panting heavily.
Someone like this was truly rare to Fou, who hadn't interacted much with heroes or knights.
What a humanoid female T-Rex, fou.
The white monster cat licked its small paws, inexplicably complaining in its heart.
But it didn't matter. Its mission was complete anyway.
Seeing the monster cat stop ahead, as if waiting for her to approach, Artoria instantly stopped in her tracks, remaining vigilant. She drew her sword and pointed it at Fou, who was squatting on the ground.
She hadn't forgotten Kay's earlier warning, Merlin's wariness of this cat demon, and the sheer power of the kick that sent Merlin flying.
No matter how squishy Merlin claimed to be, he was still an incubus with a constitution vastly different from ordinary people.
To kick him into a wall—it was hard to imagine the small animal before her, resembling a mix of a cat, dog, rabbit, and squirrel, could possess such immense strength.
And indeed, the facts proved exactly that. After Artoria stopped, Fou no longer held back and decisively launched an attack.
"Fou!"
The small paw swatted at Artoria, who immediately raised her sword to block.
However, despite her precautions, Artoria failed to adjust her mindset in time regarding the stark contrast between the small body and the immense force it possessed.
Caught off guard, she was instantly knocked back a few steps.
But Fou had no intention of stopping. Capitalizing on its agility, its small paws continuously struck at Artoria.
After defending against a few strikes, Artoria roughly figured out the extent of this three-eyed monster cat's strength.
Great strength, small body, fast speed. While she didn't know if this was its full power, generally speaking, it was stronger than an ordinary magical beast.
For the Artoria of today, who had gained experience, dealing with it was merely a matter of time.
Gripping the golden Sword in the Stone tightly, just as Artoria was about to release her magical energy to assist in the fight against the cat demon, a stream of water abruptly flew out from the shadows. Simultaneously, a magnetic male voice rang out at the perfect moment.
"Myriad Flowing Spirits, Unpredictable Waves."
The indigo stream of water transformed into a watery sphere, entirely enveloping Fou, who was still in mid-air and unable to dodge, leaving only its head exposed.
"Fou! Fou!"
Ignoring Fou's protesting cries and its four short legs flailing in the water, Souya, clad in his dark blue armor, stepped out from the shadows.
"L-Lamorak!!!"
Seeing the approaching person's grayish-white hair and his handsome, gentle face, Artoria was instantly stunned, and then inexplicably grew a little nervous.
"Why are you here?!"
"Young... young man, do we know each other?"
Souya waved his hand, summoning the struggling Fou in the water sphere to him. He patted its small head somewhat soothingly, then looked at Artoria and the golden longsword in her hands.
Caliburn, the 'Golden Sword of Assured Victory'. Engraved upon it were the Celtic words: 'Whosoever pulls out this sword is rightwise king'. It was a King's Sword; the more its wielder resembled the Perfect King, the stronger it became.
"Hmm, or rather, should I address you as the Child of the Red Dragon, His Highness King Arthur?"
Saying this, Souya actually felt quite awkward.
After all, he knew long ago that the boy before him was the little girl he knew who was to become King. But due to the plan and common sense, he had to forcefully pretend not to know her.
Furthermore, seeing the 'boy's' clear, water-like eyes and the surprise and joy within them, his feelings of guilt intensified.
Damn it, why do I find cross-dressing Saber so cute...
Curse it all, even though I'm a priest, I don't like little boys!
Leaving aside Souya's erratic and slightly deranged thoughts, Artoria, upon confirming this person was the Lamorak she had been thinking about constantly, found her mind going blank, not knowing what to say.
Upon hearing Souya's words, the 'boy' finally regained her senses. She hurriedly waved her hands and explained: "No, no, no, you don't need to call me that. Just call me Lily... oh no, Artoris is fine."
After speaking, she looked nervously at Souya's expression, silently hoping he would remember something.
"Artoris?"
And Souya indeed revealed a thoughtful expression.
He frowned slightly, adopting a pose of deep thought. After a long moment, he looked at Artoria as if suddenly remembering.
"You're Artoris? That little boy practicing swordplay in Sir Ector's territory a few years ago?"
"Yes, yes! It was thanks to your teachings back then that I have my current strength."
Seeing that Lamorak remembered her, a smile instantly bloomed on Artoria's small face, revealing a happy expression.
"I never expected that the ideal and mission you spoke of back then was to become the King of Britain. It seems I underestimated you."
Souya smiled and stepped toward Artoria.
"It's fine, it's fine."
Perhaps because they had acknowledged each other, or perhaps because she inherently trusted Lamorak deeply, Artoria didn't resist Souya's sudden approach.
Instead, she nervously pinched the hem of her clothes, not knowing how to speak.
Souya naturally noticed this. So, he smiled, extended his hand to Artoria, and said:
"Don't be nervous. I'm human now too, not a deceitful little fairy anymore."
"Let's go. Since we finally met again, how about we find a place to eat and catch up?"
Hearing Souya's comforting joke and friendly words, Artoria, who had been somewhat at a loss due to the sudden reunion, instantly relaxed a bit.
At this moment, she also remembered Merlin and Kay, who were still waiting for her to return. Thinking of her two companions, Artoria hesitated at Souya's invitation.
"This..."
However, what Artoria didn't notice was that upon sensing the look of conflict in her tone, Fou, who was being held in Souya's hand and seemingly resigned to its fate, suddenly twitched its rabbit-like ears.
The next moment, a light flashed in its small, pinkish-purple eyes. At the exact same time, a faint pink light flashed in the azure eyes of Artoria, who had met its gaze earlier.
Um, Brother Kay's injuries aren't serious, and Merlin is only unconscious. Besides, the dangerous magical beast has been caught by Lamorak, so it should be fine if I go back a little later, right?
Artoria conflictedly looked up at Souya. Seeing the unchanging smile and gentleness in his eyes, her small face couldn't help but grow slightly hot.
I'll just chat with Lamorak. Maybe I can even persuade him to abandon the Witch and join us. If that's the case, even if Merlin were awake, he would probably agree, right?
I'm doing this for Britain. Yes, for Britain!
As long as I can bring Lamorak—one of the famous Four Great Knights, a knight of noble character and superb martial arts—into our army, we'll definitely have a greater chance of defeating Vortigern, right?
Mm! That's right!
I'm temporarily leaving Merlin and Kay to talk to Lamorak for the sake of Britain, not for selfish reasons!
Harboring these self-consoling thoughts, Artoria ultimately placed her hand in Souya's, accepting his invitation.
After all, she was indeed a bit hungry.
Seeing the 'boy' accept his devilish invitation, Souya's expression remained unchanged, but he still felt a peculiar sensation in his heart.
He wasn't an idiot; he could feel that Artoria's attitude toward him seemed a bit different.
Even if it was Fou's assistance that facilitated this, it more or less showed that he held a certain weight in this young girl's heart.
As a normal person, Souya still felt a degree of guilt.
But this was Morgan's plan, an open and hidden struggle between two opposing factions.
With different stances, many things couldn't be clearly explained by simple right and wrong.
What Souya could and had to do was to remain loyal and obey Morgan's commands.
I will bear the consequences of right and wrong myself; my Master's command must not be disobeyed.
Silently saying sorry to Artoria, who trusted him, Souya led her away in a direction opposite to Merlin and Kay.
Now, he just hoped that the kick from Fou, who had a special attack modifier against Merlin, would keep him unconscious for long enough.