Night. The stars shone brightly over Britain.
"The stars are so beautiful tonight," Artoria said, looking up at the sky.
After drawing Caliburn, she had become the de facto heir of Britain. But since it was her first day, there were no overly tedious duties.
"Ian, what do you think?"
"Mmm, they are very beautiful," the boy nodded, looking at the sky. "But it's a bit of a shame I can't smell them."
"Why do you always talk about scents..." Artoria grumbled. "Today... was it because of the scent too?"
Artoria shouldn't have said anything. The moment she did, Ian turned to look at her. It was a direct, piercing gaze, one that clearly said, "Why did you stop me?"
Artoria, of course, understood his meaning, especially from someone as straightforward as Ian. She quickly explained.
"Ian, I know there are many things here in Camelot that smell bad to you. But it's better to do less of what you did today. That magus named Merlin... I don't like him either, but what you did today..." The image of Ian beating Merlin replayed in her mind. "...could easily make everyone misunderstand you and think you're a bad person. I... don't want that to happen. After all, you're not as terrifying as you seem on the surface; you're a very gentle person. Do you know what I mean?"
Although she had drawn Caliburn, Artoria was not without her own selfish desires. She would protect those she cared about, and Ian was a prime example. But that didn't mean she would simply indulge him. Protecting him in public while communicating in private—this was the balance Artoria had found for herself.
"That guy... he smells a lot like the one from the dream."
"Eh?"
Ian's sudden words made Artoria freeze for a moment. But she quickly understood. There was only one dream that both of them had been in. The dream that came with the prophecy. The dream that called for her to draw the sword.
"You mean, that hand—was Merlin?"
"Mmm," Ian nodded. "So, I couldn't help myself." A flicker of unease crossed the boy's eyes. "Did I... do something wrong?"
"..."
Now it was Artoria's turn to feel awkward. She disliked Merlin's sloppy demeanor and had subconsciously assumed Ian felt the same for similar reasons. But now it seemed that wasn't the case at all. If Merlin really was the one who had spoken those deceitful words in her dream, then Ian had acted entirely on her behalf.
No wonder the other knights couldn't stop him... He wasn't throwing a tantrum at all, he was...
The more Artoria thought about it, the more embarrassed she became. And just then, Ian misinterpreted her unease. He hugged her and whispered an apology.
"I'm sorry. I... didn't know I couldn't do that. Forgive me, Artoria. Next time, I definitely won't do it again."
"..."
The warmer the boy's embrace, the more embarrassed Artoria felt. She knew she had wronged him.
"Um, Ian, if that's the case, aren't you afraid people will really think you're a problem?"
"I didn't think about it," the boy said, his voice direct and sincere under the moonlight. "I just thought of you, and I couldn't help myself."
"..."
Now she was truly speechless. Artoria felt a warmth spread through her heart, but at the same time, she felt guilty for being unworthy of such devotion. What should I do...
After thinking for a long time, the girl cautiously lifted her head. She looked at him and asked, shyly but earnestly, "It's been a long day. You must be thirsty now, right? Do you want... that?"
She exposed her shoulder under the moonlight. Artoria didn't know why she had so naturally thought of this way to comfort him. It was an incredibly shameful thing to do. To let a member of the opposite sex slurp and suckle, even bite and gnaw... But right now, Artoria hoped he would accept, so the guilt in her heart could be lightened. And so she would have the courage to explain things clearly later.
However, Artoria saw the one thing she didn't want to see.
He shook his head. "Not this, today."
"Eh?" Artoria grew anxious. "Why? Isn't this your favorite?" She pulled the clothes on her shoulder down a little further. She knew that if she didn't handle this now, she'd probably be up all night. Speaking of which... does this count as seduction?
The boy's answer continued. "Because—" He leaned close to her ear. "—today, I want to try this."
Hearing Ian's earnest yet absurd request, the temperature of Artoria's cheeks instantly rose several degrees. If her head could be opened up, she was sure steam would be pouring out.
"You want to eat from a different place?"
"Mmm," the boy nodded.
"Then why does it have to be—" Artoria glanced down between her own legs. "—that place..."
"Because Artoria smells delicious all over," Ian stated his reason with his usual directness. "But before, that place, and now, this place, they smell the best. Very fragrant—it must be delicious."
"..."
Anyone else would have been a pervert. But Ian wasn't. For him, the world was ingeniously embodied by the vague concept of "scent." Feeling his anticipation, Artoria hesitated for a moment, but finally gave in. After all, she had wronged him today.
"Alright, come here then."
Artoria pulled the clothes back up on her shoulder, and instead undid the sash at her waist. Before that miraculous encounter, she would never have dreamed she would be here today.
The ingredient the girl offered to the dragon was as white as the moon, as if it had merged with the starry river above.
"Be quiet... don't let anyone find out."
"It smells sweet."
"Ngh... slow down!"
"Why don't you have one of those down there?"
"One of what?"
"Mmm, you know—the one you told me not to point at you."
"That's up to luck! Not everyone has one like you!" Artoria said, feeling how ridiculous her own words sounded, but receiving a look of complete belief from Ian in return. She felt her heart beat wildly.
"By the way... do you really not like girls?"
"Hmm?" Ian looked up. "Girls?"
"Never mind, it's nothing!"
Join my patreon For Early access to Chapter : patreon.com/TheWorldGod
Tiamat 140 Chapter
Honkai 100 Chapter
Lobotomy 100 Chapter
MushokuTensei 30 Chapter