A Reality Marble is a manifestation of one's inner world, replacing reality, and even the caster themselves can seldom alter it. Moreover, Iskandar's Ionioi Hetairoi—the Army of the King—is the crystallization of the dreams of tens of thousands, an almost immovable existence.
However, this supposedly unshakeable world was indeed changing.
Although it was only a small part, change was happening.
The first thing to change was, once again, the wind.
The wind blowing across the scorching desert was hot, and dry, and felt like a burning cyclone. The sand it carried stung the cheeks of those exposed to it.
Yet, unknowingly, a hint of coolness began to mix into this hot wind, and so moisture seeped into the parched sand. It felt as if one had suddenly stumbled upon an oasis after trekking across an endless desert.
No, it wasn't as if—it was an oasis.
At the center of the scorched desert, beneath Artoria's feet, a trace of greenery appeared.
Green grass, trees, and even a few wildflowers. A small pond shimred nearby.
Perhaps due to the high temperature, mist swirled lightly around the pond's edge. Standing at the edge of the mist was a man with white hair, dressed in white, leaning on a staff, smiling at everyone.
"Hi~ everyone!"
"You are—?"
Iskandar called out loudly.
"rlin, court mage of Britain, and Artoria's ntor."
rlin spoke lightly. Upon hearing that na, Iskandar's eyes widened, and he instinctively blurted out:
"That old rascal, the peeping tom?"
"..."
rlin was montarily speechless.
Iskandar, realizing his mistake, quickly tried to make ands.
"I'm sorry! It's just sothing I heard... it slipped out unintentionally..."
rlin laughed awkwardly.
"Ahaha, I know who you're talking about—Uh, Artoria, have you reconsidered your romantic prospects? I don't think that guy is a good choice."
However, Artoria completely ignored rlin's comnt and bluntly asked, "Why are you here?"
"Isn't it obvious? I'm here to help you. Whether as your ntor or as fellow residents of Avalon, I can't just let you face the Conqueror King's army alone."
"What does that have to do with creating an oasis with your illusions?"
"Of course it's related. Don't you think the desert landscape is too monotonous? Besides, the wind and sand are bad for your skin. A woman in love should take better care of herself, or so other vixen might steal your partner—this is advice from , a friend to won."
"..." (Glare of disapproval).
"Hmm, why do I feel like you're looking at like I'm trash? Is that just my imagination?"
It's not your imagination, because more than one person was silently thinking the sa thing. Especially Lorelei, who had already been worn down by Artoria once, and now there was this even more bizarre rlin.
A certain impulse was growing stronger in her heart—she wanted to record all of these ridiculous events and report them to the other Lords so they could all share in the suffering.
Sensing that the Holy Sword's focus was beginning to shift and knowing that if he pushed further, he might get chopped, rlin quickly dropped his frivolity and said, "That's just one reason. There's also another—Hey, how long are you planning to hide? Aren't you going to co out and et Artoria?"
That last sentence wasn't addressed to Artoria but to the lance, she carried on her back.
"If you don't co out now, you might not get another chance."
"Could it be—"
At the mont Artoria realized sothing, the pitch-black lance emitted a flash of light.
Although it was brief, the flash made the Knight King, who hadn't flinched in the face of Iskandar's army, tense up completely.
The source of the light was a figure—a silver knight, like sothing out of a fairy tale, standing before them.
Though the figure was blurry, with both armor and skin shrouded in mist, Artoria recognized him.
Because he was the knight who had spent the most ti by her side, even before she beca a king before she beca a knight.
"Kay, is that you?"
"Ah, ah, it's been a long ti since I've heard that na. I thought you'd call Sir Kay by now. Looks like you've truly let go of your identity as king. As your elder brother, I'm happy for you, Artoria."
The silver knight smiled and gave a knightly salute. Kay, Arthur's foster brother, and one of her most trusted knights.
"You—you, why are you—"
Why are you erging from the Holy Lance?
"Honestly, I'm not too sure myself. I've been asleep for so long that my mory's a bit fuzzy. That guy probably knows, or he wouldn't have gone to the trouble of creating an environnt for to forcibly materialize. But really, couldn't you have done a better job? You didn't even prepare a proper body (spirit origin). How am I supposed to show myself like this?"
That guy naturally referred to rlin. For once, the usually sly-tongued magus wasn't lying—this oasis did indeed serve another purpose.
"Ahaha, this is the best I can do for now. After all, I'm just a magus, not a magician. Be grateful, it's better than those folks over there."
"Who'd believe you? You lazy court jester, you're the most unreliable clown ever."
Kay's current form was similar to that of a Servant, but since he wasn't summoned by the Greater Grail, he wasn't as complete as Artoria or Iskandar. Hence, his form hovered between the real and the ethereal.
While Kay and rlin bickered, Gray suddenly shouted.
"Ah—you—you—you're—"
The silver knight imdiately turned towards the voice, laughing exaggeratedly.
"Heeheeheeheehee, you finally recognized , you slowpoke Gray. Aren't we old friends?"
At that mont, everyone else finally realized it too, their faces showing expressions as if they'd seen a ghost.
"A-Add!"
That sharp tone, that unique speech pattern—who else could it be but the sealed persona of the Holy Lance?
It wasn't just Gray who was shocked, but Artoria as well. In her mory, Kay was never like this.
"Kay?"
"Ouch."
Hearing the Knight King's call, the silver knight raised his hand and tapped his temple.
"We've been sleeping together for so long that we've kind of rged. I wasn't originally like this. But it's fine. There's no need to always be the sa, and it's more human-like to change when the ti calls for it."
"rlin—"
Feeling increasingly out of place, Artoria turned to ask the near-omniscient magus. As usual, rlin scratched his head and laughed it off.
"It's a very complicated and deep issue, but it's not related to the Holy Grail War. If you get the chance, you and that guy should go unravel the mystery yourselves. It's like playing a ga—if I gave you the walkthrough right away, where's the fun in that?"
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