To become a king and a magician

Located next to the Great Hollow, in Camelot, the royal city that ruled over all of Britain.

Gawain was leading Artoria, whose hands were handcuffed, on the road to meet the Elf King and Queen.

"Oh my gosh~~~ You're back? My lovely little sister?"

Just before they were about to enter the throne room, a voice reached their ears through the tightly closed doors. Artoria's body trembled slightly, and she looked in the direction from which the voice came as if she were somewhat frightened.

On the corridor leading to the throne room, a beautiful red-haired girl in a bright red dress leaned against the wall, waving at her with a smile.

“Tristan…”

"No, that's not right~~~"

The girl called Tristan approached Artoria and vigorously rubbed Artoria's round face several times: "You have to call me 'Big Sister'~~~ Little Sister Lia."

"Ugh... Phew, I'm here~~~ Jiajia Dasen~~~"

"Yes, that's more like it!"

The fairy knight Tristan, whose real name is Bavan Shi, released Artoria's face with satisfaction after hearing the name he liked, and looked at Gawain: "Big guy Bagst must have had a hard time. It must have been quite a hassle for you to bring back my runaway sister like a mother hen."

"No, that's not true, Your Highness the First Princess."

Gawain bowed respectfully to Tristan.

In terms of seniority, among the three existing fairy knights, Lancelot is the most senior, followed by Gawain, and then Tristan. The order of strength is also the same. Bavan Shi is not a powerful fairy. Even with his outer shell, he is only at the upper-middle level among fairies.

Moreover, she did not receive the blessing from the Elf King.

The reason why Natsukawa Tora, number two, said that "there are only two Fairy Knights who can fight" is because, compared to the real opponents they need to face, Tristan is not someone they need to take seriously.

However, in terms of status, Tristan is ranked second among the fairy knights. Apart from Melusin, who has followed the Elf King since 2,400 years ago and can almost be regarded as the second queen, it is Bawan Shi, the "daughter of the Elf King".

Gawain-Baghster-was actually the one with the lowest status.

Of course, that's what they say, but the relationship between the three fairy knights will not change because of this order and distinction. In fact, the three of them are very close, not only because they have a common goal of serving the Elf King, but also because of the various support and encouragement from the Elf King and Queen.

After more than a thousand years of development, the three fairy knights can be considered an iron triangle.

Only the rigid and serious Bagst would use honorifics when addressing Bavan Shi and Melusin in public.

Bawan Shi smiled and said, "After we finish dealing with Lia's matter later, how about we invite Sister Melsin to have a pajama party? As for Lia... well, she'll probably be punished separately by Father, so we'll have to wait until next time, right?"

"Ugh~~~~!"

Artoria was immediately frightened upon hearing this.

"Um... Sister, Bagge, could you perhaps... later?"

"Don't worry, we'll say a few nice things about you," Bawan Xi said with a smile. "But your father likes you a lot, so he probably won't punish you too severely. At most, he'll just confine you for a few days. We'll sneak over to keep you company then."

“Your Highnesses, this is not something that can be discussed in front of the throne room.”

Bagst reminded him somewhat embarrassedly.

Although they have a good relationship in private, Artoria is now a criminal, so it's not good for them to keep in touch like this.

“Oh, that’s true.” Bawan Xi clapped her hands. “Then it’s settled. I’ll go in first to see Father and Mother, and then you two can come in—”

Come in together!

Before Bawan Xi could finish speaking, a majestic voice suddenly projected into the minds of the three of them.

Bavan Shi and Bagst immediately became serious.

The ability to directly transmit one's voice into the minds of others, like the surveillance magic that permeates the skies above Britain, is a feat accomplished by the Elf King through magic. However, this is limited to the royal city of Camelot. The Elf King can transmit his commands directly into the minds of others without any restrictions.

(Yes, Father)

(Yes, Your Majesty)

After responding in their minds, Bavan Shi and Bagst did not communicate with Artoria privately again, and led her into the Throne Hall, which was already open to the three of them, in a very businesslike manner.

Unlike its ornate exterior, which resembles a dreamlike fairyland or a city in the clouds, the interior of the Throne Hall is quite empty, almost devoid of any furnishings. There is only a huge throne large enough for two people to sit on together, and a back door that faces the main entrance and leads to a large, empty space behind it.

There weren't many people in the throne room either.

This is only natural, as the Elf King practices tyranny and dictatorship. He only consults with his beloved wife, the Queen, on all his orders and laws. Ministers are unnecessary; all that is needed is a messenger.

Therefore, in the vast throne room, including Bavan Shi, Bagst, and Artoria, there were only five people.

Bringing Artoria to the front of the throne, Bagst bowed his head and knelt on one knee before the two kings on the throne.

"Gawain the Fairy Knight reports that, in accordance with His Majesty the Elf King's orders, he has brought back the Second Princess, Princess Artoria Caster, who had fled the royal city some time ago, from the Isle of the End."

【Well done, Fairy Knight Gawain. You may step aside for now. We will discuss the reward you deserve later.】

On the throne.

Bathed in platinum-gold light, the Elf King responded in this way, waving for Bagst to step back from his presence. Then, the Elf King looked at Artoria not far away.

At that moment, the gaze that fell upon her made Artoria tremble involuntarily.

Eleven days—that's how long it will take you to leave the royal city.

Welcome home, Artoria Caster

My beloved daughter, my beloved prophetic child.

"Yes."

Artoria bit her lip.

“I’m back… [Father].”

11. My arm

Father.

Upon hearing Artoria address him in this way, and considering that everyone present was on his side, Natsukawa Torato, sitting on the throne, also withdrew the platinum-gold radiance he had been using to maintain appearances and revealed his true form.

Just like 2,400 years ago, even after giving up his identity as the Star Sword Master and abandoning all his memories, Natsukawa Tora's appearance remained unchanged. As an elf, it was impossible for him to naturally change his appearance.

Therefore, even after 2,400 years, Xia Chuanhu still looks like a seventeen or eighteen-year-old boy. Only the slightly mature air emanating from his brows can make people truly feel the passage of time he has spent.

"I can detect some tension in your tone."

Natsukawa Tora looked at Artoria.

"Are you thinking about how I'll punish you, Lia?"

"So you're thinking of letting me go, Father?"

That's impossible.

Artoria knew her father's personality very well. Even though he treated her gently most of the time, he would become incredibly strict when she made a mistake.

That situation was the main reason why Artoria called him "that bastard".

“You should know that I’m not the kind of person who spoils you,” Natsukawa Tora said.

"Leaving the royal city without permission, ignoring my and Morgan's orders to recall you, clashing with Bagst who came to bring you back, and setting foot on the island of the End that I forbade you to enter—since it would be troublesome to settle each matter separately, I will punish you for all four matters as one."

As she said this, three doors appeared in front of Artoria, seemingly composed of countless silver rhomboid blocks.

Space displacement.

Because Artoria was also forced to learn this magic, she can now recognize it.

"The punishment will be your mother's [court]."

Natsukawa Torato gave the details of the punishment for Artoria.

"I've randomly selected three from all the courts. You can choose one to go in, and spend a week reflecting on your actions alone. If you have anything to say, I'll listen to it properly after you come out."

"Whether it's your feelings about running away from home this time, or the people you've met outside—even if you don't say it, I'll pry it open and make you talk about it. Keep that in mind."

Hearing Xia Chuanhu's words and seeing the three gates of light in front of her, Artoria couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

【The Court】—That is one of the great magic spells that Morgan, Artoria’s nominal adoptive mother, is good at. It is a type of spell that can trap the target, such as 【Dream】, 【Abyss】, 【Disappointment】, 【Innocent】, etc. To put it bluntly, it is a barrier with various different attributes.

When Artoria made mistakes as a child, or when she couldn't learn magic tricks, Natsukawa Torato and Morgan would punish her with the harem. It was a punishment they had used exclusively for her since she was a child.

(If they're punishing me this way, then it means it's still within the normal range...that's good.)

After randomly selecting a portal, Artoria walked straight inside.

And just as the portal disappeared, and Artoria was indeed imprisoned inside the courtyard—

"Father~~~~~!"

As if she had lost some kind of restraint, Bawan Xi, who had been standing below, immediately lunged towards Natsukawa Tora on the throne. But just before she was about to touch her father, a portal of light appeared in front of her, sending her back to her original position.

Looking at his impatient adopted daughter, Natsukawa Tora sighed slightly: "The official business isn't finished yet, so be patient a little longer, Bawan Shi. Alright, let's discuss your reward, Bagst."

Natsukawa Torama looked at his most loyal knight on the other side.

"Tell me, what reward do you want? Anything I can give you, I'll give. I saw through magic that you were knocked into the sea by Lia, didn't I? Her mischievousness has caused you trouble, hasn't it? As her father and your king, I need to apologize to you in every way."

"No, please don't say that, Your Majesty."

Bagst immediately knelt down on one knee.

“Whatever Your Majesty’s order may be, I, Gawain, will carry it out. The troubles I may encounter in the process are insignificant. Your Majesty need not apologize to me.”

"Furthermore, I would also like to thank His Majesty for being so lenient with Princess Artoria."

“What parent would really have the heart to hit or scold their own child?” Xia Chuanhu sighed and rubbed his forehead. “It was just a runaway. Just consider it as letting her go out and clear her head. If it weren’t for the fact that she kept heading towards Oakney, I wouldn’t have asked you to bring her back.”

Orkney, the island of the end.

This Britannia, Artoria can go wherever she wants, except for one place she cannot go.

"Bagust, have you seen the Guardian?"

"Yes. As usual, the Guardians have not shown any abnormal behavior, except... there are people other than the Guardians on the island this time."

Natsukawa Tora frowned: "Is it a red-haired girl and a girl carrying a large shield?"

"As expected of His Majesty, it is indeed so."

Orkney was not within the scope of the surveillance magic, and Natsukawa Torato, who was in the royal city of Camelot, should not have known about Orkney. However, he accurately described the characteristics of Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mashu. Bagst's reverence for the King deepened even further.

There is nothing on this British island that our king does not know; our king is the all-knowing, all-powerful Elf King.

"It's finally here."