The world of Type-Moon starts with saving Altria!

"Yeah." Ian nodded.

"I was thinking... if I could do something with you in a place like that..."

The man didn't finish his words, but it was enough for Altria to realize what he meant.

A blush bloomed on the girl's face like a flower again, silently telling her mood at the moment.

"If it's Ian...sure."

"I... can accept doing that on the balcony - although it's still a bit embarrassing, but if it's for you, then it doesn't matter."

"..."

Ian felt as if his heart was suddenly stabbed by something, and then it twisted into a ball as if it was being grasped.

He had no doubt that there was something flattering in Altria's words.

but--

Even so, it still shows that she cares about herself.

After all... no one would try to please someone they don't care about for no reason, right?

Then respond bravely.

"Okay, let's try it next time."

"I haven't experienced that kind of humiliation yet—but before that, I have a small question for you."

The man's hand gently stroked the girl's cheek, as if touching a piece of fine jade.

"what is the problem?"

Artoria, with her hands tied to the head of the bed, looked at him in front of her, as if she was completely under his control.

"It's not a big deal, don't be so nervous."

Ian's voice became a little gentler, and the strength in his hands became more delicate, as if he was worried that he might crush Altria.

"I just wanted to ask—"

"Is there anything in particular you'd like to try...um...a method you like?"

"After all, you did save the King of Camelot and kill Vortigern. As a knight, I should offer you a gift."

"..."

At that moment, Altria's pupils widened into a strange shape, looking like the pupils of a lion.

She probably never expected that the other party would present his gift in this way.

but……

All this doesn't seem so difficult to accept.

The young girl Altria quickly made her choice - on the day she became queen from king.

"Ian."

"Do you...remember what happened when you first taught me to drink?"

"..."

Ian was stunned for a moment, then answered.

"of course I remember."

"Altria, you..."

"Don't reject me." The girl moved slightly, and the rope that bound her hands also shook, as if expressing Altria's inner emotions.

"I'm just thirsty, aren't I?"

"..."

Ian was silent for a moment, and then suddenly laughed.

"Too."

"You're just thirsty, what's wrong with that?"

This is an attempt to return to our original intention.

[Altria once again tasted the most wonderful wine of this era in a unique way.]

[Looking at the flowing clear wine, your mind inevitably returns to that hesitant night.]

【only--】

[Just as Altria's identity is no longer the same as before, your situation with her has also changed dramatically.]

“Ian… I…”

As the girl murmured something like a raving, you used yourself as a cork to cover the final gap.

[I have to say that——]

This way of drinking is quite unique.

The nightingale began to sing again.

Even the sounds in the room began to become lively.

After being untied, Artoria snuggled in his arms, looking innocent yet scheming.

At this moment, she seems to be on the dividing line between purity and maturity, just waiting for an opportunity to transcend this ambiguous past.

"Ian."

Altria listened to his thoughts and asked quietly.

"are you happy?"

"..."

Noticing a rare hint of emotion in Altria's voice, Ian realized that the restraint imposed by the Rhongomyniad, the Spear that Shines in the End, seemed to be weakening in some way.

No.

Perhaps it wasn't weakened, but perhaps Altria's determination had become stronger because of what she had done.

Thinking of this, Ian suddenly recalled what Merlin and he had mentioned.

"You're the only one who can change her."

"It was like this before, and it will be like this in the future."

It seems... this is not a false statement.

"Why don't you answer me?" Artoria's doubts came again, but compared to before, this time there was a bit more blame in her tone.

"Is this... a difficult question for you to answer?"

"Of course not." Ian denied Altria's dissatisfaction neatly.

"Of course I'm happy—after all, this is the king's body. I'm probably the only one who can enjoy this kind of thing, right?"

"What if we exclude the identity of 'King'?"

Altria pressed forward.

"Just considering the name of Altria Pendragon—doesn't that mean you have no interest at all?"

"..."

"If you really want to know the answer to that question."

Ian's hand rested gently on the back of Altria's head, as if caressing something from the past.

After breaking free from the constraints of Excalibur, her body seemed to be constantly fighting for the passing of time, and her hair naturally grew much longer than before.

"Then I want to tell you—"

“I’ve never felt happy like this.”

"why?"

"Because my thoughts on you go beyond superficial contact." Ian continued to explain what he meant, "That's responsibility, Altria."

"Yes...it's responsibility."

"responsibility?"

Altria's eyes became a little blurry, and she looked like a drunk who had drunk a lot of alcohol.

"Is it my personal responsibility?" she asked.

"..."

Ian was silent for a moment.

But Artoria laughed as if she had expected it.

Her smile is certainly not charming, but it has a certain charm that makes people fall in love with it - maybe this is how she was supposed to look?

"It's okay, you don't have to answer me."

"But..." The girl held Ian's hand and acted coquettishly, which was rare for her.

"You must answer the following question for me—"

"Compared to me, who makes you more comfortable, me or my sister?"

"..."

This is an overly pointed question.

[Once an answer is given, there is no going back on some things.]

[Altria understands this, and you certainly understand this too.]

【So--】

[Should I take this step? ]

You can't help but ask yourself.

[Altria seemed to understand your hesitation and quickly took action.]

[She blows warm air gently in your ears, like the gentlest breeze in summer.]

She didn't say a word to urge you, but it seemed like she had said a thousand words.

[You can sense that if this continues, your actions will definitely lean towards Altria's side.]

【But it was at this time——】

【The singing of a nightingale broke the silence of the room.】

It's a coincidence, and it's also an uncoincidence.

The nightingale, which had been singing silently before, suddenly made a blood-red sound at this moment.

That was enough to wake anyone up - even Ian was no exception.

With just this one moment, the Chief Knight of the Round Table realized how dangerous the situation he was in was.

woke up.

Really woke up.

Ian coughed a few times, and then responded to Altria's question tactfully.

"I think--"

"Now is not the best time to answer that question."

"Altria, can I answer you next time? I want to have more chance to think and observe. You... shouldn't be angry, right?"

"..."

This answer is actually direct enough, and Artoria is certainly not the kind of person who is ignorant.

She was not angry, but just smiled in response.

"okay, I get it."

"Then... wait for a suitable opportunity to answer."