Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

If she were to stand next to her two daughters, it would be difficult to tell who was older.

"Mordred, you're a renowned knight now, shouldn't you have your own sword by now?"

"No, that kind of thing..."

"The quality of a sword doesn't matter at all, as long as it can be used to cut people."

So, if you get a chipped blade, you just throw it away and pick up the ones dropped by enemies on the battlefield, right?

Wang revealed a malicious smile: "That's just like Mordred's style."

"……Well!"

Mordred couldn't tell if the king was mocking or praising her, so she could only mutter "long-winded" with her cheeks burning.

"No, Mordred should indeed have his own sword."

Arthur took the silver magic sword from the long wooden box and handed it to the girl.

"Consider it a reward for Mordred's hard work so far, and accept it."

"........."

"What's wrong with you today? You're usually never polite to me..."

Wang knew his daughter's stubborn personality well, but she seemed particularly unpredictable today.

So he raised his voice slightly: "Do I have to order you around, Lord Mordred?"

The girl bit her lip and made a final, soft hum as if to confirm something.

"Let me accept this... which means you intend to pass the throne of Britain to me, right?"

Mordred desperately wanted to hear his father say, "Fool! How could such a thing happen? You wish!" But things didn't go as planned...

Talking about it casually, as if it were just about discussing dinner—

Wang smiled.

"Yes, I intend to make you my successor."

"!!!"

Tinnitus was detected.

Mordred stopped breathing.

Even the flow of time in the universe seemed to stop at that moment.

Although I wanted to tell myself it was a dream, my trembling legs told me it was not a dream, but a stark reality.

King Arthur recognized Mordred's worth and decided to make her his successor.

Shock, confusion, happiness...

A flood of emotions surged through Mordred's chest, leaving her feeling overwhelmed.

An overwhelming surge of emotion engulfed the girl like a tsunami.

However, this state did not last long.

Soon, new feelings began to blossom in Mordred's heart.

For the first time in her life, the girl felt "anger" towards her beloved father.

"Why……"

Mordred stared at the floor and questioned in a hoarse voice.

Why am I the one to be called King Arthur's successor?

Lily—

Artoria is the better one!

In terms of swordsmanship, she and Mordred are evenly matched.

But apart from that, Mordred has nothing that can compare to her.

Artoria is a natural leader.

She simply stood there, and the knights couldn't help but want to follow her; it was a magical charisma of a leader.

Not only among knights and nobles, but also among the common people, her reputation was much better.

Unlike Mordred, Artoria always prioritizes protecting the people over killing enemies.

Kindness, humility, gentleness, integrity, purity...

Artoria Lily, who embodies all virtues, is the more suitable person to be King Arthur's successor.

Only she could inherit her father's glory and continue to protect the peace of Britain as queen—that's what everyone would think.

But why...

Why did his father choose him?

Could it be that the flawless King Arthur had a less discerning eye than those ordinary people?

Does a man hailed as a savior have to consider the queen's feelings when choosing his successor?

Mordred felt utterly enraged:

She idolized her father so much that she couldn't accept him making any wrong judgments.

"Answer me, King Arthur...!"

Mordred grabbed Arthur by the collar: "Do you think I'm more fit to be the King of Britain than Artoria?"

She was prepared to punch the man in the face if he answered "yes".

"...Mordred."

Arthur looked surprised for a moment, but quickly regained his composure.

He nodded, then said calmly.

"I understand, then I'll tell you the truth—"

Mordred, you lack the capacity of a king.

"If you inherit my throne, Britain will one day perish in your hands."

"…………"

Mordred felt like she could barely breathe.

The king's tone was too cold and ruthless, completely different from the gentle gaze he had given me just now.

Although she felt like she was about to collapse at any moment, she gritted her teeth and spoke.

"Since you know... then why did you make me do it..."

"Isn't it obvious?"

The eternal king, with the appearance of a young man, raised his arm and gently stroked the girl's cheek.

"To me, you are more important than Britain."

"……………………What."

Mordred collapsed to the ground.

The image of her father reflected in the girl's eyes seemed so unfamiliar.

"Don't say... such nonsense... King Arthur... how could he have such a private affair..."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Mordred—"

I am not the perfect king you imagine, the one who would give everything for Britain.

The red-haired boy spoke in an extremely calm voice.

"Because your mother loved this country so much, that's why I want to protect it, nothing more."

For me, the survival of Britain has never been the most important thing.

You, your mother, and Lily... are my most treasured possessions.

"You...big liar...wait...ah...!!"

Is she crying? Am I crying?

Mordred cupped her cheeks in her hands,

A mixture of anger and sorrow welled up in the girl's eyes, and tears streamed down her face.

"Now that things have come to this, why...stop...don't...!"

Please...

Don't do that...

Don't make me... stop right now...

Don't kill the father I love!

“Morde, Red…”

Just as Mordred, at a loss, was about to rush out the door, the boy placed his hand on her head.

“Father…?”

"Mordred, answer me... what is your wish?"

He stroked the girl's hair as he asked.

Mordred couldn't help but recall a similar conversation that seemed to have taken place more than a decade ago.

My wish is...

What exactly do I want to do?

"I--"

Mordred, follow your heart.

Whether you want to become the King of Britain or surpass your sister, choose the one you prefer.

This is not anyone else's decision; it is a choice made solely by your own will.

"Father...do I...have a choice?"

"Ah, choose the one you won't regret."

Wang Lu revealed the same gentle expression she had seen in her childhood.

"Don't worry, I will never abandon you no matter what you choose."

"I want—"

What is the correct way to answer?

How can I say something that will make my father happy and won't disappoint this person?

The girl racked her brains but still couldn't figure it out.

"Follow your heart."

The king's words echoed repeatedly in the girl's mind.

Finally, Mordred made a decision in her heart.

It's less about making a decision and more about finally remembering it.

Although she had forgotten it for a time, she eventually remembered it with the encouragement of her beloved.

Mordred lifted her tear-streaked face and spoke.

"I want my father's approval, and nothing else."

Even if people say I lack the magnanimity to be a king, so be it.

—Even if people say this is a disqualification for a knight.

From the very beginning, Mordred only longed for the day she would see King Arthur.

I've been working so hard all this time just to gain his approval.