Clang!
Clang!
Clang clang clang!
Sword and spear continuously clashed in the air. Two figures moved back and forth, and in the blink of an eye, several rounds had already ended. The two combatants separated and faced each other.
The battle between them was dazzling. Diarmuid's twin spears and Balin's twin swords created a series of crisp, ringing sounds each time they met. Each attack was perfectly timed. As experts in dual-wielding weapons, both naturally appreciated each other's skills.
"As expected of Diarmuid, you truly possess great strength. No wonder our king values you so highly," Balin said, wiping the sweat from her forehead as she returned her swords to their sheaths.
"King Arthur values me?"
"That's right. The king has praised you more than once—more times than he has ever praised me," Balin replied, visibly displeased. As the brain of the Round Table Knights, she was jealous that Arthur held Diarmuid in such high regard.
"That is truly undeserved."
"Diarmuid, you are too modest," a voice chimed in at that moment.
Arthur slowly walked over from the side.
"King!"
"King Arthur!" the two said, slightly bowing.
Arthur smiled and nodded. "I have always admired your loyalty and bravery."
"You flatter me."
"I don't think so, Diarmuid." Arthur's expression shifted. He looked seriously at Diarmuid. "Join my ranks and journey with me to the pinnacle of the world."
"I apologize, respected King Arthur. I am grateful for your high regard, but I have my own lord."
"I know. Kayneth Archibald El-Melloi," Arthur said with a smile and a shake of his head. "However, I am not asking you to betray him—but rather, to join me in the future."
"In the future?"
"That's right. Diarmuid, I have high hopes for you, but I will not insult your honor. For now, serve your lord well. When you believe you've fulfilled your duties and he permits you to go, then come to me. How about it?"
Arthur looked at Diarmuid with hopeful eyes. He trusted his judgment and knew Diarmuid wouldn't betray his lord, so he chose the next best option.
"This..." To be honest, after all the interaction, Diarmuid greatly admired this wise and mighty king. He truly appreciated Arthur and wanted to serve such a ruler. In every aspect, Arthur was the most suitable king. But Diarmuid hesitated. He knew he only had one chance to answer, so he dared not agree lightly.
"You don't have to answer me now," Arthur said with a smile. "I will wait. Think about it carefully. Believe in your king's strength."
With that, Arthur left with Balin, while Diarmuid remained deep in thought.
---
"King, Diarmuid was clearly about to agree. Why stop?" Balin asked, puzzled. She, too, admired Diarmuid and hoped he would become a comrade. "You just needed to push a little harder."
"He is a loyal man. If he hasn't clearly seen through his own lord, or if his lord hasn't given up on him, even if he agreed, he would be burdened with guilt. I don't want my subjects to carry such a lingering knot in their hearts, so..."
"King, you're so kind," Balin said, gazing at Arthur with admiration.
"Haha, don't praise me too much—I might get arrogant."
"You deserve it."
"You always have the sweetest words."
Arthur left, while Diarmuid stood silently, filled with gratitude. His respect for Arthur had reached its peak. Just a little more, and he might have accepted Arthur's offer.
The seed had been planted—now it only needed time to sprout.
---
On the other side, Waver had been following Iskandar for quite a while. The King of Conquerors was busy having his subordinates spar with others. Whether they won or lost, he was equally thrilled. This constant cheerfulness made Waver doubt if his Servant was an idiot.
"Hey, Rider, why do you laugh even when you lose? Are you crazy?"
"Little Master, let me tell you something," Iskandar said, pointing to his soldiers. "These people could all become my enemies in the future. Every time my men clash with them—if they win? My army's morale rises. If they lose? They'll train harder, then rise even more. So why wouldn't I laugh?"
"What kind of logic is that?!"
"Unwavering trust in one's subordinates, absolute affirmation of one's people's efforts! That is a king!"
Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap...
Continuous applause echoed. A silver-armored knight approached.
"As expected of the King of Conquerors!"
"You are?"
"Knight of the Round Table, Gawain."
"Wow! The Sun Knight!" Waver exclaimed in surprise at the sunny, beautiful girl before them. "They say her power rivals even King Arthur's!"
"That can't be true! The King is my goal!" Small stars sparkled in Gawain's eyes.
"Interesting. So, a first-rate Heroic Spirit."
"King of Conquerors, if there's a chance, I must let you witness the strength of our Britain."
"Haha! Wonderful! That means my territory might expand again!"
"Hehe, let's just hope your country isn't destroyed by us."
---
Meanwhile, Arthur had left the palace and refused Balin's escort. Alone, he wandered the streets.
To his surprise, modern gadgets had begun to appear in Britain. There weren't many, but it was a good sign of change.
Bump!
Arthur, on a secret visit, accidentally bumped into a soft, yielding figure.
"Ouch." A woman fell to the ground.
"Are you alright?" Arthur asked apologetically, only to freeze when he saw her. A beautiful girl with golden hair, red eyes, and a fiery figure lay before him. Beneath that golden hair was a face so captivating, it stunned Arthur. She was more beautiful than any woman he had ever seen.
His heart fluttered.
"You! You actually—"
"Sorry," Arthur said, flustered.
"My foot... I can't move! What should I do?!"
"That..." Arthur looked around. There were no carriages in sight. With no other option, he offered, "Um... I can carry you on my back."
"Okay."
To Arthur's surprise, the girl agreed without hesitation.
"Then—"
"Hurry up!"
"Alright." Arthur bent down and carried her on his back.
As he walked, he felt two soft masses pressing into his back, rising and falling with his steps. The sensation... was extremely comfortable.
"Slow down!"
"Got it."
The golden-haired beauty, content on his back, suddenly pulled out a book.
"First, pretend to fall, then—"
"What did you say?"
"Nothing! None of your business!" she snapped, continuing to read.
Looking closely, the book cover read: How to Grasp a Man's Heart. Although clearly old, Gil had heard it was a classic and chosen it accordingly. Unfortunately, she didn't understand that classics often came with outdated tactics. If Arthur hadn't been out of touch with such things, he wouldn't have been fooled by this cliché plot.
Also, even Arthur hadn't expected this: not Gilgamesh, but a female Gilgamesh!
And so, on the street, people saw a peculiar sight—
A handsome man, carrying a beautiful woman on his back, leisurely strolling down the street.
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