The two of them then walked out of the house, strolling along the edge of the lake.
Artoria remained silent, keeping her head down.
Arkhan didn't rush her, casually enjoying the scenery along the way. After spending over a decade in that desolate land of the dead, even seeing a pile of manure could bring joy to his heart.
"Actually, there's something I've been wanting to tell you, but I never knew how to say it..." Artoria said hesitantly, her eyes shimmering.
'Wait a minute! This scene looks strangely familiar.' Arkhan's eyes narrowed with caution, subtly taking a few steps to the side. He cleared his throat and said, "I understand what you mean, Lily. For a girl your age, this is indeed a difficult matter."
'Girl...' Artoria thought bitterly and her eyes dimmed slightly. Did even her teacher see her as a mere girl, making it impossible for her to become a worthy king?
"I know this may seem unrealistic for your current goals, but, as you said, true strength comes from within. Once you've set a goal, you'll work hard to achieve it. So, please, give me a chance!" Artoria raised her head, and determination filled her azure eyes.
Perhaps, as a king, she might still be somewhat immature, but if Arkhan was willing to lend a hand, she had the confidence to face these challenges.
Arkhan felt a wave of confusion and thought:
'What's going on with her today? She's usually so quiet, but the words she's saying now are surprising. Is this what they call the puberty?
Perhaps she's been suppressing her emotions for too long, and now they're all bursting out at once? It can't be, right? We've only known each other for half a year; is my charisma really this strong?
Hmm, they do say that exceptional people are like gold hidden in rocks, unable to conceal their brilliance no matter where they go.'
After indulging in a moment of self-flattery, Arkhan cleared his throat and said, "Lily, I understand you're eagerness, but have you considered that this might be a momentary impulse? Children your age tend to have immature thought processes, and they often make impulsive decisions without considering the consequences. So... how about you think it over more carefully?"
He believed that Artoria had been repressed for too long. Raised as a king from a young age, she had matured and become wise beyond her years. However, this had caused her to lose a lot in the process.
As a king, she had to maintain her composure at all times. Apart from eating, her face rarely showed any emotional fluctuations. This didn't mean she lacked these normal emotions; she had simply suppressed them to maintain her regal demeanor.
These suppressed emotions might not be evident most of the time, but once they encountered certain circumstances, they could burst forth like a floodgate, sometimes even overwhelming reason.
This was a common occurrence in his previous life.
"Teacher, although I may not be as mature as you, please don't treat me like a child. I take responsibility for every decision I make!" Artoria firmly replied.
'You can brag all you want...' Arkhan retorted in his mind.
If she were really that strong and responsible, she wouldn't have run off to become a Servant to participate in the Holy Grail War and pinned Britain's hopes on that wish-granting machine of all things.
"I think you should reconsider, Lily. Perhaps discuss it with Sir Ector." Arkhan suggested.
There were some things Arkhan, as an outsider, couldn't say, but given Ector's status and experience, he could probably help Artoria see things more clearly.
"Sir Ector already knows, and Kay also the same. They both support my decision." Artoria replied with a firm tone.
Arkhan looked utterly baffled.
'What the hell? Ector knows, and even Kay, that rascal? Oy, we're talking about your future king of Britain here! Could those father and son have been possessed by some bizarre spirit? Not only did they not object, but they also supported this decision?'
Arkhan couldn't hold back any longer. He had to have a serious talk with Artoria; otherwise, things might take a very strange turn.
"Listen to me, Lily..." He said while gripping Artoria's shoulder and taking a deep breath. "We haven't known each other for long, and our understanding of each other is still quite shallow—of course, I may know a little more about you than you do about me, but that's not important! What's important is..."
Arkhan suddenly hesitated. The girl in front of him had been his student for only half a year, and he wasn't sure if brutally shattering her heart was the right thing to do.
"Teacher, I know this request is difficult, and it's only natural for you to refuse. Neither I nor Camelot can offer a suitable reward for this..."
Artoria clenched her teeth while gazing at Arkhan, an unusual plea appearing in her sacred azure eyes.
"But please, I still hope that you can lend me a hand, and help me bring this country, standing on the edge of a cliff, back from the brink. It's my only wish, please! Whatever you may ask of me later, I will do my best to fulfill it!"
Artoria pleaded, bending almost ninety degrees in a deep bow.
Arkhan looked utterly bewildered.
He suddenly realized that he seemed to have misunderstood something, so he carefully said, "Lily, please clarify for me first. What exactly do you want me to do?"
Artoria straightened up and spoke with determination, "Please instruct me on how to become a competent king and restore Camelot and Britain to its former glory."
Arkhan's lips twitched slightly.
'So it wasn't a love confession?'
He suddenly felt somewhat fortunate that he hadn't said anything too strange and embarrassing earlier; otherwise, he would have completely lost face today.
Shaking his head and pushing aside these jumbled thoughts, Arkhan looked at Artoria.
"So, you want me to assist you in governing this country?"
Artoria nodded.
Arkhan had a bit of a headache.
Britain was fated to be destroyed, something he had recognized very clearly since his first day in this world.
The Age of Gods was fading, and the Age of Man was being established; this was the inevitable course of history. Britain, caught between the two, would eventually become a part of history, a process that no one could stop.
Binding himself to a ship that was destined to sink did not align with his principles.
It wasn't because he was worried about the splashing waves reaching him; it was just that the thought of all his efforts ultimately turning to nothing left him feeling a bit uninspired.
What should he do...
Glancing at Artoria, an idea suddenly occurred to Arkhan.
'Perhaps, I can give this method a try...'
Arkhan cleared his throat and looked at Artoria with a slightly serious expression.
"Lily, before I answer your question, I hope you can tell me one thing."
"Please go ahead..." Artoria replied earnestly.
"Are you truly prepared to become a king?"