[The knight's words made you realize something.]
[This was the village where Arthur lived.]
[Rescuing defeated knights from the front lines was exactly the kind of thing someone like him would do.]
"Where is he now?" Rei asked.
"Well…"
The knights glanced at one another before shaking their heads.
"He didn't tell us where he was going—only that we should stay here and wait for his return."
"Did he say anything else?"
"No, that was all," the knight replied honestly.
"Alright."
Rei didn't continue questioning them.
He knew these wounded knights wouldn't have much more information to offer.
Still, even without any useful clues, Rei could roughly guess what Arthur had gone to do.
Given his personality, he was most likely searching for ways to help these knights.
[Your assumption was quickly confirmed.]
[With a call of "Sorry to keep you all waiting," Arthur appeared before you, carrying a bucket and accompanied by an older man.]
[It was obvious that the bucket contained food, while the older man had likely been brought to treat the knights' wounds.]
[You smiled and waved at him.]
[But he froze in place, his hands loosening their grip on the bucket, causing it to drop straight down.]
Rei reacted swiftly.
The moment the bucket slipped from Arthur's grasp, he sprang into action.
Before it could hit the ground, Rei had already caught it smoothly.
"Such incredible speed!"
The knights stared in astonishment.
They became even more convinced that Rei's absence had played a crucial role in their defeat in the war.
"Here."
Rei handed the bucket back.
"Arthur, stay focused when you're doing things."
"Ah… oh."
Arthur nodded repeatedly, taking the bucket from Rei. Then, as if suddenly realizing something, he turned to the older man beside him.
"I'll leave the knights' treatment to you."
Then, he looked back at Rei.
"Sir Rei, please wait here for me!"
With that, Arthur placed the bucket down and dashed off in a hurry.
[You had no idea why Arthur suddenly ran off.]
[But you didn't overthink it.]
[The healer Arthur had brought was indeed there to treat the knights, just as you had expected.]
[You silently observed the process without saying much.]
[That was, until a familiar voice reached your ears once more.]
"Sir Rei."
Arthur's gentle voice called out to him.
Rei turned around and immediately understood what he had just gone to do.
Arthur's face was noticeably damp, with tiny droplets of water clinging to the tips of his golden hair.
His long, beautiful blonde locks had been neatly tied back using the same torn cloth from before.
His previously disheveled clothes had been tidied, with no trace of the wrinkles left from labor.
It was an easy situation to interpret—Arthur had deliberately washed his face and freshened up.
However, it wasn't the first time Rei had seen him do this, so he didn't think too much of it.
Of course—
He hadn't forgotten Morgan's orders—to kill Arthur.
But if he acted here, he might have to slaughter the entire village.
Whether he was capable of doing so was another matter.
And if more knights continued to flee here, who knew what consequences that might bring?
He needed to wait for the right time.
"It's been a while, Arthur." Rei greeted with a smile.
"It has, Sir Rei!"
Arthur's face reddened slightly, and he clasped his hands lightly in front of his chest. With his delicate features, he looked almost like a maiden in that moment.
"I never expected to see you here."
"Weren't you very busy? How come…?"
"Just handling some matters."
Rei answered casually—there was no way he would tell Arthur about Morgan's orders.
"I see." Arthur didn't press the issue.
"By the way—"
Rei glanced at the knights receiving treatment.
"Arthur, did you bring all these knights back to this village?"
Arthur nodded.
"Yes."
"They are knights of Britain, protecting us. When they are wounded, it is only natural that we provide them with treatment."
"But, Arthur—"
Rei glanced at the knights gathered before him.
"Having so many knights suddenly arrive—won't that put too much strain on this village?"
"You… just like before, have you once again overstepped your own limits to do what you believe is right?"
"Overstepped my limits?"
"No." Arthur smiled gently and shook his head.
"Sir Rei, this time, I have not exceeded my capabilities."
"I do believe these men deserve our aid, but I have also ensured that this would not surpass what the village can bear."
"The arrival of these knights will not disrupt the village's daily life—I have already confirmed this with my brother and father."
"Furthermore, there is something else I wish to tell you."
Arthur turned his gaze toward the one tending to the wounded knights.
"This healer—I found him within the village."
"Before this, I had considered abandoning the search if I could not find such a person here."
"But after searching the entire village, I finally found him."
"What you said that day was correct—none of us are obligated to do things beyond our ability."
"But at the very least—"
Arthur's expression grew solemn.
"Before declaring complete failure, I want to try every possibility within my reach."
"..."
[You remained silent for a long time.]
[Arthur grew a little nervous.]
"Sir Rei… was I too stubborn?" The delicate-featured boy asked softly.
"Not stubborn, no."
Rei turned to look at Arthur.
"I just think that with this mindset, you'll end up exhausting yourself quite a bit."
"Do you really think it's worth it?"
"Yes." Arthur nodded firmly. "At least, I believe it is."
"I see."
Once again, Rei felt something within himself stirred by this gentle yet resolute boy.
After a brief hesitation, he reached out and patted Arthur's head.
"Then, I hope you get what you wish for."
"Mmm…"
Arthur lowered his head slightly, looking somewhat shy.
Just then, a figure appeared in the distance.
"Arthur!"
"Eh? Brother?" Arthur lifted his head, suddenly flustered. "Why are you back?"
"That doesn't matter." The one called 'brother' cast a sharp glance at Rei.
"Come with me. Now!"