Fate: I Will Eventually Become the Hero of Justice II

Chapter 361

"Gray, lying is not a good habit, you know," Artoria said seriously. "I was directly involved in the Fourth Holy Grail War, and you can't deceive me. That Caster is a hero, a hero who is willing to listen to the sorrows of others. A listener, not a king."

Pausing for a moment, she continued, "And also, I am the King's knight. If that Caster were my King, I would have recognized him at first sight! Moreover, if that Caster were my King, he would have definitely recognized me at first sight as well. In that case, I would have become the King's sword, cutting through thorns and obtaining the Holy Grail. In fact, with the King's character, he would never be interested in the Holy Grail. Furthermore, that Caster... that Caster..."

Artoria's recollection shifted abruptly to the tender and comforting gaze she had once witnessed during her Alter Saber phase. The memory of those warm eyes brought forth thoughts of the Young King's gentle gaze, causing a cold sweat to dampen her forehead.

"Well... uh... regardless of anything else, there's just no way that Caster could be my King!"

"But, the teacher mentioned that the Eternal King was actually the Caster in the Fourth Holy Grail War. Um..." Gray paused for a moment, thinking. "The teacher also said that back then, the Eternal King hadn't awakened fully and was dressed in really peculiar clothes. And, well, he was being pursued by the Saber and Lancer of that time... Huh? Your Highness, why do you look so strange? Why are you even crouching in the corner like that?"

Gray was utterly perplexed. She hadn't even finished her sentence, yet her respected King of Knights now appeared ashen-faced, clutching her head and crouched in the corner of the room.

Cold sweat trickled down Artoria's exquisite and striking face.

Something was clearly wrong. Gray's eyes filled with worry as she approached her, "Um... Are you feeling unwell?"

Artoria's quivering lips struggled to form words as she mustered the courage to speak. "I... I... Do... do you have a knife?"

Confusion clouded Gray's face as she responded, "Yes, I do. But why, Your Highness?"

Tears welled up in Artoria's eyes, her entire body trembling uncontrollably. "I... I want to end my life... I can't bear to live in this world anymore!"

Upon careful consideration, she realized with certainty that those eyes could only belong to her beloved King. Memories of the Fourth Holy Grail War flooded her mind, particularly the moment she raised her sword against the Caster in the strange outfit, vowing to bring him down.

It's over...

Everything, it's all over now!

The weight of failure as a knight washed over her, engulfing her in a profound sense of disappointment and self-doubt.

How much of a failure had she become?

Ah—! She tightly clasped her head, her once-calm and resolute eyes now empty and hollow.

"Um... Are you okay?" Gray asked cautiously. This king, who had been her guiding light, helping her find her own path in life, seemed completely off in that moment.

"Do... do you have a knife?" Artoria looked up with empty eyes, her voice devoid of hope, and made the startling request to Gray. "Please give me one."

Confusion etched across Gray's face as she held the knife in her hands, unsure of Artoria's intentions. "Yes, I do. But what do you want to do?"

"I... I want to end my life! I can't bear to live in this world anymore!"

"Why would you say that? Why do you want to end your life? Besides... you're a spiritual entity, so... you can't really end your life, can you?"