Guinevere's residence in the Royal City was divided into three perimeters: the outer, inner, and core zones. Artorius and his men guarded the outer ring, while the inner layer was managed by Bart and the knights Guinevere had brought with her. The core zone—the heart of the estate—was personally overseen by Bart and his most trusted confidants.
Since Artorius was a familiar face to everyone, he and Artoria were permitted to enter without issue, quickly reaching the core area.
"Artorius? What are you doing here?" Bart called out, walking over and throwing a friendly arm around the young man's shoulder. "Come to see the Princess?"
"Yes. I have urgent business with Her Highness," Artorius replied, his expression grim. Sensing the gravity of the situation, Bart's smile vanished instantly. He led them straight to the door of the master bedroom at the top of the small hilltop manor.
When the door opened, Guinevere's eyes initially sparked with a flash of surprise and joy. But as she took in Artorius's solemn face, her delight withered. "It's so late. Has something happened?"
"Princess, I suspect there may be an enemy raid tonight. I hope you will consider relocating to a secure location under the cover of darkness."
"A night raid?" Bart blurted out, stunned. However, after hearing the details of Artorius's suspicion, Bart actually felt a wave of relief. He had initially feared it was internal noble infighting; he hadn't imagined someone would be insane enough to lead Saxons into the capital. Had this claim come from anyone other than Artorius, Bart likely would have kicked them out on the spot.
"Better safe than sorry, Princess. You should—"
"Even if I leave, you're staying here, aren't you?" Guinevere interrupted him.
"Yes."
"Then I'm not going anywhere." Guinevere looked Artorius straight in the eye, offering a gentle smile. "You'll protect me, won't you?"
"I will. But I can't guarantee I'll survive tonight myself, so..."
"I believe in you, just as I believe you will pull that sword. So, my knight, do you believe in yourself?"
Artorius felt a surge of irritation. Of course he wanted to believe in himself, but he knew with absolute certainty that the sword was meant for "Arthur Pendragon." He couldn't pull it out to save his life.
Without waiting for his answer, Guinevere turned and retreated into her room. Before closing the door, she gave Bart a final instruction: "Uncle Bart, give him full command. Do exactly as he says."
After leaving the manor, Artorius immediately began making deployments. He ordered Artoria to head to Marquis Lucan's estate to request reinforcements and told her to stand by there.
However, Artoria saw right through her brother's attempt to shield her. She insisted on taking the more "dangerous" task: riding out of the city to find their foster father, Ector, and leading his troops back as reinforcements.
After a heated argument, Artorius "reluctantly" compromised. He watched his sister depart, she turning back to look at him every few steps until she vanished into the distance.
The moment she was gone, the look of weary defeat vanished from Artorius's face, replaced by a fox-like grin. "An idiot is an idiot."
He knew that the main Saxon force was already inside the city; the path out of the gates was actually the safest route. By exploiting Artoria's "single-threaded brain" through reverse psychology and a bit of emotional manipulation, he had successfully tricked her into choosing the path that seemed most dangerous but was, in fact, the safest way to get her out of harm's way while still securing backup.
Shortly after, his childhood friend Muur came running up, breathless, to report. Artorius confirmed the progress of the defensive fortifications and instructed Muur to send men to Marquis Lucan—specifically telling him to avoid Kay and Bedivere so as not to worry them.
"Muur, do you believe I can be King?" Artorius asked suddenly.
"Of course I do!" Muur's eyes lit up with fervor. "And if that Court Mage tries any of that behind-the-scenes rigging to keep you from pulling the sword, the boys and I will just kill whoever does pull it, grab the sword, and hand it to you ourselves!"
"You've got a wild streak, kid," Artorius laughed, the irritation in his heart finally evaporating. He gave Muur a playful kick in the backside. "Alright, while the night is still young, it's my treat. Order some takeout for the men—from that mage-run restaurant in the east district."
"Young Master, I love you!!!"
"Get lost!"
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