Simulator in Type-moon, Starting with becoming Morgan husband!

Chapter 42: Chapter 42. The Unexpected Reunion



Chapter 42. The Unexpected Reunion

[The knights' words make you realize something.]

[This is the very village where Artorius is staying.]

[Helping the defeated knights returning from the frontline is exactly the kind of thing someone with his character would do.]

"Where is he now?" Ian asked.

"Well…"

The knights exchanged glances, then all shook their heads.

"He didn't tell us where he was going, only that we should wait for him to return."

"Did he say anything else?"

"No, nothing else," one of the knights replied honestly.

"Alright."

Ian didn't ask further.

He knew these wounded knights wouldn't have much more information.

Still, even without additional clues, Ian could guess what Artorius might be doing.

Given his nature, it was highly likely that he was out looking for ways to help this group of knights.

[Your deduction is quickly proven correct.]

[With a call of, "Sorry to keep everyone waiting," Artorius appeared, carrying a crate and accompanied by an older man.]

[Clearly, the crate must contain food, and the older man was likely someone Artorius had brought to treat the knights' injuries.]

[You smile and wave at him.]

[Artorius freezes in shock, so much so that the crate in his hands slips and falls.]

Ian reacted instantly.

The moment the crate left Artorius's hands, Ian moved.

Before it could hit the ground, Ian caught it firmly.

"So fast!"

The knights stared at Ian in utter amazement.

They were now even more convinced that the failure of the war was deeply tied to Ian's absence.

"Here, take it."

Ian handed the crate back to Artorius.

"Artorius, you need to focus more when you're working."

"Oh… yes!"

Artorius nodded repeatedly, taking the crate from Ian. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he turned to the man accompanying him.

"Please take care of treating the knights' injuries. I'll leave it in your hands."

After that, he turned back to Ian.

"Mr. Ian, please wait for me a moment!"

With that, Artorius set the crate down and dashed out of the room.

[You don't understand why Artorius suddenly ran off.]

[However, you don't dwell on it too much.]

[The person Artorius brought was indeed here to treat the knights' wounds, just as you had predicted.]

[You quietly observe everything from the sidelines, without speaking.]

[Until a familiar voice calls out to you.]

"Mr. Ian," Artorius's gentle voice rang out.

Ian turned and immediately understood what Artorius had gone to do.

Before him, Artorius's face was glistening with water, the ends of his hair still damp with a few droplets.

His long golden hair had been neatly tied back, secured with a strip of cloth torn from some old material.

The clothes that had been somewhat disheveled earlier were now tidied, with no trace of the hard labor he had been doing.

It wasn't hard to guess what had happened—Artorius had gone to wash up and compose himself.

But this wasn't the first time Ian had seen such behavior, so he didn't give it much thought.

Of course, Ian hadn't forgotten Morgan's command—to kill Artorius.

However, striking here, in a village like this, might mean having to kill everyone in the village.

Whether he could pull it off was one thing.

But if more knights fled to this place in the future, who knew what kind of complications would arise?

For now, it was best to wait.

"It's been a while, Artorius," Ian responded with a smile.

"It's been a while, Mr. Ian!"

Artorius blushed faintly, clasping his hands gently in front of his chest. With his delicate features, he looked almost like a young maiden.

"I didn't expect to meet you here."

"Come to think of it, aren't you quite busy? Why would you…"

"I was out taking care of a few things."

Ian gave a vague explanation—of course, he couldn't tell Artorius about the mission Morgan had assigned to him.

"I see." Artorius didn't press further.

"Speaking of which—"

Ian glanced at the knights nearby, currently being treated.

"Artorius, are all these knights here because you brought them to this village?"

Artorius nodded.

"Yes."

"They are knights of Britannia, the ones protecting us. When they're injured, it's only natural that we care for them."

"But, Artorius," Ian said, scanning the group of knights present.

"Doesn't the sudden influx of so many knights put an unbearable strain on the village?"

"You… are still the same as before, going beyond your limits to do what you think is right?" Ian asked, his tone calm but probing.

"Beyond my limits?"

"No." Artorius smiled softly and shook his head.

"Mr. Ian, this time, I'm not exceeding my abilities."

"I truly believe these knights deserve our help, but I've also ensured that this wouldn't push the village beyond its limits."

"The presence of these knights won't disrupt the normal life of the villagers. I've already confirmed this with my father and older brother."

"Besides," Artorius added, his gaze shifting to the healer treating the knights, "the healer is someone I found right here in the village."

"Beforehand, I thought that if I couldn't find someone suitable here, I'd have to abandon this plan."

"But in the end, after searching the entire village, I found him."

"What you said to me that day was true—none of us should force ourselves to do something beyond our capabilities."

"But at the very least—"

Artorius's expression grew serious, his youthful face now resolute.

"Before declaring complete failure, I hope to try everything within my reach."

"…"

[You remain silent for a long while.]

[This seems to unsettle Artorius slightly.]

"Mr. Ian," the young man asked softly, "is what I'm doing too stubborn?"

"Not exactly stubborn," Ian replied, turning to look at him.

"It's just that I think, with this mindset, you might exhaust yourself when tackling these kinds of tasks."

"Do you think it's worth it?"

"It's worth it," Artorius said with a firm nod. "At the very least, I believe it is."

"Is that so?"

Ian felt his heart stirred again by this delicate yet determined youth.

After a brief hesitation, he reached out and gently patted Artorius's head.

"In that case, I hope you achieve what you're striving for."

"Yes…" Artorius murmured, bowing his head slightly, his cheeks tinged with embarrassment.

At that moment, a figure appeared in the distance.

"Artorius!"

"Huh? Brother?" Artorius looked up, a hint of confusion flickering in his eyes. "Why are you back?"

"That's not important," the one addressed as his brother said, casting a quick glance at Ian.

"Come with me for a moment—I need to talk to you!"

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Happy new year, Wishing you a healthy and a good new start.

P/S: My country uses Lunar New Year so I forgot about it


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