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IBHJ Chapter 246
🕑 Added 2023-05-05 23:36:50 +0000 UTCMore than ten days had passed, and though Shirou still had his worries, he knew he had to carry on with his daily routine and face things as they came. The future was uncertain, and he had to leave it up to fate.
Yet, despite his best efforts to focus on the present, Shirou found himself confused about which side he should take, assuming such a decision would ever need to be made. It was ironic that after surmounting so many obstacles, he now feared a possible future.
However, he was a king, firmly grounded in reality. He forced himself to dismiss these anxious thoughts and kept himself busy with his work. Whatever was meant to happen would happen, and he would deal with it as it came. He could only leave the future to his future self.
Shirou had also made a promise to someone who behaved like a cat. He knew that if he didn't fulfill it, the cat-like person would likely be furious and tear him apart. In fact, that cat was seething with anger at the moment.
"Breaking the appointment! Breaking the appointment, breaking the appointment..." she muttered angrily. "I'm so angry, I'll kill him!"
Underneath a towering tree, Arcueid held a box that she had painstakingly crafted, along with the black and white Go pieces she had carefully made one by one. She stamped her feet, revealing her canine teeth in frustration and anger.
That man had promised to teach her Go, but he had left her waiting for almost an entire morning. She was beyond angry; she wanted to tear him apart and crush him to a pulp.
Arcueid's rage was so palpable that anyone who saw her couldn't help but steer clear of her.
Just then, the man arrived.
"Sorry, these days, my mind has been all muddled," Shirou apologized.
"I've been waiting here for an entire morning! The entire morning!" she snapped, still visibly upset.
"I'll teach you Go now," he offered.
"Okay," she replied, her demeanor suddenly shifting from anger to happiness as she eagerly opened the box.
She was like a cat, quick to anger and quick to forgive.
"How do you play this? Last time, I saw you and a little kid playing Go beside a guy who looked like a green mushroom at the temple, but I didn't get a good look."
"Are you talking about the Enlightened One?"
She nodded, looking apprehensive. "That guy... he's so irritating! But I can never seem to beat him."
"You don't need to pay attention to him. He doesn't care about you, whether you acknowledge him or not. Just treat him like air," he reassured her, picking up a go piece. "Come on, let me teach you the rules of the game."
"Okay!" she agreed eagerly.
As Shirou taught Arcueid how to play Go, they played together under the shade of a large tree. The afternoon sun filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground and creating a relaxed atmosphere.
Suddenly, Arcueid asked, "Shirou, didn't you say you were planning to go back after unifying this island?"
"I can't go back yet. I might have to stay here for a few more years. What about you? Would you like to go back? If so, I can ask Merlin if there's a way for you to return," Shirou offered.
"Nope," she shook her head and smiled brightly. "I'm having too much fun here. I want to keep playing with you. When you're ready to go back, just take me with you."
He smiled wryly, "It's not exactly fun here. There are just piles and piles of troubles to deal with."
"Troubles?" she asked, pointing to her own eyes. "Do you need me to use my Mystic Eyes to help you alleviate your worries?"
"I appreciate the offer, but I'll manage on my own," he declined, shaking his head. "In fact, you should try to use your Mystic Eyes less often in the future. Using them to control other people's minds isn't a good thing."
"Oh..." Arcueid nodded in understanding. She suddenly remembered the day when Artoria had cried uncontrollably after releasing her inner emotions. Her expression stiffened momentarily before she quickly nodded and promised, "I will definitely be more careful and not misuse my Mystic Eyes again!"
After a moment of hesitation, she added firmly, "Definitely!"
To this day, Arcueid still felt guilty about what had happened. Maybe she shouldn't have released Artoria's repressed emotions that day. If she hadn't, Artoria wouldn't have cried, and Arcueid wouldn't have felt so uneasy.
Even though Artoria had thanked her for releasing her emotions, the tears had left her with a sense of discomfort.
"That's good to hear," he nodded in agreement.
Just then, Percival found Shirou and said, "Your Majesty, the west wall has been completed. Please come and take a look."
Percival was one of the knights who had recently pledged their loyalty to Shirou. Like Lamorak, he was one of King Pellinore's children, but he didn't inherit his father's formidable spear techniques. Instead, he was a knight who excelled in managing people's emotions and internal affairs, similar to Bedivere in character.
After being cast out by King Pellinore, Lamorak had been the first to submit to Shirou, while Percival had become a subject for the Kingdom of Nantes. Later, after the Kingdom of Nantes fell and King Nantes was killed by King Mark, Percival became a guest of various kings.
He had accepted Percival's loyalty partly because he was useful, and partly for political considerations to appease the mood of the other territories.
Shirou's key personnel included not only his core team but also individuals from the Kingdom of Ireland, various kings, and even Gauls. They had been carefully selected and balanced to reconcile political differences and ease local conflicts.
"I understand, Percival," Shirou stood up and apologized to Arcueid. "I'm sorry, but I have some urgent matters to attend to. Let's continue playing next time."
"Okay!" Arcueid nodded before lying down on the ground to gaze at the Go board.
He followed Percival to the west wall of the city.
As Shirou approached, he was greeted by the enslaved Saxons, Picts, and volunteer Britons. The tattered walls had been rebuilt, and the previously divided groups now showed respect towards Shirou, thanks to his efforts to eliminate divisions and material temptations.
Under Shirou's leadership, the quality of life for these once-slaves had significantly improved, and he was willing to provide them with food and support.
However, what they didn't know was that Shirou was also slowly assimilating them with the local culture.
Giants and fairies who had disguised themselves as humans emerged from the Reverse Side and greeted Shirou, who responded to each one. The walls of the city gleamed in the sunlight, adorned with impressive sigils bearing human names.
These were not just any names; Shirou had engraved the names of people recorded in the Heroic Spirit Chronicle, the names of the fallen, and the names of those who had contributed to the war on the walls for all to see and admire.
This act moved the soldiers to tears and inspired newly enlisted soldiers. With a king like him, how could they not be loyal?
In fact, it was Galahad's father, Lancelot, who was in charge of engraving the names. It was said that Galahad himself had helped his father by engraving many names with his small body.
The soldiers admired Galahad's hard work and kindness, and they had grown fond of the child.
"Ouch, it hurts!" Galahad cried out in pain as he fell from the high platform where he had been engraving names upon seeing Shirou.
"Father, father... it hurts..." Galahad looked up at Lancelot, hoping for his father's comfort.
However...
"Hmph! Don't be so weak, Galahad! Get up quickly, don't let the king see you like this!" Lancelot scolded sternly, with a straight face.
For some reason, he was usually a gentle person, but he always had an imposing presence in front of his own son.
"Ugh..." Galahad showed a crying expression.
"Don't be so hard on him, Lancelot," Shirou scolded, picking up Galahad and placing him on Lancelot's shoulders. "You can sit on your father's shoulders and continue engraving names."
"Your Majesty!" Lancelot was about to object, but Shirou looked at him firmly.
Lancelot closed his mouth.
Shirou looked at Galahad and chuckled. "If your father drops you, let me know, and I will punish him!"
"Okay!" Galahad giggled, his face lighting up.
"Hmph... since it's the king's command, there's really no choice. Galahad, carve the names well. If you engrave the wrong name, I'll break your legs!" Lancelot said sternly, although he held Galahad's legs tightly and looked after him carefully.
Satisfied with the progress of the city walls, Shirou looked on with contentment.
The entire British Isles were thriving and flourishing, a beautiful sight to behold. Shirou couldn't help feeling happy about it.
However, the memory of his recent two-day coma left him feeling anxious. He shook his head, trying to dispel the thoughts, and decided to go and play the punishment game with Scathach, who still owed him.
It seemed that only the distressed expression of his mentor could bring him happiness these days. Shirou couldn't help but wonder if he had become a bit abnormal, doubting himself in the process.
