MTLNOVEL Chapter 48: If It Could Be Undone
"Can you still walk?"
"Y-yes, I can."
No matter how stubborn the mouth, it couldn't make the weak legs hold on.
Just after putting on a brave front in front of Ian, Artorius almost fell.
Fortunately, Ian was quick-witted and grabbed her.
"Heh, Artorius, is this what you call 'can'? An eighty-year-old might stand steadier than you."
"..."
Artorius lowered her head.
"Sorry, Mr. Ian, I can't walk anymore."
"I know."
Ian hadn't forgotten how Artorius had been moving just moments ago.
That golden hair was swaying like waves.
"You should have said so sooner."
[You picked up Artorius.]
[You carried her towards the horses.]
[You got on the horse together.]
To be honest, Ian was feeling a strong sense of frustration.
He wanted to kill the extremely vulnerable Artorius in front of him, but the excessively powerful magic made it impossible.
He wasn't interested in her meager body, but he had left something behind through her persistent efforts.
He thought he could be ruthless to any woman other than Morgan.
But now it seemed that wasn't the case.
It would be difficult to explain to Morgan when he got back.
"Mr. Ian?"
"What is it?" Artorius, sitting in front, lowered her head, looking a little nervous.
"Seeing you haven't spoken for so long... I thought you were angry."
"Angry? Why would I be angry?"
"I... in the end, I couldn't accept what you said," Artorius's voice was still very soft.
"I'm really sorry for not being the person you wanted to see."
"The person I wanted to see?"
Ian gave a wry smile.
He wasn't interested in making her the person he wanted to see;
If he had to say, a dead person might count.
Of course.
These words could never be spoken.
Having confirmed that he couldn't break the magic, Ian knew he could only continue this pretense of kindness towards Artorius.
"Artorius, you're wrong to think that way."
"What kind of person you become is not for me to decide, but for yourself."
"You have the right to go north, and the freedom to go south—all of this is allowed on the land of Britannia."
"Then—"
Artorius tilted her head back.
"Mr. Ian, do I have the right to ask you to take me for a walk again?"
"I don't want to go back to the village yet."
He'd been tricked.
This guy was still a bit cunning.
"...Where do you want to go?" Ian asked.
"Anywhere is fine," Artorius touched Ian's hand, this time she was much bolder.
"It's enough as long as you're here, Mr. Ian."
[You didn't answer Artorius, and you pulled your hand away.]
[But you did turn the horse around as she asked.]
[The sound of hooves faded as you moved away from the village.]
[If Kay were here, he would probably be furious at Artorius's initiative.]
[You stopped on a hill, where you could overlook a large area.]
[The wind blowing in your face made you feel a little better.]
"Mr. Ian," Artorius looked at the land in front of her, her beautiful green eyes shining brighter.
"The land of Britannia is so beautiful."
"That's why so many knights are willing to give their lives to protect it, right?"
Ian nodded.
"Artorius, you're right."
"Then Mr. Ian, is the situation at the front line very bad?" Artorius looked towards the village.
"So many knights have fled back, are the enemies stronger than expected?"
"..."
Ian didn't know how to answer this question.
After all, he had fought Vortigern—he had not only guessed his intentions, but also counterattacked swiftly and fiercely.
But he couldn't say something discouraging, could he?
"Artorius, although the enemies are indeed very strong, I believe we will win in the end."
"Is that so?"
Artorius smiled, her hair loose, looking as beautiful as she should be at her age.
"Mr. Ian, I'm relieved to hear you say that."
"Is that so? That's good."
"By the way, Mr. Ian, I have a question."
"Mm, go ahead."
"It's just—"
Artorius lowered her head.
"Did I make you feel disgusted just now?"
"Disgusted?"
"Yes," Artorius nodded. "Was I a bit presumptuous?"
"Without permission—"
Artorius raised a finger and bent it slightly.
"Just sat on it."
"Then Artorius, what do you think?" Ian asked back.
"I don't know," Artorius shook her head. "That's why I want to ask you, Mr. Ian!"
"Artorius, you're too direct."
"But isn't this the most effective way to communicate?"
"But sometimes, we need to be more subtle."
Ian sighed.
He really wanted to know why Artorius had become like this—even though he wanted to kill her now.
"Artorius, since you asked, my answer is yes, it wasn't very good."
"As expected?"
[You found that Artorius wasn't discouraged by your words.]
[On the contrary, she seemed to have something to say.]
[You noticed this.]
"Artorius, if you have any other thoughts, just say them."
"Then—" Knowing that Ian didn't like to dawdle, Artorius spoke again quickly.
"Mr. Ian."
"I have an idea."
"How about we pretend it never happened?"
"Never happened?"
"Yes!"
Artorius turned her head.
"Mr. Ian thinks it's not good, and I don't think it's good either."
"Then let's pretend it never happened."
"In the future... when there's a better opportunity, we'll start over! Maybe then I can admit the identity you mentioned!"
"Mr. Ian, you can also change your opinion this time!"
[You didn't answer Artorius.]
[But you knew very well that what she said was very beneficial to you—at least you didn't have to worry about Artorius telling Kay about it.]
[You acquiesced.]
[However, you didn't know.]
[Your acquiescence planted a small seed in Artorius's heart.]
[A desireless person had a private thought, and an eternally standing body was tainted with desire.]
[One day in the future, it would turn into a thorny fruit.]