Ch. 117 Artoria called out to Mia

“This…” Artoria stared at the ground with a guilty conscience: “We left in such a hurry that I forgot to bring it.”

“It was that guy Merlin, wasn’t it?” Kai rolled his eyes: “We didn’t even have time to prepare. You pulled the sword in the morning, and we left in a rush that afternoon. If Father hadn’t been prepared, we wouldn’t even have enough rations.”

After saying this, he looked around indignantly: “Where is Merlin? Where did he go?”

However, Merlin was nowhere to be seen.

Instead, he saw Mia.

Artoria also followed his gaze and saw the two people who had been standing on the side the whole time.

“Oh, Miss Mia, good afternoon.”

Artoria called out to Mia.

“Morning~”

Not caring at all that it was almost noon, Mia offered a morning greeting.

“You can just call me Mia.”

Although there’s no need to call me Miss Mia, I would be very happy if you called me Big Sister Mia.

Mia nodded to herself.

Regarding the battle just now, Mia commented: “A very spectacular fight.”

“By the way, Wilden, you were watching too, right? Do you have any thoughts?”

“Thoughts?” Wilden, standing by the wall, furrowed his brows.

After thinking for a moment, he said: “Still very immature.”

“That’s true.”

Kai looked at Artoria and sighed as well.

“No,” Wilden said: “Sir Kai, your swordsmanship is also very immature.”

“Uh…”

Kai looked in Wilden’s direction.

If anyone else had said such a thing, he would probably have been very angry, stepped forward to argue, and demanded a duel.

But it was precisely Wilden, who had spent the night under the same roof, who had said this.

To be honest, other than Wilden asking for his name, the two had no interaction at all last night.

The main reason was that under Wilden’s pressure, Kai simply didn’t have the courage to strike up a conversation or try to get close.

‘That man, every word and action, feels like a real sword.’

This was the assessment Kai had made of Wilden in his heart after one night.

And now, such a person.

Said Kai’s swordsmanship was immature.

Kai couldn’t even summon the thought of rebelling against that judgment.

The one who spoke next was Artoria.

“Then, Mr. Wilden.”

She said very earnestly: “Could I please ask you to instruct me?”

“Regarding that…” Wilden pondered, then he saw Mia nod at him.

“Hmm, as long as there is time in the future, it is not impossible.”

“Thank you!” Artoria said gratefully.

Time, she thought, should not be a problem.

She turned back to Kai: “By the way, Brother Kai, the thing I told you last night—”

“That thing.”

Kai scratched his head.

His golden hair was a bit messy, making the young knight look unkempt.

“Personally speaking, having more companions is perfectly fine.”

He smiled and said.

Then he stepped forward and performed a knight’s salute to Mia: “Let me formally introduce myself. My name is Kai, son of Ector, and Artoria’s foster brother.”

In response.

“My name is Mia,” Mia extended her right hand to Kai: “Artoria should have told you about me?”

Kai looked at Mia’s extended hand, stunned for a moment, then immediately removed the gauntlet from his right hand.

And shook Mia’s hand.

“She did tell me a lot, including… well, those traits you share with her.”

Mia smiled.

“I look forward to traveling together in the future.”

“Me too.”

Kai bowed.

Performing such a gesture to someone who looked exactly like his sister.

It felt like a subtle sensation he couldn’t quite describe.

Subsequently, he performed a bow to Melina that was perfectly in line with the etiquette a knight should show a lady.

Then, Kai blinked at the quiet Melina.

“Is Miss Melina always this reserved?”

Melina merely glanced at Kai and then looked away.

“I only say necessary words to necessary people.”

The implication was that Kai was not a necessary person.

“Ah, how sad.”

“Brother Kai…” Artoria poked him.

“Well, well, I was just saying hello, there’s no need to be so cold, Miss Melina.”

To think she wasn’t at all charmed by a handsome knight—could she already have someone in her heart?

Even though he was very unwilling, Kai sighed as if accepting his fate.

Although he liked girls, he wasn’t the type to be annoyingly persistent; after all, causing others distress wasn’t something a good knight should do.

“How long do you plan to stay here?”

Mia asked.

“Well…” Kai looked at Artoria beside him.

Feeling the strange gaze, Artoria looked back at her foster brother, blinking her eyes in confusion.

“Sigh—” Kai held his forehead: “I intend to ask the village blacksmith to forge a suit of armor for Artoria.”

“Brother Kai?!”

“Huh? You have the nerve to ask?” Facing Artoria’s exclamation, Kai assumed the role of an older brother and began to lecture: “Even if that guy Merlin is a hopeless idiot, you at least need to learn how to take care of yourself!”

“Ugh…”

“Remember this! No matter what you are preparing, you must personally confirm it at the last moment. Even if others guarantee you with absolute certainty that there is no problem, you must go and confirm it yourself!”

“I know… Brother Kai.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Watching Artoria obediently bow her head, Kai nodded.

Just at this moment, a frivolous voice came from somewhere.

“Time to eat, time to eat!”

A familiar voice…

Everyone turned their heads in unison.

It was Merlin! Holding five large plates, he came wobbling out of the kitchen with a grin!

Yes! Five large plates, one in each hand, one supported by each arm, and one on his head!

“Merlin!” As soon as Kai saw him like this, he immediately jumped up: “What are you doing?!”

“Hmm, hmm, hmm?”

Merlin, caught in the roar, looked quite proud instead: “Of course, I’m preparing dinner. It was worth my effort all morning to finally convince the innkeeper to prepare everyone’s meal according to Miss Mia’s standards!”

“What do you mean by Miss Mia’s standards?!”

“Of course you wouldn’t know, because I am the omniscient and omnipotent Archmage Merlin. Last night, I saw the innkeeper bringing good food to serve Miss Mia.”

“…”

Is that what your Clairvoyance is for?!

It wasn’t just Kai.

Even Artoria and Mia began to question this guy’s mental state.

“If you want to eat, go buy it yourself!” Kay roared, losing his mind.

“I spent all my money on wine~ Besides, the payment Miss Mia gave the innkeeper is enough to buy the entire inn…”

That guy sighed with feigned profundity: “As a friend we met by chance, I would like to remind you, Miss Mia, your concept of money is truly dangerous…”

“Go apologize to the innkeeper! You cancer of Britain!”

Unable to endure it any longer, Kay raised his wooden sword and chased after Merlin, slashing at him.

“It’s just stew with spices—hey, hey, hey, it’s going to spill! I brought this food for you out of the kindness of my heart!”

“Put it back! How can you take such petty advantage? Can you still call yourself a mentor to knights?”

“Ahhh, Artoria, you surely support your most omnipotent teacher Merlin, right? Hurry and stop your brother!”

“…”

“Why are you just watching, Artoria! Have you betrayed me?”

“…I think it would be better if you did as Brother Kay said.”

While the three of them were causing chaos, Mia and Melina silently stood together with Wilden.

“…Truly, such energetic young people,” Wilden sighed.

“Indeed,” Mia nodded. She glanced at the Little Wood beside her. ‘I hope we can complement each other on our future journey.’