In the world of Type-Moon, start by becoming Morgan's husband!

[You had actually noticed this long ago.]

[All throughout the journey, you had observed Arthur's gaze lingering on the city walls.]

[The fact that he only brought it up now showed remarkable restraint.]

[This time, you didn't ask why. You simply agreed.]

—

"Alright, if that's what you want, then let's go."

Rei took the bundle of goods from Arthur's arms into his own.

"Let's move."

"Alright!"

—

[Your reputation in the capital was already extremely high.]

[So even bringing someone up to the city walls wasn't a problem.]

[Arthur was visibly delighted.]

[He ran ahead of you the whole way, leading the two of you up onto the wall.]

—

"So… this is what it feels like to stand up here?"

Standing atop the city wall, Arthur let out an awed exclamation as he took in the view before him.

"You seem to really like it up here."

Rei walked up beside him, asking casually.

"I do, Sir Rei." Arthur nodded enthusiastically. "Honestly, even before entering the city, I was already wondering if there was a way to get up here!"

"And now, I finally have."

"Thank you, Sir Rei."

"No need for thanks."

Like Arthur, Rei turned his gaze toward the lands bathed in Britain's golden sunlight.

What stretched before him were the lush green fields surrounding the capital and the vast, unbroken forests beyond.

"But what I'd really like to know is—why do you want to come up here so badly?"

"Because this must be the best place to overlook all of Britain, right?!" Arthur's usual reserved demeanor vanished, replaced with vibrant excitement.

"This is the most open view I could ever dream of!"

—

That wasn't actually true.

No matter how grand the capital was, it was impossible to see the entirety of Britain from here.

After all, if that were the case, the front line's losses would never have been so easily concealed.

But—

Rei's eyes lingered on the boy beside him.

He could sense it—Arthur seemed to carry some kind of unspeakable burden.

—

"By the way, Arthur, you mentioned having an older brother, right?"

"Yes." Arthur turned back, nodding.

"I do have an older brother."

"Then—" Rei's lips curled into a practiced, friendly smile. "Why is it you who came to sell apples, and not your brother?"

"Because my father wanted to train me."

Arthur answered without hesitation.

"Walking all the way here with a cart full of apples was an invaluable experience. I learned a lot along the way."

"You mean you learned what it's like to starve?"

"That was… unexpected." Arthur scratched his cheek sheepishly. "I didn't think I'd run into so many hungry people on the way."

"The apples weren't mine to give away, so I could only share my own rations with them."

—

Rei had been about to ask why there were so many hungry people.

But before the words could leave his mouth, he understood the answer completely.

—

As Vortigern had said, Britain's land was suffering from the decline of the Age of Gods.

The crops were failing.

On top of that, the war effort at the front required immense resources, further exacerbating an already dire situation.

Even the wealthiest capital had not escaped its effects.

And Arthur—he had seen it all firsthand on his journey.

—

"…You're quite a kind person, Arthur."

Rei forced a chuckle.

"Am I…?" Arthur pursed his lips. "Rather than being praised for kindness, I'd much rather know how to solve the problem."

"Hunger… is humanity's eternal enemy, isn't it?"

"…Yeah. I suppose it is."

—

[Sensing your reluctance to discuss this topic, Arthur tactfully changed the subject.]

[He asked if he could move a little further forward.]

[He hoped that by doing so, he could see just a little more.]

[Because of what he had just said, you didn't refuse him.]

[Arthur, having gained your permission, was overjoyed.]

[He leaned against the battlements, gazing out at the vast landscape.]

[You looked at his back—and suddenly, a dangerous thought surfaced in your mind.]

—

Arthur, in every way, aligned with Rei's perceptions.

And yet…

There was still a chance—however slim—that he had seen something he shouldn't have.

That possibility had been shrinking the longer they spent together.

But for the sake of absolute certainty… Rei knew what he had to do.

He could not allow even the slightest crack to threaten Morgan's future.

And now, the perfect opportunity lay before him.

At this moment, the city was not in battle, so there were no other guards stationed along the walls—only Rei and Arthur stood there.

Arthur was completely defenseless in front of Rei—he even tiptoed slightly in his excitement.

If Rei were to push him off the wall right now, no one would ever suspect that he was truly responsible.

The reason was simple:

On the surface, he and Arthur bore no ill will toward each other, and they had spent a long time strolling through the city together in an almost intimate manner.

—

How could anyone believe that, after deliberately bringing Arthur up here, knowing they were alone, Rei would choose to push him off?

Moreover, Morgan would undoubtedly protect him.

Even if Arthur's father and brother came seeking justice, it could easily be dismissed as an unfortunate accident.

This was far easier to handle than making him disappear in some secluded alleyway.

It was, without a doubt, the perfect method.

—

And yet—

Rei stared at Arthur's excited figure, and for some reason, his hand would not draw the blade from its sheath.

He knew that killing Arthur was the safest, most foolproof way to protect Morgan.

You hesitated—something that rarely ever happened.

—

Though only a few seconds passed, it felt like centuries.

You felt your resolve waver.

You realized this hesitation was unacceptable—it was a betrayal of Morgan.

You snapped yourself out of it, preparing to act.

But before you could, something completely unexpected happened.

—

The bricks supporting Arthur suddenly shifted, crumbling apart in an instant.

You realized that the city wall, weakened by age, had given way.

Arthur truly fell from the wall—just as you had wished—and it was a perfect accident.

Now, you had two choices: rush forward and save Arthur, or stand by and let fate take its course.

—