"Merlin… how long until dinner?"
The king's stomach growled loudly, completely shattering the majestic aura that had once dominated the battlefield. Artoria pressed a hand against her abdomen, her serious expression now slightly strained. She was so hungry it seemed she could devour anything in sight… perhaps even people.
Merlin looked at her with an ironic smile.
The scene was, to say the least, amusing: the King of Knights, who could calmly face even the most dangerous battlefields, now appeared weak—almost like someone gravely injured… all because of hunger.
But Merlin knew very well.
He knew exactly how terrifying Artoria became when she was properly fed.
As the saying goes: you might provoke a King of Knights with a full mana reserve… but never provoke a well-fed Artoria!
Artoria declared with complete seriousness:
"When I'm one-third full, I can enter and exit the battlefield seven times. When I'm two-thirds full, I can suppress dragons with one hand. And when I'm completely full… I can release the true name of Excalibur!"
Unfortunately…
Not even a mage like Merlin could conjure food out of thin air.
Merlin sighed in resignation.
"Anyway… let's return to Camelot first. Lunch should already be in preparation… though it's probably Gawain's mashed potatoes."
Artoria: "!!!"
Those words struck Artoria like a perfectly aimed arrow.
Mashed potatoes.
Mashed potatoes.
And more mashed potatoes.
It was like a recurring nightmare.
The entire Round Table was practically turning into "mashed potato people"… and worst of all, she didn't even like mashed potatoes.
Artoria clenched her fists, her face showing a rare expression of frustration.
Once again… powerless before the poverty of her own kingdom.
Britain was not a fertile land.
Its territory was relatively small, comparable to that of a medium-sized kingdom, and its soil was barren. Constant wars devastated any attempt at stable agriculture, meaning that even high-yield crops like potatoes were often not enough.
People starved to death every day.
Although the situation had improved since Artoria ascended the throne, hunger remained the greatest crisis of the land.
"By the way… the support from the Magic Kingdom should be arriving soon, correct?"
Artoria's eyes lit up slightly, and even a strand of her golden hair bounced with excitement.
"The food sent this time should last for a while… it will allow me to stabilize the war in the northern region… and finally improve the quality of our meals."
"Haha… Artoria, you just revealed your true intention."
Merlin chuckled softly, amused.
At the same time, he thought to himself how fortunate it was that he didn't need to eat.
Otherwise… who could endure living on mashed potatoes every day?
From time to time, the King of Knights' diet needed improvement.
After all, she bore Camelot's greatest burden.
Filled with anticipation, Artoria quickened her pace toward Camelot.
Today… she wanted to eat meat.
And also that soft, white food called rice.
Ever since Guinevere had first brought provisions from the Magic Kingdom, her taste buds had been completely captivated.
Compared to that…
What she normally ate could barely be called food.
It was as if she had discovered the true meaning of "delicious" for the first time.
Since then, whenever supplies from the Magic Kingdom arrived, Artoria made sure to taste them first.
That… was her small act of stubbornness as king.
But the moment she entered Camelot—
"This is bad! This is bad! Something terrible has happened, my king!"
A knight in purple armor rushed toward her, his face filled with anxiety and panic.
Artoria raised her eyebrows slightly.
That person was Lancelot, her most trusted knight.
What could have driven him into such a state?
"What happened, Sir Lancelot? It is not like you to lose your composure like this. Report the situation immediately. No matter how severe it is, I will lead everyone through it."
"Yes, my king!"
"Have you calmed down? Then tell me—was there a rebellion? An invasion? Or has a dangerous monster appeared?"
Artoria's hand rested on the hilt of the sword at her waist.
She was already prepared to draw her blade once more…
After lunch, of course.
But Lancelot shook his head.
His face was still pale as paper.
His voice… trembled.
"Yes… the food… was stolen."
"…What?"
"The supplies sent by the Magic Kingdom… were looted by thieves."
Bang!
Artoria nearly rolled her eyes back and fainted on the spot.
It was as if a bolt of lightning had struck her directly.
Even the Sword of Promised Victory slipped from her grasp and fell to the ground with a dull clang.
The food from the Magic Kingdom had been stolen.
The impact was simply too devastating.
Artoria gritted her teeth and forced her body to remain upright, even as everything spun for a moment.
"Quick! Investigate immediately! Recover the food at all costs!"
"My king… we have already sent people. But even if we find those responsible… the food likely cannot be recovered."
"Damn it!"
Artoria punched the wall beside her.
A loud crash echoed, and a large hole formed in the solid structure.
How many things in this world could make the King of Knights lose her composure like this?
Very few.
But the lack of food… was undoubtedly one of them.
She knew.
Lancelot was right.
Stolen food… does not come back.
In Britain, where 99.99% of the population lived in hunger, food was more valuable than gold… more valuable than life itself.
By now… it had probably already been consumed.
But that was not even the worst part.
"…And the ones responsible for the transport?" Artoria asked, clinging to the faintest thread of hope.
"My king… I fear…"
Lancelot could not finish the sentence.
But the silence said everything.
Artoria closed her eyes for a brief moment.
"…I understand."
The next instant, her expression became completely serious.
"Contact the Magic Kingdom immediately. Explain the entire situation with absolute clarity. We cannot allow this to escalate into a conflict."
Her voice was firm.
Leaving no room for hesitation.
The Magic Kingdom of Palettia was a superpower.
If the envoys transporting aid were attacked and killed on British territory…
It could easily be interpreted as an act of hostility.
And in that case…
Britain would be doomed.
Without exaggeration.
If the Magic Kingdom decided to act, its strength would be enough to completely crush the entire island.
No matter how strong Artoria was…
Before absolute power, even she would be powerless.
…
A few days later—
All of Camelot was plunged into tension.
The Knights of the Round Table lived like prisoners awaiting judgment.
Everyone waited for the response from the Magic Kingdom.
Or rather…
For Leon's decision.
And then—
A silver-haired young woman arrived at Camelot.
In her hands… she carried the "verdict."
"It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty, King of Knights. I have been sent to convey His Highness Leon's will regarding the incident of the stolen supplies. My name is Euphilia Magenta."
Artoria took a deep breath… and replied with dignity:
"Welcome, Lady Euphilia."
---
(End of Chapter)