Inside the Royal Palace Restaurant.
After stepping out of the hidden chamber, Rin and Artoria were escorted to a grand dining hall within the Royal Palace.
King Kedoli, sensing that Artoria had something personal to discuss with Rin, took the initiative to excuse himself, leaving the two of them alone.
A long, lavish table was set before them, adorned with exquisite dishes—roast meat, fresh seafood, and a selection of fine wines that rivaled the banquet halls of Mary Geoise.
Rin casually swirled the red wine in his glass, took a sip, then looked at Artoria.
"Do you have something to say to me?"
Artoria, who had been enjoying a piece of roasted meat, hesitated for a moment before setting it down—somewhat reluctantly, as if cherishing every bite after a long absence from such a meal.
Finally, she met Rin's gaze.
"I want to rely on you."
"Rely on me?"
Rin blinked in surprise, momentarily stunned by her serious tone.
Artoria nodded, her expression unwavering.
"Yes. My entire existence has revolved around battle—fighting for my kingdom, fighting for others, fighting for survival. That was the only path I ever knew. But the weight of those battles… it has left me tired."
She paused briefly, her turquoise eyes reflecting something distant, something from a world long gone.
"So, I made a wish to the Holy Grail—a wish to find someone I could trust, someone I could rely on. And that wish… brought me to this world. To you."
A heavy silence filled the air.
Rin exhaled sharply, shaking his head.
"And why are you so sure it's me?"
Artoria's lips curled slightly.
"Intuition."
A single, simple answer.
Rin couldn't help but chuckle at that. Of all the things, she's placing her trust in her gut feeling?
He took another sip of wine, then glanced at her, his gaze sharp.
"Even if you think I'm someone you can rely on… you should know that if you follow me, you'll still have to fight."
His voice was calm but firm.
"And aren't you tired of fighting?"
Artoria hesitated.
Her hands clenched slightly, as if battling an internal struggle.
She was tired.
Tired of the endless cycle of battles, of always being a weapon in someone else's war.
Now, standing at a crossroads in a world vastly different from her own, she questioned what she truly wanted.
Rin studied her reaction and smirked.
He hadn't expected Artoria to openly express her dependence on him, but this was an opportunity he had been hoping for.
He wanted her on his crew.
Even if she was weary of battle, her strength was undeniable.
And besides
It wasn't about avoiding battle. It was about changing what you fight for.
After a brief moment, Rin leaned forward, placing his glass down with a soft clink.
"So, Artoria… what if I told you that you don't have to fight for others anymore? What if you could fight for something else? Something bigger?"
Artoria raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"For what?"
Rin grinned.
"For freedom."
Artoria's fingers twitched.
Freedom…
Rin's gaze burned with ambition as he continued.
"This world runs on power. The strong rise, the weak submit. Nobles rule from their thrones while pirates carve their own fate. But tell me, Artoria… doesn't that sound more appealing than being a servant?"
He swirled the wine in his glass, his smirk widening.
"Join me. Let's form a pirate crew—not just any crew, but one that will shake the very foundation of this world. Let's sail across the Grand Line, seek out adventure, and—if we have to fight—then let's fight to turn the world upside down."
His words hung in the air like a challenge.
Artoria remained silent.
For the first time in what felt like centuries, her heart pounded with something other than the weight of duty.
In her past life, she fought for Britain.
Then, she fought as a Servant.
Every battle was for the sake of others never for herself.
But now—
Now, she had a choice.
To fight… not for a country.
Not for a king.
But for herself.
She closed her eyes briefly, as if sorting through the remnants of her old life.
Minutes passed.
Rin waited patiently, taking small sips of his wine, unbothered by the silence.
Then, after half an hour, Artoria's lips curled into a faint but unmistakable smile.
She lifted her gaze, eyes filled with renewed determination.
And then—
She spoke.
"As you wish, Captain… Mr."
Rin froze for a split second, then grinned.
She had accepted.
Suppressing the excitement rising in his chest, he extended a hand.
"Glad to have you aboard… my crewmate."
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