Blue-Eyes White Dragon: Adopted by the King of Knights [81]

Kingdom of France.
Orléans.

Once, this was the city where the Holy Maiden made her name known to the world. Now, it had become a true hell on earth.

There were wyverns here—but not only wyverns. Zombies, skeletons, werewolves… The dead, enslaved by the witch’s malice, had become terrifying, pitiful monsters that wandered this infernal land.

It was tragic, no question.

But the real tragedy ran far deeper than that.

“Bastards—!”

“The Lancer and Assassin got themselves killed?”

“Three against two, and you managed to lose two Servants to the enemy? What are you, pigs?!”

“And you still have the nerve to come back? Why didn’t you just die out there with them?”

A furious roar suddenly echoed through the ruined palace.

Jeanne d’Arc Alter—the Dragon Witch, overflowing with confidence, who sought to burn this country to ashes with her fire of vengeance—today, for the first time since her birth, received intelligence that truly enraged her.

[Defeat at Lyon.]

Three of her own Servants had launched a forceful attack, only for the enemy—despite being cornered—to turn the tables, suffering only minor injuries (Siegfried was lightly wounded) while inflicting heavy losses on her side… Such a battle report would be intolerable for any leader.

Even someone famous for “logistics wizardry” might start suspecting something fishy was going on.

But Jeanne Alter was never one for such thinking.

Beneath that jet-black armor, what hid there was, in truth, a woman so straightforward she was easily deceived.

She simply thought the enemy must be exceptionally strong—or perhaps they’d used some cunning trick… But regardless, the enemy had only two Servants left, while she still had five on her side.

Five against two—the advantage is mine!

“Looks like it’s time to concentrate all our forces and utterly crush these fools who still dare to dream.”

“Gilles, do we have enough mana for Fafnir? How much longer do you need?”

“A week… Hmph. Then let them crawl along a little longer. Seven days, that’s all they have left!”

---

Kingdom of France
Lyon

This was the city of survivors.

The only oasis left in this hell called “France.”

“Lady Artoria, the merchants say they’re willing to sell us their goods at double the usual price, as thanks for protecting them.”

“Thank them for their generosity on my behalf, and tell them there is no place for them in this city anymore. They must leave before nightfall, or we’ll consider it collusion with the enemy.”

“Lady Artoria, refugees are still pouring in nonstop—our housing is running out.”

“The basement—open up the underground chambers beneath the church. The Holy Church has always had the habit of digging shelters; it’s a tradition passed down since the Roman Republic.”

“Artoria, what about these supplies…”

“Distribute by household. If there are children, let the children collect them; if not, let the mothers come. If there are neither, then assign them to the army and issue supplies in accordance with military needs.”

One report after another, one answer after the next.

Standing nearby, Siegfried watched this calm and collected king with something like awe. If he had already acknowledged Artoria’s strength, what she displayed now was enough to inspire outright reverence.

Steady, composed, utterly unflappable.

What looked like emergencies to him seemed to Artoria no more troublesome than “what’s for dinner tonight”—sometimes she could even offer three alternative solutions to a single problem.

Under her leadership, what had once been a scattered, disorganized city was quickly knit together into a true whole.

Regular soldiers, civilian militia, construction crews, porters, supply teams… Man, woman, young, or old—everyone found a place under her direction.

Of course, there were those unwilling to cooperate—but Artoria used such people to demonstrate why she was called “King,” not “Saint.”

To hold lofty ideals did not mean she was soft-hearted or sentimental.

“You’re remarkable,” Siegfried said with genuine admiration, once the latest round of tasks was finally finished.

He was a great hero, but only that—a hero. Matters like these were utterly beyond him; he couldn’t even devise a proper battle plan.

All he knew was how to raise his sword and fight.

But this Servant before him? Not only was she powerful, she could handle these endless affairs—and even had concrete plans for the future.

“Saber…”

“Just call me Siegfried.”

“All right, Siegfried. Next, I’ll need you to travel to the other cities and gather information—especially any word of Servants on our side who might have arrived in this world.”

“The enemy is strong, but those Servants are our comrades. They won’t be defeated so easily.”

“Find them, bring them back… and if you come across any humans along the way, do your best to bring them too.”

“We are not without hope. We still have a chance.”

Artoria had a job for Siegfried as well.

Which, for a hero at a loss for something to do, was perfect—he much preferred just following orders and fighting.

“Oh, and Siegfried—no matter what, make sure you’re back here in seven days, whether you find the others or not.”

“???”

“Jeanne… That Dragon Witch. She’s planning to summon a dragon called Fafnir to attack us. We’ll need your strength.”

“!!!”

Siegfried stopped in his tracks.

He stared at the calm king before him, bewildered.

Fafnir—a terrifying name. A demon dragon powerful enough to destroy a whole country.

Honestly, Siegfried himself wasn’t sure how he’d managed to slay the beast all those years ago.

If he had to do it again…he wasn’t sure he’d have the will.

But that hardly mattered now.

What mattered was—how did this golden-haired king know the enemy’s plans so clearly? As if she had eyes inside their war room?

She even knew the exact timing of the enemy’s next move?

Don’t give me that look.

Besides… that Fafnir might not actually be our enemy, you know.

The vision shared in her mind—

Artoria was watching a little white dragon sneakily creeping up on the terrifying demon dragon.

On her face, a conspiratorial smile was blooming.

---

This is a fan translation of 综漫：青眼幼龙，被骑士王捡到了 by 歌冰丽月. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!