Camelot

I can hear people singing the Child of Prophecy's song in the streets.

"I shall speak now of a future, of the end of the isle of Mystics, which came to be known as Faerieland."

"Let the innocent return. Here stands the queen's unknowable castle."

"It falls. It falls. Like rain. Like ash. It vanishes. It vanishes. Like snow. Like lies."

"Our desires languish, deferred. Even now, we dance in the palm of the queen's hand."

"We require now only a little more patience. After two thousand years, the dawn shall bring the child who will be our salvation."

"She shall be the child who saves the world, who binds both peoples together."

"Even if her light begins as but an ember, even should no one see it, she will become as a flame to draw moths."

"A city of iron. A sea of soot. When the calamity recedes, her pilgrimage begins."

"Chosen by the Staff of Selection, the savior, guarded by travelers from afar, shall reach the throne."

"The true king shall arrive at the throne. Accept now this bloodied crown."

"Ring. Ring. Like raging thunder. Like weeping flame. Let us harken to the six bells ringing. Blaze the path of the true king."

"Ere the red calamity catches us. Ere the black calamity devours us."

"Indolent and derelict though we may be, we are the scions of the free fae."

"Never have we wished for anything. But still we desire a shining future."

There's no mention of Norwich being destroyed in that song.

So why did Oberon say there was nothing anyone could do to stop its destruction?

I wonder... Does he know more of this song than everyone else?

I do, as a matter of fact. The prophecy actually has eighteen verses in total.

Most faeries are only familiar with the fourteen we just heard, but there are actually four more.

I knew it! Why didn't you tell us this sooner, Oberon!?

I just forgot to mention it, okay!? I'm sorry! Can we please drop it!?

...You're right. But I don't want to lie, either. It's hard on me.

...In retrospect, maybe I was being a little overprotective. I'm sorry about that.

？！

All right, I'll tell you. These are the other four verses of the prophecy, at least as I heard them.

Verse 8.5: "The harbor shall return to empty shore, but the calamity shall vanish into the distant sky."

Verse 9.5: "The round fortress shall burn, and the bell of water shall appear."

Verse 10.5: "Confessed sinners shall make the acquaintance of the guillotine."

Verse 12.5: "Having fulfilled her role, the Child of Prophecy shall say farewell to her home."

As you can see, these verses are a lot more ominous.

That, and the fact that they're not very precise for a prophecy might be why they were excised.

Case in point, verse 8.5: "The harbor shall return to empty shore, but the calamity shall vanish into the distant sky."

The harbor is obviously Norwich, and the empty shore part must mean the city was going to be wiped off the coast.

So I was steeling myself to lose Norwich even if we were able to repel the calamity, but, well

Norwich didn't fall. Is it...because another Child of Prophecy appeared?

Could be. This basically proves that not even Ainsel's prophecies are perfect, especially for these four verses.

So I've decided I'm just not going to worry about them anymore.

Now, on a more important note, you guys need to get going soon.

Between Altria, Gareth, Muramasa, and Habetrot, I think you should all be safe without me.

So I hope you don't mind if I go off on my own again.

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Partly, yes, but I also just really want to give Spriggan his comeuppance.

So I thought I'd stay here and work with the Count to knock him down a peg or two dozen until he hits rock bottom.

Besides, we could have been reunited with Mash much sooner if he hadn't insisted on keeping the Child of Prophecy in his castle.

Don't you think he deserves at least a little punishment for that?

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Just leave it to me! Bloodshed may not be the Faerie King's style, but I can definitely bleed him dry financially!

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Let me guess: Oberon's going off on his own again, right? I had a feeling he might.

Gotcha... Well, I guess we don't all have to stick together all the time. And it's not like he's much help in combat.

I'm sure Oberon will be fine on his own, but how come Redra isn't here, either?

He's staying behind, too. Technically, he's still Aurora's retainer, after all...

...and it wouldn't be good for her if he were seen with us right now.

So I'm gonna have him stay here with Oberon, and bring the carriage if we need it.

I see. That makes sense. But, um... You there, the pink faerie. Habetrot, right?

Are you coming with us, too? I mean, the way to Camelot is probably pretty dangerous, so...

Don't worry about me! I'll be fine! Just think of me as a spectator along for the ride.

In fact, you should probably be more worried about yourself than me, Gareth.

I'm the irreplaceable healer every party needs in combat, AND I'm probably stronger than you, too!

Don't worry, Fujimaru. I'm not gonna let you die before you and Mash are reunited.

So feel free to wade into battle all you like!

As long as you don't die, I can patch you up with my magic needle no matter what horrific injuries you sustain!

Nightingale? Now that's a nice faerie name. So you already know a nurse as cute as me, huh?

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...Quiet, everyone. Here come the queen's troops from the main gate.

I apologize for our ten-minute delay.

I am Tam Lin Gawain, and these are thirty members of the First Royal Knight Mors Extermination Brigade.

We are the ones who will be providing you, honored guests of Camelot, with safe passage.

...

Oh, right! Thanks for taking the trouble to come get us!

I don't care if all that bulk'll make you cranky on the journey there, but you better treat us with respect, got it!?

...That is the plan, yes.

...We would appreciate your cooperation as well.

Being aware that you are being escorted can make life much easier for the soldiers escorting you, after all.

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We have readied a carriage for the Child of Prophecy and the foreign mage.

Your retainers will need to walk. I trust that is all riYou.

You're that scoundrel who tried to assassinate the high queen! How are you still alive!? I saw you fall into the pit!

Oh, that? Yeah, Lancelot handed me my ass and tossed me right into the pit.

But, unfortunately for you, I managed to survive, and now I'm the Child of Prophecy's bodyguard.

Next time you see Lancelot, tell her not to take her eyes off a Servant until their Spirit Origin's completely gone!

Grr...!

What should we do, Lady Gawain? Are we really okay letting this man back into Camelot?

What if he tries to assassinate the queen again?

...It's all right. If he does, he won't have the element of surprise anymore. I can take him myself.

Especially now that the queen has assured me not to worry if combat damages or destroys the castle.

Yeah? Hey, that's great. You barely fit in the place anyway. Should help you move around better.

Next time we fight, I'd rather it just be head-to-head, without either of us holding anything back.

...Hmph. I guess the Child of Prophecy has something of an eye for talent after all.

However much her other retainers suggest otherwise...

...Fine. You there. Make room in one of the carts for our guests.

The Servants can ride with the foreign mage.

Treating those two as honored guests, at least until we reach the castle, will help us all move faster.

Yes, my lady! Right away!

We'll be taking the western road to Camelot, and spend one night at Oxford along the way.

We'll then take a detour around the pit towards Camelot. For the next two days, our fates shall be intertwined.

We will not turn our swords on each other, regardless of what may happen. Do you agree to that, foreign mage?

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Good. Then let us be off! Soldiers, do not let your guard down simply because this is an escort mission!

The calamity's destruction has led to mors toxin spreading far and wide across Britain!

Eliminate any mors you come across immediately upon discovery! I don't want to hear even a peep of discomfort from our guests!

...Well, that's a relief. This carriage rides just as smooth as Redra Bit's.

...

...

...By the way, Fujimaru, are you really ready for this?

W-well, yeah, what else? Oh man, you're not ruffled at all, are you?

I bet you've already been through lots of meetings like this, huh...

But you'll be fine since you're used to this sort of thing? Is that it!?

Well, that must be nice. I couldn't sleep a wink last night, so I just practiced with my staff...

And you're, what, twenty-percent nerves, eighty-percent relaxed? How can my servant be so much better at this?

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It's not that, Altria. Fujimaru is just as nervous as you are.

He's just had enough experience with situations like this to understand the value of staying calm.

Masters need to give orders to and watch out for their Servants, after all.

So while Fujimaru might not be able to fight on the front line himself, he's very good at keeping cool under pressure.

Really? So, you've met a lot of other kings then?

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...

By the way, I heard something interesting about Tam Lin Gawain back in Norwich.

Apparently, she was the first faerie to be made a Tam Lin during the Era of the High Queen.

About two-hundred years ago, during year 1800 of the Era of the High Queen, there was a huge outbreak of caterpillar mors in central Britain.

That calamity later came to be known as the Caterpillar War, and it was Gawain who put a stop to it.

So while it might not have been like the calamity we got rid of in Norwich...

...she still resolved a calamity just like Altria did, and that's what led to the queen recognizing her skill.

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N-no, nothing BaGawain could do would surprise me or make me respect her.

That said... I guess this means Morgan's not the only faerie to have dispelled a calamity then...

Guess this means I'm even less special than I thought... Oh man, now I'm even more nervous...

Oh crap, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you even more nervous.

And hey, from what I heard, the Caterpillar War wasn't all that big of a calamity.

I mean, the one at Norwich was a once-in-a-millennium great calamity, so it had to be smaller than that.

Don't forget, we saved an entire city. You have every right to be proud about that.

...Yeah. You're right! I mean, Mash and Fujimaru might have done most of the heavy lifting...

...but I definitely still contributed! And when it comes to defeating mors, I can hold my own against any Tam Li

Mors smoke spotted nearby! Incoming from three, seven, and eleven o'clock!

Lightning soldiers, prepare your Mystic Codes! Guards, get into your formations!

Fujimaru!

Right! I'm gonna make her see me in a new light!

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If you're out here, I assume you have no intention of sitting back and letting us do all the fighting.

Very well, I would welcome your aid. There are a lot of mors here, and I would prefer to avoid casualties.

Follow me, Child of Prophecy, foreign mage! Make sure you stay close to me!

There are still ten large mors to contend with... No, more are still coming! We can't handle this many!

Those of you without iron weaponry, stand back! Do not engage!

Just lure them to one spot so I can burn them all at once!

We're trying, but these mors aren't falling for the decoy! It's almost like they're here for something else this time!

Something else!? (Could it be...they're after the Child of Prophecy?)

...You.

No need to thank me. We're all fighting the same battle here.

Now, what're you gonna do about this? Any seasoned general like you ought to know when it's time to retreat.

... (I hate to admit it, but he's right.)

(I could either abandon the carts and have my soldiers retreat, or I could have the guests go on ahead...)

(...No. I am a Tam Lin. Retreating from mors is not an option.)

(But they refuse to cluster in any one spot...so they're clearly being wary of my Galatine...)

They just destroyed the rearmost cart! Wh-wh-what do we do, Habbycat!?

Oh man, what good's having a Tam Lin around if we still have to fight ourselves.

Ugh, she sucksss at this.

Why would you give massive amounts of literally unbridled firepower to someone who's already crap at holding back?

Oh well, what's done is done. No use complaining about it now.

I may not much like fighting, but walking all the way to Camelot would be worse!

Come on, Gareth! Let's go take out the little mors and leave the big ones to the Tam Lin!

Okay! I'll do my best! I've gotten more used to fighting mors, so

...Uh, Habbycat?

Are you seeing this blue streak of light? It's heading straight for us from Camelot!

! (That's the same light I saw at Sheffiel)

Forget eliminating all of them! Retreat! Keep the carriage and the first cart, and abandon the rest!

Hurry! Lightning soldiers, defend the guests! Royal Guard, retrieve the luggage from the other carts!

I'll keep the mors occupied until

What are you doing here, Lancelot!? I didn't ask for your help!

I don't think you need my help either, but the high queen commanded me to come.

Hostiles detected. Eliminating.

Stand back, Gawain. Taking out individual targets is my area.

All mors have been destroyed! Brilliant work, Lady Lancelot!

So this is what they mean when they call you the undefeated dragon faerie! The most beautiful Tam Lin in all of Britain!

I still can't believe you took out so many of those large mors so easily!

...

There. I eliminated the mors, just like the high queen told me to. I'll let you handle the escort from here, Gawain.

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...Hmph. As if you were even capable of handling an escort mission.

Don't just stand there, you fools! Start fixing the wrecked cart!

If this is the best you lot can do on the first day of this mission, I shudder to think of how you'll fare in the days ahead! And you can forget about resting in Oxford!

I want a report from each and every one of you later on how this situation could have been prevented!

Y-yes, milady! My deepest apologies, Lady Gawain!

Pathetic. I would have thought all of you together would be able to defeat at least one or two of the large mors.

I suppose this just goes to show how overly reliant you've become on us Tam Lin.

It seems I'll need to start reeducating the faerie soldiers like I'm doing with the humans...

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Oh! My apologies. I appreciate your help, um...

...Sorry again. I never did ask your name, did I? I wasn't authorized to do so.

But now that you have aided us in a dangerous predicament, that is no excuse.

I am Gawain. What is your name, foreign mage?

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...Well met, Fujimaru. I appreciate your obvious hostility towards me.

You've got spirit. I like that, since we'll be enemies later.

All right, let's get this escort mission back on track.

Oh, and I'd advise you to watch what you say in the carriage. I could easily overhear you, depending on which way the wind is blowing.

Man, I thought we were going to be put up in a nice inn at Oxford. I can't believe we're camping out again...

All right, if we can't have nice accommodations, at least we can still have nice food!

I'm sorry we don't have enough to share with the Royal Guards, but I say we have the cakes the Count gave us now!

Ooh, it looks like mine's called a "cheesecake"! What's yours called, Altria?

Hmm. Mine says "Swiss roll"... Oh wow, it's shaped like a log! This should make it much easier to eat!

That's so thoughtful of the Count! You Proper Human History people are all so considerate!

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Sweet yam youkan...? How the hell did he manage to make this here?

Hmm, some tea would go real nice with this... I think I'll go down to that river and fetch some water.

Om nom nom nom! What was this called again? Chiffon cake?

So this is what happiness itself tastes like! I had no idea they had so many kinds of sweets these days!

Oh yeah, it seems even Faerie Britain has been developing a bunch of cake recipes.

Back in Salisbury, I heard about Woodwose's restaurant chain in the south, and Edinburgh's gourmet desserts in the north...

But it sounds like cheesecake's the one kind that never caught on.

I wonder why.

Really? But it's so yummy. It does make me a little thirsty, though. (Munch, munch)

It's because a big shot up north absolutely despises cheesecake.

She always says cheese has no place in dessert, and that it has to be chocolate or nothing.

Though of course, for faeries from the south, like me, chocolate is such a luxury, I don't even know what it tastes like...

It costs so many Morpounds that low-level faeries can basically never afford it...

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Hm? What is it, Fujimaru?

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...

I don't usually care for sweets. If I'm going to eat something cooked, I'd rather have meat.

So no, I won't accept that.

But I can see you have something to discuss. Go on, then. Have a seat.

You want to talk to me about Lancelot, right? Very well then, ask me anything you wish to

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...

...I see. You're trying to figure out my True Name.

Pointless, but I can at least respect your willingness to try anything you can.

Come to think of it, I still haven't properly thanked you for your help earlier today, have I? Come. Sit. If you wish to talk, I can indulge you for a short while.

I manifested in Britain four hundred years ago.

I was meant to be the next generationthe successor of an upper-class Fang clan faerie in Norwich...

Except that I didn't look anything like my predecessor.

Even though I'm a Fang clan faerie, I was born resembling a Wind clan one... No, if anything, I looked like a human.

Some suspected I might be a changeling. Others said I was a curse from the battle against the mors that took place six hundred years ago.

Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. I don't know the truth, and I don't care, either.

I earned the honor of becoming a Tam Lin when I ended the Caterpillar War.

Up until that point, the title of Tam Lin had been sealed away for all eighteen-hundred years of the high queen's reign.

In case you don't know, the Tam Lin title originally belonged to the retainers of Aesc, who was said to be Britain's savior in the Fae Era.

The first Tam Lin was called... Hm? I'm sorry, I actually can't remember their name.

At any rate, they met their end in Orkney. After that, the queen forbade the naming of more Tam Lin.

But, she decided to revoke her own seal to exterminate the endlessly spawning caterpillars.

Thus, I was Gifted the name of Sir Gawain, which is said to be the name of a knight of the Round Table of a foreign land...

And gained the means to strengthen my horn.

My Galatine... I believe you call it a Noble Phantasm?

While I'm confident it is every bit the equal of Sir Gawain's original...

I'm just as confident that I can't hold a candle to the real Sir Gawain...the Knight of the Round Table from Proper Human History.

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...But never mind. I shouldn't be talking about the Round Table. I'm told it's creepy when I do so, for some reason.

Let's see. What else can we talk about... Ah, I know. Let's talk about the war against the mors.

This war took place a millennium ago, along with one of the Great Calamities, during the one-thousandth year of the Era of the High Queen.

It was a time when the mors had a king and an army, and waged war against the high queen and five of the six clans.

Apparently, this king was something of an odd duck. He never attacked faeries or killed humans.

All he cared for was fire and lightning.

He would gleefully destroy anything, and then only for the joy of watching it burn.

He reduced cities and forests to cinders, razed the ground before him, and summoned rain clouds just to hear their thunder.

Some faeries called him the Storm King, at least until the high queen forbade anyone from speaking that name.

The war against the mors king lasted for decades, until finally, the Fang clan brought it to an end.

Woodwose, a faerie who had recently succeeded the previous head of the Fang clan at the time, was the one who dealt the final blow.

And so, the Great Calamitythe king of the mors who feasted on magical energywas defeated before the Fang clan.

However...it's said that with his dying breath, the king cast a curse upon the Fang clan.

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...The faerie-eating black dogs.

It was only after the king of the mors vanished that the black dogs began to roam Faerie Britain.

However, they also eat mors, so they're not just harmful.

There are even some squads who train black dogs and use them in mors hunts.

Mine is one of them, in fact. Have you ever heard the epithet "the Black Dog Duchess"? It refers to me.

Even now that I've become a Tam Lin, I'm still called a black dog.

I don't blame them, though. After all, I eat everythingincluding faeries and humans.

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Oh? Now you're scared of me?

So you had no idea you were trying to get information out of a woman feared throughout Faerie Britain as a monster?

Well, worry not. I would never eat you. I only consume the strong.

I'm unusual for a faerie. What I eat makes me stronger.

In fact, I can inherit any unusual powers or abilities the faeries I eat may possess, though with limits on capacity and compatibility.

And right now, I'm still full on Foul Weather, the great Earth clan faerie.

...I needed his sacrament for the Caterpillar War. It was crucial.

But he had holed up in his fortress in Cornwall, and refused to come out.

So I challenged him to a duel, defeated him, and devoured him.

...All right, I think that's enough time spent relaxing after dinner. Go back to your camp now.

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I'm used to talking with humans. In fact, my current husband is human.

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Uh... W-well, I say he's my husband, but he's neither a romantic partner nor a future meal.

He's just a guest I'm putting up in my mansion while he recuperates.

Still...

You do remind me of him...in both your lack of fear and your innocent curiosity.

All right, back to your camp now. My soldiers and I will take turns keeping watch. Don't stay up too late; we'll be setting out early tomorrow morning.

Forgive us. Forgive us. No more prayers. Close your eyes.

There's not much fun time left. The veil has fallen. Extinguish the light.

Today is ending. Farewell. This day, too, will end, forever.

Forgive us. Forgive us. Forgive us our sins.

It's too late to do anything now but make sure everything is cleaned up!

？！

I've never seen it from the other side of the pit before... I-it's definitely impressive, isn't it?

So that part we were seeing from Oxford must've only been the back of the castle.

I thought it looked more like a wall than a castle, but now it looks more properly royal.

It's got one urban area around the main gate, and another one inside the ramparts.

I'm guessing that's to separate the general populace from the upper crust?

...Don't let the gate fool you. The side facing the pit is actually the castle's front.

R-really? So that big fancy gate is actually the back gate?

Oh, no, that's the main gate. Sorry for confusing you, Gareth.

There's no way into the castle from the pit. You've gotta go through the gate to get inside.

What about faeries who can fly? Couldn't they just zip inside?

Nah, it ain't that simple.

There's a magecraft barrier around the front of the castlethe side facing the pit.

If you ever fall in there yourself, you'll see there's a ton of gunports all along Camelot's walls.

And you don't usually put cannons behind a castle, right? So we can be pretty sure the side facing the pit's the front.

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...

! (Fujimaru, Fujimaru.)

(Gawain's glaring at something up north. Whatever it is, she's obviously upset about it.)

(You're friends now, right? Go on, ask her what it is.)

？！

What is it, Fujimaru? Are you suddenly having second thoughts about entering Camelot?

...It's not that? You're wondering what's got me so upset?

Can't you see for yourself? That's Cnoc na Riabh's army up north.

Cnoc na Riabh? Where? I don't see her anywhere.

Ah, right. You're too short, aren't you? What a shame.

Well, no matter. It's none of your concern, anyway.

Are you kidding!? Of course it is!

Come on, Fujimaru, let me stand on your shoulders! Redra Bit isn't here now, so you'll have to do!

Muramasa, can you build us a watchtower or something!?

Anything that'll let me and Fujimaru see what's going on!

Whoa there, hang on. Before you go to all that trouble, how about using one of my handy dandy gadgets first?

Here, a spyglass. This'll let you see at least as far as Gawain can.

Now, take a look at those plains up north, and you'll see some really intense glares pointed this way.

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Oh wow, I can see super far with this! Thanks, Da Vinci!

Try turning the dial on the side. It's set to five kilometers right now...

...but if you crank it to the fourth notch, you can set it to twenty kilometers.

There, see them? There's a ton of faeries gathered in those plains.

That must be the northern army of that other queen we've been hearing so much about: Cnoc na Riabh of the King Clan.

THAT'S her army!? It's not just Fang and Earth clan faeries...

There are also lots of soldiers with masks! Are those giants!? There are giants there!

That's right. Cnoc na Riabh's rule bestows power and wealth upon any who swear fealty to her.

It's the opposite of Gloucester and Murian.

However, that effect only works when Cnoc na Riabh herself is nearby.

I see. So if she wants her troops to be effective, she can't be far from them.

Go on, Fujimaru, try looking a little farther ahead.

See that huge carriage? The one that kind of looks like a small fortress?

There's a faerie standing on top of it looking down at us from up there.

And even though this is your first time seeing her, I think you'll agree that there's no mistaking who this northern queen is.

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Medb...? You mean there's a faerie just like her in your world, too?

...Wait. Why is she staring at you instead of me?

Did you do something to upset her, Fujimaru?

Right? She looks just like Medb, doesn't she? Her taste in clothes is a littleokay, a lot different, though.

...Huh, that's weird. She's staring straight at Altria...

No, wait. It's more like she's...looking down at her? Mad at her? She definitely looks ticked off...

Twenty kilometers away or not, I can't believe she brought her troops all the way out here.

Isn't this obviously a hostile act towards Queen Morgan?

...Cnoc na Riabh and her forces are still just within her territory.

She claims she's only running military exercises in preparation for the great calamity.

Ten days ago, she was conducting those "exercises" forty kilometers away.

Now that Sheffield has fallen, she's closed the distance and come further down south.

She must have twentyno, thirty thousand troops there. That's not just a threat. It's preparation for all-out war.

How the hell does she keep them all fed? ...Oh, right. Faeries don't need to eat.

No, we don't. Unlike humans. That's one of Cnoc na Riabh's army's defining characteristics.

She despises humans, and won't even use them in combat against mors.

She envisions a Britain run by and for faeries alone, with her as its sole monarch.

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That said, she won't be sending her troops any further.

She has no definitive reason to challenge the high queen, nor much chance of success if she were to try.

The northern faeries have been incited to rebellion against the high queen several times before...

Each time, they find themselves retreating north with their tails tucked firmly between their legs. This time will be no different.

...All right, that's enough idle chatter. Let's go.

We're about to pass through the main gate. From now on, I suggest you remain sharper than ever.

So this is Camelot's castle town!

It's even bigger than Salisbury, and even fancier than Gloucester!

You can tell only upper-class faeries live here. The mana in the air here is like nowhere else in all Britain.

And that castle keep over there must be where they keep the existence taxesthe magical energy they extract from every faerie in Britain through Command Spells.

I've heard stories about it, but this is way beyond what I was expecting.

No wonder they're not worried about Cnoc na Riabh's army out there. It has to be way beneath their notice.

Trying to take Morgan on now... Someone would have to be crazy to do it.

I guess Boggart must've never set foot here before. If he had, he'd never have thought to rebel...

...Then again, maybe he knew what he was up against and decided to press on, anyway...

Um... I thought I saw some writing on the gate when we went through it...

Did anyone else see that? Or happen to catch what it said?

I did. It said, "Only those free of sin may pass" in Old English.

But I also noticed it had been painted over with red, like someone didn't agree.

This is as far as we go by carriage. The royal castle lies just ahead.

Only the Child of Prophecy and the foreign mage have been granted audience with the high queen.

The rest of you will stay here, where you will be treated as the attendants of our honored guests.

Oh? Meaning what, exactly?

You see the royal hotel across the way? We have arranged for you to relax there while you wait.

I will make arrangements for you all to reconvene once the meeting is concluded.

However... You. Your name is Da Vinci, yes? You seem like an intelligent faerServant.

As a human, the foreign mage will surely need an advisor. You may accompany him in that role.

Oh, good. I was planning on tagging along regardless, but this makes things much easier.

We may be on opposing sides, but I appreciate your consideration, Tam Lin Gawain.

Okay, Gareth, Muramasa, Habetrot, you heard the lady. You guys will have to stay here and wait for us.

Don't worry. You've seen how well-ordered the queen's army is over these last two days. Morgan's obviously even more a stickler for rules than we thought.

The three of us won't be in any danger even if we face her alone.

We'll be safe for at least as long as we're in Camelot, regardless of how the meeting goes.

Eh, I'm not surprised.

I did break into the castle my first time here. I didn't expect them to invite me in.

Anyway, good luck in there, Altria. Don't get so carried away you end up saying something you regret, all right?

You too, Fujimaru. Watch your partner's back, understand?

I can't say I'm not worried... But strangely, I do agree that it feels like you'll be safe...

Okay, we'll all be waiting for you here! Be careful, Altria! And good luck!

I'm fine with this arrangement, too. I'm not interested in Morgan, anyway.

I'm just here to keep an eye on things until Fujimaru and Mash are reunited.

？！

...

Kneel. Present.

Worship. Submit.

Emissaries to the throne, cease your breathing. Thirty ambassadors, one hundred officials, close your mouths.

You are in the presence of High Queen Morgan, the king who expands our boundaries, and upon whose shoulders all of Britain rests.

Revel in her glory.

Know this, Child of Prophecy. Know this, foreign mage.

This meeting is a sign of the high queen's grace and amnesty.

...Thank you. It is so very good of you all to come, even without a formal invitation.

My ambassadors and officials are now commanded to be silent.

Until this meeting ends, or I order otherwise, the only people present permitted to speak are myself, my guests, and

And me, Beryl Gut, the queen's hubby! Sorry, fancy faeries.

(Beryl Gut...! So he really is here in Camelot!)

(And did he say he's Morgan's husband!?)

Hey there, Fujimaru and friends! I haven't seen you all since Olympus! ...Hm? Why the look of surprise?

Hey now, don't tell me Mash didn't tell you I'm Morgan's beau!?

？！

Right? As a Master yourself, of course that's where your mind goes, right, Fujimaru?

Yup, it's true. I admit it. I'm Morgan's Master...

The partner of the high queen who rules over the land of the fae.

...

Sure it does! And it's true!

I mean, yeah, she's so far out of my league, I have a hard time believing it myself, but facts are facts!

...

？！

...Altria. I give you permission to approach. Raise your head.

O-okay!

...I see. It appears you truly are the Child of Prophecy.

And you must be the foreign mage...

The Master of Chaldea, seeking so desperately to restore what you call Proper Human History.

？！

Your efforts in Norwich, though commendable, were unnecessary. Still, you did well, eliminating the calamity.

I will therefore reward you accordingly. Typically, I would compensate you in the currency of my realm.

However, I understand the source of your magical energy is spatial magical energy-occupying values you refer to as "QP," which are derived by viewing magical elements as particles. Correct?

I trust one hundred million of these should suffice. Take them.

That much!? And wait. Does this mean you have a QP mint here!?

Of course not. I will simply create them myself by using your own magecraft system's methods.

I have nothing more to say. If there is nothing else you wish to discuss, then our business is concluded.

Altria, Fujimaru, if either of you would ask questions of me, now is the time.

But be warned, though you are my guests, careless words may cost you that status and the protection it affords.

...!

？！

So you will speak up first, then? Very well. You are indeed brave.

Tell me, conqueror of five Lostbelts. What is it you want?

？！

Yes, I am aware of the situation in the outside world. Beryl Gut has informed me.

？！

Oh? What sort of anomaly?

Using an ability similar to Ainsel's ability to prophesy, we've observed a future depicting a cataclysmic collapse.

We don't yet know what causes this collapse, or how it will actually happen...

...but if it isn't stopped, it'll spread across all of Britain and ultimately destroy the entire planet.

That's why Chaldea came to Faerie Britain. We need to investigate this collapse and prevent it from ever happening.

Now that the Tree of Emptiness is gone, we have no quarrel with this Lostbelt.

Our goal is to stop the world's collapse. That's all.

I see. So you say you have come here not to conquer our world, but to save it. Is that all?

？！

That's right. We're hoping to acquire the sacred lance Rhongomyniadthe incredibly powerful spell you cast at Olympus.

We would like you to provide us with either a Mystic Code that lets us use that spell ourselves, or the magecraft theory we can use to recreate it.

(Olympus...? "Foreign God"? What in the world are those outsiders talking about?)

(And how can they be so reckless, making a demand of the high queen, of all people!?)

...Heh. Yes, I know the weapon you seek.

I also believe you when you say you have come to save Britain.

And so I will say this to you: you and your Proper Human History will come to a miserable end.

？！

This collapse you have observed will be the result of me expanding my territory.

I shall be the one to put a true and final end to your history.

I would never willingly surrender my Divine Construct to you, my mortal enemy.

Fujimaru...arrogant child.

To save your world, you will have to defeat me. What you call Proper Human History cannot be saved otherwise.

...Is that your way of declaring war on us, Queen Morgan?

Proper Human History and my realm can never coexist. If you wish to save your world, you will have to win it from me.

？！

That goes for you too, Altria, accursed Child of Ainsel's Prophecy.

The year's end will bring a great calamity. It shall once again destroy every faerie in Britain.

But faeries do not learn. Ever. No matter how many times they die, they will always be born anew.

As long as my castle remains intact, Faerie Britain shall always be reborn, even should all Britain burn.

Your Majesty... Are you saying you'll only protect your kingdom, not your citizens?

Yes. I offer faeries no salvation. I shall defend my land. Nothing more.

With all the magical energy I have stored in this throne, I have nothing to fear from the great calamity.

...Furthermore, only a chosen faerie can sit this throne.

You are neither like other faeries nor that foreign mage; you have been chosen.

You are neither a rebel, nor an invader. You are the Staff of Selection's chosen wielder.

By accepting my invitation, you have proven yourself the true Child of Prophecy.

You and you alone have the right to bring me to justice, faerie sent from paradise.

Even should you fill oceans with the blood you shed in battle against me, you would be innocent of sin.

If you wish to save Britain, you must defeat me, and claim the throne for yourself.

Go, then. Fulfill that absurd prophecy, if you can. You should know better than anyone that you have no choice.

...

Then it would seem our discussion has concluded. I am pleased we now understand each other.

I know, right!? Who wants a nice, peaceful resolution where everyone goes home buddy-buddy with no bloodshed!?

So, on that note... You guys were stupid enough to come here with nothing more than faith in people's innate goodness and honor, and now, your negotiations have completely broken down.

You didn't really think you could leave here without a fight, right?

! Of course not!

Fujimaru! Altria! Get behind me! I thought this might hap

Be silent.

!?!?!? (Unintelligible screaming)

Even now, these are my honored guests.

I will permit not so much as a hair on their heads to come to harm, nor will I allow even an insult to their pride, until they have left Camelot.

!!!! ...! ...!!! (Translation: You've gotta be shitting meeeeee!)

Forgive my husband's insolence, child.

Daughter of Tintagel, so long as you remain Altria, I shall not recognize you as my enemy.

As long as the Bells of Pilgrimage remain unrung, my lords are forbidden from attacking any of you.

However...

If she does start ringing the bells, and officially declares herself the Child of Prophecy...

Then, and only then, shall I name her, along with Chaldea, my enemies and marshal my army against you.

I therefore advise you think very carefully before beginning a war you cannot possibly win.

Now, stand down. I am certain there is nothing left to say.

？！

...Or is there?

？！

...Mash? What is that?

That's the name of our companion. The one you swallowed up with the spell you usually use to get rid of calamities.

She's a Demi-Servant with the Spirit Origin of Galahad, the shield knight.

Since you named your Tam Lin after other Knights of the Round Table, I'm sure you must know that name, too.

...I see. That explains it.

Yes, I hold your knight captive.

？！

I see no reason I should tell you. She is my trophy.

But I can assure you she is alive and well. No one can harm her. Not even me.

？！

Yeah... It wasn't much of a discussion, was it?

She basically just told us we're enemies and threatened to show us no mercy if we dare to defy her...

Yup. Can't say it was a very productive talk.

We now know that Morgan definitely sees Proper Human History as her enemy...

And we now know that Mash is safe, but being kept in captivity somewhere.

But that's just confirmation of some things we already at least suspected.

I didn't see anything that could give us any kind of clue as to how we could possibly beat her in a fight.

？！

Actually, we did make just a bit of progress there.

Remember that atrium in the throne room? The one overlooking the pit?

Well, I noticed a distinct magical energy pattern nearby; it was very similar to the Lion King's in the Sixth Singularity.

That confirms for me that Morgan has Rhongomyniad on hand in weaponized form.

And not just one or two of them, either. She must have at least ten in place around Camelot's main gate.

And with that many of them on hand, she must have already used them here several times before.

So we can assume the one she threw at Olympus...

...must have been just one of several she had at the ready.

It would've been great if she'd been willing to sell us just one of them, but it's pretty clear that's not an option.

So now, the only way for us to complete our initial objective of acquiring that Divine Construct for ourselves is to defeat Morgan.

？！

Still, at least we made it out of there safe and sound, so we also know that Queen Morgan is true to her word.

True. Both Morgan herself, and all of Camelot, might be so stuffed with magical energy it's downright chilling...

But she was also adamant about upholding the laws she set as queen. She didn't even listen to Beryl when he tried to break them.

？！

(I know, Fujimaru. That only makes it all the more mysterious.)

(Beryl said he was Morgan's Master. If that's true, it would make her a Servant.)

(But it can't be true, because she's been ruling Faerie Britain for the last two thousand years.)

(Beryl couldn't have come to this Lostbelt any sooner than the end of 2019, just like all the other Crypters.)

(Obviously, Morgan would have already been the queen of this land by then, so he couldn't possibly have summoned her as a Servant.)

(So the question is, is he lying about that, or is he being made to believe it?)

(Either way, we need a lot more information before we can draw any conclusions...)

Oh hey, they're back! Guys! Over here!

Welcome back, Altria! Fujimaru!

S-so how'd the audience go!? What's Queen Morgan really like!?

Was she terrifying!? Was she strong!? Was she really ten meters tall!?

I mean, anyone who would take Tristan in as a daughter must eat nothing but other faeries, right!?

W-well, uh... She definitely seemed like a queen... Ahaha...

Cut that out, Gareth. Can't you see the Child of Prophecy's doing her best not to spoil your fun?

The truth is, the queen was completely ordinary. Right, Altria? Isn't that what you want to say?

Huh!?

I can tell! I'm an expert at reading fair maidens' minds, after all! Don't worry, Altria! It's okay to be yourself!

I don't know much about how maidens think, but being yourself is good advice.

Deep down, you're a stubborn shrew with a fierce competitive streak, right?

If anything, you were probably thinking something like "The queen? I could take her any day of the week."

"Give me a thousand years, and I'd probably be way stronger than her."

I wasn't thinking anything of the sort! And couldn't you at least make it a hundred years!?

Guess we won't be getting a cushy carriage escort back to Norwich... Especially after they basically kicked us out of town.

I wasn't expecting the way back to be easy, but now that it's time to go, it's looking harder than ever...

If they'd just given us at least one carriage, we could've had a nice, comfortable ride back to...Hm?

Oh, hello! Fancy running into all of you here!

I was out taking our new carriage for a test-drive and I just happened to find myself in Camelot!

Seems like fate to me! Go on, get in! Don't be shy!

？！

Yup, I figured you'd be finishing up around now!

I take it your audience with the queen's all done now? I'd love to hear all about it, but first...

...we should probably get going before our presence here gives the queen's army any ideas.

Hello, everyone. I'm glad to see you haven't been tempted by any other carriages.

Say hello to our new and improved carriage! It's now got six passenger seats AND two sleeping berths!

With this bad boy, I can promise you all a more comfortable journey around Britain than ever before.

You'll see! They don't call me Redra "Homestretch" Bit for nothing!

That's great to hear about the carriage, but why are you glammed up, too?

Once I told the faeries of Norwich I was one of the Child of Prophecy's attendants, they were delighted to absolutely pamper me.

The Earth clan faeries whipped this armor up for me during the celebration, snort.

I see. Well, that's nice! I just hope you're ready to pay for it yourself!

Well, she certainly didn't mince words, did she? Morgan is eager for this fight.

I'd hoped there might be some way to broker peace if Chaldea and the Child of Prophecy met with her together, but

But she obviously never had any intention of giving up her throne to the Child of Prophecythe true king.

And that's not all. Morgan doesn't even plan on saving Britain.

She said she was going to expand her territory and destroy the outside world, right?

I was already pretty sure that was her plan, but I didn't know how she planned on pulling it off.

But after hearing about your meeting, I think I've got it. She's going to use the great calamity herself.

？！

Remember the water mirror spell she used at Norwich? That's what she's always used to get rid of calamities before.

Isn't that right, Habetrot?

Yup. She doesn't usually break it out at that massive a scale, but that teleportation spell's one of her go-tos.

So even if Fujimaru and Mash hadn't gone to such extraordinary lengths, she would've still made the calamity disappear.

Or rather...she would have made it her own.

I think Morgan's been trying to acquire the calamities for herself.

And if she is, that must mean she's able to harness their magical energy and use it as her own.

That's the magical energy she's going to use to overwrite Fujimaru's worldProper Human History, and make it her territory.

She's going to take the curse meant to destroy the world of faeries and use it to destroy the world of humans.

That's her plan. She's not out to stop the great calamity; she WANTS it to happen.

So...instead of getting rid of the great calamity...she's going to use it as a weapon...?

Even though she has more than enough power to banish it, like she did in Norwich?

But...that would mean only the faeries inside Camelot would survive...

...

...Now that you mention it, those "upper-class" faeries in Camelot all looked down on the other cities.

I even heard 'em say stuff like, "The only faeries worth anything are those from Camelot," with a straight face.

They've completely bought the whole privileged class nonsense the queen fed them. I'm sure they just think of the Child of Prophecy as an irritant.

I know the queen said she wouldn't consider us her enemy until we ring one of the Bells of Pilgrimage, but she's also married to Beryl, right?

It's a good thing Oberon showed up with the carriage when he did, 'cause there's no telling when he might've sent troops after us.

You said it. First things first, we should put some distance between us and Camelot. We can figure out our next course of action after that.

If nothing else, we know exactly what we have to do now. If we're going to save Britain, our world, and Mash...

We're going to have to defeat Morgan.

...

...Still no sign of movement from the pit. That is concerning.

That aside... A great calamity that comes every thousand years, hmm?

The sheer idiocy of these faeries never ceases to amaze.

At least it is useful. I will use whatever I must to erase Proper Human History forever.

...

...You again. You know that merely observing will resolve nothing.

If you are truly the Foreign God's priestess, you should at least try to kill me.

Though of course, that assassination attempt by the Disciple of the Foreign God did not go so well for him.

No Servant comprised of a Heroic Spirit from Proper Human History can hope to match my Tam Lin.

If you will do nothing but stand there and watch, then do not show yourself. I tire of looking at you.

If there is something you wish to say it to me, then speak, as he did.

Sorry to interrupt your chat. I would have knocked, but there's no door here.

Of course not. Why would I welcome guests merely because they come knocking? I do have a waiting room, though, had you cared to use it.

You mean the ghost ward down below? It is majestic but unnecessary. I don't have time to wait.

I'm neither omnipotent, nor a talented mage like yourself. I'm just an ordinary man, capable of nothing but ordinary work.

Truthfully, I should be avoiding places like this where I have no business in the first place.

...Your actions defy comprehension.

You are clearly from Chaldea. You are on the side of Proper Human History.

While the Foreign God means to wipe the slate of human history clean...

I could end up destroying it before she gets a chance.

Is that not why you are here? To stop me?

No. If you can really destroy it, go ahead.

What?

True, if left to your own devices, I'm sure you will indeed destroy this planet and erase humanity.

And that is preferable to the Foreign God achieving her goal.

Your goal is to wipe out Proper Human History so you can expand the land of the fae and rule as its queen.

I can't approve of your goal, or your approach to pursuing it, but I do respect what you've accomplished.

So I will neither try to interfere with your plans, nor lend Chaldea my aid.

If you should succeed in rendering this planet a lifeless husk, I have no objection.

...If you are not here to interfere, then why have you come?

You claimed you had no time to waste, did you not?

I came to see what you've created here. It deserves at least that much.

You saw the Tree of Emptiness for what it really was, and instead of fearing it, you used it yourself.

You grasped Chaldea's summoning system instantly, and made it your own.

Those are truly exceptional accomplishments. There are scant few who have even approached your level of godlike genius.

Now do you understand, High Queen Morgan? I came here to praise you.

I cannot imagine there is anyone else willing or able to give you the accolades you deserve.

Hmph. Your estimation of my magecraft skill means nothing to me. If anything, it sounds snide.

Now, if that is all you have to say, then leave.

This world is soon to be mine. There will be no place in it for either the Foreign God or a Beast.

I know. This was the last chance to intervene, anyway.

Even if I did try to get in your way now, it wouldn't change anything.

If my aim were to stop what is happening here, I have come two thousand years too late.

Your history is perfect. Your script is complete. While you did make a mistake with Tristan, your victory is still close at hand.

As one who has stood in this very position, I wanted to applaud you and the path you've taken.

In my estimation, neither the Child of Prophecy nor the Master of Chaldea have any hope of defeating you.

Though of course...

...were a third player who has yet to show themself to intervene, that could change things considerably.