Eve of the Decisive Battle (I)

Caster, I brought you a new book. It's about etiquette for upper-class faeries.

You should study it now, so that you'll be ready when you leave for the castle one day.

Let's see... Do you mind if I put the table here?

...By the way, have your fae markings grown yet? You'll be sixteen years old in only two more years, you know.

I'm getting a little worried. Your journey is going to be hard enough as it is.

I see you're working hard again today, Caster. You are so diligent, dedicated, and innocent.

You play just as hard as you study, and you always find whatever it is the village needs at any given moment.

The other faeries could learn a thing or two from you. Just seeing you in action fills us with hope.

Still... I'm afraid it's going to be difficult to pay this year's tax.

Thankfully, we should be able to squeak by thanks to all your help...

But at this rate, I'm worried Tintagel may cease to exist by the time you turn sixteen.

Ahh, what are we going to do... Why must you be so very...

Ugh, I swear, none of these faeries have any tact. I guess that's what happens when you've lived past your prime.

Well, there's nothing wrong with saying when you don't like something. In fact, you SHOULD say so. Don't you agree, Caster?

I mean, you don't want anyone treating you differently just 'cause you're the Child of Prophecy either, right?

So come on, let's do something fun. The elder's not gonna mind if you just hang out for a little while.

Did you hear there's a merchant caravan coming this way from the east road? Maybe we can get musical instruments from Gloucester!

If they have any, I'm sure they'd sell to you. I mean, you're the Child of Prophecy!

Oh, have you been growing?

One of the older faeries was saying you grow and change over time, unlike the rest of us.

It's so weird to think about, but I guess it's better that way.

With the magical energy you have now, you couldn't even survive against a single black dog.

So hurry up and grow as much as you can, okay? Until then, we'll keep you safe!

Rrgh! What's wrong with this village!?

I told them it was futile to fight back, yet they still tried to resist! Did they all go crazy!?

Forget the Tintagel faeries! Find the Child of Prophecy!

We've embarrassed ourselves enough as it is! If we let her escape now, I'll never be able to face High Queen Morgan!

It only took half a day to make it back to Salisbury. This new carriage is so much easier to pull.

And now that we're fighting against the queen, I have no intention of obeying the speed limit anymore.

At this pace, we could make it back to Londinium before sunset. What would you like to do?

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Seconded... I need to get out before my poor back and butt shatter completely...

I could use a breather, too. I think I might be getting a little motion sick.

Then why don't we rest up at Mike's restaurant? I've been wanting to talk to him about something, anyway.

How about you, Percival?

I'm going to continue on to Londinium.

I'm sure the Child of Prophecy will be welcome in Salisbury, but I don't think the same can be said for the commander of the Round Table Army.

Huh? What're you talking about, Percival?

There's a resistance movement in Salisbury too, right? Why don't you just work together?

It's not that simple. The Round Table Army and the Salisbury rebel army are different organizations.

They may be similar, but their goals aren't quite the same.

Especially since Aurora is still publicly presenting herself as being on the queen's side.

If she did anything to hint that she's sympathetic to the Round Table Army, she'd be squished like a bug, clan head or not.

Guess that's true, yeah... But ain't it kind of a bad look to just be sitting on the sidelines at this point?

Not at all, Lord Muramasa. I wouldn't expect Lady Aurora to choose anything else.

Anyway, Kundry's telling me she still has plenty of energy, so I'm going to go on ahead to Londinium.

Oh beloved Child of Prophecyyy♪ Oh valiant Child of Prophecyyy♪

Courageous savior of Norwiiich♪ Equal of the queen in Camelooot♪

She's going to rebuild Londinium and defeat the Tam Liiin♪

I know! And it's all about Altria! They're even selling pancakes that look just like her!

I'll grab a dozen or so before we leave, okay?

Well, I'd just as soon not be if it means having pancakes with my face on them!

The worst part is, they're prettier than I am! I swear, what is it about Wind clan faeries that makes them so good at getting under your skin!?

？！

Duhbinchi! You're finally back!

Where were you!? You said you were only going to be gone a little while, but it's been over two weeks!

Oh, but never mind that! The important thing is, you're back! I've got so many things I want to show you!

I made a whole new menu, I've been getting along better with Wind clan faeries...

...and I'm even hanging out with humans now! It's been really busy, but I'm having so much fun!

Hey Mike. Sorry for making you worry.

Still, don't you think you might be trying a few too many new things at once?

You're the kind of faerie who concentrates best when you're on your own, so I think you'd be better off sticking to one thing at a time.

You think? Well, maybe you're right! But one's just not enough anymore!

After all the amazing things you taught me, Duhbinchi, everything else just pales in comparison!

...Sheesh. How can I scold you after a compliment like that?

Sorry, Fujimaru, but I need to stop by the kitchen and taste-test Mike's new recipes.

I just hope he hasn't used any overly strange seasonings this time.

By all means, take your time. We'll just be resting up in the back.

Nice to see Da Vinci's got a friend. Well, more of an apprentice, really.

She said she got to know him while she was wandering around on her own.

It at least means we can come and go as we please.

That does make it perfect for having secret meetings here at this quiet little back table.

？！

Yeah. I've got something serious to discuss.

I know you all kept quiet about this after we left the Welsh woods, and I appreciate your consideration...

...but time is not on our side.

Woodwose's army still has Londinium surrounded. If we're going to defeat them...

Yeah?

I'm going to need a katana. Would you make me one, Muramasa?

Huh?

I'm a grown man. I can't keep fighting with a tree branch forever, and your katana's so cool.

Do you think it'd be okay if I wore one on my waist, too?

Are you nuts? You don't carry a katana for looks. Besides, isn't iron dangerous for faeries?

Don't worry, it would just be for show! I'd never actually use something that dangerous!

That's worse, ya dumbass! I'm not gonna help you be a damn samurai cosplayer! The most you're getting outta me's a bamboo sword!

？！

(Hehe. It's good to see Oberon feeling better again, isn't it, Fujimaru?)

(Yes, it is. It sounds like a joke, but he's really serious about this katana idea.)

How could you do this to me, Muramasa? You're even stingier than I thought. Did you forget how you only beat Barghest with my help?

That's got nothing to do with this. I can't give you a katana when you don't even know how to use one.

I gotta admit, you were pretty good in that fight, though. When you said you weren't much good in a fight earlier, were you just being modest?

Well, yes and no.

I don't like pain, and my abilities make me much better at serving in a support role.

Plus, I didn't really want to draw attention away from the Child of Prophecy.

If she'd thought her companions were more capable than she was, Altria probably would have slunk back to Tintagel long ago.

So I decided to avoid the limelight until she started feeling a little more confident.

G-good point. I probably would have just gone back to Tintagel if you had, yeah.

See?

At any rate, that was my one foray into combat. I wasn't myself back there.

The foreign mage is supposed to guide the Child of Prophecy, not me.

I'm not going to overstep my bounds anymore. From here on, this battle is for the two of you to fight.

...Besides, now that the Welsh forest has been burned down, my part in all this is probably just about over.

？！

Guys, guys! Mike just told me some big news!

Huh? What's with all the long faces? Did you already hear about it from a patron or something?

No, we haven't heard anything. What's this all about, Da Vinci?

Well, some of the refugees from Norwich who escaped to Salisbury...

...headed off to Londinium this morning to join the Round Table Army.

？！

Yup! Apparently, news of her defeat has already made its way across Britain.

I have an idea or two about who might have gone around spreading that rumor, but never mind that for now.

The important thing is that people are starting to really put their faith in the Child of Prophecy now.

The enemy thinks the Round Table Army is just going to stay holed up in Londinium. But, if we can muster enough fighters to go on the offensive

We can defeat Woodwose before the queen sends reinforcements!

Exactly. Though only if we keep getting more fighters from across the country.

And if we're going to make that happen...we've got only one option. Can you do this for us, Oberon?

Of course. Besides, you guys have already met the criteria Aurora laid out.

All that's left now is for her to hold up her end of the deal.

So let's go get your reward for saving Norwich!

I was just reciting poetry when I heard the bell ring all the way outside town, too. It was as crisp and clear as a crunchy carrot.

Still, I can't help but worry about how Lady Aurora will be able to keep her position after this.

Apparently, she plans to tell the queen that we broke in and rang it while she was away.

We'll just have to trust that Aurora's diplomatic skills will be enough to carry her through such an obvious lie.

Still, even if the queen does start treating her as an enemy, so long as she can maintain plausible deniability until we defeat Woodwose's army...

...we can then send Round Table Army troops out to Salisbury to keep her safe in case the queen's army shows up.

Great point! And besides, Altria's rung two bells now!

Even I can tell that her, uh, aura is incredible!

Everything from her strength to her power to her destructive force has increased, like, a billion times over!

"Just so you know, I'm the strongest faerie ever now. Not even Barghest could stand a chance against me."

Oh man, I can't believe you actually said that! I was so impressed!

Y-you think? I don't remember saying anything like that, but...you really think so?

What do you think, Fujimaru, Oberon? Could I take Baggie one-on-one now?

Not likely.

You're probably just a bit stronger than Tristan now, but Barghest is tough even without her Gifted name.

She still has at least ten times the strength and skill you do, so going taking her on alone would be suicide.

Right... Of course... It's not like I was any better than trash to start with, after all...

？！

Fujimaru's right. Your magical circuits Oh, right. For faeries, they're called fae markings, aren't they?

Anyway, no matter what you call them, you clearly have more of them now.

For example, both humans and faeries alike are born with a set number of nerves.

But in your case, instead of getting stronger through training, like most people, you've gotten stronger because of an increase in the number of nerves you have.

It's...completely unprecedented, and makes you very, very special.

That said, it also raises other questions. I've heard there are two kinds of faeries here:

The kind whose appearance never changes from the time they're born, and the kind whose appearance changes at every stage of their life.

By this point, I'm pretty sure you're the latter type...

But there still aren't many past examples of a faerie's abilities growing this much.

Though there have, of course, been cases where a loss of purpose or shine has led to a faerie losing magical energy.

So, how do you feel about these developments, Altria?

Hmm... I wish I knew the answer to that myself.

Well, maybe it's just because I'm the Child of Prophecy! I need SOME sort of edge if I'm really going to fulfill my calling!

Hahaha. That does make sense.

If a mediocre faerie like you is going to defeat a genius like Morgan, you pretty much have to cheat to stand a chance!

Hmph. What about you then, Oberon? How good a fighter are you, anyway?

I didn't have a chance to see in the forest, so why don't you show me what you can really do?

I already said I'm not going to fight anymore, remember? Besides, who would I even fight?

Okay, Muramasa, you're with me. Gareth, you're also with me. Redra Bit, you're with me, too.

Da Vinci, you're with me. And Fujimaru, you're of course with me, too.

Okay, we have our teams. Let's go, Oberon. I'm going to kick your scrawny ass all up and down this field.

Fine then! You'll take my side, right, Fujimaru!?

？！

Salisbury's bell has been rung. Now, I cannot yet declare this publicly...

...but as the head of the Wind clan, I have accepted the Child of Prophecy as the rightful savior of Britain.

Once she has rung all six bells, the Wind clan shall make our objections known to the queen.

Unfortunately, this also means that the horrors of war will one day reach Salisbury as well.

Will you all accept my decision, even if it should bring trouble to our doorstep?

Of course, Lady Aurora! You needn't even ask!

We cannot trust Queen Morgan with Faerie Britain.

We have all been eagerly awaiting this day for a long time now!

...

I would expect no less from the guards of Salisbury. Your loyalty pleases me.

The Child of Prophecy has returned to Londinium. Her battle with Woodwose will begin shortly.

Things will start to change very quickly all across the land once she has rung Oxford's bell as well.

Be sure to set your formations, so that you are ready to deploy at a moment's notice.

Huh? Er, excuse me, Lady Coral?

Our formations are already set. We can leave for Londinium at any time.

Shouldn't we go help them fight Woodwose, to show how strong Salisbury truly is?

Watch your tongue. This is not your choice to make.

Listen to me closely. The Fang clan have long been proud guardians of Britain.

The Wind clan will never do battle with them.

Our enemies are Morgan the Witch; the Earth clan, for the transgression they have committed; the queen's supporters in Camelot who gorge themselves on peace...

...and the humans of the anti-faerie organization who don't know their place.

Lady Aurora will not lead us into battle until Camelot is well and truly on the back foot.

I will not tolerate anyone carelessly putting our fair city in danger.

Salisbury will remain neutral until the time is right. Forget about the humans of Londinium.

So...

Is that so Salisbury won't be punished if the Child of Prophecy should happen to lose?

That is what I said. I trust there are no objections?

...Understood.

We will not open Salisbury's gates to anyone, even refugees from Londinium.

Really? I don't see the harm in that, Coral.

Lady Aurora!?

It may be dangerous for us to take in soldiers from the Round Table Army, yes.

But civilians from Londinium, who took no part in the battle, would merely be refugees.

It would be improper for me, as head of a clan, to simply turn aside people with nowhere else to go.

Besides...

If we were simply to leave the weak to their fates, on what grounds could we object to Queen Morgan's rule?

But, if we take in refugees, we'll have to fight the queen before the Child of Prophecy can complete her pilgrimage!

It's okay, Coral. It won't be a problem.

You saw Altria for yourself, right? She's strong enough now to keep Londinium safe.

Plus, she has Oberon and Fujimaru with her as well.

...That said, if the Round Table Army were somehow to fall in spite of all that...

...then the time for us to remain on the sidelines will have ended.

For we will be honor bound to protect the lives and freedoms of any faeries and humans who come from Londinium seeking refuge.

Wow... That's so generous of you, Lady Aurora!

You refuse to put us in danger by helping Londinium, yet you're still willing to help its people, even though they've tried so pointlessly to assert their independence!

You truly are the perfect queen, Lady Aurora! You're the one who can bridge the gap between faeries and humans!

We of the Liberation Army vow to keep you and your city safe, even if it should cost us our lives!

... (What are these inferior creatures saying?)

(There's no possible way you could protect Salisbury or Lady Aurora by yourselves.)

(...Ugh, it's no use. I knew humans were worthless. All I can do now is hope the Child of Prophecy succeeds.)

(...I hope she's able to ring all the Bells of Pilgrimage before it comes time to fight the queen...)

Is it just me, or are there way more people here now than before!?

It's not just you! There've been people pouring in from the east and south gates since morning!

And it's all 'cause you guys beat a Tam Lin. I couldn't believe the news when I heard, either.

I'm glad you're all back safe and sound.

I wasn't worried you wouldn't make it, but it's still good to see you're all well.

No problem. I like that you're so polite.

Percival, are all these new faeries and humans here because

？！

That's right. They're all from Norwich. Some want to join our army, others just want to live here.

Even this is only about half of everyone who showed up. There were so many that we had to have the rest stay at Norwich for the time being.

That's right. I managed to sneak some inside Londinium under cover of night yesterday, but that won't work again.

Now that Woodwose is sending out patrols, the rest will have to come once this battle's over, right?

Pepe! You're here, too?

Of course, hon. Almost time for the final battle, isn't it?

So I thought, why just sit around in Norwich waiting for a report when I could come see the action for myself♡

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Oh, no no no. You shouldn't go thanking me just yet.

I have my own goals, after all. I'm really just using you as bait here.

Once the fighting begins in earnest, you're staying in Londinium until it's over, right?

And if Beryl knows where his target is, he's bound to turn up sooner or later.

For some reason, I can just tell when and where he'll try to strike.

He loooves going after his victims when their guard is down, right after they've won a hard battle.

So you're both cut from the same dirty cloth, huh? Well, long as this gets him outta our hair, you won't hear me complainin'.

But don't go taking any serious risks, all right? If you die now, we're gonna have to go through the rigmarole of unifying Norwich again.

Oh my, you're worried about me, Muramasie!? That makes coming to Britain all the more worthwhile!

Don't be an idiot. Since I'm the Child of Prophecy's bodyguard right now, I'd just rather be dealing with you than Spriggan.

Sure thing, hon. Whatever you say.

All right, since I'm technically affiliated with Chaldea, maybe it's time I got down to serious business.

Percival, Altria, Fujimaru, and Da Vinci.

Would you come to the war room with me? I have a proposal for what comes after the prophecy.

？！

Let me get right to the point.

This Lostbelt isn't like the others. It's not going to go away, even with its Tree of Emptiness destroyed.

It was never part of human history long enough to be pruned away in the first place.

Rather, this world is just as strong as Proper Human Historya new human history, not an empty one.

Ironic that fantastical creatures like faeries became their own human history, isn't it?

So you're saying this place isn't a Lostbelt, but a Lostworld, huh. I can buy that.

Britain's Tree of Emptiness may have burned down during the attack on Olympus...

But it had long since stopped functioning.

I think this Lostbelt escaped the Tree of Emptiness's cosmic fantasy about two-thousand and nineteen years ago...

The first year of the Era of the High Queen, when Morgan began ruling Britain.

It's not the Tree of Emptiness keeping this Lostbelt going. It's Morgan herself.

But...that also means that once we defeat her, this Lostbelt will go back to the way it was.

And that should mean it'll eventually be pruned away just like the others.

That's true, at least for Britain. But not for its residents.

In the other Lostbelts, the fates of the people who lived there were inextricably tied to their surroundings...

But that's not the case for this Lostbelt.

If nothing else, we can be sure that faeries who were born during the Era of the High Queen won't disappear even if they leave this Lostbelt.

It makes sense, really, since this world is just as strong as Proper Human History. That's the difference I'm trying to point out.

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That's right. Humans who were madeI mean, born in the land of the fae can only live here...

But if they wanted to, the faeries of this land could immigrate to Proper Human History.

Now do you get it? There's a possible future where you can all live together in peace and harmony.

？！

Um... So...

...What's that all mean, Da Vinci?

It means that even if defeating Morgan results in this Lostbelt disappearing...

...you could still survive if you came with us to the outside world.

At least once we figure out how to get past that wall of light.

Yup. You could either disappear with this place, or start a new life in Proper Human History.

The choice is yours, Altria. In fact...

...you could abandon this whole Child of Prophecy thing and just leave right now.

There's a whole other life waiting for you on Chaldea's Storm Border, if you want it.

...I'm kind of amazed you said that, Pepe. Especially with Percival standing right here.

Oh? I wouldn't have said it at all if Percy hadn't been here.

I've already told him about Proper Human History, the Lostbelts, Chaldea, and the Trees of Emptiness.

That's why I just told you, Fujimaru, and Altria about this as well.

I wanted to get this all out in the open, so there'd be no hard feelings. Pretty fair of me, right?

？！

Well... I don't know nearly as much as the rest of you, so this may be pretty simplistic...

But if Altria wants to stop being the Child of Prophecy, that's entirely her choice.

Really!? Even though you went to all the trouble of creating the Round Table Army!?

Really. I chose to build the Round Table Army on my own.

Nobody forced me to do it, and I don't intend to force anyone else to join.

...And besides, I really don't deserve to be their commander. Not after some of the things I've done.

So please believe me when I say you don't need to give up what you want for us.

Besides, now we know that we can still help the faeries of Britain escape to the outside world, even without defeating the queen.

And isn't just knowing that's an option a big step forward for Faerie Britain?

W-well, yeah, I guess so...

But, um... I still don't think that's good enough. Morgan will never just sit back and let everyone walk away.

If we're really going to save the faeries of Britain, there's no getting around the fact that we'll have to defeat Morgan le Fay.

I'm pretty sure that means "the faerie" in the legend of King Arthur.

The "Fay" part changed over time to "Fae" in modern-day English. Although...

(I haven't seen a single other faerie call Morgan that since I've been here...)

？！

I see. So you still want to defeat Queen Morgan, just like the prophecy said, huh, Altria?

Looks like I'm with you to the bitter end, then.

If, as a Crypter, I'm going to settle things with Beryl...

...then I guess as Fujimaru's nosy senpai, I have a right to interfere in your affairs, too.

Okay, that's enough serious talk for now. And while I trust this goes without saying, for the record...

...if Altria plans to continue on her path as the Child of Prophecy, we'd best keep this conversation between ourselves.

It wouldn't be very good for morale if the rebels found out they could just escape the world itself, would it?

Okay, let's discuss matters as they stand.

We may have more soldiers to work with thanks to the volunteers from Norwich, but we can't deploy them right away.

They will likely need more training, and it will take time to establish lines of communication and integrate them into our existing forces.

Well sure. It'd be foolhardy to send over a hundred new troops into combat without any practical training.

So does that mean we're going to focus on defense while we train the new troops, instead of making a surprise attack on Woodwose's army?

That would be the safest option, if we had time to take it.

Once the queen sends Woodwose reinforcements, it'll be much more difficult to hold Londinium's line of defense.

So instead, we're going to pretend to focus on defense while a small squad of elite soldiers from my company...

...along with Étoile and Kenwood's platoons, take a day to sneak around behind the enemy's forces.

Once they're ready, I'll send out my company along with the volunteer soldiers from Londinium to pad their numbers.

Then, while the enemy is focused on Londinium...

...our unit will ambush Woodwose himself, and take him out.

Once their clan head has fallen, the other faeries should lose their sense of purpose. It's one of the weaknesses shared by all clan-affiliated faeries.

I'm not a huge fan of this strategy, but exploiting that weakness is our best move.

Then, does that mean we're going to settle this tomorrow night?

That's right.

Our assault unit will set out from Londinium before dawn.

As for all of you, I'd like you to stay here and protect the castle walls, just in case.

I appreciate the offer, but you see, we'll be marching upstream through the river.

Since none of you are used to traversing that kind of terrain, I'm afraid you'd exhaust yourselves before we even reached our destination...

？！

Okay, you got it. I think we can be of help defending Londinium.

You obviously know what you're doing when it comes to skirmishing on level ground...

...so just leave things here to us and focus on winning your fight.

I will. Thank you, Lady Da Vinci.

I swear on this sacred spear that I won't come back without defeating Woodwose.

Hm hm hmm♪ Meow! Hm hm hmm♪ Waah!

Duh-dun! Is that Oberon!?

"Surprised? I might be a half-wit with a perpetual princely smile plastered across his face, but even I fly into a rage if you burn down my domain!"

But uh-oh, Oberon doesn't play fair! The trap he planted in the woods makes a mess of Barghest's shin!

？！

Hm? Oh, it's you, Fujimaru.

I'm just writing in my diary. I have an atrocious memory, so I always write the days' events as entertainingly as possible.

What about you? Why did you come to the war room when nobody else was around?

Did you feel so guilty about the festivities going on in the town plaza that you thought you'd escape up here?

？！

You're worried about Mash, right? I get it.

It's easy not to think about her during a battle, but at times like this, you can't help it.

I know I keep saying this, but you and Mash WILL see each other again. I guarantee it.

I can't tell you where she is or how she's doing...

...but I can tell you she's with someone trustworthya Heroic Spirit from Proper Human History who you've both met before.

All you have to do is help Altria. That's the quickest way you'll be reunited with Mash.

？！

...Hmm. Looks like no one else is listening right now... So I guess I can tell you this much.

Yeah, Morgan teleported Mash, but she sent her somewhere not even Morgan herself can touch her.

Morgan can't capture anyone. All she ever does is send them off somewhere else.

But that's nothing an outsider like you needs to worry about. All you guys have to do is defeat her.

As for me, all I care about is my bride. I'm helping you all as part of helping her.

After all, you can't have a happy bride without a handsome groom, right?

So I can't have you dying on me, for both my and Mash's sakes.

'Cause my dream is to see off a hundred happy brides!

Right? Once I do that, I'll be an expert in brides. That way, I'll have a shot at getting married, too!

Oh, but watch out for Beryl, you hear? He's technically one of Mash's potential grooms, too.

Mash makes one.

I don't know about the Habetrot from Proper Human History, but my dream started with Mash.

If you know any Servants who are worried about planning their wedding, you'd be doing them a favor by introducing me to them.

I can tailor any dress, no matter how impossible it seems!

Man, woman, human, monster... Whatever they are, if they dream of being a bride, I'll be there to help!

？！

There she is! Heeey! Hey, you! The really energetic faerie!

Huh? Are you talking to me? Do you not know my name's Gareth?

Gareth, huh? What a great name! It's nice and short, but it's also really courageous-sounding!

Uh, thanks. But it's actually

(It's actually just the name I'm going by... Nobody actually gave it to me.)

Uh, anyway! You're probably here to see Altria, right?

It must've been too hard for a kid to break through the throng of soldiers that were surrounding her in the town square earlier, huh?

Wait here. I'll go get h

Nah, we don't wanna see her. The Child of Prophecy's already got Percival and the grown-ups.

We just wanna talk to you.

Me!? B-but why would you want to

Just come with me, okay? Everyone's waiting for you.

Wah! D-don't tug on my sleeve! I'll go with you, okay!?

She's here! Sem brought the charging lady back with him!

(Whoa, so many human kids. They must have come here seeking refuge...)

Huh? This is the castle's smithy, right?

Yup! We're helping out Granny 'cause there aren't enough grown-ups to go around!

Heeey, Nan, I brought her! Come on, do the thing!

Yes, yes, I know. Would you mind coming here, young lady?

The children asked me to make you a set of armor. I tried to tell them no, but they weren't having it.

...Huh? Armor? For me...?

Wah! Is this...a mithril shield!? Not even the queen's knights get to use these!

Wh-wh-what were you thinking!? I can't accept something so valuable!

You should be giving this to Altria! Someone as worthless as me doesn't deserve

Worthless? Well, that's not nice. You don't believe what these children saw in you?

They were all abandoned by Norwich, but they scraped together everything they had to buy the materials for me to make this for you.

They know you're not Percival, or the Child of Prophecy. They were entranced by the sight of your tiny form fighting valiantly on the battlefield.

Well? Do you still insist you're worthless?

...But...I don't even know what kind of faerie I am... I'm just a weird stray.

So? What does that matter? Faeries are faeries, right? Who cares how you were born or what your role's supposed to be?

You protected Londinium for us.

The first time you came here, you stood up for Yuri when she was crying because she tripped and spilled the fruit in her basket.

You saved Samaria when she went out to look for food and almost got captured by Woodwose's soldiers.

Humans who were changed to be kids, like us, have no way of helping out in battle...

And we only have around six months left to live. Nobody else ever protected us.

But you didn't care about any of that. You still fought as hard as you could to help us.

That's why we wanted to thank you. Go on, Samaria.

Here you go, Ms. Knight! Thanks for saving us all those times!

You're always charging headlong into danger, right? We've been worried about you this whole time!

That's why we asked Nan to make you this armor! So you wouldn't get hurt anymore!

...Me? You want me to wear this so that I don't get hurt? Even though you guys are covered in bruises?

You see? These children don't care at all about what kind of faerie you are.

I wasn't of much use anymore in Norwich either, so I ended up here while I was looking for a place to die...

But once I had something to do again, it was like I had never left the forge.

I used to think our purpose was something we were born with.

But the truth is, having people depend on you, or helping those around you can help you become a new person...the person you need to be.

There you are, Gareth. Shall we get started with your training?

Today, I want to work on polishing your charge attack, and the speed that goes into it. You've got good instincts, so you should be able to tell what your opponent is going to do before

Gareth? Is something wrong? You don't look very happy.

...Oh, no, I'm fine... It's nothing...

That's right... It was nothing...

What I wanted wasn't to save Britain, or anything so grand as that...

It really was nothing... The kind of ordinary thing anyone could do...

...I see. So those are tears of happiness. I'm glad you found people you care about, and who care about you.

Shall we give training a pass then, since it's such an important day?

No way! I'm going to train twice as hard now!

I still have a lot of fighting left to do! I'm a knight of Londinium, after all!

Haha, a knight of Londinium, huh? What a thing to say! You never fail to surprise.

Huh...? Don't laugh at me just because you're stronger than I am! It's rude. I'm serious about this.

Oh, right, I'm sorry. I guess you wouldn't know about this.

?

See, the knight of Londinium was actually a specific person back in the Fae Era.

He was a human king known as the last knight who fought the faerie clans and won...

...and he was Aesc the Savior's lover.

Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry! I had no idea! I guess I was the one being rude!

Hey, there's nothing wrong with "knight of Londinium." It's a lot better than "Round Table Army."

And for what it's worth, I think it suits you better, too. After all, you really are trying to protect Londinium.

...Um...

I didn't say anything back then because I could tell it wasn't a good time...

But you never did tell Altria and Fujimaru what happened when you fought Lancelot in the Welsh woods, did you?

Back then...

...!

(I can read her next move, but I'm too slow to guard against it! She's just too fast for human eyes to follow!)

Huh. I'm surprised your arm's still attached. You've grown, if only a little.

It doesn't matter though. You could never hope to catch up to me.

My physical capabilities, my magical energy levels, my time... I surpass you in every way. So come on. Just give up already.

I guess that's too much to ask, though. You never could listen, even when you were a child.

There's no point in me saying this, but I'll say it anyway.

Don't use that spear, Percival. It's too much for a human to handle.

This is just a hunch, but...

Do you happen to know Lancelot from somewhere, Percival?

I...

...Yes. Lancelot and I were actually students at the same place.

We trained together for a few years, but that's all.

I'm sorry for making you worry over nothing. Now, I'm just Percival, commander of the Round Table Army.

Lancelot and I are enemies now. We have nothing to say to each other, and no intention of holding back.

Don't worry. The next time we fight, I'll beat her.

Especially since I'm sure you and all the others will be there to help me, too.

We heard all about what you did in Norwich!

Not even Morgan could defeat a mors the size of a castle!

Thank you, but I can't take all the credit for that.

I could never have done it without the foreign mage, the knight of Sheffield, and everyone else who helped us.

That last battle we fought was incredible! My body felt light as a feather, but my sword hit harder than ever!

With magecraft like yours, Lady Altria, we have nothing to fear from a coward like Woodwose!

Thank you. But I'm afraid my magecraft doesn't last very long, so please don't get too far from us.

And if you ever start to feel tired, please retreat immediately.

Could you tell us what happened in Gloucester, Child of Prophecy!?

Is it true that you gave Tristan both a verbal beatdown AND a physical one!?

She's killed countless faeries for no reason, and nobody's been able to stand up to her since she's the queen's daughter...

Every faerie in Britain has been waiting for her to finally get what's coming to her!

Now that you've beaten Barghest, I hope you can defeat that horrible Tam Lin next!

Yes, if I get the chance, I certainly will. Besides, I'll need to face all the Tam Lin sooner or later.

So when the time comes to fight Queen Morgan's daughter, I'll make sure she faces justice for everything she's done.

Oho! That sounds amazing! I can't wait! You really are the undefeated king! The savior of the battlefield!

Three cheers for the Child of Prophecy! Three cheers for Lady Altria!

...(Sigh)

The fact that they're all so nice makes this twice as tiring as usual.

I haven't had to do this stuff since Tintagel. I'd forgotten how hard it is.

I hope I did okay... I hope they didn't realize I actually have no idea what I'm doing...

Don't worry, none of them had a clue. That was some great acting.

I shoulda known the Child of Prophecy would know how to work a crowd. Is that how you handled them back in your hometown, too?

...I wouldn't say that.

Yikes, you must have it even worse than I thought. Usually, you'd be biting my head off for that remark.

What's going on? Something got you so down you can't even snap at me?

Huh? Now you're being all considerate, Muramasa? Feels even worse than your teasing...

That so? Well, don't let me interrupt your pity party. Clearly no reason to worry 'bout you.

I'm sorry! I was just kidding, honestly! I know you really are concerned about me!

And sorry for making you worry, but I do really appreciate it!

...Nah. What I'm really worried about is the battle tomorrow.

How're we supposed to win if our leader's staring at her feet all glum instead of watching the enemy?

Oh, I see. Well, that's too bad.

But really, you don't have to worry about me. I'm just a little tired from all the fighting we've been doing lately.

Plus, all these Round Table Army people are just a lot more...excited about this than I am?

I mean, they all have their own important reasons for being here.

Some want to fight for faerie and human freedom, some want revenge on the queen, some want a better tomorrow...

Those are all great reasons, but they're so serious it's hard for me to keep up.

I mean, I'm only here because I'm the Child of Prophecy!

Sure, I like to fight, and I'm good at it, but it's embarrassing to be put on so high a pedestal!

...You're good at it?

Nonsense. There's no way anyone who actually likes fighting would have wanted something like that.

Even Fujimaru wanting a Holy Grail was a damn sight better than that.

Huh...? You saw what it was I wanted, Muramasa?

Of all the things you could've desired, THAT was all you wanted? So what if you're the Child of Prophecy?

If you wanna act how you think everyone expects, fine. But if nobody else is gonna say this, I will.

Altria, you're not cut out for fighting.

...But if I quit, I would be letting everyone down, right?

So it's okay! I'll be fine!

I know I'm in over my head, and I still have no confidence in my ability to actually pull this off...

But I'm sure I can at least figure out how to ring the Bells of Pilgrimage! So I'm going to keep doing my best to be a good Child of Prophecy!

Okay, that takes care of my report to the Border.

Hm? What are you doing up this late, Fujimaru?

Everyone besides the lookouts is sleeping now. I was just about to turn in, too.

Well, if you're having trouble sleeping, do you want to talk about whatever's on your mind?

？！

Oh. That...

...Okay. I guess this was bound to come up eventually.

When Peperoncino said that humans born here can only live here...

I think what he really meant to say was:

Humans who were made in Faerie Britain can't survive outside it.

You've seen a lot of different sides to the land of the fae by now. Well, one of them is those prisons they call human ranches.

You do know what's really going on at those places, right?

？！

Right. The large facility Altria told us not to look at was a giant human manufacturing plant.

At first, I thought they were being made just like homunculi...

I've realized, as I've been studying the humans here, that isn't the case.

Every human here is a clone made from rearranging the DNA of one human.

Even though they started out with only one human for the base material, they were able to come up with hundreds of millions of variations over repeated rearrangements and duplications.

Enough variations to rival the sheer variety of people found in Proper Human History.

The difference is that humans made here can't reproduce, and their life spans are predetermined.

I don't think the life span part was intentional. There's probably only so much their cells can take.

When I first got to Salisbury, I remember finding it odd that there weren't any elderly humans around.

There were plenty of elderly faeries, sure, but no elderly humans.

？！

True. The real proof rests in the era that original human was born.

The Era of the High QueenMorgan's reign, began after the Tree of Emptiness died.

When she took over Britain, it became a Lostworld instead of a Lostbelta whole other Chronicle Theoretical Phenomenon, basically.

That means anything born in this era could survive in Proper Human History, too.

But Fae Era Britain was a Lostbelt supported by a Tree of Emptiness, and subject to the Pruning Theoretical Phenomenon.

Anything born in a Lostbelt can't survive outside it.

Of course, if a being is able to cross that boundary into a higher-level phenomenon, like being inscribed in the Throne of Heroes, that would let them survive in Proper Human History as well...

But obviously, that's not the kind of thing just anyone can do.

...This is just speculation on my part, but I'd guess this Britain didn't originally have humans.

Now that they've been essentially created here, faeries and humans have switched roles.

Here, faeries are real, and humans are the fantastical, made-up creatures.

That's why humans from Faerie Britain can't survive in reality-based Proper Human History.

...Whatever feelings you have about how humans are treated here are yours.

You can want to change things, or you can want to give up. But you shouldn't impress your own morality upon them.

Even if their lives seem like a fleeting illusion to outsiders, they're still very real to them.

As for their age limits, well, every life-form's time has to come to an end someday.

It's kind of sad that these people won't get more time, sure, but that's all it is. Sad. It's nothing you need to grieve over.

The important thing in everyone's life is where they're trying to go, and how far they manage to get.

And I don't mean literal physical distance. I mean a big-picture reason to exist.

The kind of ultimate destination point that says, "This is the kind of species we were."

Hey now. Why do you look like you're about to cry?

Didn't I just say it's nothing to grieve over?

Well of course. I'm a peerless genius created by a peerless genius, you know.

？！

...Anyway, I'm more worried about the opposite situation.

Humans from Faerie Britain might not be able to leave, but faeries could if they wanted to.

Just like how Morgan said she was going to expand her territory...

...there could be faeries here who would want to come over into Proper Human History.

And if one of them should be evil enough to be considered an Evil of Humanity

？！

Right. Here, take another look at this mural.

Remember what it was called? "The Abyssal Worm."

In general, legends like these that have been passed down in Faerie Britain are prophecies made by the Mirror clan.

So there's a very good chance this mural is based on one of those very prophecies...

One where the six clans gather around to worship an enormous beast in a land with no gods.

...I didn't say anything when we first found this mural because there were so many other people around...

...but look at these markings underneath it.

The faeries here probably don't know what it says because it's not written in faerie language...

But these are probably hieroglyphics, which predate even the Hebrew writing system.

I'm guessing they were either written here about fourteen-thousand years ago, during one of Proper Human History's ancient civilization eras...

...or, someone used them deliberately, and more recently, to pass on a message that would only be understood in the future, and only by humans at that.

？！

Of course. They form a single word:

...Cernunnos.

It's the name of an ancient Celtic god...and proof that gods did once exist in the land of the fae.

Tam Lin Lancelot. Lady Barghest, née Tam Lin Gawain.

As of this moment, both have returned from their mission in the Welsh woods.

Tam Lin, make your reports to Her Majesty.

Tell me all. I will have only the unabridged truth.

Yes, High Queen. I cleansed the forest of Wales, as you commanded.

During the mission, I fought the Child of Prophecy, the foreign mage, and the traitorous Oberon.

In doing so, I lost the name you Gifted me, and I return to you now simply as Barghest.

Ahahahaha! This is hilarious! How the mighty Sir Gawain has fallen!

You know, running back here with your tail between your legs is kind of charming, at least for a dog duchess.

So? This is the second time you've let the Child of Prophecy get away from you, you know. Nothing to say for yourself?

Mother may be kind and understanding, but even she has her limits.

We completed the mission you gave us, Your Majesty. The forest is cleansed.

Barghest stopped fighting simply because she no longer needed to.

Tam Lin Gawain suffered no defeat... Unlike you, Tristan.

Was that a shot at me, Lancelot? You're so lousy at it, I'm honestly not sure.

And lose the freaking mask already. Why should I listen to you back talking me if you don't even have the guts to show your face?

I was only stating a fact.

Wh-whoa! Lady Lancelot just showed her face!

She usually only does that during ceremonies! What an incredible stroke of luck!

That long silvery hair... Those golden eyes that shine like crystals... She truly is a one-of-a-kind dragon faerie!

...Don't worry about me, Lancelot. This has nothing to do with you.

I wasn't trying to help you. I just took it off because it was in the way.

So what, you're on Team Loser too, Lancelot!? I can't believe you didn't even try to defend yourself!

(Did something happen to Lancelot? She's usually so unflappable...)

Your Majesty, I cannot deny that I was defeated.

I have betrayed your trust in me, and besmirched the name of all Tam Lin.

I will accept whatever punishment you judge to be fitting.

Indeed. It is unthinkable that a Tam Lin should be defeated by the Child of Prophecy.

You are therefore commanded to remain in your own lands and reflect on your failure.

You have worked tirelessly to keep peace and order in Faerie Britain these past two centuries. Now is the time for you to rest.

So the Black Dog Duchess is being relegated to Manchester...! She's no longer going to be on the front line!

Now's our chance to find the most promising upcoming knight in our ranks and have them bestowed with a Tam Lin's Gifted name in her place!

(Idiots. There's not another faerie in Britain who could possibly take Barghest's place.)

(Still... Are you sure it's a good idea to give her leave, Mother? Shouldn't she be out backing up Woodwose?)

May I please say something, Your Majesty!? I believe Barghest should atone for her sins on the battlefield!

We've received reports that the rebel forces in Londinium are continuing to grow in number.

The Fang clan alone may not be enough to stop them.

We should send Barghest out there and have her defeat the Child of Prophecy once and for all!

You are, I assume, joking, yes? Do you truly believe mere humans capable of beating Woodwose?

B-but, Lord Woodwose is over a thousand years old. Surely he can't still be in any shape to

Absurd. Ignorance truly would seem to be bliss.

Huh?

I have already sent reinforcements to Oxford. They should rendezvous with Woodwose's forces tomorrow.

Together, they will be more than enough to raze Londinium. Barghest will not be needed there.

I-I see. Now I understand, Your Majesty. An excellent decision, as always... Haha...

Barghest. Where is Knight Portune? He still has yet to report to me.

Did he somehow perish in battle?

...?

(Portune hasn't returned? What could have happened to him after I last saw him?)

...Knight Portune and I went our separate ways once the forest was cleansed.

He did not tell me where he was going.

I see. If you do not know where he is, either...

...then he must have fallen to the foreign mage, or encountered a group of mors.

Regardless, the cessation of his reports must mean he has died.

Faeries have declined so deplorably, even those who survived the war against the mors.

Very well. Leave me now, officers. I can stomach your incompetence no longer.

...Yes, High Queen. I'm so sorry we couldn't be more useful...

Your Majesty, wait. May I speak?

...So you are willing to risk your life to do so? You are still earnest to a fault, I see.

Very well. I know what you have to say will be nonsense, but say it anyway.

Thank you, High Queen. What I wish to say is...I cannot believe that the foreign mage truly means to destroy Britain.

He worked with the Child of Prophecy to repel the calamity of Norwich...

He accepted your invitation to Camelot, and he even went out of his way to try to protect the Welsh woods.

Human or not, he is far more trustworthy than Cnoc na Riabh, who only seeks to disturb Britain's peace.

...Barghest.

The Great Calamity will be upon us soon. Surely we can use all the help we can get.

If the foreign mage is not actually our enemy, his knowledge could be a powerful asset.

Please. Let me try to negotiate with Proper Human History.

The Child of Prophecy may be a traitor, but the foreign mage could be an ally to the fa

No. I will hear no more of your nonsense, Barghest.

Under no circumstances will I cooperate with Proper Human History, regardless of the perils we may face.

As you fear, every faerie alive now will likely die in the Great Calamity.

But so long as Britain remains intact, and me with it, nothing else matters.

Our high queen's resolve is incredible!

(Did she really say we were all going to die? But, Camelot will still be safe, right?)

(Of course it will! Why would she want to rule Britain with no subjects?)

(The high queen is still a faerie at heart. Without us, there would be no point in protecting the land!)

...

You heard Mother, Barghest! Get it through that boulder atop your shoulders, would you!?

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times! Mother couldn't care less about faeries!

Ahahaha, the looks on those officers' faces was priceless!

I can only imagine how much fun it'll be to see them panic once the show really begins!

(...Is she serious?)

(Then...the high queen truly has no intention of saving her subjects' lives!?)

...Gotcha. So that's the scoop with the high queen's reinforcements.

I have nothing more to say. I'll just keep an eye on things and play it by ear.

My next entrée is Fujimaru. I don't care about the battle between Woodwose and the Round Table Ar

Whoa, whoa, you're kidding me. Peperoncino's in Londinium, too?

Damn, that was close. I'd have blundered right into a minefield if you hadn't warned me.

Thanks for telling me this. I owe you one.

Don't worry, I'll keep my distance from Londinium. There'll be plenty of other chances in the future.

Honey, I'm home! Ahhh, that was so good! You should've seen Barghest shaking in her boots!

And you'll never guess what awesomely horrible thing Mother

...Hey. Was someone just here?

Hm? Well hello, Lady Spinel! I wasn't expecting you back so soon!

Man, that infinity mirror of Morgan's is something else! Hell, it's practically magic!

Proper Human History sure never had such a quick and easy method of transportation!

And even if there was one, only a witch who's way behind the times would be able to use it. That alone makes it worthy of respect.

These faeries still have no idea what makes Morgan really scary.

Deep down, they still dismiss her as an insolent upstart of a faerie who can't even make sacraments without using magecraft.

If you ask me, it's the other way around. She's a scary powerful faerie who supplements her already insane faerie powers with even crazier magecraft!

She's got a teleportation spell that's practically a dimensional connector made by linking a base mirror with a bunch of sub mirrors.

She's got twelve Lances that Shine to the End of the World all around Camelot's main gate.

She's got a huge tower Bounded Field covering all of Britain. She's got the Garden where she sealed Merlin.

And on top of all that, she can even perform Rayshifts without Coffins! Not even Chaldea could ever pull that off!

I never would've guessed she's been whisking calamities off to ancient times to contain their damage in the past!

Seriously, she's got this completely covered! Having Tam Lin around on top of all that is just overkill!

Right? Right!? I knew you'd understand, Beryl!

Seriously, why does she keep three Tam Lin around when she could easily make do with just me?

I keep telling her I should be the only special one. I'm her one and only daughter, after all.

But she hardly even talks to me...

Oh, don't worry about it. Morgan's just bashful, that's all.

You've turned out to be exactly the sort of delicate princess she'd hoped to raise.

You can tell she cares about you, right? Why do you think she let you hang on to one of the infinity mirror's sub mirrors?

It's so she can always call you back to her at a moment's notice, no matter where you are or what might be happening.

If that isn't doting on you, I don't know what is. It's way more love than any parent shows their kid in Proper Human History!

R-really? So, Mother really does love me? I really am fit to be her daughter?

Of course! From where I stand, it's disgustingly obvious how much she cares! She just wants you to be free.

Who cares what those dumb faeries say about you!? You should just cut loose and do whatever you feel like, Princess!

Of course I will. There's nothing I love more than hearing faeries scream in pain.

I only came to see Woodwose's battlefield to see a mountain of their corpses piled high.

I just wish my Noble Phantasm could target more than one faerie at a time. I do envy that about Barghest.

Maybe I should ask Mother to give hers to me... Oh, right. Gawain can't use it anymore, huh...

Hmm, I guess I should be more concerned with the Child of Prophecy... It's hard to believe she actually beat Barghest.

Is the Master of Chaldea really strong enough to defeat a Tam Lin?

...Good question. Now that he's made it this far, I guess I owe him a fair shake.

Whatever his skills are as a mage, he's gotta be one of the best Masters out there.

Really, when you think about it, he's got an absolute shit ton of experience.

You don't beat Kirschtaria Wodime by accident.

So the fact that he pulled that off has gotta mean he's a better Master than me.

And to be that good of a Master, he must have some serious bonds with his Servants.

On the battlefield, Masters and Servants fight like they're of one mind and one body. It was the strength of those bonds that let him defeat Barghest.

...One mind and one body... So, they never deceive each other... Or betray one another...

You're a Master too, right, Beryl? Do you have a Servant of your own?

Hmm, who knows? Maybe I still haven't formed a contract yet.

What, seriously!? Come on, Red Beryl, I know you like slacking off, but this is ridiculous!

Still, this must be fate! It's so totally fate!

Hey, Beryl! Do you think I could be your Servant!?

Do you think I could find the partner of my dreams, even though I'm just a faerie everyone hates!?

Sure, I bet a faerie could become a Servant. Maybe I'll even form a contract with you myself, if I feel like it, Princess.

But right now, I want to talk about tomorrow's deathmatch.

Now that I've got nothing to do in Londinium, I've got some extra time on my hands.

So I could use your help laying the groundwork for what comes next...