Chapter 63: Showdown

Ria... that form of yours...

It doesn't look like we have time to explain.

I'll catch up soon, so I'll tell you later.

Hey, wait...!

To fall for such petty sorcery...

A dragon's honor has fallen past the ground and straight into the depths of Earth.

Go back.

If you want to salvage even the last shred of dignity you have.

...

Why are you... helping Princess Elizabeth?

The nemesis of the Red Dragon...

You, who granted blessings to me, the priestess of the Titania Empire... why?!

I have no memory of giving my power to someone like you.

My power isn't something an ordinary human can wield.

...!

Legends are like that.

Humans love to chatter...

but not a single one of them sings the truth.

...

One more piece of advice...

You should stop doing something so utterly useless.

The one you're trying to summon...

isn't Tiamat.

Elizabeth. You don't seem able to focus...

It's because of Ria, isn't it?

..

I'm sorry, Ethan.

I tried not to let it get to me, but...

no matter how I think about it... I just can't understand.

Princess...

If Ria's true identity is really the Death Dragon...

then why did she save us?

If you think about the innkeeper's usual hobbies...

D-Don't tell me... she's saving us so she can use us as cooking ingredients...!

I don't have a hobby of eating humans.

U-Uh?! W-When did you get here?!

I told you I'd catch up soon.

They can't disobey my orders.

Because the weight of years I've lived is different.

......

...If you feel betrayed, I'm sorry.

Young dragons won't stop unless you scare them like this.

That's not it...

I'm just curious.

Why did you... help us, Ria?

I heard the Death Dragon and the Red Dragon... have a bad blood stretching back thousands of years...

Sometimes it's better not to face the truth.

Huh...?

I'll tell you the details after the war is over.

For now, focus on moving forward.

If you stop, those humans behind you will die.

......

Yes. Next time... I'll come as a customer.

Then, please... tell me what's in your heart, Ria.

Ria. I've gotten really strong.

Now I can handle customer service without any trouble, so if you ever need help, call me anytime!

......

Well, I was a little surprised, but...

thanks for saving us.

Don't mention it.

And just in case, I'll say it now...

That form suits you too.

We don't really mind, so don't worry and...

Enough pointless talk. Let's move.

...Y-Yes.

......

You look like you have a lot of questions.

After seeing this, do you truly still remember nothing?

That's what I want to ask.

Did you mistake me for some other fairy?

For the Fairy Queen to receive help from the Death Dragon... it's basically a lifelong humiliation!

......

Why aren't you saying anything?

It's nothing.

Come to the inn later, all of you.

I'll prepare steak and chicken stew.

And your questions... I'll answer them then.

......

Fine. We don't have time right now, so we'll let it slide.

I'm still suspicious, though...

Your stew is at least barely worth eating.

Pfft...

...? You were sulking a moment ago... why are you laughing now?

It's nothing.

If the one who taught me that recipe heard... she'd be very happy.

Did you enjoy your vacation?

I didn't think you'd be holed up for this long.

Did you like prison that much?

......

Looks like it's started.

That's right. While you were leisurely enjoying your vacation...

the allied forces have already crossed the Empire's border.

...Pathetic.

With Tiamat's revival close...

have you still not realized your fate?

It's because you have so many capable allies around you.

If only that knight hadn't interfered back then...

things would've gone according to plan.

It can't be helped. We'll have to step in ourselves.

Where is Anessa?

She already left.

If the World Tree's powers are borrowed again... it won't mean anything, will it?

...You talk like it has nothing to do with you.

Have you already forgotten what you did in Elaia...

My, what a man with more of a grudge than I expected.

I was just disappointed, that's all.

You can overlook one failure... in a cute way, can't you?

...This is your last chance.

With that miserable skill... you can't fulfill that one's wish.

This time, I'd like you to fight seriously.

Don't worry.

It's true I'm personally interested, but...

my goal is only one.

Everything is...

For Britannia's salvation.

Your Majesty... the allied forces' momentum is ominous.

We must stop Princess Elizabeth as soon as possible!

Your Majesty. Recall the troops sent to campaign in Mercia.

At this rate, before we can even encircle the allied forces... the capital will fall.

......

Yes. As you say.

A wise decision, Your Majesty.

Sir Mordred. Deliver this message to Gaheris.

From this moment on, if even one person stops fighting...

tell her she may execute them on the spot.

...! Your Majesty! That's reckless!

Can't you hear the voices of the people?!

I promise you.

I will compensate every issue that arose in your territories.

......

Your Majesty... w-what are you suddenly saying...!

That's right. We truly are doing this for the Empire...

You may leave.

If Elizabeth truly sets foot in this castle...

I will step in myself.

......

Do you truly intend to force it through?

Do you doubt me as well?

This isn't like you, Your Majesty.

In any situation... you were someone who never lost your cool.

But this time, why... are you so obsessed with Mercia?

......

Elizabeth always... admired her father.

And King Uther was... a terrible idealist.

Protect all people.

Because of that empty hope... he would endanger the kingdom.

......

(Is that why he joined hands with the Titania Empire?)

(What a vicious rationalization.)

I guarantee it.

Elizabeth will never turn her back on Mercia.

That girl is still... nothing more than a greenhorn who can't escape her father's shadow.

What will you do... if you fail?

Then you'll step in at that time.

......

Sir Mordred. You're different from that trash.

One of the few people... who shares my eyes.

I... can be certain.

In the end, you will... choose the path for yourself.

......

I'll remember it, Your Majesty.

General. The allied forces' flag is in sight.

Just as His Majesty predicted.

Everyone, prepare for battle.

This time we must... capture Princess Elizabeth!

Sorry about that.

The Princess isn't here.

...! Sister...?

We got past the biggest crisis for now...

Now if we find their supply line and cut it off, we can secure a definite victory.

The Apostles... aren't anywhere to be seen either.

I guess it's true that Rowena and Vortigern have fallen out.

Princess! Urgent news!

What is it?

We've finally tracked down the imperial forces who retreated from Castle Prima.

Their target is... Mercia.

The imperial army is going to Mercia? Why would they suddenly do something like that...?

......

As expected... they're not an easy opponent.

Yeah... we got played completely.

Why are you getting gloomy again.

Then the capital is completely empty right now, isn't it?

Let's hurry over there and wipe them all out.

That's exactly what Vortigern wants.

If we advance like this... we can lock in victory.

But Mercia will be destroyed.

...! Don't tell me... that was the plan from the start...!

Yeah. It wasn't that the imperial guard was sloppy.

We were lured into a position where advancing is awkward, and retreating is awkward.

How many... are there?

......

By Guinevere's estimate... seventy thousand or more.

......

No need to think about it.

Let's go stop them now.

You won't need to.

Gawain...?

I'll buy you time.

The four of you, hurry to the castle.

Do you hear yourself?!

Holding off an army of seventy thousand by yourself... that's no different from going to die!

That army's commander is... Gaheris.

...!

Princess. Please allow it.

On my pride and honor as a knight... I will stop them, no matter what.

......

And the allied forces... don't have time to stand still.

The Ygritte Empire, which had been maintaining neutrality... has begun to move as well.

The Ygritte Empire... Lucius? Why would that bastard...?

While Prince Lucius was in Cameliard...

the Emperor of the Ygritte Empire was assassinated.

...!

With the Empire's situation in chaos...

they have plenty of reason to move troops.

......

Princess. If you retreat here, the allied forces will have to face the Ygritte Empire as well.

The soldiers' morale will collapse, and the war will only become more difficult.

In war, you can't always choose the best move.

Sometimes you have to choose the lesser evil... instead of the worst.

This is that moment.

Princess. Give the order.

......

...All right.

Elizabeth!

But there's a condition.

Gawain. No matter what happens, you must survive.

Your life... isn't yours alone.

The countless people you must save from here on.

Engrave their hopes and wishes in your heart, and never give up.

......

Yes, my lord. Thank you.

Right! Pride and honor don't mean a thing if you're dead.

Even if you have to run like a coward, you have to survive.

Tonight we'll knock Vortigern on his ass...

and come back for you.

......

Heh. Thanks, Ethan.

I'll be looking forward to it.

Gaheris. Draw your sword.

You'd better give up... on the idea of passing easily.

Long time no see, Swordbringer.

While I was gone... weren't you lonely?

Sorry, but... we're a bit busy right now.

Cut the chit-chat and come at me.

Hehe. You've gotten... much colder than before.

I think we need a conversation.

Preferably... just the two of us.

...!

Elizabeth! Bedivere! Morgana!

They're all... gone?

Now that the nuisances are gone... shall we begin?

The ritual for salvation.

Hyaaah!!!

Sir Mordred? How are you...

Vortigern figured out who I am.

This will be the last time I can help you.

Follow this path and you'll be able to join up with the allied forces.

...Thank you.

If you intend to thank me, don't.

I have no intention... of sending you off peacefully, either.

Ngh...?!

If you lose to Vortigern, Princess Elizabeth...

my life will go with you.

So I'll test you.

Whether you... deserve to protect the people of Britannia.

...You've gotten stronger.

Hurry.

I hope you can prove... that my choice wasn't wrong.

......

And... there's one last thing I need to say.

Elizabeth. Don't worry about us.

We'll join you before daybreak.

...!

Did you... meet Ethan?

Yeah. He was far more fine than I expected.

Do you feel reassured now?

......

Thank you.

I'll take your thanks later.

And I'll say it again. Hurry.

We don't know what plan Vortigern might be cooking up.

Ethan. You're... messing with me right now, aren't you?

Now isn't... the time to be sleeping...!

Please... open your eyes...!