The throne room.
Observing the situation outside through magic, Merry let out a slight sigh.
"If things continue like this, it's only a matter of time before he reaches here… I thought with the Holy Grails, those Knights of the Round Table could delay him a bit longer. It's been years since we last met, and that kid has gotten even stronger."
"Well, that's to be expected."
With the situation having reached this point, the front gate being breached was only a matter of time.
No, perhaps Naoki would teleport directly inside, but the throne room had been equipped with a spatial isolation barrier after yesterday's intrusion. Even if he teleported, he'd only end up outside the throne room.
But that might only withstand one or two attacks.
If that kid got serious, nothing could stop him.
Turning to look at Arthur seated on the throne behind her, Merry gave a wry smile. "Truly a king followed by so many, just like my useless sister… King Arthur is indeed the same kind of being in every parallel world."
"Well then, it's time for me to step back. There's no need to stay in this Singularity any longer. I've already obtained all the items and data I wanted—what will you do, my dear daughter?"
As she said this, the magical disguise on Merry's body lifted, revealing Morgan's true form.
Hearing her words, a figure leaning against the wall in the corner of the throne room stepped out from the shadows.
"I'll stay."
Clad entirely in armor and wearing a horned helmet, Mordred spoke. "It's been years since I left home. If I don't go back, Father and Mother will definitely kill me."
"Isn't your mother me?"
"It's the same thing! Besides, my Father is technically a woman too, so it's fine to call her Mother!"
Logically, there was no issue with that statement.
But…
(Father and Mother, that unfunny sister of mine definitely wouldn't accept it if she heard this… Oh well, that's not something I need to worry about. Let them handle what comes next. I just need to do my own thing.)
Approaching Mordred, Morgan reached out and patted her head through the helmet. "Thank you for following me all these years, my dear daughter. Let's part ways here, and… see you again in the future."
"I'd rather meet the current you, Mother. If it's the old you, I really don't want to see her again—I wouldn't be able to stop myself from slashing her."
Truly a daughter who sides with others after growing up.
Morgan smiled faintly, then her entire body turned into a cluster of light and vanished from the throne room.
"Alright, time to go to Father's side!"
Pausing for a moment, Mordred slapped her helmet as if to steel herself.
Though she had prepared for this moment for a long time, honestly, she was still a bit scared. After all, in a sense, she had run away from home with her former mother for years. Returning now, there was no way Father and Mother wouldn't beat her.
And thinking about the methods her Father was using now…
(I should've asked Mother to leave me a Holy Grail. That way, even if I get beaten, it wouldn't hurt as much.)
With that thought, Mordred walked out of the throne room.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
At the same time.
Inside the White Dragon Nation.
*WHOOSH!*
As a gate of light appeared, Naoki and the others emerged one by one.
Though he had been here once before, he hadn't observed closely then, so this was actually Naoki's first time taking in the detailed situation of the White Dragon Nation.
The layout was similar to the Holy City he knew, but—
"There's no sign of humans at all?"
Naoki frowned, turning to look at Gawain and Lancelot. "I remember at the start of the dragon calamity, the ordinary people you protected were led into this city, right?"
The two nodded.
"Indeed, we saw them being received into the city."
"Then why can't I sense any trace of humans at all?"
In the entire White Dragon Nation, at least within the range Naoki could sense, there wasn't a single sign of human presence. Despite thousands of people supposedly being here, the city was now as silent as a ghost town.
Did something happen?
No, that seemed unlikely.
Outside, the Knights of the Round Table were guarding, and inside, according to Gawain, Mordred was watching over, along with Merry. In this Singularity, the White Dragon Nation was almost the safest place.
(No… perhaps it's the opposite. Maybe this is the most dangerous place.)
After all, Arthur, as a living seal, was in the throne room not far away. Given his current state, it wouldn't be surprising if something had happened.
At that moment, as if sensing something, Naoki suddenly looked straight ahead, then raised his hand and swung a golden sword slash that split the road and cut straight forward!
"Whoa!"
A cry of surprise came from ahead, and then, on the side of the split road, Mordred's familiar figure clearly entered everyone's view.
Artoria's eyes sharpened instantly!
And whether she noticed her Mother's gaze, even through her armor, Mordred's body visibly trembled several times.
Naoki also raised his Holy Sword, and after exchanging a glance with Artoria, he looked at Mordred. "It's been years, good to see you're still so spirited, Mordred. Looks like you didn't suffer too much out there."
"Ah… haha, Father's still the same too. By the way, Father, have you gotten stronger? That attack just now definitely had Noble Phantasm-level power!"
"Yeah, to deal with a naughty kid like you who's been wandering outside for years and never called, I have to be a bit tough to teach you a lesson."
(He's mad! He's definitely mad! I'm done for, ahhhhh!!)
Mordred screamed internally.
The next moment, Artoria's voice followed.
"Though there are many things I want to ask you, before that—Sir Mordred, you unfilial child, let's settle the matter of you not coming home for years and giving no word at all."
(Double damn!!)
In Mordred's original plan, she intended to follow the orders of that fool in the throne room, pretending to perform her guard duties. After all, her opponents were her Father and Mother, so it wouldn't matter if she pretended to lose.
She'd appear coolly when they were about to enter, showing her growth over the years—she had even planned the scenario!
But as soon as she appeared, it went straight to family issues?!
Seeing Naoki and Artoria approaching her, Mordred instinctively stepped back a few paces, then…
"Uh, Father… please don't be too harsh."
*BANG!*
What greeted Mordred was a loving punch from Naoki and Artoria.