"You've raised quite an extraordinary person."
A few minutes later.
After finding an excuse to send Naoki and Melusine out of the room, Mab spoke seriously to Aesc.
"Do you truly believe he will save Britain as you hope? Judging from his words, rather than saving, he seems more inclined to destroy this Britain."
This was Mab and Naoki's first meeting, and also their first conversation. But just from the other party's words, Mab could confirm that the other party had absolutely no intention of saving Britain in his heart.
It would only take one trigger for Naoki to transform from the Savior Aesc described into a world-destroying devil.
And that trigger could come at any time.
"I trust him."
Facing Mab's doubts, Aesc only calmly replied: "How many years do you think I've waited for him? Since three thousand six hundred years ago, I've known of his existence and waited for him until now. No one in this world knows him better than I do."
"This is only your first meeting. Don't speak as if you already know everything about him, Mab."
"Are you angry?"
"No."
This was clearly a bit angry.
Mab and Aesc clearly didn't meet often. This was only their second meeting since sixteen hundred years ago. But even so, Mab had always heard various things about Aesc.
She should be a woman who always maintained calmness and optimism, steadfast in her principles, and selflessly saving Britain. But now she was showing such obvious emotional turmoil....
"Have you been influenced by him, Aesc?"
"If you mean dietary habits, indeed. Naoki's cooking is very delicious. Over the past six months, he's been responsible for my three meals. Very tasty."
"...."
Mab felt she needed to retract her words.
This wasn't Aesc raising Naoki, but rather Naoki raising Aesc.
Changing her sitting position to be more formal, Mab changed the subject: "Then... Is there any other reason for your visit? You couldn't have come just to show off your man and Albion the Dragon. Is there something important enough for you to come personally to discuss with me?"
Aesc nodded: "It's about the establishment of a nation where humans and fairies coexist, which I discussed with you before—This war will ultimately be won by humans, that's beyond doubt."
"You mean... I will lose to ordinary humans?" Mab frowned.
"No, Mab. Humans won't fight against your Wing Clan." Aesc clarified, "Although it's called a total war between humans and fairies, in reality, the Wing Clan you lead, the Fang Clan led by Wryneck, and the Mirror Clan that doesn't interfere won't be our targets of hostility."
"Humans will only fight against fairies who enslave humans."
In other words, the Wind Clan, the Wing Clan, and the Earth Clan—these three clans are humanity's enemies.
"Naoki and I will educate a king capable enough to lead humans to defeat the fairies, and capable enough to manage the nation in the world afterward. And Mab, I hope you can enter a political marriage with him—"
*CRASH!*
Before Aesc could finish speaking, the floor around her completely collapsed. A powerful pressure pressed down on her, as if squeezing her flat, choking her tightly.
Mab coldly stared at her enemy: "I'll give you one chance, Aesc. I allow you to change and retract your previous words."
"Sixteen hundred years have passed, and you still haven't moved on, Mab?" Aesc asked. "I know your feelings towards your human husband who has passed away. I'm not asking you to remarry, just a symbolic marriage, merely a formality."
"Not negotiable."
Mab gave Aesc no face at all.
"Humans aren't enough to make all fairies submit. For that, fairies also need a leader. Uther governs humans, you govern fairies. The two of you lead the united Fairy Nation. That's my thinking. And publicly, to maintain the stability of the Fairy Nation, I need you two to become—"
*CRASH!*
This time, not just the floor, the entire meeting room was shattered to pieces.
Mab's entire body emitted an indescribably terrifying Mana, continuously crashing against Aesc sitting across from her like a tsunami.
"I already said, not negotiable." Mab refused with a firm, cold voice. "Even if it's just a formality, even if it's for Britain's sake, I won't be with any human other than him. Abandon this intention of yours, Aesc—There won't be a third chance. If you dare mention this again, I will truly expel you from Edinburgh."
"Besides, if you really need a fairy leader so badly, why don't you step forward yourself?"
Aesc shook her head: "I can't. The fairies definitely won't obey my commands, that's predictable. And Mab, you are the strongest fairy besides me, and also the fairy with the best relations with humans. I can only entrust this task to you, even though this is an insult to your principles."
"...."
Honestly, Mab wanted to expel Aesc immediately now.
Although Aesc was indeed stronger than her in physical power, Mab could definitely expel her to make her disappear from sight.
Her human husband had died over fifteen hundred years ago, and she had accompanied him until the end of his life. She swore to him that she would never do anything that would hurt him. Although her husband was gone, Mab would only love him alone.
Aesc's actions were an insult to her deceased husband.
However, rationally, Mab understood Aesc's actions. She was only taking the best solution she could think of, doing her utmost to realize her dream, even if the process disregarded others' feelings.
She only wanted to save Britain.
"My answer remains not negotiable."
After a moment of silence, Mab said.
"However, I can appoint a fully authorized agent—can you accept that?"
"A fully authorized agent... you'll retreat behind the scenes, huh?"
"Basically, I'm already almost behind the scenes now. If you can accept it, I'll make an announcement in Edinburgh soon."
Aesc frowned: "You already have a successor?"
"My daughter."
"Eh?"
For a moment, Aesc's thoughts couldn't switch gears.
Daughter?
Mab's daughter?
"You... where did you get a daughter? Didn't your husband die over fifteen hundred years ago? Besides, fairies and humans can't have offspring, right?"
"Just separated part of my power and raised it as my daughter." Mab explained. "Although far below me, she should have about a quarter of Wryneck's power. As an agent, that's sufficient."
"Hmm, that should be fine too. I can accept that."
After thinking for a moment, Aesc nodded and accepted Mab's suggestion.
"Thank you, Mab."
"Don't say that, it's disgusting. Once you're done, leave quickly. My Edinburgh doesn't welcome you—Ah, wait, you'd better stay overnight first."
After saying half a sentence, Mab suddenly changed her decision.
"There are some matters I want to discuss with the man and Albion the Dragon you brought. Stay overnight today."
"With Naoki and Melusine?"
Aesc was slightly surprised.