Chapter 981: Return to Camelot
The chalk-white city stretched across the land.
"Open the gates!"
Before the magnificent city gates, a knight called out clearly to the guards.
"Her Highness the Queen Consort and the Fairy Knight Sir Gawain have returned to the royal capital!"
"Yes!"
With a heavy creak, the guards pulled open the gates.
Sitting in the carriage, Eiji saw for the second time the words "Only the Innocent May Pass" painted in red above the gate, but his state of mind was vastly different from the first time.
"Who crossed out those words?"
"Your Highness, it was Her Majesty the Queen!"
"So it was her…"
Eiji sighed inwardly.
No wonder those words were crossed out.
In this Britain, fairies not recognized by the Queen were not permitted to enter Camelot.
Being able to enter Camelot signified a dramatic change in status. Regardless of what they were before, any fairy who entered this royal capital—the symbol of the Fairy Kingdom—would instantly become an upper-class fairy!
The atmosphere in Camelot was unlike any other city. The wartime preparations of Sheffield, the harmony of Salisbury, the decay of Londinium… none of these were visible here.
Only luxury and splendor adorned this royal capital.
Although all the fairies here had gained the Queen's recognition to enter Camelot, these upper-class fairies seemed to care only for pleasure and amusement. The celebration held for Eiji last time had lasted three days and three nights—this alone revealed the truth of the situation.
Compared to the fairies outside, it was hard to see what made these so-called upper-class fairies superior.
"Your Highness, I must report to Her Majesty. Where would you like to go?"
Barghest approached the carriage and respectfully inquired of Eiji.
"I also wish to discuss some matters with the Queen. I'll accompany you to the castle."
The carriage traveled along the broad avenue, gradually approaching the royal castle.
Eiji stepped down from the carriage and gazed up at the castle now standing before him.
"Your Highness, Sir Gawain, this way please!"
A knight came forward and led the two into the castle interior.
Following the knight, they walked briskly through dimly lit passages for ten minutes, navigating several maze-like corridors made of stone slabs before finally entering the true interior of the royal castle.
A massive castle over a hundred meters tall came into Eiji's view.
The castle was pyramid-shaped, with the lower levels housing offices for civil and military officials, while the upper levels served as residences for the Queen, Baobhan Sith, and other royalty. Rumor had it there were underground sections as well, though Eiji had never visited them.
"Today is the day for Her Majesty's regular court session. Your Highness and Sir may proceed directly to the top floor!"
"Thank you for your service. Return to your post guarding the maze corridors—they are the first line of defense and the public face of the royal castle. There must be no mistakes!"
"Yes, Sir Gawain!"
The guiding knight bowed to them and disappeared into the darkness behind them, soon vanishing from sight.
"Let's go."
Eiji stepped into the castle hall, with Barghest following close behind.
The two ascended along the snow-white painted spiral staircase. Even with their swift pace, it took a full ten minutes to reach the castle's uppermost level.
The Queen's court.
The space was designed with openwork on all sides, allowing a view of the entire Camelot domain. Civil and military officials in various ornate attires sat solemnly around the perimeter.
At the center stood a single throne.
Adorned with gold and jade, it exuded an air of nobility.
Its smooth surface was as soft as rippling water.
The chairback extended like the arms of a goddess, encircling the queen seated upon it.
A translucent gem, radiating intense yet gentle magical light, was placed behind the queen.
Through the throne, a bottomless great cavern lay just ahead, its entrance as wide as Camelot itself.
—The entire royal capital of Camelot was built around this great cavern!
"Kneel and pay tribute!"
"Worship and pledge allegiance!"
"The six clan leaders, thirty ambassadors, and hundred officials gathered here all bowed their heads!"
"The queen who expanded her territory, the queen who founded the fairy kingdom!"
"This is Her Majesty Morgan's court, these are Her Majesty Morgan's sacred words!"
The grand proclamation echoed through the top-floor council chamber.
The scribe standing before the throne puffed out his chest with pride, loudly extolling the queen's virtues.
"These familiar faces again—unchanged for centuries?"
From the center of the throne came a voice tinged with melancholy sigh.
"Boredom, utterly detestable boredom."
The voice carried such authority that all surrounding officials lowered their heads. Every fairy paid respects to the queen, leaving the chamber silent as if it were the queen's sole domain.
"Your Majesty, the Fairy Knight Gawain and Her Highness the Queen Consort have just returned to the capital and await outside. Shall I summon them?"
Scribe Etoire respectfully requested the queen's instruction.
"Summon them."
The queen's voice was cold.
The civil and military officials remained silent like muted livestock—none dared speak without the queen's permission.
Soon, a woman clad head to toe in armor and a man in a hooded cloak ascended the steps side by side, appearing before the assembled officials.
"Your Majesty, Fairy Knight Gawain returns from campaign to deliver my report!"
Barghest knelt on one knee, her head deeply bowed.
"Your efforts are noted."
The queen offered hollow praise.
"Well?"
"Yes, the Human Ranch remains without error, conditions stable."
"This is due to your vigilant defense. However, your failure to capture the Child of Prophecy at Sheffield remains your transgression. We will settle this later."
"...Yes, Your Majesty!"
With the formalities concluded, the queen shifted her gaze.
Her face was hidden behind a black veil, her features indiscernible, but her eyes alone pierced like arrows toward the space beside Barghest.
Eiji stood there, his posture straight and knees unbent.
The scribe kept his eyes fixed downward, not daring to reprimand him.
"The Queen Consort returns with Gawain—have you also visited the Human Ranch?"
The queen paused in contemplation before addressing him slowly.
"I did go there."
Eiji nodded in acknowledgment.
"And your impression?"
"Emotionally speaking, it wasn't pleasant."
Eiji closed one eye, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"At the time, I wouldn't have found it strange to overturn the Human Ranch completely. That's the sentiment I felt."
Upon hearing this, the officials trembled visibly, unable to resist bowing their heads.
To dare speak such words before the queen—was he not courting death?
"However, ■■■■ stopped me. She explained Your Majesty Morgan's efforts regarding human rights, which dispelled that notion of mine."
"Think about it carefully. Even if we were to turn the human ranches upside down, it wouldn't help the captive humans or the infants being processed at all. Instead, it would cause them to be hunted down by the Queen's army. A good intention turning into a disaster would be a case of the cure being worse than the disease, so let's just forget it."
Eiji shrugged, speaking with great helplessness.
"Very well. You have made a wise judgment."
The Queen nodded slightly, approving of his decision.
"Since all is well, step aside now. It is time for court affairs."
"Clan leaders are permitted to speak."
The two retreated as instructed, leaving the space to the clan leaders who had arrived from various territories.