Chapter 1081: The Assault on Oxford
Oxford.
This city lies between Camelot and Norwich.
Ever since seven hundred years ago, when the Fang Clan defeated the Earth Clan and occupied Oxford, it became the stronghold of the Fang Clan, forcing the Earth Clan to relocate to Norwich.
What Oxford is most famous for is that "the entire city only has vegetarian restaurants."
This was established by Woodwose as penance for the Fang Clan's destruction of the Wing Clan, decreeing that "all Fang Clan fairies may only eat vegetarian food."
Although the Fang Clan's annihilation of the Wing Clan occurred in the year 800 of the Queen's Calendar.
Woodwose was not born until the year 1000 of the Queen's Calendar.
The destruction of the Wing Clan had little to do with Woodwose, and he had no memory of it. However, it was his predecessor, Reineke, who, incited by someone, destroyed the Wing Clan—a fact beyond doubt.
Thus, Woodwose established this rule, hoping the brutish Fang Clan fairies could suppress their savage nature.
The reason they dressed in suits like humans, learned to eat with knives and forks, and even competed for the clan leadership based on etiquette was rooted in Woodwose's hope that human customs would influence the crude Fang Clan, gradually teaching them elegance.
Ultimately, it all stemmed from Woodwose's remorse for the unjustly annihilated Wing Clan.
Therefore.
Woodwose was destined to be defeated.
"Boom—!"
A thunderous roar echoed outside Oxford.
Thousands of Earth and Wind Clan fairies, along with human soldiers, charged toward Oxford's walls, carrying siege equipment. The defending Fang Clan soldiers hurled boulders or personally joined the fray, tearing open countless bloody wounds.
Dust and battle cries filled the air—the entire city of Oxford was plunged into the flames of war!
"Woodwose, I never expected you to still be alive!"
The moment Percival spotted Woodwose on the battlefield, he tensed up.
He handed over the siege command to his deputy and stood alone before Woodwose, staring at him with shock and suspicion.
"You're not dead—why would I be?"
Woodwose tore off his purple suit, a defiant grin spreading across his face as he revealed his brutal nature.
"I truly never imagined that you, the one I personally selected to become the false Child of Prophecy, would rise to such prominence. I even felt a bit proud of you during the royal tournament!"
"False Child of Prophecy?"
As Muramasa, Mash, and other top-tier fighters noticed Woodwose's appearance and recalled the pressure he exuded, they instinctively gathered together.
Artoria was astonished, scrutinizing Percival repeatedly.
"That was a scheme by Woodwose and Aurora. Since a Child of Prophecy was destined to appear, they decided to create one with their own hands..."
Percival's expression was fraught with complexity.
"I see."
Habetrot glanced at the spear he held in his hand.
"The fairies of Britain all bear original sin, so they cannot wield the Chosen Spear that 'only the sinless may swing.' To create a Child of Prophecy, Aurora retrieved the Chosen Spear sealed in Salisbury Cathedral and let a human child wield it."
If they were to resemble the Child of Prophecy, the packaging had to be perfect.
And if the Chosen Spear were brought out for their use, it would surely convince everyone.
Why, you ask?
"The Chosen Spear?"
Mash suddenly understood.
"So the weapon Sir Percival wielded was the same Chosen Spear Miss Caster once used? But if I recall correctly, that spear's consumption system wasn't…"
Exactly.
Equipped with Caster's weapon and with a similar age, they would be the perfect Child of Prophecy, certain to convince all the fairies.
"Unfortunately, that spear malfunctioned. Its original mana consumption system turned into a life force consumption system. As a result, after just one swing, he aged into this young adult form, completely inconsistent with the Child of Prophecy's age of sixteen. Naturally, the plan fell apart."
Woodwose's face was full of mockery.
"Still, I knew you wouldn't succeed from the start. I organized that royal tournament—the Robin's Assembly. Ironic, isn't it? I hoped you could use that spear to teach that arrogant dragon fairy a lesson."
"But in the end, a bird is just a bird. Even if you were taught by a dragon, you could never become a true dragon!"
Woodwose spoke with no small amount of regret.
The Child of Prophecy was meant to lead the people in overthrowing the Queen, so their strength absolutely could not be weak.
Merely having the Chosen Spear wasn't enough—they needed someone to teach them martial arts and the ways of combat.
Woodwose, of course, had no such patience.
The task fell to Aurora.
And naturally, the responsibility was shouldered by Melusine.
Percival grew up under Melusine's guidance. To him, Melusine was like an elder sister, a master, even a mother—and his beloved!
"So Percival and Melusine shared such a past?"
Miss Okita hid amidst the chaotic army.
Though she stood there, not a single person noticed her.
"Come to think of it, I always felt Percival had personal motives for forming the Round Table Army. Could it be related to this past?"
But no matter how much one lamented, it was all in the past.
"You've really grown bold now. Back in Londinium, you dared to raise your hand against me—against the one who rescued you from the human pasture, the one who was practically a father to you?"
A cruel smile curled on Woodwose's lips.
With each breath, an astonishing amount of mana cycled through his chest and lungs.
"No matter how much you beg for mercy, I will not forgive you. I can grant you the present, and just as easily erase your future!"
A familiar, heavy pressure swiftly descended upon everyone, causing even Muramasa and Grimm to feel significantly strained.
The expressions of all present grew grave in an instant.
Woodwose's strength was formidable—a single misstep could mean death on the spot!
But he was the lord of Oxford, the final obstacle standing before the Queen. Only by defeating him could they formally face the Queen!
"You stand no chance of defeating the Queen—especially you, Child of Prophecy!"
Woodwose's target was clear, his savage eyes locked firmly on Artoria.
"There are no bells left in Oxford for you to ring! You can never ring six bells—prepare to die!"
The overwhelming ferocity made Artoria feel almost suffocated.
No bells left in Oxford?
What did that mean?
Could it be... that this guy had actively destroyed Oxford's bells?!
"Not necessarily!"
Just then.
As everyone had even prepared to sacrifice one or two of their own, an unexpected figure rushed energetically onto the battlefield.
"Oberon? What are you doing here?"
Da Vinci-chan looked at him with surprise.
Didn't he always adhere to the principle of never setting foot on the battlefield?
"Of course, because I've brought reinforcements for you!"
Oberon's face broke into a brilliant smile, clearly seeking praise.
"When it comes to military action in Oxford, we simply had to bring her along to help!"