When the Fairy Knight Lancelot returned to Camelot, completing her five-day diplomatic mission, Morgan was in the palace Garden, chatting with the Chaldea group who had been hosted in Camelot for the past several days.
Over these days, Morgan had already grasped Chaldea's purpose and the situation unfolding outside this world.
Humanity had been bleached, and seven pruned phenomena — including Britannia — had taken root in the planet as Lostbelts. If the seven Lostbelts were not cut away, Proper Human History would vanish. Put more directly, Chaldea, Morgan, and this Britannia stood on opposing sides.
Even without the Fantasy Tree, Britannia — a land still engraved upon the planet — was said to become the very source of Earth's collapse. Any one of these points was not something to take lightly.
And personally, Morgan did not hate Proper Human History. She simply possessed information about that vastly different era, especially since Shiomi himself came from Proper Human History.
Morgan felt she might have acted too hastily. If she had waited until Chaldea arrived before exchanging letters with Shiomi, perhaps everyone could have gathered again and discussed a workable solution. After all, the fairies of Britannia could be left to fend for themselves; only a handful of people here were truly worth protecting.
As for her nation, she could rebuild it afterward. Traversing six thousand years, it would hardly be her first time starting over. Sorrow, pain, betrayal… she had tasted all of it from the fairies. Yet Morgan had never truly fallen into despair.
Because he had always been by her side, sustaining that unwavering will.
"Have Sir Lancelot come here," Morgan instructed the guard delivering the message.
The guard left, and Mash — who was also in the Garden — looked startled.
"Sir Lancelot…?"
"I think it must be someone else," Sakura said after a moment's thought.
"It's troublesome to explain, but in short, this is not the same person as the Round Table knights you know from Proper Human History," Morgan replied calmly. She then asked, "Speaking of which, how goes the restoration of communication with your base?"
"Da Vinci-chan is still repairing it. With the help provided by Her Majesty Morgan, we should be able to restore normal communication soon." Mash explained quickly, expressing her sincere thanks.
"It's nothing. Just a small matter." The corners of Morgan's lips lifted faintly. With her veil covering her face, none of them could see her smile.
Each of the Chaldea girls was different in her own way, yet all of them were straightforward and kind. For even the smallest bit of assistance, they expressed honest gratitude — something that, unintentionally, brightened Morgan's mood.
Of course—
"Do you need something, Queen Morgan?"
Scáthach was half-reclining across the pavilion bench, leaning against the railing — nothing like a guest being formally hosted. She rarely chatted with Morgan; if Morgan wanted information about her beloved disciple, Sakura could answer half of it anyway.
Fortunately, the tension between them was merely a faint competitive streak, not true enmity. After all, the most important person wasn't present — even bickering had lost its usual charm.
"Nothing." Morgan withdrew her gaze.
She had noticed that Scáthach and Shiomi shared certain habits — including that same lazy, unconcerned posture.
"The Grand Master is very free-spirited. I hope Her Majesty won't take offense…" Sakura added quickly.
Morgan offered no clear response, hiding her smile beneath her veil.
Soon, the Fairy Knight Lancelot arrived at the back garden as ordered. Upon seeing Melusine, the entire Chaldea group was taken aback. They had never expected that the knight bearing the name Lancelot would be a girl who looked to be no more than fifteen.
Her expression and demeanor were both sharp and efficient, perfectly embodying the characteristics befitting her Sir status.
"Your Majesty, I have returned from my mission to Londinium. The God King has instructed me to deliver His response to the imperial letter."
Melusine knelt on one knee, speaking with meticulous precision.
"What did he say?" Morgan asked.
"...Well..."
Melusine hesitated, then offered Shiomi's letter with both hands. "I believe it would be best for Your Majesty to read it yourself."
"Rise."
Morgan took the letter, suppressing her anticipation. Upon opening it, she recognized the familiar handwriting and felt a wave of nostalgia. Yet after reading it word for word, she lifted her gaze helplessly toward the dusk-colored sky above the Garden.
Seeing her reaction, Sakura became concerned.
"...What did His Majesty the God King say in the letter?"
Since others were present, Sakura had chosen a different form of address.
"Read it yourself." Morgan cherished Sakura; the girl had won her heart. And since the letter was public, it would eventually be presented for discussion anyway.
Sakura accepted the letter. Mash and Ritsuka leaned in to read, while Habetrot perched on Sakura's shoulder, peeking from behind.
"...At present, the Lord Londinium leads tens of thousands to join the Queen in the hunt at Camelot..."
Sakura read aloud the most crucial part of the document, dressed in diplomatic phrasing.
"Hunt? They're coming to hunt?" Ritsuka asked, confused.
"No, no, Senpai. That's a phrase from Romance of the Three Kingdoms. It means—" Mash quickly corrected.
"A declaration of war..." Sakura looked toward Morgan. "If Her Majesty the Queen does not surrender, a great battle is inevitable."
Only then did Melusine speak.
"Although Londinium enjoys peace and prosperity, they have constantly prepared for war. With such a reply from the God King, his forces may march on Camelot within days."
"At this point, further reconnaissance is meaningless," Morgan sighed inwardly.
So the war would continue after all. Seventeen years of peace had come to an end.
The only question was: how many fairies would have to die before he was satisfied?
Just as Morgan was about to give her orders, she noticed the wording in the letter.
The hunt...
Could it be that he intended to use the war as a means to meet her face-to-face?
If so, she would need meticulous preparation—ensuring Shiomi appeared to breach the city, while she remained in the palace ready for confrontation.
Only there would serve as the proper place for them to meet.
With that in mind, Morgan raised her hand. The fairy attendants stationed around the Garden immediately stepped forward.
"Send word to summon the Fairy Knight Gawain and all clan chieftains. They are to enter the palace for council at once."
The attendants withdrew to deliver her command.
"And what about us?" Sakura asked.
"This is my kingdom. I will not trouble my guests with its burdens. If you wish to remain unharmed, stay within the palace or leave Camelot immediately."
In the end, Morgan could not bring herself to let them fight Shiomi.
Master and disciple spilling each other's blood, father and daughter turning their blades on one another... none of it should ever happen.
...
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