Upon receiving the declaration of war, Camelot and the territories of every clan entered full battle preparation. Although neither side believed the fragile peace—whose end could come at any moment—would last, Camelot's mobilization was far more rushed.
In just ten days, the Londinium army advanced all the way north, crossed the River of Tears southeast of Camelot, and headed straight for the city.
"It's strange. We marched this far, and forces from at least Norwich and Oxford could've hit us from behind. Yet there's been no sign of an ambush."
Artoria Pendragon, riding Dun Stallion, looked over the scouts' report and spoke to Shiomi, who sat in the war chariot.
"This is just how fairies are," Shiomi said, unfazed. "Whatever their reasons, the Fairy Clans plan to stay on the sidelines when the war starts. They'll wait until Londinium and Camelot grind each other down, then strike from behind and wipe both sides out."
If that happened, both the God King and the Queen would fall, and Britain would once again become a land ruled only by the fairy clans, with humans reduced to livestock. In the end, fairies by nature never truly submit to other fairies. This has been one of the main reasons for their endless conflicts over tens of thousands of years.
"Should we abandon the original three-pronged plan and focus everything on the main gate instead, keeping reserves to guard against flanking attacks?" Artoria asked.
"No. Stick to the original plan. Feint at the east and west gates. I'll lead the central force myself and take the main gate head-on."
"I assume Morgan has done something similar and concentrated her defenses at the main gate. Should we avoid playing into that?"
"No," Shiomi said with a shake of the head.
"Alright…"
Artoria knew how grueling siege warfare could be. But since Shiomi insisted on attacking the main gate, he would be the one to break through first. That alone would be a massive morale boost, proving to the Londinium army that their unstoppable God King still stood at the front.
Shiomi then gave a wry smile. "Never thought I'd hear you talk about a 'tactical plan for attacking Camelot' one day."
"It may look exactly like the White City I know, but it isn't my kingdom," Artoria replied. "You don't need to worry about that."
Shiomi nodded quietly in acknowledgment.
"Still, it's bizarre. Only seventeen years have passed, and these fairies are already itching to rebel against their Queen?" He frowned, clearly displeased. "Hopeless trash, the lot of them."
"Tenkei…" Artoria wanted to respond, but had nothing to say.
Fairies were never human to begin with, and very few could truly coexist peacefully with humans. Back when she built Camelot, it was only through Merlin's help—bringing earth fairies and humans together—that her ideal city was completed.
When the gate to the planet's interior closed completely, the remaining fairies returned without hesitation to the Inner Sea of the Planet.
"Don't worry about it. I'm used to it. I was just thinking about our next move," Shiomi said, suddenly raising his hand to halt the advance. "These disloyal clans will receive their just punishment."
Artoria understood immediately. She raised her Holy Lance and shouted,
"All forces, halt!"
At her command, the army stopped and shifted smoothly into a defensive formation. The vanguard under Shiomi readied itself, tense and poised for battle.
Yet only one figure stood in their path.
"This really is troublesome. Never in my life did I imagine that, when leading an army to war, the one blocking my way would be my own master."
Shiomi let out a helpless sigh.
Scáthach stood on the road to Camelot, a crimson spear in hand.
"Wait, Tenkei. Your master may not be—"
"I know. Just teasing." Shiomi nodded.
He rose from the chariot, leapt high, and landed lightly before Scáthach.
Seeing her disciple's tightly shut eyes and that half-amused, half-exasperated expression, Scáthach remained still, waiting for what he would say next.
"Have you come to kill me, Master?" Shiomi asked with a smile filled with gentle fondness. "In this war, have you chosen to side with Morgan?"
"No. I only came to see what my beloved disciple is doing." Scáthach glanced toward Artoria, fully armored atop her warhorse. Even through her helmet, she could sense Artoria's resolve.
Not as the King of Knights, but as the Lion King, supporting Shiomi in this war.
"As you can see, Master, I'm the one starting a war against Camelot." Shiomi opened his arms.
"For what?"
"To preserve this Britannia. Fairies don't need gentle peace. Only unending bloodshed will make them understand fear, make them stay obedient under the protection of the King and seek survival." Shiomi said plainly.
Scáthach lifted her chin slightly. "I don't understand why you despise the fairies of Britain to this extent, but even the Lion King stands with you of her own will..."
"She chose to witness my path. I couldn't refuse." Shiomi smiled softly.
"Witnessing a path…" Scáthach exhaled. "It seems I, too, once relied on others' power to reach Chaldea and meet you—because I wanted to witness the path my disciple would take."
"A lot has happened. The path I walk now may not be one you'd approve of." Shiomi lowered his hands, offering no resistance. "If you think I've become an unworthy disciple and intend to kill me here before the army, then at least allow me to keep my life for now. Once I've finished what I must do, I'll accept whatever judgment you give."
"Foolish." Scáthach stepped forward, spear in hand. "Do you think your master would go easy on you just because you beg?"
"No, but it's necessary." Shiomi kept his hands open and relaxed. "Besides… you can't kill me anyway, can you, Master?"
"Then your plea was nothing but empty words?" Scáthach's expression filled with tired exasperation.
"...Even if it can't be fulfilled, my feelings were genuine." Shiomi answered with a calm smile.
"Then I understand." Scáthach lifted her free left hand and tapped him lightly on the head. "Next time you pull something this foolish, remember to call your master along."
"Master…"
"Don't forget, I'm not just your master." A soft sorrow flickered in Scáthach's eyes.
"So Master's abandoning Sakura and the others in Camelot to defect alone?" Shiomi, having guessed her intention, couldn't help teasing.
Scáthach turned to look toward the White Wall City at the end of the plain.
"They're not that fragile."
...
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