[Thanks to the clarification between you and Gawain, the misunderstanding was quickly resolved.]
[However, as the saying goes—"A lie travels halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes"—the fabricated rumor between you and Gawain still spread rapidly throughout Edinburgh. And due to Fairy Knight Gawain's immense popularity within the Fairy Kingdom, the gossip traveled at lightning speed. It's expected that the entire island of Britain will know about it in no time.]
[Now, even just stepping outside for a walk, you'll hear people betting on how long you, the supposed new boyfriend of the gluttonous Gawain, will survive before being eaten—literally.]
[Though Nocknaree quickly dispatched people to clear things up, the effect was minimal, and instead, even stranger rumors began to emerge.]
[In response, Nocknaree apologized to you personally and punished the true instigator—Fairy Aiken—by hanging him upside down from the training ground's flagpole to blow in the wind for an entire day.]
[Following that, with your mediation, the Northern Fairies quickly formed an alliance with the Knights of the Round Table.]
[After a brief rest in Edinburgh, you soon decided to resume your journey.]
[With Artoria's strength now greatly enhanced and Baobhan Sith able to mass-teleport you with her water mirror magic, Lancelot remained a threat—but no longer one that severely restricted your movements.]
[Before departing, Artoria once again tried to recruit Fairy Knight Gawain.]
"Bagst, after being locked up for so long by that bastard Lancelot, don't you want some payback? Don't you want to teach her a lesson? Come with us! I promise it won't be long before Lancelot walks right into our trap!"
Before leaving, Artoria found Bagst again, attempting to persuade her once more.
But just as Bagst seemed tempted, Nocknaree suddenly pulled Artoria aside and whispered:
"Artoria, you'd better think this through, alright? Sure, Bagst has nothing going on with Guinevere now, but you can see she has feelings for him, right? You're seriously putting her and Guinevere on the same team? You want more competition, is that it?"
"Uh…" Artoria was left speechless.
And while she hesitated, Nocknaree turned to Bagst and said:
"Bagst, come to my side. Your abilities will shine more under my command. We've worked together plenty during simulations—you know this. If you join Artoria's squad, it'd be a complete waste of your talent."
"Um…" Bagst hesitated. "Can I get Guinevere's opinion on this?"
"Huh? Me?" Guinevere was caught off guard as the spotlight suddenly shifted to him. After a brief moment of thought, he replied:
"Rationally speaking, Bagst, your abilities are more suited for direct confrontation than for small-unit operations like ours. I think you'd be more effective with Nocknaree."
"I understand."
Bagst nodded and then walked over to Nocknaree.
"In that case, I'll stay."
[Following your suggestion, Bagst chose to remain in Edinburgh to serve under Nocknaree.]
…Wait, hang on. I was just casually making a suggestion, and she actually stayed?
Guinevere scratched his head in confusion.
Artoria and Nocknaree had been trying to recruit Bagst for days, with no luck. Why did she suddenly agree the moment he gave a little advice? Is his word really that influential?
—Wait. Don't tell me Bagst actually does like me?
Guinevere was baffled.
But why? In his previous life, he never had girls throwing themselves at him. Why was he suddenly so popular here in Britain? Had he become a Grand-Class Succubus or something?
Guinevere didn't get it—but he was very, very shaken.
[With Bagst staying behind, your group turned its attention to your next destination.]
"Before we decide where to go—everyone! Great news! I made a discovery!"
Artoria suddenly jumped up with excitement.
"Remember how my evolved transformation form—Sublime Emperor—could only last for three minutes before? Well, I found out that I can extend that time by spending extra mana! Back then, I could only hold it for a few extra seconds, but now…"
"…So?" Baobhan tilted her head in confusion. "Is there really a big difference between three minutes and three and a half?"
"Hey, don't rush me! I'm not done yet." Artoria waved her hand. "Back then I could barely squeeze out an extra few seconds. But now? After ringing the bell, my mana reserves skyrocketed! I can now sustain my Sublime Emperor form for five minutes!"
"So?" Baobhan still looked puzzled. "Is a two-minute gain that big of a deal?"
"I think I get what Artoria means," Guinevere said thoughtfully. "If she gained that much time from just one bell, then each subsequent bell might increase it even more."
"Exactly! That's why you're the smart one, Guinevere—unlike someone over there," Artoria snapped her fingers smugly. "Each time I ring the bell, my growth isn't linear—it's exponential. B-rank mana compared to C-rank mana is a whole different league. So if I keep ringing bells, my transformation time's going to skyrocket!"
"Oh, I see—HEY, are you calling me dumb?!" Baobhan suddenly realized and lunged at Artoria. The two quickly ended up wrestling again.
"Uh… is it really okay to just let them go at it like this?" Gareth looked unsure, glancing between them.
Guinevere just sighed and shook his head with practiced resignation.
"You'll get used to it."
[With the need to ring another Pilgrimage Bell as the top priority, you quickly set your sights on Britain's northernmost point—Orkney, the End of the Road.]
"…They really went with that one, huh."
Guinevere wasn't surprised by the decision—but he couldn't help feeling a bit complicated about it.
Originally, when he didn't know Yusser was actually himself, he had no particular attachment to the place. But now that he did know… well, that changed things.
No wonder Yusser was so ridiculously strong. Turns out he was me. Makes perfect sense.
No doubt about it—I'm awesome!
[The journey didn't take long. After passing through Edinburgh, Orkney was relatively close. With Redra's incredible speed, it took you less than a day to arrive.]
[And there, you met the guardian Grim once more.]
"You're finally here, Child of Prophecy and foreign Magus—eh? Why are there so many of you? Where's Fujimaru Ritsuka? And Guinevere?! What the heck are you doing here?"
"Wait—hold up. That mana signature… What the hell? This isn't what Odin predicted! You already came here after ringing just one bell? Are you skipping levels?! Go back! This is a late-game area! You're not supposed to be here yet!"
Barely a few sentences into your meeting, Grim, having processed his initial shock, immediately started waving you off.
"Tch! Who're you looking down on?!" Artoria clenched her fists indignantly. "Let me tell you, we're all crazy strong now! If you underestimate us, it's your loss!"
"Damn, this year's Child of Prophecy is cocky," Grim raised an eyebrow. Then, gesturing at Artoria, he said:
"Fine. Don't say I didn't give you a chance. Let's duel. Just you and me. No tricks, no help—got it?!"
[As during your first encounter, Grim challenged Artoria to a duel to determine if she was worthy of being called the Child of Prophecy.]
Grim stepped up, battle-ready.
Artoria activated her transformation: Sublime Emperor Form.
Artoria summoned multiple versions of herself in different classes.
Grim immediately surrendered.
"STOP! You're cheating! This isn't a duel—it's a gang beatdown! You've got, like, six people wailing on me!"
"But they're all me," said Artoria as her shadows paused. "So it's still technically a one-on-one duel: Artoria versus Grim. Simple math."
"Fine! I get it already!" Grim shouted. "I won't welcome this kind of violent, cheating Child of Prophecy! Leave! I'm not telling you where the Pilgrimage Bell is!"
"Whatever! You think I need your directions?" Artoria snapped. "And don't you dare call me a violent maniac again! You wanna see a real violent maniac?!"
As she summoned even more of her alternate selves, Grim caved instantly:
"STOP! No more! Please, sis! Be gentle! I was wrong! You're not a maniac—you're a refined, civil lady! Happy now?!"
[Just like in previous simulations, after thoroughly beating Grim up, he obediently joined your team.]
"Doesn't it feel like this guy always insists on getting beat up before joining us?" Artoria whispered suspiciously.
"Hey! I heard that! Stop spreading weird rumors, Child of Prophecy!"
Grim protested at once.
[With Grim now guiding the way, you proceeded toward the Bell Hall and quickly encountered the dense fog that surrounded it.]
[As you passed through the mist, you were attacked by numerous Shadow Servants—but with your current strength, they posed little threat.]
[You once again stood before the mist gate leading into the Bell Hall.]
"Alright, this is it. But listen—Child of Prophecy, you may be strong now, but the enemies ahead are no joke. Let me cast a blessing on you before you go in."
After Grim blessed Guinevere and the others, Artoria confidently charged into the gate.
"Alright! It's showtime! This time, I'll solo those two Shadow Servants!"
Artoria transformed into Sublime Emperor Form.
Artoria summoned multiple alternate selves in different classes.
Shadow Yusser used Song of Night and Flame.
Artoria was instantly defeated.
Flying back faster than she had charged in, Artoria landed flat on the stairs, her eyes spinning into spirals.
Guinevere sighed, shaking his head.
"This story teaches us one thing: People tend to overestimate themselves when everything's been going smoothly for a while."