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Chapter 356 - Are You Actually a Succubus?

After Guinevere and the others quickly left, Melusine, still unaware of the situation, continued her fierce battle with Woodworth.

The clash between these two — arguably the strongest fae of the Fairy Kingdom — engulfed the entire battlefield.

Both the Knights of the Round Table and the northern fairy army had already retreated into the city under the orders of Percival and Nocknaree. However, the fairies of the Fang Clan brought by Woodworth were not so fortunate.

The shockwaves from their supersonic physical battle alone were disastrous for the weaker fairies. If struck directly by either combatant, they would be torn into bloody pieces on the spot.

Melusine, who viewed them as enemies, naturally showed no mercy. But even Woodworth, their own leader, cared little for their lives. In his bloodthirsty frenzy, he would even rip through his own soldiers if they happened to block his path.

His entire mind was consumed by one thought — tearing Melusine to shreds.

However, that blind bloodlust had its limits. After dozens of minutes of intense fighting, the fury began to subside, and Woodworth regained a bit of clarity.

Then, he noticed something strange.

He possessed incredible regenerative abilities by nature, allowing him to fight the Fairy Knight Lancelot without reservation. But he knew Lancelot's strength came primarily from her unrivaled control of the skies. Her aerial supremacy allowed her to dictate every battle, granting her overwhelming initiative.

Without her flight ability, in terms of direct combat, he believed he should be the strongest fae.

Yet this time, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't injure Lancelot. Many of his supposedly fatal attacks passed right through her as if she were intangible—there wasn't even a hint of contact.

"You... were hiding this kind of power all along, weren't you?"

Now calm, Woodworth blocked two strikes from Melusine, then leaped backward to open the distance.

"You really plan to betray Her Majesty for that Round Table soldier?"

Like Guinevere and the others, Woodworth assumed Lancelot had turned against them for Percival's sake.

"...So that's what you think."

Melusine paused, then shook her head slightly.

"Think what you want. In any case, I won't let you lay a single finger on the one I'm protecting. If you hurt him, I'll fight you to the death."

By the end of her sentence, her voice had turned chilling, like a demon delivering a death sentence from the depths of hell.

"Damn traitor. You'll regret this."

Seeing Lancelot's unwavering resolve, Woodworth clenched his teeth, but in the end, he could only reluctantly turn away.

"Retreat!"

That said, most of his forces had already been scattered in the chaos, so few fairies were still around to retreat with him.

Melusine didn't let her guard down until she confirmed Woodworth's departure. Then, taking a deep breath, her expression changed completely. She lit up with joy and flew toward Londinium.

"Guinevere! Are you there? I drove Woodworth off! He won't be able to hurt you anymore!"

Her voice, however, left Bagst and Nocknaree — stationed on the city walls — completely dumbfounded.

"...What the hell is going on?"

Hiding in the corner, Nocknaree and Bagst exchanged confused glances.

Wasn't Lancelot supposed to be Guinevere's mortal enemy? Hadn't she always sworn to kill him?

What's with this expression? These words? This tone, like a lover proudly reporting her accomplishments?

She fought Woodworth... not for Percival?

Something's definitely off.

They quickly reached a mutual understanding with just a glance.

"Lancelot, what's the meaning of this?" Nocknaree asked, frowning. Of course, she couldn't help starting with a jab. "Who gave you permission to call him 'Guinevere'?"

"You—" Melusine's brow furrowed, but before she could respond, Nocknaree cut her off.

"So what if you drove off Woodworth? For Guinevere, you're the biggest threat! And don't pretend you're not doing all this for Percival!"

"...I'm not in the mood to argue with you," Melusine replied coldly. "Where are you hiding my Guinevere?"

"Have you lost your damn mind?" Nocknaree retorted. "Your Guinevere? What's wrong with you? Did he knock your brain loose during that simulation fight? Why are you calling him that now? Like you're his lo—wait... what?!"

Suddenly, she froze as she processed Melusine's words.

"Wait, this isn't some scheme to lure him out, is it? You actually like him? Seriously? All you Fairy Knights are masochists or something? He beats you up and you fall in love with him? Are you all insane?"

Before Lancelot could reply, Bagst, standing behind Nocknaree, awkwardly raised a hand.

"...Well, in my case, I was deeply moved by his chivalry. And, uh, he absolved me of my sins, gave me redemption, so I..."

She trailed off, blinking.

Now that she thought about it... she had fallen for him after getting beaten.

Bagst fell silent. But she glanced over at Melusine with a questioning look.

Melusine understood — the question in her eyes was clear:

You too?

"...My business is none of yours!" Melusine snapped. "I'll ask one last time — tell me where Guinevere is, or I swear I'll lose it!"

"Hmph, go ahead and lose it," Nocknaree replied with a sneer. She'd recovered from the earlier confusion and now spoke coldly.

"Whatever your reasons, don't forget — to Guinevere, you're still the enemy. We're his allies. If you attack us, he'll never forgive you. He'll see you as a mortal enemy."

"—"

With those words, the anger drained from Melusine like air from a balloon. The murderous gleam in her eyes faded.

"...Th-Then what should I do? Tell me! What do I have to do for you to tell me where Guinevere is?!"

"?"

Nocknaree frowned, stunned by her reaction.

She'd been testing Lancelot with those words, but this response... Was she really not pretending?

Was she actually a masochist? Had getting beaten by Guinevere awakened some twisted desire?

...Better test her again.

After a few seconds of thought, Nocknaree finally spoke.

"Guinevere's gone. While you were fighting Woodworth, they escaped through Bawanhee's portal to the other side of Britain."

"...Huh?"

Lancelot went pale. It was as if all color drained from her world. She staggered a few steps, then collapsed onto the ground, her voice hollow:

"He... left again?"

"Why... why did he leave so quickly? Not even giving me a chance to talk... Why?"

What had driven her to fight Woodworth with all her might was the hope of seeing Guinevere. Now, after yet another failed attempt, her hope shattered — and her emotions spiraled toward collapse.

"I admit I was wrong before, but I didn't know... I really didn't... Can't I at least have a chance to explain? Why is it like this...?"

The more she thought, the more wronged she felt. But even in her sorrow, she couldn't bring herself to blame Guinevere. All the fault, she placed upon herself.

"It's all my fault... It's because I hurt him too much, right? A woman like me, so persistent and overbearing... must be annoying, right? Guinevere... can't we just meet one more time? Please... wahhhh—!"

Her grief and pain overwhelmed her, and she broke into sobs.

"I don't want to never see him again! I was wrong, I know I was! Just give me one chance to make it right! I'll do anything if he forgives me—wahhhh!"

Watching Melusine cry harder and harder — and then start literally rolling on the ground — both Nocknaree and Bagst began wondering if they were dreaming.

"Anyway... we better find a way to report this to Guinevere..."

[While Lancelot and Woodworth were entangled in battle, you and your group escaped Londinium by boat, heading north toward New Darlington.]

[Upon arrival, you immediately sent Oberon back to scout for any developments.]

[Half a day later, Oberon returned to New Darlington wearing a very strange expression.]

"I've got one good piece of news... and one that I'm not sure is good or bad. Which one do you want first?"

"The ambiguous one," Guinevere said.

"...Actually, maybe I'll start with the good news," Oberon decided. "Anyway, Nocknaree and Bagst are safe. Lancelot let them go."

"And the other news?"

"Well, she let them go, yes... but Lancelot now insists on seeing you."

"She took them hostage to lure me into a trap?" Guinevere asked.

"Uh, no. It's just, um..."

After organizing his thoughts, Oberon finally said:

"Be honest, Guinevere. Are you sure you're not a succubus in disguise?"

"Because... Lancelot seems to be in love with you."

Guinevere: "?"

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