In the Throne Room.
Artoria was seated upon the throne.
She looked at the knights and her sister before her, finally speaking softly;
"Well done, everyone."
"You all performed very well this time."
"..."
"Your Majesty," Barghest spoke first. "This time, it was quite a struggle."
"If this continues, I fear we may not be so fortunate next time."
"Mhm."
Mélusine nodded in agreement with Barghest.
"Your Majesty."
"Although your battle alongside Lord Ian was indeed impressive this time..."
"...the people of the city are growing weary of constantly fleeing for their lives."
"I believe we must find a better solution."
"We already have one."
Artoria looked towards Morgan at her side.
"She is our solution."
"Right, sister?"
"..."
This was the first time Artoria had called her 'sister' in such a formal setting.
Morgan was somewhat surprised.
But she quickly composed herself and then continued where Artoria left off.
"Yes."
"I have discovered how to grant Camelot the power to fight against dragons."
"The ley lines."
"We must use Camelot's ley lines."
"Only in this way can everyone become dragons like Ian."
At this point, Morgan looked at Ian, who stood silently beside Artoria.
Her feelings grew complicated once more.
But—
Now was not the time to dwell on such things.
"As long as we have that level of magical energy, it can definitely be done."
"Is that so?!"
A glimmer appeared in Barghest's eyes.
Although it had been some time since she had had a proper talk with her mother, Morgan, she couldn't help but feel happy hearing her say this.
But unlike Barghest's happiness, Mélusine vaguely sensed a deeper meaning in Morgan's words.
"Since it's such powerful magic, how did you find it?"
"Could it be that it existed from the very beginning?"
"You can indeed understand it that way."
Faced with Mélusine's "questioning," Morgan did not flinch, but instead answered very seriously.
"It's just that before, we didn't have the opportunity to access it."
"Is that so?"
"I understand."
Mélusine nodded.
"If that's the case, I can assume that you've spent this time researching how to access it, correct?"
"Precisely."
Although there were no overt provocations in their words, the atmosphere fell into a mysterious dead silence.
However, Artoria quickly broke the somber mood.
"So—"
"How far along is the research?"
"It is almost complete."
Morgan no longer concealed anything, but very directly revealed her results.
"As long as we can find a way to channel the magical energy of the ley lines into the bodies of Camelot's citizens, we can fully realize our goal."
"But before that, I think there is something I must tell you all."
"What is it?"
Artoria became serious.
"It is—"
Morgan walked to the silent Ian's side.
Under Artoria's watchful gaze, she took his hand and continued to speak.
"We are not the only ones doing this."
"There are others."
"Who have similar ideas."
"..."
Hearing Morgan's words, Artoria suddenly realized something.
"Sister, are you saying—"
"Besides us, there is someone else attempting to turn ordinary people into dragons?"
"Yes," Morgan nodded.
"Vortigern."
"That person's name is Vortigern."
"I... met with his avatar not long ago."
"Where is he?"
The moment Morgan finished speaking, Ian spoke directly.
"Where is this man named Vortigern?"
"I'm going to kill him."
A simple and clear declaration.
But everyone present could feel the ferocity in his words.
If he were to truly meet Vortigern, he would probably strike without a moment's hesitation.
"No one knows."
"But—"
"My dear sister."
Morgan's gaze fell upon Artoria.
"My dear sister."
"This enemy named Vortigern seems to be the very one from the legends that you are destined to defeat."
"..."
For a moment, Artoria was in a daze.
After all—
If Ian had not arrived, the one telling her all this would probably have been Merlin.
But...
Now, though it was a different person, the same warning had appeared before her.
Had anything truly changed?
"It doesn't matter."
Ian's words broke Artoria's trance.
This knight, who rarely expressed his emotions so openly, seemed like a completely different person at this moment.
He gripped the Sword of Promised Victory (Excalibur) at his waist.
"As long as I see him, I will kill him."
"Absolutely—"
"..."
"..."
Almost simultaneously, Artoria and Morgan looked at each other.
At that moment, their gazes seemed to achieve a kind of unspoken synchronization.
"Yes, we will."
Artoria stood up.
"Ian."
"I share your conviction."
"Mélusine, Barghest, I now command you, together with Ian, to go and reassure the people of Camelot."
"We..."
"Shall achieve final victory."
"Understood." / "Yes, Your Majesty."
Having received Artoria's orders, Barghest and Mélusine said no more.
After all, no matter what, Artoria was still their king.
Besides—
The opportunity to spend time with Ian like this was not something that came along often.
....
Soon, only Artoria and Morgan remained in the Throne Room.
"Baobhan Sith didn't come, I see."
"No need for pleasantries, Artoria."
Morgan said softly.
"I know you want to talk to me about something."
"Just say it."
"There should be nothing left for us to dance around."
"..."
"You really are my sister."
Artoria smiled faintly.
"Then, I'll be direct."
"Please do."
Morgan said this, but she didn't expect Artoria to take her hand.
And in the next moment, she heard words she never thought she would hear in her entire life.
"Sister."
"Can we... reconcile?"