Britain, the war front.
Atop a high cliff, Artoria gazed into the distance.
And standing beside her was none other than Ian.
"Can you feel it?"
"Around us... that thick, hostile presence."
"Mhm."
In response to Artoria's words, Ian nodded.
"I feel it."
"It's very similar to the last enemy, but... it's become much stronger."
"I knew you could feel it."
Artoria took Ian's hand.
"..."
"Artoria, are you worried?"
"It would be impossible not to be,"
Artoria, so strong and majestic in front of others, only ever showed her vulnerable side to Ian.
"That is..."
"...a power great enough to destroy Camelot."
"That's fine."
Ian, in turn, held Artoria's hand tightly in his own.
A dragon's strength was immense; that much was clear from when he ate.
But only with Artoria was the dragon able to skillfully control his force—as if he were afraid of hurting her.
"No one will be able to harm you, Artoria."
"I promise you."
A dragon's promise was always simple and clear.
Artoria's gaze became resolute once more.
"You're right."
"With you here, I have nothing to worry about."
"Let's go!"
"We need to find Sister—we must figure out what's going on with Vortigern's presence!"
----
A few minutes later.
Inside the military camp on the front lines.
Ian, Artoria, and Morgan sat together.
"Sister."
"Did you feel it?"
"That presence, the presence of Vortigern."
Artoria got straight to the point, and so Morgan didn't bother with pleasantries either.
"Little sister, of course I felt it."
"And, I also know where this presence is coming from."
"..."
A flash of surprise crossed Artoria's eyes, but only for an instant.
Once you took off the "colored glasses" you had for someone, your evaluation became much more objective—for example, right now, Artoria admitted that her sister was truly a rare magical genius of this era.
Knowing such a secret didn't seem like something to be surprised about.
"Then just say it, Sister."
"Mhm."
Morgan nodded.
"You remember that we are already utilizing the magical energy of Britain's ley lines, don't you?"
"..."
"Are you saying..." Artoria hesitated slightly.
"That's right."
"It's just as you think."
"We—"
Morgan pointed to herself.
"—were able to utilize the ley lines so smoothly, so naturally, he can utilize them as well."
"Britain has not chosen to stand entirely on our side."
"That sounds quite troublesome."
Artoria did not deny Morgan's idea.
"But Sister, since you've said this, you must have a solution, right?"
"No."
Morgan smiled and shook her head.
"This time, I have no solution at all."
"But."
The princess of Britain looked towards Ian.
"I am not worried, because we have Ian, don't we?"
"So you think so too, Sister."
Artoria also smiled.
But that smile quickly vanished.
"But Sister, we must find a way to advance—and that presence will be an obstacle."
"We can't just let the knights risk their lives for nothing, can we?"
"..."
"..."
The discussion fell into silence.
Only Ian spoke up at this moment:
"If that's the case, then we just need to find a way to make everyone unafraid of that presence, right?"
The dragon's way of thinking was, as always, simple and direct.
But Artoria, who had already been "assimilated" quite a bit, quickly fell into his line of thought.
"Sister."
"Can you... develop such a magic?"
"Something like disguising everyone as 'dragons,' or perhaps something a step further."
Morgan, of course, understood what Artoria meant.
"Are you saying you want to use this method to boost everyone's morale?"
"Yes."
"If we can make everyone believe they are a dragon, perhaps there will be a turning point."
"..."
Morgan was silent for a long time before finally speaking.
"But Artoria, that would only make them think they are dragons."
"And I... have a better way."
Seeing Morgan's hesitation, Artoria knew that the "better way" she spoke of must come with a "greater price."
"Just say it, Sister."
"What must we do?"
"It's simple." Morgan came to Ian's side. "We have a real dragon, don't we?"
"If... we could let his blood anoint the knights."
"As a true dragon, I believe that the presence Vortigern is emitting should be nothing to fear."
Morgan said no more.
She knew that such a request would be extremely difficult for either herself or Artoria to accept.
And that was indeed the case.
Faced with Morgan's proposal, Artoria fell silent.
After all, to anoint so many, the amount of blood required would be an unimaginable injury for Ian.
"..."
"Is blood all that's needed?"
Looking at the two silent women, Ian suddenly spoke up.
"Ian, you..."
"Answer me."
Before Artoria could finish, Ian interrupted her again.
"Is that all it takes?"
"Yes."
Morgan nodded.
"If... we could have your blood, I believe the soldiers would be able to advance despite this strange presence."
The moment Morgan's voice fell.
Ian bit open his own arm and walked outside.
Then, a dragon's roar echoed through the sky.
The thick scent of blood spread with the wind, but it did not bring unease to anyone.
On the contrary, the knights felt the dragon's encouragement within it.
"Destroy Vortigern!"
"Destroy Vortigern!"
More and more people began to shout.
"..."
"It seems our worries were a bit unnecessary, little sister."
Hearing the earth-shaking cries outside, Morgan smiled faintly.
"He's a dragon. Something like this won't hurt him, right?"
"Well then—"
"It's your turn to make an appearance."
"..."
Without another word, Artoria strode forward.
She raised her spear, which shone with a golden light, and shouted:
"Camelot, advance!"