Vortigern finally revealed his true form.
Only—
It bore a striking resemblance to Ian.
The giant dragon that Vortigern transformed into was covered in complex and ever-changing markings. If not for the fact that the body color was different from Ian's, it would likely have been quite disorienting for anyone to behold.
"Vortigern, you..."
"Surprised, Artoria?"
Beneath the "tree," Vortigern, having revealed his true form, beat his wings.
Instantly, a powerful gale swept across the battlefield with the motion.
"I never trusted the Saxons."
"They are foolish and arrogant, ignorant and greedy."
"All I wanted was to use their lives as a price to pave a blood-soaked path for my plan."
Speaking his thoughts as if in meditation, Vortigern spewed forth crimson-white flames.
These too bore some resemblance to Ian's flames, yet simultaneously possessed a completely different nature.
The two types of fire burned upon the earth, and for a time, it was impossible to tell which was superior.
However—
For Mélusine and Barghest on the ground, this was not so easy to dodge.
Fortunately, Morgan, realizing this, quickly reached a consensus with Ian. They descended to the ground and forcibly blocked the flames. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable.
"False evolution, true evolution."
"Now, it should be clear at a glance."
"GRAAH—"
Just as Vortigern finished speaking, a tremor came from the ground.
It was Ian, having landed, launching himself into the air once more with a powerful kick.
Crack.
Several fissures appeared on the ground.
This was the consequence of a dragon's force applied to the earth.
A charging strike.
The black dragon flew straight to the white dragon Vortigern, followed by a terrifying tackle.
Bang!
Vortigern was sent flying, carving two long furrows in the ground before finally coming to a complete stop.
"So this is what you look like when you're angry?"
"But if it's just this move, I can do it too."
In just a single exchange.
Vortigern spread his wings and charged back, mimicking Ian's counterattack.
"Look out!"
Morgan, whose mind was completely linked with Ian's, shouted directly.
This should have been a strike to evade.
But—
The black dragon had no intention of dodging.
His throat continuously emitted low growls.
Even his flesh began to radiate heat.
This was the "surface" that Artoria saw.
As for the inside—
What Morgan, whose soul was completely merged with him, saw was an extremely "unfamiliar" him.
No.
"Unfamiliar" wasn't the right word to describe it.
This was how he looked in a state of extreme rage. The reason she hadn't seen it before was simply because he had never felt anger towards Artoria or Morgan.
"I see."
Morgan embraced him.
She kissed him selflessly—this him that belonged only to her in this moment—as if wishing she could truly become one with him.
"You want to kill this bastard who keeps disrupting the order of Britain even more than I do, don't you?"
"Then—"
Morgan hugged him from behind and blew gently into his ear.
As the first existence to cross the line with him in such a way, Morgan naturally understood how to ignite the desires deep within this dragon's heart.
"Show me that same spirit you have when you claim Artoria and me."
"You can definitely do it."
"When this is over... there will be a special reward for you."
Though they were lewd words, they worked best in this moment.
Morgan felt that if it weren't for her damned status, perhaps she really could have claimed Ian all for herself.
However—
She soon realized something was amiss with the situation.
Vortigern didn't just share physical similarities with Ian.
He seemed to have received some terrifying enhancement, to the point where he truly possessed the ability to rival Ian.
But...
In all of Britain, who possessed the ability to transform such a sinister white dragon into this state?
Was it that strange "tree" behind Vortigern?
No.
That shouldn't be possible.
If that were the case, she should have been able to sense that unimaginable flow of magical energy.
Moreover...
Using the dragon's eyes, even in battle, Morgan could see the tree growing towards the sky.
Actually, calling it a "tree" wasn't quite right. Strictly speaking, it was more like a "living entity."
Morgan could sense its life-like aura.
But precisely because of this, having "reconnected" to the ley lines, she could confirm even further that Vortigern's power definitely didn't come entirely from there.
He possessed power similar to Ian's.
Wait...
Morgan felt something flash through her mind at that moment.
Power similar to Ian's?
It wasn't just a matter of power; even the markings on his body were so similar.
She hadn't been entirely unfamiliar with this situation.
To be precise, she herself had tried to obtain similar power.
Could it be Tiamat?
Morgan felt her breathing quicken.
If that were the case, everything could be explained.
But why would he have Tiamat's power?
That crazy woman...
To find her son, she would do anything.
Morgan felt her thoughts becoming chaotic.
"Sister, if this continues, what will happen to Ian?"
Artoria's words temporarily pulled Morgan back from her frantic speculation.
But only temporarily.
"Artoria, I don't know."
"That guy Vortigern seems to have received help from Ian's mother."
"What?"
Morgan's confession caused a flash of worry to cross Artoria's face.
But soon, she continued:
"Well, in that case, whatever we do won't be excessive, right?"
"Vortigern has even used such 'outside help'."
One wave had not settled before another rose.
Morgan sensed that her sister also wanted to do something unexpected.
And that was indeed the fact.
Artoria stood up and summoned her spear.
There were no mocking words, nor any superfluous movements.
Countless golden particles gathered from all directions like spirits answering a prayer.
"It seems I can't give you any more chances."
"Vortigern, I will help Ian utterly erase you!"