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« The Faerie Land guarded by the Round Table under the High Queen's absolute rule.
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| (Beryl Gut) |
The British Lostbelt (ブリテン異聞帯, Buriten Ibuntai?), designated Order Lostbelt No. 6 (ロストベルト No. 6?), is one of the seven Lostbelts appearing on the blankened Earth during the Human Order Revision incident. Originating in 12,000 BC (originally listed as 500 AD), its Lost Depth is EX, its King is Morgan, and its associated Crypter is Beryl Gut.[1][2] It is the sixth of the Lostbelts visited by Chaldea Security Organization in the undertaking of the Grand Order to restore Earth and the Human Order. Referred to as the English Lostbelt (イギリス異聞帯, Igirisu Ibuntai?) by outsiders, the inhabitants call it the British Lostbelt and Faerie Britain (妖精國ブリテン, Yōseikoku Buriten?). As of Chaldea's arrival, the form of the world is that of a Lost World rather than a Lostbelt.
The events of Chaldea's visit to this Lostbelt are covered in the sixth chapter of Cosmos in the Lostbelt; Fae Round Table Domain: Avalon le Fae (妖精円卓領域 アヴァロン・ル・フェ, Yōsei entaku ryōiki Avaron ru Fe?), alternatively The Moment a Star Is Born (星の生まれる刻, Hoshi no umareru koku?, localized as "The Moment a Planet Is Born").[1]
Setting[]
Time flows differently inside the Lostbelt than outside. At the Wandering Sea, Chaldea is warned that they only have 24 hours before the Lostbelt self-destructs and takes the outside world with it,[3] but once inside the Lostbelt, the crew exhausts 50 days' worth of supplies before the mission is over.[4]
The Lostbelt has existed for 14,000 years.[5] The Lostbelt's true divergence point from Proper History was the absence of Excalibur, leaving Earth with no way to properly defend itself from Sefar.
Six fairies (who would later become the founders of the fairy clans) were tasked with forging the Holy Sword, but chose not to out of sheer laziness. This resulted in Sefar succeeding in the Velber's goals by wiping out all life and landmasses of the planet with the exception of Avalon, which the fairies could never return to as "only those free of sin may pass", leaving them to buffeted by the endless ocean's giant waves. Eventually, Gaia sent Cernunnos from the Inner Sea of the Planet to properly punish their failure, but it felt the fairies had already suffered enough. Instead, it allowed them to live upon its body alongside the last surviving human, who Cernunnos had taken as a wife and priestess.
The fairies were ungrateful, however, and pestered Cernunnos to create a new home for them, something it could not do. The Priestess chastised them to reflect on their actions. Instead, the Fairies concluded that Cernunnos’ titanic body would make a nice landmass to live on. They held a celebratory feast and lied to Cernunnos about wanting to become its worshipers and offered it drink. Cernunnos, believing the fairies had finally repented, gladly accepted the offering despite its priestess's disbelief and suspicion. She was correct; Cernunnos was killed by the poison in the drink, and the fairies fashioned its corpse into a new Britain.
The fairies then captured the Priestess, who was the last living human. But one human would never be enough for their upcoming fairy kingdoms. Placing spells on her that leave her unable to die, they tore her into six pieces. These pieces would eventually be used to clone more humans in the future to nourish the fairy kingdoms. The humans only had a maximum life of 30 years, though, as it was the same age the Priestess was torn apart. Stuck on a dead Earth, the fairies were destined to repeatedly die, suffer, and reincarnate in an endless cycle of war and betrayal.
The fairies proceeded to create a false legend about Britain's creation for their later subjects to hide the truth. In their story, there were only six fairies and an endless ocean in the beginning. Cernunnos emerged from the ocean alongside a squirrel-like animal sitting on its shoulder that was presumed extinct. The fairies desired land, but Cernunnos, being a god, demanded sacrifices, so the fairies offered their joys and their wills to the horned god. Granting the wish, the god brought the land that would be known as Britain and once finished, he succumbed to slumber. For over 10,000 years, the fairy clans believed this lie until Morgan, who upon becoming queen discovered the truth and proceeded to remove Cernunnos from all records, resulting in the Lostbelt residents forgetting the concepts of gods and priests over the course of 2000 years.
While previous Lostbelts could still be called "human history", the world of the English Lostbelt is a "fairy history" where fairies have dominated for thousands of years. Furthermore, the only landmass in the entire world is the island of Great Britain, while the rest of the planet is just an ocean. The concept of other countries does not exist.
The reason for the EX-Rank Lost Depth is not only due to Sefar wiping out all life on Earth, but because there was no life at all when the Lostbelt was intially founded. Indeed, when Beryl first arrived, the Lostbelt was a barren and lifeless land, as the Fae had long since betrayed each other and driven themselves to extinction due to their innocently capricious and merciless nature; to fufill their personal enjoyment and purpose, and get rid of anything in the way. However, Beryl would summon the Pan-Human Morgan as his Servant, who would then, without his knowledge, use the power of the dying Fantasy Tree to send her knowledge of Proper Human History and the future of the Lostbelt to her Lostbelt's past self (Aesc) via rayshifting, allowing the Lostbelt's past to be changed into what it is currently.
There is no human civilization in this world, no concept of families, parents and children. The 'modern' humans who exist are livestock used to perpetuate Fairy pleasure and are not 'born'. They are created by a method of cloning the body parts of the last remaining human; Cernunnos's priestress who had been torn apart and kept alive for 14,000 years by the founders of the Fairy Clans. The Fae instead mimic human civilization from Proper Human History via knowledge gained from Morgan, though they have no real understanding of culture or its significance. Da Vinci has stated that this world, rather than being an offshoot timeline, has completely veered off to the point that it can no longer be considered a Lostbelt but a completely new world truly separate from theirs.
Long ago there was a fairy who saved Britain from disaster many times: the savior, Aesc. Their legends have continued into the Lostbelt's modern day. Da Vinci assumes that these saviors are part of a system that the island itself implements whenever it is in peril.[6]
One of the incidents Aesc saved Britain from was the Summer War 4,000 years ago, a war between the fairies of the south and the fairies of the north led by Mab. After the end of the Summer War the fairies established the system of clans that they still use today.
Morgan has ruled with an iron fist for 2,000 years. She conquered Britain by defeating the six fairy clans with her black magic, uniting them by force. She granted the humans a certain degree of freedom, and over the course of 2,000 years, she created a Fairy Kingdom that was a shallow copy of human civilization. When Morgan took to the throne, she said to the fairies: "I will not tolerate you. I will not save you. Merely obey. Hang your heads. I will protect a Britain of absolute subservience."
Humans in the Lostbelt are incapable of breeding and terms like "parent" and "child" do not exist, instead terms like "previous generation" and "current generation" are used. Da Vinci isn't sure if the process is similar to artificial insemination or creating a homunculus, but either way humans are created and raised at ranches and then shipped off.[7] Humans are kept on ranches until given to a fairy to be their owner. The warehouses on the ranches where they are kept are shaped like human homes in order to preserve human imagination that fairies value, but they are warehouses nonetheless.[8] In some cities in the Lostbelt, such as Salisbury and Norwich, humans have a higher degree of freedom than others.
Morgan dominates the fairies and imposes strict control over the number of human births. Fairies living in cities are inscribed with Morgan's curse, the Command Spells; once a year, fairies marked with these are forced to offer their life force as an "existence tax". Fairies who fail to amass enough magical energy over the course of a year to satisfy Morgan die on the spot.
There are a series of calamities plaguing the island ever since Britain's very creation. The Moss are said to be the first in this series, but others spring up periodically, and Morgan's knights fight them. Morgan is a cold-hearted tyrant while at the same time being a sword that protects Britain. The fairies fear and despise her, but at the same time rely on her rule.
Before she disappeared, Ainsel, the chief of the Mirror Clan, foretold of a Child of Prophecy. They would be the true king guided by the Staff of Selection, who would ring the six bells and overthrow Morgan.[9] Some believe that the Child of Prophecy is the latest incarnation of Aesc.[6]
It has been known to happen that objects, fairies, and humans find their way into the Lostbelt from other worlds, washing ashore as flotsam. They are known as Changelings.[10]
History[]
- See also
- Timeline#British Lostbelt
Prologue[]
Merlin contacts Ritsuka through a dream and recites a poem he heard.
"From now on, I tell you of a future. The fate of a mysterious island which became the land of fairies.
The innocent return. This infinite castle of the queen.
Like rain, like ashes, it accumulates. Like snow, like lies, it fades away.
Our hopes are at the ledge. Even now we remain in the palm of the queen's hand.
But we only need to endure it a little longer. The morning when two thousand years have passed, the child of salvation will appear.
The one who joins fairy and human. The child of salvation who will save the world.
Like a moth to a flame. Even if it begins as a small spark, even if it cannot be seen.
a city of iron, a sea of soot. When the calamity was repulsed, the pilgrimage can be welcomed.
Guided by the Staff of Selection, watched over the foreign traveler, the child of salvation will reach the throne.
The true king takes their place on the throne. The bloodstained crown is received.
Ring, ring, thunderous anger, fiery lamentation. Herald with six bells. Make way for the true king.
Before the red calamity reaches us. Before the black calamity bites.
We may be a bit lazy at our job, but we are descended from free fairies.
Hope is still missing. A shining tomorrow is desired."
Merlin calls it a prophecy, so the meaning is ambigous at first and it will happen when it happens. The dream wavers as a scary lady has spotted Merlin. He regrets he can't join the battle, but is glad he doesn't have to worry. He will be waiting in the land of imprisonment, looking forward to when they meet again.[11]
Ritsuka wakes up to an alarm sounding. Sion Eltnam Sokaris notifies everyone in Novum Chaldea that movement has been detected in the sixth Lostbelt, indicating the predicted emergency has occured. She tells everyone not to panic and to gather in the control room. Ritsuka urges Fou to come along, but Fou turns around and scurries off.[11]
Everyone gathers in the control room, with the exception of Leonardo da Vinci and Captain Nemo. Sion tells them that Earth is in danger and they’ll all be dead in 24 hours. She explains in the three weeks since the operation to destroy Limbo, Novum Chaldea has been devising a strategy to attack the sixth and seventh Lostbelts. She has said the sixth Lostbelt didn’t need to be attacked, so their priority was on the seventh Losbelt where the Alien God was said to be.[11]
The Chaldeans are well aware they can leave the British Lostbelt alone, as it will slowly vanish with its Fantasy Tree gone, having been used to burn down Olympus’ Fantasy Tree. Although it remains surrounded by a wall of light, it is no longer a threat to Proper Human History. Sion agrees that has been the case until now.[11]
She shows a map of the planet’s surface taken with Paper Moon’s observation and SHEBA’s predictive outcomes. She reveals when the British Lostbelt disappears in 24 hours, a wave of destruction will spread across the Earth. The planet will reach the end of its lifespan and collapse from its gravitational pull. It is a “dead end for humanity”, one that will supersede the “bad end for humanity” that wiped the Earth clean.[11]
The Chaldeans are shocked and horrified. Ritsuka asks how that happened. Sherlock Holmes answers that is unknown, but they cannot afford to stand idly by now that they know the outcome. Da Vinci and Nemo are already preparing the Storm Border for launch. It will be Chaldea’s frontline base in the Lostbelt while the Shadow Border will be for on-site investigation.[11]
Holmes states Trismegistus II has defined this phenomenon as a “collapse”. He considers it a development that not even the Alien God foresaw. The disappearance of the British Lostbelt is ultimately a good thing, but Holmes questions why this “disappearance” continues to spread across the planet. If nothing is done, there will be no future.[11]
Jingle Abel Meuniere panics that there is nothing that can be accomplished in 24 hours. Sion reveals, however, the 24-hour time limit only applies to their time because, according to SHEBA, time flows differently in the Lostbelt. The time limit doesn’t need to be considered once inside the Lostbelt, but it is nevertheless true there is much time left.[11]
Sion continues that from here out, all of Chaldea’s staff will disembark on the Storm Border. Once final safety checks are done, they will set sail for the British Isles. There they will break through the wall of light with the Storm Border’s dimensional boring equipment and infiltrate the Lostbelt.[11]
With that, Sion proclaims her explanation over, mentioning that the Shadow Border just docked. She knows it is a sudden operation but Da Vinci can give the particulars inside the Storm. She tells everyone to be careful, expecting another fun story when they return.[11]
Ritsuka is confused that she isn’t coming, as they thought “all staff” meant her as well. Sion claims that was a slip of the tongue, thinking it would be impudent to consider a newcomer like her a part of Chaldea’s staff. But she tells Ritsuka not to worry about her, saying she will continue to observe the seventh Lostbelt in the meantime. She encourages Ritsuka to do their best while she does the same, with the reminder the base will be gone in 24 hours if they fail.[11]
Two hours after setting sailing from the Wandering Sea, the Storm is now 200km north of the British Isles. Nemo notes the British Lostbelt’s dimensional boundary, the wall of light, is similar to the World’s End that was recorded in the Sixth Singularity. Da Vinci and Nemo Professor’s analysis has revealed it is relatively thin to the south, so dimensional drilling will be done there. The mission is scheduled to begin in 45 minutes.[11]
On the bridge, Da Vinci admits she has been brimming with excitement to assault the British Lostbelt since the very beginning. Holmes confesses that while the Lostbelt wasn’t a threat back then, they still advanced their plans to explore it. However, they only have two fragments of information on the Lostbelt: Beryl Gut, its assigned Crypter, and its Lostbelt King who burned down Olympus’ Tree with Rhongomyniad.[11]
Da Vinci calls Rhongomyniad a strong magic akin to divine punishment, able to reach far-off places like Olympus. A Mystery greater than Kirschtaria Wodime’s ideal magecraft, it is magecraft woven not by man but in the Inner Sea of the Planet.[11]
Mash asks what the Inner Sea of the Planet is. Meuniere calls it a legend of Paradise. Every legend has spoken of a “sanctuary that promises immortality” spoken: Utopia, the Garden of Eden, Tír na nÓg, Avalon. It is a paradise not of this world, unreachable through ordinary means, said to be inside the planet where the star’s soul slumbers. To the mages of the Clock Tower, it is not a legend, but trivia. There is even a group in the Clock Tower that researches the Inner Sea of the Planet.[11]
Goredolf Musik presumes Meuniere is referring to the underground workshop. He thinks he is exaggerating and calls the group he mentioned a mere archaeological excavation team. He reminds him not to make light of the fact that the Navel of the World exists beneath the Clock Tower, beneath London.[11]
Returning to the topic of the operation, Holmes explains they advanced their plans to investigate the British Lostbelt for the purposes of investigating and understanding Rhongomynida. The current situation is unexpected, but they had always planned to invade the Lostbelt. Their objective, along with investigating and resolving the “collapse”, will be to negotiate with the Lostbelt King for Rhongomyniad since Sion has said a divine weapon is necessary.[11]
With that all said, and preparations complete, Chaldea proceeds to breach the wall of light.[11]
The Beginning[]
A mural of a large, roundish antlered figure with three smaller figures to its right and left and an open mouth dragon at its feet is shown. The following passage is then read.[12]
“Fairies who adored freedom. Fairies who protected love. In return, children who lost their world.
Perish time and time again, your Britain will still flourish.
The wonders of spring, the quarrels of summer, the joys of autumn, the bloodshed of winter. Untold death piles up, eternal; everlasting.
Nevertheless, prithee, forget not. No matter the strength of your castle, the foundations remain the same, as the world grows anew, the roots grow tiresome. At long last, unbeknownst to all, from the bite of a meagre woodworm, shall it collapse.”
The Chaldeans wake up in a darkened Storm Border, unable to remember what happened after they breached the wall of light. Worse still, Nemo and Holmes are in a weakened state. Mash asks why this happened when a perfectly fine Da Vinci enters, offering an explanation. She was fortunate to remain in sync with the Border from the computer room. So while everyone else was unconscious, she did a full analysis of the situation inside the Border and the atmospheric conditions outside.[12]
Holmes deduces from the fact that Da Vinci and Mash are in good health that, similar to the Chinese Lostbelt, Heroic Spirits from human history cannot function here. In other words, human history doesn’t exist here.[12]
Da Vinci confirms all the Spirit Origins they moved to the Border are in a dormant state. There is no foundation for the existence of Heroic Spirits from Proper Human History in this Lostbelt. Unlike the Chinese Lostbelt, where heroes weren’t necessary, this Lostbelt is a history without heroes. Therefore, Heroic Spirits from Proper Human History cannot enter.[12]
Holmes deduces that, unlike the other Lostbelts, this Lostbelt lacks any sign of human civilization. Ritsuka believes it’s because there are no humans. Though he concurs, Holmess says there are other possibilities.[12]
Goredolf questions why Mash and Da Vinci weren’t affected by the Lostbelt, unlike Holmes and Captain Nemo. Mash suspects it’s because she is a Demi-Servant of Galahad, not the knight himself. Da Vinci suspects it is because she is technically a homunculus of the previous Da Vinci. They are thus the only Servants Chaldea has available for this Losbelt.[12]
Nemo asks Da Vinci what happened in the last half hour. Da Vinci reveals all the Storm Border’s systems ceased to function immediately after passing through the wall of light. The Nemo engine revived a single Triton engine, enabling the Storm Border to crash land somewhere on the southwest coast. Right now it is running on backup power.[12]
However, the Storm Border has been stopping more and more as it approached the isle. Now it is just stopped, even though nothing was damaged or destroyed. Da Vinci speculates it will function again if it gets further from the island. The Shadow Border can reach the shore, but it will cease to function once it lands. The Storm Border can stay in its current state for approximately 30 days, or 50 days, if the power is further reduced. This is the time limit for the current operation.[12]
Goredolf orders Ritsuka and Mash to land on Britain in secret, investigate the cause of the “collapse” observed in Novum Chaldea, and if possible, obtain Rhongomyniad from the Lostbelt King. Since communication with the Border will be difficult, he entrusts Ritsuka and Mash to make their own decisions, and gives them 45 days to return alive with results. Da Vinci decides she’ll join Ritsuka and Mash, saying she’ll send messages to the Border via a familiar.[12]
After Goredolf reluctantly allows Da Vinci to go, Nemo takes her, Ritsuka and Mash to the shore, which is covered in mist. He tells them before he fell unconscious that he spotted through the fog what looked like a city to the east of the shore. He wishes them good luck and heads back to the Border.[12]
Da Vinci notices Fou isn’t with Ritsuka and Mash if he usually is. Mash says Fou wasn’t with them on the Storm Border this time. Da Vinci is disappointed as she was hoping for a similar experience her adult self once had and wonders Fou dislikes Britain. But she says it can’t be helped and believes there will be plenty of opportunities for them to go on adventures together. Mash agrees.[12]
Then, with a motivating cheer from Da Vinci, the heroes get ready to head for the presumed city 200km to the east when they’re inexplicitly joined by Tristan. Mash senses the Round Table has a trace of heat from a summoning. This indicates to the heroes that Tristan is the real Tristan summoned, even though summoning Heroic Spirits should be impossible in the Lostbelt. Tristan says he was automatically summoned, having found himself before the heroes when he came to his senses.[12]
After the situation is explained to him, Tristan suspects he was able to be summoned because they’re currently in his birthplace of Cornwall. Mash thus thinks the summon was possible because the land itself sought relief. Da Vinci, however, thinks it was because Ritsuka, anxious about stepping into an unknown land, subconsciously wished for someone to be summoned. Either way, it seems, despite the Lostbelt’s nature, possible to summon Heroic Spirits from Proper Human History if some connection is made. Tristan then decides to be the heroes’ guide, saying they’ll be on the road in two hours.
The Nameless Forest.
After an hour, however, the group remains lost. Tristan had been leaving strings along their path to ensure they wouldn’t get lost, but those were broken somehow. They were not cut, rather Tristan was letting go of them with his own hands as if he forgot what he was thinking a minute ago.[12]
The fog suddenly gets thicker when the heroes are attacked by a monster. They defeat it, but the fact there was no response or reaction leaves them unsure of their victory. Da Vinci noticed Ritsuka was using more magical energy than usual, and suggests avoiding battle as much as possible.[12]
Mash suddenly collapses, noting both the Black Barrel and the Ortenaus have ceased to function. Da Vinci rushes over to her as the fog gets even thicker. Tristan, fearing they’ll get separated in the fog, tries calling Mash and Da Vinci back, only to have forgotten their names and even his own. He wanders off. Ritsuka tries calling out to him, but they can’t remember his name or even their own. They fall unconscious.[12]
A mysterious person finds Ritsuka, remarking on how entering the Nameless Forest without a talisman is tantamount to suicide. They know Ritsuka is the Master of Chaldea and admit to the moth on their arm, Blanca, they were skeptical when they heard about them. But seeing them in person they now understand Ritsuka’s passion for saving the world is real. They therefore decides it is time for them to get serious too.[12]
They get closer to Ritsuka when they spot four fairies lurking in the shadows. They’re worried at first until they sense the four lurking are good-natured fairies, so they leave RItsuka to them, deciding Ritsuka needs to experience Britain first. But before they go, they warn Ritsuka not to say they’re human.[12]
Ritsuka wakes up in a tent screaming out for Mash. A blonde-haired girl wielding a staff offers them basic treatment if they need it. Ritsuka, seeing an image of Mash, calls the girl “Mash”. The girl, who can’t remember her own name, assumes her name is “Mash” and that she and Ritsuka are friends.[12]
She asks Ritsuka if they know where they are, calling them by the name on their nametag (Lysander if male; Hermia if female). She only remembers they collapsed in the Nameless Forest, a fairy territory whose fog causes those lost in it to forget who they are.[12]
Tristan is also in the tent, only remembering that he is Ritsuka’s servant. Ritsuka can’t remember his name, so Tristan gives them the name on his nametag: Tristram. He believes the three of them are traveling companions.[12]
The three of them try to recall what they were doing and who they are. “Mash” only remembers the village’s fairies found them collapsed. She questions why they rescued them and starts to fear the fairies are slavers when a blue-haired fairy enters. She was sent to get the group.[12]
Ritsuka and Tristan are calmly shocked to see an actual fairy. The blue-haired fairy presumes the group isn’t recovering enough to move yet. She can come back if that is the case, but she fears the other fairies will call her useless if that were to happen.[12]
“Mash” tells her to go ahead, saying she’ll explain to the others that she did her job. The blue-haired fairy is happy to hear she was useful. She leaves, saying everyone will gather in the square for the group. The group leave the tent, with “Mash” mentioning their lost memory means they won’t have prejudiced against for what city they’re from or if they support the Queen or not.[12]
Cornwall
In the village center, “Mash” explains to the fairies that she and the others can only remember their names. Upon hearing this, the fairies decide to take care of the group and throw a festival to welcome them to Cornwall.[12]
During the festivities, “Mash” is surprised Ritsuka and Tristan don’t know about fairy society as the Nameless Forest only makes a person forget themselves. She gets ready to teach them the basics when Harobalomia declares an end to tonight’s festivities. He orders the blue-haired fairy to escort back to their tent, with Onfam and Doga threatening to punish her severely if she’s too slow. The blue-haired fairy escorts the group back to their tent.[12]
Returning to the topic from earlier, “Mash” lists the major fairy clans: Wind, Earth, Fang, Wing, Mirror, and King. The Wind Clan like Harobalomia look similar to humans and are peaceful and rational. The Eath Clan, like Onfam, are the hardest-working of the clans and their help is needed for construction. The Fang Clan, like Doga, are animalistic and the strongest of the clans.[12]
“Mash” doesn’t know much about the Wing Clan since there isn’t much said about them. She knows the Mirror Clan was previously the most populus of the fairies until their village vanished a few years back.[12]
Ritsuka asks her about the King Clan. Mash” calls them the cause of all discord, division, and conflict in Britain, becoming increasingly agitated as she describes the clan’s leader. She calms herself and explains the King Clan’s leader only welcomes and protects those who obey her as part of her plan. She believes Ritsuka will understand her description of the King Clan’s leader is apt once they meet her.[12]
She then notices Tristan has been acting nervous for a while now. Tristan confesses it is because he finds the fairies terrifying. Though he has lost his memories, he knows the fairies can easily kill them should they desire. “Mash” tries to reassure him that won’t happen, but Tristan remains uneasy. Then, hearing the announcement from outside that it’s bedtime, the group turns out their light and goes to sleep.[12]
The next morning, the blue-haired fairy gives the group a tour of Cornwall. She explains Cornwall was built over an older village. The original village was abandoned 200 years ago after the Fairy Lord’s curse created the Nameless Forest following their defeat by the Fairy Knights. After that, not even the Queen could touch Cornwall and it became the most dangerous area in Britain.[12]
The blue-haired fairy compares it to a penal colony. She calls it the realm of those fairies who became “hated”. It’s a small gathering of fairies who finished their destinies and would rather cooperate than compete with one another. But such a life isn’t possible in the Queen’s Britain, so they came here to die because it’s easier than being ridiculed.[12]
Continuing the tour, "Mash" notices Ritsuka is quite popular with the village fairies and wonders if it's because of the dignity they exude. The blue-haired fairy thinks "Mash" is wonderful as well. She continues that Ritsuka has air of freshness, bringing with them a postive atmosphere. Meanwhile, "Mash"'s aura is warm and bright. It reminds the blue-haired fairy of peaceful time and makes her feel nostalgic.[12]
"Mash" admits she only has her cheerfulness going for her. Her creed is to always smile no matter the circumstances and thanks the fairy. The blue-haired fairy calls a smile wonderful, and proceeds to continue the tour.[12]
After the tour, the group go into the woods to try and recall their combat skills.[12]
During that night’s festival, Onfam notices Ritsuka’s Command Spells, though he seems sad that they have three. But he tells them not to worry about it because nobody here will force them to do anything. He thinks they’ve done their best until own and considers them a great person. Ritsuka cries for an inexplicable reason.[12]
The next morning, the group finds Doga scolding the blue-haired fairy for failing to clean up last night’s festival because she forgot. After he sends her away in disgust, Ritsuka asks him who the blue-haired fairy is. But Doga and two fellow clansmen can’t remember her name, only that she has been in Cornwall from the beginning. They presume she is a nameless fairy, which makes her worthless. They recall she lives outside the village and head off to play football.[12]
Asked by Ritsuka, “Mash” explains nameless fairies are fairies who lost their name. Fairies are essentially immortal, possessing no lifespan, but they are born with an innate purpose. If they lose that purpose, they lose their name, and gradually waste away to death. The blue-haired fairy is one such fairy and has been for a long time. The other fairies ostracize fairies who lost their names.[12]
“Mash” advises against inviting the nameless fairy to their tent, since it would invite discourse from the other fairies. Instead, they’ll find where the nameless fairy lives and remove anything dangerous nearby.[12]
The group finds where the nameless fairy lives and slays the nearby beasts. “Mash” tells her they came to repay her for her kindness yesterday by ensuring her home is protected from the beasts of the forest. She then sets up a barrier to keep future beasts out, while Ritsuka and Tristan return to the village at her insistence.[12]
After she’s done, she tells the fairy it will last a few weeks. The fairy sees “Mash” can use magecraft like the Queen. “Mash” says hers was half self-taught and finds absurd for her to ask her to save Britain with it. She tells the fairy it isn’t her fault she is in low spirits.[12]
She then suggests to the nameless fairy to find a new place to live or a new purpose. The fairy rejects her suggestions, considering herself a failure who failed to fulfill her purpose. But regarding her lack of a name, she agrees with a suggestion of “Mash” that they both agree to keep secret. Afterward, “Mash” heads back to the village.[12]
The nameless fairy suddenly collapses. Her right eye is in pain when she realizes from the purple substance forming over her eye that she is turning. It saddens to know it is happening just when she finally had something good happen.[12]
The next day, Ritsuka’s status as a human is discovered when they complain about their hunger to Harobalomia. The fairies are elated and presume “Mash” is a human as well. Immediately the group is immediately moved to the nicest tent in the village, where they’re brought feasts nearly every hour. However, they’re not allowed to leave, and the fairies take turns guarding the tent. “Mash” says it’s because Ritsuka is a human. She considers herself a fairy, but she was also told has human traits.[12]
She warns that Ritsuka being overindulged will get worse, as humans are an indispensable source of nourishment for fairies. But in Britain, the number of humans is tightly controlled by the Queen, so humans aren’t assigned to lower-class fairies. The fairies of the village are those who have fallen from lack of humans.[12]
Outside, two Fang clansmen discuss dividing Ritsuka’s body equally with everyone. Doga warns them not to harm Ritsuka. He has taken a liking to Ritsuka, particularly their skill with a ball. However, before he can say more, one of his clansmen tears his head off for being “annoying”. The Fang clansmen then turn into something else.[12]
Inside the tent, the group hears the fairies fighting each other over Ritsuka. “Mash” suggests they head for the national highways in the hills to the east. However, they will need to take out the guards first, something Tristan doubts they can do considering fairies are powerful.[12]
The nameless fairy sneaks into the tent to check on the group. She informs them Harobalomia has been trying to calm everyone down. However, Onfam announces he and his fellow Earth clansmen have killed Harobalomia and the rest of the Wind Clan. The nameless fairy tries to sneak the group out of the village. But they’re forced to flee when they’re heard by the Earth Clan thanks to Tristan instinctively strumming his harp upon seeing the fairies' now monstrous forms.[12]
Fleeing into the forest, the nameless fairy guides the group through the fog. They nearly exit the forest when the nameless fairy suddenly collapses in pain. “Mash” tries to help to her, but the fairy slaps her hand aways and rants about how she has been alone in Cornwall for centuries, forced to endure the abuse. She reveals she brought the group out of into the forest so she can have them all to herself.[12]
She transforms into an amorphous black creature. “Mash” tells Ritsuka and Tristan to be ready for the fairy is no longer a fairy. It is Moss, life that can no longer speak or hear. It is the black algae that corrupts the world with its existence; the curse of Britain and killer of fairies.[12]
The group fight it but they find themselves unable to finish it off. Instead, it is slain by a mysterious person as an act of mercy. He introduces himself as Oberon, a Heroic Spirit summoned by the Human Order and the only Servant destined to help Ritsuka in the Lostbelt.[12]
Ritsuka and Tristan remember who they are. “Mash” is disappointed, having mistaken Oberon for Merlin. She apologizes for her blunder and remembers her name is Artoria Caster. She then takes Ritsuka out of the forest to show them Britain.[12]
Fragment 1[]
It is revealed that Mash was eaten by a Moss while she was escaping the Nameless Forest. But it spat her back out, leaving her battered and weakened. Collapsed on the roadside, she is found by three fairy slavers. Fortunately, a white wolf at her side prevents the slavers from taking her. But Unfortunately, she wakes up without any of her memories. The slavers take advantage of her amnesia to convince her to get on their wagon,naming her Anise. The wagon then heads north for Gloucester, with the white wolf accompanying them.[13]
Salisbury[]
In the heartlands of Britain, Oberon explains that Britain is split into north and south, with Camelot at its center. The major cities are Salisbury, Norwich, Gloucester, and Oxford, each governed by a clan head. [14]
Ritsuka asks Oberon about Mash and the others, but Oberon says he only found them. He introduces Blanca, a moth that is both his advisor and friend, to track Mash. He offers to tell Ritsuka what he knows in exchange for them telling him about Chaldea.[14]
After learning why Chaldea came to the Lostbelt, and how they got separated from the others, Oberon regrets that if he paid more attention, then he could have gone on after Mash and Leonardo. His exactment over finding Ritsuka made him forget everything else.[14]
He then tells Ritsuka that the path of magical energy between them and Mash as Master and Servant should still be active if she’s still alive. Ritsuka confirms that the connection is still there, much to their relief. Oberon says all they do to find her then. As for Leonardo, he tells Ritsuka not to worry as fairies can’t tell the difference between Servants and fairies. He asks Artoria if she has anything to say to him.[14]
Artoria replies she doesn’t right now, admitting the topics of Chaldea, Proper Human History, and Lostbelts are over her head. She is curious, though, about Heroic Spirits and Servants. Oberon tells her Ritsuka can fill her in on those subjects on the road. As a citizen of the Lostbelt and a Master from Proper Human History, they can fill the gaps in each other’s knowledge.[14]
Oberon confesses they are currently heading for Salisbury as a big city is the best place to look for someone. Ritsuka and Mash also need to familiarize themselves with the rules of a fairy nation. They can also get supplies in Salisbury. It’s a day away from where the heroes are now. Oberon understands Ritsuka is worried about Mash, but he advises they remain calm lest they collapse before they can find Mash, considering Britain’s size. Just as Ritsuka can confirm she is safe as her Master, his instincts tell him the same.[14]
Artoria is worried that going back to Salisbury will be dangerous. But she feels she can’t leave Ritsuka alone, finding Oberon rather Merlin-esque. She asks if she can come with. She was the one who used Mash’s name by accident, so she wants to hear about Ritsuka’s circumstances and Proper Human History. RItsuka approves and offers her a handshake.[14]
Oberon, calling Ritsuka and Artoria’s friendship beautiful, decides he made the right choice by not helping in Cornwall. He states both Chaldea and the Child of Prophecy will be needed to defeat Morgan.[14]
That night Artoria dreams about the fairies telling her to hurry and turn 16, saying the true king must embark on a journey to ring the six bells and save Britain. As she was chosen by the Staff of Selection, she is the Fairy Kingdom’s only hope. She remembers her village burning and a grizzled old fairy urging her to depart and persevere, believing wholeheartedly she is the Child of Prophecy. She sobs to herself, apologizing profusely for being weak and for letting them down and saying she is trying her hardest.[14]
Ritsuka accidentally startles her awake. Oberon decides they should rest for tonight and get to Salisbury tomorrow morning. He then sends Artoria away by tasking her with warding the area from beasts.[14]
While she’s gone, Oberon recounts how Ritsuka lied to Artoria about Proper Human History being the “world next door” when it’s the correct way of things. He knows Ritsuka wants to avoid hurting Artoria by keeping the truth that Chaldea must destroy the Lostbelt away from her. Chaldea has destroyed five Lostbelts by now, each time betraying the people of the Lostbelt. However, Oberon reassures Ritsuka that this time they won’t destroy the Lostbelt since it will destroy itself, rather they will save it.[14]
While the Lostbelt is a defective world that will die on its own, the issue is that its destruction will have aftereffects on Proper Human History. To prevent that, Oberon says they must save Britain at all costs by overthrowing its ruler of the past 2000 years——Queen Morgan, King Arthur’s arch-nemesis in Proper Human History. She is the Lostbelt King and from what Oberon heard, she is the cause of the “collapse”. As long as she is defeated, Proper Human History will be safe and the Lostbelt can be left to its fate. The Lostbelt’s Tree, the remains of which can be seen on the horizon, died a while ago.[14]
Monsters suddenly attack the heroes’ camp. Artoria comes back frantically apologizing for screwing up the warding spell. She asks for help in dealing with the “flock of birds” she attracted. Ritsuka and Tristan go assist her.[14]
The battle ends in overwhelming victory. Oberon praises everyone, particularly Ritsuka’s summoning. Human magecraft isn’t very effective against fairies, but Heroic Spirits are.[14]
Artoria is astonished Ritska knows magecraft as it isn’t seen much in Britain since fairies can perform Mysteries without the need of a Thaumaturgical Foundation, Magic Formula, or Mystic Codes. She then gets very nervous as she talks about how fairies look down on those who use magecraft.[14]
Ritsuka asks why Artoria uses it then, but Oberon, knowing it’s a sore subject for Artoria, advises Ritsuka to save it for tomorrow. He tells Artoria the same, knowing she wants to know more about Ritsuka.[14]
The next day, on the road to Salisbury, Ritsuka finishes giving Artoria a rough history of their world up until 2015 AD. Artoria is astonished to hear there are so many countries, people, each with their own culture. She can’t imagine being from such a wonderful place, but a “Britain without fairies” sounds refreshing and interesting to her.[14]
Oberon corrects her that despite the decline of Mystery in the AD era, fairies still exist in Proper Human History. Few remain, and they seldom appear before other people. He himself is a sort of Heroic Spirit.[14]
He sees Ritsuka recognizes his name from William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, a story about fairies and gives a quick synopsis of the play’s plot. It became popular and was passed down from generation to generation. Thanks to that, fairies like “Puck the Trickster” and “Oberon the Fairy King” became well established.[14]
Artoria presumes that means Oberon is a fictional fairy and questions how something so ambiguous could become a Servant. Tristan corrects her however that “Oberon, King of Fairies” is a story that has been passed down in Europe since time immemorial, even before Shakespeare’s time. Oberon adds that either way, both stories had an inspiration and that “inspiration” was registered as a Heroic Spirit. He wonders if that is who he is, comparing it to a chicken or the egg situation. As for Titania, Oberon’s queen in the play, Oberon insists she only exists in fiction.[14]
With the heroes now closer to Salisbury, Oberon tells the others to let him deal with the gatekeeper. He tells them to keep quiet and follow him, saying the gatekeeper will recognize him. He tells them not to answer if asked for their name and to lie if pressed. They’ll be in trouble if Ritsuka is discovered to human. Tristan is concerned about lying to fairies as their eyes are said to see through lies. Oberon reveals, however, that the fairies here don’t have Fairy Eyes, so they can’t see true feelings.[14]
Salisbury
Arriving in Salisbury, Artoria calls it Britain’s only free city, home to natural fairies and humans who gained the right to independence.[14]
On that last point, Oberon explains humans are essentially slaves to the fairies. Furthermore, originally fairies lived alongside nature and had no concept of civilization, but here they constructed the Fairy Kingdom to be a shallow copy of human civilization for 14,000 years. They are completely ignorant of the underlying meaning of what they build. The best example is the cathedral as fairies have no gods and no concept of religion. All of it was done under Morgan’s policy. Artoria is surprised to hear Ritsuka and the others are going up against Morgan.[14]
Oberon then suggests they go into a tavern to gather information regarding Da Vinci and Mash.[14]
Artoria feels conflicted about continuing to accompany Ritsuka because if they’re fighting Morgan, her presence would only be a nuisance. She planned to stay until they found Mash, but now she thinks it’s best to part ways.[14]
But then Oberon tells her that if a human is found in Salisbury without their fairy master, they are treated as a fugitive and sent to New Darlington a.k.a. National Slaughter Theatre Darlington. Artoria refuses to believe the Wind Clan’s head, who rules Salisbury, would allow such treatment, but Oberon says she can’t go against Morgan’s decree. To avoid a repeat of what happened in the Nameless Forest, he suggests Artoria to act as Ritsuka’s master while they’re in Salisbury. Ritsuka agrees, while Artoria reluctantly agrees.[14]
Tavern
In the tavern, the fairies joke about Oberon owing them money and playfully call him “Penniless Prince.” Oberon admits to the others he is broke, but it cannot be helped since he had nothing but his cloak when he was first summoned in a forest. From there, he went around the major cities entertaining the fairies and gained quite a reputation exclusive to those cities. Artoria realizes that is why she never heard of him, because her village was in the countryside.[14]
Ritsuka and Da Vinci are then coincidentally reunited when Oberon makes order and Da Vinci turns to be the waitress. Da Vinci explains that after they were separated by the fog, she came to Salisbury hoping to gather information. But she somehow ended up working at the tavern after she asked its owner, Mike, about a human.[14]
After hearing the circumstances, Da Vinci decides they should gather information in Salisbury, with finding Mash being the priority. In the process, they can learn about the state of Britain and the fairies’ living situation. Da Vinci also reveals she convinced Make to allow usage of the three spare rooms upstairs, which will be used as Chaldea’s forward base.[14]
Oberon then leaves to gather information on Mash and Britain in general. Afterwards, Da Vinci takes the others to their rooms, which she magically secured and soundproofed.[14]
Upstairs, Da Vinci reveals the Lostbelt isn’t a divergent of human history like the others, as fairies are the dominant species. Britain is the only existing landmass and nobody knows what a foreign country is. Da Vinci believes the Fairy Kingdom has bizarre secret forming the basis of its creation and that uncovering it is the key to everything.[14]
She then explains Morgan conquered Britain by defeating the six clans, who’ve quarreled for thousands of years, with her black magic, uniting them by force. Afterward, she granted the humans a certain degree of freedom, and over the course of 2,000 years, created her Fairy Kingdom.[14]
Under her rule, the fairies are dominated and the number of human births is strictly controlled. Fairies living in the cities are obligated to be inscribed with Morgan’s curse——a Command Spell. Those marked are forced to offer their life force once a year as their existence tax. Fairies who fail to amass enough magical energy to satisfy Morgan over the course of a year die on the spot. Fairies who refuse to obey Morgan or cannot work are either taken to Camelot for disposal or flee to where no one will find them. Ritsuka realizes the latter is what the fairies of Cornwall had done. Morgan collects half the life force of the fairies every year.[14]
Yet despite her tyranny, Morgan’s rule is considered not all that bad, which brings Da Vinci to the next topic: Moss. She explains that Moss is the first in a series of calamities that have plagued Britain since its creation. Moss were once fairies that lost their purpose, and touching one turns a regular fairy into Moss. Morgan’s military is constantly driving back calamities like Moss. Morgan is a cold-hearted tyrant, while also Britain’s protector. The fairies fear and despite her, yet at the same time they rely on her.[14]
The heroes suspect negotiating with Morgan may be impossible since she was the one who fired Rhongomyniad at Olympus. They therefore conclude they must overthrow her, but Camelot cannot be entered without her permission. However, Da Vinci reveals Morgan’s rule isn’t absolute, for a new hope has been born in Britain——the Child of Prophecy Before he disappeared, the Mirror Clan’s head foretold of the Child of Prophecy guided by the Staff of Selection. At sixteen years of age, they will ring the six bells, overthrow Morgan to become the true king, and unite humans and fairies to end the false history. Because of this prophecy, Morgan has been imprisoning every fairy that turn 16 this year, but the Child has yet to be found.[14]
So between the Moss and the Child, Morgan’s rule isn’t exactly stable right now. Da Vinci thinks they can use this to maybe negotiate with Morgan. But finding Mash is their first priority, so they’ll gather information starting tomorrow.[14]
Later that night, Tristan asks Da Vinci before she sleeps to tell him the deeds of the “him” summoned by in the Sixth Singularity[14]
Aurora[]
Heading out the next morning, Ritsuka notices the sky is the same as yesterday: cloudy and orange. Da Vinci reveals the weather doesn’t change. There is only this sky and the night. It sees to rain too, but nothing disperses the cloud to show the blue sky. Artoria is surprised to hear that the Proper Human History’s sky turns blue and thinks it must be a bright and colorful world. She presumes no matter how hard life is, everyone happily helps one another.[15]
The heroes then ask around town about Mash. However, they soon return to the tavern, disappointed they learned nothing beyond everyone’s obsession with the Child of Prophecy and something is happening in Norwich.[15]
Da Vinci wonders what type of fairy the Child of Prophecy is because if the prophecy is right, the Child wants to fight Morgan. She questions if they should try looking for the Child while searching for Mash. Considering the fairies’ high expectations, she presumes the Child must be someone really strong and gallant. Artoria keeps quiet, looking quite embarrassed.[15]
Oberon returns and reveals Artoria is the Child of Prophecy. Da Vinci thought that might have been the case considering her name. But she is shocked Artoria is supposed to be the one prophesied to defeat Morgan when her Divine Patterns (fairy Magic Circuits) are worse than the average fairy. Ritsuka knows how Artoria must feel.[15]
Artoria admits she lacks the determination, character, or the drive to fight Morgan in the first place. Also, she is a clanless fairy, who, thanks to her low mana, has to rely on magecraft. She can’t even get close to the bell to ring it. She questions why it has to be her and decries herself as useless for being unable to do what she was born and raised for.[15]
The last time she was in Salisbury, she tried to speak with the Wind Clan’s head, but nobody listened, so she headed for Manchester next. Da Vinci and Ritsuka realize the fairies would only laugh at Artoria if she claimed to be the Child of Prophecy since they can tell with a glance someone’s strength and magical energy. Artoria confesses that is why she sought approval from a clan head first, but she was turned away at the door. But Oberon reveals he can get Artoria an audience with Aurora, the Wind Clan’s head.[15]
Catherdal of the Ash Tree
Entering the Cathedral of the Ash Tree, Salisbury’s bell tower and oldest building in the Fairy Kingdom, the heroes try to head upstairs to Aurora’s office. Unfortunately, they run into Coral. She tells Oberon he is welcome and reminds him the cathedral is a sacred place for the coronation of new rulers, where Morgan was crowned 2000 years ago. However, she cannot permit a human to be here and so orders the guards (all of whom are human) to seize the heroes. The heroes easily defeat the guards, impressing Coral enough to permit an audience with Aurora.[15]
At Oberon’s request, Aurora dismisses Coral from the room to keep their meeting private. Oberon confesses he told Aurora about Proper Human History and Chaldea. He assures a concerned Da Vinci that despite being a fairy of this Britain, Aurora’s line of thinking is closer to a fairy from Proper Human History. He knows Aurora wants Morgan’s rule to end, something he says Chaldea can accomplish.[15]
Aurora, understanding Ritsuka is searching for someone, allows the usage of the eyes of the Wind Clan in the other cities: Oxford, Gloucester, New Darlington, and Camelot. Norwich is the only place Aurora cannot contact her clan, but they will still help in the search. She tells Ritsuka to give Coral a description of the someone they’re looking for. Oberon says to keep their cooperation for now, understanding Morgan would likely massacre the entire Wind Clan if she finds out.[15]
He then tells Aurora that Artoria is the Child of Prophecy. He asks Aurora to give Artoria her approval by letting Artoria ring Salisbury’s bell. But Aurora refuses to allow it until she is provided proof of Artoria’s worth as king. For that, she asks Artoria and Ritsuka to show her hope, a sign that Britain’s dark fate——the calamity that comes every 100 years not even Morgan can dispel——can change. She says several months ago, the “Pool of Disaster”, a powerful Moss current, began engulfing Norwich. If Artoria and Ritsuka can cleanse it, she will give them Salisbury’s bell.[15]
Oberon gets ready to leave for three days on errands, particularly to find out what is happening at Norwich. However, Blanca arrives and informs him another Child of Prophecy has appeared in the north. Oberon believes Artoria and Ritsuka will be safe while Morgan is distracted by this false Child.[15]
Back downstairs, Oberon calls cleansing the “Calamity of Norwich” one way to break the ice. He doesn’t know much about calamities, but he heard they’re akin to a natural disaster that occurs in the Fairy Kingdom every century. Regarding Norwich, Da Vinci heard that for several months now black soot has been accumulating in the sky like a rain cloud.
Oberon recommends delaying Norwich, as finding Mash is their priority right now. He suspects it will take two or three days before they get news from Aurora. However, he understands waiting around is a waste of time, so he will send the others a list of errands for them to do for money and information. He meanwhile will be gone for three days tending to other things.
Privately, Oberon gets ready to leave to check on the situation at Norwich when Blanca returns. He asks her how far has Cnoc na Riabh’s army advanced, but she informs him that another Child of Prophecy has appeared. This worries Oberon because not only is not part of Ainsel’s prophecy, it also threatens to jeopardize Artoria’s position. Also, at this point, it doesn’t matter which one is the genuine article because the fairies will choose the one they trust. But a false Child of Prophecy appearing in the north should keep Artoria and Ritsuka safe from Morgan for a while. Oberon also thinks it’s too early to send them to Norwich.
Back at the tavern, Artoria immediately takes the rest of the day off. Da Vinci decides they need to change their perception of Artoria and has Ritsuka and Tristan accompany her upstairs.
Upstairs, after sending her report to the Border, Da Vinci concludes Artoria is the King Arthur of this Lostbelt. She gives a brief summary of King Arthur’s legend as a refresher.
During the 5th century, Britain has governed by many kings and their tribes and despite their constant quarreling and the conflicts with the Picts in the north, the tribes ultimately cooperated with one another. But that unity was broken when one of the kings declared he would unify Britain using the different tribes.
His name was Vortigern――the incarnation of the white dragon, born within Britain to destroy it. He invited the Saxons to the island, throwing it into chaos. The city of Londinium was destroyed, and Vortigern killed Uther Pendragon in combat. Britain was thus plunged into the dark ages.
However, Uther’s advisor, Merlin, prophesied whosoever drew the Sword of Selection from the stone would become Britain’s next king. Many knights tried and failed to pull the sword from the stone. Eventually they abandoned it as a pointless endeavour. But then Uther’s fifteen-year-old child, raised in secret as a squire, drew the sword in secret after everyone else left. The sword was Caliburn, and the child was Artoria Pendragon.[15]
King Arthur was proclaimed Uther’s successor, proceeded to unite the lords and triumph over the Saxons in twelve successful battles. But King Arthur’s greatest enemies were her own family——Vortigern and the Witch Queen Morgan, who heard the will of the island and claimed Britain’s throne was hers by right.[15]
It was through Morgan’s trickery that King Arthur lost Caliburn, but she was later gifted Excalibur by the fairies. Excalibur was the Holy Sword forged in the Inner Sea of the Planet and a Divine Construct meant to vanquish threats to the planet itself. King Arthur became Britain’s savior in both name and substance.[15]
After the decisive battle with Vortigern in the ruins of Londinium, King Arthur built Camelot with the help of the fairies and founded the Knights of the Round Table.[15]
However, even after succeeding against the Saxon and the Picts and the quest for the Holy Grail, the Round Table’s unity was broken when the affair between Lancelot and Arthur’s queen Guinevere was discovered. Mordred took advantage of the king’s expedition to the Roman Empire, culminating in the Battle of Camlann.[15]
King Arthur perished in the battle and Excalibur was returned to the fairies by Bedivere, closing the curtain on the history of ancient Britain. Afterward, King Arthur’s corpse was brought to Avalon by the Lady of the Lake.[15]
Night falls by the time Da Vinci finishes her “brief” summarization. Da Vinci compares the many parallels between Artoria Pendragon and Artoria Caster and ultimately concludes Artoria Caster is this Lostbelt’s King Arthur—— the savior of Britain. Tristan points out, however, King Arthur saved Britain in the 5th century while the current year is 2017. Artoria should have therefore appeared further in the past if she is Britain’s savior.[15]
Da Vinci doesn’t know either, but she overheard from the fairies that the Child of Prophecy is the reincarnation of Aesc. After Morgan conquered Britain, the years changed over to the Queen’s Calendar. In the outside world, Proper Human History stopped in 2017 while the current year in the Fairy Kingdom is 2017 of the Queen’s Calendar. The years before the Queen’s Calendar are referred to as the Fairy Calendar. A fairy appeared during that time who saved Britain from disaster many times. That savior was Aesc.[15]
The legends of Ector the Immortal, Archduke of Residual Heat Wyneck, Grímr the Wise, and Knight of Beginnings Totorot are still told, but most fairies don’t remember who they are. Da Vinci, under the assumption they were all saviors that appeared in Britain’s past, suspects they’re part of a system implemented by the island itself when Britain is in grave peril. If correct, that may explain why Artoria was born in this age.[15]
Based on this information, Da Vinci recommends they continue cooperating with Artoria, since a conflict with Morgan seems unavoidable. She also wants to keep Chaldea’s true mission a secret from Artoria. She feels there is something fundamentally wrong with this Lostbelt and until they can explain it, they should focus on saving Britain even if that means Britain becomes their next enemy.[15]
She apologizes to Ritsuka that they will have to lie to Artoria, but her instincts tell her they must avoid telling Artoria the truth at all costs. She assures Ritsuka though they will save Britain, stop the collapse from spreading, and say goodbye to Artoria with a smile, all without becoming Britain’s enemy.[15]
The next morning, the heroes learn Da Vinci had taught Mike how to make bread from flour. He had thought flour was completely useless.[15]
Da Vinci explains most fairies are content with imitating human culture, while some wish to understand the underlying mechanics. Fairies have no need to understand, though, since they can survive fine without technology. They can simply create what they want, but it’s just an imitation. Fairies can only enjoy the intricacies of “human culture” when they have the original data. Mike is a typical copycat.[15]
Mike admits he was a typical fairy, but meeting Da Vinci has changed to him to be a supporter of equal co-existence with humans like Aurora. He wants fairies to be more than what they are.[15]
Da Vinci notes fairies are fundamentally innocent and easily influenced. Mike insists Da Vinci was who inspired him, not Aurora. He then delivers a message from Oberon: “Come to the fields of Salisbury. Because social studies are important!”[15]
The heroes clear a field of vermin for a Wind clanswoman. Da Vinci notes agriculture has long thrived in the north but so much in the south. Under Aurora’s direction, they have started in earnest in Salisbury. Artoria asks the fairy why fields were so unpopular until now.[15]
The fairy answers they had no choice but to abandon the fields when the Moss appeared. Moss are less frequent in the north but in the south Moss breakouts are frequent, so only the strongest fairies can leave the cities. Besides, even if a field is cultivated, it has to be every century or so due to the Calamity.[15]
All fairies fear the Calamity, but those allowed inside Camelot will survive. The Wind clanswoman fears the Calamity will come for Salisbury after destroying Norwich. Aurora was permitted to enter Camelot, but she refused unless the people of Salisbury were allowed in as well. Morgan forbade Aurora from Camelot in response.[15]
Artoria notices the fairy seems dissatisfied with Morgan and suggests she join one of the protests that have been happening as of late. The fairy declines as she fears Morgan’s army more than the calamities.[15]
Beyond her magic, Morgan has trained Fairy Soldiers and knights to command them——Tristan, Gawain, and Lancelot. So long as those three Fairy Knights remain, nobody can rebel against Morgan. Artoria doesn’t understand why the others are surprised.[15]
Now back at the tavern, the heroes immediately discuss the Fairy Knights. Artoria says it is common knowledge but explains the Fairy Knights are fairies gifted the names of knights from another world by Morgan. Their magical power is second only to Morgan, and the Moss can not corrupt them. They are also known as the Knights of the Round Table.[15]
Tristan calls it mockery if Morgan has the same characteristics as the one he knew. Artoria asks the others if they have emotional attachment to the term Round Table.[15]
Da Vinci tells Artoria about her Proper Human History counterpart from the 5th century, who bested her own Morgan and unified and ruled Britain in an age of peace as its chosen king. She also had her own Knights of the Round Table, with Tristan being one of them. That is why they were all shocked because, from their perspective, the Knights of the Round Table under Morgan are “heroes of justices unknowingly following an evil dictator. Artoria completely freezes up in astonishment.[15]
After recovering, Artoria accepts she is indeed the Child of Prophecy. Her grandpa did say she was born together with the Staff of Selection. She decides she’ll follow her counterpart’s example and save Britain.[15]
She admits she wondered if Tristan was bloodthirsty like his Fairy Knight counterpart. She describes Fairy Knight Tristan as the most violent fairy at the Round Table, and she is known as the “Fairy Killer” or “Tristan of the Bloody Heel.” Since she became a fairy knight 100 years ago, “Tristan” has supposedly killed over 400,000 fairies.[15]
Artoria reassures a terrified Tristan that he is the complete opposite. She admires his tenacity, a trait not many have in this land, and finds his trust in her encouraging.[15]
Now understanding Fairy Knights are imitations, Artoria wonders to herself if Morgan knew about Proper Human History for some time.[15]
Later that night, Tristan tells Artoria about Vortigern, the incarnation of the white dragon born from Britain’s wrath to destroy the island out of rejection for the Age of Man and how her counterpart was created as the incarnation of the red dragon to oppose him and bring about the Age of Man. The result was the disappearance of fairies and Mystery from the island, but Britain’s culture has preserved for future generations.[15]
Artoria now understands King Arthur became king not because she was strong, but because she fought for Britain’s future. That is why the Knights of the Round Table, for each one of them, according to Tristan, saw hope in the king. A level-headed commander and a just ruler, King Arthur loved all of Britain and, with her small body, she fought enemies stronger than herself.[15]
But Tristan tells Artoria her counterpart wasn’t flawless from the outset, as she spent the years after pulling Caliburn training with Kay and Merlin. As such, he believes there is no need for her to rush right now. He leaves the room, telling Artoria to believe in herself as he believes in her. Artoria is left amazed by her counterpart[15]
The next day, after returning from fulfilling three requests from Oberon, Ritsuka is told by Mike they have a guest in their room.[15]
There they find Coral. She informs them every human captured in southern Britain is housed in a farm to the west. Three days ago, a new human, who may be Mash, was interred there. Knowing Ritsuka wants to rescue them, Coral tells them to join the soldiers she will station outside Salisbury tonight. She leaves, warning the farm is under Morgan’s control.[15]
Ritsuka then tells the others what they learned. Artoria says she’ll help, saying their fates crossed when she used Mash’s name so she would like to meet her personally. She has grown more confident in the past few days and boasts “Merlin’s magic” can do just about everything.[15]
That night, the heroes guided to the farm by Salisbury human soldiers. It is a human farm. The soldiers lived here once and suffered terrible abuse under their fairy masters before being discarded. Aurora gave them a place to belong and became soldiers to win their freedom. Aurora showed them. They have the will to oppose Morgan and boast today’s rebels don’t need to rely on something like the Child of Prophecy.[15]
A group of rebels had taken over a ruined castle out east. They campaign for Britain’s liberation, calling themselves the Round Table. Their leader had survived against Lancelot in the games at Camelot, which impressed Morgan enough that she awarded him, a human, a position as one of her soldiers. His name was Percival, and despite being human, Morgan ordered him to enter Camelot. But Percival defied her and founded the rebel army instead. After the soldiers leave, the group sneaks into the farm.[15]
After the soldiers head back to Salisbury, Artoria gives her structural analysis of the farm. She recommends climbing the wall to get in without the guards seeing them. She confesses Merlin taught her this burglary magecraft since he thought she’d need it.[15]
Ritsuka is unsure if they can feel a connection to Mash through their contract. Da Vinci notes the Fairy Kingdom has too many "contracts” and wonders if fairies and their human slaves have a bond similar to a Servant’s contract. With no other choice but to check directly if Mash was captured, the heroes sneak into the farm by going over the unmanned western wall.[15]
Farm
Inside, Ritsuka notices it looks like a city. Artoria explains humans kept on a farm are shipped with their creativity intact, which is why their prisons are disguised as residential dwellings. She says to disregard the big factory as no one should be inside since it isn’t the birthing period now.[15]
But then the heroes are spotted by a surveillance familiar, having disguised itself as the light of a lamp. They soon become swarmed, so Da Vinci has Ritsuka look for the fairy controlling the familiars. Ritsuka finds them, and Tristan draws out a fairy wearing equine-styled armor. He wonders if Tristan is the Child of Prophecy and introduces himself as Knight Grant before attacking the heroes. Artoria assumes he is a Fairy Knight.[15]
Grant ultimately perishes in the battle. Artoria thinks they defeated a Fairy Knight, but Tristan deduces he was just a regular knight as there is no Knight of the Round Table named Grant. Moreover, three more wearing the same armor have arrived.[15]
Realizing they’ll be overwhelmed, the heroes get ready to retreat when the Round Table Army break into the compound. The heroes take this opportunity to search for Mash while the Queen’s Soldiers are busy with the Round Table Army.[15]
Unfortunately, they do not find her, even after the Round Table army freed all the prisoners. Tristan is impressed by how well-organized they are and is pleased to see they aren’t bloodthirsty since the surviving knights were restrained, not killed. He believes Percival has earned the name he shares with his counterpart.[15]
A Round Table soldier thanks the heroes for their help as they were expecting to lose 20% of their forces. He asks which cities’ rebel group they’re from, recalling there was an uprising in Sheffield.[15]
Artoria is astonished to hear the Round Table Army treats everyone, whether they be human or fairy, equally. The Round Table Army was also formed to support the Child of Prophecy and lay the groundwork to defeat for the Child to defeat Morgan.[15]
The Round Table Army then gets ready to escort the free humans back to Londinium. The soldier offers the heroes to join. Ritsuka declines, admitting when the army starts to leave that they declined because Artoria seemed uncomfortable with the idea. Searching for Mash also remains their top priority.[15]
Suddenly, Tristan protects Ritsuka from a sudden wall of flames. Unfortunately, the flames eliminated most of the Round Table Army. A large female knight shows herself, surprised she missed a few. A Round Table soldier identifies her as the fairy-devouring Black Dog, Fairy Knight Gawain, and questions why Morgan’s right hand is here.[15]
After Gawain incinerates the remaining Round Table soldiers, her soldiers report that they’ve captured all the escaped humans. They offer to capture the heroes, but Gawain orders them to stand down, for the heroes are her prey.[15]
She recognizes Ritsuka is a Master from the Proper History, revealing Morgan gifted the Fairy Knights with information about Proper Human History. Morgan ordered Ritsuka to be captured, but Gawain decides to kill the heroes instead.[15]
Consuming Ritsuka’s magical energy during the fight, Gawain easily overwhelms the heroes. Artoria reveals she has met Gawain before, but Gawain doesn’t remember Artoria. She then prepares to kill the heroes when she is stopped by one of Tristan’s strings. Tristan tells the others to escape while he stays behind to hold Gawain back, suspecting he will die here.[15]
Artoria dislikes that Tristan speaks so casually about getting killed and questions what he can do in his condition. Tristan reveals he already devised a trump card against Gawain, and if all goes well, he and the others will meet again. However, he cannot use it all while the others are still here. So he implores Artoria to hurry, calling her “my King”, and telling her that her journey has yet to begin. Artoria gives him one last mournful look before leaving with Ritsuka and Da Vinci.[15]
With the others gone, Tristan activates his trap. Gawain is entangled in his strings, which he placed all over the compound beforehand, restraining her with the weight of every building. Activating said trap, however, shreds the fingers on Tristan’s right hand. Even so, Tristan tries to kill Gawain, but she breaks free and destroys both him and the farm with Black Dog Galatine.[15]
Gawain orders her soldiers to surround Ritsuka’s party and keep them from moving and not to kill them until she gets there. She regrets she never asked for Tristan's name when she hears the neigh of a horse.[15]
Ritsuka hears the explosion of Gawain destroying the farm. Gawain’s soldiers nearly catch up to the heroes when Oberon arrives in a carriage drawn by the Fairy Horse Redra Bbit, a servant of Aurora. The heroes get on the carriage and escape.[15]
One of Gawain’s soldiers reports what he saw. Gawain orders him to recall the men as they’re returning to Camelot. She has no time to chase the heroes, but she will crush them if they meet again. She doubts it will be her job, though, remarking they are those more qualified than her to crush insects.[15]
A soldier realizes she speaks of the strongest Fairy Knight Lancelot and is certain she could kill the heroes no matter where in Britain they are in. Gawain doesn’t begrudge him for praising her rival in front of her, knowing full well Lancelot is the strongest being in the Fairy Kingdom. She then turns the captured humans into Black Dogs as punishment for escaping.[15]
Fragment 2[]
On route to Gloucester, Rob and Winky recall someone making an assassination attempt on Morgan ten days ago, even making it to the throne room. He defeated all the soldiers and not even Gawain or Tristan could stop him. But Lancelot stopped him and dropped him into the Great Pit after a chaotic air battle.[16]
Mash's head hurts upon hearing the names of Gawain, Tristan, and Lancelot. She asks what kind of people they are. Rob decides it's best not to tell her if she can't remember what a Fairy Knight is. But Rob's younger brother, Wag, describes Gawain as the most feared Fairy Knight, Tristan as the most hated, and Lancelot as the most beautiful. Rob and Winky fear this will trigger Mash's memories when the group is attacked by a Black Dog.[16]
Instantaneously, Mash slays the Black Dog to protect her traveling companions. Shocked by her strength, Rob and Wag proclaim Mash to be the Child of Prophecy who destined to save Britain. However, Rob spoke out of self-interst while Wag genuinely believes in Ainsel's prophecy. Mash, seeing the brothers so happy, decides to believe them without question.[16]
Winky calls them idiots for their lie because if the world believes Mash to be the Child she will be snatched away by someone greedier than them.[16]
Gloucester (I)[]
Oberon recommends they head for Gloucester. The city holds a daily auction of curious and rare items, with the latest item being “an unusual fairy armed with iron.“ They were brought in from the Nameless Forest and will be put up for auction as early as tomorrow morning. Thinking it may be Mash, the heroes agree to go to Gloucester.[17]
But Redra Bbit refuses to take them to Gloucestor and initiates combat. He is impressed, so he agrees to accompany them from now.[17]
Now heading to Gloucester, Oberon has Ritsuka and Da Vinci share with him what they learned about the Fairy Kingdom while he was away. He is pleased by all they learned, so he shares with them Morgan’s objective. Morgan has been absorbing magical energy from the fairies for the past 2000 years for the purpose of expanding the Lostbelt into Proper Human History and converting the entire planet.[17]
Morgan's throne room
In Morgan’s throne room, Spriggan, head of the Earth Clan and lord of Norwich, reports the Calamity of Norwich will reach critical mass in ten days. He asks the lords in the court to consult him later if any property in Norwich. He boasts Norwich’s bell tower will remain as an impenetrable vault even as the city is swallowed by waves of Moss. It has Moss-repelling iron walls, so he suggests the lords to take advantage of this onetime opportunity.[17]
Woodwose, head of the Fang Clan and lord of Oxford, is perplexed by Spriggan’s greed and his contentment with his city being swallowed. He then advises Morgan like he was before to build up her army as the Moss are increasing year on year and there are rebels like the Round Table Army to deal with. He requests an increase in human shipments and allocating them to the barracks.[17]
Spriggan is surprised to hear the Fang Clan isn’t enough for Woodwose and wonders if he is getting old. Woodwose gets furious at Spriggan, but Aurora calls him down by reminding him he should be more well-mannered as lord of Oxford.[17]
Bored, Muryan, head of the Wing Clan and lord of Gloucester, requests if they can leave the meeting if it’s going to be a repeat of the usual banter. They are busy prepping for the auction with the item being very rare.[17]
They consider the Calamity of Norwich and countering the Moss as not Glouster’s problem. But they like Norwich’s products so they’ll provide a little assistance. They ask Spriggan to give their regards to Count Peperon and convey to him he is always welcome in Gloucester.[17]
Clerk Yttri is then suddenly decapitated by Tristan with her string when he was about to announce her. Out of fear, a few government officials start praising her as the greatest Fairy Knight and Morgan’s heir. Tristan responds by cutting off their feet and forcing them to jump into the Great Pit with her strings.[17]
Woodwose is appalled by her actions, calling her a dreg that was taken in as a “daughter”. Morgan orders him to be silent, as it is a family matter.[17]
Gawain arrives and reports what transpired at the southern farm. Morgan forgives her disgrace on account of her distinguished service at Sheffield. The farm was also already scheduled for demolition, so this saves her from having to deploy the Earth Clan. She asks Gawain if she has anything else to add.
Adding to her report, Gawain says of the three rebels to capture one of them was the Master of Proper Human History. In addition, they were accompanied by a fairy who appeared as a 16-year-old human and could use magecraft.[17]
Woodwose rejects the implication the fairy could be the Child of Prophecy, decrying it as Ainsel’s lies and proclaiming Morgan to be Britain’s only true ruler.[17]
Though Tristan is annoyed by Woodwose, Spriggan finds his irritation to understandable as he was the one who razed Tintagel yet failed to capture the Child of Prophecy they sheltered. The one who escaped was a blonde girl of about 16 years of age. Now there is gossip amongst the Fang Clan regarding the girl: “She uses magecraft”, “the return of the king”, and even “Morgan’s daughter.” Tristan nearly kills Spriggan for suggesting Morgan has a daughter beside her.[17]
Spriggan then lists the kingdom’s troubles: increasing Moss, the omen of the Calamity of Norwich, Cnoc na Riabh in the north, Londinium in the south, the uprising in Sheffield a few days ago, and now the Master who Beryl warned of. He doesn’t trust in Ainsel’s prophecies, but he finds the circumstances align too well. However, the lower-class fairies do believe in it, so he implores the clans to cease their squabbling to avoid adding to the people’s anxiety. He suggests they band together and settle the issue of the Calamity of Norwich first.[17]
Aurora agrees and asks if Morgan’s armies could be deployed to Norwich for the purpose of targeting the Calamity in the near future like the lord of Sheffield, Boggart, once suggested.[17]
Woodwose does not deny Camelot’s soldiers could destroy the Calamity, but they cannot be deployed without leaving the capital vulnerable to Cnoc na Riabh.[17]
Muryan remarks it is looking to be a repeat of the Spring and Summer Wars, except this battle will be between Morgan and the self-proclaimed queen Cnoc na Riabh. Their warpower is only slightly better than hers.[17]
Spriggan recalls the Spring and Summer Wars were the names of the wars between the northern and southern fairies in the Fairy Calendar. The northern fairies have claimed dominion over Britain for thousands of years before. They’ve been quietly obeying Morgan for the past several hundred years, but now they’re trying to take the throne again.[17]
Believing this is no time to be preoccupied with Norwich, Spriggan suggests abandoning the citizens when Morgan declares she will use the Water Mirror on Norwich. The Calamity will destroy most of Norwich, but so long as the bell tower remains, Morgan will leave the reconstruction to Spriggan alone. She wants to see the prowess that let him seize Norwich from his predecessors. She will grant him 30% of the flotsam in the western vaults, knowing he likes the “garbage” that has drifted ashore from Proper Human History.[17]
Aurora finds this doesn’t help save the people of Norwich and asks Spriggan if he could start the evacuation now. Spriggan answers he already ordered it, but for a mixture of reasons, the people refuse to leave. His own Earth clansmen should be less stubborn, but even if they did evacuate, they probably wouldn’t go to Salisbury considering the rivalry between the Earth and Wind Clans. He therefore calls Norwich’s sacrifice unavoidable.[17]
Beryl disagrees, however, saying New Darlington will welcome the refugees. Tristan excitedly agrees with him.[17]
Spriggan immediately changes his mind and tells Aurora they will meet to discuss Salisbury accepting the refugees later. He’d rather not send them to the National Slaughter Theatre. Woodwose says Oxford will accept them as well. Muryan maintains Gloucester is neutral but will accept refugees and those who wish to escape the bonds of their clan.[17]
Beryl is surprised to see the clan heads cooperating over their mutual hatred of him. Even so, he is Morgan’s first ever lover and future king of Britain. Tristan tells him to hurry and marry her mother, and then marry her next.[17]
Morgan repeats the proclamation she made before: “At the end of the Queen’s Year 2017, my Fairy Kingdom will become the ruler of this planet.” She shall destroy the wall of light and overwrite the evils of the outside world with their own world. It is only then they’ll be free of the Calamity and a new era can begin. She will build a new Land of Fairies on the Earth’s surface and the Clans’ deaths will be its foundation.[17]
She dismisses the Norwich evacuation. She considers the Child of Prophecy slightly more dangerous since they pose a direct threat to her throne. As for the Master, she finds it convenient they are traveling with Child if Gawain’s report is true. She thus orders the clan heads to have their troops find them and bring them to her throne, offering 500 acres of land on the clan who achieves it. She then dismisses the clan heads.[17]
Afterward, she tells the Fairy Knights there is no need to search for the Child. Tristan doesn’t understand, as she can go anywhere she wants using the Infinity Mirror Morgan gave her. Morgan tells her daughter she is not to lay a hand on the Child and leaves the throne room, entrusting the rest to Gawain.[17]
Gawain tells Tristan to behave herself and reminds her that Morgan must behave as a queen when on the throne, not as her mother. But the problem in the first place is the queen’s daughter getting intimate with the queen’s lover, even in jest. There is also her ill reputation as a knight.
Tristan finds it hilarious that Gawain, who’s been eating her lovers one after another, would be concerned about her reputation. She calls her a slut and makes a cruel joke that it’s more about appetite than love with her. She knows, though, that Gawain’s love is always real and that her lovers can only be those she cares about. Gawain leaves, telling Tristan to wait for her new orders as well.[17]
Tristan returns to her room in New Darlington, expressing disappointment that she couldn’t spend time with Morgan and disdain for the clan heads, particularly Aurora, whom she suspects is involved with the rebels. She wonders where Beryl is, but quickly learns he is at the theater upon hearing the screams. She laughs at the thought of humans killing each other to earn their freedom.[17]
But realizing this is no time to laugh, she wonders who the Child of Prophecy is and expresses a strong desire to kill her for the rumors surrounding her. After breaking a few things out of anger, she reads the newspaper and sees the Count now has a shop in Gloucester. Tristan decides to go and give Muryan an auction she’ll never forget.[17]
Closing in on Gloucester, Oberon explains it is the territory of Muryan, head of the Wing Clan. In Gloucester, fighting is forbidden, and no one is beholden to Morgan. It is, according to Muryan, an independent autonomous region that is only engaged in diplomacy with Morgan’s Fairy Kingdom. Morgan cannot easily attack Gloucester.[17]
To explain why that is, Oberon first has Da Vinci confirm the density of this region’s mana differs from elsewhere. Afterward, he explains in both the Lostbelt and Proper Human History, there is a type of fairy born from the Inner Sea of the Planet known as Great Fathers or Great Mothers. They are something akin to a divided spirit of the planet’s soul and are Transcendent Existences unbeholden to human rules. In the Lostbelt, they are called Sub-Bells, or A-Reis. The Lady of the Lake is a Great Mother, while Morgan le Fay inherited the Authority of a Great Mother.[17]
Related, Oberon says Morgan is technically a human-fairy hybrid, since her father is Uther. In contrast, King Arthur is a human-dragon hybrid. They are similar, but there are fundamental differences in what they protect in: the human side or the mystical side. King Arthur chose to protect the Britain where humans live, while Morgan chose to protect the Britain where Mystery live.[17]
In hindsight, Proper Human History proves which was the correct choice. If Mystery still reigned, Britain would have departed from human history.[17]
Apologizing for going off topic, Oberon explains the essence of Sub-Bells carry properties that reshape the World. This is known as a fairy’s territory, the great mystery powerful fairy possess. Furthermore, by just existing, Sub-Bells increase their terminals called “offspring”.[17]
These offspring are the “Children of the Forest” or the “Children of the Stone”. They make up the greater majority of the fairies in the Fairy Kingdom nowadays. Some offspring inherit some their parent than others, and Muryan is one of those few.[17]
Gloucester sits in the middle of Muryan’s fairy territory. Her mentality is given form here through a rule called “denial of strength”. Currently, “acquired strength” is forbidden in Gloucester, meaning everyone—Morgan included—returns to their level of strength at birth when they enter Gloucester. Consequently, no one in Gloucester can oppose Muryan.[17]
Da Vinci asks if there are any other fairies who inherited a Sub-Bell’s power like the clan heads. Artoria answers fairies that sort of power fall outside the clan structure. They’re pursued by their own clan or perish when they can no longer handle their own territorial rules.[17]
Oberon adds among the six clan heads, only Muryan and Cnoc na Riabh can force their territory on the others. Most other “territory holders” have perished and have become wraiths wandering around Britain——Fairy Dreadlords or Nightcalls.[17]
Now arriving at Gloucester, Redra Bbit tells the others entering the city will be difficult for him as one of the Fang Clan, so he will camp outside until it’s time to leave.[17]
Oberon splits the heroes up: him with Da Vinci, Ritsuka with Artoria. The auction is tonight, so everyone is free until then. Oberon then runs off with Da Vinci chasing after him. After a moment of awkward silence, Artoria offers to show Ritsuka around.[17]
Gloucester during daytime.
Entering Gloucester, Artoria describes how city trends change rapidly. She then awkwardly recounts the first time she came to Gloucester, she scored a zero in the princess contest and was stripped of her clothes by a girl wearing a worm silk scarf because what she was wearing was unfashionable. She hopes to get revenge on that girl.[17]
From a passing fairy, Ritsuka and Artoria learn the auction is invite only. But Artoria tells Ritsuka invitations are only given to high-ranking fairies, which means sneaking into the auction venue is their only option. Artoria boasts infiltration is her magecraft’s speciality and is excited to show off for Ritsuka.[17]
The pair then help catch some breeding rats that escaped from their cages. They are rewarded with a couple for the Spriggan & Capless department store. It’s nearby, so Artoria excitedly takes Ritsuka there.[17]
Unfortunately, they find the store is closing down and already being replaced by a new store——”Count”. Artoria has never heard of the brand, but everything on display enamors her. Annoyed, an arrogant red haired fairy tells Artoria to be quiet since she came here in secret. She insults her, but is confused by why her presence doesn’t irritate her like other fairies. The unrecognized fairy leaves.
At the auction, the fairy being auctioned off is revealed to be Senji Muramasa. The heroes agree to save him.[17]
Artoria nearly wins with a bid of 70 million when another bidder offers 100 million. Though 70 million is Oberon’s limit, Artoria offers 101 million and Oberon’s land as collateral. Muryan asks Artoria and the other bidder to come onto the stage to determine which will be the winner.
Against Oberon's , Artoria takes Ritsuka with her to fight by her side. The other bidder is revealed to be Fairy Knight Tristan, Morgan’s daughter. Artoria recognizes her as the red-haired fairy she and Ritsuka encountered earlier in the day.
Muryan announces to everyone that Artoria is the true Child of Prophecy, and that Ritsuka is a human Master from the Proper History. As both Artoria and ‘’Tristan’’ are both practitioners of magecraft, Muryan decides the auction’s winner will be decided by whose magecraft is superior.[17]
To Tristan’s utter disbelief, Artoria ultimately proves to be the superior. Tristan tries to kill her, but Muryan blocks the princess’ fatal string and declares Artoria the winner. She then gets Tristan to leave by telling her that her mother will be displeased if she learns she defied her house arrest and warning her own selfish action may cause the fairies to lose faith in Morgan and side with Cnoc na Riabh.[17]
In the balcony seats, a particular fairy is left amazed by how Artoria bested Tristan.[17]
Muramasa is freed of his cage. Da Vinci explains to Artoria and Oberon that Muramasa is a Heroic Spirit from Proper Human History, but he is an Apostle of the Alien God——A Servant of an enemy to Proper Human History. Muramasa describes the relationship between him as not actively hostile but not friendly either. He then praises Artoria, which Artoria doesn’t know how to take.[17]
Muramasa explains that after Chaldea left the Atlantic Lostbelt, the Alien God ordered him to kill Morgan, as the Lostbelt’s growth is outside the plan. He nearly succeeded in his mission when something crazy flew in and knocked him into the pit.[17]
Escaping the pit after three days, he stayed in a village for three days as a master smith. Afterwards, he wandered into the Nameless Forest and collapsed on the roadside for three more days. He was then captured by fairy slavers and arrived in Gloucester three days afterwards. There he spent the last five days, forced to talk and demonstrate his skills.[17]
He and the others agree with Oberon’s suggestion to work together until Morgan is defeated. They are then granted with an audience with Muryan.[17]
The heroes learn Muramasa had told Muryan the gist about Chaldea and their enemies. Oberon reveals the Wing Clan is no more, but doesn’t reveal how and why.[17]
Muryan asks Ritsuka to assure her Chaldea will not turn against the Lostbelt. Ritsuka doesn’t answer, but Muryan can tell they are still trying to determine who their enemy is and their goal. They haven’t even met Morgan yet, so they can’t answer so easily. So just as they reserved judgment, Muryan will do the same and not capture the heros and present them all to Morgan.[17]
Asked by Muryan if she memorized Ainsel’s prophecy, Artoria recites the prophecy, though she leaves out the majority. However, she covered the important parts, particularly the last verse regarding the six bells.[17]
But to Muryan’s surprise, the heroes did not come to Gloucester to ring its bell. Ritsuka asks Muryan if she knows a human girl named Mash. Unfortunately, Muryan has never heard of Mash.[17]
Returning to the topic of the six bells, Muryan refuses to aid Artoria in fulfilling the prophecy out of fear of Morgan’s retaliation. So she asks Artoria to return to Gloucester once she’s gotten stronger. For that reason, she tells Ritsuka to do everything to support Artoria, having heard they have experience dealing with bad guys.[17]
This raises Da Vinci’s suspicions about where Muryan is getting all of her information, as Muramasa could have only told so much. Muryan introduces the visitor from the “outside world” who had told her: Tamamo Vitch Koyanskaya.[17]
Ritsuka charges at Koyanskaya but Muryan stop them, reminding them that violence is not tolerated in Gloucester. She calls Koyanskaya her business partner and insists she bears no hostility toward Britain nor any desire to fight Chaldea. She insists further that Koyanksya isn’t even supported in the Lostbelt right now, but she convinced her to stay for her own selfish reasons. Ritsuka backs off. Muryan claims Koyanskaya is acting as her pesonal bodyguard.[17]
Muramasa recalls hearing Koyanskaya and Beryl lost contact with each other after she transported him out of Olympus. He accuses Koyanskaya of planning against the Alien God, but Koyanskaya says her contract with the Alien God doesn’t allow interference with one another until they achieved their goals. Furthermore, she is a Servant who manifested on her own, so she isn’t beholden to the Alien God’s commands like the Apostles are.[17]
Ritsuka asks her why she is in the Lostbelt. Koyanskaya answers that it is to supply her stock, praising the Lostbelt as perfect compared to the previous ones for that purpose. She and the heroes agree not to bother each other, at least until the latter have found Mash.[17]
But then Oberon suddenly expresses pure disgust for Koyanskaya. He warns Muryan that Koyanskaya cannot be trusted and recommends cutting ties with her while she still can.[17]
After the heroes have left, Koyanksya asks Muryan who Oberon is. Muryan answers he is a Servant from Proper Human History who materialized in the Welsh Forest two months ago. He’s been going from city to city, proclaiming himself to be the “Fairy King”. He eventually came to Gloucester, which is when Muryan first met him. She was overjoyed at first since he look liked one of her clansmen until he said he wasn’t part of the Wing Clan and demanded an unsecure loan. He told her in advance the Child of Prophecy would be visiting earlier today. Koyanskya’s keen intuition tells her killing Oberon ahead of time will save them a lot of trouble.[17]
Muryan tells Koyanskaya the treasured collection of an exiled former librarian from Camelot she bought will arrive shortly. She asks her though how learning about fairy history will help her when it’s completely different from Proper Human History.[17]
Koyanskaya answers her goal is to find a Magical Beast that doesn’t exist in Proper Human History. So long as it has bodily hair, she can absorb a creature as information and make it a part of her. She can only absorb nine big ones and she came to Britain to secure her sixth tail. But now she is more interested in the origins of the Fairy Kingdom itself.[17]
Muryan admits she was a scholar before she was lord of Gloucester, immersing herself in the legend of Aesc in her family library. A true bookworm until Morgan allowed such brutality to take place.[17]
She has zero faith in Artoria defeating Morgan, shocked by how weak the Child of Prophecy is, and asserts you can only trust in your own power. She thinks a “Child of Prophecy” wouldn’t needed if Muramasa had joined her. But she will make use of both Ritsuka and Artoria, seeming to hope they will defeat one of the Fairy Knights so as to give Cnoc na Riabh an opening to invade. To those who survive, she invites to her “game board”. The sound of chittering is heard.[17]
Oberon admits it was his fault Muryan kicked them out, but he will not apologize for what needed to be said. Artoria is worried, though, since it seemed like Muryan wanted to cooperate with Chaldea. Da Vinci tells her not to worry as Muryan wasn’t in the mood to help, anyway. Ritsuka realizes it is because of Koyanskaya, to which Oberon adds means Muryan doesn’t have to ally with them anymore and she doesn’t need to waste time endorsing the Child of Prophecy. Artoria disparages that she isn’t needed here either.[17]
A group of lower-class fairies, looking for the Child of Prophecy and her friends, then come up to the heroes. Not understanding she is who they’re looking for, they give Artoria a bunch of cheap stuff. It is all they can do right now, but they think it will be useful for something. Artoria briefly frowns, then smiles and takes the fairies’ stuff, telling them the Child of Prophecy will be overjoyed. The fairies leave, telling the heroes to keep the Child safe.[17]
While the fairies didn’t recognize Artoria, Da Vinci is glad to know that even in Gloucester, the Child of Prophecy has become everybody’s hope. Artoria happily says with all this stuff, they won’t have to worry about components for magecraft or food for Ritsuka.[17]
Oberon, considering it too dangerous to search every city for Mash, recommends they search for her via other means. He will have the other hide while he sends his spies to gather information on Mash. In three days, they’ll have all of Britain’s latest news and they can continue their search afterward. Until then, the others will hide in Oberon’s domain, the Forest of Wales, a place of relaxation for “withering things” fairies and humans abandoned.[17]
Fragment 3/Sheffield (I)[]
Sheffield from outside its walls.
Mash’s group arrives at Sheffield. Rob reveals Sheffield and Camelot are the only cities to have walls. He explains the castle walls of the Fairy Kingdom act as Bounded Fields and the “gate” is the only way through. If the gate is open, you can easily pass, but if the gate is closed, passage is prohibited. As long as the gates are guarded, the walls are well protected. The city’s leader, Boggart, oversaw the city’s construction, including the castle.[18]
Rob calls him Boggart the Loveless, describing how he lost the competition to become head of the Fang and was banished from Norwich. As why for he is called loveless, Winky explains all of Boggart’s fairy wives hated him. They betrayed him at the last second in both his battles of manners against Woodwose and money games against Spriggan, so he had cast them out. Ever since then, he has had a human mistress, thinking slaves won’t betray him.[18]
It is revealed Mash's arrival occured at nearly the same time Ritsuka was asleep in the Nameless Forest and Da Vinci first met Mike in Salisbury.[18]
Meeting with Boggart, Rob and Wag fail to convince him that Mash is the Child of Prophecy. Boggart knows by scent Mash is human, though she mostly smells like a fairy. Then, seeing as fraud is a capital offense in Sheffield, Boggart orders Mash to be imprisoned and the goblin brothers to be hanged.[18]
His human guards seize Rob and Wag, but in answer to the brothers’ cries for help, Mash immediately defeats the guards. She asserts Rob and Wag are not liars. She isn’t certain she is the Child of Prophecy due to her missing memories, but if the goblin brothers believes in her, then she is Child of Prophecy for them both. So she demands she be treated the same as them.[18]
A human guard orders Fang guards to be called in, but Boggart belays that order. He recognizes he wasn’t being tricked, and orders Rob and Wag to be paid. He orders Mash to be taken to Habetrot’s atelier and then the princess’ chamber after preparations are complete. Impressed by her strength, Boggart takes Mash as his 62nd “bride”.[18]
Taken to Habetrot’s atelier, Mash relearns her own name after Habetrot pointed out it’s written on her shield in chalk. However, she has yet to regain her memory. It then takes a day for Habetrot to complete Mash’s bridal dress.[18]
Sheffield from inside its walls.
The next day, the goblin smugglers hear everyone in town praising Mash for being strong enough to toss Boggart. Rob thinks Boggart will get bored with Mash soon enough, so when that happens, they’ll take her to Edinburgh next. He is certain Cnoc na Riabh will pay a higher price for the Child of Prophecy.[18]
Winky thinks they should leave before it’s too late. But Rob and Wag decide to stay until they can repay Mash for protecting outcasts like them. Unlike Winky, they aren’t from the Fairy Kingdom.[18]
In the throne room, Boggart tells Mash that he doesn’t recognize her as the Child of Prophecy, but for convenience’s sake, he will let the townspeople think she is. He only requires her to stand at his side and present the image of a dignified princess. He then goes to the barracks to check on the soldiers, ordering the Fang guards to make sure Mash doesn’t leave the castle. However, as she is to be the ruling Lady of Sheffield, a guard asks Mash to do a favor for the people’s sake.[18]
Taking her outside, he explains there have been many sightings of Moss west of Sheffield lately. He heard Mash was immune to Moss’ corruption. The Fang Clan like him are more resistant to the Moss’ toxin than others, but it’s still painful. Mash understands what the guard is asking and agrees to do her best as the one who accidentally destroyed the castle walls last night.[18]
Habetrot refuses to let Mash fight, however, even threatening to tell Boggart. But when Mash materializes her armor over her dress, Habetrot decides to help her fight.[18]
After the battle, Mash learns from Habetrot and the guard that Sheffield is free of bias against humans thanks to Boggart’s policy against treating humans as slaves that he established from the start. She also learns Sheffield was abandoned until 100 years aga when Boggart and the people came and rebuilt it after Spriggan banished them from Norwich. That is why they cannot forgive Morgan’s inaction against the Calamity at Norwich. Even exiled, Norwich is still their home, so to save it, Boggart rebels against Morgan.[18]
Later in her chambers, Mash questions if she even had a “self” before she lost her memories. She has to come to realize there is an emptiness inside her that always becomes apparent after she helps others. She was probably not even aware of it when she still had her memories. But with her memories gone, she understands she has a gap inside her waiting to be filled, one she stubbornly refuses to let be filled. She fears there is nothing she can do about it.[18]
Taken aback by Mash’s unexpected confession, Habetrot tells her not many people know their true personality or their true desire. She tells Mash she needs a reason to live in the “present”, a purpose she can be proud of and become someone she loves. As for the gap, it is both the contemplation of what Mash should do as a person and her desire to act as herself. One doesn’t notice it until they’re supported by someone, but finding that is a journey for Mash alone.[18]
It is revealed during their wedding night, Mash had reflectively thrown Boggart through the wall and out of the castle when he touched her. Rumors of her strength were then spread overnight, leading people to consider her a heretofore unseen Fairy Knight.[18]
Rob confesses to Habetrot that he and Wag aren’t from the Fairy Kingdom. They washed ashore from somewhere else as flotsam as what sometimes happens with fairies, humans, and objects. They are known as Changelings. Habetrot has never heard of flotsam.[18]
Because they are clanless and are not Nature Spirits either, Rob and Wag have no place in the Fairy Kingdom. Rob is well aware of the fatal consequences of failing to pay the existence tax, which is why he was so desperate to take any job he could it. He also has to take care of his oblivious brother.[18]
Every year became all about survival for him and he thinks that is why he hasn’t turned into a Mors yet. In exchange, he forgot about hesitation, wonderment, and compassion, and became in his mind a scoundrel. But with Mash, he knew he hadn’t forgotten. He doesn’t believe in the Child of Prophecy and Mash is a fake, but she is something more than the Child of Prophecy to him.[18]
Habetrot realizes why Rob is staying Sheffield, but Rob denies it before she can say anything. She leaves, promising Rob to protect Mash. Rob notices Winky is missing.[18]
A guard reports to Boggart that the 4th Platoon has returned from Edinburgh. Though they weren’t able to meet with Cnoc na Riabh, negotiations were nonetheless a success. Boggart orders the iron weapons to be sent to the fairies and the armor to the human barracks. He says the humans will assist the fairy soldiers with their presence.[18]
Habetrot enters, hearing Boggart furiously complain about Mash going wherever she likes. She jokes if he wants Mash by his side to protect him from the troops coming here from New Darlington. She then convinces Boggart to allow Mash to what she likes during the day.[18]
Boggart asks Habetrot if she learned anything about the “iron cylinder” that was brought in with Mash, noting that it’s similar to Morgan’s spear. He wants to know if it’s something they can use.[18]
Habetrot answers she doesn’t know how it works, but she thinks it should be fine to shoot.. She can tell that isn’t its original purpose, though somehow touching it makes her feel sick. She thinks it’s a weapon that shouldn’t exist in this world and questions why Mash has it.[18]
Boggart notes Mash never mentions it and wonders if she is perhaps unconsciously avoiding it. Habetrot agrees and tries to voice her opinion when Boggart asks it if it can be used as a weapon. She answers it can, seeing that is a cannon and explains the basics of a cannon, though its magical energy instead of a bullet in this case. But she warns it absorbs a lot of magical energy and the fairy firing it will likely succumb to fatigue. She recommends to Boggart only he use it as it’s not something the average fairy can handle.[18]
She then asks him what countermeasures Sheffield has against Morgan’s impending attack.[18]
Boggart knows thanks to supporters in Camelot that it’s the Queen’s 3rd Division who are attacking. He boasts the city can withstand a siege from 2000 soldiers, as the walls are made from bark from the World Tree. Also, with Cnoc na Riabh in the north, Morgan cannot send reinforcements. If Sheffield can withstand the siege for seven days, Boggart suspects the 3rd Division will be left fatigued and vulnerable to a retaliatory strike.[18]
That night, Boggart recounts to Mash that 16 years ago, Ainsel prophesied, “A savior that will save Britain has been born. In due time, a true king will appear to defeat the false king.” In response, Morgan gathered all the fairies born that year and executed them, but her purge was incomplete.[18]
Many villages secretly oppose Morgan. Some had sent their newborn fairies away, entrusting their hopes to them. Some meanwhile raised fairies that year to try to bring about the Child of Prophecy, though they could have wanted to gift Morgan with them. Either way, every faction understood understand the value of the Child and searched frantically for it.[18]
They all believed in Ainsel’s prophecy that said a savior will be born in Britain, one to purify the Great Calamity every 1000 years, one who can sing with the voice of paradise. However, records from the Fairy Calendar are lost, and only two remain.[18]
The first is from the year 4000 of the Fairy Calendar, 6000 years ago. When Britain was on the verge of collapse from a war between the clans, a single fairy brought salvation at the cost of their life.[18]
The second is the Summer War in the year 2000 of the Fairy Calendar——the war with the northern fairies from the Land of Shadows. Queen Mab, with her iron-wielding soldiers, had driven the southern fairies to the brink of extinction. But a single fairy ended the conflict and laid the foundation for the six clans.[18]
Aesc was the name of this savior and after ending the war between the clans, they were laid to rest in Orkney. Many believe the Child of Prophecy to be Aesc’s reincarnation, but Boggart doesn’t care either way. He even questions Aesc’s status as a savior because no matter how many times they saved Britain, the Calamity still remains.[18]
Mash realizes the Calamity is why the fairies still follow Morgan despite their fear of her because she even though is ruthless she has quelled the Calamity up until now.[18]
Boggart confesses to Mash he is only using the rebellion to usurp Morgan and take the throne for himself. To do so, he is colluding with the fairies of the north and the Round Table Army in the south to create an army to rival Morgan’s. He calls Mash the catalyst of that cause, the “Child of Prophecy”. He expects nothing from her besides keeping up appearances for the hope of the people, considering the only thing someone like her is good for.[18]
Meanwhile, in a camp somewhere, Winky tells a Queen’s Army knight the number of troops Boggart has and how they’re still readily growing. The knight finds this worrying because Morgan gave Sheffield dispensation to assemble military force to prepare against the northern fairies, but there was never an insurrection of this size. He tells Winky to be quiet though when he states the painfully obvious that everyone has doubts in Tristan, who’s killed countless fairies since New Darlington’s founding, and of Morgan’s judgement in knighting her. They all swore an oath of allegiance to Morgan, so Winky should save his opinions.[18]
The knight has Winky paid for his information on Boggart and orders word to be promptly sent to Camelot, so they may obtain Gawain’s aid. He refuses to pay Winky for his information on the Child of Prophecy, though, thinking it’s yet another fake.[18]
But Beryl is interested in what Winky said about the Child of Prophecy and repeats his description of her: “Black iron armor, a large shield, the appearance of a 16-year-old girl, and a black iron cylinder that makes you uneasy just by looking at it.” He finds it highly suspicious, though, that Winky came to sell information on the Child, yet chose to leave out her name. Winky denies he knows it and tries to leave, but Beryl forces him to stay for interrogation.[18]
Wales (I)[]
The heroes are heading for Wales via the back roads to avoid standing out, Oberon suspects they’ll arrive by nightfall if nothing weird happens.[19]
Da Vinci notices Artoria has been quiet for a while now. Artoria confesses she keeps feeling like someone is watching them, as if in about 5 seconds the carriage will flip over.[19]
As if on cue, the carriage turns over thanks to Redra Bbit running over the six fairies collapsed on the road, whom he failed to notice because he was composing a poem while looking up at the sky.[19]
The six fairies ask the heroes to rescue their companion who was taken to a secluded cave beyond the hill by whatever attacked them when they lost control of their cargo, calling the heroes “kind suckers.” Though the others found that last line shady, Artoria charges toward the hill, telling everyone to follow her. Ritsuka, Da Vinci, and Muramasa follow after her, while Oberon stays behind to keep an eye on the fairies.[19]
The heroes rescue the seventh fairy who actually was in danger. The fairy thanks them for rescuing him, but complains to Artoria that her recklessness nearly got him killed. He mentions they were on their way home from garbage disposal and complains about the guard he bought as an escort.[19]
Artoria correctly discerns by garbage disposal he means the Great Pit at Camelot. She heard soldiers took over as escorts for that due to the Moss. The fairy says they can’t spare soldiers these days, though, which is why he had to buy one at Gloucester from Koyanskaya. But there are no Moss gathering near the Great Pit, so he assumes they’re all gathering at Norwich.[19]
He fears for Britain’s future and feels like Lancelot is the only sane Fairy Knight. He ponders escaping up north, but he rejects the thought and cheerfully proclaims they are the seven merry brothers, servants of Aurora, and leaves. The heroes are left dumbfounded.[19]
The heroes make camp for the night, having failed to reach Wales by nightfall like Oberon hoped they would because Artoria kept getting them into trouble.[19]
Ritsuka explains to Artoria and Oberon what Apostles are. Da Vinci finds it odd though that Muramasa could sever Titan Atlas’ Spirit Origin, yet he was defeated by a fairy when he attempted to assassinate Morgan.[19]
Muramasa reveals it’s because he is an Alter Ego who specializes in killing gods, so he is incorporated with Divine Spirits of that nature. He is only strong against gods, but there are no gods in Britain. Fairies are already all-powerful so the concept of a “god” wouldn’t exist in their society.[19]
Artoria is concerned about traveling with Muramasa, given he is supposed to be Ritsuka’s enemy. Muramasa assures her he became a part of her retinue ever since she saved him. Moreover, it makes him feel finally motivated, admitting that he hates working for the Alien God. But he does what he must to get the job done, considering it the least he could do. Ritsuka realizes Muramasa joined to help Artoria.[19]
Someone watches the heroes as they sleep, particularly Artoria, whom they say they’ll protect. But then they themselves fall asleep as well.[19]
Forest of Wales
The next day, the heroes arrive in the Forest of Wales. Oberon introduces Ritsuka, Da Vinci, Muramasa, and Artoria to the Welsh fairies. The heroes can barely understand them, but the fairies are very welcoming and friendly, lacking the concept of mistrusting others. Oberon leaves, saying he’ll be back by evening.[19]
The heroes are enjoying the fruit the Welsh fairies provided when the fairies suddenly hide in the trees. Redra Bbit points to the Black Dogs that appeared as the cause. The heroes fight the Black Dogs to repay the fairies for feeding them.[19]
After the Black Dogs are slain, Artoria explains Black Dogs are evil fairies that eat other fairies, and they have been appearing for some time now. They are the only fairies that eat other fairies, with one exception. Redra Bbit adds “fairy eating” was originally one of the Great Calamities that occurred long ago. The head of the Fang Clan of that time sealed it away, but in return, the Fang Clan was cursed, at least according.[19]
Forest of Wales at night.
Oberon returns later night. After dinner, Da Vinci asks how the fairy “family” structure works, having seen sibling relationships in Salisbury but no parents and children. Oberon finds it obvious Da Vinci didn’t see the latter, explaining that fairies are all born independently. Siblings, meanwhile, are what fairies with similar attributes refer to each other as.
Da Vinci asks about daughters, as she heard Tristan is Morgan’s daughter. Oberon reveals Tristan isn’t Morgan’s daughter, rather it means she is the heir to the throne. In human terms, Tristan is adopted.[19]
Oberon then explains “sons” and “daughters are fairies born to succeed fairies who fulfilled their purpose and passed on. This relationship is referred to as “current generation” and “previous generation”, but there is no connection like that of humans, since fairies are born independently. Abilities and appearances are similar between generations, so a fairy will always know who they are no matter when or where they’re born.[19]
In rare cases, even though the “current generation” is still alive, a new fairy resembling them is born. In these instances, the new fairy could be considered a “son” or “daughter” of the “current generation”. That is why fairies able to use magecraft are referred to as "Morgan’s daughters”.[19]
The only ones in this Britain who can use mageraft are Morgan, Tristan, who was granted the ability as Morgan’s successor, and Artoria, who was born with it. To the fairies, Tristan and Artoria’s ability to use magecraft makes them to be of the nature as Morgan, hence they are called “Morgan’s daughters”.[19]
Artoria realizes that is why Tristan was so hostile toward her, recalling a rumor that said the Child of Prophecy was the daughter of Morgan. But Oberon tells it isn’t because Tristan’s daughter that she can use magecraft. It is because a fairy who uses magecraft can become the next ruler of the Fairy Kingdom.[19]
Oberon thinks this is Morgan’s way of breaking the prophecy, to not let the Child of Prophecy have the throne. But Artoria was born able to use magecraft and thus the real heir to the throne, so Oberon presumes Tristan’s panic at the auction house was because she feared what could happen. Regardless, the conflict between Artoria and Tristan is inevitable. Oberon tells Artoria not to worry, though, and that they will help her fulfill the prophecy, even if they lose a few along the way.[19]
Later, Oberon notices Ritsuka cannot sleep because of everything on their mind. So before he leaves to gather more information, he has Ritsuka tell him everything about Chaldea’s journey before they came to this Lostbelt.[19]
After hearing it, he concludes Ritsuka feels guilty that Artoria must bear all the burden rather than themselves, like before. As a result, they do not want to think or feel, knowing Chaldea has no intention of saving the Fairy Kingdom. Finding Mash is what’s most important and they will feel responsible should anything happen to her.[19]
But Oberon tells Ritsuka it wouldn’t be their fault and that their constant worrying over Mash is just self-criticism and self-harm. Mash is a human being, and it’s human nature to lead their own lives. So if Ritsuka respects her as an equal, then they should trust in her rather than worry about her.[19]
Ritsuka burdening themselves with everything will do no one good and leave them unable to act in crucial. But Oberon asserts Ritsuka is the type that lives on their own terms, willing to push against all hardship for what they love. It is what got them through the Incineration of Humanity.[19]
Oberon insists he and Ritsuka have the same role in Britain: bystanders who can only watch and support those who go into battle. But Oberon tells Ritsuka there will come a moment in which only they can do something and it will turn the tables. He continues that not everyone knows what kind of person they are, for living beings are born uncertain, but everyone knows there’s at least one thing they’re good at.[19]
He then gets ready to leave with Blanca to gather intel on Manchester tonight, saying it’s time to gather information about the north, when Ritsuka asks him what his purpose is. Oberon answers he wants to meet Titania, knowing it’s a pipedream as she is an existence permitted only in fiction.[19]
The next day, the heroes spar with Artoria at her request. Afterward, Artoria admits she doesn’t get the feeling of being on a pilgrimage to save Britain or ring the bells, but she wants to meet everyone’s expectations. Ritsuka and Da Vinci say they’ll help her because even though finding Mash is their top priority, they still want to save Britain. Artoria is happy to hear that.
Muramasa points out, though, they still have no clue of what they're supposed to do. Everyone hears Oberon suggest Artoria save Norwhich to prove she is without a doubt the Child of Prophecy, but they can’t see him. They down at his instruction and are shocked by how tiny he is.[19]
Fragment 4/Sheffield (II)[]
The Queen’s army marches toward Sheffield from the north, its vanguard led by Gawain. Beryl, who joined yesterday, accompanies them as Morgan’s representative. It wpuld be one day before Sheffield is gone from Britain.[20]
That night Boggart asks Mash why she seems to fear the “Iron Cylinder” she was brought with, noting its power rivals that of Morgan’s Holy Lance. Mash feels it is going to harm Britain, and that terrifies her. Boggart surmises Mash fears battle itself. He claims the pilgrimage of the Child of Prophecy is a path of war and blood and questions if Mash could not only overthrow Morgan but also seize control of the six clans by force. He concludes she couldn’t, even if she had her memories, for she is unfit for battle and not the Child.[20]
He is familiar with battle, having fought the Moss since birth. He and Woodwose were the strongest of the Fang Clan and saved Britain from the Moss countless times. For their service, Woodwose was made the lord of Oxford and Boggart of Norwich. But Boggart was done in by a man named Capless, now known as Spriggan.[20]
Boggart recounts the Caterpillar Wars of 200 years ago was the only time Morgan let out a womanly shriek due to her fear of insects. It was during this war Morgan granted the knightly title of Gawain to ■■■■■. It is impossible to recall ■■■■■’s name thanks to Morgan’s True Name Redesignation, so until Gawain is defeated no can utter her original fairy name.[20]
Woodwose persecuted ■■■■■ for being the daughter of a Black Dog, but Boggart admired her strength. It was he who inspired her to become a knight, telling her to fight with her sword——her great horn——instead of her teeth and claws if she doesn’t want to be called a dog. Soon enough, recognized by Morgan, she became a Fairy Knight and volunteered herself to protect the fairies from the Moss. Because she was persecuted for being the daughter of a Black Dog, she had came to understand the feelings of the weak and sought the responsibility of the strong.[20]
Mash reminds Boggart of ■■■■■ as a newborn, troubled that she was born strong and hating herself for having to exploit the weak. He denies he still cherishes her, claiming to have stopped cherishing her when she became a Fairy Knight 200 years ago.[20]
The warning bell suddenly rings. Boggart rushes to the throne and demands a status report, shocked the Queen’s army could cross the eastern Vein Corridor in two days.[20]
A guard reports the Queen’s army is currently assembling at the front game. He then reads a message from Morgan saying she will grant Sheffield its freedom if the Child of Prophecy is delivered to her. Boggart interprets her conditions to mean she doesn’t care about Sheffield’s rebellion, which he considers an insult to the Fang Clan. Another report then reveals to Boggart’s shock that the army is led by all three Fairy Knights. The largest military force in the Fairy Kingdom waits at Sheffield's door.[20]
Gawain orders her troops to standby until the messenger they sent to Boggart returns and to tell Tristan’s troops to do the same.[20]
A Queen’s Soldier reports Lancelot is waiting in the skies to descend on the castle when the battle begins. Morgan’s orders were to both cleanse Sheffield and to destroy Boggart’s army, so anyone in the castle, military and civilian alike, will be caught up in her Lancelot’s attack. Gawain orders the Queen’s Soldier to tell Lancelot to descend on the back gate, surmising that is where the Child of Prophecy will escape.[20]
She hopes Boggart will see reason and surrender. But a soldier of hers reports the messenger has returned with a reply from Boggart. He denies the Child of Prophecy is in his castle and reasserts his rebellion against Morgan. In response, Gawain orders first and second squads to switch to Anti-Fortress gear. The walls of Sheffield are tough, so they should expect to lose 20% of their men before they take the castle. She rebukes Boggart for thinking Morgan would spare Sheffield just to keep Cnoc na Riabh under control.[20]
Boggart orders to gather the troops and hold the siege. He also orders an envoy to be sent to Cnoc na Riabh, expecting she will send reinforcement in two days’ time, so they will hold out until then. He crushes all thought of handing Mash over. If he had handed her over, the fairies of Sheffield would have been slaughtered much sooner and with much less mercy.[20]
A report comes in from the watchtower stating the enemy has already melted one layer of the bark with their flaming weapons. The wall will not last until morning. Reinforcements need to come as soon as possible.[20]
Another report comes in saying enemy soldiers are climbing over the wall. Though there aren’t many, they are all highly trained. The soldiers fending them off will eventually be overrun.[20]
Lancelot begins destroying the barracks with her aerial assaults. Gawain also starts attacking the front gate with Galatine, reducing its bark to ten layers. To make matters worse, citizens are rioting at the back gate, demanding it to be opened.[20]
Boggart says they cannot open the rear gate, and orders his guards to suppress the riot. He then fires the “Iron Cylinder”, the blast destroying everything in its path and killing any in its vicinity. The walls, which withstood directs attacks from Galatine, have been melted away and Gawain became nothing more than a hazy figure in white smoke. Fear seems to rule over both the Queen’s army and the soldiers of Sheffield when Gawain arises.[20]
Mash breaks down in tears, horrified by the devastation and the fact she didn’t try to stop Boggart. Habetrot convinces Mash to escape with her now that Boggart is fixed on killing his enemy. Mash agrees to do so to help everyone outside. She leaves with Habetrot, telling Boggart to be safe.[20]
Gawain’s soldiers are amazed to see her still alive. She derides the blast as nothing compared to a strike from Morgan. She then admonishes Boggart for destroying his strongest line of defense and orders her to advance and capture the castle.[20]
The soldiers of Sheffield fight back as the Queen’s army advance through the front gate. Those holed up in their home surrender to the Queen’s army breaking through their doors. Those who saw the front gate fall rushed to the back gate to escape. Gawain, meanwhile, does not advance from the front game and instead gazes at the castle keep, as if daring Boggart to fire at her.[20]
Boggart is furious that Gawain is baiting him and proclaims she will not endure this time. In his excitement, he fails to notice the poison from the “Cylinder” is killing him as well. All that remains in him is hostility toward Gawain and his admiration for ■■■■■’s excellent leadership.[20]
But his mouth hangs agape at the thought of Gawain having become such an impressive knight. Simultaneously, he thinks back to Mash and wonders why she cried. In the end, though, he could never understand Mash’s sensitivity, declaring that weapons are to be used and enemies are to be defeated.[20]
He proclaims Sheffield will relinquish not one of his people as long as he lives. It seems as if his anger is directed not at Gawain but at his own inadequacy. His fingers starting to numb, Boggart places his finger on the trigger one final time.[20]
Mash arrives at the back gate and stops the Queen's soldiers from massacring the citizens there. She then orders the guards to open the gate. While the guards work to get the gate open, Mash protects everyone from the soldiers, declaring herself Fairy Knight Galahad.[20]
Once the gate is opened, the citizens start escaping. Mash and Habetrot try to escape as well when Lancelot arrive. She slaughters the guards and moves to capture Mash. She is baffled though that Mash called herself Galahad, considering it grand statement for a nobody. Habetrot asks Mash why she called herself Galahad, wondering who that is. Mash doesn't know either, having been caught up in the spur of the moment when she said it. She then fights Lancelot to give everyone time to escape.[20]
She eventually becomes unable to withstand Lancelot’s attacks anymore. An explosion then occurs at the castle tower; Mash plans to go there to save Boggart. Lancelot, proclaiming there is no need for two Children of Prophecy, moves to kill Mash when she is stopped by fire casted by a hooded druid. Mash realizes he is the white wolf that’s been accompanying her. The druid chooses to hold Lancelot back so Mash can escape. But Mash heads for the castle instead. Habetrot goes after her but first identifies the druid as Grímr the Wise.[20]
Lancelot identifies Grímr as a familiar of the savior who once lived during the Fairy Calendar, now summoned as a Servant in the Queen’s Calendar. Morgan has given her leave to handle her, but first she asks him if he has any last words. Grímr says that would take too long, saying they’re both outsiders to the Fairy Kingdom. He and Lancelot then fight.[20]
Tristan tortures Boggart using Fetch, a spell that reflects the soul to create a projection, forcibly twisting his limbs. Beryl taught her it, claiming it was too advanced for him to use, but perfect for a fairy like Tristan. Tristan decides to use it for her Noble Phantasm.[20]
Mash and Habetrot arrive to see Boggart bloodied and floating in the air, and Beryl and Tristan sitting on the throne. Beryl threatens to have Boggart killed if Mash tries to move. Mash recognizes him as someone recognizes, but she can’t remember who he is.[20]
Beryl knows about her amnesia, having gotten the details from Winky. He has come for her and claims to know everything about her past. He tells her to come with him to New Darlington. There they will have lots of “fun” conversations like the old times.[20]
Even without her memories, Mash knows Beryl cannot be trusted and demands to know where Winky is. Beryl admits indirectly that he killed Winky. Tristan uses her strings to stop Mash from getting closer to Beryl, but Mash breaks through and pins Beryl. Beryl claims neither nor Tristan are currently a match for Mash, as she is the Fairy Knight who took the name of Galahad, the greatest of the Knights of the Round Table, the Knight of Heaven. In which case, they must resort to dirty tricks.[20]
At Beryl’s behest, Tristan threatens to drop Boggart head first out of the tower. Normally, falling from such a height would do nothing to him, but in his current condition, it would kill him. Mash backs off from Beryl. She asks what Beryl and Tristan’s goal is, questioning if it is to capture the Child of Prophecy…to capture her.[20]
Beryl answers he came to kill the Child of Prophecy, but neither he nor Tristan are a match for Mash. She will not forgive them for hurting Boggart, so if he dies, they will die next. So, to avoid facing Mash’s rage, Beryl decides to take a gamble.[20]
He claims he is Morgan’s Master, so if he dies, her army and power will be halved. Mash realizes Beryl is asking her to choose between letting him and Tritsan escape and saving Boggart. She is left with no choice, though, when the string keeping Boggart aloft snaps.
Like Beryl predicted, Mash jumps after Boggart to save him. Beryl then tries to take the Black Barrel, but it’s nowhere to be seen. He disregards it and decides to return home with Tristan. While he very much wanted Mash, Morgan told him and Tristan not to get into a fight with the Child Prophecy. He needs to think longer on how to get his hands on her.[20]
He is certain Mash as the Child of Prophecy will help others to her heart’s content. But what awaits her at the end is a guilty conscience because the more she acts the part of the Child of Prophecy, the more she will despair in the end. It is, after all, the foundation upon which the Fairy Kingdom was built on.[20]
Mash catches Boggart, who is already near death. She wants to get him medical care, but there are no more medics as the castle was already taken when she arrived. Boggart asks her to take him to the back gate. Mash tries to carry him, but she is too drained at this point. Despite his wounds, Boggart carries Mash instead and heads for the back gate led by Habetrot.[20]
Unfortunately, they find the back gate crowded. Yet Despite the risk of being sighted by the Queen’s Soldiers, the trio head for the gate so Boggart may address his citizens still confused about whether they should stay in the city of not.[20]
Arriving at the gate, Boggart orders his citizens to escape and head for the twisting cave of Thistle Hill. But the fairies are afraid to go there, as it is the home of a Fairy Dreadlord. Boggarts says he’s going and permits his citizens to do as they please. However, they cannot stay here, for the largest body of the Queen’s army, Gawain’s Black Dog Squad, now approaches.[20]
One after another, everyone rushes out of the gate. Habetrot worries about the soldiers chasing after them with the gate still open when it suddenly closes. Mash sees it was Rob and Wag who closed the gate and waves them goodbye, thanking them for all they have done for her. Rob and Wat are glad to have repaid Mash and are subsequently killed by the soldiers.[20]
Sheffield’s survivors eventually make it to Thistle Hill’s twisting cave. It was an evil cave inhabited by a Fairy Dreadlord until Boggart defeat it and turned the cave into an emergency shelter and sanctuary. [20]
On his deathbed, Boggart tells Mash the cave leads to the Vein Corridor Od Vena. It is Britain’s leyline cavern and can let Mash to escape to any city without resurfacing.[20]
He tells his soldiers to stay in the cave for a while. He reminds them not to seek Cnoc na Riabh’s protection because, as a ruler, she is no better than Morgan. If they need aid, they should seek it from the Round Table Army. Boggart dies, realizing what he truly wanted was to save and return to Norwich.[20]
Mash decides she will save Norwich, feeling it is her duty, not just as the Child of Prophecy, to save it. With Habetrot and Grímr in his wolf form accompanying her, she heads down through the Vein Corridor.[20]
Dracae River[]
Oberon tells the heroes about the current situation in Britain, but it is all very incoherent. He changes back to his regular form and apologizes, confessing he is a little less intelligent when in his reconnaissance form.[21]
Moving on, he says nothing is happening in Gloucester and Salisbury. A rumor from Camelot says Morgan is preparing a large-scale spell. The Calamity Pool will supposedly rupture in a few days. As for Sheffield, Oberon tries to avoid mentioning its unfortunate fate.[21]
He strongly advises they head to Norwich now. As the Child of Prophecy, Artoria is lacking in both self-confidence and accomplishment. If they repel the Calamity at Norwich, however, Artoria will be accepted as the true Child of Prophecy. Artoria wonders if her current self can purify the Calamity Pool, but Muramasa and Ritsuka both believe she can do it. An energetic girl suddenly appears, believing in Artoria as well. She introduces herself as Gareth and she aspires to be Artoria’s squire.[21]
Like they did yesterday, the Welsh fairies give Gareth some fruit to eat. She then confirms she has been following the heroes since Gloucester, aspiring to serve Artoria after seeing her best Tristan. She doesn’t know anything about Ainsel’s prophecy or the rumors going around, but she believes Artoria is destined to save Britain, so she begs to join her pilgrimage.[21]
Oberon asks Gareth why she wants to help Artoria, since it sounds like she doesn’t believe in the Child of Prophecy. Gareth confesses she has been wandering for so long she doesn’t know what clan she is from. But ever since she was born, she’s had this purpose in this heart——to protect everyone this time and help those who are suffering.[21]
She doesn’t consider herself very strong, only having her patience going for her. But she has been managing to defeat some of the Moss with the iron weapon she acquired. That was when she saw the Fairy Knights working for Morgan from afar.[21]
Wholeheartedly, she wanted to become like them. She thought they protected everyone and served a respectable ruler until she heard Morgan was a bad ruler and the Fairy Knights were only knights who can defeat the Moss. This convinced her that her dream would never come true as long as Britain stays the way it is.[21]
But then she heard there was an auction for a fairy who could save Britain, so she snuck in at the last moment. Now, having encountered Artoria, she believes her dream of becoming a knight can come true.[21]
Oberon admits he was worried Gareth was a spy for Morgan, but he concludes someone so clumsy and awkward could never work for her. So as Ritsuka and Artoria already support her, he gives Gareth his approval to join them. He dubs her Artoria’s first subject, Gareth the “Apprentice Knight” much to her elation.[21]
The heroes head for Norwich at a brisk speed to avoid arousing the suspicions of the Queen’s guard patrols. Oberon believes Britain’s fate will be decided based on how well they fare at Norwich, so neither they nor Artoria can afford to lose. Real or fake, the Child of Prophecy must save Norwich. Oberon thinks there is no need to rush, though, since it can be argued the Calamity will strike Norwich until the Child of Prophecy arrives there.[21]
Oberon mentions they’ll be passing by Oxford, home of Woodwose, head of the Fang Clan. There is a bell there Artoria must toll, but they won’t be stopping by since Woodwose is a violent and a battle with him would be inevitable. Oxford’s bell is a bell that cannot be rung without the use of force. Right now, though, the heroes aren’t ready to take on Oxford.[21]
Ritsuka worries about turning Oxford into a battlefield. Oberon replies it can be said that is what ringing the bells is all about. Aurora and Muryan are exceptions in that they don’t want their cities to turn into battlefield, but Oxford was a place of bloodshed from the very beginning. In the year 800 of the Queen’s Calendar 1200 years ago, the area the heroes now travel was once the domain of the Wing Clan. But the Fang Clan took it by force and massacred the entire Wing Clan. Muryan is one of the sole survivors of the Wing Clan.[21]
Woodwose has just returned from Camelot to his private chambers in Oxford. He complains he and Spriggan were the only ones who attend the clan meetings. He calls Cnoc na Riabh, Muryan, and the missing Ainsel self-centered with no regard for the future of the Fairy Kingdom. In his mind, he and Aurora are the only sane clan heads.[21]
Agreeing, his attendant advises him to proceed with his marriage plans with Morgan. Woodwose agrees but lashes out that it is Beryl, a mere human, who is supposedly engaged to Morgan.[21]
A human soldier by the name of Manoi then comes in and reports that of the 60 humans housed at the West Ranch, 10 were sent to Camelot. Woodwose assumes the remaining 50 were sent here to Oxford and starts talking about how they treat those with symptoms of Moss sickness. Unfortunately, Manoi reveals Gwain took the remaining 50 to Manchester for reeducation.[21]
Woodwose strangles Manoi, furious that Morgan hasn’t yet increased the number of human shipments when they can increase the number of humans as they wish. His attendant reminds him that is because only humans with emotions have the creativity that nurtures fairies. Woodwose asserts they cannot afford such flexibility as the Moss are increasing every day, so they need to increase their manpower lest the city be devoured. He wonders if Morgan thinks it isn’t an issue so long as she has her Fairy Knights. He then crushes Manoi’s neck, telling him he has no idea of the hardships the Fang Clan faced to fight for Morgan.[21]
Recomposing himself, Woodwose orders Manoi’s body to be removed and goes to have dinner. His attendant regrets Manoi's death, recalling he wanted to be of help of Woodwose despite being human. He wonders why humans can’t know their place.[21]
Two days on the road, the heroes have repeatedly repelled increasingly more ferocious animals. Artoria wonders if the animals’ increasing ferocity is related to the Great Pit at the center of Britain. Camelot Castle is directly north of it.[21]
Da Vinci recalls Mike saying everything considered to sinister, useless, or not disposable is dumped into the Great Pit. Muramasa, having fallen down it, speculates it is 10,000 meters. He didn’t reach the bottom, though, since he caught himself on the wall when Lancelot blew him off course.[21]
Redra Bbit asks the others to stop talking about the Great Pit as it brings bad luck. The Great Pit is something everyone knows about but never speaks of. The seven fairies from a few days earlier were actually sinners and put in charge of the Great Pit as punishment——Pilgrims of the Landfill.[21]
Both Da Vinci and Gareth both find it strange offenders would be referred to as pilgrims. Gareth thought “pilgrim” was a word coined for the sake of the Child of Prophecy, a memento left behind the six fairies who were there from the beginning. They were enshrined, and the bell towers are a means of representing the fairies’ roots. Ainsel thus named the journey to the bell tower shrines to govern the clans a “pilgrimage”.[21]
Da Vinci realizes the concept of a “pilgrimage” shouldn’t exist in the Fairy Kingdom since there is no religion and agrees with what Gareth said. She teaches Artoria “pilgrimage” is a common word in Proper Human History for when people go on a sacred journey to the place where their religion originated from. In Proper Human History, it is something anyone can do, and it is the simplest and most important ritual one can partake in.. Artoria is amazed to hear anyone do it without needing to be chosen by prophecy.[21]
Oberon tells her in Proper Human History everyone is equal, and no one is special. Bad people can be forgiven if they atone for their misdeeds, and good people can be punished for their wrongdoings. It is basically a world of discussion and since “eternity” and “change” do not exist as the way it does for fairies, Proper Human History is constantly changing.[21]
As someone always falling behind, Artoria thinks a world where everyone helps each other out sounds nice. Everyone in the Fairy Kingdom is alike, though, so Artoria doesn’t think they should bother comparing who’s world is better. She asks Ritsuka what how they feel about their own world and how they see themselves in the future. Ritsuka answers they like it as well as anyone else.[21]
River Dracae
The heroes eventually reach the “River of Tears” on the other side of which lies Norwich. Unfortunately, the bridge is collapsed. Artoria realizes the river is Dracae’s river. Da Vinci recalls there was a fairy of the same name in Proper Human History.[21]
Oberon explains Dracae is a Fairy Dreadlord, a great fairy once known as the “Holy Grail of Water”. Her special trait was to “summon the treasures one desired”, which she uses to lure people to the river so she can drag them under and kill them. The lure is irresistible, so it is best to avoid the river. Artoria, however, suggests they cross the river while ignoring Dracea’s “treasures”. Oberon suspects it may work, since they have high aspirations of saving Norwich.[21]
Unfortunately, it does not work when Gareth, Redra Bbit, RItsuka, and Da Vinci are all lured into the river. Gareth by an Artoria plushie. Redra Bbit is lured by a 2m long carrot, Ritsuka by a dozen Holy Grails, and Da Vinci by dinosaur fossils.[21]
Muramasa tells Artoria not to look at the river, readying himself to save the others. He wouldn’t normally be able to do this, but he is an imitation now, so there is nothing he wants. Artoria is so suprised by Muramasa’s lack of greed that she looks his way, which means she looks at the river. She dives in after something that surprises Muramasa.[21]
He dives in to rescue everyone, telling Oberon to find some rope and toss it into the river. Oberon accidentally looks at the river when he tries to protest. However, what comes up for him is a sign saying magical energy sold out.[21]
Muramasa finds the others at the bottom of the river and conks everyone on the head, causing all their “treasures” to disappear and therefore revealing they were figments of their imaginations. Unfortunately, as the bottom of the river is Dracae’s fairy territory, the heroes cannot leave until Dracae is dealt with.[21]
Gareth recalls Dracae attacks humans more than fairies, dragging men to make them her lovers. Da Vinci says that matches up with Proper Human History’s Dracae. She recounts Dracae is from European folklore and disguised herself as golden rings and dishes floating down the river, then dragged down men who came to pick them up. However, before Da Vinci can reveal the true purpose of Dracae’s snatching of men, Dracae herself appears and attacks the heroes.[21]
Dracae is soon slain and disappears, lamenting about her baby. None of the fairies in the group know what a baby is. Da Vinci realizes what is going on and tells Ritsuka they’ll discuss it in private later.[21]
But then the heroes fail to notice the river returning to normal and nearly drown. They eventually get out after getting washed downstream and return to Oberon. Da Vinci tells Redra Bbit to travel upstream until he finds a bridge, then meet them at Norwich.[21]
Later that night, while eating, Artoria confesses she isn’t a part of the six clans. As for her habit of eating a lot, it is because everyone in Tintagel kept giving her lots of food. Gareth is amazed she surived Woodwose’s hunt for the Child of Prophecy.[21]
Out of earshot of the others, Da Vinci reveals to Ritsuka and Muramasa Dracae kidnapped men to crossbreed with them. In the case of women, they were taken as wet nurses for the children she bore. However, the Lostbelt Dracae could never achieve her goal of having children because humans in the Lostbelt cannot reproduce naturally. Instead, they are artificially created, nurtured, and shipped off. Da Vinci advises keeping this a secret from the others, believing it’d only create tension.[21]
Later, Oberon, far from camp, sees a bird (Da Vinci’s familiar) fly out of Ritsuka’s tent. Blanca returns and reports there are no still signs of the Calamity at Norwich. Oberon realizes the Calamity truly will strike Norwich when Artotia arrives there. He admonishes himself for basically asking Artoria to both repel the Calamity and burden herself with Norwich’s fall. But he knows it has to be done because, according to the prophecy, the first bell of the pilgrimage is in Norwich.[21]
He will not tell the others Norwich cannot be saved, believing that is his burden to bear and tells Blanca not to worry since it was foretold. There is a time before the Calamity strikes, though, and he thinks Ritsuka and Artoria need some happy memories, so they can enjoy Norwich at their leisure tomorrow. The final battle can commence after that.[21]
Norwich (I)[]
Norwich under the Calamity Pool
The heroes arrive in the bustling town of Norwich. Oberon explains one of the new laws introduced in the Queen’s Calendar was to ban the forging of new iron weapons. This law was held up for 1900 years. But before he can say more, he is interrupted by a blacksmith fairy named Nack with whom he has a very brief conversation. After Nack leaves, Oberon returns to what he was trying to say earlier.[22]
A hundred years ago, Spriggan lifted the ban on iron weapons and Norwich expanded as a result. Iron weapons were banned because they can hurt fairies and there would be an increase in the rate of murders. However, there was turbulence with the northern fairies and the Moss were increasing in number. Above all else, the processing of iron was essential for the development of human technology. Spriggan put such advice of iron’s importance forward to Morgan, who acknowledged.[22]
Norwich thus became a city where “all is equal under the law of smithing”. Some fairies still use humans as slaves, while others value them as skilled craftsmen. But some fairies are only treated as a labor force by human businessmen and made to work in sweatshops. Fairies are so pure they’re easily swindled. Many fairies in Norwich are exploited to death and die without seeing a single morpound.[22]
Basically, Norwich is replicating what a human city is; clean main streets, dirty backstreets. Spriggan, head of the Earth Clan and lord of Norwich, is blatantly pushing for such a notion, almost as if he wants to turn Norwich into a “human city”.[22]
The heroes then split off. Ritsuka goes with Ritsuka goes with Da Vinci to gather information on the Calamity Pool——the rain clouds. Artoria goes to the smithy in the hopes its smith, Nack, can create the magecraft items she desires, with Muramasa accompanying. Gareth joins Oberon in touring Norwich’s establishments.[22]
While gathering information on the Calamity Pool, Ritsuka and Da Vinci ask around about Mash. They learn little about the Calamity Pool, but they learn Mash may be closer to expected.[22]
The others return from their respective trips. They all then hear the Child of Prophecy donned in black armor has arrived.[22]
Spriggan presents Mash as the hero who drove back the three Fairy Knights at Sheffield and the one who delivered the death penalty to Boggart——the Child of Prophecy, Fairy Knight Galahad. Because of her high levels of magical energy, the fairies all believe she is the Child of Prophecy.[22]
While his citizens worry Galahad will be taken to Morgan, Spriggan reassures then that while Morgan ordered the clan heads to bring the Child before her, she never ordered it to be done immediately. He is loyal to Morgan, but he prioritizes the safety of everyone in Norwich above all else. As such, for the time being, Galahad will stay in his Vault Fortress. He proclaims the Calamity is no longer to be feared now that the Child of Prophecy is here.[22]
Artoria is confused and wonders if she was mistaken about herself. Galahad tells her to have more faith in herself, certain Galahad is a sham. But to Oberon’s shock, Ritsuka reveals Galahad is Mash and pushes through the crowd to speak with her.[22]
Unfortunately, Spriggran’s elite guards keep Ritsuka from getting any closer. Spriggran orders his guards to stand down, dismissing a human as hardly a threat. He recognizes Ritsuka is Japanese and surmises they are the one Beryl spoke of.[22]
Mash doesn’t remember Ritsuka, much to their dismay, and assumes they only know her heard from the rumors that had spread from Sheffield. She proclaims herself to be the Child of Prophecy and says she has come to save Norwich. She tries to protest when Spriggan’s guards take Ritsuka away on Spriggan’s orders, but Spriggan recommends to her they return to the castle, having prepared a special carriage for her. Mash cries without understanding why and is transported to Spriggan’s castle.[22]
Spriggan orders his guards to keep an eye on Ritsuka and arrest them if they go some place outside of public favor. He thinks they will make for a useful bargaining ship when the time comes.[22]
Da Vinci surmises Mash has temporary amnesia from being in the Nameless Forest. Unlike the others, though, Mash has yet to regain all her memories. Da Vinci suspects it is because Mash gained a new role that supersedes her previous self before she could regain her memories. Nonetheless, the heroes are relieved to know Mash is safe.[22]
Spriggan’s guards try to seize the heroes. The heroes struggle against them until the Norwich Military Police oust the soldiers for being outside their jurisdiction. The Military Police were asked by Count Peperon to invite Ritsuka and Da Vinci to his mansion as his guests.[22]
At Count Peperon’s mansion, the Chaldeans and Muramasa see the Count is nothing other than Scandinavia Peperoncino. He introduces himself as a designer who launched a brand which rivaled the Knocker Company in a month.[22]
Da Vinci deduces he came to the Lostbelt a month ahead of Chaldea in pursuit of Beryl to avenge Kirschtaria Wodime’s death while they were dealing with Limbo. Furthermore, with his knowledge of Proper Human History, he was unmatched in the Fairy Kingdom and reigned as the charismatic designer Count Peperon.[22]
Despite learning that Kirschtaria was never loyal to the Alien God, Peperoncino remains a Crypter. Also, he isn’t pursing Beryl for Kirschtaria’s sake, but out of personal integrity as a member of Team A.[22]
He asks Ritsuka what fighting Kirschtaria was like, whether it was fun or bothersome. Ritsuka answers Kirschtaria was an amazing Master. Peperoncino asks to hear more about Chaldea’s state of affairs.[22]
Learning about Chaldea’s mission in the Lostbelt and Mash’s situation, Peperoncino asserts Mash cannot be the Child of Prophecy since she isn’t a fairy. But he is most certain Artoria is because she has the Staff of Selection and Ritsuka, the foreign traveler said to be her guide, accompanies her, both of which are in Ainsel’s prophecy. The color of her soul also tells him she is Britain’s savior. He tells her to have faith in herself and that she is more tenacious than she believes.[22]
Oberon asks him why the fairies Norwich haven’t evacuated yet, and what Spriggan plans to do when the Calamity strikes. Peperoncino answers fairies value their purpose above all else and for those of Norwich, purpose equals work itself, so they are mentally shackled by their work. Additionally, before the Calamity Pool appeared, the fairies purchase their own plots of land from Spriggan with everything they had. That is why the fairies will not Norwich because for them their place of work is important than their fear of the Calamity Pool.[22]
As for Spriggan, he plans to let the Calamity destroy Norwich. He knew the Calamity was coming thanks to the prophecy, so he sold off the land to the fairies at exorbitant prices. Afterward, when the Calamity is gone, he will reclaim the land and use the profits he made from the selling it to redevelopment Norwich as he sees fit. Artoria and Gareth realize the fairies of Norwich have to stay because if they leave, they would be penniless, which means being unable to pay next year’s existence tax.[22]
Da Vinci worries for Mash, but Oberon assures Mash will be fine since he exuded the magical energy capacity of a Fairy Knight. He deduces Spriggan will be distracting Mash in his castle to keep there and prevent her from saving Norwich, so meeting with Mash is now out of the question for heroes. Artoria surmises Mash would learn about Spriggan’s plans if she were to get outside and start talking to the citizens. Peperoncino advises against trying to rescue Mash, as Spriggan’s castle, the Vault Fortress, is the most well-guarded castle in the Fairy Kingdom.[22]
Peperoncino later takes the heroes to destroy the golems he was asked to get rid of to relieve their tension about Norwich’s situation. Da Vinci praises him for giving the others a well-needed distraction while testing their mettle. Peperoncino warns her, though, he will return to being an adversary once Beryl is dealt with.[22]
Asked by Da Vinci about his life when he still went by Myourenji Arou, Peperoncino recounts his family were Shugendō practitioners. More specifically, they practiced Tengu Arts and used the premise of arriving at hell by corrupting into a tengu. Peperoncino was praised for being exceptionally talented, but he only wanted to be himself. He was ultimately excommunicated for that and left Japan after massacring his family and their disciples.[22]
For one generation, the Myourenji practiced Houjutsu until the founder connected a path to the Maouson on the mountain when he fell into the world of the tengu. The issue was that the path was exclusive to the founder, and so his descendants faced some trouble.[22]
To try to fix this, long training was forced on the trainees to superhumanize their bodies without the need without the help of the Maouson. Through rigorous training, they would create a special “body”—special “circuits—that would last only for a single generation, as they would die without passing it on to their descendants.[22]
Peperoncino’s issue is his family wasn’t with what they practiced, but with their structure. He is a direct descendant of the founder, so he was born and raised on the mountain. The rest of the children, meanwhile, were kidnapped from the world below the mountain to be raised as part of the family. But the Myourenji tossed those who failed to endure the training down the mountain, and those who did endure were corrupted into tengu. There was nothing to be gained either way, so Peperoncino killed every one of them as he went down the mountain, feeling it was his responsibility to do so because they were his family.[22]
Following dinner at Peperoncino’s mansion, Da Vinci mentions it has been 26 days since they arrived in the Fairy Kingdom. Ritsuka is confused because they thought it has only been 16 days. Da Vinci tells Ritsuka they’ve been in the Fairy Kingom 10 days longer than they think. This time discrepancy is likely because they didn’t wake up until 10 days after they collapsed in the Nameless Forest.[22]
Da Vinci decides they will split up in the morning; one to scout out the Vault Fortress; another to investigate the Calamity Pool.[22]
Ritsuka runs into Oberon, who is about to go scouting again, on their way to their private room Peperoncino provided for each of them. Oberon asks if they’re doing alright, able to tell their own decision to prioritize their responsibilities as the Master of Chaldea over their desire to see Mash bothered them. He whispers he wasn’t expecting the two to be reunited so soon.[22]
He confirms Da Vinci’s hypothesis and warns it is sometimes not possible for those who acquired a new self to return to their old self. He asks Ritsuka if they believe the Mash they knew held a greater role than the Child of Prophecy, shouldering the hopes of countless people and the torment of being responsible for the fate of their entire world. Highly doubtful of that, he declares the Mash Ritsuka sought is gone.[22]
To expose the riddle of the Fairy Kingom, only one Child of Prophecy is needed, and that is Artoria. Oberon therefore asks Ritsuka if they need to care whether Mash regains her memories or not. But he can tell from the look on Ritsuka’ face that there is a need and disregards his question. He then transforms into his reconnaissance form and flies off on Vesper.[22]
The next morning, Oberon reports the Calamity Pool now has enough to destroy Norwich. He also reports Camelot isn’t sending an army, and Morgan has shut herself in her throne room since last night.[22]
Artoria realizes Spriggan hasn’t told Morgan about Mash. Oberon agrees and thinks it’s due in part to Spriggan’s own greed. Spriggan wants the Calamity to occur, but he also wants his castle to be safe, since it is where he keeps his treasures. Oberon suspects Spriggan will use Mash to protect his castle if the Calamity threatens it. Spriggan’s position will be threatened though if Norwich is saved from the Calamity.[22]
Suddenly a military police officer reports thousands of Moss have emerged from the sea, and are moving into the residential district. Furthermore, the Moss are growing in size as they eat fairies. He implores Peperoncino to order an evacuation.[22]
Peperoncino suspects Spriggan’s soldiers have already shut the gates now the Calamity has begun. He therefore orders the citizens to be escorted to the evacuation shelters, and for the military police to withdraw there as well. The heroes then leave to hold off the Moss until the south district is evacuated; Artoria mentions she is immune to Moss corruption.[22]
While they’re defending the southern district, though, Gareth notices the Moss emerging from the harbor are splitting off and heading for the northern district. Muramasa knows Ritsuka doesn’t want to abandon it, so he suggests strengthening him with a Command Spell so he can defend the district himself. But that isn’t neccessary because Mash has jumped from the castle’s bell tower and is defending the northern district herself.[22]
The heroes becoming overwhelmed and Ritsuka’s overreliance on their Mystic Code is exceeding the limits of their magical energy life force conversion. Ritsuka immediately follows Da Vinci’s advice to rest and administer an active ampoule. Fortunately, the heroes finished evacuating the district so they get ready to retreat to the shell as well. But then Gareth sees the fairies who were hiding in the harbor fleeing from something.[22]
A massive entity has emerged from the sea, and looking directly at it causes Gareth to faint out of fear. Its mere presence is causing mental disruptions in the fairies, prompting those hiding in the harbor district to flee in terror towards the southern district, threatening to overwhelm the shelters. Worse, if it touches ground, Norwich will be destroyed. Da Vinci realizes it is the Calamity of Norwich, so she questions what the rain clouds are.[22]
Muramasa recommends they retreat. He tells Artoria to think about it from the perspective that her job is to cleanse the Calamity while protecting Norwich is just a bonus. Oberon agrees and recommends they withdraw for now, telling Artoria it isn’t her fault Norwich will fall.[22]
Artoria thinks about how she always wakes up to the sound of bells followed by a sudden storm. It was the same in Tintagel. Thanks to everyone else, her self-confidence has improved a little, but saving Britain is still a dream for her. She wonders every time she wakes up if she should run away, but she was raised to be the Child of Prophecy. Her village saw her off with that expectation, even at the cost of their lives, so she has to do her best and overcome her weakness. She honestly doesn’t care about anything else, but there is no chance she will betray the planet.[22]
Scared, she wants to tell the others she wants to run away, but she is surprised by her own hesitation to say it aloud. She sees Ritsuka is looking at the Calamity with the same face as her and concludes they are the same as her. Like her, they are forced to do things they cannot possibly do and sent to battle when they don’t have the strength to fight, yet they have no choice in the matter. So she decides to choose to run away in their stead and is about to tell the others when she sees Mash charge towards the Calamity. Seeing this, power returns to Ritsuka’s eyes.[22]
Ritsuka follows after Mash, accompanied by Da Vinci. Mash is already at the pier deploying her Round Table to fend against the Calamity, but even she can’t handle that mass. Da Vinci suggests Ritsuka can save themselves if they back out now. She asks if there is any reason for them to win this fight. Ritsuka, recalling what Oberon said about Mash last night, says “that is why!” and runs toward Mash.[22]
Earlier, Spriggan told Mash the other clan heads would never know about her if she did as he said. He claimed he could even hide her from Morgan. His words did not sit right with her and when she saw the Moss, she did not hesitant to climb out the castle’s bell tower. She evacuated the fairies and saw the Calamity――the cursed hand of ■■■■■―― raise from the sea. She was terrified at the sight, but upon seeing the screaming fairies, she charged toward the harbor without hesitation and confronted the Calamity at the end of the pier.[22]
As she defends against the Calamity to try to alleviate the damage it will cause somewhat, Mash sees Ritsuka running toward. Upon seeing them, she is filled with joy and relief. She desperately shouted for them to run away, as she can’t hold it off for more than a few seconds. But Ritsuka kept coming toward her, shouting they weren’t going to let her lose.[22]
The Calamity is defeated and disappears. Artoria arrives and is absolutely embarrassed when Da Vinci introduces her to Mash as the King Arthur of this Lostbelt, the Child of Prophecy, and a powerful mage. She apologizes profusely for being unable to help against the Calamity and for being so weak. Mash apologizes for introducing herself as the Child of Prophecy. She and Artoria immediately hit it off.[22]
With Norwich saved, all that remains is for Artoria to ring the Pilgrim’s Bell. But Artoria doesn’t believe she is qualified to do that right, as it was RItsuka and Mash who repelled the Calamity. Mash refutes that, certain Artoria protected Norwich the best she could. It was a coincidence she was the one who repelled the Calamity, but that doesn’t make her the Child of Prophecy. She did it because she wanted, thinking Artoria is the same. She implores Artoria to ring the bell while she speaks with Spriggan. Artoria deems Mash a good person different from how Ritsuka described her.[22]
Water Mirror
Even though the Calamity is gone, the Calamity Pool still remains in the sky. Suddenly the Calamity Pool shifts into a reflection of water and from it a bolt of lightning bolt strikes down. Mash pushes the others out of the way and vanishes when she tries to defend against the lightning.[22]
Habetrot explains the spell was Morgan’s Water Mirror, which was originally meant to be used against the Calamity. She reassures the distraught Ritsuka that it is a transference spell, so Mash is still alive somewhere in Britain. She introduces herself and declares she will join the heroes on their journey, at least until Ritsuka reunites with Mash.[22]
At Peperoncino’s mansion, the heroes deduce Morgan will send her army to Norwich now its citizens are giving their full support to the Child of Prophecy. Peperoncino suggests the heroes sneak out of the city under the cover of night to avoid further inciting further rebellion.[22]
Oberon says, however, they cannot forgo this opportunity they weren’t supposed to have, reciting the part of the prophecy he had kept to himself: “The Calamity will be repelled, but Norwich will fall.” He confirms he wants Spriggan to compensate them for saving Norwich by letting them ring the Pilgrim’s bell.[22]
In his castle, Spriggan immediately agrees to let Artoria ring the bell. But Artoria refuses to ring it out of fear it will start a war with Morgan she isn’t prepared for. Also, the people aren't hailing her, but Mash as she is the one who saved Norwich.[22]
Spriggan is impressed by Artoria’s foresight, pointing out that ringing the bell could trigger a military response. Countless people remain loyal to Morgan because, despite her tyranny, she has protected her Britain from the Moss for 2000 years. Most wouldn’t dare go against someone of her caliber just because prophecy said so. Spriggan therefore questions who has the right to do it and who has the position of integrity. If the Child of the Prophecy cannot answer that, they are nothing more than an invader, no different from the Saxons.[22]
Oberon surmises Spriggan is suggesting they send Morgan a message before they act. Spriggan confirms that is what he meant, but that isn’t necessary now as he reveals Morgan has invited the heroes to an audience with her as honored guests. Though cautious about meeting her, the heroes ultimately accept Morgan’s invitation. Spriggan tells them to meet with the soldiers outside the city in the morning. Their escort to Camelot will be the Queen’s 1st Moss Hunting Cavalry, led by Gawain.[22]
Meanwhile, in her room at New Darlington, Tristan tells Beryl that Mash died in Norwich, struck by Morgan’s Water Mirror, leaving not a trace of her. Beryl refuses to believe Mash is dead because no body means she must be alive. In the first place, he has to die first, and he believes Mash would never die before he does. He believes no matter what happens Mash will always come to him because they are soulmates.[22]
Prologue II[]
The Border crew receives Da Vinci’s report. Holmes reads to himself, then gives it to Goredolf to read aloud. Da Vinci’s report is a basic synopsis of the expedition team’s situation from landing to accepting Morgan’s invitation to Camelot.[23]
Meuniere is worried about Mash, but Holmes is certain she is safe as there is nothing foreboding in Da Vinci’s report. His concern is with Morgan’s Water Mirror because it was the true identity of dark cloud shrouding Norwich, not the “Calamity Pool”. Goredolf declares her ability to perform such large-scale magecraft from somewhere over a hundred kilometers makes her a powerful opponent, incomparable to the previous Lostbelt Kings.[23]
As Nemo is unfamiliar with Morgan’s legend, Meuniere goes over the Proper Human History version of her legend. In English folklore, Morgan was referred to as the good lake fairy, but after Arthurian legend was compiled, she became known as an evil woman who opposed King Arthur. She was the daughter of the Lord of Tintagel and Igraine, and later King Arthur’s older sister when her mother married Uther. Her jealousy of King Arthur led her to perform many evil deeds, and it was her who gave the final push that led to Camelot’s downfall.[23]
Holmes notes, however, Morgan had a side to her that protected King Arthur. She is seen as one with Vivian, the Lady of the Lake, who granted King Arthur Excalibur and guarded him after his death.[23]
Nemo asks how Morgan is viewed in the World of Magecraft. Goredolf reveals Morgan was born after Uther and Igraine married and was the daughter of the Lord of Tintagel in appearance only. Furthermore, she was not human, but a fairy——the spawn of Britain itself, like Vortigern. She hid this fact and was raised as a human.[23]
Before Artoria was born, Morgan was set to be Uther’s rightful heir. But after Artoria was born as Uther’s rightful heir and became King Arthur, Morgan began to conceal the very Mystery of the fairies itself and corrupted Camelot at every opportunity. She proclaimed Artoria as nothing more than a king created by the machinations of humans and herself to be the true king, for she had inherited the Mysteries of Britain. She never failed to believe that and came to hate her father and sister, despising all who disobeyed her.[23]
Nemo asks where the part Morgan protected King Arthur comes in. Holmes replies in many legends Morgan took on multiple role: “the good sister of King Arthur”, “the Lady of the Lake”, and “the goddess spoke of since Ancient Britain”. While common sense would dictate only one of these roles is true, Holmes believes all three are true, for Morgan had a threefold personality.[23]
Because of her supernatural birth, Morgan had the roles of being a human, a fairy, and the personification of Britain intermingle inside her. It was impossible to balance three different roles like that, so three different personalities were created, each independent from each other. As a human, she was Morgan, Artoria’s good sister. As a fairy, she was Vivian, the Lady of the Lake. As the incarnation of Britain, she was Morgan le Fey. The Knights of the Round Table did not attack her because she was both good and evil.[23]
Nemo’s curiosity is satisfied but then he recalls Vivian was the fairy who imprisoned Merlin. Holmes confirms Morgan is Merlin’s natural enemy, along with being King Arthur’s lifelong rival. Vivian hated her own magecraft teacher, Merlin, for their love affair, and so sealed him in the magic coffin inscribed with “only the innocent shall pass”. It was the great Bounded Field, a magecraft from the Age of Gods known as the Garden, unable to be wielded by anyone but the embodiment of Mystery.[23]
With the Lion King in Jerusalem and now Morgan in the Fairy Kingdom, Meuniere questions how much influence Arthurian legend has on Chaldea. He fears they’re doomed if Albion ends up showing up, questioning if the Storm Border can even beat it.[23]
Holmes explains in the World of Magecraft Albion refers to the last pureblood dragon who remained in Britain despite the end of the Age of Gods yet died out in the end. Modern dragons are the result of the “dragon factor” left behind by dragons who emigrated to the Reverse Side of the World, and has become nothing more than “dragon territories” while maintaining their own territories. Pure-blooded dragons no longer exist on the planet, save for Albion’s corpse. Goredolf thinks Albion is a tall tale.[23]
Moving on, Goredolf notes it has been 28 days. The concentrated fruit juice Da Vinci provided gave the crew some spare magical energy resource. The time they can stay in the Lostbelt has been extended beyond the original 50 days, so Goredolf asks if the expedition team should be called back temporarily.[23]
Nemo thinks it would have been ideal to complete the mission in 30 days, but they do not know when the Collapse will start, so it’s best not to alter the established time limit. He asks Holmes if there is a chance of completing the mission within the 17 days remaining.[23]
Holmes thinks if the expedition team’s audience with Morgan ends peacefully and they get information on Rhongomyniad, all that remains to do is to investigate the Collapse. But war is inevitable so long as Chaldea cooperates with the Child of Prophecy. Chaldea has a good grasp of the Fairy Kingdom’s military strength, so after Artoria completes her pilgrimage, they can unite the rebelling factions and probably settle the battle for Camelot in a single day. Everything will take 18 days at minimum, barely within acceptable limits.[23]
Camelot[]
Listening to fairies sing Ainsel’s prophecy, Da Vinci notes there is nothing in it that says Norwich will be destroyed. But since Oberon said it was inevitable, she wonders if he knows additional verses of Ainsel’s prophecy.[24]
Oberon reveals the prophecy actually has 18 verses, but four of them were cut out and censored. The four other verses go as follows: Verse 8.5: “Though the harbor returns to the water’s edge, the Calamity heads for distant skies.”; Verse 9.5: “The round fortress shall burn out, the bells of water shall be revealed.”; Verse 10.5: “Upon the sinner who admits their guilt, the blade of decapitation is felled.”; Verse 12.4: “Their duty is fulfilled, the Child of Prophecy shall bid farewell to their place of origin.”[24]
These verses may have been cut because they were “inaccurate for a prophecy”. In fact, verse 8.5, which prophesied Norwich’s destruction, had already been proven wrong. It proves Ainsel’s prophecies aren’t absolutely correct, especially the four cut out verses. Oberon had therefore stopped worrying about them.[24]
He tells Ritsuka he’ll be working with Peperoncino for the time being to bring down Spriggan. He figures they would want revenge on him for keeping them and Mash away from each other. Ritsuka absolutely agrees.[24]
Waiting by the main gate, the others figure that Oberon isn’t coming with them. As for Redra Bbit, Da Vinci suspects because he is a servant of Aurora he cannot go with them to Camelot or else Aurora will get in trouble. So he is staying with Oberon.[24]
Gawain arrives with her unit, apologizing for being ten minutes late. Artoria glares at her, then at RItsuka’s urging, thanks her for the escort and demands she watch over them while insulting her size. Gawain replies that was her intention.[24]
She tells the heroes that Artoria and Ritsuka will ride in the carriage while the rest of them will follow on foot. She starts to ask if there are any objections when she sees Muramasa, shocked to see he is still alive and not at the bottom of the Great Pit.[24]
Muramasa confirms Lancelot did plunge him into the Great Pit, but he is still alive and is now Artoria’s bodyguard. He tells Gawain to tell Lancelot not to let a Servant out of her sight until she finishes them off.[24]
A soldier of Gawain’s worries about bringing Muramasa with them to Camelot. Gawain tells him it doesn’t matter, insisting she was distracted by an unfamiliar technique last time. She will deal with Muramasa herself next time. Morgan ensured her slight damage to the castle would be tolerated should the situation call for it.[24]
Gawain permits Muramasa and Da Vinci to ride in the carriage with Artoria and Ritsuka. She tells everyone they will use the western highway to Camelot, resting at Oxford for a night along the way. Circumventing the Great Pit, they’ll reach Camelot in two days. After Ritsuka agrees they will be no conflict between their two parties, everyone departs, with Gawain warning to watch out for the Moss now that the Moss poison is spreading across all of Britain with the Calamity cleansed.[24]
Riding in the carriage, Da Vinci tells Artoria that Ritsuka is just as nervous about meeting Morgan as she is. Ritsuka just knows when to stay calm in a pinch because as a Master they need to both give orders to their Servants but also be wary against them. They excel at techniques like organizing their feelings, rather than being a frontline combatant.[24]
Da Vinci recounts hearing in Norwich that Gawain was the first Fairy Knight in the Queen’s Calendar. 200 years ago there was a large outbreak of caterpillar-like Moss, a Calamity later known as the Caterpillar Wars. Gawain was the one who quelled it.[24]
Artoria, now knowing Morgan isn’t the only fairy who can cleanse Calamities, is now even more nervous. Da Vinci apologizes for unintentionally making Artoria more nervous. But she tells her the Calamity of Norwich was bigger than the Caterpillar Wars and she should be proud she helped saved a city. Artoria agrees, determined not to lose to a Fairy Knight when it comes to beating Moss.[24]
Moss suddenly attack the convoy. The heroes join Gawain and her soldiers in fighting them off.[24]
Quickly becoming overwhelmed, Gawain orders a retreat and to abandon the convoy save for the carriage and the first wagon. But then Lancelot comes in crashing in, having come on Morgan’s orders. She quickly destroys the Moss, for which a soldier of Gawain’s who calls her the dragon fairy praises her. With her orders fulfilled, Lancelot immediately takes off.[24]
Gawain orders the destroyed wagons to be repaired. She also cancels their stay in Oxford. She then learns Ritsuka’s name, reassured by the hostility of their introduction that they understand they’ll eventually be enemies. The escort resumes afterward.[24]
Camping out later that night, Ritsuka offers Gawain some dessert. She declines but allows Ritsuka to sit and speak with her. At first, she presumes they want to hear about Lancelot, but when Ritsuka says they want to know about her, she presumes they’re after her True Name. She calls their intelligence gathering pointless but admires the attempt. Then to pass the time she tells Ritsuka a story.[24]
She was born 400 years ago, an upper class Fang fairy who lived in Norwich. However, she looked nothing like her previous generations, rather she looked human. Some said she was a Changeling while others said it was because of the curse from the battle with the Moss 600 years prior. She doesn’t know the truth, nor does she want to.[24]
For ending the Caterpillar Wars, she was made a Fairy Knight. Previously, for 1,800 years of Morgan’s reign, the title of Fairy Knight had been sealed. The Fairy Knights were considered the vassals of Aesc in the Fairy Calendar. However, Gawain cannot recall the name of the first Fairy Knight. Nevertheless, they perished in Orkney and since then Morgan forbade the Fairy Knight. But to destroy the endlessly multiplying caterpillars, Morgan broke the seal.[24]
Gawain was thus gifted with the name of a Knight of the Round Table from Proper Human History, Sir Gawain, and with it, she received the power to strengthen her own horn, her sword. She boasts her Galatine can match the original, but doubts she herself could stand alongside the genuine Knights of the Round Table from Proper Human History. Ritsuka wonders if Gawain reveres the Knights of the Round Table.[24]
Changing the subject, Gawain tells Ritsuka of the war with the Moss, a Great Calamity from the Year 1000 of the Queen’s Calendar. A Moss was crowned a “king”, raised an army and waged a war on Morgan and the five clans.[24]
The king was a strange being, killing neither fairies nor humans. Rather, he reveled in burning down cities and forests and the sound of thunder crashing down from the storm clouds he summoned. Some fairies called him the King of Storms, a name Morgan forbade the uttering of.[24]
The war against the Moss King lasted for decades until he was defeated by Woodwose, who just took over as the head of the Fang Clan from his predecessor. But it is said on the verge of death the Moss King imposed a curse on the Fang Clan——the Black Dog.[24]
After the king disappeared, the Black Dogs began to roam the Fairy Kingdom. However, they eat not just fairies but Moss as well. Some are even trained and broken to be used in Moss extermination squads. Gawain is one herself vilified with the name, the Black Dog Lord, even after becoming a Fairy Knight. She feels it is only right since she will eat anything, fairies and humans included.[24]
Ritsuka is taken aback, but Gawain reassures them she only eats the strong. She can take on the abilities of the fairies she consumes, though there are compatibility and capacity limits. Right now her stomach is full of Foul Weather, the great fairy of the Earth Clan.[24]
During the Caterpillar Wars, his Mystery was desperately needed. However, he refused to leave Cornwall and sealed himself in his own fortress. Gawain killed him in single combat and ate him.[24]
With that, Gawain tells Ritsuka to leave. Ritsuka thanks her for talking to them. Gawain admits she is used to talking to humans given her man right now is one. She gets embarrassed and tries to insist their relationship isn’t romantic, nor does she intend to eat him. He is merely a guest she is allowing to recover at her residence for a short while. But she finds Rtsuka is like him; unafraid of her and inquisitive without being malicious.[24]
She tells Ritsuka they’ll take turns standing guard tonight and leaves, reminding them they raise early tomorrow so they shouldn’t stay up too late.[24]
Camelot's main gate
Two days after departing from Norwich, the heroes arrive at Camelot. Muramasa says the castle’s front side is the side facing the Great Pit, with the main gate at the back being the only way in. Habetrot points out Fairies who can fly could easily get in. But Muramasa replies that will not happen, as the Great Pit side of the castle is covered with a magical barrier. Furthermore, Camelot’s walls are also studded with gun-ports. Usually gun-ports are on the front of a castle, so that is why the front of the castle is the Great Pit side. Ritsuka realizes Morgan’s concern isn’t the main gate.[24]
Gawain glares at Cnoc na Riabh’s army to the north. Using Da Vinci’s telescope, Ritsuka and Artoria see Cnoc na Riabh’s army consists of not only Fang and Earth fairies, but giants as well. Gawain explains Cnoc na Riabh’s Rule allows her to distribute wealth and power among her subjects, no matter their race. However, it is only effective where she is, so she needs to be in the center of her army when leading it.[24]
Da Vinci directs Ritsuka’s attention to the fairy standing atop the large fortress-like wagon. Though she has never seen her before, she is certain that fairy is Cnoc na Riabh. Ritsuka is surprised Cnoc na Riabh looks exactly like Medb.[24]
Habetrot is incredulous Cnoc na Riabh would assemble her army 20 kilometers away from Camelot, calling it an act of hostility toward Morgan. Gawain replies Cnoc na Riabh is still barely within her own territory. Cnoc na Riabh insists it is military exercises in preparation for the Calamity. Until 10 days ago, she was assembling her army 40 kilometers away, but moved closer when she saw Sheffield had fallen. She hates humans and claims to be a queen of an “absolute zone of control, for fairies and by fairies alone.[24]
Regardless, she will not advance any further, as she lacks enough reason to challenge Morgan and her odds of winning are slim. Gawain believes the northern fairies will be beaten back just like the countless other times they tried to rebel against Morgan.[24]
Castle Town
Going through the main gate, the heroes are escorted through Camelot’s castle town. Habetrort sees only upper-class fairies live in Camelot. She senses the magical energy collected from the fairies via existence tax converging on the castle keep. The amount is so ridiculous that she concludes it insane to even think about defeating Morgan now.[24]
The carriage soon stops. Gawain informs the heroes only Artoria and Ritsuka are allowed an audience with Morgan while the rest will wait at a hotel. However, Da Vinci is allowed to come as an advisor to Ritsuka. Ritsuka, Artoria, and Da Vinci then enter Morgan’s castle.[24]
Entering Morgan’s throne room, the heroes are introduced to Morgan. Morgan announces the only ones qualified to speak are herself, her guests, and interjecting, calling himself Morgan’s husband, Beryl adds himself. He claims to be Morgan’s Master, which Ritsuka refuses to believe.[24]
Morgan rewards Ritsuka with 100 million QP for cleansing the Calamity of Norwich. Afterward, she asks Artoria and Ritsuka if they have any questions for her. She advises them to choose their words carefully because, depending on what they say, she may withdraw their statuses as her guests.[24]
Artoria immediately freezes up, so Ritsuka steps up. They tell Morgan Chaldea’s objective is to restore the bleached Earth. Morgan is aware of the state of the outside world thanks to Beryl, but Ritsuka tells her there is an anomaly in the Lostbelt.[24]
Da Vinci explains Chaldea came to understand and stop the Collapse predicted to occur in the future, which will spread from Britain and cover the planet. They have no hostile intentions toward a Lostbelt whose Fantasy Tree is already gone.[24]
Ritsuka adds Chaldea also wants Rhongomyniad to combat the Alien God. Da Vinci requests Morgan share the theory or Mystic Code that makes such transcendent magecraft possible.[24]
Morgan responds by claiming the Collapse is her expanding her territory. She is Chaldea’s enemy so she will not give them Rhongomyniad. If they want to save the world, they will have to defeat her.[24]
She reveals all the fairies will die at year’s end by means of the Great Calamity. This does not matter to her since fairies are always reborn, and so long as her castle remains, the Fairy Kingdom will rise again. She will not save the fairies and only seeks to the protect her land. She sees no need to fear the Great Calamity with the amount of magical energy stored in her throne, which only the chosen like Artoria can control.[24]
Morgan calls Artoria a meditator chosen by the Staff of Selection. By accepting her invitation, Artoria has proven she is the true Child of Prophecy, a fairy sent down by Paradise. Morgan therefore challenges her to defeat her and take her place on the throne if she wants to save Britain. Artoria should know better than anyone that it is the only way to fulfill prophecy.[24]
With that, Morgan ends their talk. Beryl makes his intent to kill the heroes clear, but before he can do anything, Morgan weighs him down. She reminds they are her honored guests until they leave Camelot, so she will not permit any harm to them whatsoever.[24]
She warns the heroes that should Artoria to ring the Pilgrim’s Bells and raise up as the Child of Prophecy, she will see both her and Chaldea as her enemy and will marshal her forces against them. She then dismisses the heroes, advising them to think before they enter a battle they cannot win.[24]
Before leaving, Ritsuka asks Morgan where she took Mash. Da Vinci explains the Water Mirror captured Mash, describing her as a Demi-Servant with Galahad’s Spirit Origin, a name Morgan should be familiar with as one bestowed the names of the Round Table on the Fairy Knights. Morgan has a realization and confirms she has captured Mash, but refuses to divulge where Mash is. She assures though Mash is safe and no one, not even herself, can harm her.[24]
Escorted out of the castle, the heroes are left dejected by the result of their audience. However, on the topic of the Divine Construct, Da Vinci says during their audience she observed a magical energy pattern similar to the Lion King’s from the atrium behind Morgan’s throne overlooking the Great Pit. Morgan has prepared Rhongomyniad as a weapon and installed more than ten in the front of the castle. The attack on Olympus was another use of it, as far as Morgan was concerned.[24]
Da Vinci notices Ritsuka is confused as well about Beryl’s claim being Morgan’s Master. However, Morgan cannot be a Servant because she has been ruling for 2000 years and Beryl only arrived in 2017. Da Vinci ponders if Beryl is lying or led to believe Morgan is his Servant.[24]
Reunited, the heroes leave Camelot on foot when Oberon and Redra Bbit arrive with an improved and more comfortable carriage to pick them up.[24]
On the road, Ritsuka tells Oberon how their audience with Morgan went. Oberon reveals Morgan can capture Calamities with her Water Mirror, which is what she would have done in Norwich if not for Ritsuka and Mash’s interference, and use them as her own magical energy. She wants the Great Calamity to occur so she can use its magical energy to convert Proper Human History into her territory. Only the fairies in Camelot, who look down on all other fairies, would survive the Great Calamity.[24]
The Great Pit
A few hours after the audience, her throne room now empty, Morgan finds disconcerting there is no movement from the Great Pit even though the Great Calamity occurs every 100 years. She calls the fairies fool and declares she will use them to deny Proper Human History.
The Priestess of the Alien God appears. Morgan challenges her to kill her herself, telling her that her Apostle was defeated. She boasts no Servant based on the Heroic Spirits of Proper Human History is a match for her Fairy Knights. She tells the Priestess to stay backstage if she will only watch and to voice her opinion of her if she has one. The Priestess leaves.[24]
The Chaldean appears and, to Morgan’s confusion, tells her to destroy the planet if she can. He calls the planet’s destruction a more preferable fate compared to the aims of the Alien God. He neither admires Morgan’s wish nor her tenacity to overwrite Proper Human History to expand her territory, but he acknowledges her accomplishments. Therefore, he will not interfere nor will he help Chaledea.[24]
Morgan asks him why he came if she will not stop her. The Chaldean answers he came to see her work, praising her for seeing through the role of the Fantasy Tree and making use of it and for analyzing Chaldea’s summoning formula and using it on her own body. He says no one else will praise her for being a genius at magecraft that approaches the divine.[24]
Accusing the Chaldean’s approbation of her magecraft of being sarcasm, Morgan demands he leave if he has nothing else to say. From here on out, this is her world and neither Alien God nor Beast has a place in it. The Chaldean is aware but at this point, even should he interfere, the outcome will not change. As someone who once stood where she is, he wished to applaud how Morgan brought her world about.[24]
As he leaves, he warns Morgan that while Chaldea and the Child of Prophecy cannot stop her, the story may change if a third party were to appear.[24]
Londinium[]
Cnoc na Riabh's chocolate fields
The heroes are moving along the northern border when they come to a field of chocolate. While everyone else (excluding Muramasa and Oberon) is eating the chocolate, Gareth realizes the fields belong to Cnoc na Riabh. The chocolate is addictive and, according to Gareth’s supposition, forces fairies that eat it to obey Cnoc na Riabh until they die. Moss hiding in the field then emerge. With the others indulging themselves in the chocolate, Gareth and Muramasa fight the Moss.[25]
After the Moss are slain, the heroes become quickly surrounded by Cnoc na Riabh and her soldiers. Cnoc na Riabh has them all apprehended for stealing her chocolate. Ritsuka calls her Medb, much to her confusion.[25]
Artoria first met Cnoc na Riabh five years ago in Gloucester after the latter won the princess contest Artoria failed to even qualify for. She only entered because everyone in Tintagel told her to. She however only wanted to get out of the village once.[25]
Cnoc na Riabh, meanwhile, questioned why she even entered the contest, wondering if it was for political appeal or to prove she has some prestige as Mab’s reincarnation. She dislikes the judges’ idea of beauty and believes beauty is living a life one can be proud of and not for someone else. It is something the participants, not the judges, decide.[25]
She then noticed Artoria, whom disappointed she wasn’t in the finals, challenges her in what she calls the real finals. But considering her clothes too shabby, she orders her servants Mack and Dim to strip Artoria and put one of her dresses on her. Artoria aggressively resisted.[25]
But ultimately, Cnoc na Riabh was left disappointed that her intuition about Artoria’s potential was wrong. She agreed with Artoria to observe properly observe from now and not rely on her instincts. Afterward, the two girls spent two or days getting to know each other. Cnoc na Riabh thus became Artoria’s first friend and rival.[25]
Cnoc na Riabh's camp
At her camp, Cnoc na Riabh privately asks Artoria about Ritsuka after the former talked back at her. Artoria tells her who Ritsuka is, and that they met 20 days ago. Cnoc na Riabh concludes that means it is nothing serious yet and it doesn’t matter who Artoria associates.[25]
Looking at her party, Cnoc na Riabh is disappointed Artoria hasn’t changed from back then even after she heard she cleansing the Calamity of Norwich and insults her friends as third-rate. Artoria tells Cnoc na Riabh to not mock her friends, asserting they are better than she deserves and boasts they’re stronger than her soldiers.[25]
Cnoc na Riabh wishes to test that and proposes a match between her soldiers and the heroes. If the heroes win, they will be pardoned and be free to go. If Cnoc na Riabh’s soldiers win, though, she gets RItsuka, whom she apparently wants as a mage to prepare for Morgan. The battle then begins.[25]
The heroes win, so Cnoc na Riabh keeps her promise. She is also busy with military exercises to prepare against Morgan. She believes she is the only ruler of Britain, so Morgan and Artoria are obstacles in her way. But she cannot underestimate Morgan, so she needs the other clans to be kept in check until her preparations are complete. For that reason, she needs Artoria to play an active role and keep the other clans occupied. She isn't asking her to ring all the Pilgrim's Bell but she would like her to ring at least a couple.[25]
She proclaims she will take Camelot, overthrow Morgan, and banish all humans from Britain. She vows as Mab’s daughter and descendant of the northern fairies to restore Britain to its former glory. But she will permit an autonomous zone for humans in Britain if they mend their ways. As proof, she’ll answer anything that Ritsuka asks her.[25]
Ritsuka asks her if she’ll work with the Round Table Army against Morgan. Cnoc na Riabh refuses because while she tolerates humans, she will not work with them. They disgust her more than Morgan’s army and if they appear before she will crush them without a second thought.[25]
A northern fairy comes to Cnoc na Riabh with an appeal from Edinburgh about the response to the Moss disease. He whispers something about specimens for transcription insufficient and several refugees from Sheffield. Cnoc na Riabh replies she’ll make the selections and tells the fairy to tell them they’ll receive their list soon. The fairy leaves to deliver her message.[25]
Cnoc na Riabh dismisses the heroes from her camp. She advises Artoria to show dignity, telling her no one will want to follow a shabby king.[25]
Back in southern Britain, the group discusses a safe place they can go. Oberon eventually recommends the abandoned city of Londinium.[25]
Now back in southern Britain, the heroes discusses a safe place they can go. Since they will also need military strength, Oberon eventually recommends the abandoned city of Londinium, home of the Round Table Army.[25]
As they near Londinium, Oberon explains it was the largest city in Britain before Morgan’s rise to power. The fairies of the five clans lived there as equals and humans were elected as lords, making Londinium a human city. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by civil war at the end of the Fairy Calendar. Oberon doesn’t know why it remained abandoned, though.[25]
Habetrot explains that after Aesc ended the Summer War, a human knight was named the new king. But during the coronation ceremony, some fairies in Londinium were killed during a riot perpetrated by anti-fairy humans. In response, the clan chiefs invaded Londinium, which resulted in the massacre of the Round Table Army and the death of the would-be king.[25]
Aesc was executed after taking the blame for the riot. Grimir the Sage escaped. The Black Knight was immortal, so he was tossed into the ocean with his ears crushed. The remaining Fairy Knight, ashamed of what happened, crossed over to Orkney with Aesc’s coffin. Artoria looks absolutely horrified by Habetrot’s tale.[25]
Muramasa asks what the Fairy Knight’s name was. Da Vinci recalls Mike told her, back for some strange reason, she can’t remember what it was.[25]
Gareth suddenly runs off into the woods under the pretense of getting water. There she worries she cannot see Habetrot’s future at all.[25]
A Moss then suddenly appears, so Gareth tries to kill it, but her lance can’t seem to pierce it. She realizes Artoria had been helping her with her magecraft. She admonishes herself as weak and laments she will die here, unimportant, unable to do anything.[25]
Fortunately, she is saved by a tall, spear-wielding man wearing white armor, who gives her a tip on how to properly use her lance with her small frame. He claims to be a passing waterboy, and confesses he came to warn Gareth about the Moss when he saw her enter the woods. Introducing himself as Percival, he helps the two Moss that appear.[25]
After slaying the Moss, Gareth is proud that she can slay Moss on her own now. She then reintroduces as the follower of the Child of Prophecy, Artoria, telling Percival she has come to Londinium.[25]
Artoria is worried Gareth hasn’t come back yet and gets ready to search for her when she returns with Percival. Percvial is honored to meet Artoria and Ritsuka and introduces himself as the Round Table Army’s representative. He understands the heroes need a safe place to prepare for their confrontation with Morgan’s army, so he provides Londinium as that place. It is still in a state of disrepair, but Percival assures it is the most defensible place in Britain and everyone there will protect Artoria.[25]
At Londinium, the heroes are surprised by how lively it is compared to the other cities. Artoria questions how such a place could be so beautiful, confusing Gareth.[25]
A soldier yells at Percival for jumping off the walls and heading off into the woods. He reminds him he is the core of the Round Table Army and the hope of everyone in Londinium, so he needs to stop acting impulsively all the time. He then notices the heroes and assumes they’re new recruits. Percival says they are not, rather they are important guests. Oberon agrees but them joining the Round Table Army will be up to Artoria.[25]
The people of Londinium are all happy to see Oberon has returned. The soldier remembers Oberon said he would bring the Child of Prophecy with him the next time. Oberon introduces Artoria as the Child of Prophecy.[25]
A festival is thrown to celebrate Artoria’s arrival and, in contrast to her usual reaction, Artoria doesn’t seem bothered by the all attention being poured on her. Oberon supposes it is because Artoria knows the people of Londoninium truly dream of a righteous future for Britain, unlike the selfish, self-preserving dreams foisted on her before. Right now for the first time in her life, she is proud to be the Child of Prophecy. Oberon remarks it is like using one’s hands to wipe eyes clouded from seeing too much. He does not elaborate what he means.[25]
After the festival, Percival is glad to see his fears that the Child of Prophecy was carrying a heavy burden was unfounded thanks to all her close companions. But Artoria says it is the people of Londinium. In the other cities, while there are many differences between, the point of “wanting someone to save them” was the same. But the people of Londinium are different because not only are they more truthful, they do not rely on others. The fairies and humans stand up for one another and are determined to denounce Morgan for the sake of their neighbors, not themselves. Like the true Knights of the Round Table, everyone stands side by side in cooperation.[25]
Percival responds that the Round Table Army seeks to change the way things are for humans, but first they must change Britain. They only want a shared future for fairies and humans.[25]
Percival then reveals Oberon was the one who organized the Round Table Army. He saved Percival when he had nowhere else to go, removed the curse from Londinium, and quickly and carefully recruited supporters from all over Britain. Additionally, he works hard every month to get the Round Table Army financial aid, which explains his debt. That is why Percival believes Oberon is the true leader of the Round Table Army. Oberon insists, though, he is only an investor and Percival is the true leader since the organization got large thanks to him.[25]
Deciding to just agree, Percival gets ready to show the heroes to the war room when Da Vinci asks about the mural painted on the wall.[25]
Painted during the Fairy Calendar it depicts six fairies and a large horned creature, which Gareth and Habetrot get a grand feeling from. Percival says it originally belonged to the Rain Clan and was brought in from the ruins of Orkney by the Knight of Londinium when Londinium was being built. It depicts the creation of Britain and its title in the old fairy tongue is the “Insect of the Abyss”. For the briefest of moments, Ritsuka feels as if someone was watching them from behind.[25]
Da Vinci deduces the fairies depicted in the mural are the ancestors of the six clans. She also sees the mural as proof that the concept of "god" once existed in Faerie Britain based on how the six fairies seem to be making offerings to the large horned creature. She thinks the answer to why the Calamities and why there is no god in Britain can be found in the mural. But she cannot read fairy script and asks Oberon if he can. Unfortunately Oberon answers it is far too old for him.[25]
Now understanding its significance, Percival decides they'll make preparations to preserve it immediately. They will also get people who know about fairy history and start excavating the surrounding areas for possibly more valuable records. Oberon says they'll get more skilled labor if they take Norwich.[25]
War room
At the war room, Artoria argues the Round Table Army should be targeting Camelot, not other cities, if they oppose Morgan. Percival knows invading Norwich goes against their creed, but they cannot overlook the current state of Norwich.[25]
He explains as soon as the heroes left for Camelot, Spriggan appealed to Morgan for troops. Under the claim they are supporting Artoria and defying Morgan, he will have the fairies massacred and reclaim the land. The Round Table Army only learned of this a day ago in a secret message sent by a human called the Count. Morgan’s forces are suspected to reach Norwich tonight, so the Round Table Army has perhaps two days to spare. But once they’ve rallied their forces all over the land to Londinium, the Round Table Army will march to and take Norwich before Spriggan can begin his massacre, even if they are seen as invaders.[25]
Oberon says from the fairies’ point of view, the Round Table Army is still seen as an armed band of humans, so they’ll probably see no difference between killed by Spriggan or the Round Table Army.[25]
Percival tells not to worry themselves as this plan was something the army all discussed and agreed upon. It isn’t their fight, so he implores the heroes to get some rest, assuring Morgan’s magecraft will not reach Londinium.[25]
Though she doesn’t like it, Artoria knows Norwich’s bell must be rung. Percival and the people of Londinium never asked for her help, but they still worried about her and encouraged her. So that is why she will play her role. But she cannot ring Norwich’s bell by herself, so she asks everyone to help her show the Round Table Army isn’t merely an armed band of humans but trusted allies of the Child of Prophecy dedicated to Britain’s salvation.[25]
Percival explains they’ll be heading to Norwich with 400 troops. Those will add up to 800 with the support the Count is gathering in the city. With those numbers, the Round Table Army will dispatch Morgan’s troops and take the bell tower Spriggan had rechristened the Vault Fortress. But the Vault Fortress is impregnable, so Percival asks for Ritsuka’s help in taking it from within. Ritsuka nods in agreement.[25]
They will all leave as soon as the platoon operating in the south returns in the evening. They will travel under the cover of night, infiltrate Norwich before dawn, and conquer the city before Spriggan can counter them. Percival will take command of the operation, so he will plan accordingly. They also got a map of the city from the Count so they can plan their route to gain control. They will all depart in three hours. Habetrot, Gareth, and Muramasa all leave the room to make their own preparations.[25]
Percival asks Oberon to look into Oxford’s movements, concerned about what Woodwose may do if Norwich is taken. Oberon suggests keeping Woodwose in check with Aurora’s cooperation, since Woodwose has a crush on her. He then turns into his recon form and leaves for Salisbury.[25]
Norwich (II)[]
That evening, Percival describes how he was born in a farm and grew up in Salisbury, assuming they needed humans to fight Moss. But he was just one of many children who were adopted and they were all treated very well, receiving food, clothing, and shelter. A school was even made for them to attend. Because of those experiences, he cannot hold ill will towards the fairies. It is also why he has a great physique and was granted his spear.[26]
However, he knows next to nothing about the fairy who adopted him, probably because they took in and raised so many human children. By the time he became a full fledge human soldier, he heard that fairy had passed away. The school he and the other children closed down and he left Salisbury.[26]
Afterward, he traveled around honing his skills and was a bodyguard in a certain forest when he received a nomination to the Games in Camelot. Gareth realizes Percival was the human knight who made it to the Tournament of Robins finals five years ago. It was thanks to that he got to speak with Morgan in person, which is when, after realizing the queen’s tyranny, he vowed to create an organization to support the Child of Prophecy when they appear.[26]
He and his rebel band were guards protecting merchants from Moss when Oberon appeared and told him: “you won’t achieve anything like that, Percival. Your painstakingly cultivated white light will go rusty.” Oberon thus began managing Percival’s rebel band, and before long, it became the Round Table Army.[26]
White light refers to Percival’s spear——the Spear of Selection, a former weapon of Aesc’s. Percival received it from the fairy who adopted him. They told him it only answers to the innocent and it cannot be handled by the fairies.[26]
Given the “Selection” in its name, Ritsuka wonders the spear is like Artoria’s staff. Artoria wonders that too, but she feels substance from the spear as if it isn’t chosen anymore.[26]
Percival confesses a strong feeling of sadness and regret flows into him and rips through his body when he wield it. The lamentations in the spear pouring out as magical energy and shining like tears when swung is why it is called White Light. It became something that defeats fairies instead of saving them. Percival believes it shouldn’t be used, but it is the only thing effective against the Fairy Knights. He also believes sooner and later he won't able to use it anymore since only the innocent can use it. Gareth, of course, refutes that will ever happen.[26]
Reaching Norwich near dawn, Percival tells Fairy Officer Aurelia he is leaving command to Landon and that he would like the two of them to hold for an hour. He and Artoria’s party will sneak into Norwich through the sewer system the Count opened, and rendezvous with anti-Spriggan forces. They’ll then start a riot and use it to open the gates from inside. Once they’re open, Aurelia’s troops will take the ramparts from Morgan’s troops. Everyone will then reconvene and take out the remaining soldiers in Norwich. Afterward, they’ll surround the Vault Fortress.[26]
Entering the sewers, the heroes are greeted by Peperoncino——the Count. He tells them they will split into two teams once they’re above ground. B Team will draw Morgan’s troops into the main street, while C Team opens the gates. B Team will be Artoria and Muramasa, C Team will be Percival, Gareth, and Habetrot. Ritsuka and Da Vinci will support both teams.[26]
In the Vault Fortress, a guard report to Spriggan that the Round Table Army has begun assaulting the main gate. Another reports the citizens are rioting throughout the city. Their morale is high thanks to Artoria’s presence and the soldiers are at a loss about what to do.[26]
Spriggan laughs and tells his guards to tell the soldiers to stay at their posts until Morgan’s army is overrun, then either surrender or fall back to the Vault Fortress. Furthermore, the soldiers are not to harm the citizens and keep them on the defensive. Only Morgan’s soldiers will fight Artoria. Lastly, Spriggan’s guards will tell the bell tower garrison to stand down.[26]
After his guards leave to fulfill their orders, Spriggan says everything depends on Ritsuka. He also thinks if Artoria has a chance of winning, she will not be a bad investment. He is sick of deceiving the eyes of the fairies, anyway.[26]
The Round Table Army succeeds in taking the city. The heroes prepare to take the Vault Fortress when Peperoncino notices the door is already open and there are no soldiers inside. He suspects Spriggan is offering the bell and trying to surrender in a way that won’t be considered rebelling against Morgan. Despite Peperoncino’s warning that the real war will begin once she rings the bell, Artoria decides to ring it. She also wants to know Spriggan’s motivations.[26]
Pilgrim's Bell
The heroes reach the bell. A Fairy Dreadlord appears demanding to know where Capless is. He says smell Paradise and hear Avalon. He realizes the one who will save the fairies and unfasten Britain has come and attacks the heroes.
After slaying the Fairy Dreadlord, the heroes move to ring the bell when Spriggan congratulates them for exorcising the wraith that haunted the tower for the last century. He claims he requested soldiers to help repair the damage caused by the Calamity, not to purge the city of anti-Queen forces like Peperoncino’s letter said. The heroes, of course, have no way to verify that now. Spriggan is unconcerned that the Round Table Army conquered his city, since he knows their only objective was to ring the bell.[26]
He warns killing Spriggan means losing control of Norwich. He explains the fairies still see Spriggan as a lord because he’s done his job as one. Therefore, if he’s killed now. Norwich’s citizens will be angered, especially those who profit thanks to Spriggan’s policies. Also, without Spriggan to negotiate with Morgan, Norwich will become occupied by her forces.[26]
Spriggan dares the heroes to kill him now if they wish for Norwich’s destruction. Artoria knows he isn’t bluffing. But she cannot understand his objective is because he doesn’t care about the Earth Clan’s safety, doesn’t want to protect Norwich, nor does he seem to care about his own life.[26]
Da Vinci deduces Spriggan is a human, a changeling who drifted into Faerie Britain from Proper Human History. Spriggan had disguised himself as a fairy through cosmetic surgery, used perfume to disguise his smell, and used a Mystic Code to disguise his magical energy signature. Da Vinci wonders about his age, though, given he’s been the Lord of Norwich for a century.[26]
Spriggan admits he is originally from Japan and has no attachment to Faerie Britain whatsoever. However, he can no longer return to his home nor return to who he was before. All he only cares about now is feeling safe in his Vault Fortress, regardless of whom sits on the throne.[26]
After he leaves, Artoria rings the bell with a special chant: “The song of Paradise. The Chant of the Inner Sea. That which is born chosen, predestined, confirmed. The Bone Bell of Beginnings, showing the lost child the way home. Their sins be forgiven.”[26]
The sound of the bell resonates throughout Britain, a nostalgic sound that wrenches the heart. In Salisbury, Aurora congratulates Artoria and thanks Ritsuka because now they can move forward as well. In Gloucester, Muryan is relived Artoria is finally showing her true worth as the Child of Prophecy, but regardless of the outcome of the coming war, she declares to Koyanskaya she will have her justice. Meanwhile, Cnoc na Riabh feels the sound of the bell doesn’t resonate with her soul, but she is glad her rival is growing some backbone.[26]
In Camelot, Morgan declares the Child of Prophecy and her allies are now enemies of the Fairy Kingdom. She orders Woodwose to assault Londinium. The result of said battle will determine the charge for ignoring the march on Norwich. The court fairies to prepare for war, giddy they get to kill each other once again.[26]
Morgan then releases Knight Portunes from the chessboard. She has him drink the Water of Conveyance to provide him with a record of the past 200 years.[26]
Now understanding the situation, Portunes asks what happened to the rest of the Mirror Clan. Morgan answers he is the last of his kind. Portunes finds it ironic he would the survivor after parting ways with Ainsel and becoming Morgan’s knight.[26]
Morgan tells him he judged correctly and orders him to aid Gawain and Lancelot. But their target isn’t Londinium, as there are other bugs to squash. The attack on Londinium is but a sideshow.[26]
Meanwhile, after the bell finishes ringing, Artoria suddenly glows momentarily. Her power has increased tremendously.[26]
Fragment 5[]
Mash finds herself on a coast with Norwich nowhere to be seen. She was found unconcious by Totorot and Aesc, both of whom look like Habetrot and Artoria, respectively. They came because Aesc detected the usage of great magecraft similar to that of the Infinity Mirror. She wonders if Mash is a northern fairy whose transport went out of control then. Yet despite Totorot’s concerns that she may be an associate of Mab and, therefore, an enemy, Aesc decides to bring Mash to her camp. Along the way, Mash sees the Tree still stands and there is no wall of light. She has been sent 2400 years into the past, the Year 400 of the Fairy Calendar.[27]
Wales (II)[]
Artoria Caster dreaming of her counterpart, Artoria Pendragon
Artoria dreams of Proper Human History Britain during her counterpart’s reign. But her other self’s life is too much for her and refuses to acknowledge it, finding her too perfect and lonely. She sincerely thinks “no” and asks how cruel it is for everyone to smile and acknowledge someone like that.[28]
She wakes up and sees the sun had rise while they were on the move. She presumes the dream was because she rang the Pilgrim’s Bell. After a long pause, she questions who would want to live a life like that.[28]
As everyone heads back to Londinium, the heroes talk about how Morgan had banned animal labor and carriages, though currently the latter is only a trend among the clan heads. If horse-drawn carriages become the norm, fairy horses will not be born, so the fact Redra Bbit and Percival’s Kundry are doing so well is thanks to Morgan’s concern.[28]
Ritsuka and Oberon both see Artoria looks like she is struggling with the idea that Morgan may be more than just a tyrant. So Oberon reveals the fairies in the Forest of Wales actually fled to there. They are those who were persecuted for simply existing, those who lost their homes because of Morgan’s hatred of bugs, and those who lacked the intelligence to enter the society of the Fairy Kingdom that mimicked human culture. All of them gather, cling together, and die without hope in the Forest of Wales.[28]
Oberon when he was first summoned.
Oberon was summoned in that forest, but he was so weak he couldn’t move. He would have disappeared if it wasn’t for the Welsh fairies, who formed a tight circle around him and whose voices he used to stay conscious. His Spirit Origin eventually stabilized to the point he could wake up. The Welsh fairies who were dismissed as worthless were the only ones helped him, so to repay the favor he works hard to overthrow Morgan.[28]
He was summoned several months before Chaldea’s arrival, at the same time as Beryl’s arrival. He presumes Proper Human History noticed the danger when Beryl intervened.[28]
Percival informs the others that Woodwose and the Fang Clan are marching on Londinium. Muramasa is surprised the mobilized so quickly given it has only been a day since Norwich’s bell was rung. Artoria explains Fang fairies fight using their own bodies so they can prepare for battle quickly.[28]
In open battle, Fang Clan has no equal, but they aren’t adept at holding a siege. Artoria therefore suggests whittling them down during their siege on Londinium and then kill Woodwose when he loses patience and enters the battle himself.[28]
Gareth is surprised by Artoria’s newfound confidence. Oberon believes she has every right to be proud of herself since she got stronger somehow after ringing Norwich’s bell. Habetrot notes in terms of magical energy, Artoria is equal to one of Morgan’s fingers.[28]
But Gareth notices there are only four cities remaining, so she asks where the Mirror and King Clans’ bells are. Oberon replies the Mirror Clan’s bell is still unknown, but he found the location of the fifth bell. It is in the ruins of Orkney.[28]
Returning to the topic of Londinium, Percival agrees with Artoria’s assessment of the Fang Clan, so he believes Londinium’s current forces can hold out for 10 days if they just defend. In the meantime, he and the others will create countermeasures.[28]
Woodwose’s army is camping about two kilometers north of Londinium. He cannot launch a siege on Londinium with his forces alone, so if he wants to take the city, he has no choice but to go through the gate and attack inside of the city.[28]
The heroes will return to Londinium, and the forces sent to liberate Londinium will be divided to defend the city’s east and east. If Woodwose launches an all out assault, the heroes will keep him in check by attacking his rear. But if they get the chance, they’ll attack isolated platoons to reduce his strength.[28]
With their current strength, though, they only have a chance of winning in a defensive battle. Fortunately, they have Norwich’s support now thanks to Peperoncino, and resupplying isn’t an issue. But since Woodwose’s army will be assaulting Londinium, the heroes will need to break through where his lines are thinnest to enter the city.[28]
The heroes break through the enemy platoon and enter Londinium.[28]
Later that night, Gareth remarks on how the city walls are embedded with Mystic Codes resembling Mash’s armor and contemplates getting her own set of armor.[28]
Muramasa points out they’re still outnumbered, and he worries Woodwose’s forces will get reinforcements from Camelot if the battle continues to drag on. They cannot stay on the defensive.[28]
Oberon responds that their supplies from Norwich include personnel. The anti-Queen fairies that helped them in Norwich will be joining them tomorrow as volunteer soldiers. After that, they’ll take out Woodwoose’s main camp with a surprise attack.[28]
Meanwhile, at his camp, Woodwose furiously refuses to believe Beryl when he tells him that Morgan has forbidden him from going into battle. But he calms himself down and agrees to comply with Morgan’s orders. He will continue the siege, but he was tasked with disposing of both the Child of Prophecy and the Round Table Army, so if they march out, they’ll hit them at full force.[28]
But even then, he will not join the battle, believing his elites will be more than enough. He also sees Percival as a bigger threat than Artoria and Ritsuka. As such, he plans to have all the humans in Londinium slaughtered to make Percival give up and surrender.[28]
Leaving the tent, Beryl and Tristan both call Woodwose a coward for his unwillingness to fight. But Beryl finds Morgan’s order to not let Woodwose fight backward. He decides he and Tristan will stay a little longer.[28]
The next day, the heroes just fought off Woodwose’s soldiers who had tried to sneak in through the western gate. Gareth is baffled that the gatekeeper almost let the Fang Clan in when they said they’re here to deliver food. Fortunately, unlike the other fairies, she had the foresight to know it was a surprise attack. So with that prevented, the heroes return to the war room since reinforcements from Norwich are expected to arrive soon.[28]
Unfortunately, the messenger from Norwich informs the heroes that reinforcements will not be coming. The fairies of Norwich do not believe the Round Table Army has a chance of victory. Living under Morgan’s thumb for 2000 years has made everyone too terrified to stand against her, so ringing one bell isn’t enough to bring in allies.[28]
Artoria finds it only natural the fairies of Norwich wouldn’t join the Round Table Army without a clear chance of victory. She tells the messenger to relay to Peperoncino they will manage somehow so he can continue giving material aid. The messenger leaves.[28]
Da Vinci is surprised Artoria isn’t disappointed, having thought she’d be the most affected. Artoria admits she is shocked, but bouncing back is her speciality. She agrees with Ritsuka that the fairies may rise up if a second ring is rung.[28]
Suddenly, the heroes receive word from Round Table forces in Gloucester that Gawain is leading troops to the Forest of Wales on Morgan’s orders. Oberon immediately tries to go and save the Welsh fairies, but Ritsuka convinces him he can’t do it alone. While Habetrot stays behind, the heroes rush for the Forest.[28]
The group finds the forest burning, so split up into two teams to defeat the enemy and put out the fires. Ritsuka, Da Vinci, Artoria, and Oberon will be one team. Muramasa, Gareth, and Percival will be the another.[28]
Reaching Wales by nightfall, they see the forest is burning, so they split up into two teams to defeat the enemy and put out the fires. Ritsuka, Da Vinci, Artoria, and Oberon is one team. Muramasa, Gareth, and Percival is the other.[28]
Forest of Wales burning.
A Queen’s soldier urges the forest to burn per Morgan’s orders, calling it the Forest of Decay. He tells the Welsh fairies to repent for their sins of naming the Fairy King.[28]
Ritsuka’s team arrives. The soldier orders Oberon to be captured and brought before Morgan. He then notices Artoria, shocked by how absurd her magical energy is now compared to when he saw her in Camelot. Artoria, seeing the Welsh fairies being burnt alive, remembers Tintagel and attacks the soldiers in a rage.[28]
She tries to chase after the soldiers when they retreat, but Ritsuka slaps her back into reality. The two then prepare to search for survivors, but Gawain tells them it is pointless, insisting what happened is because Artoria rang a bell. Her task was only to purge Wales, though, not to kill the heroes, so she will accept it if they chose to surrender. The heroes choose to fight her, with Artoria using decoys to counter her eating their magical energy.[28]
Muramasa soon arrives. Artoria calls out Gawain for blindly following Morgan’s orders and finds it insulting she calls herself a Knight of the Round Table when she doesn’t even protect the fairies. She then reveals her True Name, having seen on Ector’s manifest, is Barghest. Da Vinci recognizes her name as that of the black dog fairy from England who in Proper Human History heralds disaster in cities. Yet despite the loss of her gifted name, Barghest only gets stronger. Regardless, the heroes fight her, now joined by Oberon.[28]
Earlier, when Muramasa split off from Percival and Gareth to help Artoria, Percival is nearly killed by an invisible enemy. Fortunately, he was able to dodge in time, thanks to Gareth’s warning. Then, with her directions, he broke the mirror camouflage of Portunes, the assassin knight. Portunes found Gareth’s ability to see through his invisibility troublesome and went invisible again, deciding to kill Gareth as a precaution.[28]
Fortunately, with Gareth acting as his eyes, Percival was able to protect her. Portunes, no longer able to turn invisible, fled. Percival tried to chase after him, only to stop when he is confronted by Lancelot.[28]
Meanwhile, Artoria’s party has defeated Barghest, and the forest has stopped burning. Da Vinci tells Barghest Chaldea has no intention of attacking Britain because without its Tree it will disappear on its own. Barghest dismisses the fact Britain will disappear as nonsense and points out Chaldea are enemies of the Fairy Kingdom so long as they assist the Child of Prophecy, making it no different from attacking Britain.[28]
Da Vinci insists, however, they’re assisting Artoria to try to save Britain, revealing Morgan plans to let the Great Calamity occur so she can use it to invade Proper Human History. It is why she did nothing about Norwich. Da Vinci is certain Barghest knows Morgan’s idea of justice only brings suffering to the fairies.[28]
Barghest admits she cannot deny it, but she still doesn’t approve of the heroes. She asks why Chaldea would save the fairies if they destroyed the previous Lostbelts. Ritsuka answers they just wanted to save them, even if there is no tomorrow.[28]
Suddenly, Barghest struggles to keep control of herself. Ritsuka notices Portunes targeting Barghest and moves to protect her. But Barghest protects them when Portunes unleashes his lightning.[28]
Considering what she did as treason, Portunes tells Barghest to kill Ritsuka to prove her loyalty. Barghest refuses, so Portunes leaves to report her treason to Morgan. Barghest soon leaves as well, since her mission to burn down Oberon’s hiding place is complete, accepting she will probably be dismissed once she returns to the castle.[28]
Artoria and the others leave Oberon to himself while he says his goodbyes to the now-deceased Welsh fairies. They meet up with Percival and Gareth and learn Percival fought Lancelot, though she left for Camelot after confirming the forest fire was out. Percival stops Gareth from recounting his battle with Lancelot, insisting he was on the defensive.[28]
Muramasa decides to help Oberon bury the Welsh fairies, confusing the fairies in the group. Artoria realizes neither he nor Ritsuka know the truth, which makes Ritsuka and Muramasa realize fairies do not disappear when they die. She doesn’t know how it is for fairies in Proper Human History, but in the Lostbelt, when fairies die, they change and become part of Britain.[28]
Meanwhile, Portunes is killed by something long thought dead whose scent is reminiscent of the Moss Wars.[28]
Fragment 6[]
At Aesc’s camp, Mash tells her and her companions about the future. Aesc tells Mash to speak no more of the future if she wishes to return her time. She explains no matter the changes in the past, though, the Queen’s Calendar will remain unchanged. Mash must not return to her present with any knowledge that contradicts with what she already knows. The greater the contradiction, the greater the risk of Mash losing her memories.[29][29]
Aesc’s party recounts the Summer War 1600 years ago——the great invasion from the Shadow Land, Ireland. Led by Mab, who exploited her humans as soldiers, it was the second time the northern fairies waged war in the south. Every clan was on the verge of dying.[29]
Mab was a powerful fairy who, beyond having Albion’s blessing, possessed a primordial strength that the southern fairies. The clans would have been wiped out had not Aesc stepped in and stalled for time. But in the end, even though Mab has close to victory, she suggested a treaty. As a result of that, Mab took up the position left vacant by the Rain Clan and became a lord in Orkney.[29]
The conversation then moves on to Britain’s new king, a human named Uther, whom Aesc hopes will finally bring peace to Britain. She is certain he will be crowned and she will return to Paradise as soon as she has ascertained she received the Bone Bells from the clans. The coronation will take place in Londinium instead of Salisbury because the latter is too close to the Great Pit.[29]
Nobody knows what is at the bottom of the Great Pit because everyone subconsciously fears going near it. Aesc is the exception, but the bottom is too deep for her to investigation on her own. She quickly realizes Mash can be her partner since she isn’t from Faerie Britain and decides they will investigate the Great Pit with her[29]
Night Before the Decisive Battle (I)[]
Artoria remembers how everyone in Tintagel had high hopes for her. She apologizes profusely for being weak. She remembers how she fled alone in tears, too scared to fight Woodwose when he razed the village in his pursuit to find and capture the Child of Prophecy. But like her grandpa, she too wanted to stay.[30]
The heroes arrive at Salisbury after half a day's ride from Londinium. Percival, however, returns to Londinium to not risk Salisbury. As commander of the Round Table Army, he is not welcome in Salisbury, specifically by the rebels, as the two groups are too different discipline-wise to work together. Aurora is also publicly allied with Morgan, so any sign of colluding with the Round Table Army is not permitted.[30]
In the tavern, the heroes lears that fairies from Norwich went to Londinium this morning to join the Round Table Army. It is because news of Barghest's defeat has spread throughout Britain. Oberon agrees to spread the word further to gather a force to defeat Woodwose before Morgan's reinforcements come.[30]
After Artoria rings Salisbury's bell, the heroes head back to Londinium. While en route, Artoria has a sparring match to test Oberon's abilities.[30]
Meanwhile, in the Cathedral of the Ash Tree, Aurora announces to her human guards that the Wind Clan will rise up against Morgan once Artoria rings all the bells. Coral tells them to continue preparing their forces in case of emergency, for the Fairy Kingdom will change dramatically once Oxford's bell is rung.[30]
Aurora's guards are confused as they thought with their forces already organized, they would march on Woodwose's forces to show the power of Salisbury. Coral tells them that isn't their decision to make and that the Fang Clan have long defended Britain, so the Wind Clan will not wage war on them. Their only enemies should be Morgan, the Earth Clan who broke the ban, Morgan's supporters in Camelot, and the anti-fairy humans. Coral thus cannot allow Salisubry's safety be jeopardized. So until the siege of Camelot becomes a reality, Salisbury will remain neutral and not accept refugees from Londinium should the battle there be lost.[30]
However, Aurora says Salisbury will take in refugees from Londinium. Coral fears they will have to fight Morgan before Artoria can complete her pilgrimage then. But Aurora believes Artoria can protect Londinium now, not to mention she has Ritsuka and Oberon with her. If the Round Table Army is defeated, though, Salisbury will rise for the sake of those seeking refuge from Londinium.[30]
Aurora's guards all praise her for her generosity, calling her the ideal queen who will bridge the gap between fairies and humans. They of the Liberation Army will dedicate their lives to protect her and the city.[30]
Coral has no faith that they can protect either Salisbury or Aurora. She believes they must place all their trust in Artoria and prays she will ring all the bells before they go to war with Morgan.[30]
Back in Londinium, the heroes see it is now crowded with recruits from Norwich and refugees. Peperoncino is also there. He seeks to kill Beryl, whom he is certain will appear in person during the upcoming defensive battle since Ritsuka will be there. He then has Ritsuka, Artoria, Da Vinci, and Percival come with him to the war room to discuss a proposal concerning what comes "after the prophecy".[30]
There he reveals the Lostbelt won't disappear even with its Tree gone. It now has the same "strength" as the Proper Human History. It is no longer a fantasy, but a new human history.[30]
Da Vinci says it is now closer to a Lost World. She suspects Morgan burned the Tree in the first year of her rule, so the Lostbelt ceased to be fantasy long before 2017. She further suspects it is Morgan's actions that sustain the Lostbelt. So if Morgan is defeated, the Lostbelt will return to normal.[30]
Peperoncino reveals that, unlike the other Lostbelts, the inhabitants will not disappear if they leave the Lostbelt. This is because their existences have the same "strength" as those from the Proper Human History. However, only fairies born after the change to the Queen's Calendar can leave. Ritsuka realizes Peperoncino is suggesting a mass migration into the Proper History. Peperoncino reveals humans "born" in the Lostbelt cannot leave, though.[30]
He gives Artoria the choice to abandon her role and start a new life in Proper Human History. Percival, to whom Peperoncino explained everything beforehand, says he will accept whatever decision Artoria makes. He also believes having a way for the fairies to escape to the outside world, even if Morgan isn't defeated, is big step forward for the Fairy Kingdom.[30]
Artoria concludes Morgan will never leave the fairies alone, and so decides to stay and defeat her to ensure they are saved, oddly referring to her as Morgan le Fay.[30]
Percival states the new recruits aren’t trained enough to go out on the field. They need time to train, but any reinforcements to Woodwoose from Morgan will strain Londinium’s defenses. As such, they will use troops hand-picked from Percival’s company to deal with the issue. Entwar and Kenwood’s platoons will take a day to discreetly move behind enemy lines. Once ready, a company bolstered by Norwich volunteers will march out of Londinium, luring Woodwose’s forces. The main force of Percival’s company will then strike hard at Woodwose himself from the enemy’s rear. If successful, the loss of their leader will render the Fang Clan without a sense of purpose and lead to their downfall.[30]
Percival confirms the decisive battle will be tomorrow, with their assault force scheduled to leave before sunrise. He will be going with them, so he asks the others to remain and defend Londinium in case the worst comes.[30]
Later that night, Ritsuka finds Habetrot in the war room writing in her diary. Habetrot guarantees Ritsuka they and Mash will be together again, stating that helping Artoria is a shortcut to their reunion. Mash was the start of Habetrot’s dream to send off a hundred happy brides, so for both her own and Mash’s sakes, she will not let Ritsuka die.[30]
Meanwhile, to her own surprise, Gareth is gifted with her own armor and mythril shield in honor of her bravery, and thanks for always helping the human children ever since arriving in Londinium.[30]
Later in the forest, Gareth asks Percival if he and Lancelot already knew each other. Percival confesses they were fellow students, but only for a few years. Now he and Lancelot are enemies with no words or mercy for each other. He is certain he will triumph when they next fight, asking Gareth if she and the others will lend a hand when that time comes.[30]
Artoria is left exhausted from speaking with Round Table soldiers. She knows they aren’t bad people, but they tire her out twice as usual. She has not felt this way since Tintagel and without a trace of confidence, she might have blundered. Muramasa jokes the Child of Prophecy should be used to entertaining, wondering it is the same in her hometown. Artoria replies it really wasn’t.[30]
Muramasa had noticed Artoria was looking down, which is why he came to check on her. Artoria insists she is only tired from fighting all day. She also doesn’t get along well with those in the Round Table Ary, finding their reasons for fighting too unnerving for her. She is only here because she is the Child of Prophecy and claims she likes to fight and fight well.[30]
Remembering what she went after at River Dracae, Muramasa out right tells Artoria she isn’t cut out for fighting. Artoria insists everything is fine. She knows it’s beyond her and she lacks confidence in her attempts, but she can at least succeed in ringing all the bells.[30]
Da Vinci reveals to Ritsuka that humans in Faerie Britain are clones of a single human being, made in such a way to allow a rich and varied genealogy matching humanity in Proper Human History. But they cannot reproduce and have a limited lifespan based on the one they were cloned from.[30]
Because the world is no longer a Lostbelt but Lost World, the lives born here could exist in Proper Human History. But before its Tree was withered, this world was still a Lostbelt and life born in a Lostbelt can only exist in a Lostbelt. Da Vinci therefore speculates there are no humans native to the Lostbelt. Fairies are now real while humans are fictional as a result of the latter’s forced conception. Thus, humans from Faerie Britain cannot live in the Proper Humsn History.[30]
Da Vinci then speculates that the Collapse may be the result of a fairy with malice comparable to an Evil of Humanity attempting to enter the Proper Human History. On that note, she shows Ritsuka a single word below the mural written in a language used by prehistoric civilizations in Proper Human History. It reads Cernunnos, the name of an old Celtic god and proof there was once a god in this land.[30]
In Camelot, Barghest reports to Morgan what transpired in Wales. Tristan mocks her for her defeat, remarking this was the second time she let the Child of Prophecy escape. Lancelot tells Tristan Barghest had succeeded in her mission and insists she was not defeated, unlike her. To the court’s surprise, she even takes off her mask. Tristan wonders if something happened.[30]
Morgan sentences Barghest to confinement in her holdings of Manchester. A fairy officer, however, thinks Barghest should atone for her crimes on the battlefield, believing they cannot rely on the Fang Clan alone to deal with the growing insurgency in Londinium. She implores Morgan to send Barghest off to defeat Artoria.[30]
Morgan calls the fairy ignorant for thinking humans could defeat Woodwose and for thinking he can no longer wage war just because he is over 1000 years old. She has already dispatched reinforcements to Oxford and tomorrow they will meet with Woodwose’s forces. She is certain that will be sufficient to bring down Londinium.[30]
She asks Barghest what became of Portunes, noting she hasn’t received word from him. Barghest answers that they went their separate ways after the forest was purged, so she doesn’t know of his current whereabouts. Morgan presumes Portunes is dead then.[30]
Barghest then tries to recommend allying with Ritsuka to combat the Great Calamity. Morgan, however, utterly rejects any collaboration with Proper Human History. The fairies will all be killed by the Great Calamity, but so long as Britain and herself remain, that is all that matters. Barghest is flustered that Morgan has no intention of saving the fairies.[30]
In his tent, Beryl is told by someone about Morgan’s reinforcements. He is uninterested in the conflict between the Round Table Army and Woodwose as Ritsuka is his primary target. But upon being told Peperoncino is in Londinium, he decides to avoid the place all together.[30]
Tristan arrives via her Infinity Mirror, wondering if someone was here just now. Beryl is amazed by the Infinity Mirror and praises Morgan for the Twelve Rhongomyniads, the great Bounded Field, the “Tower”, that covers Britain, the “Garden” where Merlin is sealed, rayshifting without a coffin, and sending the Calamity to the past. Tristan shares Beryl’s praise for her mother, but laments she never talks to her anymore. Beryl is certain Morgan still loves her, seeing her giving her one of the Infinity Mirror’s child terminals a sign of her affection.[30]
Tristan states she came to Woodwose’s battlefields to see all the corpses littering the ground but regrets her Noble Phantasm is Anti-Unit. She envies Barghest and is surprised Artoria bested her. She wonders if Ritsuka is really strong enough to defeat a Fairy Knight.[30]
Beryl calls Ritsuka a first-rate Master. They defeated Kirschtaria on more than just good luck, so they’re a better Master than Beryl. A good Master should have a genuine connection with their Servant, with the two acting as one. It was the strength of that bond that defeated Barghest.[30]
Tristan asks Beryl if he has a Servant. Beryl claims he hasn’t made a contract yet. Tristan suggests she become his Servant. Beryl questions if a fairy can become a Servant but agrees to contract with Tristan.[30]
For now, though, he wants to talk about tomorrow. He has one last thing to do before his business in Londinium is finished. Then, all that remains is to build toward the future. Beryl asks Tristan to help with that.[30]
Londinium Defense Battle[]
The next day, Woodwose attack Londinium with only two companies. Oberon orders Aurelia Platoon to take the front and Landon Platoon to head out from the east gate. Peperoncino agrees to take command of the Norwich volunteers and head out from the west gate and attack Woodwose’s right flank. If they can buy time with Aurelia and Landon, then Percival and his troops can hit Woodwoose’s back lines. Oberon tells Ritsuka and Artoria they will be the core of their defense.[31]
Londinium under siege.
A human messenger for Woodwose’s army reports their battle formation in front of Londinium is completed. The Round Table Army has deployed 200 troops from the north, east, and west gates. They are planning to attack Woodwose’s main camp from three sides.[31]
Woodwose asks the messenger how they, as a human, see the situation, asking if the Round Table Army seems like it will again put up a skirmish only to retreat back to the castle. The messenger answers it feels like the Round Table Army has no intention of withdrawing and possesses the will to do everything to keep Woodwose back.[31]
Woodwose concludes that means they are trying to buy time for Percival. He is well aware of the detached force attacking his army because if he were Percival, he would do the same thing. But Percival will run afoul of Morgan’s reinforcements, and even if he fends them off, he’d still be pincered between Woodwose’s main camp and Morgan’s army. Either way, he cannot return to Londinium, leaving the Round Table Army severely weakened without its main force. Woodwose thus orders footmen from the scouting unit to clear the ramparts and slaughter everyone in Londinium.[31]
Artoria panics that the battlefield is too big for her Enchantment to reach. Landon’s unit isn’t covered and is fighting a second line of troops with siege engine operators among them. Artoria can’t move from where she is, so Da Vinci sends Ritsuka and Muramasa to help Landon’s unit. Habetrot joins them as well.[31]
Muramasa is astounded by the out-of-place weapons, presuming it’s another one of Koyanskaya’s interferences. He doesn’t have to complain about Koyanskaya’s business practices, though, because three more are coming the heroes’ way. Unfortunately, the heroes' numbers are too few to keep defending the east gate. Worse, some Fang Clan soldiers jumped over the gate and entered the fortress.[31]
Inside Londinium, a Queen’s Soldier orders the siege operatives to find a way to disable the magical energy barrier on the ramparts, certain there is a control panel. He asks Shem (one of the human children who favors Gareth) where the headquarters are, promising him a quick death if he does. But Shem is too scared to speak, so the soldier decides to just kill him. Fortunately, Gareth, now donning her armor and shield, saves Shem and fights the enemy while he hides somewhere.[31]
Woodwose is delighted to see his forces are overwhelming the Round Table Army, remarking they are nothing without Percival. He presumes the Child of Prophecy is cowering in the castle and is glad he can atone for the failure at Tintagel. He asks if there are any reports from those who stormed the castle.[31]
A Fang Clan soldier says no reports have come in yet and assumes they're having trouble finding the Child. On that note, he asks Woodwose what the Child actually looks like. Woodwose answers he doesn't know as he wasn't allowed to attend Morgan's audience nor did her see her at Tintagel. Nevertheless, he orders to contnue the assault when he hears footsteps from behind.
Percival and his troops are now attacking Woodwose's main camp from behind. Woodwose refuses to believe the enemy could defeat Morgan's reinforcements in such a short period. But a Fang Clan soldier tells him Percival's company is unscathed and their own troops are exhausted from the siege. He implores Woodwose to lead his clan on the battlefield. Woodwose is seemingly afraid of exposing himself to the horrors of war.[31]
Rallying the troops, Percival attacks Woodwose’s main camp with Artoria’s party. After his camp is destroyed, Woodwose demands to know how Percival’s company got past Morgan’s reinforcements.[31]
Percival doesn’t know what he is referring and asks Woodwose to surrender peacefully. Woodwose fears the possibility that Morgan abandoned him, but quickly flies into a rage and attacks the heroes with his true power.[31]
The Spear of Selection failes against Woodwose.
Overwhelmed by Woodwose, Percival decides to use the Spear of Selection against him. But it is ineffective and Woodwose kills the heroes.[31]
Their deaths, however, are revealed to be a vision Gareth saw. Immediately she rides out of Londinium on Redra Bbit, shouting at Percival to wait when he gets ready to use the Spear. Woodwose, seeing Redra Bbit, questions why the manservant he gifted Aurora would turn against him. He wonders if Aurora has sided with the Child of Prophecy.[31]
Gareth hits Woodwose with her iron lance. Woodwose scoffs at her for thinking iron weapons would work against a fairy of his rank, only to be shocked when he bleeds. Percival uses this opening to strike Woodwose with the Spear, and unlike how it was in Gareth’s vision, it succeeds. With Woodwose now weakened, the heroes fight him once more.[31]
Mortally wounded, Woodwose flees to the River of Tears. Percival catches up to him. Woodwose tells him to stay away, calling him a failure. He confesses he is the fairy who raised him, having done it solely because he was the only human child with the potential to be a warrior.[31]
Percival knows he owes who he is to Woodwose. He holds no ill will toward him for it, but even so, he must end the life of his savior. Woodwose begs Percival not to kill him, asking without the Fang Clan who will defend Britain. Percival seemingly kills him, calling him father and prays he finds recompense in Paradise. He collapses immediately afterward.[31]
The battle has ended with the Round Table Army victorious. Artoria’s party goes to retrieve the collapsed Percival to get him treated.[31]
Speaking with Peperoncino in the war room, Oberon says with Woodwose dead, 20% of the Fang Clan soldiers have surrendered to the Round Table Army while the rest retreated to Oxford. He doubts they can function as an army with Woodwose now gone.[31]
Peperoncino says with this victory, they now have a foothold to march on Camelot. He is also pleased the Round Table Army is staying true to their slogan of wanting human-fairy coexistence, but condemning Morgan’s rule by not chasing after retreating enemies and treating their prisoners of war with respect. Artoria now has nearly equal standing as Morgan.[31]
Oberon responds they had no choice to fight Woodwose, but the Fang Clan is still needed to protect Britain in case of a huge outbreak of Moss. He recommends the Round Table Army occupy Oxford as soon as they’re ready.[31]
As for Woodwose’s replacement, Peperoncino thinks Percival would be suitable, but the Fang Clan will not follow him after he killed Woodwose. Oberon expects he can find a suitable candidate among the collaborators they will get from places besides Salisbury and Norwich now that Artoria is the Child of Prophecy in both name and action.[31]
Now the question is whether they march on Camelot or ring the remaining bells, because an army can’t move so easily.[31]
In the medical tent, Percival remembers it was raining on his birthday in 2011. It was the day he received the Spear of Selection and the day the Mirror Clan disappeared, leaving behind the foretelling the Child of Prophecy. It was also the final day when the one he loved most despaired over the thing he loved most.[31]
Ritsuka and Artoria visit the now recovered Percival and are surprised his hair is now mostly black.[31]
In Salisbury, Aurora is pleased by the cries of joy throughout the city over the Round Table Army’s victory. She feels bad about Woodwose, though, as she agreed to Oberon’s request to keep Woodwose occupied while the Round Table Army marched on Norwich.[31]
Someone tells her it is Woodwose’s own fault he lost. He placed too much trust in Morgan’s faith in him and his overconfidence as a A-Rei made him underestimate the abilities of humans. Aurora warns her child not to speak ill of Morgan even when alone because the Wind Clan has excellent hearing, so you can never be sure if someone is eavesdropping or not.[31]
Her child notices Coral is with her like always. Aurora says Coral is currently off greeting a messenger from Gloucester. Muryan is sponsoring an event to celebrate Artoria’s victory. Aurora will be attending. Her child agrees to accompany her as her knight, but Aurora cannot have her attend in her armor.[31]
Picking dresses, Aurora remarks her child hasn’t changed since then and praises her. Her child praises Aurora as the most beautiful in the world. She is a knight only for her and is not in Morgan’s service.[31]
Aurora is pleased to hear it, but warns her to be careful with her praise of her. From now, Britain will be centered on Artoria. Aurora warns her child not to mistake who to trust and remarks Morgan’s reign will soon end.[31]
Her child doesn’t care, calling Aurora her only star, and only wants her to be safe. Aurora says she will always be a child but thinks that means she can give a true evaluation of Artoria. She asks her if she thinks Artoria will become the shining star of Britain, as was foretold.[31]
At her camp, Cnoc na Riabh receives an invitation to Muryan’s ball. Cnoc na Riabh refuses to go out of her disdain for Muryan and Gloucester as a city full of humans.[31]
She then receives a report that the Round Table Army and Artoria have defeated Woodwose’s army. The Round Table Army lost about 20% of their troops, but as they’re quickly replenishing forces, they are expected to take only 7 days to regroup and begin their march.[31]
Cnoc na Riabh tells the soldier to inform the officer corps they will cross the southern border as soon as the Titan Corps is complete. She calls their upcoming march on Camelot the continuation of a 1000 year plan dating back to the previous King’s Clan. She orders the soldier to warn the other officers not to get too excited under the threat of turning him into chocolate skewered on her heel for a 1000 years. The soldier promises her not a single northern fairy will move until they receiver her order.[31]
After the soldier leaves, Cnoc na Riabh expresses surprise that Artoria and her friends defeated Woodwose because he was a A-Rei who was stronger than the Fairy Knights. Artoria has no shortage of enemies but Cnoc na Riabh thinks it's the least she can do as her rival to the throne.[31]
Koyanskaya returns to Muryan from presumably Londinium but leaves to visit the dragon’s corpse, the location of which she bartered off of Oberon.[31]
Woodwose is revealed to have survived, but his wound will not close. He concludes it is not Percival’s fault but Gareth’s, though he cannot understand how her lance could do this to him. There was also the fact Redra Bbit was with the Round Table Army, leading Woodwose to recall his dinner with Aurora.[31]
Aurora told him he deserved better, noting Morgan had changed in the past 200 years; promoting the Fairy Knights, adopting Tristan, and taking Beryl as her husband. She thought Woodwose was always a more suitable candidate.[31]
Woodwose was surprised, as he thought Aurora hated him. Aurora denied it and told him every fairy idolized him for protecting Britain and being the most pureblooded of the six clans. But he swore an oath of allegiance to Morgan, so she couldn’t get close to him without risking her relationship with the queen.[31]
She told him Ainsel’s prophecy was mistaken and said Britain’s true king is neither Morgan nor Artoria. She told him he is worthy of being king.[31]
Woodwose concludes Redra Bbit turned traitor on his own, dismissing him as always having been incomprehensible. He is certain Aurora will shelter him and suspects with his defeat, Oxford will soon be occupied. But once his wounds are healed, he will return to Oxford and destroy the Round Table Army. He boasts he is Britain’s strongest warrior and will kill all the Fairy Knights to prove it to Morgan.[31]
Beryl appears and tells Woodwose his greatest fear: Morgan never sent him reinforcements. She saw him as a hindrance and sought to dispose of him along with the Round Table Army. Woodwose flies into a rage, but Tristan slices him up with her strings on Beryl’s command.[31]
Tristan appreciates Beryl praising her for easily his old granny’s Cursed Arts. But she felt gross, so she doesn’t want to use that magecraft any more. Beryl doesn’t tell her it rots the soul of its user.[31]
Handed a piece of Woodwose, Beryl describes how witches in Proper Human History use a form of magecraft to turn into animals. It has many prerequisites, but Beryl eats the piece of Woodwose to show the fastest way is to eat parts of the creature one wants to become.[31]
Fragment 7[]
Aesc tells Mash that the belief she is repeatedly reincarnated is a misconception born from the fact that after cleansing a Calamity, she hides in a cave and sleeps in a coffin. She had been sleeping for 20 years this time.[32]
Mash is confused why Aesc would do that, thinking the fairies would certainly be grateful to her for cleansing the Calamity.[32]
Aesc asserts they are not, for she is Caster, the one who chants the voice from Paradise, and so most of Britain’s fairies hate her. They would only see her as the cause of the next disturbance. She therefore leaves the worldly matters following the Calamity to the clan heads and goes into hibernation. She can also replenish her magical energy this way.[32]
But she is certain that once Uther becomes king, Britain will cease to be a world where its people kill each other without true purpose. The Queen’s Calendar Mash spoke of is proof of that. Mash asks Aesc if Britain has always been embroiled in such intense conflict.[32]
Aesc reveals Britain was once much smaller. Britain is a world created by piling up the corpses of dead fairies. Its current size is thanks to the countless fairies who died in the daily conflicts between the clans. The conflicts were both a fight for limited land and a means to create more land. It is for that reason Aesc only cleanses the Calamities and stays out of the conflicts between the clans.[32]
Mash asks why Britain was small in the first place because her world Britain was much bigger. She can only presume there was a difference in the past that required the use of fairy corpses.[32]
Aesc admits she asked the same question. But since she was born 3600 years ago or in the year 4000 of the Fairy Calendar, she wasn’t taught about Britain’s creation 10,000 years ago or in the year 12000 of the Fairy Calendar. Mash realizes that is the same divergent point of the Atlantic Lostbelt. Aesc says according to Orkney’s records, in the beginning there was only an empty sea, six fairies, a beast, and a priestess.[32]
That night at camp, the Black Knight scolds Totorot for forgetting his instructions on how to dye clothing he told her only yesterday. Later, while everyone else is asleep, Mash catches Totorot struggling to practice sewing.[32]
Totorot confesses she has been trying for months to make an outfit for Aesc to wear at the coronation. But she forgets everything so quickly and can’t do anything she didn’t already know from birth.
The Black Knight told her role from the beginning was to fight, but ever since she saw those pretty dresses in the city, there has been a pain in her chest. She feels something very important from, so she thought she could learn something regarding that if she made clothes like a human craftsman. But she can’t retain anything others try to teach her. She cries she wants to do something other than just fighting.[32]
Mash suggests Totorot write everything down in a diary. She keeps a diary herself and offers to teach Totorot how to use one. Totorot confesses she can’t even write, but Mash confesses she can’t write in the fairy language either. They can study together and eventually it will become muscle memory.[32]
The next day, Aesc’s party arrives at the Great Pit; Mash sees Camelot hasn’t been built yet. Aesc has Totorot lower Mash in with a string protected by her magecraft.[32]
One hour later, Mash reaches a depth of 7000 meters and notices ash rising up, meaning something is burning at the bottom of the Great Pit to spread ash throughout Faerie Britain’s atmosphere. The air gets heavier the further down she goes, but she can still breathe thanks to Galahad’s protection. Then, at 7450 meters down, she sees a glowing red light at the bottom.[32]
The others suddenly hear an alarm beep off. Aesc tells Mash to take her foot off the lifeline’s catch as the thread has been infected by the lethal amount of magical elements rising up. She senses there may be a curse behind the Lostbelt covering the entire planet.[32]
Cernunnos' corpse at the bottom of the Great Pit.
She calls out to Mash again, warning her that space is not of this world and that she will be drawn if she gazes upon it. Mash does not respond. Aesc realizes Mash has gone unconscious and has Ector pull her up. She is disturbed to see Cernunnos’s corpse at the bottom.[32]
Mash later wakes up in Salisbury’s cathedral. Aesc explains they brought her here after she fell unconscious. Her magecraft alone couldn’t exorcise the curse affecting Mash, but with the cleansing power of Salisbury and the Wind Clan, the curse was eventually excised. Mash recalls fainting at the sight of those flames and apologizes for inconveniencing everyone.[32]
Aesc says they can worry about those flames later. It may take centuries to resolve, but just knowing what lurks in the Great Pit is quite fortunate. Aesc thanks Mash for her cooperation. After Britain is unified, she will consult with Uther on how to deal with the Great Pit.[32]
She apologizes to Mash that she didn’t learn any magecraft that could return her to the future. Mash tells her not to worry, as she was also interested in the Great Pit, curious no one in the Fairy Kingdom ever investigated it. Totorot is shocked it still remains in the future. Aesc concludes it cannot be sealed like the Spear of Selection.[32]
Mash presumes by Spear of Selection Aesc means the Staff of Selection. Even though she is the savior, Aesc doesn’t have the Staff, so Mash asks if she lost it somewhere.[32]
Aesc doesn’t know about a Staff of Selection but she no longer has the Spear. She came to Britain with the Ritual Tools of Selection from her homeland that washed ashore with her. But the Spear was corrupted by her feelings and became a “weapon gone bad”, so she sealed it and was permitted to store it in the cathedral.[32]
Totorot says it’s a shame as the Garden and the Spear are Aesc’s super moves. The Garden is a Bounded Field used to imprison incubi while the Spear is a weapon for punishing fairies. But the fairies acted so selfishly during the last Calamity that Aesc snapped and the Spear inverted.[32]
Aesc explains the Spear’s strength didn’t change, but now it drains the wielder’s lifespan instead of their magical energy.[32]
Gloucester (II)[]
Percival informs the heroes that Ritsuke and Artoria received an invitation from Muryan last night inviting them to the fairy ball, the Faerium.[33]
Gareth explains the Faerium is a soiree where not only clan heads but other prominent fairies recognized for their service that year to the Fairy Kingdom are invited to a lavish evening. It is the pinnacle of fairy society, where the most “dazzling” fairy of the year is chosen. Artoria is very nervous about going to such an event.[33]
Da Vinci suspects Muryan invited Artoria to provide an opportunity to ring Gloucester's bell, though she can’t tell what her end goal is. Oberon agrees and assumes it is Muryan’s way of expressing for both Morgan and Artoria. It is only natural for the lord of Gloucester to hold a fairy ball, even more so if it’s the historic Faerium.[33]
Artoria and RItsuka weren’t the only invitees, though. Morgan will never leave her throne, but others may go in her stead. There is no reason not to expect Tristan and Lancelot to be there, especially since the latter is picked every year.[33]
Oberon confirms Muramasa’s assumption that the ball will be neutral ground for the war. Normally, traitors would be forbidden from entering Gloucester, but they’ll be attending the ball as guests of nobility. It will give Artoria an opportunity to sneak out and into secret rooms.[33]
Percival says he will prepare a carriage for the heroes right away, then. The ball is tonight, so they need to reach Gloucester by nightfall. Everyone else is baffled by how short notice Muryan's invitation was.[33]
The heroes arrive at Gloucester, leaving Redra Bit and Percival outside the city. Artoria and Ritsuka ‘s invitations allow for one extra companion each. Muramasa decides he and Da Vinci will do. He expects Oberon will sneak in later, which Oberon affirms.[33]
Since they weren’t invited, Gareth and Habetrot head off to check Peperonico’s shop, who gave them a referral letter to allow entry when they left Londinium.[33]
Ritsuka and the rest get ready to head for the ball, but Artoria is frozen with embarrassment. With supposedly no other option, Ritsuka and Muramasa try to drag her to the ball by force. But Artoria absolutely refuses to go, ashamed by her attire and not wanting to meet anyone she knows. She even orders Oberon to go in her stead and ring the bell.[33]
Oberon scolds her for acting so selfishly. He wonders, though, if she has some underlying trauma, asking her if she was mistaken for a waiter at a ball once.[33]
Artoria denies it, but she finds it shameful for the face of the Round Table Army to show up wearing something so shabby. Oberon tells her there is no need to worry then because, for a warrior, their combat attire is their formal attire. He and Ritsuka then convince her to go.[33]
Ball Room
At the ball, Da Vinci deduces the dance hall itself is a Fairy Territory, an ultra first-class Reality Marble. The size of the building’s exterior and its interior do not match after all.[33]
Artoria mentions she was here before, then immediately questions where Muryan is. Muramasa wonders the same thing, figuring Muryan’s first move would be to unveil the Child of Prophecy to get the crowded excited.[33]
An auctioneer fairy apologizes to the attendees for the delay in Muryan’s appearance, adding today’s special announcement will be revealed an hour from now.[33]
With Muryan absent and Oberon still not at the ball, Artoria asks Ritsuka if they should sneak into the bell tower. Ritsuka contemplates their answer when the new guests arrive.[33]
First is Barghest, followed by Aurora and a beautiful white-haired fairy, then lastly, Beryl and Tristan. Artoria is disappointed that Cnoc na Riabh didn’t come, but acts relieved she will not have to tolerate her arrogant attitude or her snide remarks.[33]
Coral greets Artoria and congratulates her on her victory at Londinium. She tells her there is no need to be nervous, for the hall is under the effects of Muryan’s magic. As such, one cannot see the face of a stranger, so Artoria doesn’t have to act so tense.[33]
Da Vinci, after Coral warns Ritsuka not to voice their opinions so carelessly, thinks deep down a part of Coral always worries about the humans. She interprets her warning as her way of telling Ritsuka to stay out of trouble by not doing the same to other fairies.[33]
Coral remains firm though that, unlike Aurora, she loathes humans, nor does she see them as equals. Da Vinci thinks otherwise and tries to insinuate Coral’s strict disciplining means she is kinder to humans than Aurora, who lets them freely. Coral cuts her off before she can say more, calling it slander against Aurora and, by extension, the Wind Clan. She also dislikes being compared to Aurora.[33]
Da Vinci then asks Coral who the fairy standing next to Aurora was earlier, presuming her to be Aurora’s bodyguard. Coral hesitates before answering the most beautiful fairy stands next to the most brilliant fairy Aurora. When that fairy is present, Coral respectfully gives up her position as Aurora’s attendant. It is the way of things, even if she is a repulsive creature who crawled out of the black mud.[33]
Coral then walks off, leaving Da Vinci disappointed she couldn’t get to the bottom of the difference in values Coral and Aurora have. Muramasa is confused by what she means by difference in values.[33]
The white-haired fairy, her face now obscured by a blue cloth, comes up to the heroes asking if they said anything to upset Coral. She realizes they do not recognize her without her armor, though. So, taking off her mask, she reveals she is Lancelot.[33]
Artoria wonders if Lancelot is from Avalon. Lancelot cuts off before she can say more, saying Aurora told her to keep a low profile about her origins.[33]
Redonning her mask, Lancelot commends the heroes on their victory in Londinium. She then asks how Percival is doing. Ritsuka answers he is fine, but asks Lancelot who he is to her. She confesses he is her little brother and leaves.[33]
The heroes are baffled that Percival and Lancelot are siblings. Muramasa presumes Percival never said anything so not to affect the morale of the Round Table Army if they were to learn their commander was Lancelot’s little brother. It worries him that Lancelot just blurted out that secret, but Artoria thinks it isn’t a problem and tells him to keep quiet about it. It isn’t as if they’re accomplices and they wouldn’t meddle in each other’s affairs. Muramasa agrees to keep quiet about it.[33]
He asks how it’s possible, though, for a fairy and a human to be siblings. Artoria answers that is not unheard of for fairies to “adopt” humans. She thinks Lancelot could be an old friend of the fairy who took in Percival. Da Vinci agrees it is plausible and suspects it is why Percival wanted to stay away from Salisbury.[33]
Ritsuka is then told by a fairy that Barghest wishes to speak with them on the terrace. Artoria, Da Vinci, and Muramasa go with them.
Terrace
At the terrace, Barghest admits she was relieved of her post and placed under house arrest in her own land. She wasn’t going to attend the ball, but she suspected the heroes would attend, so she came to talk to them.[33]
She asks the Chaldeans to tell her about Proper Human History. Morgan told her the necessities, but nothing of its inner workings or its history. She wants to know if Chaldea are invaders or harmless visitors.[33]
Da Vinci tells her about Proper Human History and how Chaldea has conquered Lostbelts to reclaim Proper Human History and its future. They aren’t targeting Britain, but in the end, as a Lostbelt, it will have to be pruned. But none of that means they deny the Lostbelt’s history or its people. The struggle for survival between Proper Human History and the Lostbelts is purely world vs world.[33]
After Da Vinci and Ritsuka confirm fairies still exist in Proper Human History and the threat of the Calamities and Moss do not exist there, Barghest stops herself from asking if the Lostbelt’s fairies could emigrate there. But Ritsuka, knowing what she wants, tells her she could go there. They and Da Vinci know she cares more about protecting the fairies rather than Britain itself. She serves Morgan because she protects the fairies, but if Morgan doesn’t intend to do that, then Barghest must find another way, like emigrating to Proper Human History.[33]
Barghest knows it is impossible, though, for the residents of a Lostbelt to leave and laments the fairies have no choice but to be consumed as Morgan’s tools. Da Vinci tells her, however, that isn’t true for Britain, so it is possible for the fairies to live in Proper Human History. There are admittedly many hurdles to that, but that can be discussed later. They only need kind hearted fairies like Artoria and Barghest to unite all the fairies.[33]
With that in mind, Barghest requests the Chaldeans to come to her estate in Manchester to discuss a proposal and leaves.[33]
Oberon finally sneaks in, just as Barghest left the terrace. Ritsuka tells him they were discussing emigration with Barghest. Oberon never considered the possibility but thinks it’s worth considering.[33]
Da Vinci tells him the conversation never got past the proposal stage since such a topic is quite dangerous to discuss here. She asks Oberon what he thinks of Barghest’s invitation to meet her in Manchester.[33]
Oberon warns Manchester abides by the survival of the fittest, where the strong can do as they please with the weak. He doesn’t mind the heroes going, though, if there is a guarantee Barghest will not harm them. Barghest had many lovers, yet not a one lasted long as she apparently eats them alive a day after inviting them to her mansion. She, the Black Dog, is feared throughout Britain as a Fairy Eater and while she tries within reason to act like an upper-class fairy, she cannot resist her carnivorous nature.[33]
Then, at Oberon’s discretion, the heroes sneak into the bell tower. Privately, Oberon finds emigration a bold move from Barghest, even though she burned down the Forest of Wales.[33]
On the third floor of the bell tower, as Artoria picks the lock, Da Vinci says she never heard of fairies who steal money. Oberon replies fairies have no need for it, yet Morgan created a monetary system, anyway. Lock-picking blossomed as a result of the safes made to store savings and assets, since something made with human technology cannot easily be opened even with a fairy’s Sacraments. Artoria recalls Merlin told her to learn it because it would be useful for her journey.[33]
As he taught her magecraft, Da Vinci asks Artoria if Merlin used to live in Tintagel. Artoria confesses she never actually met him before. She only heard his voice whenever she was alone. Merlin said a scary queen had imprisoned, so he taught Artoria the basics of magecraft from a distance. Artoria improved on her own.[33]
Suddenly the heroes start hearing chatter followed by a single spotlight appearing and Muryan’s voice declaring the Faerium a surface-level distraction. Tonight’s main event is a battle to determine the true queen. More lights turn on, revealing the heroes are in the auction house surrounded by masked fairies.[33]
Muryan declares this will be a match between Tristan and Beryl and Artoria and RItsuka. She implores the four of them to come onto the stage, adding if Artoria defeats Tristan Gloucester’s bell will acknowledge her, even she herself does not.[33]
The masked fairies expect Artoria to have a magnificent figure since she is said to have defeated Woodwose. They demand she show them a figure worthy of ruling Britain.[33]
Embarrassed, Artoria tries to quietly slip away, but Da Vinci grabs her. Muramasa has Ritsuka go with him to the dresser backstage.[33]
Beryl and Tristan think Artoria and Ritsuka are forfeiting. Tristan mocks Artoria as a truly lowly fairy, even though she is propped up as the Child of Prophecy, and thinks no one is more pathetic in all of Britain. But then Ritsuka comes onto the stage with Artoria, who is now wearing a brand new outfit. Ritsuka and Artoria and Beryl and Tristan then engage in a tag team battle.[33]
Artoria wins the match, and Gloucester’s bell is rung. Tristan loses her Gifted Name, causing her to fear Morgan will scold her again, “Why are you like that? Why are always like that?”[33]
The fairies remember Tristan is the vampire Baobhan Sith, Darlington’s maidservant, and are disgusted at the thought of all the human blood she drank. They accuse her and Morgan of being the reason Darlington fell and Grimalkin became a Fairy Dreadlord a century ago. Baobhan Sith denies their accusations and flees as the fairies all mock her as a lowly fairy.[33]
Neither Ritsuka nor Artoria feel good about their victory. Artoria says all amounts to everyone is a liar.[33]
Beryl commends RItsuka on their victory and dares them to kill him, acting like he is completely defenseless without Baobhan Sith. Ritsuka doesn’t take the bait, impressing Beryl with how good they are at sensing danger. He finds no point in “playing” with Ritsuka if Mash isn’t around and so leaves, expecting to see the heroes again in Camelot.[33]
In Muryan’s office, Artoria thanks Ritsuka for the outfit under the assumption they were working on it for a while in secret. Muramasa silently pressures Ritsuka to not tell Artoria he made her new outfit. It makes her want to be seen despite being a shy person.[33]
Oberon is a bit disappointed as he wanted to make Artoria’s big debut as the Child of Prophecy. Da Vinci responds what happened tonight achieves the same purpose, surmising the fairies who watched were all nobles. Artoria defeated Tristan through her own power and now looks the part of the Child of Prophecy. News of it is certain to spread quickly through Britain.[33]
Muryan confirms Gloucester’s bell acknowledgment of Artoria, means the Wind Clan recognizes her as the Child of Prophecy. However, Gloucester will remain neutral. Furthermore, Muryan fundamentally hates humans, so she will obviously not be helping the Round Table Army.[33]
She now intends to return to being a bookworm, mentioning she bought Fairy Calendar materials off an archaeologist from Camelot. She demands the heroes leave if they have no other business.[33]
Ritsuka asks her where Koyanskaya is. Muryan quickly glances over at Oberon, then answers Koyanskaya is currently out on business. From her understanding, Koyanskaya has found she was looking for.[33]
Outside, the heroes rendezvous with the others. Gareth and Habetrot are both shocked by Artoria’s new outfit. Habetrot is particularly shocked, assuming the Fairies of Paradise all have the same fashion taste.[33]
Da Vinci wonders how those lower-class fairies they met last time they were in Gloucester are doing. She tells Artoria she can introduce herself as the Child of Prophecy now. Oberon says it’s too late for that and says Artoria can thank them next time. Artoria agrees, saying she will thank them many times over.[33]
The heroes then start to leave, but Ritsuka stops to ask Oberon where he was on the night before the battle at Londinium. Oberon confesses he was here in Gloucester that night, convincing Koyanskaya to intercept the reinforcements Morgan sent for Woodwose in exchange for something’s location.[33]
It is revealed Spriggan lived in Japan’s Edo period, born into a lower-class samurai family. He served as a sailor on the ship carrying talented youths recruited by Satsuma clans to study abroad in different countries to prepare for the upcoming era. One of those destinations was London.[33]
Spriggan adored art more anything and anymore. He was instantly enamored with London to the point of abandoning his duty of sailor. With the aid of a map, he ventured through the city, sneaking into the homes of nobles to look at their paintings. He then somewhat ended up in the Fairy Kingdom.[33]
He was enslaved by the fairies, then discarded and set free once he reached his 30th year. 55 years old at that point, he drew upon three decades of observing the fairies to conceal his true self and eked out a business employing fairies. He set fairies to kill one another, then dissected and studied them. From that, he created an elixir to slow his aging, even if only slightly.[33]
Another 40 years later, he looked like a young fairy when, in reality, he was in his 90s. His deception was confined to the Earth Clan, who trusted others not for their character but for the quality of their goods.[33]
He became the Earth Clan head’s secretary and together they founded the first department store in the Fairy Kingdom——Spriggan & Capless. Afterward, Spriggan plotted to kill the Earth Clan head and take his name. There are none in the Fairy Kingdom and probably in Proper Human History who knew his original name.[33]
Speaking to someone in his office, Spriggan notes Anti-Morgan sentiment is becoming more vocal across all of Britain, not just in the major cities but also in the remote villages. He admits Morgan has made a fine kingdom, but thinks her policies are keeping its values antiquated and prevent it from growing. However, recalling a queen once ruled England in Proper Human History, he concludes only a queen is suitable to rule the Fairy Kingdom.[33]
Asked who he would want to be the next queen, Spriggan describes a radiant fairy who loves her people, more beautiful than all others, surpassed by her own wickedness, and oblivious to her own stupidity.[33]
The other person concludes she could never defeat Morgan, though, let alone seize the throne. Spriggan concurs and judges that there is only one person capable of defeating Morgan. Soldiers monitoring the battlefield had discovered them earlier. It is only a matter of when to use them, noting everyone is unfamiliar with the rule allowing for the usage of captured pieces.[33]
Baobhan Sith returns to her room in New Darlington. She throws a violent trauma, ranting how she is the only daughter Morgan will ever need and that she could have won if she had her own personal magecraft worthy of a queen's daughter. But proclaiming victory is hers in the end, she decides to borrow the Garden off of Morgan's throne.[33]
Manchester[]
Rejoining with Percival and Redra Bbit outside Gloucester, the heroes prepare to head back to Londinium, but Da Vinci wants to have a secret discussion about their plans for the future. Oberon takes everyone to the forest off the highway, which unfortunately turns out to be a Moss den.[34]
After the Moss are slain, Da Vinci proposes they head for Orkney before Oxford. Right now, Morgan’s eyes are fixed on Oxford, so her attention shouldn’t be on the north. Oberon warns, though, that if they head for Orkney, the Queen’s Army will be dispatched to pursue them and they’ll encounter Cnoc na Riabh’s army. He thinks it’d be safer to move the Round Table Army closer to Camelot and head there guarded by the troops.[34]
Da Vinci counters Cnoc na Riabh will move her army if they move theirs. Cnoc na Riabh declared herself Artoria’s rival and sees Ainsel’s prophecy as irritant, so her position as queen will force her to interfere if Artoria moves publicly. The northern fairies will be needed to wage war on Morgan. As such, it is best to avoid a fight with them.[34]
Percival would very much like an alliance with the northern fairies, not just to oppose Morgan, but as fellow Britons. The Round Table Army has sent several envoys to discuss it, but as Artoria points out, Cnoc na Riabh hates humans.[34]
Artoria suggests they negotiate with Cnoc na Riabh at her main camp on their way back from Orkney, certain she will listen now. [34]
Gareth realizes Cnoc na Riabh can no longer afford to ignore Artoria now that she is the genuine Child of Prophecy. She is concerned, though, how they’ll get to Orkney without being spotted. Percival proposes using the Lake District as its terrain is unsuitable for marching, and it’s full of Moss. [34]
Oberon decides he’ll return to Londinium to focus on the Round Table Army’s expansion and securing Oxford. Gareth decides to return to Londinium with Percival and Oberon instead of accompanying Artoria, refusing to leave its people behind.[34]
Before they go their separate ways, Oberon tells Ritsuka to look after Artoria, as she is the type to hide her true feelings behind a smile. He also feels defeating Morgan will not resolve everything and there is someone, something in Britain that has cursed all living things. He suspects Orkney may hold a clue to Britain’s origin, knowledge of which he thinks may be key to defeating Morgan.[34]
Artoria dreams, hearing the tolling of the bells. For the past 16 years, she has heard her own voice calling out to her in an unchanging dream.[34]
She recalls those lower-class Gloucester fairies. Everything they gave her was junk, but for them struggling to live day to day, those things were indispensable treasures. She could see their feelings: their joy of believing in something warm and their gratitude at being alive even though life had been trying. She could see they would be gone the next morning.[34]
When she next visited Gloucester, those fairies were nowhere to be seen. They had little time left, so they entrusted all their hopes to the Child of Prophecy. They wanted to help the Child of Prophecy even more than they wanted to live, so they gave everything they had left.[34]
Artoria sees the moment her counterpart was about to draw Caliburn from the stone. She agrees with Merlin that she should reconsider before drawing the sword, believing everyone should share in the burden if the world ends. Artoria Pendragon then drew the sword, certain it is not a mistake because many people were smiling.[34]
Despite restoring the country and its people, Artoria Pendragon was ostracized by her knights and her people. Never knowing joy, she was crushed, bearing the weight of others’ desires. In the end, she saw her kingdom fall to civil war, and she died alone.[34]
Artoria thinks her counterpart should have discarded it all and does not understand why she went so far. There was no need for her to become king just because she had the strength to do. She sees her counterpart’s life as nothing noble in the slightest.[34]
Outloud Artoria tells her counterpart she could have left it to someone else. In response, Artoria Pendragon gently looks back at her and confesses she too thought there was someone better suited. Artoria asks her why then. Artoria Pendragon tells her she knows that better than anyone.[34]
The next day, Da Vinci requests a detour to Manchester before heading for the Lake District. She decided this beforehand with the others without Artoria, Percival, and Oberon knowing.[34]
Redra Bbit describes Manchester as an idyllic fairy town. Everyone there hates violence, even though the rule is survival of the fittest. As such, Redra Bbit assures there will be no fighting in Manchester.[34]
Manchester
But stopping at a tavern in Manchester, the heroes are jumped on by an oddly coherent Welsh fairy.[34]
Barghest dreams of one of the countless times she ate a lover of hers, sobbing as she does. Predation is the law of the wild and it is her pride. Even among the Fang Clan, she was especially gifted in both body and soul.[34]
She believes those born strong have a duty to protect and rule over the weak. She has to be strong and to be strong she has to eat the strong. Therefore, her love is only for the strong. She was born with such a principle. To protect Britain——to protect the weak——she needs to continue eating the strong.[34]
In the chamber of a veiled bed, someone comforted Barghest as she cried and let her confide in him. He was completely bedridden and extremely weak, but even so, he protected Barghest’s broken heart. He suggested she talk about the Knights of the Round Table she adores to make herself feel better whenever she has a rough time.[34]
Barghest truly loves others, living her life devouring her lovers, hoping she will not fall to her cravings. She had reached her limit a long time ago. But she cannot accept the end that came to be, so to atone for the sin of devouring her lovers, she has continued to protect Britain, all the while hiding her shattered feelings.[34]
Finding her admirable, someone offered to form a contract with Barghest, believing it was too early for her to fall under her curse.[34]
The heroes beat back the fairies who suddenly attacked them. The tavern owner apologizes for their behavior, calling them trend-chasing morons. Camelot is rumored to be preparing for war, so the fairies thought they play soldier. He scolds the Welsh fairy who started it that in the midst of welcoming Barghest back. They would have all been punished for breaking the rules if they were any casualties.[34]
Leaving the tavern, the heroes are followed after by the Welsh fairy. Her name is Jenny, and she was just recently born in Manchester. Artoria asks her if she knows where Barghest lives. Jenny points to the mansion at the end of the main street.[34]
Da Vinci admits she thought Manchester would mostly be Fang Clan, but seeing Jenny, she assumes there are fairies like her. She asks if there are Earth Clan fairies as well.[34]
Jenny isn’t sure of that, but Manchester is about half human, half fairy. Habetrot sees only fairies, so she questions if there are truly that many humans. Jenny says that is the survival of the fittest: “The weak have to be protected by the strong!”[34]
Artoria says Barghest has always been like that. Barghest would say, “the strong only eat the strong. The weak aren’t worthy of being eaten. They deserve protection.”[34]
Ritsuka asks Artoria if she and Barghest are childhood friends. Artoria questions how that is possible when Barghest doesn’t know who she is and denies she knows Barghest.[34]
Jenny tells the heroes that Barghest is home right now. She has a new lover, so she comes home often and everybody in town is happy for her. Redra Bbit is nervous about going to Barghest’s home, given the rumors that she eats her lovers. Nevertheless, he swallows his fear and accompanies the others to meet with Barghest.[34]
Barghest greets the heroes still wearing her dress since she only just got home. But before she will talk with the Chaldeans, she has Ritsuka and Da Vinci spar with her to demonstrate Chaldea’s power. Unless they can defeat her without the Child of Prophecy’s help, she will not place her trust in them.[34]
Afterward, everyone eats a meal cooked by her. Barghest decides she will join them in overthrowing Morgan, understanding now that Morgan cares only for her kingdom. She agrees to put on a trail for her crimes done under Morgan’s orders after the battle for Camelot, accepting any punishment dealt her. But first, she would like the Chaldeans to promise they will consider allowing the fairies to emigrate out of the Lostbelt, adding all fairies fear Britain.[34]
Da Vinci says the Storm Border can accept up to 500 refugees. Relocation will have to wait until the bleached Earth is resolved, but there should be no issue with the fairies living in the Border. Its original purpose was to act as a Noah’s Ark of sorts, after all.[34]
Artoria reluctantly accepts as an ally and says she will inform Oberon about it later. She instructs Barghest to not attack the Round Table Army and to neutralize any Queen’s Soldiers she sees once the battle for Camelot begins. She does not trust her enough to rely on her to open the gates from within.[34]
Changing the subjecting, Ritsuka asks Barghest if she could introduce them to her lover. Barghest claims he is only a human boy she is looking after and denies he is her lover, for she only loves the strong.[34]
More importantly, though, Adonis is weak and sickly and is currently recuperating in a room in a quiet wing of the mansion. He wanted to meet Ritsuka when Barghest told him about them, but he hasn’t stopped coughing lately. Barghest says it is a symptom of the Great Calamity and medicine has become harder to get. So right now, Adonis needs his rest.[34]
However, Barghest would very much like for Ritsuka to return to meet Adonis after the battle for Camelot. She doesn’t know if she’ll return, but she is sure RItsuka and Adonis would become great friends. Muramasa realizes Barghest never wanted to protect just the fairies. Barghest sees no distinction between humans and fairies when it comes to protection.[34]
Da Vinci thanks Barghest for the fruitful discussion, deeming their detour to Manchester worth it. It was also a good break for Artoria, being able to talk with a fairy she shares a connection with while eating pie the whole time.[34]
Artoria angrily insists it was the exact opposite and more exhausting than acting like the “Child of Prophecy” for the Round Table Army. She demands they leave, saying they need to reach the Lake District before sunset. Barghest warns the Moss up north are few but powerful.[34]
But something is still bothering Barghest. Recalling what she was taught about Masters and Servants, she questions the validity of Beryl’s claim that Morgan is his summoned Servant. Morgan never once referred to him as a Master, and Beryl only arrive a few months ago while Morgan has lived for 2000 years. Barghest therefore asks if it’s possible to summon someone who already exists as a Servant.[34]
Da Vinci answers there is a precedent for Heroic Spirits with extremely twisted, complex personal histories. Proper Human History Morgan with three personas is one such Heroic Spirit. But if she was summoned, there would be two Morgans in the Fairy Kingdom. Da Vinci asks Barghest if she ever witnessed something like that or heard any rumors.[34]
Barghest answers that there is only one Morgan, and she is not a Servant. She can assure after 200 years of service that Morgan is without a doubt a fairy. But that is why she asked if Beryl truly is Morgan’s Master.[34]
Beryl was the first Crypter the Alien God resurrected after Kirschtaria. The two of them spoke on the bleached Earth. Beryl had been chosen to join Team A for emergencies during the Singularity reparation mission. As such, he was made privy to the Sirius Light’s secrets, like how to force its activation. The Sirius Lights were a decisive factor for preserving the Human Order threatened by the Seven Singularities. Beryl’s job was to eliminate any traitors to the cause.[34]
Kirschtaria explained to Beryl that once everyone on Team A is resurrected, they will each be assigned to a Lostbelt and granted a chance to rule the world by the Alien God, provided they cultivate their Fantasy Tree. However, Kirschtaria told Beryl to discard his chance while making look like he was trying to succeed.[34]
He had assigned Beryl to the British Lostbelt in advance, unaware of its current state. But calling Britain a cornerstone for the World of Magecraft, he feared what would happen if the Alien God were to inhabit something from there. He therefore tasked Beryl with destroying the Lostbelt before it can mature while keeping his involvement a secret. Beryl gleefully accepted his new job.[34]
When Beryl arrived in the Lostbelt, though, he questioned how such a desolate world was a threat to Kirschtaria’s new human history. Nevertheless, it meant he could destroy the Tree without any real opposition. To that end, Beryl used his Sirius Light to summon a Servant of his choosing, someone who can dominate this world——Ruler Fariy Queen Morgan.[34]
In the present in Morgan’s throne room, Beryl gets ready to head back to New Darlington. But first he suggests to Morgan that she relax. With Seyfert withered, Kirschtaria dead, and the Alien God having failed to attain their desired vessel, her victory is all but assured. Ritsuka and Artoria are also no match for her.[34]
Morgan never considered those two her enemies. Rather, it is the humans who once expelled "her" and the Britain that denies her her Fairy Kingdom——Proper Human History itself that is her enemy. She will not yield the throne until it is overthrown.[34]
Moreover, she blames Beryl for Baobhan Sith’s disgrace at Gloucester. If he cannot even babysit one child, she will have to reconsider his treatment as her husband and standing as her Master. She tells him to inform Baobhan Sith she will have no more chances. She has overindulged her and, as the queen’s daughter, it is time she learns some dignity.[34]
Fragment 8[]
Since the discovery in the Great Pit’s depths, Mash and Aesc began investigating various ruins throughout Britain, solely guided legends passed down from the Mirror Clan and murals from the Rain Clan.[35]
Totorot asks Mash why she called her funny name when they first met. Mash tells her she look likes someone she met before and apologizes for the mistake. Though their time together was short, Mash describes her as a brave, dependable, and kind person who fashioned many clothes in her workshop. Her name is Habetrot——the fairy of happiness who sends off brides.[35]
Noting the similarity in their names, Totorot wonder if Habetrot is using True Name Concealment like Aesc is. Aesc reminds Mash she promised not to say too much. Totorot wishes she could live a life sending off brides.[35]
Mash and Aesc’s investigation continued for five months. Eventually, they found the Priestess’ prophecy, the first “prophecy of ruin” uttered in Britain, left by the first human, the priestess of a forgotten god. She predicted a spring, summer, autumn, and winter war, though the last one has to occur.[35]
With a few days before the coronation, Aesc’s party makes their way back to Londinium.[35]
That night at camp Totorot finishes sewing Mash and Aesc’s outfit for the upcoming coronation. To complete them, she decides to add an embroidered motif ——purple roses for Aesc, blue for Mash. The Black Knight is impressed Totorot mastered sewing so quickly. He suggests sewing beads in the pattern of the World Tree to make Aesc’s outfit more lustrous since she will be their queen. He then takes Aesc’s outfit and demonstrates how it is done.[35]
Aesc tells Mash Totorot has changed thanks to her. She and Totorot have been together for centuries, but she never noticed her friend’s troubles.
Mash insists she only acted in the moment, as it was the coronation that spurred Totorot to embrace her sewing. Totorot said she wanted to make a dress fit for the greatest fairy in Britain, so Mash is certain she’d become a great tailor without her.[35]
Upon hearing this, Aesc decides to confess her true feelings to Mash. She is not the savior she is made out to be and only cares about preserving the Britain she knows. She will no longer try to save and protect Britain’s inhabitants.[35]
For 3600 years, she has cleansed the Calamity each century and the Great Calamity each millennia. But each time, she is forced to flee from the fairies’ persecution and hibernate in secret. She may have had the desire to build a land of ideals in the beginning, but thanks to what she suffered at their hands, she has lost all hope for the fairies. Totorot, the Black Knight, Wryneck and perhaps Uther are no different from “important tools” to her.[35]
She will protect Britain for her own sake, as it is the only place she belongs. To that end, she will unite the fairies and give humans the right to build their own kingdom. That is the sort of Britain she seeks, one not permitted in Proper Human History. She is Aesc, the witch, and she was never a savior to begin with.[35]
Mash laments there was not a single fairy who believed in and understood Aesc and there are none Aesc wanted to save.[35]
Aesc then explains to Mash that as long as the Seyfret remains, discrepancies within the Fairy Era Calendar are permitted and the Fantasy Tree's history adjusts accordingly, since the Fairy Calendar is a creation of the Seyfret. So no matter how the Fairy Calendar’s history changes or what is added, such as with Mash's time-travel, the beginning of the Queen’s Calendar is already a certainty.[35]
Aesc confesses when Mash mentioned the Queen’s Calendar, she suspected Morgan would use all of Seyfert’s magical energy to turn the Lostbelt into a Singularity. She will not know the purpose of such a choice, though, until the time comes.[35]
However, she warns Mash she will cease to exist when the Queen’s Calendar comes. Mash didn’t exist prior to the Queen’s Calendar, so once Seyfert is gone, she will be erased. Aesc might be able to send her back, though, if no contradictions are made before the Norwich Calamity of 2017 in the Queen’s Calendar. She therefore asks her how she feels about being locked her away in the furthest reaches where none can find her.[35]
Albion[]
Lake District, with the remains of the Fantasy Tree up close.
The heroes arrive at the Lake District where the Tree had taken root. Muramasa notices Artoria looks as if something is bothering her. He presumes she is still worried about what Barghest’s question if Beryl really is Morgan’s Master.[36]
Da Vinci says the answer to that question relies on if Morgan herself is a Servant or not. If Morgan has ruled 2000 years, she can’t be anything but the Lostbelt King. But during the audience with Morgan, Beryl called himself her Master, and she didn’t deny it. The contradiction confuses the heroes and has Ritsuka worried. They ask Artoria how she feels.[36]
Artoria doesn’t want to think about it anymore because if then were all true, then there is no way——. Habetrot finishes Artoria’s thought that there is no way they can defeat Morgan, or rather, she doesn’t want to fight a fairy like that. But Habetrot tells her there is no need to fight Morgan as Chaldea’s goal is Morgan’s Rhongomyniad while the Child of Prophecy’s is to ring the six bells. There is nothing in Ainsel’s prophecy that says Artoria must slay the Queen.[36]
She tells Artoria to ignore that Morgan told her to defeat her, postulating she just wants everyone else to be her enemy. Still, her only interest is reuniting Ritsuka and Mash, so she tells Artoria not to suffocate herself trying to meet everyone’s expectations.[36]
The heroes then defeat a pack of Moss and continue their way north. Habetrot states the Moss were strong because the fairies they formed from were strong. The Lake District was sacred to the northern fairies.[36]
Da Vinci says it will take a whole day for them to reach the northern shore. They’re about halfway there, so she recommends looking for a forest to make a camp in before the sun sets. She then asks Habetrot if she is familiar with the area, presuming she is from up north.[36]
Habetrot responds she is more familiar with it because it hasn’t changed as much as the south has. In regard to its history, she explains the fairies thought Britain was the only land when they first moved to expand it. But once they reached where Manchester is now, they saw a forest on the opposite shore. It was the Lake District and the ones prospering from the forest’s blessings were the northern fairies. The six clans and the northern fairies are thus of different lineages.[36]
This occurred in the year 6000 of the Fairy Calendar and it is here that Britain’s first war erupted——a battle between the southern and northern fairies. Nowadays it is known as the Spring War.[36]
The northern fairies, out of envy, invaded the lands of the southern fairies. But discounting the clan heads, the southern fairies were each stronger than the northern ones, since back then humans could only be found in the south. Consequently, the war ended in victory for the southern fairies.[36]
It was a complete massacre, with new generations northern fairies being killed the moment they appeared. Their bodies filled the sea all the way to the Lake District, and so the northern fairies were slain to the point no new generation would ever be born.[36]
After she escaped, Mab abandoned the Lake District and created the Western Island——Ireland——in the Sea of Emptiness. It became the final hope of fairies sentenced to exile from Britain. Following its creation, the southern and northern fairies would clash again in the Summer War. It is unrelated to the Lake District, though, so Habetrot doesn’t talk about it.[36]
Following the Spring War, the southern fairies took over the Lake District and developed it further. Eventually, it became home to the Mirror Clan and in the northernmost part lived the Rain Clan. Both built their capitals here and prospered, but they eventually fell to ruins.[36]
Da Vinci asks how the Rain Clan died out, wondering if it was a natural occurrence. Hesitantly, Habetrot agrees to explain what happened once they’re at Orkney. But she does reveal they died with their capital in the year 400 of the Fairy Calendar.[36]
But Da Vinci asks what is the meaning of Ireland being gone now. Habetrot answers the northern fairies obviously all moved back to Britain. Ireland was made so Mab could protect her people and, following that, she invaded to return to the entire island to herself. That was the Summer War when Aesc and the first Fairy Knight were active back in the year 2000 of the Fairy Calendar.[36]
Since the failure of the Spring War, Mab had coexisted with humans on Ireland for 4000 years. The southern fairies only saw humans as tools for entertainment, but the northern fairies built their civilization with them as partners. The southern fairies had the advantage in numbers, but the northern fairies were stronger.[36]
Mab was of a mind to eliminate all the southern fairies in revenge for the Spring War, but Aesc appeared and mediated a peaceful resolution. Because of that, the northern fairies were welcomed as the King’s Clan and claimed northern Britain as their territory. That is also when the six clans everyone is familiar with were established.[36]
Da Vinci asks Habetrot if she knows anything related to 14000 years ago——the beginning of the Fairy Calendar. Habetrot answers she doesn’t as no records of that time should be left. Aesc and the first Fairy Knight tried their best to find some, but only found the story of the six fairies. Habetrot confirms it is related to the mural and promises to tell the story before bed.[36]
That night, the heroes find a spot in the woods to set camp in. They all split off to do their own thing; Muramasa to gather firewood; Da Vinci to send a report to the Border; Habetrot to lie down; Artoria to set up a Bounded Field to ward off beasts and insects. A ghost briefly appears once they all set off.[36]
After camp is set and dinner is eaten, Habetrot tells the others the story of the six fairies.[36]
When the six fairies went outside, they found Earth had become an endless ocean, all land and nearly all life having been vanished by a passing meteor. Distressed by this, the fairies considered going back when a giant creature covered in a fluffy, bushy hair rose from the sea. An animal thought to be extinct sat its shoulder and proclaimed the creature was Cernunnos.[36]
Becoming friends with the fairies, Cernunnos held back the waves for them. However, because he was a god, he demanded offerings. The six fairies offered their joy, and in exchange, Cernunnos created the land that would become Britain. Afterward, the god fell into a deep slumber.[36]
After Habetrot finishes telling the story, Da Vinci and Ritsuka both suspect the “animal” riding on Cernunnos’ shoulder was a human, most likely its priestess. Muramasa, noting the concept of gods is now gone from Britain, suspects there is more to it. He wonders if the Lake District is what Morgan been trying to keep hidden.[36]
Da Vinci is curious as to who made the Lake District's forest, the land of the northern fairies, if Cernunnos gifted the six clans’ ancestors their land. In answer, Habetrot reveals there is the corpse of a creature hidden in the Lake District, one unknown to fairies born in the Queen's Calendar and kept secret by the Mirror Clan. The forest was formed from the remains of the Albion, the last of the dragons who failed to return to Avalon.[36]
The next day, Artoria's party encounters Mira, a Fairy Dreadlord. But she isn't hostile like other Dreadlords, possessing no lingering regrets nor resentments. She, like the rest of the Mirror Clan, was killed six years. The Mirror Clan has been the Lake District, but a few days ago, it became occupied by Koyanskaya.[36]
Heading for Dragon Husk Swamp, the group is confronted by swarms of Moss at some ruins. The group tries fighting them, but the Moss only keep multiplying. Lancelot suddenly arrives and destroys the Moss. Afterward, everyone goes to where Albion's remains are.[36]
The heroes continue on their way the next day and meet Mira, a Fairy Dreadlord. But she isn’t hostile like other Dreadlords, possessing no lingering regrets or resentments. She, like the rest of the Mirror Clan, was killed six years ago. Their leader, Ainsel, predicted they would die by wind and fire. Ainsel died back then as well, so there should be no Mirror Clan left. At least that should be the case.[36]
Moving on, Mira requests the heroes remove Koyanskaya, who came to occupy the Lake District a few days ago.[36]
On their way, Artoria asks if Koyanskaya truly is a threat Chaldea cannot afford to ignore. Da Vinci states Koyanskaya attacked Chaldea’s base, but that was probably under the Alien God’s orders. She has also toyed with the humans in each Lostbelt with her own form of retribution. She hates humanity but will not destroy it.[36]
However, her collecting of creatures that do not exist in Proper Human History from each Lostbelt, along with being a juvenile Beast further indicates her threat. If she is just playing Muryan’s bodyguard, then Chaldea cannot interfere. However, if she is in Britain “collecting” they cannot ignore her and must stop her while they can.[36]
Mira confirms like Artoria surmised that Koyanskaya is heading for the Dragon Husk Swamp, which no one should know of. Koyanskaya expelled the Moss there and is now doing “bad things” to Albion’s corpse. The heroes hurry to the swamp.[36]
Ruins
They are ambushed, however, by Moss at some ruins. They try fighting them but the Moss keep multiplying. Da Vinci deduces it is Koyanskaya’s trap, shocking Artoria that she can control Moss.[36]
Muramasa concludes he has no choice but to burn out his Spirit Origin with three slashes from Tsumukari. He tells Artoria not to worry about it, remarking you’re bound to lose a limb or two after spending years in a forge.[36]
But then Lancelot suddenly crashes in. She immediately attacks the Moss, telling Artoria, whom she addresses the Child of Prophecy, to stay out of her way.[36]
Upon realizing Artoria is the Child of Prophecy, Mira rejoices to herself that she can finally return to Paradise and the Mirror Clan has achieved their goal. She praises the bells that toll for Britain’s end and the second Avalon le Fae on her noble mission.[36]
Lancelot finishes killing all the Moss. She admits that she could have let the heroes be, but she couldn’t let the Moss damage a place important to her. She also recognizes as a Fairy Knight she should be fighting the Child of Prophecy right now. But with war looming on the horizon, she is willing to wait until the Fairy Knights and the heroes confront each other on the front lines.[36]
She tells the heroes to leave, for there is no bell to ring here anymore. She tries to expound on it further when she is frightened by Mira. Mira discounts Lancelot’s belief that the Mirror Clan bears a grudge, saying that which needs to be done has been done. She then warns her that her birthplace is about to be snatched away by an outsider. Lancelot hurries immediately for the swamp, with the heroes following after her.[36]
Albion's remains
There they find Albion’s skeletal remains surrounded by NFF-branded no entry tape. Watching from the air, Koyanskaya summons a dragon-shaped Moss emerges from the lake, possessing equal or more magical energy as the Calamity of Norwich. She created it using the grudges of the northern fairies massacred in the Summer War and the magical elements left by Albion’s rotting flesh. It will only last until Chaldea is dead, though. Koyanskaya’s objective isn't Albion's remains but rather Lancelot———the “still living Albion” Beryl told her about.[36]
Ritsuka fears they cannot slay the Moss dragon, but Habetrot reinvigorates their fighting spirit by saying Mash is waiting for them in Orkney. Lancelot decides to help fight the Moss dragon as well. Temporarily discarding her Gifted Name, Lancelot reveals her True Name is Melusine named so by the fairest of them all. She proclaims herself to be Albion's descendant and joins the heroes in fighting the dragon.[36]
Melusine destroys the dragon, so Koyanskaya makes an immediate retreat. Afterward, everyone starts heading for the ruins. Along the way, Artoria asks Melusine what was meant by the "still living Albion". Mira explains Melusine was born from the rotting flesh of Albion's left hand. Melusine further explains her current form came about from trying to emulate Aurora when the Fairy Lord picked her up. Aurora was also the one who named her. Melusine became Fairy Knight Lancelot at Morgan's suggestion to stop the fighting between the clans.[36]
Arriving back at the ruins, Melusine departs for Camelot, assuring the others they'll meet again as enemies and asking them not to mention her to Percival. Mira then reveals the Lake District's Pilgrim's Bell dissipated with Ainsel, so Artoria's party needs to find a substitute. She then disappears, leaving a final prophecy from Ainsel: "The Child of Prophecy's second coming is nigh. The first time to live, and the second to die."[36]
Melusine destroys the dragon, then pierces Koyanskaya’s Spirit Core with Arondight. But Koyanksaya is unscathed and teleports away.[36]
Da Vinc (respecting her wish to be still addressed as Lancelot) remarks that Melusine’s powers do not change with or without her Gifted Name. In fact, she is weaker with it than without, which Da Vinci considers a boon for them. She asks her if it’s safe to assume Koyanskaya escaped.[36]
Melusine is uncertain since the only way to kill Koyanskaya is to target her head, not heart. Koyanskaya is still a weak and immature Beast, but her vitality is unparalleled. Melusine can only assume she has a lot of lives, though thinks she’ll be stuck for a few days.[36]
Mira is glad Albion’s remains are safe because, without them, the plug would be pulled on the lake and the entire forest would return to the ocean. If that were to happen, the boundary between the Earth and the Spirit Cave would disappear, and Princess Ainsel would weep.[36]
The heroes all stare at Melusine in silence as they head back to ruins. She assumes they’re trying to gauge her weakness, which she asserts as pointless. But Artoria breaks the silence by admitting she was wondering what was meant by the “still living Albion”.[36]
Though Melusine refuses to elaborate, Mira reveals Melusine is Albion’s “left hand”. Albion fell from exhaustion and crashed to his death into the Sea of Nothingness. But at the moment of putrefaction, its left hand was separated from its still living flesh——that was Melusine’s earliest state.[36]
Melusine confesses she was originally a filthy pile of meat squirming in the swamp until someone (Aurora) whimsically plucked her out. She gained a sense of self in that moment and, out of admiration for that person, she tried to emulate her, thus her current form. She also received her name from her.[36]
She is completely devoted to her and became who she is to fulfill her wishes. But she regrets they cannot be together because of her role model’s position. She became a Fairy Knight a century ago at Morgan’s suggestion to stop the fighting between the clans.[36]
Artoria asks Melusine what impulse drove to care for Percival so greatly. Melusine answers she is in love with Percival. She watched over him since he was a child, and for ten years, she felt both conflicting feelings of love and distress as he grew. She even dreamed of a future where he can live like a human of Proper Human History. But he rejected Morgan’s invitation and went on to organize the Round Table Army, so she questions where she went wrong raising him. Nevertheless, she will obey Morgan according to her own beliefs.[36]
Now back at the ruins, Melusine tells the heroes they will meet again as enemies, including Percival. She departs for Camelot, asking them not to mention her to Percival since it will only hurt him.[36]
Mira cuts off Ritsuka before they can get confirmation of their suspicion of who destroyed the Mirror, saying what’s done is done. The Mirror Clan could see the future, so they all knew when they will die, but not where. It for this reason that Mira has no regrets.[36]
She does feel bad for what happened to Ainsel, though. Ainsel always agonized over her clan’s future and apologized until the end. Mira, therefore, thinks it should have been Ainsel who became a Fairy Dreadlord, but it fell to her to be the messenger. Artoria correctly deduces the message is for the Child of Prophecy.[36]
Mira reveals the Lake District’s Pilgrim’s Bell dissipated with Ainsel, so the heroes need to find a substitute. She then disappears, leaving a final prophecy from Ainsel: “The Child of Prophecy’s second coming is nigh. The first time to live, and the second to die.”[36]
Meanwhile, Koyanskaya feels the feedback from when Melusine killed her sixth tail alter ego. Her plan was to collect what she calls Nine Lost Tails, each one possessing a trait unique to the Lostbelt, to become a Beast surpassing the Celestial Fox. But that has been rendered naught with the loss of the sixth tail. Not to mention she always going two short with there only being seven Lostbelt.[36]
Contemplating whether to cut her losses or not, Koyanskaya remarks how cannot make Albion part of her since its remains have no fur. As for Melusine, she is a fairy, not a beast, similar to a Heroic Spirit, so it’s too late for her as well. Ultimately, she concludes there is no reason for her to remain in the Lostbelt. Apologizing to Muryan, she prepares to leave when Oberon appears.[36]
Koyanskaya calls out Oberon for compensating her with garbage information about Albion in exchange for her secretly eliminating the reinforcements sent to Woodwose. Oberon doesn’t deny it, as he had no intention of helping an enemy of Chaldea. Her losses are not his responsibility, so he suggests she stop blaming him.[36]
Though she couldn’t make Albion’s remains part of herself, Koyanskaya remarks the information from it will prove useful in reserving as a foundation for the Avenging A-Grade Armaments——the Grand TamaMo Shrine being manufactured at NFF Services HQ. She then gets ready to leave the Lostbelt, but Oberon, surmising she wants a world-destroying weapon, incentivizes her to stay by saying he knows of a stronger product.[36]
Fragment 9[]
Following the fall of Londinium, at Orkney, Totorot informs Mash that Aesc went to the Tree. Aesc intends to wither it and end the Fairy Calendar and create a new kingdom.[37]
Mash laments there is no way to save Britain and she will remain into the future. Totorot reminds Mash, though, she is returning and doesn’t belong in the Fairy Calendar, anyway. Aesc even said it will make everything fit together perfectly. But seeing Mash is still anxious, Totorot suggests they make a promse. A special promise to prove Mash’s time in the Fairy Calendar wasn’t a mistake.[37]
Totorot confesses before she lost to Aesc she was selfish and violent, shunned by the Wing Clan. But while she enjoyed being Aesc’s companion and fighting with her to save Britain, she always felt like there was a hole in her heart. But Mash filled that hole when she told her the story of Habetrot——the her from Proper Human History.[37]
Her dream now is to see Mash as a bride and she vows to protect her forever in gratitude for giving her that dream. So while Mash is asleep, Totorot promises she will become an excellent artisan and see off a hundred brides, certain her dream will be fulfilled by then. Mash is sure Totorot will become a great seamstress fairy. Totorot promises they will meet again and she will make a dress suitable for Mash.[37]
Mash is then laid to rest as the first Fairy Knight to avoid a paradox within the Queen’s Calendar. Aesc confesses she helped Mash because of her unique Spirit Origin, so she wants her as a future subordinate. Totorot understanding many fairies will die when Aesc withers the Tree, goes her separate ways from her.
400 years later, Totorot is now a famous seamstress fairy. She has sent off over a hundred brides, but her wish still has been fulfilled. She has yet to make a dress for the first and most important bride of all.[37]
Nowadays, her legs won’t move, her vision is blurred, and she can’t hold a pen anymore. Meanwhile, thanks to Aesc abandoning her role as the savior, conflicts between the clans have gotten worse. This year is also when the Great Calamity will occur and Britain would perish, according to Aesc. But Totorot knows, thanks to Mash, that Britain still exists in the future.[37]
Totorot sits in the corner of a cave in the north. The moment she does, she loses her sight, her mouth stops moving, and her mind goes blank. Next, she sprinkles herself with the petrification powder Grimir made to wait until Sheffield 2017.[37]
In the distance, she hears the screams of the clans as Aesc has returned from Orkney to enact her vengeance all alone——the Winter War. Totorot apologizes she couldn’t stand by her side, but she tired of the fighting.[37]
Thus marked the end of the Fairy Calendar. The moment their pilgrimage was rendered meaningless and Aesc the savior vanished from the annals of history, forgotten by all.[37]
Orkney[]
The heroes arrive at the northernmost point of Britain. Habetrot explains the snow is the tears of the Rain Clan, who were wiped out in the year 4000 of the Fairy Calendar, meant to serve as a warning to the other clans and an apology meant for the Fairy of Paradise. An alliance of the Wind, Earth, Fang, and Wing clans massacred them overnight. [38]
Like the Mirror Clan, the Rain Clan were gentle and peaceful and settled up north to avoid the never-ending conflicts in the south. But for protecting and raising the Fairy of Paradise as their own, they were deemed traitors by the other clan heads, who refused to let the pilgrimage happen, and were destroyed.[38]
A white wolf appears which Muramasa senses is divine. There are no gods in Britain, so he suspects there is a Divine Spirit Servant nearby. The heroes follow the wolf to a small boat (the same one Habetrot once used) and take it to Orkney.[38]
Orkney
Coming ashore, the heroes follow the wolf to its master, a hooded druid, who identifies it as Freki. Upon seeing RItsuka, he removes his hood, asking what took them so long. Ritsuka immediately recognizes him as Cú Chulainn. However, he asks to be called by his pseudonym, Grimr. Habetrot is shocked to see Grimir has become an “old man”. Cú Chulainn agrees to explain everything after he determines through combat that Artoria truly is the Child of Prophecy.[38]
Artoria bests Cú Chulainn, but he refuses to speak with such a violent person and demands she leave. This behavior of his confirms to Habetrot that he is indeed the Grimr she knew. As such, she demands he explain since when he returned. Da Vinci questions if this is his second summoning, the first being during the Fairy Calendar.[38]
As Artoria has proven herself, Cú Chulainn decides to stop joking around and reintroduce himself. He is a Heroic Spirit of Proper Human History and 6000 years ago he acted as the Divine Spirit Odin. Now he is Odin’s proxy and has remained vigilant in Orkney since last year.[38]
He is the same Cú Chulainn from Fuyuki, but he still retains his memories of that time. He even remembers King Arthur, who even now stands her ground there. It was all thanks to Odin’s interference, who to assist Chaldea, transferred his Authority to Cú Chulainn. He predicted it would be the end if Cú Chulainn didn’t act in Fuyuki and Britain. The act put simply is recovery.[38]
For a long time, Odin has watched the Lostbelt through his multidimensional eye. Cú Chulainn explains the Grimr from 6000 years was Odin possessing a young fairy to help the Fairy of Paradise, Aesc. But Aesc severed their contract, and he disappeared after the Tree withered. Fortunately, he left behind a countermeasure to aid Chaldea with this Lostbelt, as he foresaw the Human Order Revision could not be averted.[38]
Cú Chulainn was chosen to help Chaldea. Odin transferred his Authority to him at Fuyuki, turning him into a Caster. Cú Chulainn then contracted with Chaldea. Afterward he was sent to this Britain which would have been the end of the Human Order if left alone.[38]
He knew nothing about Grimr when he first arrived, only knowing his task as a Divine Spirit of Proper Human History. He also didn’t know anything about the Fairy Kingdom, so for the past year he has been learning everything he could about the Queen’s Calendar. But after he saw what was in Orkney’s tower, he understood everything. His role was to wait for the heroes’ arrival, to ensure the pilgrimage succeeds and send the Fairy of Paradise back to paradise. Thus from hereon, he will join the heroes to ensure at any cost Ainsel’s prophecy and the promise Aesc couldn’t keep are fulfilled.[38]
Though Da Vinci would like to know more about the Fairy and Queen’s Calendars from him, Cú Chulainn understands rescuing Mash takes precedence. Moreover, she knows more about the Fairy Calendar than he does. Ritsuka shakes Cú Chulainn’s hand out of sheer gratitude.[38]
Cú Chulainn confirms, like Artoria suspected, that Mash is where the Pilgrim’s Bell is, pointing to the bell tower atop a crumbling castle in the distance. He warns, though, there are things akin to ghosts in the mist, which, if underestimated as mere ghosts, will be stronger than any opponent faced thus far.[38]
Traversing the mist, the heroes climb the bell tower’s grand staircase, yet they cannot reach the roof. It seems the mist (the dead) will not let them unless they prove they’re worthy. With no other choice, the heroes fight the ghosts.[38]
Mash encased in ice.
With the dead defeated, the mist clears, allowing the heroes to finally reach the roof. There they see the bell and Mash encased in ice. Cú Chulainn explains it’s a coffin that has been around for 2400 years. It will shatter if Ritsuka touches, but the two wraiths guarding it and the bell must be defeated first.[38]
Artoria notices one of the wraiths calling Habetrot by name. Habetrot insists she is mishearing and tells her to destroy the wraiths for the sanctuary of Orkney isn’t a place where the dead should linger. The heroes proceed to fight the wraiths.[38]
The wraiths are defeated, and Ritsuka proceeds to break open Mash’s coffin.[38]
As Londinium falls around her, Aesc despairs it was supposed the happiest day in Britain when everything was to change for the better. Instead, Uther and the Round Table were killed despite everything they have done and the praise heaped onto Uther. Uther had died by poisoning his wine, not even allowing him resistance. Aesc, cradling the dead Uther in her arms, concludes peace and equality were the wrong path and vows to never forgive the fairies.[38]
Escaping into the woods, Aesc concludes her enemies are not only the Calamities but also the fairies. Pure and innocent, they relish in both goodness and evil, no different in the end from the ugly humans who had driven “her” from Britain. That is why she suppressed all her ill intentions. Most, if not all, fairies understood and supported the cause of a better future. Yet malice lingered and the foundations of peace were overturned on a whim by those who found it unpleasant.[38]
Aesc lets out a manacial laugh. She has no faith in the innate goodness of living things and questions what is the point of understanding when the effort was a waste. Despite all the betrayals she faced, she had still clung to a thin thread of hope, and believes that is why she failed again this time.[38]
She concludes “saving” Britain is the wrong course of action to take if she wants it to survive. She will longer play the savior and will establish a different, better system. The mission of the Avalon la Fae to save and pardon the fairies no longer matters to her. Instead, she merely seeks to rule.[38]
In the distant Londinium, Aesc hears the clan soldiers have captured “her”. She was the fairy who betrayed Londinium to the clan heads. Aesc used magecraft to wipe her memory and give her her appearance. Thus, the savior Aesc dies again, never to rise again.[38]
With 400 years until the Great Calamity, Aesc has a lot of work to do before then. She already understands the Fantasy Tree is a lynchpin forged on an alien planet for the sake of closing in the universe. She tells the “Celestial One” they can have the universe, but Britain is hers. She will end this fantasy and sew her reality of Britain to the planet, not some what-if of theirs.[38]
On Britain’s northernmost point, Aesc gets ready to depart for Orkney with Mash and Totorot. She tells Mash she was right that their pilgrimage was meaningless. Mash tries to protest, but Aesc tells her not to look sad as she is used to it. Furthermore, they can only speak to one another thanks to the hypothetical “what-if” calculated by the Tree. No matter what, the Fairy Calendar will converge on the Queen’s Calendar Mash knows, so Aesc failing was inevitable.[38]
Aesc warns Mash when Britain switches to the Queen’s Calendar she cannot take action as herself until the Calamity of Norwich in 2017. If she does, she will be erased as something from the fluctuating Fairy Calendar.[38]
Mash understands her life here must cease until the moment the Water Mirror spirits her away. The only way for her to return to the Queen’s Calendar is via a “quantum coffin”.[38]
Aesc confesses she always knew she would fail. She didn’t know about the Queen’s Calendar, but by 2017 Britain would’ve been destroyed already. That was the “first time”, the true Lostbelt. Aesc claims she came from the future to the Fairy Calendar to prevent that destruction, so from her perspective it is the “second time”. But thanks to Mash’s arrival from the future, it is the "new second time”.[38]
Aesc notices Totorot has found them a small boat, so she heads over there with Mash. But she calls Mash Galahad the first Fairy Knight, for that is the name going into the coffin.[38]
At Orkney, before laying Mash to rest, Aesc explains only information about the “second” Fairy Calendar will survive the transfer to the Queen’s Calendar. Any fairy that brings memories of the “new second” Fairy Calendar into the Queen’s Calendar will be erased as a contradiction. Mash should survive as long as no one notices the contradiction in history.
Aesc then tells Mash the circumstances for after she awakens. She tells her if she and Chaldea can defeat Morgan, then the battle awaiting her in the Lostbelt is the same one that awaits her. A coming to terms with her spirit and an analysis of her life.[38]
Mash had a reason to fight, but lacked the will to do so, unconsciously deeming the power to hurt as a bad thing. But Aesc tells Mash everyone is free to hurt and bear the responsibility for it. Human aren’t trying to do the “right thing”, rather they’re always trying to make the best choice for a better tomorrow. There is no right choice, though, so it is up to Mash to decide what she will protect and what she will defeat. She will know a lot more people’s hearts in the future, but no one’s heart is without conflict. So when Mash fills that emptiness inside her with her own reason to fight, Galahad will entrust his power to her once more. Mash will forget this when she wakes up, but Aesc is certain she will remember when the time comes.[38]
The coffin starts to enclose. Mash thanks Aesc for everything, truly believing despite the forgone conclusion that their journey did not bring shame to the name of savior. Aesc, out of respect for Mash’s deeds, then reveals the name “Aesc” is a pseudonym her stepmother gave her when Orkney was destroyed. Her true name is Morgan——the Fairy of Paradise who drifted from the Inner Sea of the Planet with a mission to save Britain and the future Lostbelt King.[38]
Mash broken out of the coffin.
In the present, Mash broken is out of her coffin. Artoria watches Ritsuka and Mash embrace each other in their reunion and breathes a sigh of relief. She thought like her Ritsuka was hiding their true feelings about being forced into a leading role, so she couldn’t leave them alone and followed them. But seeing Ritsuka had a friend they really cared about, she realizes they couldn’t be like her.[38]
Mash informs everyone of her experiences in the Fairy Calendar and that Aesc, the Fairy of Paradise, is Morgan. Cú Chulainn notes aside from territorial disputes, the clans constantly fought over how to deal with the Fairy of Paradise. As for what a Fairy of Paradise is, he demands Artoria to speak of the mission she given at birth.[38]
Artoria explains Fairies of Paradise as the name implies are fairies dispatched from the Inner Sea of Planet…from Avalon. But their exact mission is vague as Artoria only heard a voice at birth telling her to “Go to Britain, and make things right.” She is certain it was the same for the preceding generation…for the lake fairies.[38]
The Fairies of Paradise flow down from Avalon to Earth as “seeds of a star”. If one is fortunate to reach the ground, it sprouts as a juvenile. It then grows up as a human does until it reaches adulthood. That is why they’re called “growing fairies”, loved by some, hated by others.[38]
Artoria suspects Morgan washed up in Orkney and was raised as the Rain Clan leader’s daughter. In contrast, Artoria was thrown back into the sea by Ainsel when she washed up in the Lake District. Fortunately, the people of Tintagel rescued her.[38]
From the clans’ perspective (excluding the Rain and Mirror), Morgan and Artoria are invaders from Avalon. Da Vinci suspects the Pilgrimage was a rite to restore Britain to its rightful ruler. But the clans didn’t accept it and destroyed Orkney. Morgan survived, though, and began her journey to save Britain as Aesc.
Da Vinci gives a rough summary of the Fairy Calendar, ending with the Great Calamity killing every fairy in Britain. She suspects Morgan’s surviving the fall of Orkney is when the Lostbelt diverged from its original history.[38]
According to the first Grimr’s records, Britain was destroyed by the Calamities of Beast and Flame during the last Great Calamity. But Morgan managed to revive Britain as the Fairy Kingdom. Thanks to that, the fairies who were on the brink of extinction returned as the next generation. Within a few months, Britain was restored to its original state, and the clans started fighting again. Morgan then single-handedly conquered Britain despite the clans uniting against her and established the Queen’s Calendar. The name of that conflict was the Winter War.[38]
Cú Chulainn tells Artoria as a fellow Fairy of Paradise she is the only one who can stop Morgan. Artoria reluctantly agrees and asks Mash if she wants to fight Morgan.[38]
Mash answers she will do it for she promised so many (Boggart, Rob, Wag, Winky) she would save the fairies of Britain. She will talk to Morgan and will fight her with all her strength if there is no other choice. She is a friend of Aesc, not a knight of Morgan.[38]
Ritsuka tells Mash that Habetrot is here as well, but Mash doesn’t remember her. Habetrot goes along with it, insisting she and Mash never met or were ever friends in the first place. She was merely a guide, but with her job now done, she will relax and enjoy what comes next. As for how she and Cú Chulainn know each other, she insists they first met in Orkney and he planned everything to this point.[38]
After Artoria rings the bell, the heroes heads for Edinburgh to negotiate with Cnoc na Riabh.[38]
Chocolate Empire Edinburgh[]
Dreaming, Artoria thinks back on the four cut verses from Ainsel’s prophecy. She then recalls how Morgan challenged her to defeat her if she wants to save Britain. She resolves to defeat her, the Fairy of Paradise who abandoned her task. But she questions where she should the her, the Fairy of Paradise, return to after she does what she never wanted.[39]
The next morning, the heroes find Redra Rbit waiting for them on the road, even though he said he’d be waiting in Edinburgh. He confesses that was the plan, but he gets restless if he doesn’t sprint. So he figured he could rendezvous with the heroes if he waited on the road out of the coast. He urges them to board his chariot, promising a pleasant trip to Edinburgh.[39]
But first he notices the unfamiliar Cú Chulainn, who introduces himself as Grimr, an associate of Ritsuka’s. Redra Rbit surmises he is from Proper Human History like Muramasa, with his animal instincts telling him they’re similar. He wonders then who could come out on top if they fought. Cú Chulainn and Muramasa, insisting they’re both the best, fight to determine who it is.[39]
Artoria soon puts an end to their fight, scolding strong people do not quarrel in the first place. She orders them to get on the chariot, saying they need to reach Edinburgh by nightfall.[39]
With Cú Chulainn’s wolves tailing and Da Vinci skating alongside the chariot and Habetrot riding on Redra Rbit, the heroes continue onward to Edinburgh.[39]
Edinburgh
The heroes are amazed by Edinburgh when they arrive in the city. Habetrot is shocked to see it is more prosperous than Salisbury. Cú Chulainn admits he was surprised too when he first came to the city. After all, the original records said the northern fairies are a nomadic tribe. Within a single generation, Mab had built Edinburgh with not only the northern fairies but the southern fairies who trickled up north as well.[39]
Artoria immediately wants to attack Cnoc na Riabh’s castle, very eager to beat Cnoc na Riabh up and give her a taste of her years of jealously. But Mash points out they have been surrounded by guards for some time now. Artoria assumes Cnoc na Riabh sent them to attack and orders the others to prepare to counterattack.[39]
But the guards inform the heroes they came on Cnoc na Riabh’s orders to escort the Child of Prophecy and her companions to the cathedral. To Artoria’s embarrassment, Redra Rbit remembers he had already set up an appointment with Cnoc na Riabh beforand.[39]
Meanwhile, in the cathedral, Cnoc na Riabh is astonished Artoria accepted the invitation and is not trying to bust down the down. Then, presumably hearing the heroes nearing, she orders everyone to quickly leave through the back. Someone asks her if she is sure because not a moment ago she was proudly declaring she was going to show Artoria she won’t lose to some Child of Prophecy.[39]
Cnoc na Riabh insists there has been a change of plans. She would only look vulgar if she appeared with a full platoon and the heroes came in unarmed. The other person calls her out for worrying about dignity now and compares her to a rotten apple. They leave when Cnoc na Riabh threatens to beat them.[39]
The heroes then enter the cathedral. Cnoc na Riabh greets Artoria, glad to see she learned a little more self-confidence, courage, and decorum. Artoria questions why she is making small talk, pointing out they all heard her soldiers rushing out in a panic a second ago. Cnoc na Riabh insists those her footsteps and refuses to continue with the subject.[39]
Cnoc na Riabh notices, aside from Oberon, that Gareth is missing from the group. Artoria tells her Gareth is currently protecting Londinium, insisting she would never set foot in an evil empire. Cnoc na Riabh is disappointed as she hoped to give a tour of her chocolate factory.[39]
But moving on, she knows they all went to Orkney without her permission, reminding them the north belongs to her and the King’s Clan. Cú Chulainn suspects she knows Orkney’s bell has been rung, urging they speak quickly. The bell belonged to the Rain Clan, but the King’s Clan inherited its position. So from Morgan’s perspective the fact that Orkney's bell has been rung means the King’s Clan acknowledges the Child of Prophecy.[39]
Cú Chulainn introduces himself to Cnoc na Riabh as Grimr the Wise, caretaker of Orkney’s bell in place of Merlinus Ambrosius. Considering Cnoc na Riabh is Medb’s fairy counterpart, Da Vinci and RItsuka both worried Cnoc na Riabh may react hostilely toward Cú Chulainn. But to their surprise, Cnoc na Riabh only reacts to the name Grimr. She had heard from Mab that he was Aesc’s magecraft teacher, so if he has appeared she can only accept Artoria is the savior.[39]
Regarding Orkney’s bell being rung, Cnoc na Riabh confesses Morgan told her to kill Artoria when she returns from Orkney, or else the pact made with the previous generation will be considered broken. She does not elaborate what that means.[39]
Basically, Morgan is threatening war if Cnoc na Riabh doesn’t do what she says. Cnoc na Riabh doesn’t care, though, since she was already preparing to wage war on her from the beginning. The problem is Artoria, reminding her what she told her when they last met. Artoria informs she has fulfilled all her requirements.[39]
Cnoc na Riabh is pleased and considers Artoria worthy to join her forces now, presuming that is why she came to Edinburgh. But her condition for such an alliance it is that she will be in command. She will only accept fairies in her allied army. As for the humans in the Round Table Army, she will turn them into bees and put them to work in her chocolate factories. They will be the first to die when war breaks out anyway.[39]
Artoria boasts, however, that the Round Table Army is the greatest military force in Britain. The only way they will ever serve Cnoc na Riabh is if she forces them. And so Artoria challenges Cnoc na Riabh in a one-on-one match.[39]
Cnoc na Riabh accepts her challenge. The winner will command the allied army while the loser will be forced into submission. In addition, the winner will also get Ritsuka. Artoria doesn’t catch that last part, but nevertheless accepts. They will compete in Valentine Mab Match, a chocolate-making contest, with Devil Caren as the presiding judge.[39]
She explains the contest will be decided tomorrow at noon. The allotted cooking time will be now until then. Both players are required to use the kitchen provided in the cathedral, and they may elect one other fairy to serve as an assistant. Artoria will be assigned the Star Kitchen, while Cnoc na Riabh will be assigned the Moon Kitchen. They are not permitted to interact with each other while in the kitchen. Accommodations have been made for Artoria’s friends.[39]
In the room arranged for them, Ritsuka asks Mash to assist Artoria. Mash agrees, considering she is already treated like a fairy. But before that, she, Ritsuka, and Da Vinci catch each other up with their actions following their separation at the Nameless Forest.[39]
Mash now understands the circumstances of the Round Table Army. She is also happy to hear Peperoncino is in the Lostbelt. She confirms she encountered Beryl in Sheffield before Ritsuka and Da Vinci first encountered him in Camelot. That is when she lost the Black Barrel, which Da Vinci can only assume Beryl took. Mash apologizes for losing for the Black Barrel. Ritsuka and Da Vinci both say they look for it later.[39]
But Da Vinci believes they have something more reliable than the Black Barrel. It is the fact that Mash has the power of the Fairy Knight Galahad on top of the power that the Heroic Spirit Galahad provided her. She is now nearly the equivalent of a High Servant.[39]
Later, Ritsuka goes intelligence gathering with Cú Chulainn and Muramasa. While the walking through the city, Cú Chulainn tells Ritsuka and Muramasa that Mab disappeared in the year 400 of the Queen’s Calendar. Cnoc na Riabh was born a century ago in 1900. So for nearly 1500 years Edinburgh had no leader, and during that period the northern fairies followed Mab’s decree to follow Morgan until the next queen was born.[39]
Cnoc na Riabh spent a century drilling discipline and doctrine into the northern fairies, building them up as an army. She, like Morgan, was probably furious when Ainsel prophesied the coming of the Child of Prophecy, not wanting a fairy out of nowhere to upstage her.[39]
Muramasa now understands why Cnoc na Riabh gets along with Artoria. He supposes it is the weight of responsibility they both bear, one being the Child of the Queen, the other being the Child of Prophecy. Neither of them had anyone who could stand beside them. Their positions are different but are of equal footing.[39]
Wandering off the main road, Ritsuska, Cú Chulainn, and Muramasa run into Redra Rbit and Habetrot. Redra Rbit is nervous there are more Wind fairies in Edinburgh than he expected.[39]
Edinburgh Development Zone
A Wind fairy welcomes the group to the Edinburgh Development Zone, a district where refugees who haven’t received a portion of Cnoc na Riabh’s power live. Everyone is a citizen, though, has a job, and their tents are all roofed. Cnoc na Riabh will accept them into the King’s Clan as soon as the war with Morgan is done.[39]
Assuming Ritsuka is a refugee as well, the Wind fairy encourages them to set up a tent anywhere. He says they may get a job in the medical district if they’re lucky, adding there is no need to fear the Moss disease. But to his shock, he learns Ritsuka is a human when they speak up, considering Knocknare’s disdain for humans. He starts to suspect the group but Redra Rbit assures him they are merely travelling fairies passing through Edinburgh and will be gone tomorrow. The Wind fairy promptly leaves, apologizing for keeping them.[39]
Muramasa suspects the fairy wasn’t a local and might be a spy for Morgan. Ritsuka wonders if they should inform Cnoc na Riabh. Cú Chulainn says they cannot go around accusing citizens without evidence. He then points out all the refugee fairies have markings on their legs. It means they either lost their homes down south, lost their purpose, or they are fugitive. Muramasa wonders then if Edinburgh’s underbelly runs deep, or it’s in need of laborers.[39]
Redra Rbit believes it is both as all fairies return to the earth when they die. The more fairies tied down to a land the more it expands. Redra Rbit believes Edinburgh was established as a city in this manner considering it’s been 1600 years since Mab disappeared.[39]
Habetrot questions why nothing on the border of Britain has changed if fairies have been living in the area for 1600 years in the Queen’s Calendar. She then seems to realize the truth about Edinburgh and why Morgan hasn’t touched it. She remarks that Cnoc na Riabh would be considered a Calamity under different circumstances.[39]
But insisting she is just overthinking it, she gets ready to leave with Redra Rbit. Before she does, though, Cú Chulainn asks her why Cnoc na Riabh hates humans when the northern fairies were the first ones to co-exist with humans, like during the Summer War.[39]
Habetrot explains the truth of how the Summer War ended differs from how historical records tell it. Mab was all but guaranteed to win and, as such, she refused to make peace with the clans. But her husband and right-hand man, a human warrior, betrayed her. Aesc took advantage of her emotional turmoil to defeat her. Mab was thus made to join the clans and swear never to attack Britain again. Cú Chulainn wonders why Mab was so affected by her husbande's betrayal.[39]
Later that night, Ritsuka is taken by Aiken Drum, a faithful soldier of Cnoc na Riabh, to speak with Cnoc na Riabh alone on her orders while she is taking from chocolate making.[39]
On the ramparts, Cnoc na Riabh tells Ritsuka she only invited them because she wants to know about the Proper Human History Morgan speaks of. She has no interest, but she needs to know as queen of the northern fairies. Ritsuka starts by telling the story of Chaldea.[39]
They take an hour to explain everything they know. Overwhelmed, Cnoc na Riabh requests they stop so she can process all this new information. She concludes it is useless now and a problem to be solved after Morgan is defeated. Regardless, she thanks Ritsuka for the information, as policy making is just as important as defeating one’s political opponents. It makes her feel encouraged about conquering Proper Human History.[39]
Then, at her request, Ritsuka tells Cnoc na Riabh how her counterpart died by cheese thrown by a human. Cnoc na Riabh compares it to how Mab fell because of a human, revealing it was the loss of her husand that caused her to be defeated by Aesc.[39]
Mab trusted and loved humans to a fault, thinking they were creatures like her. She fought alongside her husband, but he died after she won the decisive battle against the clans. Humans cannot keep up with fairies, let alone an A-Rei like Mab. As such, their promise to stay together was not kept and thus Mab was betrayed. She lost her will to fight, and realized her own foolishness in how much she loved the warrior.[39]
Her heartbreak healed by the Queen’s Calendar, and she regained the ambition of conquering Britain. She built Edinburgh and retired. Her position was vacant for 1500 years and there were no King's Clan until Cnoc na Riabh was born as her successor.[39]
Cnoc na Riabh confesses she hates humans because they’re useless in battle. She has learned from Mab’s mistake and proclaims she will defeat Morgan with just her clan. The Round Table Army is merely in her way. She warns Ritsuka to be prepared because if she wins in tomorrow’s match, all humans will be her slaves to work safely in a chocolate factory with full benefits until they die.[39]
Ritsuka is certain Artoria will win and tells Cnoc na Riabh humans aren’t that weak. Cnoc na Riabh decides her break is over. She tells Ritsuka to enjoy themselves because tonight is the last time they’ll be free.[39]
Now back in their room, Ritsuka tries to get some sleep when they’re visited by Oberon. Out of concern for his companions, he had snuck away from the Round Table Army. He congratulates Ritsuka for the ringing of the fourth bell and thanks to that, the Round Table Army’s morale is now at its peak.[39]
He informs Ritsuka Percival has arranged a meeting with the Fang Clan who fled to Oxford. He is worried Spriggan may be plotting something, though. But thanks to the efforts of the heroes, the southern part of the Britain has been almost completely pacified.[39]
Well aware of tomorrow’s Mab Match, Oberon says the attack on Camelot will be secure if Cnoc na Riabh will follow Artoria. He suspects forming an alliance with Cnoc na Riabh, ringing Oxford’s bell, and the attack on Camelot will be done within three days. He doesn’t see the point in ringing the sixth bell since its corresponding clan, the Mirror Clan, is gone.[39]
Ritsuka is worried about what is happening to Artoria every time she rings a bell. Oberon suspects the Fairies of Paradise are born with limits on their abilities, and the ringing of the Pilgrim’s Bells may be a way to release those limits. At the same time, it invokes the knowledge—-memories and fate—-Artoria originally had.[39]
Artoria becomes more aware of her mission and destiny with every bell rung. She has rung four, so Oberon thinks she is a different person from the one they met in the Nameless Forest. He thinks her sense of duty as the Child of Prophecy is stronger than her personal values.[39]
Ritsuka, however, believes Artoria is becoming more free. Oberon understands they’re worried and knows they didn’t tell Artoria so that she wouldn’t fuss.[39]
He reminds Ritsuka, though, that he said they are both bystanders, meaning they can neither save Britain nor change Artoria’s fate. It is Chaldea’s mission to leave immediately once a countermeasure against the Alien God is obtained. Nevertheless, Oberon respects Ritsuka’s will and resolution. After Morgain is defeated, he will support them in whether they wish to save Britain or help Artoria. But for the sake of Proper Human History, it will be an additional detour.[39]
Ritsuka asks if it’s all right for them to be selfish, though. Oberon tells them it is since in the end the ones who do big things are those who work hard “for themselves”. He has personal experience with it and thinks it is okay for Ritsuka to indulge themselves for about 10% of their deeds.[39]
However, he will not spoil Artoria and complains about how she’d go awry if he didn’t pull her strings. He wanted her to grow up as a graceful princess. But he admits that is a matter of personal taste and thinks Artoria is fine as she is. He never tires of watching her and feels excited.[39]
Ritsuka realizes Oberon likes Artoria. They ask him if Artoria is like Titania to him when he gets ready to head back to Londinium. Oberon answers he isn’t sure about that and describes how Titania was created as a convenient plot device, so his queen need not exist.[39]
Mab Match
The next day, the Mab Match commences. Given an hour, Artoria and Cnoc na Riabh make the finishing touches on their chocolates. An hour passes, and the competitors show off their creations.[39]
Cnoc na Riabh made a recreation of Edinburgh, while Artoria made simple heart-shaped chocolate. The fairies are all in awe of Artoria’s chocolate, having never seen such a design before. Devil Caren asks Artoria why she chose that design, calling it the very symbol of the northern fairies’ creed to “prove yourself as the strongest”. She wonders if she is a genius who came up with it on her own.[39]
Artoria confesses she learned it from Mash. It’s simple and easy to make, so it’s easy to put one’s feelings into it. Devil Caren, upon hearing those words, remembers love is what is most important. She therefore declares Artoria the victor because while Cnoc na Riabh’s chocolate is more delicious, Artoria’s was more passionate.[39]
Mash and Artoria revel in their victory when Artoria’s chocolate suddenly starts thumping. Artoria admits she used every available ingredient, with Devil Caren adding that she enchanted every one. As a result, huge amounts of magical energy were poured into the chocolate, the ingredients fused together, and it has come to life.[39]
Artoria’s chocolate starts turning the fairies into chocolate, starting with Devil Caren. The heroes fight the chocolate to destroy all evidence of its existence and preserve Artoria’s honor. During said battle, the chocolate fires a “bullet” at Cnoc na Riabh. Artoria immediately moves to shield her.[39]
Knocked unconscious, Artoria remembers the days she spent with Cnoc na Riabh in Gloucester following the Faerium. She was surprised upon learning she was Cnoc na Riabh, having seen a King’s Clan before. Cnoc na Riabh admitted they haven’t moved south yet but boasted they will eventually live in every major city. It is her destiny, the cherished desire of the northern fairies she inherited from her predecessor.[39]
Artoria noted Cnoc na Riabh is the only one of the King Clan’s. While the northern fairies may move down south, the clan itself will not multiply. Cnoc na Riabh proclaims they will because anybody she bestows her blood to becomes one of the King’s Clan.[39]
The King’s Clan has always stood alone. Mab was born among the corpses of the many fairies slaughtered during the Spring War. Their bodies became the land, but they refused to reborn as the next generation because they would be trapped in a cycle of death and rebirth. Rather than suffer that, they chose to give their lives to give birth to a new ruler——Mab.
Mab was “all the northern fairies” and her Rule was to “dominate and prosper”. She would share power with those who swore allegiance to her, gifted it to those who asked for it, and made a sphere of influence known as the “Western Island”. But as compensation, her power weakened considerably afterward, so to aoid being taken advantage of she eventually took on guards. That is where she found her husband.[39]
Cnoc na Riabh continues to explain the King’s Clan divides power among those who swear allegiance to it. Any fairy granted her blood becomes a member until their loyalty is broken. The more assembled under her, the more the King’s Clan grows. However, the power given will not return, so the queen gets weaker with every additional member.
But Mab cared more about national power than personal power. Cnoc na Riabh agrees with that policy because personal values do not make a nation but hard work and talent. Her mission is to unify Britain and to sit on the throne in Camelot.[39]
Artoria admired how Cnoc na Riabh spoke of her dreams unashamedly in front of others. She saw her as the hardest working fairy in Britain.[39]
Cnoc na Riabh scolded Artoria for apologizing for being weak to her village head. She told her others aren’t frustrated by her weakness, rather it is her. It is up to her to try harder next time, not others. Being sorry for your own shortcomings is only natural, but apologizing for being weak solves nothing. That is what angers Cnoc na Riabh. She encourages Artoria to focus on her dreams, since there are those who can’t even do that.
Arotria asked what her dream was, assuming she had achieved it long ago. Cnoc na Riabh answered it is to find a lover but to distance herself from Mab, she refuses to fall in love until she takes the throne. Artoria laughed at the ridiculousness of Cnoc na Riabh’s wish because Cnoc na Riabh didn’t realize her objective and her dream are opposites since she was rushing to do what Mab forced on her so she could hurry up and fall in love.[39]
Asked what her dream was, Artoria confessed it was to walk down the street as a noble fairy like Cnoc na Riabh. She felt blessed to have a rival and friend in Cnoc na Riabh.[39]
Artroria regains consciousness. Cnoc na Riabh relinquishes command of their allied forces to her. But she suspects if they join forces now, Camelot would just recall its forces from all over Britain, so they need to strike before that happens. Cnoc na Riabh threfore tells Artoria to ring Oxford’s bell, gather the rest of the Round Table Army, and return to her forward camp. She’ll have reached Camelot’s main gate by then.[39]
While the others head for Oxford, Cú Chulainn stays to help Cnoc na Riabh’s forces prepare against Morgan’s spells.[39]
On their way to Oxford, though, Artoria’s party is attacked by humans unnaturally afflicted with the Moss curse. They try to escape when Artoria negates Baobhan Sith’s magecraft to protect Ritsuka. Baobhan Sith tries again to kill Artoria.[39]
Once again, she loses to Artoria. But she then uses something intended for Ritsuka. Artoria gets caught in it, though, when she moves to protect Ritsuka. They disappear, and Baobhan Sith escapes.[39]
Lost Will[]
Baobhan Sith dreams about how in Camelot the lower-class fairies hate for her wanton killing.[40]
The fairy nobles do not respect her as a Fairy Knight, irritated by how she alone always calls herself the queen’s daughter when Morgan never said a kind word to her. They look down on her as a country bumpkin in an extravagant dress. They also blame her for the disappearance of Cambridge and think Morgan has gone senile for leaving her unchecked.[40]
The soldiers are appalled by the wanton killing at New Darlington. They could have tolerated Baobhan Sith if she was skilled as Melusine or Barghest, but her magical energy is that of a lowly fairy. Even with her Gifted Name, she is third-rate at best and if it weren’t for Morgan’s blessings, she would be weaker than the soldiers. Every fairy in Camelot would line up to kill her if she weren’t Morgan’s daughter.[40]
Baobhan Sith repeatedly tells all of them to shut up. She proclaims she is the Queen’s daughter no matter what anyone says because her mother taught her magecraft, clothed her, and gave her a name to bear. Her mother gave New Darlington to do with whatever she pleases. Baobhan Sith interpreted that to mean Morgan is telling her to kill any fairies who anger her, which in turn means shattering any happiness that annoys her.[40]
But no matter what she did, Morgan wouldn’t praise her. She remembers Morgan asked her why she is always like this. Even though she tries so hard, Baobhan Sith still doesn’t understand what Morgan wants from her. She apologizes profusely, promising to do better next time, to more kill next time, and conduct herself in a manner befitting the queen’s heir. She apologizes for always ending up like this, but she is trying even though she doesn’t understand.[40]
Baobhan Sith wakes up to find herself in her bed with Beryl at her bedside. She tries to get up when her fingertips painlessly rot off. Beryl tells her that her body is rotting away, possibly because as a consequence of using the Garden of Dejection, or she finally fell out of favor of Morgan and her magical energy is wearing off.[40]
He convinces her to give him the Garden and leaves. Baobhan Sith is left wondering why she can’t move at all.[40]
Artoria realizes she is ib Lost Will, the Garden of Dejection. It is a hell of self-harm that chips away at the heart of those who fall into it and strips away all warm falsehoods. One can escape the Garden if they endure until the very end, but it’s designed to make one lose their mind before that can happen. Artoria determines she can prevent her heart from shattering if she cuts the line at the right place. She won’t be able to escape, but she knows Baobhan Sith won’t be able to maintain the Garden with her magical energy.[40]
Memories of Artoria’s life in Tintagel are then shown. She was raised in a stable and treated like a slave. She accepted every task with a smile since rebelling would only get her killed and refusing is just tiresome. Her only hope was to behave and wait until she turned sixteen and leave the village. But Artoria cuts the line at the memory of the fairies telling her to kill Ector to prove she is the Child of Prophecy. She then watches Ritsuka’s dejection.[40]
Ritsuka’s dejection shows they’re aware that they’re replaceable as provisional Master and fear it will happen when Kadoc regains consciousness. They are uncertain if Proper Human History will be restored to normal once the Lostbelts are removed. They also fear that even if everything does return to how it once was, they will have to live with the guilt and trauma of what they have seen and done for the rest of their life.[40]
Artoria, seeing Ritsuka is at their limit, recalls when Oberon told her in Proper Human History everyone is equal, and no one is special. While outwardly she was amazed, in truth, she was disgusted that it was full of liars and repulsed by Oberon’s sugar coating of it.[40]
Oberon said the issues of hierarchy, which will exist so long as there is life, are resolved through dialogue in Proper Human History. But Artoria interprets that to mean everyone is equal, yet no one is allowed to succeed. They drag each other down, deceiving one another so none of them can raise from the dirt. That paradox is why Artoria asked Ritsuka what they thought of their own world. Their answer was too much for her, so she hid behind a bitter smile. She wondered why they’re acting so tough even though they so thoroughly beat down.[40]
Artoria prepares to stop the replay of Lost Will before Ritsuka’s body breaks apart when Ritsuka somehow recovers. Remembering that Romani Archaman told them to live without regrets, Ritsuka resolves to continue their journey to understand their desire to live like they told Goetia. The Garden is then shattered.[40]
Mash had smashed and destroyed the Garden. Artoria is amazed Mash would destroy what essentially amounts to a national treasure, but it was thanks to her judgment that she and Ritsuka are now safe. She explains the Garden of Dejection is a suicide charm, a spell that robs the will of those it imprisons. She claims she was relatively unaffected by it, but she fears what Ritsuka would have done if they had stayed in there longer.[40]
She isn’t absolutely certain, though, irritated by how seemingly dense and serious Ritsuka can be. Mash tells her Ritsuka’s mental state is always the same whether acting as a Master or not. Artoria concludes Ritsuka isn’t the type to run away, recalling how at Norwich they ran off to the harbor, even though everyone else stopped.[40]
Ritsuka reminds her she didn’t run away either. Artoria points out she didn’t go to the harbor, though. Ritsuka asserts she was the Child of Prophecy well before that. A tender silence is shared between the two of them. This prompts a sudden Peperoncino to tease that he senses love in the air, though of a different type.[40]
Mash reveals it was thanks to Peperoncino she found Ritsuka and Artoria. She was tailing after Baobhan Sith when Peperoncino joined her.[40]
Peperoncino reveals they’re in New Darlington, where Beryl’s castle is. He has been looking for a chance to sneak in for a long time, but Morgan’s surveillance magecraft made it difficult. Fortunately, an opportunity presented itself when he saw Mash charging toward New Darlington by herself. He promptly joined her and together they snuck in.[40]
Mash reveals it was thanks to Peperonico’s shugendo they found RItsuka and Artoria. Peperoncino clarifies he used the “thread” connecting Mash to Ritsuka, so if anything she saved them. No one knew a place like this existed outside the city.
Peperoncino clarifies they are actually in an underground sanctuary built on the outskirts of New Darlington. He and Mash entered through a deserted church. It is filled with “bad things” now, but Peperoncino recommends escaping first. As the path up is long and winding, he suggests everyone ensure their bodies are limber. He suspects Ritsuka and Artoria’s limbs are stiff, considering they were imprisoned in the Garden when he notices Artoria’s behavior.[40]
Artoria is rambling about what Peperonicno teased about earlier, saying stuff like love is too much for her. Ritsuka snaps her out of it.[40]
Peperoncino worries about how stressed Artoria looks and thinks she needs to give herself time to unwind. But he suggests taking it slowly and presumes Artoria doesn’t need his meddling yet. Artoria looks puzzled, but Peperoncino doesn’t clarify. The heroes then make their toward the surface, killing any enemy in their path.[40]
A flashback shows Beryl fell asleep after he had summoned Morgan le Fay. But the following morning, he found himself not sleeping outside but in a luxurious bed. The Fairy Kingdom had long been established and Britain was no longer a Lostbelt. The Lostbelt Morgan also made Beryl her husband for appearances’ sake. Beryl thought he couldn’t report any of this to Kirschtaria, so he accepted his position as Morgan’s husband.[40]
Six months passed, and Beryl had become quite close to Baobhan Sith. He had also built the National Slaughter Theater in New Darlington.[40]
Eventually, he surmised the Lostbelt Morgan had replaced his Morgan. Lostbelt Morgan confirmed his suspicions, revealing after she was summoned, her counterpart perceived the end of the Lostbelt Britain. She found this unacceptable even if this Britain was a “what-if” that perished 2000 years.
She immediately grasped the history of the Lostbelt and Chaldea's summoning system. She unraveled the secrets of Rayshift and put it into practice, but first she needed to render Beryl unconscious. However, only information can be Rayshifted, so a Coffin is required to convert a living person into Pseudo-Spiritrons to Rayshift a living person to a Singularity. Impressive as it is, Rayshifting is only possible by Singularities existing outside normal space-time.[40]
Morgan le Fay used Rayshifting to send her knowledge and memories to her Lostbelt self in the year 4000 of the Fairy Calendar. Thanks to that, the Lostbelt Morgan learned the “first” Fairy Calendar fell when she was murdered because all prominent fairies died in the Great Calamity in the Year 12000. Thus she avoided her own murder, averted the Great Calamity, withered the Tree, and established the Queen’s Calendar.[40]
Beryl deduced because he was there when the Tree still existed in 2017. Morgan le Fay actually killed him to avoid a paradox. The current him is a double the Lostbelt Morgan had made.[40]
Morgan decided then she would attack Olympus, considering Kirschtaria and his Lostbelt as the only legitimate threats to her. Beryl, however, didn’t find Kirschtaria pitiful or interesting enough to be worth killing. This confused Morgan as she thought all the Crypters were all resurrected to compete to see would become the ruler of the planet.[40]
Beryl claimed he only accepted the Alien God’ resurrection so he could keep on living. Morgan, however, countered he didn’t care about life at all, whether it’s his own or anyone else’s. He only seeks to revel in the moment, not caring what comes next or when it ends.[40]
Describing himself as a hedonist, Beryl admitted he thought living was a pain only worth it if his fun outweighs it. His fun was based on whether he found someone interesting (like Barghest) or boring (like Spriggan). He found Morgan to be the latter type, not worth spending his time with.[40]
Morgan asked him which type her daughter was to him. Beryl described Baobhan Sith as “already finished”, pitying her yet not finding her interesting. Hurting someone like her is painful, which makes him want to ruin her future. Killing her now is what love means to him.[40]
In the present, continuing their escape, the heroes feel a tremor, though earthquakes are a rare occurrence in Britain. They soon run into rotting humanoid creatures. Artoria assumes they’re undead — the Calamity that attacked Darlington a century ago. She concludes this place was once a human cemetery. At Mash’s behest, the heroes fight only to clear a path upstairs.[40]
Beryl appears, disappointed the heroes aren’t killing the creatures he let loose, revealing they are Human-Moss. He corrects the misconception they are undead, of which there is only one left in Britain. They are instead the result of him infecting humans with the Moss curse for six months. It proved the Moss poison could also affect humans.[40]
Peperoncino confirms like Beryl suspected he has come to kill him and avenge Kirschtaria.[40]
Another tremor occurs. Beryl reveals he has set the crypt to collapse so Morgan cannot find evidence of his experiments and runs off. The heroes head upstairs, with Artoria using her magecraft to shield them.[40]
They reach a cathedral near the surface. Suddenly, though, Peperonico pushes everyone out of the room and closes the door. He claims the room is filled with poison gas and asks the others to give him three minutes to turn the gas off.[40]
Three minutes pass, so the others reenter the room. Peperoncino has successfully turned off the “gas”. Artoria knows the truth, but says nothing, which Peperoncino appreciates. The lower floors are then heard collapsing, so the heroes hurry toward the exit.[40]
Beryl blocks their way, so Mash attacks him. But he unexpectedly repels her attack when Artoria senses Woodwose’s Spirit Origin from him. Beryl transforms into Woodwose albeit black. The heroes try fighting him but are unable to pierce his hide.[40]
Peperoncino seemingly tries to attack him from behind, but Beryl mortally wounds him. This was Peperoncino’s plan, however, because now Beryl is infected with 500 people’s worth of the Moss curse. Peperoncino confirms Beryl’s suspicions he is already on the verge of death. After all, Beryl’s curse is a curse that transfers to the one who kills you.[40]
A flashback reveals the cathedral was actually filled with Moss-Humans. Peperoncino killed them all, transferring the curse to himself. He covered the evidence with an illusion.[40]
Thanks to Peperonico mixing in his own curse, the Moss curse affects Beryl even in Woodwose’s form. With him weakened by the curse, Artoria’s party again fight Beryl designated Black Wolf by Mash.[40]
Beryl realizes he’s going to lose, so he escapes through the skylight. Peperoncino convinces the others to leave him behind, considering himself just as bad as Beryl and his own death karma. He implores Ritsuka to save Britain and Artoria before Artoria’s party escapes.[40]
Now all alone, Peperoncino reflects back on his life, how he couldn’t meet his clan’s expectations because he was born different. Even though he killed them all, he still loved the Myourenji.[40]
Returning to his original name, Myourenji Arou believes it is his karma for him to die alone. But suddenly he sees a hallucination of Daybit Sem Void. He thanks him for using his onetime trip to visit him in his Lostbelt back when he was at his most beautiful. The crypt then finally collapses.[40]
Outside, Ritsuka and Mash silently mourn Peperoncino’s death. Artoria confesses she knew Peperoncino killed a great many people. He held no sympathy for those he killed and he wouldn’t feel bad for his own death. He was a cold-hearted person, yet at the same time, he held no hesitation or deceit, never once lying to Ritsuka and Mash. Artoria was surprised how true to himself he was and considers him the most impartial she ever met, both with others and himself.[40]
Da Vinci, Redra Rbit, Habetrot, and Muramasa soon find the heroes and are informed of Peperoncino’s death. At Muramasa’s behest, Da Vinci gives Artoria a message from Oberon. The Round Table Army has taken Oxford, so he’d like her to ring the bell before Morgan’s army returns. The heroes immediately head for Oxford.[40]
The Last Knight[]
That night, Artoria’s party rendezvouses with Oberon and Percival at their camp near Oxford. Percival tells them that Oxford was taken with a bloodless siege, thanks to Artoria’s ringing of Orkney’s bell. The toll of the bell raised the morale of the Round Table and spread havoc throughout the city.[41]
Oberon says the city would have fallen in a matter of days, anyway. Resentment from the city’s Earth and WInd Clans toward the Fang Clan had caused a lot of internal pressure, enough for the Fang Clan to change allegiances. They were never truly loyal to Morgan; Woodwose was just enthralled with her.[41]
With him gone and left without a leader, the Fang Clan were lost on what to do. However, integrating them into the rebel force would be difficult due to the atrocities they committed against the other fairies. It’d also be impractical to confine them in Londinium as PoWs until the rebellion against Morgan is over.[41]
Muryan thus suggested sending the Fang Clan to Gloucester, promising her city will join the rebellion if it is done. Upon arriving, the Fang Clan will be freed of their restraints and be enlisted as mercenaries and assigned to the city guard and its de facto army. With this, Gloucester will join the Anti-Queen forces. The Fang clansmen who surrendered, and those kept prisoner in Londinium, were sent to Gloucester yesterday.[41]
Muryan looking down on the shruken Fang Clan.
Muryan, however, shrunk the Fang Clan and squash them all like ants. It was revenge for them massacring her clan 1200 years ago. Koyanskaya, who was watching, sensed the loss of the Fang Clan will greatly change Britain’s fate. Muryan should know what she is going to be, yet she is unable to escape her past hatreds. Severely disappointed, Koyanskaya deemed Muryan no better than a human and not worthy of her services.[41]
The next day, Artoria has rung Oxford’s bell, but the Mirror Clan’s bell is still missing. Oberon doesn’t see it as necessary since Norwich proved Ainsel’s prophecy isn’t set in stone. Artoria’s magical energy can also now cover the entire Round Table Army and Cnoc na Riabh’s forces reinforce that. Percival says once they rendezvous with the third platoon and the volunteers from Londinium, they will all head for Camelot.[41]
Muramasa asks what the Pilgrim’s Bells are. Mash reveals they are the transformed corpses of the clan leaders, who abdicated their status as Sub-Bells to become fairies of the land. It was done in deference to the Fairy of Paradise, and in accordance with her mission to liberate Britain. The sound is an apology indicating an agreement with the Fairy of Paradise’s mission. Originally, the bells were the founders, but some were destroyed by the Calamities. In that case, the body of the current clan head will become the bell.[41]
Urgently, Artoria asks Percival where Gareth is. Percival answers Gareth is in Londinium and decides he’ll send Kenwood’s recon unit to check in on them. A soldier, however, reports that Londinium is under attack by the Queen’s forces.[41]
Returning from morning patrol, Gareth finds Londinium is under attack from within by rebel soldiers, killing everyone in the city. She breaks through the enemy and tries to get Shem and Samaria to the command center for safety and to treat their burns. However, after she killed some more rebel soldiers, someone suddenly crashed down and attacked her.[41]
The soldiers are heard continuing their massacre of the Londiniums, calling them sinners for shunning the mercy of the exalted one. They reject their dream of coexistence between humans and fairies.[41]
A knight mocks the Londiniums for being too trusting toward humans and orders the city to be razed. If it goes, the Round Table Army will lose their footing and the Child of Prophecy’s reputation falls. The knight wants the command center thoroughly destroyed so Percival may be showed his place.[41]
Gareth injured
Gareth regains consciousness and finds herself unable to open her right eye. Seeing the city burn all around her, she reminded of the massacre of the Mirror Clan, and she remembers she is the next generation of Ainsel.[41]
Despite her serve injuries, Gareth fights the enemy knights to protect what remains. She collapses after driving the knights off. But recalling they planned to blow up the command center, she goes up there and throws the bomb, hitting the retreating knights. She then learns Artoria’s party has returned with the Round Table Army and dies, seeing a hallucination of a grateful Shem.[41]
The heroes learn none survived the massacre. Ritsuka visits Muramasa in the command center. Muramasa informs them Artoria took Gareth’s body up the bell tower with her. The fact Londinium also has a bell tower makes him feel she knew things would turn out this way.[41]
Ritsuka visits Percival in the courtyard. Percival informs them he has buried Gareth’s armor with the children. But he has taken her spear, intent on sending it to where it belongs.[41]
Before the bell that was once Gareth, Artoria is hesitant to ring it because she knows why Londinium was attacked. She doesn’t value this world and, unlike Gareth, she has nothing she wants to protect.[41]
Ritsuka visits her, presumably to console her. Artoria appreciates their concern, but she insists she was prepared for this. She requests they let her ring the bell alone, not wanting them to see her unsightly side.[41]
The tolling of the sixth resounds through Britain. In Wales, Oberon reiterates verse 9.5 of Ainsel’s prophecy, now understanding what it meant.[41]
Blanca returns and reports the following. Cnoc na Riabh and Camelot are readying for war. Barghest and Melusine are the only Fairy Knights who answered the call. Baobahan Sith has been removed from the line of succession and is currently under house arrest at Camelot for taking the Garden of Dejection. Spriggan heads for Camelot, and Muryan stays in Gloucester. Aurora has rallied the volunteer forces in Salisbury and plans a late rendezvous with Artoria. Oberon notices Blanca’s coat is looking coarse, so he implores her to rest.[41]
He states from this point forward he will not have the luxury to watch the situation. The decisive battle between Artoria and Morgan will determine which Fairy of Paradise will survive. But as long as it means Morgan dies, both Fairies of Paradise can fall together. In fact, Artoria’s survival isn’t essential to the Fairy Kingdom; Ainsel had even left behind a most foreboding line about that.[41]
Nevertheless, Ritsuka’s survival is all that matters to Proper Human History. The curtain will soon fall on the Fairy Kingdom.[41]
Night Before the Decisive Battle (II)[]
In Camelot, Clerk Meldick reports the following to Morgan. Barghest and Melusine have both been stationed on Camelot’s ramparts. Aurora has departed Salisbury with her army and will arrive at Camelot’s western by tomorrow. Spriggan has already entered the castle with his entourage. Muryan has refused the call and now stands with the Child of Prophecy. Of the 105 knights under Morgan’s direct control stationed in various locations, only 80 returned to Camelot. The remaining 25 refused to answer the call and remain in their domains.[42]
Morgan orders Barghest to be informed the western gate needn’t be opened, seeing no need to let Aurora in. As for the knight who refused the call, she has already executed all of them for treason. The court fairies are all shocked Morgan killed such peerless warriors in a single night. Morgan clarifies she didn’t call the knights for their strength but to offer a chance to prove their loyalty.[42]
She declares Camelot will not fall no matter what, proclaiming she alone will suffice against the rebellion. She calls Artoria pitiful for thinking she can measure up to her with a single pilgrimage when she herself has done the same many times before. The court fairies wonder if the rumors Morgan is a Fairy of Paradise are true.[42]
Meldick informs Morgan there was a response from Cnoc na Riabh’s mirror just now and asks if she wishes to authorize it. Morgan orders it to be projected.[42]
Cnoc na Riabh first informs Morgan she did not kill Artoria like she told her to and instead became friends. She then demands Morgan abdicate the throne, seeing no future for Britain so long as she rules. Furthermore, she herself has the right to rule, as inherited by Mab.[42]
She tells Morgan to relinquish the castle by daybreak tomorrow or else she will take the throne by force. As such, the treaty between Morgan and Mab ends. Cnoc na Riabh calls it a declaration of war toward Morgan from the Child of the Queen and the Child of Prophecy.[42]
It is revealed Cnoc na Riabh gave her proclamation at hers and the Round Table Army’s joint camp a day and a half after the attack on Londinium.[42]
The battle for Camelot will commence tomorrow. Cnoc na Riabh’s giant corps will break through the front gate, then the northern fairy and Round Table armies will wrestle control of the castle town. But Cnoc na Riabh wants the castle untouched, especially the throne. If the throne is destroyed, everything will be rendered meaningless.[42]
Morgan will focus on killing Artoria and Ritsuka first and foremost. Ainsel’s prophecy will become uncertain if either of them dies. If that happens, the Round Table Army’s morale will plummet and only the northern fairies will survive.[42]
Artoria and Ritsuka must stay in the frontlines, however, because without Artoria’s divine blessing, the main gate will not fall. There is also Barghest and Melusine to contend. Without Artoria, Ritsuka, and Mash, the allied forces stand no chance.[42]
Cnoc na Riabh dismisses Ritsuka and Muramasa, while she strategizes with Artoria, Percival, Da Vinci, and Cú Chulainn. She has already set up tents for them to rest in preparation for tomorrow. Da Vinci promises to tell Ritsuka what they discuss afterward.[42]
In their tent, Ritsuka tells Mash about what happened. Mash wishes they could settle things with Morgan with words, but having known her as Aesc, she knows she’d only yield to those greater than herself.[42]
Mash informs Ritsuka t has been 44 days since they arrived in the Lostbelt, so the time limit for the operation is nearing. There is no need for them to participate in the upcoming battle. They can take just advantage of the confusion to sneak into Camelot and obtain Rhongomyniad.[42]
Ritsuka insists on fighting as they promised Artoria they’d help. Mash agrees with their decision, knowing running away was never a choice. It is their duty as ones who witnessed the death of many Lostbelts and as people of Proper Human History, and their hopes as comrades of the Child of Prophecy.[42]
Night comes and the strategy meeting has ended. Habetrot gives Ritsuka a rough map of Camelot’s castle town. She will not be joining the battle tomorrow, as she doesn’t want to fight Morgan. She also dislikes the line in Ainsel’s prophecy about the “bloodstained crown” seems to indicate Morgan must die.[42]
Cú Chulainn asks Ritsuka to ask Percival to bring him a hundred of his best men, needing help carving runes into the shields of the Round Table soldiers. Ritsuka agrees to do so.[42]
In his tent, Percival thinks about the complicated nature of love. As a child, he thought love was simple, believing loving and being loved was all it took to be happy.[42]
He remembers after being purchased from the farm, he lived without hardship in a school in Salisbury with other purchased children. It was built at the suggestion of a fairy, with its purpose being to raise human knights. Woodwose was the school’s appointed director. He only appeared a few times, each time telling the children the plan is fail if none of them showed any aptitude by the time they come of age.
While the other children dropped out one by one and were taken as slaves, Percival stayed behind since he was blessed with a strong physique. It was then Melusine began personally training him, teaching him how to use his Magic Circuit. She informed him Woodwose wouldn’t be coming anymore, calling his project done. She would be training him from then on with patience and love.[42]
That was the “love” Percival knew back then. He was content to just be loved and more than happy to live up to those expectations. But as he grew older, he slowly came to see things he didn’t as a child.[42]
One day he witnessed a fairy complaining of their problems to Melusine, who promised she would take care of all of them. He understood then that the love directed at him wasn’t love but charity. Love was akin to a curse, obscuring one’s better judgement. Melusine knew she was being used, but she depended on that love.[42]
Hearing her wails that night, Percival entered the cathedral and conveyed the news he had been granted the Spear of Selection. He was only ten years old then, but seeing her despair, he wanted to grow up as fast as he could. He vowed he would save her. The only way to free her was to defeat Morgan, so Percival never fought for Britain’s sake, but for his own selfish love.[42]
Percival swears to Gareth his childish selfishness is over. He swears her spear will reach them for the sake of her wish to protect Britain.[42]
Ritsuka enters and tells Percival about Cú Chulainn’s request. Percival agrees to speak with his men. Ritsuka sees through his lack of enthusiasm, but Percival insists he has already decided what he needs to do. He declares, in this moment, he is Percival of the Round Table Army, possessing a treasured objective and a treasured wish, fighting only for what should be. He requests Ritsuka to inform Artoria as well, certain she would see through him either way.[42]
Seeing a confrontation with Melusine as inevitable tomorrow, Percival decides he will fight her. Even should he lose, he will keep her preoccupied until the battle is over. He insists it is what he wants, stating Artoria and Cnoc na Riabh are central figures in this war and that the prophecy doesn’t even mention him. In the end, he is just a child who never understood love.[42]
Ritsuka joins Muramasa and Da Vinci at the encampment and asks where Artoria is. Da Vinci says she was with them a while ago, but left to get some air. She doesn’t understand why she had to go so far out, though she and Muramasa both presume it is because she doesn’t like crowds. Ritsuka thinks it is because Artoria can see through lies.[42]
Da Vinci remembers Oberon said Britain’s fairies had been losing their Fairy Eyes ever since they started mimicking human culture. She then realizes Artoria has Fairy Eyes because she isn’t from Briain but from Avalon.[42]
Muramasa surmises fairies in Proper Human History stopped associating with humans because when humans gained wisdom with the rise of civilization, they also learned to deceive and their malice was unbearable to watch. Now in the Lostbelt, the fairies deceive like humans do. Artoria and Morgan were the only ones who could see their lies and the only ones Proper Human History would consider actual fairies.[42]
Da Vinci understands those who have Fairy Eyes have no choice but to look at both a person’s lies and their true intentions. They can see the disparity between a person’s words and their thoughts, so even a white lie will appear corrupted to Fairy Eyes. For the Fairies of Paradise, Britain is currently no different from human society, so why would they save Britain? Muramasa believes Artoria will, though, seeing the fact she hasn’t run away yet as proof.[42]
Changing the topic a bit, Muramasa expresses his surprise he has accompanied the Chaldeans this far. Ritsuka suggests he join them then. Muramasa says he could, seeing that the Alien God only summoned him for a particular role, but he will leave it to the Muramasa RItsuka actually bonded with. He did like their talks, though, telling Ritsuka their honesty is why Artoria was able to press on this far.[42]
Meanwhile, Oberon tries to assure Artoria they will defeat Morgan tomorrow without sacrifices. He also says the rebel army has no secrets, unlike the queen’s army. He sees, however, Artoria is worried about Gareth, but he tells her Gareth’s death was prophesied, reiterating verse 9.5 of Ainsel’s prophecy, so what happened wasn’t her fault.[42]
Artoria calls Oberon out on his false assurances there will be no sacrifices. She knows the rebel army has little chance of winning and everyone in the Round Table Army, humans in particular, will die.[42]
She also knows he’s known Cnoc na Riabh for a long time and that he only pretended he never met her when she caught them after the royal audience. Oberon defends himself on that point by saying Artoria wouldn’t have trusted him if she knew he was on good terms with Cnoc na Riabh.[42]
Going further, Artoria calls Oberon out on pretending to see Mash in Norwich when he knew along she was in Sheffield. He kept quiet about it though because otherwise Ritsuka would’ve gone after Mash.[42]
Oberon responds it wouldn’t have fit with Ritsuka’s mission from Chaldea. He also wanted Ritsuka to support Artoria willingly. He confesses he lied and says it would have been too dangerous for Ritsuka to go up north by themselves even considering the fact Mash is a powerful Fairy Knight.[42]
A flashback goes back to when Oberon explained his motivations for wanting to defeat Morgan. But unrelated, Artoria points out the fact Oberon was elsewhere on the morning Woodwose attacked Londinium. She knows he is why Woodwose’s army never received reinforcements from Morgan. She tells him while he appears honest and sincere, he also leaves out important details. He has lied so many times that it makes her question if he truly wants to defeat Morgan.[42]
Oberon insists he has done more to oppose Morgan than anyone. He will devote his very being to overthrow the Fairy Kingdom, even if it means lying. Furthermore, he knows Artoria has been lying as well.[42]
He and Ritsuka both have had an inkling Artoria has no particular reason to save Britain, but keeps her true feelings hidden. Artoria tries to deny it, saying she is the Fairy of Paradise sent to save Britain. Oberon tells her that is her guilt talking and asks her what Briain’s salvation means to her.[42]
Muramasa once told him all fairies seek forgiveness and they all want to be destroyed. He doesn’t have Fairy Eyes, so Oberon is sure Murmasa is just sensitive to heartache. Oberon suspects that is why Artoria is hesitant. Like him, she does not bring up the crucial facts, as it is unnecessary. To defeat Morgan, they must do things they wouldn’t otherwise.[42]
Oberon ends the conversation there, saying tomorrow’s battle will end everything. He is sure there will come a time they can both reveal their most important secrets. [42]
At Camelot’s main gate, Barghest tells Melusine the rebel army’s military strength is likely on par with Camelot’s thanks to Artoria’s blessings and Cnoc na Riabh’s Fairy Territory. Melusine asserts even with both sides possessing the same number of troops she and Barghest alone can defeat the rebel army by themselves. She thinks the enemy should have brought double the troops if they intend to assault Camelot. But without potential allies like the sympathetic Salisbury soldiers and the missing Fang Clan, she doubts the rebels have any chance.[42]
Melusine tells Barghest Morgan has ordered them to kill only the troops who enter the castle. She will pick off soldiers who try to scale the walls from the sky while Barghest will defend the main gate. She is certain this upcoming battle will be the last battle of the Fairy Kingdom.[42]
Barghest agrees there will never be rebellion on this scale ever again. She points out, however, the Calamities will continue and Morgan has no intention of stopping the Great Calamity. Victory for them means almost every fairy will die, making Barghest question what is the purpose of winning this battle is.[42]
Melusine now understands Barghest became a Fairy Knight to protect Britain. But she herself only became one because her Gifted Name keeps her form, which about a century ago she showed signs of losing and was mainly contained with her love for “her”. That alone is why she obeys, possessing something important to her than Britain. She presumes Barghest has nothing like that, unaware the latter has Adonis, at least until he dies.[42]
Meanwhile, Spriggran and his escort kill the fairies guarding Baobhan Sith’s room and abduct her.[42]
Woodwose is revealed to be still alive. Aurora had kept him safe and treated in Salisbury’s bell tower, supposedly at Spriggan’s request. She told him that Morgan was never going to send him reinforcements, as she hated the Fang Clan for eating so many humans and hoped both sides would kill each other. She told him he had been abandoned. Woodwose now heads for Morgan through the underground to check the validity of Aurora’s words.[42]
Meanwhile, Oberon tells Ritsuka, who is too nervous to sleep, that with the final battle starting in a few hours, he has done everything he can. He does regret though he never found Titania. He knows she doesn’t exist, but everyone yearns for the unattainable.[42]
Ritsuka notices Oberon always seems angry. Oberon confesses he had been sulking ever since he heard Chaldea had been eliminating Lostbelts. His ire isn’t directed at Chaldea, though, but at those who will treat their quest as yet another “story” decades later.[42]
As half of him was born of a story, his feelings are divided. Part of him longs for the proper form of Britain while the other wishes to continue the Lostbelt. He sees no issue with eliminating Lostbelts for the sake of Proper Human History, but he doesn’t want them to be forgotten by future generations. He wants the latter to know it had meaning even if it ended halfway through. But he understands humans progressed because they’ve used the past as a record, saying that’s what “once upon time” means.[42]
Ritsuka asks Oberon if he loathes Morgan. Oberon replies Morgan is his enemy, but he doesn’t loathe her, considering he never met her. He actually admires the Fairy Calendar, calling the Queen’s Calendar a fairy tale created by Morgan, the incarnation of her dream. He will pay tribute to the effort, whether it is a masterpiece or mediocre, which is why he will dedicate his entire being to defeat Morgan. Also since he will be gone soon, he leaves Artoria in Ritsuka's hands.[42]
Morgan[]
Tomorrow morning, the allied armies are ready for battle. The first division of the Round Table Army includes Artoria, Ritsuka, Mash, and Da Vinci. The second division has Muramas and Cú Chulainn. Habetrot and Redra Bbit will not be participating and are staying in Cnoc na Riabh’s main camp. [43]
Percival reiterates the strategy for the upcoming battle. The second division will attack the walls as a diversion, while the first division escorts the giant corps. Once the latter breaks the main gate open, the second division will fall back to base camp and await orders from Cnoc na Riabh.[43]
After the second division heads out, Percival reveals Barghest is in command of the soldiers guarding the main gate. Artoria will be in the first division’s vanguard and pass her blessings among the entire force. Ritsuka meanwhile will use their powers to battle the Queen’s Soldiers and Barghest.[43]
But Da Vinci is certain per their pact at Manchester, Barghest will declare her support for the Child of Prophecy as soon as the first division passes through the main gate. However, since they never agreed on a common strategy, she will remain loyal to Morgan until the main gate is broken.[43]
Oberon arrives to join the battle and asks about negotiating with Barghest. Ritsuka, Da Vinci, and Artoria all thought the other was going to inform him. Oberon sees no point in arguing about it now, seeing the march has already begun.[43]
He points out, however, if Barghest is their ally, then their only opponent will be Melusine. In that case, if Muramasa and Cú Chulainn can keep her pinned down, then they might reach the throne without anyone dying. After Oberon assigns Percival and Mash as Artoria and Ritsuka’s escorts respectively, the heroes clear their way to the main gate.[43]
Meanwhile, with the second division, Muramasa and Cú Chulainn learn the walls regenerate too quickly to break down. Cú Chulainn agrees with Muramasa’s suggestion to make footholds to get over the wall. But Melusine arrives and proceeds to fight the two.[43]
Thanks to Ritsuka’s summoned Servants sustained by Cú Chulainn’s magical energy, he and Muramasa push Melusine back. Melusine realizes something is wrong at the main gate if Ritsuka has spare magical energy to share with Cú Chulainn.[43]
A Round Table soldier reports that the giant corps has broken through the main gate, and Barghest has defected. Melusine declares it her loss and flies off. Cú Chulainn decides he’ll take the division and regroup with the main force, while Muramasa decides he’ll join up with Ritsuka.[43]
At the main gate, the allied forces prepare to head into the city. Percival orders his troops to suppress any enemy forces as Artoria heads for the castle on the western route. He also wants them to accept any who surrender. Their goal is a new Britain that can stand against the Great Calamity, so there is no need to hate and kill one another.[43]
Cnoc na Riabh orders the giant corps to fall back, the Wind division to aid the Round Table Army, and the Earth and Fang divisions to subjugate the Queen at the castle grounds. She will lead the King’s clan and advance along the eastern route.[43]
Barghest decides she’ll suppress the Queen’s forces stationed outside the walls, suspecting more will surrender if they see a Fairy Knight has defected. She also asks someone to keep an eye on her to put the rebels at ease. She plans to be taken prisoner once the battle is over. Oberon decides he’ll keep an eye on her himself. Artoria’s party then enters the castle town, escorted by the first division.[43]
From the air, Melusine sees the main gate has been taken. The gate permits only the innocence to pass, but no fairy in Britain is without sin. It is only by Morgan’s mercy that sinner and non-sinner like pass through. Seeing the rebels have broken gate, Melusine gets ready to kill the rebels and traitor Barghest when she gets a message from Aurora.[43]
Camelot under siege.
As the first division advances toward the castle, Da Vinci considers the possibility of Morgan using Rhongomyniad. But she realizes, from a soldier’s confusion, that the Holy Lance was never used in Britain’s history. She, therefore, questions what the magical energy taken as the Existence Tax is used for.[43]
In the throne room, Meldick reports Barghest defected and Melusine’s current whereabouts are unknown. The rebels have taken 60% of Camelot and only 42 of the Queen’s Soldiers are still battleworthy. The castle entrance has been cut off via the use of a “mobile section”, but it will likely be breached eventually. Morgan raises her from her throne, deciding she will eliminate the rebels herself.[43]
Continuing onward, Artoria’s party finds they aren’t getting any closer to the castle. Percival recalls hearing that Camelot’s ramparts and some of its buildings can change position. Mash concludes Habetrot’s map is useless then because if Morgan can move the buildings, she can disguise the castle entrance as a dead end. Percival thanks Mash as he was earnestly about to look for the entrance like a fool. Mash almost feels like Percival is her age.[43]
Fortunately, Artoria can sense the throne’s magical signature and go where it’s denser. Percival orders Etwar to relay to the other squadrons that the city shifts and to not blindly follow the map. Etwar figures Percival isn’t concerned that the Voice of the Wind is an unencrypted and open broadcast and proceeds to relay his orders.[43]
It starts raining ash all the sudden. Mash protects Artoria from an unexpected attack from Morgan. Morgan congratulates Artoria, RItsuka, and Mash, whom she doesn’t recognize, on completing the pilgrimage. But she calls it an ephemeral matter, as the fairies will soon forget everything Artoria had to endure. Artoria should have realized that after she rung the second bell, yet she didn’t abandon the pilgrimage. Morgan asks her then if she is fine choosing righteousness over the Lost Britain.[43]
Artoria answers she isn’t and tells Morgan she was only born because she abandoned her duty. If she had seen it through, that girl would never have had reason to become king.[43]
But not caring about the original sin of the six clans and only about completing her mission so she can be at ease, Artoria challenges Morgan. She will worry about what comes afterward when the time comes. She doesn’t know what is right, nor does she want to know her fate. Britain’s future and the outside world are beyond her and, unlike Morgan, she has no upstanding ambition. The only thing she can believe in is her refusal to lose.[43]
Morgan realizes Artoria has yet to understand her true identity, even after her pilgrimage. She proclaims to Artoria she will put an end to her destiny, saying she cannot change it, then she will. She then fights the heroes, declaring Artoria will not reach the Site of Selection.[43]
Dealt a fatal blow in the end, Morgan begins to disappear. She tells Ritsuka if they ever have the chance in the future to return to the where it all began. Before she disappears, she questions what Chaldea is and what is the true purpose of Rayshift.[43]
Their rather anticlimactic victory over Morgan leaves the heroes with too many unknowns. Mash doubts Morgan would have revealed anything, even if they had lost, as she was the type to only say what was necessary. Percival for his part thinks their victory is a cause of celebration and suggests informing everyone via the Voice of the Wind to end the battle. [43]
Earlier, Oberon learned from Blanca the rebels were fighting Morgan’s thoughtforms—alter egos equal to her—all throughout Camelot. The real Morgan hadn’t even left the throne. Oberon realized he underestimated Morgan, and the best way to defeat her was assassination, not war. She alone is stronger than the entire military might of Britain and could stop the rebellion without moving from her throne.[43]
Riding on Blanca, Oberon searched for Ritsuka and Oberon. He concluded winning to Morgan was the worst-case scenario because Artoria would let her guard down. He admonished himself for not telling Artoria’s party to keep fighting until they reached the throne.[43]
Eventually, he found Artoria’s party and concluded he needed to protect Artoria than Ritsuka. He then took a blast from Morgan meant for Artoria. In his final moments, he recalled a winter memory.[43]
Morgan devastating the allied forces throughout Camelot.
In the present, the heroes see Morgan’s thoughtforms in the sky, eliminating their allies throughout the city. Morgan then easily defeats the heroes. She was concerned Merlin would help, but it was unfounded.[43]
She tells the distraught Artoria her foolishness led to everyone’s deaths, noting her lack of resolve and lack of faith in anyone. She proclaims Artoria will die alone, just like her counterpart in Proper Human History. Her fate was sealed the moment she made saving Britain her goal, but what is already dead cannot be saved. Morgan disappears, telling Artoria she should have struggled against her mission, not her.[43]
Aurora’s voice is then heard throughout Camelot imploring everyone to listen as she speaks the truth about Morgan.[43]
Woodwose pleading for Morgan's forgiveness.
In the throne room, Woodwose kills Meldick and mauls Morgan, having fallen for Aurora’s lies. Morgan criticizes him for losing his hard-earned composure and stabs him with a dagger. Woodwose cries, realizing what he has done, and begs Morgan for forgiveness. He turns into a Moss and disappears.[43]
Morgan tries to return to the throne, but Spriggan and his guards bar her. She prepares to kill them all until Spriggan shows he is holding her daughter, whose limbs have rotted further, hostage. Spriggran’s guards proceed to execute Morgan.[43]
A flashback reveals the Fairy of Paradise’s mission is to end Britain. But like her Proper Human History counterpart, Morgan loved Britain even if it was a Lostbelt. Emulating her counterpart, she sought to subjugate the fairies, working hard as their “savior”. She didn’t care if the fairies condemned as a witch for she didn’t love them and only sought to make a country where she belonged. A Britain of her own she could never obtain in Proper Human History.[43]
Over the years, she grew fond of her means. She gained companions she could confide, her composure improved, and she learned to act like the savior she never was. She also changed her name to Aesc (the name given to her by her foster parent), as a more fitting name for her role as savior. But after losing her companions following the fall of Londinium, she created her ideal kingdom.[43]
She originally planned to make her Fairy Kingdom far harsher, but for her sake, she didn’t. Also, even though it is isolated by the furthest end, those from Proper Human History can still visit the Fairy Kingdom because it exists on the same coordinates on the planet. It would have delighted Morgan to know if they enjoyed her kingdom and remembered it forever.[43]
In the present, Morgan still lives and kills Spriggan’s guards. However, she can barely move now. The court fairies contemplate on what to do when Aurora’s voice is heard throughout Camelot.[43]
Calling her an invader from another world, Aurora claims Morgan perpetrated the Calamities and the conflicts between the clans as part of her plan to conquer Britain. She even claims Morgan triggered the last Great Calamity by killing Uther and breaking the harmony between the clans.[43]
She reveals most fairies had perished in the last Great Calamity. She further reveals Aesc is Morgan, and that she had used the World Tree’s magical energy to revive the fairies with a Chaldea-style summoning ritual. The Command Spell the fairies bear is thus something not carved into them at Camelot, but something they were born with. It marks them as slaves, offering its accumulating magical energy and time to Morgan.[43]
Calling Morgan a false monarch who came from Paradise to subjugate them, Aurora asks the fairies of Camelot who their true enemy is, and ends her broadcast.[43]
Swayed by Aurora’s words, the court fairies start to revolt; Spriggan takes this chance to fee. The court fairies then brutally kill Morgan as she begs someone to take her to the throne, not wanting to lose Britain again.[43]
The heroes hear the tolling of the bells when a Round Table soldier comes with a report from Cnoc na Riabh’s army.[43]
Cnoc na Riabh has reached the throne and rung the bells in triumph. Morgan has been executed by Aurora’s knights before the throne. Cnoc na Riabh’s army has detained Morgan’s officials and seized the throne. Furthermore, for his contribution to Morgan’s execution, Spriggan shall be appointed interim chief of the six clans. Morgan’s corpse is damaged to be unrecognizable, so there will be no next generation.[43]
Currently, the Queen’s Soldiers are surrendering. The Round Table Army is to gather before the throne once their wounds have healed. Though Artoria couldn’t claim the throne, the rebellion has nevertheless triumphed. Now everyone needs to prepare for the coronation of the new queen.[43]
A flashback reveals Baobhan Sith was once a kindhearted fairy who worked tirelessly to help others. The fairies had worked her to death many times, yet she forgave them each time she was reborn. Morgan found her each time she was brought to the brink of death, lamenting it because Baobhan Sith was the only one who ever thanked her.[43]
Baobhan Sith died for the final time in Darlington with her soul exhausted and no next generation. Morgan resurrected her and told her to live heinously and cruelly because otherwise she cannot live. She adopted Baobhan Sith and made her her successor, hoping she could have a happy life for once.[43]
Unfortunately, Morgan’s wish for Baobhan Sith never came to be. Baobah Sith confesses she hates fairies because they always abused her. She also laments she couldn’t make a single friend because she was always filthy. But there was one fairy she could talk with normally, even though she hates all fairies. She can no longer remember that girl’s name, the city’s name, or what happened back then, however.[43]
In the present, a mutilated and nearly dead Baobhan Sith prays to Cernunnos, the only being Morgan feared, before she dies and is tossed into the Great Pit. Cernunnos' eyes glow faintly brighter.[43]
Interlude I[]
In the Storm Border’s control room, Goredolf tells the crew they must now choose whether to withdraw or send in additional forces to conquer the Lost World. He then has Nemo restart the control room and reveals they just received word Morgan is dead.[44]
In recognition of Chaldea’s deeds, the fairies will gift one of Camelot’s Rhongomyniads. The delivery will take seven days, so Chaldea will remain for another week. With it no longer necessary to converse power, Goredolf orders the crew to make ready to receive the Holy Lance.[44]
Yet in spite of all this good news, Holmes knows nothing is settled yet. They still don’t know the Lostbelt’s origins, why Camelot was built, the purpose of the Pilgrim Bell’s ritual, nor the mission of the Fairies of Paradise. They do not know where the Red and Black Calamities, the Great Calamities that destroyed Britain in the “first” Fairy Calendar, disappeared to. The identity of the original adversity who sought to destroy Britain is also unknown.[44]
Holmes feels an unnatural sense of malice throughout Da Vinci’s report and suspects the truth is elsewhere. So, while he agrees with restoring power and regaining their spirits, he concludes it isn’t yet time for them to return home. He requests they be put on alert for the worst-case scenario, stating this where Chaldea is needed—the battle to save the world.[44]
Three days later, Artoria’s party has returned to Salisbury. Barghest has stayed behind in Camelot to serve as Cnoc na Riabh’s proxy in negotiations with the upper-class fairies. Percival also stayed behind to oversee the acquisition of Rhongomyniad. It will take a total of four days to remove the Holy Lance and deliver it to the Storm Border.[44]
Da Vinci and Artoria are both worried about Percival’s condition, though he refuses to take a rest. Da Vinci decides to place him in one of the Border’s recovery pods after he gets Rhongomyniad to ease his fatigue.[44]
Cú Chulainn suggests doing the same for Habetrot, having noticed she’s been losing energy ever since Morgan died. Now she won’t leave her bed and wakes up only to write in her journal.[44]
Muramasa reconfirms with Artoria her decision to hand the throne over to Cnoc na Riabh, whose coronation will be held in the city’s cathedral, and return to Tintagel. Artoria decided thus because she failed to defeat Morgan herself and she doesn’t have a mind for politics.[44]
After the heroes toast their victory, Da Vinci states with Morgan gone there is no further threat of invasion into Proper Human History. The Fairy Kingdom is at peace, at least until the bleaching of the Earth is rescinded. Once that happens, the Fairy Kingdom will either continue to coexist with Proper Human History or be rejected by it.[44]
The fairies will not disappear at the very least, for whom Da Vinci is also looking into possibly using the Storm Border for emigration. Artoria and Cnoc na Riabh will take care of things until Chaldea returns. But once Chaldea has taken care of their own errands, Goredolf will return to greet the two of them.[44]
Mike is sad Da Vinci will be leaving after the coronation. But he is happy she is free today to discuss his business plans for the next few years.[44]
Reminded by Ritsuka, Mash recounts her conversation with Barghest before they left Camelot. Barghest said she had put in charge of enforcing the new reform policies. She also told Mash that Aurora and Spriggan said they would follow Cnoc na Riabh. It is concerning hasn’t been word from Muryan, though.[44]
Barghest decried herself as a traitor unworthy to be called a knight. Mash, however, insisted Barghest was still a loyal knight, who only rebelled out of concern for Britain’s future. She knew of one such knight, so it pleases her to see the rebels had accepted Barghest. She continued the strong protect the weak and considered Barghest the magnificent knight Boggart said she was.[44]
Her words made Barghest feel like she could endure whatever punishment she will face. She thanked Mash, calling her a true Knight of the Round Table, and hoped to meet another someday. Mash told her she already met one, revealing to her the knight who stopped her at the farm was Sir Tristan. Barghest is ashamed she failed to recognize one of her idols.[44]
Mash then asked Barghest why she is so attached to the Knights of the Round Table, feeling it is not just because of the Gift Morgan bestowed upon her. Barghest confessed that she admired them because they always came together to defeat evil and protect the people. Their stories helped her, and she hoped it could be the same in the Fairy Kingdom. But she couldn’t do it and instead Mash and her friends did.
She told Mash to tell Ritsuka she is thankful they supported the Child of Prophecy. She owes them a debt of gratitude, so should they ever need her, she shall be by their side wherever they may be.
Cú Chulainn leaves to check on Cnoc na Riabh after reassuring Ritsuka and Mash Barghest will be of great support to Cnoc na Riabh.[44]
In Gloucester, Muryan’s memory has deteriorated a presumable cost of how she achieved her revenge. She does not remember killing the Fang Clan and twice she forgets Koyanskya’s presence.[44]
Koyanskya confirms Morgan is dead and the rebels now control the castle. She further reports the coronation ceremony for the new queen will be held tomorrow. She also tries to warn Muryan her position will be in jeopardy if it becomes known she is why the Fang Clan is missing. Muryan, however, is unaware the Fang Clan is gone.[44]
Returning to the topic of Camelot, Muryan expresses disappointment in Artoria giving the throne up so easily. But she considers fortunate Cnoc na Riabh was chosen as the new queen with the Great Calamity near since, as a direct descendant of Mab, she knows the importance of the throne.[44]
Muryan plans to ally with Cnoc na Riabh, then have her overthrown once the Great Calamity has been abated. Afterward, she will eliminate Chaldea, seeing Proper Human History as an obstacle to the Fairy Kingdom. She also wants to eliminate them because they are Koyanskaya's enemies as well.[44]
She tells Koyanskaya to tell Cnoc na Riabh to remove the Round Table Army from Camelot once she has been made queen and to not give Rhongomyniad to Chaldea, considering them both the property of the Fairy Kingdom. Normally, she would ask Oberon to do it, but he has gone missing.[44]
Koyanskaya agrees to attend the coronation in Muryan’s stead. She then asks Muryan what she intends to do now, concerned how long she has shut herself in her room. [44]
Muryan replies she will investigate the truth of how Morgan protected them from the Great Calamity and the Great Calamity itself. She is certain she can find the truth in one of Camelot’s books, asserting she can undercover anything so long as it’s written in a book.[44]
At her camp, Cnoc na Riabh tells Cú Chulainn that Morgan’s throne is what maintains the cycle of fairies. After completing her pilgrimage, Morgan founded a false Round Table in defiance of her mission. Called the Summoner’s Throne, whoever joins themselves to it becomes the Master of all fairies in Britain. Morgan was desperate and alone, so she summoned the fairies and maintained their lives.[44]
Mab learned this truth during her last decisive battle in Year 400 of the Queen’s Calendar. She, the clan heads, and some upper-class fairies were the only ones who didn’t perish in the Great Calamity at the end of the Fairy Calendar. Mab wasn’t resurrected by Morgan, so she didn’t have to obey her. But neither could she fight her, given how far she went to keep Britain alive.[44]
Thus, Mab and Morgan then formed a secret pact, where the King’s Clan will succeed Morgan if she ever grows weak. Mab afterward retired in Edinburgh and produced an heir for when Morgan grew weak. Cnoc na Riabh was thus born to become the next queen.[44]
Though disappointed by how it all turned out, Cnoc na Riabh claims only her Spirit Origin can reforge the contract with all of Britain’s fairies. Cú Chulainn realizes the Child of Prophecy and “true king” in Ainsel’s prophecy were two different fairies, referring to Artoria and Cnoc na Riabh.[44]
A narration speaks of how a passing meteor eliminated all civilization and took all land as resources. Due to a mistake, everything on the planet disappeared. The narrator is the voice of an island on its deathbed and even now, it resounds with the agonizing breath of someone who outlived death.[44]
Three fairies on their way to Salisbury for the coronation notice a single Moss on a hill looking their way. But as it is only one and far away, they are not scared and continue on their way. After they’re gone, however, that single Moss is joined by many more.[44]
The critical point is nearing. The Moss will outnumber the fairies and thanks to a suitable sacrifice, Cernunnos has awoken.[44]
In the Great Pit, a person with glowing green eyes remarks because no one will take responsibility for the foulness, there can be no cure. They declare at the very least when all this comes to a close, they will offer up something grand.[44]
The End ~Coronation Ceremony~[]
The next morning, the heroes prepare to head to the cathedral and attend Cnoc na Riabh’s coronation ceremony, having been granted special seats as guest of honor. Habetrot still hasn’t come out of her room, though she insisted it was nothing to worry about and the others to just go to the coronation. Concerned, Mash decides to check on her one last time, but Ritsuka goes instead.[45]
Habetrot remembers Morgan told her, Totorot, because she chose to be a “dream” she can only remain active in the time between “her” arrival in Britain and when “she” is spirited away by the Water Mirror.[45]
Ritsuka enters Habetrot’s room to check up on her. Habetrot insists there is nothing wrong with her and accuses them of suspecting she is hiding something like she is actually a famous fairy. Ritsuka denies that is the case stating they know nothing about her past. Habetrot tells Ritsuka she’d be in danger if even one person knew of her situation, so they shouldn’t try to find out. Nevertheless, she appreciates their concern and says it’s too early to say goodbye yet.[45]
Mike sharpens a knife while thinking about how he can make Da Vinci stay.[45]
At the cathedral, Koyanskaya, Aurora, Spriggan, and other fairy nobles have come to attend the coronation. Percival is also there, instead of Camelot, at Barghest’s insistence. He assures the removal of Rhongmyniad will be finished by noon and delivered to Salisbury by tomorrow night. Da Vinci doubts Chaldea can handle one of Morgan’s Holy Lances, but thinks it’ll make great reference material for a Divine Construct. The coronation ceremony then begins.[45]
Presented by Spriggan, Cnoc na Riabh starts to make her vows as Britain’s next queen. But then her own subjects denounce her as a villain and declare the northern fairies aren’t needed in Britain.[45]
A Wind fairy who joined the King’s Clan claims whoever Cnoc na Riabh shares her blood with becomes her slave.[45]
An Earth fairy claims he and his brother became Cnoc na Riabh’s subjects in hopes of curing their Moss sickness. Instead, their curse was transferred to a fairy with no value and forced to die. His brother took on an uncountable number of curses and turned into a monster, serving as a slave in Cnoc na Riabh’s Giant Corps. Cnoc na Riabh claims those fairies gave their consent and did so for the sake of their brethren.[45]
The Wind fairy then reveals Edinburgh is the transformed corpse of Mab, which even now remains “active”. Mab had consumed the corpses of fairies to expand the city and create a stronger version of herself: Cnoc na Riabh. Her creation is why the northern lands haven’t expanded in 1500 years, which the Wind Fairy calls a betrayal to Britain.[45]
Cnoc na Riabh tries to explain the truth when she suddenly coughs up blood and collapses. Her subjects, the northern fairies, follow suit. Spriggran flees from the scene in a panic.[45]
Panic erupts throughout the cathedral. The Wind fairy calls on the cathedral guard to execute Cnoc na Riabh, saying a northern fairy can’t be queen because there is one much more worthy. The guards proceed to slaughter the northern fairies. Artoria attacks the guards in a rage.[45]
It is revealed Cnoc na Riabh drank poisoned wine, which was mixed into the cups served to her, the northern fairies, and Artoria’s party. Fortunately, Artoria’s party didn’t drink the wine. Cnoc na Riabh knew it was poisoned, but she drank it anyway, believing that she and her closest subjects, the northern fairies, could endure it.[45]
But the enemy knew loyalty was Cnoc na Riabh’s greatest strength and weakness and had prepared for her own clansmen to denounce her. Cnoc na Riabh grows weaker with every fairy who separates from her, so when her clansmen all over Britain denounced her, her power waned severely. As a result, the poison began to affect her and the northern fairies, and she was easily pierced by a guard’s spear.[45]
Seeing Artoria had attacked the cathedral guard, the Wind fairy concludes she and Cnoc na Riabh were working together like she suspected. He calls them both outsiders to Britain and begins to assert someone should kill them both when he is interrupted by Cú Chulainn’s flames. Cú Chulainn tells the former King’s clansmen to leave or die. The three promptly flee.[45]
Artoria holds her dying friend in her arms, confused why her wounds aren’t healing. Da Vinci senses Cnoc na Riabh’s magical energy decreasing as if her Spirit Origin is being reduced little by little.[45]
Cnoc na Riabh's last smile as she dies in Artoria's arms.
Cnoc na Riabh’s memories are fading; she can’t remember Artoria’s name or her own mission. It is the result of her sharing everything (her magical energy, her miracles, her intellect) with her subjects. Cnoc na Riabh dies in Artoria’s arms, smiling, knowing even if alone, her friend will always look for that star.[45]
The residents of Salisbury are heard outside trying to purge the northern fairies. Percival suspects the southern fairies will attack Edinburgh with Cnoc na Riabh gone, and the northern fairies will resist to avenge her. He fears Britain will once again plunge into civil war. Mash compares the situation to the disaster of Londinium’s coronation, though she is confused why she said that.[45]
Cú Chulainn urges they escape before the guards outside get in. The guards believe Artoria had plotted Cnoc na Riabh’s murder. Artoria suspects she’ll be executed under the pretense she was colluding with Cnoc na Riabh or rather because she is a Fairy of Paradise.[45]
But Cú Chulainn disagrees and surmises the poisoner was unaware of the Fairy of Paradise’s mission. If they were, they wouldn’t have killed Cnoc na Riabh. She was the only who could have saved the fairies, but they squandered their last hope without realizing it.[45]
Cú Chulain then gives Artoria the choice of either staying with Cnoc na Riabh or proceeding with “what comes next”. He will respect whatever her choice is, at least for now. Ritsuka is confused as the pilgrimage is over.[45]
Coral arrives to arrest Ritsuka and Artoria for the murder of Cnoc na Riabh, which many fairies testified to. But while she wants to imprison them, her guards want to kill Ritsuka, Artoria, and Percival. They ignore Coral’s call for impartiality and move to kill the three, surmising they’re tougher than those Londinium soldiers. Cú Chulainn easily incinerates them despite their mythril armor.[45]
Mash then protects Cú Chulainn from Melusine’s surprise attack. Melusine was sent to neutralize Artoria and the Chaldeans. Coral leaves at her urging, warned to stay indoors for the next few hours lest she be killed with all the fighting throughout the city.[45]
Percival steps forward to fight Melusine, calling Artoria and the Chaldeans his respected comrades. He doesn’t care if they are from different worlds, as they all support each other. He will use all his power to support those wiling to give their lives to follow the right path as he does. That was something he learned in the cathedral’s gardens, told to become a knight worthy of the Spear of Selection to stand in for the Child of Prophecy.[45]
Melusine is very proud of Percival, so she doesn’t want to lose him. She reminds him he already used the Spear twice, once six years and once against Woodwose. She tries to warn what further use will entail, but Percival cuts off, saying he intended to use it against from the start. Melusine leaves, not wanting to fight Percival.[45]
In the air, Melusine is proud Percival has grown into such a splendid knight like she taught him. She knows she is being foolish but laments she has no other choice. Suddenly she hears fairies everywhere, turning into Moss.[45]
Meanwhile, in Camelot, a Round Table soldier reports to Barghest that fights have broken out between the upper-class fairies and the northern fairies in the castle as a result of Cnoc na Riabh’s murder. Another soldier then reports company-sized groups of Moss have appeared from inside the city.
Barghest asks how the dismantling of Rhongomyniad is proceeding. A soldier of hers says the last report was an hour ago. He also tries to report every fairy in the castle has been complaining about numbness when he suddenly turns into a Moss, even though he never touched one.[45]
A black haze begins to erupt from the Great Pit.
A black haze emanates from the Great Pit, the sight of which causes Barghest to collapse. She gets back up and realizes the Moss are coming from the Great Pit. She orders the Round Table Army to escape to the plains, while she covers their retreat.[45]
But, after the soldiers depart, Barghest starts to feel the effects of the Curse of the Black Dog, which was previously sealed by her Gifted Name. Despite that, though, she resolves to kill all the Moss for the hope of emigration.[45]
Conclusion[]
The heroes have escaped Salisbury and just in time too, because with the gates now shut, there is no way back in. Mash is worried about leaving Habetrot behind, but Cú Chulainn reassures her she will be fine on her own.[46]
Muramasa concludes even with Artoria suspected of murdering Cnoc na Riabh, war between the northern and the southern fairies was inevitable. He further concludes because the heroes were allied with the northern fairies, they will be labelled as an enemy of the six clans along with the Round Table Army. He suggests Percival head back to Londinium when he notices how pale he is.[46]
Percival insists he is fine, wanting to act quickly upon the situation. But Artoria insists he get treated first, pointing out how irregular his breathing is. He can worry about everything after he gets some rest.[46]
An abnormal number of Moss appear. Muramasa has Mash and Da Vinci escape into the forest with Percival while Artoria, Ritsuka, Cú Chulainn, and himself hold off the Moss for two minutes. After two minutes, they all escape into the woods.[46]
Cú Chulainn’s wolves arrive and report Moss are appearing everywhere, and every city has closed its gates. Worse, fairies consumed by fear are likely to become Moss themselves. The Great Calamity has begun.[46]
Cú Chulainn calls the Great Calamity a rot gathered across Britain for over a thousand years. Britain is flooded with the magical energy of innumerable voices of agonizing death, which the Calamity accumulates to grow in size. Thus, so long as Britain exists, the Great Calamity is inevitable.[46]
The Great Calamity this time is the Dweller of the Great Pit’s awakening and it is the primary reason Cú Chulainn was sent to the Lostbelt. But according to his wolves, there are also signs of the Red and Black Calamities. Those two are out of Cú Chulainn’s jurisdiction, though, so he doesn’t know what form they’ll take.[46]
Mash remembers Aesc said Britain will be destroyed when the Dweller awakens, so she recommends stopping it before that happens. Cú Chulainn agrees and reveals it is related to the Fairy of Paradise’s true purpose. Artoria tries to explain what that means when Da Vinci gets a surprise call from the Storm Border.[46]
Holmes explains the Border’s systems are coming back online now that Britain is falling apart. The Border can now move, so Holmes requests everyone return immediately. Also, with Professor still not fully recovered, Da Vinci will be needed to devise a cruising program for Britain’s magical energy density. The Storm Border will return full functionality six hours after the heroes return.[46]
Wanting to hurry to the Border and not leave the fatigued Percival behind, Da Vinci calls out to the hidden Redra Bbit, who’s been tailing the group. He immediately agrees to take them to their destination.[46]
Meanwhile, Barghest finishes slaying the Moss in Camelot. Unfortunately, the Round Table soldiers have all perished. Barghest wonders if she should’ve devoured them if death awaited them both inside and outside. But even if it is the end of Britain, Barghest still vows to protect Manchester.[46]
As he flees for Norwich, Spriggran confesses he planned to have Cnoc na Riabh killed, but only after the Great Calamity was abated. Morgan proved to him the fairies require leadership, so he is puzzled why “that woman” had Cnoc na Riabh immediately killed. But it suddenly dawns on him she wasn’t thinking at all and she only wants to get rid of everything she dislikes.[46]
Salisbury's fairies now violent fanatics of Aurora.
In Salisbury, its fairies have become violent fanatics of Aurora. Aurora seems oblivious to her city’s deterioration while Coral is unnerved the former would call it peaceful.[46]
Coral reports the northern fairies all gradually lost strength and collapsed as if in response to Cnoc na Riabh’s death. She reopened the nursery and put the northern fairies left alive under house arrest there. Aurora seems to have forgotten the nursery was an institute for raising human children she had ordered built 16 years ago. It had stood abandoned for six years, so Coral made use of it.[46]
Aurora remembers a grey-haired child whose name she cannot recall. He had to be discarded, though, because he grew up from using the spear. He was only human, so once he looks like an adult, he cannot be the Child of Prophecy anymore.[46]
Coral asks if it was selfish of her to reopen the nursery. Aurora tells her it wasn’t and, in fact, finds it perfect for purging the northern fairies in one fell swoop.[46]
Changing the subject, Aurora asks Coral if Ritsuka and Artoria have been arrested yet for Cnoc na Riabh’s murder. She finds both equally guilty but accuses Artoria of manipulating Ritsuka. As such, she will offer Ritsuka clemency for their crimes, hoping to hear stories about the outside world from them.[46]
Coral asserts there isn’t time for that. Moss continue to increase outside the city, and refugees fleeing from the forests are begging to be allowed entry. Some fairies in the city are also developing symptoms of Moss sickness. More places for treatment are urgently needed, so Coral recommends they use the cathedral for such a purpose after allowing the refugees and admitting them. She also wants the humans of Gloucester and Londinium to assist.[46]
Aurora, however, wants the gates to remain closed and for the human guards to execute any fairy who’s contracted Moss sickness. Coral is disturbed Aurora would order the humans to kill their fellow citizens and she would abandon the refugees outside. But Aurora seems to believe everything will be fine in the end.[46]
In Gloucester, a Wind Fairy reports to Muryan on Britain’s current situation. Muryan understands the Great Calamity has begun.She orders the acceptance of all refugees. Her Fairy Territory is still strong, so Moss will not enter the city. As for the fairies turning Moss inside, she contemplates having the Fang Clan execute them. But ultimately she decides to send the Fang Clan out to the exterminate the Moss in the surrounding forests.[46]
The Wind fairy tries to tell Muryan that the Fang Clan is gone, but Muryan demands she follow her orders. In the meantime, she will continue studying to uncover the truth about the Great Pit. She believes if she can parse the “first prophecy” and “Cernunnos” from the story of Britain’s origin Morgan had kept hidden, she can uncover the Great Calamity’s true nature. The Wind fairy leaves to do as instructed.[46]
Muryan learns an invader fell from a shooting star 14000 years ago. But to her horror, she then discovers it is Britain itself, not Cernunnos, that’s trying to kill the fairies in retribution for their forefathers’ sins. Upon learning this truth, she is mortally wounded by a mysterious individual with a black arm. They thank her for eliminating the Fang Clan, as the Great Calamity wouldn’t have occurred if they had killed the Moss. They also confess to orchestrating the Fang Clan’s massacre of the Wing Clan.[46]
Thanks to Redra Bbit, the heroes reach the west coast in a day and a half. Exhausted and with the carriage about to give way, he urges the others to continue without him. Cutting through the Moss on the beach, the heroes board the Storm Border.[46]
They enter the control room in a hectic situation. A panicked Goredolf tells Ritsuka that the Great Pit is a threat, with abnormal magical signatures being detected from it. According to SHEBA, the Collapse is due to occur in a few hours.[46]
Goredolf relaxes a bit, though once he notices Artoria, Percival, Cú Chulainn, and Muramasa, and requests their aid. But he notices there are a few companions from the reports who are missing. Ritsuka informs him that Oberon and Gareth are gone. As for the northern fairies, Mash informs Goredolf Cnoc na Riabh was murdered at her coronation.[46]
Changing the subject, Goredolf informs the heroes that the Storm Border is currently preparing for a water takeoff sequence. Then on his instructions, Da Vinci goes to help Professor, Mash takes Percival to the infirmary, and Muramasa and Cú Chulainn go speak with Nemo about their upcoming strategy.
He tells Ritsuka to get checked in the infirmary and replenish Command Spells. Afterwards, he wants them to debrief him and Holmes on every aspect of Britain, as they will be storming it in a few hours.[46]
Two hours later, Ritsuka has finished debriefing Goredolf and Holmes on Britain. Holmes understands there are two things that must be done. One is stopping the Collapse, which means investigating the Great Pit and preventing the Great Calamity by eradicating the Moss. The other is Chaldea’s objective of acquiring a Divine Construct. On that subject, Holmes asks Cú Chulainn why he, according to Ritsuka, looked dispirited when Da Vinci mentioned Chaldea acquiring its own Divine Spirit.[46]
Cú Chulainn reveals it’s pointless for Chaldea to acquire Rhongomyniad as Divine Constructs and its wielders are a set. Even if they created their own, Chaldea wouldn’t be able to use it because of certain qualifications the bleached Proper Human History lacks. Holmes realizes Sion knew about this, which is why she was so insistent about Britain.[46]
The alarm suddenly goes off. Nemo Marines report gravitational fluctuations at the Great Pit and fires are spreading from Manchester across Britain. Nemo orders a visual of the Great Pit, but Marine tells him it only comes up pitch black.[46]
Nemo requests a progress report on the cruise program. Marine reports it is already complete and it will take 30 minutes to verify. Nemo decides to prepare the ship for battle and tells Ritsuka to go get Mash and Artoria.[46]
In the infirmary, Da Vinci deduces Percival’s condition is related to him being a substitute Child of Prophecy. She further deduces Aurora adopted him, Woodwose selected him from the nursery, and Melusine trained him in swordsmanship.[46]
Percival admits he and the other human children were raised as a substitute Child of Prophecy in case the real one never appeared 16 years later. Woodwose found him the most talented of all the candidates.[46]
Salisbury housed the Spear of Selection, but Aesc placed a seal so only the sinless may wield. Fairies couldn’t touch it, only humans. To be able to wield it is the minimum prerequisite to being called the Child of Prophecy.[46]
After ten years at the nursery, Percival was chosen by the Spear. He heard a voice in his head telling to “kill the wicked fairies with this spear”. It was also the day the Mirror Clan was massacred. But Artoria is confused as that was six years ago.[46]
Percival explains that Spear expends its wielder’s life to exhibit its true power and reveals he is chronologically sixteen. He was ten when the Spear chose him, hence his appearance, and now he is biologically 26 years old. The 30-year life span of humans is why he never underwent a second growth spurt when he used the Spear on Woodwose. Percival believes he is only alive because he is sturdier and blessed with a longer lifespan compared to other humans.[46]
He apologizes to Artoria for raising the Round Table Army in her name when it was for his own sake. Artoria knows, though, he is forcing himself to act to save Melusine.[46]
Nemo alerts everyone the ship will now prepare for combat. Gravitational fluctuations have been detected at the Great Pit, which Holmes believes to be the onset of the Collapse. Nemo states they will storm Britain in 30 minutes and calls all combatants to the bridges.[46]
Percival decides he will join, believing to witness Britain’s fate is the least he can do to his fallen comrades. His wish was futile, but their wish for a future of coexistence was genuine.[46]
Though it’s only been a day and a half, all of Britain is in flames, presumably because of the Red Calamity.[46]
Chaldea heads for Manchester to evacuate its fairies like Barghest was promised. Flames surround the city but the walls protected it, so the fairies inside should still be safe. Ritsuka and Mash are air-dropped in the Shadow Border, with Meuniere driving, to direct the evacuation.[46]
Manchester burning with its residents slain.
But when they arrive at the city, they find Barghest has burned down Manchester and killed everyone. Barghest attacks the Shadow Border and starts devour Ritsuka’s life force, so the group decides to retreat. But then Barghest ignores them and heads for Gloucester with a pack of Black Dogs in tow. Ritsuka and Mash both realize she is the Black Calamity.[46]
After the three return to the Storm Border, Holmes designates Barghest as the Calamity of the Beast. She is the source of the flames spreading across Britain. Walled cities are holding out, but the forests and prairies are all gone.[46]
The smoke from the fires gather in the sky, forming thunderclouds. Barghest sustains herself on the lightning generated, increasing her magical energy with every step. Da Vinci would like to neutralize her before she becomes invincible, but confirming the situation at the Great Pit takes precedence.[46]
Fortunately, Barghest’s advancement is slow as Nemo reports it’ll take her 4–5 hours to reach Oxford, giving enough time to create a countermeasure.[46]
Ritsuka is reluctant to fight Barghest, but Artoria accepts the Barghest they knew is gone for good. She realizes now Barghest’s Gifted Name was a seal to keep her from becoming a Calamity, but it broke because she defeated “Gawain”.[46]
Mash realizes the Curse of the Black Dog the Moss King placed on the Fang Clan was the Calamity. She wonders if Barghest knew she would become a Calamity since she was born, and that is why she strived to become the ideal knight.[46]
Marine then shows video feed of the Great Pit, showing a giant furred creature with horns has risen from the Great Pit. Cú Chulainn identifies it as Cernunnos, the reason he was chosen as Odin’s vessel. Ritsuka recognizes it from the mural.[46]
Because of all the curses emanating from Cernunnos, Holmes considers it suicidal for them to disembark at Camelot now. He deduces Morgan had the Rhongomyniads aimed at the Great Pit to destroy Cernunnos once it rose. Ritsuka suggests they hurry to the castle then, but Artoria says it’s too late.[46]
A shape similar to the Calamity of Norwich extends from Cernunnos towards the castle. Artoria confirms the Calamity of Norwich was just one of Cernunnos’ many “arms”. Then, as the “arm” proceeds to destroy the castle, Marine reports the curses from the Great Pit are expanding and are threatening to consume Britain. Many more “arms” are then produced, so Nemo orders an immediate retreat.[46]
Escape seems impossible, though, as Cernunnos’ “arms“ are nigh uncountable, and the surface is now a sea of curses. But just when the Storm Border is about to be consumed, Koyanskaya arrives in her Beast form and absorbs the curses.[46]
A flashback reveals after she returned to Gloucester from the coronation, Koyanskaya found Muryan bleeding to death. She thanked her for her generosity and swore to repay the favor by inviting her to her Primatosphere when it’s established. She reassured Muryan, who feared she herself will forget, as the Beast of Treasuring she never forgets a debt owed.[46]
Muryan admonished herself for not letting go of her hatred. Because of that, she never realized who the real enemy was, and she was being manipulated the entire time. That is why before she died, she requested Koyanskaya to protect Britain in spite of how sinful fairies are.[46]
In the present, Holmes tells Marine to get a visual of Koyanskaya’s Beast form. Marine tries, but Koyanskya is blocking all attempts. Holmes knows a confrontation with Koyanskaya is inevitable, so he was hoping to get more information on her.[46]
Cernunnos’ curse begins to affect Koyanskya, so Chaldea uses the chance she gave them to escape. Koyanskaya, having absorbed too many curses, withdraws to her headquarters. She realizes Cernunnos’ curse isn’t one directed toward enemies, but a curse of self-destruction directed toward oneself and allies.[46]
As Chaldea flees from Britain’s heartland, Barghest has become a titanic beast and is now destroying cities. Curses continued to flow from Cernunnos as it emerged out of the Great Pit. The fairy villages burned to the ground. The residents of Norwich kill each other over two ships, split between fairies and humans. Those who moved to Oxford in hopes of becoming new nobility were killed by the Moss defenseless without the Fang Clan. Salisbury, despite shutting its gates in an act of self-defense, met a fate more ghastly than any other city. Londinium burned to ashes, with the last of the Round Table Army welcoming the fleeing fairies and repelling the Moss. The fairies of Gloucester disappeared one by one as their city burned.[46]
Seeing the apocalypse unfolding before them, Chaldea realizes there is no stopping the Collapse now. Their only hope the 12 Rhongomyniads were lost when Camelot was destroyed. But Merlin appears and tells them they only need to correct the Singularity that the Lostbelt became.[46]
Epoch of Creation[]
Merlin reveals he was imprisoned in the Garden, but it is vanished when Morgan died. He has been for free for a while but he was occupied with other preparations. He starts to waver, confessing the him everyone is seeing is an illusion he sent from Avalon, only hearing their voices.[47]
He wants Artoria back in Avalon, knowing she has been hearing its call ever since she rang the bells. It is time for her to fulfill her mission. Once that happens, Cernunnos and the Singularity can be eliminated. Artoria responds that she isn’t qualified enough for that.[47]
Cú Chulainn tells her that doesn’t matter and explains Cernunnos’ curse will weaken if Artoria returns after ringing the bells. He confesses Odin tasked him with delivering Artoria to Merlin, the deity not caring if she was dead so long as she rang the bells. Artoria always knew about Cú Chulainn’s plan for her.[47]
Merlin tells Cú Chulainn that was only the worst-case scenario, which no longer applies. He feels Artoria is ready to fulfill her mission of her own free will.[47]
He reveals Avalon can be reached through the Spirit Cave, which can be entered from Albion’s corpse and will take an hour to traverse. With Britain dying, the road to Avalon is now open. But as the World of Magecraft’s most sacred ground, not everyone can enter. Only Ritsuka (humanity’s representative), Mash (Knight of the Round Table), Artoria (Fairy of Paradise), and Muramasa (Artoria’s servant) may go.[47]
Arriving at the Lake District, Nemo warns Artoria’s party that they only have three hours before they set out.[47]
Guiding the heroes through the darkness, Merlin explains in the Lostbelt, Albion succeeded in making a path to Avalon. Unfortunately, it was too narrow for the dragon, so it died aboveground. In Proper Human History, the Spirit Cave is called the Spirit Tomb, though Albion died at 80km mark. Normally, humans cannot enter Avalon, but the Lostbelt itself is a fairyland.[47]
The heroes’ destination is at 2700km while they’re still at the 80km. Merlin clarifies when he said an hour he wasn’t talking about distance but the time it takes. He explains travel time can be consecutively shortened to bring one closer to their goal. But feeling the scenery is boring, he decides to “turn on lights”.[47]
Spirit Cave Albion
A crystalline cave suddenly manifests. Merlin tells the heroes to keep going for with each step, they reduce travel time. They are in the Earth’s infosphere, so they reach their destination faster by skipping past vague information. The heroes are confused why Merlin is in Fou’s form but decide it’s best not to bring it up.[47]
Ritsuka and Mash notice the “Insect of the Abyss“ mural. Merlin calls it a reflection of the priestess’ memory and reveals the true story of Britain’s origin. The six fairies had murdered Cernunnos using poisoned wine and made his corpse the foundation of Britain.
Merlin reveals the Great Pit is Cernunnos’ grave and the curses flowing from it are his wrath. Cernunnos and his priestess, the last human, indeed saved the six fairies from the Ocean of Emptiness the Earth had become. The fairies were grateful at first, but grew frustrated at Cernunnos for not creating new land and the priestess for her constant lecturing. They eventually decided to kill Cernunnos, concluding its body would make a nice landmass to inhabit.[47]
Under the pretense they wished to worship Cernunnos, the faires held a feast in his honor. Cernunnos believed the fairies were repenting at last and accepted the feast, ignoring his priestess’ warnings. The god drank poisoned wine and died. Afterward, the fairies captured the priestess, made her immortal, and divided her into several pieces to serve as the origin of future humans. Then, being Sub-Bells, the six fairies created offspring to increase their clans as more and more of Cernunnos’ corpse became land.[47]
But after 100 years, their children started to die, though their numbers never decreased since new generations were always born. Eventually, the fairy civilization was founded, its development giving rise to new fairy variants. But, with their children still dying without reason, the six fairies came to realize it was Cernunnos’ anger towards them. Even with his soul is gone, his corpse even now seethes with rage and curses.[47]
Fearing Cernunnos could resurrect at any moment, the fairies fled from its corpse into the new lands formed from the corpses of their children. But Cernunnos’ grave remained ocean as it refused the fairies’ corpses because of their lingering sins. The water was eventually damned, creating the Great Pit.[47]
Muramasa wonders, though, why Cernunnos came to Earth in the first place. Artoria suspects Cernunnos was sent to punish the fairies, but didn’t because he was a gentle soul.[47]
Reminded by Merlin since it relates to the Lostbelt's origin, Mash recounts how 14000 years ago Sefar was slain by a human wielding Excalibur, the greatest of all Divine Constructs which originated in Britain. But having said that, Mash realizes no one ever spoke of Excalibur as if the concept of “Holy Sword” doesn’t exist in this Britain.[47]
Ritsuka recalls Galatine and Arondight exist in the Lostbelt. Muramasa reveals those are fakes, though, their names taken from Proper Human History’s Knights of the Round Table. Barghest’s Galatine is her horn and Melusine’s Arondight is crystallized magical energy. Muramasa concludes no Holy Sword was ever forged in this Britain.[47]
Merlin reveals the six fairies refused to forge Excalibur out of sheer laziness. As a result, Sefar destroyed all of Earth’s civilizations and landmasses. Feeling something was amiss, the fairies went to check on the surface and saw the consequences of their actions. But even then they refused to admit it was their fault the world ended.[47]
Cernunnos, as the only god to take refuge in Avalon for his priestess’ sake, was sent to make the fairies repent. But the fairies killed him and his priestess. For their sin, they and their descendants were barred from Avalon, for only innocent fairies may enter.[47]
To rectify the mistake of Excalibur never being forged, a fairy from the Inner Sea of the Planet was selected and sent to Earth. The first being Vivian, the second was Artoria. Their mission was to get the six clans to admit their guilt and inherit the Mystery of the Holy Sword’s creation.[47]
The Pilgrim bells indicate the clan leaders acknowledge their guilt. The fairy who rings them all will become the Holy Sword itself. Vivian refused and became Morgan. If Excalibur is forged, the foundation of the Lostbelt will cease to be. Artoria should have all realized when she rang Orkney’s bell.[47]
Coming to the end, Merlin tells Artoria she must face the final dragon, who will test her qualifications to enter Avalon. She passes and enters Avalon with the others.[47]
The Moment a Star is Born[]
Avalon
Arriving in Avalon, Merlin explains this one is a mere shadow of the real one taken in by the Lostbelt. It lacks his tower and the lake where fairies gather, and its mana is thinner. It only has the Site of Selection, where the six fairies should’ve forged Excalibur.[48]
Merlin will guide the heroes there, but they’ll need to pass Avalon’s final test. Artoria’s past deeds will manifest as obstacles, starting with “winter” and ending with “spring”. The others need to remove these obstacles so Artoria can move forward. Fortunately, it becomes less and less difficult.[48]
Reiterating forging Excalibur is the Fairy of Paradise’s duty, Merlin states once it is done, the Lostbelt will lose its origin point and human history will be stabilized. But forging Excalibur is also vital to human history because if the Lostbelt were to merge with Proper Human History, it would be a world without Excalibur. The Alien God’s defeat will therefore become impossible, though it cannot stop the Collapse either.[48]
Artoria confesses she knew it was her mission to forge Excalibur after she rang Orkney’s bell. She had actually planned to go to Avalon by herself once Cnoc na Riabh became queen. She also knows Chaldea needs a Divine Construct. Both she and RItsuka have their own respective duties to fulfill, so this is the end of their journey.[48]
As the heroes continue onward, Merlin warns the Calamities will never end unless Cernunnos’ never-ending punishment of the fairies is stopped. Because of Morgan, fairies born in the Fairy Kingdom can emigrate to Proper Human History. The Calamities will thus spread to Proper Human History and cause destruction on par with a small-scale Incineration of Humanity. It is, therefore, imperative they are stopped while they’re still in the Lostbelt.[48]
Merlin reveals Barghest was born as a Child of the Calamity, the reincarnation of the Great Calamity that Morgan averted 1000 years ago. Morgan used the name Gawain as a seal to prevent Barghest from becoming the Calamity. But Barghest reached her limit long before the heroes defeated, and it’s miraculous she lasted so long. Barghest could have never emigrated.[48]
Moving on, Merlin expresses concern about defeating Cernunnos, considering how bloated he is with curses. But Artoria believes Muramasa will be their trump card, recalling he is a god slayer.[48]
She then suddenly disappears, having reached the first obstacle. While she confronts her memories, the others will need to defeat the materialization of those memories so she can continue.[48]
After defeating the materialized memories, Ritsuka gets a sickening feeling. Merlin says that is to be expected from Artoria’s most painful memory. They may never know the details, but by defeating the memory some of those feelings are shared with them.[48]
Artoria reappears, having thought the others disappeared and not her. Merlin explains they need to repeat this process three more times so Artoria can purify herself to enter the Site of Selection.[48]
Artoria’s “winter” memories reveal that the fairies of Tintagel raised her in a stable because she was a Fairy of Paradise. With her Fairy Eyes, she saw everyone’s true intentions even against her own will and understood they feared and hated her. Mostly treated with indifference, she was abused by those who believed in the Child of Prophecy and mistreated by those who hated the Fairy of Paradise.[48]
Even so, her treatment didn’t matter because even as a child, she knew her mission to deliver salvation to the fairies would result in Britain’s destruction. She could bear the fairies’ poor treatment of her if there was a reason, but seeing and hearing everyone’s true intentions even in her sleep was unbearable. The tolling of the bells told her to set out a pilgrimage to save fairies, but she considered it unreasonable.[48]
In her sixth year, while training with the Staff of Selection as a melee weapon, she heard a voice from the Staff. The voice claimed to be Merlin and began teaching Artoria magecraft haphazardly.[48]
After many lessons, Artoria asked “Merlin” why he was teaching her magecraft when the fairies of Britain hated her. “Merlin” told her as a Fairy of Paradise she will in time have many fairies as her followers. When that time comes, she must become a savior befitting the wish everyone has of. She must become a fairy tale-like existence, a nameless king who exists on the edge of the world, bringing hope to everyone across time with her mere existence.[48]
Artoria’s lessons came to an end a year later when the village found out and confiscated her staff until her day of departure when she turns sixteen. The days that followed only got worse.[48]
Her “autumn” memories show how she first met Ector. When she was twelve years ago, Artoria was sent to deliver something to Ector who lived alone in his workshop on Cape Drift. She was immediately infatuated with the workshop. Ector thought she was a thief and threatened to kill her. He lived alone for centuries and everyone in the village feared him.[48]
Ector realized Artoria wasn’t a thief upon learning she was sent on a delivery. Artoria sensed he truly hated fairies. Out of fear he might kill her, she decided to leave the bag and flee back home, having lost her previous excitement. But Ector stopped her, wanting to see her face, and realized she was the Child of Prophecy. He then ran Artoria out of his workshop, telling her to never come back, even throwing his hammer at her.[48]
But Artoria came back, and Ector saw she could touch iron without issue. Eventually, after several more visits, Ector made her his apprentice.[48]
A year into her apprenticeship, Ector had became a renowned craftsman receiving special orders from all over Britain. It was during this time Artoria first met Barghest, who was the first customer to come directly to Ector’s workshop. Artoria tried to welcome Barghest to enhance Ector’s reputation, but Barghest completely ignored her.[48]
Barghest came up to receive the sliver armor Ector spent the last four years making for her. After confirming it fit, she tried to recruit Ector to work in her city. But Artoria, already mad at her, refused to let Barghest take her teacher away from her and tried to get her to leave. Barghest left on her own after telling Artoria to learn some manners. Artoria saw with her Fairy Eyes Barghest wrote her True Name in the sales voucher instead of Gawain and swore to never forget it.[48]
In the autumn of her second year as his apprentice, Ector noticed Artoria kept staring at the jewelled hair ornaments he made. He permitted her to take one to use a pattern to work off of. But Artoria, even though she wanted it, declined because she knew it would be taken away.[48]
Then, on the morning of her sixteenth birthday, the villagers demanded Artoria show proof she was the Child of Prophecy by killing Ector, whom they claimed was an elite guard of Morgan.[48]
Her “summer” memories reveal she didn’t go through with killing Ector. But ousted by her “friend”, Artoria was accused by the villagers of being a false Child of Prophecy. For this “crime”, she is captured and placed in an underground cell to await Woodwose’s execution squad, who will arrive in three days. The village became split between supporters of Morgan and the Child of Prophecy.[48]
A wounded Ector eventually rescued her, giving her a hat and returning her staff to her. He told her to escape before daybreak and towards Salisbury when a commotion is heard outside. He and Artoria saw the villagers set fire to the village and were killing one another.[48]
Though baffled by the scene at first, Woodwose attacked the village in an attempt to capture the Child of Prophecy alive. Artoria tried to go save the village, feeling it wasn’t right to abandon the villagers despite how they treated her. But Ector grabbed her and took her to a nearby forest.[48]
There he told her she was on her own and that she needs to leave now as Woodwose’s soldiers were now after her. He lied he would return to his workshop, but Artoria saw he would die very soon from the injuries he had sustained. He encouraged her to set off, truly believing she is Britain’s savior, and finding she is just like her.[48]
Artoria refuted him and tried telling him she’ll live on the cape and leave when the prophecy turns out to be fake after she turns 17. But her words never reached him, as he was already dead. Artoria quickly overcame her grief as is her specialty and left on pilgrimage after thanking everyone for raising her.[48]
She traveled to Salisbury to try to meet with Aurora, only to be turned away by the rebel army. She performed menial tasks to prove she was the Child of Prophecy, but they still didn’t believe her. They told her they didn’t need a Child of Prophecy because they have Aurora. They also told her no one truly believed in the Child of Prophecy.[48]
Laughed out Salisbury, Artoria then traveled all across Britain, but always she was used and ridiculed. She understood the fairies only enjoyed the rumors about the Child of Prophecy, while the real thing was just a hindrance. With no companions to confide in and hated by everyone, Artoria continued her journey alone.[48]
She went to the Nameless Forest in the hopes she could just be herself. But the Fairy of Paradise is immune to the curse of forgetfulness. So she pretended to have lost her memories and withdrew into the tent for newcomers, feeling empty inside.[48]
It was then another “fairy” was brought in—Ritsuka. They had lost their memories, and they were in shambles both physically and mentally, so Artoria thought she couldn’t leave them alone. But most importantly, if they had forgotten all about the Child of Prophecy, she hoped they could become friends.[48]
While waiting for Artoria to return from her “spring” memories, Ritsuka and Mash both express unease at facing more memories as they only bring heartache. Merlin tries to put them at ease by explaining “spring memories” are comprised solely of what that person enjoys.[48]
He confirms Muramasa’s suspicions that Artoria will disappear in exchange for the establishment of the concept of the Holy Sword. Artoria’s accumulated memories, experiences, her Spirit Origin, and even her destiny will all serve as materials to forge Excalibur. She came to Avalon knowing full well this would be the outcome.[48]
Artoria then returns from confronting her “spring memories earlier than expected. She acts like nothing is wrong and races toward the Site of Selection.[48]
Ritsuka is upset about how carefree she is being. Muramasa is relieved they feel that way, but tells them to leave what happens afterward to their elders. He does not clarify by what he means, only recommending they catch up to Artoria.[48]
The star shining amidst the storm of malice Artoria always sees.
In her inner monologue, Artoria confesses she sees and hears the world in a storm of malice, whether she is awake or not. It became stronger after her experiences in Tintagel and getting to know the hearts of fairies. It made feel completely lost.[48]
She thought Morgan would have never gotten lost in the storm since she had the conviction to make Britain her own. But she herself hated Britain and its inhabitants, so she couldn’t possibly find her conviction the same way. It was already shown to her, though, when she rang the Pilgrim’s Bell—Artoria Pendragon.[48]
When she learned of her Proper Human History counterpart, she felt nauseous and that she would never want a life like that. But the forging of Excalibur sealed her counterpart’s fate. Artoria felt if it wasn’t for Excalibur, her counterpart’s life would have been different and Britain would have ended differently. She thought only she could save her every time she heard the bells ring.[48]
But always ever since she was born, an unknown star has watched her amidst the storm. She doesn’t know where she wants to go, doesn’t care about her mission, and she doesn’t want to be the Child of Prophecy. Yet she never stopped moving forward and she never surrendered to the storm. She wants to know why someone like her never gave up and what that star is.[48]
The heroes arrive at the Site of Selection. In its center is the Sky Furnace, where the Fairies of Paradise must return to. Once Artoria offers her body to it, the Holy Sword will be established not only in the Lostbelt, but its concept will be returned to Proper Human History as well. It will not be a temporary recreation either, but the sword itself.[48]
Before she steps into the Sky Furnace, Artoria confesses she hated Britain and its inhabitants, and her mission. She would have preferred living a normal life, but not wanting to disappoint anyone, she acted as the Child of Prophecy. She may have persevered this time, but she is certain she would abandon her mission come a second time, shocked most of all she made it this far.[48]
She never grew fonder of fairies and humans, but she understood everyone had suffered and they all yearned for salvation. She doesn’t think anyone deserves that even if sinners should be punished for their crimes because they are all the same. Beneath all the fake and real lies, though, they all wished to be saved.[48]
Until now, Artoria never thought she could save this world—bring an end to it—because the fate of the world isn’t something anyone should shoulder even if they dislike it. Even so, she will fulfill her mission for her own sake, just like Ritsuka and Mash showed her, for she will never betray that thing amidst the storm.[48]
Stepping into the Sky Furnace, Artoria starts to dissolve. She will lose her memories afterward, followed by her sense of self. The Inner Sea is taking her memories because it is necessary to use the current state of humanity as materials to forge Excalibur. Artoria was merely the vessel to accumulate them to forge a better blade.[48]
Reminiscing, Artoria is certain it will be an excellent blade, a shining star that will not be defeated by any evil on Earth, a sword worthy of her other self. She is glad “Caster” has no spring memories, but for her it is the memory of a wonderful journey.[48]
Now, without form, Artoria accepts her journey has come to an end. But she wanted to know what that star was, knowing she wouldn’t be complete until she did. She thought she’d understand on her journey, but in the end she never found her answer.[48]
Muramasa then suddenly steps into the Sky Furnace and tells her she isn’t done here then, much to Artoria’s confusion. He takes over the forging process and finishes Excalibur, not caring his Spirit Origin was burned up.[48]
Because Muramasa took over her job, Artoria starts being ejected from the Sky Furnace. Muramasa has granted her a small reprieve, so she can finish her unfinished business. He considers it repayment for the others buying his life, even though Artoria tells him that debt was paid long ago.[48]
She tells him he is from the outside world, so he has nothing to do with Britain and reminds him his job is supposed to come afterwards. Muramasa is happy with this outcome, though, because he won’t have to see the Alien God again. He accepts his fate and tells Artoria he wished he could’ve made that hairpiece himself before she is finally ejected.[48]
Mash confirms the disappearance of one Spirit Origin, but to the surprise of everyone, Artoria still lives. Artoria gives Mash the essence of the Holy Sword, believing Chaldea can use it as a base to make their own Divine Construct. She regrets it couldn’t actually be Excalibur.[48]
Everyone is confused how Artoria is still alive when Merlin realizes what Muramasa did for her. Mash confirms Muramasa was the one who disappeared, having sacrificed himself to protect Artoria. Artoria further confirms she is here now because Muramasa was the one who built the final touches on the Holy Sword.[48]
She then explains with the establishment of the Holy Sword, the Lostbelt’s basis has been overturned and it will be pruned before long. But the Great Calamity cannot be allowed to become a pruning phenomenon. It is a threat to humanity that Chaldea must stop themselves.[48]
Ritsuka notices the air about Artoria is different, but they’re glad she is safe and welcomes her back. Artoria responds she is back stronger than ever. Merlin senses she is indeed stronger, and she has gained a new magecraft theory: Holy Sword Creation.[48]
He then decides to rewind the Great Pit’s time to two hours before Cernunnos awoke, suspecting the surface is now overflowing with curses. He thought this might happen, so he looked into the dreams of the Great Pit and made it so the escaped Cernunnos is a “dream” that the god is having and wake him from there. Due to spending all his time after being freed from the Garden casting spells on the Great Pit, his Spirit Origin is worn out. Once Cernunnos’ dream is lifted, the current Merlin will disappear.[48]
Starting to disappear, Merlin decides to send the heroes back to the Storm Border an hour before Cernunnos appeared. He warns they will have another hour to defeat Cernunnos before the curses overflow. He requests Artoria to take care of Ritsuka and Mash from him, calling her king without a name. Artoria affirms she will, knowing Merlin is still imprisoned in his tower even now. Merlin then sends the heroes back.[48]
Merlin realizes he forgot to ask Ritsuka about something. He was watching Chaldea’s journey very closely with his clairvoyance, so he wanted to ask Ritsuka why they were talking with themselves a lot of the time.[48]
Interlude II[]
Two hours since Barghest became a Calamity, Melusine watched as the Great Calamity unfolded from their air. She understood it was all Aurora’s fault.[49]
It is revealed Aurora had ordered Melusine to massacre the Mirror Clan, calling their prophecies dangerous. She is an amoral narcissistic, whose every action is all for her own self-image, having anyone more popular than her killed. But she possesses no malice whatsoever and truly believed the Mirror Clan was dangerous.[49]
But the Mirror Clan were gentle fairies protecting the remains of Melusine’s original self—Albion. Those women offered their lives to her without resistance. Melusine never wanted to kill them, but did so for Aurora’s sake. She returned to Salisbury on foot rather than flying, hoping Aurora would thank her with a smile.[49]
Melusine sobbing to herself in the rain after hearing Aurora's true feelings about her.
When she returned, though, she overheard Aurora indirectly implicating her for the Mirror Clan’s demise, calling her a detestable creature who will always be a pale imitation of her. Melusine wailed in the rain, knowing Aurora never loved her. Even so, she still loves Aurora.[49]
In the present, Melusine heads back to Salisbury revealing she will return to her original self should Aurora perish.[49]
Meanwhile, the fairies of Salisbury have become even more violent. While still calling for the genocide of the northern fairies, they now want to kill any fairy infected with Moss and any human reluctant to fight the Moss. They consider Aurora the new queen of Britain and expect her to sacrifice herself to the Moss for them.[49]
Melusine enters Aurora’s room from the bell tower. She hoped they could at least be together for Britain’s end when, to her horror, Aurora suggests they escape. Aurora has concluded the fairies no longer love her and asks Melusine to take her to the outside world. She believes Proper Human History will serve better to create her ideal world, considering humans to be weak. Melusine realizes Aurora will only repeat her actions for the sake of her purpose to be the most beloved of all.[49]
She asks Aurora where Coral is. Aurora recalls she transformed her into a caterpillar for irritating her. She squashed her underfoot a few moments ago.[49]
Melusine declares her unrequited love for Aurora and stabs her, refusing to take her to the outside world. She understands Aurora could never be loved there, as the inhabitants of Proper Human History would see her for the poison she is. Aurora will only deteriorate and suffer in despair in such a world, yet she will continue to delude herself.[49]
Aurora refuses to believe such a future, calling Melusine a mockery of a fairy, and repeats her command. Melusine refuses because she cannot bear to let Aurora suffer. She repeats her declaration of love and stabs Aurora again, knowing the latter’s death means she’ll return to her original state. She collapses immediately afterward and transforms.[49]
A Certain Prophecy[]
Goredolf is bewildered that the magical energy in the atmosphere is rising, and a second powerful magical signature has appeared. In addition, Cernunnos has vanished from the Great Pit.[50]
Da Vinci explains magical energy is increasing because of all the fairy corpses being burned up. It won’t cause any immediate concerns, so Da Vinci says just ignore it. The same goes for the second powerful magical signature, which she hasn’t gotten the chance to monitor. As for the Great Pit, she has no idea because all of their measurement data is missing for it. It is as if time itself has rewound only for the Great Pit.[50]'
Suddenly she confirms a space-time ripple in the control room, from which Ritsuka, Mash, and Artoria emerge.[50]'
At Goredolf’s behest, Ritsuka gives a quick report on what happened in Avalon. Afterward, Mash goes to put her shield to the analysis room and Excalibur’s essence in storage at Da Vinci’s request.
With all the information provided by Ritsuka’s report, Holmes declares they can start strategizing now. He requests to Professor to use the ship’s logs regarding the Great Pit to calculate the time between Cernunnos’ appearance and the flood of curses. He also wants both physical and anti-curse defenses prepared since the battle against Cernunnos is liable to be close-range using Servants deployed on the Border’s main deck.
Professor believes they can easily bombard Cernunnos given his size. Holmes replies conventional physical means may not be effective, as Cernunnos’ Divine Core is buried underneath a thick mass of curses. Therefore, the correct approach would be exorcise the curse, which can either be done by Artoria or Cú Chulainn. Only a spiritual attack blessed by those two could possibly provide interference.[50]'
Thinking to himself, however, Holmes notes they are missing the deciding factor and fears they will have to sacrifice the Storm Border.[50]'
Professor agrees with Holmes, stating the Border isn’t equipped for spellcasting. They calculate Cernunnos will appear in 30 minutes and the curses will overflow in another hour.[50]'
Though their greatest enemy is Cernunnos, Holmes warns they cannot allow Barghest to escape Britain. If she does, her existence as a Calamity will be accepted as part of Proper Human History. They must defeat quickly and make preparations for Cernunnos’ appearance. There is no time to spare, so the operation begins immediately.[50]'
Holmes tells Ritsuka, Artoria, Cú Chulainn, Nemo and the Marines to formulate a strategy for defeating Cernunnos. He tells Professor and Da Vinci to work on the Storm Border’s anti-curse barrier when the ship is hit by an attack burned through its armor. Nemo states only a Divine Construct could penetrate the Storm Border’s armor. Da Vinci displays their attack on the monitor.[50]'
The heroes see their attack is a fighter jet-esque dragon flying at supersonic speeds. It comes back for another attack, but thanks to some quick maneuvering, its breath attack only grazes the tip of the Storm Border’s bow. Da Vinci realizes Barghest wasn’t the only one razing Britain and concludes the dragon is Albion, the Calamity of Flame.[50]'
All the Storm Border’s magical resources are spent trying to avoid Albion’s attacks, leaving them vulnerable to the next one. Artoria believes she can stop it as she is now. But she cannot protect the whole ship and it will only be for a few minutes. She can at least protect the ship’s engine with her anti-purge defenses.[50]
Holmes finds that promising but asks Artoria why the Calamities are attacking them when they should be focused on destroying the fairies of Britain. Artoria cannot answer that, so Cú Chulainn answers it is because they obtained the means to save Britain with Artoria returned.[50]'
Understanding Albion’s focus will be on her, Holmes suggests placing Artoria on the bow to lure Albion in for close-quarters combat, jokingly calling it Operation Titanic. Artoria obviously dislikes this plan and says she wouldn’t be able to protect the ship in that situation. She cannot both act as bait and protect the ship.[50]'
Percival offers to act as bait instead so Artoria can focus on protecting the ship. Holmes tells him it wouldn’t work as Albion’s target is Artoria. Percival believes he can at least serve as a substitute since he wields the Spear of Selection, a tool of the Fairies of the Paradise. Not to mention he is an artificial Child of Prophecy.[50]'
A narration describes Albion as a doomsday device meant to incinerate the bodies of fairies possessing none of Melusine’s previous emotions. Its objective is to prevent Britain’s destruction, which is why it seeks to eliminate the Storm Border. But when it sees Percival standing on the ship’s bow, it felt a pain in its heart.[50]'
A flashback shows Percival understood his poor condition meant he would have to leave the fighting to the others.[50]'
But before he headed out onto the deck, he made a final request for Chaldea not to bear any ill will towards Britain and the fairies, understanding that benevolence and malevolence existed in all races and societies.[50]
He accepted Faerie Britain is doomed to perish but believed that did not make a mistake nor was it because it was an evil world. It was an incomplete world, but Chaldea’s world still has a future. Percival thus beseeched them to reach utopia, where all may know salvation.
In the present, the heroes fight Albion after it is successfully lured to the deck by Percival.[50]'
Albion eventually withdraws, but the Storm Border is no condition to pursue. Percival recalls it was Melusine who taught him to devote everything to the one he loves and implores the Spear him to punish for deceiving so many for that reason. He then pierces Albion’s heart with the Spear, his body disintegrating immediately afterward. The pain of seeing her precious little brother perish before her as she falls from the sky restores a modicum of Melusine’s emotions.[50]
Twenty minutes later, it is stated it will take 30 minutes to repair the ship. Cernunnos rises in 10 minutes, so Chaldea will have a grace period of 40 minutes to defeat him before his curses overflow.[50]
The issue, however, is Barghest, who just destroyed Oxford and will soon arrive at Norwich. The Storm Border isn’t capable of eliminating Cernunnos and Barghest both simultaneously. If they wish to eliminate them, the heroes need to split up.[50]
Cú Chulainn advises they focus on Cernunnos since he is a threat is of global proportions. Holmes agrees, saying Barghest can be dealt with in the future even when she becomes a Calamity to Proper Human History once she heads out to sea from Norwich.[50]
But Mash requests separate deployment, not wanting Barghest to become an enemy of Proper Human History. She also thinks it would be too cruel for Barghest to destroy Norwich, hers and Boggart’s hometown. Goredolf allows it and gives her until the Storm Border is ready to head for the Great Pit to complete her objective.[50]
Figuring this would be the case, Holmes confesses he finished the Shadow Border’s maintenance while Artoria’s party descended into the Spirit Cave. Meuniere again agrees to be the driver.[50]
Holmes tells Ritsuka and Mash they only have 30 minutes to eliminate Barghest. Chaldea will catapult the Shadow Border will be catapulted and have it land near Norwich. Once Ritsuka and Mash complete their objective, the Storm Border will receive the Shadow and its personnel at the rendezvous point and head for the Great Pit.[50]
Da Vinci requests to retrieve Tifone, which contains records of their journey, from Mike's tavern in Salisbury. Once the Storm Border launches the Shadow Border, it will head for and standby over Salisbury while Da Vinci retrieves Tifone and Habetrot. Afterward, the Storm Border will head for Norwich's vicinity.[50]
A flashback shows Barghest first met Adonis back in the year 2000 of the Queen’s Calendar when she tried to kill herself with her own horn for once again eating a lover of hers.[50]
The fairies of Manchester slaughtering the humans.
Hours before in the present, it is revealed that upon returning to Manchester, Barghest saw the fairies gleefully killing the humans. Unbeknownst to her, they’ve been killing and eating the humans every day in the shed. They have been imitating her ever since they saw her eat Adonis.[50]
Barghest remembered she succumbed to her instincts and ate Adonis. She thought because she only ate the strong, she couldn’t possibly eat him. But she was broke long before then, so strong or weak made no difference.[50]
Out of grief and self-loathing, she tried once again to kill herself. But someone interrupted her and formed a contract with her, considering it too early for her to succumb to her curse. They sealed her memory and made her think Adonis was still alive, telling her to return to his room so she can relive his final days in her dreams.[50]
Hearing the fairies sought to repeat their actions in Proper Human History, Barghest concluded she was mistaken about what to protect for justice never existed in Britain. She then massacred the fairies, realizing they cannot be allowed to leave Britain.[50]
In the present, Barghest destroys the Vault Fortress, killing Spriggan.[50]
Barghest destroys the Vault Fortress, killing Spriggan. Arriving near Norwich, Meuniere warns humans with low magic resistance will have their life sucked if they approach Barghest. Ritsuka will therefore have to support Mash from the Shadow. Mash heads out and tries to fight Demon Hound Barghest.[50]
Arriving near Norwich, Meuniere reminds Ritsuka that humans with low magic resistance will have their life sucked if they approach Barghest. They will therefore have to support Mash with remote summoning from inside the Shadow Border with a limit of two Servants. Mash heads out and tries to fight Demon Hound Barghest.[50]
The battle affects Ritsuka adversely when Mash’s shield starts glowing. There is also a new Spirit Origin signature. Ritsuka, recognizing the Spirit Origin, proceeds to inject themselves with an active ampoule before remotely summoning Gawain and Lancelot at Mash’s position.[50]
Though Heroic Spirit summoning should be impossible in this Britain, Gawain posits to Mash it is because their names were engraved on certain individuals. Their Spirit Origins will last a few minutes, but they believe it will suffice. The three Knights of the Round Table then fight Barghest, not to defeat her but to save her.[50]
Barghest is slain, and Gawain and Lancelot disappear instantly. When she was n the verge of death, Barghest had what appeared to be tears in her eyes. It will never be known if they were tears of suffering or tears of gratitude.[50]
Left fatigued by Gawain and Lancelot’s summoning, Mash tries to take 4 minutes to recover her stamina and magical energy to suitable levels when Beryl ambushes her in his Black Wolf. Fortunately, she avoids it thanks to Ritsuka’s warning.[50]
Due to the Moss curse, Beryl is rotting apart, though he immediately regenerates whatever limb rots off.[50]
Beryl recounts how he broke Mash’s fingers in Chaldea’s infirmary to provide her with stimulation through pain back when she had no human emotions. He sees Ritsuka as another obstacle, just like the doctor, and confesses he loves Mash. He has no desire to kill her and wants her to talk with him.[50]
Mash admits Beryl never had hostile intentions toward her. She recounts how he tended to her body when he broke her fingers and listened to her voice intently as she responded to the pain. He said it was love, though he can only express it by inflicting pain.[50]
Ritsuka tells Beryl that isn’t love he is feeling. Beryl tries to argue when the Moss curse progresses even further. He doesn’t seem to mind though, since all it means he will cease being human. So before that happens he will make Mash his bride and attacks Ritsuka for getting in the way of his love.[50]
A flashback shows Beryl as a boy lived in a forest secluded from civilization with his “mother”, a witch with starry eyes. She taught him Witchcraft specifically tailored for assassination, torture, and murder. Beryl killed her as soon as she had nothing left to teach him, crushing her eyes and leaving the forest behind.[50]
Years passed, and he became well know as a mage who specializes in murder. But due to his ill reputation, it became difficult for him to live even in society’s underbelly. Marisbury scouted him when he was looking for a place to belong. Thus, Chaldea’s Antartic base became his third home.[50]
It was there he fell in love with Mash at first sight, wanting to see her grow from an incomplete being. He could only express his love by inflicting pain on her, though, but he still wanted to protect her. He joined Team A on the condition Marisbury would not give Mash a Sirius Light.[50]
Then, a year before Team A’s first Rayshift experiment, Beryl broke into the infirmary and broke Mash’s fingers to express his twisted love for her. He was caught and driven out by the doctor, then detained and forbidden entry afterward.[50]
Beryl on the verge of death.
In the present, on the verge of death following his defeat, Beryl changes back to his human form. He confesses he accepted the Alien God’s resurrection all so he could see Mash again. Ritsuka tries to stop him from getting closer to Mash. Mash allows it though, knowing Beryl can no longer do anything.[50]
Beryl tells Mash he loves her wholeheartedly. Mash accepts that Beryl loves her, but she doesn’t understand his love and doubts anyone ever will. Beryl dies with a smile.[50]
At the same time the Shadow Border was heading for Norwich, Da Vinci was dropped off at Salisbury.[50]
Meanwhile, in his tavern, Mike took note of the turmoil outside. He had known deep inside everyone envied each other, only pretending to be friendly. He thought it was inevitable everyone would turn on each other, as that is the sort of creatures they are.[50]
Though Britain is coming to an end, Mike feared returning to his old boring self more than anything else. The last few days were so fun and special to him, they almost felt like a lie.[50]
Da Vinci then entered the tavern, fortunate not to have been seen by anyone. Mike was relieved to see her safe, having been worried ever since he heard about the bloody coronation. Da Vinci was glad to see he didn’t turn violent like the other fairies.[50]
Mike told Da Vinci was the kitchen the whole time and ended up devising a recipe for galette. Da Vinci was proud her student came up with it through trial and error. Mike told Da Vinci it was thanks to her he became a full-fledged fairy. Da Vinci considered that an exaggeration, believing Mike would have livened up the tavern eventually even without her.[50]
She then started to head upstair telling Mike she came to pick up Tifone and Habetrot, then immediately return to the Storm Border. The Storm Border is currently parked over Salisbury and once she returns, they’re off to exterminate the Calamity. Da Vinci offered to let Mike tag along, but he declined, saying he would be safe in the basement.[50]
After Da Vinci went upstairs, Mike expressed his fears that Da Vinci’s short lifespan will soon come to an end. Da Vinci then came back down with Tifone and Habetrot in hand. Mike wanted her to stay forever, believing she would live longer that way. He began to turn into a Moss.[50]
Da Vinci thanked Mike for everything and heads for the exit. Seeing her leave, Mike feared he would return to being his old boring self once she was gone. He needed her to stay, again believing she would live longer that way. His transformation progresses further. [50]
But when Da Vinci finally left, Mike dropped the knife he was hiding behind his back. Crying, he realized Da Vinci is only herself because she is free, dazzling because she broadens her horizons and chases her dreams. He suppresses his transformation, concluding he needed to see her off with a smile.[50]
He realized he was wrong for thinking the Fairy Kingdom was a world of dreams because he could get everything and anything. But a “true” dream is unobtainable, and it is what makes living everyday painful yet fulfilling. It’s what makes life worth living, even when the world is ending, even for monsters like fairies. With a smile, Mike bid farewell to Da Vinci, thanking her for coming to his tavern.[50]
With everyone now back together, Chaldea sets course for the Great Pit to begin the operation to eliminate Cernunnos. The Storm Border is fully repaired and combat ready, but 20 minutes have passed since Cernunnos surfaced.[50]
Holmes suspects Cernunnos will use his “arms” to intercept them in response to Artoria’s presence. As it’s impossible to evade such a plethora of curses, Chaldea will need to focus on anti-curse layer defenses and take it all head on.[50]
Cú Chulainn says he will set up a meditative field—a “fountain”—on the deck. Though only a proxy, he is still the god of wisdom, so if he focuses, he can consecrate the entire ship. Holmes states with Cú Chulainn’s assistance, the Storm Border will get close as it can to Cernunnos.[50]
Last time, Cernunnos destroyed Camelot 50 minutes after he surfaced. Chaldea will eliminate him before that happens. Their combatants will be Ritsuka, Artoria, and Mash. Cú Chulainn will be on the deck and if needed, the other Servants will participate as well. The battle cannot go longer than 30 minutes, starting now.[50]
As the Storm Border nears the Great Pit, Ritsuka asks Artoria if she found her reason. Artoria answers she couldn’t find a single convincing reason. But she is fine with that because there seems to be someone who knows the reason why she is trying so hard.[50]
But then she remembers she actually wanted to thank Ritsuka while she had the chance. She informs them she will return to Avalon after Cernunnos is defeated. Calling herself the last remnants of Muramasa’s last work, once she has depleted her magical energy, her role will end and she will enter a deep slumber. She realizes she knew she’d have to return to Avalon ever since she drifted ashore.[50]
However, she wants to repay Ritsuka for taking care of her. While the mission of Fairies of Paradise was to denounce the false Britain, Ritsuka wanted to save it even if it was a fake. For that reason, Artoria wants to share the same goal as them, at least once. As long as they persevere and hold onto hope, she will answer their call. Next time, not to save Britain, but to save the world.[50]
Then out of nowhere Artoria asks Ritsuka what was the most enjoyable part of their journey for them, demanding they leave out Manchester. After Ritsuka gives their answer, Artoria says hers was their third handshake when Ritsuka said they wanted to help the Child of Prophecy. The two then have their fourth and final handshake when Nemo announces they will be engaging Cernunnos in two minutes, so Ritsuka heads to their seat.[50]
In private, Artoria confesses what she enjoyed was Gloucester because while nothing special to Ritsuka, it was the first time in her life she could walk the main street with someone she loved.[50]
Cú Chulainn exorcising Cernunnos' "arms" with Gambanteinn Valhalla.
Arriving at the Great Pit, Cú Chulainn activates Gambanteinn Valhalla, creating a barrier that exorcises all of Cernunnos’ “arms” approaching the Storm Border. Cernunnos counter-curses him, howver, destroying his left eye. With Ritsuka summoning from the bridge, Chaldea begins their battle to destroy the dead god.[50]
Cernunnos is defeated several times, but his corpse produces curses faster than the heroes can inflict any lasting damage. The heroes cannot purge the Great Calamity unless they attack the source of the curses.[50]
Making a makeshift eyepatch for himself, Cú Chulainn realizes Cernunnos has a Divine Core, despite being dead. He suspects a sacrifice that cursed the fairies had entered the dead god’s Divine Core and resurrected him. Cernunnos’ Divine Core must therefore be destroyed, which can be done with the 12 Rhongomyniads. Fortunately, the heroes already completed their role of ensuring Artoria gets to the throne.[50]
Ritsuka and Mash both realize Artoria is gone from the deck. Now understanding what Artoria meant in their last conversation, Ritsuka tells Mash they’re going on the defensive. They will hold the line until Artoria can destroy Cernunnos with the 12 Rhongomyniads.[50]
Earlier, Artoria had jumped from the Storm Border and landed on Camelot’s rampart. Traversing the castle, now devoid of all life, she makes her way to the throne room. Once there, she will need to understand the mechanisms of Morgan’s throne and readjust for her own use.[50]
In the past, she would have dismissed such a task as an impossible for her. But after returning from the Site of Selection, she is no longer who she once was. More than half of her now exists as a fantasy. She can feel she is now part of the concept of King Arthur, remembering what “Merlin” once told her.[50]
Arriving in the throne room, Artoria looks up at Cernunnos. She thinks his wrath is justified and his curses are righteous. Nonetheless, she disagrees with the Calamities, believing a system is needed to atone for sin, not just punish them. The time for atonement has long past, however.
Artoria connects her consciousness to the throne and launches the 12 Rhongomyniads at Cernunnos. It unfortunately fails to destroy the dead god because of Artoria’s inability to make full use of Morgan’s magecraft. But she refuses to give up and decides to offer up all her remaining power.
Understanding that she is now the “Concept of the Holy Sword”, Artoria switches the magical energy source from Camelot to herself and changes the ritual from Rhongomyniad: Spirit Vein Closing Armament, to Excalibur: Dragon Vein Burning Armament. Then, using her remaining power as the Fairy of Paradise and the magical energy that gives her form, she launches the 12 Rhongomyniads at Cernunnos simultaneously. She disappears immediately afterward.[50]
Artoria’s final attack evaporated 90% of the curses layered on Cernunnos and damaged his body enough to reveal his Divine Core. Unfortunately, he is regenerating and will back to his original state in 360 seconds.[50]
Nemo tells Da Vinci to order the crew to abandon ship, saying to use the Shadow Border. He and the Nemo Series will stay behind and use the Storm Border as a suicide weapon against Cernunnos. Da Vinci declines, however, saying it isn’t necessary as Cernunnos’ Divine Core. She urges Ritsuka to hurry to Mash’s side because their Command Spells will be needed to slay a god.[50]
Mash despairs they lack the means to destroy Cernunnos’ Divine Core before he regenerates. She admonishes herself, believing if she wasn’t afraid back then and didn’t flee her responsibilites, this wouldn’t have happened.[50]
Habetrot appears and tells Mash she running from the fight back then. She knows for all her outward gallantry and courage, Mash is a person who is fundamentally averse to conflict. That hasn’t changed, but she now has the heart and will to fight. For that reason, Habetrot will return to Mash what she took from Sheffield.[50]
A flashback reveals Aesc told Totorot that they are simulations projected by the Fantasy Tree in a “what if” world. Mash never existed in the actual Fairy Calendar, so to avoid a paradox, she will be recorded in history as Galahad and Aesc and Totorot will forget everything about Mash.[50]
Totorot refused to forget Mash, but Aesc warned her they will be erased as paradoxes if they retain their memories of Mash into the Queen’s Calendar. So long as Totorot remembers Mash, she will be someone who shouldn’t exist. The moment Mash is sent away from Norwich, Totorot’s history as the first Fairy Knight will disappear. She will be erased if anyone in the Queen’s Calendar learned the truth.[50]
Because Totorot originated from a Lostbelt—a fantasy—she cannot exist within a Singularity—reality. Aesc therefore decided to erase all of Mash’s memories of her, from when she first met Totorot in Sheffield in the year 2017 of the Queen’s Calendar to the moment she entered the coffin. Totorot would thus be free to act in even the Queen’s Calendar, but it is vital she not interact with Mash under any circumstances because if Mash remembers her she will erased.[50]
Totorot being erased as a paradox.
In the present, Mash remembers Habetrot/Totorot. Habetrot returns the Black Barrel, which she snatched while Beryl was occupied and kept hidden in her Spinning Wheel, to Mash. But because Mash remembered her, Totorot starts being erased as a paradox.[50]
Totorot accepts her fate, only ever wanting Mash to be happy. Mash meanwhile despairs over Totorot’s fate, wishing she never remembered her. Totorot requests Mash to not forget about her, Aesc, or their journey, which Mash readily agrees to do. She then implores her to finally put Cernunnos to rest, feeling he is in a lot of pain. She urges her to cheer up, wanting to see how awesome she is.[50]
Mash destroying Cernunnos' Divine Core with the Black Barrel.
Ritsuka loads their final Command Spell and Mash fires the Black Barrel, destroying Cernunnos’ Divine Core and putting an end to the Great Calamity. She turns to see Totorot’s reaction, but Totorot is now gone. Mash cries over the loss of her friend and thanks her for everything she did for her.[50]
Cú Chulainn understands Ritsuka and Mash are sad over the loss of Artoria and Habetrot. But he believes they were happy to give their all for the ones they believed would win and wanted to see win. He tells Ritsuka and Mash to prioritize that trust over their sadness if they’re going to carry what transpired in their heart because beyond Britain lies the real enemy—the Alien God.[50]
He begins to disappear as he already completed his duty of ensuring Chaldea acquires the Holy Sword. But as a Celtic Heroic Spirit, he was able to see Cerunnnos through to the end. Thanks to that, he saved face as Chaldea’s only ally from Proper Human History.[50]
Mash asks Cú Chulainn if he will be recorded as Caster in Chaldea. Cú Chulainn replies he and even Odin do owe Chaldea, so if his current Spirit Origin is still allowed to him after he returns to the Throne, he will pay Chaldea a visit as a Caster. He disappears, certain they will meet again.[50]
Britain has been saved, but with all the devastation, Mash doubts there are many survivors. She’d like to at least see Britain’s reconstruction through before returning to Chaldea.[50]
The Collapse begins.
Suddenly, Marine reports a gravitational shift has been confirmed across all of Brtiain. Gravity is no longer functioning, and the land is rising as if it’s going to come crashing down. It is a crisis of the highest grade according to SHEBA. The cause is unknown, but in one hour the Earth will be in danger. The Collapse has begun.[50]
Mash is confused by this since all threats to Britain should be gone. Suddenly Oberon appears and reveals there is still a threat, one that was overlooked since it’s been there from the beginning. He reveals the “Insect of the Abyss“ mural was actually a prophecy left behind by Cernunnos’ priestess before she was dismembered, foretelling the planet’s destruction. He notices Blanca has died from absorbing all Britain’s malice aimed at him in his stead, then nonchalantly throws her off the ship.[50]
Seeing Oberon for himself, Holmes is confused by Da Vinci's reports describing him as a Servant from Proper Human History. But Oberon's Spirit Origin isn't that of Proper Human History, nor does he fit into any category of life form. Da Vinci tries to confirm her report, only to find that Oberon's Spirit Origin is fluctuating by the second. It calls into question Oberon's true identity.[50]
Without notice an enormous winged worm-like creature suddenly appears in northern Britain and begins devouring the island. Oberon calls it a conceptual insect, an infinite hole that will consume Britain and the planet. It is also him, though he isn't sure which is the main body. Ritsuka demands Oberon reveal his True Name.[50]
Heeding Ritsuka’s request, Oberon proceeds to change his form. Not only is his appearance different, but so is his Spirit Origin. He expresses disgust with the fact the fairies created a duplicate of the original Britain, which was only lost because of their negligence, using the corpses of Cernunnos and other fairies, along with their way of life. It had sickened the original Britain to the point it sent Calamities to wipe it all out.[50]
Cernunnos was the exception, though, for he was the guardian of the fairies. So long as he existed Oberon couldn't surface. But Morgan had sealed Cernunnos away instead of destroying him. Oberon lacked the means to kill her himself, so he waited for someone who could undo the seal on Cernunnos and defeat him. It was for that reason that he helped Artoria complete her pilgrimage. Ritsuka demands Oberon reveal his name.[50]
Oberon reveals he is a fantasy born from Proper Human History taking the form of the Fairy King Oberon and the embodiment of Britain’s will, which yearned for its own destruction. His name is Oberon Vortigern, the Insect of the Abyss that came to destroy Faerie Britain alongside humanity.[50]
A Midsummer Night's Dream[]
Oberon’s Spirit Origin pattern doesn’t match any know class. Holmes notes heroes are revered while anti-heroes serve as the former’s counterpart, acting as necessary obstacles for the achievement of good. Among them are those who achieve great feats through deception, deceiving even the soul to gain power and achievements greater than the real deal. Holmes thus designates Oberon’s unknown Servant class as Pretender, One who wears a role, a fabricated Heroic Spirit whose enemy is the world itself.[51]
Goredolf asks Holmes what the Insect is. Holmes answers it is likely the concept of a void. But he says it is not a living organism and its “mouth” is actually a hole. Also, while it appears the earth is getting sucked up, it is actually “falling in”.[51]
Holmes uses the analogy of bathtub being drained once its stopper is removed to describe the situation. Right now, Chaldea, or rather space itself, is falling toward the Insect. Escape would be pointless because now with the “stopper” removed, everything on the planet will fall down the hole.[51]
Oberon admits he seeks to destroy humanity out of pure disgust. He reveals Faerie Britain’s destruction required a variety of factors to be fulfilled beyond having Morgan and Chaldea settle things. He only had one chance to get everything right, so he couldn’t afford to be careless. That is why he decided to use Ritsuka as his pawn upon finding them on the beach.[51]
Ritsuka was beyond his expectations, so he would’ve been fine letting them go, but he wants to destroy Chaldea. Vortigern’s purpose was to destroy the false Britain that continued long after its death, meanwhile Oberon’s purpose is to destroy human history. Chaldea, as the defenders of Proper Human History, is thus his enemies. Chaldea then falls into the Insect of the Abyss.[51]
A flashback reveals Vortigern is a doomsday device created by the original Britain itself, born out of its disgust toward living creatures. He was previously the Moss King, but this time was the Servant Oberon. He was summoned amidst the Welsh fairies who all thought he was their king and stood vigil until he had the strength to stand on his own.[51]
Thanks to the influence of Proper Human History brought about by Morgan’s rule, the fairy king now existed in both Proper Human History and Faerie Britain alike. But the Servant Oberon was nothing but lies so everything he says and does becomes warped. As it was his nature as a Heroic Spirit, he couldn’t circumvent it, but he had already planned on deceiving everyone anyhow.[51]
He was summoned the year Ainsel’s Prophecy gained everyone’s attention. He also used what knowledge of the Proper History he possessed to research the story of King Arthur, Morgan’s archenemy, all so he could manipulate the new Fairy of Paradise.[51]
The truth of Oberon's summoning.
It is further revealed Oberon’s first sight was the Welsh fairies on and around him. He harbored no love for the creatures living on Faerie Britain, but his purpose of destroying the island also depressed him. Nevertheless, he had no choice but to fulfill his function. But he was too weak to move or even close his eyes and so spent half a year swarmed by the Welsh fairies.[51]
Being depended on and crowned king by those who were deceived countless times disgusted Oberon. But above all else, he was disgusted with himself as the one they flocked to. His hatred and repulsion wasn’t directed toward anyone in particular, though, but the structure of the world itself.[51]
A voice calls out to Ritsuka, telling them to get ahold of themselves. They’re certain Ritsuka will show them an amazing comeback at the very end.[51]
Ritsuka wakes up in the Abyss and sees a single star shining in the distance. Oberon is surprised to see them alive and awake and surmises it is because they overcame their dejections. He says it will only to lead a more painful death though.[51]
Ritsuka demands to know where Mash is. Oberon answers she is sleeping right next to them, though she lacks form because she hasn’t awakened yet. That includes everyone else on the ship.[51]
Describing the Insect of the Abyss as an infinite void, Oberon explains everything swallowed by it will continue to fall for eternity. It is impossible to escape from it unless he is killed. But everyone is in the midst of a “falling dream” and unless they wake up like Ritsuka did, they will not appear.[51]
Oberon gives Ritsuka the choice of going to sleep or die fighting him to try to save the world. Ritsuka chooses to fight, believing a chance at victory is on its way. The distant star then shines more brightly as Ritsuka calls forth Caster. Artoria arrives in a new form in response to Ritsuka’s summons in accordance with their contract.[51]
A flashback reveals after losing her form, Artoria was trapped amidst the storm of malice surrounded by voices cursing her for fulfilling her duty. The star was no longer there, having never existed. Artoria concluded simply never wanting to betray that star meant she could never save anyone beside herself. She was ready to accept her fate of disappearing forever when someone from long ago reached out to her——the blue-haired fairy.
Her name was Hope, and she had grown tired of her role of giving hope to everyone and lamented, yet she never lost her smile. She protected and believed in Artoria all this time simply because Artoria randomly offered to give her her name. It may seem to be a trivial reason to others, but Artoria thanked her for cherishing it.[51]
Artoria realized she never had an exemplary reason, either. She simply doesn’t want to betray that star nor discard this feeling inside her. She doesn’t care if it seems like an insignificant reason to others. It is the only thing she can believe in and that alone keeps her going even now.[51]
Abyss
Oberon is surprised to see Artoria became a Heroic Spirit, which was essentially what he told her to become. He doesn’t know if she is her future self or if she is a guardian, but he asserts she has already lost since Britain has perished. As she has no business coming back.[51]
Artoria concedes Oberon is correct for saying that which she protects is gone. She also admits he was right to destroy Faerie Britian, agreeing it is unsightly for which is dead to continue clinging onto life. But she cannot allow him to destroy Proper Human History, for it still has a future.[51]
Mash then wakes up, thereby regaining her form. Oberon realizes it’s Artoria’s doing and concludes everyone else is awake as well. Artoria asks for Mash’s assistance in destroying the source of the Insect of the Abyss before it can propagate beyond Britain. Oberon accepts the challenge, having grown tired of talking, and permits the usage of summoning.[51]
Ritsuka asks Oberon one last time what his objective is. Oberon answers he wants to eliminate both humans and fairies for being equally disgusting, which is why he used Ritsuka. Everything he says is a lie, so he never cared about Britain’s peace, Artoria’s mission, or anything else. Ritsuka admits that is all true, but asks what about Titania to Oberon’s chagrin.[51]
Oberon announces his True Name again, proclaiming himself a Threat to Humanity, a doomsday device of deception. But unlike the Beasts, he will never harbor any love and he shall prove it with this battle. He then commences the final battle of the Lost World, declaring that the pilgrimage ends here.[51]
Ritsuka falls asleep amid the battle and encounters Oberon in a dream of the Forest of Wales. Asked by Ritsuka for his true feelings, Oberon admits he despises Proper Human History for rejecting fantasy as wrong and meaningless. He believes those fantasies have the right to continue to exist, and thus, he sought to destroy humanity. He then urges Ritsuka to wake up.[51]
Artoria and Mash defeat Oberon, plummeting him down into the Abyss. Artoria states Oberon will never come back up with the wound inflicted by her Holy Sword (it is both food and poison for him), and thus he will fall for all eternity.[51]
She starts to disappear, which is to be expected since she came of her own will, similar to what Merlin did. Nemo contacts Ritsuka and warns the Insect is currently losing its connection to the outside world. Chaldea must escape before that happens, so Nemo implores Ritsuka and Mash to get back inside immediately.
Artoria reveals she isn’t Artoria Caster. The latter’s existence is unique to the Lostbelt and she will return to the Inner Sea, along with the shadow of Paradise. However, her actions and the answers she found are engraved in Artoria.[51]
She is not King Arthur, but rather the keeper of the Holy Sword—the conceptual manifestation of the “Knight of the Holy Sword”. Only those chosen by the Holy Sword—those who wield—are entrusted with it. But Artoria made an exception for Ritsuka because of the contract they established with her other self.
Insect’s collapse progresses, so Artoria implores Ritsuka and Mash to hurry and escape. She tells them goodbye and disappears, saying to go without fear, for the light of the stargazers of Chaldea will illuminate their path. Ritsuka bids farewell to Artoria, calling her their friend and kindred spirit.[51]
Ritsuka and Mash return to the Storm Border’s control room. Unfortunately, Chaldea finds it impossible to escape the Insect from within. But suddenly a mysterious explosion occurs 3000 km away, creating an exit to the outside. For whatever reason Albion had attacked the Insect with her heat ray.[51]
Earlier, as she soared through the sky and her body was crumbling away, Albion reviewed fragments of her fading memory. She then encountered the Insect, referring to it as the White Dragon of Britain and her kin. Immediately, she rushed toward it, accepting her body would self-destruct.[51]
She also accepted she was an outsider to Faerie Britain from the beginning. She never had land or peace. All she desired was the boundary that divides heaven and earth. But she had gained something, even if it was false, even if she had to let it go. She forgot what it was, but the void in her memories proved it existed. Declaring herself Fairy Knight, she launched her final attack at the Insect, letting out one last roar.[51]
Aurora still bleeding to death after Melusine had stabbed her.
The roar prompted Aurora to open her eyes, who was still bleeding out from when Melusine stabbed her. She seemed obvious to the fact she was the only one left alive in Salisbury.[51]
She recalled a conversation she had with Oberon, in which it was revealed she had caused the fall of Londinium in the Fairy Calendar through her followers. She also knew beforehand Barghest would be at the farm. Oberon didn’t mind Barghest meeting Artoria, though, since it advanced his schedule. It is also confirmed Spriggran was another of Oberon’s collaborators.[51]
Oberon warned Aurora to refrain from laying a hand on Artoria and Ritsuka as they’re important pawns of his for defeating Morgan. Aurora questioned if she can trust Oberon’s purpose is Morgan’s downfall. Oberon lied he wanted to secure Britain’s future, telling Aurora he believed her to be the most suitable ruler for Britain.[51]
However, he affirmed he cannot be trusted too much as his nature as a Heroic Spirit means everything he says becomes a lie. He called Aurora his polar opposite as everything she says becomes the truth, with everyone, including herself, believing in her lies. Aurora is unaware she is lying, though. She only survived for so long because she is both perpetrator and bystander. She is not the most beautiful fairy in Britain, but the most innocent usurper.[51]
Returning to the relative present, Aurora wished she had captured and killed Oberon.[51]
Everything had done for the past 3000 years was to make her “shine”. Once, however, she did something that wasn’t for benefit when she visited the Lake District. She picked up the lump of flesh that would become Melusine for looking good in front of her attendants. An act meant to prove by saving such a repulsive thing she was more wonderful than anyone. To her surprise, the lump of flesh sincerely wept and decided it wanted to be like Aurora, becoming a beautiful fairy.[51]
Though immortal, Aurora aged all the same and the brilliance of her wings diminished since the Queen’s Calendar began. That brilliance would continue to fade unless she kept herself entertained with new and unusual things.[51]
Albion's last flight, crumbling away as she goes.
Melusine, meanwhile, remained strong and beautiful, which is why, for the sake of her pride, Aurora made her suffer. Yet Melusine continued to protect Aurora and killed her, not for her own sake, but Aurora’s. She knew Aurora didn’t fear death, but losing her brilliance.[51]
Aurora admitted she hated Melusine and was relieved they parted ways. She had only embraced the lump of flesh (like a reflection of her own ugliness) for appearance’s sake. But watching Albion’s final flight, she smiled for the first time, knowing she did something good, and died.[51]
In the present, Chaldea uses the exit Albion had them and escapes the Lost World.[51]
Oberon, falling endlessly, hatefully saw them off, delighted he accomplished his goal of destroying Britain. His only regret was that he couldn’t fulfill his wish of destroying Proper Human History for Titania’s sake. Then, as the Abyss closes, he sees the sky of Proper Human History, calling it both beautiful and disgusting.[51]
Epilogue[]
Chaldea returns safely to Proper Human History. Goredolf congratulates everyone on a successful mission. Nemo says the ship is currently cruising at low speed for a system check and an airnet has been deployed at the edge of the deck. He grants permission to head out onto the deck for 20 minutes so those involved may look and bring closure to their memories of Britain.[52]
Ritsuka and Mash head out onto the deck. They both lament the Fairy Kingdom is gone, but Ritsuka remarks it still existed, just like all the other Lostbelts. Mash agrees, considering the Lostbelts precious memories of a journey that taught many precious lessons.[52]
The pair are joined by Da Vinci, who pours one out for Mike. She believes and hopes Mike is still working at his tavern in a different pruned world. But she notes what once was will always remain in the planet’s memories. She vows to cross that boundary and pay Mike a visit to see how he’s progressed.[52]
Changing the subject, Da Vinci tells Ritsuka and Mash to hurry to her workshop. A Spirit Origin has started glowing, and it is uncertain who will be summoned. Mash, feeling potential danger, says to leave it to her, believing she is still “Super Mash”. Ritsuka informs her, though, that her Spirit Origin output has returned to normal. Leaving that aside, Mash suggests they head for Da Vinci’s workshop, feeling a wonderful encounter awaits them. Ritsuka, Mash, and Da Vinci head there their memories of Britain engraved in the hearts.[52]
Meanwhile, in the Wandering Sea, Sion congratulates Chaldea on preventing the future of the Collapses with two minutes left. Afterward, she looks over the remaining special dangerous cases: Koyanskaya and the possible formation of the largest Singularity ever recorded.[52]
As for Kadoc’s recovery, Sion couldn’t extract Sirius Light, so she thinks they’ll have to give up on that front.[52]
The hieroglyphic predictions say “No problem. Rebel. Eyelids.” Sion has no idea what it means, so she decides to ignore it as well, thinking their attention should be on the Alien God’s next move. There is also another prediction, but Sion calls it obvious and ignores as there isn’t much time.[52]
She suspects the Alien God has finished her studying now that Chaldea has conquered six Lostbelts. Both sides have narrowed their targets down to one, so safety is no longer assured from this point onward.[52]
Participants[]
Servants
| Designation | Identity | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Archer | TristanWP | Ritsuka Fujimaru |
| Rider | Leonardo da VinciWP | Ritsuka Fujimaru |
| Caster (Living Hero) | Artoria | Ritsuka Fujimaru |
| Pretender (Living Hero) | OberonWP | Ritsuka Fujimaru (false) N/A |
| Saber (Living Hero) | BarghestWP | Knights of the Round Table Morgan |
| Archer (Living Hero) | Baobhan SithWP | Knights of the Round Table Morgan |
| Rider (Living Hero) | HabetrotWP | Ritsuka Fujimaru |
| Berserker (Living Hero) | MorganWP | N/A |
| Rider (Living Hero) | Redra BbitWP | Fang Clan |
| Alter Ego | Senji MuramasaWP | Alien God |
| Lancer (Living Hero) | MelusineWP | Knights of the Round Table Morgan |
| Alter Ego | Tamamo Vitch Koyanskaya | Alien God |
| Lancer (Living Hero) | GarethWP | Ritsuka Fujimaru |
| Caster | Cú ChulainnWP | Odin |
| Lancer (Living Hero) | PercivalWP | Round Table Army |
| Caster | MerlinWP | |
| Saber | GawainWP | Mash Kyrielight |
| Saber | LancelotWP | Mash Kyrielight |
Non-Servants
Development[]
Yuhki Takeuchi posted concept art on Twitter.[53]
