Fairy Round Table Realm, Poem of Eternal Mist

Ritsuka nodded thoughtfully: 'So what they want to capture isn't me as a person, but the 'miracle' that happened to me itself?'

“Very clever.” The fairy knight Mordred rolled up the parchment again. “Now you must remain vigilant at all times; that woman could appear at any moment.” She placed a heavy purse on the table, making a crisp metallic clinking sound. “This should make up for some of your losses. I must return to the palace.”

As she turned and grasped the doorknob, Kalia suddenly stepped forward: 'Mordred...can't you really stay? I'm...'

Mordred, the fairy knight, paused slightly on the doorknob, her profile blurred by the neon lights. "No, I understand your situation... but it's not the time yet." Her voice softened suddenly. "Let's save those unfinished words for the day we go to the Glass Forest."

The door clicked shut softly. Almost simultaneously, a faint sound of wings fluttering came from outside the window, nearly imperceptible in the bustling Kabukicho. But Kalia caught the signal precisely. She stared at the closed door, a complex expression on her face.

Deep within the old Darlington site, crumbling walls and overgrown weeds form a natural camouflage. Inside, however, lies a stark contrast of opulence and luxury. Crystal chandeliers cast warm glows onto velvet carpets, and the air is filled with the mingled aromas of aged wine and coffee.

'Splash—'

The curtain was lifted, tinkling softly like a wind chime. Mary dragged herself into the living room, her slightly disheveled steps revealing bits of grass still clinging to the tear in her skirt. She hummed a lighthearted tune, seemingly unconcerned, as if the recent battle had been nothing more than a fun game.

"Oh my, oh my~" Belial pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes behind the lenses filled with a venomous smile, "Who bullied our lovely big sister? Could it be that she was pecked by those fledglings?" He deliberately dragged out the last syllable, which echoed in the living room, his fingers tapping the back of the chair intermittently.

Meryl let out a silvery laugh and slowly took out a porcelain cup to brew coffee. As the rich aroma filled the air, she lazily sank into the sofa: 'I was just playing with the birds, I didn't expect to disturb Sylph~' She suddenly tilted her head to look at Belial, a mischievous glint in her eyes, 'But you, why didn't you go and keep that lovely little princess company today?'

Beryl paused slightly as he adjusted his glasses, a cold smile curving his lips. "That naive young lady? Just a lamb destined for sacrifice in our plan." He picked up a cherry from the fruit bowl and toyed with it. "I've never been interested in such simple toys."

'How cruel!' Mary exaggeratedly clutched her chest, her eyes gleaming with excitement. 'I'm already looking forward to her expression when she learns the truth; it will be incredibly...beautiful.'

At that moment, the study door slid open silently, and Sekel led Kelby and Diana into the living room, followed by Noknarria, who wore a black jacket draped in petals. The patriarch of the royal clan held her chin high, and the magic flowing through her pink hair exuded an air of superiority.

"Merlin, you really did provoke that weather fairy." Sekel frowned, examining her tattered clothes. "Taking advantage of your immortality to act so recklessly."

"Don't be so serious~" Merry swirled her coffee cup, letting the liquid trace dangerous arcs within. "I was trying to lure them to the Dragon's Bone Land, but unfortunately, my illusion was seen through..." She thoughtfully licked the coffee stain from her lips. "That cicada demon is more interesting than I imagined."

Sekker scoffed and turned to Nocnarria: 'Now that the plan has been exposed, proceed with the backup plan. Have you made all the arrangements on your end?'

'Absolutely foolproof.' Noknarria stroked her hair, a few magical petals blooming from her fingertips. 'The entire clan will play the role of pitiful, oppressed wretch...after all...' Her red lips curved into a triumphant smile, 'Artoria trusts me, her 'best friend,' the most.'

Suddenly, Mary leaned forward excitedly: "So you two are childhood sweethearts? This is going to be interesting!"

'The bond we shared growing up together…' Nocnarria toyed with the clan crest on her chest, 'became the perfect trap. She'd never have imagined I'd turn my pilgrimage route into my doom.'

Belial suddenly chuckled, his glasses reflecting an eerie light: 'I can't wait to see Fujimaru Ritsuka's expression of despair...'

Seckl surveyed his allies, each with their own hidden agendas, his fingertips lightly tracing the gem on the staff's handle: 'The demonic fusion plan is nearing completion... This time, that foreign girl will be forever buried in British soil.'

The shadows writhed in the corner, slicing the contorted excitement on everyone's faces into fragmented light and shadow.

-

In the soft light of dawn, the brand-new carriage departed from the bustling border of Gloucester. The wheels rumbled rhythmically over the cobblestone road. Ritsuka gazed at the rapidly receding scenery outside the window, and couldn't help but recall the discussion about their future that had taken place in her room the previous night.

--last night

"Artoria." Senjimura was wiping his newly maintained sword when he suddenly spoke, "I've always wanted to ask you, why are you so determined to go to Orkney?" His voice broke the brief silence in the room, causing everyone who was packing their belongings to stop.

Ritsuka looked up from the map: 'Indeed, the journey from Gloucester to Orkney is quite long. Is there some particular reason for this?'

'Could there be some secret weapon hidden there?' Sei Shonagon leaned closer curiously, her hair swaying gently with the movement.

Startled by the question, Artoria put down her comb, her silver hair gleaming softly in the lamplight. She gently gathered her thoughts, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the comb's teeth.

"Does everyone still remember the legend of the Six Clans' Bells?" Her voice held a hint of uncertainty. "Except for the now-extinct Mirror Clan, we must personally ring the bells of the other five clans. But this is no easy task..." She clenched her fist at her chest. "We must carefully understand the stance of each clan and gain their approval for this pilgrimage."

She looked up, her eyes gleaming with anticipation: 'I chose Orkney because my dearest friend Noknarria is there. She is now the head of the Royal Clan and will surely be able to offer us assistance.'

"Pfft—" Kalia choked on her drink and hurriedly covered her mouth with her sleeve. Under the gazes of everyone, she forced herself to put down the cup, but her nails dug deeply into her palms.

(That venomous liar... her shady dealings could fill the entire abyss of Gloucester. Artoria has no idea that her so-called 'best friend' has long been corrupted by lust for power...)

Senji Muramasa frowned deeply, the scabbard of his sword clinking against the table: 'Even if she was once a close friend, she is now the head of a clan. In such turbulent times, the human heart is the most unpredictable.'

“No!” Artoria leaned forward urgently. “Noknaria is the person I know best. And as the chieftain, she can definitely help us gather the necessary strength. With just the Round Table Army, we can’t even get close to the gates of Camelot…”

"That's true," Leonardo da Vinci said thoughtfully, twirling his brush. "But it's best to remain vigilant."

'Sigh...' Senji Muramasa sighed deeply and lay down on the bed fully clothed. Gazing at the flickering light on the ceiling, he seemed to see the spiderweb of conspiracy unfolding before him.

(This girl is too naive... Some lessons can only be learned through firsthand experience.)

-

The carriage suddenly jolted, snapping Ritsuka out of his reverie. He glanced at Senko Muramasa, who was sitting opposite him with her eyes closed, then at Artoria, who was gazing expectantly into the distance. He instinctively gripped the communicator in his pocket.

The morning mist gradually dissipated, and the road stretched ahead, leading to the royal clan's territory shrouded in fog.

The Darlington tavern was unusually quiet in the morning light. Thin rays of sunlight slanted in through the skylights, casting hazy beams of light through the dusty air. The fairy knight Mordred sat alone in a corner, the sound of her armor rubbing against the wooden chair barely audible. Her fingertips lightly traced the rim of her glass, her gaze casually sweeping over the newspaper headlines, her wings slightly folded behind her.

(This silence is so nice... at least for now, I don't have to hear those annoying noises.)

The tavern owner crept closer, his voice barely audible: 'Lord Mordred, your guest has arrived.'

"Hmm?" She looked up, a half-smile playing on her lips. "You've kept me waiting, Hobbes."

The newcomer removed the hood of his cloak, revealing a gleaming bald head and a muscular body covered in tattoos. He cautiously glanced around before sitting down, his muscles clearly defined beneath his taut vest.

"Let's get straight to the point." Hobbes pulled a stack of portraits from his bag and pushed them across the table, the magical markings on his knuckles still faintly glowing. "The information His Majesty requested is all here. The traces of the scene have been perfectly replicated using necromancy."

The fairy knight Mordred set down her glass, her fingertips tracing the edge of the portrait: 'No need for such formality.' Her movements suddenly stopped, her gaze sharply fixed on the image of the Darlington ruins—the figures of Seekel, Diana, and Kelby were clearly visible.

'These rats...' she whispered.

Hobbes leaned forward, lowering his voice: "They've made their lair at Darlington. Truly cunning; who would have thought such a conspiracy would lurk in ruins abandoned for centuries?"

"The intelligence is valuable." The fairy knight Mordred tapped his finger on the table. "But you must be extremely careful. If you're targeted by someone like Merlin, even a necromancer like you won't be able to escape."

Hobbes suddenly pulled out the bottom portrait: 'Look at this.'

In the portrait, in the Wind Clan territory of Salisbury, the fairy knight Lancelot stands respectfully beside Aurora. Suddenly, the fairy knight Mordred spreads his wings, knocking over an empty wine bottle behind him.

'Melusiven?!' She jumped to her feet, her armor clanging sharply. 'This is impossible! Are you sure you're not seeing things?'

Hobbs silently took out a magic crystal. Morgan's holographic image appeared in the dim light, his voice carrying its characteristic calmness:

'I know you find betrayal hard to accept, but some facts must be faced. Melusine's recent frequent trips to Salisbury have been confirmed. Make Mordred understand that what she needs now is to confront the past, not act impulsively. Only by overcoming this obstacle can she grasp the true meaning...'

After the image faded, the fairy knight Mordred slowly sat back in his seat, his fingertips digging deeply into his palm.

(Your Majesty is right... I must see it with my own eyes.)

She suddenly stood up and placed a few silver coins on the table: 'Manager, the money for the drinks is here.' As she turned, a gust of wind rose from her wings. 'Hobbes, be extra careful as you continue your investigation.'

'Lord Mordred!'

She rushed out of the tavern, took a few running steps, and soared into the air. Her wings sliced ​​through the morning mist, and she quickly disappeared over Darlington.

As Hobbs chased after him outside, he bumped right into a figure that darted out of the alley. The man with butterfly wings staggered backward, his voice carrying a strange rhythm: 'I'm so sorry, I didn't see you...'

'No, I didn't see it clearly either...' Hobbs helped the other person up and noticed that the person was wearing a long women's dress and high heels, and had a beautiful face like a young girl.

Hobbes frowned slightly as he watched the man's departing figure.

(Something seemed off when I touched it just now.)

Oberon turned into another alley, his fingertips lightly tracing the copy of the intelligence he had taken from Hobbes during their collision, a cold smile playing on his lips.

Thankfully, we escaped that annoying cicada demon... Where should we lay low for now?

Fairy Kingdom Orkney

After two days and two nights of weary travel, the people in the carriage couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief when the outline of Orkney finally appeared on the horizon. The air in the North carried a refreshing coolness, quite different from the South. Among the sparse vegetation, vast golden wheat fields rippled in the breeze, and orchards were laden with fruit, bending the branches. This land welcomed its guests with its unique abundance.

(The tranquility here... is actually unsettling.) Ritsuka thought to herself, gazing out the car window.

At the city gate, several strangely dressed figures blocked the way. These guards from the royal clan were completely wrapped in green striped bodysuits, wore six-hole masks, and carried tridents, looking like night stalkers who had stepped out of a ghost story.

"Please cooperate with the inspection." A deep voice came from behind the mask.

Just as the guards were inspecting the luggage, a familiar yet chilling voice came from inside the city gate:

'You came faster than I expected, Artoria—'

Ritsuka suddenly stood up, nearly hitting the roof of the car. The instruments in Da Vinci's hands emitted urgent warning sounds.

"That's the voice!" Ritsuka exclaimed in surprise.

'Maeve!' Leonardo da Vinci's voice trembled with disbelief.

The woman who emerged slowly from the shadows of the city gate was a perfect replica of Queen Connaught—the same fiery red hair, the same expressive eyes, even the slight upturn of her lips were identical. Yet, upon closer inspection, she was quite different from the queen known for her amorous ways: a black leather jacket meticulously concealed her figure, and the magical petals surrounding her added to her mystique; her entire demeanor was reserved and restrained.

(The magical reaction... is less than one-fifth of the original's.) Da Vinci quickly scanned the data. (What on earth is going on?)

"Meeve? Who's that?" The woman tilted her head in confusion, her red hair cascading over her shoulders. "I am Noknarria, an old friend of Artoria." She opened her arms in a welcoming gesture, but froze when her gaze swept over the figure beside the carriage. "Uh... why is the fairy knight Gareth here too?"

Kalia leaned against the carriage shaft, arms crossed, a faint, cold smile playing on his lips: 'What? Not welcoming me? You weren't this way the last few times I came to inspect, Nocnarria.'

The air suddenly froze, with only a few fallen leaves swirling in the wind from the North.

Nocnarria's lips twitched involuntarily: 'No, no, no... I was just a little curious...'

"Alright, Kalia, stop teasing her." Artoria chuckled, trying to smooth things over. "There are some complicated reasons behind this, but I can assure you Kalia won't cause any trouble—"

"Well, never mind." Nocnarria quickly composed herself. "Everyone, let's not stand at the city gate. We can go inside and talk things over."

At her signal, the strangely dressed soldiers immediately stepped forward to take the reins and luggage. Kalia keenly noticed that Noknarria's fingertips trembled slightly as she turned, and fine beads of sweat even appeared on her forehead.

(She's scared...why?)

Taking advantage of the moment when the soldiers were carrying luggage, Kalia quietly took a half step back and stood side by side with Senji Muramasa.

'Artoria hasn't realized it yet,' she whispered, 'but this Nocnaria is clearly hiding something.'

Senjimura calmly adjusted the position of his scabbard: 'I warned that girl long ago... some people appear to be friends, but might be venomous snakes behind the scenes.'

'My biggest worry right now is,' Kalia's gaze followed Artoria, who was excitedly talking to Nocnarria, 'whether she can handle the blow when she discovers the truth...'

Senji Muramasa gently put down his luggage, using the gesture of adjusting his clothes to cover his mouth: 'I will handle it then. For now, we must both pretend nothing is wrong and absolutely must not alert them.'

On their way to their lodging, the streets they passed through presented a carefully crafted image of poverty. The emaciated residents huddled under dilapidated eaves, their eyes unusually wary. Senko Village noticed a woman nearly tripping over her tattered skirt as she peeked at them, while nearby, children playing, though dressed in rags, had healthy, rosy cheeks.

(This lousy performance...) Kalia sneered inwardly.

However, Artoria was completely unaware of this, and instead showed genuine sympathy for what she saw.

Nocnarria led the group to a relatively tidy building and then excused herself. The instant she turned away, Kalia's fingertip twitched, and an invisible magical listening device silently adhered to her collar.

After retreating into the secret chamber, Nocnarria eagerly activated the crystal ball. As soon as Sekel's figure appeared, she exclaimed urgently, "The Fairy Knight Gareth is in the party too! Didn't Merlin notice when he fought them earlier?"

Inside the crystal ball, Merry lazily swirled her wine glass: 'Oh dear, that little ice bird was so boring, I couldn't even be bothered to mention it~ Is Little Knok interrogating his sister?'

Nocnaria immediately fell silent.

At that moment, Aurora pushed aside Sekel and appeared on screen: 'Having the fairy knights around is actually better...it's a good opportunity to extract information about the royal city. But Nocnarria—' her voice suddenly turned cold, 'you know the consequences if you mess this up.'