Fairy Round Table Realm, Poem of Eternal Mist

"Oh...oh! Okay!" Artoria paused for a moment, then immediately understood.

Although it's unclear what this fiery-tempered fairy knight's intentions are, given the current situation, there seems to be no better way out than to choose to believe her.

[Thump—thump—thump—]

The heavy tolling of the bells rippled slowly from the direction of Norwich, like invisible ripples sweeping across the plains, penetrating the forests, and finally echoing throughout the entire fairy kingdom's sky. The sound was ancient and solemn, carrying a power that cleansed the soul.

The Winged Clan affirms their atonement. This is proof of the Winged Clan's legitimacy and a testament to the path ahead of their pilgrimage.

The tolling of the bells announced that yet another clan had accepted the pilgrimage of the Prophet's Child. Meanwhile, in the distant territory of the Tooth Clan, Woodworth stood silently in the wind, his well-tailored suit unable to conceal his unease. He gazed silently in the direction from which the bells rang, a rare hint of bewilderment appearing on his resolute face, as if a picture unfurled before him was one he could not comprehend.

Beside him, Aurora wore a smile that clashed with the solemn tolling of the bells—a smile almost bewitching. It was a smile brimming with the malice and contempt of someone who had succeeded in their scheme, as if everything unfolding before her was merely a predetermined plot in a carefully orchestrated drama.

She could never have imagined that, before the echoes of the bells had even faded, at the edge of the Glass Forest, the fairy knight Mordred would expose all her schemes and betrayals to everyone, like tearing open a festering wound.

"...That's how it is." Mordred crossed his arms and finished his narration in a cold, hard tone.

The air seemed to freeze. After a brief silence, expressions of shock and disbelief appeared on everyone's faces.

“Heh,” Senji Muramasa broke the silence first, stroking his beard, a sharp glint in his eyes, “Indeed, the treachery of the human heart is unfathomable. Although I had a premonition, I never expected that woman to be so vicious… a snake in human form, nothing could be more fitting. However, if everything is as she planned, then her schemes are probably far deeper than we imagined.”

Sei Shonagon nervously clenched her sleeves: "Then... all those things she instructed us to do before, could it be...?"

“Yes,” Senji Muramasa nodded heavily, “I’m afraid we’ve all become pawns on her chessboard, every move we make is within her calculations, like puppets controlled by invisible threads. However, the real mastermind behind the scenes has not yet fully revealed her true colors.”

Ritsuka sighed softly, her face showing a weariness and understanding beyond her years: "Well... but now that things have come to this, I'm not so surprised anymore. We've even seen a cannibalistic maniac like Donald, so encountering something like this doesn't seem so abnormal..." She subconsciously looked around, searching for that familiar figure, "What do you think, Oberon... um? Where is he?"

When she came to her senses, Oberon, who should have been beside her, had once again vanished. Artoria could only shake her head helplessly; she was already used to this elusive "ally."

“Forget about that guy who comes and goes so freely,” Artoria took a deep breath, drawing everyone's attention back. Her voice was soft, yet carried an unprecedented calmness and determination. “Right now, our best course of action is to remain still. Aurora has surely prepared more ‘surprises’ for us, and rash action will only lead us into new traps. Only when everything settles down will all the conspiracies and betrayals be exposed to the light of day! Now, what we need is patience and observation.”

"Great!" Her analysis won unanimous approval from everyone.

Watching Artoria calmly analyze the situation and stabilize morale, Senji Muramasa couldn't hide his gratified smile. Who would have thought that just a short while ago, on the territory of the Royal Clan, upon learning of her best friend's betrayal, she was almost overwhelmed by anger and grief? Her growth and transformation now filled the old swordsman with感慨 (a complex feeling of deep emotion, often mixed with admiration or reflection).

"Well done, child," Qianzicun silently prayed. "Continue to grow like this. I believe you can use your own strength to uncover all the fog and shatter all the deceptions."

Catalyst - Fairy Round Table Realm, Poem of Eternal Mist

Deep within the Manchester mansion, time seemed to stand still. Since her true name was revealed, Bagst—the former fairy knight Gawain—had exiled herself here. Day after day, she indulged in the flickering lights of the magic projector, mechanically munching on mundane potato chips, letting the sounds of old dramas fill the hollow silence. It was the very image of a dejected retired old woman. Even the fairy knight Mordred's visit could not break down the walls she had built around herself. Rather than saying she still cared for the Queen, it was more accurate to say she had cast aside her past, letting time slip away in this luxurious cage.

However, today, a stone has finally been thrown into this stagnant water.

As usual, Bagst lazily got up in the afternoon, turned on the projector, casually stuffed some food into her mouth, and then sank into the sofa, ready to while away another afternoon with snacks and fictional stories. Although the Fairy Kingdom had developed an entertainment industry after the Queen's Era, it ultimately seemed crude and backward compared to the prosperity of the pan-human history. Just as her gaze was unfocused on the screen, a clear and familiar voice pierced through the languid mist like an icicle.

"I never expected that after so long, you would be wasting your time here."

Bagst felt as if struck by lightning, jolting up from the sofa. There stood Queen Morgan—not in her imposing royal robes, but in simple casual wear—standing silently in the hall, her sharp gaze sweeping across the room before finally settling on her.

"What is the purpose of this, Bagst?" Morgan's voice was unreadable. "I'm still thinking about your whereabouts every day, and even suspecting that you've gone down that... old path again."

"Your Majesty!" Bagst knelt hastily, her tall frame trembling slightly with embarrassment. She glanced at her disheveled pajamas and the snack wrappers scattered on the floor, her cheeks instantly burning red. "I'm so sorry! For making you see me in such a sorry state..."

“Forget the formalities.” Morgan interrupted her, her gaze sweeping over the empty bag of chips and the noisy projection screen, a barely perceptible sneer playing on her lips. “Ha, so simple. A few chips and a boring TV show, and you’re satisfied? In the last two thousand years, I’ve never allowed myself to be so indulgent.” She took a step forward, her gaze piercing Bagst’s attempts to conceal his true feelings. “Just because your real name was revealed? That’s not like you.”

Morgan's direct question left Bagst speechless. The phrase "old way" struck her heart like a hammer blow, reopening long-buried, bloody memories.

Before meeting Morgan, she was Manchester's infamous "love predator." At that time, the city was plagued by crime and lawlessness, and she represented its darkest chapter. She would seduce men with alluring gestures, revealing her terrifying true nature when they lowered their guard and became engrossed in a facade of tenderness, devouring them alive. By the time her prey realized the danger, there was no escape; they could only become her meal. Before Morgan intervened, countless lives had ended at her hands; beneath her seemingly clean bed lay countless skeletons and severed limbs. Compared to the elusive Donald in Oxford, Bagster at that time represented a more direct and chilling fear that gripped the hearts of all Manchester men. Rumors even warned: "Never be fooled by a woman's appearance; she may be a cannibal."

For her, each hunt was no different from any other meal. She was a master of disguise, changing her appearance for each hunt, making the cases increasingly perplexing. Even after being brought into Morgan's Fairy Table, her cannibalistic desires were never eradicated, until two years ago when she again lured and devoured an innocent merchant. Since then, Morgan has placed her under the strictest surveillance to prevent a repeat of the tragedy.

Now, under Morgan's scrutinizing gaze, those bloody memories resurfaced. Bagst held his breath, awaiting judgment.

However, upon closer inspection, Morgan's icy aura seemed to have softened slightly. "It's alright," she said calmly, her tone unreadable, neither relieved nor disappointed. "I thought you'd disappeared for so long because you couldn't resist your nature and went to 'feed' again." She changed the subject. "Didn't Sylph tell you before? The time had come. I've been warning all of you—"

Before the words were finished, they had already shaken Bagst to his core.

When Morgan's tone turned serious, Bagst instantly suppressed all distractions, straightened his massive frame, and focused his expression like that of the most loyal guard.

“Your Majesty, please speak,” she said in a deep voice, a hint of struggle flashing in her eyes. “But…does it really have to come to this? After all, this is something you have built with two thousand years of painstaking effort…”

“A labor of love?” Morgan interrupted softly, her voice devoid of any lingering affection, only cold resolve. “Those appearances are meaningless. My true goal, from beginning to end, has always been only one—to expose Vortigern.” Her gaze was sharp as a knife, as if it could pierce through walls and look directly into the distant past. “You made a wasted trip to Autumn Forest that time, but next time… when the time is right, he will definitely show up.”

She paused, a deep chill flashing in her eyes. "Besides, it's time for the other 'protagonists' to taste the bitter fruit of their own making. Haven't they been secretly plotting something 'big'? Let them put on their show. When everything is over, the truth will naturally come to light."

Morgan's gaze seemed to pierce through space, landing on a specific figure. "It's just... the child might have to be patient a little longer." Her tone carried an indescribable complexity, then her gaze returned to Bagst, her command clear and firm: "If they come to Manchester, you are in charge of receiving them. Make sure 'that matter' goes perfectly. I'll be watching everything from Camelot. Understand?"

"Yes! As you command!" Bagst bowed without hesitation and accepted the order, his voice firm and resolute.

Perhaps what the Queen has been waiting for all this time is the moment when all the conspiracies are laid bare in the sunlight. Those manipulators hidden behind the scenes will finally be exposed in the light of the truth. The young girl, caught in the midst of her struggles, is unaware that the Queen has seen through all the players on the chessboard long before her. Every step forward in this situation not only follows the path planned by the mastermind, but also steadily advances towards the ending Morgan desires—

In a hidden corner of the Fairy Kingdom, lies a wondrous realm beyond imagination—the Glass Forest. Everything here is composed of various forms of silicate; trees and blades of grass are all crystal clear, shimmering with a cold light. They appear to be vegetation, yet possess the physical properties of glass—they can be shattered, producing a crisp, ringing sound. From the perspective of natural laws, such a large-scale and structurally complete silicate ecosystem is almost inexplicable; its very existence is a great mystery. And this magical land is the cradle of the Fairy Kingdom's second legendary powerhouse, bearing her most unforgettable memories…

Rewinding thousands of years, the Glass Forest was a vibrant place. Streams babbled, fish swam in the shallows, birds sang, and beasts roosted—a scene of prosperity. However, an immense, mysterious magic permeated this land for a long time, causing the creatures that inhabited it to absorb its power imperceptibly, initiating a slow and enduring process of evolution.

Among these creatures, a cicada demon that was originally insignificant became the biggest beneficiary. Like countless others of its kind, it started from humble beginnings, but because its adaptability and integration with this power far surpassed its peers, it stood out in the long evolutionary race and became a miracle among billions.

As for why this power descended upon the Glass Forest, it conceals a secret concerning the very survival of Britain—

Since the eternal history that lasted for millennia came to a tragic end, the "Star Power" that sustained the world sensed the threat posed by the anomalous "Impersonator." This "Impersonator" was extraordinary, its form ever-changing and its essence unfathomable. Although targeted suppression devices had been created at the time, the Star Power judged that the ultimate means of countermeasure were insufficient, and the time was not yet ripe—it was necessary to wait for the "Children of Paradise" to complete their mission, otherwise all efforts might be in vain. To this end, the Star Power quietly poured a wisp of refined law power into the secluded Glass Forest, hoping to silently cultivate the ultimate weapon capable of fighting the "Impersonator" in this inconspicuous way. This place was a forgotten corner of Britain, and even if the "Impersonator" possessed extraordinary abilities, it would be difficult for it to uncover the secrets of this place. However, the Star Power did not expect that the first to perfectly adapt to and integrate this power would be a tiny cicada demon—but in any case, the sword against the "Impersonator" was finally forged.

Washed away by the river of time, the cicada spirit, having absorbed the essence of heaven and earth, gradually shed its original form, evolving into a humanoid silhouette resembling a fairy. As other fairies occasionally ventured into the Glass Forest, she quietly learned their language, imitated their mannerisms and appearances, and ultimately shaped her own unique image: waist-length, deep red hair, like flames, framed her captivating face; her pale blue eyes seemed to hold the light of starlight; the trembling antennae on her head and the delicate cicada wings on her back revealed her origin. If not for being confined to this secluded Glass Forest, she would surely have become a renowned and enchanting beauty.

Unlike Melusin, who was born from the remains of Albion, this cicada spirit knew her name—"Sylph"—from the moment she awakened to consciousness. This name signifies "seeing through truth and dispelling illusion," a symbol of her innate mission and power.

-

Following Sylph's footsteps, the group entered the bizarre and wondrous Glass Forest. The crystal-clear silicified trees and vegetation around them reflected dazzling colors under the thin sunlight, leaving even the well-traveled Leonardo da Vinci in awe—in the pan-human history, such a large-scale, intact silicified structure exposed on the earth's surface was almost an unimaginable spectacle.

However, Ritsuka had no time to revel in this extraordinary beauty. The mystery of Sylph's past swirled in her mind, and she finally couldn't help but speak up: "Um... I have another question."

“Oh?” Sylph’s red tentacles trembled slightly. “Speak freely.”

"You mentioned earlier that you were the former patriarch of the Winged Clan. What's going on? Is Morian just your successor?"

Artoria also cast a puzzled look at her: "Indeed, I have never heard of such a thing. Could it be... that this is also one of the tasks His Majesty secretly arranged?"

Sylph wasn't surprised by their confusion. She sighed softly, "It's time to tell you. When His Majesty recruited me, perhaps it was precisely because of my ability to control the weather—"

"Controlling the weather..." Ritsuka seemed to realize something, "If such a power were placed directly in the royal palace, it would indeed attract too much attention..."

“That’s right.” Sylph nodded. “His Majesty needed to cover his tracks at the time, so he arranged for me to temporarily assume the position of chieftain of the Winged Clan. But the more important reason was that I wasn’t used to being looked down upon and needed some time to adjust.” She paused, her tone becoming deep. “His Majesty probably foresaw that once I became a fairy knight, Vortigern’s conspiracy would surface more quickly. Therefore, before that happened, he had me use the position of chieftain as a cover.”

Kalia, who had remained silent all along, couldn't help but speak up: "Even I had never heard of this past event; Your Majesty is truly farsighted. However..." She suddenly shivered, "Ever since I stepped into this forest, I've felt a chill run down my spine. Sylph, could it be that this place—"

"What?" Sylph was about to retort when a sudden change occurred.

"Roar! Roar! Roar! Roar!"

A piercing roar shattered the forest's tranquility, sending flocks of birds perched among the glass branches scattering in terror. The earth began to tremble violently, accompanied by suffocating magical fluctuations. The next second, countless calamity dragons covered in purplish-black matter smashed through the towering glass trees, surging towards the group like a tidal wave. Their twisted bodies merged as they moved, transforming into an even larger, three-headed monster.

"Calamity Dragons!" Sylph exclaimed in shock. "How could they be here? This place is clearly far from the remains of Albion!"

Senjimura, seizing the opportunity, drew his sword: "Calm down! We can't fight this many head-on!" The old swordsman's sharp gaze swept across the battlefield. "Children, retreat with me first! Kalia, Sylph, with your strength, you should be able to buy some time!"

Faced with the overwhelming horde of dragons, Ritsuka felt a chill run through her, and even the courage to retrieve her Servant capsule began to fade—in the face of a calamity of this scale, any resistance seemed futile. Although Kalia and Sylph also looked terrified, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and accept this desperate rearguard mission.

"Alright! Let's go!" Kalia and Sylph shouted in unison.

A resolute glint flashed in Kalia's eyes: 'This time, I must go all out!'

Before she finished speaking, an unprecedentedly chilling aura erupted from her body. The surrounding temperature instantly plummeted to minus fifty degrees Celsius, and fine ice crystals condensed in the air. A layer of crystal-clear ice armor quickly covered Kalia's entire body, transforming her into a lifelike ice statue, yet still unable to conceal her awe-inspiring beauty. An ice crystal passage rapidly unfolded beneath her feet, and she shot towards the leading calamity dragon like an arrow.

"Take this! Thousand Blades of Ice Shatter!"

She thrust her palms forward, unleashing a powerful shockwave of icy energy. Countless sharp, gigantic ice spikes shot forth with the icy current, instantly piercing the body of the first Calamity Dragon. The splattered black fluid froze before it even hit the ground, transforming into new ice spikes that pierced the dragon's body once more. This cycle repeated itself until, in the blink of an eye, the colossal creature was riddled with ice spikes, like a hedgehog. Yet, for the Calamity Dragon, these were merely superficial wounds.

Just then, three giant tornadoes crackling with crimson lightning roared in, temporarily blocking the Calamity Dragon's path. Immediately afterwards, countless thick bolts of lightning rained down from the sky, blasting the smaller Moss and the Moss Dragon to pieces. But this was nothing more than a drop in the ocean against the overwhelming tide of enemies.

"Damn it, we're doomed at this rate!" Sylph cried out anxiously. "Cover me, Kalia! I have to use that!"

'clear!'

Kalia raised her hands, and a thick wall of ice rose from the ground, temporarily slowing the advance of Mos's army. Sylph seized the opportunity to gather magic, and the crimson bow that had once severely wounded Merlin slowly materialized amidst the clouds, storm, and lightning. She softly chanted an ancient incantation:

'I am the master of the weather, and with the power of all things in heaven and earth—I will block your path and unleash nature's greatest might! Crimson Flame: A Melody of Magnificent Bloom!'

On the bowstring, a giant arrow, shrouded in thick clouds, gradually took shape. With a violent hurricane, the arrow shot towards Mos's army like a wild horse.

'Boom—!'

A massive mushroom cloud shot into the sky, the scorching heat and shockwave greedily engulfing everything in its path. Moss, at the forefront, was reduced to ashes in the intense heat; the seemingly sturdy crystal trees were uprooted, tossed into the air, and then crashed back down. Meanwhile, Senko Muramasa had led everyone to retreat behind a slope outside the Glass Forest, using this natural barrier to escape the first wave of impact. The old swordsman shielded Artoria and Ritsuka with his body until the aftershocks subsided, only then shaking off the dust and rising to his feet.

Are the children alright?

"N-nothing..." the two replied, still shaken.

Senjimura gazed at the still-shaking forest: 'It seems they succeeded, but we must leave as soon as possible. I estimate this attack is insufficient to annihilate the enemy.'

Before she finished speaking, two figures leaped out of the forest. Sylph landed lightly, quickly brushed the dust off her knight's armor, and then knelt down to inscribe a magic circle on the ground.

"This is faster!" she exclaimed urgently. "We don't have time to escape on foot!"

Within the city of Ensos, time seemed to stand still for Machia. Since the tragedy of Ioruf, she had imprisoned herself here, guarding her dying son, Ariel, day and night. The long-term torment had long since drained the life from his young body; now, only a faint breath remained, a testament to his existence. Machia gently wiped the child's withered arm as usual, her movements as tender as if touching a fragile dream.

The door opened silently, and Morgan's figure appeared in the twilight.

'This child is beyond saving.' The Queen's voice was calm, almost cruel. 'If you truly wanted to do something for him, you shouldn't be wallowing in despair here. You were once a knight under my command—even Bagst never became so despondent, and I certainly don't want to see you like this.'

"Your Majesty!" Machia hurriedly curtsied, burying her face deeply, "I... I, who have betrayed you, should not tarnish your gaze any further..."

"Betrayal?" Morgan scoffed. "Haven't I seen enough in two thousand years? Don't you want to find out some truth? Why did Hinako Akuta approach you? How were you used—are you planning to bury all of this forever?"

'No, no…' Machia's voice trembled slightly.

"Perfect timing, I've caught someone." Morgan stepped aside, a cold smile curving her lips. "It's time to get to the bottom of this. No matter how well they hide, they can't escape my eyes. Don't you think so, Morrigan?"

The soft clanging of chains echoed. Morrigan, bound tightly by layers of anti-magic chains, huddled trembling in a corner. After being thrown out the window by Sylph that day, she had intended to abscond with the money, but unexpectedly stumbled upon Morgan, who was patrolling the area, while gathering evidence. Her suspicious activities over the years had already aroused the Queen's suspicion; now, caught red-handed, she faced the harshest trial.

Edinburgh's Water Mirror - Fairy Round Table Realm, Poem of Eternal Mist

The year 1855 in the Queen's calendar, the Sea within the Stars.

From the void, a voice whispered, filled with endless confusion and sorrow: "Why? After Liliana, why did even Vivian succumb to these fairies? Why is this? Is the ultimate fate of the fairies of Paradise for thousands of years to be enslaved by them? It seems that no one can find their own 'future'... Tragic girl Vivian, after experiencing the departure of your mentor, the loss of your best friend, and endless betrayal, why do you still love this Britain so deeply? Tell me, Caster—why did Vivian walk such a path?"

As the ethereal voice echoed, a petite and delicate golden-haired girl slowly materialized and appeared amidst the shimmering starry sea. Like the first Liliana and the second Vivian, she possessed dazzling golden hair and emerald eyes (Vivian's eyes were more azure, while Liliana's were closer to violet). Her exquisite and slender features evoked feelings of tenderness and affection. She was the third and last "Child of Prophecy" sent by Paradise in over three thousand years, named Caster.

Compared to Vivian and Liliana, Caster appeared more petite and delicate. However, appearances can be deceiving—she possessed the greatest potential among the three generations. For this reason, the Sea of ​​Consciousness reserved her as its last hope, holding her until the very end; she was the final trump card this Sea of ​​Consciousness could play.

“No… I don’t know…” Castor’s voice was filled with confusion, “Perhaps… Vivian has her own reasons?”