Fairy Round Table Realm, Poem of Eternal Mist

She looked down, staring in disbelief at her chest. Two elbow swords, gleaming with a chilling blue light, had pierced her chest with deadly precision, protruding from her front and dripping hot, scarlet blood from their tips.

Strangely, it didn't hurt.

There was no heart-wrenching pain as I had imagined, only a feeling of blockage, as if filled with something foreign, followed by a wave of cold numbness that swept through my entire body. My thoughts seemed frozen, and my consciousness, like sand in an hourglass, was irreversibly slipping away.

Melusine withdrew her twin swords expressionlessly. Losing her balance, Sei Shonagon slumped forward and crashed heavily onto the cold ground.

Her vision began to sway and blur. She turned her face to the side, feeling the dampness of the earth beneath her being covered by a warmer, thicker liquid. Ah…is it blood? It’s my blood…

So, I've already been defeated.

There wasn't even a goodbye, a proper fight, or a chance to turn and run. It just... ended like that?

The surrounding light was rapidly fading, and darkness surged in from all directions like a tide, swallowing all color and shape. The sky...it gets dark so early...

A bone-chilling cold spread from my limbs to my very bones, freezing my soul. So cold… colder than the harshest winter night…

Hearing was being lost, touch was disappearing, and even the bone-chilling cold was gradually fading away. The last vestige of consciousness, like a candle flickering in the wind, quietly went out.

Sei Shonagon and Gareth—confirmed dead.

Escape from the Poison Cave - Fairy Round Table Realm, Poem of Eternal Mist

Darlington, a city that appears on the surface no different from any other fairy city, maintains its facade of prosperity. The streets bustle with traffic, the magnificent buildings are adorned with shimmering stained glass, and shop windows display dazzling luxury goods. Elegantly dressed fairy nobles stroll through the marble-paved squares, their laughter and chatter filling the air with decadent music.

However, just as moonlight is always accompanied by shadow, a chilling truth lurks behind this glamorous city.

But few people know that even more horrifying activities are taking place in the deeper darkness of this city.

Moss—the most common harbinger of calamity in these fairy kingdoms—was originally just a pathetic being that relentlessly devoured fairies according to its instincts. Its bloated, oval bodies lacked any facial features or limbs, possessing only a pair of chilling blood-red eyes that gleamed with a hungry light in the darkness. This monotonous form, however, became fodder for 'improvement' in the eyes of certain crazed beings.

Belial Gat, the executioner who had long abandoned human ethics, was the mastermind behind this insane experiment. 'Since Morse's form is so limited,' he whispered in the dim light of the laboratory, 'why not create a more 'perfect' species?'

Thus, the 'human Morse' was born.

By forcibly fusing Morse's genes with humans, Belial successfully created this unprecedented monster. Morse's powerful adaptability gradually erodes the human body, eventually transforming the victim into a new type of calamity with intact limbs and agile movements. These 'humanoid Morse' not only retain their original devouring instincts but also gain the ability to move freely through urban streets and even exhibit unsettling intelligence.

At this moment, in the dark passages beneath Darlington, countless pairs of blood-red eyes are gleaming in the darkness. They restlessly rub against newly formed limbs, awaiting the arrival of the 'distinguished guest'. The city's deepest nightmare is about to awaken.

The once-prosperous capital city of Camelot, the fairy kingdom, is now shrouded in an eerie silence. The streets are deserted, shops are closed, and only the mournful sound of the wind echoing through the empty squares can be heard. The walls are plastered with leaflets defaming the Queen and the fairy knights, and torn royal banners lie scattered on street corners—Britain's end is near, and even the capital city has not been spared.

Morgan stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of her palace, gazing indifferently down at the dying city. She still retained the appearance of her Saviour phase: long, flowing hair of gold and silver cascaded down like a waterfall, her pale blue eyes were unfathomable, and the ruby ​​bow on her black uniform gleamed eerily in the dim light. Unlike Castor, who always wore a beret, she had always abhorred any form of restraint.

Suddenly, her slender fingers tightened sharply. A nauseatingly sweet scent wafted from the corridor. Morgan whirled around, her staff materializing in her palm, pointing directly at the palace door—

'Bang!'

The heavy, carved wooden door swung open with a crash, revealing the corpses of the guards scattered across the floor like rags. Their bodies were twisted and deformed, as if crushed by an invisible force, and large, dark red bloodstains soaked into the carpet.

'It seems you still have a soft spot for this appearance—' Merlin leaned against the doorframe, pink petals fluttering around her. 'Morgan, no, I should call you Vivian, shouldn't I?'

"Merlin!" Morgan's voice trembled with rage, "You vixen, how dare you set foot in the royal city! My greatest mistake was failing to take your life last time!"

Merlin ignored the staff pointed at him, strolled to his desk, picked up a quill and examined it against the light: "Hey, Vivian, do you know? Your most beloved little princess probably won't be coming back." She tilted her head, revealing an innocent smile, "Who told her to ask me for a favor? And I, your sister, always charge a fee!"

'Bavanshi…' Morgan's expression changed drastically. Three icy blue spikes appeared out of thin air, surrounding Merlin, their sharp tips only inches from her throat. The Queen's usually composed mask shattered completely, her eyes surging with terrifying killing intent: 'Merlin! What have you done to that child!'

'Who knows?' Merlin casually tossed aside her quill. 'She was just tossed into some corner. Whether she lives or dies is up to fate, isn't it? Maybe…' she deliberately drew out her words, 'she's already dead, the lovely second-generation savior, Miss Vivian!'

That girl was my last shred of conscience... She was the only person in this world willing to accept me... The only person who loved me unconditionally... Even with her rebellious nature, she was the one I cherished most... Bavanshi... Are you going to take away even my last bit of warmth?

The image of Uther and Mab lying in pools of blood resurfaced in her mind, and the sins incurred on the day of her coronation surged forth like a tidal wave. The despair of "I cannot save Britain...I cannot save anyone" gnawed at her sanity. Tears streamed uncontrollably down her face, and this usually strong woman broke down for the second time in front of others.

'Unforgivable! Unforgivable!' Morgan's voice tore through the air. 'Merlin! I will make you pay!'

"Oh? You can cry too?" Merlin's eyes widened excitedly. "Hehehe, I'm really looking forward to it! Come on, Ash! Let me see just how powerful your anger can be!!!"

-

[So noisy! Those chattering fellows are the most annoying! No matter what those small fry say, I am a noble princess! It was my mother who bestowed upon me magic, gifted me magnificent robes, and gave me a name—]

'Why are you always like this, Bavanshi…' Morgan's weary voice echoed in my memory.

I've tried so hard, but I still don't understand what kind of person my mother expects me to become...

'Bawanshi, don't make the same mistake again. I've warned you so many times!'

"Ahhh, ahhhh—!" Bavanshi screamed in agony, clutching her head. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, Mother! I'll do better next time, I'll kill more people! I am the free and willful, elegant and cruel, cold and lovely British princess, the beloved Bavanshi... I will act as a queen's successor should... I'm sorry... I've disappointed you every time... But I truly want to repay you, Mother! You saved me from that hell, you are a mother gentler than anyone else—"

A sharp pain yanked Bavanshi back to reality from her reverie. She struggled to open her eyes, shocked to find herself lying on her familiar bed in her palace. What was happening? Hadn't Merlin kidnapped her? Why was she back here?

'Uh...why...' She tried to sit up, but felt as heavy as lead. 'My body...why is it so heavy...it hurts so much...I can't get up at all...'

It felt as if a thousand-pound boulder was pressing on her chest, making it hard for her to breathe. Every inch of her skin felt like it was being pricked by needles, as if she were lying on a bed of cacti.

"Hey, hey, don't push yourself!" A nauseatingly familiar voice rang out, "Little princess, your eyes are as dark as a panda's!"

'Belial...you bastard...' Bavanshi turned his head with difficulty, 'I...this is...'

"I told you not to get up." Belial sighed insincerely. "Since you're so weak, you should just lie down. By the way, did you lose something?" He gave a cruel smile. "Heh heh, don't worry, little princess, your body is just slowly rotting away. Looks like Merlin's poison was quite effective~ It's just a few fingers on your right hand that fell off, you don't feel any pain anyway, right?"

"Rotten?!" Bawanshi stared wide-eyed in disbelief. The seemingly respectable man was now standing elegantly by the bed, as if admiring a work of art. Remembering how she had cared for him, only to be abandoned when she needed him most, and now he was conspiring with Merlin to harm her, Bawanshi felt a wave of nausea.

'The Garden of Disappointment combined with Merlin's deadly poison—a double treat indeed!' Belial toyed with the black magic box in his hand. 'Has the little princess forgotten? The Garden of Disappointment is the most powerful cursed object.'

He shook the Pandora's box that had imprisoned Ritsuka and Castor like it was a trophy.

"Perfect, I also want to play with those two girls." Belial raised an eyebrow flippantly. "I'll borrow this one for now~ A dead person should act like a dead person, just lie there obediently. You can come and argue with me when you can stand up~ Ahahahahaha—"

Amidst ear-piercing laughter, Belial strode away. This was merely the most common of his countless betrayals. Bavanshi lay limply on the bed, her eyes filled with nothing but tears of despair. To consciously feel oneself slowly decaying—could there be a more agonizing torment in the world?

-

Guided by the magical detection, the group arrived at an abandoned complex of buildings on the outskirts of Darlington. Overgrown with weeds and shrouded in a deathly stillness, it had clearly been abandoned long ago, becoming a breeding ground for crime.

Before entering the building, the group cautiously discussed their strategy. Considering the possibility of an ambush, someone had to stand guard outside. Faced with the cunning Belial, Senko and Percival both chose to remain on the outer perimeter. Pepe, Da Vinci, and Mashu, however, ventured deeper into the sunless building via the dilapidated staircase.

Along the way, Mashu was still pondering the identity of the previous attacker. Da Vinci explained that it wasn't the Merlin they knew, but a more insane and cunning sorceress from another world. Broken syringes and shattered utensils were scattered in the corridor, black slime and dried blood mingled together, and the walls were covered with horrifying scratch marks—it was hard to imagine how many people had suffered inhuman torture here.

Upon reaching the bottom floor of the building, they found the magic box casually placed on a stone platform, seemingly without any defense. Mashu decisively smashed the box, rescuing the trapped Castor and Ritsuka.

"Wait?" Custer looked around warily. "Why is this place completely deserted?"

'Rustle—rustle—'

Before anyone could react, the strange 'water stains' on the ground began to flow. Amidst the eerie writhing and solidification, several humanoid Moss figures emerged from the shadows, surrounding the group.

"Damn it! It must be Belial's doing!" Pepe immediately stepped in front of the group. "You all go! I'll hold these monsters off, and while I'm at it, I'll leave that bastard some 'souvenirs'!"

"Pepe! What are you saying?" Ritsuka called out urgently.

"Leave me alone!" Pepe waved resolutely. "If you still trust me, get out of here immediately! These monsters are Belial's creations, and I must make him pay for them in blood!"

Despite their reluctance, the four had no choice but to turn and rush towards the ground. When the sunlight returned, what awaited them was not freedom, but Belial's face with its hypocritical smile.

"So, the remnants of Chaldea?" Belial, hands in his pockets, tilted his head with a mocking smile. "Just barging into my lab like this to rescue someone, without even a greeting? Isn't that a bit too informal? Hmm?"

Belial's provocative tone was like a spark thrown into an oil depot, instantly igniting everyone's anger. This mastermind who murdered Kirshtalia, attacked the Nautilus, and created the monstrous beast that wreaked havoc on the Fairy Kingdom stood before them, and everyone wanted nothing more than to tear him to pieces.

"Who wants to hear your lectures, Beryl!" Ritsuka stepped forward first, her voice trembling with anger, "This time, I'll make you taste the bitterness of pain!"

"You've caused us enough trouble already!" Leonardo da Vinci shouted angrily.

'Master!' Mash immediately raised her shield to protect Ritsuka.

Faced with the crowd's anger, Belial instead revealed a gleeful smile. In his distorted mind, this anger was the highest praise for his 'masterpiece'. Suddenly, his eyes behind his glasses turned blood red, and his mouth grinned, revealing gleaming white fangs—an aura exactly like Woodworth's back then.

Under the horrified gazes of the crowd, Belial's body began to expand rapidly, transforming in the blink of an eye into a black giant wolf over two meters tall, almost identical to Grand Duke Schereschewsky except for its fur color.

"Hahahaha—ahahahaha!" Wolf-shaped Belial roared with deafening laughter, "You think you can stand against me just because you stole my Heroic Spirit Capsule data? Fujimaru Ritsuka, you're nothing but a lowly ant!"

"This is impossible!" Caster exclaimed in shock. "How could Woodworth's power be on you? Did you kill him? Belial Gat!"

"Guess, Son of Paradise!" Belial grinned, raising his claws. "Die, all of you!"

A blazing beam of light erupted from his palm. 'Boom!' Amidst the violent explosion, everyone hastily dodged. Da Vinci realized that Belial was now beyond their ability to contend with head-on, and taking advantage of the rising smoke, she swiftly hurled a powerful magic circle into the air.

"Watch out, everyone! Ritsuka... Hey! Ritsuka!"

[Activate! Awaken the Wrath of Flames! Jeanne d'Arc Alter - Demon King Nobunaga - Burn! Flames!]

Before Da Vinci could finish speaking, Ritsuka eagerly pulled out the capsules containing Jeanne d'Arc Alter and Nobunaga the Demon King. Enveloped in raging flames, she charged towards Belial like an arrow released from a bow, her burning banner spear aimed straight for his chest. However, this fierce attack was easily caught by Belial, whose other claw simultaneously blocked Mash's shield.

'Heh...is that all you've got?'

With a slight exertion of force, Belial unleashed a violent shockwave that sent Ritsuka and Mash flying. The speed was so great that even Caster couldn't react in time; the two crashed heavily into the wall, leaving deep dents.

The moment Belial stepped forward, Caster swung his staff, and several magical chains shot out, tightly binding the giant wolf's body. However, Belial, who had seized Woodworth's power, merely smiled contemptuously, casually tearing the chains apart with his claws as easily as ripping rags, ripping Caster's restraints.

'How naive!' Belial roared, unleashing a palm strike that sent an invisible pressure crashing down like a massive boulder, slamming Caster to the ground. This power, far exceeding Woodworth's original strength, horrified Caster—why did the same power become so terrifying in this man's hands?

At the same time, Mash, who had barely managed to steady herself, exchanged a glance with Ritsuka.

'senior!'

"Understood!" Ritsuka raised the flag high, black flames gathering at its tip. "Take this, Belial! [Roar! My Wrath!]"

A massive fireball hurtled towards Belial like a runaway beast, yet he remained unmoved. He simply raised his right palm, his figure blurred, and in the next instant appeared behind Mash and Ritsuka.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

*Pfft!*

Blood gushed from their chests like blooming red lotuses. They didn't even have time to react before their chests were ripped open, revealing deep, bone-revealing wounds. Amidst the splattering blood, they staggered and fell to the ground. Although the attack wasn't fatal, the difference in their strength was undeniable.

Before they could catch their breath, another light blast came hurtling in. After the deafening explosion, Mashu and Ritsuka both collapsed in the smoke-filled crater, unable to get up again.

'Sen...senpai...' Mashu weakly reached out her hand.

'I'm alright…' Ritsuka gritted her teeth. 'This power… is just too strong…'

Belial let out a wild, unrestrained laugh, thrilled at how easily he had crushed Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash. Just then, Caster, who was lying on the ground, suddenly widened her eyes—she saw Peperoncino's figure silently appear behind Belial.

"No! Peperoncino!" Caster cried out in alarm.

'You think I didn't notice your little tricks, Peperoncino!' Belial turned abruptly, his claws slashing at the attacker with a piercing shriek as they tore through the air.

Pepe's pupils suddenly contracted: '!!!'

Pepe Roncino, who had quietly slipped back from the basement, was preparing to launch a surprise attack from behind, but Belial's keen senses had already detected everything. Before Pepe could get close, a sharp gust of wind whistled through the air—

'Pfft!'

With a teeth-grinding tearing sound, Pepe was sent flying backward like a kite with a broken string. Unlike Ritsuka and Mashu, who were protected by armor, he took the hit head-on without any protection, and his fate was unknown.