I, Guinevere, am going to crush you, you curry stick, today!

Guinevere opened her mouth, unsure whether her earlier probing had angered the girl, but judging from her final expression and tone, she didn't seem angry... rather, her retreating figure looked more like she was fleeing in panic.

The question is, what is there to escape from?

and……

"You haven't taken your sword yet."

She took a few steps forward, reached out and picked up the Oath Sword that the girl had dropped on the ground, and muttered to herself.

……

In a single thought, like a stone thrown into water, the once tranquil reflection was shattered completely. The memories in my mind were false, the emotions were false, even my own name and identity were false…

who am I?

Where did I come from, and where am I going?

One question after another arose, but more than anything else, what was on my mind at that moment was the cautious look that Fina had just given me.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Why are you attacking me?

I...didn't do anything wrong...

"Oh, I found it. Honestly, it sneaked out on its own when I wasn't looking. What a troublesome child."

Suddenly, another leisurely female voice echoed through the woods. Even lost in her own thoughts, the girl immediately snapped out of it, leaping to the side and simultaneously reaching for her sword…

But I grasped nothing.

As she looked ahead, a tall, elegantly dressed adult woman gradually came into view. The moment she saw this figure, an indescribable chill swept over her, causing her entire body to tremble violently.

Upon seeing this, the woman stopped in her tracks—but rather than doing so to comfort the girl, it seemed more like she was enjoying the fear the girl was displaying.

Her lips curled up, and even the expression on her face twisted slightly with joy.

"That's fantastic... I wanted to see that expression. It's just a pity—"

But the smile vanished in an instant, replaced by a listless sigh: "You are ultimately just a false existence. My detestable sister is still sitting comfortably on her throne, enjoying the cheers and praises of the crowd... How hateful, how utterly hateful!"

Her sudden change in temperament, and the way she spoke at the end, even sounded like she was gritting her teeth. As she spoke, the woman took another step.

The girl followed and retreated step by step, and soon her back hit a tree.

"Mother?"

"Yes, I am your mother, the one who brought you into this world."

"Then...who am I?"

"Asking this question means your memories are starting to get muddled again..." The woman smiled and shook her head. "It's alright. No matter how many times, I will answer you, because you are my most beloved child, my most useless creation, and also a tool I carefully prepared for revenge. So..."

With nowhere to retreat, and seeing the woman finally standing before him, he suddenly reached out and grabbed the girl's neck with a gentle, motherly smile, shoving her backward with force.

boom!

"—Don't do anything that will make me angry again."

The tree, which would take two or three people to encircle, shook violently from the impact, with countless branches and leaves falling and birds fluttering up. The woman maintained her sweet smile, bringing her face close to the girl's ear, listening to the girl's pained groan, a hint of pleasure flashing in her eyes.

"Do you understand now, my dear... Mordred?"