"Hidden background?" Mash blinked and glanced at Aoko. "What hidden background? Is Gareth's identity really important?"
"Of course," Aoko leaned back, crossing her legs. "Remember Ainsel? The chief of the Mirror Clan."
"That's…!" Mash, being smart, immediately understood. "Is Gareth Ainsel's child?!"
"No wonder..." Artoria mused, "No wonder her fighting style felt odd. It's because she's a Mirror Clan fairy, able to predict the future."
"But even knowing Gareth is Ainsel's child, what does it matter?" Mash asked. "Does it affect our plans?"
"You guessed it. Fairy Gareth does have an impact," Aoko explained patiently. "Remember how the Pilgrimage Bells are formed?"
"When a clan chief dies…!" Mash's face changed. "Are you planning to kill her?!"
"You're overthinking it," Aoko rolled her eyes. "I'm saying that as long as she doesn't die, the sixth Pilgrimage Bell won't appear, and the Sea of Stars won't have a reason to interfere."
"Morgan already rang two bells. Before we finish our plans, the max is five. If the sixth rings, even if I throw the previous bells 'missions' far into the future, the Sea of Stars will know you've completed the 'command' and will act next. We don't want that."
"I see," Artoria nodded. "Why tell us this now?"
"Because some sneaky bug will try to kill Gareth," Aoko said. "One of our tasks is to ensure Gareth survives until the end. That's why I asked you to find her."
"I see... But the 'bug', the 'Island's Final Device' you mentioned—do you know where it is?" Artoria asked. "If we kill it ahead of time, can Fairy Britain last longer?"
"You're right," Aoko shrugged, "but I can't find its location. What I do know is that it has contacted Chaldea's Master, since their goal is to overthrow Morgan."
"Eh?! Is Senpai doing that now?" Mash exclaimed, panicking. "We have to find Senpai and tell her about Gareth so she'll stop!"
"Don't worry," Aoko made a calming gesture. "Our next goal is to find Chaldea's Master. Ritsuka is busy gathering rebels—we'll let her round up the troublemakers, then catch them all in one go."
Mash shivered. She'd known Aoko for a long time, but it was the first time she'd heard someone speak so candidly about mass slaughter. She couldn't object... Even Mash, the idealist, knew that only Queen Morgan's side could save the good fairies. Opposing meant fighting both the Magician and the Lostbelt King, with no Servants to summon—a losing game.
"All right, that's enough. I've got lots to do before this is over," Aoko said cheerfully. "How's the Holy Lance preparation?"
"...All thirteen ritual lances are set up," Morgan replied. "Plus, the true lance Artoria holds, we're confident we can take out the horned god Cernunnos in one go."
"Good." Aoko thought for a moment, "Just in case, I'll give you some extra magic. I have endless mana, so the more strength, the more assurance."
…
After several days, Ritsuka Fujimaru arrived at Edinburgh, the City of Chocolate. The city was surrounded by vast, wondrous chocolate plantations (which Ritsuka personally confirmed to be real chocolate, even sweet). For the fairies of Britain, such treats were essential to life.
This is also why Cnoc na Riabh could challenge Morgan—not only for her power but also for her control over chocolate production.
"Oberon, where have you been all these days!" Ritsuka complained to the white-clad Fairy King. "Do you know how many times we've been turned away? No one wants to join the rebels!"
"It was my oversight," Oberon smiled wryly. "But I've got some good news. Want to hear it?"
Ritsuka exchanged a glance with Da Vinci-chan, then looked at Oberon. "What good news?"
"The Fang Clan in Manchester aren't as happy under Barghest's rule as it seems," Oberon said. "If we can incapacitate Barghest for a while, the people's power will show. Even if Barghest is strong, she's just one fairy. The masses are mighty!"
"I see," Da Vinci-chan mused. "Incite a revolt? That could work. But how do we incapacitate Barghest herself? As a demi-servant, I can't beat her, and we still haven't found Mash."
"I have a plan," Oberon said confidently. "Also, I've got news of Mash."
Ritsuka perked up. "Where is Mash? Let's rescue her first!"
"Please don't rush," Oberon said quickly. "My intel is that Mash is in Camelot, imprisoned by Queen Morgan. The sooner we gather rebels and kill the Queen, the sooner we can save Mash!"