For Ritsuka and the others, their current situation was somewhat unbelievable.
Logically, as invaders of the Lostbelt and the ones who proactively started the fight, given their condition after defeat, there would be no issue even if they were thrown into prison.
Hands and feet bound in chains, or palms nailed to the wall, or stripped completely for humiliation... Everyone had imagined various scenarios.
But a situation where they gathered together to eat peacefully, even being treated as guests, was completely outside anyone's expectations.
According to Barghest, she received orders from Naoki to wake them all and bring them to the Throne Room. However, because Ritsuka accidentally mentioned she was hungry, Barghest, after confirming with Naoki, brought them to the dining hall first.
[His Majesty understands your situation. Not eating or drinking for seven days would indeed cause hunger. So, let's meet and discuss later at the dining table.]
Those were the exact words of Naoki conveyed by Barghest afterwards.
Such an overly generous arrangement left everyone slightly stunned, yet on the other hand, it felt reasonable, because that's exactly the kind of thing Naoki would do.
So, now—
"Damn, this is good, this is good too, everything is so delicious..."
Mordred kept devouring the food in front of her with a flat expression.
Having been nearly defeated in one strike by Morgan earlier, she harbored considerable anger in her heart—especially towards her own incompetence. So now, she was channeling her grief and anger into appetite, displaying the King's Stomach inherited from Britain to its fullest.
Artoria, sitting with her, appeared calm, but her eating speed was by no means slow; it was even slightly faster than Mordred's, one could say elegant yet swift.
"This tastes like Master."
After tasting for a moment, Rei showed a nostalgic expression: "Although it's changed a lot from before, this is indeed Master's signature cooking—Miss Barghest, don't tell me all this was made by Master?"
"If you are referring to His Majesty, that is correct." said Barghest. "Basically, breakfast every day is prepared by His Majesty, because His Majesty is the earliest riser in Camelot city... No, it should be said that His Majesty never closes his eyes."
"Eh?"
Hearing Barghest say this, everyone eating couldn't help but be surprised.
Touko raised an eyebrow: "Never closes his eyes... You mean that brat doesn't sleep at all?"
"At least in the thousand years I've followed His Majesty, I have never seen His Majesty sleep. No matter the day, when I wake up, His Majesty is already awake, and wakes very early."
These words caused everyone's eating pace to slow down.
Rei thought for a moment: "Could it be... Master hasn't slept at all for two thousand four hundred years?"
"Rei, are you serious?" Ciel was somewhat disbelieving. "Two thousand four hundred years... no matter how tough he is, he couldn't possibly stay awake that long. Wouldn't he go insane?"
"I'm just speculating. Who knows the actual situation? How about we ask Master directly later?" Rei laughed. "After all, we all have many things we want to ask Master, right?"
"That's true."
"Exactly."
All present nodded. And shortly after, within just tens of seconds, accompanied by the sound of footsteps and the door being pushed open, four figures entered from outside.
First was Naoki, still wearing his Fairy King attire, and Morgan standing side-by-side with him. Then there was.....
"Mmmh mmmh mmmh mmmh mmmh mmmh!"
Her entire body bound by countless chains, her mouth also gagged, Arcueid continuously struggling, plus Aoko who was carrying her.
The people Barghest mentioned earlier who voluntarily broke the seal were these two.
After glancing at everyone seated in their places, Naoki and Morgan sat in the main seats—
*CLANG!*
Mordred, who was eating, suddenly drew Clarent on the spot and swung it fiercely towards Naoki!
*TING!*
Accompanied by the sound of metal clashing with metal, Mordred's blade was immediately parried by Barghest with her own blade. Then Barghest forcefully shoved her away. Mordred was instantly sent flying into the wall.
"Very spirited, Mordred." Naoki looked at Mordred, who got up from the floor still full of fight, waved his hand signaling Barghest to step back, then laughed, "I'm relieved to see you're still this energetic."
"Don't talk as if you still know us, Father King."
Mordred sat back down with a sour face, biting hard into her bread: "Why did you come here again? There's nothing left for us to talk about."
"Perhaps you think so, but from my perspective, there are still a few things I want to explain to you all—and likewise, I suppose you also have things you want clarified. After all, the situation a week ago didn't allow us to properly explain and clarify things with each other."
Naoki said while laughing.
Hearing his words, after everyone exchanged glances, they finally delegated the speaking rights to Rei, the person most suited to negotiate with Naoki.
"Yes, that's true. Even without considering other matters, we have fully become strangers to each other. Before discussing serious matters, it would be good to get to know each other again."
"No need."
Naoki shook his head.
"I don't need to interact with you all any further. Although this is somewhat cruel and heartless towards you, my interaction with you ends today."
"Our side has completed preparations for Chaldea's Rayshift. After this breakfast is finished, I will send you all back to Chaldea in Proper Human History."
"At the same time, I will also completely erase your memories related to me. From now on, we will no longer—"
*BAM!*
Naoki's words didn't get to finish. Halfway through, everyone simultaneously slammed the table and stood up one by one, all staring at Naoki with the same angry gaze.
"Just try saying half of that sentence, Naoki!"
Aoko stared at him coldly.
"If you dare, say that sentence about wanting to destroy memories, the past, and the feelings between us, you heartless bastard!"