"Like doing what!?"
Upon hearing Morgan's suggestion, Baobhan Sith immediately pressed for details. She genuinely wanted to test whether following her heart to do good deeds would bring her greater happiness.
"Of course, it's about cleaning up the mess you made last night," Morgan said to Baobhan Sith. "Last night, when you tried to ambush me and Lot, you caused quite a bit of damage to the farmers' buildings. Those farmers are still refugees now. Don't you think you should take responsibility for your actions?"
"Hmph, do I really need to bother with such trivial matters!?"
Hearing Morgan's words, Baobhan Sith instinctively replied in her usual tone. However, the moment she spoke, she was met with disdainful glances from both Morgan and Gawain.
"Watch your tone. If you speak like that again, I'll have Gawain spank you again," Morgan threatened.
At this threat, Baobhan Sith immediately covered her buttocks.
No, thank you.
The towering Gawain how on earth did he grow so big? had an impossibly strong grip. The few spanks he'd given her still stung fiercely. If she had to endure a few more, she'd probably be crippled.
She quickly covered her rear and forced an awkward smile.
Seeing that Baobhan Sith had quieted down, Morgan continued, "Good. Now, let's head out and see what those farmers need."
"Mhm."
Baobhan Sith nodded. Then, under Gawain's lead, she followed along.
At that moment, in the castle's courtyard, the displaced villagers were living in tents, relatively comfortable especially after having enjoyed a bowl of meat broth the night before, which had lifted their spirits.
When Baobhan Sith arrived, the villagers had just woken up.
The children, already up and about, spotted Baobhan Sith still wearing her hood and immediately crowded around her, asking:
"Big sis, where were you last night?"
"Yeah, yeah! Last night, the castle felt like it was hit by an earthquake! The knight uncles said King Lot was defeating the enemy. Big sis, are you okay?"
Hearing the innocent concern in the children's voices, Baobhan Sith felt a warmth in her heart.
Her fairy traits were still quite prominent, and she didn't want to reveal them to these people.
But when it came to words, she couldn't help but boast:
"Of course I'm fine! My strength is so great that even King Lot "
Just as Baobhan Sith was about to brag, she spotted Gawain in the distance raising his hand threateningly.
She immediately changed her tune:
" thinks highly of me! He said my skills are decent enough to assist him. So last night, I helped King Lot fight the enemy."
At the same time, she thought to herself:
Endure. I must endure. Gawain, you overgrown horse of a man, just wait. Once my strength is fully restored, I'll fight you properly. Then you'll see my true power see if you dare threaten me like this again!
After repeating this to herself a few times, Baobhan Sith felt much better.
At that moment, she saw the children's innocent, smiling faces.
"Big sis, you're so amazing! If I were as strong as you, I could become a Knight of the Round Table and help King Lot too!"
"Mhm. When you grow up, you'll definitely become strong and join the Round Table," Baobhan Sith reassured them.
Then, one child suddenly asked, "By the way, big sis, since you're so strong, when will you join the Round Table?"
Hearing this, Baobhan Sith's expression froze.
"You little brat, you dare question me? Scram! Whether I join the Round Table or not is up to me!"
"Oh…"
The children lowered their heads, looking dejected.
Seeing their expressions, Baobhan Sith suddenly felt a pang of guilt.
Shaking her head, she pushed the feeling aside and turned her attention to the villagers.
"Alright, stop bothering me. Let's get to work. You can't stay in these tents forever we need to rebuild your homes."
"Mhm…"
The children nodded in unison.
And so, Baobhan Sith threw herself into helping the others.
As she worked, she couldn't help but smile though every time she noticed, she quickly forced it back down.
This cycle repeated several times.
Fortunately, her hood hid her expression from view.
Meanwhile, in the castle, Lot slowly woke up in his bedroom.
"Mmm… that was a good sleep."
Fighting a battle, enjoying his wife's lap pillow and massage, then drifting off into a deep slumber he wouldn't trade this for anything, not even a kingdom.
Oh wait, he was a king.
Never mind.
Lot got dressed and stepped out of his chambers.
Just as he reached the door, the castle's guard captain hurried over, looking delighted.
"Your Majesty, I've prepared everything!"
"...?"
Lot stared at him blankly.
"Prepared what?"
He wasn't the type of ruler who demanded lavish feasts or beautiful women wherever he went. He'd never asked this guard captain to prepare anything.
Why was the man so eager to report his readiness?
Lot was utterly confused.
"The weapons, of course!"
The guard captain said this as if it were obvious.
Then, from behind his back, he produced a spear wrapped in fishing nets and lines, handing it to Lot with pride.
"Your Majesty, though you didn't say it outright yesterday, you were clearly testing this weapon's potential. But you already wield a holy sword you don't need any other arms. So this new invention of yours must be for the soldiers! That's why, while you were testing it last night, I started production. Just by adding nets and fishing lines to spears, we've already made hundreds overnight. If you need more, we can mass-produce them in no time!"
"..."
Lot felt dizzy.
He'd just been messing around, trying to make a fishing rod on a whim.
Why did this guy think it was a weapon?!
Just from watching him, the guard captain had spun an entire narrative.
If you took a reading comprehension test in the future, you'd probably score full marks without breaking a sweat.
"Your Majesty… are you alright?"
Noticing Lot's strange expression, the guard captain grew concerned.
"No, I'm fine. I just woke up and haven't eaten breakfast yet," Lot lied.
The guard captain nodded earnestly.
"Then I'll have food prepared for you at once!"
"Good. Hurry up."
"At once, Your Majesty!"
The guard captain left.
Once he was gone, Lot clutched his chest in frustration.
This is too much!
I just modified a spear for fun, adding two utterly useless decorations.
What a waste of fishing rods and spears!
In some ways, Lot was quite frugal. The thought of such waste pained him.
I have to tell that guard captain to stop production immediately.
Soon, the guard captain returned with maidservants carrying breakfast.
A proper jianbing guozi (Chinese savory crepe) and a bowl of soy milk.
Seeing blonde, blue-eyed maids serving this up never failed to amuse Lot, even after all these years.
Thank goodness I haven't taught the maids regional dialects yet. Otherwise, I'd have them serve local dishes while speaking in the matching accents that'd be hilarious.
As Lot ate, two figures entered the room.
He glanced up.
It was Bedivere and Tristan.
The two knights knelt on one knee and announced:
"Your Majesty, we've brought five thousand soldiers. They await your orders."
Lot wiped his mouth.
[This place's cooks are terrible. Who told them to get creative and put roasted meat in a jianbing?]
Then, he addressed the knights:
"Good. Prepare yourselves we're going to fight those troublesome fairies."
Hearing they'd be battling fairies, Bedivere and Tristan's fighting spirits ignited.
They seemed eager to test their mettle against the fairy folk.
Seeing their enthusiasm, Lot patted their shoulders.
"That's the spirit. Keep that energy up. After defeating Vortigern, we'll crush those fairies who dared ally with him."
"Now, where are your soldiers? They've traveled far today we must arrange lodging for them. Let's go take a look."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The two knights followed Lot outside.
However, as they walked, Lot stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Did I forget something?
I feel like there was something I meant to say…
After Lot left, the guard captain returned.
Seeing that his king hadn't criticized him, he scratched his head.
He didn't say no, so my idea about producing new weapons must be correct. The reason he didn't praise me is probably because I didn't make enough. I should ramp up production to meet His Majesty's needs.
With this thought, he turned and left.
Now, he would strive tirelessly for King Lot's cause.
Lot, Bedivere, and Tristan made their way outside.
Coincidentally, they encountered the displaced villagers and among them, Baobhan Sith, who was helping with the labor.
What's going on?!
When he'd captured her last night, she'd been defiant, ready to fight him to the death.
Now, after just one night, she was voluntarily assisting villagers?
Lot was stunned.
[What on earth did my wife do to her? How did she reform her this much?]
Morgan, who had been smiling at Baobhan Sith's change, suddenly heard Lot's thoughts and turned to look.
Oh, Lot's awake.
He looks well-rested.
Hm?
Wait a minute…
Morgan's gaze landed on Tristan, who stood behind Lot.
She glanced at him, then back at Baobhan Sith still hard at work.
Recalling Lot's thoughts from last night, she nearly laughed.
Well, well. One is Sir Tristan, the other is the Fairy Knight Tristan.
This is too perfect.
Just then, Baobhan Sith finished her tasks and walked over, her expression serious.
"That look on your face do you have something to say?" Morgan asked.
"I do enjoy this kind of work… but I can't become a kind fairy. While doing those good deeds earlier, I realized something."
"Oh? What's that?"
"If I stay kind forever, I'll lose myself. More than being a 'good fairy,' I'd rather just be Baobhan Sith."
Her tone was resolute.
Then, her expression twisted into a wild grin.
"This is the real me!"
But at that moment, a child ran up, biting their finger curiously.
"Big sis, what are you doing?"
Baobhan Sith's laughter died instantly.
Morgan couldn't help but chuckle.
"See? Can you really go back to how you were before?"
"I I just…"
Baobhan Sith was at a loss for words.
Then, Lot approached. Seeing her predicament, he patted the child's head.
"This big sister is just going through her chuunibyou phase. Don't be like her, okay?"
"Huh?"
The child looked confused.
But Lot handed them a piece of candy and sent them on their way.
Once the child was gone, Baobhan Sith glared at Lot.
"Who's going through a chuunibyou phase!?"
(She didn't even know what that meant but from Lot's tone, it couldn't be good.)
Lot shrugged.
"If you're not a chuuni, why are you so obsessed with being 'unique'? What fairy is exactly the same as another anyway? I think… you're afraid of something. That's why you're like this."
His words struck a nerve.
Baobhan Sith fell silent.
Finally, she muttered, "I've had this… strange premonition. Like if I don't stay a murderous fairy, I'll die."
"Huh?"
What does that mean?
"How long have you felt this way?" Lot asked.
"About ten years."
Morgan pondered this, but Lot was baffled.
[Ten years ago? That's when I first arrived. Why would Baobhan Sith develop this feeling back then?]
Another thing that puzzled him was the fairy clans' division.
Here, the fairy clans were split exactly like those in the Lostbelt.
Almost as if something influenced them…
[Ten years ago, the only thing that could've caused this was the emergence of the River of Time.]
Morgan's eyes widened.
Ten years ago… Lot mentioned a "River of Time"?
That name sounds terrifying!
If he can manipulate time, that's beyond magecraft that's True Magic!
Her curiosity burned.
However, at this moment, Lot chose not to dwell on it further.
He simply looked at Baobhan Sith and said: "I roughly understand the reason for this. You can rest assured Baobhan Sith will always remain Baobhan Sith, never becoming someone else. Some of your worries have been influenced."
"Influenced by what?"
"That... cannot be spoken of."
Faced with her pressing question, Lot remained resolutely silent.
Baobhan Sith clenched her fists in anger, nearly lashing out but just as she prepared to strike, Gawain raised his palm threateningly.
Morgan summoned her staff.
The red-haired knight drew a harp strikingly similar to her own, while the white-clad, one-armed knight quietly produced a spear.
After surveying the scene, Baobhan Sith immediately withdrew her fists and fell silent.
"Fine. I'll stay here for now and help rebuild the villagers' homes. After that, I'll make my final decision how about that?"
She shot Morgan an annoyed glance as she spoke.
"Of course, that's acceptable."
Morgan had no objections to such a small request.
Though Baobhan Sith had not joined Camelot's forces or pledged her service to the army, her mere presence at the village reconstruction site was, to the fairies, nothing short of betrayal.
In the Fairy Kingdom's council chamber, only the leaders of the Wind Clan and Fang Clan remained, locked in a staring contest.
This time, the Wind Clan leader conceded first.
"Very well. I admit you were right."
The situation had unfolded completely contrary to her expectations.
She had assumed that even if Baobhan Sith failed, she would at least severely wound Lot or Morgan making it easy for their side to launch a follow-up attack.
But instead...
What exactly did you assassinate, Baobhan Sith?!
The Wind Clan leader inwardly cursed her.
Weren't you supposed to be formidable? Didn't you boast about draining people dry on sight?
And this is the result?!
Even if you failed, couldn't you at least have gone down heroically?
Instead, you scampered over to their side and started doing manual labor for them!
Since when did you become such a spineless turncoat?!
As the Wind Clan leader silently fumed, the Fang Clan leader pressed his advantage.
Cornered, she snapped:
"If you're so capable, why don't you take your clansmen and bring me Lot and Morgan's heads? Your Fang Clan has numbers, doesn't it? Plenty of warriors too. With so many fighters, surely you can manage it?"
She was deliberately provoking him she knew the Fang Clan's temperament well.
A little taunting was all it took to send them charging blindly into battle.
The Wind Clan leader had mastered this tactic.
Sure enough, her words instantly ignited the Fang Clan leader's fury.
His eyes burned crimson as he roared:
"Watch closely! I'll show you how my clansmen slaughter that so-called King Lot!"
With that, he stormed out.
Watching his hurried departure, the Wind Clan leader smirked.
"I must say, these brutes are so easily manipulated. If only everyone in this world were as simple-minded as the Fang Clan leader..."
She preened.
The Wind Clan was a peace-loving fairy race.
They maintained good relations with all factions.
Meanwhile, the Fang Clan leader immediately rallied his warriors after leaving.
"The human kingdom of Camelot has imprisoned our kin and slaughtered our clansmen! Now is the time for vengeance! Follow me we'll settle accounts with their king! Blood for blood!"
"BLOOD FOR BLOOD!"
"BLOOD FOR BLOOD!"
The Fang Clan warriors roared in unison, their battle fervor peaking.
Not one to waste such momentum, the Fang Clan leader led his troops forth.
With their superior size, strength, and morale, he was certain they could crush Lot's forces.
If we win, the Fang Clan will prosper like never before!
Some endeavors required envisioning victory to fuel motivation.
At present, the Fang Clan leader's mind overflowed with visions of the rewards awaiting them after defeating Lot and Morgan's forces.
As for the risks?
Those simply didn't occur to him.
Lot was organizing defenses with the newly arrived soldiers when the guard captain approached.
"What is it?"
Bedivere eyed the man disapprovingly.
While we're busy fortifying, where have you been?
We've looked for you multiple times with no success.
What could possibly be more important?
Don't tell me you're "busy."
Busy? Busier than His Majesty King Lot, who's personally inspecting the walls?
Yet you, the garrison commander, have been conspicuously absent!
Is this acceptable?
Is this acceptable?!
IS THIS ACCEPTABLE?!
Bedivere's thoughts must have shown on his face, for the guard captain hastily explained:
"Sir Bedivere, I've been diligently carrying out His Majesty's orders!"
Just then, Lot arrived.
Seeing the guard captain, he suddenly remembered something.
[Dammit! I completely forgot about this! I never should've let him make those "weapons."]
[I swear, I just wanted to go fishing!]
Morgan, who had been listening with amusement, suddenly frowned.
"How many weapons did you... repurpose?"
She'd nearly said "waste," but opted for diplomacy.
The guard captain held up five fingers.
"Five hundred? That's manageable."
Morgan winced slightly it was a significant number, but tolerable.
However, the guard captain looked offended.
"Your Majesty Queen Morgan, please don't underestimate me! I've modified five thousand spears! The entire castle armory has been outfitted with the new designs!"
"..."
Both Lot and Morgan shuddered visibly.
In fact, even Bedivere and the others looked ready to weep.
To maximize marching speed, they'd brought only one weapon per soldier, planning to resupply from Camelot's armory.
And now they learned the entire stock had been "modified"?
Bedivere nearly coughed up blood in frustration.
The guard captain, bewildered by their reactions, thought:
I followed His Majesty's instructions perfectly!
What could possibly be wrong?
Why is everyone looking at me like that?
Bedivere urgently moved to have the "decorations" removed from the spears otherwise, they'd be unusable in battle.
But just as he opened his mouth, a chorus of howls echoed in the distance.
Part wolf, part lion but unmistakably hostile.
Morgan's group instantly recognized the truth:
The enemy is here.
Now, of all times!
This was disastrous!
Only the guard captain remained cheerful.
"Your Majesty! This is the perfect opportunity to test the new weapons!"
He even proudly offered one to Lot.
"Shut your mouth!"
Lot snapped in exasperation.
"It's a fishing rod! For catching fish! Understand?!"
"Wha ?"
The guard captain froze.
Then, trembling, he asked: "Your Majesty... have I made a terrible mistake?"
"Yes."
Bedivere and the others nodded in grim unison.
"AHH!"
The guard captain turned deathly pale.
He wasn't afraid of death but the thought of causing defeat through his error was unbearable.
Meanwhile, the howls grew closer.
Soon, the enemy came into view:
The Fang Clan fairies, each towering over humans, covered in thick fur, and far stronger than ordinary soldiers.
A formidable foe indeed.
Lot and Morgan, seasoned commanders, immediately recognized the threat.
Though their numbers matched around five thousand the Fang Clan's individual combat prowess far surpassed their human counterparts.
Then the Fang Clan leader stepped forward.
Dressed in elegant noble attire, his demeanor almost refined were it not for his wolfish head and body, he might have passed for a gentleman.
But in his current state, only one phrase came to mind.
Having spent so much time with Lot, Morgan didn't need to hear his thoughts to anticipate the idiom.
"A monkey in a crown."
They said it simultaneously, then exchanged glances full of contempt.
Their strategy was clear: if they couldn't win through conventional warfare, they'd need to decapitate the Fang Clan's leadership.
But even that wouldn't guarantee a decisive victory.
Meanwhile, the Fang Clan leader remained oblivious.
With a wave, his warriors fanned out as he called up to the walls:
"You're surrounded! King Lot I offer you a fair duel!"
"Maybe you shouldn't go," Morgan fretted.
But Lot simply patted her hand.
"Don't worry. Trust me."
He slung the "fishing rod" over his shoulder.
"Lot, why are you taking that?!"
Morgan eyed the gaudy weapon skeptically it hardly seemed practical.
[It's to lull the enemy into complacency before I strike with Joyeuse to subdue their leader,] Lot conveyed through his gaze.
Morgan nodded in understanding.
As Lot prepared to descend, he noticed the guard captain's devastated expression and clapped his shoulder.
"I was joking earlier. This weapon will prove quite useful watch and learn."
(Of course, if it breaks during the demonstration, we'll just blame the enemy's strength.)
Lot leapt down, landing opposite the Fang Clan leader.
The wolfish fairy took one look at Lot's bizarre weapon and laughed.
"Is this a joke? Even if it is, the fact that Baobhan Sith lost to you even defected proves how worthless she is!"
Up on the walls, Baobhan Sith bristled at the accusation.
I never surrendered! How dare he spread such lies!
She nearly shouted a retort, but Morgan stopped her.
"It doesn't matter whether you actually surrendered. To the other fairies, you're already one of us. Just watch Lot's fight."
"Tch."
Baobhan Sith grudgingly complied, then called down:
"Hey, Lot! The Fang Clan leader's all brute strength no technique! Use that against him!"
Having tormented him before, she knew his weaknesses well.
"Got it!"
Lot acknowledged cheerfully.
Enraged, the Fang Clan leader bellowed:
"Traitorous wretch!"
He charged at Lot recklessly.
Lot inwardly rejoiced:
Anger is good. You're no Olaf what can rage do but expose your flaws?
As the Fang Clan leader pounced, Lot instinctively swung his spear sending the fishing net flying toward his opponent.
Huh?
Wait a minute...
Lot suddenly realized the weapon wasn't entirely useless.
While impractical for large-scale combat, it was oddly effective against individual Fang Clan members.
Of course, the clan leader was no pushover.
With a mighty tear, he shredded the net only for Lot to immediately thrust his spear toward the fairy's chest.
The Fang Clan leader barely dodged, the spear tip stopping less than ten centimeters from his heart.
Their eyes locked in a battle of wills as they disengaged.
Snarling, the Fang Clan leader charged again but something felt wrong.
Looking down, he saw blood welling from his arms and chest.
During their clash, Lot had secretly looped fishing line around him.
A sharp tug during his charge had sliced deep.
Having demonstrated the weapon's effectiveness, Lot called up to the ashen-faced guard captain:
"Good work! You'll be credited for this victory!"
Then he shouted to the others:
"Arm yourselves with these weapons and attack the Fang Clan!"
"You'll die first!"
Though the wounds were superficial to him, the Fang Clan leader knew how deadly such attacks would be to his clansmen.
Few could withstand three strikes even with preparation.
Thus, even if it meant his defeat, he had to kill Lot now.
Seeing his frenzied charge, Lot merely shook his head pityingly.
"I wanted to fight you honorably with ordinary weapons. But since that's impossible... I suppose it's time to reveal how Baobhan Sith truly lost."
With that, Lot drew Joyeuse from his waist as Kavacha and Kundala materialized on his body.
"No more pretending. I'm basically cheating now."
He announced this shamelessly before charging forward.
His attacks grew fiercer, while the damage he sustained diminished to a tenth.