[Could it be that our side has also been treated as a Singularity?]
Lot pondered this in his heart.
He was genuinely puzzled by this.
On the other hand, when Morgan heard his thoughts, she wasn't particularly surprised.
She was used to it.
Whether it was astronomy, geography, humanities, astrology, the future, or the past he knew it all.
This husband of hers…
Really was something else!
After finishing his thoughts, Lot turned to Morgan and said to her:
"Wife, where are those Fujimaru Ritsuka people? I'll go take a look at them."
"Oh, I've had them detained. Come, I'll take you to see them."
…
Meanwhile, on the other side, Lancelot and the others were being led toward the prison.
Though the number of guards around them wasn't particularly large, and escaping by force wouldn't have been difficult, Lancelot had his own pride. If he were to leave, it would be by righteously defeating the enemy's knights not by sneaking away while being escorted like this.
As for Mash and Fujimaru Ritsuka, they had other plans.
"At the very least, we should observe the situation here a bit longer. From our earlier conversation with Morgan, she didn't seem entirely unreasonable. Even if we end up as enemies, we should at least gather enough information from her first," Ritsuka whispered to Mash.
"Understood, Senpai. I'll follow your lead."
Mash nodded in agreement with Ritsuka's suggestion.
As they passed through the prison area, Lancelot happened to see the place where he had been imprisoned before. Staring at the familiar, shabby little cell, he said nothing and simply walked past it, even reflexively closing the cell door behind him out of habit.
"Hey, look how smoothly Sir Lancelot did that!"
Watching Lancelot's actions, Ritsuka couldn't help but comment curiously to Mash.
"Mhm, it seems like he's done it countless times before."
Seeing how naturally he moved, Mash could roughly guess what his past experiences had been like. So, in response, she couldn't resist adding with a hint of schadenfreude:
"He must be very familiar with it."
At that moment, one of the escorting soldiers, noticing Lancelot's actions, remarked in confusion:
"Sir Lancelot, what are you doing? This isn't where you're being held. We've long since upgraded the prison cells. As per Her Majesty the Queen's orders, prisoners of war are to be granted certain basic rights something like that. I don't remember the specifics…"
Mash and Ritsuka exchanged glances, both thinking the same thing:
"Just what is Morgan's background? She even knows the Geneva Convention's rules on prisoners of war?"
Their curiosity only grew.
If it were a Servant who knew these things, they wouldn't have been surprised.
But Morgan clearly wasn't one.
For a human who wasn't a Servant to know this…
That was downright bizarre.
"You could've said so earlier," Lancelot grumbled, pushing the cell door back open and shooting the soldier an annoyed look.
Do you have any idea how stupid you're making me look right now?!
Well, you didn't ask!
The soldier mentally retorted, though he didn't dare say it out loud. Even as a prisoner, Lancelot's strength and status meant the soldier had no intention of arguing with him.
"I'll take you there myself," he offered instead.
Meanwhile, Mash, unlike the soldier, had no reservations about teasing Lancelot.
Watching him, she remarked:
"Sir Lancelot, next time you come here, you'll be even more accustomed to it."
Lancelot's face darkened slightly.
Under the soldiers' escort, the group soon arrived at their designated prison.
Compared to the place Lancelot had been so familiar with, this was a massive improvement practically on par with a decent inn's guest room.
There were beds, a table, an oil lamp, and even a few books placed on the desk.
However…
None of them were in the mood for reading.
Of course, part of that was because Mash and Ritsuka weren't very familiar with the era's written language. They could sort of understand it, but actually enjoying it was another matter entirely.
As for Lancelot, who could read it fluently he was in no state of mind to focus on novels right now.
After a short wait…
Mordred returned as well.
The moment she stepped inside, she glanced around, noticed there were multiple beds, and immediately flopped onto one.
"Master, I've come to join you in prison."
"Mhm." Ritsuka nodded lightly.
However, she couldn't help but notice the marks on Mordred's head and asked curiously:
"Mordred, what happened to your head? Did someone hit you?"
There were several reddened patches on her scalp, as if she'd been struck.
But… who would hit someone in such small, specific spots?
Ritsuka stared at the marks, puzzled.
Interrogation tactics? Who tortures someone by hitting them so lightly?!
It made no sense to them.
With injuries that minor, who would ever confess?
"I, uh… ran into a hawk carrying a turtle on the way here. It just so happened to land on my head."
Mordred thought for a moment before offering this excuse.
Naturally, no one believed it.
But since she clearly didn't want to talk about it, there was no point pressing further.
Silence settled over the group once more.
During this time, Lancelot couldn't stop glancing at Mash.
Finally, unable to hold back any longer, he spoke up:
"Mash, I have to ask what exactly is our relationship? I know some things were the result of schemes, but certain mistakes can only be made once. There's no way I'd fall for the same trick twice."
His meaning was clear: I wouldn't be fooled again not after what happened with Galahad. So how does Mash fit into this?
"You can just think of me as someone unrelated," Mash replied, still unwilling to explain to this era's Lancelot.
At that moment…
A man's voice cut in.
"Honestly, this world's Lancelot has it rough. Aren't you just bullying an honest man here?"
Lot stepped forward, glancing at the group before greeting them with a smile:
"Good evening, Lancelot, Mash, and Gudako."
Though he knew her name was Fujimaru Ritsuka…
Looking at the orange-haired girl, he couldn't resist calling her Gudako instead.
Of course, Lot was grateful her name wasn't actually Gudako otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to guarantee that Melusine or Gawain stood a chance against her.
The infamous Chaotic Evil…
Who wouldn't be afraid of that?!
If it came to a fight, Lot had a feeling she could single-handedly rewrite the world's history barehanded.
"Your Majesty, King Lot, my name is Fujimaru Ritsuka not Gudako," Ritsuka immediately corrected upon hearing him.
"Got it, Gudako," Lot replied with a nod.
"..."
Ritsuka suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to punch Lot square in the face.
But she held back.
Mostly because, despite his apparent lack of brain cells, King Lot had shown them nothing but goodwill so far.
So they were willing to humor him for now.
"What are you doing here?" Lancelot interjected, eyeing Lot warily.
Not forgetting to add a threat:
"And aren't you afraid I'll take you hostage to secure our escape?"
"Not at all. Lancelot isn't that kind of person," Lot replied with a smile.
Of course, even if Lancelot did try, Lot wasn't worried.
Though he might not be able to defeat Lancelot in a straight fight, he could always rely on Kavacha and Kundala and Joyeuse to hold his own.
"Hmph. Fair enough."
Lancelot was somewhat pleased by Lot's faith in him.
With that, he allowed Lot inside.
Once inside, Lot turned to Lancelot and said:
"You're curious about your relationship with Mash, aren't you?"
"Of course I am."
Lancelot nodded honestly.
"Then how about I tell you in exchange for you owing me a favor?"
"..."
Hearing this, Mash and Ritsuka couldn't help but roll their eyes.
We're right here, you know! Must you act like such a middleman?!
"I'll tell you myself," Mash interjected.
She met Lancelot's gaze and explained:
"I've inherited the Spirit Origin of the Servant Galahad."
"Which means she's definitely your daughter," Lot added from the side.
"..."
Hearing this, Lancelot's expression twisted into something complicated.
Even if he'd already suspected as much…
Having it confirmed outright left him at a loss for how to react.
What kind of mess is this?!
I'm only in my twenties!
And still a virgin!
How do I already have two kids?!
This is just unfair!
Meanwhile, Lot took one look at Lancelot's face and couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.
He could almost relate.
*I'm also a twenty-year-old guy. How do I have a 6'3" daughter?!*
Wait… oh, right. I'm not a virgin.
Never mind.
Lot's expression instantly shifted from sympathy to outright amusement.
Lancelot was furious.
So furious, in fact, that he was tempted to challenge Lot to a duel right then and there.
After having his laugh at Lancelot's expense, Lot turned his attention to Ritsuka.
So this is the real deal, huh?
He mused silently before speaking up:
"So, you're saying this place is a Singularity and you're here to correct this segment of history?"
"That's right."
Ritsuka had been upfront with Morgan, and she saw no reason to hide it from Lot either.
Then, glancing to the side, he asked:
"Da Vinci, how do you plan to correct it?"
"Oh? You even know about me?"
At that moment, Da Vinci materialized, eyeing Lot with curiosity.
She hadn't expected Lot to be aware of her presence.
"Did you really think you could hide anything from me?"
Seeing Da Vinci's surprise, Lot smirked triumphantly.
Back then, you had the advantage of knowledge over the people in the Singularities.
But now? I know the entire story and that means I've got the upper hand.
Hearing this, Da Vinci and Ritsuka both nodded.
"I see. It seems Morgan's told you everything. Your relationship must truly be something special," Da Vinci remarked.
"????"
Lot was dumbfounded.
"Hold on why is the credit going to Morgan now?!"
Da Vinci simply smiled without answering.
In their minds, the changes to Britain's history were all Morgan's doing. The odds of two people knowing everything were astronomically low.
So naturally, they assumed it was all Morgan's work.
Da Vinci studied Lot's stunned expression before saying seriously:
"To be honest, I'm not entirely sure if this qualifies as a Singularity. However, it does deviate from recorded history. The changes you've brought about are altering the timelines of all parallel worlds. If this Singularity remains, the future we know could cease to exist entirely."
"I see."
Lot nodded in understanding.
Seeing this, Da Vinci continued:
"Which is why you're an enemy we must defeat. That won't change."
"Shouldn't you be trying to convince me to help you 'for the sake of history' or something?"
Lot couldn't help but ask.
Da Vinci gave him a flat look.
"Would you actually do it? Right now, you and Morgan are living a life far better than what history dictated. Even the Celts as a whole might have a brighter future because of it. Who in their right mind would willingly give that up?"
"True enough. I'm no saint."
Lot nodded firmly.
If it came down to a choice between his current life and Chaldea's mission to restore history…
The answer was obvious.
He'd choose his present without hesitation.