We are not saints, so we only want to protect what is right in front of us.
Even in my past life, when I held my phone and shamelessly called you "waifu" while licking the screen, that was then, and this is now. Besides, that was mostly just the empty chatter of an otaku. It's like how many people call Yui Aragaki their "waifu."
My wife is Morgan.
Morgan Pendragon.
This land is what we must protect.
Lot had no rebuttal to this whatsoever. Staring straight at Da Vinci, he even crossed his legs and put on a haughty expression.
"Then, let us declare war openly. We will not yield even an inch of this land. Even if I were to become a Heroic Spirit after the Singularity is corrected, I would not choose otherwise."
"Time will only flow forward from our side."
"I've never cared about what's right or wrong. I only know this is what I need."
Lot spoke these words, and at that moment, everyone present couldn't help but acknowledge one thing:
He truly had the qualifications to stand beside Morgan as an equal king not just the flower vase role they had previously assumed him to be.
"The outcome will depend entirely on how we act."
Faced with Lot's blatantly provocative demeanor, Fujimaru Ritsuka refused to back down. She clenched her fists and glared at Lot as she spoke.
This was tantamount to a declaration of war.
"Haha, if you lose, you can always bring the whole of Chaldea over. Morgan and I will protect you."
Lot was momentarily taken aback by her words but quickly responded with a grin. Then, his expression turned serious as he looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka.
That's more like it.
This was the kind of resolve befitting a protagonist like Fujimaru Ritsuka.
"Good. That's the spirit."
At that moment, a newcomer appeared in the room, clapping his hands loudly before addressing everyone.
Fujimaru Ritsuka was startled.
Lot, however, wore an "I knew it" expression.
[I knew Ritsuka's arrival couldn't be kept hidden from him. Even if I blocked him, he'd still sneak in to eavesdrop.]
Then, under everyone's gaze, the white-haired old fraud made his entrance wearing his usual punchable grin.
"Good evening, King Lot." Merlin held out an apple to Lot.
This old man truly had no shame and an impenetrable face.
Lot took the apple and thought to himself: Well, it's free. No reason to refuse.
He took a bite and nodded faintly. "Hm."
"Looks like I've found myself a collaborator."
Merlin continued, then turned to Fujimaru Ritsuka. "Miss Ritsuka, I hope we can work well together!"
Upon hearing this, both Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash instinctively took a step back.
"What's wrong?"
Their wary looks immediately put Merlin on edge.
Seeing their reaction, Da Vinci's image on the screen chuckled.
"Court Mage Merlin, we've met another version of you from a different timeline in the future. Your actions left quite an impression on us. Though you helped us greatly, we've learned never to fully trust you."
Merlin could only force a bitter smile.
Well, damn. My future self really left me no room to maneuver.
Though he possessed Clairvoyance, it wasn't like Scáthach's future-sight he could only observe the present world. The distant future, 1,500 years later, was beyond his vision. Everything he knew now came from his conversations with Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash.
But from their words, Merlin realized one thing:
Even after a thousand years, his personality hadn't changed one bit.
Meanwhile, Mordred, lying on the bed, turned her head and grinned.
"Honestly, this guy's words are worthless. Might as well stab him and be done with it."
Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash, having received Merlin's help before, were reluctant to say much. But Mordred? She had fought alongside him and her impression of him was far from favorable.
"…"
The universally disliked Merlin felt deeply wounded.
Maybe I need to change my approach…
Perhaps… cross-dressing?
"I'm genuinely here to help you," Merlin said to Fujimaru Ritsuka.
"I believe you."
Ritsuka nodded.
Then she added, "But I only believe in your goal. As for how you'll achieve it? Absolutely not."
"…"
Merlin felt even more hurt.
What happened to people compared to the time of King Uther?
Back then, everyone hung on his every word. Now? Everyone doubted him.
This job just keeps getting harder.
"Hah, discuss your next steps among yourselves. I'll be taking my leave now."
Lot stood up and made for the door.
As he prepared to leave, Mash called out to him.
"King Lot, when will we be allowed to leave? Or do you plan to keep us confined until you've unified all of Britain before fighting us?"
"Trying to provoke me? Unfortunately, it won't work."
Lot smirked at her words.
"I'm a lazy man by nature. At the very least, I'll wait until we've conquered Scotland in the north before letting you act. But to give you a heads-up, starting tomorrow, I'll take you along to observe our battles."
With that, he left.
Watching him go, Mash and Da Vinci exchanged thoughtful glances.
"This Lot… seems just as suspicious as Morgan," Da Vinci mused.
"Indeed. He's an existence I can't comprehend," Merlin agreed wholeheartedly.
"You can't comprehend him?!"
Both Mash and Fujimaru Ritsuka were stunned.
They knew Merlin's capabilities. If even he couldn't see through Lot, that was truly unexpected.
"Of course. This couple is nothing like what I anticipated."
Merlin answered honestly:
"Lot's actions and personality are completely unpredictable my Clairvoyance is useless against him. As for Morgan, she doesn't possess any ability to block my observation. Yet, some of her actions still manage to catch me off guard."
Hearing this, Mash and Ritsuka grew even more astonished.
At that moment, Da Vinci suddenly asked Merlin:
"By the way, Merlin, do you think Morgan's campaign against Scotland will succeed?"
"Of course it will."
Merlin didn't hesitate.
"Oh? Why do you say that?"
Da Vinci was curious.
Merlin then recounted how Lot and Morgan had aided Guinevere's father in Scotland and later formed a sworn bond with Scáthach.
When Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash heard that Lot and Morgan had used hand grenades against King Rience, they exchanged glances, more convinced than ever.
This wasn't just about knowing future history.
Even in this era, no matter how much one knew, creating hand grenades was impossible. Without foundational scientific progress, even a military scientist couldn't manage it.
Therefore
Either Lot or Morgan had to be someone from the future.
Initially, they suspected Morgan. But now, Lot seemed just as likely.
Yet, upon hearing that Morgan and Scáthach had sworn sisterhood, Morgan still seemed the more probable candidate.
Actions spoke louder than words, after all.
"Scotland won't hold. Next, we'll have to consider Ireland," Fujimaru Ritsuka thought to herself.
At the same time, she was intrigued by the prospect of observing Camelot's army in battle.
She needed to gauge the strength of her enemies.
Meanwhile, back with Morgan
"It's done. I've talked with them."
Seeing Morgan seated on the bed, Lot casually walked over and flopped onto her lap, making himself comfortable.
Morgan sighed at his laziness but was still curious.
"So, how did it go with Fujimaru Ritsuka?"
"Easy. After my relentless persuasion, they've confirmed they'll fight us to the end."
Lot puffed up proudly.
"That's not something to boast about."
Morgan was speechless.
"Now that it's settled, things are clearer. It's like dealing with hostage-takers. If we worry about the hostages, we'll be hesitant. But if I just kill all the hostages, then there's no problem, right?"
Lot spouted shamelessly.
That sounds like nonsense, but… somehow, it makes sense?
Morgan pondered his words before asking, "What else did you discuss?"
"Oh, right "
Lot then recounted the rest of the conversation, including Merlin's sudden appearance.
After listening, Morgan nodded softly.
"It seems we'll have to beat up that white-haired swindler again soon."
"Agreed."
"Alright, let's rest." Morgan began massaging Lot's head.
"Starting tomorrow, we'll be back in battle. My sister likely won't interfere with our conquest of Scotland, but she'll definitely test how much we've grown. If we haven't improved, we'll be in trouble."
Scáthach's intentions had never been hidden.
The thought of facing her again made Morgan slightly anxious.
"Relax. Have faith in yourself you're practically the Fairy of the Island now. And even if you don't believe in yourself, you should believe in your husband!"
Lot grinned.
"Your strength?"
Morgan eyed him skeptically.
"Yep. My strength." Lot paused, then added, "My charisma. My face alone is worth a Vortigern, don't you think?"
"You mean the thickness of your face."
Morgan deadpanned.
Lot just laughed, adjusting himself into a more comfortable position on her lap.
At the same time, deep in the forests of Scotland
A fairy suddenly appeared in this world.
No one knew how he got there.
Dressed in white noble attire, with butterfly wings on his back, white hair, and a perpetually gentle smile, he spoke softly:
"Oberon. My name is Oberon now."
"Next, I shall carry out my mission. No one in this world should know my true identity."
With that, he fluttered his wings and flew south.
He needed to observe carefully first.
Back with Fujimaru Ritsuka's group
Merlin's brow furrowed slightly.
He sensed a familiar malice creeping into the world once more.
"What's wrong?"
Noticing his change in expression, Fujimaru Ritsuka asked.
Merlin turned to her with his usual smile.
"Oh, it's nothing. Just thinking about the most important task ahead."
"What's that?"
"Making sure the protagonist of this story my dear student fulfills her role, of course."
Merlin shrugged.