"Are we really going to Oxford to personally confirm the Fang Clan's intentions?"
Grímr asked as he studied the map of Britannia spread across the table, drawn by Shiomi.
"The Fang Clan is the only one left that hasn't joined the Clan Alliance," Shiomi said casually, leaning back in his chair. "If the intelligence you brought back is accurate, it won't be long before Queen Mab's northern fairy army departs from Edinburgh. They'll cross the plains just east of Manchester and march straight toward the Wing Clan's territory—Gloucester—right here."
"It's been seventeen hundred years already. Even if you're not sick of it, I am," Grímr said, lounging in his seat with one leg propped up on the chair. "These fairies can't stay consistent for long. It takes centuries just to stabilize relations within a single clan."
"That doesn't sound like something you'd say, Sétanta," Shiomi replied with a smile.
"I'm not being pessimistic. I'm worried about your mental state, little brother." Grímr had long since given up trying to stop him from using that name. "You really plan to keep dragging this out?"
"How can you call it dragging? The fairy alliance is progressing smoothly. Once we deal with the Fang Clan and settle the conflict between the northern and southern fairies, a united nation spanning all of Britannia will finally emerge." Shiomi smiled lightly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Grímr still didn't get it. "What's the point of uniting all the fairies? Just to fight the Calamity?"
"You've forgotten—back in Proper Human History, this kind of state was called the Commonwealth," Shiomi said, narrowing his eyes. "It's essentially a loose union of nations that all recognize a single king as their nominal ruler."
"So what's the point of that?" Grímr pressed again.
At that moment, the conference room door opened, and a figure stepped inside.
It was Aesc, freshly changed.
"When all the clans are united and maintain balanced diplomatic ties, if one clan attacks another, the rest can respond effectively," Aesc said, approaching the table and glancing at the map. "That way... we might be able to prevent the tragedy of the Rain Clan from happening again."
The current state of Britannia was the result of Aesc's efforts, steadily guiding the clans forward one step at a time under Shiomi's advice. The process had been filled with setbacks and reversals.
Both the Wind Clan and the Wing Clan had once hesitated, but in the face of a Calamity they could not defeat alone, they had bowed their heads.
"Only by joining the Clan Alliance can you receive the help of the Savior and the Sage."
The reason was simple.
That was also the policy Shiomi had set.
Any clan that refused to join the Alliance would be left to face the Calamity alone, no matter how great the disaster.
During the Great Calamity of Fairy Year 3000, the Mirror Clan and Earth Clan had been protected and spared from devastation, while the Wind Clan and Wing Clan once again suffered its wrath. That was one of the reasons why Britannia's current political landscape had begun to take shape.
"Then it's the same old arrangement," Grímr said, sitting cross-legged on his chair. He drew a dagger and pointed at the map. "I'll stay here in Manchester and monitor the movements of the northern fairies. You two will head for Oxford—the Fang Clan's domain."
"The Fang Clan has always looked down on the Clan Alliance," Aesc said with a weary smile. "They see uniting for safety and seeking our protection as the behavior of the weak."
"They've got some nerve," Shiomi said, eyes fixed on Oxford. "They were the same warmongers who once joined the assault on the Rain Clan and provoked war against the northern fairies. I'd like to see just what they're capable of."
"Hey—" Grímr grinned mischievously. "Try not to go overboard, little brother."
"I'll do my best," Shiomi replied.
Grímr hopped off his chair and strode toward the door.
"Anyway, if the northern fairy army starts moving, I'll send Huginn and Muninn to deliver the message to you."
"Just a warning," Shiomi said, feigning concern. "Queen Mab of the northern fairies looks exactly like Medb. You'd better watch yourself."
"Even with this Spirit Origin, I know that kind of thing better than you do!"
Throwing that back over his shoulder, Grímr vanished beyond the door, his presence fading completely a moment later.
"He hasn't changed one bit, Sétanta," Aesc said with a sigh.
"Servants are fundamentally like fairies," Shiomi said, shaking his head with a helpless smile. "They're beings that don't grow or change. After all these years, haven't you gotten used to that?"
As he spoke, he reached out and gently pulled Aesc onto his lap.
Whether among the fairies or companions like Grímr, they avoided showing too much affection, lest they be seen as unreliable.
Though the island fairies of Britannia hardly have the right to judge others, they still must maintain appearances.
When no one else is around, however, such concerns no longer matter.
"Because my husband keeps growing stronger. Even though I've surpassed my past self—five bells have already tolled for me."
Aesc leaned against his shoulder, gazing at his face from the side and tracing his sharp features with her fingers.
"Are you disappointed," Shiomi asked with a teasing smile, "that you've unknowingly become weaker than me?"
"I told you, that was cheating. It's simply the innate power granted to me as a fairy of Paradise. And I'm not confident I'd actually win because of it," Aesc said, wrapping her arms around his neck and laughing softly. "If anything, I've only grown more curious—just who exactly is my husband?"
"Isn't it already obvious?" Shiomi arched a brow.
"I only know as much as you do," Aesc said lightly. "But there must be things even you don't know, right? Not that there's much we could do to find out."
Shiomi reached up and straightened her clothes for her.
To help her act more freely as the Savior of Britannia, he had redesigned Aesc's outfit himself—one better suited for battle, yet elegant and fluid in motion.
"There's still that old question..." Aesc said quietly. "Do you really have no intention of becoming the King of Britannia, my husband?"
"I have no interest," Shiomi replied, looking at her. "Becoming a king means taking on countless burdens—and that would only steal away the time I could spend with you."
"A perfectly good reason," Aesc said happily, pressing her cheek against his. "But if you ever change your mind, I'll still support you."
Shiomi paused for a moment before replying. "I told you before—back in Proper Human History, Morgan, who inherited Britannia's Mystery as its king, stood as an enemy to the one chosen by its people. It's not exactly a good omen."
"But if you became king, I'd be your fairy consort, not the queen," Aesc said with a playful blink.
"Fairy consort, huh..."
Something stirred faintly in Shiomi's heart. Suddenly, he wrapped his arms around Aesc and lifted her up, carrying her toward the bedroom.
"Eh?" Aesc gasped in surprise.
"We're leaving tomorrow, and there's still plenty of time left today," Shiomi said with a grin. "Let's spend it in the best way we can."
"Mmm, I wouldn't mind that at all."
As she said it, warmth began to rise unbidden through her body.