"..."
Mélusine looked at Morgan beside her.
"Are you serious?"
"Such a young child, joining the Knights of the Round Table?"
"Do you think I have any reason to lie about something like this?"
Morgan watched the black dragon in the sky carrying Mash as it flew around, a hint of joy in her eyes.
"By the way, this isn't just my idea, it's Artoria's as well."
"That should put your mind at ease, right?"
"..."
"I'm not doubting you." Mélusine turned her face away and mumbled softly, "The point is, she's still so young. Why are we already pushing her towards becoming a Knight of the Round Table?"
"She... might not want to, you know?"
"..."
Morgan was silent for a good while, then she smiled.
"You seem very concerned about her, Mélusine."
"Isn't that obvious!"
Mélusine replied anxiously.
"She's my child. If it were you, you'd care about what she thinks too!"
"Right!"
"Is that so?"
Morgan pursed her chin and thought seriously.
"I don't particularly mind what they think. After all, a mother has a duty to help her child choose their future path."
"However, you're right."
"We should indeed consider her own thoughts."
"How about this—"
Morgan's gaze shifted from the sky to Mélusine beside her.
"After Ian brings her back, we'll ask for her opinion properly. What do you think?"
"Alright, it's a deal!"
Mélusine answered without hesitation.
However, both she and Morgan had somewhat underestimated Mash's playful spirit.
She had her father, Ian, transform into a dragon and carry her flying for a very, very long time before finally landing back on the ground.
"That was fun!"
Leaping down from the back of Ian, who had returned to his human form, Mash showed none of her initial nervousness.
In its place was a cheerful and bright expression.
"Mama, that was so much fun!"
Mash tugged on the corner of Mélusine's clothes.
Her attitude was already completely different from before.
"I-Is that so?"
"That's good, then..."
Mélusine said this, but inwardly she couldn't help but admire the child's courage.
That's a real, genuine dragon. Isn't she even a little bit scared after riding on him?
Come to think of it...
It seems like Mash is more afraid of Ian in his human form than in his dragon form?
What's that all about?
"What a cute child."
Morgan said, then walked over to Mash, bent down, and gently stroked her head.
"Next time, take me with you."
"..."
Faced with Morgan's touch, Mash didn't show much resistance.
However, she still cautiously asked her mother, Mélusine.
"Mama, who is this...?"
"Ah, this is—"
Before Mélusine could answer Mash's question, Morgan gave an answer herself.
"Sister Morgan."
"S-Sister?"
Mélusine looked at Morgan in disbelief.
"You count as a sister?"
"Hmm?"
Morgan revealed a deceptively sweet smile and retorted.
"Am I not a sister? Hmm?"
"..."
Although she was smiling, Mélusine could definitely feel the "killing intent" hidden in Morgan's words.
If she were to deny it, Morgan would probably reveal her true colors as a witch right away.
Better not risk it.
"That's right, this is Sister Morgan," Mélusine said immediately.
"Sister!"
"Mhm, that sounds so pleasant to the ear."
Morgan very naturally picked Mash up, a hint of gentleness in her eyes.
"This child will definitely have a great future."
"Mhm—"
Morgan's gaze shifted to Ian, who was standing to the side.
"Just like him."
"..."
The dragon revealed a confused look but didn't offer any opinion on the matter.
However, Morgan knew she had more important things to do at the moment.
"Mash, can Sister ask you a question?"
"Sister, what is it?"
Mash blinked her bright, clear eyes and asked.
"It's..."
"Do you want to become a knight?"
Morgan asked very directly.
Because she understood that with a child Mash's age, there was no need to beat around the bush—she wouldn't understand the nuances anyway.
"A knight?"
"What's a knight?!"
"It's a very strong person, someone who can protect Camelot," Mélusine offered her own explanation at this point.
"Mama is a Knight of the Round Table."
"..."
Mash looked as if she had been inspired.
She quickly nodded.
"If Mama is a Knight of the Round Table, then I want to be a Knight of the Round Table too!"
"..."
"..."
Mash's answer was so quick that even Morgan herself was a little surprised.
"Really?"
"It's very hard work to become a Knight of the Round Table."
"Very hard?"
"Yes." Morgan nodded.
"You have to train for a long time every day, do many things, and if you encounter bad people, you have to be the first to face them. It's very dangerous."
"Hey, why are you telling her all that!"
Now it was Mélusine's turn to get anxious.
She didn't realize that, in that instant, her and Morgan's positions had completely switched.
"You'll scare her."
"But if we don''t make it clear now, there might be more worries later, right?"
"..."
Mélusine couldn't argue.
Morgan had a point—if they didn't explain it clearly now, it might be too late if a real problem came up later.
In comparison...
It was better to be clear now.
But Mash gave her answer right then.
"No problem, I'm not scared!"
"..."
Mélusine turned back to look at her daughter.
"You don't have to force yourself, Mash. There's no need to agree just because of what Auntie Mo... Sister Morgan said."
"But I think it's great!"
Mash replied with an innocent face.
"If I do what Mama does, I can become just like Mama, right?!"
"..."
"Becoming like me isn't exactly a good thing..." Mélusine said quietly.
"What?"
"Nothing." Mélusine shook her head.
"Then, Mama, I have a small request."
"What is it?"
"Can—"
Mash pointed at Ian, who was not far away.
"—he be the one to teach me how to become a knight?"