Who said that every plan made by a witch had to be a conspiracy?
Who said that every choice a witch made had to conceal malicious intent?
Just because she carried that stigma, did everything she did have to be interpreted in the darkest possible light?
Samael felt a surge of emotion. Without realizing it, even he had fallen prey to those preconceptions, assuming Morgan was finally about to descend into darkness and take things to an extreme.
But what was the truth?
Rather than creating Mordred as an opportunity to overthrow the Sacred Round Table Realm, Morgan, the Fairy Queen of another possible future, had most likely resolved to establish her own Fae Round Table Realm in order to resist Camelot's expansion.
It was merely another form of self-preservation.
Not to protect herself, but to protect the children behind her whom she could no longer ignore.
The journey they had shared had long since changed the solitary Witch. She was no longer alone.
And during their previous conversation, the Lion King had inadvertently revealed her attitude toward the Nameless Forest and the fairies, those unstable elements within her kingdom.
If Artoria truly decided to move against the Six Great Clans, Morgan had no doubt that the invincible Enforcement Knights and the Knights of the Round Table could easily drive goblins from their caves, clip the fairies' wings, and lock Magical Beasts inside cages.
Whether because of the Druids' reverence for nature or because her own bloodline was blessed by the Mystery of the island, Morgan was destined to stand on the side of nature.
If the Mystery of nature were eroded by the protection born from human faith, Morgan, deprived of the source of her power, would likely weaken rapidly.
Even Vortigern, powerful as he had been, ultimately fell before the Lion King. Morgan could not guarantee that if their ideals ever became irreconcilable, she would still possess the strength to shelter these children forever after losing her power.
Mordred was probably the balance the Witch sought on the soil of Britannia, a way for the two groups to coexist.
She was also likely a card meant to restrain the Lion King's unilateral rule.
Otherwise, once humanity razed that forest to the ground, the fate awaiting the fairies was easy enough to imagine.
The stories that had once praised the Fairy Knights for suppressing calamities had already faded into near silence, while rumors blaming the Witch and the fairies for bringing disaster upon the land were spreading more fiercely than ever.
The Witch who had once been abandoned by both her country and its people had no intention of defending herself, much less boasting of her deeds.
Besides, she had never lacked for slander in the first place.
But she possessed royal blood and was the Lion King's own elder sister. No matter how viciously people attacked her, she could still live comfortably.
What, then, were Baobhan Sith, Freya, and the others supposed to do after deciding to live in human society?
Humanity possessed a divine side, but malice had never been absent from its nature either.
Being surrounded and pelted with stones by a group of children the moment they went outside was a perfect example.
As Samael sank into thought, his dark gaze swept slowly over the fairies and Morgan.
Barghest, the dog demon born from the Beast Calamity. Melusine, the Dragonkind born from the Dragon Calamity. Baobhan Sith, the bloodsucker born from the Insect Calamity. Then there was Habetrot, the fairy troublemaker...
Samael himself, the Holy Sword Bearer, and Mari, the Paradise Fairy burdened with a special mission...
And finally Mordred, the rebellious Knight who had inherited both the dragon factor and the Witch's Mystery...
If war ever broke out between humans and fairies, and Artoria resolved to eradicate the remaining Mystery from this land, then according to Samael's calculations, there was a strong chance that the Six Great Clans would side with Morgan, with whom they already had ties.
Without anyone noticing, a force no weaker than the Round Table had gradually gathered around the Witch of Britain.
Human abuse and rejection of Dragonkind, fairies, and Magical Beasts was already approaching a critical point.
Camelot seemed peaceful on the surface, but powerful currents were already stirring beneath it.
For a moment, the Ancient Serpent seemed to see that lingering shadow among the dragon bones in the swamp standing behind Morgan, sneering.
The fate Vortigern had predicted, the ending he had expected, had ultimately come to settle upon Morgan after all.
The princess who had once declared so firmly that she would never become like Vortigern was now being driven step by step toward that very point by the land she cherished and the people she cared about.
How ironic.
Without realizing it, a cold smile curled across the Ancient Serpent's lips, his eyes filled with mockery.
"Tch. I did it, so I did it. Punish me however you want!"
After speaking, Mordred stole a glance at Morgan, whose expression was hidden beneath her veil. She instinctively shrank her neck, then stubbornly raised her chin again and muttered under her breath, looking determined to remain obstinate no matter what happened.
Morgan stood where she was. Her lips moved slightly, but in the end, she said nothing.
Just as the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, Samael, who had finally returned from his thoughts, sidled over to Mordred and bumped the brat lightly in the back with his shoulder.
"After all that, did you at least win?"
"Of course!"
"Who took down the most?"
"Me, obviously! I beat eight of them by myself! If the rest hadn't run so fast, I guarantee none of those jerks would've gotten away!"
"Idiot. Just remember where they live and go find them after dark. No matter how fast they run, they have to go home eventually, right?"
"Good idea! You have no idea how restrained Baobhan Sith and the others were. They couldn't fight properly at all, and they didn't even know how to block the exits. They're hopeless."
"They're just inexperienced. When it comes to fighting, I'm the expert. Rocks are hard to control and can cause accidents. Use willow switches instead. They only leave superficial injuries, but they hurt like hell. Or better yet, use a flexible wooden staff about as thick as your thumb. It's flexible, handles well, and if you aim for places with plenty of flesh, it's satisfying and can keep someone in bed for days without leaving any serious lasting damage..."
Samael's animated explanation opened the door to an entirely new world for Mordred.
The little troublemaker beside him listened with sparkling eyes. When her excitement peaked, she slapped Samael hard on the shoulder and eagerly suggested,
"How about I bring you along next time there's a fight?"
"Sure. Maybe we'll make the perfect partners. I'll beat up their parents, and you handle the kids."
"Partners? Haha, partners sounds great! If we get into a fight, you have to watch my back. Don't you dare run off and leave me behind!"
"Do I look like that kind of person?"
In the corner, the tall and short figures talked more and more excitedly, unconsciously leaning closer together. Before long, they had even turned their backs to everyone else and crouched shamelessly on the ground, whispering as they plotted their next round of revenge.
They looked exactly like two delinquent students hiding in a bathroom or some secluded corner during class, smoking while trying to avoid being caught by the disciplinary teacher.
"Ahem..."
Kai, who served as the head of logistics, finally could not stand it any longer.
He cleared his throat to remind the man currently corrupting a child to mind the occasion and show at least some respect for his and Artoria's professions.
By the time Samael and Mordred looked back, the two of them already had their arms around each other's shoulders. Even the glances they exchanged were suspiciously practiced, and the way they perfunctorily acknowledged the others gave them the unmistakable air of repeat offenders.
A criminal gang from the Witch's House had just been founded in full view of everyone.
Even Morgan, usually so cold and composed, could not stop the corner of her mouth from twitching.
You two have gone far enough. I'm still responsible for maintaining public order in this city.
Kai raised a hand to his forehead and sighed inwardly.
Camelot probably wasn't going to stay peaceful for long.
Sensing the resentment from his friend responsible for keeping the peace, Samael coughed dryly and straightened his expression.
"Where were we? Right. Climbing over the wall and getting into fights sets a terrible example. You still need to be punished!"
The Ancient Serpent put on a stern face and scolded Mordred severely.
"Your attitude is terrible! If you want to join the Round Table, then you need to study properly and learn some discipline from the King so you can become a qualified Knight!"
While Kai was still trying to understand the strange new phrase Samael had just used, the Ancient Serpent turned solemnly toward Artoria.
"Your Majesty, I'm afraid only you, as the King of Knights, are truly suited to this task. Why don't you begin today by teaching her how to ride?"
The person opposite Artoria subtly raised two fingers against his chest.
The Lion King's indifferent expression loosened slightly, and she answered with perfect seriousness.
"Very well..."
"They're about to leave. Hurry outside and get on the horse!"
Only when Samael nudged her shoulder did Mordred, who had been expecting a beating, finally snap back to reality.
She stared toward the gate, where the King of Knights sat astride a silver white warhorse and had left the front of the saddle open for her.
This sudden "punishment" struck Mordred so hard that she felt dizzy. Her feet seemed to be stepping on cotton, and her entire body felt light enough to float.
Even after she truly climbed onto the horse and leaned back against Artoria's chest, Mordred remained dazed.
She pinched her thigh hard.
Only after grimacing from the pain did she finally confirm that this was not a dream.
Once the reality sank in, Mordred turned toward Samael, who stood at the gate smiling and waving at her. Her eyes burned with intense excitement.
She had never imagined there could actually be someone in this world who was so perfectly on her wavelength.
Nice one, partner!
"Why don't you go through the Holy City's main gate? The scenery is better along the way, and you can remove the Concealment Magecraft and get some fresh air."
Standing at the entrance, Samael turned toward Kai and offered the suggestion in a meaningful tone.
Kai came back to his senses, thought for a moment, then nodded with a faint smile.
"Let's take East Street. I know that area well."
Many of the residences along East Street near the main gate belonged to nobles.
And, coincidentally, that was also where Mordred had gotten into her fight.
Having the Lion King carry Mordred out from Morgan's residence was, in a sense, a political statement.
The royal family was not nearly as fractured as the rumors suggested, and these two sisters were certainly not mortal enemies.
Anyone intending to move against Morgan would at least have to stop and consider whether they were prepared to endure the anger of both sisters.
That would serve as a useful rebuttal to the rumors currently spreading throughout the city.
Whatever decision the King might eventually make regarding the Nameless Forest would be her own will, not an answer forced upon her by ministers or public rumor.
And it certainly had nothing to do with the sisters' personal grievances.
Easing the conflict and helping the sisters reconcile as much as possible was something Samael wanted.
Kai, as their older brother, wanted exactly the same thing.
The two men's gazes met. Faint smiles appeared on their faces as they nodded in perfect understanding.
Communicating with intelligent people really was simple and convenient.
The Ancient Serpent's lips curled happily as he began wondering what dish he should make tomorrow to reward his troublesome friend.
But just as they were about to leave, the Knight of the Round Table stepped toward the stairs, stumbled, missed his footing, and nearly fell.
Samael instinctively reached out and caught him.
Looking down, he noticed that Kai's face had gone slightly pale. Kai leaned against a pillar and remained still for several breaths before finally recovering.
"Hey, are you all right?"
"It's nothing. I'm fine..."
"But you look..."
Samael frowned, his eyes narrowing as his tone grew serious.
Lately, Camelot's head of finance had seemed strangely absentminded.
He was always drowsy, and the heavy shadows beneath his eyes betrayed obvious exhaustion and fatigue.
Kai glanced at Samael, who was clearly concerned about him. He raised a hand to rub his forehead, easing the strange dizziness, then smiled faintly and answered casually,
"Relax. I just haven't been sleeping well lately. A little insomnia, that's all."
"Insomnia?"
"Yeah. I keep having the same nightmare over and over..."
Out of the corner of his eye, Kai glanced toward the Lion King waiting impassively outside.
The smile on his face became slightly strained and bitter.
Kai deliberately avoided saying anything more about the dream.
Once he had steadied himself, he exchanged only a few more words with Samael before waving goodbye and catching up to the King of Knights beneath the setting sun.
After the two model freeloaders disappeared into the distance, Samael shut the gate and walked over to Baobhan Sith.
With a teasing smile, he poked the swelling on the girl's cheek and snorted.
"Still hurt? You actually managed to get hit by a few rocks. You're hopeless. I bet all you ever do when you've got nothing else going on is step on ants, right?"
"Hiss! None of your business!"
Baobhan Sith sucked in a sharp breath through clenched teeth and awkwardly slapped Samael's hand away.
"Good. If it hurts, you'll remember it. Have Morgan put some magic medicine on it later. And next time, don't just stand there like an idiot and let people hit you!"
The Ancient Serpent casually flicked Baobhan Sith on the forehead as he scolded her.
Then he turned toward the girls lined up against the wall, lifting his chin proudly.
"And you lot. I told you not to cause trouble. I never told you to be afraid of it! Later, point out those righteous heroes of Camelot to me. When I have time, I'll pay their parents a visit."
Samael's eyes flickered, and a trace of menace crept into his voice.
It would be too much for him to beat up children.
So he could beat up the adults instead.
That unspoken protection stirred something in the girls' eyes, and some of the restraint they had felt while living in human society quietly faded.
"All right, enough. Go do whatever you want. There's still some pudding in the kitchen. First come, first served."
The instant Samael finished speaking, the girls' eyes lit up.
They shot out from the corner almost simultaneously and raced toward the kitchen to fight over the remaining dessert.
The sun sank lower.
Amid the mottled shadows filling the courtyard, the Witch who had been standing within the darkness stepped forward and stood beside Samael. She pressed her lips together and whispered,
"Today... I was fortunate you were here."
As a Witch burdened by infamy, Morgan had barely experienced a father's love herself.
She had never learned how to pass parental affection on to children.
Samael's presence had filled that gap remarkably well.
His handling of the situation had not only rescued Morgan from an awkward position, but also comforted all four children and casually begun addressing the rumors currently working against them.
She had not been wrong about him.
Samael truly would make a good father.
At the very least, he was more qualified than she was as a mother.
"From now on, stop forcing yourself to carry everything alone. Don't disappear without saying anything and hide somewhere to face it by yourself. This isn't your problem alone."
"Mm..."
Beneath the corridor, Morgan and Samael stood shoulder to shoulder.
A gentle breeze stirred their clothes.
Their hands quietly intertwined.
"All right. Now that we've dealt with the small matter, shall we talk about something more important?"
Something... important?
Feeling the warmth from Samael's hand, the Witch stiffened slightly.
She turned her face aside, her expression becoming subtly strange.
Samael looked toward the distant sky, where the final traces of evening light were fading and the sun had completely sunk below the horizon.
Then he turned back toward Morgan, his eyes gleaming darkly.
"For example, we could discuss how to drag that Lion King down from her divine pedestal and weaken the Divinity within her..."
Morgan's expression changed instantly.
Her eyes widened in utter astonishment.
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