Chapter 34: Watching Women Fight Is Really Interesting
Morgan, who has manifested in the Berserker class, is none other than the Queen of the Lostbelt "Fairy Kingdom Britain." She established an absolute monarchy in the Lostbelt and tortured the fairies with a tyranny that lasted 2,000 years. As the highest-ranking fairy, she mastered the "Spear of the End, Rhongomyniad" as a form of magecraft and is a genius magus who reached the realm of the gods.
The trajectory of the Lostbelt Morgan's destiny is completely different from that in Pan-Human History. In Pan-Human History, she was born in Tintagel, a child of fairies residing within Igraine... a child of the island of Britain, later becoming a formal sister to Artoria. Artoria was, after all, the "King of Humans" planned by humans. Morgan knew full well that she was the "True King" who inherited the mysteries of the island of Britain; thus, she hated her father Uther, her sister Artoria, and all humans who did not submit to her. She ultimately became the primary cause of the island of Britain's destruction and is regarded by Pan-Human History as an evil woman who was hostile to King Arthur.
In contrast, the Lostbelt Morgan is a cold-blooded queen who believes only in her own power. It is not that she does not trust others; she simply does not rely on them. She places "ruling the island of Britain in an orderly fashion" as her top priority. She hates humans, hates fairies. She hates the weak, hates the ugly. She hates equality, hates peace. From the perspective of the populace, her character is the very "embodiment of evil."
However, although she "hates" these things, they are not "useless"; they are simply "incompatible" with her. For Morgan, the "state of being ruled" is justice, and "a state where someone disrupts that rule" is evil. Therefore, Morgan's personal "likes and dislikes" have no connection to "good and evil" as a ruler. Even for things she hates, as long as they are essential elements of her rule, she will impartially acknowledge them and permit their existence. This extreme, absolute nature of her standards is like that of a machine without a soul.
Even so, Morgan has emotions. She feels joy and sorrow; she is influenced by hatred and anger, and she is drawn to love and affection. She simply has not experienced them intensely. Throughout the long years, she has single-mindedly guarded Britain. Morgan's heart gradually froze. Only one passion lit up her heart—that was the aspiration her past self had always longed for. The sole purpose of "ruling Britain" still inspires her to this day. This was not a dream that a human would have in childhood, but something she was born with, even though she had long realized this fact during her long journey. After experiencing that long journey in the Lostbelt, this Morgan has stifled the cruel, human-like, typically evil female personality from Pan-Human History, becoming a queen who embodies both beauty and the true path of kingship.
Boom—!
A gorgeous explosion of magical light erupted, and the skirmish between the two top-tier Heroic Spirits came to an abrupt halt. They all turned their gazes toward Shirou and Saber, who had intruded upon the battlefield. Whether it was Lorelei or Waver, who was standing in the distance, both wore expressions of astonishment and spoke in unison:
"It's actually him!?"
Lorelei had met Shirou ten years ago; although it was only a brief encounter, because of Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg, her impression of Shirou was quite deep.
Although Shirou's body was taller than before, that red hair and his face had not changed much, making him easy to recognize. As for Waver, his impression of Shirou was even deeper—after all, he was the one who, along with Saber, defeated him and Rider. In the past ten years, he had not dared to slack off for even a moment, striving with all his might to enhance his own origins.
It was Lorelei who spoke first. The young Magus Marshal pursed her lips, looking at Shirou and the golden-haired girl beside him with a stern gaze.
"Shirou Orihara... it seems you have also participated in this Holy Grail War. But I advise you to give up early. Compared to the illusory Holy Grail, life is much more precious."
"That's a big talk."
Shirou, hearing this, felt absolutely no anger; he even smiled in amusement. If Morgan had said this, Shirou would have replied seriously, but coming from a lord of the "Clock Tower," it only made him unable to hold back his laughter.
"You upper-tier magi who come out of the 'Clock Tower,' occupying the best resources and the most authoritative positions, are always like this—arrogant and dismissive of everyone."
Shirou shook his head with a faint smile.
"Hephaestus, Zeus, Poseidon, Hades... even the gods of Pan-Human History wouldn't dare to be this arrogant in front of me."
"Huh?"
Before Lorelei could even react, Morgan was the first to speak.
"Magus over there, do you even know what you are saying?"
In the Age of Gods, mentioning these names so casually would truly summon the gods. However, what Morgan did not know was that the reason Shirou dared to speak this way was because he possessed the confidence to face these gods from Pan-Human History.
"Of course I know what I'm saying. And I wouldn't mind sending you back right now, Morgan le Fay, Queen of Lostbelt Britain."
A casual sentence from Shirou caused Morgan's eyes to narrow slightly. Her killing intent transformed into a cold chill, covering the surrounding buildings with a thick layer of frost. Having her identity exposed by a boy she had never met before was, to Morgan, nothing short of a humiliation.
"Then come and try it!"
Regarding Morgan's provocation, Shirou naturally intended to test his skills against her. However, before he could make a move, Saber stood in front of him.
"Shirou, please let me be her opponent."
"Saber..."
Shirou's tone faltered, and he understood why Saber wanted to face Morgan. Although Morgan came from a Lostbelt and had a vastly different destiny from the Morgan le Fay of Pan-Human History, they both shared the same feelings toward Artoria Pendragon. Their meeting was like that of fated rivals; just a single look was enough to spark intense friction. One was the King of Arthur from Pan-Human History, and the other was the Queen who ruled the Lostbelt Britain. Morgan was also aware of some hidden past events between her Pan-Human History counterpart and Saber, so there was a faint, lingering scent of 'yuri' brewing between them.
Watching women fight is truly very interesting.
Shirou, as a bystander, was already watching this battle with keen interest. However, Arjuna untimely interrupted this little refined pleasure of Shirou's.
"It is not good behavior to arbitrarily interrupt the duel between me and the Berserker."
Arjuna looked at Shirou with a cold tone.
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