At long last, Artoria X, Artoria Caster, and Britomart's party arrived before the massive gates of North Wales.
Before them lay a sight starkly different from the ravaged landscape of southern Britain.
Beyond the walls, the city brimmed with life. The marketplace bustled with merchants hawking every conceivable wares and residents beaming in broad smiles, while children ran carefree through the streets.
It was a peaceful scene, completely cut off from the other regions groaning under Saxon invasion and plunder—like stepping into another world.
"Haah... it really does feel like a different world," Artoria X murmured, lifting the brim of her blue cap and gazing wryly at the cityscape.
"I still can't believe that the inflexible, rigid Lancer is ruling over a whole intact kingdom. I was sure she'd wreck it with her dogma and obstinacy."
At that sharp barb from Artoria X, Artoria Caster burst into laughter.
"Heh heh, I second that. Honestly, compared to the country Artoria and that suspicious Merlin are building, this place might be so much nicer to live in. At least everyone's faces here look so bright."
"With that con-artist Merlin meddling, their country's future is as clear as day. It's bound to become a hot mess of irrationality and inefficiency."
The sisters' hatred for the one who'd exiled their brother Kay—the culprit Merlin—soared like a thundercloud.
Just then, Britomart, who had quietly hidden her face beneath heavy armor, removed her helm and revealed her true form. Her face, to everyone's surprise, belonged to a young girl of delicate, pure beauty.
"Phew... what a relief. It seems the rule of the Lion King I've heard rumblings of is far more stable than I expected. To think there's still such a peaceful place left in Britain."
Britomart exhaled a sigh of relief and glanced toward the eastern sky.
"Across the sea on Ireland, the tyrant Grandotte still holds sway. His people suffer, and the rightful Queen Irena is imprisoned, her throne stolen. Perhaps we should request aid from the Lion King of North Wales and join forces to overthrow that tyrant."
Feeling the city's lively energy, the party strolled down the main avenue. Then two familiar figures walking toward them came into view.
One was Lancer Alter, striding regally in her jet-black armor.
Beside her walked Kay himself—his physique larger and more solid than five years ago, yet still radiating that calm kindness through his silver hair.
"Uh...?"
Kay halted first, his eyes going wide.
There stood Artoria X in her blue cap and crimson scarf, and Artoria Caster with her blue hat. His mouth hung open in astonishment at the sight of his beloved younger sisters after five long years.
"X? Caster? How... what are you doing here?"
Artoria Caster, already aware of the full story, offered a fond smile and lightly waved her staff.
"It's been a while, brother! How have you been?"
But Artoria X was different. Her head was bowed low, her fists clenched tight, her body trembling.
Five years.
The grueling years spent wandering all over Britain in search of Kay, felling countless monsters and villains. The moment she saw the face she had longed for so desperately, her composure shattered completely.
"…Brother."
Artoria X's trembling voice broke the silence. The next instant, she dashed forward like the wind and flung herself into Kay's arms.
Thud!
"Sob, wahh...! Brother... you're really here...!"
The ever-cold and collected bounty hunter façade was gone. Artoria X buried her face in Kay's broad chest and wept like a young child.
"Why... why did you come so late? Do you have any idea how hard I've searched for you?! That damn Merlin told me you'd died and vanished to another world... Sob, I was so terrified every single night!"
"X..."
Flustered, Kay soon smiled warmly and gently patted Artoria X on the back. Her worn scarf and roughened hands told the story of all she'd endured for five years.
"I'm sorry, X. I came back too late. Still, I'm so glad you're safe. You've really been through so much."
At Kay's kind words, Artoria X's sobs grew even louder, as if all her pent-up sorrow of five years poured out at once.
After the tearful reunion ended and Artoria X finally calmed down, Kay shifted his gaze to the unfamiliar knight standing behind them.
Silver-haired, finely attired—a noble presence.
"Uh...? Frieren?"
Kay muttered in a daze. She looked so much like the elven mage from the tales he'd glimpsed in his past life.
But as his gaze traveled from her face downward—to her ample chest—
"Ah, no. She's way... too big to be Frieren."
"...Huh?"
Startled, Britomart looked down at her own chest. Kay's glance had been so blatant that her face flushed bright red.
Stretch!
"Ouch?! Hey, X! Why are you pulling my cheeks all of a sudden?!"
Artoria X jerked Kay's cheeks apart firmly, her expression stern.
"Brother! It's been less than a minute since our emotional reunion, and you're already oogling another woman's chest?! I'm really disappointed!"
Standing beside them, Lancer Alter snorted and crossed her arms. Her impressive bust heaved against her armor, making its presence known.
"Hmph. Brother, rather than that mediocre pair, isn't it much better to appreciate my proven qualifications—namely, my perfect royal attributes? How about it, don't you want to touch?"
"...Tch. That useless blob of fat. All it does is get in the way during combat."
"I agree. A body like that—just flab in the end, right? Because she got fat. Nope, not jealous at all."
Flat-chested Artoria X and Artoria Caster glared at Lancer Alter with murderous intent. Even after five years apart, the childish and lethal sibling rivalry remained unchanged.
As the mood turned tense, Britomart cleared her throat and politely introduced herself.
"Ahem. Pleased to meet you all. I am Britomart, a fairy knight from the Fairy Kingdom Cleopolis—the City of Glory."
She bowed graciously as she spoke.
"I come at the behest of our Fairy Queen Gloriana, sent to Britain because the tyrant Grandotte on Ireland has unlawfully seized power by imprisoning the rightful Queen Irena and now rules with oppression."
Britomart's expression grew resolute.
"I bear the mission to defeat that tyrant, rescue Queen Irena, and restore peace to Ireland. Artoria Caster has agreed to join me on this quest."
"Oh ho... a tyrant in Ireland, you say."
Kay's eyes gleamed with interest. A campaign to overthrow a Celtic tyrant on Ireland was exactly the kind of adventure that set his warrior spirit ablaze after five years of training.
"That sounds like great fun. My body's been itching for action anyway. You two are coming with me, right?"
"Of course, brother. If you go, this X will follow you to the ends of hell itself."
Artoria X clenched her fist in a quick reply. Lancer Alter also smiled and nodded in agreement.
"Excellent! Sounds like we're on the same page. Sir Britomart, let's discuss the details together once we're inside the castle. I'm sure that fellow will be just as intrigued."
At Kay's hearty proposal, a bright color returned to Britomart's face.
The tearful reunion was over. Now, a new stage for adventure—Ireland—awaited them.
And at that very moment...
In the skies beyond, hurtling toward North Wales, flew Artoria X Alter and her daughter—or rather, the daughter of the Dragon Sisters.