Drank Her Fill / Rebuking the Lady of the Lake

"Clearly, this Holy Spring belongs to me, and you dared to bathe in it..."

As she muttered those words, Maeve suddenly felt wave after wave of dryness in her mouth.

She was thirsty.

She needed to replenish her fluids.

Gulp gulp gulp gulp.

Author's Note:

An update, la la la!

Chapter 52: Drank Her Fill

Beside the Holy Spring, Maeve drank her belly full of water. She lazily showed a delighted expression, then fell into a strange daze, staring at the sun and making "aba aba aba" sounds. She was basically useless now.

At the same time, Arthur and Little Mo boarded a ship bound back to Britannia.

This time, their destination was Camelot. Because their ultimate target was Merlin.

Arthur had also tried to find that guy Merlin in her dreams, but no matter what she did, she could not find him.

She had no idea whether that guy had gone off somewhere to flirt with women, or whether he was avoiding Arthur because he did not want to meet her.

The former would be better. If she waited in Camelot, she would eventually run into him. But if it was the latter, then the situation would be open to question.

It would take several more days to reach Camelot, so Arthur was sleeping on the shores of Wales today.

This barren mountain region had historically been one of the last refuges of the Celts.

After enduring the invasions of the Anglo-Saxons and the Vikings, the Celts of Wales had ultimately bowed before the tide of the times.

The "Norman Invasion" carried out by William, that bastard from Normandy, was also one of the most famous events in English history.

He defeated Anglo-Saxon England, established the rule of the Norman Dynasty, then attacked Wales. Using cunning schemes and his overwhelming military advantage, he forced the Welsh to recognize his son as their leader.

After that, every heir to the English throne bore the title of "Prince of Wales." Although Wales still existed in terms of legal territory, in practical terms, Wales had already been annexed by Britannia.

"How ironic."

Arthur could not help thinking about it. Then she recalled the famous Banquet of the Three Kings that would become popular in later generations. Thinking about it now, Shining and Alexander both felt a little like they were talking big without knowing the pain of others.

Of course, Shining probably knew more and simply viewed things from a different perspective. As for Alexander, that guy had lived his whole life in such a carefree, high state that even dying did not matter to him.

With that realization, Artorius closed his eyes and entered the dream once more.

Nothing strange happened this time. The path through the dream was smooth, and he went straight into Avalon.

Arthur: "..."

Well, this sort of thing happened often enough too.

And when she thought about it carefully, going to Avalon to comfort Big Sister Vivian had always been one of Arthur's planned objectives, had it not?

It had been five or six days since she had last seen the Fairy Vivian. That was two days later than her usual care schedule. If this continued, the Fairy might darken again and turn into a dark Fairy. That would make things troublesome.

So today, Arthur once again put on an exhausted appearance and enjoyed Big Sister's face wash.

Fairies really were wonderful creatures.

They did not grow old, and their shape did not change either. No matter how much time passed, her breasts remained as firm as ever. They were simply an essential source of pleasure for men.

"So, have you been busy again these past few days?"

Contrary to Arthur's worries that Vivian would be unhappy because she had arrived two days late, the situation was practically the complete opposite. To Arthur's surprise, Vivian was concerned about her.

—Because Arthur had previously pretended to look deeply troubled, Vivian felt that, as a kind and caring big sister, she had to help Arthur resolve her worries. Whether they were troubles in life, the mind, or the body, it was all the same.

"Actually... no, it's nothing."

As Arthur said that, she thought, It's basically time to wrap things up, isn't it?

The so-called wrapping up naturally meant laying everything out and asking Big Sister Vivian for help.

"What exactly is going on?"

This time, Vivian had made up her mind. She had to make Arthur tell her about her difficulties.

"We're family," she gently told Arthur. "Arthur is my beloved. Since my beloved is in trouble, then I absolutely must help. I absolutely must ease Arthur's worries."

"Big Sister Vivian~"

Seeing Vivian's sincere expression, Arthur was naturally moved—this was not an act. She was genuinely moved.

Although Arthur had a terrible personality and a strong desire to control others, loved lying and deceiving people, and even took pleasure in it, she truly was a good child.

And since she was a good child, of course she would feel touched when she encountered a big sister who treated her so sincerely.

Besides being moved, she also felt a little guilty. After all, Vivian treated her so well, yet she was still going to take advantage of her.

"But whatever. Big Sister Vivian will definitely be fine with it."

After that quark of guilt vanished without a trace, Arthur put on a grave expression and told Big Sister Vivian, "It concerns the survival of our Britannia. It has been troubling me day and night."

"Oh, um, so that's it."

After Arthur gave that reason, the Fairy Vivian revealed an expression that said, "Just as I thought," and, "I knew it."

Since Arthur would not tell Vivian about her troubles, Vivian had naturally made her own guesses.

And the result of those guesses was this—

As someone at the top of Britannian society, and a serious, responsible good child in Vivian's eyes, once Arthur learned that her country was about to be destroyed, of course she would be distressed. Of course she would be troubled. She would desperately search for ways to undo it all, just like Arthur's mother, Artoria.

"Isn't it already being resolved?"

Vivian comforted Arthur. "The Knights of the Round Table are all searching for the Holy Grail.

As long as they obtain the Holy Grail, this matter will be easily resolved. Britannia can be saved too, right?"

"Is that really true?"

Hearing the Fairy say that, Arthur looked at her seriously and asked.

"O-of course it's true. Trust your big sister."

"..."

Under Arthur's earnest gaze, the Fairy awkwardly turned her face away.

As one of the finest magi of the late Age of Gods, Vivian understood both Fate and Pan-Human History.

She knew that Britannia in the Age of Gods was destined to perish. It was inevitable. To ensure the proper course of Pan-Human History, the Counter Force would certainly do everything in its power to make sure it happened.

And even taking a step back, even if Britannia defied the heavens and truly saved itself, that would not mean salvation or happiness. On the contrary, it would become something like a Lostbelt and be eliminated by Human Order Determination.

So saying that "obtaining the Holy Grail can save Britannia from its doomed fate" was nothing more than a gentle yet cruel consolation.

To put it more seriously—and more truthfully—it was a "lie."

Author's Note:

If the changes are too small, Britannia's Celts cannot be saved. If the changes are too great, it becomes a Lostbelt. So it is better to pursue ethnic integration and seize the Germans' fruits of victory. That way, they survive while still fitting Pan-Human History. They will not be eliminated by Human Order Determination.

Also, I strongly recommend a book called "Fairy Tale Arknights"!

It's fun and entertaining, seriously, everyone! I love this kind of harem story! The writing is good, and the plot is really interesting too!

Chapter 53: Rebuking the Lady of the Lake

"Can't answer, can you?"

Arthur stared seriously at the silver-haired, red-eyed Fairy. Her expression was so stern that Vivian felt even more sorry for Artorius.

Her original plan had been to bring Arthur to Avalon when his efforts failed and destruction was imminent.

Recently, that plan had received strong support from one of her other "sisters," Morgan le Fay—

From the perspective of the Lady of the Lake, Vivian, who represented the Lady of the Lake's kind side, and Morgan le Fay, who represented the Lady of the Lake's evil side, were "sisters," though they had no blood relation.

Vivian did not yet know why Morgan had suddenly begun supporting her plan. But that was not the most important matter right now. The most important thing was still how to deal with Arthur's questioning.

For Arthur to say this, she must have noticed something was wrong. She might even have obtained some intelligence and evidence.

Not knowing that Arthur was a cheating transmigrator, Vivian thought this as she considered how to muddle through the matter.

Even if Arthur hated her afterward, just as Merlin had guessed Artoria would hate him, Vivian still decided to continue deceiving her for Arthur's sake.

As for Arthur becoming angry afterward, hating her, or bearing a grudge against her, Vivian had already thought of a hundred and eighty ways to resolve it.

Britannia might be destroyed, but the Pendragon family could survive. Morgan le Fay, Artoria, and Artorius, along with Mordred as an extra, could all be brought to Avalon. Then they could enjoy endless lifespans and happiness, far from all worries, delighting in the warmth of family.

As for the anger and resentment over Britannia's destruction, surely they would gradually fade with time.

She just had to work hard and put Arthur into a hundred and eighty different positions. Once Artorius III or Artoria II was born, even if Arthur wanted to hate her, she would not be able to anymore.

"Don't lie, Big Sister Vivian."

Vivian's perfect little plan was completely useless against Arthur.

"I already know about Pan-Human History, and about the fate that decrees Britannia's Celts must perish.

The claim that finding the Holy Grail can save Britannia is actually a lie you and Merlin fabricated together, isn't it?!"

"!"

The secret she had hidden in her heart was suddenly exposed. Looking at righteous, furious Arthur, Vivian was struck speechless. After standing there blankly for a moment, she turned her head away and quietly said to Arthur:

"It was mainly that guy Merlin. It was all Merlin's fault. I merely failed to report what I knew..."

"Big Sister Vivian..."

Arthur's low voice made the Fairy feel miserable as well.

"You were just saying that we were beloveds, and that beloveds should not hide things from one another. Yet now it has turned into this.

I never thought Fairies could lie too."

Arthur's words made the Fairy feel so ashamed that she wished she could disappear into the ground.

"Wait a moment, Arthur," she could only say. "I did not mean to deceive you."

"Whether it was intentional or not, it was still deception."

"And more importantly, you deceived me over something this important."

"You did not just deceive me. You deceived Father King too! You people really are awful. Not a single one of you is any good!"

As Arthur angrily shouted those words, her emotions grew somewhat agitated and unstable.

At least half of her furious yelling at the Fairy was genuine—because what they had done truly was excessive—

Ah, of course, while the Fairy had indeed been excessive and terrible, just as she had said, she had mostly withheld information. She was merely an accomplice.

The truly terrible one was that famous online scammer. That guy had truly strung Artoria along for her entire life. Artoria's eventual despair was at least half his responsibility—

Because that guy had constantly told Artoria, "It can be saved," and, "As long as you do this and that, Britannia can be saved."

When people had no expectations, they could only be disappointed. Since they already had nothing, there was nothing left to lose.

Only when there was hope, yet it could not ultimately be realized, did despair arise.

So if possible, the person Arthur actually wanted to question and rebuke was Merlin.

But unfortunately, she could not find Merlin, so she could only use Vivian instead.

"Arthur..."

In that situation, under Arthur's half-genuine, half-false anger, the Fairy felt so ashamed that she could barely face her—until the next moment, when Arthur confirmed that she could proceed to the next step. She stood up and prepared to leave in a fury. The Fairy completely panicked.

"Wait, wait, Arthur!"

She anxiously stopped Arthur. Then, seeing Arthur's appearance, she hardened her heart and used her most powerful weapon—her chest—to pull Arthur directly into her embrace.

"Please listen to me, Arthur."

She gently told Arthur, "This was all Merlin's fault. I am a victim too. I was deceived by Merlin as well."