Lover?
Mistress?
Fiancée?
The words that tumbled out of Mordred's mouth in succession momentarily jumbled Artoria Caster's mind, as if several horse-drawn carriages had charged and sped through it, leaving it in a mess!
"Uh... Eh... So..."
Struggling to piece together the situation in her head, Artoria Caster looked at Gray and Mordred with a disbelieving expression: "You two... are my Stepmothers too?!"
"...."
"...."
This time, it was Artoria Caster's turn to leave the two speechless.
After a long silence, Gray finally forced a bitter smile and nodded: "In terms of relationship, it seems it could be said that way... But this is truly very confusing. Because Brother's own identity is already confusing, this makes it even more chaotic."
If it had to be said, perhaps Naoki's relationship with the Round Table and Britain was even more confusing.
He was once King Arthur, considered another King Father by Mordred, then became Artoria's Master and lover, and now married Morgan, adopting Artoria here as his daughter...
(This social circle is truly complicated.)
Ritsuka couldn't help but think so.
"But... why can Gray be Father's fiancée? Aren't you two siblings?"
"Hmm! T-this... this is a rather troublesome thing to explain. The background is a bit complicated... but basically, it's a kind of accident."
Gray explained, her face flushing.
It was impossible for her to recount the events that happened during the Seventh Singularity!
"About this, actually—"
*SLAP!*
Seeing Mordred about to spill another secret, Gray, for once, became brave and slapped her mouth directly!
Mordred hurriedly covered her aching mouth: "Why, Mother Gray...?"
"Sorry, but that was your fault, Mordred. Pay attention to what can be said and what cannot be said."
Gray cleared her throat again: "Ahem ahem ahem, in short, all of our relationships with Brother are like this. Although quite confusing, Caster, you just need to know the general outline, no need to delve too deeply into it."
"Oh... Oh."
Artoria Caster nodded, still a little confused. To be honest, she was quite curious, but it seemed Gray had no intention of continuing the conversation—and her instincts told her that if she kept asking, she might uncover knowledge that was taboo to her.
(It's best to stop here...)
Seeing Artoria Caster ask no further questions, Gray was also slightly relieved. Although she was now a mature adult, she was still not very skilled in these matters.
(In the end, it's all Brother's fault. His charm with women is too good... Haaah.)
If this problem could be resolved smoothly, Gray swore she would cooperate with the others to discipline her brother who kept meeting women everywhere.
If left unchecked, their family members would surely continue to increase.
"By the way... Caster, you're curious about our affairs, and I'm actually curious about yours." Ritsuka suddenly spoke up. "Earlier in the Isle of Avalon, you said you had a strong reason to obtain the Holy Sword. So, now you're also out to find the Head of Clan Number Two, asking about the Holy Sword?"
"You could say that."
Artoria Caster affirmed.
"I must obtain the Holy Sword. Only then can I... not die."
"Die?"
Hearing Artoria Caster's words, all four were surprised.
Was obtaining the Holy Sword related to Artoria Caster's survival?
"Caster, what's wrong? Will you die if you don't get the Holy Sword?"
"Uh... that, let's not talk about it yet. Besides, it's just an extreme situation. Actually, I have no problems at all right now, I'm just a little rushed." Seeing their tense expressions, Artoria Caster quickly waved her hands to explain and reassure, "I will only die in a very, very, very extreme situation, similar to eating a thousand bowls of rice and accidentally eating an uncooked grain of rice."
The somewhat strange analogy immediately caused Ritsuka and the others' expressions to drop, but thanks to that, they also understood that Artoria Caster's situation was not too dangerous. After all, she herself gave such an analogy, which meant that such an extreme situation was almost impossible to occur.
At least, for now, there was no need to worry.
"Don't scare us, Caster."
"Hehehe, sorry, I was a bit rushed myself." Artoria Caster smiled awkwardly while scratching her head.
Just then, the constantly moving carriage suddenly stopped.
The voice of the fairy horse was heard from outside: "Esteemed guests, and Your Royal Highness Princess, we have arrived in Salisbury."
"Eh? This fast?"
Ritsuka was slightly surprised: "We've only been traveling for less than ten minutes. We're already in Salisbury?"
"Because the main road has been enchanted with spatial distortion Magecraft by His Royal Highness the Fairy King, the strongest Elemental Spirit under the sky. If you run on it, the speed of advancement is ten times the normal. Moreover, this time carrying Her Royal Highness Princess, of course, it can be this fast by running swiftly."
The fairy horse explained.
(Spatial distortion Magecraft... could it be that Britain has this kind of Magecraft?)
Ritsuka couldn't help but think.
After getting off the carriage, their destination, Salisbury, was immediately visible to all five of them.
But—
The Entire Salisbury Fairies Warmly Welcome the Esteemed Guest of His Royal Highness the Fairy King and Her Royal Highness Second Princess Artoria, the Most Adorable in Britain!
Also visible was a giant banner more than twenty meters long hanging on the city wall!
"T-this... Caster?"
"T-this is probably Aunt Aurora's doing..."
Artoria Caster looked extremely embarrassed.
Then, at the city gate, a troop of fully armed knights on horseback, led by a pink-colored fairy, marched out. After seeing Artoria Caster, they immediately ran forward, knelt, and saluted—
"We have been waiting here for a long time, Your Royal Highness Princess Artoria."
"I am Coral, Miss Aurora's aide. By Miss Aurora's command, I have come to welcome you Royal Highness the Fairy King's esteemed guest into the city—the carriage is ready, please board."
Seeing the grand welcoming party consisting of dozens of people before them, the five of them were stunned.
And Artoria Caster, as the only one who understood, immediately knew what was behind all of this.
(Father, you fool! You must have secretly told Aunt Aurora beforehand!)