In the Great Cathedral of Salisbury.
Under the guidance of a fairy girl named Coral and a large contingent of mixed human and fairy knights, Artoria Caster's group arrived directly at the most important place in this Salisbury.
At the gate of the Great Cathedral, after dismissing all the knights, Coral continued to lead the five people to the reception room.
As soon as they stepped inside, the figure of Aurora sitting in the reception room was immediately visible to everyone.
"Miss Aurora."
Coral saluted Aurora.
"Her Royal Highness Princess Artoria, and the esteemed guests of His Royal Highness the Fairy King, everyone has arrived."
"Yes, thank you for your hard work, Coral. Sorry for suddenly asking you to prepare the welcoming arrangements. Go and rest first."
"Understood!"
After responding, Coral left the reception room as quietly as possible, leaving space for Artoria Caster's group and Aurora.
Looking toward Artoria Caster, Aurora stood up from the sofa and bowed deeply to her: "Aurora, Head of the Wind Clan, pays respects to the Second Royal Highness Princess. Due to the pressing time, I was unable to prepare an adequate welcoming ceremony, please forgive me."
Artoria Caster hurriedly waved her hand: "No, no, it's fine. We came without any prior notice. Our sudden arrival must have caused trouble. Even having to rush to make a banner that big."
"As long as Her Royal Highness likes it." Aurora laughed, then looked at the four people behind Artoria Caster, "So, these four are the esteemed guests?"
"Yes."
As the most reliable adult there, Gray nodded slightly and saluted: "Pleased to meet you, Miss Aurora. We are members of Chaldea from Proper Human History."
"Yes, welcome to Salisbury. This is the most beautiful and prosperous city in Britain. I hope you all have a good time here."
(Proper Human History... a place I've never heard of, is it outside of Britain?)
Even as she said welcome, Aurora naturally had such questions in her heart.
Due to Naoki's information manipulation, the fairies in this Britain knew nothing at all about the world outside the Island of Britain. Moreover, no objects from Proper Human History had ever drifted here, so they naturally knew nothing about Proper Human History.
"Then, may I know if there is any business that brought Her Royal Highness Princess and the esteemed guests here?" Aurora asked. "His Royal Highness's orders only mentioned that you would come, without specifying the purpose of your trip."
"Regarding that... actually, we're looking for someone."
Artoria Caster said: "Aunt Aurora, have any outsiders come here in the last two weeks? For example, a man who looks very much like Father."
"Hmm... I haven't received any such reports."
If there was a man resembling the Fairy King, he would surely cause a commotion as soon as he entered the city. After all, everyone in Britain knew that the Fairy King had never left the royal city for more than two thousand years. All orders were issued directly from the royal city through Magecraft across Britain, and he had never gone out.
(That means the Number Two Department Head didn't enter the city in his original appearance.)
(Changing appearance... illusion Magecraft? Or just ordinary disguise arts?)
"However, if speaking of outsiders, as Her Royal Highness mentioned, there were indeed two strange people who came to Salisbury two weeks ago." Aurora added. "They were two girls dressed strangely, both carrying weapons, and they even had a slight conflict with my knights at first."
Strangely dressed women?
Ritsuka and the others frowned. Gray even asked further: "Could you explain in more detail?"
"Hmm... Rather than me explaining, it's better if you see for yourselves. Those two are still in the city. Based on reports from Coral and the knights, it seems they're holding some rather interesting activity meeting."
Aurora clapped her hands as she spoke. Coral, who had just left a moment ago, immediately re-entered—she had apparently been waiting outside the door.
"Miss Aurora, what is it?"
"Please take these esteemed guests of Her Royal Highness to where those two are."
Those two—upon hearing Aurora say that, Coral immediately understood. She nodded right away and looked toward Gray and the others: "I understand. Guests, please follow me. I will lead you."
"I'll come too!"
Artoria Caster raised her hand.
But as soon as she stood up, Aurora said: "Could Her Royal Highness Princess stay here?"
"Eh? I can't come?"
"Of course not. In this Salisbury, Her Royal Highness is free to go wherever she wishes. No place will refuse Her Royal Highness's arrival." Aurora laughed. "It's just that I have some things I want to discuss with Her Royal Highness. Could Her Royal Highness spare some time to listen to me?"
Aurora had personal matters to discuss with her?
Artoria Caster frowned: "Does this have something to do with Father?"
"You could say that. Of course, it also concerns Her Royal Highness Princess."
"Alright, I understand."
Letting out a soft sigh, Artoria Caster sat back down on the sofa: "Sorry, Ritsuka, Mash. You go ahead, I'll catch up with you later—if you meet the Guardian, make sure to hold him!"
"Okay, see you."
After waving goodbye to Artoria Caster, Ritsuka and the other four followed Coral out of the meeting room.
After they left, Artoria Caster looked toward Aurora: "So, what do you want to talk to me about?"
"Though this is just a guess, but..." Aurora pursed her lips, "Your Royal Highness, is your departure from the royal city this time preparation to begin your Pilgrimage?"
Pilgrimage.
Hearing Aurora mention that word, Artoria Caster's expression slightly froze.
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Salisbury.
On the main street facing the city gate and the Great Cathedral gate.
Coral led the four toward the entrance of a restaurant located on this street.
"This is the place." Coral said. "The two people you want to meet are here."
"A restaurant..."
Gray frowned, then reached out and pushed the door.
Accompanied by the sound of the bell hanging on the doorframe, two voices immediately came from inside.
"Welcome!"
"How many guests?"
Two figures appeared before them along with the voices. After seeing who had come—more precisely, after recognizing one of them—Ritsuka and Mash were immediately shocked.
"Miss Tomoe?!"
"Eh? Master Ritsuka? Miss Mash?"
Seeing Ritsuka and Mash standing at the door, Tomoe Gozen, who was wearing a waitress uniform in front of them, was momentarily surprised.
Beside her, Miyamoto Musashi, also in a waitress uniform, showed a bit of confusion: "Eh? Tomoe's acquaintances? So they came from Proper Human History too?"
"Eh? So you too... By the way, why is Miss Tomoe here? And why are you dressed like this?"
"That's... it's a long story."
Tomoe said, her face slightly flushed.
"A-anyway, please come in first."