A fairy suddenly appeared before them, offering to help restore the correct course of history?
Upon hearing Oberon's words, Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash furrowed their brows in suspicion.
Who had been on their side until now?
Lancelot and Merlin.
Lancelot had joined them out of sheer misfortune, having been relentlessly targeted by Lot and Morgan.
As for the other one—that old swindler Merlin—
Merlin possessed the power of Clairvoyance.
The problems of this world were utterly different from what he had envisioned, and he naturally sought to change them.
Both of them had their reasons.
But what about you, Oberon?
He had never appeared before this.
During their time in Camelot, Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash had learned that, prior to their arrival, Camelot had waged a great war against the fairies.
However, the leader of the fairies in that war had not been the Fairy King Oberon standing before them now.
Moreover, after the war, humans and fairies had entered an era of peace.
Thus, Oberon's sudden appearance was highly suspicious.
"Why have you chosen to help us? In your view, is Camelot under the rule of Lot and Morgan somehow flawed?"
With this question in mind, Fujimaru Ritsuka directly addressed Oberon.
Life in Camelot was far better than in any other nation in this world. If someone living in such a place still felt dissatisfied, they were either a defeated noble or someone with ulterior motives.
Neither of these were the kind of allies Chaldea sought.
Thinking this,
Fujimaru Ritsuka subtly signaled Mash with a glance, instructing her to prepare to counterattack if Oberon made any hostile moves.
Mash had fought alongside Fujimaru Ritsuka through countless battles.
A single glance from her Master was all she needed to understand.
Don't worry, Senpai. I won't give him any chance to harm anyone.
She replied with her eyes.
Under such wary scrutiny, Oberon spoke.
In an exceedingly gentle tone, he said to Fujimaru Ritsuka:
"I harbor no dissatisfaction with the actions of Their Majesties Lot and Morgan. On the contrary, I greatly admire their policies. No—'admire' isn't strong enough. 'Approve' would be the most accurate word to describe my feelings."
His words left Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash stunned.
This wasn't what they had expected.
If he were an enemy, shouldn't he be criticizing their opponents, striking a righteous pose, and declaring his intent to overthrow their 'mistaken' rule?
Yet here was Oberon, expressing wholehearted approval?
After a moment of thought, Fujimaru Ritsuka asked:
"Is there a 'but' coming?"
Praising someone first before delivering the main point was a classic tactic.
"No, there isn't. I genuinely believe there's nothing wrong with what Lot and the others have accomplished."
Oberon chuckled lightly as he addressed the group.
His smile was incredibly gentle, radiating an air of trustworthiness.
At the very least,
he seemed far more credible than that lecherous old fraud Merlin.
He genuinely seems to want to help us.
Fujimaru Ritsuka's intuition whispered this as she observed his smile.
Nevertheless, she pressed further:
"Then, what's your reason for siding with us?"
Hearing this, Oberon spread his hands and replied:
"It's simple. If things continue as they are, your Chaldea will vanish from existence. Similarly, if I allow this history to proceed unchecked, the foundation of my own existence will disappear. I have no desire to vanish—so, this segment of history must be erased."
His words carried absolute sincerity.
I know the other side is right, but if I don't oppose them, I cannot survive.
The will to live is the greatest justification of all.
Hearing this, Fujimaru Ritsuka found no fault in his logic.
Is Oberon truly here to help us?
After a brief pause, Fujimaru Ritsuka nodded.
"Very well. Welcome aboard."
"Thank you for placing your trust in me, Master of Chaldea." Oberon's smile deepened.
"Now, could you demonstrate your capabilities? It would help us plan our next steps."
Lancelot interjected at this point.
At the same time, he scrutinized Oberon carefully, as if gauging what kind of attack the fairy might unleash.
In response, Oberon merely shrugged.
"I'm not a combatant. My fighting prowess is practically negligible."
"Then what assistance can you provide?"
Lancelot pressed further.
"Preparations in other areas, of course." Oberon smiled. "Our current strength is worlds apart from Camelot's. Charging headlong into battle with them would be exceedingly unwise. What we must do is find a way to raise an army capable of opposing them."
"Are you suggesting we rally the forces of Scotland?"
Lancelot asked skeptically.
"That won't work. Most of Scotland's kings have already sworn allegiance to Morgan. Even the few remaining regions would be powerless against Camelot's armies."
Oberon shook his head.
"Then where should we go? Ireland?"
Fujimaru Ritsuka ventured.
Hearing this, Oberon smiled and nodded.
"Precisely—Ireland. I've already made preparations there. Once we arrive, we can begin developing our forces. With the entire island united, we may even stand a chance against Morgan."
This had been his plan all along, and now was the perfect time to reveal it. Once they reached Ireland, he could proceed with his own objectives.
Bringing along Chaldea's Savior would make everything infinitely easier.
"You've already prepared everything?"
Fujimaru Ritsuka couldn't hide her surprise.
"Indeed. All that remains is for us to arrive and begin the next phase."
Oberon answered confidently.
Though doubts still lingered in her heart, Fujimaru Ritsuka couldn't help but feel relieved.
At the very least, they wouldn't be flailing around like headless chickens, utterly clueless about how to break the stalemate.
Even if Oberon's intentions were malicious, Fujimaru Ritsuka trusted that her side was more than capable of handling it.
As for raising an army—
While the training methods of Camelot's forces bore an uncanny resemblance to those of a certain modern military, Fujimaru Ritsuka was confident that her knowledge of后世 (later eras) and her experience leading troops in past Singularities would ensure she wouldn't fall behind.
Thus, she declared:
"In that case, we should set out for Ireland immediately."
"Agreed. Let's depart at once."
Oberon nodded.
And so,
the Chaldean team, along with Lancelot and Oberon, began their journey to the island of Ireland.
...
"Something feels... off."
Back at Chaldea, Da Vinci stroked her chin pensively.
Her intuition was sharper than Fujimaru Ritsuka's.
This Oberon was far too peculiar.
He was... excessively pure.
In situations like this,
he was either truly as flawless as Galahad—
or,
beneath that spotless exterior lay something pitch-black.
With insufficient evidence, Da Vinci couldn't determine which it was.
But either way,
she would have to tread carefully.
There was no room for deception.
...
Boarding the ship and crossing the sea,
the group departed from a Scottish harbor, bound for Ireland.
After several days of waiting, the old fraud Merlin still hadn't appeared.
Thus, they had no choice but to set out without him.
Knowing Merlin's capabilities, they weren't worried about him being unable to locate Fujimaru Ritsuka.
In this era, the straight-line distance between Ireland and Scotland was no short voyage. After enduring a long, turbulent journey, they finally arrived at an Irish port.
"Ugh... Just thinking about having to lead troops back to Camelot later is making my stomach churn."
Fujimaru Ritsuka staggered off the ship, vomiting profusely before finally recovering from her seasickness.
"Senpai, are you alright?"
Mash hurried over to support Fujimaru Ritsuka, her voice filled with concern.
"I'm... I'm fine."
Leaning against Mash, Fujimaru Ritsuka weakly replied.
Meanwhile, Lancelot and Oberon showed no such discomfort.
Lancelot, having traveled back and forth between France and England numerous times, was a seasoned sailor.
Seasickness was beneath him.
As for Oberon,
he had even less reason to feel ill.
From start to finish,
his feet had never touched the deck.
He had flown above the ship the entire time, his wings keeping him aloft.
Thus, seasickness was impossible.
"How much preparation have you made in Ireland?"
Once the nausea subsided, Fujimaru Ritsuka turned to Oberon.
In response, Oberon simply smiled.
"Look..."
As he spoke, he pointed ahead of Mash and Fujimaru Ritsuka.
Following his gesture, the group turned their gaze—
and saw an army marching toward them.
"Is this your preparation?"
Fujimaru Ritsuka asked, eyeing the approaching forces.
"Indeed. This is the foundation I've laid."
Oberon nodded.
Then, he continued:
"I've persuaded over half of Ireland's local kings to join us in forming a united army."
"Shall we begin training now?"
Mash's eyes sparkled with anticipation at the sight of the thousands of soldiers and hundreds of knights.
"Not yet. There's one more task to complete."
Oberon shook his head.
"I've merely gathered the allied forces. The position of alliance leader remains undecided. Next, you must prove your strength to the kings."
Hearing this, Lancelot gripped his sword.
"That should be simple enough."
He declared,
his gaze sweeping across the approaching soldiers.
A fierce fighting spirit burned in his eyes.
In this era, Ireland was much like Scotland.
All the greatest heroes had already gone to Camelot.
The remaining warriors were few and far between.
Dealing with these people?
Lancelot's expression said it all:
No offense, but every single one of you is trash.
Subjugating them would be child's play.
...
While Fujimaru Ritsuka was en route to Ireland, Morgan and Lot were far from idle.
After determining which Scottish kings would stand with them and which would resist to the death,
Morgan and Lot began their countermeasures.
To their allies, they offered warmth and hospitality.
Lot and Morgan hosted a grand feast for the kings, introducing these rustic Scottish rulers to the legendary delicacies of "Orkney." Lot even began spreading this culinary culture throughout Scotland.
As for their enemies?
They would experience Morgan's "benevolence" firsthand.
Come, let us bring the armies of Camelot to their doorsteps.
Morgan ordered her forces to mobilize.
Artoria and Kay took one route, Galahad and Morgan another, while the remaining forces—led by the fairy knights Melusine and Tristan—formed a third front.
Three armies advanced simultaneously, launching their assault.
During this campaign, Camelot's forces received aid from the clans that had defected from the resisting factions.
Coupled with the overwhelming might of the Round Table Knights,
the Scottish kings fell one after another—some slain, others surrendering. None could withstand Morgan's might.
Finally, when the three armies returned victorious, Morgan's face broke into a delighted smile.
"Once again, this land belongs to us."
Standing atop a high platform, she proclaimed with exhilaration.
Unifying Scotland and England was a feat few in ancient times had accomplished, as the two had long remained separate.
This time, Morgan's conquest of all of England was a milestone worthy of grand chronicles.
With this thought, the knights approached their queen.
In unison, they declared:
"Your Majesty, we have fulfilled your command. The banners of Camelot now fly over every inch of Scottish soil."