On the second day after Shiomi and Aesc arrived in Gloucester, the Wing Clan's army began to mobilize. Five thousand fairies marched north toward Manchester.
The Wing Clan had no desire to turn their own city into a battlefield. Since war was inevitable, it was better to keep the fighting confined to the northern plains.
"Speaking of which, I have a question for you, my husband."
Standing by the river within Gloucester's walls, Aesc Shiomi looked toward Shiomi beside her.
"Go ahead." Shiomi sighed softly, helpless at her earnest tone.
Naturally, Aesc's question wasn't about personal matters—it was about the war.
"The Mirror Clan's lake district is the closest to the northern fairies' Edinburgh," Aesc said. "Why are you so sure the northern fairies will ignore the Mirror Clan and march straight south to attack the other southern clans?"
Shiomi picked up a smooth pebble from the riverbank and flicked it hard into the water, sending it skipping across the surface again and again.
"In the past, the northern fairies clashed with the Mirror Clan several times," Shiomi said. "But as you've seen, the Mirror Clan lacks any will to fight. They simply accept whatever happens. If they weren't effectively under our protection, they would've been absorbed by the northern clans long ago."
That was why, once Queen Mab recognized the Mirror Clan's nature, she would likely leave behind a small force to keep them under watch and march her main army south, focusing her attacks on the other clans.
Once the stronger enemies were destroyed, the weakest would pose no threat. Whether they surrendered immediately or resisted to the end made no difference.
"East of the northern plains lies forest and mountain terrain—difficult for an army to march through." Aesc bent down to pick up a stone, imitating Shiomi's movement as she threw it toward the water.
But without the proper technique, her stone skipped only twice before sinking.
"No, your stance is off." Shiomi chuckled, letting the topic of war fade for the moment. He walked over and placed another stone in her hand. "Breathe steadily. Don't use your whole body—focus the power in your arm. Let your wrist do the work."
Following Shiomi's guidance, Aesc raised her arm slightly and threw the stone again.
This time, it skipped six times before finally losing momentum and sinking beneath the surface.
"I did it!" Aesc clapped her hands happily.
Shiomi smiled. "It's not that hard. A few more tries and you'll get it."
"Mhm." Aesc lowered her head, searching along the bank for more good stones.
"Back to what we were discussing," Shiomi said as he gazed out across the river. "Mab's army has only one viable route. She's prepared for this for a long time—she intends to take all of Britannia."
"But we have to stop her." Aesc's expression grew thoughtful. "If she only meant to subjugate the other clans, that would be one thing. But if she plans to destroy them entirely... I can't agree with that."
"Besides, with the Wing Clan on the move, the Wind Clan and Earth Clan will soon hear the news. They'll also send troops toward Manchester," Shiomi added.
Aesc lifted her gaze to the northern sky. "This feels just like the last time I stepped in to mediate the war between the southern and northern fairies. Only now... the balance of power is completely different."
"Do you regret helping the northern fairies back then?" Shiomi asked.
"Rather, I should ask you, my husband—do you regret it?" Aesc shook her head gently. "You handled everything back then. I only watched from the sidelines."
"Of course not," Shiomi replied with a small laugh. "We did what needed to be done. Beyond the five great clans, the northern fairies deserved the right to exist too."
That was why he had intervened in that ancient conflict, persuading the other clans to abandon their campaign against the north. It had matched Aesc's ideals—otherwise, she would have opposed him in secret.
But strength shifts with time. After seventeen hundred years of growth, the northern fairies now possessed enough power to conquer all of Britannia.
"I haven't fought Mab since then, so I don't know what her current strength is," Aesc mused. "Or maybe... she didn't use her full power back then."
The misunderstanding had been resolved quickly at the time, and Mab had only shown a glimpse of her strength. She hadn't injured Shiomi, nor had Shiomi managed to drive her back easily. They had appeared evenly matched—but that impression might have led both sides to misjudge each other's true power.
"A great war is inevitable. Once we meet her on the battlefield, we'll know for sure," Shiomi said.
"We should be able to depart by tomorrow," Aesc replied. "Time waits for no one."
Shiomi added quietly, "The recent silence from the Fang Clan bothers me."
"Hey—Aesc! Shiomi!"
Totorot's voice rang out from the bridge.
"You're finally back. I thought you were planning to visit every dress shop in Gloucester," Aesc said with a smile.
"Heh heh, almost did," Totorot admitted with a sheepish grin. "But the fabrics here aren't good enough. I couldn't find anything suitable for Aesc's wedding dress."
Aesc already knew about Totorot's plan to make her a wedding dress. She was happy about it, but still felt she had to remind her, "With the clouds of war hanging over Britannia, even if we found the right fabric, you wouldn't have time to make it."
"Not necessarily," Shiomi said. "War must be faced, but that doesn't mean we should give up the things we care about."
Aesc sighed softly. "As expected of my husband—always so calm."
"With fabric this hard to find, maybe we should start with a design instead," Totorot said, pulling a small notebook from her bag. "I bought this sketchbook and a charcoal pencil. Perfect for drawing."
"You can draw? That's impressive," Shiomi said, though he didn't sound surprised. Being a fairy, it made sense that she'd have a talent suited to her craft.
"But since this wedding dress is for Aesc, I'll have to ask both the bride and groom for their opinions," Totorot said cheerfully. "I'm completely objective, you know—I won't design it all on my own."
"Here? You're going to draw here?" Aesc asked.
"Of course not," Totorot laughed. "Let's go back to the inn first. I'll show you my drawing skills so you won't doubt me."
Shiomi and Aesc exchanged a glance.
"That's not necessary—we believe you," Shiomi said. "You're that kind of fairy, after all."
Totorot hopped over to Aesc's side, gently pushing her toward the street while waving for Shiomi to follow.
"Hehe, come on, let's head back! I can't wait to start sketching!"
As the two walked up the embankment, Shiomi turned and looked at the calm river.
Britannia was like that river—peaceful on the surface, but with dark currents flowing beneath.
With that thought, he followed after them.
...
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