(T/N: ?????????? WHATS THAT TITLE)
This was the most far-reaching operation in the history of Britain.
To face Tiamat, who might appear at some point in the future, Artoria began to implement the plan of draconification within Camelot.
She called it the "Ascension"—meaning to leave the ground and fly to the sky.
On the streets of Camelot.
The citizens formed queues of all sizes.
They naturally did not know what their king, Artoria, intended to do; they only knew that they needed to carry out her orders.
The knights distributed items, also instructing the recipients on the proper steps to consume them.
"..."
Mélusine watched all of this, and a question couldn't help but form in her heart.
"So the so-called 'Ascension' is this simple?"
"Pfft." Baobhan Sith, who was beside her, burst out laughing.
"You don't actually think that just doing this will turn everyone into dragons, do you?"
"Then what else?"
Although Baobhan Sith laughed at her, Mélusine did not deny it—because that was genuinely what she thought.
"If it's not like that, then why are we doing this?"
"..."
"So naive." Baobhan Sith suppressed her laughter.
"Mélusine, do you really think that turning from a human into a dragon can be achieved just by saying a few words and eating something?"
"This is an act that completely crosses boundaries."
"If it were that simple, wouldn't someone have tried it before the King?"
"If that were the case, how could it be that only a dragon like the King was ever born?"
"..."
Mélusine was at a loss for words.
"Then, what is this step for...?"
"To get the people to accept the start of the plan."
Baobhan Sith watched the people receiving items from the hands of the knights.
"Although no one has opposed the King's choice, it doesn't mean there are no complaints among them."
"On the contrary—"
"Those underlying voices are more likely to become our enemies. An act like this, to make the plan appear friendly for the time being, is very necessary."
"..."
"So you're just testing the waters?" Mélusine said cautiously.
"More or less."
"Let's go."
Baobhan Sith looked up at the sky.
It was summer, and the brilliant sunlight shone down on the streets.
"We're going to find someone."
"Eh?"
....
A short while later, in the King's garden.
Looking at Ian before her, Mélusine's expression instantly became flustered.
"Baobhan Sith, the person you said we were looking for... is him?"
"Who else?"
Baobhan Sith turned back to look at Mélusine.
"If you want to 'Ascend,' but don't look for the primary subject of 'Ascension,' what other answer did you expect to get?"
"No, that's not it, but this isn't the time to be looking for him, is it?"
Mélusine's eyes darted around, looking quite panicked.
The person she was looking for was obvious—it was, of course, Artoria.
"What if..."
"The King won't be here right now, you know." As if she knew exactly what Mélusine was worried about, Baobhan Sith quickly continued, "There are many things waiting for her to handle."
"Wanting to see her at a time like this, hehe... is no simple feat."
"..."
Damn it.
Mélusine knew she had been tricked by Baobhan Sith again.
But, since this was for the sake of the "Ascension," it probably wouldn't be too outrageous...
Just as Mélusine was thinking this, she suddenly felt herself being embraced.
Without a doubt, there was only one person who would do such a thing, and that was Ian.
He held Mélusine tightly, as if inhaling something, seeking out the fragrance on her body.
"Wh-What are you doing..."
Mélusine said, trying to break free from Ian's embrace, only to find that he held her even tighter.
Under Baobhan Sith's "See? You actually like this, don't you?" gaze, she bit her lip, looking as if she had been bullied.
But all of this vanished into thin air the moment she heard Ian's "I missed you so much."
It was a good while before Mélusine's feet touched the ground again.
"Don't do that next time."
In the end, the petite swordswoman couldn't bring herself to say any words of blame—after all, she knew such words had an offensive power of nearly zero against Ian.
Besides...
After Mash was "born," it had indeed been a long time since he had held her so tightly in his arms.
"So what are we really here to do!"
Frustrated but helpless, Mélusine directed all her resentment towards Baobhan Sith.
"Nothing."
"I just wanted to see a scene like this—"
"You!"
"Just kidding."
Before Mélusine could become truly enraged, Baobhan Sith showed a smile that bore a slight resemblance to her mother Morgan's.
"I wouldn't do something so boring."
"This time, I just want to verify an idea."
"An idea?"
Mélusine had a vague, bad feeling.
But considering that Baobhan Sith might actually have something constructive to say, she steeled herself and spoke.
"What idea?"
"My mother, Morgan," Baobhan Sith said, pointing to herself, "brought me into this world, right?"
"Yes."
Mélusine nodded.
"And then?"
"Don't be so hasty, let me finish." Baobhan Sith wagged her finger. "That means that mating between humans and dragons is indeed possible, right?"
"..."
"So?" Mélusine frowned slightly.
"So, if the King insists on turning everyone into dragons, then the concentration of dragon blood in Britain's descendants will surely get higher and higher, correct?"
"Mhm, logically speaking, that's true."
"But what does that have to do with Ian and me?"
"It has everything to do with you, Mélusine."
Baobhan Sith began to circle her and Ian.
"My birth only proves that there are no issues with mating between humans and dragons. But whether there will be problems between the future dragons of Britain... well, that's hard to say."
"..."
"You don't mean for me and Ian to..." Mélusine's eyes were filled with shock.
"...verify something like that, do you?"
"Ah, you truly are the cleverest of knights."
Baobhan Sith clasped her hands together, looking for all the world like a demon.
"That's right."
"If this can be proven, then there will be no lingering worries for the plan ahead."
"So!"
"I'm asking you. Please start mating now."
Baobhan Sith said, licking her lips.