-"Surprised?"-She asked me, enjoying my reaction.
-"Surprised indeed."-I nodded, composing myself.-"It would seem that your special care for your sister wasn't an extravagant rumor."
-"I apologize that my reasons for writing to you weren't pure, but it's all in the past, after all, we are on the same side, aren't we?"-She spoke without remorse.
-"I agree. No matter if you are Morgan and Vivian, I'll believe you."-I decided to look for the bigger picture for now.
-"Good, then please treat me like you would in letters, and I'll do the same."-She stood up from her throne and walked toward me.-"Let's sit somewhere more comfortable."
Having no choice, I followed her, silently raising my guard against this woman. We walked through the empty corridors. Looking around, I was surprised by the lack of servants and guards present.
-"Wondering why there are no people around?"-She matched my stride and walked next to me.
-"Yes, with Your Highness standing, this castle should be much more..."
-"Grand? Majestic? Or maybe even glorious?"-She finished my sentence.-"Sadly, such extravagances are undeserving for an exiled princess."
I was silent, feeling the resentment boiling inside Morgan.
-"To be honest, I was surprised that you decided to approach me, after all, I'm a witch that devours without leaving bones. A dammed princess that will bring destruction to this perfect country."
-"While I hold prophecies in great regard, not all come true. As far as I know you, I don't think you deserve all the things other people say about you. I, of course, can't say I understand you, but I'm willing to believe you."-I decided to make my stance clear.
Morgan looked at me from the side, her inner emotions much calmer, but some strange feeling told me that I was making trouble for myself.
-"I see. You truly are a strange person."-She shook her head, acting exasperated.-"What mage dares to speak about trust so easily? What if I just wished for your power and knowledge, corresponding with you to lower your guard?"
-"Your highness, don't treat me as someone naïve. I might be trusting, but my abilities make me able to read the hearts of others with some ease; thus, my intuition and sense of danger are enough to keep me safe."-I defended myself.-"While some can shield themselves from me, until now only Merlin managed to fool me in this field."
-"Read the heart? What do you feel in mine?"
-"I feel you are hurt and alone. Resentful of all those who distrust and misunderstand you. But you hold no true hatred against them, nor wish them any ill will."-I spoke without looking at her.-"I feel that your cold exterior is but a barrier keeping everyone away, fearing the pain they might bring you."
-"If anyone else dared to speak like that, they would lose their head."-Morgan's cold voice stopped me from continuing.
She sped up her steps, walking forward without waiting for me. If not for the shyness I felt emanating from her, I might have thought that I angered her. The rest of the way, we remained silent, not exchanging any words until we arrived in a smaller room with a fully set table for two.
-"I hope you don't mind having a meal with me."-Morgan sat at one end of the table.
-"It's my honor, your highness."-I sat opposite her.
-"Tell me what you know about the state of the world and the story behind the beginning of the era of man."-She told me suddenly.
I thought for a while and then said everything I was aware of. The age of gods, its decline, and the rise of the era of man. The Magic King, some prophecies about the King of the new era, the Chalk City, and a crimson moon over the old world. The last thing I mentioned was about a steady decline of magic and divine into the reverse side of the world.
-"Good that you know the basics, but there are two more things you should know. First is about my sister, the other is about this timeline."-Morgan spoke after finishing food on her plate.
-"Timeline?"-I tilted my head.-"You mean that theory of multiverse?"
-"Yes and no. Eno, you are a Foreigner, right?"-She looked seriously, as if this question could decide the future.
-"I'm from outside of this world, so in a certain sense I'm a Foreigner, but I don't know if you mean this that way."-I straightened my posture, feeling that we had entered into the serious part of our dialogue.
-"Ok, let's start from the beginning."-Morgan understood that I lacked some knowledge, so she decided to educate me first.-"Have you heard of the concept of heroic spirit?"
-"Yes, but only in passing. I couldn't find more information about it."-I admitted frankly.
-"Heroic spirits are somewhat similar to that hawk you send with letters. At its core, it's a being created from stories and legends, given form by the greater forces of this world."
-"Oh? Then I will definitely need to learn more about them."-This concept attracted my attention.
-"I'll give you some books later."-She spoke generously before continuing.-"What matters now is that from those beings we derived a classification that can be applied to many powerful beings in existence, the class system."
-"What purpose do they serve, I mean, such classification can't exist only because of bureaucracy."
-"It's somewhat complicated, and as it's connected to the issue of timeline, I'll return to it later. Just know that almost all people, if they are classified, will receive one of seven standard classes. A rare few will be granted the so-called extra class. One among them is the class of Foreigner."
I nodded to show my understanding.
-"If you classify as a Foreigner, then it might make some radical plans possible, giving us a few more possibilities."-She poked the air with her finger, making ripples appear, revealing an image of this planet.-"Are you aware of counterforce existence?"
-"I talked with Merlin about them."
-"Our world faces the culling."-She spoke these terrifying words casually.-"Because this timeline strayed from Pan-Human History, we are about to be pruned."
I was silent, not knowing what to say.
-"To prevent that, many powerful beings joined together to form some plans, but nothing came from it; we couldn't put our differences aside. In the end, I established a coven of mages that agreed with me, and we tried to do what was in our power to prevent this world from ending, but most of the plans we prepared proved unsuccessful."
-"And one of the still viable plans requires involvement of a Foreigner."
-"Exactly. The most stable idea is to turn this world into a Lostbelt, but even then, we need to shield this world from Beasts and such. So we need a guardian who would not only prevent Counterforce's intervention but also defend the world from other dangers after losing their protection."-She summed up.
-"Why Foreigner?"
-"Because Foreigner is most suitable for Saint Graph modification into being that can scare off all enemies."
-"I would like to see some more information and concept proofs for your plans, but I'll believe you for now. Before we continue, tell me what this has to do with Artoria."
-"Are you aware of Artoria's future?"
-"No, I only know some challenges that she will face."
-"There are two destinies she can walk, one will make her die to finally bury what remains of the age of gods, the other will have her exist as a tool for counterforce, or a god of ideal humanity."
-"What?"
-"Merlin didn't tell you? That bastard should be well aware of everything."
-"No, he didn't"
-"Then now that you know all of that, will you still push my sister on that throne?"-She looked at my reaction.-"Or will you help me help her, make sure she never has to suffer that fate?"
-"Is there no other way?"
-"Who knows?"-She smiled.-" There might be, but I prefer the path where I get the throne I deserve."
-"And then face the fate your sister ought to?"-I saw through her intentions.-"Sacrificing yourself while making sure Artoria thinks you hate her so that she doesn't regret, am I right?"
Morgan was silent, but she avoided my eye contact.
-"I won't choose either of those paths. There must be a better way."
-"And if there isn't."
-"Then I'll take you away from this dammed world."
Hearing my answer, Morgan burst out laughing. After she collected herself, her gaze softened when she looked at me.
-"Haha... That sounds like something you would say. But this is also why I asked you if you are a Foreigner. While not entirely, Foreigners are forces outside of prophecies. Your arrival can be the beginning of an entirely new future."
-"So how do I know if I'm one?"
-"Easy, we need you to become a Heroic Spirit once. To do so, you can either die or create a temporary contract with counterforce, which one do you prefer?"
-"Let's try a contract first."-I said with a slight eye twitch.
-"Sure. I'll need some time to prepare for that, at least a month, so before that, I'll have you run some errands for me."
-"Before I agree, will you support Artoria in the upcoming wars?"-I asked about what I came here initially.
-"I will always stand on the side of Britain, but I will have you promise two things before joining you. First, no matter what happens in the future, you will never side with Artoria against me. Second, you will owe me three wishes that you will do for me, no matter what."
-"I can't agree to either. They are too broad. I can agree to do three things for you if they don't cross my bottom line, but the first one is out of the question. I can agree to being a neutral mediator in case of conflict, but I will support the side that is right in my eyes."
-"That's enough for me. Then I'll tell you my first wish directly."-She stood up and started to walk toward the exit.-"For the upcoming year, you are mine."
-"I'll follow your orders, your highness."-I agreed and followed her.
-"Just call me Morgan. I prefer you treat me like a colleague and not a princess."
-"Then I will do so. What should I do?"
-"You will go with me to meet someone. They have a high standing among Irish forces, so convincing them to join us will help your fight against Vortigern, though it might be challenging."
-"I see, thank you."
-"Heh, I'm not doing it to help you or my sister."-She scoffed.-"That person is part of the coven I created, and will help you to prepare for what is to come. Let's just hope that the year is enough for you. We will depart the next morning. For now, you should talk with Agravain about the war matters."
-"I will. Thank you, Morgan."
She just smiled and went her way.
After that, I went to find Agravain, and we talked for a few hours. We discussed the troop deployments and some logistical issues. I agreed to provide food and weapons using my guild, while Agravain will control troops and slowly push the frontline toward Anglo-Saxon territories. We also discussed other possible allies, but in the current state of matters, none would readily join our side, so we decided to send some representatives, but not push matters of alliance until some change occurred.
Agravain was a realistic and practical person, so we cooperated quite smoothly, establishing joint leadership for the time to come with Morgan as highest command and me and him responsible for our own tasks. I gave him some pointers and advice on strategy, along with some precise maps I prepared on my way here with the assistance of Ashes, while he provided me with information about hideouts and strongholds of loyalists around the whole of Britain, along with proof of identity as a knight of Britain under Morgan.
By the end of our meeting, we formulated the general strategy for the conflict, along with some special tactics that might prove useful during fights and sieges. Agravain led me to a guest room and went his way while I sat in a chair to write some things. Before I could focus, a knock on the door attracted my attention. After opening the doors, I saw a blond man somewhat similar to Agravain, but much warmer and approachable.
-"I apologize for bothering you so late, Sir Eno. I'm Gawain, Agravain's brother and second in command."
-"I don't mind it. What can I do for you?"
-"I wanted to ask you something about the new king."
-"Please."-I allowed him to enter my room.-"Speak freely."
-"I apologize for my frankness, but I wanted to know if you know the king personally."
-"I do."-I admitted.
-"Then would you mind telling me more about them?"
I nodded and described Artoria, leaving only personal matters aside.
-"I see. The king must be a great person."
-"Not exactly. He is good, but not great, in a way you see them. Even while adoring the king, never forget that they are human. People like you who put Arthur on such a high pedestal are the reason for their stress and headaches. Respect the king, but always remember that they are human like you."-I warned him seriously after feeling his inner feelings.
-"I apologize. I didn't mean to..."
-"I know, just be careful. Do you have anything else?"-I started to get annoyed by his constant apologies.
-"Yes. I wanted to know if the king is in need of knights."
-"Arthur would be happy to have you under their command, but you need to wait until the time is right. If you wish to help them, then seek your brother and work with him to keep Anglo-Saxon occupied with this front."
-"I will do so. Thank you for your time, Sir Eno."-he extended his hand to me.
-"It was a pleasure to meet you, a knight who shines like the sun."-I smiled and shook his hand.
After bidding our goodbyes, he left while I returned to my matters. The next morning, I was invited to eat a quick meal with Morgan, after which we departed for our next meeting. As we were in a rush, Morgan ordered me to ride Arion together with her, and while my partner was somewhat displeased, we rode together in the end.
Morgan sat in front of me, her back leaning against my armor, eyes closed, resting. I sat straight, not moving much, not to wake her up as the stony and barren landscapes stretched all around us. Seeing the devastation of the lands where Ether had already disappeared made me think about the future and the challenges we were facing.
-"Do you see how naïve my little sister is?"-Morgan asked with eyes still closed.-"She pursues her imagination of a kingdom, yet said kingdom is crumbling from rot all this time."
-"Then isn't this our task so that she doesn't have to see that filth, only her ideal. Her last family and knight, a perfect duo for the task."-I spoke offhandedly.
Morgan opened her eyes and looked at me from her resting position. After a moment, she smiled and closed her eyes again, resting her head on my shoulder to be more comfortable.
-"You are a fool, Eno. Know that your words will one day cost you dearly."
After that, we spent the rest of the journey in silence.