To become a king and a magician

After saying that, Mary ended the contact.

While listening to the encrypted content that only the parties involved could understand from Meryl and Tiger No. 2, everyone else was completely bewildered—had these two really agreed on a plan to deal with Natsukawa Tiger?

"Second Brother, you guys..."

"Hmm? Judging from your expressions, you don't seem to understand at all. But that's alright. It's best to keep our plan a secret for now. After all, no one knows when I might overhear it." Tiger Number Two pointed to the sky. "Right now, I have quite a twisted sense of humor. I'm doing everything from spying and eavesdropping to surveillance. So, before the final battle, you executors don't need to know too much."

"Just follow Mary's arrangements when the time comes. You may not trust me, but you can trust Mary, right?"

Tiger Number Two spoke as he opened the door and walked out of the private room.

Mordred raised an eyebrow: "Where are you going?"

"Watch the shop—oh right, Musashi, Aba, come down to work. Even though there aren't many customers, we can't stop working."

After hearing what he said, Miyamoto Musashi and Tomoe Gozen quickly followed.

Watching the three of them leave, Mashu looked somewhat uneasy: "Is this really okay...?"

"Who knows? We can only trust them now, can we?" Fujimaru Ritsuka sighed. "Speaking of which, what do we do next? We've found the Second Minister, should we go find Caster?"

Oh, right, I almost forgot something.

Suddenly, Mary's voice rang out again.

【Little Ritsuka, could you please tell me your measurements?】

"Huh?" Fujimaru Ritsuka was stunned. "Why would you...why would you want my measurements?"

【Of course, we're making clothes for you! Although we have your measurements from before, you might have grown bigger in the last six months or so. Little Grey, could you please take your measurements here?】

"Wait, Sister Meryl, what are you getting these clothes made for? Didn't you say you were going to devise a plan to deal with your brother?"

【That's because clothes are a necessity—like a winning bra!】

Fujimaru Ritsuka: "!"

Mashu: "!"

Grey: "!"

Mordred: "?"

————————————————————————————————————————

at the same time.

Inside the bar on the first floor.

After returning to the table and lying down, Tiger Number Two squinted his eyes.

It will fail.

That familiar voice echoed in my mind.

[You should be well aware of this; you'll fail this time too. He's flawless now.]

(Yeah, of course I know that, which is why I never had any expectations for them from the start, you know that.)

Tiger Number Two thought with a smile.

(But their failures will allow my ideas to proceed smoothly, and that's fine with me.)

I don't care what you want to do, just don't forget our promise.

(Of course I will keep my word, Vortigern. Our agreement and our shared wish will surely be fulfilled, so don't worry. We've waited for two thousand four hundred years already, what's a few more days?)

(I will definitely destroy this island and all the fairies.)

45. A guy who plays with women's hearts

Just as Fujimaru Ritsuka was discussing how to deal with Natsukawa Torato.

On Artoria's side.

Let's rewind the time a few minutes.

——[Pilgrimage]

Upon hearing Aurora mention this, Artoria paused slightly before shaking her head: "No, I didn't come here for the pilgrimage... Why do you think I came here to start the pilgrimage, Aunt Aurora?"

"It's just a feeling. I discussed this with Clan Chief Einser when I went to the Mirror Clan a few years ago."

Aurora said.

"If Your Highness wishes to begin your pilgrimage, I believe that any clan will open the doors of the Great Cathedral to you and lead you to the Bell-Striking Hall to strike the bell."

"Haha... Is that so? So that's what the clan chiefs all think...."

Artoria's words lacked conviction.

Pilgrimage.

That was one of her missions as a fairy in the paradise that she knew from the very beginning.

Salisbury, Oxford, the remains of the dragon of Albion, Orkney, Gloucester, Norwich.

She will travel to these six cities and ring the bells that exist within them, which are the bells of the clan chiefs, to make the fairies aware of the original sin passed down from their ancestors and to guide them in atonement.

This was something she had known since birth, and in the sixteen years prior, Natsukawa Tora and Morgan had mentioned it to her several times.

If you wish to embark on a pilgrimage, then go ahead; we will not stand in your way.

[But you must remember one thing. Whether you make a pilgrimage or not, the fate of this British island will not change. The only result of your pilgrimage is to make yourself stronger and move one step closer to self-destruction.]

These were the words that Natsukawa Tora and Morgan said to her at the time.

Indeed, given the situation in Britain, even if she were to make a pilgrimage, it wouldn't change anything or affect the status quo. Therefore, there was no need for her to make a pilgrimage, even if it was her innate mission, it didn't mean she had to carry it out.

Morgan, who was practically her sister, is one such example.

She made countless pilgrimages, but failed to complete her second mission, which means that the mission of the fairy in the paradise is not mandatory, and she can freely choose whether or not to carry it out.

If she gives up, it will just mean the birth of another fairy in paradise, and no one will blame her.

Thinking of this, Artoria sighed slightly and said seriously, "I appreciate the kindness of all the clan leaders, uncles and aunts, but I have no intention of going on a pilgrimage right now... I think my life is good as it is, and I like it very much."

Her sister Bavan Shee, with whom she gets along well; the reliable knight Bagst, who is both her master and her sister; and Melusin, who is unexpectedly interesting in some ways.

In addition, there's her seemingly cold but actually warm-hearted father and mother, as well as her recently made friends Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mashu.

Artoria genuinely felt that her current life didn't require her to make any changes or take any actions. Pilgrimages were completely unnecessary, and she thoroughly enjoyed her current situation.

“I see… Well, since this is your idea, then I won’t say anything more.” Aurora smiled. “Then let’s pretend I never mentioned this. The gate to the Bell-Striking Hall will be closed until Your Highness wishes to go there.”

"Yes, that's good. Thank you for your understanding, Aunt Aurora."

After saying this, Artoria stood up.

"Then I'll head out first. I think it's about time to meet up with Ritsuka and the others."

"Okay, take care on your journey."

After waving goodbye to the departing Artoria, Aurora's bright smile faded slightly. She closed her eyes and waited for several minutes before opening them again, gently touching the pair of small earrings she was wearing.

Then—

"Whoosh—!"

Her consciousness was swallowed by the waves, and Aurora's body trembled violently several times. An abnormal blush appeared on her cheeks. Then, the surrounding environment changed slightly, and her consciousness arrived in a space covered by a semi-transparent dome.

"Knock knock~~~"

There was a knocking sound above her head. Aurora looked up and immediately knelt down: "Your Majesty."

"I've already said, I'm not your emperor, I'm just his clone."

At the restaurant bar, Tiger Number Two looked at Aurora, who was projecting her consciousness into the crystal ball in her hand through the magical artifact he had given her: "Have you finished talking with Artoria? What was the result?"

"As Your Majesty thinks, Your Highness does not intend to begin the pilgrimage."

“I think so too. After all, I do have some skills in taming animals. After being raised for sixteen years, it’s no wonder that Artoria would have such thoughts.” Tiger Number Two chuckled, resting his chin on his hand. “So what should we do now? If she doesn’t start her pilgrimage, there’s one less way to distract me… So, is she going to start a war as before? Morse should be able to be used to our advantage—hmm, let’s do that.”

After talking to himself for a while, Tiger Number Two looked at Aurora inside the crystal ball: "Aurora, may I reserve a day of your time in the future?"

"Eh? One day? May I ask who Your Majesty is...?"

"Hmm... how about we have a date to fulfill your long-held wish?"

Tiger Number Two revealed a remarkably sunny and gentle smile.

Upon hearing Tiger Number Two's invitation, Aurora's cheeks flushed slightly with shyness, and she nodded gently: "I understand..."

"That's good. I'll let you know the specific date later, but I'm not sure exactly when. It could be in the next couple of days, or it could be a month or two later. I'll ask you out as soon as possible," Tiger Number Two said with a smile. "I'm really looking forward to it. A date with you should be even more fun than being with Morgan."

"Oh dear... Your Majesty, what you've said..."

Seeing Aurora's reaction inside the crystal ball, Tiger Two suppressed his disgust and revulsion, smiled, waved, and cut off the communication with her.

So you're starting to learn how to manipulate women's hearts, huh? With such a handsome face, you should definitely be doing this.

(Don't talk nonsense. I was doing this for our shared ideals. If I had to put it... it was pure love for you. I just took advantage of the kindness of other women along the way.)

Thinking this, Tiger Number Two stood up: "Alright, it's time to meet them after a week apart. I hope it will be a pleasant reunion."

46. ​​Artoria: It's all the Holy Sword's fault.

Another week passed after Meryl and Tiger No. 2 finalized their respective battle plans.

Three weeks have passed since Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash arrived in this Lostbelt.

In the past week, Fujimaru Ritsuka and her three companions in Salisbury did not experience any strange events. Instead, under the arrangement of Coral and Aurora, they had a good week of fun with Artoria.

However, unlike their happy and enjoyable vacation, those back in Camelot are now suffering in some way.

If I had to give a reason—

"I am stronger."

"No, I am stronger!"

"Then let's go out and have a fight, although the outcome is beyond doubt."

"Fine, let's fight!"