Chapter 54: Sisters -2-

At long last, Artoria X, Artoria Caster, and Britomart’s party arrived before the massive gates of North Wales.

The sight that unfolded before them was starkly different from the ravaged landscapes of southern Britain.

Beyond the walls, the city brimmed with life. The marketplace bustled with merchants hawking every conceivable ware and residents beaming with joy, while children ran carefree through the streets.

It was a peaceful scene, completely isolated from the other regions groaning under Saxon invasion and plunder—it felt as if they had stepped into another world entirely.

“Haah... it really does feel like a different world,” Artoria X murmured, lifting the brim of her blue cap and gazing wryly at the cityscape.

“I still can’t believe that the inflexible, rigid Lancer is ruling over a whole kingdom so successfully. I was certain she’d wreck the place with her dogma and obstinacy.”

At that sharp barb, Artoria Caster burst into laughter.

“Heh heh, I second that. Honestly, compared to the country Artoria and that suspicious Merlin are building, this place might actually be nicer to live in. At least the people here look happy.”

“With that con-artist incubus Merlin meddling, their country’s future is as clear as day. It’s bound to become a disaster riddled with irrationality and inefficiency.”

The sisters’ hatred for Merlin—the culprit who had exiled their brother Kay—soared like a thundercloud.

Just then, Britomart, who had quietly hidden her face beneath heavy armor, removed her helm and let the armor fade into her spiritual form. Her revealed face was, to everyone’s surprise, that of a young girl of delicate, pure beauty.

“Phew... what a relief. It seems the rule of the Lion King I’ve heard rumors of is far more stable than I expected. To think there is still such a peaceful place left in Britain.”

Britomart exhaled a sigh of relief and glanced toward the eastern sky.

“Across the sea in Ireland, the tyrant Grandotte still holds sway. His people suffer, and the rightful Queen Irena is imprisoned, her throne stolen. Perhaps requesting aid from the Lion King of North Wales to join forces and overthrow that tyrant would be a viable strategy.”

Feeling the city’s lively energy, the party strolled down the main avenue. As they walked, two familiar figures approaching from the opposite direction came into view.

One was Artoria Lancer Alter, striding regally in her jet-black armor.

Beside her walked Kay. His physique was larger and more solid than it had been five years ago, yet he still radiated that characteristic aura of aloof kindness beneath his silver hair.

“Uh...?”

Kay halted first, his eyes widening.

There stood Artoria X in her blue cap and crimson scarf, and Artoria Caster in her blue hat. His mouth hung open in astonishment at the sight of his beloved younger sisters after five long years.

“X? Caster? How... what are you doing here?”

Artoria Caster, already aware of the situation, offered a fond smile and lightly waved her staff.

“It’s been a while, brother! Have you been doing well?”

But Artoria X was different. Her head was bowed low, her fists clenched tight, her entire body trembling.

Five years.

The grueling years spent wandering all over Britain in search of Kay, felling countless monsters and villains. The moment she faced the face she had longed for so desperately, her composure shattered completely.

“…Brother.”

Artoria X’s voice trembled. The next instant, she dashed forward like the wind and flung herself into Kay’s arms.

Thud!

“Sob, wahh...! Brother... you’re really here...!”

The cold and collected facade of the bounty hunter vanished instantly. Artoria X buried her face in Kay’s broad chest and wept with the raw sorrow of a young child.

“Why... why did you only come back now?! Do you have any idea how hard I’ve searched for you?! That damn Merlin told me you’d died, that you’d vanished to another world... Sob, I was so terrified every single night!”

“X...”

Flustered, Kay soon smiled warmly and gently patted Artoria X on the back. Her worn scarf and roughened hands spoke volumes of the hardships she had endured over the last five years.

“I’m sorry, X. I came back too late. Still, I’m so glad you’re safe. You’ve really... been through so much.”

At Kay’s tender comfort, Artoria X’s sobs grew even louder, as if five years of pent-up grief were pouring out all at once.

Once the tearful reunion subsided and Artoria X finally calmed down, Kay shifted his gaze to the unfamiliar knight standing behind them.

A silver-haired, pure-looking girl with an air of refined elegance.

“Uh...? Frieren?”

Kay muttered in a daze. She looked exactly like the elven mage from a series he had seen in his previous life.

However, the moment Kay’s gaze traveled from her face downward—specifically to her ample chest—

“Ah, no. She’s way... too big to be Frieren.”

“...Pardon?”

Startled, Britomart looked down at her own chest. Kay’s gaze had been so blatant that her face flushed a deep crimson.

Yank!

“Ouch?! Hey, X! Why are you pulling my cheeks all of a sudden?!”

Artoria X had grabbed Kay’s cheeks and was pulling them apart with a stern expression.

“Brother! It’s been less than a minute since our emotional reunion, and you’re already ogling another woman’s chest?! I am truly disappointed!”

Standing beside them, Artoria Lancer Alter snorted and crossed her arms. Her overwhelming bust heaved against her armor, asserting its presence.

“Hmph. Brother, rather than some mediocre thing, wouldn’t it be far better to appreciate my proven qualifications—my perfect royal attributes? How about it, don’t you want to touch?”

“...Tch. That useless blob of fat. It’s nothing but a hindrance in combat.”

“I agree. A body like that is just flab in the end, right? She’s just fat. Nope, not jealous at all.”

The flat-chested Artoria X and Artoria Caster simultaneously shot murderous glares at Artoria Lancer Alter. Even after five years, the childish and lethal sibling rivalry remained unchanged.

As the atmosphere grew hostile, Britomart cleared her throat and politely introduced herself.

“Ahem. Pleased to meet you. I am Britomart, a fairy knight from Cleopolis, the City of Glory in the Fairy Kingdom.”

She bowed graciously and continued.

“I have come to Britain under the orders of our Fairy Queen, Gloriana. Currently, in Ireland across the sea, the tyrant Grandotte has unlawfully seized the throne by imprisoning the rightful Queen Irena and is ruling with cruelty.”

Britomart’s expression became resolute.

“I bear the mission to defeat that tyrant, rescue Queen Irena, and restore peace to Ireland. Artoria Caster has kindly agreed to join me on this journey.”

“Ho... a tyrant in Ireland, eh?”

Kay’s eyes gleamed with interest. The prospect of overthrowing a tyrant in the heart of Celtic land, Ireland, was an incredibly tempting event.

Perhaps it was because he had trained as a warrior for five years; the man who once disliked fighting now felt a warrior's instinct stirring within him, sparking a deep curiosity.

“That sounds like a lot of fun. My body was starting to itch for some action anyway. You two are coming along, right?”

“Of course, brother. If you are going, this X will follow you to the ends of hell itself.”

Artoria X replied instantly, clenching her fist. Artoria Lancer Alter also smiled and nodded.

“Great! We’re on the same page. Sir Britomart, let’s discuss the details once we get to the castle. I’m sure that fellow will be interested as well.”

At Kay’s hearty proposal, Britomart’s face brightened.

The tearful reunion was over. Now, a new stage for adventure—Ireland—awaited them.

And at that very moment...

In the distant sky, Artoria X Alter and her daughter—the daughter of the Dragon Sisters—were flying toward North Wales.

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