IBHJ 1277

He nodded. "According to my calculations, Your Majesty should have completed the synchronization with Pan-Human History three months ago, before that Eternal King became active. But in fact, it has not been fully completed yet. I believe external factors are interfering with Your Majesty's synchronization."

"I didn't notice anything unusual during synchronization. But since you've mentioned it, I will be more vigilant. If barbarians truly exist, I will crush them all—"

"BOOM!"

Just as she was speaking, a series of loud rumbles echoed from deep within the imperial palace. Brigid, who had just projected supreme majesty, suddenly clutched her head, her face contorted in pain.

"Your Majesty, what's happening?" he was alarmed.

"It's nothing," Brigid said, painfully massaging her temples. It felt like her trigeminal nerve was being stabbed repeatedly.

"BOOM!"

Another explosion rocked the palace. The powerful blast shattered the gate, sending a large chunk crashing into the hall.

"Are we under attack?" Agravain's expression changed drastically.

"No... it's just that damn pig causing trouble again."

"Allow me to deal with this pig, Your Majesty!" he said firmly.

"No... you should leave for now."

"But—"

"I have my reasons."

"As you wish..."

Agravain hesitated for a moment, then provided Brigid with his report on Pan-Human History movements before taking his leave.

As he was exiting the imperial palace, he turned back, looking at the palace with concern.

"His Majesty has lost his previous sharpness. This is troubling. His Majesty is the absolute ruler, so he should act like one! Is this because the Eternal Kingdom's interference is acting up again? This is not good, we need to eliminate Pan-Human forces as quickly as possible!"

He turned and departed from the imperial capital.

Brigid watched Agravain leave. Before she could even look into the river of time to assess the situation, another "BOOM" sounded as the main door exploded.

The blast sent two guards flying backward into the hall.

Immediately afterward, accompanied by loud laughter, Arcueid strode through the ruins wearing golden armor and wielding a sword. "Brigid! I, Arcueid, have returned! Fight me to the death!"

"..."

Brigid held her head in her hands.

This wasn't just trigeminal neuralgia anymore—it felt like a full-blown cerebral hemorrhage!

Would someone please take away this home-wrecking golden pig? She couldn't stand it anymore!

…

Tír na nÓg.

"Why are you following me, Fujimaru Shirou?" The witch looked at Shirou with confusion. Suddenly, a thought seemed to cross her mind. She quickly hugged herself and stepped back, eyeing him suspiciously. "Even though my other self has some unusual connection with you... I don't engage in such behavior!"

"What are you imagining?" he asked with visible exasperation. Among all the Artorias, only this witch was so easily freaked out. "I just have something to ask you."

"Don't come to me with your needs. There should be another version of me from a parallel world here."

He rubbed between his eyebrows, feeling a headache coming on.

"I'm curious—what kind of impression do you have of me?"

"A dishonorable opportunist who attacks when people aren't looking!" the witch replied coldly. "I was naive before. Now I understand the dangers that await a beautiful, elegant, perfect young woman like myself when rendered unconscious. This world... hmm? That phrase has a nice sound to it. I should write it down."

With that, she pulled out a pen and began writing in her notebook.

Watching her take notes, he carefully considered his words before asking, "Miss witch Artoria, I actually need your assistance with a small matter."

"What is it?" The witch looked up with curiosity.

"I need you to come with me to Badon Fortress to rescue someone."

He had promised Mana he would help rescue Shiki, and he couldn't break his word. More importantly, it was too dangerous to allow a vessel to wander freely. With that Beast still operating in the shadow, such a vessel needed to remain under his supervision.

"Badon Fortress?" The witch's eyes widened in alarm. "I know that place! It sits directly beneath the imperial capital! The Apostles guard it, and that false Emperor monitors it constantly! Going there... would be equivalent to seeking death!"

"That's precisely why I need the clever and perfect Miss witch Artoria to help me. You must be familiar with Camelot's layout, correct?"

"Oh my! Previously you called me stupid and treated me poorly, but now that you need my help, you offer compliments? I refuse! Morgan is there now, and if she sees me, she will certainly tear me to pieces. If I cannot defeat her, shouldn't I at least avoid her?"

"Honestly, hiding from her like this is shameful."

"But it's effective!" The witch proudly patted her chest. "The highest achievement in battle is avoiding it altogether. As long as we don't meet, I cannot lose. I'm such a genius!"

Shirou: "..."

This strange logic somehow made sense... he had to give the witch credit for that.

Still, all Artorias were parallel world versions of Artoria, essentially the same person. But how was this witch anything like Artoria?

"If you need a guide, why not ask Bedivere? Why come to me specifically?" the witch asked.

He thought to himself, because you're the princess of Camelot. But what he actually said was: "This will be a beautiful adventure, and I know Miss Artoria loves beautiful adventures, so I naturally thought of you."

"Oh please! I bet Bedivere is still wrestling with his inner conflicts and doesn't want to deal with you!" The witch pointed at him, laughing.

"...that's exactly what happened," he admitted with a helpless nod, seeing no reason to argue.

"I really don't understand Bedivere. Why is he still struggling with himself?"

"Aren't you struggling too?" he asked.

The witch rolled her eyes and sighed. "I was forced to come here... what would I still be struggling with?"

"So you'll guide us, right?"

"I never said that!"

He just smiled at the witch.

The witch looked into Shirou's bright, determined eyes, remained quiet for a moment, then sighed. "Fine, consider it repayment for your favor. But let me be clear—if there's any danger, or if we run into Morgan, I'll be the first to abandon you and run!"

"That's fair enough," he nodded with a smile, then asked curiously, "By the way, when did I do you a favor?"

He was genuinely confused about this.

"Nothing," the witch said, shaking her head.

She clearly remembered how Shirou had cared for her when she had a fever and was sick, though he seemed to have forgotten. Or perhaps, for Shirou, it wasn't even considered a favor at all.

But she kept it in her heart.

Not returning a favor would go against her principles. That wasn't how she handled matters. Only by repaying all debts and being as free as the wind could one truly be carefree.

"Then it's settled."

Having convinced the witch to guide them, Shirou felt somewhat relieved.

After taking care of matters in Tír na nÓg, he planned Shiki's rescue, then departed with the witch, Mana, and Scathach. They traveled light, leaving Tír na nÓg behind as they headed for Badon Fortress.