IBHJ 1144

"Were you and that person close, Bedivere?" Xuanzang asked gently.

"…For as long as I can remember, Agravain and I shared everything as confidants, serving His Majesty together until this day," Bedivere replied with a bitter smile.

"It must be painful... like if Abby had to fight against Betty," Abigail said softly.

Bedivere nodded, his face full of sorrow.

"I'm so sorry," Xuanzang quickly apologized, regretting having brought up such a sensitive topic.

"Please don't worry, Master Xuanzang." he shook his head. "This comes from a fundamental difference in beliefs between us. I know I'm not wrong—the threat to the empire isn't from any of you, but from within! Someone is manipulating His Majesty, wielding the empire's power for their own twisted purpose!"

Bedivere knew with absolute certainty that the being currently occupying the imperial throne and commanding the empire's might was not their Emperor. If asked how he could be so sure, he would say it was because through these hundred million years—a span that felt simultaneously endless and fleeting—he had met the Emperor once and had seen that gentle smile that carried the warmth of a spring breeze.

That was why he knew, beyond any doubt, that the being now seated on the imperial throne was not their Emperor!

Someone—some entity, some foul thing—was puppeteering the empire!

"For now, we need to focus on countering Agravain's invasion," Shirou reminded them.

Everyone nodded—after all, Tír na nÓg was their final stronghold, and they couldn't afford to let it fall into enemy hands. Yet Agravain's forces were overwhelming: five immortal and indestructible Apostles, along with nine hundred and ninety-four divine Heroic Spirits.

To be frank, barring the South American connection point, an army of this magnitude could steamroll through any parallel world. And that wasn't even accounting for the presence of a being whose power signature rivaled Arcueid's.

They spoke of defending Tír na nÓg, but how could they possibly do it?

"What else is there to do? We'll blast them down one by one!" Goetia shouted.

Although the Beast's ability could be analyzed by the Imperial Armor, the Ten Rings in his possession remained beyond its comprehension.

Shirou ignored Goetia and turned his gaze on Ambrosius. "Ambrosius, you can control Tír na nÓg's terrain changes, can't you?"

Ambrosius responded with a playful smile. "What an odd thing to say, Lord Shirou. I'm but a simple fairy, how could I possess such powers?"

"Drop the act, Fairy Queen of Tír na nÓg. The Inner Sea of the Planet has no sun, moon, or stars—no cycle of day and night. Yet we've experienced seven days and nights here. You've been controlling Tír na nÓg to create these changes." he called out her deception without hesitation.

"My, my, when did you figure it out?" she seemed genuinely surprised that he had caught such subtle manipulation.

He rolled his eyes. "I knew from the very beginning. I just didn't bother mentioning it."

Shirou was perceptive and socially skilled, he had spotted Ambrosius's subtle manipulations long ago, but he wasn't one to needlessly expose others' secrets.

"If you can control Tír na nÓg's day and night cycles, you can also shape its terrain. Which means you can control where Agravain and his forces enter Tír na nÓg. Am I right?"

"I can," Ambrosius nodded with a smile. "But why should I help you? You know that fairies are—"

"Don't talk about neutrality, and spare me the lecture about how the empire's invasion of Pan-Human History doesn't concern you. You serve Gaia, which means Gaia's interests are your interests. But most importantly—"

He gestured to himself. "I am the inheritor of the Vortex, so you must obey me."

She smiled. "Aren't you giving yourself too much credit?"

"No, I'm simply stating facts. You mentioned it yourself, didn't you? The Emperor took Tethys's secret arts from Tintagel and an Island. Those were inheritances Tethys left for the inheritor of the Vortex—for me. But Tethys actually left three inheritances, not two. The Emperor claimed two, but the last one remained untouched. Or rather, They never even noticed it. This final inheritance—"

He raised his hand toward Ambrosius. "Is you!"

"I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about, Lord Shirou," Ambrosius said, her smile deepening and her eyes narrowing to crescents, sweet as honey.

"Whether you understand doesn't matter, and I'm not particularly interested in Tethys's inheritance. But you have no choice but to help me now, isn't that right? Because I've already spoken those words to you."

Ambrosius's smile had vanished now, her eyes narrowed as she studied Shirou with furrowed brows. He met her gaze openly, letting her search for whatever answers she sought.

Finally, Ambrosius let out a sigh. "...Was it Gaia who told you?"

"I did nothing of the sort."

A screen materialized, revealing Gaia's figure once more. She looked at Ambrosius and said, "The planet is impartial, and its perspective does not recognize individual existence—not Tethys, not Ambrosius, not even Shirou."

Ambrosius sighed again, turning to Shirou. "I can help you alter the terrain, but the fairies won't join your fight."

"The terrain change is enough." he nodded, then turned to Gaia. "Gaia, can you use the Inner Sea of the Planet's sensory abilities to identify Agravain's group and their signature characteristics?"

Gaia nodded. "I can."

"Perfect. Then I'll leave the reconnaissance to you. Report back after you've thoroughly investigated them."

"Alright, I'll go right n— Wait just a minute!"

Gaia's eyes suddenly went wide as something dawned on her. She pointed at herself in disbelief. "You—you're giving me orders? A mere human, a mere Heroic Spirit, actually ordering me around? Shirou, don't think that just because I favor you, you can get cheeky with me! I am your superior, your boss! As a subordinate—"

He clicked his tongue. "Who do you think we're fighting for? If you want to be replaced by the Emperor, then by all means, keep arguing about these trivial matters."

"Uuu..." Gaia's face scrunched up in protest. Though not the planet itself but a fragment of consciousness from the Planet's sensory system, her simulated personality came with very human emotions. Being scolded by him stung her pride and sparked her anger—but she knew he had a point.

She'd make him pay for this later!

Though internally seething, Gaia kept her expression calm as she nodded. "I understand."

With that, she connected to the planet's sensory system to investigate Agravain and his lackeys.

The scene left everyone dumbfounded.

And how could they not be?

This was Gaia! Even if just a fragment, she was still Gaia!

She was the boss of Heroic Spirits, Phantasmal Beasts, fairies... and countless other beings!

Yet here was this boss chastised by her subordinate—and actually doing what she was told.

This was just... this was...

‘That's brother for you,’ Kama thought to herself, impressed despite everything.

Soon Gaia relayed her reconnaissance findings.

While Agravain himself hadn't shown up, among the invading Apostles were Shirou's old acquaintances, Ector and Morgan. The other three's true identities remained unknown, but their power signatures were similar to Ector's level.

Bedivere's eyes widened in recognition. "It's Lady Aife and Lord Lucius!"

Shirou turned to Ambrosius. "Can you let them enter one at a time?"

"No, they cross dimensional boundaries too quickly for that," Ambrosius said, shaking her head.

Shirou paused in thought before saying, "Then split them up! As far apart as possible!"

"You mean..." Ambrosius began.

Shirou pointed directly at Ector without hesitation. "Bring him here. The others—scatter them to the east, south, west, north, anywhere. The farther apart, the better!"

He projected a sword and turned to face the group. "We're going to ambush them!"