Chapter 76: The Lord and the Lady of the City
For the citizens of Londinium, the lord's triumphant return was always a cause for joy.
Whether facing calamities or foreign threats, the lord unfailingly led Londinium's armies to victory.
Even during long campaigns that left the city's defenses thin, the people never felt fear. Not only because the lord would rush back to their aid if danger arose, but also because the Lady of Londinium—who governed the city in his absence—was a former Savior who once journeyed across Britannia, her strength rivaling even that of Queen Mab of the King Clan.
Beneath a rain of blossoms, the lord led his army home. The citizens streamed out beyond the gates, lining the roads on both sides, their cheers of "Lord!" blending with the pealing bells of the city towers—a melody that seemed to echo across the skies.
"It was only a campaign to suppress the anti-Londinium forces. There's no need for such an extravagant welcome," Shiomi said with a faint, helpless smile, catching a falling petal in his hand. His steps, however, did not slow.
Crossing the drawbridge and entering the main avenue that led toward the lord's palace, he saw a welcoming procession awaiting him—and the returning army behind him.
He raised his hand slightly, signaling Wryneck and the Black Knight to halt. The army stopped in unison. Then Shiomi stepped forward alone, approaching Aesc.
"You could have waited for me in the palace," Shiomi said. "There was no need to trouble everyone to come out and greet me."
"If I didn't come, wouldn't the citizens start thinking we were on bad terms? That would only unsettle them, wouldn't it?" Aesc replied, a trace of pride glimmering in her eyes.
"You're right. Then I'll thank you for arranging such a welcome while still managing affairs in the rear." Shiomi gently supported her arm, and the two turned together toward the palace.
Behind them, Wryneck, the Black Knight, and the other knights led their troops to the inner barracks to rest.
"No, since the founding of Londinium, Baobhan Sith has been the one handling these matters for me," Aesc said, giving a small glance toward Baobhan Sith, who followed close behind.
Shiomi smiled. "It might be a little late to say this now, but—you've grown a lot."
"No, no, it's all thanks to the teachings of the Sage and the Witch," Baobhan Sith replied, both joyful and humble.
Normally, fairies in Britannia do not change. They are born with fixed roles to play. But through tireless effort, Baobhan Sith had done what few fairies ever could—she had grown.
Though her innate status as a lower-ranking fairy could not be erased, within Londinium she had become one of its most influential.
Now, Baobhan Sith served as secretary to both Shiomi and Aesc—one of their most trusted aides. For a thousand years, she had carried out her duties with unwavering diligence, never once failing them.
"The Sage and the Witch, huh…" Shiomi said, glancing at Aesc with faint amusement.
They had long since stopped using those titles—though people still knew them by them.
"Consider it one of Baobhan Sith's privileges," Aesc said lightly.
Only Baobhan Sith was allowed to call them that. Those like Grímr and Totorot simply used their names—and neither Shiomi nor Aesc ever minded.
After all, titles and forms of address were simply symbols of closeness and distance.
"This campaign went smoothly," Aesc said, turning the conversation to business.
"Tactically, yes," Shiomi replied with a slight shake of his head. "But remnants of the anti-Londinium faction still remain. They refuse to coexist with humans and insist on clinging to the old ways—keeping humans as livestock."
"What about Mab?" Aesc asked.
Since the "Summer War" and the formation of the "King Clan," Mab had rarely acted on such a grand scale again. She seldom left the north, devoting herself instead to governing Edinburgh.
"She's still as proud as ever. Now that you're overseeing Londinium, she naturally wants to make Edinburgh more magnificent than our city." Shiomi shrugged.
"No, I wasn't asking what she's doing," Aesc said. "I meant her stance toward Londinium's expansion and conquests over the past few centuries. Oxford and Salisbury have already become our vassal territories, but—"
"They're just territories, aren't they?"
Shiomi waved a hand, signaling Baobhan Sith to retire, then led Aesc back into the inner palace. The two sat on the terrace, sipping tea.
"Last time it was Mab. This time it's us," Aesc murmured, rubbing her temple. "I can't help wondering if she'll try to retaliate—perhaps by hindering your efforts to lead the Round Table Army and unify all the clans of Britannia."
"If I suggested you ring the final Pilgrim's Bell, to claim all its power and ensure nothing goes wrong, would you agree?" Shiomi asked with a faint smile.
Aesc frowned immediately, displeasure flashing across her face. "Don't joke about that. I've already told you—just ringing five of the Pilgrim's Bells was enough to make it hard for my heart to lean completely toward you. If I were to ring them all—"
"How long has it been now, since we've been together?" Shiomi interrupted softly.
"About 3,600 years," Aesc replied.
"Do you really think those 3,600 years mean less than the mission Paradise entrusted to you?" he asked.
"But..."
"Then let's set it aside," Shiomi said gently but firmly. "If you don't want to, don't. What matters most is following your own feelings."
Aesc sighed. "You always say that. You make it hard for me not to feel guilty."
Shiomi shook his head. "No. I was just thinking—fairies are born with an innate 'purpose,' much like how humans are born with an 'Origin.' Humans can't change their Origin. So perhaps fairies can't either."
"What is your Origin, my husband?" Aesc asked quietly.
"I don't know," Shiomi admitted, shaking his head. "Even I can't be sure."
"True... even my eyes can't see it," Aesc said after studying him for a while. She finally turned away, standing at the edge of the terrace to gaze at the lively city of Londinium below.
"I'll think more about the final Pilgrim's Bell," she said. "After all, we're already so close to the dream we once envisioned."
Shiomi thought for a moment. "That's fine. Take your time. What we're doing now might already diverge from your original mission. If you did ring the final bell, you might even resist continuing on this path yourself."
"It's not that dramatic... I'm just afraid I'll end up obsessed with my duties—so focused on them that I stop thinking about you," Aesc said, her eyes darting shyly like a child's.
"Sounds like you're love-struck," Shiomi teased.
"You're one to talk," Aesc shot back with a bright smile.
Shiomi nodded in amusement, then grew serious again. "The resistance forces are starting to consolidate. I plan to attack once they've gathered their strength—but before they've had time to establish themselves."
"...When?"
"No later than autumn."
"Autumn, huh..." Aesc repeated softly.