As Morgan had predicted, after finalizing their investigation plan, Chaldea used the dimensional drilling vessel Storm Border to break through the light barrier surrounding the Tower at the End off the coast of Britannia.
However, upon arrival, they discovered that Britannia possessed no human history. This anomaly caused a brief system failure in the Storm Border, which was modeled after Nemo's Noble Phantasm, the Nautilus.
Thus, while the main vessel remained temporarily disabled, Sakura and Ritsuka—accompanied by Mash—landed on Britannia's shores aboard the amphibious Imaginary Submarine Shadow Border. They were escorted by Scáthach and Artoria, with the artificial Heroic Spirit Gran Cavallo—nicknamed "Da Vinci-chan" at Da Vinci's own suggestion—serving as pilot.
"What a thick fog... Truly Britain," Sakura muttered, glancing around.
The fog along the coast was unnaturally dense, reducing visibility to almost nothing. Yet that was the least of their concerns—the greater problem was that this mist clearly wasn't a natural phenomenon.
"I advise against entering any deeper," Scáthach said after stepping forward a few paces. "This fog carries a curse."
Artoria frowned. "I don't recall any part of Britannia ever being covered by fog this heavy…"
"Could this be some kind of barrier created by the people of the Lostbelt, my Queen?" Mash asked earnestly, her tone respectful.
Whenever she traveled with Artoria, she could feel the spirit of Galahad—whose power she carried—stirring faintly in excitement. It made her emotions resonate with his, and addressing Artoria as "my Queen" came naturally.
"Perhaps," Artoria replied, turning toward the shore. "It may be wiser to avoid landing here. We should continue along the coast in the Shadow Border and look for a stretch free from cursed mist."
Sakura looked at Scáthach. "Isn't there anything you can do with Magecraft, Master? If we used the Primordial Runes—"
"You mean the Rune of Curse Reversal?" Scáthach folded her arms and gave a wry smile. "That rune is designed to counter curses, yes, but based on what I sense, the source of this fog has already vanished. In that case, to resist an unknown curse using Primordial Runes—"
Her gaze shifted toward Artoria. "You'd need magical power at least on the level of the King of Knights."
"So it seems we really have no choice but to find another landing point," Sakura said, nodding.
Da Vinci sighed and reported, "Scáthach's assessment is completely accurate. It really does make a difference having a powerful Magus with us."
"Only a touch of Magecraft, nothing more," Scáthach replied modestly, though the praise pleased her. "Now then, Da Vinci-chan, restart the Shadow Border and prepare to follow the coastline—"
Before she could finish, her instincts flared. In perfect sync, Scáthach and Artoria moved forward, Mash raising her shield as the three quickly formed a defensive line, placing Sakura and Ritsuka behind them.
The Crimson Spear and the Holy Lance gleamed sharply in the mist.
"Enemies?" Ritsuka asked, her right hand gripping her left wrist, ready to activate her Mystic Code at a moment's notice.
From within the heavy fog ahead, two silhouettes slowly took shape—one tall, one small.
The smaller figure resembled a child, floating along atop some strange mechanical device.
And the taller one—
The instant her form became clear, everyone froze.
Morgan.
"Mother...?"
After a moment of stunned silence, Sakura's face brightened with joy.
But before she could step forward, Scáthach stopped her. "Hold on, Sakura."
"Is it just me... or why does this Morgan feel different?" Artoria muttered under her breath.
She was certain that the Morgan standing before them wasn't her sister from Proper Human History, yet neither was she the Morgan Chaldea knew.
"Whoa! Hey, Morgan! There's someone over there who looks just like you!" the short figure exclaimed in a lively tone.
Morgan rested her hand under her chin, studying Artoria carefully. "You look so much like me... Could it be—you're Artoria Pendragon?"
"You know us?" Scáthach asked, still keeping her guard up.
"...Not exactly. I wouldn't say I know you." Morgan lightly tapped the side of her head. "Someone provided me with your information. To me, you're just familiar strangers—faces that match what's in the records."
"I see." Artoria nodded, understanding.
She still didn't know the exact relationship between the Morgan who had once appeared in Chaldea and the Morgan before her now. But one theory had already taken shape—that sometime after this encounter, this Morgan would, for reasons unknown, become Shiomi's Servant and truly meet Chaldea.
But what reason could that be—
"I don't sense any hostility. Should I stand down, Master?" Mash asked.
Lady Morgan had always been kind to the girls back at Chaldea, and Mash found it hard to view her as an enemy without cause.
"I think we can trust her. What do you think, Sakura-senpai?" Ritsuka said.
"...May I ask one question first?" Sakura raised a hand, pressing it gently to her chest. "Mother... Lady Morgan, you didn't come here to fight us or obstruct our mission, did you?"
"For the time being, I have no reason to oppose you," Morgan replied calmly. "What happens afterward depends on your actions."
"But isn't it strange that you know Morgan but not me?" the smaller figure chimed in brightly. "I'm Habetrot—Camelot's diplomatic envoy, sent by her to make contact with you."
At the mention of Camelot, everyone's gaze shifted toward Artoria.
"Camelot... So, you're the Queen of Britannia in this Lostbelt?" Artoria asked, her tone composed.
Whether it was the Morgan from the other side or the one before her now, she could accept either. A Lostbelt was, after all, a world born of different possibilities. Morgan becoming the Queen of Britannia and establishing Camelot fit naturally into that logic.
"You could put it that way," Morgan said, her eyes turning toward the armored vehicle half-buried in sand, its hull glinting under the surf. "So, this is what you used to break through the Wall of Light and reach Britannia?"
Her tone carried a trace of doubt.
"Well... not exactly..." Da Vinci gave an awkward laugh. "I doubt I could fool you anyway, so I'll just be honest. You're right—what truly allowed us to enter was the warship anchored out at sea."
"I see." Morgan nodded slightly, then spoke with quiet authority. "If you wish to enter Britannia, then show me your sincerity first."
...
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