"Anyway, Dracai is a dangerous Fairy Wraith Lord," Oberon continued, ignoring Redra's grumbling. "It lures whatever treasure a person most desires to the river's surface—and the moment you reach for it, you're dragged under to your death."
"It's a true balance of desire and life," he added. "This bridge was built specifically to counter Dracai."
"But right now, crossing the river looks impossible, doesn't it?" Guinevere said. "So we just have to go upstream and bypass it entirely?"
"Exactly," Oberon nodded. "If we head for the upper reaches, we'll be out of Dracai's territory. It'll add half a day to our journey, but it's far safer than risking the river."
He paused, then warned, "One thing—do not look at the water's surface. Even if something you desperately want drifts by, you must ignore it."
"Dracai is powerful beneath the water," he explained. "But she can't leave the river herself, so as long as we don't approach her domain, we'll be fine."
"But… wait," Artoria raised her hand. "If we could somehow ignore the floating treasure, then crossing would be safe, right?"
"In theory, yes," Oberon agreed. "But as long as Dracai's magic holds, treasures will come drifting endlessly. Ignoring them becomes a test of willpower… and that's a tall order."
At that moment, Oberon's eyes lit up. "You know, perhaps that's the point—no object, however tempting, is worth your life. We should simply force our way across."
"No, no, wait!" Guinevere grabbed Oberon's arm. "I have zero confidence in my self-control. Let's just head upstream."
"Ah, Guinevere… you really ought to believe in yourself," Oberon sighed. "We're on a noble quest to save the Fairy Realm—surely Dracai's trinkets can't sway us."
Before he could finish, Gareth cried out beside him, "Ah! Something's floating downstream—by all that's holy, it's Lady Artoria's doll?!" Then came the heavy splash of something plunging into the water.
"So she really is a canine fairy!" Oberon fumed. "How could she give in so easily? Even Redra of the Fang Clan"—he scowled—"wouldn't fall this flat—"
Before he could finish, Redra shouted, "It's a giant carrot—over two meters long?!" Another heavy splash followed.
"The Fang Clan really are brutes," Oberon roared. "But anyway, Artoria is the Chosen of Prophecy—she shouldn't—"
"Ah! Money! Look at all this money! Surely enough to fill your coffers, Guinevere!" Oberon cheered.
He watched, aghast, as Artoria's eyes gleamed and she leapt into the river.
Oberon went silent for two seconds, then turned to Guinevere. Before he could say a word, Guinevere clamped a hand over his mouth.
"Big brother, please don't speak. I'm terrified enough already. Has your mouth been bewitched? Is this some death note? Why does anything you say make someone dive in—ah!"
As Guinevere covered his mouth, her gaze flicked to the water. From upstream drifted a bag of Pocky sticks.
"Seriously? Who'd risk their life for Pocky?" she thundered—only to see hundreds, even thousands, of bags floating by.
Guinevere's eyes widened. She took two steps forward.
Ding! Skill: Tranquil Mind activated! Your Mental Resistance soars—Dracai's enchantments have no effect on you.
"It… can't be working!" Guinevere shouted, halting in her tracks.
"Thank heavens! Turns out the one I least trusted—Guinevere—you have the willpower of steel!" Oberon applauded her jubilation.
Yet Guinevere pointed at the three fairies sinking below. "But… to save them, we'll have to dive in, won't we?"
"You're right—" Oberon followed her gaze, then his eyes bulged. "Wait… that silhouette—that must be Titania!"
He, too, jumped. The splash drenched Guinevere.
Guinevere felt her future slip into darkness. Can we really save Britain alongside this ragtag band? she thought—only to spot an NVIDIA 4080 TI graphics card box floating downstream.
Well, if we're diving anyway, I might as well grab something I want! With that, she dove in too.
But the river water felt denser than she remembered; there was no buoyancy. The moment she touched the surface, she plummeted straight down to the riverbed. Fortunately, thanks to Artoria's recent enhancements, her lung capacity was greatly increased—so she had no trouble holding her breath.
You notice the treasure in your hand has vanished.
As Guinevere gritted her teeth, she realized it was all an illusion. Cursed Dracai, feeding empty promises!
She scanned around and soon found Artoria and the others, still mesmerized by their visions. She swam over and delivered each of them a swift headbutt.
"Ow! That hurts!" one cried.
Blinking in surprise, Guinevere watched them snap out of it and hear Artoria exclaim from underwater, "Ah! Guinevere—you're down here too!"
Guinevere still couldn't speak—she was still holding her breath—but she glared at them fiercely, her eyes stinging from the water.
After two seconds, Artoria realized and shouted, "Guinevere, you haven't noticed? We can breathe and talk down here… Must be another facet of Dracai's magic domain!"
"Huh?" Guinevere thought, tested her voice—and indeed, she could speak clearly without inhaling water. She sucked in a breath of air and felt no choking.
At that moment, text appeared on the glowing screen before her eyes:
Due to the specialized magic field covering this river, you may breathe and converse underwater.
"This is a magical world, then?" Guinevere marveled. "Anything can be solved with magic?"
"So Guinevere, you were fooled too?" Artoria laughed happily. "Wonderful—now we're all here. Looks like it wasn't just me who failed!"
"That's enough!" Guinevere delivered another hand chop to Artoria's head, sounding righteous. "Do you think I'd dive in for Dracai's illusions? I came down only to save you idiots—got it?!" Besides, no one saw her go for the 4080 TI, so it doesn't count as surrendering!
"Indeed," Oberon chimed, oblivious. "Only Guinevere held out to the end—astonishing willpower."
"I knew from the start it was all illusion," Guinevere said, nodding. "No fairy could conjure exactly what everyone desires. If so, it must be fake!"
"I never considered that—wise lesson," Oberon admitted.
"So… what's actually going on here?" Guinevere asked, realizing they couldn't simply swim back to the surface.
"Undoubtedly, we're inside Dracai's fairy domain," Artoria said confidently. "We can't swim out. Our only option is to defeat Dracai directly. Since she's drawn us in, she'll have to appear—let's wait."
"All right," Guinevere agreed. "By the way, what kind of fairy is Dracai? Can we beat her?"
"She's said to be a mermaid fairy," Gareth raised his hand, "but no one who's been dragged down has ever returned…" He lowered his voice. "I hear she prefers attacking humans over fairies! She'll drag men down to be her lovers—then let humans go before they die. That's how her name spread."
"She frees her human lovers? Sounds like Dracai is more of a matchmaker than a monster," Artoria mused.
"Exactly! A true fairy matchmaker!" Gareth nodded vigorously.
At that moment, the current around them shifted, and a silent pressure pressed in.
You have encountered Dracai.
When she appeared, she was even more beautiful than Guinevere had envisioned—a seductive, mature "big sister" mermaid, with curves that could kill. Guinevere found herself strangely drawn to this version of XP's system data… well, she usually preferred the elegant older-sister type, she admitted to herself.
…But her mental state was shattered.
"Can't find it… can't find it… why…" The fairy moaned, her hair billowing in the water as her eyes darted around. "Still… I want… my treasure… my love… my… my… child."
"Child." Artoria's eyes snapped wide.
"Child… child… child… I want a child!" Dracai's gaze locked onto Guinevere. "Give me yours… I want your child!"
Guinevere's heart thundered—What? Sister, this is too forward! I'm flattered, but—oh no, I can't accept this…
Before Dracai could touch her, a staff swung into view, blocking the advance.
"I think I understand why you turned out like this," Artoria said, gripping her staff and facing Dracai. "Because you once had a child, I can sympathize with how precious children are to a mother. But if a child is born without loving parents together, they can't have a full childhood, can't find true happiness. Even without mutual love…"
She paused, glaring. "If you want a child, find someone to love first—then bring one into this world."
"What are you babbling about?" Oberon snorted. "Where would she find a partner in Britain? No humans or fairies here can bear children—and Artoria, how do you know about children?"
Artoria fell silent, her moral high ground crumbling.
"Enough of this," she shouted, tightening her grip on the staff. "I will not allow you to force yourself on another's man!"
Skill Triggered: Artoria Rises Up!
"Huh?" Guinevere blinked in surprise.
Underwater, you cannot cast "Tornado Crush Parking Lot," so your combat strength is greatly reduced.
However, thanks to Artoria's Righteous Uprising, she performs beyond her normal power—you fight a hard battle but ultimately defeat Dracai.
Watching Artoria's heroic feats in the simulated battle, Guinevere slowly tapped out a question on her mental console:
"Artoria… are you really that strong?"