Dragons are creatures that value strength.
After being anointed with Ian's dragon blood, the soldiers began to radiate a different kind of aura.
If—
the legend that would decide Camelot's future was that the Red Dragon would inevitably defeat the White Dragon.
Then now.
It might have taken on a new meaning.
There were still two dragons.
Only now, it had become the Black Dragon, represented by Ian, and the White Dragon, represented by Vortigern.
----
"Sister, why does Ian's blood have such a powerful effect?"
Seated upon her warhorse, Dun Stallion, Artoria couldn't help but ask this question.
"Is he... really that special?"
"..."
Glancing to both sides and noticing that the knights were all highly agitated and had no time or energy to watch her and Artoria, Morgan finally spoke.
"Artoria, do you remember how you and Ian met?"
"Eh, well..."
Artoria hesitated for a moment, but still told Morgan the truth.
"Sister, actually..."
"Ian fell from the sky. If I said that, would you believe me?"
"I wouldn't have before."
"Now, I do."
Morgan looked at the black dragon soaring in the sky and sighed softly.
"He has truly changed so many of my ideas. Some things I would never have believed before, I now gradually feel might exist."
"Sister, you've changed."
"You have too, Artoria."
Morgan said softly.
"You've changed more than I have."
"However, you're not the only one with secrets, Artoria."
"Do you know about Ian's mother?"
"I've heard him mention her," Artoria replied softly. "His mother has been searching for a way to bring him back to her side, hasn't she?"
"It seems Ian has been quite frank with you."
Morgan pulled on the reins in her hand.
"Then do you know that his mother is even more terrifying than he is?"
"..."
Artoria's expression turned serious.
She understood the deeper meaning behind Morgan's words.
"Sister, for you to say that... have you met her?"
"Don't be angry when I tell you."
"I won't be."
"I've already been angry when I needed to be—now, you are my family. In this world, you are one of the few relatives I can trust, just like Ian."
"..."
Morgan felt her eyes grow moist.
"I... once thought of borrowing the power of Ian's mother to kill you."
"..."
"Your reaction is very calm, Artoria."
"Mhm."
The King of Camelot smiled.
"Because, I've actually had similar thoughts."
"I once thought of killing you, too."
"..."
"..."
The atmosphere became delicate.
Although both Morgan and Artoria were speaking words laced with murderous intent, neither of them felt any sense of danger.
"So—"
"Are we even now?"
"I think so."
"ROAR—!"
As if responding to the sentiments of Morgan and Artoria, the black dragon beat its wings with even greater force.
Morale was high.
Everywhere the black dragon's roar reached, the figures of British knights could be seen.
The white dragon's murderous aura seemed to not exist in their eyes at all.
----
"Big fella."
Holding the one remaining Arondight, Mélusine felt more courageous than ever before.
"How about a little competition to see which of us kills more enemies?"
"Oh?"
"You want to challenge me in this?"
Gripping Excalibur Galatine, which was thicker than an average person's body, Barghest breathed heavily.
"Don't come crying if you lose!"
"You should be saying that to yourself."
"I—"
Gripping Arondight, Mélusine became more serious than ever before.
"If I can kill a hundred enemies this time, I'll go to Ian."
The petite swordswoman made a pact with herself in her heart.
-----
This was the most united and decisive expedition in Camelot's history.
What their ancestors had failed to achieve was now made easy under Artoria's leadership and the power of dragon's blood.
The white dragon's aura, which the soldiers had feared, now seemed like a joke.
"He's nothing but a false king hiding in the shadows!"
"Kill him, and win glory for our true King!"
Advance.
Continue to advance.
The King's army was like an unstoppable force.
Camelot won victory after victory, soon arriving near the rumored location of Vortigern.
But—
At this moment, Morgan sensed something abnormal.
If the white dragon's aura from before was meant to intimidate its enemies, the army of Camelot...
...then why, now that they had reached his heartland, had everything become so peaceful?
It was as if...
...it was intentional.
Morgan noticed this, and of course, Artoria noticed it as well.
But things had already come to this point, and she knew she had no path of retreat.
"Advance!"
Waving her spear that shone with golden light, Artoria continued to command her troops.
This time, she would vanquish the enemy Vortigern, who had dared to offend Camelot time and again!
But—
When the knights reached a certain cliff, they all came to a halt.
"What's happening?"
Mélusine asked, puzzled, then flew to the very front of the formation.
But when she saw the colossal existence, something that could only be called a "tree," growing from the abyss, she couldn't help but gasp.
"What is this?"
"Why is there a 'tree' like this?"
As Mélusine spoke, she felt her Arondight responding to this "tree."
It was as if...
...it existed because of the other's existence.
However, Mélusine did not have much time to think.
Because at the base of the tree, a figure was standing.
He stood beneath the now-towering tree, his figure appearing ancient yet vigorous.
"So you've finally come?"
"I thought that aura would make you afraid."
"But now it seems—"
"That's not the case at all."
"Never mind."
"This is fine too. If I can eliminate you all at once, I'll have no more worries, right?"
"Then—"
"Welcome to my Giant Dragon Kingdom."
"Come forth, my evolved, ultimate Saxons, and show them your forms!"
The moment his voice fell.
Countless giant dragons appeared from the shadow of the tree.
And they—
—were three-headed!