The embers were burning.
A crackling sound emanated into the air.
Under the moonlight, the "tree" that reached straight into the sky was dyed a pale white, looking unexpectedly magnificent.
.....
"So—"
"Is it finally all over?"
Beside the bonfire where they were reunited, Mélusine asked.
Beside her lay the only remaining Arondight.
"It must be over!"
Barghest said carelessly.
But soon, a look of sadness appeared on her face.
"It's just..."
Looking at the distance where her fellow knights had been killed by Vortigern and the white dragons transformed from Saxons, the knight who resembled a large dog spoke with a tone full of sorrow.
"They won't be coming back."
"..."
Mélusine was speechless.
She, too, wished this had been a battle without losses, but reality told her again and again that this was impossible.
"Do not be so sorrowful, my knights."
Artoria's voice rang out at this moment.
Under the moonlight, the King of Camelot raised her glistening golden spear high.
"At least, we still have survivors."
"We still have a future."
"Wasn't our expedition precisely for this moment? Every one of us came here prepared to die."
"Sing out, everyone. This is a hard-won victory. Those knights who sacrificed themselves would never want to see us in sorrow!"
"..."
Silence.
Artoria's encouragement didn't have much effect.
Until—
Ian began to applaud.
"Mhm."
"We won."
"We won, carrying their share with us."
The dragon's words were simple and clear, but in this moment, they were incredibly precious.
Soon, Morgan, whose soul had separated from his, also began to applaud.
"Yes."
"We finally managed to win."
"Everyone."
Morgan turned her head to look at the soldiers Artoria had just tried to encourage.
"I know you want to cry."
"But now is not the time for sorrow."
"For those who are still living, for Camelot's tomorrow, for Britain's tomorrow, we should all pull ourselves together."
"My King, you will treat these knights with the highest honors, correct?"
Meeting Morgan's gaze, Artoria nodded directly without a shred of hesitation.
"Yes, of course I will."
"They are the brave knights of Camelot."
The suppressed emotions finally found relief in this moment. The knights, who had been silent, began to raise their hands in response to Artoria's call.
"For Britain! For Camelot!"
"For Britain! For Camelot!"
Those who remained alive now inherited the will of the fallen.
.....
A long time later.
Ian, Morgan, and Artoria sat together.
"Thank you."
Looking at him and her before her, Artoria said softly.
In the past, she probably wouldn't have been willing to do this, but now, she could do so without any psychological burden.
"Your thanks sound rather unique."
Morgan smiled faintly.
"Though, it's unnecessary."
"Even if you hadn't said it, it was something I wanted to say. That fact wouldn't change regardless."
"Camelot—no, the entire Britain—has been in chaos for too long."
"Artoria, we need to do something to make everything right again."
"Sister."
Artoria nodded.
"You're right."
"But speaking of which—"
The King of Camelot looked at Ian beside her.
"I feel his efforts were no less than ours."
"..."
"I know, I know everything."
Morgan came to Ian's side and took his hand.
"Little sister, don't forget."
"I... was completely united with him. I understand his feelings even better than you do."
"He—"
Morgan's hand gently caressed Ian's cheek.
"At that time, actually felt nothing."
"Sister, what do you mean?"
"He was very angry at that time, Artoria."
Morgan held one of Ian's hands.
"No matter how I tried to soothe him, I couldn't calm him down."
"..."
Artoria also looked at Ian.
From his gaze that didn't shy away, she knew it was all true.
"Were you really that angry?"
"Because Camelot is my home."
Ian took Artoria's hand.
"And it's your home too."
"Whoever tries to destroy a home like this, I will absolutely never forgive them."
"You already consider it home?"
A smile appeared on Artoria's face.
"Yes."
"This is your home—you are my husband. If this isn't your home, where else would be?"
Saying this, Artoria seemed to suddenly realize something.
She extended her other hand towards Morgan.
"This is also Sister's home. It is our home."
"That's a bit obvious, my little sister."
Morgan smiled calmly.
"The me of now won't get angry over such things."
"Because I will—"
Right in front of Artoria's eyes, Morgan stood on tiptoe and left a kiss directly on Ian's cheek.
Then, as if savoring the taste, she licked her lips, revealing a triumphant expression.
"—take 'revenge' directly."
"..."
"I can play that game too."
Not to be outdone, Artoria left a kiss on Ian's face in the same manner as Morgan.
"Sister, you absolutely must not get angry."
"..."
"..."
Artoria and Morgan looked at each other and both laughed.
Because both she and she knew that this was rather childish behavior.
"Jokes aside, Artoria."
Morgan stopped smiling.
"What do you plan to do next?"
As Morgan spoke, she looked towards the "tree" not far away.
Under the moonlight, it looked so huge and eerie.
"This seems to be something growing from the ley lines."
"Are we just going to leave it here?"
"..."
"Sister, since you say that, you must have an idea, right?" Artoria also looked at the tree.
"Just say it directly."
"We... shouldn't need to hide things from each other anymore."
"Then—"
Morgan looked at the colossal object existing in the abyss of Britain.
"I want to use it. What do you think?"