Crazy Britain:They’re All Raising Me

"Why is Knocknaree here?"

Seeing the Queen of the North—majestic and surrounded by her soldiers like stars around the moon—Guinevere couldn't help but voice his surprise.

As he spoke, his gaze instinctively shifted to Murien at his side, only to find that she, too, was wearing a look of astonishment.

"Eh? She got here this fast?"

Noticing everyone looking at her, Murien casually explained,

"Well, I was already planning to defect to Knocknaree, right? So I sent word out when I left Gloucester… but I really didn't expect her to arrive so quickly."

"Even though Edinburgh is farther from here than Gloucester… Hmm, looks like Knocknaree really does value what we can offer. If she actually manages to get her hands on that Pal Ball assembly line, then with Edinburgh's production capacity, it wouldn't take long before she's tamed all the Phantasmal Species in Britain."

"Just out of curiosity—what exactly did you tell her when you sent that message?" Artoria suddenly asked.

"I just told her I agreed to join her, and that I had something important—like the Pal Ball factory. Though the schematics were already sold, to your group."

At this point, Murien added,

"Oh right, she also seemed really interested in you guys—the Children of Prophecy. She immediately asked who was in your party."

"I see."

Artoria turned her head slightly and muttered quietly to Barvanshee,

"This underhanded woman rushed over the moment she heard Guinevere was here. Look at that—she even brought cavalry. She barely has a hundred cavalry under her command, yet she came charging in like this."

Hearing this, Barvanshee widened her eyes and grew serious.

Just then, Knocknaree took two steps forward and approached Guinevere and the others. At the same time, the Windfang Clan fairies were unwilling to give up on their target and surged toward Guinevere's group once again. But Knocknaree merely raised her hand and gave a commanding order:

"Center ranks, shift formation—Mountain!"

At her command, her surrounding soldiers quickly advanced, enclosing Guinevere's group in a protective ring. The fairies riding horse-shaped Phantasmal Beasts dismounted and formed a defensive line alongside their mounts.

"What are you panicking for? It's just a small enemy unit of fewer than a hundred! You're letting this rattle you?!"

At Lancelot's furious scolding, the Windfang fairies quickly realized that the attackers were far fewer in number than themselves. They reorganized and charged back toward the Northern Fairies, clashing with them in battle.

Under normal circumstances, when it came to close-quarters combat, firearms held little advantage against Phantasmal Beings. The Windfang Clan, known for their ferocity, should have had the upper hand. But despite being outnumbered, the Northern Fairies held the line easily.

Guinevere noticed that when Knocknaree uttered the word "Mountain," a pale yellow stream of energy enveloped the Northern Fairies. With that energy flowing around them, the Windfang fairies' attacks only inflicted shallow wounds, making defense much easier.

At the same time, Knocknaree shouted, "Flanks, shift formation—Wind!"

Her uncommitted cavalry swiftly dispersed on their horse-like fairies, circling to the enemy's sides. Then they unleashed volleys of "Phantom Blast Style I" upon the now-surrounded Windfang troops.

Caught in a pincer attack, the Windfang Clan suffered heavy casualties.

Seeing her troops gain the upper hand, Knocknaree turned back to the others:

"Murien, I'm glad you're safe. Looks like I arrived just in time."

"Yeah, I thought I was gonna die for sure just now," Murien exhaled and patted her chest in relief. "Even though I gave the blueprints to the Children of Prophecy, you'll need to work with them to start mass production. But I did bring a prototype with me. Once we get back to Edinburgh, it should give the Northern Fairies a real edge."

Surprisingly, Knocknaree looked puzzled.

"...Blueprints? Prototype? What are you talking about?"

"Huh?" Murien blinked. "Didn't you come because you realized how important the Pal Ball factory is?"

"Of course not. How useful could one machine possibly be?"

Though she realized she might have overlooked something, Knocknaree didn't seem to care much.

"For me, the most important thing is securing key talent. Having you all join me is more than worth the trip. Compared to that, factories and whatnot are far less valuable."

As she spoke, her gaze casually swept toward Guinevere.

"Hmm, I suppose I underestimated you a little…"

Murien rubbed her chin, thoughtful, then smiled.

"Well, that's not a bad thing. Should I say—this is what one would expect from the Queen of the North? I think I'm beginning to feel that so-called leadership aura now… yeah."

Saying this, Murien gave Knocknaree a deep bow.

"It's an honor to serve under your banner, Your Majesty."

After formally accepting Murien's defection, Knocknaree turned her attention to Artoria.

"What's wrong, Artoria? I rushed here to save you, yet you don't seem grateful at all. In fact, you're acting quite wary of me."

"If you were truly here just to save me, I'd be happy," Artoria replied calmly. "But Knocknaree, can you swear by the name of the late Queen Mab that you came with no ulterior motive? That you didn't come to take something from me—something you've always wanted?"

"...Tch. Still the same. So damn annoying."

Knocknaree folded her arms and turned her head away, glancing instead at the battlefield.

"Hey! Don't dodge the question! Answer me properly!"

Artoria grew more agitated at her evasiveness.

"God, you're so annoying. Ever think that sometimes not answering is the best answer?" Knocknaree snapped. "And what do you mean by 'take'? Don't you know everything in this world has to be earned? If I end up with it, that just means I was more suited to it than you. Ever heard of 'To the victor go the spoils'? Stop acting like it was yours to begin with."

"Can you be any more shameless?! You're justifying robbery like it's your right!"

Artoria was nearly fuming from the ears.

"Uh... what are you two talking about? Stealing what? The blueprints?" Murien asked, clearly still out of the loop.

"Nothing. Just a little quarrel between friends. Don't worry about it," Knocknaree said, trying to maintain appearances in front of her new vassal. "In any case, let's deal with the enemy first. We'll talk more once we're back in Edinburgh."

But just as Knocknaree finished speaking, an angry voice rang out:

"You think you can come and go as you please? Am I invisible to you?!"

A flash of light streaked by. Several Northern Fairies standing before Knocknaree were instantly bisected at the waist. In that blood-splattered moment, a blade of deep blue magical energy slashed toward her.

Knocknaree's expression changed instantly. She raised her hand reflexively, pink magic forming a heart at her fingertip, which then exploded into countless heart-shaped energy blasts, raining down on Fairy Lancelot like a storm.

Though it looked cute and harmless, this was actually a high-grade attack—true to her status as a great fairy. In Edinburgh, heart symbols signified, "Prove that you are the strongest." Anyone hit by just one of these heart blasts would normally die on the spot.

—Unfortunately, her opponent was Fairy Lancelot.

With a cry of "Seya!", Lancelot's body flashed gold, and the heart blasts passed harmlessly through her as if striking an illusion. The next moment, she was already in front of Knocknaree, blades crossed and descending.

Just as Knocknaree seemed doomed, Guinevere lunged from the side, tackling her out of harm's way. As he projected the divine sword "Heaven's Judgment," a shrieking sound like a blade tearing through the heavens echoed out. Guinevere stumbled back, and Lancelot paused mid-air.

Then came another "Seya!" as Lancelot dove at Guinevere again, forcing him to roll on the ground to narrowly dodge.

As he got up, he saw Knocknaree draw a slender sword made of chocolate and prepare to assist. He quickly shouted:

"Careful! She's invincible while attacking!"

"Invincible?" Knocknaree froze, but quickly put two and two together. She then shouted:

"Guinevere! I need a vanguard in my army! Will you take the post?"

"Hah?" Guinevere scowled as he ducked another slash. "Is this really the time to be recruiting?!"

As he was distracted, Lancelot surged forward. Her blue blade pierced through his defense and thrust toward his chest.

Just as it was about to strike, a chocolate-shaped hand grabbed his shoulder and yanked him back several meters—just in time to avoid certain death.

Knocknaree's voice rang out again:

"Trust me! Just say yes!"

Feeling something strange in her tone, and seeing Lancelot charging again, Guinevere shouted:

"Fine! I'll be your vanguard!"

"Good!"

Knocknaree waved her hand.

"Vanguard! Shift formation—Thunder!"

At that moment, glowing text appeared before Guinevere:

[You have become Knocknaree's Vanguard.]

[You have received the buff "Thunderous Motion" from Commander Knocknaree.]

[Thunderous Motion: Slight boost to attack and speed. Grants status: Pierces Invincibility.]

Guinevere: "...Huh?!"