At that moment, the Territory Construction System sprang to life, prompting Jiang You to mutter about how many disparate features this game had been haphazardly stitched together.
Jiang You had already completely handed over the simple shop management system to Medea, so he had no interest in looking at something that appeared even more complex. After all, event-type features were usually designed to be easy and forgiving. You could just click around blindly and claim all the rewards—the only difference was whether you got them sooner or later. The real hassle was that this internal test didn't allow access to guides.
"Salisbury always needs a Lord," Morgan stated, offering a seemingly reasonable explanation. "Your ability to command Lancelot makes you the most suitable candidate. And your... your capabilities are more than sufficient for the task."
"Your Majesty, this person looks entirely human. Wouldn't this be... a departure from tradition?"
The fairies exchanged glances until an elder noble stepped forward to voice their concerns.
Spriggan instinctively distanced himself from the fairies. Even if you fairies have picked up some human vices, he thought, all you really want is Aurora's accumulated wealth and territory. You're still too naive. Morgan's attitude speaks volumes. She dares to say this outright!
"Tradition?"
Morgan knew these nobles simply didn't want humans to become Lords. She had never appointed a human Lord before, but that was only because fairies were better suited for this Lostbelt. As long as Britain's survival was ensured, she cared little whether the rulers were human or fairy. And for Jiang You, anything was worth it. "How could I not know about such a thing? In my realm, there are only those capable of being Lords and the incompetent fools!"
"Do you dare question my decision?"
Morgan grew impatient. She had no time to cater to the nobles' whims.
"What qualifications do you useless fools possess to rule as Lords? You lack both merit and power! It would be better to let my most capable Scribe handle the duties."
Woodworth knew Morgan had never appointed a human Scribe before. Attitudes toward humans varied greatly across the Faerie Realm's territories, but Morgan's Camelot had always been lukewarm at best. Morgan cared only for the Faerie Realm's eternal prosperity; to her, humans' lifespans were far too short. Still, given Beryl's precedent, Woodworth found this perfectly normal. After all, human lifespans were so fleeting that their sudden appearance seemed perfectly natural.
"I agree with Her Majesty's arrangements."
"Mr. Jiang You has subdued the mighty Lancelot, demonstrating his strength to command respect. Or does anyone here wish to challenge him?"
The Fang Clan has always valued strength above all else. Their formidable power lends their words considerable weight—a testament to why their clan alone has produced three Lords.
Jiang You scratched his head in confusion, unable to fully grasp Morgan's intentions. Their ways of thinking were always at odds. However, the rewards from the Territory Construction System included several Wind Fairy-related cards, most notably the Coral Card and a Field Spell Card that synergized with Melusine's effects. Collecting them wouldn't hurt.
Moreover, Coral hadn't yet been trampled to death by Aurora. As one of the few conscientious voices in the Faerie Realm, she was quite useful. Thus, Jiang You decided to delegate all territorial affairs to Coral.
"Thank you, Your Majesty! I shall not fail to meet your high expectations!"
Jiang You didn't argue with Morgan's decision. After all, there was a reward involved, so he figured he might as well consider it a side quest.
"The sooner you head to Salisbury, the better," Morgan urged.
Having learned of Oberon's existence, she worried he might seize this opportunity to cause trouble. She instructed Jiang You to claim sovereignty over Salisbury immediately.
Barghest opened her mouth to speak, but ultimately swallowed her words. She didn't quite understand Morgan's intentions. If Jiang You became the Lord of Salisbury, he wouldn't be able to stay by her side all the time. Hadn't he expressed wanting her for himself?
Fairy Tristan, however, wasn't worried at all. She possessed a Noble Phantasm gifted by Morgan, allowing her to teleport anywhere in Britain. Finding Jiang You would be a piece of cake.
"Then let's get going," Jiang You said, waving Melusine over. She obediently fell into step beside him.
But as they stepped outside, Melusine suddenly stopped, her eyes fixed on Jiang You. Then, she turned her back to him, bending slightly at the waist.
"What are you doing?" Jiang You asked, his expression puzzled once again at Melusine's strange behavior. The posture reminded him of his own cat, who would arch its tail toward him.
"I can't carry both of you at once while flying. You'll have to ride on my back," Melusine said.
Though she could easily carry one person in each hand while flying, she didn't want to do that. This was Aurora's last moment of social significance, at least. Melusine wanted to make her as comfortable as possible. As for Jiang You, who had now become her true master, she didn't mind the intimate position. She might even have to share his bed in the future, so she'd get used to it eventually.
"That would look too awkward," Jiang You protested.
Jiang You was much taller than Melusine, and he couldn't even imagine how ridiculous it would look for him to ride on her back. He whistled, summoning Carrot.
"I have my own mount, but it probably can't keep up with you. Just match my speed. It won't slow you down much—this Flying Dragon was personally chosen by a Sun God, so its speed is guaranteed."
"A Sun God, huh..."
Melusine thought of Tiamat again. Jiang You's background was indeed extraordinary. If they hadn't met in such an unconventional way, he would have made an excellent partner.
Both Melusine and Barghest were creatures who followed their instincts above all else.
-
Knights of the Round Table headquarters.
"Have you heard? The Child of Prophecy has appeared."
Upon hearing this news, Percival immediately grabbed a passing soldier. He had been so busy earning funds lately that he had neglected gathering intelligence.
"Explain the details to me immediately!"
"Yes, Captain!"
The soldier, who had been gossiping just moments before, instantly adopted a serious expression upon seeing Percival.
"This news just arrived from New Darlington. The Child of Prophecy is none other than Tristan, the Lord of New Darlington!"
"She? Impossible!"
Percival had once been a candidate for the Child of Prophecy himself. After drawing the Spear of Selection, he became one tasked with finding the prophesied savior, hoping to bring about a better future for the nation.
"How could her eccentric and cruel personality possibly...?"
"That's true... but Tristan has demonstrated to everyone her ability to dispel the Mors Curse. Such a power could truly save the world."
"The ability to dispel the Curse? If only the Manager were still here... he would surely have the answers we need."