After the chaos finally died down, Shiomi, Artoria, and the Knights of the Round Table, Mash included, pulled a few rocks on the beach over as seats and formed a circle to get everyone up to speed.
Unlike the Servants aboard Drake and Bartholomew's two ships, the Knights of the Round Table had, upon manifesting, quickly grasped that this place was both a Lostbelt and an Age of Gods. What they did not know was how far Chaldea had progressed so far.
It was Chaldea's responsibility to brief them as thoroughly as possible.
Back in King Arthur's time, the Knights of the Round Table had sailed out and made landfall on the European mainland more than once, so naval warfare was nothing new to them.
"So Eris Island is in the southwest of this sea known as Atlantis," Percival said, studying the rough map drawn in the sand before comparing it to the chart he'd been handed, his expression grave. "And to reach the Void Cavern, we have to cross the southern waters under heavy cloud cover and land on Nemesis Island?"
"But why go so far out of the way?" Gareth asked. "Wouldn't it have been easier to head straight there in the first place and charge right into Olympus through that entrance called the Void Cavern?"
After entering the Lostbelt, Chaldea's first landing had been on Hestia Island, due west of the Void Cavern.
Artoria shook her head. "The moment we entered the Lostbelt, we were surrounded by Olympus's fleet. We managed to turn the tables and wipe out the encirclement, but that drew the sniper fire of the goddess Artemis."
"Exactly," Shiomi said. "At the time, Olympus's defenses in Atlantis hadn't been pulled back yet. If we'd sailed straight southwest and pushed into the most hostile waters, we could've ended up attacked from both sides. Even if we broke through, we'd be exhausted."
He continued evenly, "And since we had no idea what kind of enemy we'd face once we entered Olympus, we chose to advance carefully."
Gawain nodded in admiration. "And yet, with enemies on all sides, Your Majesty and Chaldea still managed to wipe out Olympus's forces again, and even destroy the Moon Goddess in her satellite orbit."
"That was Tenkei's doing," Artoria said, shaking her head, refusing to take it as her own accomplishment.
"I wouldn't put it that way," Shiomi replied calmly. "With Aphrodite and Demeter entering the field, and a fleet far more prepared than the one that tried to encircle us, we couldn't split our forces and still fight with any confidence. I also didn't have the time to carry out the plan to bring down Artemis. It was everyone's work."
He said something absolutely outrageous with a composed face. The Knights of the Round Table did not doubt him, but they were still taken aback by how steady he remained.
"A god in satellite orbit… That's incredible!" Gareth blurted out. "No wonder you're the comrade who's fought shoulder to shoulder with our King."
Shiomi just smiled, holding a twig and drawing a circle around the spot marked as Nemesis Island.
"The entrance to the Void Cavern should be somewhere around here. Once we break through the Tempest Sea, StormBorder will approach from the left. Drake and Bartholomew's ships will come in from the right. We'll swing around the island from both sides toward the Fantasy Tree and search for the entrance."
"Splitting our forces on purpose," Lancelot murmured, propping his chin on his hands. "If we haven't wiped them out by then, this would scatter their attention. The question is… which side becomes the bait?"
"Are you worried, Lancelot?" Tristan quipped with a dry chuckle. "If only a few Knights of the Round Table can make Olympus's army scramble and lose track of things, that's a bargain of a tactic."
"It's not worry," Lancelot said, glancing at StormBorder. "It's that I'm not sure we'll draw enough attention. Chaldea's warship is larger than both captains' ships. It's the most obvious target by far. There's no way they won't focus on it."
Percival thought for a moment, then smiled with confidence. "Then let's make it louder. Make it flashy enough that Olympus can't take their eyes off us."
"How about a wager?" Shiomi said, setting the twig down. "Between the two ships you'll be riding and StormBorder, whichever reaches the Void Cavern first and runs into the sea god Poseidon guarding the gate wins. How about that?"
Artoria couldn't help but smile. She understood Shiomi was just trying to lighten the mood. "That's quite a wager. And the winner gets to be the first to fight a sea god who's been waiting with full preparations."
"Gladly," Gawain said, clenching his fist. "We've fought countless enemies, yet never faced a god head-on. Even so, it's something we must give everything for."
The other Knights of the Round Table felt much the same.
"Um, should I also go to Captain Drake's ship or Captain Bartholomew's ship, like the other Knights of the Round Table?" Mash asked.
"No, no. You should stay on StormBorder and accompany… no, protect our King," Lancelot said, urging her to remain behind. The swelling on his face had yet to fully subside.
Of course, the real reason was that the Knights of the Round Table and the other Servants had already formed an unspoken agreement. Even if they were to fall in battle, they would make absolutely sure that Chaldea's ship could break through the Void Cavern with no one left behind.
Still, when it came out of Lancelot's mouth, it oddly sounded like a father worrying over his daughter.
"Alright, next I'll go over the enemy forces we've identified so far, especially the Servants and goddesses—"
Shiomi was just about to continue when a series of overlapping footsteps came from nearby.
He turned around to see Baobhan Sith approaching with two other Fairy Knights and several sailors. They were carrying trays filled with freshly shaved ice, drizzled with fruit syrups of different colors, clearly meant for the Knights of the Round Table and the other Servants.
"This is…" Shiomi paused, taken aback.
"There's less than an hour before departure, so the kitchen prepared some food," Baobhan Sith explained. "Since it's a bit warmer today, they also made some cold drinks. We hope it'll help everyone relax before setting sail."
It was a thoughtful gesture, and with young maidens personally bringing over chilled treats, the Knights of the Round Table accepted them gladly, smiling all around.
The brief strategy meeting was put on hold for the moment.
Once everything had been handed out, the Nemo sailors returned to the ship first. Baobhan Sith and the others, however, did not board right away. She leaned in close to Shiomi's ear and whispered a few words.
"I see," Shiomi said after hearing her out. "Now that you mention it, you were all active in Britannia under the name of Fairy Knights. With the original bearers of those names here now, paying a visit is only proper. It's basic courtesy."
Shiomi's understanding drew looks of surprise from the Knights of the Round Table.
Then, in a notably relaxed mood, he casually introduced the titles the three of them had once borne during their time as Fairy Knights.
The shoreline quickly grew lively once again.