Before long, the greetings naturally shifted from conversation into friendly sparring, a chance to test each other's skills.
By then, Melusine was already exchanging blows with Lancelot. Lancelot carried himself with impeccable grace, openly praising Melusine's martial prowess, while Mash stood between them, keeping the bout from escalating.
On the other side, Barghest and Gawain were doing much the same, though their exchange leaned more toward a test of raw strength.
"Honestly, what was supposed to be a refined gathering has turned into a martial meet without anyone noticing," Tristan said, setting aside his tall glass of shaved ice and plucking at his harp strings. "Still, as a warm-up before departure, it's not inappropriate. That said, Miss Baobhan Sith is quite different from those two."
Baobhan Sith bit lightly on her spoon. "Father only granted me the title of Fairy Knight as a way to express opposition. In truth, I was never given the Round Table Knight abilities from Proper Human History. Unlike them, my fighting style is much closer to that of a Magus."
"I see. A Magus," Tristan said with a faintly smug chuckle. "To think that someone bearing my title would be such an elegant lady."
The implication was obvious. He was clearly claiming victory over Lancelot and Gawain.
"Speaking of Fairy Knights," Artoria said, recalling the past, "there were similar figures in Proper Human History as well. When I was still a knight in training, a Fairy Knight once traveled alongside me."
"You mean Britomart, right?" Shiomi said.
"Exactly. We became friends through a duel and fought through many battles together," Artoria said, a nostalgic look crossing her face. "When our journey ended, she was welcomed by the Fairy Queen and became a fairy herself. I heard that she later had two children, one of whom went on to become King of Britannia in the era after mine."
"And the other?" Gareth asked.
She had not joined her brother Gawain's strength contest, choosing instead to remain by King Arthur's side, enjoying a rare moment of calm.
"That, I don't know," Artoria said with a small smile. "She likely remained in the paradise within the Inner Sea of the Planet. Perhaps once the crisis of Proper Human History is resolved and we return to Avalon, I might be able to pay her a proper visit."
"That sounds wonderful," Shiomi said sincerely. "Morgan would probably be interested in returning to the Garden as well."
At the mention of Morgan's name, Gareth froze. "Morgan? You mean His Majesty's sister, Morgan?"
"No, probably not," Gawain said, rolling his arm as he walked over. "Back in the Singularity, we had dealings with Chaldea's Morgan. Though we were enemies at the time, she wasn't the Morgan we know."
"Indeed," Tristan said, recalling that bitter defeat. "Chaldea's Morgan was powerful, but there was something lacking. Her strength was overwhelming, yet she felt insufficiently cold. Even when she fought decisively, her killing intent lacked true cruelty."
"Of course," Baobhan Sith said seriously. "Mother is a Savior, not the witch queen of Proper Human History. Please don't mistake her for someone else."
As she spoke, she suddenly remembered something. "I recall Father saying that several of the Knights of the Round Table are children of that Morgan from Proper Human History, is that right?"
"Me, Gareth, and those who couldn't gather here, including Mordred, Agravain, and Gaheris," Gawain said, nodding.
"You could say it's nearly half of them," Shiomi said, looking at Artoria. "And yet, every knight your sister sent ultimately remained loyal to you."
Even when it came to Mordred, who eventually raised the banner of rebellion, Shiomi found it hard to put into words the complicated feelings that person had held toward King Arthur.
"It's all in the past now. To be able to fight alongside the knights of old again after a thousand years… that alone is more than enough for me."
Artoria shook her head, her voice calm, the feeling behind it deep and steady.
Gareth felt exactly the same. She nearly broke down again, hastily sniffing to keep the tears from spilling over.
Tristan smiled quietly, set aside his bow, and picked up a chilled drink to enjoy.
"There will be pastries served later as well. If any of you are interested, please do give them a try," Baobhan Sith added.
"Putting that aside, do we really not need to worry about Lancelot?" Shiomi turned and pointed in that direction.
"Why is Mash fighting him together with Melusine?"
Percival burst into an easy, cheerful laugh.
"There's no need for concern. If anything, Sir Lancelot is having the time of his life."
"Just don't overdo it," Shiomi reminded them with a half-joking tone.
"Otherwise, I'll be the one stuck helping everyone recover."
"Since this is a break, any way of spending it is understandable," Artoria said. Her gaze drifted to the shaved ice in Shiomi's hand.
"Isn't your fruit syrup a different flavor from mine?"
"Yes." Shiomi nodded.
"Then let me have a taste."
Without the slightest hesitation, Artoria reached out with her spoon and scooped up a mouthful of shaved ice heavy with syrup from Shiomi's cup.
Shiomi couldn't help laughing.
"The colors on your tongue are already mixing together."
"Really?"
Only then did Artoria remember how easily that syrup stained the tongue. She instinctively stuck her tongue out to check, but couldn't quite see it clearly. A moment later, she pulled it back in, having completely forgotten that the Knights of the Round Table were right there watching.
Thankfully, the knights were more than capable of reading the room. Without saying a word, they quietly gathered together again and resumed the discussion that had been interrupted earlier.
"Did you see that?" Tristan opened his eyes once more.
"That subtle sense of distance."
"The way she shifts between being a king and being a woman," Gawain said solemnly.
"As expected of our king. Such remarkable discernment," Percival said.
"If this Master is truly acknowledged by the Holy Lance, then we can head to the front lines without worry, no longer fearing for the king's safety."
"Still, seeing His Majesty as she is now is… surprising," Gareth said softly.
"Just as Sir Lancelot mentioned, I can't tell whether I should feel happy or sad. What do you think, Brother Gawain?"
Gawain fell silent for a moment before speaking.
"The king wandered the world alone for fifteen hundred years, bearing the Holy Lance, never finding rest. From an undying spirit, she became the Goddess Rhongomyniad. If someone can truly understand that loneliness, and soothe it…"
"It's a good thing Sir Agravain isn't here," Tristan muttered dryly.
"If he were, he'd be convinced the king had been led astray."
"In a sense, it's fortunate that we arrived on the battlefield a step too late," Percival agreed with a nod.
The Knights of the Round Table sat together, eating their simple yet refreshing shaved ice in unison, their eyes lingering on Shiomi and Artoria as the two chatted amicably.
Sensing their gazes, Shiomi could only pretend not to notice, keeping the conversation going while subtly making sure Artoria remained unaware.
Above them, the thunderclouds in the sky quietly continued to spread.