"I remember France and Britannia are enemies. Are we going to sabotage their press conference?"
Jeanne recalled her recent lessons on hostile nations.
Britannia had always been France's greatest enemy.
Britannia had tried to conquer France, and the grudges ran deep.
France had also once been hostile to the Dragon Dynasty, but the First Emperor was terrifying in a way that made conflict pointless.
Instead, France now desperately wanted diplomatic ties with the Dragon Dynasty.
Jeanne looked at Gilles with deep-blue, curious eyes.
"Your Majesty, your training still needs work. Our best course now is to observe. As long as they do nothing that harms France's interests, we stay still."
Gilles savored her gaze.
"Oh, so that's how it is?"
Jeanne nodded uncertainly.
"What matters is how we respond. Arthur personally responded to the video, and it wasn't taken down. The most likely reason is that Arthur values that video and wants to use it to build ties with the Dragon Dynasty."
"Using a video to open diplomacy feels childish, but I can't think of another motive."
He placed the compiled intel before Jeanne.
"So we should either find a way to establish diplomacy with the Dragon Dynasty… or disrupt Britannia's attempt?"
Jeanne tucked a gold lock behind her ear, eyes bright with realization.
"That's not wrong. But for now, observe—and find a way to connect with the Dragon Dynasty. By the way, where's Astolfo? I told him to study with you."
"Astolfo… he said studying was boring and went out to play."
Jeanne pictured a boy in a purple top and black garter stockings.
She never understood why such a cute boy dressed even cuter.
He had been excited to study at first, but quickly fled, chasing "joy."
"Well… I never expected him to study seriously anyway."
Gilles knew Astolfo too well.
As a Rider, Astolfo kept all his old habits.
He cared about fun more than duty.
So he was never given a real role—just a title, and the task of keeping Jeanne company.
"Look—the press conference is about to start."
The central screen showed a mighty figure.
Britannia, Buckingham Palace.
The press conference began.
Artoria, in armor and wearing a blue blanket like a cape, stood before the riot of reporters.
She planted her holy sword before her and struck it to the floor.
A sharp clang rang out.
The hall fell silent. Not a soul dared breathe.
No one dared meet the king's eyes.
She looked furious.
But she said nothing, chilling everyone further.
Finally, a Britannian reporter stepped forward—more accurately, was pushed forward.
With no choice, he raised the microphone.
"Your Majesty… what is your view of this video?"
Every gaze locked on Artoria.
The stern king suddenly smiled.
"You may not believe it, but that video is true. However, the one who lived it is not me—it is a parallel-world version of me."
"That other me has already descended upon this land. I don't know where she went, but I did meet her—and spoke with her."
The hall erupted.
People had guessed Arthur might use the video for politics.
No one expected her to declare it real.
Some wanted to ask more—but one glance at her smile made them recoil.
A cold, clear voice echoed behind her.
"I didn't expect you to do that. I don't need proof of anything. And I am not you. From now on my name is Rhongomyniad—borrowing the name of the goddess, to distinguish myself."
Rhongomyniad was the name of the holy lance, now used as the name of the other Arthur.
A tall, striking white horse strode in from the horizon.
Upon it sat a mature, imposing beauty holding a white spear.
Blue garments clung to her figure, barely restraining her voluptuous chest.
A red cloak snapped in the wind.
Her armored legs nudged the horse forward.
The white horse halted before Artoria. Rhongomyniad looked down at her.
Reporters were stunned.
The mounted Arthur radiated an icy, goddesslike pressure.
They wanted to push the same reporter forward again, but he shot them a resentful look, bowed to both kings, apologized, and retreated.
With no pawn left, everyone fell silent.
The two Arthurs simply faced each other.
Their aura alone sealed every mouth shut.
"Rhongomyniad… would you be interested in ruling Britannia with me?"