Chapter 57

Under Fujimaru Ritsuka's leisurely narration, Chaldea's party's encounters after entering the Britain Fairy Kingdom gradually became clear.

The kind that sounds especially tragic——

It can be said their journey was almost entirely immersed in a state of fleeing, and preparing to flee.

The moment they set foot on this bizarre land, while still in the initial phase of exploring their surroundings, the local Sheriffs swiftly arrived upon hearing the news. Not only did they expose their whereabouts at the first time, they were also absurdly charged with the crime of "unauthorized absorption of air and mana without permission."

Although it sounds like they violated the law……

But this violated law is simply inexplicable.

Facing a Lostbelt that was already of unknown origin and extremely high danger, Chaldea's people absolutely refused to be imprisoned in a jail right after arriving, passively awaiting the Lostbelt side's unilateral judgment; that would undoubtedly equal giving up resistance, stretching their necks to be slaughtered.

Therefore.

Chaldea's party resolutely would not entrust their fate to the other party's control, but decisively chose resistance, and thus embarked on a road of no return.

The acts of resisting arrest and opposing law enforcement also meant they officially became "Wanted Criminals"; from then on began a life of displacement and cautious evasion. In this Fairy Kingdom with strict order, it was simply difficult to move an inch, every step arduous.

——Because they had no spellcasting rights, on the Queen's Formation territory, all magecraft and Mystery not permitted suffered extreme suppression, and even that wasn't the most troublesome; the most troublesome was that any minuscule unrecorded magic energy fluctuation could trigger an Alarm……

——Because they bore the charges, on the Queen's Formation territory, they were regarded as uninvited Intruders. As if the Lostbelt itself activated its Defense Art mechanism, those Dark Spirits named "Dark Spirit" blackened Servants were continuously Summoned, vowing to completely erase these existences that had intruded without authorization……

——Because they lacked formal Identity, on the Queen's Formation territory, no matter where they fled they were Black Households, with no tax payment records; the land would even retaliatorily levy Mana Tax on them. This was no longer the half tax amount borne by Fairies, but a degree sufficient to drain their life force……

That period of time for them was simply like suffocating difficulty, almost unable to find a moment's respite.

And because of them, many many kind Fairies were also implicated.

Those Fairies already struggling to survive under tyranny, once discovered assisting them, without need for lengthy Judgment, would immediately be charged with heavy crimes like "Treason" and "Rebellion," then subjected to various inhumane extreme punishments.

Punishments included but were not limited to Decapitation, dismemberment, feeding to Moss, bestowing Poisoned Wine…… etc. etc.

Among them bestowing Poisoned Wine was the highest specification; don't know for what reason.

In short, Chaldea's people were in that pungent bloody smell, watching helplessly as Fairies suffered persecution, before they gained a deeper Cognition of this Lostbelt's cruelty.

They spent the most arduous days in the early period, until hope's Dawn suddenly appeared——

Fairy Lord Aurora extended a helping hand to them, provided shelter, and expressed willingness for Alliance.

Originally thought they could finally see bitter end sweet beginning, welcome a turning point; who knew the situation would rapidly decline, and even before the Alliance had lasted a full day, that beautiful, benevolent, and gentle Fairy Lord also followed in the footsteps of those previous Fairies,

This sudden huge Reversal, like a bolt from the blue, even more directly struck Chaldea's party dazed with a blow to the head.

Ordinary Fairies were one thing……

Those high-ranking Lords, unexpectedly were killed just like that……

And the power displayed by Fairy Knight Lancelot made them feel trembling fear; although they didn't truly face her directly, it's said that at that time the Clan higher-ups who followed Aurora in resistance, powerful high-ranking Fairies.

Like a wheat field encountering a Sickle's horizontal sweep, were directly harvested completely.

To the extent that city which looked Absolutely Defense, Lord loving citizens, citizens supporting Lord, everyone united as one, yet collapsed into ruin in a moment, unexpectedly unable to organize any effective Resistance……

If not for a sudden, unfathomable Calamity Arrival, Chaldea's party perhaps fundamentally couldn't have taken advantage of chaos to escape this fallen city.

Also in the chaos, Fujimaru Ritsuka unfortunately separated from Companions; at the critical moment unable to evacuate in time, she shockedly discovered some bizarre attack descending from the sky, enveloping the Calamity's Scene——

Simultaneously also dragging her in.

This is the reason why this Chaldea Master would appear here.

————

————

Probably also because this period was suppressed too harshly, not a shred of hope could be seen.

So Fujimaru Ritsuka now feels she finally saw Dawn, determined this place is the Land of the End containing hope to oppose Morgan Queen's terrifying Rule, subconsciously wanting to obtain help from here……

Out of instinctive reliance on life-saving benefactor, and the deliberately crafted atmosphere surrounding her, and someone's subtle guidance, she couldn't help but begin pouring out her heart.

Until deep night, drowsiness surged like a tide, Consciousness gradually blurred, Bonfire's warm light sprinkled on her body, only then in this tranquility did she unknowingly quietly fall asleep.

And when this unilaterally initiated, unilaterally ignorant interrogation ended——

"Good, she has already basically confessed everything she could confess……"

Xia Zhi stood up and walked to the girl's Side, gently helped her lie down, also considerately tucked the blanket for her, finished checking confirmed the other party was truly asleep, only then Turned Back with indifferent Tone to give conclusion.

And almost the moment his voice fell.

The people around also no longer pretended to sleep, directly sitting up one after another.

"……Future Britain, would actually become that appearance?"

First to break Silence was Artoria, this legendary King Arthur's face written full of shock and astonishment, immediately after her Gaze cast toward that Golden Hair girl identical to herself, tightly clenched Fist revealing Inner Heart's anger:

"Is this the future you want! Morgan!"

Merely from Fujimaru Ritsuka's fragmentary words just now, she seemed to smell that thick bloody smell, unbelievable and unacceptable, to the extent that even the "King Consort" matter she especially cared about before was no longer attended to.

Listen to what those are——

Iron fist, hegemony, harsh policies, extreme punishments, persecution……

Even merely slightly touching the surface, these words already suffice to make one's heart chill, Goosebumps. Artoria could almost foresee, under Morgan's control, Britain would fall into what kind of Deep Darkness era.

Admittedly, she herself was also once considered a cold ruthless King.

But that was only because a King cannot govern a country under a mood full of benevolence and indecisiveness.

So she sat on the throne would never reveal emotion, simply purely exercising governing ability, handling affairs without deviation, punishing enemies without bias, like a Scale precise to several decimal places, calculating gains and losses balance.

However, Morgan's Extreme Rule method, is more like purely for tyranny's sake tyranny, for persecution's sake persecution……

——This Witch exactly how does she think?!

"Correct, what impropriety?" Vivian was originally pondering something, hearing this question, directly responded in a cold Tone.

Her original personality is actually the type to be strict when should be strict, gentle when should let everyone feel Peace of Mind. However, Artoria is obviously an Exception, clearly did not enjoy this flexible treatment.

"You……you——!!" Artoria Clench Teeth, heart difficult to calm anger.

Actually still asking herself what's wrong, could she not have a bit of Awareness?

"I know what stupid words you want to say, but advise you save it; I know what I'm doing, also know what I will do." Vivian indifferently looked away, fundamentally not meeting her gaze, words revealing a calm nearly cold certainty.

But it was precisely this attitude, as if he considered himself far too superior to argue with the other party, that was most infuriating.

In an instant.

Artoria felt a surge of anger rush to her head, veins faintly bulging on her smooth forehead.

"Cough, cough, don't get excited..."

Xia Zhi coughed lightly at the right moment, trying to ease the tense atmosphere, and comforted the angry little lion: "And Saber, you calm down too. You've only just been summoned not long ago, and may not yet understand the situation in this world."

He explained: "To maintain rule over the Fairy Kingdom, certain strong-handed measures are actually indispensable... The fairies of this world are actually very terrifying; if one isn't ruthless enough, one cannot suppress them, and once deterrence is lost, rebellions will follow one after another."

"But, isn't the problem that they choose to rebel because they've been squeezed to this extent?" Artoria took a deep breath, asking in a low voice.

"If you put it that way..." Xia Zhi actually thought about it seriously, then immediately shook his head as if in disagreement: "I think that since they've already been squeezed to this extent, the problem is that they actually still have the strength to rebel, and we must strike with a heavy hand!"

Artoria: "?"

(Chapter End)