After hearing Arthur's affectionate confession (from her perspective), Manaka was moved and gripped his hands even tighter.
In doing so, perhaps unconsciously, she restricted his movements.
Whether it was born from genuine emotion or a subconscious premonition, she could not tell.
Either way, Arthur was effectively confined to his spot.
"Really? So you have such a childish side. Manaka, how about you stop being so spoiled?" Arthur teased with a doting smile.
"No, I want to hug the prince." Manaka shook her head and buried her face against his chest.
Arthur could only sigh helplessly, unwilling to spoil the seemingly heartwarming moment.
But in truth, there was no need for him to personally reach the Gate of Myriad Tribulations. This Holy Grail journey, while largely recreational, also served an experimental purpose. Through it, Arthur had gained a far clearer, more intuitive understanding of the gate's functions.
The golden door was entirely under his control.
It possessed capabilities such as spatial travel, world-connection, and coordinate recording.
Although the gate remained stationed in Britain, Arthur retained supreme authority over it.
In other words, so long as he could sense its presence, he could pierce barriers with a mere thought, bypass all of Merlin's reinforcements, and activate it directly.
Thus, the only real limitation was that he could not greet Irisviel in person.
Looking down at the girl clinging to him, Arthur did not mind indulging her willfulness. In fact, her occasional demands made her seem all the more genuine and endearing.
"Very well. I'll stay with you," Arthur chuckled, returning her embrace.
Manaka's expression brightened instantly.
But then, a strong undercurrent of resentment stirred among the British people, and a chill wind swept eerily through the research institute.
Arthur snapped his fingers.
The golden gate blazed to life and swung open.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, are you there? I'm coming through!"
A nervous yet eager voice rang from the other side. Moments later, a beautiful silver-haired woman stepped into Britain.
Behind her, attendants carried in crates of materials one after another.
Artoria (Saber) held Irisviel's hand as they crossed the threshold into legendary, otherworldly Britain. At the same time, as the gate opened, Skadi absorbed the spirit's memories in full. Her expression turned strange, her gaze falling upon Manaka with a faint trace of pity.
"...Huh?"
Manaka's blissful smile froze, her body going stiff.
She had never imagined that while Arthur was smiling and confessing his love to her, he would secretly open the door—and let a supposed mistress into his home.
Was this reasonable?
No!
Utterly unreasonable!
But before she could even feel the sting of betrayal, the silver-haired beauty approached her with a gentle smile—only to deliver an even crueler truth.
"Are you Miss Sajou Manaka? Just as His Majesty said, you're a very cute child." Irisviel's voice was warm, almost motherly.
"Who's a child?!" Manaka shot back furiously. Yet, trapped in Arthur's embrace, she could only pout fiercely, her anger taking on a strangely adorable quality. "Who are you, anyway?! And don't call my prince 'Your Majesty' without permission! He's my prince—Manaka's!"
"All right, all right—Princess Manaka," Irisviel replied with a soft laugh, "but he's also my Majesty."
Her tone was unmistakably that of someone coaxing a child.
"My name is Irisviel von Einzbern. It's a pleasure to meet you. And I must thank you, little Manaka. His Majesty told me it wasn't convenient for me to come to Britain, but because you recognized me in his stead, he was able to bring me here. Truly—thank you."
"I didn't... Wait—what did you just say?" Manaka's voice faltered. Her whole body seemed to turn gray, as though struck by lightning.
Recognized?
When did that happen?
Thinking hard, Manaka realized the only moment that could be connected to this was Arthur's "confession" during yesterday's communication.
But looking at it now—wasn't the one willing to sacrifice everything for the prince not herself, but this woman?
In other words, this supposed rival never should have appeared before her at all.
It was only her misunderstanding that had summoned the rival into being.
And the cruel irony: she herself had created her own love rival.
Her actions yesterday had been like a wife urging her guileless husband to take a mistress. Realizing this, Manaka's expression darkened. Death itself seemed preferable.
Worse still, Merlin had told Britain's high command—everyone present—that Arthur had confessed to her. And now... this.
This humiliation. This betrayal.
Destroy Britain. Destroy this world. They were worthless anyway.
One drop. Two drops.
Tears spilled down Manaka's cheeks, soaking into Arthur's clothes.
The Root Princess, who had never once cried in her life, stared blankly as she felt tears for the very first time.
In her heart grew a wild, poisonous tangle of suicidal regret and boundless resentment.
Prince... ahh...
Her body suddenly slackened, and she collapsed into unconsciousness—choosing escape over reality.
"Manaka?! Manaka!" Arthur cried out, alarmed.
The British people, however, were quietly delighted.
Haha—so this is all Manaka amounts to?
Their gazes turned toward Irisviel.
Ordinarily, the arrival of a rival should spark jealousy and hostility. But now? She seemed... acceptable. Even welcome.
At least with her, the alternative was Arthur's supposed confession to Manaka—something they'd rather not accept. Between two unwelcome outcomes, Irisviel was the far easier pill to swallow.
Guinevere moved first, decisively abandoning Lancelot to approach the newcomer. "Irisviel, was it? You're so beautiful."
"Tch. You look so foolish it's obvious you're an idiot," Jeanne Alter scoffed coldly. "Fine. I'll show you around Britain. Hmph, but don't get the wrong idea. This is my duty as your senior—not because I like you."
At that moment, Morgan and Merry approached Arthur with serene smiles.
"Leave the child to us." Morgan gently took Manaka from Arthur's arms. "There's much we need to discuss with her. A proper girl's talk."
"That's right. It's a secret between girls, so please don't eavesdrop, Your Majesty~☆." Merry's grin was unnerving.
Meanwhile, Artoria found her own counterpart. Contrary to Arthur's expectations, she did not collapse or show unease. Instead, she was deeply intrigued by Saber—her other self who had become a king, standing tall and heroic.
For the moment, everything seemed... strangely harmonious.
-End Chapter-
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