"This isn't normal. This place is far too abnormal."
Morgan was the one who voiced this observation.
The town before them looked as if it had been completely renewed.
The buildings were almost entirely reconstructed with fresh, intact stone. Though not luxurious, the structures within sight were far from temporary shelters or hastily erected shanties they were genuine, proper dwellings.
No, more than just dwellings. Lot could see inns, general stores, taverns, and even brothels.
This place had once been an ordinary town one of many devastated by Vortigern's recent attacks.
But such rapid reconstruction was impossible.
Not just in this 5th-century Britain, but even in Lot's previous life, such speed of rebuilding was unheard of.
How could this be?!
Even with magecraft involved, Lot refused to believe it would be used to aid common folk in rebuilding their homes.
The divide between the ruling class and the lower classes in this era was absolute.
Even the officials Lot had selected through the imperial examination system could only do so much to improve the lives of the common people. True reform would have to wait until the youths he was educating came of age.
Lot had been striving to develop productivity, but he hadn't yet dared to drastically overhaul production relations.
Attempting to reform production relations without first advancing productivity? That was beyond his capabilities.
Thus, seeing this nearly fully restored town left both him and Morgan deeply puzzled.
What in the world had happened here?
"Could this place be haunted?"
After hearing Morgan's words, Gawain spoke up, her tone a mix of curiosity and excitement.
Afraid of ghosts?
Not a chance.
Gawain was certain that no matter how powerful a ghost might be, a single swing of her Galatine would settle the matter.
If a ghost shows up, I'll capture it myself and see if it's as pretty as the Nie Xiaoqian from Dad's stories!
The fact that Lot had told little Gawain such tales spoke volumes about the kind of educational environment she was growing up in.
This family's parenting was absolutely shameless!
Also, thank goodness Morgan could only hear Lot's thoughts. If she ever caught wind of Gawain's musings about pretty female ghosts, Lot's waist would be covered in bruises from Morgan's pinches.
In this regard, Morgan had never held back.
Hearing Gawain's words, Lot chided her:
"You must believe in science. We live in a world governed by logic and reason "
"Dad… are you sure about that?"
"I ... Never mind. Let's just go gather information."
Lot had been about to insist, but then he remembered the nature of this world and promptly gave up.
In the Nasuverse, "science" was the least scientific thing of all.
What kind of sane person would choose to be a scientist here?
The three of them didn't dwell on the matter further. Instead, they turned their attention back to the town.
"Dad, how should we gather intel? Should we wait until nightfall, knock a few people out, and interrogate them?"
Gawain asked eagerly, recalling Lot's past lessons on intelligence-gathering methods.
"Must we go to such lengths?"
Lot lightly rapped Gawain's head again before striding toward the town.
"Then what should we do?"
"Just ask people directly. Find an inn, then question the owner they're always the most well-informed."
Approaching an inn, Lot addressed the proprietor:
"Greetings. I am a wandering knight from Orkney. These are my wife and daughter. Do you have any rooms available?"
"We do."
The innkeeper nodded, then glanced at Morgan and Gawain behind Lot.
"How old are you?"
"Thirty-six."
Lot lied about his age.
If he claimed to be under twenty while having a daughter as old as Gawain, it would raise too many eyebrows.
To avoid unnecessary attention, he had no choice but to falsify his age.
"You look remarkably young for your age."
The innkeeper offered a polite compliment, wisely refraining from asking Morgan's age.
Asking a woman her age? That was a surefire way to offend.
Of course, this was also due to Morgan's magecraft. Both she and Gawain were far too striking in appearance beauty like theirs drew unwanted attention. While they weren't afraid of trouble, they preferred to avoid unnecessary complications. Thus, Morgan had cast subtle spells to make the three of them appear unremarkable.
Even Lot, in the innkeeper's eyes, was merely a decent-looking knight nothing extraordinary.
After settling the arrangements, Lot sent Morgan and Gawain upstairs to rest while he stayed behind to chat with the innkeeper.
"Do you serve wine here?"
"We do."
The innkeeper brightened another small profit.
"I'll take the most expensive kind."
"Excellent."
The innkeeper's smile widened.
"And bring two glasses."
The innkeeper was puzzled. Hadn't Lot's wife already gone upstairs?
"Come, let's share a drink."
Lot gestured for the innkeeper to join him.
The man's grin nearly reached his ears.
As it turned out, even innkeepers rarely got to indulge in their finest wines.
After a few cups, the two were already chatting like old friends.
Seizing the moment, Lot asked:
"By the way, what's the story with this town? When I passed through earlier, I heard it had been attacked by the Dragon of Darkness. How did you rebuild so quickly? Are the local officials that efficient?"
"The officials? They're completely overwhelmed right now."
The innkeeper shook his head.
"Everywhere's rebuilding. We're just a remote area they barely have time to spare for us."
Then, as if remembering something, he hastily added:
"Not that I'm criticizing King Lot and Queen Morgan! They're just stretched too thin."
"Hah, don't worry. Even if you were badmouthing King Lot behind his back, I'd pretend not to hear it."
Lot chuckled.
Of course, only if it's behind his back!
"Ah, I mean it! Compared to King Uther's reign, life under Their Majesties is far better now."
"I see."
Lot was secretly pleased that his attempt at entrapment had failed.
Then, he pressed further:
"Then what did happen? Did some wealthy merchant or knight fund the reconstruction?"
"Impossible! Aside from the lord His Majesty had executed, this town never had any nobles."
"Then how…?"
Lot urged him to continue.
Seeing Lot's keen interest, the innkeeper's desire to boast was thoroughly satisfied. Leaning in, he whispered:
"Listen closely and don't spread this around."
"Understood. I know the rules."
Lot smiled.
The innkeeper brought his mouth closer to Lot's ear:
"Tell me… have you ever heard of fairies?"
Heard of them?
Of course.
He'd even slaughtered quite a few.
The Fang Clan fairies, while no match for him in combat, were still formidable fighters.
Then, realization struck.
"You're not suggesting… fairies rebuilt this town?"
"Exactly! You catch on quick."
The innkeeper nodded enthusiastically.
"When we saw our homes reduced to rubble by the Dragon of Darkness, we thought all was lost. But a few days later, a group of dwarflike fairies arrived "
From the innkeeper's account, Lot pieced together the events.
The day after Vortigern's attack, fairies had appeared members of the Wind Clan and Earth Clan.
At the mention of the Wind Clan, the innkeeper's mouth watered slightly.
[Ugh. Disgraceful.]
Lot inwardly scoffed.
Then again, if he'd been cooped up in Orkney Castle for decades, surrounded by plain medieval maids, even he might've been tempted by fairy charms.
But now, with Morgan by his side…
Fairies?
Could they even compare?
The Wind and Earth Clan fairies had offered to help rebuild the town.
"Those Earth Clan fairies… truly master builders!"
The innkeeper rambled on about their craftsmanship, how swiftly they'd restored the structures.
Lot half-listened, offering perfunctory responses before excusing himself, claiming the wine had gone to his head.
Upstairs, he relayed everything to Morgan and Gawain verbatim.
Worried about eavesdroppers?
Please.
If someone could bypass Morgan's detection spells, Lot's own keen senses, and Gawain's combat instincts, they'd be better off doing something more productive than spying.
After hearing Lot's report, Morgan frowned.
"What are these fairies playing at? On one hand, they send troops to aid Vortigern even plotting to usurp him. On the other, they're rebuilding the very towns he destroyed."
This made no sense.
Destroying, then rebuilding what was the point?
"From a purely logical standpoint, it shouldn't happen…" Lot mused. "But who knows how fairies think?"
[In the Lostbelt, most fairies were irredeemable scum. But in this timeline? Hard to say. Still, their current actions don't paint them in a good light.]
Insufficient intel. No conclusions yet.
Morgan sensed another of Lot's cryptic inner monologues.
As for the fairies' motives? She couldn't say.
But if Lot was suspicious of them, then caution was warranted.
They'd already dealt with Vortigern. These fairies wouldn't threaten her rule.
Lot, however, had made up his mind.
"No point speculating. Let's just capture a few fairies and interrogate them. If they're helping with reconstruction, they have to show up somewhere."
Though he'd hoped to enjoy this trip with Morgan, encountering potential enemies meant putting leisure on hold.
[Damn it. There goes my vacation.]
"That does seem the most efficient approach."
Morgan agreed, then gave Lot a meaningful glance.
Once this was over, she'd make it up to him.
Satisfied, Lot turned to Gawain, who was already cracking her knuckles in anticipation.
Morgan rolled her eyes.
"Must you act so unladylike? You are Camelot's princess."
Her mother was a queen of peerless beauty and intellect. Lot, while a beast in bed, was otherwise a refined, astute knight.
What exactly had Gawain inherited?!
No this had to be bad education.
Artoria… look what you've done to my sister!
"Being 'ladylike' is for my siblings. With so many enemies still threatening you and Father, how could I afford to act delicate?"
Though touched, Morgan huffed.
"Your father and I can handle things."
"Understood. So let's rest early if the fairies finish and leave, we'll miss our chance."
Gawain dismissed the concern.
That night, the three retired Lot and Morgan taking the large bed, while Gawain slept on a smaller one.
The next morning, they prepared to depart.
From the innkeeper, Lot had learned one crucial detail:
"Fairies have already visited most nearby towns. Only Falling Rock Town remains. If you hurry, you might catch them there."
Naturally, they set off at once.
Upon reaching Falling Rock Town, they arrived just in time
Fairies were indeed assisting with reconstruction.