On the other side.
The Royal Capital's Second Ring, the Ring of Mysteries.
Besides being the Clock Tower's largest branch outside of London, with numerous top-tier magecraft workshops established, it was also the gathering place for the mansions of high-ranking nobles and great magus families within the Royal Capital.
To the east of the Second Ring's landmark Clock Tower, close to the Silver Crown Court, Duke Edward II of Cornwall's mountain-like mansion was situated.
At this moment, inside the serene castle study, a voice, majestic yet with a hint of bewilderment, resounded: "You said, Morgan le Fay gave the Red Dragon Ring to that brat impersonating the king?"
"Yes, Duke, Bishop."
Inside the room, the square-faced knight, who had been dismissed by Galahad earlier in the day, knelt on one knee, reporting to the two figures in the shadows. "I saw it with my own eyes; Saint Elizabeth delivered the Red Dragon Ring."
From the shadows of the tall, draped curtains, Duke Edward II of Cornwall frowned deeply, then asked, "Did you not tell him the benefits of becoming a Holy Knight and pledging loyalty to Cheros?"
The square-faced knight quickly replied, "I did, but that brat still accepted the Red Dragon Ring."
"Such insolence."
Edward II snorted coldly, looking towards the Archbishop of Canterbury, who was deeper in the shadows, and asked, "Bishop, I presume you heard that. Do you still need this Holy Knight now?"
"The Church does indeed require his achievements, but since that is the case~, then let it be as you wish."
The Archbishop of Canterbury in the shadows smiled faintly, revealing a benevolent expression.
Hearing this, Edward II immediately turned to the square-faced knight kneeling on the ground and said coldly, "Then we don't need him. You immediately take men to eliminate him."
"Remember, do it cleanly; do not expose your identity."
"I don't want to hear Sir Euphias's denunciations against me tomorrow morning."
"Understood?"
Upon hearing this command, the square-faced knight recalled Suya's demeanor earlier—seemingly unpretentious, yet undeniably arrogant and overbearing. He couldn't help but let out a sarcastic sneer, then immediately bowed his head and responded, "Yes!"
Soon, the square-faced knight walked out, beckoned several knights at the door, and entered an adjacent secret room. The five of them collectively removed their heavy armor, donning tight black clothes and white iron masks. Their footsteps were strangely ethereal and light as they leaped one after another from the mansion's windows like Su Yaring geese, their figures vanishing into the dim halo of the setting sun.
Shortly after the five left, an assassin, gaunt and wearing red and white cross heavy armor, with a look of panic on his face, suddenly sprinted from the main entrance of the mansion towards the study. He had no time for etiquette. He pushed open the study door with a bang and urgently shouted, "Duke! Bad news!"
Edward II in the study thought the square-faced knight had returned and immediately frowned. "What's wrong? Didn't I tell you to go do something—hmm? Calvin? Weren't you keeping watch at the Silver Crown Court?"
However, before Edward II could fully react, the assassin, named Calvin, reported breathlessly, "Princess—Morgan le Fay has left the Silver Crown Court, taking the Clock Tower's magi with her. The magi are going... going to..."
Edward II's eyes suddenly widened, an ominous feeling creeping over him. "What did you say? Morgan le Fay, that woman, left the Silver Crown Court?"
Calvin, the assassin, took two more gasps before reporting in terror, "The Princess seized the projection magecraft tools we heavily invested in, and she's leading people to Saint Stephen's Cathedral. It seems, it seems she's going to pull out the Sword in the Stone!"
In the shadows, Edward II and the Archbishop of Canterbury exchanged glances, both seeing the terror in the other's eyes.
"This is bad!"
Afternoon, 6 PM.
The sun was gradually setting.
Royal Capital, Fourth Ring, North side, Knight Street.
Reflected against the darkening sky and lengthened shadows, Suya arrived here with a wallet containing a huge sum of 2,000 gold pounds. This place was fourteen blocks away from Tavern Street, close to the Royal Capital's Third Ring, the Ring of Guardians.
After dinner, Lucan and Dagonet went out to gather information. Merlin, on the other hand, silently hugged her half-empty wallet, looking on the verge of tears, and hid in her room, refusing to see anyone.
Left alone with nothing to do, Suya practiced for two hours, maxing out his proficiency with [False Clock]. Then, he borrowed a map of the Royal Capital from the tavern staff, memorizing the incomplete map. Seeing that it was about time, he walked here.
At this moment, the entire Knight Street was sparsely populated. The westward setting sun filtered through the plane trees lining the road, casting fragmented shadows. A gentle breeze rustled through the gaps in his ears and sideburns.
Stepping on the gently falling plane tree leaves that carpeted the ground, Suya looked up and saw that at the end of the street, a striking, elegant, and slender tall figure stood.
However—
That was not Gawain.
The moment their gazes met, a scent like strong, intoxicating liquor wafted over him. Following closely was a magnificent bosom, supported by two overlapping layers of white sheer long skirts, no less grand than Gawain's.
The woman who had suddenly come face to face with him hooked a finger, lifted Suya's chin, and gave him a wicked smile.
"Oh my, we meet again—"
"My little~ Knight~ King~!"
Suya, having been suddenly assaulted by a 'face wash,' looked at the woman before him, his eyes slightly widened, revealing a bewildered expression.
"Alexia!?"
Yes, standing here at this moment was none other than the Queen of Macedon, Alexia, who was still conquering Britannia!
At this time, she wore a large hooded cloak, hiding her shimmering red hair and curvaceous, tall figure within. Her red lips curved into a subtle arc, and she stared at Suya with an amused expression.
Suya snapped back to reality, immediately taking a step back, his hand on his sword hilt, and questioned, "How are you here?!"
Alexia fluttered her beautiful eyes, playfully saying, "Oh~ it seems you were expecting someone else?"
Suya thought, Isn't that obvious? He quickly asked, "What did you do to them?"
"Unfortunately, when I arrived here, I didn't see anyone. How pitiful~ it seems you've been stood up."
Suya was stunned for a moment, then realized. Indeed, as he had walked along, he hadn't seen any knights on Knight Street. Logically, this street was home to most of the famous knights in the capital, like Agravain at number 13, Gawain at number 19, and even the Church's Holy Knights lived nearby.
Could something have happened in the capital?
Suya looked at Alexia, who had appeared here, but didn't detect any desire to attack or killing intent from her. It was as if she was just here for a stroll, to enjoy the scenery.
He frowned slightly and immediately asked, "What are you doing here, Conqueror King?"
Alexia smiled, looking up slightly towards the direction of the Royal Capital's inner ring. Suya had already familiarized himself with the map and was certain she wasn't looking at the Silver Crown Court, but rather to the left of the Royal Capital's inner ring—
The location of Saint Stephen's Cathedral, where the Sword in the Stone was plunged!
Then, Suya heard, this red-haired beauty, who harbored ambitions for the world, subtly curved her red lips, revealing the dashing smile of a conqueror.
"I have come to witness a beginning—"
"The beginning of the world's collapse!"