"My name is Tonelico."

After enjoying her husband's stunned expression, Morgan slowly introduced herself to the Earth Clan's chieftain.

Upon hearing her introduction, the Earth Clan's chieftain remained puzzled.

Who is this fairy?

Is she famous?

Should I know her?

Morgan's next words completely dispelled any doubts the Earth Clan's chieftain had on the matter.

"Moreover, I am a fairy from the Inner Sea of the Planet."

"The Great Mother!?"

The Earth Clan's chieftain exclaimed in shock.

The fairies of this land could all be considered impure. Only those from the Inner Sea of the Planet were true fairies, revered as the "Great Father" or "Great Mother."

As far as the Earth Clan's chieftain knew, the only fairy who could be called the "Great Mother" was Vivian, the one destined by fate to bestow the Holy Sword upon Artoria Pendragon.

Of course, that very fairy, Vivian, was currently in a state of deep distress after witnessing the Holy Sword vanish before her eyes, only to reappear in Artoria's hands.

How was this possible?

Vivian had retreated into seclusion.

Now, the Earth Clan's chieftain was faced with another "Great Mother," leaving him somewhat bewildered.

Not that he doubted her authenticity no fairy would dare falsify such a claim. Moreover, even if it were a lie, it would be impossible to deceive the Rain Clan's chieftain standing beside her.

"Yes, that's correct."

Morgan nodded lightly.

However, she wasn't particularly fond of being addressed as the "Great Mother." The title carried a maternal connotation, and the ones who usually called her "Mother" were Gawain, Baobhan Sith, and others all of her adopted children, each with beauty scores no lower than 95.

But this guy? A dwarf-like appearance? Who would like that?

"Are you two together? What is your purpose?"

Kaa couldn't help but ask Lot.

Even these impure fairies had their own goals. As a "Great Mother," her purpose must be even more significant.

"It's quite simple. I have only one goal," Morgan said to Kaa. "I intend to change the current state of the fairies."

"What state?"

The Earth Clan's chieftain asked.

"How do you plan to change it?"

Kaa echoed the question.

[Wife, what are you planning!?]

Though Lot didn't voice his question aloud, confusion swirled in his mind.

"It's simple I will become the Fairy King."

Morgan smiled as she declared.

What!?

Hearing this, the Earth Clan's chieftain, Kaa, and Lot were all left speechless.

Heh.

You didn't see this coming, did you?

Morgan thought smugly to herself.

Outwardly, she continued addressing the Earth Clan's chieftain:

"Your emergence was influenced by another world. It is for this very reason that I have appeared here. The rise of the Six Clans has caused many clanless fairies to gradually disappear. And now, the Six Clans have begun to turn against one another. The Fang Clan's tyranny, the Wind Clan's deceit what this means for your Earth Clan, I need not explain. You can already guess."

Hearing this, the Earth Clan's chieftain and Kaa pondered her words and found them undeniably true.

Indeed, this was the case.

Especially today, with Kaa's report further confirming Morgan's claims.

Thus, the Earth Clan's chieftain couldn't help but ask, "Then what should we do? How can the Earth Clan avoid the fate of extinction?"

"The solution is simple. If a single ruler governs all the fairies of the Six Clans, such a fate can be averted," Morgan explained, stating her reason for becoming the Fairy King.

"My desire is not merely for power, but to protect you from peril."

[She's definitely copying the story I told her.]

Listening to Morgan's words, Lot couldn't help but complain

"Exactly, that's right."

Hearing Lot's thoughts, Morgan wholeheartedly agreed.

When acting, one must always claim the moral high ground.

Turning back to the Earth Clan's chieftain, Morgan continued, "Think about it. If I do not become the Fairy King, the conflict among the fairies will inevitably result in either the Fang Clan or the Wind Clan seizing dominance. When that happens, where will the Earth Clan find its place?"

"Either I become the Fairy King, or the Fang Clan or Wind Clan will."

A binary choice.

After brief consideration, the Earth Clan's chieftain reached his decision.

Of course, he would support the "Great Mother" before him as the Fairy King.

Naturally, he didn't propose himself for the role he lacked the strength to achieve it.

Especially after glancing at the Rain Clan's chieftain beside her. Her expression made it clear: she would undoubtedly support Tonelico's claim.

"Tell me, what must I do?"

He agreed.

"Good. Tomorrow, we simply need to expose the schemes of the Wind Clan and Fang Clan for all to see. Particularly the Wind Clan they've always preferred to lurk in the shadows. We cannot allow them to have their way."

Morgan outlined her plan.

"Oh? How?"

The Earth Clan's chieftain pressed.

Hearing this, Morgan glanced at Lot and said, "Tomorrow, you need only watch us."

"Understood."

The Earth Clan's chieftain nodded in agreement.

After discussing further details, the fairies took their leave, leaving only Lot and Morgan behind.

Now alone with Morgan, Lot couldn't resist reaching out to flick her forehead.

Though Morgan had sensed his intention through his thoughts, her reflexes were no match for his, and she failed to dodge.

"Hey, why'd you hit me?"

Rubbing her forehead, Morgan pouted.

"Why? Do you have no regard for your own safety? If something happened to you here, how could I bear it?"

Lot's frustration was palpable.

In response, Morgan countered, "Then what about you? What if something happened to you?"

"I know my limits."

"And so do I."

The two locked eyes.

Then, they both laughed.

"Next time, you can't take risks like this."

Lot admonished her.

"Then you must stop taking risks first. Otherwise, I'll have no choice but to step in and clean up your mess."

Morgan shot back.

"Fine, I promise no more reckless actions."

Lot conceded immediately.

"Good. That's more like it."

Morgan smiled in satisfaction.

"By the way… do you really intend to become the Fairy King?"

Lot recalled her earlier declaration.

"What? What does that have to do with me? This is Tonelico's affair at most, it concerns the fairy Morgan. What does it have to do with me?"

"Your shamelessness reminds me of someone."

Lot deadpanned.

"Who?"

Morgan asked.

"Me."

Lot pointed at himself.

Morgan rolled her eyes.

"And what do you call that?"

"That's called 'couple resemblance.'"

Lot declared.

Morgan nodded in agreement.

Mhm.

He makes a fair point.

Then, she gave him a light pat.

"Alright, get some rest. Tomorrow's plan still relies on your ideas."

"Wait… you didn't prepare anything!?"

Lot was stunned.

Watching Morgan's confident demeanor earlier, he'd assumed she had a plan ready.

He'd even thought he could sit back and let his wife carry him to victory.

But now it seemed

She had nothing.

It was all on him.

"Of course. This matter falls to you."

Morgan adopted a playful, spoiled tone.

"Realizing you might be in trouble and rushing here was already taxing enough. So, this little task is your responsibility."

She grinned at him.

Of course,

The real reason was simpler

She'd exhausted her daily quota of eavesdropping on Lot's thoughts.

And when Lot was deep in thought, his emotions remained too stable for her to overhear anything useful.

Thus,

This "little task" fell to himself.

"Little task, huh?"

Lot sighed.

Still, he acknowledged that his wife's efforts today had exceeded his expectations.

...

The Next Day, on the Battlefield

The Fang Clan's acting chieftain eagerly awaited the Earth Clan's reinforcements.

Soon, we'll crush the enemy.

This prolonged battle will finally end.

Before Camelot's armies could fully assemble, they would seize the castle of Orkney.

Most of Lot's forces hailed from Orkney. Capturing it would devastate Camelot's morale.

Victory was imperative.

"Why hasn't the Earth Clan's chieftain arrived yet?"

Gazing at Orkney's castle in the distance, the Fang Clan's acting chieftain turned to his subordinates.

"He's here."

A figure clad in iron armor approached.

The Fang Clan's acting chieftain stood roughly 2.45 meters tall. Glancing down, he noted the newcomer's height about 1.85 meters.

You call this an Earth Clan fairy?

Have you ever met an Earth Clan member taller than 1.6 meters?

And this physique? Absolutely unlike them.

"Who are you?"

The Fang Clan's acting chieftain demanded, suspicion thick in his voice.

I summoned the Earth Clan's chieftain. Where did you crawl out from?

What business do you have speaking for them?

"The chieftain is occupied, so he sent me to command in his stead."

Ignoring the Fang Clan's glare, Lot smiled and produced the Earth Clan's insignia.

"See? This grants me full authority to act on his behalf."

"Hmph."

The Fang Clan's acting chieftain smirked.

"Fine. Then lead your Earth Clan in the assault."

He didn't press further about the Earth Clan's affairs.

As long as they attacked, nothing else mattered.

When eating an egg, who cares about the chicken that laid it?

If this proxy could deliver results, he was acceptable.

But then

The supposed Earth Clan representative shook his head.

"Our agreement was to assist you not to spearhead the attack. As you know, the Earth Clan's stature makes scaling walls… problematic."

The Fang Clan's acting chieftain pictured it and grimaced.

Fair point.

The Fang Clan's members all stood over two meters tall, their long legs easily conquering ramparts.

But the Earth Clan? Averaging 1.1 meters? Their stubby limbs would make wall-climbing a spectacle.

By the time the Earth Clan scaled the walls once, the Fang Clan could've done it thrice.

"Fine. We'll attack. But where are your siege engines?"

The Fang Clan's acting chieftain pressed.

"Ah, those aren't for you either."

Lot continued.

"Oh?"

"The Fang Clan's fairies lack finesse with tools, and the Earth Clan's are too small. We need a… middle ground."

"I see."

The Fang Clan's acting chieftain understood.

Together,

Their gazes shifted.

Toward

The Wind Clan's chieftain.

"You've watched long enough. It's the Wind Clan's turn to contribute."

The Fang Clan's acting chieftain boomed.

The Wind Clan's chieftain froze.

She'd planned to observe from the sidelines, even stoke conflict between the Earth and Fang Clans.

But now

Why am I being dragged into this!?