Crazy Britain:They’re All Raising Me

As soon as she saw the message, Nokrinale's heart sank to the bottom.

It was a trap laid in broad daylight.

This time, they had made a fatal mistake—Artoria and Bavanshee had been captured.

And it wasn't just their capture. The fact that Lancelot had released the information made her intentions blatantly clear to everyone.

She was using the two of them as bait to lure Gawain out.

In terms from the Pan-Human History books, this was clearly a "Hongmen Banquet."

And the chosen location? Glasgow.

It was obviously a calculated move to use the area's vast number of magical beasts and harsh terrain as natural defenses. It was practically impossible to mobilize their main army to Glasgow within three days. From the beginning, their rescue team had been forced to operate as a small elite force.

So Lancelot's message essentially had a very clear meaning—

If you don't want them to die, then come to Glasgow alone.

But this was Glasgow—Lancelot the Fairy's stronghold, housing countless dangerous felons. Even the guards there were mostly powerful fairies who had completed their sentences. To bypass them and rescue Artoria and Bavanshee from the prison Lancelot personally guarded?

That was pure suicide.

Just then, the doors to the hall burst open.

Gawain strode in.

"Gawain?" Seeing him suddenly appear, Nokrinale bit her lip, knowing exactly why he had come.

"Don't be hasty. Let's think it through. Maybe there's still another way—"

But before she could finish, Gawain interrupted:

"Nokrinale, I've come to say goodbye."

"...You know this is a trap, right? Going there is as good as dying."

"I know it's a trap," Gawain nodded calmly, "But I won't necessarily die."

"Hm?" Nokrinale blinked, a flicker of hope rising in her eyes.

"So, you have a plan? A real strategy?"

"How could I?" Gawain shook his head. "This is Fairy Lancelot we're talking about, and in Glasgow no less. I've got no grand strategy... Just going to take it one step at a time."

"...So you're still planning to die," Nokrinale sighed.

"Call it what you like," he replied. "Just don't try to force me to stay with the Pal Ball's control, okay?"

"What if I said I would?" she bit her lip hard. "I can't just let my vanguard officer walk into death."

To that, Gawain only replied:

"If you stop me, we'll be enemies."

Those words made her breath catch. She stared at him, chest heaving... but Gawain remained calm and composed.

Yet beneath that calm, Nokrinale could feel his unshakable resolve.

Eventually, she gave up trying to stop him. Leaning wearily against her throne, she sat silently for several seconds, then suddenly looked up:

"I'm coming with you."

"That's not like you," Gawain shook his head. "You're being way too emotional. Even if you left with the army now, we wouldn't reach Glasgow in three days. You think Woodworth would just let that slide? Don't forget—they're allies."

"Lancelot ambushing us at New Darlington is probably part of their joint plan. Once I leave, no matter how many elites I take, it'll be the perfect time for Woodworth to attack Edinburgh."

"Before coming here, I already received word: Woodworth has mobilized the united forces of the Windfang, Earthhorn, and Stoneclaw clans. They're moving north."

Gawain locked eyes with her and said slowly:

"Don't say foolish things. The reason I pledged loyalty to you was exactly because of your rationality and wisdom."

"And what about you?" Nokrinale suddenly looked up. "Do you even realize how reckless your decision is? Chances are you won't be able to save those two idiots—and you'll only get yourself killed in the process."

"I know," Gawain nodded, smiling bitterly. "But what else can I do? I can't just abandon them."

"...You said before you didn't want a romantic relationship with them."

"Yeah," Gawain nodded again. "After what they put me through, it's hard to imagine being in love with either of them."

He raised a finger to scratch his cheek, smiling helplessly:

"But that doesn't matter. They're already family to me."

"——Then..."

Then what about me?

She didn't say it aloud.

Nokrinale lowered her head and swallowed the words.

——How cruel.

So that's what he meant.

Because they were already like family, he'd never consider romance.

So that's what he meant all along.

——I thought... I thought maybe I still had a chance.

Staring down at her throne, she found it more suffocating than ever.

So that was it. From the beginning, he only ever saw her as a superior.

——Rational and wise, huh? Why do you always think like that? Don't you realize I'm a girl too?

Maybe she had "won" Gawain in the end, thanks to her logic... but even now, it brought no joy.

Because even though she had control over him, she'd never truly entered his heart.

Even now, he saw her as a clever, rational superior—or a political ally.

Only now did she realize—Gawain might've chosen her precisely because he never noticed her feelings.

She had hoped that through all their efforts, their shared thoughts, and their lives together, he'd gradually come to see her affection.

But he didn't.

Whether from obliviousness or willful ignorance, he never noticed.

To him, she was just a smart strategist.

The clearer that became, the more her breath trembled.

"What's wrong, Nokrinale?"

Sensing her sudden despair, Gawain asked.

Nokrinale took deep breaths, forcing herself to calm down. She steadied her voice, hiding the tears welling up in her eyes:

"...It's nothing."

She covered her face with one hand, shielding her eyes.

"I understand. Go."

"...Alright."

Whether he noticed or pretended not to, Gawain turned around.

"Farewell. Take care."

As he reached the door and cracked it open, Nokrinale suddenly called out:

"...Are you an idiot? Do you really think I'm always calm and rational?"

"If I really were, I wouldn't let you leave. Without you, I don't even know if I can win what's coming. So—whether for your sake or mine—even if I have to defy your will, even if you end up hating me, I will make sure you stay."

"So—by the authority of your Pal Ball's master and your queen, I command you—"

Gawain stopped in his tracks.

"Bring back those two idiots—Artoria and Bavanshee—alive. Then come back to me."

"For that, you may use all of Edinburgh's people, resources, and weaponry. Arm yourself with everything available and head to Glasgow in peak condition."

"Understood? My Pal! My Vanguard Officer!"

Nokrinale rose from her throne and shouted.

——

Gawain clearly froze in place for a moment before replying:

"...Yes!"

He turned his head slightly, giving her a nod in profile:

"I will do everything to fulfill your order—my master, my queen."

At that moment, the light spilling in from the doorway cast Gawain in a golden glow. His face was hidden in shadow, making his expression unreadable.

But his final words made her heart skip a beat:

"——Your order, my destiny."

And then he pushed the doors open and strode out.

Leaving behind a dazed Nokrinale, staring blankly at the open doors.

As his footsteps faded, Nokrinale slowly bent forward, eventually curling up on the throne.

...In the end, she never did confess her feelings.

Because she knew it wouldn't change anything. And because she feared burdening him with emotions he couldn't return.

——Maybe, just like Gawain wanted, she really was that rational.

A bitter smile crossed her lips.

"Yes... As the leader, I don't have the right to wallow in sorrow."

She jumped down from the throne and walked quickly outside:

"It's time to prepare our defenses against Woodworth's offensive."

Three whole tribes allied together? Woodworth himself joining them?

So what?

Until he came back, this would remain an impenetrable fortress.

——She vowed as much in her heart.