"Familiar…?"
Rin seemed to be reminded of something.
She couldn't ignore Sakura's words.
Because the aura emanating from the mountain indeed mixed in feelings that made her feel familiar.
If she recalled carefully—
Rin's mind once again conjured the image of Moran.
However, unlike when they crossed the magical realm before, she remembered the moment when Teacher Moran controlled the magical power.
At that time, they were fortunate to synchronize with Moran's magical power.
Rin remembered that Moran said it was to help them better perceive mystery, which was why he let them come into contact with a high concentration of ether in advance.
The moment the two sisters established a feedback loop connection with Moran.
What they felt was an immense sense that they could not fathom, far beyond understanding how their teacher existed.
Like ants facing a walking elephant.
They could only see the heel, which was their limit; they couldn't even glimpse the full figure of the elephant.
Because that was the limit of their vision.
"No… no matter how you put it… that's too exaggerated… how could I associate this with the teacher…"
Rin shook her head, dismissing her wild thoughts.
How could a naturally formed mountain range of 760 meters possibly be related to a person?!
Just saying it made her feel it was fanciful.
This towering mountain before her must be a natural achievement of the divine age, a pure land that mortals could never defile.
"Hey… Rin… Sakura!?"
"When did you two catch up?"
"Iris, it seems we were all lost in thought. This mountain is truly not simple at all…"
"Hahaha… as an elder sister, I really lost my composure…
But, I don't know if it's an illusion, but it feels warmer here…"
Iris felt very at ease here.
Rin and Sakura felt more pressure and did not share her relaxed and peaceful feelings.
The three girls looked ahead at the mountain slope.
They vaguely saw Moran's figure in the distance.
When the three of them walked up the slope and looked back, they were once again amazed by the scenery.
"I've read books and know this is called a sea of trees. However, I've never recorded a sea of trees as turbulent as this…"
The three girls looked at the area near the mountain top.
It felt as if their souls were about to be sucked away. Looking at the foot of the mountain, they saw a vast ocean of trees.
As if this were the core of Britain.
However, they were not distracted by this scenery but continued to approach the direction where Moran was.
After exiting that strange forest.
There was no longer any spatial folding situation, and they quickly reached Moran's side.
However, they were not the only ones who came.
"—Strangers, this is not land you can tread upon; no one may disturb the King's slumber. Those who defy this will only wash away their sins with blood."
Several dark shadows descended from the sky.
A weight far more terrifying than before surged forth, carrying an unyielding will that forbade disobedience.
Iris's eyes widened upon seeing the newcomers: "Those are the dragons and griffins that only exist in legends… how could they appear here!?"
The wishes they had discussed before arriving at the mountain.
Now appeared in this form.
It was as if the incomprehensible nature of the divine age was truly manifested, giving a feeling of having entered another world.
To think, this was modern Britain.
Boom—!!
The griffins and dragons blocked Moran and the others' path.
Riding on these fantasy creatures were knights clad in golden armor, exuding a solemn and majestic aura.
"Roar—!!"
The dragons and griffins roared together.
As if declaring that the mistake made by the newcomers who stepped into the spiritual peak was unforgivable.
This terrifying magical sound spread through the air.
Just hearing it, the ordinary Iris and others felt their legs weaken and uncontrollably knelt on the ground.
The fantasy creatures did not actively exert pressure.
This was humanity's instinctive fear of higher beings.
"Rin, Sakura, Iris, you all did very well; being able to hold on until this point is already great."
Moran smiled faintly.
His voice alleviated the unease and fear of the three girls.
However, the sense of crisis still lingered.
These unknown knights were filled with hostility, almost viewing them as invaders.
They regarded them as stains that could not be easily forgiven.
"Contemplate death, embrace death, mourn death—eternal slumber lies here. Guardians who have remained since a thousand years ago, you have fulfilled your duty."
Facing the overwhelming hostility, Moran simply stated this sentence calmly.
"This is the true word of my clan… how could… who are you… how do you know the true words of our clan!?"
The once aggressive golden knights.
For some reason, they were shaken by this sentence, and this unusual reaction seemed very strange to the three girls.
Only the knights would understand.
That was a phrase passed down only among their ancestors a thousand years ago, and outsiders should not know it.
"Why do I know? Hehe, it's the strangest question you could ask. After all, the phrase your clan remembers is also from my wife…"
Moran raised his head halfway through his sentence.
Because another figure had intruded, riding a dragon like a king arriving here.
"Are you blind? You can't even recognize your own king. I can rebel, but do you also want to draw your swords against your king like I do?"
Mordred arrived on the battlefield riding a dragon.
She took a slow step, circling around and even borrowed a mount to play with.
Her entrance was nothing short of imposing.
"Ah… this is really…"
Moran bitterly smiled, swallowing his words.
It seemed he didn't need to say much more.
Once Mordred entered on her dragon, the fantasy creatures beneath the golden knights all prostrated on the ground.
Like soldiers offering loyalty to their king.
The golden knights initially did not understand.
But when they saw Mordred's dazzling golden hair and her beautiful, heroic face—
Everyone began to tremble uncontrollably.
The dragons and griffins, as comrades, bowed their heads, combined with the appearance of the woman before them.
The golden knights could only think of one possibility.
This woman before them was recorded in their clan's history.
The third king of Great Britain.
At the same time, she was one of the kings to whom their Blackmore grave-guarding clan had sworn loyalty a thousand years ago.