Things been getting hectic in F/GO news. Summer 2022 makes me wish NA was already there. Summer Merlin Prototype caught everyone offguard. That troublemaking beautiful onee-san is finally in the game in a swimsuit. We, mobile players have finally one-upped Arcade in that moment. And then we have her. Princess of the True Ancestors, Arcueid Brunestud is finally in the game. Nasu wished for this for a long time...and now Yorokobe Mr. Mushroom, your wish has finally come true.
Summer Camp event was a bucket of hilarity with its references and shout-outs. And I got all the swimsuit Servants. And to cap it off, Lancer ga shinda!
There were times when Hakuno considered just staying in bed and sleeping the day away. But as Captain and First Child of the Hestia Familia she was bound to dutifully keep things in order. Fortunately, Hestia was considerate enough to help assort with the paperwork they have recently found themselves with. Budgets, taxes, and allowances were being sorted out. Hakuno requested Lili to assist in monetary aspects of the paperwork, listening to suggestions and making notes to have words with certain members of the familia about certain things.
Then there was a matter of the Dungeon acting up, for certain monsters have been stealing gear and equipment from adventurers and the appearance of a golden dragon in the upper floors spooked the lower ranked familia out there. It had come from the Deeper Floors and decimated the newer familias that weren't human. It made her sigh, as if the Empire's irrational hatred for Demi-Humans wasn't enough…
But speaking of which, the Moon Cell gave more context of the Empire's origins.
The Holy Empire was founded by Adam and Eve, the first humans created by Elohim before He was murdered. His divine corpse was sealed away in a sarcophagus located in a temple at the very heart of the Empire. It was the most secure location that is protected 24/7 by extremely loyal worshippers with a zeal that made Hakuno note to avoid going near when she caught on a few more interesting tidbits.
Members of the Holy Church from PH History had arrived in the earlier years during the founding of the Empire and began to influence it. They were responsible for creating a following and certain types of warriors to hunt down and exterminate heretical beings. It was from their teachings that they say their Lord is sleeping, not dead. Which would explain the Empire's beef with her when she said that their God was dead.
Even worse, is that the Empire is divided on their ways and beliefs. The Divine Purity, those who despise magic, other gods, and other races. They were radical in their beliefs that sought to 'cleanse' the world in the name of their god and enslaving the 'lesser' races. They are opposed by the Harmonia Accord, a faction in the Empire that believes in living alongside other gods and races in loving harmony and abhor genocide. Their disputes were close to civil war if not for Adam and Eve still ruling as absolute rulers. As the ancestors of humanity, their commands were absolute and forbade the spilling of blood in their Empire else risked damnation from the angels that governed parts of the Empire as divine punishment.
Since Adam and Eve were not expelled from Paradise due to Original Sin never happening, they were immortal compared to their offspring who lack that blessing. That surprised her and she was genuinely curious what the two first humans of Elohim were like compared to their…troubling descendants.
Even more so that angels were in the Empire and had influence on its people. Political dissent aside, Hakuno found a rather interesting loophole into how she can enter the Empire. It was so simple, and the idea was akin to blasphemy to the Divine Purity faction that Hakuno had to do this if only to piss them off. The loophole in question? A pilgrimage to pay tribute to their God.
Gilgamesh would love this. Refuge in audacity is what he does best after all, and with Helel acting as their escort it was going to be fun since the guards dare not question an angel (even if it's a Servant) acting as a guard. But there would be a problem with that…she needed to dress up like royalty.
Fortunately, she knew just the place to go to, and how to get there.
"Mother," Hakuno spoke up, getting Hestia's attention. "What do you think if the girls of our familia go to Britain for clothes?" she asked.
*Camelot-Throne Room*
Morgan opened her eyes. She sensed a change in her mirror network, someone else had access to it and was attempting to enter Britain via her Water Mirror. It was Hakuno, she knew the scent of her daughter's blood anywhere as if it were her own. She had wondered when Hakuno would come visit, and now she got the chance to show her and possible guests of her beloved Britain, one free of sin and the joys it beheld.
If not that, then perhaps some challenges to help them improve their stats? She knew her daughter needed to get stronger, and she would finally see how strong her daughter had become besides that one-sided fight against War.
"Woodwose," the Winter Queen said. The loyal fairy that had been deceived in the past into betraying her kneeling before her dutifully with eyes closed. "Prepare a revelry. My other daughter, Mwyn, has returned to visit. A combat revelry." She ordered.
Mwyn, Welsh for "gentle" and "kind" that her Pan Human other self had secretly given Hakuno as her other name as a safety precaution. But the memory she inherited showed a more significant meaning. That it was the name of Hakuno's Fae form when she draws out the power within her blood. When she enters Britain, she can no longer hide it in her normal human form as the fairy blood in her veins will stir and desire release.
She could sense the reason for Hakuno's visit. With so much going on within a short amount of time, she needed to unwind and vent her frustrations in some way. Here in Britain, combat against foes and indulging in wondrous feasts and splendor her kingdom can provide while enjoying some bonding moments with her familia and family. Baobhan Sith will finally get the chance to meet her sister at long last.
Fortunately, the fairies of her beloved Britain were always excited for the simplest of reasons to throw celebrations. From rare visitors from beyond the island that do visit, to holidays of less known importance. But the fact her other daughter was coming here to visit was going to make this a day worth celebrating for sure. Whomever Hakuno brings alongside her to Britain is going to know two things: here, they work hard, and play hard in equal measures.
*Hearthstone Mansion-Gardens*
"Are you sure she'll be expecting us?" Hestia asked, a bit nervous for the unexpected visit while Hakuno nodded her head.
"Oh she'll know. I activated the network of her Water Mirror and she knows that I am the only other to use it. She'll be expecting me and possible guests to flaunt the wonders of Britain since it's rare to have outsiders in their domain." she explained while Haruhime, Primo and Ais were looking very excited. Who can blame them? They were going to the island of fairies, a world of fantasy and wonder very few have the privilege to see.
The pond glowed with a supernatural light as it rippled. Hakuno was the first to fall in, the water embracing her as she disappeared. It was a shallow pond so there was no way she could have sunken. Primo was quick to follow with Ais immediately right behind with Lili shrugging and casually falling into it while Haruhime looked nervous. Hestia merely offered a hand with a kind smile as Haruhime took it. Then as one, they both fell in as the portal closed behind them.
The experience was surreal to them, as they felt as if they were being pulled by an unseen current in a series of azure tunnels before a light was before them. When the light died, the air smelled different. It smelt like a misty lake and the sound of the breeze was surreal. The mana in the air was incredible and it impressed Hestia before noticing something different with one of her children. Or rather, Hakuno's current appearance.
The dress and veil were the same, but her brown hair was now golden blonde that reached to her hips, her eyes a deep blue like a lake's, and parts of her face had changed shape. It was a bit narrower and elongated and she looked like a being carved out of fantasy.
She was a beautiful doll sculpted by divine hands and the other girls were captivated by her.
"Lady Hakuno…?" Ais asked, trying to comprehend the witch's current appearance. The girl in question touched her face and examined her hair before sighing in resignation.
"I guess my fairy blood couldn't help but kick in." she muttered to herself before composing herself. "It's still me Ais, this is a result of my nature. My true appearance as a fairy." she explained.
"Hakuno-sama…you're a fairy?" Haruhime blurted out in shocked surprise; the Renard was having a hard time believing the witch she was learning from was actually a fairy.
"Half fairy, but a fairy nonetheless." she confirmed before casting a glance at Lili who was looking away and shuffling her feet.
"Lili had a feeling Hakuno-sama was a fairy of sorts. Given that this is the land of the fairies, and your mother is the queen." Lili explained. She wasn't a fool when she heard that Queen Morgan was Hakuno's mother and was quick to connect the dots faster than anyone else. She didn't survive this long by being stupid; that was a greedy and selfish adventurer's job.
"So pretty…" Primo muttered, in awe of her mother's appearance. It was a beauty that rivaled Morgan's, which was a given since the queen was Hakuno's mother. But it also sprung an alarm in her mind, because that would mean there would be others drawn into her mother's hidden beauty if it was ever exposed to the public. Primo would not allow that, ever. They would have to pass her 1000/10 rating or she's blasting them into dust, like those insolent members of the Apollo Familia who ruined the lunch her mother made for her.
Needless to say, ladies and gents, Primo and Baobhan Sith would get along pretty well when it comes to the happiness of their adoptive mothers, right?
Hestia, having seen this form in the memories BB showed her can't help but feel emotional. The girl had suffered so much and had an incredible will to go on and move forward despite her hardships. She tried her best to not let the tears flow, because that was then, and this was now. Besides, her daughter has no need to be reminded of her past.
The sounds of marching feet in the forest heading their way, armored, in uniform, armed. Ais made a move to draw Desperate before Hakuno held her arm out to stop her, waiting for the soldiers to appear. Leading them was a familiar face the Hestia Familia recognized anywhere.
"Greetings Princess Mywn, I apologize for the tardiness. But the carriages are ready for you and your familia were behind schedule in preparation." Barghest greeted with a formal bow with the soldiers following suit.
"It is fine, Barghest. I am looking forward to seeing the beloved kingdom my mother the queen has made for the first time ever since she told me about it." Hakuno replied. She meant it, she listened to Morgan's description of this world's Britain she ruled over. The history of its beginnings, to the threats from beyond the shores, and of the joys they had at the success of creating the castle of Camelot.
This may not be the timeline Hakuno belonged in, but she was finally here. The birthplace of her mother. The Navel of the Planet, Britain.