"Fine, although I've confirmed that you didn't really spend the money on any vices like gambling or worse... blowing ninety-eight million in one go is ridiculous! Show some restraint!"
In the end, since he did notice Guinevere's strength had indeed increased somewhat, Artoria managed to escape the wrath of the feather duster.
Afterwards, the three of them agreed that they would spend the night in Gloucester and, on the following day, seek out Muirenn so Artoria could strike the Prophecy Bell.
\[While searching for an inn, you are approached by a group of Gloucester's lower-level fairies.]
"Ah, found you—hey, wait a second—Child of Prophecy! You're companions of the Child of Prophecy, right?!"
A horde of fairies, easily distinguishable from the higher-ranking ones Guinevere and the others had seen at the auction by their simpler attire and weaker mana signatures, hurried over and surrounded Guinevere's party. After scrutinizing them for a moment, disappointed expressions quickly appeared on their faces.
"Where's the Child of Prophecy? Have they already left? Could it be they've moved on to the next city?"
—Artoria looked at Guinevere in confusion, but she did not reply.
At that moment, one of the fairies stepped forward to answer their companion's question:
"Isn't it obvious? The Child of Prophecy is busy saving all of Britain right now, so it's perfectly normal for them to be long gone!"
"I know... but I really want to see them... yet there's nothing we can do. After all, they are the Child of Prophecy." The group of fairies sighed in unison.
"Well, um, everyone, er—" Artoria finally mustered her courage and tried to speak to them. However, her voice was so small they didn't hear her, and they busied themselves stuffing all sorts of miscellaneous items into Guinevere's hands.
"But it's okay if the Child of Prophecy isn't here—anything left with you will count just the same. Though it's not much, please accept it."
"We've all been waiting for the Child of Prophecy to appear and save Britain. Bit by bit, we've gathered these things..."
"Although it's just spare change, old clothes, pebbles, tree roots—worthless junk, really—we managed to scrape together everything we could. We believe it'll help, even if only a little."
"So please, take it. We beg you."
Faced with their shining, hopeful gazes, Artoria remained silent for two seconds before finally smiling.
"All right, I accept. The Child of Prophecy will be so pleased to know this."
Her response thrilled the lower-ranking fairies:
"Really...? Absolutely! You three must protect the Child of Prophecy!"
With those words, the group quickly dispersed.
After their noisy departure, Artoria stood gazing in the direction they had left, remaining silent for quite some time.
Guinevere, standing beside her, secretly watched and couldn't help feeling that her eyes looked a little sad. He didn't understand why she wore such an expression.
"How impressive—a mountain of gifts," Oberon said, rubbing his chin. "Since your power got boosted so much, Guinevere, why don't you carry them? Let's get everything moved in one go before we check into the inn."
"Huh?" Guinevere blinked. "Why me?"
"After all, we just spent our travel funds on boosting you. If anyone should do the heavy lifting, it's you, right?" Oberon said with righteous certainty. "Besides, most of these items are food, and fairies don't need to eat. Only you, as a human, need to eat—so it's perfect that you handle this labor... Or do you plan to convince Artoria to toss out all this useless stuff?"
"Ah, that wouldn't be right..." Artoria looked uncomfortable. "These gifts were all gathered and given so sincerely. They might not be very useful, but they do represent everyone's heartfelt wishes..."
"I understand—it makes perfect sense." Guinevere raised his hands in surrender. "Fine, I'll deliver them to Ridra Bitt outside the city, then."
[You diligently move the gifts given to Artoria by the lower-ranking fairies out of the city and load them onto Ridra Bitt's wagon.]
[On the next day, you revisit Muirenn and bring Artoria to the Bell Tower of Prophecy.]
"Ready, Artoria?" Oberon turned to her. "Once you take this step, the mission of the Child of Prophecy truly begins—you won't be able to turn back."
"...Yes." Artoria looked back at Guinevere, and her gaze suddenly grew tender. Then she gave a light nod. "Of course I'm ready, because I already have a reason I can't retreat."
"All right, everyone, please step back a little. I'm going to start ringing the bell."
[You and Oberon exchange glances and make way for Artoria.]
Under Guinevere's concerned gaze, Artoria stepped slowly toward the Prophecy Bell. She raised the Scepter of Selection in her hand, and a faint aura of mana flowed around her like glimmering starlight.
"Song of the Glorious Realm, Voice of the Inland Sea,
Born to be chosen, judged, and corrected.
O Bell of Bones at the Beginning,
Guide the Wayward Child home.
—Forgive their sins."
As Artoria chanted, at one moment the Scepter of Selection in her hand blazed with a blinding light that captured everyone's attention.
When Guinevere snapped back to reality, the steady peal of the bell already resounded in all directions.
[Artoria has struck Gloucester's first Prophecy Bell.]
[The bell's toll echoes across all of Britain.]
[Every fairy throughout Britain feels a strange stirring in their hearts—half joy, half sorrow.]
[After ringing the bell, Artoria's body is suddenly engulfed in a shaft of light.]
"Eh? Eh eh eh? What is this? I'm glowing?! It's so bright?!"
Artoria leapt up in panic.
"Water! Bring water quickly! She's suddenly so hot—she's going to burn up, right?!" Oberon shouted.
As for Guinevere, without hesitation he rushed straight into the light and heat toward Artoria.
But just as he reached her and was about to grab her, the light surrounding her vanished in an instant.
Guinevere froze on the spot.
An awkward silence hung in the air.
To make matters worse, he was now standing practically face-to-face with Artoria—he could feel her breath on him. Unavoidably, he remembered that kiss from yesterday.
Meanwhile, Artoria must have remembered the same thing, because her cheeks flushed scarlet. Swiftly, she reached out and shoved Guinevere so hard he flew backward, landing in a flurry of limbs on the ground.
"Eh?" Looking at Guinevere's disheveled form sprawled on the ground, Artoria stared at her hand, bewildered. What happened? Didn't Guinevere's physical stats just get boosted?
"Oh ho ho!" Oberon hurried over. "Artoria! Did you also become way stronger just now?!"
[As a reward for ringing the Prophecy Bell, all of Artoria's non-Luck attributes have increased.]
[Strength E→D]
[Endurance E→D]
[Agility E→D]
[Mana E→D]
"Although the prophecy didn't mention this part, it's great news!" Oberon said, looking delighted. "Now both Artoria and Guinevere have high growth potential... who knows? You two might become really powerful someday!"
[Upon learning of Artoria's growth, Muirenn is clearly very optimistic about the Prophecy Team's future.]
[Muirenn funds you again with 100 million Mo-pounds, handing the money directly to Child of Prophecy Artoria.]
"Oh, wait—don't give the money to her!"
When Guinevere saw that message, he leaped up, a terrible feeling rising in his chest.
[Ding! Player Artoria has used simulated currency to boost your attributes in this simulation.]
[Your Agility rises to C; your Endurance rises to D+.]
"Where's the money? Where's the money?! Didn't you promise you wouldn't squander it anymore?! Artoria, you spendthrift!"
From that point on, until Guinevere's group left Gloucester, Oberon's roaring didn't cease even once.