Crazy Britain:They’re All Raising Me

—What? What do you mean, "What"? …Altria, what were you just saying? Could it be… was she testing to see if I have simulator memories?

I stood frozen for a few seconds, heart pounding. Only when Altria's soft sobs reached my ears did I snap back, gently pulling her closer into my arms.

—My emotions whirled like a storm.

In an instant, I pieced it together: Altria had been probing, desperate to know whether I, too, had a backup "simulator" to fall back on. And the horrors she'd witnessed in my simulated runs—how brutally I'd treated her—had broken her heart.

But I couldn't admit the truth. I could never tell her that I'd been playing our friendship like a game. All I could do was hold her close, gently stroking her back, offering what comfort I could.

"What's wrong, Altria? Why are you crying?" I asked quietly, searching for words that might soothe her without revealing that I'd known all along.

"I…don't know what you're afraid of," I whispered softly, "but you don't have to be scared. I'm here right now. I'm by your side, and whatever happens, I'll protect you."

Her tears faltered, and she gently slipped from my arms to look up at me. Her big eyes shimmered with hope.

"Will you—always stay by my side?" she asked, voice trembling.

I froze. How could I answer? After a beat, I gently ruffled her hair and managed a small smile.

"You always ask the strangest questions…" I said softly.

She flushed and looked away. "I know it's silly—but your answer matters to me. Please…answer honestly."

Her earnest expression pulled at my heart. I sighed. "I'm sorry, Altria. I can't promise I'll always be here. The future…nobody can guarantee it."

Her gaze fell again, lips trembling with disappointment.

"I know that's not what you want to hear," I continued, "but I couldn't lie to you. If you're asking with all your heart, then you deserve an honest answer."

She looked so sad—my own chest tightened with guilt. I couldn't stand to see her like that.

"But…" I added, "you don't have to lose hope so soon. We're comrades now, aren't we? And as long as we are, no matter where life takes us, my heart will always stay with you. I promise you that."

Her eyes brightened. I pressed my advantage: "Besides, that's all in the future. Right now, I'm here beside you. Wherever you go, I'll find a way to follow."

She beamed. "I see…thank you, Guinevere."

She turned on her heel and marched right back to the scrap metal pile, renewed determination in her steps. I watched her start hammering again—she'd thrown herself into the plan without missing a beat.

—Until… the sound of rapid footsteps echoed down the corridor.

"Altria—hide!" I hissed, crouching low as the footsteps grew louder.

But before she could slip away, a familiar voice called down the hall:

"Guinevere!"

Princess Bavantzy burst into view, eyes wide with excitement.

"Guinevere! I heard Mother's voice just now—Mother has returned! She's proud of me!"

My heart skipped. Mother? Morgan? So in that last simulation, Bavantzy had actually seen her mother again… But as someone without a simulator, I shouldn't know any of that.

Time to act clueless.

"Lady Bavantzy," I said, stepping forward and forcing a puzzled smile, "I don't understand. Are you saying Queen Morgan has returned to Britannia?"

"Ah—Guinevere, what are you talking about? Didn't that strange maid tell you…?"

Bavantzy blinked, then suddenly froze as realization dawned on her.

"No… wait, it's just after the simulation ended, right? So now…?"

She scowled at me, looking thoroughly confused.

"Guinevere, you're breaking out of prison, aren't you?"

My jaw dropped. She only just noticed? Meanwhile, I gave Altria a subtle thumbs‐up—our jailbreak was still on track.

Before I could move, I heard a thunderous crash from the cell entrance. Then my loyal lieutenant Aster came flying in, rolling to a halt at my feet, blood trickling from a wound as he gasped:

"Enemy… attack…"

And collapsed.

"What happened?" I scrambled forward.

Even if Aster was strong among the Queen's Knights, facing Lancelot head‐on would be fatal. Only one person could have beaten him so swiftly…

My blood ran cold as power and dread coalesced in the doorway.

Lancelot strode in, her blue blade shimmering, eyes narrowed. Next to her, the tunnel to the outside gleamed open. Footsteps crackled with lethal resolve.

"Blood Tyrant Guinevere," she said coolly, "and Princess Bavantzy… fancy meeting you here. I suppose this saves me the trouble of chasing you. I'll give you one chance: abandon Bavantzy now, and I'll spare you and deal only with her."

My face went ashen.

—This is the danger of never quitting a simulation: some players never accept defeat. They won't false‐smile and walk away—they'll pursue you in real life and finish the job.

And it seems Lancelot is exactly that kind of player.

Facing defeat, she comes here herself… to eliminate us once and for all.