Could Riko Possibly Be Morgan?

"...What do you mean?"

Guiliniweier froze at Riko's words, a certain suspicion rising in his mind.

"Because Bavanshi isn't a clever child... Morgan never intended for her to truly inherit the kingdom; she only wanted Bavanshi to be happy by her side."

"If that's the case, Bavanshi is easy for you to control, right? Gaining her trust wouldn't be difficult, and sidelining her would be simple enough."

"Is there any other power in all Britain that you could so easily manipulate—and act without constraint?"

Riko spoke in a soft voice:

"Wouldn't you like to try? Use her position to reshape this country as you wish."

It felt as though someone had seen right through him. Like a witch's whisper, Riko's words struck at the core of Guiliniweier's thoughts. He couldn't deny them, though he could not wholly accept the idea either. Indeed, he was no judge of justice, no guardian of moral righteousness willing to die for a cause. Although serving under Bavanshi's cruel hand was distasteful, Riko was not wrong: the lot of those disgusting fairies in this realm was far worse. They repelled him—murdering humans for sport or because they found them "annoying" was as natural to them as drinking water. In that sense, Bavanshi's deeds were not more heinous than theirs; another fairy in her place might act just as bloodthirsty.

Moreover, where else could he find such freedom to enact his will? Most other fairy lords were strong-willed; joining them would mean enduring many constraints. Even if he commanded the Round Table forces, moral scruples would prevent him from wiping out those loathsome fairies entirely. In contrast, New Darrlington offered him a blank slate—its negative "buffs" paled before his confidence that he could revive the city.

System Notice:

After speaking with maid Riko, your rebellious thoughts immediately fade.

You have been influenced by the witch's suggestion; your morality greatly decreases.

You resolve to use Bavanshi's position to purge Britain of its abhorrent fairies.

Still, if he chose this path, Altria would surely be disappointed. Guiliniweier turned to gaze out the window, staring at the perpetually dull, yellowish sky. What better choice did he truly have? Was there anywhere in Britain for him to go? To flee somewhere quiet and live an ordinary life was impossible—when calamity struck, there would be nowhere safe. But to undertake another grand journey like the Swordbearer was also beyond him. Even his brief experience sharing memories with the Swordbearer had shown how lonely that path was—giving one's entire life for a quest yet forever nursing hatred for fairies.

"...I admit, you make a strong case," he whispered. "But as for Bavanshi's true nature, I must investigate further. If she proves utterly irredeemable, I will not serve her."

"That is only natural," Riko gently nodded. "But I think Bavanshi will not disappoint you."

"If only that were so..." Guiliniweier replied ambiguously. "We will see how she truly is. By the way—who are you, exactly?"

He looked at Riko more intently. Whatever her station as a maid, she clearly was more than that.

Riko picked at her skirt, took a small step back with one foot, and gave a formal curtsy, smiling lightly:

"As you see, I am but a humble maid."

"You know I'm not asking that," Guiliniweier's eyes narrowed. "Since you know so many secrets—and even suggested I use your mistress—could it be—"

He let the thought hang. Riko lowered her gaze without speaking, though her fingers tightened on the skirt's fold.

"You might be one of Morgan's long-time retainers, sent to guard Bavanshi?" he ventured.

"...Why do you think so?" Riko asked after a pause.

"Simply because as a maid, you would not know so many hidden matters. And your tone always carries a certain senior-care-for-junior condescension toward Bavanshi—even though you stand on her side, you don't seem very invested."

Guiliniweier continued: "Yet you never acted zealously—when I planned to escape, you did nothing to stop me..."

"Indeed," Riko quietly nodded, "on one level you are correct. I am one of Morgan's old subordinates, sent to watch over Bavanshi. But you are mistaken if you think I'm not serious about protecting her."

"Very well—if you say so, then so it is," Guiliniweier said, visibly relieved. He added with a wry shrug, "Honestly, I once wondered if you might even be Queen Morgan herself—though I dismissed that idea as implausible."

"Oh?" Riko looked intrigued. "Why did you conclude I could not be Morgan?"

"There are many reasons," he replied. "Morgan is the queen who has ruled this realm for over two millennia, a magical genius unmatched in Britain. Could she vanish and then hide in her daughter's castle as a mere maid? What reason would she have?"

"Protecting her daughter?" Riko countered.

"Come now, don't tease me," he said awkwardly. "You know Morgan's attitude toward Bavanshi: she hardly shows affection. Everyone in the fairy realm knows it."

"What do you mean?" Riko asked.

"I've not been here long," Guiliniweier admitted, "but I've heard fairies speak of Queen Morgan's indifference to Bavanshi. I'll repeat what New Darrlington residents said yesterday when I went among them."

He relayed their complaints:

"She flaunts that she's the queen's daughter—what arrogance! Has the queen ever shown kindness to that girl? 'Beloved child,' my foot."

"If that's just one viewpoint, it warrants little weight."

Riko interjected, "But what if every fairy says the same?"

"That would confirm it," he said.

Riko fell silent at that. Guiliniweier concluded: "Thus, you cannot be Morgan. A queen in hiding would hardly pose as a maid in her daughter's castle."

"I see," Riko agreed lightly. "In some sense, you are correct. I was sent by Morgan long ago to guard Bavanshi. But I am earnest in that duty."

"Very well," he said. "I was wrong to doubt you." He then teased: "I once boldly guessed you might be Morgan, but later found many inconsistencies, so abandoned that idea."

Riko, curious, asked: "What made you dismiss it?"

He gestured expansively: "For one, why would Morgan, with her infinite life, vanish only to serve incognito as a maid? And if she did, what purpose? And if she truly cared for Bavanshi, you'd expect her to treat her daughter with warmth—yet all know she does not."

"I understand," Riko said, then smiled faintly. "You need not overcomplicate things. Please continue."

Guiliniweier carefully summarized: "You speak as though above Bavanshi, yet always act in her interest, though not eagerly—such mixed signals suggest someone sent to oversee rather than fully devoted. Combined with your knowledge of many secrets, it fit the pattern of Morgan's long-time retainer."

"Indeed," Riko nodded softly. "You are quite perceptive: I am indeed an old subordinate of Morgan, assigned to watch Bavanshi. But don't mistake my concern for half-heartedness; I take my duty seriously."

"Understood," Guiliniweier said, relieved. "Thank you for clarifying."

Riko inclined her head in a final, polite bow: "I hope this clears your doubts."

As he watched her withdraw, Guiliniweier reflected: Riko was indeed Morgan's agent, quietly guiding events behind the scenes. Though uneasy about serving Bavanshi, he now considered whether using Bavanshi's position to purge the fairies might align with his own aims. But he would first test Bavanshi's true nature—if she proved utterly beyond redemption, he would not remain her subordinate. Yet for now, he would proceed cautiously, aware that Riko's quiet influence shaped much of what transpired in New Darrlington.