Although Totorot and Ector didn't understand what made Aoko so remarkable, it didn't stop them from recognizing that the red-haired woman before them was a significant figure in Proper Human History. Their attitudes grew noticeably more respectful.
"Huh? So it's my turn?" Pepe pointed to his face. "This is a little troubling since I've had many names before. The one I'm using now is Scandinavia Peperoncino. You can call me Pepe~"
"Unlike the other two, I'm just an ordinary human magus," Pepe said with a cheerful smile. "Nothing particularly special about me, but I'm not completely useless either."
"You're not ordinary at all, Mr. Pepe," Aoko said meaningfully. "Someone who's mastered all six supernatural powers—there aren't many even on the continent, you know?"
"Oh my, I just happen to be good at this," Pepe said shyly. "It's like how some people are good at cooking—my talents just happen to be in this area~"
"You're already over a thousand years old. Is that an ordinary talent?" Aoko said slyly. "It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call you a once-in-a-generation genius, would it?"
"It's just that I'm a recycled product from reincarnation. If too much time passes, there will still be deterioration," Pepe said calmly.
"Huh? Mr. Pepe is that old?!" Totorot exclaimed in surprise. "I thought humans could only live to twenty or thirty years old…"
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became strange. The other two "humans," aside from Aoko, all turned their gazes toward Totorot, making her feel quite uncomfortable.
"...This must be some kind of 'trait' of these Fairy Britain humans," Toneriko explained. "Unlike humans from Proper Human History, people here can only live a little over thirty years, never past forty."
"I know," Aoko said calmly, drawing the attention of both Pepe and Artoria. "Because the 'humans' of this Fairy Britain aren't true humans; they're just some kind of imitation."
"...What do you mean?" Artoria's gaze grew serious. She looked intently at Aoko, hoping for an explanation—even Toneriko seemed eager to hear the answer.
"Though I wanted to wait until we reach Salisbury to discuss this…" Aoko spread her hands, "...it seems saying it now would make everyone feel a bit better."
"These Fairy Britain humans are all 'created' by fairies using elements obtained from the same original human," Aoko said, raising her index finger. "In other words, they're not born through reproduction, but are 'split off' from a single human and, using the genetic factors and mystical elements in that flesh, fairies use their 'privileges' to make these severely flawed human imitations."
"That's why these humans can only live thirty years before rapidly aging and dying," Aoko continued. "Because they're fundamentally defective from the start. Though they seem normal, from both scientific and mystical viewpoints, these 'human imitations' can't function like real humans; they're incomplete."
"So that's how it is…" Toneriko's expression was filled with sadness as if remembering her human companions. "I always knew there was something wrong with Fairy Britain's humans, but I never imagined…"
Both Pepe and Artoria were also shocked. They'd previously learned from Aoko that there were no true humans in this so-called Lostbelt worldline, but they'd only thought humans were weak and fairies strong—never that the "humans" here had fallen to such a miserable state.
"Allow me to keep some secrets for now," Aoko said, smiling. "I know much more about the secrets of Fairy Britain, but let's wait until we reach Salisbury to discuss them in detail."
"...Fine," Toneriko said, then turned her gaze to the only person present who hadn't introduced herself—the blonde female knight. "So, would this knight like to introduce herself?"
"...My name is Artoria Pendragon," she said crisply as if she thought it unlikely anyone in this fairy-inhabited Britain would know her. "I'm currently working as a guardian knight for the Aozaki family, contracted to Aoko."
Upon hearing the name, Toneriko's expression froze. She rapidly searched her Proper Human History Morgan's memories for everything about Artoria Pendragon, comparing them to the blonde knight before her. Though their apparent ages differed slightly, in terms of sword, scabbard, armor, and demeanor, everything matched "that person."
"You… you're…?" Toneriko stammered, "You're King Arthur?"
"I am, but that was a long time ago. Now I'm just Artoria," Artoria said with a hint of surprise. She hadn't expected anyone in Fairy Britain to know her name—could there be her parallel counterpart here as well?
"You… you…" Toneriko was at a loss for words, suddenly flustered. Totorot watched her worriedly.
"Ara~ara~!" Aoko laughed heartily at the side. "The reason I didn't explain everything at once was just to see this reaction! How interesting!"
Artoria glared fiercely at Aoko, apparently a little angry, which forced Aoko to restrain herself a bit—sometimes it's best not to take a joke too far.
"Alright, alright, Artoria," Aoko raised her hands in surrender, "I'll tell you about Toneriko, fufu~"
"Listen up—she's your sister, Morgan le Fay's, parallel counterpart in Fairy Britain," Aoko said bluntly. "For some reason, she received Proper Human History Morgan's memories, which is why she had such a strong reaction upon hearing your name."
"What!" Artoria exclaimed. "You mean she's my royal sister?!"
"Hehe, yes and no," Aoko patiently explained. "She's a fairy sent from the Sea of Stars to save the world. Her essence is different from Morgan's. As for inheriting Morgan's memories, it's like reading a book that records Morgan's experiences. She isn't that human 'Morgan'."
Artoria, after listening, looked at the girl—who so closely resembled her and shared her conflicted gaze—with complex emotions. Her mind was a tangled mess.
Though Toneriko had a deep conversation and come to terms with the Morgan avatar left in Blackmore Village, seeing before her this still young and still kind and innocent royal sister, she couldn't help but be moved.
"Even if she's not the Proper Human History's Morgan…" Aoko approached Artoria with a mischievous grin, "you two did have a child together, didn't you? Make the most of this chance and get along, ohohoho…"
At this, not only Artoria but even Toneriko's face instantly flushed. Having seen the scene of Morgan and Artoria's union through Morgan's memories, she couldn't help but recall it.
"What, what?! Is this the knight's bride?!" Totorot, upon hearing the situation, exclaimed, immediately became excited, prancing about, eager to get to the bottom of this. Her fairy instincts were fully awakened.
Pepe covered his mouth, sweeping his gaze between Toneriko and Artoria with surprise, his gossipy soul burning with curiosity.