\\Main capital Caerleon, Main gates\\
"Lady Merlin, we have more sick people over there. They look even worse than the previous batch, it's not settling down either." The mage uttered, dressed in a purple robe with a small wooden wand in his hand.
All around them were small tents, carefully made to house the sick people who had fallen so ill it was almost impossible for them to breathe. And since they were outside, they were able to expand it as much as they needed the tents to be.
About fifty citizens could be seen positioned close to each other, the best doctors in Camelot trying to heal them. Unfortunately, some had died due to the nature of sickness.
Merlin, the head mage, stood in the middle of the multiple dead body, her broom held close to her cleavage.
"Open heavenly virtue, heal that which is ill, fix that which is broken, Fortify."
Like an umbrella, magic spread from the tip of the broom, covering the vicinity where she stood. This way, everyone who was sick had been shielded under her healing magic, a way to slow down the process.
But even Merlin knew that wasn't going to be enough.
With a resigned sigh, Merlin stepped out of the healing barrier she had set up, multiple mages and knights waiting for her outside.
"How is it going?" Asked Lancelot, worry hitched on his face.
"Well, it's not getting any better, that's what I'll say. As long as the cause of the water population is unknown, I can't cook up a spell to battle it, we are merely extending the inevitable." Merlin responded.
"That's no good, we need to think of a solution quickly. Fifteen people have been reported dead this morning already, that is very concerning and shouldn't happen again." said Lancelot.
"Suit yourselves out, once the cause of the water issue has been found, I'll be able to cast a counterspell, well, good luck."
Just as Merlin was about to walk away, Lancelot suddenly held her hand.
This triggered her a bit, other than the fact she doesn't ever leave the castle unless needed, she despises most men, especially knights.
"You can't just leave, your magical abilities are needed, the more time we waste, the more lives are in jeopardy." Lancelot gripped her by the arm.
"Ne Ne, Lancelot." Merlin called out with a low tone, her gaze fixed in front of her.
"You refuse?" Lancelot asked.
"A quick piece of advice… if you truly value your arm, I suggest you keep it to yourself… I won't say it again".
Small sparks of lightning began to spark around her form, and those who watched knew from first glance, Merlin meant business.
"Oh.. s..sorry." Lancelot released his hold on her.
And immediately, Merlin looked over her shoulder, sending a chilling glance at Lancelot.
"Do that again, and I won't hesitate to kill you. You're welcome to-"
"Ahhhhhhhhh!!!".
The sound of Ha Joon screaming chimed in, causing Merlin to halt her words.
It felt like a sudden switch was flipped, her once disgusted expression turned into one of cuteness as she veered around, ignoring Lancelot.
'Was that the Traveler?! Traveler!'.
She looked up at the sky, her eyes doodling the moment she noticed Artoria and Ha Joon, heading towards her direction on a dragon.
Lancelot, confused as to why she had suddenly changed so easily, looked up at the sky and saw Artoria.
"Her highness." He blurted out with a smile.
Meanwhile, Ha Joon was busy screaming his lungs out from how fast the dragon was moving. His insides were turning and what's even worse, he's afraid of flights.
Finally, the dragon landed on the ground, just a few distance away from Merlin and the other knights.
"What's the situation?" Artoria wasted no time, dressed in her royal armor, she leaped down from the dragon.
"Travuuuulaaar!" Merlin sprinted towards Ha Joon, who was just slowly getting down from the dragon's back.
As soon as his feet touched the ground, Merlin enveloped him in a tight hug, pushing his head inside her cleavage.
Ha Joon on the other hand, was still trying to battle with the nauseousness he was feeling due to the ride on the dragon.
He suddenly moved his head to the side, puking on the ground while Merlin was still hugging him.
"Your majesty, I didn't expect you to be out here, is there any problem?" Lancelot asked, moving closer with his head slightly bowed.
"I've brought in someone to help with the current issue we are facing." Artoria replied, her eyes scanning the scene before her, she could easily tell Merlin was the one who put up the barrier.
"Someone?" Lancelot took his eyes towards the back, where Merlin was busy rubbing Ha Joon's back so he'd feel better. "Could Your Majesty be talking about the Traveler?".
"Yes. Remain here, I'll take the Traveler to the water source, seeing the situation here is a bit disheartening." Artoria uttered, looking behind her.
"Traveler, shall we go?".
Ha Joon raised his hand a bit, trying to catch his breath, but he was still feeling nauseous.
Thankfully, Merlin was with him. She gently placed his arm over her shoulder and followed closely behind Artoria as they made their way to the river bank.
The river bank was the kingdom's main water source, this was where the people of Camelot would come to fetch water in bulks for all types of uses, cooking, bathing and even washing.
The river was located in a vast valley just a few distance away from Camelot's main capital. Hills and lots of farmland could be seen for miles, surrounding the silver river.
Stationed at the side of the river, were knights to block unauthorized access to the water.
Artoria, Ha Joon and Merlin moved close to the river, its color no longer what it used to be. The surface of the river had begun to grow fungus and different kinds of virus.
"What do you think?" Artoria asked, watching as Ha Joon dipped his hand inside the water while on his knees.
'Go ahead, analyse it".