Arthur watched Lancelot leave the room, and as soon as he looked away from the door, he noticed the confused expression on Artoria's face.
This girl is truly beautiful... or rather, she possesses a rare heroic aura. In short, she is the kind of person admired equally by both men and women.
At that moment, her clear, shining eyes held a questioning gaze, as if demanding an immediate answer.
"If Lancelot's information is correct, then most of the Saxon territories shouldn't have many guards right now... but why?"
Why would they voluntarily evacuate?
"It probably has something to do with Vortigern," Arthur deduced, casually tossing the bread crumbs Artoria had just wiped from her mouth into the trash bin.
Thinking about it carefully, it made sense. After Vortigern left, he was not truly safe. Morgan represented far too great a threat to him, which was exactly why he had entered the afterlife, trying to escape her pursuit.
The Saxons' actions were also easy to understand. In the past, King Uther had been too weakened to take any effective measures against them, but now that a new government had been established, Camelot surely wished to drive them out once and for all while it still held the advantage.
They had also been clever. They had no intention of fighting King Arthur... or rather, they did not want to face him for now, so they took the initiative to abandon the occupied territories.
"Vortigern's idea is truly unique," Arthur said. "By concentrating all their forces in a single point, even if we decide to attack, we would certainly suffer a heavy blow. The other side wants to force us to carefully consider the consequences."
They had offered countless benefits—namely eleven territories—leaving only one territory still under defense.
It is truly impressive that you came up with such a method.
Arthur sighed inwardly.
Artoria rested a hand on her chin, pondered for a few moments, and then asked:
"What do you intend to do?"
Arthur looked at her for a moment before averting his gaze.
"Since they've already handed us this gift, we certainly shouldn't refuse it."
Artoria blinked a few times, stared at Arthur, and asked:
"After conquering the eleven territories... what about the last one? Should we leave it for later?"
Generally, that would be the most rational course of action. After all, the other side had retreated significantly and concentrated all of their strength. If they tried to recklessly seize the last territory now, they would probably suffer heavy casualties.
If Britain conquered eleven territories, that alone would be enough to gradually grow stronger. Once it became even more powerful, even if the other races wanted to resist, it would already be too late.
Arthur remained silent, resting his chin on his hand as he sank into deep thought.
"Or should we ask my older sister again?" Artoria asked once more.
Arthur immediately shook his head.
"Forget it... she'd probably tell us to kill them all."
That was entirely possible. Considering that goddess's personality, Arthur would not be surprised if one day she simply appeared before him and casually threw several Saxon leaders' heads at his feet.
"In short, first we'll confirm whether we can take possession of all the territories. If we can, then we'll hold a meeting to decide whether we should go all out against the final territory and completely expel the foreign races from our lands."
Arthur finally made his decision.
"That's true. If a resolution is not approved by more than half the people, then even if you have your own ideas, there is nothing you can do." Artoria sat back down in her chair, paused briefly, and then asked: "What are your own thoughts?"
"Me? I definitely hope to drive out all the Saxons."
Arthur let out a light sigh after speaking, as though an idea had just come to mind.
After dealing with all of them and unifying Britain's territories, he could finally return home with peace of mind.
However, his desire to return was no longer as strong as it had been in the beginning.
After all, there was still another way to reunite with Master and Nessa.
Speaking of that... perhaps I could talk to Morgan again and ask her to arrange another meeting between me and my Master?
Seeing Arthur suddenly fall silent, Artoria understood something. She had heard him mention the Land of Shadows countless times in previous conversations.
Almost instinctively, the girl grabbed Arthur's sleeve.
"So you still want to go back?"
Arthur came back to his senses and saw the girl's eyes blinking faintly. Even so, she maintained a serious expression.
"That is where I belong," he replied. "But don't worry. Even after I leave, I'll still come visit you from time to time."
"As for Britain, you can rest easy with your older sister here."
"Will you really come see me again in the future?"
Artoria was still holding Arthur's sleeve. She was younger than him, and her usually calm face now carried a rare trace of unease.
"Of course."
Arthur turned to look directly at the girl beside him and, with a teasing smile, added:
"I don't want to go without seeing you."
Artoria froze for a moment, as if trying to process those contradictory words.
Then she narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Do you like me?" she asked directly.
Arthur was startled and thought to himself:
Why is this fool so talkative all of a sudden today... and being so straightforward?
But if I had to say whether I like her...
I suppose I could call it liking her.
"I do." Arthur nodded naturally, as though it were the most obvious answer in the world.
"You're lying," Artoria replied dryly, not giving him the slightest chance to maintain the claim.
Arthur: "..."
That girl's blunt honesty really cut like a sword.
"My older sister says you have a thing for mature women."
Arthur: "..."
For a moment, he fell completely silent, staring at Artoria without knowing whether to defend himself, flee, or simply pretend he had heard nothing.
As if thinking Arthur did not understand the meaning of the expression, Artoria continued to explain with absolute seriousness:
"It basically means that you only like older people and have no interest in younger ones. The reason she dared to appoint me as court butler is because she knows you have a thing for older women."
What kind of nonsense has that woman been telling her sister?!
What do you mean I'm a fan of mature women?
That I like mature and older women?
That's not true!
"I am not interested in mature women!" Arthur had to declare in his own defense, almost as if he were standing trial.
"Where is the proof?" Artoria asked immediately.
"Proof...?" Arthur looked at Artoria, dumbfounded.
How could anyone possibly provide proof of something like that?
There was no way to produce documents, witnesses, or official reports to deny a romantic preference.
We can't do anything involving Lily, can we?
If we did something like that, wouldn't that make us the perfect example of someone with a thing for older women?
Seeing Arthur's cornered and embarrassed expression, Artoria displayed a rare triumphant smile. It was small and subtle, but clearly satisfied.
"Just kidding."
She stood up from her chair, turned her head to look at Arthur, and said:
"I will inform the Knights of the Round Table about the conquest of the Saxons. You may go rest now... You look very tired."
Lily can be this considerate??
Do you really understand people's hearts now?
Arthur raised his eyes toward her as if looking at a complete stranger and said solemnly:
"Lily, blink if you're being threatened."
Artoria frowned slightly, clearly confused and seemingly unable to understand the meaning of those strange words.
Arthur waved his hand.
"It's nothing, just a joke. You may go now."
Artoria continued staring at him for another moment, as if still deciding whether it had truly been a joke, then turned and left the room.
After watching her leave, silence once again filled the room.
Arthur leaned his head back, closed his eyes, and allowed himself to sink for a few moments into a rare state of tranquility.
However, the moment he closed his eyes, he immediately remembered meeting Scáthach one week earlier.
Even though it had only been a dream... it had made him extremely happy.
It was worth mentioning that he had not reunited with Scáthach during that entire week, but likewise, the erotic dreams he had experienced before had also stopped appearing.
And so the matter simply ended there.
"I really want to see Master again..." Arthur slowly opened his eyes.
"Right, it's decided. I'll go look for Morgan now. If I explain everything clearly to her, she should agree."
Thinking that, Arthur immediately stood up and left the room, crossing the corridor with quick steps.
His intention was to search for Morgan in one of the palace wings, but he ended up finding her right in front of the garden.
Morgan elegantly raised one finger, and a butterfly had landed on its tip. Her slightly wavy hair fell delicately over her shoulders, while her long black dress perfectly outlined her noble, distant, and irresistibly elegant posture.
I am King Arthur. I need to be firm... otherwise, she may not grant my request.
Arthur encouraged himself silently.
Be stronger... Be stronger...
He took a deep breath and stepped forward decisively.
"Morgan, I want to see Master again. If possible, please bring Nessa this time."
Morgan's thoughts were interrupted, but she showed no irritation. Upon hearing the voice beside her, only a faint smile appeared on her lips.
Turning to Arthur, she calmly asked:
"Is that how you ask others for favors?"
I am the King! What is wrong with ordering my subordinates to do things for me?!
Arthur felt indignant inside, but reality was cruel.
Even so, he insisted with almost theatrical courage:
"Morgan, please... could you let me see my Master one more time?"
Well, this so-called toughness is completely useless in front of this woman.
Morgan stared at Arthur for a long moment. Her gaze seemed to see straight through him.
After a prolonged silence, she let out a resigned sigh.
"I truly can do nothing with you."
She paused briefly before continuing:
"I will arrange another meeting for you tonight."
Before Arthur could even show his joy, Morgan slowly raised her hand and lifted his chin with the tip of her finger.
The gesture was light, yet domineering.
"However..."
Her blue eyes shone mysteriously.
"You will have to repay me with your magic. After all, creating that kind of dream consumes a great deal of magical energy."
(End of Chapter)