"I had already given you the information, but you simply failed to take advantage of the opportunity."
Inside the hall completely submerged in darkness, only the faint moonlight partially slipped through the cracks in the windows, vaguely illuminating the outlines of the two figures present.
A man stood motionless in the center of the silent room, his eyes fixed on the hooded figure before him.
His tone carried dissatisfaction.
"Now hand over what you promised," he continued slowly. "As agreed."
The shadowy figure merely let out a cold snort.
Right afterward, something was tossed out from the black sleeve.
A small bottle.
Inside it, a bright crimson liquid slowly swayed, emitting a faint and strange glow even amidst the darkness.
The man's eyes immediately lit up.
He quickly stepped forward and grabbed the bottle like someone clutching a precious treasure.
Even before opening it, an unusual energy could already be felt coming from within.
After removing the cork and bringing it close to his face, the man deeply inhaled the metallic scent escaping from it.
A gleam of greed appeared in his eyes.
"Created from the essence and blood of three rare creatures..." he murmured in admiration. "Capable of strengthening the body of whoever drinks it..."
He slowly raised the bottle before his eyes.
"I truly didn't expect you to possess a treasure of this level."
His smile widened further.
"It will be a pleasure cooperating again in the future."
"Again? Do you really believe King Arthur will remain so careless after what happened today?"
"It won't be easy," the man admitted calmly while sealing the bottle again and storing it away with extreme care.
"But there is always a way."
He slightly raised his chin.
"As long as I remain here, we'll be able to obtain news about King Arthur's actions as quickly as possible."
Despite his confident tone, caution still lingered in his eyes.
"However..." he continued in a lower voice, "I truly hope you won't come looking for me again anytime soon."
The man walked toward the window and peeked outside before continuing:
"The entire palace is searching for traitors right now."
His gaze darkened.
"If they discover that a Saxon leader entered my territory..." he let out a dry laugh, "even you wouldn't want to deal with the consequences of that, right?"
The shadowy figure remained silent for a few seconds before coldly staring at him.
"Don't try anything funny."
The pressure in the figure's voice became heavy.
"If I reveal your identity... you know perfectly well what the consequences will be."
"Of course." The man smiled calmly, almost amicably. "I'm not stupid enough to do something reckless."
He slowly opened his arms.
"You need me as an informant, and I need the benefits you provide."
His smile became greedier.
"Isn't it a perfect relationship where both sides profit?"
After a brief pause, he added:
"Of course... this transaction is already complete."
"Next time, if you want new information..." his eyes gleamed slightly, "you'll have to bring sufficient rewards again."
The shadowy figure merely snorted coldly.
Without saying another word, the figure slowly turned around and disappeared into the darkness of the corridor like a ghost.
Only after the other party's presence completely vanished did the man finally release a long sigh of relief.
His entire body relaxed.
The other party was one of the Saxon leaders.
A monster responsible for massacring countless Britons in the past.
Negotiating with someone like that was extremely dangerous.
Any mistake could lead directly to death.
But they no longer had a choice.
The man looked once again at the bottle in his hands.
The ambition in his eyes became even stronger.
King Arthur was far too powerful.
The Knights of the Round Table were even more monstrous.
If nothing was done, sooner or later all the Saxons would be completely exterminated.
And he had no intention of sinking alongside them.
"With this..." he murmured while observing the red liquid inside the bottle, "my strength will increase drastically."
A treasure of that level could never normally be obtained.
Only by betraying King Arthur would it be possible to acquire something so precious.
At the exact moment he was about to turn around and head back into the residence—
"WHO'S THERE?!"
A sharp shout suddenly echoed from outside.
The man's expression immediately changed.
Without hesitation, he rushed outside.
After all, this was the residence of a tribal chief.
Armed guards were stationed all around the area.
Ordinary people could never infiltrate this place silently.
Could the Knights of the Round Table have discovered something...?
Under the hazy moonlight, a horrifying scene appeared before his eyes.
The body of the shadowy figure lay on the ground.
The black robe was completely soaked in red.
The eyes had rolled back.
The pale face looked even more terrifying beneath the moonlight.
The man was utterly stunned.
How...?
How had someone managed to kill a Saxon leader so quickly?!
When another person's shadow slowly appeared behind the corpse, the man abruptly raised his gaze.
Then froze.
"Princess Morgan...?!" he exclaimed in shock.
Morgan calmly walked over the blood scattered across the ground.
Her black dress swayed softly with the night wind.
The elegant smile on her face contrasted terrifyingly with the corpse behind her.
"Good evening," Morgan said gently as she approached. "Sir Scott."
Scott's expression changed several times.
Shock.
Fear.
Hesitation.
But in the next instant, he quickly forced out a flattering smile.
"Princess Morgan..." he spoke respectfully. "It's already so late... have you also come to discuss cooperation?"
"Cooperation?"
Morgan slowly repeated the word.
She slightly narrowed her eyes.
"No." Her smile became even gentler. "How could I possibly discuss cooperation with you?"
Scott immediately dropped to his knees.
His survival instincts were screaming desperately at that moment.
"From now on, I will completely follow your plans!" he declared quickly.
"I can help you control all of Britain!"
His voice became hurried.
"I also know many important tribal leaders. I can persuade them to serve you."
"If you wish..." his eyes revealed a cruel gleam, "I can even help you overthrow the current King Arthur."
Scott had survived as a tribal chief until now not merely because of inheritance.
His greatest talent was understanding people.
And at that moment, he perfectly understood the situation.
Morgan had silently appeared at his residence.
Killed a Saxon leader and come directly to him.
Her objective was obvious.
"Oh?" Morgan showed mild interest. "And how do you intend to prove your sincerity?"
Scott quickly raised the red bottle with both hands, offering it like a servant presenting tribute to his queen.
"This was created from the essence of three rare monsters."
His voice carried anxiety.
"Consuming this will drastically strengthen the body. I haven't even touched it yet."
Morgan delicately took the bottle.
The red liquid slowly swayed before her eyes.
"So this is what you gained by betraying the King?" she asked calmly.
She lightly rotated the bottle between her fingers.
"Interesting..."
Morgan truly seemed to be considering it.
"Strengthening the body..." she murmured thoughtfully. "If I gave this to a child who hasn't finished growing yet... would they mature faster?"
Scott hesitated briefly.
But soon nodded vigorously.
"Yes! Without a doubt!"
"The blood of those creatures is extremely powerful."
"It would be useful not only for a child..." he forced a servile smile, "but for you as well."
"What an interesting product..." Morgan murmured while observing the bottle again.
Then she slowly raised her eyes toward Scott.
"Sir Scott..."
Her smile became gentle once more.
"Do you truly intend to obey me completely?"
Scott immediately lowered his head until his forehead touched the ground.
"Yes!"
"I swear absolute loyalty to you!"
His voice trembled slightly.
"As proof of my loyalty..." he slowly began crawling forward, "I will even kiss your feet to demonstrate my oath."
"Oh?"
Morgan tilted her head slightly.
"That doesn't seem appropriate, does it?"
She smiled.
"After all, you are still a tribal chief."
"Your status is not that far beneath mine."
However—
The moment she looked down and saw Scott's face approaching her feet, her smile completely disappeared.
BANG!!
Morgan's kick violently struck Scott's face.
His body was launched like a cannonball across the courtyard.
He rolled several times across the ground before finally stopping.
"Who..." Morgan's voice turned glacial, "gave you permission to touch me?"
The woman who had been smiling elegantly seconds earlier now looked at Scott as if he were garbage.
Scott spat blood as he desperately got back up.
Then immediately knelt again without hesitation.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry, Princess Morgan!"
His eyes were filled with fear.
Morgan silently observed the scene for a few seconds before softly sighing.
"What are you so afraid of?"
Her gentle smile appeared once again.
"I'm not someone who enjoys indiscriminately killing innocents."
She spun the bottle between her fingers.
"Considering that you handed this over to me..." Morgan smiled. "I do not intend to kill you."
Scott immediately revealed joy.
"Thank you! Thank you very much, Princess Morgan!"
He quickly raised his head.
"And what about King Arthur?"
Scott's eyes became cruel once more.
"I can lure him out under the pretext of discussing ways to defeat the Saxons."
"Hmm..." Morgan slowly nodded. "That is a very good idea."
Her smile looked extremely satisfied.
"You truly are intelligent."
Scott felt relieved.
"Then we shall do it your way."
"Very well." Morgan slowly approached him. "Now clean up that corpse."
She lightly patted Scott's shoulder.
"After that, you may return."
"Yes... yes!" Scott immediately replied. "Please take care, Princess Morgan."
Morgan slowly turned around.
Only after she completely disappeared from sight did Scott finally release a deep sigh of relief.
His flattering expression instantly vanished.
In its place appeared a cold and cruel expression.
"How useless..." he spat onto the ground.
He violently kicked the alien leader's corpse.
"You couldn't even defeat that damned woman."
Scott gritted his teeth.
"No wonder you keep losing repeatedly to King Arthur."
Snorting irritably, he turned around and reentered the residence.
He violently pushed open one of the inner doors.
Then walked straight toward the bed.
Without the slightest gentleness, he brutally grabbed the hair of the maid who was still sleeping.
"Get up!"
The girl awoke in fright, looking at Scott in terror.
"Go clean that corpse outside!"
The maid trembled.
"Why are you still standing there?!" Scott roared.
His eyes were twisted by the humiliation he had felt moments earlier in front of Morgan.
"MOVE ALREADY!"
He violently squeezed the blonde maid's buttocks while glaring at her irritably.
"Or do you want to end up buried alongside that corpse?"
(End of Chapter)