"Alright, looks like I've taken another step closer to resolving Vortigern."
Earlier, Lot had been pondering how to deal with Vortigern. But now, the situation had resolved itself the weapons had practically been delivered to him.
Holding Excalibur in one hand and Galatine in the other, Lot glanced at Joyeuse hanging at his waist.
"Behold my Three-Sword Style technique!"
He swung the swords around playfully before promptly sheathing them.
The Three-Sword Style was just for show actually using it in battle was out of the question. Western swords were primarily designed as two-handed weapons. Wielding even one single-handed was difficult enough, let alone trying to hold a third in his mouth.
So, after a few flashy swings, Lot put them away.
The upcoming battle against Vortigern would be a blood-soaked affair. With these weapons in hand, things would become much easier.
"Still, what should I do about Galatine?"
Lot stared at the sword thoughtfully.
Excalibur could be given directly to Artoria, allowing her to wield it in the fight against Vortigern. But Galatine was meant for his daughter, Gawain.
The problem was how old was Gawain right now?
Lot roughly measured the sword against an imaginary height. Galatine was taller than Gawain's entire body.
Sending a child less than a year old to fight Vortigern with this sword?
Lot's mind could only conjure three words:
Child labor abuse.
Asking an infant to fight was something very few people would ever consider.
"Ah, forget it. I'll just take it back for now. Worst case, my Joyeuse is stronger than Galatine anyway. I don't necessarily need Galatine to deal with Vortigern."
With that thought, Lot stepped out of the River of Time, carrying both swords.
Meanwhile, in a corner of the castle, Merlin who had been slacking off suddenly froze mid-smile.
"Lord Merlin, what's wrong?"
A dancing girl beside him, who had been keeping him company, asked in confusion.
(As for why there were entertainers like her near the warfront where armies marched, merchants and performers inevitably followed.)
"It's nothing."
Merlin forced a strained smile and dismissed her.
Once she was gone, his expression twisted into one of utter bewilderment.
Gone.
How could it be gone?
How the hell is it gone?!
It wasn't as if he'd lost a body part.
And even if he had, Merlin wouldn't have been this distraught.
No, what truly unsettled him was the disappearance of the sacred sword he had intended for his disciple.
Vanished.
Just like that.
The Sword in the Stone could be called a holy sword, but Merlin knew its power was limited. The true weapon meant for his student was Excalibur.
Though the sword had been in the possession of the Lady of the Lake, Merlin had always kept an eye on it, waiting for the right moment to orchestrate a "chance encounter" for his prized pupil.
But now, it was gone.
Logically, the sword shouldn't have just disappeared. Yet, right under Merlin's watch, it had.
And not just Excalibur Galatine, meant for Gawain, had vanished as well.
The worst part? Normally, even if lost, he could track them down.
But this time, he couldn't.
Even with his Clairvoyance, he couldn't locate them.
It was as if they had been erased from the timeline itself.
What do I do now?
Merlin felt a rare pang of frustration.
With this heavy mood, he began making his way back to the castle.
At that moment, he spotted another figure strolling toward the castle gates.
Unlike Merlin's gloomy demeanor, this man was practically radiating smugness, his body adorned with an assortment of clattering items.
Upon closer inspection, Merlin realized the man was carrying quite the haul:
A fishing rod.
A stool.
Bait.
And a wicker basket completely empty of fish.
Oh, and three swords.
One was Joyeuse, the holy sword Lot always carried.
Another was Excalibur.
And the last Galatine.
…
Excalibur.
Merlin's face stiffened.
"Good afternoon, Merlin. Looks like you've been living the good life, huh?"
Lot, noticing Merlin's return, flashed a grin brimming with satisfaction.
Usually, it was Merlin who wore that infuriating smirk.
Now?
The tables had turned.
What goes around comes around.
Karma was a wheel, and no one escaped it.
"Indeed. Though not as well as you."
Merlin forced a smile.
Then, he pointed at Excalibur hanging from Lot's waist.
"That sword…"
He needed to know how it had ended up in Lot's hands.
"Oh, this? Well, while I was fishing earlier, I happened to meet a river god. He asked if I wanted this Excalibur or that Galatine. And as a grown man, my answer was, 'Both, of course.'"
Lot's tone was dripping with smugness.
For some reason, I really want to punch him right now.
Merlin thought to himself.
He didn't believe a word of that story.
But the fact that Lot had obtained the swords meant he possessed abilities Merlin wasn't aware of.
"…Very well. Let's hope you 'fish up' more weapons like these in the future."
After a pause, Merlin responded flatly.
"Will do!"
Still grinning, Lot deliberately circled around Merlin a few times, the three holy swords clinking with each step.
Honestly…
If Merlin weren't so emotionally stunted, he might've ended up like Zhou Yu from Romance of the Three Kingdoms fuming himself to death.
Once he'd had his fill of gloating, Lot sauntered off.
"Queen Morgan, has King Lot not returned yet?"
Artoria, her eyes fixed on the horizon, asked impatiently as dusk approached.
Morgan was a master at tormenting her little sister.
Since the bet had begun immediately, and Lot hadn't lost yet, Artoria was bound by its terms.
For lunch that day, Morgan had given Artoria a standard soldier's ration.
For an ordinary soldier, it would've been enough.
For Artoria?
It wasn't even enough to line her stomach.
So now, she was desperately waiting for Lot to return.
Otherwise, she'd starve to death.
Even now, Artoria refused to believe she could lose the bet.
Just as she felt herself on the verge of collapsing from hunger, Lot pushed the door open and walked in.
"Whoa, Artoria, what happened to you? Looks like you got beaten half to death."
Seeing her listless state, Lot couldn't help but comment.
"Worse than that."
Morgan emerged from behind Artoria, smiling sweetly.
Then, glancing at Lot, she asked, "So, Lot, did you bring back anything good from your fishing trip?"
"If you're asking about fish, then no, I didn't catch any…"
Artoria's face instantly brightened.
See? I won the bet!
Now, what should I ask for as my reward?
A personal chef assigned by Queen Morgan?
Her heart swelled with anticipation.
But then, Lot finished his sentence.
"However, I did 'catch' these instead."
With that, he pulled out Excalibur and Galatine.
Staring at the two swords, Artoria's smile vanished.
Even without an explanation, she could sense the immense power radiating from them.
These are holy swords.
In the right hands, they could turn the tide against Vortigern.
Artoria's expression crumpled into despair.
Though she longed for food, she was also a woman of principle.
She couldn't possibly claim these were worthless.
Which meant she'd lost the bet.
Food… hungry…
The thought of the miserable days ahead made her vision darken.
[What the hell? Why is she making that face? This is Excalibur the sword meant for her. Shouldn't she be overjoyed? Why so glum?]
Lot wondered internally.
Morgan, hearing his thoughts, nearly burst out laughing.
This guy has no idea what's really going on.
She mused silently.
Then, her gaze shifted to the swords in Lot's hands.
So, one of these is my sister's destined blade?
Hmm…
Let's see how he handles this.
Her eyes gleamed with anticipation.
Lot lifted Excalibur and addressed the despondent Artoria:
"Here. What do you think of this sword? If it suits you, take it. Wield it in the coming battle against Vortigern and show your true strength."
He'd decided to give Excalibur to Artoria.
The sword was meant for her.
Only in her hands would it unleash its full potential.
"F-For me?"
Despite her despair, Artoria was stunned.
This was completely unexpected.
"Yes, it's yours."
Morgan chimed in with a smile.
Faced with both rulers' insistence, Artoria hesitated.
"T-This is too much. Perhaps someone else "
She wanted it, but her instincts made her decline.
"We're giving it to you because you can wield it best. Don't refuse. What you should do is take this sword and prove our decision wasn't a mistake."
Morgan pushed the sword into Artoria's arms.
"Then… I swear I'll prove Your Majesties' wisdom correct."
Clutching Excalibur, Artoria bowed deeply.
"Good. That's the spirit."
Morgan smiled approvingly, then gestured outside.
"Now, Lot and I have private matters to discuss. You may leave."
"Understood."
Artoria nodded vigorously and turned to go.
Her face was now alight with joy.
But after a few steps, Morgan called out:
"Oh, and don't forget you still have to honor our bet."
Artoria stumbled mid-step.
Her expression became indescribable.
Morgan had sent Artoria away because she sensed Lot had more to say.
Once they were alone, she asked, "Well, what else do you have for me?"
"Plenty."
Instead of giving her Galatine, Lot produced a sheath.
Morgan blinked.
"Wait. You gave my sister a sword… and you're giving me the sheath?"
"Ah, but my dear, sometimes the sheath is far more valuable than the sword."
Grinning, Lot explained its powers.
Avalon the Ever-Distant Utopia.
Its wielder would heal from any wound, and even aging would cease.
It was the perfect defense.
And of course, Lot hadn't hesitated to claim it for Morgan.
He could take care of his own safety, but his wife's? That was non-negotiable.
"…You should keep this for yourself."
After hearing its description, Morgan tried to hand it back.
But Lot refused.
"Look, if I can 'fish up' something like this, I can get even better. Don't you trust me?"
His tone was firm.
Seeing his resolve, Morgan reluctantly accepted it but warned, "Fine. But remember if you break your word and end up in danger, I'll throw myself in front of you without hesitation."
"Whoa, whoa, don't say things that'll jinx us!"
Lot hastily covered her mouth.
"I promise, if there's ever danger, we'll send Artoria and the others in first. Deal?"
Morgan finally smiled.
Good.
A husband is for doting on. A little sister is for teasing.
This husband of hers…
She leaned into Lot's arms, ready to snuggle.
But just as she did
"Gasp!"
A child's surprised voice rang out.
Morgan sprang back.
The two turned to see little Gawain standing nearby, wide-eyed.
Damn it.
Since when did this brat come to the frontlines?
They thought in unison.