"Mm." Artoria nodded softly.
Then, a look of disappointment appeared on her face.
At the same time, as if sensing her own failure, the ahoge on her head drooped dejectedly.
"Are you feeling defeated?"
As if noticing the thick aura of frustration on Artoria's face, Morgan spoke up to ask her.
"Ah… I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I've let you down."
Raising her head slightly with a hint of grievance, Artoria addressed Morgan.
"Enough, it's fine. Lot and I brought some sweets to reward you. Lot will give them to you later you and Guinevere should enjoy them." Morgan waved her hand dismissively. "In this world, who hasn't experienced failure? If you fail this time, just win in the next battle. You're only in your teens there's still plenty of room for improvement."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Artoria nodded gently.
Then, recalling Morgan's words, she spoke with a hint of admiration: "But in this world, haven't you and King Lot remained undefeated?"
Hearing this, the corners of Morgan's lips curled upward.
"Of course. After all, it's Lot. With him around, nothing we do ever ends in failure."
Caught off guard, the two were force-fed a mouthful of dog food.
"Yes, King Lot is truly wise and mighty."
Artoria murmured quietly.
Seeing her like this, Morgan motioned for Artoria to sit first. "Alright, let's wait for Lot to return."
Meanwhile, on the other side, Lot was walking out with Merlin in tow.
"Aren't you afraid I'll attack you, dragging me out alone like this?"
Held like this, Merlin spoke to Lot.
Merlin's swordsmanship surpassed Lot's. Though Lot could interfere with Merlin, in a real fight, Merlin would still emerge victorious.
"Not afraid. If something happens to me, all your plans will be ruined. Your temperament isn't so different from those fairies, after all."
Lot replied to Merlin.
Compared to the human side, his non-human way of thinking held greater sway.
Then, Lot deliberately let a trace of his Kavacha and Kundala's aura leak out. "Besides, even if we fought, I might not be able to defeat you, but protecting myself wouldn't be an issue."
"That's India's Kavacha and Kundala!?"
Merlin was shocked.
This time, his surprise was genuine.
On the previous occasions when Lot had activated the armor, Merlin hadn't been present. Lot had also never disclosed the armor's origins to anyone else. But now, in front of Merlin, the mage recognized it at a glance.
To obtain armor from under the noses of India's gods that was simply absurd.
"How did you manage this?"
He asked Lot.
"That? It's one of my trump cards." Lot replied. "With me here, this world has already undergone significant changes. If you still think your prophecies will hold, that's impossible."
Merlin fell silent.
Lot continued at this point: "Regarding Artoria's identity, both of us know the truth. She can indeed wield the Holy Lance Rhongomyniad. But have you considered what will become of her after she takes it up?"
"If too much time passes, it won't be Artoria anymore it'll be the Goddess Rhongomyniad."
Merlin admitted frankly.
"Exactly. Would she still be your student then?"
Lot stared at him as he asked.
"I can control it to that extent. I won't let my student become like that."
"Are you really so confident everything will go as you predict?"
Lot countered.
"Of course."
Merlin smiled and nodded.
Seeing his confidence, Lot slowly said:
"And then, there's me."
Merlin's smile froze.
"So now, I just want to say one last thing to you…"
Lot deliberately drew out his words.
"What?"
Still pondering Lot's earlier remarks, Merlin instinctively turned his gaze toward him upon hearing this.
"Begone with you!"
Lot shouted loudly.
At the same time, his right foot forcefully kicked Merlin square in the rear, sending the mage flying out of the military camp.
"Scram!"
Lot yelled.
Merlin landed face-first outside.
Then, with a bitter smile, he picked himself up.
"Well, I got caught this time."
He shrugged.
Having accomplished this, Lot walked back in high spirits.
Picking up the sweets he'd specially asked the chefs to prepare earlier, he stepped inside with a smile.
"Alright, I've sent Merlin away. Here are the sweets come and try them."
He said cheerfully to Artoria, who now seemed to have mostly recovered.
"Thank you, King Lot."
Artoria took them eagerly.
King Lot had brought so much this time
It should be enough for a midnight snack.
She thought to herself.
The shadow of her earlier defeat had now almost completely lifted.
Seeing her mood fully restored, Lot and Morgan naturally smiled.
This matter was finally more or less settled.
[Looking at my dear sister-in-law like this, how could I possibly let her take up the Holy Lance and bear responsibilities far beyond what someone her age should carry?]
Lot gazed at Artoria, thinking to himself.
"Mm."
Hearing her husband's thoughts, Morgan nodded inwardly.
Some things were better handled by herself.
But
Should she tell Artoria about her true identity?
Morgan hesitated.
At the same time, Lot was also pondering this question.
[Sigh, I wonder when Morgan will finally decide to reveal Artoria's identity to her. Keeping it hidden like this if Artoria ever learns the truth of her origins, it's bound to cause some resentment.]
Hearing Lot's thoughts, Morgan nodded quietly to herself.
It seemed some things couldn't be put off any longer.
If Merlin didn't succeed this time, what about next time?
"Ah, Guinevere, I have something to discuss with Artoria. You should head back and rest first."
Thinking this, she addressed Guinevere.
"Huh? Oh, alright."
Hearing Morgan's words, Guinevere paused for a moment before obediently nodding and turning to leave.
Once she was gone, Morgan turned to Artoria with a mischievous smile.
"Come here. Let me check how your development is coming along."
She said to Artoria.
"Eh!!!"
Hearing this, Artoria's eyes widened, and she immediately shot a glance at Lot.
King Lot, look at your wife!