Morgan launched an attack on Alaric.
Without a doubt, it was a laughable assault. Compared to the mountain-like majesty of the dragon, the basketball-sized orb of energy was hardly a threat... it couldn't even breach Alaric's defenses. Before the orb could reach him, the magical energy radiating from his massive form automatically deflected it into the sky.
Boom...
The blue-white orb exploded near the height of Alaric's wings. The dazzling light briefly illuminated the dark night, only to fade back into silence the next moment.
"So, what do we do with her?"
Looking at the Red Dragon Princess, collapsed on the ground from sheer exhaustion and unable to rise, Vena's eyes gleamed with a hint of admiration.
It was only now that she fully understood why Alaric so despised the version of her that only knelt and prayed. Indeed, even as an enemy, one would hope for a foe who, despite knowing they were outmatched, would dare to raise a blade against a god, rather than a weakling who closes their eyes and waits for death!
"So, should we take her in?"
"She seems to have some misconceptions about us, but I think she could be a good ally."
Vena offered her heartfelt suggestion.
Her nearly half-year journey of wandering had broadened her horizons but also deepened her sense of loneliness. She had come to realize that "companions" were incredibly valuable, but unfortunately, the only one she could call a "companion." Alaric, was hardly suited to travel with her.
"No."
"This is not our concern."
Alaric rejected Vena's proposal.
He had to admit that Morgan's soul harbored an immense mystery... half of the island's mystery resided within her.
No wonder Vena described her as "so tempting one can't help but want to take a bite."
A being like Morgan was indeed akin to a rare treasure, a morsel that could grant eternal life with one bite or ascension to divinity with two. Absorbing all the mysteries hidden within her could elevate one to become a ruler of this island… but, no, that wasn't the path to take.
He had no interest in branding something that didn't belong to him with his own mark.
And Morgan... this princess whose veins flowed with red dragon's blood yet could never ascend to the throne... was never under his jurisdiction.
"This is her matter."
"Let her handle it."
Though Alaric didn't say it outright, Vena knew the "her" He referred to was the ahoge-wearing girl they had met before, the one now famed as Britain's chosen savior.
[Remember, no matter how close you are to someone, even if you share food with them,]
[when they are disciplining their own vassals, you must not interfere... unless you're prepared to break ties or even become enemies.]
These were words Merlin once used to teach Artoria, but they applied equally to Alaric.
This was the red dragon's own affair… let that ahoge girl deal with the headache herself!
…
In the same mountain range, under the same night sky.
In a so-called [Kingdom], which was really just a slightly larger village.
In the pitch-black night, most households had already fallen asleep. Only one small wooden cabin remained lit with three or four candles, illuminating the cramped room brightly.
Three people sat around a square wooden table. Two dressed as knights sat across from each other, discussing matters in hushed tones, while a magus in a white robe stared toward the door, pretending to listen attentively but clearly lost in thought.
"The spring planting is complete… but our food supplies are running low. We need to find a way to get through this lean period."
"I've sent men to buy grain from nearby kingdoms, but their kings seem unwilling to sell to us, even when we offer double the price."
"Also, while there are no signs of drought in our territory, refugees have started flooding in… They claim to have suffered a once-in-a-century disaster and are requesting to join our kingdom."
"Sir Kay has taken men up the mountain to cut timber, working through the night to build temporary shelters for the refugees."
The silver-haired knight reported the kingdom's recent developments, point by point.
His name was Bedivere... a knight who had found this territory and Artoria in the early spring of this year.
At first, Artoria thought he was like the other knights, come to challenge her in hopes of "making a name for himself."
But later, she realized she had misunderstood him.
This knight named Bedivere had no extraordinary powers; he was entirely an ordinary human.
Yet, in Artoria's eyes, he was the most perfect knight!
Loyal, humble, steadfast in justice, and possessed of a noble ideal to save this island from chaos. Most importantly, he had a talent for governance and was exceptionally diligent, completing every task Artoria assigned him without cutting corners. He was nothing like her sworn brother, who slacked off whenever possible and never exerted more effort than necessary.
With so many virtues, he quickly earned Artoria's trust and was appointed as her aide, handling various affairs... or, as Kay put it, "the king's lapdog."
"You've worked hard, Sir Bedivere."
"Go rest now; there's more work tomorrow."
"As for me? Don't worry, it's still far from my rest time!"
Artoria said with a smile.
... She was lying.
She didn't need rest, nor did she intend to take any. Since the machine called [King] had begun operating at full capacity, she couldn't bear to waste even a moment.
"But, if I may be so bold, my king."
"You may have to pause your work."
Bedivere left.
But suddenly, another voice echoed in the room.
"Merlin?"
Artoria looked at Merlin with some surprise.
It was the first time she had seen a hint of what seemed like "panic" Or even "a desire to flee" On the face of this magus, who always remained composed no matter the situation.
"What's happened?"
"Well… it's not exactly a big deal."
"Just, whatever you do, don't mention that I'm here."
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