It was a leisurely time.
The last stretch of peaceful days on this island.
The Knights of the Round Table... heroes standing at the pinnacle of humanity... proved their renowned names were no mere boasts.
Gawain, hailed as the "king's right arm." lived up to his loyalty and valor, launching ten campaigns against the Picts in just one month. Undefeated, he became the most celebrated knight in Britannia, the "prince charming" in the hearts of countless maidens.
The impartial Agravain resumed his role overseeing the kingdom's justice, acting as Camelot's chief magistrate. His judgments were impeccably fair, each verdict backed by precedent, leaving both plaintiffs and defendants convinced and compliant.
Gareth, alongside Kay, who managed the palace treasury, returned to her old trade... not stoking kitchen fires, but overseeing all miscellaneous palace duties, effectively leading the other servants and earning the king's trust as a steward.
"Even Mordred shone in beast-hunting expeditions, becoming a hero in everyone's eyes. Veteran hunters especially loved sharing drinks and meat with her."
This was Mash's report.
The only one not assigned a task by Artoria, she had volunteered as an "assistant"... free to help any department as she wished, though Guinevere wouldn't score her work.
In this month, Mash progressed rapidly, transforming from a clueless newcomer to a capable worker.
She frequented the kingdom's records office, assisting Bedivere in gathering intelligence from various departments or relaying the king's orders with simple errands.
Occasionally, she helped Agravain organize case files for settled disputes. He seemed intent on revising the kingdom's laws to make them more robust and accessible to grassroots enforcers.
"Everyone's so amazing!"
For Mash, this month was hectic yet joyful.
She had never experienced such a fulfilling, rewarding life.
Though much of her sense of accomplishment came from being carried by twelve top-tier knights, as a minor participant in their great work, she felt a shared pride, didn't she?
However, just when Mash naively believed this idyllic life would continue until the knights determined a true victor...
"Well, everyone's scores are quite high. It seems you've all worked hard this month."
"I'm pleased to see such excellence… but this won't do. There can only be one winning team, so we need to widen the gap!"
"How about this... let's have everyone switch roles for another month?"
From her throne, the king announced her new decree in a conversational tone.
The king's "scheme" Had begun.
…
Three days after the knights swapped roles.
Camelot, Hall of Light.
"Hey, a rare guest!"
"Come in, come in! Why aren't you out there working for free today?"
Seeing Mash lingering at the entrance, hesitant to enter, Viviene, bored to the point of illness, hurriedly invited her in and poured her a cup of tart berry juice.
"Gulp, gulp, gulp... "
Mash instinctively grabbed the cup, not even checking its contents, and drank.
"Ah, so sour!"
The sharp tang exploded in her mouth, making her shiver and nearly spit it out.
But it did snap her back to reality, reminding her where she was.
"Oh, I ended up here without realizing?"
"Um, Fou, good afternoon!"
Mash greeted the adorable white beast.
Fou poked its head out, nuzzling her cheek.
It was a heartwarming moment, and the cute creature drew a soft laugh from Mash. But the next instant, as if recalling something, her mood sank again. She slumped onto the stone table, looking utterly unmotivated.
"Hey, it's only been a few days! How'd you end up like this?"
"Cheer up! You're only fifteen... how can you be moping like some thirty-something old hag like me?"
"I told you, working for free never ends well... you should at least demand some pay from that stingy king!"
…
Mash had indeed lost interest in work.
But not because she was "working for free."
The once-smooth operations had become a chaotic mess, riddled with obstacles.
"The king reassigned Agravain to the records office, replacing Bedivere… I don't know why, but he's made a mess of simple tasks. Other departments are grumbling, saying he's wielding minor authority like a tyrant."
"Bedivere was moved to the court, but I heard things aren't going well there either. A minor case has dragged on for three days without resolution, and the plaintiff and defendant settled it themselves."
"Mordred was sent to the palace's internal affairs… I won't even start... it's a disaster. She's practically torn the palace apart!"
"Lancelot took over the treasury… but I heard on his second day, he spent all the reserves and racked up a huge debt. Sir Kay's so furious he's ready to challenge him to a duel."
Mash listlessly recounted her observations from the past three days.
In short: in just three days, a thriving kingdom showed faint signs of collapse?
"What is the king even trying to do?"
Mash didn't understand... everyone was excelling in their roles, using their talents. Wasn't that good enough?
Why the sudden "work shuffle"?
And the knights themselves... why not delegate tasks they're bad at to their subordinates? Why insist on fumbling through?
Pouting, Mash felt the struggles of a worker for the first time.
But at that moment...
"You really don't know why?"
Alaric's voice suddenly rang out nearby.
It wasn't loud, but it struck straight at the girl's soul.
"If you truly don't understand, why not ask your heart?"
"It will give you the answer."
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