"What kind of enemies do you think we'll face this time?"
Gazing at the castle of Orkney from afar, Morgan asked Lot with a smile.
"I don't know, but Scotland has already been reduced to scattered fragments. We just need to deal with them one by one."
Lot wasn't overly concerned about the matter.
He continued, "No matter how difficult, can they possibly be stronger as Vortigern or Melusine? We either killed or subjugated those two. If you look at Scotland now, that tiny patch of land has dozens of kings. Many of them probably don't even have a thousand soldiers under their command."
Unless Scáthach personally intervened to rally the Scots against Camelot's army, there was simply no way the Scottish forces could pose any real threat.
Individual strength did not equate to prowess in large-scale battles.
Only those who far surpassed ordinary humans could achieve such feats.
But,
Scotland currently had far too few of such individuals.
Lot and Morgan knew full well that victory was assured once they arrived.
"Indeed, this will likely be a very easy campaign." Morgan had not the slightest doubt about their victory.
Glancing at the castle not far ahead, she urged Artoria, who was leading the vanguard of the army.
For this expedition, Lot had brought many knights:
His sister-in-law, Artoria; his daughter, Gawain; the knights Galahad and Kay; and the fairies Melusine and Baobhan Sith.
This time, Kay finally got his wish.
Instead of staying behind to guard the homeland, he could join the campaign.
His mood was exceptionally cheerful now.
Lot turned to Artoria and instructed,
"Sir Artoria, take the lead and hurry to the castle to arrange for food, camps, and other preparations."
"Understood."
The moment she heard this, Artoria perked up.
Securing food was absolutely essential for a knight.
After all, only with a full stomach could one work more effectively!
Artoria thought to herself.
Then, she spurred her warhorse and charged ahead.
Clip-clop
Leading a squad of cavalry, she soon arrived at the gates of Orkney Castle.
"We're finally here."
Artoria gazed at the castle gates, thinking to herself.
However,
Just before she could pass through the gates, she suddenly sensed something amiss.
Her sharp battlefield intuition allowed her to clearly perceive the gazes of most people around her.
Hm?
Why does it feel like someone's watching me?
She pondered.
Artoria glanced around but found no one paying her any attention.
Was it just her imagination?
No,
It couldn't be.
But that gaze definitely held no malice, so she decided to focus on figuring out what to eat tonight first.
She was starving!
She could always investigate who had been watching her after filling her stomach.
With that thought, she moved on.
...
Meanwhile, hiding among the crowd, Mordred breathed a sigh of relief when no one approached her.
As expected, no matter the world, even if he hadn't become king, the instincts honed on the battlefield remained unchanged. Just a few extra glances, and he noticed.
Also,
Why does she have that spear now, in addition to Excalibur and the Sword in the Stone?
There was no way she could ever forget that Holy Lance Rhongomyniad.
After all, during the Battle of Camlann, when she led the rebellion against King Arthur, it was that very lance that had pierced her body in the end.
Just seeing the lance now made Mordred feel phantom pains in her body.
Now, with both holy swords and the holy lance,
This Artoria's power was truly terrifying.
This time, Mordred wasn't wearing the helmet she had when first meeting Lancelot and the others. Instead, she wore a red tube top and miniskirt, with a greatsword at her waist and her hair tied up, looking like an ordinary adventurer girl.
When their group first arrived at Orkney Castle, they happened to hear that Morgan and Lot were about to arrive. Naturally, they decided to stay and observe what this world's Morgan and Lot were like.
However, given their appearances, they knew sneaking around wouldn't be easy.
They were aware that skilled knights possessed sharp instincts, and their own looks weren't exactly inconspicuous. Lancelot, for one, had already fought Morgan before even if he wasn't a wanted man, he'd still be a person of interest.
As for Fujimaru Ritsuka, his features didn't resemble those of a Camelot native. Standing out like a fox among wolves, any odd behavior would immediately draw attention.
After some deliberation, the only suitable candidate for reconnaissance was Mordred.
Under everyone's expectant gazes, Mordred reluctantly agreed.
Finding a secluded spot, she removed her armor, changed into a red top, and carried only her sword as she blended into the crowd welcoming Camelot's army, secretly observing the incoming troops.
Amid the crowd,
Mordred kept pondering the sight of Artoria she had just witnessed.
She genuinely wanted to follow Morgan's lead
To charge into battle as one of her generals.
It was utterly unbelievable.
Just how much charisma did this world's Morgan possess?
Such charm couldn't be achieved through deception alone. If there was one thing the Camelot court knew, it was that Merlin was the undisputed master of deceit yet despite his skill, he commanded no respect or admiration.
Thus, Morgan must have accomplished things the historical Morgan never did.
Only then could she have won Artoria's loyalty.
In Mordred's mind, Morgan was undoubtedly the driving force. As for that King Lot?
Oh, he was just Morgan's husband.
Back when she heard her mother's complaints, not a single kind word was ever spoken about King Lot.
The only thing he had going for him was an impossibly handsome face everything else was sorely lacking.
Morgan once joked that if full marks were ten points, Lot's looks scored over fifteen, while his combat prowess and intellect barely scraped five.
Therefore, the one who tamed King Arthur could only be this world's changed Morgan.
Lot was impossible. People could change, but not to such an extreme degree.
"What exactly happened to her?"
Mordred wondered.
Even as she pondered, her movements didn't stop.
She repositioned herself to a better vantage point, ensuring she could observe more discreetly without being detected.
As for whether Lot and Morgan would notice her, Mordred wasn't too concerned. Morgan, as a mage, lacked the sharp instincts of a knight like Artoria when it came to detecting observers.
As for Lot?
She continued to ignore him.
...
After completing her preparations, Artoria quickly sent word to Morgan and Lot that everything was ready they could settle in and eat upon arrival.
The scout returned to relay the message to Lot.
Upon receiving it, Lot and Morgan wasted no time, leading their troops into Orkney Castle.
Lot enjoyed immense prestige in Orkney.
He was deeply beloved by its people.
Thus, when Lot and Morgan entered, cheers erupted from the crowd.
Watching from among the masses, Mordred grew even more astonished.
This popular?
She recalled her past life, where even the citizens of Camelot barely reacted to King Arthur's triumphant returns.
King Arthur does not understand the hearts of people.
"How can the difference between these two be so vast?"
Mordred muttered under her breath.
With these thoughts, she continued observing as Lot and the others entered.
The army began filing into the city.
Lot and Morgan rode at the forefront,
Each on a white steed, the handsome man and beautiful woman kept their horses close, advancing side by side.
Waving to acknowledge the people's cheers, they exchanged glances filled with deep affection.
Even the most emotionally dense person could tell they were a deeply devoted couple.
Mordred's jaw nearly dropped to the ground in shock.
What the hell?
Am I hallucinating?
That woman, who loved no one, was now gazing at Lot with such tenderness?
No way she had to get to the bottom of this later.
Mordred resolved inwardly.
She studied Lot again. His face was indeed breathtaking more so than Gawain, Agravain, or Gareth in her past life.
But,
Such looks could only captivate shallow women.
Her mother was definitely not that kind of person.
Though, had Mordred known how much joy this timeline's Morgan derived from simply looking at Lot, her reaction might have been even more extreme.
After all, Lot's looks were truly peerless.
It was nearly impossible for anyone to dislike him at first sight.
After observing Morgan, Mordred shifted her attention to the others behind them.
She spotted Kay and Galahad.
Since she already knew Galahad had appeared early in this world, she wasn't too surprised to see him.
However, when her eyes fell on Gawain and the two fairy Knights of the Round Table, Mordred was baffled.
Hold on,
Who are these three?
Why are they following Lot?
I don't remember them at all…
Mordred was puzzled, but to avoid detection, she averted her gaze and stopped staring.
...
Morgan looked at the people of Orkney, the corners of her lips curling upward, seemingly delighted by such adoration from the masses.
Walking among the crowd, she spoke with a smile: "We set out from here to conquer all of Scotland. Once we have taken control of the entire land, we shall return to you an era of true peace. Henceforth, you who dwell in Orkney Castle will never again need to fear being attacked."
"Wonderful!"
"We eagerly await the peace our two sovereigns will bring us!"
The crowd erupted in cheers.
For common folk, peace was something they yearned for deeply.
Hearing Morgan's words, the people were naturally overjoyed.
At this moment, Lot spoke up: "Now, all of you should return home. It's almost evening if you don't start cooking soon, you'll have to endure hunger a while longer. Besides, we should eat as well. I don't fancy starving myself."
His words immediately drew laughter from the crowd.
Lot laughed heartily as well.
Then, the people obediently followed his instructions, clearing a path for Camelot's army to advance.
Lot and Morgan led their troops toward the military camp.
Upon arriving, they found Artoria already waiting for them.
Spotting Lot and Morgan, Artoria loudly announced: "Your Majesties Lot and Morgan, I, Knight Artoria, report to you. Dinner has been prepared, and I have personally tasted every dish to ensure no poison has been added."
"Tasted them?"
Morgan, hearing this, glanced at Artoria's slightly swollen belly and asked curiously: "How much did you eat?"
"A bowl from every pot," Artoria replied seriously.
A single bowl might not seem like much, but Lot had brought thousands of soldiers. With roughly ten men sharing a pot, that meant hundreds of pots.
A bowl from every pot…
Just imagining it sent a chill crawling up Lot's spine.
How horrifying.
"..."
Morgan was speechless.
Finally, after a long pause, she managed:
"As long as you're happy."
She was tired.
Too exhausted to even mock her.
"Mhm."
Artoria nodded earnestly.
Morgan then reached out, took Lot's hand, and dismounted.
As they walked toward the camp, Artoria suddenly added:
"Oh, Your Majesty Lot, I sensed someone watching us when I entered the city earlier. I wonder who it could have been."
Someone was observing Artoria?
"Seems we have spies among us. Looks like we'll need to tighten security in Orkney."
Lot muttered to himself.
To think spies would dare infiltrate his territory.
How bold of them!
Lot thought darkly.
"Galahad!" he called. "You're in charge tonight. We're launching a full-scale operation to root out those spies."
Galahad stepped forward and bowed.
"As you command, Your Majesty. I will employ the methods you taught us to capture every last one of them."
Having once used spies to sabotage the fairies' forces, Lot was wary of others employing the same tactics against him. Thus, after resolving the fairy conflict, he had begun devising countermeasures against espionage.
Fortunately, espionage techniques in this era of Britain were still rudimentary. Even the basic counterintelligence strategies Lot recalled from modern television dramas were more than sufficient to handle them.
Back in Camelot, he had compiled these methods into manuals and taught them to Morgan, Galahad, and others. Now that enemies might be plotting against him, there was no reason to hold back.
Deploy everything.
That was why Lot had ordered Galahad to act.
The spies lurking in Orkney Castle likely never imagined that a single stray Servant's presence would lead to their complete downfall.
But since they were filthy spies anyway, it mattered little.
...
Meanwhile, after changing back into her armor, Mordred returned to Fujimaru Ritsuka's group.
"How did it go? Are you alright? And were you spotted?" Ritsuka asked Mordred.
"Of course not, Master. Who do you take me for?"
Mordred puffed out her chest proudly.
With her skills, how could she possibly be in danger?
She was utterly confident.
Ritsuka and the others didn't comment on her bravado.
Then, Da Vinci asked:
"By the way, Mordred, who exactly did you see over there? Who should we make contact with first?"
"Oh, there was Morgan, Lot..."
Mordred listed everyone she had observed.
Then, recalling the three unfamiliar women, she added: "Oh, right, there were also three women I didn't recognize."
"Three women?"
Since Lancelot was unaware that the two Fairy Knights had joined Morgan's side, he showed no particular reaction.
Da Vinci continued: "In that case, our best option is to approach Galahad. Of everyone present, he's the only one who might recognize Mordred. If he sees her, he's bound to have questions which could help us get answers."
"Mhm. You all go ahead. I'll sit this one out."
At the mention of meeting Galahad, Lancelot's expression turned slightly awkward.
The others glanced at him, understanding his reluctance.
During their journey, while they hadn't explained Mash's identity, Lancelot had learned about Galahad's origins.
During his visit to the Fisher King, Princess Elaine who had long been infatuated with him had drugged him and used illusions to disguise herself as Guinevere, sharing his bed. And he, in turn, had failed as a father, leaving Galahad to grow up alone.
Even knowing these events hadn't yet occurred in this timeline, Lancelot was consumed by shame.
Though Galahad's birth wasn't entirely his fault, he had still neglected his responsibilities as a father. No wonder Galahad had looked at him with such fury.
Anyone would react the same way.
And for Lancelot, there was an even more humiliating detail.
Who had Galahad's mother disguised herself as?
Guinevere.
The same Guinevere who, in another world, had married someone else.
What a disgrace to chivalry.
So now, faced with the prospect of meeting Galahad again, he wanted no part of it.
"Tch. Too scared to face a little problem like this?" Mordred taunted Lancelot.
"Care to settle this with swords?"
"Bring it! Who's afraid of who?"
As the two seemed ready to fight, Ritsuka hurriedly intervened.
Grabbing Mordred's hand, he pulled her away.
"Let's go. We need to find Galahad now."
Dragged along, Mordred had no choice but to comply, following Ritsuka out.
Mash trailed behind them.
...
As luck would have it,
Galahad was just then leading a squad to sweep the area for spies
And their paths crossed.
Spotting Galahad in the distance, Ritsuka quickly shot Mordred a meaningful look.
This is your moment.
Without knowledge of other timelines, Galahad would only recognize Mordred.
"Mhm."
Mordred stepped forward, appearing before Galahad.
"Sir Galahad," she greeted. "We meet again."
Behind her, Ritsuka and Mash also emerged.
"Hello, Sir Galahad."
"Galahad-san."
They, too, offered their greetings.
The sudden appearance of a knight and two strangers startled Galahad.
Then, recognizing Mordred, his expression shifted to astonishment.
"Sir Mordred," he asked in surprise. "How did you come to be here?"