Inside the starship, two Knights of the Round Table stood alert, carefully surveying their surroundings.
One was the red-haired knight Tristan, and the other, Galahad, the son of Lancelot.
Not long ago, they had led a squad of knights to cordon off the area, preventing any magi from entering the ship.
Concerned that someone may have already infiltrated it, the two decided to conduct a thorough search of the ship.
The deeper they explored, the more Tristan felt uneasy.
And when they entered one of the chambers, both were stunned beyond belief.
...What lay before them was a massive bed of glittering gold coins.
The entire floor had been shaped into a golden bed so large that it could accommodate ten people with ease.
"Don't tell me... a dragon lives here?" Galahad's jaw dropped, already numb from the shock.
The ship was colossal enough as it was.
Initially, they had suspected it housed an entire army.
However, there was no sign of a large force ever having departed, either within the ship or outside in the forest.
Clearly, this starship could only have housed two or three individuals at most, perhaps even just one.
Tristan stepped forward and picked up one of the golden coins, staring intently at the depiction of a giant figure engraved on it.
Then, something caught his eye.
In the corner of the room, he discovered an old silver sword.
Its surface was rusted and worn, but Tristan stared at it in contemplation.
"Galahad, doesn't this sword look... familiar to you?" Tristan asked with a hint of doubt.
"This is a foreign ship—how could we have seen its weapons before?"
Despite his words, Galahad came closer and examined the blade before his expression shifted.
"I think I saw a similar sword in my father's quarters... Supposedly, it was seized from a Hun general during one of the border conflicts."
"The starship is connected to the Hunnic Empire?" Tristan's voice turned urgent. "Which nation?"
"...The Huns."
Tristan held his breath.
At this time, Britain was not the only power in the region.
The Hun Empire had long been a thorn in their side.
Could this mysterious arrival really be tied to them?
"I must return to Camelot at once."
After a brief pause, Tristan stood. "Galahad, stay here and guard the ship. I'll report this to the King."
Galahad understood the gravity of the situation.
"Go. I'll make sure no one gets near."
...
The road from the ship's landing site to Camelot's royal palace took two to three hours on horseback.
A smaller trail passed through a dense forest.
In that forest's depths lay the estate of King Marcco—a tranquil and secluded place.
Hoofbeats echoed through the rainy night as Tristan rode hard toward Camelot.
"How odd… the wards around the estate are all gone?"
As he passed by, he slowed his horse, glancing toward the manor hidden in the trees.
Previously, when Alvin and Tiamat had infiltrated the estate, they had been careful not to destroy any of its protective wards.
King Marcco had since reinforced them.
But now, not a single magical barrier remained.
Did something happen to my uncle…?
Just as Tristan turned his horse toward the manor—
A soft, chillingly beautiful voice echoed through the rain.
"Finally, a worthy opponent… You're far stronger than the others I've encountered so far."
Sensing a dreadful aura, Tristan stiffened and looked up, looking at the woman with white dress standing in front of him.
She was cold and beautiful, and her crimson eyes glowed with otherworldly charm.
Tristan's brow furrowed.
"A transmigrator?"
With so many from Earth appearing in Britain lately, his first assumption was just that.
But the woman didn't respond.
She simply murmured, "Judging by your attire, you must be one of those Round Table knights that noble was babbling about."
"I was wondering how to lure the White Dragon out of the palace… but maybe I won't have to anymore."
"As long as you're in danger, I'm sure the White Dragon won't sit back and do nothing, right?"
Clang!
The moment she spoke, a flash of silver light split the rain.
Tristan had already left his horse, his sword thrust toward the golden-haired woman.
Blood spilled from her shoulder, staining her white dress and pale skin.
However, the woman calmly caught the blade with her hand, looked up at Tristan, and said coldly, "Don't knights announce their names before a duel?"
Tristan didn't speak.
At this moment, his instincts screamed, something was very wrong.
He had landed a hit, yet he couldn't sense any weakening of her life force.
"Fine, then I'll go first. Think of it as entertainment before the White Dragon arrives."
The golden-haired woman lifted her gaze and smiled faintly.
"Moon King. Remember my name."
...
...
Camelot.
The royal hall had fallen into a stunned silence.
"From the moon…?"
Both Artoria and Alvin stared blankly at Merlin.
The moon. A place so distant and fantastical.
If someone had told Alvin that intelligent life existed there, he would've laughed.
But this was the Nasuverse.
And according to his knowledge… terrifying entities did indeed reside on the moon.
Still, even Alvin hadn't expected one to appear in Britain.
And if Merlin was to be believed, this enemy wasn't alone?
Artoria's blue eyes narrowed as she waved away the court, leaving only the three of them.
"Merlin, explain yourself. You said two enemies arrived, and one of them is from the moon?"
A being capable of interplanetary travel… surely such a force was beyond imagination.
Artoria's thoughts grew heavy.
They already had internal strife, foreign enemies, and Morgan le Fay lurking in the shadows.
And now, this.
She sat on her throne, expression unreadable, deep in calculation.
Alvin turned to Merlin, frowning.
"Did you spy on them with Clairvoyance? Do you know what they look like?"
"You give me too much credit," Merlin sighed. "Clairvoyance works, but strong foes can sense when they're being watched."
"I didn't risk it. I don't even know who they are. But their aura… is strong. That much is certain."
Artoria said nothing, her face solemn.
Merlin might be flippant, but he didn't exaggerate.
If he was this serious, the threat must be real.
"I wonder what they're after…" Artoria murmured.
"Both the Moon being and the ship's master appeared shortly after Gaia descended."
Merlin's tone deepened.
"This might involve the two Counter Forces—and those tied to them."
His gaze flicked to Alvin.
"In other words, wherever Gaia's chosen goes… the trouble will follow."
Artoria stared at him coldly.
"Merlin, if you have something to say, say it directly."
To which, the latter shrugged.
"I thought I just did."
Though he often joked with Alvin, in fact, Merlin found him infuriating.
After all, as a seer, he hated unpredictability and Alvin was the definition of that.
Especially with that pesky 'Watcher' Authority that blocked even Clairvoyance.
So this was why the white-haired bastard was picking a fight… Alvin narrowed his eyes and asked
"What if I leave Britain?"
"Will they follow me?"
"Alvin—"
Artoria looked up, but Alvin gave her a look.
Merlin simply shook his head. "I don't know. But it's possible…"
"Enough, Merlin!"
Artoria suddenly looked up at the white-haired mage and said, "I don't want you to say such things again in the future. Whether it's Alvin or anyone else in Britain, I could never abandon them. You should know that clearly!"
Yes... a king should protect all of Britain, including her people and even her subordinates.
That was the resolve Artoria made the moment she became king.
Even though she had faced many doubts along the way, she had never once wavered in that determination.
"I know you're not that kind of person.
But lately, you seem a little too relaxed, so I'm just worried you might end up being unable to protect anything."
Merlin said with a smile, "These days, you really don't seem like the revered king you once were."
There was no sign of the anger one might expect.
Instead, it was like he had touched upon a soft spot making Artoria fall silent instantly.
At that moment, Merlin asked tentatively, "If there's nothing else, shall I take my leave?"
Even after Merlin left, the Hall of the King remained silent for a long time.
Alvin walked over to the woman and said softly, "Don't overthink it."
Artoria gently shook her head and said, "Thinking about it carefully, I really have been too relaxed lately. That's not a good thing for Britain."
Ever since Alvin had returned, her mind had been filled with thoughts of the boy.
She even relaxed the nerves that had always been kept taut in the past.
While this relaxed state might be good for her as a person, as a king, especially given Britain's current situation, it was definitely not a good thing...
"Is there anything else you want to say?" Alvin asked.
"Ever since you came back,
Morgan has stayed in the royal palace.
Although we haven't clashed again, if this continues, we might end up returning to the situation we had before. And that might even cause your death again..."
Artoria slightly lowered her gaze and said softly, "I've been thinking... if you left with Morgan, would that be better for you, or even for Britain?"
"And what about you?" Alvin suddenly asked.
"Would you keep sitting on the throne alone, fighting with the nobles and even enemy armies on the borders, while also enduring the doubts of some of Britain's people?"
"Would it really be fine even if Morgan and I left?"
Artoria didn't answer.
At this moment, the usual majesty and nobility in her eyes dimmed slightly as she lowered her head.
In front of Alvin, she could remove all the masks of a king and show the pure and happy Artoria who had once spent her days closely with him.
It was precisely because of this that she was reluctant to let Alvin go, even though she knew full well that staying in the palace would eventually drag him into countless storms.
This could be considered one of King Arthur's rare personal desires.
Although she often seemed like someone who didn't understand people's hearts, she actually understood everything, she just had to suppress her feelings in front of others.
Because she was King Arthur.
Because she couldn't betray everyone's expectations.
But if given the choice, who wouldn't want to live freely and be with the person you love?
It was just that the burden of Britain wouldn't allow her to do so.
Artoria slowly calmed herself down.
She always felt suffocated when she kept these words inside, but speaking them aloud to Alvin made her feel much better.
Even though the problems of Britain still weren't resolved, at least there was someone who cared about her, not the country, just Artoria herself.
"Lily." Suddenly, the boy's voice rang in her ears.
Artoria instinctively looked up and saw that Alvin had unknowingly crouched beside her, a smile on his face.
"Actually, your troubles aren't that hard to solve."
"The nobles' opposition to cooperating with the transmigrators is mostly because someone among the Kings is secretly guiding things behind the scenes.
As for those enemy nations eyeing us... well, putting aside the fact that we have people like Lancelot, am I not also here?"
"As for Morgan, that's simple too."
Artoria showed a trace of confusion. "About my royal sister..."
She wanted to say that unless Alvin left with Morgan, there was no way Morgan would give up on her revenge against Britain.
"Don't worry, I have my ways." Alvin said mysteriously, pretending to keep a secret.
However, even hearing these words from Alvin, Artoria couldn't help but have some doubts.
After all, she was the vengeful witch... To make her give up her desire for revenge, there might only be one way... right?
"Do you really want to leave the royal palace with her?"
Thinking about it, Artoria asked instinctively.
The latter, however, gently reached out and held her hand, looking at her noble and beautiful face with a smile. "I can't bear to leave your side."
"Don't worry, I already have a way to persuade my royal sister."
Although the enemy of the flying vessel was still unidentified, maybe... this could be the opportunity for the two sisters to reconcile?
...
After leaving the Hall of the King, Alvin's smile finally began to fade.
Just as he stepped out of the hall, he ran into the white-haired mage in the garden corridor.
Merlin was sitting on a stone bench, humming a tune and admiring the colorful flowers in the garden.
"Why did you say those things just now?"
Alvin looked at Merlin and asked,
"You should know she would hate you for that, right?"
Although Alvin didn't know much about Merlin, he had heard a little about the white-haired mage's usual antics —slacking off, flirting, and so on.
To actually speak such sharp and biting words, and claim that Artoria had become too 'relaxed' and no longer resembled a king... that really wasn't Merlin's style.
"More than being hated by her, I'm more afraid that her path of growth will be led astray."
Merlin's gaze was deep and distant as he looked out at the garden scenery and said, "Alvin, haven't you noticed?
Because of your presence, Lily is gradually turning back into that innocent little girl from the past."
"As King Arthur, that's not a good thing at all."
Britain's nobles were like weeds, burn them and they grow back.
The pressure from the other Kings and the border enemies was already enough to plunge Britain into both internal and external turmoil.
Not to mention the uncertainty brought by the appearance of the transmigrators.
"You hope she becomes King Arthur just because you made some promise to the late King Uther, right?"
Alvin said calmly, "As for her own thoughts, or Morgan's thoughts, neither you nor the late king ever cared."
Merlin smiled noncommittally.
"Don't put it like that... As her teacher, of course I hope she'll walk the right path under my guidance."
Alvin also smiled. "I believe you have that ability. That's something I can't do."
"Because of you, she was able to become King Arthur."
"It's rare to hear you admit defeat—"
Before Merlin could finish, Alvin continued with a smile, "Because I don't have that cold heart. I don't have the courage to watch a girl who was once so innocent and happy turn into a king who doesn't understand human feelings."
"Merlin... Because of the arrangement between you and the former king, she and Morgan became enemies, and she became the misunderstood King Arthur."
"But this time, because of me, she'll become Artoria again."
Merlin's smile slowly froze.
.
.