As a tragic hero, Tristan deeply understood what it meant for trouble to brew when you just stood by and watched.
The Archer-Rider Captain next to him had a look of utter disappointment, as if to say, I told you to run earlier! Now look, you can't escape!
Fortunately, the Archer-Rider Captain was wearing a mask, so Tristan couldn't see his expression. Otherwise, he'd definitely deal with him.
"King (Father), it was Tristan's subordinates who found me just now. They said you were here and told me to come and subdue you."
A group of knights blocked Tristan's retreat, and Little Mo immediately sold him out.
"Oh, really?"
Artoria looked at Tristan, her eyes no longer gentle.
Tristan's body trembled, then he turned and kicked the Archer-Rider Captain to the ground!
"Speak! What have you been hiding from me?! Didn't you say your subordinates were going ahead to scout?! How did it turn into this?!"
The Archer-Rider Captain looked utterly bewildered. What's happening? What's going on? Why am I on my knees?
"Enough."
Artoria frowned. This crude attempt to shift blame further disappointed Artoria in Tristan.
"Continue to lead the way."
"Yes, My King!"
Tristan waved for his subordinates to help the Archer-Rider Captain up, then walked at the very front of the procession.
Behind him were the neatly arrayed knights, and finally, the All-Terrain Vehicle with Mo Shuying riding a horse.
Yes, after being rejected by Lamrei, Mo Shuying finally got on a horse.
Mordred's warhorse was relatively docile, and Mo Shuying easily mounted it. Feeling the up-and-down jostling, Mo Shuying was both pained and happy.
Inside the vehicle.
"Wow~ It's been so long since I had cola, it's so good!"
Mordred sat beside Artoria, her face full of happiness. She held the cola Artoria had "bestowed" upon her. Upon hearing that it was a cup the King had used, the smile on her face gradually turned twisted.
"Hehehe~ The King (Father)'s used cup..."
"..."
Even on horseback, Mo Shuying felt something was off with this girl. However, since he was currently riding Mordred's horse, he had to give her some face. So, he looked at the Knight Legion ahead.
"Little Mo, what's with your cavalry? They feel fake."
Indeed, these cavalry were far less agile than Tristan's archers. Tristan's archers could strategize and even take the blame, but these cavalry seemed like robots.
"I told you not to call me Little Mo! Your name is Mo Shuying! If you keep calling me Little Mo, I feel like you're taking advantage of me! No, that's wrong! You're taking advantage of my King (Father)!"
Mordred spun her head, bristling and roaring like a kitten. But her words made Artoria pause, and Fujimaru Ritsuka, behind her, immediately looked at Mo Shuying with vigilance.
"Ahem, ahem, ahem... We're talking serious business here, why are you bringing that up?"
Mo Shuying's expression was a little awkward and guilty. Is this girl a tiger?!
"Hmph, these knights are from my Guerrilla Patrol Squad. They've all been given Mad Enhancement, so they no longer have their own thoughts. All their actions will only follow my commands, oh, and Agravain's, since he's the one who gave these knights the Mad Enhancement attribute."
Mordred explained, which meant that these knights were truly just "puppets."
"Guerrilla Patrol Squad? Patrolling for what?"
Mash asked curiously.
"Oh, it's just sweeping through these mountains. If we find ordinary people, we bring them back. If they don't cooperate, we kill them on the spot. Our main goal is to find the Eastern Village hidden deep in the mountains. It's a village built by a group of Mountain People, and they're enemies of the Holy City."
Mordred spoke with a calm expression, but her words made everyone's faces change.
"How could you do that?!"
Mash's voice involuntarily rose. Even Tristan, at the very front of the procession, heard it. His ear twitched; he had actually been eavesdropping the whole time, as an archer's hearing was excellent.
A smile appeared on Tristan's lips. He actually understood that the knights who came out to sweep had done many evil things.
His own squad alone had killed dozens of ordinary refugees.
They were all people who didn't cooperate.
There were even more such refugees in these mountains, and there used to be many villages. Mordred and her Knight Legion had been sweeping through here. From her reports after returning to the Holy City, it could be concluded that Mordred's hands were already stained with blood!
This situation certainly wouldn't be allowed by Artoria. Tristan felt that Artoria would still fight with Mordred! This way, he would have another chance to retreat.
This time, Tristan promised! He would absolutely not stand by and watch again!!
However.
"Miss Mordred! Please tell me this isn't true!"
Mash stood up and said earnestly.
Mordred looked at Mash. A few seconds later.
"Pfft! Hahahaha! You actually believed me! Hahaha! So gullible!"
Mordred was amused by Mash's earnest expression, clutching her stomach and almost rolling on the ground.
"Uh..."
Mash felt a bit awkward, and Artoria frowned, reaching out to tap Mordred on the head.
*Thump!*
"Ow! King (Father), why'd you hit me?"
Mordred looked at Artoria, tears welling up as she clutched her head.
Artoria was speechless; she hadn't put any force into that tap.
"Quickly, tell me what happened."
Artoria pretended to glare angrily at Mordred, who then let out an "oh" and began to speak.
"I'm a knight, how could I attack civilians? Although my squad patrols these mountains and has killed many humans, I assure you, those were all evildoers, mountain bandits and robbers. I have a clear conscience about killing them."
Mordred's expression was firm as she continued, "As for other civilians, of course I've encountered many. In fact, I've even found the location of the Eastern Village, but I just won't tell~ Heh~ I was just wandering around. I sent those ordinary humans to the Eastern Village. At least there are a few Servants there, so they can somewhat resist attacks from bandits and beasts. That's all, I was just going through the motions when I came out for a stroll."
Mordred finished speaking.
Artoria smiled and said, "Well done."
Hearing that praise, Mordred almost truly cried. Has King (Father) finally acknowledged my excellence?
Compared to the harmonious atmosphere in the vehicle, Tristan, who was walking at the very front, had already fallen into a gloomy mood.
So, he's the only one out here actually doing bad things? Does it have to be this competitive?! What's the benefit of being this competitive for you all?!
Thinking of the innocent people who had died by his arrows, Tristan reached up to cover his chest, a wave of regret washing over him.
But in just an instant, this regret transformed into indifference. Tristan looked coldly ahead, no longer feeling he had done anything wrong. He was merely following the orders of that King.
At this moment, Mo Shuying posed another question.
"I say, Little Mo, is it really okay for you to defect like this now? The Lion King in the Holy City should also be considered your King (Father), right?"
Mo Shuying thought this question would make Mordred hesitate, but it didn't at all.
"No! My King (Father) isn't that kind of person!"
Mordred said with unwavering conviction.
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