Morgan, You’re Not Acting Right!

Spreading rumors that she's an old hag...

Hearing Scáthach say this, Lot's expression instantly stiffened.

Damn it,

My wife Morgan just had to poke the hornet's nest.

She stepped right on the landmine.

And then tried to cover it up with lies.

But my dear wife, while you might fool others with your lies, the Queen of the Land of Shadows possesses clairvoyance.

Trying to hide things from her

That's utterly unrealistic.

Holy shit,

Why do I feel like the Death Star is shining above my head right now?

Danger

This isn't just ordinary danger anymore.

Seeing the situation, Lot gritted his teeth and said to Scáthach:

"Actually, I was the one who told Morgan to do this. I told her that if the situation became critical, she should say this to you. All responsibility lies with me."

If you're going to blame anyone, blame me.

Damn it,

Wife, after this is over, if you don't compensate me properly, I won't let this slide.

"Haha, I believe if I were to say the same thing to Morgan, I'd probably get the exact opposite response from yours," Scáthach said with a smile.

Then, she lowered her weapon.

"While I'm somewhat angry that you'd slander a female warrior like this..."

Yes, yes, slander, definitely slander.

Lot wholeheartedly agreed with Scáthach's wording.

Who would dare disagree?!

"But it doesn't matter,"

Scáthach said to Lot.

Then, she walked up to the group and continued: "Let's go. Today's battle was quite satisfying. And after satisfaction comes a good feast, followed by preparing for the next battle. I've been craving your food ever since we last parted. Now that I have the chance, I'm going to enjoy it properly."

Hearing this, Lot looked troubled.

"Ah, that might not be possible. We came in a hurry this time, bringing only knights. As for food... we only have rations."

"What?!"

A cry of shock rang out.

Not from Scáthach.

But from Lot's sister-in-law beside him.

Artoria's eyes widened.

"N-no proper food?"

She patted her empty stomach in dismay.

When they first arrived, she knew time was tight and the mission urgent, so she had no complaints about eating rations on horseback. After arriving, they immediately threw themselves into battle, leaving no time to care about food quality.

Now that the battle was over, she'd assumed she could finally enjoy a proper meal.

And now you're telling me there's nothing?

My food... my food...

Hungry!

Artoria looked like she was about to cry.

Seeing her pitiful expression, Lot, Scáthach, and the others couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Amidst the bloody battlefield, such a lighthearted moment was truly welcome.

Even Galahad couldn't suppress a smile.

He was the only one present who had personally witnessed what Artoria the King was like. Comparing that to now, he felt an indescribable warmth.

"From every perspective, protecting the present is the path to happiness for everyone."

Galahad thought to himself.

After the laughter subsided, Scáthach said to Lot:

"Alright, if there's no gourmet food, you'd better at least have enough roasted meat. If you don't even have that, I'll hang you on the wall."

"Of course we have that."

Faced with Scáthach's demand, Lot had no objections.

Thus, Lot invited Scáthach to return to the castle with them to enjoy tonight's victory feast.

...

"Why did you lose so quickly in today's battle?"

In Vortigern's camp, Vortigern was berating King Mark.

"Weren't you the same?"

King Mark retorted, looking at Vortigern.

"That's different," Vortigern explained. "The enemy I faced was Scáthach. A legendary figure who somehow appeared here."

How old am I?

Just a spry forty- or fifty-year-old.

That old woman is a monster who's lived who-knows-how-many centuries.

How could I possibly defeat her?

And who was your opponent?

Just Lot.

Merely King Lot.

He's probably less than half your age.

And you're telling me you couldn't beat him?

Aren't you ashamed?

Well?

Under Vortigern's gaze, King Mark did feel somewhat embarrassed.

But I genuinely couldn't win.

He was only wielding an ordinary longsword casually, while the other sword at his waist remained sheathed.

If he'd drawn that one too, the question wouldn't have been whether I could win

But whether I'd have died on the spot.

Still, despite their argument, neither considered parting ways.

They still wanted revenge.

King Mark asked Vortigern:

"Should we discuss how to handle tomorrow's battle? You still can't defeat the Queen of the Land of Shadows, right? King Lot also has many brave knights. So, what should we do next?"

Vortigern glanced at King Mark.

"We still have the numerical advantage. Why so pessimistic? She's just an old... I mean, the Queen of the Land of Shadows. What's there to fear?"

For some reason, when Vortigern was about to say "old," he suddenly sensed a murderous aura. Valuing his life, he quickly shut his mouth.

Then, adopting an analytical tone, he said to King Mark:

"Today, after we retreated, the Queen of the Land of Shadows didn't pursue us. So her intervention must have either limitations or conditions. Tomorrow, we'll attack with full force and see how she responds."

"Agreed."

King Mark naturally had no objections. Abandoning this offensive advantage to retreat to their territories and wait for Lot and Morgan's counterattack that was a life he never wanted to experience again.

"Then it's settled."

Vortigern was already prepared to launch an even fiercer assault tomorrow.

He would take this castle.

...

"I'm only helping you deal with Vortigern. Everything else is your responsibility."

After taking a huge bite of meat and downing an entire jug of wine, Scáthach addressed the hopeful faces around her.

"Sigh, not even for a few more meals?"

Though he'd expected this, hearing it directly still disappointed Lot.

"Do I look like Artoria to you?!"

Scáthach glared at Lot with her beautiful eyes.

Artoria, mid-bite, froze.

Why drag me into this?

Scáthach continued:

"As a warrior, I do enjoy good food. But I won't compromise my principles for it. I came only to protect hope."

Then, she stated her terms clearly.

"I'll only handle Vortigern. I won't stop the rest of his army. If they breach this castle, that's your failure in command. Your defeat is your own doing."

"What if we all die in battle?"

Galahad asked curiously.

"That's your problem too. Hope is just hope."

Scáthach was brutally honest.

After a pause, she smiled again.

"...The above is my stance as a neutral party. Now, as a friend, here's what I'll do. All of you, stand up. Let me see how your combat skills have progressed. Especially you, Lot. My clairvoyance doesn't work on you, so I genuinely don't know your current level."

At her words,

Artoria and Galahad both stood, gripping their swords with burning fighting spirit.

Though they'd won today's battle, Vortigern's overwhelming strength had left them frustrated.

We want to avenge ourselves with our own hands.

Of course, there were exceptions.

Lot tried to sneak away.

Only to find Scáthach's spear blocking his path.

"Come. You're first."

She pointed at Lot.

"Eh?"

Lot's face fell.

I'm actually a pacifist. I don't like fighting.

But

Scáthach wouldn't entertain such excuses.

If you don't push yourself, how will you and Morgan ever defeat me?

Morgan doesn't need encouragement she trains relentlessly. But this Lot? He won't move unless beaten.

So,

Sometimes actions speak louder than words.

...

The next day, Vortigern's forces attacked again.

This time, however, he'd learned his lesson and didn't lead the charge.

As expected, with him absent from the frontlines, Scáthach standing atop the walls merely watched with narrowed eyes.

"Hmph, if the Queen of the Land of Shadows won't intervene, there's no way my army can lose to Lot's ragtag forces."

From the rear, Vortigern spoke confidently.

"With just a bit more effort, we can crush them. After all, they're running low on everything."

Vortigern wasn't wrong.

Though he couldn't participate directly, Lot faced dire circumstances.

His resources were dwindling.

Vortigern's army was vast.

On the second day, Vortigern's forces assaulted relentlessly.

By the third day,

The defenders' supplies were nearly exhausted.

Facing so many enemies, they'd used up almost everything yesterday.

With no arrows left, it came down to melee combat. And in close-quarters, Lot's few hundred stood no chance against tens of thousands.

Vortigern said to King Mark:

"Alright, I can't join the fight. It's your turn now. Look the enemy is on their last legs. Finish them."

"Understood."

King Mark nodded firmly.

Then

He charged.

Eager to redeem himself, he fought with unprecedented vigor.

He wanted to scale the walls and capture both Lot and Tristan.

...

"We have fewer than a thousand arrows left. The logs and other defenses are almost gone too."

On the walls, Galahad reported their dwindling supplies to Lot.

It seemed they were at their limit.

"From now on, it's hand-to-hand combat."

Galahad tightened his grip on his sword.

His tone was grave as he addressed Lot.

"Yes, it's do or die now."

Lot watched the approaching horde solemnly.

Vortigern had perfectly exploited Lot's weakness no fancy tactics, just brute force. The more one schemed, the more mistakes one made.

So why not abandon subterfuge and charge head-on?

Now, aside from fighting desperately, Lot had no other options.

"Looks like it's time to play all our cards."

Lot rested his hand on Joyeuse at his waist, feeling a twinge of regret.

Such a shame this sword's first use won't be for an ambush.

The enemy had reached the walls.

Ladders went up as soldiers prepared to climb.

King Mark led the vanguard.

Spotting Lot, he gripped his sword

Then attacked the other Round Table knights instead.

He was brave,

But not stupid.

Whether facing Lot or Artoria, he stood no chance.

Better to pick on weaker opponents.

Naturally, Lot wouldn't let King Mark slaughter his men unchecked.

He and his knights charged forward

Only to be blocked by Vortigern's soldiers.

Chaos erupted on the walls as both sides clashed.

This type of battle heavily favored Vortigern's forces.

They simply had too many men.

As more and more enemy soldiers swarmed the walls, Lot's situation grew increasingly dire.

Until

"Let's see who dares harm my husband now!"

Morgan's voice rang out.

Suddenly, Camelot soldiers poured onto the battlements.

Seeing Morgan arrive, Scáthach who'd anticipated this smirked knowingly.

Morgan avoided her gaze guiltily.

Instead, she looked at Lot excitedly:

"See how fast I came? Not too late, am I?"

"Not at all. If anything how did you get here so quickly?"

Lot replied in astonishment.