Morgan, You’re Not Acting Right!

It must be said that after being thoroughly humiliated by Lot several times, Vortigern's way of thinking had become much more… open-minded.

Now, he considered every possibility, layer by layer.

Seeing the gates of Lot's castle wide open, as if inviting him to charge right in, the average person wouldn't hesitate of course, they'd rush in with their troops and smash Lot's head in first.

That was first-layer thinking.

But at this point, a smarter person would realize: Lot's words are never trustworthy. If you actually believe what he says, you'll end up scammed out of everything you own.

There must be an ambush inside that castle.

The moment they led their soldiers inside, they'd be met with a brutal surprise attack, suffering heavy losses, turning their advantage into a disadvantage or even a complete defeat.

That was second-layer thinking.

Vortigern felt that if he hadn't been toyed with by Lot these past few days, this would have been his line of reasoning.

Hmph.

But now, he was different.

You think I'll hesitate because I'm paranoid?

I've already figured it out you're trying to scare me because you don't have enough soldiers!

I'm on the third layer.

"Trying to intimidate me? Then savor the bitter taste of defeat!"

With that thought in mind, Vortigern barked orders to his men.

Attack.

Attack now.

Take that castle.

And as for Lot and Morgan…

You'll both be my prisoners!

Vortigern's mind was already racing with ideas on how to deal with them.

King Mark, watching Vortigern's command, frowned and asked, "What if there's an ambush inside?"

See? That was second-layer thinking.

Vortigern scoffed internally before explaining his reasoning to King Mark.

After hearing Vortigern's explanation, King Mark's eyes widened in realization.

"Understood. I'll capture Lot myself."

Gripping his weapon, he charged straight for the castle walls.

Meanwhile, the rest of the soldiers rushed through the open gates.

In Vortigern's mind, Lot should have been panicking by now.

But even as King Mark reached the top of the walls and the soldiers flooded past the outer defenses, Lot's face remained the same smug and amused.

How?

Why isn't he afraid?

Vortigern couldn't comprehend it.

He must be bluffing.

He HAS to be bluffing.

Meanwhile, King Mark had already closed in on Lot.

Lot drew his sword and met the attack.

After a few exchanges, it was clear King Mark was at a disadvantage.

Vortigern could see it.

In just a few more moves, King Mark would lose.

Why isn't Lot worried?!

Vortigern couldn't understand.

At this point, your scheme has been exposed. You're about to lose. Shouldn't you be running?

Even with Scáthach here, you'd only have an… 80% chance of escaping? Maybe?

Unless…

A terrible realization struck him.

Vortigern's face paled.

Meanwhile, Lot was effortlessly overwhelming King Mark with his swordsmanship.

To be fair, sparring regularly with Galahad and Artoria had given him plenty of practice.

Facing King Mark alone?

This was child's play.

Glancing down at the castle interior, he saw that a sizable number of enemies had already rushed in.

Time to close the net.

Pity we don't have a barbican like back home.

This'll only be a major defeat for Vortigern, not total annihilation.

But he'd take it.

Seeing the enemy forces flooding in, Lot casually signaled it was time.

Vortigern probably thought this was some elaborate bluff, that he was the one outsmarting Lot.

Too bad.

I already accounted for that.

Why do you think I only sent a thousand men each time?

First, intimidation. Then, overplaying my hand.

I wanted Vortigern to get "smart."

To see through my "empty fort strategy."

But what he didn't expect?

Bedivere and the reinforcements arrived days ago.

Honestly, as an aide, Bedivere was exceptionally capable.

With him handling logistics, the reinforcements arrived much faster than anticipated.

That gave Lot plenty of time to set up the ambush.

This time?

I'm on the fourth layer.

Whether you're on the first or third layer, I've got you.

Even if Vortigern had stayed on the second layer, the worst outcome would've just been a wasted ambush nothing but a bit of exhaustion for his men.

Not like they were in the fighting anyway.

Seeing Vortigern's expression shift, Lot smirked.

You realize something's wrong now?

Too late.

Our counterattack

 begins now.

At Lot's signal, soldiers many of them fully armored knights poured out from every corner of the castle, lances leveled as they charged into Vortigern's disorganized forces.

At the same time, a heavy iron gate suddenly slammed down, cutting off the enemy's retreat.

No legendary warriors like Chang Yuchun, Xiong Kuohai, or Shuliang He were present to lift the gate Vortigern's forces were now split.

Separated.

Trapped.

And doomed.

Inside, chaos erupted.

Leaderless, the soldiers who had relied solely on brute courage collapsed into disorder without Vortigern's command.

Artoria and the others showed no mercy.

Most importantly

Vortigern's army wasn't made up of Celts.

They were foreign invaders.

After all the suffering they'd inflicted on Britain, even Artoria, with her chivalric ideals, held nothing back.

And the soldiers?

Camelot had suffered under Vortigern for years.

Everyone had a grudge.

Now, with vengeance at hand, they slaughtered without restraint.

Kill!

Morale soared.

Vortigern's forces were decimated.

Those who tried to flee found the iron gate unmovable.

Outside, the soldiers who hadn't entered the castle were already thinking of escape not rescue.

Up on the walls, King Mark still struggling against Lot watched in horror.

"I never should've trusted Vortigern. None of his plans ever work!"

The enemy's main force had arrived.

He couldn't beat Lot.

That left only one option.

Run.

Looking down, King Mark prepared for his signature move jumping off the damn wall.

But

Just as he was about to leap, his legs froze.

As if weighed down by an immense force.

What the?!

Panicking, he turned

And saw Morgan, standing some distance away, raising her staff high.

She was casting a spell.

Before he could react, Lot's sword was at his throat.

A kick to the back of his knee forced King Mark down onto one knee.

"First time, second time… you really think I'd let there be a third?"

Lot pinned him down firmly.

Despite their previous battles ending in King Mark's escape, this time

He was caught.

[Sigh… Thank goodness for my wife. If he'd gotten away again, I'd never live it down.]

Hearing Lot's thoughts, Morgan smiled in satisfaction.

Good. That's all I needed to hear.

She lowered her staff.

This was Lot's moment.

She'd stay in the shadows.

The glory of this battle belonged to him.

As for her?

"I'll stick to scheming."

With King Mark subdued and Vortigern's forces inside the castle slaughtered, Camelot's soldiers stood victorious faces splattered with blood, but eyes alight with triumph.

The war wasn't over yet.

But this?

This was the turning point.

Outside the castle, Vortigern finally snapped.

"Am I powerless?! Then what right do I have to rule Britain?!"

No more schemes. No more fear of Scáthach.

He just wanted to win.

Sword in hand, he charged for the walls

Only for Scáthach to appear before him.

"Out of my way!"

His eyes burned with fury as he swung at her.

"You're a warrior, but a tyrant. Alive, you'd only bring suffering to Britain. So once more I'll aid Lot and Morgan."

Her spear thrust forward

Vortigern let it pierce him, twisting just enough to avoid a fatal wound.

Then he swung back.

Brutal. Relentless.

But

Against Scáthach?

Unless he grew far stronger, it was pointless.

Dodging with a graceful leap, she kicked the spear's shaft

Sending it straight through his chest.

Withdrawing the weapon, she glanced up at Lot and Morgan on the walls.

"My help ends here."

Turning to Vortigern, she said coldly:

"You're done for today. Accept your defeat. In this battle of wits you were outmatched."

With that, she walked away.

None of Vortigern's remaining soldiers dared to stop her.

That single strike had shattered their morale.

Vortigern could only grit his teeth.

So close.

If I'd been faster

Stronger

I could've wounded her.

I'll become stronger.

Stronger than anyone.

But for now?

He had no choice but to swallow this bitter defeat.

On the castle walls, Artoria bounded over excitedly.

"Your Majesties! We've eliminated all enemies inside the castle! Another great victory!"

Her joy wasn't just from the win

That was only half of it.

The other half?

Feast time.

Bedivere hadn't just brought reinforcements he'd brought the royal chefs.

And Lot had promised: "Victory first, feast after."

Now that they'd won?

She couldn't wait.

What delicacies awaited?

Her palate had been thoroughly spoiled by her brother-in-law and sister.

Before, she just ate a lot.

Now?

She demanded both quantity and quality.

"Yes. A great victory."

Lot and Morgan shared her enthusiasm.

Who didn't love winning?

"Now, there's just one last matter."

Lot glanced down at the captive King Mark.

What to do with him?