"Something wrong? Morgan, you're not about to tell me that the nursemaid who just carried Gawain away is actually a spy from Vortigern, and she's going to kidnap him, are you?"
Seeing Morgan's tearful expression, Lot quickly asked.
"What nonsense are you thinking? Do you believe everyone has as little moral fiber as you? Vortigern wouldn't even consider such a thing."
Hearing Lot's words, Morgan couldn't help but laugh despite herself.
Still, in her heart, she thought this idea might actually be useful.
Kidnapping the enemy's child…
Oh, never mind.
Vortigern doesn't even have any children.
After some thought, the only relatives he has are me and Artoria, his two nieces.
It's not like I can threaten myself with myself.
"Did you chase away the cook, and now it's mealtime, so Artoria has nothing to eat?"
Lot continued questioning Morgan.
"No."
Morgan shook her head again.
She'd long wanted to starve her sister a few times if the cook were gone, she'd have the perfect excuse ready.
As for Lot, hearing that Gawain was safe, Morgan was right in front of him, and the cook hadn't been chased away, his earlier worry subsided. He lazily asked Morgan, "Then just tell me what's going on."
[Heh, looking at Morgan like this, is there something even I can't handle? Well, even in the worst-case scenario if Camelot falls we can always retreat to Ireland and wage guerrilla warfare.]
It wouldn't come to that.
Morgan spoke to Lot, "Hey, what should I do if I've killed all the nobles?"
"You killed all the nobles!? That's great news! I've been wanting to hang those nobles from lampposts for ages."
Hearing Morgan's words, Lot didn't hesitate in his response.
But in his heart…
[Morgan killing all the nobles would indeed be troublesome. The literacy rate is too low right now this kind of move could destabilize the government and give Vortigern an opening to counterattack. But there's no need to bring this up with Morgan. It's fine to joke about it with my wife in private, but when it actually happens, I should reassure her that it's alright.]
[Besides, it's not that severe. Military control is in my hands. As long as I hold the reins of the army, nothing can go wrong.]
Hearing Lot's thoughts, Morgan smiled.
Hmmph.
When he's annoying, he's truly infuriating but when he's caring, it really warms the heart.
"Alright then, I'll leave these matters to you. As for me, I'll go make some other preparations."
Morgan smiled as she spoke to Lot.
"What preparations?"
Lot asked.
"I think, as a proper wife, I should prepare a good meal for my husband while he's working hard."
"Please, I beg you, do not be a proper wife."
Lot didn't even think before responding.
"Are you doubting me?"
Morgan's tone was playful.
"No, I'm not doubting you I'm certain you can't do it."
"Get lost!"
That was Morgan's only reaction.
Lot left, chuckling to himself.
Left alone, Morgan also smiled.
Because
She had clearly heard Lot's thoughts just as he left.
[Heh, that's more like it. A Morgan who starts doubting herself over mistakes wouldn't be herself. Cheer up since you've become queen, be a happy and fearless one.]
This husband even his way of caring for others is so peculiar.
Morgan thought to herself.
...
"Alright, now tell me how many nobles are left?"
Lot arrived at the court, summoned Kay, and began his inquiry.
"Well… fewer than a hundred remain."
Kay lowered his voice as he reported to Lot.
After giving the number, Kay continued, "Um, Your Majesty Lot, has Queen Morgan gone too far with the killings?"
"Too far? Not at all. Screen the remaining hundred unless they're truly innocent, execute the rest."
Without hesitation, Lot issued the order.
Since they'd already effectively split from the noble factions, they might as well go all the way eliminate the nobility entirely.
If they refuse to behave with dignity, then I'll have to step in and make them behave.
Lot knew that if he and Morgan continued down this path, their conflict with the nobles' interests would only intensify.
This clash was unavoidable.
So, they might as well do away with the nobles altogether.
"Wha!?"
Kay gasped in shock.
Was this really okay?
"But… if those nobles are gone, collecting taxes from their territories will become difficult. And the regions will descend into chaos."
Kay didn't fully grasp the concept of grassroots governance, but he intuitively understood that Lot's actions would make taxation and administration far harder for the common people.
It would only make their lives more difficult.
Hearing Kay's concerns, Lot wasn't worried.
"Which is why we must find a way to replace the nobles' governance."
He spoke to Kay.
"What way?"
Kay was puzzled.
How could they manage that?
"From now on, we'll focus on two tasks."
Though it felt a bit early, Lot decided it was time to implement his plans.
"What tasks?"
"First, we must reform the local governance system. All lands belonging to nobles will henceforth be centralized under the crown, with administrative bodies directly subordinate to the central government."
In Lot's homeland from his past life, this was called "abolishing feudalism and establishing commanderies."
Power would be entirely concentrated in the central government regional forces would no longer be able to oppose the crown.
With the Age of Gods fading, consolidating power would allow them to accomplish greater things.
This was the perfect opportunity.
Britain's territory was still small small enough to be easily controlled. And now, with the nobles' misdeeds exposed, restructuring the political system was ideal.
Of course, the most crucial factor was that he held absolute military authority.
Just like Zhu Yuanzhang as long as military power remained in his hands, he could act with confidence.
Most of the Round Table Knights came from King Leodegrance's faction, while his own forces hailed from Orkney.
Neither group had strong ties to Camelot's nobility.
There was no risk of betrayal.
His actions would proceed smoothly.
"This…"
Kay felt his brain short-circuiting.
Morgan wanting to kill everyone was still somewhat understandable.
But King Lot's ideas? He couldn't make sense of them at all.
"You don't need to understand just start implementing it. Now, for the second task."
Seeing Kay lost in thought, Lot cut him off.
"Hm?"
Kay perked up to listen.