"You're fighting dirty! If you've got any guts, give me another chance!"
Even after being defeated, the chieftain of the Fang Clan remained utterly unconvinced.
Spitting blood, he glared at Lot and Gawain.
Hearing his words, Gawain made a taunting gesture at him. "Go on, stand up again. I'll fight you one more time."
The Fang Clan chieftain stared at Gawain, completely at a loss for how to face her in battle.
In terms of raw strength, they weren't even in the same league.
Just what the hell did this girl eat growing up?!
He recognized her as Gawain, the daughter of Lot and Morgan. He'd heard rumors that this daughter possessed extraordinary strength and had played a pivotal role in defeating Vortigern.
But
He'd always assumed those were just exaggerated boasts. As for her so-called "critical role" in defeating Vortigern, he figured she'd just landed the final blow.
The real heavy hitters had to have been Lot and Morgan.
But now, it seemed that while the bulk of the damage against Vortigern had indeed come from Lot and the others, Gawain was no pushover either. Her strength far surpassed his own.
Of course, the Fang Clan chieftain was also psyching himself out.
If you can endure three hours under triple gravity, then naturally, you'd be able to withstand Gawain.
Honestly,
it's not even that hard.
Just be Vortigern. Or Scáthach. Or someone like that.
The difficulty isn't that high.
Right?
Am I right, esteemed chieftain of the Fang Clan?
"See? I gave you a chance, and you wasted it!"
Seeing the Fang Clan chieftain rendered speechless, Lot promptly smacked him hard on the head.
Though his strength paled in comparison to his daughter's, it was still nothing to scoff at. And for the Fang Clan chieftain, the humiliation stung far more than the actual pain.
Furious but powerless, the chieftain could only watch as Lot flaunted his victory over him.
So, he resorted to nonviolent resistance
He simply turned his head away and refused to acknowledge Lot.
Seeing this, Lot had no choice but to call Gawain over.
"Alright, kiddo, let's tie this guy up."
"Got it!"
Gawain never hesitated when it came to physical tasks. She reached out, yanked the Fang Clan chieftain up, and bound him tightly with the rope she carried.
Being gripped by Gawain's hands was an agony few could endure. Even someone as robust as him felt excruciating pain. In this state, resisting was out of the question just holding back his screams made him a tough guy.
He was hauled away, along with hundreds of other Fang Clan fairies, all marched into the castle.
Well then.
Now, the castle was livelier than ever.
The human-like forms of the Wind Clan, the dwarf-like Earth Clan, the beast-like Fang Clan
Oh, and let's not forget Baobhan Sith, who didn't belong to any of the fairy clans. That made four different fairy races gathered here.
The Camelot soldiers in the castle today were witnessing something truly extraordinary.
They'd never seen so many fairies before.
And now, all of them were their prisoners.
Lot was quite satisfied with how things had turned out.
If they'd gone into battle unprepared against fairies a race so visually distinct from humans it would've shaken morale. But now, with these captives in hand, Camelot's soldiers would face future battles with confidence.
Look, we've even captured their chieftain. What's left to fear?
Lot led the soldiers back in a grand procession, the prisoners in tow.
The spectacle was nothing short of magnificent.
As they entered the city, cheers erupted from the crowd. At the center of it all was Lot, still clad in his radiant Sun Armor.
After this battle, Lot knew the secret of his armor could no longer be kept. So, he might as well flaunt it openly let the enemy tremble at the sight.
Morgan watched Lot's triumphant return, her eyes filled with infatuation.
This husband of hers.
When he lazed around, not even the idlest sloth in all of Camelot could compare.
But
When he got serious,
he was so damn dashing.
The more she looked at him, the more she adored him.
Lot glanced around the crowd.
[Huh? Where's Morgan? I made this grand entrance just to show off for her! Don't block my view!]
"You, you're so silly. If I'm watching you, who could possibly obstruct my sight?"
Morgan mused silently.
Then, she stepped forward, moving toward Lot.
One step, two steps, three steps…
The soldiers parted ways
They, too, wanted to witness the moment their two rulers celebrated victory together.
Spotting Morgan, Lot spread his arms wide.
Seeing this, Morgan quickened her pace.
Now
It was time for an embrace.
Or so it should've been!
Just as the two were about to meet, the castle's garrison commander rushed forward and knelt excitedly.
"Thank you, King Lot! Without your newly invented weapons, we could never have achieved today's victory!"
"I know."
Lot's steps halted. His smile was strained as he responded.
Meanwhile, in his mind
[Goddammit, who the hell is this guy? I was about to hug my wife, and you had to butt in? Ugh, I already went through the trouble of clearing your name earlier, and now you pull this? Fine. With your lack of tact, you're staying right where you are until you learn some damn manners.]
Hearing Lot's words, Morgan found it amusing.
This husband of hers really holds a grudge.
But then again
This garrison commander's emotional intelligence really is abysmal.
He definitely shouldn't get a promotion.
The moment was ruined. The soldiers, too, were visibly annoyed, glaring at the garrison commander as if they wanted to devour him.
Morgan calmly asked Lot:
"Lot, how should we handle these prisoners?"
"Throw them straight into the mines. Look at these Fang Clan fairies each one is built like an ox. Perfect for hauling rocks."
Lot answered without hesitation.
Free labor, immense strength, and minimal food requirements these fairies were a feudal lord's dream workforce in this era.
Of course, Lot wasn't about to let such an opportunity slip.
"No! You can't do this! We are noble fairies of the Fang Clan!"
The Fang Clan chieftain, despite his pain, protested vehemently.
He knew the mines. Nine out of ten who entered never returned.
"Noble? You?"
Lot sneered.
In any era, fairies had no right to claim nobility.
Nobility belonged solely to those in power.
[That wouldn't change until over a thousand years later.]
Seeing Lot's expression, the Fang Clan chieftain gritted his teeth and spoke:
"Do you know why we fairies oppose you?"
"Oh? Why?"
Lot was intrigued.
"I'll tell you somewhere private."
The chieftain insisted.
"Fine. I hope whatever you say is worth my time."
"It will be."
The chieftain nodded firmly.
Lot then ordered the others to take the rest of the Fang Clan away.
Only he, Morgan, and the chieftain remained in the secluded spot.
Knowing that Lot and Morgan trusted each other completely, the chieftain spoke once he confirmed no fourth person was present:
"The fairies of this world… are being influenced by an energy from another world. It's corrupting our minds. If this isn't resolved, we will all descend into madness."