"Alright, as you wish."
With just that one sentence, Camelot's campaign began.
---
On the battlefield.
Artoria rode upon Ian in his dragon form, ruling over her army like a goddess.
"I give you two choices—"
"Either surrender to me and become a part of Camelot."
"Or die by my spear."
"Make your choice."
With two choices of vastly different consequences, the result was naturally self-evident.
One city.
Two cities.
Three cities.
Artoria's winning streak continued.
The glory of victory, it seemed, was defined by her very existence.
"King Arthur and her knight are so strong!"
"Wrong!"
"That's her husband."
"They're—"
"A married couple, securing the future for everyone in Camelot."
"Wow!"
More and more songs were sung of King Arthur.
Whenever Artoria returned to the castle to rest, she would always bring Ian with her to listen to these songs.
"Ian, everyone is praising us."
"..."
"Why aren't you saying anything?"
"Because I don't care about their opinions."
"Artoria, I only care about yours."
"..."
Artoria was stunned for a moment, then smiled faintly.
"Even if you say that, we can only do that sort of thing at night."
"However—"
Artoria leaned close to his ear.
"I promise to make your wait more than worth it."
A dragon's desire is voracious.
This was especially true for a dragon like Ian, who had gone through battle after battle.
Every time Artoria lay in bed, what she saw was a size that left her dumbfounded.
"Have you been holding it in that much..."
"Mhm." Ian nodded.
"There's really nothing to be done with you."
Artoria sighed, and then took the initiative to reach out her hand once more.
After feeling his temperature, the King of Camelot also became a little indulgent.
She stuck out her tongue, letting out a soft, hot breath.
"Let's do it like this once first."
"Waste... is so shameful."
Speaking words that only a married couple would not feel shy about, Artoria, in a reversal of roles, began to prey upon the dragon who had always treated her as food.
The prey, it seems, is destined to be the hunter's final form.
"Ngh—"
"Don't hold my head down."
---
By day, he was the Knight of the Round Table she relied upon, the most valiant dragon beneath her;
By night, she became a shy little kitten beneath him, capable of nothing but cries of deep passion.
Riding and being ridden, it seemed, transformed one another.
Artoria felt that there was nothing wrong with such a life.
At the very least...
It was more perfect than the scenes in her dreams.
"Everyone is smiling."
"I am smiling too."
"Then it absolutely cannot be wrong."
However—
Where some are happy, others are sad.
....
"Lady Morgan, this is the land deed from the King."
"Yes, just put it there."
Having heard these words for the umpteenth time, Morgan gazed at the documents brought again and again by the maids, yet there was not a single speck of light in her eyes.
"Another one."
Baobhan Sith picked up the document the maid had just delivered and looked at it seriously.
But in less than a second, she waved it at Morgan.
"Mother, we've got another piece."
"I know."
"I know everything."
Morgan walked to the window.
The streets outside were bustling with people, a scene of prosperity.
"..."
"Mother, you really don't have to be so sad."
Baobhan Sith put down the document.
She walked to her mother's side and began to comfort her softly.
"Although we didn't succeed in ruining Artoria's wedding according to our original plan."
"But at least..."
Baobhan Sith glanced back at the various letters behind her.
"She did, out of respect for Father, grant you a great deal of land, and she also arranged for many people to study the magic books you wrote."
"She even gave you the position of court magus, which originally belonged to that man named Merlin."
"Compared to having nothing before, Mother is now the 'pioneer of dragon research.' No matter how you look at it, it's much better, isn't it?"
"Yes, that's true."
Morgan gave a bitter smile.
"Artoria even dares to leave me in the city when she goes off to war."
"Everyone says I am the sister who has earned her trust, the leader who will guide Camelot into a new era."
"But—"
Morgan looked at Baobhan Sith, wanting to say something.
But in the end, she said nothing, and only sighed.
However, Morgan had underestimated how similar Baobhan Sith was to her.
With just that one sigh, her brilliant daughter had already completely understood what she meant.
"Mother."
"You feel like you've lost, don't you."
"You lost when it came to Father."
"You've gained many things, but you didn't get Father—even I can't call him that openly, right?"
"..."
Morgan turned her face away.
"It's nothing like that, Baobhan Sith."
"Don't let your imagination run wild."
"Whether my imagination is running wild is not important. What's important is what you yourself think, Mother."
"If you've given up just like that—"
Baobhan Sith twirled a lock of her wine-colored hair around her finger.
"—then I think that's a little too cowardly."
"I haven't given up, Baobhan Sith," Morgan retorted.
"No, you have."
Baobhan Sith looked directly at her mother.
"Don't forget, I love Father just as much as you do."
"If it were the you of the past, you would have definitely said at this moment, 'Artoria, how dare you try to fool me with this land!'"
Baobhan Sith said, imitating her mother Morgan's angry expression.
"But now, you've done nothing."
"You don't even have the courage to mention him, Mother."
"You... have disappointed me a little."
Although it sounded very much like Baobhan Sith was deliberately goading her, Morgan had to agree with her words.
"So what do you think I should do?"
"My daughter."
"It's simple."
Baobhan Sith licked her lips.
"Mother."
"Since we can no longer use the 'illegitimate daughter' excuse to get to Father, why not do something even more outrageous?"
"More outrageous?"
"Mhm."
"The King has to handle state affairs. There will inevitably be times when she isn't with him."
Baobhan Sith revealed an intrigued expression.
"We... just need to seize such an opportunity."
"Wouldn't it be fine to find a way to rekindle the flames with Father?"
"Mother, you know what to do, don't you."