A gentle breeze drifted across the sea.
Arthur stood on the deck, gazing out at the endless horizon. His eyes were deep, as though lost in thought.
"My King!"
"My King!"
Gareth and Galahad knelt on one knee, their expressions respectful.
Arthur asked calmly, "What were the casualties?"
Gareth reported, "During the chaotic battle, we suffered a total of 320 casualties."
Arthur nodded. War always came with losses. No matter how strong the Knights were, their enemies had not been weak either. Considering the scale of the conflict, 320 casualties were acceptable.
"I understand. You've all worked hard. Go and rest."
"Yes, my King!"
The two knights withdrew to rest. From Fish-Man Island to the war at Hachinosu, they had been busy nonstop. Now that everything had settled, they finally had time to recover.
Arthur remained on the deck while Lamorak stood silently behind him.
After a moment, Arthur asked softly, "Lamorak, what do you think of this new world?"
"…Meaningless," she replied after a pause.
Arthur chuckled. "You're not emotionless. Why do you refuse to express your feelings?"
Lamorak's emotionless demeanor had been shaped over time. She wasn't without feelings—she had simply locked them away. In her eyes, nothing in the world mattered except her king.
"Everything besides you is meaningless," she said quietly.
Arthur didn't press further. A knight who had devoted her entire existence to him deserved no careless words. At the very least, he would not treat such devotion lightly.
He looked up at the sky.
"What comes next?"
He smiled faintly.
"We'll cross each bridge when we come to it. Step by step."
Britannia still had countless matters waiting. Everything was only just beginning.
The fleet sailed onward across the rolling waves—four ships heading toward the horizon. Arthur watched calmly, filled with quiet confidence and ambition, like a grown lion preparing to hunt across the plains.
Five days later, they returned to Britannia.
...
"We're finally back!" Gareth sighed in relief.
Despite being a Round Table Knight, she was still the youngest among them. After months of travel, returning home felt wonderful.
Arthur stepped out of the cabin. "Gareth, has Britannia changed?"
"Nothing obvious yet, my King. But with Agravain managing things, there must have been progress."
Soon, their ships docked at the volcanic island. The moment they landed, they noticed something new—numerous shops had appeared, many run by people from different races who had come to trade. Britannia's external development had clearly begun.
"Not bad," Arthur observed. "Britannia is changing, both inside and out."
He dismissed the Knights to rest. After months of fighting and travel—from Fish-Man Island to Hachinosu, everyone needed time with their families.
As Arthur walked through the city, he noticed new settlements built outside Volcano City.
"They've started building small cities for merchants," he remarked.
Gareth nodded. "New roads too. A bridge between the volcanic island and the ice island has begun—just the framework for now."
When they reached the shoreline, they saw Fish-Men workers building underwater foundations.
"The King has returned!"
Cheers erupted. These Fish-Men had been selected by Tom to assist with underwater construction.
Arthur smiled warmly and waved.
A booming voice suddenly rang out.
"Hahaha! A truly magnificent king!"
Tom approached, drenched in sweat.
Arthur smiled. "Sir Tom, have you made your decision?"
Tom grinned broadly. "A true shipwright must work with his own hands! My King, I've chosen. I'm joining Britannia!"
"From now on, leave Britannia's ships to me. I'll build vessels worthy of legend!"
Arthur was genuinely pleased. A shipwright of Tom's caliber was invaluable.
Still, Arthur thought to himself: We also need master weapon smiths. The current weapons and armor were good—but not the best. For that, Wano Country might hold the answer.
Tom reported further progress:
New cities built for merchants.
Roads connecting the islands underway.
About 20% of the road network completed.
A massive bridge between islands: 2 years to finish.
Underwater tunnels: up to 10 years.
Arthur nodded in satisfaction. Britannia was developing steadily.
He briefly considered asking Tom about the blueprints for the ancient weapon Pluton, but decided against it. There was no need to rush. Time was on his side.
Arthur was only eighteen years old. With the Red Dragon bloodline and the future acquisition of the Holy Sword, Holy Spear, and Avalon, his lifespan would be immense.
There was no need for haste.
Britannia had already begun its transformation.
And this was only the beginning.
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