(Einar's POV)
It was year 8th since King Arthur conquered Camelot and reunited this whole isle.
With him was the strongest force of the strongest knights of the time. Whenever a problem comes, he stands for people and makes every effort to make them happy.
An ideal king that the people of this island wanted was granted them. A supreme king that never faced any defeat in his life should rule on the people with the bright radiance of his sword but…
The problems keep coming as if the land itself refused to help its people. If drought, bad harvest, and poverty were not enough when even invaders starting to make problems.
In short, the land was cursed.
Although the solutions were available, what kind of king wants to make the sacrifice of losing some territories.
"What's the matter, Te- Sir Einar?" It was Mordred who asked while massaging my shoulders.
She joined the Knights of the Round Table shortly after I left her in Morgan's care. Since her strength was similar to Artoria as her clone, she didn't take long to make her way to the upper hierarchy.
It was hard to look at her in red and silver armor that explained her more of an Executioner than a knight.
I knew that Morgan had specifically designed this armor to hide her true gender and identity at least she should have made it more elegant.
"Sigh*…nothing. I don't think that problems could be solved from just killing rebels or keeping up with invaders." I shook my head.
My relationship with Artoria was now that of a king and a knight. I was already brought back to reality and now I was just giving duty as a mage/knight only.
Even with my knowledge, matters weren't taking a good turn at all. Although a major portion of this isle was suffering from drought, I had already helped to make some dams to reserve water but the southern part was still suffering from numerous problems.
There was hardly a peaceful month without the need of war council or camping to crush rebels or invaders.
King? There was hardly any knight who had accepted her whole heartily.
Well, it didn't matter to me as we have severed our ties a long time ago.
"Uncle… you should… never mind…" It was my nephew and my most trusted vessel, Galahad.
He was looking at Mordred as if she had taken his favorite plushy.
"Speak, Galahad. Don't act like a drama queen." I chucked.
"Well Uncle Einar, I know it is against your views but it would have been better if you take the 'charge'."
In short, he wanted me to become king.
"You know, your head could have been flying any moment." I glared at Galahad coldly but that man who had a greater trust in me than anyone didn't even wince and remained calmed.
There was indeed a group that was formed that wanted me to dethrone the king and make me king without my authorization. Two generals, who were the next candidates of next Knights of the Round Table, were taking the charge of this group while they had the backing of several other nobles.
What I did was very simple. I ordered Galahad to execute those generals and all other nobles publicly and made myself clear that I won't lead these greedy people. My ruthlessness brought enough fear to those nobles to think 100 times before even making that kind of plan.
"I know Uncle Einar and as I said earlier my life will always be at your disposal." Galahad smiled and bowed with a hand on his chest.
He was quite a troublesome fellow who had blind trust in me.
"Galahad, as I explained to you, I have no reason to look after greedy people. And most of all, I won't get anything out of it." I explained in simple terms.
"Sigh* You are right Uncle Einar, even I sometimes lost my motivation when those people show their displeasure even after saving them. And Uncle Einar, I think it's my turn to massage your shoulders. Oi, Newbie, get away from my Uncle." He said and then told Mordred to sit down.
"Get lost! You have already spent the entire night drinking with Sir Einar yesterday!" Mordred retorted and then they entered in another quarrel.
I don't know why they looked like members of my harem.
I then got up from my seat and went to the window to take some fresh air.
Looking down on peaceful streets was kind of relaxing.
I had also gone through a tremendous change.
My height reached up to 167 cm in these years and it was all due to my divinity reaching A+++. Now I don't have any limitations from using half-spirit forms of my Chastiefol. In surplus, I could recite two divine runes a day with leaving enough mana to fight for a full day.
The grand spell that I was making was at its completion that would take another year and a half.
We were in the room where another meeting at the round table was taking place but out of sheer boredom I came here early but these two followed me in hope of spending some time with me.
Soon King Arthur and other knights of the round table entered the room and the meeting began. Merlin was standing behind Artoria who seemed to be a cam and collective mage but as soon as our eyes met, he shuddered with fear.
The reason was that I tortured him the previous year for all of his blunders and bestowed fear in his heart that he would never play with human emotions. From that day, he never slept with any girl.
Anyway, another report was sorted out and revealed another rebellion from the south. And again she asked others to help her in crushing rebellion.
"I apologize King Arthur but I won't be able to continue." It was the voice of Tristan.
His statement brought a squall among knights. In short, he is going to leave.
He stood from his seat and was about to leave when stopped after sensing numerous daggers circulating his head.
"Sir Einar, please take back your weapon." Artoria requested and I abided by.
My job was simply listening to her so I did.
I dematerialized Chastiefol Increase and put my hand on my chin waiting for this boring meeting to be over.
"Sir Tristan, you are an honorable knight and as your king, I must watch for your needs. Please take the authorization of the land and live the life you want." Artoria smiled and didn't stop Tristan.
Although her intentions seemed noble at first, I was well aware that she would probably use these knights to remain in their territory and act as bait against invaders. That was the mindset of someone who had disregarded human emotions.
Well, she was not the only one who disregarded human emotions, I had somewhat become the same.
Every knight showed a little disappointment including me as if-
"The king does not understand the hearts of men." Those were Tristan's last words that were like a curse to knights and king as he took his leave.
After the meeting, I left the castle and went to a pub and saw Tristan drinking alone.
I silently sat beside him and ordered a drink.
"Sir Einar, I am so-"
"You don't need to, Sir Tristan. I am well aware of your state. You won't survive long."
He looked at me with a sad smile and spoke, "Sir Einar, you are such a perfect person if… Never mind. I would just like to thank you for all your efforts and kindness that you showed to this lowly knight." He stood up from his seat and bowed with one knee.
"Time will fly away," I recalled a single sentence.
"Huh?" He looked at me with visible shock on his face.
I then took out a potion and gave it to Tristan.
"It will heal you completely including the poison in your body. Go to your territory, Iseult is waiting for you. And don't even try to deny my offer or I will torture your soul."
Tristan first stared at me for a while before taking the potion from my hand. He bowed me one final time but before leaving, I told him one last sentence, "Do me a favor and never come back here."
"I will." Tristan smiled and left.
I then gulped the drink in one go and sighed.
"Artoria, I will see how far are you going to take this farce?"
*****
That was major turn for fall of Artoria. After that, many knights left the round table that brought Lancelot and Guinevere closer and you know the rest.
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