Once Karl had departed, Yulina quickly turned her attention to Arkhan.
"What about me, Master? What is my task?"
She asked in an eager tone as she had already made up her mind. For the sake of her future happiness, she needed to hold onto her master's powerful influence.
Thus, she yearned for a chance to demonstrate her worth to him. Only then would she not have to worry about being kicked aside by him at any moment.
It might sound pragmatic, but in this cruel world, what people needed most wasn't necessarily good or bad people; it was those who could prove their usefulness.
Yulina had realized this truth long ago, crystal clear.
"Your task is also crucial." Arkhan replied, looking at Yulina.
'Crucial?' Yulina's excitement surged instantly.
"I want you to make a trip to the seven northern kingdoms and gather intelligence. It would be best if you could figure out what on earth Vortigern has been up to in these past fifteen years." Arkhan spoke solemnly, his expression serious.
Ever since Uther's disastrous defeat fifteen years ago when he led his army against Vortigern, the British Isles had been divided into two regions.
The North was governed by the seven-nation alliance under Vortigern's rule, while the South was primarily dominated by the three kingdoms of Camelot, Gwent, and Deheubarth.
The so-called 'seven northern kingdoms' had been established by the Anglo-Saxons, whom Vortigern had initially allowed into the land of the British Isles.
These seven kingdoms were Kent, Sussex, Wessex, Essex, Northumbria, East Anglia, and Mercia, each with its own king but all ultimately subservient to Vortigern.
After that battle fifteen years ago, Vortigern didn't pursue his advantage, instead, he chose to stay in the North. Despite constant friction along the border, the seven northern kingdoms never launched a full-scale attack on the South.
This was undeniably abnormal.
Vortigern couldn't possibly be ignorant of Uther's death, and with Camelot leaderless, a direct assault with a powerful army would have had a high chance of success, even considering the presence of Gwent and Deheubarth.
Even if Vortigern was cautious, he should have sent someone to test the waters at least once, but he hadn't, not even once. For over a decade, the seven northern kingdoms had remained within their borders, as if they were the ones who had lost the initial war.
The prevailing theory among the Southern alliance was that Vortigern had also suffered significant injuries during that great battle fifteen years ago. For all these years, he had been quietly recovering, which explained his reluctance to attack the South.
However, based on the information Arkhan had received from Merlin, it seemed that Vortigern's inaction wasn't due to his injuries but rather because he was preparing for something.
Arkhan had no clue what that 'something' might be, but he was acutely aware that whatever it was, it couldn't bode well for him.
Unfortunately, Merlin's clairvoyance was now completely blind to Vortigern, and thanks to that dick wizard's stupid reason, Vortigern had been left undisturbed for fifteen years!
Though Arkhan had no idea how far Vortigern's preparations had progressed over the past decade and a half, he couldn't afford to let him continue without knowing what the White Dragon was planning to do.
"Go... to the North?" Yulina's young face paled slightly in an instant.
Actually, going to the North was a minor issue for her. However, the key was that her master wanted her to gather information from the Vile King Vortigern!
After staying in Britain for so long, she was well aware of the terror of that White Dragon. There were even rumors that the White Dragon was evolving into a 'God'!
Wouldn't she be seeking death if she went there?
"Don't worry, I didn't say you should make contact with Vortigern."
Arkhan immediately caught Yulina's concern.
"You just need to pay attention to the changes that have occurred in the seven northern kingdoms in the past fifteen years, especially something about mysterious tales and strange phenomena. Report back to me when you return."
From Vortigern's attitude, what he did definitely had an extraordinary role to play.
Based on past experiences, the more extraordinary something was, the more attention it attracted. Even if Vortigern tried to hide it, over a decade, it was impossible not to reveal any clues.
Yulina breathed a sigh of relief. If it was only to that extent, then she could accept it.
"No problem, Master, leave it to me!" She confidently patted her chest. "I'll wager my honor as a former professional bounty hunter, I'll definitely bring you the information you need!"
Arkhan nodded. Among the people around him, Yulina was indeed the most suitable for this task. She was originally a bounty hunter, and gathering information was her specialty. Combined with her ability to consume magical energy and transform into mist, as long as she didn't encounter Vortigern, nothing major should happen.
"After the task is completed, within three years at most, I will grant you your freedom, and by then, you can go wherever you want." Arkhan said with a smile.
Yulina's face stiffened for a moment, her crimson eyes flickering slightly.
'Actually... I think it's quite nice to stay by your side like this.'
Instead of responding to his words, she just silently gazed at her master while speaking her true thoughts inwardly.
"???"
Arkhan looked confused as he watched Yulina who seemed in a daze.
===
After arranging Karl's and Yulina's tasks, Arkhan and his group were about to leave Tintagel.
Unlike Canterbury, who could come and go as he pleased, Arkhan, as a king, would create a very bad impression if he left without a word, both for himself and Tintagel. Therefore, he released the news two days in advance.
On the day of their departure, he saw over a thousand townspeople spontaneously gathering at the town's entrance to bid them farewell.
To say he wasn't touched would be impossible.
"Kay, remember what I told you, stick by the king's side and do what you're supposed to do." Ector earnestly advised his eldest son.
"Don't worry, Father." Kay nodded seriously.
Ector looked at Artoria beside him, hesitated for a moment, and extended his large hand to gently ruffle her head.
Artoria froze for a moment. In her memory, Ector had never made such an affectionate gesture toward her.
"I'm sorry for burdening you with such heavy pressure all these years..." Ector's eyes held a trace of guilt. "You've worked hard."
Unexplained emotions surged in her heart and her vision suddenly became slightly blurry. Artoria hurriedly lowered her head and softly murmured, "It's alright..."
"Hey, even I've had a tough time all these years you know~" Merlin, who was standing nearby, complained unhappily. "Even if you all give me flowers, at least say thank you will ya?"
Unfortunately, no one paid him any attention.
"Alright, it's about time..." Arkhan spoke while looking up at the clear blue sky, a faint smile curving his lips.
He suddenly remembered that the day he left the Land of Shadows was also under such a clear sky.
"It's the start of a new journey."
===
End of the first volume.