Chapter 14: King and Father
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[Morgan didn't expect King Uther to want to talk to you alone.]
[She tried to explain your danger to King Uther to prevent this from happening.]
[But King Uther only needed a look to make Morgan realize that she should keep silent.]
[The king is the king, and the king's orders cannot be refuted in the slightest.]
[Morgan bows to King Uther and says goodbye.]
[At the last moment before leaving, she gives you a meaningful look.]
[You glance back at her.]
[When your eyes meet, you convey to Morgan your promise that you will never say anything more.]
[This makes her feel a little relieved.]
Morgan leaves.
Silence spreads throughout the entire tent.
King Uther, sitting on a high seat, waves his hand gently, and then the knights hear an unbelievable order.
"You should leave too."
"I want to talk to him alone."
No knight dares to say anything more—after all, even Morgan's words could not affect King Uther.
Soon, the trial-like atmosphere quickly turns into a private meeting between Ian and King Uther.
To be fair, Ian doesn't think this is a rational choice—after all, if he were truly Vortigern's minion, this kind of private meeting would be a godsend.
It isn't necessary to kill the king; even serious injury would be enough to change the course of the entire British war.
Is the old king becoming incompetent?
But King Uther's next words surprise Ian.
He stands up from his high seat and walks towards Ian step by step.
Like his brother Vortigern, King Uther is old.
His movements are not as agile as one might imagine, but he still reveals the calmness of a king.
He walks up to Ian and draws his blade.
The silver light shines on the British-style longsword, silently indicating the king's immense power.
Ian closes his eyes, ready to accept whatever might happen to him, but unexpectedly hears the sound of something heavy falling to the ground.
Almost immediately, Ian feels his hands and neck relax.
He opens his eyes and finds that King Uther has broken the shackles on him.
The old king sheathes the sword, his weathered eyes staring at the enemy in front of him, known as the White Dragon's minions.
"Long time no see, Ian."
[You realize that your identity has been exposed.]
[But you also realize that you have never revealed your identity and intentions. This is also the first time you have met this wise king after many years.]
[Countless doubts arise in your mind, all pointing to one question: How did he know?]
[King Uther seems to be able to see into people's hearts. He sees your doubts.]
"I remember every knight who has ever borne the sword for Britain."
King Uther sheathed his sword.
"Ian, the knight my orphan daughter personally promoted, disappeared many years ago."
"I don't know what happened, but your swordsmanship is exactly the same as his."
Realizing this would implicate Morgan, Ian immediately speaks up:
"Don't compare me to a knight like that."
"I am the sharp blade of the White Dragon King. I will destroy all of Britain! Kill me, King Uther, or you will regret this momentary mercy!"
"In that case—"
King Uther looks at Ian, who is eager to distance himself from Morgan. His eyes, which have seen the passage of time, still hold courage.
With a clang, King Uther throws the sword in his hand in front of Ian.
"Then prove your claim."
[You look at the sword on the ground, your hands shaking.]
[You pick it up and walk towards King Uther step by step.]
[But King Uther is not afraid at all. Your advance does not make him retreat even a single step. He has absolute confidence in his judgment.]
You realize that King Uther, like Vortigern, is a king who has lived through the ages.
[You raise the blade in your hand.]
[But the target you stab is not King Uther, but yourself!]
Ian decides to commit suicide.
Since his identity has been exposed on both sides, he should use his death to erase all traces before anything worse happens.
Britain can have one more disloyal and unrighteous knight, but it cannot have a despised princess!
With a clang, King Uther knocks Ian's sword away with his bare hands.
The sword is merciless, and blood flows from his hands, dripping onto the ground—a scene that would make anyone feel pain just by looking at it.
But King Uther seems not to care at all.
He clenches his fist, keeping every drop of royal blood in his hand.
"I'm right, you are Ian."
At this point, Ian can't deny it anymore.
He nods and takes all the blame on himself.
"King, I came up with all of this. The princess doesn't know about it."
"So if there is any punishment, please let me bear it alone. The princess... is innocent."
[After hearing your words, King Uther turns his back without saying a word and remains silent for a long time.]
[Looking at his back, you actually feel a little lonely and regretful.]
[You vaguely sense that you are about to learn a very important secret.]
"Ian." King Uther's voice comes.
"Answer me, what do you think are my chances of winning this war?"
"You will surely win, King."
"But if I told you that I was doomed to fail in this war, how would you feel?"
"…"
During Ian's silence, King Uther turns around.
"No need to remain silent. I already knew this when I went to war. But for the sake of the people of Britain, I will still fight to the last moment."
"Then, King, let the princess come..."
Ian is still trying to tell King Uther about Morgan's importance.
But King Uther simply replies, "Ian, Morgan is my daughter. If I could pass the throne to her, why wouldn't I want to?"
"However, she is too far from what the king needs. I cannot entrust the task of Britain's revival to her."
"But King, you clearly allowed her to go to the front line." Ian still doesn't want to give up.
"You're right."
King Uther sighs deeply.
"She is my daughter after all... How can I bear to let her cry like this?"
[Although he is the King of Britain, King Uther still has his own emotions.]
[You realize that everything Morgan did may have been seen by him.]
[But as a father, he allowed all this to happen.]
"I will hold the front line until the last moment."
King Uther hands his scabbard to Ian.
"I think you are someone worthy of trust."
"In the years ahead, I will entrust my daughter to you."
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