"You seem to have already noticed that she was a spy sent by Morgan, my friend," Merlin chuckled, his tone growing more playful as he observed the spectacle before him.
Naturally, Merlin didn't suspect a thing, as this was precisely how Uther operated. Compared to noble and chivalrous King Arthur in Arthurian legend, Uther was cunning, ruthless, and equally cruel when it came to achieving his goals.
He was a man perfectly suited to chaotic times like these, despite being merely human.
Evidently, he had managed to survive amidst many powerful rivals, including Vortigern, the White Dragon; Fairy King Oberon; and even the likes of Queen Medb and Cú Chulainn on the Irish front. These were beings of extraordinary power, not entirely human, many of them possessing formidable bloodlines, while Uther was simply a mortal among gods.
Despite being the only human among godlike entities, Uther survived and commanded the most powerful kingdom and largest territory in Britannia, even though he was the weakest compared to the others.
This alone demonstrated how truly capable Uther was, despite being a mere mortal among gods.
In Merlin's eyes, Uther wasn't behaving as a pervert or a lecher; rather, everything seemed to be part of his grand plan—a plan to make arrogant Fae like Baobhan Sith submit to his will.
He knew all too well how proud that particular fae could be, even in time, Morgan le Fay would submit to Uther's authority, but that did not necessarily mean that Morgan's subordinates would follow her lead.
From the look of reluctance on Baobhan Sith's face and her half-hearted service to Uther, it was evident that she wasn't sincere in her loyalty to him.
As for condemning Uther's methods? Hah... This was the 5th century, after all—a period often referred to as the darkest age in the Western world for good reason.
It was an era of survival by any means necessary, where ruthlessness was the key to survival.
Do you know why Uther not only survived but triumphed, despite being the weakest?
Because he was the most ruthless of all his rivals. Now, he was no longer bound by the rigidity of the past; he had become more flexible, something Merlin had to admit might have been a gift brought on by the experience of death.
It had opened Uther's eyes to the reality that only by being adaptable in both morals and boundaries could he survive and emerge as a stronger king.
He may not noble or honorable in the traditional sense, but he's incredibly effective. He's a survivor in a brutal world, a man who knows that the only way to thrive is to be more ruthless, more cunning, and more adaptable than anyone else.
Uther's willingness to bend the rules, to engage in acts that would be considered depraved by others, is what makes him so epic.
He's the epitome of the ends justifying the means.
Of course, this was Merlin's perspective. However, it could not be denied that there was some truth in it—though not the complete truth.
The degenerate soul that had overtaken Uther's body wasn't as rigid or asexual as Uther had been, but rather a pervert with an insatiable desire for conquering both women and kingdoms.
He relished groping Baobhan Sith's breasts and ravishing Morgan's pussy, but at the same time, everything he did served a purpose in achieving his goals.
It was akin to combining business with pleasure.
He enjoyed both the process and the rewards that came with it. That was the most fitting metaphor for his actions. By indulging in such acts with Sith, he not only took pleasure in the sexual conquest, but also savored the benefits he reaped from it.
Over time, she would become more submissive, more receptive to his influence, and ultimately, more obedient to his commands.
Uther would never tolerate divisions within his kingdom.
They could form their own factions if they wished, but only on the premise that their ultimate loyalty was to him—their king.
"If you knew the truth, why didn't you tell me, my friend?" Uther asked playfully in response. The previous Uther might have been offended by this revelation, but when it comes to politics and business, you cannot expect an employee who is more competent than you to completely obey or believe that their world revolves solely around you.
No, it never will. If they deem you incompetent, they will withhold a lot of information, steal it, and potentially sell it to your business rivals. They may even betray you at any given moment. However, if you prove yourself to be both competent and ruthless, they will not dare to withhold even a single piece of information from you.
Although Merlin is not as treacherous as Uther's previous subordinates, the fact that he withheld information couldn't disguise the reality that he didn't fully obey Uther either.
Everything Merlin did seemed to be driven by a desire for entertainment rather than loyalty. In truth, the old Uther hadn't been intimidating enough for Merlin to feel compelled to help him wholeheartedly.
"I'm afraid I would have missed out on the fun if I had done so, my friend. But fear not, I will ensure she gains nothing significant from us and doesn't overstep the authority of Camelot," Merlin, still unaware of Uther's inner thoughts, assured him with a smile.
"You know best, Merlin. You know best," Uther responded with a wide grin, patting Merlin's shoulder as if they were the closest of friends.
Merlin, not doubting Uther's words, simply shrugged.
"Well, if you had asked, I wouldn't have hidden it from you."
"I think this conversation should come to an end, Merlin. Many are still waiting for us in the court. Shall we?" Uther interrupted, changing the subject.
"Yes, we shall," Merlin nodded in agreement.
With that, they began to march side by side toward the throne room.