[Vutigeng's words are far from as casual as they seem on the surface; this is an extremely sinister tactic.]
[You realize that if you follow his instructions, the rumors spread by Morgan will, in another way, become reality, and you will immediately become an enemy of King Uther.]
[Although you had long anticipated this situation, when it truly came, you still showed a moment of hesitation.]
[Vutigeng noticed this brief hesitation in you.]
[He spoke to you again.]
"Young man, it seems your determination to seek my protection is not as strong as you thought."
Vutigeng stood up, turning his back to Ian.
The light from outside slanted through the tent curtain, as if drawing a road in front of Ian.
"Leave, young man. Since you are unwilling to be their enemy, then return to where you should be and accept the punishment you deserve."
Ian knew that at this moment, the question he faced was not whether to leave or stay.
It was whether to temporarily become Vutigeng's pawn for Morgan's mission and strike against his former comrades.
—Is there really anything to think about?
The one he swore loyalty to was always Morgan.
"White Dragon King, I understand."
"From this day, I will bear it all and begin to slay the enemy."
Vutigeng smiled.
"A wise choice."
"Ravage Britain for me, and when your victories shine, I will tell you a secret."
[Talent 'Claw of the White Dragon' acquired: You are active at the front lines, fighting former court knights in defiance for Morgan's mission. They call you the Claw of the White Dragon.]
[Talent 'Affinity · Evil' has been enhanced to 'Affinity · Extreme Evil': You display your intentions with the most extreme violence; only this can temporarily make you forget the pain of fighting your comrades.]
[Talent 'Battle Continuation+' has been enhanced to 'Battle Continuation++': Morgan has become your soul's sole support; you often hallucinate her voice, and until her mission is completed, no matter what injury you suffer, you will stand up again.]
[You actually played a little trick.]
[You never swore loyalty to Vutigeng, nor did you accept his rewards.]
[You do not allow yourself to betray Morgan.]
[But no one questioned your loyalty, because even Vutigeng's former confidants did not fight as fiercely as you, able to shatter Britain's forces with overwhelming might.]
[You struggle in the pain of killing your former comrades, barely able to sleep at night except by repeatedly calling Morgan's name in your heart.]
[You start having hallucinations, often seeing Morgan standing in front of you, demanding you kneel and submit.]
[One day, Vutigeng called you to the mountaintop.]
"Well done, young man."
The aged Vutigeng looked into the distance, his vigor undiminished.
"I haven't seen someone as brave as you in a long time."
Ian did not respond to Vutigeng, only nodding quietly.
He did not acknowledge Vutigeng as his king; he followed him only temporarily for Morgan's plan.
"Young man, you are still the same as before."
Vutigeng held his sword and looked back at Ian.
"Ian, answer me a question. That day, did you really intend to leave me?"
Knowing that Vutigeng was talking about the day he woke up when Vutigeng personally came to see him, Ian answered without hesitation:
"I had no such intention."
Ian did not lie.
No matter how many times he recalled that moment, he knew clearly he would not choose to leave.
Morgan's mission was not yet complete, and no matter the scorn he faced, he must endure it.
"Actually, it wouldn't have mattered if you left."
Vutigeng stared straight at Ian before him.
"Because I always make two plans. On that day, you would not have left me alive."
"…"
Ian felt that there was more to Vutigeng's words.
However, he couldn't think of a better response, so he could only agree with Vutigeng's statement.
"White Dragon King, perhaps this means my luck occasionally works wonders."
"Is that so? Hahaha." Vutigeng laughed heartily, rarely so, "Let us hope so."
"Young man, you have achieved great victories for me, and now I will tell you a secret."
[Although Vutigeng was a humble king, he possessed the grace that a true king should have.]
[He told you the truth about the decline of the Age of Gods, that Britain is facing unprecedented turmoil.]
[You realize that Vutigeng before you might bear far more than you imagined.]
[But you also thought of the possibilities that should exist.]
"Why not tell these things to King Uther..."
Ian asked Vutigeng his first and last question since coming under his command.
"If Britain is facing such upheaval, we should join forces."
"Hah, do you think he doesn't know?" Vutigeng's smile faded, "Young man, if he truly had such intentions, you and I wouldn't be here now."
"…"
Vutigeng was right.
King Uther had no intention of negotiating with Vutigeng.
So-called cooperation was impossible from the beginning.
There could only be one true king of Britain, now and always.
[Vutigeng told you nothing more, and his war with King Uther continued.]
[The flames of war spread wider, and every inch of Britain's land seemed to hear the roar of hooves and the clash of swords.]
[You know many of these things are your doing, yet you are powerless to change them.]
[Your hallucinations worsen, and occasionally, people see you talking to empty spaces.]
[But only you know that this is the only way you can now see Morgan.]
[However, no one cares about these things, because your performance on the battlefield remains valiant, and you never accept Vutigeng's rewards, always passing them on to others, taking nothing for yourself.]
[As the Claw of the White Dragon, you gradually become the leader of a division under Vutigeng's command.]
[Finally, the decisive moment arrived.]
[You know that you are about to face Britain's truly formidable forces.]
[You will battle against Britain's knights.]
[The horns sounded, and the battle was about to begin; both sides' armies charged like tides.]
[But the always valiant you, at this moment, were distracted.]
[For across the enemy lines, you saw a familiar figure that should not have been there.]
[Morgan, noble as a princess, had come to the very front lines of the battlefield!]