Ian couldn't believe his eyes.
Morgan was sitting atop a white horse, still dressed in the attire she wore at the royal court, looking dignified and imposing.
What was particularly striking was that she was alone, without any knights accompanying her, which was why Ian spotted her immediately.
But that didn't explain why she should be there.
Given her status as both a sorceress and a princess, there was no logical reason for Morgan to be on the battlefield.
This would expose her to risks she normally wouldn't have to bear.
Unless—
Morgan had a reason to do so.
The most loyal knights often have the keenest eyes.
You soon noticed that in the opposing army, King Uther was nowhere to be seen.
You realized Morgan's intention—to demonstrate her capabilities in front of King Uther.
Although you couldn't understand why she was deliberately doing this, you knew you had to make her wishes come true.
You are her most loyal knight, and her wish is your command.
Your troops began to lose ground, while Morgan's forces advanced triumphantly, their momentum unstoppable.
The princess, leading troops into battle for the first time, was making a grand impression; she was hailed by the people of Britain as the blade that cut down her foes, your arch-nemesis.
But only you knew this was the result of your deliberate misdirection.
You did not hope for her to understand; you only wished to help her.
As the losses in your army grew larger, people began to suspect you. Your previous strange behaviors were dug up and reported to Vortigern.
Yet Vortigern did not blame you; instead, he executed the informers for disturbing the morale.
For your failures, he showed no reproach, simply remarking that the tides of war are fickle and victories are but momentary.
You realized that Vortigern was not the obstinate, autocratic tyrant he was made out to be.
But you were unwavering, for you knew your loyalty lay only with Morgan.
Still, you sometimes wondered, if you had met Vortigern earlier, would things have turned out differently?
In the British army camp, King Uther was listening to a knight's report.
"Your Majesty, thanks to your grace, Princess Morgan has won consecutive battles and has now reclaimed more than half of the lost territories."
"Your bloodline shines upon Britain, even in your descendants."
However, hearing the knight's praises for Morgan, King Uther did not look pleased; instead, he appeared somewhat heavy-hearted.
As the King of Britain, he seemed to have noticed something.
He stood up and asked the knight in front of him an odd question.
"Morgan has been fighting against the same army in these battles, hasn't she?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," the knight replied respectfully, "Princess Morgan has been defeating Vortigern's forces. Before her, no one could stop them. She has performed excellently, and your teachings have proven successful. We shall achieve victory."
King Uther turned his back, closing his eyes.
When he opened them again, they held a hint of disappointment—Morgan's victories were not entirely to his liking.
"Knight."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Convey my orders: have Morgan relinquish command of her forces and withdraw from the front lines immediately."
"W-What?!"
The knight could not believe what he had heard—how could the king ask his battle-hardened daughter to step down from her command?
Could it be that, with age, the king had lost his wisdom?
Though filled with doubt, the knight maintained his respect for King Uther outwardly.
"Your Majesty, your decisions are always wise and full of insight."
"But the princess has achieved great feats in battle. To remove her now, wouldn't it be..."
King Uther turned to look at the hesitant knight.
He was no longer young.
But that did not mean he had grown foolish.
"Knight, Morgan is my daughter, and I understand her better than anyone."
"Do not question my judgment; just follow my orders."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Watching the knight leave, King Uther let out a deep sigh.
A tragedy often begins with the desire to become a supreme ruler without the necessary qualities to support it.
Without removing this source, future troubles would be endless.
Yet—
She was, after all, his daughter.
Even a wise king like Uther found it hard to keep his emotions out of the matter.
Things began to feel off.
You noticed that the seemingly unstoppable force led by Morgan was beginning to retreat, as if they were the ones losing on the battlefield.
You realized something might have happened that you were unaware of.
You began to investigate secretly.
It was no secret—soon you learned that Morgan had been ordered by King Uther to withdraw from the front lines and would leave in a few days.
You couldn't understand why King Uther would do such a thing—this was clearly Morgan's opportunity to make her mark in Britain.
You quickly realized you couldn't sit idly by; you would not allow Morgan's dreams to be cut short, even if it was by her own father, King Uther.
You devised a new plan—a plan that would put your life on the line.
Under the moonlit sky, Ian walked through the camp.
At his waist hung the sword Morgan had given him when they parted long ago—she had told him to use it only when assassinating Vortigern.
And tonight was that night.
Although it felt like the timing was not as perfect as he had hoped, and the actions were not as concealed as they should have been,
Ian knew he was out of time.
If Vortigern wasn't killed before Morgan was pulled from the front lines, if he didn't present the victory to her, she would never receive the recognition she deserved.
That was something Ian could not accept.
As a loyal knight, he couldn't let Morgan's future diverge from her wishes.
You arrived at the entrance to Vortigern's tent.
Though defeated by Morgan many times, your previous military achievements meant no one questioned your current behavior.
You gripped the sword at your waist, ready to deliver a fatal blow to Vortigern.
But things did not go as planned.
Upon lifting the tent flap, you found it empty.
At that moment, a figure appeared behind you.
A sigh was heard.
"Young man, you have ultimately chosen this path."
"I am sorry for you."