Lott watched the ongoing tournament from the sidelines. It wasn't just his prowess that kept him calm—Melusine, with her sword ready, stood nearby, always vigilant. Despite this, Lott couldn't help but notice how Kay was receiving so much attention.
Kay's earlier performances had been somewhat underwhelming, making it seem like his inclusion in the Knights of the Round Table was merely to make up the numbers. Outsiders didn't know that Lott had appointed him as Camelot's chief steward. They assumed Kay's entry into the prestigious order was merely symbolic. However, during this competition, Kay had been fighting fiercely, eliminating opponents left and right, and now he was under the spotlight.
"I feel like everyone sees me as the weakest," Kay muttered to himself.
Hearing this, Lott placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "If people think you're the weakest, then use your strength to prove them wrong. Show them how strong you truly are. I believe there are very few in all of Camelot who can defeat you. Keep fighting and let your victories speak for themselves."
Inwardly, Lott was already planning his next move. [I should have people spread rumors that Kay is indeed the weakest of the Knights of the Round Table. Then, when he defeats others with ease, they'll see just how strong even our 'weakest' knight is. It'll scare them into submission.]
Encouragement aside, Lott knew how to use perception to his advantage. Moral victories were good, but political dominance required strategic maneuvering.
Morgan, watching from the stands, overheard Lott's thoughts and nearly burst into laughter. She suppressed it, barely managing to keep her composure.
"Your Majesty, is something wrong?" Ritsuka Fujimaru, sitting nearby, asked, noticing Morgan's stifled amusement.
"Nothing at all," Morgan replied, waving off the concern. She then quietly sent word to her attendants to meet Lott and follow his instructions. The coordination between husband and wife was flawless, especially when it came to mischief.
When Morgan's attendants found Lott, he quickly put them to work, implementing his plan. It wasn't just about promoting Kay's supposed weakness; he had more steps to execute.
As the knockout rounds began, Lott ensured that each of his knights faced only moderate opposition in the early matches. This strategy allowed them to progress smoothly. Meanwhile, rumors about Kay being the weakest of the Knights of the Round Table spread rapidly among the participants.
"Kay is the weakest? We can beat him easily," the Scottish knights thought, feeling emboldened. They approached their duels with Kay far more aggressively than they did with Gawain or Altria, who had previously intimidated them. But they soon realized their mistake—Kay's strength was far beyond what they had imagined. Even the so-called 'weakest' of Camelot was too much for them to handle.
The tournament continued, and the first major showdown was about to take place: Lancelot versus Galahad.
Galahad, preparing for the match, was about to step forward when Lott stopped him.
"Galahad, I need to talk to you," Lott called out.
Chapter 206: Emotions That Will Not Change
"What is it, Your Majesty Lott?" Galahad turned to face him.
"Don't call me 'Your Majesty.' Remember, I'm your adoptive father. Shouldn't you call me 'Father' instead?" Lott said, placing a firm hand on Galahad's shoulder.
"Right. Father," Galahad replied, nodding earnestly.
Lott grinned. "That's better. Now, you're about to face Lancelot. Do you think you can defeat him and lay his past to rest?"
"Of course, I'll completely overwhelm him," Galahad answered instinctively.
Lott reached out and flicked Galahad's forehead. "That attitude is too rigid, Galahad. You're too pure-hearted to want to crush anyone, and that's exactly what makes you the most flawless knight."
"The most flawless knight?" Galahad echoed, looking thoughtful.
"Yes, no one else deserves that title," Lott said, smiling. "But have you heard from Mash about your history in another timeline?"
Galahad shook his head. He knew that Mash had used his Heroic Spirit foundation in history, but he wasn't aware of the details.
"In the future, you would have become the knight who bore the Holy Grail. But because you had no desires, you ascended to heaven. It sounds like a holy end, but…" Lott paused, then continued, "It also shows your sorrow. Living without desire is a lonely existence."
Galahad listened quietly. "But as a righteous knight…"
Lott cut him off with another tap on the forehead. "You're such a fool! Without desires, are you even human? Whether it's for wealth, love, or something else, being human means wanting something."
"But I genuinely don't feel any desire," Galahad replied honestly.
"Then you need to find your emotions and desires," Lott insisted.
"How do I do that?" Galahad asked, tilting his head in confusion.
"If I told you to fall in love, what would you say?" Lott teased.
Galahad's face turned crimson. "I—I don't have any thoughts like that."
Lott chuckled. "I won't force you. But you should find what you truly want. What is your deepest desire?"
After a moment's thought, Galahad pointed at Lancelot, who was preparing for their match. "My wish is to defeat Lancelot."
"Beat Lancelot? I might have believed that a year ago, but now, I don't. Don't lie to me, boy," Lott said, raising his hand as if to flick Galahad's forehead again. Galahad quickly dodged, causing Lott to laugh.
Molesting an honest child like Galahad was oddly satisfying, Lott thought.
Taking a deep breath, Lott continued, "Lancelot didn't know the truth last time you met. Now he does. This is your chance to face him as you truly are."
"Understood," Galahad nodded, gripping his sword with determination.
Lott watched as Galahad stepped forward, readying himself for the duel. [Now, let's see what moves the Lady of the Lake has up her sleeve,] he thought, glancing towards where Melusine stood.
Meanwhile, Lancelot was also preparing for his match. Holding his sword, he felt a familiar presence approach.
"What do you want?" he asked, seeing Melusine.
Lancelot was on guard. He remembered their previous clash vividly—Melusine's power and skills were nearly identical to his own, but with an edge that made her even more formidable. She even had abilities he could only dream of, like transforming into a dragon.
"I just have a question for you," Melusine said, blinking at him innocently.
Lancelot was wary. At first, he had admired her as a warrior. But after learning of Galahad's origins and Lancelot's role in that story, Melusine's feelings were mixed—both admiration and disdain.
"What is it?" Lancelot asked, still on guard.
Melusine hesitated, unsure how to express the complex emotions she felt. But she knew this conversation was necessary. As the battle between father and son loomed, the Knight of the Lake and the Son of the Round Table would finally face the truths they had long avoided.