As the two spoke, a group of knights, clad in rare and expensive iron armor, charged down the street. Kaelar pulled Artoria aside, stepping out of the way.
Though the knights rampaged down the road, there were barely any people left on the streets. Many able-bodied Anglo-Saxons had perished at the Secluded Peak, and those who had returned were executed on Vortigern's orders. Each day, more fled, and the population was rapidly dwindling.
The knights dismounted and stood in the town center, banging on a gong-like object. Then they began to announce:
"By order of His Majesty, Vortigern, this territory has been granted to Sir Ael."
"Sir Ael's first decree: any Anglo-Saxon who attempts to flee the land is to be killed."
"Second decree: the tax rate will increase by ten percent, and collections will now be monthly rather than daily!"
"Be grateful, for the benevolent lord will allow you to borrow from him to pay your taxes, so you need not starve…" another knight declared. "The interest is modest—only a one percent increase per day. Once again, let us thank the merciful Sir Ael."
"Third decree: all grain and salt within the territory will be confiscated. From now on, everyone must purchase food and salt exclusively from the lord's shops. Those who trade privately—death!"
After announcing several oppressive edicts, the arrogant knights departed.
Kaelar, having listened to the draconian decrees, glanced at Artoria and pointed with his chin. "Now you understand why their first decree is to kill anyone attempting to escape?"
"These people would rather take their chances in the deep forests with wild beasts and magical creatures than stay under such tyranny."
Britain is no place for a tyrant—there's no protector like Bann to shield you!
Artoria frowned, gripping her lance tightly. "We should liberate the people of this land. They will be my subjects one day."
"No rush," Kaelar said, ruffling Artoria's golden hair. "You're not yet a king, so don't burden yourself with a king's responsibilities." He smiled. "But I am the lord of Maple Ridge. I can act!"
"To be honest, even Hengist wouldn't stoop to this level of tyranny. I really want to meet this so-called noble."
Kaelar tapped the hilt of his blunt-edged sword. "My blade has yet to meet resistance!"
"Your sword isn't even sharpened!"
Artoria shook her golden head, freeing her ahoge from his hand, then sighed. "Kael, I now understand the meaning of 'Tyranny is fiercer than a tiger'... Truly, the people's desire for a good life is simple. Why must these lords be so endlessly greedy?"
Though the Age of Gods in Britain was fading, with careful cultivation and allowing the common folk time to recover, they could still scrape by and perhaps even maintain a semblance of prosperity.
Kaelar had never hidden his methods. The techniques he employed in the Secluded Peak were open for all to learn, even for lords under Vortigern.
Regardless of friend or foe, Kaelar genuinely hoped that the farmers and commoners, oppressed at the very bottom, could live better lives.
But the lords under Vortigern had no interest in learning new techniques or developing their lands. Instead, they relentlessly drove their subjects into debt, forcing them into slavery, and pushing them toward war with the Celts.
The Anglo-Saxons under Vortigern's rule could only barely survive by raiding.
Kaelar nodded slightly. "Words written in books, repeated ten thousand times, are empty. Seeing reality with one's own eyes is more powerful than any rhetoric."
Originally, Kaelar had planned to storm this territory's noble lord's residence, drag him out, and give him a thorough thrashing. But Artoria's words sparked a desire to test her further.
Kaelar's smile widened. "Lily, let me ask you—do you believe in 'bad law is still law'?"
'Bad law is still law'—at its core, it suggested that even the worst order was better than chaos. Yet, it was a lie, used to justify tyranny.
No truly righteous person could endorse 'bad law is still law.' If that were true, no one would have risen against the tyrannical Qing Dynasty.
Kaelar wanted to know if, after all these years of teaching, Artoria would fall for the deceptive reasoning that sounded so convincing.
"Bad law is no law!"
Artoria's response came after a long silence, shaking her head. "Kael, I know what you're getting at. You want me to empathize with the complexity of governance, even with those who rule cruelly."
She straightened, her sapphire-blue eyes shining as brilliantly as Kaelar's. "But you underestimate me, Artoria Pendragon! I am the Red Dragon of Britain! I am destined to be Britain's king!"
"I seek the crown not to oppress, to rule over the people and lord over them."
"I, Artoria Pendragon, will bear the weight of the crown for the sake of all who live in Britain. To me, the Celts, the Anglo-Saxons, the fairies—anyone who calls Britain home—are my subjects!"
Artoria fixed her gaze on Kaelar. "I aim to surpass all previous kings of Britain, even the emperors of Rome. If possible, I wish to become 'Arthur the Great!'"
Kaelar would never forget that moment. A twelve-year-old girl, staring up at him with those luminous, holy blue eyes, declaring her ambition to be a great king—"Arthur the Great."
With a broad smile, Kaelar ruffled Artoria's golden hair again, even pinching her ahoge. He only withdrew his hand when she tried to bite him. "Then you've got your work cut out for you. The title of 'Great' isn't self-appointed."
"Kael, let's go!" Artoria lifted her lance high. "You take up the sword, I'll carry the banner, and we can conquer all of Britain!"
"What are you, the second Li Shimin?" Kaelar chuckled. "It's one thing to learn from history, but no need to copy their grandstanding!"
Still, he couldn't argue with the logic. With Kaelar at her side, even if Vortigern himself appeared, he'd ensure Artoria's safety.
Don't underestimate Kaelar's fifty-fifty win ratio. Victory might be uncertain, but losing? Never.
"Lily, I once told you that war is the most inauspicious of events, a path that lacks virtue."
Kaelar drew his blunt sword, continuing, "But now, I'll tell you the other half of that thought—the true context of my words."
"All matters of the world, public or private, are rooted in intent. Those who wage war for selfish gain—I shall strike them down!"
"But to fight for the public good, to battle for the people—that is true virtue, righteousness, and bravery!"
"Haha! Lily… Artoria Pendragon, heed my words—'Bad law is no law!'"
Kaelar's voice rang with authority. "People of this land, hear me! I am Kaelar, and by my name, I declare this territory's lord guilty! Those willing to follow my path, come with me!"
The territory remained silent. No one moved, everyone watched and waited.
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