Chapter 6. Becoming a Wandering Knight.
[Every word Morgan says is engraved in your heart.]
[Although you've never met the cowardly king Vortigern, the fact that he and his army can ravage all of Britannia is enough to prove that he is no ordinary man.]
[You realize this is a mission with no chance of success.]
[Morgan's actions are no different from sending you to your death.]
However, despite realizing this, Ian does not hesitate.
In response to Morgan, he simply says one short sentence:
"I understand, Princess."
Morgan looks at Ian, who is kneeling before her, her deep blue eyes rarely showing emotions from deep within.
But it's not turmoil; it's still just doubt.
"Ian, do you really think you can do this?"
"No." Ian shakes his head, "Although I've never met Vortigern, I know he will be a formidable enemy."
"Then why don't you refuse me?"
"No knight would refuse an order from the one they have sworn allegiance to." Ian answers without hesitation.
"Princess, I am no exception."
"But what if you leave and never return?" Morgan looks at the knight kneeling before her.
"Then I will leave and never return."
[Morgan falls silent.]
[She originally intended to do the opposite, mocking your cowardice to provoke you into struggling to prove yourself and accept this mission. But she didn't expect you to be far more loyal than she imagined.]
[You didn't even ask what to do; you simply accepted right away.]
[For the first time, she chooses to trust your loyalty.]
"Come with me, Ian."
Morgan stands up.
"I allow you to bathe before me."
Just as the sun set, the sunlight spread across the hallways of the royal palace, a scene so beautiful it could be described in a poem, stirring the heart.
Ian looked at all of this, suddenly feeling a sense of vague emptiness — he realized he hadn't been in the daylight or night outside for a long time.
"Ian, do you like this place?" Morgan suddenly spoke up as she walked ahead of him.
"Yes, Princess."
"I like it too." Morgan reached out to catch a falling leaf, rare enough to show a smile.
"If I had the chance, I would stay here forever, so the glorious light of Britannia can shine here."
"The princess's wish will surely come true."
"..."
Morgan seemed to snap back to her senses for a moment, retracting her smile.
"I hope you're right."
Morgan slowly brought the leaf in her hand to Ian's mouth.
"Ian, swallow it, and pretend you saw nothing."
Seeing the knight obey her command, Morgan's mood seemed a little lighter.
[Morgan was not joking.]
[She truly led you to a bath that only the royal family could use.]
[She had sent everyone away, leaving only the two of you in the room.]
[She told you to remove your armor and step into the bath.]
[You realized she was about to begin telling you her plans.]
"Ian."
Morgan sat beside the bath, gently letting her feet touch the water — this was specially enchanted water, always clean.
"What do you think betrayal is?"
She spoke while using her foot to press against Ian's firm chest.
The transparent water from the lake flowed from Ian's chest and slowly returned to the bath.
"For me, betrayal is disobeying your orders, going against your will," Ian respectfully replied.
"Ha, that's indeed the answer you would give."
Morgan foot slid along Ian's chest, moving up to his neck.
To be honest, if anyone else did this, Ian would immediately think it was an attempt to seduce him.
But only Morgan didn't make him think that.
He had never truly received any affection from her.
Only physical pleasure.
"But I must tell you, this is wrong."
"Betrayal truly requires the other person to value you, but I will never value you. You're just a pawn I can discard whenever I want."
"So, your perception is completely wrong. You can betray anyone, but not me."
[You don't feel disappointed that Morgan has emphasized to you so many times that she does not value you.]
[After she pressed her toes against your lips, you finally learned of her plan.]
[She has decided to send you to approach King Vortigern under the guise of a wandering knight who hates Britannia, to attract his attention.]
[You will become the sharp knife that Morgan buries beside Vortigern, and at the most crucial moment, you will betray the cruel king and stab him in the neck.]
[She believes this ruthless method is perfect for you. Even if you can't kill him, you will certainly hurt Vortigern severely.]
[Additionally, she has something she needs to give you.]
Swish, swish.
The sword was drawn.
Morgan took out a sword—seemingly prepared in advance.
"Ian, do you remember this?"
"I remember." Ian nodded, "This is your sword, it's just…"
Ian recalled the last time he saw this sword; back then, it still had Morgan's name engraved on it, but now that spot was empty.
Morgan had already predicted what Ian would think.
She gently ran her hand over the blade, and a line of engraved names suddenly appeared on it.
"I used Magecraft to hide it in the sword, so you don't need to doubt too much, it's still the same old sword."
"But, Ian," Morgan looked directly at the knight who had his forehead pressed down by her.
"I order you, no matter the situation, when you assassinate Vortigern, you must use this sword."
Despite the many doubts in his heart, Ian understood that he had no right to ask anything.
"Understood, Princess."
[In the following time, you and Morgan didn't mention this matter again.]
[She brought wine and ordered you to drink it.]
[She watched you drink, her expression complex.]
[You sensed a little hope from her, but you couldn't tell where it was coming from.]
[She kept pouring wine for you while drinking it herself.]
"We cannot delay, tonight when the moon is full, you will leave here."
Morgan, slightly drunk, spoke to Ian.
"I've arranged everything for the journey, and after you leave, you will be guilty of killing the two knights who accompanied you."
Morgan had no intention of leaving Ian any way to turn back.
By the time the moon rises, he would have no way to return to the palace normally.
But in the face of all this, Ian simply accepted silently:
"Yes, Princess."
[Under the moonlight, Morgan watched your figure fade into the distance.]
[The princess stood on the castle wall, watching for a long time, until you turned into a small dot on the horizon, completely disappearing from view.]
[She realized she seemed unfamiliar with not having anyone kneel at her feet anymore.]