[Vortigern's words were not as casual as they seemed. This was a ruthless test.]
[You understood the implication immediately.
If you carried out his command, the rumors Morgan had spread would become true in another sense.
And in doing so—you would instantly become King Uther's enemy.]
[Though you had anticipated such a situation, facing it directly still made you hesitate.]
[Vortigern took note of your hesitation.]
[And once again, he spoke.]
"It seems, young man, that your desire for my protection is not as resolute as I had thought."
Vortigern rose to his feet, turning his back to Rei.
The light from outside spilled through the tent's opening, casting long shadows—as if carving a path before him.
"Go, then, young knight."
Vortigern's voice was steady, almost indifferent.
"If you refuse to turn against them—return to where you belong.
Accept the punishment that awaits you."
Rei knew this was not a matter of simply walking away.
This was a choice.
Would he betray his former comrades to uphold his vow to Morgan?
What was there to hesitate about?
Morgan was the only one to whom he had sworn loyalty.
"White Dragon King," Rei finally spoke, his voice unwavering.
"I understand."
"From this day forward, I will bear this burden—
And I will kill my enemies."
Vortigern's lips curled into a smile.
"A wise decision."
"Wreak havoc upon Britain."
"When your victories shine brightly enough, I shall tell you a secret."
[New Trait Acquired – White Dragon's Claw:]
[You now fight on the frontlines—not for Vortigern, but for Morgan's mission.
Your former comrades now call you "The White Dragon's Claw."]
[Trait Upgrade – Charisma (Malice) → Charisma (Extreme Malice):
You no longer rely on persuasion.
You impose your will through sheer, unrelenting violence—
the only means by which you can suppress the agony of turning against your former allies.]
[Trait Upgrade – Battle Continuation+ → Battle Continuation++:
Morgan has become the sole force driving your existence.
You now frequently hear her voice in your mind.
Until her command is fulfilled, no injury—no wound—
will ever keep you down.]
[But you were not reckless.
You never swore loyalty to Vortigern.
You never accepted his rewards.
You refused to betray Morgan.]
[And yet, no one questioned your devotion.
Even Vortigern's own veterans did not fight as fiercely as you.
You cut through Britain's forces with a brutal, unstoppable momentum.]
[You drowned in the torment of slaying your former comrades.
Only in the dead of night—whispering Morgan's name again and again in your mind—
could you find enough peace to sleep.]
[Your visions of Morgan became more frequent.
Often, you would see her standing before you—ordering you to kneel.]
[Then, one day, Vortigern summoned you to the mountaintop.]
"You have done well, young man."
Despite his age, Vortigern's presence remained unshaken, unwavering.
He stood at the mountain's edge, gazing across the battlefield.
"It has been a long time since I have seen a warrior as fierce as you."
Rei did not answer.
He merely nodded.
To him, Vortigern was not his king.
He was merely a temporary means to fulfill Morgan's plan.
Vortigern turned to him, sword in hand.
"You are still the same as before, aren't you?"
He studied Rei for a moment before asking:
"Rei—answer me.
That day, when you first woke in my camp…
Did you ever truly intend to leave?"
Rei knew what Vortigern was referring to—the day he had first regained consciousness in the warlord's presence.
He did not hesitate.
"I never considered leaving."
Rei's voice was firm.
He did not lie.
No matter how many times he replayed that moment in his mind,
He knew—he would never have chosen to walk away.
Morgan's orders remained unfinished.
No matter how much shame he had to bear,
He had to see this through.
Vortigern's gaze did not waver.
"It wouldn't have mattered if you had left."
He finally spoke, his voice quiet but absolute.
"I always prepare for two outcomes."
"That day—you would not have left this place alive."
"..."
Rei felt a vague unease.
There was something hidden in Vortigern's words.
But he could not decipher it.
With no better response, he simply replied:
"White Dragon King, perhaps luck was simply on my side that day."
"Is that so?"
Vortigern let out a rare, hearty laugh.
"Let us hope so."
His gaze sharpened.
"Young man—you have fought well for me."
"And so, I will now tell you a secret."
[Though he was called a False King, Vortigern still carried the presence of a true ruler.]
[And so, he told you the truth—
The truth of the Age of Gods' decline.
The truth of the unprecedented upheaval looming over Britain.]
[You realized—the burden that Vortigern carried may have been far greater than you ever imagined.]
[But at the same time, a thought surfaced in your mind.
A possibility that should have existed all along.]
"Why not tell King Uther of these things?"
For the first and last time,
Rei asked Vortigern a question.
"If Britain faces such turmoil, should we not stand together?"
"Hah."
Vortigern's laughter faded.
His expression darkened.
"Do you think he does not already know?"
Vortigern's voice turned low, bitter.
"If he truly wished for peace, neither you nor I would be standing here today."
"..."
Rei had no response.
Because Vortigern was right.
King Uther never had any intention of negotiating with Vortigern.
The idea of uniting forces had never been possible from the very beginning.
There could only ever be one true king of Britain.
No matter the time, no matter the place.
[Vortigern did not share any more secrets with you. His war with King Uther raged on.]
[The battlefield expanded, the fires of war spreading further and further—
Every inch of Britain now echoed with the clash of swords and the thunderous roar of warhorses.]
[You knew that many of those slain had fallen by your hand. Yet, you could not change anything.]
[Your hallucinations worsened. Occasionally, others would see you speaking to nothing but empty air.]
[But only you knew—
This was the only way you could still see Morgan.]
[No one cared.
You were still a fearless warrior on the battlefield.
You never accepted Vortigern's rewards—
Instead, you distributed them among the soldiers, keeping not a single coin for yourself.]
[As the White Dragon's Claw, you were eventually made the commander of one of Vortigern's armies.]
[And at last, the time for the final battle arrived.]
[You knew you would now face Britain's greatest forces.] [You would fight against the knights of Britain.]
The horns sounded.
The battle erupted.
Like two raging tides, both armies charged forth, clashing upon the bloodied earth.
[Yet, for the first time—you hesitated.]
Because across the battlefield—
You saw a figure you never should have seen.
Morgan, Princess of Britain—stood at the front lines!