Rei could not believe his eyes.
Morgan sat atop a white steed, dressed in the same regal attire she had always worn in the royal court.
She was dignified, commanding—radiating an aura of absolute authority.
But what stood out the most—
She was alone.
No knights flanked her, no guards stood at her side.
That was why you noticed her instantly.
But this made no sense.
Regardless of her identity as a mage or her status as a princess—
Morgan should not have been here.
Her presence on the battlefield was an unnecessary risk.
Unless—
She had a reason to be here.
[The most loyal knight always possesses the keenest eye.] [You quickly realized that King Uther was not among the opposing forces.]
[You understood Morgan's intent—
She wanted to prove herself before the King.]
[You did not know why she was so determined to do this.
But you knew one thing—her desires must become reality.]
[You were her most loyal knight.
Her will was your will.]
[Under your command, your forces began to collapse.
Meanwhile, Morgan's army surged forward, victory after victory.]
[For the first time in history, the princess had set foot on the battlefield—and she stole the spotlight.
The people of Britain hailed her as the blade that cut down the White Dragon's Claw—your blade.
She was your mortal enemy, your destined rival.]
[But only you knew—this was merely the result of your intentional miscalculations.]
[You did not expect her to understand. You only hoped this would help her.]
[The casualties mounted.
Some began to suspect you.
Your past peculiar behavior was unearthed and reported to Vortigern.]
[Yet, instead of punishing you, Vortigern executed those who accused you—for "disrupting morale."]
[He did not blame you for your failures.
He merely remarked—war was unpredictable. Victory and defeat came and went.]
[You began to realize that Vortigern was not the reckless, tyrannical king Britain had painted him to be.]
[But this did not shake your loyalty.
You knew your devotion belonged to Morgan alone.]
[And yet—
A thought lingered in your mind.
If you had met Vortigern sooner…
Would things have turned out differently?]
Within the British Army's Camp
King Uther sat upon his throne, listening to the knight's report.
"Your Majesty, by your blessing, the princess has won victory after victory—
More than half of our lost lands have been reclaimed."
The knight bowed deeply.
"Your bloodline, even in the next generation, continues to illuminate Britain."
Yet, upon hearing praises for Morgan, Uther did not smile.
Instead, his expression grew heavy.
As King of Britain, he had noticed something.
He stood, facing the knight directly.
Then, he asked a question—one that seemed strangely out of place.
"The forces Morgan has defeated—"
"They have all been from the same army, have they not?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The knight answered without hesitation.
"The princess has been fighting none other than the White Dragon's Claw.
Before now—
No one had been able to stop him."
"Her performance has been exceptional, and Your Majesty's guidance has led to undeniable success. We are certain to achieve victory."
King Uther turned away, closing his eyes.
And when he opened them again—
Disappointment flickered in his gaze.
Morgan's victories did not seem to bring him joy.
"Knight."
"At your command!"
"Deliver my orders—
Morgan is to relinquish command of her troops and be removed from the front lines immediately."
"W-What?!"
The knight stared in shock.
How could it be?
The King was ordering his own daughter—
A commander with such glorious achievements—
To abandon her command?
Had old age dulled his wisdom?
Was this a sign that the King was no longer the ruler he once was?
Though his heart was full of doubts, the knight did not allow them to show.
Instead, he bowed with respect.
"Your Majesty, your decisions have always been wise and just."
"But the princess has already proven her worth in battle.
To remove her now, is that not—"
Uther turned, his sharp gaze piercing the knight's hesitation.
He was no longer young.
But that did not mean he had grown foolish.
"Knight.
Morgan is my daughter.
I know her better than any of you."
"There is no need to doubt me. Carry out my orders."
"…Understood, Your Majesty!"
The knight hurried away to fulfill the King's command.
And as he disappeared into the distance, Uther let out a long sigh.
A ruler who lacks the qualities to stand at the pinnacle—
But still seeks the throne.
Tragedy is born from such ambitions.
If the source is not removed, disaster will surely follow.
But even so—
She was still his daughter.
No matter how wise Uther was,
He could not deny that his heart was burdened by emotion.
[Something was not right.]
[You noticed that the army Morgan had once led with unstoppable momentum—
Was now retreating.
As if they had suffered defeat instead.]
[You realized that something had happened—
Something you did not yet understand.]
[You began investigating in secret.]
[And it was no great mystery. You soon learned the truth—
King Uther had removed Morgan from the battlefield.
She would be leaving in just a few days.]
[You could not understand why.
This was Morgan's chance to establish her name throughout Britain.
Why would King Uther strip that away from her?]
[You knew you could not stand idly by.
You would not allow Morgan's ambitions to be cut short—
Even if the one cutting them short was her own father.]
[And so, you devised a new plan—
One that would place your life on the line.]
Under the Moonlit Sky
Rei walked through the war camp.
Strapped to his waist was the longsword Morgan had gifted him before their parting.
She had commanded him—
This blade was to be used only for Vortigern's assassination.
Tonight—
That moment had come.
[Though the timing was not as ideal as you had hoped, though your actions were not as discreet as they should have been—] [You knew you had no time left.]
If you did not kill Vortigern before Morgan was removed from the front lines—
If you could not present this victory to her—
She would never receive the recognition she deserved.
That was something you could not allow to happen.
[As a knight, you could not let Morgan's future be taken from her.]
[You arrived at Vortigern's tent.]
[Despite Morgan's victories over his forces, your presence raised no suspicion—
Your past accomplishments still shielded you.]
[You gripped the hilt of your sword—
And prepared to strike a fatal blow.]
[But things did not unfold as you had expected.]
[You lifted the tent's entrance—
Only to find it empty.]
And at that moment—
A shadow loomed behind you.
A deep sigh broke the silence.
"So, in the end—
This is the path you have chosen."
"What a shame."