[Your investigation continues.]
[Innate hidden talent activated: You realize that you, Morgan, and Gawain remain unaffected by the legend due to Morgan's magical blessing—the mysterious magician seemingly did not perfect their magic to be completely flawless.]
[You order Gawain to thoroughly investigate the citizens discussing the matter, hoping to find more loopholes in this magic.]
[Gawain, unwavering in his trust in you, meticulously examines every aspect of the Red Dragon legend.]
[But as he encounters the rumors more frequently, doubt begins to creep into his heart.]
"Father, that is the situation for today."
Gawain, gripping the sword he inherited from Rei, respectfully reported.
Another day with no significant discoveries.
But Rei did not plan to reprimand him—his son's diligence was evident.
"Understood. Go and rest now."
"Yes."
Gawain sheathed his sword and turned toward the corridor.
However, just as he reached the door, he suddenly halted, then turned back around.
"Father, may I ask you something?"
"..."
Rei smiled slightly.
"Of course, my child."
"Well then—"
Gawain chose his words carefully.
"Father, I wish to know—if the Red Dragon is real, what would it mean for us?"
It was bound to happen sooner or later.
Rei had already anticipated Gawain would ask this question—and he had already prepared an answer.
"Gawain, my son, if the so-called Red Dragon truly exists…"
"Then it would likely become a great enemy of your mother and me."
"A great enemy?"
Gawain's expression revealed his surprise—he had not expected such an answer.
"Father, I do not mean to challenge you, but if it is real, wouldn't it be the key to defeating the White Dragon?"
"Gawain, you are not wrong." Rei did not deny his words.
"But have you ever considered—if the White Dragon falls, what will become of the Red Dragon?"
"..."
Gawain fell into deep thought, and then suddenly, realization dawned upon him.
"Father, you mean to say that the Red Dragon may one day become the same kind of existence as the White Dragon?"
"Perhaps. How you interpret it is your choice."
Rei gazed at the young knight before him, whose features bore a striking resemblance to his own.
"However, both your mother and I hope you will think carefully about all of this."
"..."
"I understand, Father."
Gawain left Rei's sight.
As he walked through the corridors of the royal court, he gazed at the flowers filling the courtyard.
The deep blue eyes he had inherited from Morgan held a newfound sense of uncertainty.
[The legend of the Red Dragon continued to spread throughout Camelot.]
[Its details became increasingly vivid—whispers suggested that the Red Dragon's incarnation might be among the knights.]
[Because of this, Britain's knights began to eagerly anticipate the rise of a new king, and within their ranks, arrogance and ambition took root, each believing they could be the prophesied ruler.]
[The recognition of the throne that you and Morgan painstakingly built over the years crumbled within mere months.]
[Though not completely erased, you were forced to admit—the situation was now far worse than before.]
[Morgan fell ill.]
[And aside from you, no one was allowed near her—not even Gawain.]
"Lady Morgan."
Rei shut the door to the chamber.
Sitting on the bed where they had shared countless intimate nights, he gazed at her exhausted face, his heart aching.
"You must rest and take care of yourself—Britain needs you."
"Is that so…"
Lying in bed, Morgan let out a self-deprecating chuckle and shook her head.
"I think it's quite the opposite, isn't it? Even without me, Britain will continue to shine."
"Lady Morgan, that is not true. For Camelot—"
Before Rei could finish, Morgan lifted her head and kissed him.
It was not a mere display of emotion—rather, it was an acknowledgment of the unwavering loyalty he had upheld until now.
Morgan kissed him for a long while before finally parting her lips from his.
Her deep blue eyes, dull from illness, regained a trace of color.
"Rei, I have never loved you—so why do you always consider things from my perspective?"
"Because by doing so, I can see the world through your eyes."
Rei reached out and gently smoothed the strands of hair that illness had left unkempt.
"That is the future I long for most."
"Hah… If that's the case, then do you understand my current thoughts?"
"Of course."
Rei pulled Morgan into his embrace, gently stroking her back.
"You're not willing to accept this outcome, are you?"
"You refuse to accept things as they are—I know this."
Morgan's fingers trembled against Rei's arm before she began clawing at it in frustration.
It was a silent release of her emotions.
Rei bit his lip and endured it without complaint.
Several minutes passed before Morgan finally calmed down.
Nestling into his arms, she softly asked:
"Does it hurt?"
"It does. But I don't mind." Rei reassured her.
"Lady Morgan, if you wish, I can kill those arrogant knights who think themselves worthy of being king."
"No, that won't be necessary."
Morgan traced her name onto Rei's chest with her fingers.
"They will not succeed."
"Rei, as you said—I still cannot accept any of this."
"Then will you continue to stand by my side as always?"
"Lady Morgan, I believe I have emphasized this countless times already—you do not need my permission. I will always stand by you."
"But I want to hear you say it again."
Morgan wrapped her arms around Rei's waist and buried her face in his chest.
"Are you unwilling?"
Rei did not hesitate. He spoke firmly:
"Lady Morgan, whether in the past, present, or the yet-unknown future, I will stand by your side—always."
"Then pledge your loyalty to me once more."
Morgan looked up at him, her eyes glistening.
"I want more children who can become knights."
"It would be my greatest honor, Lady Morgan."
[You and Morgan had more children.]
[Gaheris and Agravain were born one after another.]
[Like Gawain, they too carried the blessings of magic, possessing exceptional talents and an unnatural rate of growth.]
[Under the weight of the legend's influence, you chose not to hold grand celebrations for their births.]
[But that did not mean you neglected them—you and Morgan provided them with the best possible upbringing, and they grew close to Gawain as true brothers.]
[Not long after, their sister Gareth was born.]
[You trained them all with the highest standards of knighthood—all for Morgan's sake.]
[You came to realize that aside from fostering arrogance among the knights, the Red Dragon legend served little other purpose.]
[You suspected that it was nothing more than a bluff by the mysterious magician you had never met.]
[Until one day, a silver-haired man appeared beneath the walls of Camelot.]
[It was an ominous presence.]