My Mother is King Arthur

"See? See? I told you she couldn't lift it."

"If she can lift it, I'll stream myself doing... well, you know."

Although none of the Knights of the Round Table actually spoke, that didn't stop Morgan from imagining it. She pictured the knights behind her pointing fingers, mocking her for overestimating herself, for an old woman like her trying to chase after young flesh.

Her expression soured. She began calculating the odds of successfully eliminating everyone present, except Arthur, to silence them.

"Lady Morgan..."

Witnessing this, Arthur understood that Morgan le Fay was throwing a tantrum again.

He sighed inwardly, My daughter is all grown up, yet she still throws a fit like a little girl. Who is she even trying to impress? The tsundere act is so out of fashion these days. He walked forward. "Lady Morgan, please lend us your strength. Your Highness remembers this favor." To prevent Morgan from going berserk, he felt he might have to beat her up again.

That would be too damaging to their relationship.

Unlike a useless person like Merlin, Morgan le Fay was someone Arthur had chosen for an important position. Therefore, he needed to appease her and pay attention to her mood. If negotiations failed and he ended up beating her, appeasing her afterward would take a lot of time and effort.

"..."

Hearing Arthur's words, Morgan let out another "Hmph" and reluctantly drew her magic staff, aiming it at the Holy Grail. Seeing this, the Knights of the Round Table tensed up again, almost stepping forward to stop Morgan, fearing she might lash out in anger and damage the Grail.

While they had confidence in this treasured artifact, what if something went wrong? If it failed, they would have nowhere to turn.

Fortunately, nothing of the sort happened.

A black, ominous aura appeared, accompanied by the gathering and surging of magic. What formed at the tip of the staff wasn't a fireball, lightning, or any other magical attack.

Instead, to the gasps of the Knights of the Round Table, the Holy Grail trembled slightly on its own. Even those less sensitive to magic, like the knights, could feel a terrifying power slowly surging from within the Grail. It then took shape in Morgan's hand, gradually forming a phantom image resembling the Grail itself.

"So, I thought about it," Arthur said with a smile to the stunned Knights of the Round Table around him.

"What we need isn't the Holy Grail itself, but its magic, isn't it? So, instead of moving the Holy Grail to Britannia, we can simply extract its true Aether and still complete our plan."

"..."

"That actually makes some sense..."

"But something still feels off."

"Still, if it works like this, the plan is a success, isn't it? As expected of Your Highness, you're so clever."

The Knights of the Round Table murmured amongst themselves, a flicker of anticipation for the future appearing in their eyes. Their gaze towards Morgan le Fay was no longer filled with hostility—

If this plan truly succeeded, then all of Britannia would owe Morgan a great debt.

However... the one who ultimately saved Britannia wouldn't be King Arthur, but Morgan?

Just thinking about that scenario made everyone present uncomfortable.

But then.

"!"

A few minutes later.

Under everyone's expectant gaze, the transfer suddenly cut off with a "snap." A force pushed Morgan backward, causing her to fall uncontrollably into Arthur's arms.

"How did it go?"

"..."

"It failed."

Without even a moment to enjoy Arthur's embrace, Morgan le Fay could only reply dejectedly when Arthur asked.

"A force repelled me."

"At least there was no danger."

Arthur's comment warmed Morgan le Fay's heart.

Rather than the plan failing, he cares more about my safety. Ah, this child is truly infatuated with me now, to the point where he can't function without me. Ah, ah, heh heh heh.

Of course, that wasn't the case at all.

Arthur's concern for her, beyond the typical charm a handsome young man might use on a woman, stemmed more importantly from her value.

Morgan le Fay was a crucial tool in Arthur's plan. Therefore, her safety had to be ensured. Otherwise, it would be too troublesome to find another backup.

"Then, this magic..."

Arthur only spoke half his sentence, but Morgan understood his meaning.

She nodded subtly, without speaking, but Arthur understood her. It was enough—even though only a fraction of the magic had been extracted from the Holy Grail, this portion of power was sufficient to activate the ritual Arthur sought to alter Fate.

The plan has advanced another small step, Arthur thought to himself. At the same time, Galahad's expression grew increasingly complex as he looked at the Holy Grail.

After Morgan's failure, he opened his mouth, preparing to step forward and lift the Holy Grail. Simultaneously, Morgan pulled Arthur to a nearby corner, lightly waving her magic staff, seemingly casting a spell to isolate the surrounding sound waves.

"This Holy Grail... I suspect there's something wrong with it."

"You mean it's fake?"

"Not exactly, but... it's hard to describe."

Morgan hesitated.

After touching the relic that appeared solemn and sacred, Morgan le Fay sensed a sliver of malice and darkness behind the light.

This malice and darkness were not directed at her, so they did not activate.

This was probably why she could touch the Holy Grail and survive.

As for the Holy Grail's malice, and the target of the trap attached to it…

"It's you, or Artoria."

"You are the greatest 'anomaly' of this era."

As she said this, Morgan le Fay's tone became somewhat awkward, as if she felt she had embarrassed the Pendragon family again, lowering their average standards.

"If you could be eliminated in such a laughable manner, I'm afraid even the Counter Force would burst out laughing." Her tone was slightly subtle:

"Of course, you sly dog would never fall for it. Only my foolish sister would." She snorted lightly:

"So, you're ready, aren't you?"

"..."

"Can we do it again?"

Arthur then asked, "Draw it one more time?"

"Impossible."

"Then destroy it?" Arthur continued to ask, "Destroy it, hide it, or get rid of it somehow, can you do it, Morgan?"

"Regrettably, I cannot do that either."

"I see, then, let's wait a little longer."

Arthur said this after a moment of silence.

Before dawn, the east began to show a pale white glow. Agravain, who was extremely efficient, had already begun remotely teleporting cannon fodder—I mean, suicide squads.

—This is a trap.

—Those without the qualifications cannot lift the Holy Grail.

—According to Bohort and Percival, before them, many knights and adventurers had come here to try and take the Holy Grail, but all failed.

This confirmed to Arthur that his cannon fodder tactic would likely not succeed.

But he still had to try. Because not trying felt like letting his junior down.

However, a miracle did not descend again.

Author's Notes:

Fourth update today!

Chapter 78: Galahad's Wish Is Actually (Five Chapters)

"Go, you scumbags, try and see who can lift the Holy Grail!"

Arthur shouted loudly at the suicide squad members:

"Whether you succeed or not, your past sins will be pardoned. And if some lucky fellow manages to lift the Holy Grail, then he's truly fortunate! Bonuses, titles, land! Whatever you want, this Highness can grant it! This Highness always keeps their word!!"

Arthur yelled at them, and by the end, the suicide squad members were cheering excitedly.

These guys were exactly as Arthur described: villains, scum, military thugs, criminals. They were either arrested, destined to be military slaves, or sent for "re-education" to fix the earth.

Now that Arthur had given them a chance for absolution, they were naturally overjoyed.

Artorius's reputation on the Continent of Europa was indeed as he claimed, his word was his bond.

Except for those who were tricked to death by him and had their ashes scattered, Arthur had never lied to anyone.

Apart from those whose lies were never exposed, Arthur had not told any untruths.

So, his credibility remained at max level. The prisoners believed that this big shot was not lying to them. Some suicide squad members who considered themselves strong even started flexing their muscles, shouting about earning a fortune.

Seeing the chaos in the German military district, the Knights of the Round Table exchanged glances, all feeling helpless but none intervening.

They, like Arthur, thought the suicide squad would mostly be useless.

But at the same time, they also shared Arthur's hope: "What if it works?"

After all, trying wouldn't hurt.

So, the Knights of the Round Table watched with anticipation as the suicide squad members charged forward one by one. Full of anticipation, then full of disappointment. It was like a mobile game whale staring at a low-rate gacha banner, expecting a pull every time, but never getting the desired outcome.

After this, Galahad took Arthur aside and said, "I have something to tell Your Highness."

"Lord Galahad." Arthur looked at him seriously. "Do you have any thoughts? Looking at this Holy Grail, do you have any expectations? Do you want to use it to save Britannia?" Arthur looked at him seriously. "Just like we agreed before?"

"Yes, of course." Galahad nodded without hesitation.

He could, for his Father King, trick his junior into lifting the Holy Grail. But he was unwilling to do so. Therefore, he had to explain clearly to Galahad the dangers and the potential traps hidden within.

He had to make things clear to Galahad. Because he did not want to deceive him, did not want to deceive Galahad.

No matter what, Galahad was his most important subordinate, and also his friend.

He had been helping Arthur since Arthur first debuted.

Arthur had only reached this point today with Galahad's help and support.

"I never expected there was more to the story."

After Arthur explained the whole affair to Galahad, the young knight's expression was a mixture of surprise and admiration.

"So, Galahad,"

Arthur said, pressing on his shoulder, "From the bottom of my heart, I don't want you to claim the Holy Grail. Because I don't want you to die."

"You are my best friend, and the finest knight under my command.

More importantly, you are younger than Lord Gawain and Lord Lancelot. You can stay with me for much longer."

Galahad replied, "Your Highness," he said, "This is precisely what I wanted to tell you."

"Just call me by my name, Galahad."

Arthur looked at him gently, then asked, "Galahad, do you have a dream?"

"Your Highness..."

"Remember what I said earlier, and answer my question."

"Yes, I do."

His voice became firm:

"I want to save this world!" he declared without hesitation. "Whether it's the Celts, the Germans, or the Romans—everyone living on this land, I want to save them all. I want to create a world without hunger, without war, without suffering. To save Britannia with the Holy Grail? What about the people outside of Britannia, what about them?! I don't want to abandon them! I want to save everyone!"

He continued, "That's why I chose to follow you, Your Highness," he said to Arthur. "I have always believed you are a talent fit to rule."

"To achieve my goal, I must establish a strong nation and a powerful army."