Marriage Alliance

'The magecraft cast upon this sword is still active?'

Merlin took one look and understood: this lion had not drawn the Sword in the Stone by possessing the necessary qualifications, but had instead relied on brute strength to rip it free.

But was that even possible?

The magecraft on the blade had been cast by him and the fae, connected directly to the leylines. How could anyone pull it out with a mere mortal body? That would be equivalent to lifting the leylines themselves, along with his own status and that of the fae, all in one go.

Was this even a person?

Even a god could not accomplish such a feat so easily.

'It is truly fortunate that we did not come to blows...'

Now that he had witnessed Leon's strength, Merlin made a quick comparison. If a conflict were to break out, he was currently only an avatar, and his death would be a small price to pay, but Artoria and Kay would be in grave danger.

Never mind an avatar; even if his true form were here, he could not protect Kay and Artoria. If the three of them managed to leave with their bodies intact, it would only be because the other party had shown mercy.

It was a stroke of luck that this lion harbored no murderous intent.

Though Merlin's expression shifted only slightly, it did not escape Leon's eyes. A moment of thought was all it took to deduce what the mage was thinking.

He still had use for Artoria; now was not the time to eliminate her.

"I am no delicate little girl; I have plenty of strength and means. This sword is a bit too heavy for me, making it inconvenient for combat. If you can undo the magecraft on this blade, I am willing to be friends with you forever."

"I would be more than happy to be of service to you."

Merlin stepped back, clutching his staff, spinning and waving it about in a grand display before finally tapping it lightly against the Sword in the Stone.

'Is such a dramatic performance really necessary?'

Following Merlin's light touch, a crisp sound like a bursting bubble echoed from the blade, and Leon immediately felt the weight of the sword in his hand diminish significantly.

He swung it through the air twice; it was indeed much lighter.

It was almost too light to be comfortable, feeling as if it were weightless, which made it even less suitable for combat.

It was too heavy before, and now it was too light...

Forget it. He never intended to use this sword for combat anyway; it was merely a decoration, a tool to establish the legitimacy of his claim to the throne. To him, its symbolic value far outweighed its practical use.

Watching Merlin's effortless, graceful display, Leon had to admit that this half-incubus was worthy of being a Grand-class candidate; he certainly had a few tricks up his sleeve.

'Thank goodness I didn't make a move when we first met.'

Leon felt a sense of relief. Thanks to Merlin's perceptiveness and his cooperative attitude, the problem had been resolved peacefully without the need for force.

In truth, it wasn't just Merlin who felt apprehensive about Leon; Leon was equally wary of Merlin.

Leon might not understand magecraft, but he understood these mages well enough.

Magecraft was unpredictable and mysterious; who knew how many trump cards these old foxes held? They might stab you in the back when you least expected it.

Not to mention that Merlin was a Grand-class...

It was for the best that both sides could coexist in harmony.

"Merlin, from this day forth, you are my friend. I shall treat you with the courtesy you deserve."

"That is my honor."

Merlin wore a smile, but as he heard Leon's words, he couldn't help but complain internally: being friends with a beast like you is the most dangerous thing of all—I fear that if I'm not careful, I'll end up as his next meal!

He had never seen a beast that could guarantee it would never bite.

"Merlin, I happen to have a favor to ask of you. Please convey a message to those in the palace for me."

Here it comes.

Merlin knew this lion could never be satisfied.

Leon said, "I have heard that the previous King of Camelot, King Uther, still has descendants living. I intend to enter into a marriage alliance with the bloodline of King Uther to produce a legitimate heir."

Merlin understood. He had wondered why Leon had suddenly become so benevolent, choosing not to eliminate Artoria once he knew her identity. So, this was his game.

In that moment, even though Merlin knew he lacked true emotions, he felt a genuine sense of displeasure at Leon's proposal.

As her teacher, he had mentored Artoria for so many years; the cabbage he had spent years tending was about to be trampled by a pig, and now that pig had the audacity to say these things to his face. If the circumstances allowed, he would truly have liked to take his staff and beat the man to death.

Merlin could hear Kay behind him, his anger ignited by these words, breathing heavily. If not for Artoria maintaining her composure and holding Kay back, he likely would have charged forward to start a fight.

Leon sat back in his seat, looking at Artoria, and narrowed his eyes with a smile. "I recall that there is a princess in the bloodline of King Uther named Morgan, who later married a king in the Scottish region... I intend to take Morgan as my wife."

At these words, the entire hall fell silent.

Kay stopped his outburst, Artoria's eyes widened, and Merlin wore a look of bewilderment.

Leon also noticed his father and the gathered lords and knights, all of whom wore expressions of hesitation.

"What? Do you have objections to my decision?"

"No, none at all!"

The knights found it difficult to speak, but under Leon's piercing gaze, they waved their hands repeatedly. Luther, relying on his closeness to Leon, stepped forward and whispered a word of caution: "My King, Morgan is already married, and I have heard that this woman is not exactly a person of good character."

"My mind is made up."

Seeing the stubborn look on his son's face, Luther knew that Leon had his own considerations and had already made his decision, so he said no more.

"Is there any problem, Merlin?"

Leon looked toward Merlin and the other two, only to see Kay wearing a subtle expression, while Artoria blinked, looking at him with the pity one might reserve for the mentally challenged.

Merlin's shoulders trembled as he lowered his head, hiding his expression from Leon: "No problem at all~ I will certainly convey this to the court."

"That is good."

Even though Merlin kept his head bowed, Leon could still hear the amusement in his voice.

Faced with everyone's reactions, Leon remained completely indifferent; as the ruler of a nation, he naturally harbored the ambitions of Cao Cao.

He liked them grand.

I just love wicked women and femme fatales, so what?

The purpose of the marriage alliance with Morgan was twofold: first, to further increase his legitimacy through the union and appease the old retainers left behind by the late King Uther. Second, it was for the sake of his own heart; in his past life, he had spent two paychecks and failed to pull her, so now that he had the chance to make up for it, Leon was naturally going to seize it.

Moreover, he remembered that Morgan was highly skilled in artificial life technology, and he happened to have a secret plan in mind...

"I am now King, but my time on the throne is too short, and I lack capable people under my command. The two behind you look quite impressive; why not transfer them to my service to follow me onto the battlefield and earn themselves some glory?" Leon said to Merlin.

Looking at Kay and Artoria, he still remembered the subtle expressions those two had just shown.

Besides, Artoria was the bloodline of King Uther... to kill her, Leon couldn't bear it; to let her go, Leon wouldn't feel at ease. After thinking it over, he would only feel secure if she were right under his nose.

"Arthur is too young and not yet mature. It would be better to let him train for a few more years. Why not let Kay stay under your command for now? How does that sound?" Merlin replied with a smile.

Kay followed Merlin's lead, stepped forward, and knelt on one knee before Leon.

Sacrificing the rook to save the king?

Leon recalled how Kay had just shielded Artoria and acted out of anger for her sake—it was clear he was a doting brother. And Artoria's gesture of holding Kay back showed that she cared for this brother as well...

"Very well."

Keeping Kay by his side could also serve to keep Artoria in check.

According to Leon's meager knowledge of the Moon, King Arthur's foster brother Kay was also a valiant warrior, and he just happened to like heroes.

Letting Artoria off the hook would be a favor to his new friend Merlin, and it would also help win Kay's heart.

In any case, Artoria wouldn't be able to escape his grasp.

Leon walked up to Kay, the church priest following closely behind.

Crouching down, Leon asked with a solemn expression: "Kay, as a knight, are you willing to pledge your loyalty to me?"

"I am willing to offer this sword and this body to my liege; my life and death shall follow the King's command." Kay's oath was resolute and heavy.

"Feeding the tiger with your own body?" Leon raised an eyebrow and asked.

"I will serve the King with my heart and soul."

Under the witness of the priest, Leon accepted Kay's loyalty.

Seeing that the matter was settled, Merlin asked to take his leave: "Lion King, if there is nothing else, please allow the two of us to withdraw and return to Camelot to proclaim your decree."

"Merlin, I look forward to our next meeting." Leon shook the Sword in the Stone in his hand, "Remember to bring the scabbard next time we meet."

"Please look forward to it."

Merlin smiled falsely. With a wave of his staff, countless petals emerged in the room—red and pink, moving without wind, swirling into curtains that obscured him and Artoria.

"Bye-bye~"

When the petals fell, the two figures were gone.