Morgan

Madman!

Tyrant!

Just because things didn't go your way, you want to kill?

Three families today, two more tomorrow... If this truly continues, there won't be anyone left alive in Camelot.

You really are a foreign anomaly, devoid of emotion, lacking even a shred of humanity!

Upon hearing Leon's words, Merlin hurriedly urged, "My King, please suppress your anger. They are your subjects; they pay taxes for you and fight for you across the lands. How can you slaughter them wantonly without any reason?"

Heh, you really are nervous.

Seeing Merlin's intense reaction, Leon felt a spark of joy. He had originally just been testing him, but it turned out Merlin had actually taken the bait.

They said Merlin was a half-incubus with no emotions, but it seemed he possessed quite a bit of humanity after all.

"If they are my subjects, is it not their duty to die for me!"

"--"

Merlin's breath hitched. In this very moment, he saw Leon's true nature more clearly than ever!

He was nothing but a terrifying beast that cared only for himself!

Before Merlin could retort, he heard Leon continue, "How could there be no reason? These people... they intended to rebel, disregarding the state! Alas, Britain has finally found a King and achieved stability under my hand. For the peace and tranquility of the nation and its people, I must strike at these traitors early and nip the rebellion in the bud."

"Merlin, tell me, does that not sound like a good justification?"

A load of crap!

Merlin could not have imagined that Leon would be so shameless, twisting right and wrong to such a degree that he had effectively redefined the lower limits of human morality.

At first, Merlin had realized Leon was bluffing, but as these words were spoken, he suddenly realized that Leon wasn't just testing him—he was serious.

If he hadn't released Artoria, this Lion King truly intended to slaughter his own subjects.

For once, Merlin's smile vanished.

"Lion King, you win. I will bring Arthur before you."

"See? Wouldn't it have been easier to do that from the start?" Leon laughed. "There is no need to bring Arthur before me; just let her be free."

"My deepest thanks. I never expected that, beyond being despicable and shameless, you also possessed such broad-minded kingly grace."

Leon ignored Merlin's words entirely, seeing the fake smile on his face grow even more pronounced.

"Don't be in such a hurry to thank me. Regarding this matter, I still need to hold you accountable. Merlin, you must apologize to me."

"?"

Pushing your luck, are we? There's no end to this, is there?

Merlin's expression faltered for a moment before returning to its usual state.

"My apologies. I am unaware of how I have angered the King?"

"Merlin, ever since you acknowledged my throne, I have felt a kinship with you, viewing you as a friend. Yet, your act of hiding Arthur has left me very hurt."

Leon sighed softly, putting on a sorrowful display.

"What exactly have I done to make you disrespect me so? You do not trust me, you look down on me, you do not treat me as your friend, and you are not even willing to look me in the eye."

The expression on Leon's face was so fake that it was transparent at a glance. Such blatant, affected posturing appeared utterly pathetic in Merlin's eyes.

However, he had to admit that Leon was right.

He truly had never looked Leon in the eye—not before, and he likely never would.

He had always regarded Leon as nothing more than a humanoid creature.

"Yes, yes, I apologize. It is my fault. I ask that my King be merciful and forgive me."

Watching Merlin's expression, Leon knew the wretch was likely cursing him inwardly, but he nodded in satisfaction nonetheless.

This was merely a test of obedience, with a little suppression thrown in for good measure. Once Merlin admitted his fault, the matter was settled.

"Good. You and I are friends; we should naturally be honest with one another."

"Then, regarding the previous order..."

"Though changing one's decree from morning to evening is a great taboo, for your sake, a small change is of no consequence."

Leon turned his head toward Luther and said, "Father, pick out those two or three families for today, but there is no need to continue the killings after that."

"Understood." Luther accepted the order.

Merlin, however, grew anxious: "Why are people still being killed today?"

"This has nothing to do with our matter. I had already intended to make an example of a few to intimidate the city."

Leon's reply left Merlin speechless. He knew he had no cards left to play and could not dissuade Leon; those families were doomed to die today.

Fortunately, he lacked emotions. While he was repulsed by Leon's casual slaughter, it was merely a rational assessment from the perspective of the state. In truth, he was not moved in the slightest by the lives or deaths of others.

"By the way, this is the scabbard of the Sword in the Stone. I return it to you today."

Merlin pulled a scabbard from the sword-shaped ornament on his wooden staff and held it out to Leon with both hands.

"The Sword in the Stone is the Sword of Selection; naturally, this scabbard is also of immense value. I pray you cherish it well."

Heh.

You brat, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you?

Leon had the two halves of the Sword in the Stone brought over and, steeling himself, handed them to Merlin. Upon seeing them, Merlin immediately put on an exaggerated expression of regret: "Oh my, oh my, the Sword in the Stone has actually broken. This is the Sword of Selection, what are we to do now~"

Watching Merlin's punchable face, Leon felt the urge to land a blow on him.

Unfortunately, he was in the wrong; the Sword in the Stone had broken in his hands.

Merlin possessed Clairvoyance. Even if he couldn't see Leon, couldn't he see others? He had clearly seen the Sword in the Stone broken in two long ago, yet now he was putting on this act just to mock him.

Leon could also guess that he had pressured Merlin too hard earlier, and now the man was taking his revenge.

Hmph.

He would just have to take it.

"It is just a sword, Merlin. Do you know why it broke?"

What else could it be? The wielder violated the code of chivalry.

Merlin had seen it clearly that day: Leon had agreed to the time of battle set by the enemy, but to stabilize his troops, he had launched a preemptive strike, breaking his word. The Sword in the Stone sensed this and shattered of its own accord.

Hearing Merlin's explanation, Leon was speechless.

Was this sword really that pretentious? It broke over such a trivial matter?

It was just a weapon, a consumable, yet it cared about the code of chivalry.

Insane.

Leon didn't understand, but he was deeply shaken.

"Regardless, it is the Sword of Selection, the symbol of my heaven-ordained legitimacy. Merlin, find a way to repair this sword and return it to me."

Not only did Leon refuse to take the scabbard, but he also handed the two halves of the Sword in the Stone over to Merlin.

"Leave it to me."

After Merlin took the sword, Leon recalled the matter of the marriage alliance mentioned last time.

"What about Morgan? How did she respond?"

Merlin said, "Morgan is, after all, another man's wife. It is difficult for her to speak on this matter; she wishes to discuss it with you in person."

"If it's difficult to speak, then don't. Can't I just lead an army to kill her husband?" Leon realized suddenly.

"That is not what I meant!"

Leon's radical mindset of mobilizing troops at the drop of a hat made Merlin deny it repeatedly.

"Morgan is coming to negotiate terms with you in person."

Merlin led Leon into the palace, into a relatively spacious room.

He even poured tea.

Thrum.

A sound like a spring echoing in a cavern rang out. A thin layer of mist surged from the walls of the room, solidifying against the surface like a mirror, and a blue silhouette appeared, flickering in and out of focus.

Leon held his teacup, witnessing this miraculous scene.

"So you are the Lion King who seeks my hand? Seeing you in person, you are truly imposing."

The figure was curvaceous and tall, stepping gracefully out from the mirror. She wore a black-and-blue dress and a crown, a thin black veil draped over her face. Every gesture she made exuded a bewitching, seductive charm.

The moment she appeared, the unique allure of a mature woman radiated with charisma.

She was beautiful, stunning, and quite well-endowed.