Marriage Alliance

The Magecraft on the sword is still there?

Merlin took one look and understood. The Lion hadn't drawn the Sword in the Stone because he was worthy of it; he'd ripped it free through sheer brute strength.

But was that even possible?

He and the Fairies had placed the Magecraft on the sword, and it was connected to the ley lines. How could anyone pull it out with nothing but flesh and blood? It was like lifting the ley lines, along with Merlin's and the Fairies' Authority, all at once.

Was this even human?

Even a god couldn't do something like that so easily.

Thank goodness we didn't fight...

Now that he'd seen Leon's strength, Merlin couldn't help comparing it to his own. If they'd clashed, Merlin himself was only a familiar, and his death would have meant little—but Artoria and Kay would have been in trouble.

Forget the familiar; even if Merlin's true body had come, he couldn't have protected Kay and Artoria. They'd be lucky to leave with their bodies intact if the other side showed them mercy.

Fortunately, the Lion hadn't wanted to kill them.

Merlin's expression barely changed, but it didn't escape Leon's notice. A moment's thought was enough for him to guess what Merlin had been thinking.

He still had a use for Artoria. This wasn't the time to eliminate her.

"I'm no delicate little girl. I've got plenty of strength and tricks up my sleeve. This sword's a little too heavy for me to fight with. If you can undo the spell on it, I'll gladly be your friend for life."

"It would be my pleasure to serve you."

Merlin took a step back and flourished the staff in his hand, spinning and twirling it in an elaborate display. Only after all that did he gently tap the Sword in the Stone.

Does he really have to put on such a show?

At Merlin's touch, the sword gave a crisp pop, like a bursting bubble. Leon immediately felt it grow much lighter in his hand.

He swung it twice through the air. It was definitely much lighter now.

So light that it felt awkward to hold, almost weightless—and even less suited to battle.

First it had been too heavy, and now it was too light...

Never mind. He hadn't planned to fight with it anyway. It was just a decoration, a symbol of his legitimate claim to the throne. To him, its symbolic meaning mattered more than its practical use.

Watching Merlin handle the task so effortlessly, Leon couldn't help reflecting that this half-human really was a Grand candidate. He certainly had a few tricks up his sleeve.

Good thing I didn't pick a fight with him when we first met.

Leon was relieved. Thanks to Merlin's good sense and cooperative attitude, they could resolve things peacefully without resorting to force.

In truth, Merlin wasn't the only one intimidated by Leon. Leon was wary of Merlin, too.

Leon didn't understand Magecraft, but he knew this lot all too well.

Magecraft had all kinds of unpredictable tricks. Who knew how many trump cards these old bastards had up their sleeves? They might catch him off guard at any moment.

Besides, Merlin was a Grand...

Getting along peacefully was best for everyone.

"Merlin, from this day on, you're my friend. I'll treat you with the respect you deserve."

"It's an honor."

Merlin smiled. At Leon's words, he complained inwardly, Being friends with you, you wild beast, is the most dangerous thing of all. One slip, and I might end up as your next meal!

He'd never met a beast that could promise it would never bite.

"Merlin, there's something I'd like you to do for me. Pass a message on to the people at court."

Here it comes.

Merlin knew this Lion would never be satisfied.

Leon said, "I heard that the former King of Camelot, King Uther, still has descendants. I want to marry into King Uther's bloodline and have legitimate children."

Merlin understood. So that was why Leon had suddenly grown so merciful. He'd learned Artoria's identity and still hadn't eliminated her because he'd been waiting for this opportunity.

At that moment, even though Merlin knew he had no feelings, Leon's proposal still filled him with genuine displeasure.

As her teacher, he'd taught Artoria for so many years. His little cabbage, whom he'd raised for ages, was about to be gobbled up by a pig—and now that pig dared to say it right to his face. Did Leon really think Merlin couldn't lift a sword? If circumstances allowed, Merlin would gladly have taken his staff and beaten him to death.

Merlin could hear Kay behind him fuming at Leon's words, breathing hard. If Artoria hadn't still had enough sense to hold him back, Kay would probably have charged forward and started a fight.

Leon returned to his seat and looked at Artoria, smiling with narrowed eyes. "I remember that one of King Uther's descendants was a princess named Morgan, who later married the king of Scotland... I want to take Morgan as my wife."

The entire room fell silent.

Kay stopped fidgeting. Artoria's eyes widened. Merlin looked perplexed.

Leon also noticed his father and the assembled lordly knights beside him wearing expressions of hesitation.

"What? Do you have a problem with my decision?"

"No, no!"

The knights looked conflicted, but they could only shake their heads repeatedly under Leon's questioning. Relying on his close relationship with Leon, Luther leaned in and quietly advised him, "My king, Morgan is already married. And I've heard that woman's no good."

"My mind's made up."

Seeing his son's stubborn expression, Luther realized Leon had his reasons and had already made up his mind, so he said no more.

"Is that all right, Merlin?"

Leon looked at the three of them. Kay wore an odd expression, while Artoria blinked at him with the look one might give a simpleton.

Merlin's shoulders shook. He lowered his head to hide his expression from Leon. "No problem~ I'll be sure to pass the message on to the court."

"Good."

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

Leon didn't care how the others reacted. As the ruler of a kingdom, he naturally had Cao Cao's ambitions.

He liked them big.

So what if I like wicked, villainous women?

He had two reasons for marrying Morgan. First, the marriage would further strengthen his claim to the throne and reassure the former King Uther's remaining loyalists. Second, it was for his own feelings. In his previous life, he'd spent money on two ten-pulls without getting her. Now that he had the chance to make up for it, Leon wasn't going to let it slip away.

Besides, he remembered that Morgan was skilled in artificial life technology. As it happened, he had a secret plan in mind...

"I'm king now, but I haven't been on the throne long, and I'm short on capable people. The two behind you seem quite impressive. Why not put them under my command and have them fight by my side? They could earn themselves a fine future that way," Leon said to Merlin.

Looking at Kay and Artoria, he still remembered their odd expressions from a moment ago.

Besides, Artoria was of King Uther's bloodline... Leon couldn't bring himself to kill her, but he didn't trust her enough to let her go. After turning it over in his mind, he decided he'd feel safest if she stayed where he could keep an eye on her.

"Arthur is too young and still needs to mature. Why not let him train for a few more years and have Kay serve under you for now? What do you think?" Merlin replied with a smile.

Kay stepped forward as Merlin suggested and knelt before Leon.

Sacrificing the rook to save the king?

Leon recalled how Kay had protected Artoria and grown furious on her behalf just moments ago. He was clearly a doting older brother. Artoria had also held Kay back, showing how much she cared about him...

"Fine."

Keeping Kay by his side would also give him some leverage over Artoria.

From Leon's scant knowledge of Luna, Arthur's foster brother Kay was a brave warrior too. And Leon had always liked heroes.

He'd let Artoria off the hook as a favor to his new friend Merlin—and to win Kay's loyalty.

Besides, Artoria couldn't escape his grasp anyway.

Leon walked up to Kay, followed closely by the church priest.

He crouched down and asked solemnly, "Kay, as a knight, are you willing to swear your loyalty to me?"

"I offer this sword and my very life to my lord. I will obey the king's commands, in life and in death." Kay's vow was resolute and solemn.

"Feeding yourself to the tiger?" Leon asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I will serve the king with all my heart and soul."

With the priest as witness, Leon accepted Kay's oath of fealty.

Seeing that everything was settled, Merlin asked permission to take his leave. "Lion King, if there's nothing else, please allow the two of us to leave and return to Camelot to spread your decree."

"Merlin, I look forward to seeing you again." Leon gave the Sword in the Stone in his hand a shake. "Remember to bring the scabbard next time."

"Do look forward to it."

Merlin smiled insincerely and waved his staff. Countless petals filled the room, red and pink, swirling through the air without a breeze and forming a curtain that concealed him and Artoria.

"Bye-bye~"

When the petals settled, the two of them were gone.