Morgan

Crazy!

Tyrannical!

Just because things don't go your way, you're going to kill people?

Three families today, two tomorrow... if this keeps up, there won't be anyone left in Camelot.

You really are an alien creature, devoid of feeling and humanity!

Hearing Leon's words, Merlin hurriedly tried to dissuade him. "My king, please calm your anger. They are all your subjects. They pay taxes to you and fight your wars. How can you slaughter them so wantonly, without reason?"

Heh, you're actually worried.

Seeing Merlin's vehement reaction, Leon was secretly pleased. He'd only been testing him, but Merlin had taken the bait.

Wasn't Merlin supposed to be an Incubus hybrid with no emotions? It seemed he had plenty of humanity after all.

"Since they are my subjects, isn't it only right that they die for me?"

"—"

Merlin's breath caught. In that moment, he saw Leon's true nature more clearly than ever!

He was a terrifying beast who cared only about himself!

Before Merlin could argue, Leon continued, "How can you say there's no reason? These people... intend to rebel and don't care what happens to the country! Alas, Britain finally has a king, and I've brought stability to the land. For the peace and safety of the country and its people, I have no choice but to strike these rebels early and crush the uprising before it can take root."

"Merlin, would you say that's a good enough explanation?"

As if!

Merlin couldn't believe Leon was so shameless, twisting black and white. He'd just sunk to a new low in human morality.

At first, Merlin had seen through Leon's bluff. But as Leon went on, Merlin suddenly realized that Leon wasn't merely testing him. He meant it.

If Merlin hadn't released Artoria, this lion really would have turned on his own subjects.

For once, Merlin's smile vanished.

"Lion King, you win. I'll bring Arthur before you."

"See? That wasn't so hard," Leon said with a smile. "You don't need to bring Arthur to me. Just let her be free."

"Thank you very much. I didn't expect that, beyond being despicable and shameless, you'd also possess such kingly magnanimity."

Leon ignored Merlin's remark. Seeing the false smile on his face only made his own grow wider.

"Don't thank me just yet. I still have to call you to account over this, Merlin. You owe me an apology."

"?"

You're pushing it now. Are you going to keep this up forever?

Merlin's expression froze for a moment, then returned to normal.

"Sorry, but what did I do to anger you, my king?"

"Merlin, ever since you acknowledged my claim to the throne, I've felt an instant kinship with you and considered you a friend. But you hiding Arthur from me hurt me deeply."

Leon let out a soft sigh and put on a wounded expression.

"What did I do to make you disrespect me so much? You don't trust me, and you look down on me. You never treated me as a friend. You wouldn't even look me in the eye."

The look on Leon's face was so fake that anyone could see through it. His shameless, affected display seemed especially crude to Merlin.

Still, Merlin had to admit Leon was right.

He really had never looked Leon in the eye. He hadn't before, and likely never would.

He had always regarded Leon as a being that merely resembled a human.

"Yes, yes. I'm sorry. It was my fault. Please be merciful and forgive me, my king."

Leon could tell from Merlin's expression that the scoundrel was probably cursing him inwardly, but he still nodded in satisfaction.

It was just a simple obedience test, with a little pressure thrown in. Now that Merlin had admitted fault, that was enough.

"Good. We're friends, so naturally we should be honest with each other."

"Then what about your previous order...?"

"Though changing orders overnight is a grave mistake, I can make an exception for you."

Leon turned to Luther. "Father, pick out those two or three families from today. After that, there's no need to keep killing."

"Yes," Luther replied.

Merlin grew anxious. "Why are those people still going to be killed today?"

"That has nothing to do with you. I'd already planned to pick a few examples to make the city think twice."

Leon's answer left Merlin speechless. He knew he had no cards left to play and couldn't persuade Leon. Those families were doomed.

Fortunately, Merlin had no feelings. He might have objected to Leon killing people so freely, but that was from a rational, national perspective. In truth, other people's lives and deaths didn't move him at all.

"By the way, here's the scabbard for the Sword in the Stone. I'm returning it to you today."

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

"The Sword in the Stone is the Sword of Selection, so its scabbard is naturally priceless as well. Please take good care of it."

Heh.

You're picking a fight on purpose, aren't you?

Leon had someone fetch the two halves of the Sword in the Stone, then handed them to Merlin, forcing himself to do it. Merlin took one look and immediately put on an exaggeratedly regretful expression. "Oh dear, the Sword in the Stone has broken in two! It's the Sword of Selection, no less. What are we going to do now?"

Seeing Merlin's irritating expression, Leon wanted nothing more than to punch him.

Unfortunately, Leon was in the wrong. The Sword in the Stone had broken while in his hands.

Merlin had Clairvoyance. Even if he couldn't see Leon, he could see everyone else. He'd known the sword was broken in two all along, yet now he was putting on this act to mock him.

Leon could guess that he'd pushed Merlin too hard just now, and now Merlin was getting his revenge.

Hmph.

He'd just have to put up with it.

"It's only a sword. Merlin, do you know why it broke?"

Why else? The wielder had violated the spirit of chivalry.

Merlin had seen it clearly that day. Leon had agreed to the enemy's proposed time for battle, but then attacked early to stabilize his army's morale, breaking his promise. The Sword in the Stone had sensed this and broken of its own accord.

After hearing Merlin's explanation, Leon was speechless too.

What a fussy sword. It broke over such a small thing?

It was just a weapon, a consumable, and it still cared about chivalry.

What a ridiculous thing.

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

"Still, it's the Sword of Selection, a symbol of my rightful claim to the throne. Merlin, find a way to repair it, then give it back to me."

Leon not only refused to take the scabbard; he handed the two halves of the Sword in the Stone to Merlin as well.

"Leave it to me."

Once Merlin had taken the sword, Leon remembered the marriage alliance they'd discussed last time.

"How are things with Morgan? What was her answer?"

Merlin said, "Morgan is someone else's wife, after all. She can't discuss this easily. She wants to speak with you in person."

"If she can't discuss it, then I'll raise an army and get rid of her husband," Leon said, suddenly understanding.

"That's not what I meant!"

Leon's aggressive tendency to send troops at the drop of a hat made Merlin hastily deny it.

"Morgan wants to come here and negotiate with you in person."

Merlin led Leon into the palace, to a fairly spacious room.

He even had tea made.

Dong.

A springlike chime rang out. A thin veil of mist flowed from the walls, gathering over their surface like a mirror. A blue silhouette appeared within it, indistinct and wavering.

Holding his teacup, Leon watched the wondrous scene.

"So you're the Lion King who wants to marry me. Seeing you in person, you really are tall."

The figure was curvaceous and graceful. She stepped out of the mirror in an elegant stride, wearing a black-and-blue dress and a crown, with a thin black veil hanging over her face. Every gesture radiated bewitching allure.

The moment she appeared, she exuded the unique charm of a mature woman.

Very beautiful, very lovely, and very busty.