King Uther's Council

Facing the Knight King of Britain, who had just confessed his intent to march toward a heroic death, Anno nodded heavily.

"As you command, my King!"

Young men, no matter how composed, are creatures easily swayed by emotion.

A look of relief washed over the majestic face of King Uther; this knight of peerless martial prowess might just grant him a sliver of hope for victory.

He patted Anno on the shoulder. "It will be difficult for you to harm Vortigern, for this rat who has stolen the very concept of the British Isles possesses a trait known as 'None but the King of Britain may judge him.' Your primary role is to help me divert his attention—a task that is, of course, perilous."

It was indeed perilous. Based on intelligence gathered from Merlin, although Vortigern possessed the form of a dragon, he did not strictly belong to the dragon kind. Even so, compared to the relatively frail humans, he remained a formidable force that could not be ignored.

However, Anno remained quite confident in his own defensive capabilities.

"Please leave it to me, my King. I will certainly fulfill this mission!" Anno lowered his head and spoke solemnly.

"Good. I am counting on you, Sir Anno," King Uther smiled.

"Please allow me to participate in this operation as well, my King," Sir Ector urged eagerly.

"Patience, Ector," King Uther smiled helplessly. "You have a more important task: to raise my son. You are the knight of the most upright character I have ever known, and I trust that under your tutelage, he will grow into the most noble Knight King!"

Ector looked somewhat disappointed, but he agreed nonetheless.

After King Uther gave the two men a few final instructions, the knights exited the royal tent.

As they parted ways, Ector stopped Anno.

Anno knew what he was going to say.

"You must protect the King!" Ector's face was filled with sorrow, his eyes brimming with tears, his hand gripping Anno's shoulder with great force.

Anno grabbed the older knight's hand, nodded expressionlessly, and declared in a clear voice, "It is my duty!"

Inside the tent, only King Uther and Merlin remained, discussing how to leave a glimmer of hope for Britain.

Merlin spoke, "According to my calculations, Lady Igraine, the wife of the current Duke of Cornwall, is the most suitable vessel to give birth to the destined King."

"A married woman?" King Uther hesitated.

"My King, I merely provide the intelligence." Merlin's meaning was clear; he left the power of choice in Uther's hands.

After weighing his options, King Uther ultimately chose to compromise.

No matter how noble his character, when faced with the interests of the nation, King Uther decided to trample it underfoot, all to secure a chance of survival for Britain.

Of course, no amount of justification could hide the fact that King Uther had been lusting after Igraine all along.

Besides, the current Duke of Cornwall was not exactly an honest man himself.

King Uther's hesitation did not last long.

"Let us act tomorrow night," Merlin smiled, offering no further opinion.

"Very well. After it is done, we will rest for a day, and I will have Ector lead the infantry back to the royal city of Camelot." A blood-red light flickered in King Uther's eyes. "Afterward, I will join the knights to storm the castle and draw out Vortigern."

"You shall retreat with the infantry when the time comes," King Uther added. "I can entrust the character and martial arts of my child to Ector, but for his royal etiquette and knowledge, I must rely on you, Merlin."

Merlin did not decline. "As you command, my King."