"This isn't an insult, Sir Tristan." Anno spread his hands. "Though it may sound like boasting coming from me, I'm very strong. There are fewer than ten people on the island of Britain who could last three moves against me in a sword fight."
Tristan opened his mouth, but found he had nothing to say.
He couldn't help feeling a little indignant, but had no idea whom to take it out on, so he could only stand there in a daze.
Anno tried to smile kindly. "You heard Merlin just now. What do you think, Sir Tristan?"
Tristan looked at the man who had nearly killed him and was now chatting with him as if nothing had happened. He sighed. "I'll swear my allegiance to King Arthur."
He understood that he couldn't escape. And in their duel just now, he had indeed lost to Anno. It was only right that the victor decide the loser's fate.
"Then we'll be working together from now on. Welcome, Sir Tristan." Anno held out his broad, rough hand.
Tristan took Anno's hand and shook it, his face expressionless.
Merlin glanced at Princess Iseult, who was hiding behind Tristan, and smiled brightly. "Well then, Sir Tristan, see you tomorrow! Try to get to the Royal Court early. Anno and I won't disturb you and this lady any longer."
As he spoke, he tugged Anno by the cloak and hurried away. Before leaving, he shot an amused look at the two figures standing beneath the moonlight.
Iseult's face instantly turned red, but Tristan seemed not to hear Merlin. He stared at the hand he had just shaken with Anno.
"How sad..." he murmured.
Inside the Royal Court.
Guinevere stared at King Arthur's body in disbelief. She couldn't help reaching out to touch the bandages bound around