Chapter 83
"Hmm... he's a very talented child."
Inside the room, Artoria, with a hint of admiration in her voice, taught Mordred while playing chess with her. The game was completely one-sided, which was understandable, considering Artoria had been playing for over two months; it would be strange if she lost to Mordred.
"You seem to be having a lot of fun too," Lan Ze said with a smile.
"You're mistaken," Artoria said gently, shaking her head. "I was just teaching this child how to play chess."
But I could clearly see you were quite happy... Lan Ze thought to himself.
More than just happy, Artoria's brows visibly relaxed whenever her pieces captured Mordred's pieces.
During this period, she had been losing every time she played chess with Lan Ze, so it was quite a joy for Artoria to finally have a novice to play with.
The two chatted back and forth, and before they knew it, the sky outside had gradually darkened. Just before nightfall, Artoria, looking at Mordred's obedient appearance, suddenly asked:
"May I have your name?"
The little girl, who was pondering her next move, was clearly startled, and then timidly said, "Mordred."
Artoria nodded slightly. "To be able to go toe-to-toe with me, your talent is quite good."
This is probably just a bunch of noobs fighting each other... Lan Ze thought to himself for no reason.
"What's wrong?"
Noticing the subtle look in Lan Ze's eyes, Artoria looked up and smiled, "You seem to have something to say?"
How terrifying, that smile is just too terrifying... Lan Ze immediately felt a chill, shook his head and smiled, "It's nothing... I have nothing to say."
Artoria glanced at Lan Ze, pretending not to realize what he was thinking, and was about to continue playing chess with Mordred when suddenly a series of hurried footsteps came from outside.
A short while later, there was a gentle knock on the door, Lancelot opened it.
"Your Majesty..." he called out, then subconsciously glanced at Lan Ze and Mordred.
Artoria looked at Lan Ze and Mordred with a hint of apology and said, "You two continue playing chess, I'll be back later."
After saying that, she patted Mordred's head, then got up and left the room.
Mordred gazed at Artoria's departing figure, a hint of longing in his eyes.
Only after Artoria's figure had completely disappeared from sight did she turn her gaze away with a sense of loss.
Lan Ze gently stroked Mordred's downcast head and said, "You can come over tomorrow too, and she can teach you chess then."
This wasn't just empty talk; he genuinely intended to do it.
He didn't know if the future was fixed, but in any case, he was still in this country... Maybe he really could change the future?
Thinking of this, Lan Ze couldn't help but gently pat Mordred's head. Looking at the little girl's obedient appearance, his mood instantly improved.
The sun had set sometime earlier, Mordred raised her eyes to gaze at the man. The room was somewhat dim, but in that dimness, Mordred's eyes shone brighter than ever before.
She threw herself into Lan Ze's arms, hugging his neck as if she had fallen into a warm harbor.
Lan Ze opened his arms and hugged the little girl. Looking at his daughter's shy yet adorable face, he couldn't help but smile knowingly.
In the blink of an eye, another week has passed.
After being frightened away by Lan Ze, Vortigern disappeared without a trace. Some speculated that he had left Britain with Britain alien race, while others thought he was still lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike back.
Regardless, Britain, which had been shrouded in the shadow of the dragon, briefly experienced a period of prosperity.
Inside the room, Artoria was playing chess with Mordred.
During this time, Mordred would frequently visit Lan Ze's room, which was clearly with Morgan le Fay's tacit approval. No one knew what the witch was thinking; perhaps she had some kind of conspiracy, or perhaps she was simply overflowing with maternal love under Lan Ze's influence, hoping Mordred could have a better childhood.
"You're progressing quite quickly."
When Artoria saw that Mordred had actually outmaneuvered her, her expression finally became much more serious.
Mordred grinned smugly, glanced at Lan Ze, and chuckled to himself.
During this time, she played chess with Lan Ze quite often, asking him to teach her, hoping to impress Artoria.
Seeing the astonishment on the other person's face, Mordred's face also lit up with undisguised joy.
"Looks like I need to get serious too." Artoria simply smiled calmly, then glanced at Lan Ze and gave him a meaningful look.
Holy crap, is she asking me to secretly teach her chess...? Lan Ze realized what Artoria meant and was speechless.
It's really not right for parents to team up and sabotage their child. Couldn't they just let Xiao Mo win a round...?
Despite his thoughts, Lan Ze secretly used magic to guide Artoria's fingers, helping Artoria continue her game against Mordred until finally, Artoria's rook reached Mordred's "general".
At this moment, King Arthur revealed a mature and sensual smile, cleared his throat, and said, "You've improved quite quickly; perhaps you'll be able to beat me next time."
Mordred's little face showed disappointment, but she quickly raised her head, her face full of admiration, and said, "As expected of King Arthur, you are really amazing!"
"Hmm, it's alright." Artoria nodded indifferently, her expression calm and collected.
This Lily actually has an idol image to maintain... Seeing this, Lan Ze's eye twitched involuntarily.
The two rearranged the chessboard, when Artoria suddenly remembered something and said, "Oh, right, I might have to leave the royal city tomorrow, so I won't be able to play chess with you."
"Are you leaving the city?" Lan Ze asked.
Artoria nodded gently. "King Odogrun has invited the lords to his seventieth birthday celebration, and I must go as well."
King Odogrun? Oh, one of the feudal lords... Lan Ze nodded slightly, indicating his understanding.
"Can I go?" Mordred suddenly looked up and asked.
Artoria was visibly taken aback. She hesitated for a moment, then subconsciously looked down at Mordred, just in time to see the little girl peering at her with her emerald eyes, filled with unease and hope.
After a long silence, Artoria finally nodded gently. "I'll take you with me tomorrow, but remember, don't say anything inappropriate in the venue."
"I understand!" Mordred said obediently and sensibly, then looked at Lan Ze excitedly. She would always confide in Lan Ze about her happy or unhappy things. In her eyes, she only had one Father King, Artoria was actually her mother.
Morgan le Fay was also a mother.
Lan Ze simply smiled gently and said nothing.
He had indeed been acting as a go-between during this period, and he was very pleased that things were progressing so smoothly.
But we can't relax yet... We need to find some time to probe Artoria and see what she thinks of Mordred.
Lan Ze logged out of the game while thinking about these things.
He slowly opened his eyes. The sky was gray. Lan Ze felt something slightly smooth on the back of his hand. He slightly lifted the blanket and saw the blonde girl curled up in the blanket like a cat, sleeping soundly.
"Did Ishtar sneak in again last night?"
Lan Ze yawned lazily, already somewhat used to it.
During this period, whenever Ereshkigal "logged off," Ishtar would immediately "log back on," and then secretly slip into Lan Ze's room without telling Sajyou Manaka.
Although Ishtar couldn't Black Mud block out the alarm from the Magic Barrier at the door like Tiamat did, she simply didn't use the main entrance.
Yes, Ishtar usually came in through the window in the middle of the night; no normal person would ever think of such a thing.
Lan Ze slightly pulled himself out of his thoughts and couldn't help but glance down at Ereshkigal a couple more times.
Actually, if you look closely... the Goddess of the Underworld is quite something.
That day, due to the effects of the Magic Potion, Lan Ze didn't have a chance to appreciate it properly, but after taking a closer look now, he realized that Ereshkigal's development seemed to be the normal figure that a young girl should have.
The kind of Aika Mother of All's is too exaggerated, and the kind like Ai Ge's... is also too exaggerated. On the contrary, someone like Ereshkigal seems just right...
"Lan Ze, you are a decent person, never take advantage of others in their time of need!" Lan Ze reminded himself in his heart, and then looked away.
"But they attacked me first without any sportsmanship..." Lan Ze's gaze immediately returned to the sleeping girl.
He pondered for a moment, then leaned closer, wanting to observe Ereshkigal's face more closely.
Just then, the Goddess of the Underworld seemed to sense something and suddenly opened her eyes.
After their eyes met for a moment, Ereshkigal's mouth opened slightly, almost letting out a cry of surprise, but fortunately she reacted quickly and immediately covered her mouth, suppressing the gasp that almost escaped her lips.
Under Lan Ze's gaze, Ereshkigal instinctively shrank back, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she stammered, "W-what are you doing?!"
"I want to kiss you," Lan Ze said earnestly.
"Eh?!" Ereshkigal's cheeks flushed red, and she stammered, "Do you... do you know who you're talking to?"
"I am the Goddess of the Underworld. Although I am no longer in the age of gods, I am not someone you can bully at will."
"Can I kiss you?" Lan Ze asked.
"Hmm... I already said I'm not someone you can bully... but if it's just a kiss... okay?"
After stammering for a while, she quietly closed her eyes as if in resignation.
Then, the Goddess of the Underworld slightly raised her head. Although it wasn't the first time she had slept in the same bed with Lan Ze, the girl's face was still as red as an apple. Her look of being at his mercy made Lan Ze's previously dazed mind clear up considerably.
Lan Ze gently embraced Ereshkigal's slender waist, and while savoring the unique, faint fragrance emanating from the girl, he leaned forward slightly and kissed her lips.
Ereshkigal's long eyelashes trembled slightly, but she offered no resistance.
After a long while, their lips parted, and Ereshkigal opened her eyes, glaring at Lan Ze with shame and indignation. "Didn't we agree it was just a kiss? What were your hands doing just now?!"
"It was just a light touch. I promise there won't be any further action. You can rest assured," Lan Ze assured him confidently.
"Hmph... what a liar." Ereshkigal was both ashamed and annoyed. She glared at Lan Ze, but then quietly closed her eyes.
After a while, she couldn't help but open her eyes and glance at the boy beside her who was actually lying obediently on the bed doing nothing. She became even angrier.
She stared at Lan Ze's profile, hesitated for a moment, then mustered her courage and gently took the boy's hand in her small one.
"I just thought about it, and considering how well you've always been, as a special reward..." Ereshkigal paused, her voice barely a whisper as she spoke:
"Until dawn... do as you please."
In the Oudegrun City, beside its tall and majestic city walls, stands a five-story watchtower. From here, one can look down to the ground and even detect attacks from extremely distant locations.
Vortigern grabbed the Alderan soldier by the throat with one hand, lifted him up, and amidst the soldier's terrified screams, a cold smile appeared on his face.
"There's no need to be so alarmed. Your death was already certain the moment you stepped into this building. You should have been prepared for it long ago."
He carried the soldier to the front of the tall building, looked down at the ground below, and threw the soldier out like trash.
Vortigern walked back into the hall without looking back. Just then, he heard a soldier's anxious voice behind him.
"Report--"
The soldier strode into the building, knelt on one knee before Vortigern, and held in his hand an exquisitely carved black wooden board.
Vortigern reached out, and the black wooden board flew into his hand. He extracted the information from it into his mind.
Then, he clenched his fist slightly.
The wooden plank quietly turned into powder and drifted from his palm. Vortigern turned his head and gazed in a certain direction, the direction of Camelot.
"My niece has finally arrived! It wasn't for nothing that I waited here for so long."
"That person is King Arthur, after all. It's better to be careful, Master."
A soft voice came from the side, responding to Vortigern's words.
"King Arthur?" Vortigern chuckled, raising his hand slightly. A cold smile flickered in his cloudy eyes as he looked at the soldiers before him and said, "Pass down the order: surround the Oudegrun City before nightfall."
"Slaughter all the people in the city, whether they resist or not. The magic I expended in conquering Alderan these past few days will be replenished with the lifeblood of those people."
The soldier hesitated visibly, instinctively looking up at Vortigern, but lowered his head under that imposing gaze and whispered, "... Yes."
"Master, doing this might have a huge impact on your future rule over Britain," the voice gently reminded him after the soldiers had left.
"As long as we have enough power, what does it matter if the people have objections?" Vortigern, then smiled coldly.
"Besides, by the time I rule Britain, no one will know about this."
"So you mean you're planning to take all the soldiers who follow you along...?"
"No matter what, I am Britain. How could I possibly allow these foreign tribes to occupy Britain?" Vortigern said slowly. "After we use their troops to conquer Camelot, it will be time to settle accounts with them."
Vortigern was originally the brother of Britain, the previous king of King Uther. However, after leaving on his own, he became the king of a foreign tribe. He used bait, claiming that after conquering Britain, he would give the foreign tribe land and food, but all of this was a lie, all for his own ambition.
"Aren't you worried about the power of that Holy Lance?" The voice hesitated noticeably.
"The Holy Lance?" Vortigern sneered.
"If King Arthur could truly wield the Holy Lance, would he need to be so wary of me?"