Even in an age when communication across Britain was so underdeveloped, news of the Saxons' defeat quickly spread throughout the land. Countless people were shocked—shocked by your strength. Starting with five hundred knights and growing to five thousand, you had driven back the Saxons, who had occupied northern Britain for years, in little more than a year. No one could believe it.
However, news that the Eternal Victory White Knight Order had been completely wiped out by Vortigern's army spread alongside the news of the Saxons' retreat, reaching the people of Britain as well.
You seemed unconcerned by it, but those who knew you well understood that you had simply buried your emotions deep inside.
After the Saxons retreated, you remained in the north for another seven days before preparing to return to Camelot.
When you returned to Camelot, you discovered that people had long been waiting for your triumphant return.
The gates of Camelot were packed with people waiting specifically for you. The moment they saw you, deafening cheers erupted, and countless voices called your name.
As you looked at the people and knights welcoming you at Camelot's gates, the face that had not shown the slightest expression over the past seven days finally revealed a faint smile. In the middle of the crowd, several dozen figures on white horses, clad in silver armor and cloaks, had been waiting for a long time.
At their head stood a familiar figure.
The moment you saw her, you dismounted without hesitation and dropped to one knee.
"Welcome back, my knight," she murmured as she looked at you.
"My king, I have not failed your trust!" you replied.
"I have prepared a victory banquet for you. Come."
You answered, then mounted your horse and followed Arthur and the knights behind her into Camelot. The surrounding citizens were full of admiration and praise for you. Looking at the Camelot before you, you remembered that when it had first been established, it had been nowhere near as splendid as this.
Compared with the present, it had been like heaven and earth. There was not a trace of sorrow on the citizens' faces; they were carefree and happy. You recognized the knights behind Arthur as well—they were your colleagues, members of the Knights of the Round Table.
Arthur had arranged such a grand welcome for you, leaving you somewhat flattered. At the same time, you were astonished by her capabilities. In little more than a year, she had developed Camelot into what it was now. At that moment, you felt that your choice had not been wrong.
That night, at your victory banquet, everyone tacitly avoided mentioning your White Knights or Vortigern. You also met quite a few people during the celebration.
There was Gawain, known as the Sun Knight; Tristan, the Sorrow Knight; Gareth, Fair Hands; Iron Agravain; Lancelot, the Knight of the Lake; Percival, Knight Percival; Galahad, the Holy Grail Knight; Mordred; and Knight Lamorack, among others.
While chatting with Mordred, you could sense an inexplicable affinity from him.
Since you were the guest of honor at the banquet, most people gathered around you. Yet as you watched Arthur and Queen Guinevere, you could not help feeling that something was off. The two seemed somewhat distant, yet they also appeared so intimate that it did not seem to be the case.
You drank heartily with the many knights and freely shared stories of your own adventures. Before long, everyone had become familiar and mingled easily at the banquet.
Only Arthur remained deep in thought throughout the feast, seeming out of place amid the lively surroundings. You took note of it.
The next day, you woke up groggily and found yourself lying in bed without knowing when you had gotten there. The room was a mess, with disorder everywhere. You were puzzled and could not remember how you had arrived. It seemed someone had helped you back.
You had not expected to black out from drinking and end up like this. All you could do was warn yourself to drink less in the future.
Just as you finished tidying the room and getting yourself in order, word came that Arthur was summoning the Knights of the Round Table. You rushed over without delay.
By the time you arrived, quite a few Knights of the Round Table were already standing solemnly around a round table, while more knights were still hurrying over.
You stepped forward as well, but as you did, you clearly noticed Arthur glance at you before looking away again.
Soon, the Knights of the Round Table had gathered together. Merlin stood beside Arthur.
Once all the knights had arrived, Arthur immediately convened the Round Table Conference.
"Knights, I have summoned you this time because the final battle before we unify Britain is about to begin on this island!" Arthur declared.
As soon as Arthur spoke, the expressions of many Knights of the Round Table changed.
Merlin, standing beside Arthur, offered an explanation at the appropriate moment.
"Just yesterday, Vortigern, who had remained still for so long, suddenly launched an attack on us for reasons unknown. This undoubtedly means that the battle between Vortigern and us has begun. Britain's final war is about to be fought! We must strike back swiftly and formulate a plan to deal with Vortigern!"
You had not expected Vortigern to start the war now. In the days to come, who knew how many people would be displaced, their homes destroyed and families torn apart? You sighed inwardly, knowing these things were inevitable. Unless this war could be crushed with absolute strength, there was no avoiding them.
Very quickly, you began discussing how to deal with Vortigern. You also offered suggestions and ideas when appropriate, and your proposals were accepted as well.
Soon, the Knights of the Round Table had all received their respective assignments. Only you and Mordred remained without tasks. Once only the two of you were left, Arthur finally revealed your mission.
Mordred was to serve as your adjutant, and you were given three thousand knights as reinforcements. Wherever the lines could no longer hold, you were to go support them without needing to wait for Arthur's orders.
You were not surprised in the slightest, as you had long anticipated that there would be a reserve force. But you had not expected Arthur to assign you and Mordred to serve as reinforcements, nor had you expected her to send out most of Camelot's forces with her as she personally led the campaign.
Even Merlin, standing nearby, unusually did not advise Arthur against it. You felt that Arthur personally going into battle was somewhat inappropriate and wanted to dissuade her, but Merlin, as if he could see through your thoughts every time, drove you and Mordred away before you could speak, giving you no chance to offer counsel. (Merlin's favorability -1000)
After leaving, you began to sense that something was off about Merlin. In your perception, Merlin always wore that smiling expression, as though everything was within his expectations. It made you deeply uneasy, because over the years, through certain information and his identity, you had learned that Merlin's personality was somewhat malicious.
You wanted to tell Arthur, but then thought that even if you did, it might not catch her attention. Merlin might even brush it aside by making a big matter small and a small matter disappear, so you abandoned the idea. You decided to speak with her later when Merlin was not paying attention.