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IBHJ Chapter 145
🕑 Added 2023-03-10 23:10:23 +0000 UTCAfter regaining his bearings, Shirou faced Morgan's questioning with a calm smile and replied, "Dear sister, this question can only be answered by God, for our appearance is not something we can control."
Morgan laughed while covering her mouth, displaying her elegance. "That's true."
Just then, Artoria approached them, and her blue eyes fell on Morgan's face, which was strikingly similar to her own, causing her to freeze in surprise.
Shirou quickly cleared his throat and took Artoria's slender arm before she could ask anything. He introduced Morgan first, saying, "Artoria, this is our sister, Morgan le Fay."
Upon hearing this, Artoria felt her heart tighten. She had heard about her sister, who had inherited the power of the island, several times from Ector and Merlin. Why did she seek an audience with the king now? Could it be that she had seen through Guinevere's true identity? Artoria felt a bit nervous and put on a stern expression as she greeted Morgan, "Hello...sister."
Morgan thought to herself, 'What an impolite child.' Her first impression of Artoria wasn't great, but since she was still a member of the Pendragon family, Morgan replied blandly, "Hello, my dear sister...By the way, what's your name?"
"I...I am Artoria Pendragon," she replied stiffly.
"Artoria...a nice name," Morgan nodded in agreement before asking, "By the way, why do you refer to Arthur as King? Doesn't that create a sense of distance?"
Artoria didn't know how to answer. In her fifteen years of education, Merlin had taught her many things, but he had never taught her how to fool people!
Afraid that Artoria might give herself away, Shirou smoothly took over the conversation with a smile, "Actually, Artie now considers herself a knight under my name, so she calls me her king...speaking of which, Gareth has also become a Squire of Gawain. According to the rules, Gareth should also refer to Gawain as sir or lord, shouldn't she?"
He skillfully shifted the topic, and it worked wonderfully as Morgan's gaze immediately turned to her son.
Gawain felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead.
Shirou thought to himself, 'Sorry, Gawain, but you have to be the scapegoat this time!' He continued to ask, "By the way, I didn't see Gareth just now. Where is she?"
Gawain's forehead began to sweat even more profusely, and his gaze instinctively turned towards the carriage.
Morgan cleared her throat and drew everyone's attention. She flashed a graceful smile and said, "As for Gareth, she still needs to review some magecraft lessons at the hotel, so she hasn't come over."
Shirou nodded knowingly, but he didn't believe it at all. He had noticed Gawain's gaze shifting towards the carriage, indicating that Gareth was likely inside. However, he knew that their family matters were not his concern, and the important thing was that the topic had been successfully shifted.
Artoria also breathed a sigh of relief. Lying and deceiving didn't come naturally to her, and while she didn't stop Shirou and thought he was doing the right thing, she knew that she couldn't have done it herself!
Shirou asked calmly, "By the way, why are you here, sister?"
"My dear little brother is about to ascend the throne and become a king. How could I, as his elder sister, not come to celebrate with other nobles from different kingdoms?" Morgan replied with a smile.
He was moved to tears and said, "You are so kind, my dear sister."
Morgan was pleased with Shirou's response and replied, "I'm glad you think so, Arthur."
"Well, it's getting late, and I have some things to take care of. Let's say goodbye, my dear little brother," Morgan said as she stood up. She paused for a moment and looked at Shirou before adding, "Oh, I almost forgot. I'm hosting a ball in the castle tonight, and all the nobles from various countries who have come here are invited. You should come too, Arthur."
Gawain coughed on the side. Without missing a beat, she added, "Of course, and my sister, Artoria too," Morgan looked at Artoria with an elegant smile.
"I...I won't..." Artoria was about to refuse, but Shirou grabbed her arm and smiled at Morgan, nodding. "Of course, my dear sister."
Morgan and Gawain left happily.
After watching Morgan depart, Artoria hesitated before turning to Shirou and asking, "My king, must I attend the ball as well?"
"Of course," Shirou replied firmly, "We cannot afford to raise any suspicions from Morgan."
"But... as a knight, I fear I may embarrass you," she admitted with a troubled expression.
"Part of being a king is knowing how to socialize," He said with a reassuring smile.
"I see...I understand," she nodded, still looking uneasy.
...
Morgan departed with grace, her movements light and elegant, exuding a noble and refined demeanor. A serene smile graced her lips, fully showcasing her aristocratic temperament.
"Did I say something wrong, Gawain?" Morgan asked softly.
"Everything was fine, Mother, except for forgetting to invite Artoria."
"I'm glad to hear that," Morgan hesitated for a moment before continuing, "But did I behave impolitely in any way?"
"Other than being a bit distant towards Artoria, everything was fine, Mother."
"So that means my demeanor and behavior towards my brother were impeccable, right?"
"Yes, but do not forget to also pay attention to your daughter," Gawain advised.
Morgan's expression darkened as she glared at him. "You should be the one looking out for your sister! Make sure she doesn't entertain any delusions of becoming a knight!"
Gawain smiled awkwardly.
Morgan made her way back to the carriage with Gaheris's assistance and stepped inside. As soon as she entered, she snapped her fingers, and her illusion immediately vanished.
The elegant smile she had been wearing just moments before disappeared along with her bright demeanor, replaced instead by a dark and gloomy aura.
After dispelling the illusion, Morgan's bright yellow dress vanished, replaced by a blue-black magical garment.
Morgan settled into her seat, and behind her, there appeared to be nothing. But as she was about to sit down, liquid mithril surged up from the ground, shaping itself into a magnificent mithril throne for her to recline upon.
Seated upon the liquid metal throne, Morgan cast a cold and aggressive gaze upon the trembling girl beside her. She pursed her lips and addressed Gareth, "Is there something you wish to confess?"
Trembling with fear, Gareth gathered her courage and gritted her teeth. "M-Mother, I..."
Morgan fixed her gaze on her, lightly tapping her fingers on the armrest of the silver throne - tap, tap - the sound echoing like a hammer pounding on Gareth's heart. In an instant, she lost her courage.
"N-Nothing," Gareth replied, bowing her head.
Morgan's lips curled into a smile. "Good girl."
...
Despite the unexpected encounter with Morgan, Shirou remained a person with a strong sense of planning and continued on his way to the military camp, adhering to his own schedule. However, he chanced upon Artoria along the way, and this time, she decided to follow him to the camp.
As Shirou walked around the military camp, he greeted the leaders he already knew, and they all smiled and returned his greeting.
With his sinister intentions, he purposely mixed the armies of various kingdoms together when he assumed the role of Allied Forces Commander to prevent conflicts.
This strategy allowed him to easily recall the names and faces of the officers throughout the entire army. At first, Shirou believed that his intentions would be easily recognized by others. However, to his surprise, no one had yet figured out his scheme. Everything was proceeding too smoothly!
Following behind Shirou, Artoria held onto Caliburn as she observed the scene with longing. She believed that an ideal king should be able to command respect from his people with ease, just as Shirou did. However, she knew that she could never achieve this level of competence. The memory of her failed dream world still cast a lingering psychological shadow upon her.
As Shirou toured the military camp, Bedivere hurriedly approached him. "What's the matter, Sir Bedivere?" He asked curiously, regarding the knight with interest.
Before Bedivere could answer, a slightly older young man who stood behind him spoke up, "You're Arthur, correct?"
Shirou turned his attention to the stranger and asked, "And you are...?"
Bedivere introduced his brother, saying, "Your Excellency Arthur, this is my brother Sir Lucan."
"Ah, so you are Sir Lucan," Shirou said, recognizing the knight. Lucan was also a member of the Knights of the Round Table, but he did not hold the same rank as Bedivere, who was one of the Twelve Knights of the Round Table. Instead, Lucan was simply an ordinary member of the Round Table.
In fact, the Knights of the Round Table were not limited to the twelve knights, which included Lancelot. In total, there were 150 members of the Round Table, all of whom were King Arthur's closest subordinates. These knights came from different countries, classes, and even beliefs, forming a diverse group of loyal followers.
From a certain perspective, the Round Table conference can also be regarded as a highly distorted form of democratic centralism.
Although all the knights of the Round Table were considered equal partners, they often formed factions and engaged in disputes, supporting the knights they admired while attacking others.
Among the knights, the Twelve Knights of the Round Table led by Lancelot held the highest prestige, were most admired by their peers, and also comprised the strongest group of knights in the Round Table.
Lucan was one of the Knights of the Round Table and also served as King Arthur's chef, cupbearer, and royal steward who managed the royal court with Kay and Bedivere.
"Do you have any business with me, Sir Lucan?"
"I have been sent by Sir Ywain to escort you to Camelot, Your Excellency Arthur," Lucan replied respectfully.
Shirou smiled. "It seems that news of my arrival in Caerleon has already reached Camelot."
"Actually, Sir Ywain received news of your arrival on the first day you entered Caerleon Castle. However, as you were staying there for several days, he did not come to greet you."
"I see," He remarked, rubbing his chin. Being one of the three pillars supporting Camelot for a decade, it was likely that his movement had always been under Ywain's radar.
He looked at Lucan and couldn't help but smile. "Sir Ywain must have been working hard these days, hasn't he?"
Lucan nodded in agreement. "Yes. After you drew Caliburn, envoys from various countries and lords have been arriving in Camelot one after another. However, as you were not present, this..."
"I know," Shirou interrupted. He then asked, "But could you wait for me for a day? My dear sister, Morgan, and I have a ball to attend tonight, and we cannot be absent."
"As you wish," Lucan agreed.
Shirou nodded as Lucan and Bedivere departed.
As he watched Lucan disappear from view, Shirou rubbed his chin, his eyes flickering with a thoughtful expression.
"What's on your mind, my King?" Artoria asked.
"It's nothing. Let us prepare for the ball tonight," He replied with a smile. "We cannot afford to show any flaws in front of Morgan."
"Understood," she replied, her face serious, resembling a warrior preparing for battle.
"Relax, Artie. It's just a social event, not a war," He reassured her.
"Yes, of course," she replied, her face still tense.
