Frustration (I)

In the face of his adorable sister, who trusted, admired, and loved him, Artorius naturally wanted to display his heroic demeanor.

Even though he had been tricked by Morgan before due to his overconfidence and arrogance, Artorius conveniently omitted that part when recounting his encounter with Morgan to Mordred.

He simply told Mordred that he was very strong and that Morgan, that person, was no match for him at all. Although Morgan had indeed tried to use tricks to harm him, Artorius mercilessly foiled her plans. In the end, Morgan could only plead for mercy while lying on the ground, severely dehydrated.

Taking into account the fact that Morgan was his aunt and still had some usefulness, Artorius spared her life. He warned Morgan that if she ever dared to do bad things again in the future, she would face punishment similar to today's—or rather, even more dreadful punishment.

Morgan tearfully promised Artorius that she would never cause trouble again. Only then did he forgive her and return to reunite with Mordred.

"Oh, so that's how it went! Brother, you're amazing!"

Indeed, Mordred was truly something. She wholeheartedly believed everything Artorius casually said without questioning. He found it amusing.

Initially, Artorius felt a bit embarrassed treating her like that.

But it was truly entertaining to fool Mordred.

After all, his sister was so pure and adorable, like a cute creature from the feline race or rather a lion cub possessing a deadly charm. It was necessary to treat her well, give her headpat, and play with her. Otherwise, it wouldn't do.

Just as Morgan hated, her daughter had completely become Artorius's possession.

"Alright..."

After teasing Mordred, exhaustion appeared on Artorius's face. After all, he had engaged in a vigorous activity with Morgan earlier. Even a dragon had to lower its head and rest for a while.

"Let's go to sleep and rest properly." Letting out a yawn, Artorius carried Mordred to their bedroom. There, he skillfully used the incense he obtained from Rome, rose essential oil expertly blended by the finest mages, to restore their physical and mental strength.

After receiving a massage from her dear brother, Mordred also felt a bit tired. The desire to have Artorius spoil her reduced somewhat. Occasionally, just cuddling with her big brother's arm like this was enough.

Seeing his peaceful sleeping face, akin to that of an angel, was already sufficient.

"My big brother." Mordred smiled and lightly kissed Artorius's cheek. Today was another wonderful day.

===

Meanwhile.

"Still can't find it..."

Inside the office of Camelot, inside the white castle.

Even though it was deep into the night, the King of Knights remained wide awake.

Artoria, possessing the Factor of the Dragon and the Magic Core of the Red Dragon, surpassed ordinary people in physical and mental capabilities. However, at this moment, she still felt exhausted.

They still couldn't find it, the Holy Grail.

No matter how they searched or dispatched the shrewdest and most powerful Knights of the Round Table, they still couldn't find the legendary, all-powerful wish-granting device.

No matter how they crossed plains, scaled mountains, or traversed oceans, the Holy Grail that could save Britain remained unattainable.

Britain's conditions continued to deteriorate.

The temperature was dropping, and the concentration of True Ether was diminishing.

People were starving, and monsters were restless. The kings and nobles of neighboring kingdoms whispered in secrecy. In such circumstances, all she could say to everyone was—"Just hold on a little longer."

Why all of these happened?! What she should do?!

"Artorius..."

With these thoughts in mind, Artoria once again remembered her beloved son. The son who had achieved great military feats in Europe. Her mood grew even worse.

Over the past few years, Artorius had gained a reputation in Europe that surpassed her own, thanks to his agricultural knowledge, which was centuries ahead of the rest of the world, his iron-fisted rule, and his invincible military achievements. Even in Britain, the name of Dragon Prince could now rival that of the King of Knights.

However, this reputation had its pros and cons.

The people ruled by the Dragon Prince adored him, revered him, and feared him. His series of agricultural reforms, such as crop rotation, irrigation systems, storage techniques, and mixed planting methods, along with the promotion of cold and drought-resistant crops, ensured that the people under his rule never went hungry.

His implementation of a system of military ranks, medals, and strict military laws motivated the armies to excel. By combining Germanic customary law with Roman law, revising and compiling them as the 'Artorius Code', implementing a more widespread system of officer selection, establishing schools, and promoting education, he brought prosperity to the Germanic regions under his rule.

However, at the same time, the fear of political enemies, the bloody slaughter and suppression of enemy armies and rebellious nobles, instilled a tremendous sense of fear in people's hearts.

Those who were not ruled by the Dragon Prince were suspicious of him, anticipating him, and fearing him.

The Germanic peoples yearned for the prince's protection while dreading the might of his armies. On one hand, they envied the good life enjoyed by those under his rule, who were also Germanic tribesmen. On the other hand, they trembled in fear as his forces ruthlessly crushed the Germanic enemies on the battlefield.

From the Roman perspective, Artorius was the empire's towering pillar of strength, supporting its golden beams across the sea. It was Artorius who had halted the relentless invasions of Burgundians, Vandals, Goths, Franks, Saxons, and other mad Germanic tribes, thus maintaining the stability of the empire.

However, only the most foolish and ignorant individuals would see Artorius as a loyal servant of the empire, rather than a figure like Dong Taishi or Cao Cao. In every Roman city, one of the classic topics of idle conversation among those with nothing better to do was:

"When will General Artorius become the Emperor?"

"I hope it's today."

Even beggars indulged in such fantasies. When Artorius marched towards Rome, the world would be shaken and transformed. The lines between nobility and commoners would be redrawn. The old order would collapse, and a new order would be reshaped.

This was the greatest and final 'opportunity' of their generation, one that no ambitious individual could afford to miss.

Such was the perception of Artorius by outsiders.

But not by Artoria.

In her eyes, regardless of Artorius's actions and achievements, he was still that sweet child who would clutch onto her cloak and look at her with admiring eyes. He was the person she loved the most in this world, the one who needed her care.

Artoria's level of 'love' for Artorius was only second to her 'nation'.

Yet, the final outcome was that her beloved child had become a terrifying evil dragon who devoured lives.