Chapter 112: The Evaluation of Camelot (rewrite)

The Evaluation of Camelot

Lott picked up a document and, as he worked, his thoughts wandered. Morgan, who was nearby, could hear his inner monologue and glanced at him with a mix of concern and contemplation.

Lott's thoughts were on his role as a father and the future of his children. He reflected, "Yes, even though I'm not the ideal parent, I can't be compared to a mere puppet. I need to work hard to ensure that Gawain's future isn't too bleak. And then there's Vortigern. It was prophesied that Gawain and Altria would be able to defeat him. While that sounds promising, it must be perilous. My child, the troublesome Coyote, is only me. I can handle the challenges posed by Vortigern. Others, however, cannot bring any danger to them."

At this moment, Lott was also considering a different approach to easing the burden on young Gawain. He mused, "Of course, there's another way to lighten the load on Gawain. Perhaps it's time to consider having another child. A younger sibling for Gawain might help share the responsibility. And when it comes to official duties, although he's not as strong as Gawain, he might be more suited for long-term administrative tasks."

Morgan, who was handling documents, suddenly froze, realizing what Lott was contemplating. She thought to herself, "Goodness, this man… I thought he was focusing on work. Instead, he's considering having another child to help with duties. Really?"

Morgan sighed internally. "If Lott thinks this way, maybe I should put in more effort myself. According to him, Gawain excels in combat while Agravain is adept in internal affairs. If Lott expects me to bear Gareth and Mordred, I wonder what the other two will be like."

She found herself unexpectedly intrigued.

Meanwhile, Altria had just brought young Gawain back to the bedroom. The little one clung to her, not letting go. Altria noticed this and, with a hint of curiosity and concern, asked, "Huh? What's the matter?"

Gawain, holding tightly, looked up at Altria with a serious expression and asked, "Knight Altria, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?" Altria responded, her tone sincere and attentive despite her hunger.

"I want you to teach me swordsmanship," Gawain said earnestly, with a determined look.

Altria raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Why? At your age… well, considering how you look now, it might be possible to start learning, but don't you want to enjoy your childhood a bit more? Swordsmanship is very demanding."

Altria reflected on her own experience, having been trained by her adoptive father and later by Merlin. The hardships she endured were significant, and she couldn't afford to be lenient with her students.

"It's okay, I'm not afraid!" Gawain insisted.

"Oh? Why?" Altria asked, genuinely curious.

"I want to help my father and mother sooner," Gawain replied solemnly. "I know they always seem happy, but I'm sure they face a lot of pressure. Even though I don't know how I want to support them."

Altria felt a pang of guilt as she listened to Gawain's heartfelt words. She felt a bit ashamed for not having the same resolve. The little child was eager to contribute, even though he was still hungry.

Altria resolved to train him diligently. "Alright, wait for me to finish dinner. After that, I'll start teaching you."

"Remember not to tell my parents," Gawain said with a mischievous grin.

"Understood," Altria agreed.

Thus, after dinner, Altria began Gawain's training in secret.

As Gawain trained, the entire British island buzzed with excitement over Camelot's new election system. The system did not rely on bloodlines or noble recommendations but on individual talent and martial prowess.

Many knights, previously disheartened, were reinvigorated and began heading towards the chalk city.

On this day, a striking one-armed knight arrived at the edge of the city. "Perhaps here, I will find a lord worthy of my service," he murmured, intrigued by the new system.

This knight was Bedivere, younger brother of Duke Lucan and originally one of King Arthur's Round Table knights. However, in this timeline, Altria had drawn the sword from the stone but had not yet become king, so Bedivere had no prior acquaintance with him.

Bedivere entered the chalk city, which was renowned across Britain. Although not as grand as Rome, Camelot's city was considered the pinnacle of British construction. Bedivere had heard travellers praise the city, and upon seeing it, he found it exceeded even their descriptions.

The city was not only vast but also densely populated. Bedivere carefully observed the city's inhabitants to assess if Morgan and Lott were deserving of his allegiance.

He noted that not all noble reactions to Morgan and Lott's reforms were negative. Some supported Lott's initiatives, as the chance to pass the exams and rise to positions of power was enticing to many who lacked inheritance rights.

Bedivere observed that while some nobles were initially sceptical, they saw opportunities in the new system. The idea of possibly transforming from a landless noble to a powerful figure in Camelot's court was appealing.

He noted these observations with interest, understanding that effective governance required more than just military success.

Next, Bedivere focused on the civilians. Compared to the noble sons he had seen, their lives were modest. Most wore thick burlap clothes, which were not comfortable but practical for warmth. The people appeared healthy, neither overly fat nor too thin, and their conversations were filled with laughter.

"It seems King Lott is indeed a ruler who has earned the love of his people," Bedivere thought, feeling increasingly confident in Lott and Morgan's leadership. With his luggage in hand, he continued his exploration of the chalk city.

4o mini