Chapter 126: The Knight's Dilemma: A Trap for the Profiteers

Lancelot frowned as he listened to Morgan's proposal. His face reflected a mix of doubt and disdain. "What do you want from me?" he asked, his tone cautious. "If your plan violates the knight's moral code, I won't help. No matter what, I refuse to betray my principles."

As a knight, Lancelot had always upheld his dignity. If accepting Morgan's request meant abandoning that dignity, then freedom, to him, would be worthless.

Morgan, noticing his resolve, sighed softly. "What I ask you to do, it's true, will ensnare many people."

Upon hearing this, Lancelot, who had been gripping the iron bars of his cell, released his hold and stepped back. "Then I won't take part in it," he said firmly, turning away from Morgan and walking to the centre of the cell.

"You don't even want to know who you'll be working against?" Morgan asked, pushing the conversation further.

"It doesn't matter who. It's wrong to deceive others, isn't it?"

Morgan's lips curled into a slight smile. "Is it wrong to deceive people? So, it's ethical for these people to hoard grain and plan to sell it at outrageous prices while others starve?"

Lancelot turned to face her, now curious. "What are you saying?"

Morgan continued her voice sharper now. "Lancelot, I want you to help me set a trap. And the targets of this trap are the profiteers who exploit the hunger of the people."

Hearing this, Lancelot's interest piqued. Altria and Galahad, who had been standing nearby, also focused their attention on Morgan.

Morgan proceeded to explain her plan in full detail. By the time she finished, Altria and Galahad gazed at her with admiration. Morgan, however, remained composed, aware that the credit for this scheme was not hers alone, but also due to the clever minds around her.

Turning back to Lancelot, she asked, "So, what's your answer?"

Lancelot hesitated for a moment. "Aren't you afraid I'll run away?"

Morgan responded confidently, "Not at all."

Lancelot mused silently, wondering how she planned to ensure his cooperation. Just as he began to think it over, Morgan called out, "Galahad, Altria, hold him down and make him sign a contract."

"What?" Lancelot had no time to react before Altria and Galahad swiftly grabbed him, forcing him to sign the contract. His objections were futile.

Once the contract was signed, Morgan pointed to his sword. "Your weapon is also in my possession. Once you complete the task, I'll return it to you along with the contract. I'll also tell you everything about your connection with Galahad."

Lancelot's eyes widened as he glanced at Galahad, who looked at Morgan with a conflicted expression. Morgan offered him a knowing smile, silently communicating reassurance.

After a moment of contemplation, Lancelot nodded. "Fine, I'll help you. But I'll only approach nobles with a certain reputation. If that's not enough, I won't proceed further. Also, I expect answers to my questions once this is over."

Morgan agreed, sealing their agreement.

With Galahad equipped and ready, Morgan allowed Lancelot to leave. As Galahad watched him walk away, he seemed troubled, wanting to say something. Morgan noticed his hesitation and said, "There's a time for everything. You don't need to tell Lancelot everything now. Let him complete the task, and afterwards, we'll deal with the rest."

Galahad nodded slowly, his emotions mixed. Though uncertain, he trusted Morgan's judgment. As he walked away, he thought to himself, Her Majesty Morgan always knows what's best for her knights.

After leaving Camelot, Lancelot headed straight to the coast, his heart soaring with the joy of freedom. He hadn't felt this way in so long. Reaching the shore between Britain and France, he leapt into action, his sights set on returning to his homeland.

In France, news spread quickly. Lancelot, who had travelled to Britain, had returned, though looking somewhat dishevelled. The sight of him without his signature sword amused some nobles, who mocked him openly. Lancelot, unable to bear the insults, silenced them with a display of his prowess, effortlessly defeating those who dared challenge him.

However, despite his physical dominance, Lancelot felt an inner emptiness. The powerful knights of this era were still concentrated in Britain, in Camelot, where fantasy and reality intertwined. Compared to Britain, France seemed lacklustre in its martial spirit.

This realization solidified Lancelot's determination to return to Britain once more. The humiliation he had faced in Camelot had to be avenged.

But before that, Lancelot had a mission to complete.

France had enjoyed a bountiful harvest, though this prosperity was reserved for the noble lords. The peasants remained as impoverished as ever, their hard-earned crops seized by landlords eager to store food for future famine or drought.

Lancelot approached these hoarding nobles with a tantalizing offer: Britain was in dire need of food and was willing to pay a high price for it. At this news, the nobles were immediately intrigued.

The idea of selling grain to Camelot at inflated prices was irresistible. Some nobles even began preparing their shipments the moment they finished talking with Lancelot, eager to capitalize on the opportunity.

Lancelot, watching their eagerness, smirked. "I thought I'd have to organize a caravan first, but you're already moving. If you get tricked, don't blame me."

With that, the nobles' caravans started their journey, fully convinced they were about to make a fortune. Little did they know, they were walking into a carefully laid trap.

At the docks, ship after ship arrived, filled with the nobles' grain merchants. Normally, these merchants would bicker and compete with each other endlessly, but today, they were all smiles, united by the prospect of easy money.

Unbeknownst to them, Morgan's plan was already in motion.