Lott couldn't help but laugh when Morgan made her remark.
"Alright, I will follow through on this," Morgan said with a smile, looking at Lott.
"Good," Lott nodded in agreement, his eyes fixed on her. "But we still have time before implementing everything. We can deal with it later," he suggested with a playful tone.
Morgan rolled her eyes at him, clearly understanding what he meant. "Again?" she teased.
Lott just grinned, knowing he was pushing his luck.
Introducing the concept of a barefoot doctor in the fifth century was groundbreaking. Even those who despised Camelot and hated Lott and Morgan had to admit it was a beneficial initiative. In Britain during this era, countless people succumbed to diseases, either due to lack of knowledge or improper treatment. The introduction of barefoot doctors made the people more supportive of Lott's rule.
In Scotland, which was still facing unrest, this approach proved to be an invaluable bargaining chip for Kay. With a healthcare system in place, the rebellious factions, who initially resisted with the hope of gaining more from causing trouble, began to calm down. After all, with proper medical care, what reason did they have to continue their resistance?
Even the toughest opponents in Scotland had a desire to live peacefully. Now that life was improving under Camelot's rule, they began to support Lott and Morgan. The people no longer saw any benefit in opposing a regime that provided them with such tangible benefits.
Meanwhile, Lott was not just focusing on improving public health; he was also strengthening Camelot's military. Previously, Camelot's army had a structure that was only somewhat efficient, but now, Lott was focusing on solidifying its foundations. The soldiers' combat abilities were being continuously enhanced.
Furthermore, Lott started incorporating knowledge of gunpowder weapons, climbing the technological ladder from primitive firearms to more advanced weaponry. He established a production and construction corps to ensure that civilian technologies weren't overlooked. The overall strength of Camelot was advancing rapidly.
Meanwhile, on the island of Ireland, Gawain and Agravain were pleased with the progress of the Irish army.
"The state of the Irish army now is almost on par with Camelot's initial strength," Gawain said to Ritsuka Fujimaru.
"Maybe, but Camelot's current army is much stronger than what we have here," Ritsuka replied, recalling the formidable sight of Camelot's forces during her last encounter.
"Hmm, stronger than us?" Gawain frowned, clearly interested. "It seems we need to observe their army firsthand."
"That's a good idea," Mash agreed.
After some thought, Ritsuka nodded. "Alright, let's go observe them discreetly."
The journey from Ireland to England wasn't long. Ritsuka, Gawain, Mash, Mordred, and Oberon set out from the Irish port, heading towards Manchester. A few days later, they arrived at the bustling port of Manchester.
Lancelot, Agravain, and the others remained on the island to continue training the Irish soldiers and knights.
At the Manchester port, there was a constant buzz of activity. Ships were either departing or arriving, and the lively shouts of sailors filled the air. It was evident that the port was thriving.
As a modern individual, Ritsuka understood the importance of a robust economy for a stable society. Both Lott and Morgan had made significant policy changes to support trade and commerce. Tariffs were lowered, and a value-added tax was implemented on goods. This had not only stabilized Camelot's economy but had made it flourish, even after their conquest of France. Camelot was now a major power.
"Clearly, this Camelot is not what I expected," Gawain remarked, observing the bustling scene. "This level of development isn't something Morgan alone could have achieved."
Ritsuka nodded. "Yes, either Morgan has changed significantly, or Lott is the one making the difference."
"Regardless of who it is, we need to defeat both of them," Da Vinci interjected confidently.
Ritsuka agreed, "Yes, just beat them both."
With that resolve, the group disembarked and made their way into the city.
Gawain, being careful, pulled his hood low over his face. The female Gawain of this world would attract suspicion if recognized, but as a male Gawain, he felt relatively safe. Similarly, Mordred and Oberon had no concerns about being identified.
They navigated through the crowded streets of Manchester, finally arriving at an inn.
"I think it's best to let you handle this, Gawain," Ritsuka whispered.
Gawain nodded, understanding the task. He approached the rowdy crowd at the inn's bar, ordered a large mug of beer, and began mingling.
A local farmer, noticing the new face, asked, "Are you from Ireland?"
"Yes, but my mother's English," Gawain replied casually, wrapping his arm around the man's shoulders.
"Really? That's good to hear!" The farmer seemed pleased, but his expression soon turned serious. "It's a shame life in Ireland is so harsh. Even being a farmer here in England is better than being a knight there."
Gawain almost choked on his beer. A peasant's life better than a knight's? That was nonsense. But Gawain played along.
"Come on, I don't believe that," he said with a forced smile.
The farmer, clearly having had a few too many drinks, insisted, "I'm telling you, being a knight in Ireland is nothing compared to being a farmer here!"
Trying to keep his expression neutral, Gawain said, "Well, I'm curious to see for myself."
"I'll show you!" the farmer exclaimed, stumbling to his feet.
The group followed the farmer through the bustling streets. As they walked, Ritsuka exchanged glances with Mash, both of them curious about what they would learn from this interaction.
Despite the challenges they faced, they knew one thing for sure: Camelot had changed under Lott and Morgan's rule. Whether for better or worse, they would soon find out.