10. Your Loyalty is Unknown to All

Ian turned around.

He saw Vortigern standing outside the tent, moonlight draping over him like gauze, casting a faint, pale hue.

The eyes that had shared years with King Uther now held a complex array of emotions.

Ian knew that Vortigern had realized he had come to assassinate him tonight.

"When did you figure it out?"

Ian asked coldly.

Since he had been exposed, he no longer bothered with silence.

"Hmm… if you want to talk about it,"

Vortigern walked into the tent alone — he didn't fear the assassin in front of him at all.

"Perhaps it was when you said you would kill the enemy but refused to swear allegiance to me."

Ian realized his little tricks hadn't escaped Vortigern's eyes. He had seen through everything.

"Vortigern, you are not worthy of my loyalty. I will only swear allegiance to…"

Before Ian could finish, Vortigern interrupted him:

"To Morgan, the daughter of King Uther, right?"

"Your repeated defeats were just to win her favor, and she doesn't even know. You've borne all the blame in silence."

"Ian, do you really think it's worth it?"

There was no reproach in Vortigern's words; it was more like an elder offering advice to a younger.

Ian knew this was meant to shake his resolve, so he quickly replied:

"It's worth it!"

"There's nothing wrong with a knight bearing the blame for the one they've sworn loyalty to!"

"But if the person you've sworn allegiance to sacrifices you for their own selfish desires," Vortigern looked Ian in the eye, "do you still think it's not a problem?"

"Selfish desires?"

"Yes," Vortigern sighed, "A princess, gracing the front lines, achieving victory without ever commanding."

"Anyone who sees the big picture would know something's off — it's all to show off in front of her father."

"I should be grateful that her foolishness has led Britain's army into ruin, but I didn't expect my brother's sharp mind to see through it all."

"Such a pity."

[Vortigern's calm explanation makes you realize the reason for Morgan's presence on the battlefield.]

[You feel relieved by King Uther's wisdom, not being fooled by his daughter's tricks.]

[But your loyalty remains with Morgan.]

"No, His Majesty had other reasons for recalling the princess!" Ian countered, "It's not as you say!"

"What reason could there be for my brother to pull a general who's achieved such results from the front line?" Vortigern pointed out sharply.

"Is it because he's concerned for her safety?"

"If so, he wouldn't have sent her to the battlefield in the first place."

"…"

Ian fell silent.

Deep down, he knew Vortigern was right.

But—

This was Morgan.

The one he had sworn loyalty to.

[No matter what she's done, you must accept it!]

[You draw the sword given to you by Morgan and lunge at Vortigern.]

[As a former knight of Britain, now a claw of the White Dragon, your attacks are swift and fierce.]

[Your innate ability "Battle Continuation++" has been replaced by "Heart of Desperation++": You initiate the assassination of Vortigern. You have a premonition that you will die here, but until then, your focus will be entirely on killing Vortigern.]

[But just as when you first met Vortigern, as the lowly king, he possesses an uncanny intuition, and your attacks struggle to land.]

[You both fight from the tent into the center of the camp, drawing a crowd of soldiers.]

[Talent "Proxy++" activates.]

[Clouds obscure the bright moon, and everyone but Vortigern mistakes you for Morgan due to the sword you wield. No one questions this.]

[Vortigern's strength is far superior to yours. While avoiding your attacks, he counters continuously, leaving wounds on your body.]

[Talent "Reckless Fight" activates.]

[The pain of the wounds sharpens your focus, making you realize how dangerous Vortigern is. He may well become an obstacle to Morgan in the future.]

[So, even if you die today, you are determined to do more for her.]

[Your body begins to perform far beyond its usual capacity, intimidating the soldiers who had considered intervening.]

[Vortigern had only seen your will to survive, not your fearlessness in the face of death.]

[Seizing this moment, you finally manage to leave a scar on Vortigern's face.]

[But that's all. Vortigern quickly recovers and knocks you to the ground.]

"Stop."

Vortigern raised a hand, stopping the soldiers from approaching.

"Stay back, all of you."

No one dared to defy the White Dragon King.

In the dim night, Vortigern knelt down and looked at the blood-soaked Ian, sighing deeply.

"Young man, no, I should call you Ian."

"Do you know? If you had come even once without your sword, you would've realized this was my trap — I never rest here."

"But I didn't see that version of you, and you didn't recognize the trap."

"You know, I think, under different circumstances, we could've been better king and knight."

Spat!

Ian spat blood onto Vortigern's face.

"That will never happen! I will only swear allegiance to the princess!"

"Kill me, Vortigern!"

"…"

Vortigern wasn't angered by Ian's defiance.

Instead, he seemed even more regretful.

Vortigern wiped the blood from his face.

"Ian, your loyalty impresses me, but your stubbornness makes you a fool."

"I won't kill you."

"Because your actions will bring consequences far worse than death."

"Retreat!" Vortigern raised his hand. "We will open a new battlefield and overthrow Britain!"

"Ooooooh!"

[Vortigern spares you, refraining from delivering the fatal blow.]

[He and his troops leave the area.]

[You lie in the blood, pondering his words, yet unable to agree.]

[To you, Morgan is your entire soul.]

[As your consciousness fades, Morgan's figure appears before you again.]

[You close your eyes, prepared to leave this world with her image in your mind.]

[But just then, you hear a familiar sound.]

[The horns of Britain—they've arrived.]