Knight of the Lake

As Arkhan looked at the purple-haired young man in front of him, a hint of curiosity flickered in his eyes.

The man before him was undoubtedly a significant figure.

Sir Lancelot, the second most famous figure in the Arthurian legend after Arthur, was admired as the strongest among the Knights of the Round Table and renowned as the Knight of the Lake.

A knight of unparalleled honor and loyalty.

A rebellious outlaw burdened with deep sins of an adulterous affair with the wife of the king he pledged allegiance to.

King Arthur's trusted right-hand man and Camelot's hero, yet in the end, he brought destruction to Camelot, living out his days in agony and remorse.

"Um, excuse me, did I do something wrong?" Lancelot felt slightly uneasy as he observed the black-haired young man's curious gaze.

Though Lancelot had never seen this black-haired young man before, he couldn't help but sense that he was being seen through.

Especially, the trace of pity in those black eyes sent shivers down his spine as if someone had glimpsed his fate with a single glance.

"I just wanted to come and say hello..." Lancelot's smile became somewhat strained.

"No, nothing's wrong. I just didn't expect there to be other humans here in Avalon." Arkhan replied as he shook Lancelot's hand. "Hello, Lancelot. I'm Arkhan."

"Arkhan, huh? Alright, I've remembered that name." Lancelot's smile was warm and sincere, making it hard not to feel a fondness for him.

'He truly lived up to the title of the ideal knight.' Arkhan thought to himself.

"I'm actually an orphan, abandoned by my parents from a young age. I was adopted by the Lady of the Lake, which is why I stayed in Avalon." Lancelot didn't hesitate to share his past and answered Arkhan's earlier question candidly. "In fact, for all these years, I've been the only human here. You're the first of our kind I've met."

Arkhan nodded slightly, acknowledging Lancelot's life story.

He was the child of King Ban and Queen Elaine, left by the lakeside as an infant and adopted by the Lady of the Lake.

That was why he later became known as the 'Knight of the Lake'.

As he grew older, he left Avalon, returned to Gaul, and rekindled his relationship with King Ban, gaining his own territory.

Later on, he compared himself to the famous ideal king from Britain who had pulled the sword from the stone.

He felt inferior and decided to set foot on the land of Britain.

In his encounter with King Arthur, this Knight of the Lake was deeply moved by the unwavering belief of the ideal king. It didn't take long for him to become a member of the Round Table.

Judging by the timing, Lancelot probably wouldn't stay in Avalon much longer.

'How fortunate that I arrived here at the right time...' Arkhan couldn't help but smile inside.

He had already decided to abduct this Knight of the Lake. Since he had bumped into Lancelot here, there was no way he would let this big fish slip away easily.

After all, he would eventually become a member of the Round Table, and the timing didn't make much of a difference.

From now on, he would develop Lancelot's feelings for Camelot and prevent him from committing any more reckless acts like in the legend.

Once he had made up his mind, Arkhan began his plan to entice and kidnap Lancelot.

"Coincidentally, I have a favor to ask you, Lancelot. Is that alright?" 

"Please, go ahead, Arkhan. As long as it's something within my capabilities, I won't refuse." Lancelot replied earnestly with a hand on his chest.

"I've always been fascinated by the legendary realm of Avalon and prepared for a long time to finally find an opportunity to come here." Arkhan sighed with a resigned tone. "But unfortunately, I know nothing about this place. So... though it might be a bit presumptuous, could you please show me around Avalon? I don't want to leave here with regrets."

Arkhan was absolutely sure that with Lancelot's character, he wouldn't refuse such a request.

As expected, upon seeing Arkhan's sincere eyes, a strong sense of duty instantly welled up in Lancelot's heart, and the ideal knight didn't hesitate to reply.

"Of course! Besides, it's something I should do. Rest assured, Arkhan, I promise to give you a once-in-a-lifetime tour of Avalon!"

"Thank you so much, Lancelot! You truly are a person of noble character!"

Arkhan didn't hold back his admiration, though a hint of amusement flickered in his eyes.

===

Inside a certain room.

Guinevere, who had been lying on the bed, suddenly opened her eyes. Her pale golden eyes showed no trace of the timidity she once had. Instead, it was replaced by a regal and aloof queen-like demeanor.

She sat up, turned her head to the side, and calmly said, "Since you're here, don't play these little tricks in front of me."

The void rippled like a pond, and Vivian, who had been sitting on the vines as always, materialized. She looked at Guinevere with a somewhat complex expression.

"Long time no see, Morrigan."

"Sorry, but I'm not that evil fairy Morrigan who got separated from the primordial fairy anymore." Guinevere's pale golden eyes flashed with mockery. "My name is now Morgan le Fay Pendragon, the inheritor of the 'Power of the Island', Princess of Camelot, and the Ruler of Orkney."

"Whether it's Morrigan or Morgan, it's just a mere name." Vivian replied calmly.

*Clap! Clap!*

Morgan applauded sarcastically.

"Heh~ You are indeed the oldest fairy. To avoid the end, you severed all your ties to this world and wandered outside it. I wonder, for the present you, what is there left to care about?"

"Is it this so-called utopia?" Morgan's lips curved in a mocking smile. "Or is it your children, Frey and Freya?"

"Enough!" With a low growl, a surge of magical energy erupted from Vivian.

Morgan snapped her fingers, and a light green shield instantly appeared around her, blocking the storm of magical energy.

Vivian's expression turned slightly gloomy. "Everyone knows that Ragnarok is an inevitable ending. I once gave them a chance; it was their choice to tread that path."

"Of course I know, if not, how could you have created this utopia?" Morgan's mocking tone remained.

Vivian took a deep breath to calm herself. "I don't want to argue about this pointless matter with you anymore, Morrigan. I came here only to tell you that if you want to stay in Avalon, I can give you another chance."

"Heh, do you want me to stay imprisoned in this cage? Hmph, no thank you." Morgan chuckled and spoke with a mocking tone. "Vivian oh Vivian, you seem to have forgotten why I was born in the first place?"

"Camelot, Britain, and even this planet will inevitably face its end, just like Ragnarok. Even if you foresee this ending, are you still going down that path?" Vivian responded indignantly.

"Oh Vivian, even though I'm a part of you, don't think for a moment that I'll be a deserter and a loser like you. Running without a fight? Laughable!"

Morgan tilted her fair neck proudly, resembling an arrogant black swan.

"Don't compare me with a coward like you. I am the Princess of Camelot, the inheritor of 'Power of the Island'. I will give my all to ensure the continuation of my country."

"Even if the walls are breached, I will wear the most beautiful dress, dance the most exquisite dance, and drink the finest poison in the palace. With this grand ceremony, I will accompany my country to its final rest."