The Knights of the Round Table

The next day.

"Big Sis, do you need something from me?"

Arkhan entered Morgan's magic workshop and asked her.

"You've come at the right time, Arkhan." Morgan set down the alchemical device in her hands and smiled at him. "The thing you asked me to do a while ago, it's done now."

"A while ago..." Arkhan hesitated for a moment, then his eyes lit up. "Could it be..."

"Exactly." Morgan walked gracefully to a white curtain in the corner and pulled it down, revealing four alchemical chambers in front of them. Each chamber contained a person.

On the left was a handsome man with short golden hair, muscular, and adorned in heavy armor. Next to him was a man with a similar appearance but slightly slimmer.

Following them was a girl with short golden hair and a black-haired man with black armor, his face slightly gloomy.

These people lay in the chambers, eyes closed as if in a deep sleep, with their names marked on the chambers.

'Gawain, Gaheris, Gareth, Agravain...'

Arkhan's gaze moved over each person's face, silently relieved in his heart.

If everything followed historical development, Morgan had succeeded in creating these Knights of the Round Table.

"I've put a lot of effort into creating these knights. Even in your knight order, they would be considered outstanding." Morgan said with pride. "So, are you satisfied?"

"Of course! Thank you, Big Sis. You've helped me solve a big problem." Arkhan said joyfully.

"Since you're happy, Big Sister has a favor to ask. Can you help?" Morgan smiled.

"There's no need to be so formal. We're siblings. If you have any difficulties, just tell me. As long as I can do it, I won't hesitate." Arkhan replied without hesitation, still immersed in joy.

"Since you say that, I feel relieved."

Morgan snapped her fingers, and another alchemical chamber appeared out of thin air. There was nothing inside except for a name written on the surface.

Mordred!

Arkhan's pupils suddenly contracted, and his expression froze.

"I plan to use your and Lily's blood to create another knight, named Mordred. What do you think?" Morgan said with a smile.

"That..." Arkhan's gaze flickered, and his expression stiffened.

"Brother, you should understand. Lily and I don't just have a simple family relationship with you."

Morgan reached out with her pristine hand, gently caressing his face. Her pale golden eyes were filled with tenderness.

"But I can see that you seem to have some resistance to such feelings, although I don't know why, I don't mind... After all, you're my beloved brother. As long as you can be happy, even just seeing you is enough for me..."

"Big Sis, I—"

Arkhan got interrupted as Morgan suddenly embraced his waist with both hands, leaning gently against his sturdy chest.

"But I still hope we can leave something between the three of us, can we?" Morgan continued with a whisper.

Arkhan's eyes showed a hint of complexity.

If there was something in this era worth fearing, it was undoubtedly Mordred, the 'filial' child. Even though she had not been born yet.

The Knight of Treachery who ended Camelot, if she were to be successfully born, who knew if history would repeat itself?

But listening to Morgan and looking at the hope in her eyes, Arkhan couldn't bring himself to refuse.

Perhaps sensing his confusion, Oath of Judah, which transformed and acted as a necklace hanging around his neck, suddenly trembled slightly, transmitting an image to his mind.

It was in the Norse Realms when he and Oath of Judah unleashed Zeroth Power—Elysion Pedion, breaking the Holy Grail's imprisonment.

"Hahhh..." Arkhan looked up at the ceiling, slowly exhaling a long breath. 'What am I even doing? I didn't even flinch facing Vortigern with the damn Holy Grail. Now I'm scared of an unborn child. How embarrassing...'

A self-deprecating smile played on his face as he nodded slightly.

"Fine, I promise you, Big Sis."

"Really?!" Morgan's eyes lit up instantly, unable to contain her joy.

"But!" Arkhan looked at Morgan with a serious expression. "You have to agree to a few conditions."

"Ugh, go on..."

"First, Mordred can't grow up like Gawain and the others but must grow from infancy. Second, there can't be any slack in education, especially in morals and values. Third, Mordred must feel love and affection. Fourth, Mordred's identity must not be hidden."

"The first three are fine, but the fourth one, not hiding the identity, might bring trouble..." Morgan expressed her concern.

"Don't worry. If anyone dares to gossip, I'll shut them up myself." Arkhan said with a cold snort.

"What about Nidhogg?"

"Don't worry about her. She won't mind—or rather, she might even be happy about it." Arkhan reassured while patting her shoulder.

"Okay then..." Morgan nodded in agreement.

Leaving a vial of his blood, Arkhan left Morgan's magic workshop and headed back to his room to seek out Merlin.

"My~ my~ it's rare for Your Majesty to come to me for something. Is it about that child, Mordred?" Merlin chuckled.

'I knew this scoundrel was eavesdropping!' Arkhan cursed silently but kept a straight face. "I need you to use your clairvoyance to find something for me."

"Your Majesty, it's not that I want to downplay my abilities, but while my eyes can see far and wide, finding things is a bit challenging. Perhaps you'd better seek someone else..." Merlin said helplessly.

Arkhan remained silent and just kept staring at Merlin with his black eyes akin to a deep abyss.

As Merlin stared at those immovable eyes, he finally gave up.

"...What is it that you seek?" 

"A ceremonial sword for coronation and celebrations, named Clarent."

Merlin's eyes flashed with various colors. After two or three hours, he rubbed his temples wearily.

"In the hands of a lord named Frent in Gaul, a family heirloom."

"Family heirloom..." Arkhan murmured softly. "So, if I try to negotiate, the chances of success are low, right?"

"Not just low, virtually nonexistent. The sword was bestowed upon his family by a ruler from the ancient Roman Empire. It's a symbol of their family honor, and he values it more than his own life."

"I see... I understand." Arkhan nodded slightly. Afterward, he dismissed Merlin and brought Yulina and Thrud.

"Master, do you need us for something?" Yulina asked eagerly.

Arkhan, seated with his elbows on the table and fingers supporting his chin, spoke with unprecedented seriousness.

"There's a crucial task for you two, and I need you two to handle it."

Yulina and Thrud's eyes sparkled.

""What task?"" They asked simultaneously with eager expressions.

"Go to Gaul and find a man named Frent. He has a sword called Clarent, a family heirloom. Your mission is to destroy that sword, at any cost!" Arkhan's expression was grave.

The two women exchanged glances. From his tone and demeanor, this was undoubtedly a matter of great importance.

""We promise to complete the task!""

Both of them declared firmly without hesitation.

Arkhan gestured his hand in the air, and two Runes merged into Yulina and Thrud.

"If you encounter trouble, activate these Runes, and I'll provide assistance." Arkhan's tone was serious. "Alright, go."

Once the two left the room, Arkhan leaned back in his chair and exhaled slowly.

"Hahh... it should be okay now."

A golden spear soon floated lazily in front of him, conveying a telepathic message.

"What do you mean I chickened out? I'm clearly avoiding risks, okay? You understand nothing!"

Soon, the banter between Arkhan and Oath of Judah began.