Chapter 15: West Salisbury

Ahaha, King Uther is gone at last! Rejoice!

Yes, what a pain he was! Always feigning compassion for the people, that hypocrite.

Collecting a special tax from the nobles to give out food to the slums... A nightmare, I tell you!

Don't remind me! I'd rather not recall the trouble we went through hiding all our gold.

It is simply unjust to demand a sacrifice from only the nobility. We are all in these hard times together!

Hmph, he should've taken from his own coffers if he cares so much.

I was under the impression he did.

Ahem!

...

Ahem, well, as Vortigern promised, the day we become ministers draws near.

Am I the only one perplexed by how much he demands from us?

No. It is getting downright excessive. The position of minister is what he promised the day of the revolution. Why must we pay additional gold?

Precisely why I haven't paid him a penny.

A wise decision, Lord Thomas. I relayed that I am gathering my payment, but I do say, telling him I have no gold is a much better option!

The world is in our hands now. What will he do about it? Ahaha!

Are you so certain?

Always the worrywort, this one... You must know of the soldiers we've each gathered. And once we join our armies, Vortigern will be powerless.

Who made Vortigern king? 'Tis us, the nobility, is it not? We now have a puppet with which we may pull the strings as we please.

So it seems.

Hm? Mordred? Where are you going?

We have unfinished business. There is still much to be done...

Yes, wouldn't you agree, Your Majesty?

*Gasp* V-Vortigern...?

Y-Y-You misunderstand! Agh, Mordred, you bastard!

It was just as you expected.

Unsurprising. These scheming dotards are too easy to predict.

Seize them. They're all to be burned at the stake.

W-What?!

Let go!

This isn't what you promised, Vortigern!

What is the meaning of this? You will be sorry!

This is tyranny!

Tyranny, eh? I'll show you halfwits tyranny, all right.

Vortigern!

Hehe, I shall make a toast as I watch you burn...

...

Sir Mordred, inform the Noble Council there will be an execution tomorrow of three Dukes who plotted a rebellion.

As you wish, Your Majesty.

(That's right... Kill off your own filthy subordinates. Weaken yourself for me.)

Cornwall didn't go well, I take it?

Forgive me, Your Majesty... I failed to expect the Princess of Britannia would appear.

So, she finally showed herself.

She did, and with one they call the Swordbringer.

But she is not worth the concern of one so powerful as you.

I learned a lack of vigilance is death, which you always derided me for. Now look at you, a failure.

Well well well...

What's King Uther's bastard doing here?

Watch your tongue, Rowena. The boy's grueling childhood is one I happen to share.

Hehe, don't take it personally, Sir Mordred. I only meant it in jest.

......

(Rowena... Countless faithful servants perished because of her cunning tongue.)

I did not mean to keep you, Sir Mordred. Prepare to set out for Salisbury.

There are old wolves to slaughter.

Duke Urien's Salisbury?

The very same. Duke Urien is the source of the failure at Cornwall. It's been months, yet no conclusion has been drawn. The army is stuck there.

A clean slate will allow for longer expeditions. Just like those worthless nobles, I shall cut all seeds of chaos out of Britannia.

But Your Majesty, Simon is already on the front line in Salisbury...

The power of religion alone is not enough to lead my army. That is why I'm sending Sir Mordred.

My my, have you considered whether your trust the boy is warranted, sire?

Thank you, Your Majesty. I shall prepare at once.

......

I've got you now, cretins!

You again? Why don't you just give it a rest?

Silence! My house's honor demands I don't return without your heads.

And now, your heads are mine for the taking.

Enough, Gaheris.

???

Gawain...? Sister, what are you doing here?

If I have met Her Highness in my travels, it seems destiny has led me here.

Gawain, you were banished from our house. Do not interfere with me here. Go on your way.

Have you no shame? Our house serves the throne of Britannia!

You just don't let up, do you?

Our house chose Vortigern! And you want to speak of shame?

Father chose him, but I shall not devote myself to a usurper. I stay true to Britannia according to our house's tradition.

You claim to represent House Lot this way and wonder why you were banished!

I had always looked up to you, sister... but you have changed.

I cannot deny that I have turned against my house as it is.

Sounds like your house turned against you.

?

Yours was the righteous choice. The betrayer is your father, not you.

And you are?

Ethan. The Swordbringer.

Flicking his tongue again, the snake... Kill him!

Heh, getting right to it. I like it!

Tsk, should I have brought more soldiers?

Begone, Gaheris. You shall not harm the Princess while I am here.

Dame Gawain...

...... Men, with me.

But if we go back with nothing, the general will...

Now!

To Salisbury!

This isn't over.

Dame Gawain, the disloyal... Greetings, Your Highness...

Do not speak of yourself that way. You saved my life. I am blessed to meet you like this.

...

Swordbringer... was it? You have my gratitude for keeping Her Highness safe.

What would you say if I asked you to join us, Gawain?

Me? Join you?

Seems appropriate to me. You're still loyal to the royal family.

I... I failed to protect King Uther. I had wavered between the royal family and my own... I am not worthy of serving Her Highness anymore...

Everybody makes mistakes, thinking there's no path to redemption,

But the truth is you can always start fresh. You just have to be willing.

...

You need not force her, Ethan. Gawain has her own life to live.

...No, Your Highness.

He is right. I have let my guilt pull me away from my duty.

A guilt that only grew in witnessing the victims of war.

If I am given the chance to atone...

I shall dedicate my life to yours.

Dame Gawain...

Elizabeth, I know we're getting stronger, but our foes are great in number.

I-Indeed! Gawain's strength will be of great assistance!

If you say so...

Dame Gawain, my situation is dire... Are you certain you wish to aid me?

I am certain, Your Highness.

Very well. Then let us make for Salisbury!

Thank you, Your Highness!

Yes, to Salisbury!

To Salisbury!

*Yawn*

Tsk, not good. Breaking through that is impossible even with Gawain. Morgana is out cold, like she's out of battery..

Ethan, the enemies are coming again!

Princess Elizabeth!

D-Duke Urien...?

I received the report and couldn't believe it, but it turns out the Princess really has arrived...!

Attack!

Your Highness.. I'm so glad that you're alright.

No, we have to apologize we weren't able to make an outcome quickly enough while you were battling with your life at risk.

No. I am a disloyal who couldn't protect King Uther.

I will protect Salisbury Castle and this nation.

And these people are..

They are Ethan, the Swordbringer who's helped me.. and Morgana, the Fairy Queen, and Dame Gawain!

I can't believe it.. The Swordbringer really existed.. Merlin was right.

In that case, the Holy Sword must be...

Yes, it surely must exist.

I see.. It's a surprise Dame Gawain has joined the force. Have your thoughts changed?

She's given me a chance to make up for my past mistakes. I'll protect the royal family with my life now.

Very well, if that's what you've chosen. Welcome.

To Salisbury!

The Swordbringer.. an astonishing young man. Thank you for taking care of the Princess.

Haha, don't mention it.

Sorry to interrupt. Lord Urien, there is an emergency..

You are...?

Oh, Ian, just a moment. This is Ian, one of my favorite subordinates. He will surely be a great help.

Nice to meet you, Sir Ian.

It's my pleasure, Your Highness. Do you plan to stay here?

No, my original plan was to go to the Kingdom of Cameliard after staying here for a short while.

Then it would be better for you to leave this place soon. We were informed that the enemies will arrive shortly.

I see where this is going...

This place could fall.

...

...

What do we do, Ethan? If Salisbury falls, I will have no face to show to the Alliance...

...Duke Urien, we will assist you through this battle.

Y-Yes, Duke! Ethan led the Cornwall war to victory! I'm sure we can handle it!

...It's not that I doubt you, but an individual getting involved into a battle between armies is..

No, Ian. The story of this lad achieving victory in Cornwall with the power of the Holy Grail is a truth spread all over the continent.

We may be able to turn around the tides.

...I understand.

Where are the enemies at?

It's the scouts across the river that we must take care of before their main army reaches here.

Defeating them will prove your worth so... Would you like to give it a shot?

Without hesitation.

My apologies, Princess. Ian is just trying to assess our state as a strategist.

I'm fine. I'll also take part in this request as Ethan's comrade.

Understood.

I'm coming, too, Princess! After all, I have to protect you.

I feel secure. Shall we go then?

Excuse me, Ethan! You haven't asked me!