Along the tranquil forest trail, where the wind drifted gently through the leaves and sunlight filtered down in golden beams through the canopy, a dozen knights clad in gleaming armor rode in disciplined formation toward the first territory occupied by the Saxons, tasked with carrying out a reconnaissance mission.
According to the previously established plan, Bedivere and his men would lead the main force, carefully circling around the enemy from the rear while avoiding any possibility of detection. Meanwhile, Arthur would take the front line of the operation, leading a small unit of roughly a dozen elite subordinates to scout the enemy camp before any large-scale engagement.
In truth, many had advised Arthur to abandon this idea. After all, he was the King—there was no need for him to expose himself to direct danger. He could simply remain in the capital, awaiting news of victory brought by his knights. However, according to both the plan and Arthur's own vision, if he wished to consolidate his authority and increase his prestige among leaders and soldiers alike, nothing would be more effective than taking action personally on the battlefield.
It was a risk… but also an opportunity.
Naturally, most of the roughly twelve armored knights accompanying him were true elites among elites—renowned figures across Britain, seasoned warriors who had survived countless battles.
With the exception of two.
"Are you getting used to riding yet?" A girl clad in armor approached Arthur, guiding her horse alongside his. Her voice carried a faint trace of concern, though she tried to maintain the firm composure of a warrior.
"Lily, as I've already told you, after these past few days of training, as long as I don't encounter anything particularly dangerous, I can ride just fine," Arthur replied calmly, casting a glance at the girl beside him.
That same girl who, at first glance, seemed fragile and delicate… now, clad in her light armor, exuded an entirely different aura. There was a sense of nobility and resolve about her, a heroic presence that left no room for doubt.
As expected of someone who could have become the King herself… her temperament truly is extraordinary, Arthur thought, observing her for a brief moment.
"Is there something on my face?" Artoria asked, frowning slightly as she noticed his prolonged gaze.
"No, it's nothing…" Arthur replied quickly, turning his eyes back to the road ahead and seizing the opportunity to change the subject.
"As agreed earlier, when we encounter the Saxons, do not act on impulse. You must follow orders to the letter."
Artoria frowned faintly, clearly displeased with the tone of the warning.
"I am not the kind of person who disobeys orders easily."
"This is merely a precaution," Arthur replied, now scanning the surroundings more carefully, his senses on high alert. "I don't know why… but I have a feeling something is wrong."
The forest around them was dense, lush… and far too quiet.
There were no birdsong, no rustling of small animals, not even the distant sound of any creature. Throughout their entire journey, they had not encountered a single sign of life.
Not even monsters.
This silence… was unnatural.
"Is there danger? Is this part of your… foresight ability?" Artoria asked, now more serious, recalling Arthur's unusual capabilities.
"I believe so," Arthur answered without taking his eyes off the surroundings. "In any case… stay alert. Do not act rashly, no matter what happens."
Deep down, he also remembered Morgan's words before their departure—he must protect Lily at all costs. If anything were to happen to her, the consequences would be problematic on many levels.
"My lord, do you believe we are in danger by following this path?"
Suddenly, another voice arose beside him—clear, gentle, and surprisingly pleasant.
Arthur turned his head and saw a pink-haired girl who had somehow guided her horse close to his without him noticing.
"I don't know either," Arthur replied honestly.
"It feels a bit frightening… it's my first time on a battlefield," she said with a gentle smile. "If something happens, I hope everyone will be patient with me."
Arthur simply nodded slightly, remaining silent.
He truly didn't know how to deal with that girl.
Milo, the daughter of a former territorial lord, had inherited her position after the deaths of her father and two older brothers. In a way, her situation was similar to Artoria's—someone young, seemingly fragile, yet carrying the weight of an entire territory on her shoulders.
Logically, having such a leader close by could be beneficial.
But… there was something about her demeanor.
She was… overly enthusiastic.
And that made Arthur somewhat uncomfortable, unsure of how to respond.
"A place like this can become dangerous at any moment. If you do not trust in your own strength, you should not have come here, Lady Milo," Artoria said coldly, glancing at her over Arthur's shoulder.
"Oh my…" Milo smiled, seemingly unoffended. "I simply meant that it's natural for us to look after one another in dangerous situations, don't you think?"
She tilted her head slightly, maintaining her smile.
"Besides, without me around… who would witness the valiant figure of the future queen on the battlefield?"
Artoria remained silent for a brief moment before responding:
"I will always stand by the king."
Her voice was calm, but firm.
"I hope you refrain from such remarks. If you need someone to rescue you, then you should not have come to the battlefield."
"Don't worry," Milo replied, still smiling, lightly raising the whip in her hand. "Despite appearances, I am quite strong. I have survived battles… and I have killed several Saxons."
Her pink hair swayed with the motion, and for a brief moment, her expression revealed something far more dangerous hidden beneath her sweetness.
"If the opportunity arises, I would also like to test my strength against the knights of the palace."
Artoria frowned, clearly displeased.
"You two, silence."
A firm voice came from behind.
Lamorak, who had been riding with the group, intervened in a low yet authoritative tone.
"Can't you see that the king is concentrating?"
The two girls finally fell silent.
Arthur cast Lamorak a brief look of gratitude.
This man… is truly reliable.
As one of the Knights of the Round Table, his strength ranked among the highest. His skill with the spear was legendary, and it was said that he had once defeated thirty knights single-handedly in combat.
Having someone like him on this mission… was undoubtedly reassuring.
Milo glanced briefly at Lamorak, then at Artoria… and smiled again, as if nothing had happened.
Deep down, she already had her own objectives.
She wanted to stand out.
She wanted to attract the king's attention.
But not through words… through actions.
To her, this mission was a unique opportunity.
A chance to move closer to the center of power—whether by becoming an administrator of the court or by officially joining the Order of Knights.
And it all began here.
"The Saxon territory is just ahead," announced the knight leading the vanguard, turning to alert the group.
Immediately, everyone entered a state of heightened alert.
The air itself seemed to grow heavier.
No one dared to relax.
Any mistake… could be fatal.
Arthur was the first to dismount, stepping down firmly with the aid of the stirrups.
His expression grew more serious.
"Dismount," he ordered in a firm voice. "Tie your horses nearby… and prepare yourselves."
(End of Chapter)