The final casualty count was tallied quickly.
Because Guinevere's retinue had faced the demonic boar head-on, their losses were severe. Not only were over twenty soldiers and knight-squires killed or wounded, but two knights were dead, and two others were critically injured.
As for the group brought by Artorius and Bedivere, they had remained at a distance from the carriages and outside the demonic boar's rampage zone. Consequently, they suffered zero fatalities; only a few unlucky fellows had fallen off their horses and sprained their ankles.
After loading the corpses that hadn't been reduced to mincemeat onto a wagon, the group continued along their planned route with grand momentum. Although they moved much slower due to the many horses that had either bolted or been paralyzed by fear, they successfully reached Sir Ector's castle before nightfall.
"Young Master, the Master is looking for you."
Artorius hadn't even had a moment to catch his breath after entering the castle when a maid found him.
"What does my foster father want with me?"
"I don't know, Young Master. The Master only told me to bring you to him."
"Alright then, lead the way."
He followed the maid to the study. As she knocked, Ector's voice drifted from within. Artorius pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Ector was sitting at his desk, which was piled high with official documents. Myrr was standing off to the side.
Casting a sidelong glance at Myrr, Artorius approached Ector. "Foster father, you sent for me?"
"I heard about what happened from Myrr. It's thanks to you this time, but don't take such risks in the future. No one's life is more important than your own, do you understand?"
"I understand, foster father."
Ector nodded, fell silent for a moment, and then added, "I also heard you want to confess your feelings to Bedivere?"
Artorius understood everything instantly. He looked up and shot a murderous glare at Myrr.
No wonder!
On the way back, he had been wondering why Myrr—who was usually so perceptive—had suddenly been so tactless as to interrupt his confession. So you did that on purpose?!
"Sorry, Young Master. I sold you out," Myrr said with a cheeky, cowardly grin, shrinking his neck back.
Artorius's teeth itched with rage. If Ector hadn't been present, he would have lunged across the room to start a round of "real-life combat" with the man.
"Enough, don't blame Myrr. He meant well."
"Bedivere is a good girl, and she will certainly inherit everything Lucan owns in the future. Marrying her would bring nothing but benefits, however..." Ector paused, letting out a helpless sigh. "Her Highness the Princess has made her affection for you so obvious. Why won't you accept it?"
Bedivere was indeed excellent. If Ector's influence could merge completely with Lucan's, the combined strength would instantly make them one of the most influential noble factions within Camelot.
But it all depended on the comparison!
This was Guinevere—the only daughter of King Leodegrance. If he married her, he would one day possess the entire Kingdom of Cameliard!
"Setting aside whether you'll pull the sword or not—and if you do become King, you'll definitely need her support..."
"Even if you don't pull the sword, marrying Guinevere would make you the King of Cameliard. It's not a complete mess over there like our Camelot, is it?"
Ector grew more exasperated as he spoke, staring at Artorius with an expression that said, 'I'd like to see what excuse you have this time.'
"But if I marry her, the new King will surely hate me, won't he?"
"...That is a possibility. However, without King Leodegrance's help, it's still unknown whether the new King can even establish himself. Why are you afraid of him?"
Artorius didn't know what to say, so he simply lowered his head in silence.
Seeing Artorius's "dead pig unafraid of boiling water" attitude, Ector rubbed the bridge of his nose and finally waved him off with a defeated sigh.
"Fine. You've grown up, and I can't control you anymore. Marry whoever you want. It's up to you. Get out."
"Will do!"
Artorius's face instantly broke into a grin, and he turned to leave.
"By the way—I won't stop you from wanting Bedivere, but even if you confess or marry her, it has to wait until after the selection ceremony. Understand?"
"Got it! I'll do whatever you say."
"If only you actually did what I said..."
Artorius automatically filtered out his foster father's last remark.
Leaving the study, he happily fantasized about three days from now—proposing to Bedivere and then living a blissful life as a "soft rice king" supported by a wealthy wife.
But the moment the study door opened again and Myrr stepped out, Artorius's expression darkened instantly.
"Myrr, my brother... it's been a long time since we've had a proper heart-to-heart, hasn't it?"
"Uh, Young Master, the Master gave me a task. How about we find time later—"
"You bastard, get your ass over here!"
Inside the study.
Listening to Artorius's roars outside, Ector sighed helplessly.
He wasn't worried about Myrr. Artorius was sensible and knew Myrr acted in his best interest. Besides, the two had grown up together; at most, Artorius would just give him a few bruises to vent his frustration.
Furthermore, these men were the foundation he was leaving for Artorius. Even if Artorius wanted to kill Myrr, Ector could only advise against it. If he truly interfered, it would be an insult to Artorius's authority, creating significant obstacles when the time came to pass his legacy down.
Besides, he had no mental energy left for such trivial matters. The big problem was...
"Don't you worry, Ector~"
Ector stood up instantly, looking with deep respect at the white-haired girl who had suddenly appeared in the study.
"Lady Merly!"
"No need to be so stiff! You don't need to worry about little Arthur and Guinevere. I'll handle it."
"My Lady, you mean...?"
"So what if he doesn't want to marry her?"
Merly's beautiful purple eyes seemed to pierce through time and space. They settled separately on Artorius, who was dragging Myrr toward the training grounds, and Guinevere, who was being led to a guest room by Kay. A mischievous curve tilted the corners of her mouth.
"Why don't we just 'cook the rice' for them?"
Ector froze, then realization dawned on him.
Given his understanding of Artorius, if something physical actually happened with Guinevere, Artorius would take responsibility regardless of his initial reluctance.
And how does one take responsibility for a princess?
If she were a minor noble or a commoner, he could just keep her as a mistress. But Guinevere was a princess. He couldn't exactly marry the daughter of a Marquis and keep a Princess as a side-piece. If they were intimate, Artorius would be forced to marry her. However...
"If he truly doesn't want to marry Guinevere, perhaps we should let it be?"
"I don't have a problem with that, but..." Merly looked at Ector with a beaming smile. "You wouldn't want no one to pull the sword and become King, right? You wouldn't want King Uther's legacy to crumble to dust, and then see little Arthur, Kay, and Liya all slaughtered by the Saxons, would you?"
As Merly spoke, images began to flicker in Ector's mind.
The Saxons, unstoppable. Camelot, utterly destroyed under the onslaught led by Vortigern. Artorius killed, Kay and Liya captured by the invaders...
Ector fell into a heavy silence.
He did not doubt Merly's prophecy for a second. After all, countless instances in the past had proven that the Court Mage truly could see the future.
Furthermore, he didn't dare to gamble.
"Besides, Guinevere is so beautiful that even I feel a flutter in my heart. Little Arthur says he doesn't want to marry her, but if the opportunity actually presents itself, do you really think he won't take it?"
Ector remained silent for a long time. Finally, he let out a heavy, bone-weary sigh, appearing to age a decade in an instant.
"I understand, Lady Merly."
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