The war had actually begun long before Lot and Morgan arrived in Vortigern's territory.
As the incarnation of the White Dragon, Vortigern had harbored an intense desire to unify Britain since birth.
Using this desire as leverage, he easily rallied the other peoples of the British Isles under his banner.
Not long after King Uther returned to his own domain,
Vortigern led his army to the outskirts of Camelot's capital, the Camelot.
And along the way, Vortigern's army was anything but disciplined.
The cruelest aspect of humanity lies in their capacity for extraordinary cruelty toward their own kind.
All of this was witnessed by Lot.
To communicate with King Uther, Merlin frequently used magecraft to establish contact. During these exchanges, Lot saw everything clearly.
Lot, as someone who had studied humanities, initially thought he had read far more harrowing accounts in history books and could remain detached. Yet, as he prepared to board the ship and saw these atrocities, he couldn't help but feel righteous indignation.
To maintain army morale, he said nothing.
But in his heart, he burned with fury.
[Damn it, the Tyrant King Vortigern truly deserves death.]
[I don't care much about his feud with King Uther over the throne. I don't even want to judge his ambition to unify Britain and preserve the world's last vestiges of mystery. But he absolutely cannot inflict all this suffering upon the common people.]
[They toil day after day, just for a meager meal. Before they can even reap their harvest, they are met with such calamity. Tyrant King Vortigern—I must find a way to kill him.]
Morgan listened quietly to Lot's internal cursing of the Tyrant King.
She said nothing, only silently grasping his hand.
She could clearly feel the tremor in his grip.
Who would've thought, Horndog? You're usually so lecherous, yet in matters like this, you're so full of compassion.
Don't worry, I understand your feelings.
Once I become the Queen of Britain, I will bring peace to this land.
Then, no one will have to fear the ravages of war or famine.
Horndog, I know your hope.
I will never let that hope be in vain.
No, not just in vain.
Even if its realization is delayed by a few years, I won't allow it.
With this thought, Morgan grew even more resolute in her determination to contend with her sister for Camelot's throne.
Does my sister even understand such things?
Perhaps, as our father wished,
she is only a king who leads armies to endless victories.
But I—no matter the aspect—will do better than her.
Morgan swore this silently in her heart.
Holding her hand, Lot couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.
Just then, Kay waded through the water and approached Lot, reporting:
"Your Majesty, the scouts have returned. There are no ambushes ahead."
Lot nodded.
"Let's move out. The rest of you, follow me."
The first half was directed at Morgan.
The latter half was for the rest of the army.
Lot stepped lightly onto the shore.
Holding Morgan, he made it seem effortless.
Morgan clung tightly to Lot as they soon reached the shallow waters.
Then, the army followed them onto the beach.
As Kay had said, there were no enemies here.
They took the area with ease.
Merlin walked at the rear of the group.
Beside him was Artoria.
As they advanced, Artoria asked Merlin:
"Teacher Merlin, may I ask you a question?"
"Go ahead."
"Who is Queen Morgan's greatest enemy?"
She wanted to identify the enemy early to prepare accordingly.
"That question… is something you'll have to discover for yourself while serving under Lady Morgan."
"Teacher?"
Artoria frowned slightly.
"I know who that enemy is. But how you'll face her in the future—that, I cannot say."
A faint smile played on Merlin's lips as he spoke.
For some reason, Artoria sensed a glint of amusement in Merlin's eyes.
Teacher's thoughts are sometimes truly inscrutable,
Artoria sighed inwardly.
But then, her gaze hardened.
She had also seen the magecraft Merlin had displayed earlier.
"Vortigern's subordinates have completely forsaken the code of chivalry. I will defeat him."
Artoria gritted her teeth.
...
The army began their covert march.
As it turned out, Vortigern never anticipated Lot would strike from behind.
By the time Lot's forces reached the port town, its inhabitants were still going about their daily lives.
When they saw the soldiers of Orkney, their faces filled with shock.
How did you get here?
We weren't even prepared, and you've already broken in?
This is too much.
But Lot and Morgan paid them no mind. Lot's troops surrounded the town, while Morgan led the knights to suppress the town's defenders—its remaining knights and armed personnel.
Soon, the skirmish ended.
This was likely Lot's first battle in this world.
But given the overwhelming disparity in strength, Lot effortlessly crushed all resistance.
Thus, the townsfolk became Lot's captives.
With prisoners now in hand, the question became: What to do with them?
The other knights advocated retribution, just like Vortigern's methods.
Execute them all.
Hearing their words, Morgan frowned slightly.
Why are these people so different from Horndog?
She cleared her throat.
The others fell silent and turned their attention to her.
With a slight frown, Morgan addressed the knights:
"If we commit the same atrocities as Vortigern, does that not make us just as vile as him? War is the business of knights and soldiers. These common folk have little to do with it. There's no need to slaughter them."
Kay stepped forward and asked:
"But, Your Majesty the Queen, if we release them, word of our arrival will quickly reach Vortigern's forces. What then?"