It must be said that after being thoroughly humiliated by Lot several tis, Vortigern's way of thinking had beco much more… open-minded.
Now, he considered every possibility, layer by layer.
Seeing the gates of Lot's castle wide open, as if inviting him to charge right in, the average person wouldn't hesitate of course, they'd rush in with their troops and smash Lot's head in first.
That was first-layer thinking.
But at this point, a smarter person would realize: Lot's words are never trustworthy. If you actually believe what he says, you'll end up scamd out of everything you own.
There must be an ambush inside that castle.
The mont they led their soldiers inside, they'd be t with a brutal surprise attack, suffering heavy losses, turning their advantage into a disadvantage or even a complete defeat.
That was second-layer thinking.
Vortigern felt that if he hadn't been toyed with by Lot these past few days, this would have been his line of reasoning.
Hmph.
But now, he was different.
You think I'll hesitate because I'm paranoid?
I've already figured it out you're trying to scare because you don't have enough soldiers!
I'm on the third layer.
"Trying to intimidate ? Then savor the bitter taste of defeat!"
With that thought in mind, Vortigern barked orders to his n.
Attack.
Attack now.
Take that castle.
And as for Lot and Morgan…
You'll both be my prisoners!
Vortigern's mind was already racing with ideas on how to deal with them.
King Mark, watching Vortigern's command, frowned and asked, "What if there's an ambush inside?"
See? That was second-layer thinking.
Vortigern scoffed internally before explaining his reasoning to King Mark.
After hearing Vortigern's explanation, King Mark's eyes widened in realization.
"Understood. I'll capture Lot myself."
Gripping his weapon, he charged straight for the castle walls.
anwhile, the rest of the soldiers rushed through the open gates.
In Vortigern's mind, Lot should have been panicking by now.
But even as King Mark reached the top of the walls and the soldiers flooded past the outer defenses, Lot's face remained the sa smug and amused.
How?
Why isn't he afraid?
Vortigern couldn't comprehend it.
He must be bluffing.
He HAS to be bluffing.
anwhile, King Mark had already closed in on Lot.
Lot drew his sword and t the attack.
After a few exchanges, it was clear King Mark was at a disadvantage.
Vortigern could see it.
In just a few more moves, King Mark would lose.
Why isn't Lot worried?!
Vortigern couldn't understand.
At this point, your sche has been exposed. You're about to lose. Shouldn't you be running?
Even with Scáthach here, you'd only have an… 80% chance of escaping? Maybe?
Unless…
A terrible realization struck him.
Vortigern's face paled.
anwhile, Lot was effortlessly overwhelming King Mark with his swordsmanship.
To be fair, sparring regularly with Galahad and Artoria had given him plenty of practice.
Facing King Mark alone?
This was child's play.
Glancing down at the castle interior, he saw that a sizable number of enemies had already rushed in.
Ti to close the net.
Pity we don't have a barbican like back ho.
This'll only be a major defeat for Vortigern, not total annihilation.
But he'd take it.
Seeing the enemy forces flooding in, Lot casually signaled it was ti.
Vortigern probably thought this was so elaborate bluff, that he was the one outsmarting Lot.
Too bad.
I already accounted for that.
Why do you think I only sent a thousand n each ti?
First, intimidation. Then, overplaying my hand.
I wanted Vortigern to get "smart."
To see through my "empty fort strategy."
But what he didn't expect?
Bedivere and the reinforcents arrived days ago.
Honestly, as an aide, Bedivere was exceptionally capable.
With him handling logistics, the reinforcents arrived much faster than anticipated.
That gave Lot plenty of ti to set up the ambush.
This ti?
I'm on the fourth layer.
Whether you're on the first or third layer, I've got you.
Even if Vortigern had stayed on the second layer, the worst outco would've just been a wasted ambush nothing but a bit of exhaustion for his n.
Not like they were in the fighting anyway.
Seeing Vortigern's expression shift, Lot smirked.
You realize sothing's wrong now?
Too late.
Our counterattack
begins now.
At Lot's signal, soldiers many of them fully armored knights poured out from every corner of the castle, lances leveled as they charged into Vortigern's disorganized forces.
At the sa ti, a heavy iron gate suddenly slamd down, cutting off the enemy's retreat.
No legendary warriors like Chang Yuchun, Xiong Kuohai, or Shuliang He were present to lift the gate Vortigern's forces were now split.
Separated.
Trapped.
And dood.
Inside, chaos erupted.
Leaderless, the soldiers who had relied solely on brute courage collapsed into disorder without Vortigern's command.
Artoria and the others showed no rcy.
Most importantly
Vortigern's army wasn't made up of Celts.
They were foreign invaders.
After all the suffering they'd inflicted on Britain, even Artoria, with her chivalric ideals, held nothing back.
And the soldiers?
Calot had suffered under Vortigern for years.
Everyone had a grudge.
Now, with vengeance at hand, they slaughtered without restraint.
Kill!
Morale soared.
Vortigern's forces were decimated.
Those who tried to flee found the iron gate unmovable.
Outside, the soldiers who hadn't entered the castle were already thinking of escape not rescue.
Up on the walls, King Mark still struggling against Lot watched in horror.
"I never should've trusted Vortigern. None of his plans ever work!"
The enemy's main force had arrived.
He couldn't beat Lot.
That left only one option.
Run.
Looking down, King Mark prepared for his signature move jumping off the damn wall.
But
Just as he was about to leap, his legs froze.
As if weighed down by an imnse force.
What the?!
Panicking, he turned
And saw Morgan, standing so distance away, raising her staff high.
She was casting a spell.
Before he could react, Lot's sword was at his throat.
A kick to the back of his knee forced King Mark down onto one knee.
"First ti, second ti… you really think I'd let there be a third?"
Lot pinned him down firmly.
Despite their previous battles ending in King Mark's escape, this ti
He was caught.
[Sigh… Thank goodness for my wife. If he'd gotten away again, I'd never live it down.]
Hearing Lot's thoughts, Morgan smiled in satisfaction.
Good. That's all I needed to hear.
She lowered her staff.
This was Lot's mont.
She'd stay in the shadows.
The glory of this battle belonged to him.
As for her?
"I'll stick to scheming."
With King Mark subdued and Vortigern's forces inside the castle slaughtered, Calot's soldiers stood victorious faces splattered with blood, but eyes alight with triumph.
The war wasn't over yet.
But this?
This was the turning point.
Outside the castle, Vortigern finally snapped.
"Am I powerless?! Then what right do I have to rule Britain?!"
No more sches. No more fear of Scáthach.
He just wanted to win.
Sword in hand, he charged for the walls
Only for Scáthach to appear before him.
"Out of my way!"
His eyes burned with fury as he swung at her.
"You're a warrior, but a tyrant. Alive, you'd only bring suffering to Britain. So once more I'll aid Lot and Morgan."
Her spear thrust forward
Vortigern let it pierce him, twisting just enough to avoid a fatal wound.
Then he swung back.
Brutal. Relentless.
But
Against Scáthach?
Unless he grew far stronger, it was pointless.
Dodging with a graceful leap, she kicked the spear's shaft
Sending it straight through his chest.
Withdrawing the weapon, she glanced up at Lot and Morgan on the walls.
"My help ends here."
Turning to Vortigern, she said coldly:
"You're done for today. Accept your defeat. In this battle of wits you were outmatched."
With that, she walked away.
None of Vortigern's remaining soldiers dared to stop her.
That single strike had shattered their morale.
Vortigern could only grit his teeth.
So close.
If I'd been faster
Stronger
I could've wounded her.
I'll beco stronger.
Stronger than anyone.
But for now?
He had no choice but to swallow this bitter defeat.
On the castle walls, Artoria bounded over excitedly.
"Your Majesties! We've eliminated all enemies inside the castle! Another great victory!"
Her joy wasn't just from the win
That was only half of it.
The other half?
Feast ti.
Bedivere hadn't just brought reinforcents he'd brought the royal chefs.
And Lot had promised: "Victory first, feast after."
Now that they'd won?
She couldn't wait.
What delicacies awaited?
Her palate had been thoroughly spoiled by her brother-in-law and sister.
Before, she just ate a lot.
Now?
She demanded both quantity and quality.
"Yes. A great victory."
Lot and Morgan shared her enthusiasm.
Who didn't love winning?
"Now, there's just one last matter."
Lot glanced down at the captive King Mark.
What to do with him?
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