Lot and Morgan reached an unspoken agreent on one matter.
If the White Dragon's treasures were plundered, then the Red Dragon's hoard couldn't be left untouched either.
On this point, neither of them felt the slightest moral hesitation.
As the saying went:
"A thin horse has long hair and fat hooves, but a son stealing from his father isn't a thief."
But robbing her father could wait—for now, handling this mountain of treasure took priority.
Lot issued orders to his n:
"Load everything onto the ships imdiately and transport it all back to Orkney."
"At once, Your Majesty."
The Orkney knights were montarily stunned by the sheer volu of wealth before snapping to attention and rushing to haul the treasures away.
As chests were being carried off, Morgan leaned toward Lot:
"Lot, we should have soone trustworthy oversee transporting these treasures back."
"Hmm..."
Lot pondered.
[Maybe send Kay. If he can handle being the Round Table's head steward, managing a treasure escort shouldn't be too difficult.]
Huh? Horndog, since when did I assign Kay as head steward? Putting him in charge of the knights' administrative affairs?
Morgan was montarily puzzled by his thought.
But after a mont's consideration—
Well, Kay does fit that role...
Fine. I'll have Kay handle the Round Table's bureaucratic work from now on.
Lot's not wrong.
But if Kay's handling internal affairs, who'll lead the charge in battle?
Artoria?
Hmm. Better assess her combat skills first.
While Morgan was still mulling this over, Lot spoke up:
"Morgan, let's leave this to Kay."
"Agreed."
And just like that, the matter was settled.
With that handled, Lot and Morgan turned their attention to the state of Vortigern's conquered fortress.
The sudden change in rulership had thrown the city into chaos.
Just along their route, they witnessed multiple instances of soldiers or local thugs committing cris.
Lot and Morgan swiftly intervened, dealing with the offenders on the spot.
But the city's overall unrest remained unresolved.
[Conquering land is easy—governing it is the hard part!]
Lot sighed inwardly.
Morgan nodded in agreent.
"And this is just one fortress. If we take all of Britain—or even France, where they don't even speak our language—what kind of chaos will we face then?"
Her gaze drifted back to Lot.
"Lot, how do you think we should stabilize this place?"
She wanted to hear his thoughts.
Lot fell into deep contemplation.
[To restore order, we must ally with a faction that can enforce stability. But which group should we choose?]
"What if we enlist the nobility to maintain order?"
Morgan suggested.
"The nobility?"
Lot instinctively shook his head.
[Expecting those 'Squire Huangs' to keep the peace without yearning for Vortigern's return? That'd require giving them even more benefits. What, should we hand them seventy percent of the profits while we keep a asly thirty? Don't be ridiculous.]
[Sure, you could let the nobles keep oppressing the commoners—they'd comply. But the mont Vortigern returns, those nobles would switch sides in a heartbeat.]
"Hmm..."
Though Morgan didn't understand who this "Squire Huang" was, the rest of his reasoning made perfect sense.
Indulging the nobility wasn't an option.
What kind of joke was this? We conquered them, yet we're supposed to give them benefits?
Then what should we do?
Her eyes returned to Lot.
He was still wrestling with the dilemma.
[If I had to choose, I'd rather empower the commoners to maintain order. Their lives are hard—they ask for so little. A small share of benefits would secure their loyalty.]
[But this approach would seem outright heretical. Others might not accept it—especially Morgan. What if she opposes it? She is the highest nobility of this era.]
[Should I really push for this now?]
Lot wants the commoners to enforce order instead of the nobles?
At first, Morgan was taken aback by his thoughts.
But upon reflection, the Horndog's idea did align with their interests.
Hmm...
Unorthodox, yes—but I can't deny its rits.
In this era, I might be the only one who'd ever agree to this.
Lot, I may be nobility—
But more importantly, I'm your wife.
We'll be co-rulers of all Britain soday.
I won't tolerate any nobles threatening that.
"Lot, you've already got a plan, don't you? Then go ahead—put it into action."
Seeing his hesitation, Morgan took his hand and gestured across the fortress.
"Everyone here belongs to you now. Don't worry about objections or disobedience. You have my full support."
"But... my approach goes against conventional wisdom."
Lot still seed uncertain.
"So what?"
Morgan smiled faintly.
Then she asked:
"Would you ever harm ? Or your own forces?"
"Never."
"Do you believe your idea is flawed? Or that you're a fool?"
"Of course not."
Lot was beginning to understand.
"Then..." Morgan's eyes glead.
"Do as you see fit!"
"Slaughter every noble in this fortress if you must. Tear the whole place down. Lot, I want you to act without restraint."
"Even if you're a madman, I'll gladly be your madwoman."
"But mark my words—if we're going to be mad, we'll be the most insane, most dashing mad couple in history."
"Mm."
Hearing this, Lot nodded firmly.
Only this way could they truly wrest this land from Vortigern's grasp.
Only this way would it cease to be Vortigern's domain.
Lot had the army gather every noble and commoner in the fortress.
Standing atop a raised platform, he surveyed the crowd.
"I've co here to tell you three things."
"First: Don't call 'hey'—I am King Lot of Orkney."
"Second: Not a single cri will go unpunished."
"Third: And it's still fucking fair."
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