Though the two were doing their utmost to conceal themselves, to Morgan and Lot, they stood out like two sharks swimming through a river—utterly impossible to hide.
King Uther was, after all, Morgan's biological father and Lot's father-in-law.
How could they possibly fail to recognize him?
As for rlin…
Have you ever seen anyone in all of Britain with white hair that long?
And that fluffy, voluminous style, no less.
What surprised Lot, however, was that one of rlin's eyes had turned panda-like.
Had soone punched him?
Lot observed rlin's state and couldn't help but think to himself.
Admittedly, seeing such a sight brought Morgan and Lot no small amount of satisfaction.
[Oh my, if it isn't rlin? Haven't seen you in a few days—how'd you end up so pathetic?]
Lot even mimicked rlin's tone in his mind, mocking him rcilessly.
Of course, both Lot and Morgan were also sowhat puzzled.
Why was he like this?
Who had hit him?
Turning these questions over in their minds, the two strode toward the pair.
As they approached, rlin and King Uther were still in the bar, drinking. rlin was busy flirting with the barmaid, his hand perilously close to swatting her backside. anwhile, Uther had disguised himself as an adventurer and was regaling other patrons with tales of his exploits.
"...Let tell you, back in my youth, I fought alongside the brave and peerless King Uther, campaigning across the land. You know what? We even slew a dragon once..."
Morgan and Lot exchanged glances.
"Say, if you used magecraft to record this and later blackmailed him into naming you heir to Calot, do you think it'd work?"
"I feel like… it's not entirely impossible."
Morgan watched as Uther boasted about single-handedly defeating an entire Roman legion and couldn't help but voice her uncertainty.
None of the listeners seed to buy it. One even teased, "Then how co you're just an adventurer now?"
"Well, that's because—" Uther's gaze landed on Lot and Morgan, and he grinned. "I t the love of my life. Right, my dear daughter?"
"…Huh?"
Hearing this, both Morgan and Lot froze.
Wait, you're not even the slightest bit embarrassed?
Your daughter and son-in-law are standing right here, watching you!
[Did my father-in-law get hit by rlin's magecraft or sothing?]
Morgan nodded in agreent.
"Hah, what's with those looks?" Uther strode up to Morgan and Lot, then turned back to his drinking buddies. "Co, let introduce you—this is my daughter, and this handso young man is my son-in-law. Tell , aren't they a fine pair?"
The crowd burst into laughter.
Morgan, seemingly mortified, grabbed her father's arm and dragged him outside.
"Hey, I wasn't done drinking yet…"
Uther grumbled but obediently let himself be led away.
anwhile, Lot watched as rlin's hand hovered a re five centiters from the barmaid's backside—and promptly seized his wrist.
"Oh dear, so close! I was just about to make contact," rlin lanted, his face the picture of disappointnt.
"Enough. Co with . Unless you want your other eye punched to match?"
rlin shrugged and followed Lot without protest.
As they walked, Lot couldn't resist asking, "By the way, what happened to your face? Who hit you?"
"What if I told you it was His Majesty? How would you react?"
"I'd only have one thing to say."
"And that is?"
"King Uther went too easy on you. If it were , I'd have hit you much harder."
Lot's answer was brutally honest.
"Yikes."
rlin shrugged, flashing his trademark wry smile.
Lot paid him no mind.
If rlin actually cared about what others thought of him, dealing with him wouldn't be nearly so difficult.
A mage with no emotions and a degree of precognition was a terrifying opponent indeed.
Outside, Morgan crossed her arms and sighed at her father.
"Father, what are you doing? The great King Uther, skipping his duties to goof off in a tavern with the royal court's chief mage? Is this proper? Is it? Is it?"
Uther scratched his head sheepishly.
"Can't a man relax every now and then? I've fought wars my whole life—don't I deserve so fun?"
"You do, but… like this?"
Morgan was at a loss for words.
"Back when I was called the 'Great Dragon Head,' I used to do this all the ti. After becoming king, I never got the chance. Today, the whole city's celebrating—why shouldn't I relive the good old days?"
Morgan had no rebuttal.
She was about to retort when she caught Lot's thoughts.
[My father-in-law… his body isn't as strong as it seems.]
Not as strong?
Morgan studied her father again.
He still looked robust.
But was he really just putting up a front?
Just then, Uther spoke.
"Morgan, go check on the banquet preparations at the palace. Make sure there are no mistakes."
"…Understood."
His words only reinforced Lot's assessnt.
But to preserve her father's dignity, she nodded and complied.
As Morgan left, Uther turned his gaze to rlin—and raised a fist.
rlin instinctively touched his bruised eye.
"Should I… leave?"
"Yes."
Uther and Lot answered in unison.
With that, rlin made his exit.
Now, only Lot and Uther remained.
"Co with ," Uther said.
"As you wish."
Lot already had an idea of what this was about.
The two moved to a secluded spot, where Uther cut straight to the point.
"My body can no longer bear the burden of ruling Britain."
Reviews
All reviews (0)