Chapter 55: A Knight's rage.
"It happed a few months back, Lili and I were advancing towards the bandits to wipe them out before they could cross the borders. During our attack, we ran into them, the people in black."
Belinda spoke, kneeling in front of Artoria who was seated on her throne.
Merlin stood beside her, taking notes or everything she was hearing.
"They called themselves the Red wings, loyal followers of the goddess Ishtar. They claim to fight against inequality, although we know nothing of their true goal, we know they are an extremely dangerous faction." Belinda kept her head down.
The goddess of Discord and mother of the heavs Ishtar was a very powerful god who ruled the whole Nation of Unakel, and also rested in the temple of Oni. It was said she disappeared after the birth of a new god in the heavs, but people still worshiped her temple till death, or so the rumors said.
"This is the first I'm hearing of this." Merlin uttered.
"My apologies, we didn't think it was something worth reporting, we never heard from them since th." Belinda responded, "But I will say this, If they have their eyes on Camelot, th it's only wise to fight back and wage war on them".
Artoria, her jaw resting on her hand, voiced out, "I doubt Ha Joon would want us to go to war during this period, so that is out of the question".
Lancelot hissed internally.
'Why the hell is Her Highness worrying about what that young man thinks? And since wh has she be against war?' he thought to himself.
"B..but your highness, they could attack the capital next, if they are under a god, th it's only wise we act now, the gods are not to be underestimated." Belinda raised her head to look at Artoria.
"I'm pretty sure I made myself clear just now. Going to war is out of the question." Artoria gave her a stern look.
Belinda instantly lowered her head, "My apologies Your highness, that was foolish of me".
Merlin could barely hold her laugh down, she looked to the side, and covered her mouth.
"I doubt they'd attack without reason, you're free to take as many troops as you want. Secure the borders so no one gets in or out for now, only the merchants and business owners, and locate where this Ishtar goddess temple is. Perhaps a meeting could be what we need." Artoria ordered.
"As you wish Milady." Belinda stood up from the g and slowly walked away.
'These are the gods we are talking about… discussing with humans is something they can never do, so why is her highness suggesting it? Damn, it's all that traveler's fault, bastard!'.
Lancelot clched his fist in annoyance.
"Lancelot." Artoria called out.
"Yes, your highness." Lancelot responded with a bow of his head.
"Do you have something you want to tell me? I can tell wh my own knights harbor restmts." Artoria addressed calmly.
Lancelot glared at the g, a bit surprised that his king caught on to him.
Ev so, he wanted to talk. He couldn't take it anymore. An outsider had swarmed into the castle and was now taking cover… it didn't seem right, it wasn't fair!
"Pardon my rudess Your highness, but why do you put so much trust in this individual?" Lancelot asked with a low voice.
Artoria raised a brow.
"I understand he helped with the purification of the water, still, it was something we could easily solve for ourselves, and yet, you've giv this useless man all the atttion and trust in the world just because he did this."
Lancelot continued, while Artoria was putting on a brave face, Merlin's anger was slowly growing.
"The knights and I don't trust the Traveler, he's selfish, immature, manipulative, and a risk to Camelot itself. Your highness, I suggest we sd him back to where he came from, he's a criminal and not of Camelot's blood, an outsider has no business deciding for this kingdom….I'm doing all this because-"
The momt he raised his head to look at his que, multiple magical spikes were hovering in front of him, something Merlin had deployed.
"Heyyyy nowww, Just because you happ to be a Knight doesn't excuse you from speaking rudely towards the Prime minister, now does it?… take it back…now." Merlin glared at him, moving the spears closer.
Lancelot looked to the side, a bit embarrassed, "M.. my apologies".
Merlin, almost not moved by his words, pulled the spears an inch closer to Lancelot's forehead.
"Merlin." Artoria butted in.
Merlin sighed, "I got carried away," before canceling the spear.
"Lancelot, you are a Knight, and with that title comes honor, as such I won't dismiss your words, if you can show me evidce of your claim." Artoria said to Lancelot, all while having a calm expression.
Lancelot averted his gaze once again, "I do not, Your highness".
"But yet you stain this man with filth." Artoria sighed, "I have no words for you Lancelot, this should not repeat itself, you may go".
Lancelot bowed his head and exited the room.
"Heheh, what a relief… I would have attacked you if you hadn't stopped me." Merlin laughed.
"You know better than to attack a Knight." Artoria stood up from the throne .
"Hehe~!" Merlin laughed lightly, as she knocked the side of her head with her tongue sticking out.
"In any case, I can't allow hatred to form amongst my knights. I do not fully understand why my knights harbor such malice towards Ja Joon. Did I go about it wrongly?... Merlin, come with me." Artoria headed towards the back door.
"Eh? Where are we going?".
"I need advice from someone who has dealt with this before, Drake".
…
Outside the castle room.
Lancelot rested his back on the wall, his hand covering the side of his face as he looked towards the g, twisted in anger.
'Damn you Traveler, first her highness, th Mordred, and now Merlin is on your side too? What tricks are you using?! I knew something was up the momt you did that stupid trick! I'll expose you, I swear on my life I Will!'.
Belinda appeared out of nowhere and stood in front of Lancelot. Her ever so famous spear, clched in her grasp.
"We need to talk." She uttered, the look on her face hinted at how serious she meant it.
Lancelot turned his focus to her, the anger on his face fading slowly.
....
A/N
Expansion on the world building soon ough. Oh, and thank you all for purchasing the privilege, let's climb the ranks.
THIS CHAPTER UPLOAD FIRST AT NOVELBIN.COM