Scáthach tilted her head slightly at Morgan's proposal, then readily agreed. As the saying goes, the older one gets, the fewer inhibitions they have. Confucius once said that at seventy, one could follow their heart's desire without overstepping boundaries. Scáthach had clearly lived through several multiples of seventy years - she had no reason to care about such things anymore.
Moreover, she had just observed the banquet earlier. The food served was something she'd never seen before, let alone tasted. If she wanted to try something new, this seemed like an excellent opportunity.
Morgan was naturally delighted to see Scáthach agree. Lot standing nearby was equally pleased.
[My wife really has some skills, actually managing to recruit Scáthach like this. Well then, perhaps we won't need to be so restrained in our Scottish operations anymore.]
In this era, England was already considered backward compared to continental Europe. As for Scotland further north? Don't even mention it.
Barbarians.
Might makes right.
This was everyone's common impression.
As the mistress of the Land of Shadows, Scáthach's prestige in this land was something no one could ignore. Now that Morgan could form a sworn sisterhood with Scáthach, it would greatly enhance her reputation in this territory.
With Scáthach's endorsement, there would be much less resistance when it came time to rule Scotland in the future.
Returning to the castle, Morgan immediately had the cooks awakened to prepare a sumptuous feast.
The life of cooks in this era was truly pitiful. They had no personal freedom to speak of - on call twenty-four hours a day, ready to work whenever summoned. Especially after serving Artoria's meal earlier in the day, they had barely lain down for two hours before being roused again to prepare this lavish banquet.
How pitiful~
Though Lot did pay the cooks quite handsomely, making their lives slightly better.
Bringing out their full skills, they prepared an extremely luxurious feast.
The eight great cuisines - Sichuan, Shandong, Cantonese, Huaiyang, Fujian, Zhejiang, Hunan, and Shanghai - each contributed one signature dish.
Even Scáthach was visibly moved when she saw it.
This was completely different from the food she'd eaten before. Her previous meals had basically consisted of simply roasting meat over fire or boiling it in water. As for bread, even after removing all impurities from the flour, it remained coarse and barely edible.
It couldn't even be called tasty.
After slaying gods, she had merely eaten to fill her stomach.
But seeing the food Lot presented now, she felt something long lost reawaken within her.
The meticulous refinement of the food.
It embodied a love for life.
A desire to carve out more brilliance within limited lifespans.
Scáthach remembered how she had once struggled just for slightly better food.
The food Morgan and Lot prepared gave Scáthach a thought:
Perhaps spreading this throughout all of Scotland would be an excellent idea.
If earlier Scáthach had wanted Morgan and Lot to conquer Scotland just to fulfill her own wish, now she also felt something for the Scottish people.
Making all Scots happy wouldn't be a waste of the reverence so many Scottish people had shown her.
"Experiencing life... perhaps it's been too long since I last felt this."
Scáthach picked up chopsticks, imitating Lot and Morgan's manner. Skilled with twin spears, she handled the two chopsticks with equal proficiency, deftly picking up a piece of tofu and placing it in her mouth.
The smooth texture made her eyes unconsciously curve into crescents.
"Quite good."
As she spoke, her hands moved swiftly to pick up other dishes.
Seeing her eat so happily made Morgan equally pleased.
After eating my food, of course you're considered my subordinate now.
Sooner or later, I'll squeeze several times the value out of you.
As everyone was eating, a figure suddenly appeared in the room.
Artoria.
Looking at this Artoria, the expressions on the faces of Lot and the other two were speechless.
Her eyes were closed - clearly still asleep. Drawn by the aroma of food, she had sleepwalked here.
"Is this some special talent of you Camelot people?"
Scáthach pointed at Artoria and asked Morgan.
Of course, Scáthach could tell Artoria's true gender at a glance.
"This... no." Seeing Artoria's behavior, Morgan couldn't help but facepalm. "She's just a special case."
At the same time, she glared at her sister.
"This sister is beyond saving. Better give her a beating and starve her for three days."
Morgan thought as she looked at Artoria.
Scáthach watched with great interest, then tilted her head to comment to Lot and Morgan
"But speaking of which, does Camelot always have such outstanding talents? Both Lot and this young girl here have top-tier potential. With some proper training, they could become excellent knights."
As she spoke, she looked at Artoria and couldn't help licking her lips.
Her interest was piqued again.
Seeing Scáthach's expression, a glimmer of anticipation appeared in Morgan's eyes.
Perhaps...
Our combat strength in Camelot might increase significantly this time.
"Sister Scáthach, could you help educate her?"
She asked Scáthach.
Scáthach didn't respond verbally.
Seeing Artoria about to walk past the dining table, she stretched out her foot to trip her.
Just as her foot was about to make contact, Artoria suddenly woke up.
Then,
She looked at Scáthach and exclaimed in surprise "Who are you?"
Scáthach remained silent.
She simply reached out and attacked Artoria.
Faced with this sudden assault, Artoria didn't have time to think - she immediately countered.
After a few exchanges, Scáthach had Artoria pinned.
"Your instructor was quite good, but still somewhat lacking."
She evaluated Artoria.
As she spoke these words, in another part of the castle, Merlin rubbed his nose.
"Endure, must endure. I can't win against that woman."
He muttered to himself.
...
Though not loud, the sounds of their fighting still caught someone's attention.
Galahad heard the noise and hurried over.
Seeing Scáthach easily subduing Artoria, his eyes widened in shock.
Who is this!?
So powerful.
Effortlessly defeating Artoria.
Before crossing over, I'd never heard of such a person.
No time for careful thought.
Galahad also launched an attack at Scáthach.
"Another promising seedling!"
Seeing Galahad, Scáthach's face showed even greater interest.
Then, seeing Galahad's attack, she similarly countered.
However, since she was currently using one hand to restrain Artoria, she could only spare one hand to fight Galahad, resulting in a temporary stalemate against the armed Galahad.
After watching them exchange several blows,
Lot quickly intervened:
"Alright, that's enough fighting. This purple-haired... sister is Morgan's newly sworn sister."
"Huh?"
Hearing Morgan say this, Galahad stopped and also looked puzzled.
Who is this woman?
...
With the misunderstanding cleared up, everyone ceased fighting.
Morgan glanced at Artoria, whose eyes were fixed on the banquet, and felt exasperated.
Can't you have some dignity?
"Artoria, come join us."
She said with a forced smile.
"Okay! Okay!"
Faced with such an invitation, Artoria naturally wouldn't refuse.
"Pfft."
Lot and Galahad couldn't help but laugh.
"What are you laughing at?"
Morgan asked Lot.
"Oh, I just remembered something happy."
Lot answered insincerely.
"And you?"
Morgan then looked at Gala.
"Seeing His Majesty Lot happy makes me happy too."
Galahad was indeed a good boy, but not a stupid one.
When it came to survival instincts, he was never lacking.
Morgan had no choice but to let Artoria and Galahad join the feast.
Let the banquet begin.
And it wasn't just the five of them.
Shortly after taking their seats, Guinevere also appeared.
Add one more.
Not long after Guinevere arrived, King Leodegrance - that doting father - came over.
Well, seeing everyone gathered here, King Leodegrance naturally joined in too.
Thus all the high-ranking members of the Camelot-Leodegrance alliance were assembled.
Oh, wait - one was missing.
A certain white-haired individual didn't dare show up.
After having the servants rearrange the banquet, everyone took their seats.
King Leodegrance noticed that the dishes on the table were clearly more luxurious than what he'd had for dinner.
Moreover, in Morgan's seating arrangement, Scáthach was placed above King Leodegrance.
This displeased him.
You, Lot, are a king, and so am I.
How dare you place this woman above me?
I know my looks are average, but that's just because I'm older! If I were twenty years younger, I'd be... not bad either.
He felt indignant.
Then, he discreetly observed Scáthach.
"Madam, may I ask where you're from?"
King Leodegrance tried to inquire about Scáthach's background.
"I'm originally from Scotland."
Of course Scáthach could see through King Leodegrance's intentions, and she smiled as she answered.
Scotland?
Hearing this, King Leodegrance straightened his back even more.
In Scotland, his territory and power were quite considerable - few could rival him.
"And you are...?"
King Leodegrance continued questioning.
"Just a minor queen from an insignificant place."
Scáthach replied nonchalantly.
King Leodegrance's smile grew even more pronounced.
There weren't many queens in Scotland, none of whom could compare to him.
Looking at Scáthach, he said: "Well then, what is your country? Perhaps we could collaborate."
Hearing this, Morgan and Lot both covered their mouths.
Barely suppressing their laughter.
"My country has very few people. Perhaps Your Majesty hasn't heard of it?"
"What country?"
"The Land of Shadows."
Scáthach said calmly.
"Oh, the Land of Shadows..." King Leodegrance began instinctively, then suddenly stopped. "You're from where?"
"The Land of Shadows!"
Scáthach's smile was radiant.
"And your name?"
"Scáthach. Scáthach, Queen of the Land of Shadows."
As she spoke, Scáthach unleashed her full aura.
Thud!
King Leodegrance fell off his chair.
"Pfft... pfft..."
Morgan and Lot tightly covered their mouths, struggling not to burst out laughing.
[No, Morgan, pinch my thigh so I don't laugh.]
Lot signaled Morgan with his eyes.
But Morgan was too weak with laughter to comply.
The scene was simply too hilarious.
...
Lot had laughed heartily that night.
But come morning, he felt like crying.
"W-wife, what did you say?"
He stammered at Morgan.
"Of course it's to improve your strength! I specially asked sister to help with special training. Look, even Artoria and Galahad have no complaints."
Morgan said cheerfully.
Last night, she'd heard from Scáthach that Lot's potential was far from fully developed.
This simply wouldn't do.
He must train harder.
Artoria and Galahad needed to improve their combat abilities too.
Lot glanced behind him - both Artoria and Galahad looked eager.
They were knights through and through.
They welcomed any chance to grow stronger.
"W-well, alright."
For the sake of his image, Lot had no choice but to grit his teeth and agree.
"Good, very good."
Scáthach said this, then raised her spear.
"Come, you'll take turns sparring with me..."
She said to Lot and the others.
...
And so, Lot began his arduous training.
King Leodegrance was under even greater pressure.
Only Scots could truly understand Scáthach's significance.
Having a quasi-deity constantly nearby.
The pressure was overwhelming.
This life continued for two months.
Before it finally came to an end.
Morgan and Lot prepared to return to England.
During this time, with Scáthach present, King Leodegrance had completely accepted his subordinate position.
The military achievements of Camelot's forces had also spread throughout Scotland.
Morgan's objectives were largely accomplished.
Time to go home.
Guinevere had joined the Round Table Knights, and King Leodegrance provided an additional 150 knights, further strengthening the order's forces.
After bidding temporary farewells to Scáthach, everyone boarded the ship.
It was then that Guinevere noticed Lancelot.
She couldn't help asking Galahad beside her: "Um, Galahad, who's that person in the cage?"