Hearing Guinevere's words, Galahad suddenly felt a headache coming on.
"I should have secretly moved him to the lowest deck before setting sail. Then he wouldn't have had a chance to meet Guinevere."
That was what Galahad thought to himself.
He had been extremely careful over the past two months, ensuring Lancelot and Guinevere never crossed paths.
But now
As they prepared to board the ship back to Camelot
They were all on the same vessel, making it inevitable that Guinevere would notice Lancelot.
Seeing a man locked in a cage naturally piqued Guinevere's curiosity, prompting her to ask who he was.
When Lancelot noticed a woman finally paying attention to him, he nearly wept.
Two months. Do you have any idea how I've suffered these past two months?
Thanks to Scáthach's training, Lot and Morgan had completely forgotten about Lancelot.
During this time, only two people ever spoke to him.
Galahad, who glared at him with constant disapproval, limiting their conversations to:
"Hey, eat."
"Wait there!"
No extended conversations allowed.
For two whole months, Lancelot had racked his brain, unable to figure out what he had done wrong.
Aside from Galahad, the only other person who occasionally spoke to him was that old swindler Merlin.
But given Merlin's deception, Lancelot refused to engage with him.
After enduring two months of isolation, being brought back now and finally seeing a third person acknowledge him
Faced with such a beautiful young woman as Guinevere, Lancelot couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.
He put on a charming smile and said to her:
"Me? I'm Queen Morgan's enemy. They had to bind me like this because I'm simply too powerful."
To his credit, despite being imprisoned, Galahad had ensured Lancelot remained clean and presentable. Now, speaking to Guinevere, he actually managed to appear quite dashing.
However
Guinevere's heart belonged entirely to Artoria. She didn't spare Lancelot a second glance.
Instead, she turned her curious gaze to Galahad.
"Is he really that strong?" She pointed at Lancelot.
"Well... no."
Galahad hesitated for a moment before lying.
This was his first time lying, and he couldn't help but blush slightly.
"Release me! Let me prove myself against you!"
Lancelot, hearing Galahad's denial, was indignant.
If it hadn't been for your combined efforts and that old fraud Merlin's deception, I would never have ended up like this!
He was not going to accept this humiliation.
Watching his outburst, Galahad glanced at Morgan for guidance.
Morgan, in turn, looked to Lot.
Lot, noticing everyone's eyes on him
[Why are you looking at me? Just beat Lancelot up again so Guinevere loses all interest in him!]
That was Lot's immediate thought.
Morgan, as if waking from a dream, quickly surveyed their surroundings.
"Right. Galahad, you duel him."
After two months of training, Galahad had improved the most. According to Scáthach, his mind was the purest
Lot was too distracted by his other interests to focus properly.
Artoria had potential but spent way too much time eating.
So in this situation, Galahad was the best choice.
"Understood."
Galahad was more than willing.
Lancelot, meanwhile, was eager to prove himself.
"One-on-one this time. Let's see if you can still win!"
He stepped out of the cage, stretching his limbs as he mentally prepared.
As a skilled knight, he had full confidence in his abilities.
Last time, they had fought to a standstill. This time, he would defeat Galahad.
"Alright, I'm attacking."
Once Lancelot was ready, Galahad raised his sword and charged.
Lancelot met him head-on, countering with his own blade.
And so
The father-son duel began.
...
"Well then, enjoy your extended stay in the ship's hold. We'll let you out when we reach land again."
Lot smirked as he ordered Lancelot now sporting fresh bruises to be dragged back below deck.
Despite being the father in this father-son matchup
He had been thoroughly beaten.
Over the past two months, imprisonment had left Lancelot's skills rusty, with no improvement whatsoever.
Meanwhile, Galahad had undergone Scáthach's brutal training, drastically improving his combat prowess.
And so
To Lancelot's utter disbelief
Right in front of Guinevere
He was humiliated by Galahad.
The embarrassment was unbearable.
Now, thoroughly demoralized, he didn't even react to Lot's taunts.
"Hmm, it seems he really was all talk."
Guinevere, having watched the fight, came to her own conclusion.
Her gaze then shifted to Artoria, eyes filled with adoration.
Artoria, who had been secretly munching on a biscuit behind everyone's backs, froze when she noticed Guinevere looking at her.
Don't look at me like that! I was just sneaking a snack...
Morgan couldn't bear to watch and turned away.
"Even if you kill me, I refuse to acknowledge her as my sister. This is too embarrassing."
But then again
Perhaps this was for the best.
"At least this way, Guinevere won't fall for her... Wait, never mind."
Her relief lasted less than a second.
The way Guinevere was staring at Artoria
It was the same way Morgan often looked at Lot.
But when she looked at Lot like that, it was because he'd done something impressive.
What was so impressive about eating a biscuit!?
This infatuated fool...
Morgan internally facepalmed.
Then, she glanced at Lot.
...Well, at least my Lot is infinitely better than that idiot sister of mine.
Galahad, however, had a completely different reaction.
Seeing Guinevere's lovestruck expression directed at Artoria filled him with joy.
"Yes! This is how it should be. Guinevere falling for Artoria is the correct outcome."
He was more than happy with this development.
Ideally, Guinevere would remain devoted to Artoria, never even considering an affair.
That was Galahad's sincere hope.
He even contemplated
Should I arrange a duel with Artoria in front of Guinevere?
And then... lose on purpose?
If I > Lancelot, and Artoria > me...
Then Guinevere's opinion of Lancelot will plummet even further.
Perfect!
Galahad was very tempted by this idea.
I'll find an opportunity to test this later.
With that thought, he boarded the ship.
As the vessel set sail, Lot's forces began their journey home.
...
The sea route between England and Scotland wasn't particularly long.
In no time at all, they were approaching English shores.
Standing on the deck, Lot supported Morgan as she took in the fresh air.
The coastline was now clearly visible.
Morgan was several months pregnant now, her belly quite prominent.
Lot held her as carefully as one would handle priceless porcelain.
"We've been away for so long... It's good to finally return."
As they walked, Lot spoke softly to Morgan.
"What you really mean is you can't wait to laze around again."
Morgan shot him a sidelong glance.
"Who says? Once we're back, we'll have to deal with the nobles and prepare defenses against Vortigern. How is that relaxing?"
Lot protested immediately.
[Damn nobles. I'll hang every last one of them from the lampposts one day.]
Morgan caught his thoughts and smirked.
Don't worry, Lot. I'll make sure every noble gets their turn on the lampposts.
She silently vowed to purge any threats to their rule.
"Kill."
The word formed soundlessly on her lips.
Just then
A mournful melody drifted from the shore.
The sorrowful notes shattered their previous mood entirely.
"That sound..."
Lot frowned, deep in thought.
[Is that Tristan?]
Hearing his inner monologue, Morgan scanned the coastline.
Her eyes soon landed on a red-haired young man plucking at his harp in a secluded corner.
It was Tristan.
"Lot, look isn't that Tristan?"
Morgan pointed him out to Lot.
"Hmm. It does seem to be him."
Lot confirmed with a nod.
Then
He gave the order:
"Adjust course. Let's go see what Tristan's up to."
The ship soon changed direction, heading straight for the sorrowful bard.