When the new city was completed, Arthur and the others saw Merlin off with great fanfare.
The biggest piece of trash in history has finally been driven out of Britain... Ahem, Arthur thought wryly, accidentally speaking the truth.
Thanks to epoch-making technology and the promise of rapid development, Arthur indulged in a rare luxury—gathering his knights and ministers to celebrate Camelot's epic future.
That very night, Morgan knocked on Arthur's door.
"Still working, little Arthur? Diligence is good, but you need to take care of your body. You could enjoy the banquet a little longer, like Gawain and the others," Morgan said with gentle eyes, watching him concentrate.
"Please spare me, Sister. You know I don't like drinking, and if I stay there too long, they won't let me go. Some things just can't be said in front of the king. Letting them complain a bit will help the country," Arthur joked.
"You're always like this. Have you forgotten what day it is today?" Morgan smiled, stepping closer and picking up a document.
It was the plan for rooting out the Roman spies infiltrating Camelot. Thanks to Manaka, all Rome's secrets were laid bare—like a map revealing every hidden spy.
But openly severing ties with Rome was impossible for now. So they'd use the cliché of a giant rampaging a village—killing everyone before a passing knight slew the beast. Ridiculous, but believable enough to silence Roman suspicions.
Arthur intended to assign Kay the task, a chance for Kay to redeem himself.
Piles of documents detailed Rome's secret plans against Britain, their covert operations, and even darker schemes.
"Even if we ignore Rome, they won't attack soon. Why push yourself so hard?" Morgan said, her worry evident.
Arthur was her favorite child—though they weren't blood-related, and not born of the same womb, that never lessened her love.
"It's better to prepare. Camelot isn't ready for a challenge yet. Facing a great power like Rome requires utmost caution. One day, they will declare war." Arthur's voice was calm but firm.
He was also watching other threats—the northern kings, the Saxons, and the humble King Vortigern.
Morgan no longer had Agravain, their biggest intelligence source, so she remained unaware of these looming dangers.
"Good boy. Put these aside today and get some rest."
"Why?" Arthur asked, puzzled. "Is today an important holiday?"
Apart from Merlin's dealings with Rome, the city's completion, and new technologies, Arthur could think of nothing else worth celebrating.
"Well, at least I don't have to keep blowing cold air."
"Today is your birthday."
"Ah?" Arthur froze.
Since taking up his sword, he had been nonstop—government affairs, plans, worries. He'd nearly forgotten his own body, once an upright knight named 'Arthur.'
A wave of depression swept over him.
Though he shared a good relationship with Morgan and Artoria, it all hinged on him being 'Arthur Pendragon.'
What if one day he wasn't?
If his secret were discovered, how would his two 'sisters' view him? How would he face them?
This family wasn't normal—it was a fragile illusion.
"Sister, if one day you find I'm no longer myself, will you... kill me?"
He rarely admitted such fear—his dread of losing his life laid bare.
He was terrified Morgan might say yes, severing the family bond he'd fought so hard to build.
"What nonsense are you talking about? Idiot, you've been working too hard. Stop confusing yourself," Morgan chuckled warmly. "Okay, rest today. Here's your birthday gift."
She handed him a fluffy cloak emblazoned with a gold-plated red dragon on the back, radiating powerful magic even without close inspection.
Knowing Morgan, it was surely layered with protective spells.
"Birthday present?" Arthur hesitated, then asked, "You built this office for me, right? That's already a great gift."
"Most people don't see an office as a gift," Morgan teased. "Don't think too much—rest well. Happy first birthday, my little Arthur."
She tiptoed away, but once the door closed, her usual gentle demeanor vanished.
Coldness settled over her features, stark against her earlier kindness.
She glanced at the two knights guarding the door and silently cast a spell to block any sound.
"Did you hear that conversation just now?"
"I... we—"
"My loyalty is to the king. No matter who the king is, my king will always be King Arthur!"
The knights trembled, their loyalty unwavering. They were Arthur's personal guards and would never betray him.
But...
"Yes, loyalty is comforting," Morgan smiled sweetly, passing between them.
Then, with a subtle motion, her spell finished—and the two soulless bodies collapsed.
"But I don't believe in loyalty. Little Arthur is right—the human heart is the most uncontrollable thing. To keep the secret, be loyal to my king."
Morgan had always been that woman—kind but changeable.
She only showed her gentle side to Arthur.
"Woohoo~? Killing them so brutally? If the prince knew, he'd be angry."
A girl with an innocent smile appeared.
"They didn't get a chance to speak again, so he won't know," Morgan frowned slightly.
Though Morgan, Manaka, and Merlin were willing to accept doubts and tests of loyalty, their relationships behind the scenes were strained—if not outright hostile.
"Well, don't be so hostile. I'm here to help," Manaka smiled, snapping her fingers.
The two corpses crawled back upright, resuming their previous chatting posture but alert to the danger around them.
"It'd be a waste to let them die. There are never too many protecting the prince."
Their figures dissolved into the shadows.
And this was only the dark side of Camelot.