"Really? There was no attack? I see. The actions of the Romans give me a bad feeling. Lucius did not appear on the battlefield on my side, and not even slightly important figures were present. The scouts have already been sent out. It shouldn't be long before we receive a report. Be cautious." Arthur gave his instructions with a tense expression.
The Roman army's abnormal behavior left him uneasy.
As for how to track Lucius's movements, it was actually quite simple.
Lucius could now be considered a mobile clairvoyance-blocker. Wherever clairvoyance couldn't penetrate, Lucius was likely present. In this way, his approximate location could be accurately determined.
But on the other hand, Arthur still had no way of discerning the Romans' actual plans or actions.
In response, Gawain, on the other end of the transmission, smiled brightly.
"My king, you worry too much. Britain is protected by your majesty's radiance. Even a mighty nation like Rome cannot break through. Besides, as long as the sun remains high in the sky, who could ever defeat me?"
"It seems my Knights of the Round Table are very confident," Arthur replied with a bitter smile, uncertain whether that was a good thing or not. "Lord Gawain, don't underestimate the enemy. From my predictions, Lucius is likely to make his move against you first. In any case, I'll make the proper arrangements. Hopefully, I'm just worrying too much."
"Yes."
Arthur issued a few more brief instructions before closing the communication.
On the other end, Gawain looked helplessly at his sister standing nearby.
"Gareth, what do you think has come over our king? Ever since Rome officially declared war, he's become... overly cautious. Humble, even."
"It's improper to speak of His Majesty behind his back," Gareth chided. "And Brother Gawain, wipe your nosebleed. Really now, you're second only to Sir Lancelot at the Round Table. Why can't you learn from him? You're so unreliable."
Her expression turned slightly gloomy as if something else was on her mind.
As the last seat at the Round Table—no, according to the rumors, she might soon no longer be the last—she would be formally honored as the sixth seat.
Well, if that happened, maybe she ought to thank that mysterious junior who may or may not even exist.
Ahem! Anyway, the people Gareth admired most were undoubtedly Arthur and Lancelot.
One was King Arthur, whose radiance bathed all of Britain. The other, the perfect Knight of the Lake.
As for her two brothers... well, they were difficult to praise.
Brother Agravain would probably never lose that sullen look in his lifetime. There was no hope for him. Besides, as a military officer, he didn't have to worry about civil affairs anyway.
But Brother Gawain—he was the closest to being the leader of the Round Table, and a blood relative of His Majesty. She didn't expect him to be as perfect as the king, but couldn't he at least try to emulate Sir Lancelot a bit more? At the very least, be a little calmer? Ugh~ Of course, it's not that she thought Brother Gawain had a bad personality. It's just... couldn't he be a little more dashing?
"Gareth, are you thinking something unkind?" Gawain squinted at her suspiciously.
"How could that be? I'm earnestly praying for your growth, hoping you'll become as splendid as Sir Lancelot."
"Sir Lancelot?"
Gawain froze. Lancelot's face surfaced in his mind automatically.
Like Lancelot?
Should I learn from the Lancelot who fights with a woman (Guinevere) every day? Or should I adopt that vacant stare, constantly insist soldiers admire the king more, and go around preaching like a madman? If I really followed Lancelot's example, things would probably end badly...
"Alright, alright. Let's eat first. I cooked today and prepared a lavish lunch for my lovely little sister," Gawain said, shaking his head and grinning foolishly, casting off his concerns.
But Gareth's expression immediately turned pale.
She thought of... mashed potatoes.
At that moment, the city alarm sounded.
The Roman army was attacking.
The two exchanged glances, cast aside their joking mood, equipped themselves, and rushed to the gate.
When they reached the wall, however, they didn't see the massive Roman army they were expecting.
Outside the city stood only a small Roman unit—fewer than a thousand men, loosely scattered. They hadn't even brought siege catapults. Instead, they used bows and spears—arms that were effectively useless against a fortified city—to lightly harass the defenses.
"It's just as the king predicted." Gawain's expression darkened.
"Brother Gawain, they don't seem to be launching a proper siege. What should we do?" Gareth asked, concern growing on her face. "Should we have the crossbowmen retaliate?"
In truth, they could easily wipe out the enemy using the ether cannon magic inscribed on the city wall or by deploying the pseudo-sun magic turrets.
Britain lacked ultra-long-range positioning systems for now, but only for targets beyond that extreme range. Within a hundred meters, if British researchers still couldn't lock on, they'd all be better off quitting. Within five kilometers, at least, the turrets could strike with pinpoint accuracy.
However, using such powerful magic against this scattered group would be like using a cannon to kill a mosquito.
And Britain's reserves of magic crystals weren't infinite.
"No. This is a challenge. If we drive them off with arrows in the face of such an open provocation, it will disgrace the honor of the Round Table," Gawain said, pointing toward the most elaborately dressed Roman warrior. "That man is probably a well-known champion. If I take his head here, we'll crush their morale."
"Eh? Brother Gawain is going out to fight?"
Was that really necessary? The enemy couldn't even scratch the walls.
And if there were easier ways to annihilate them, why step outside the gates?
"Of course I'm going. The Romans dared to step onto our land with barely a thousand men. As the second seat of the Round Table, how could I refuse the challenge?"
"But—"
"No buts, Gareth. You stay here and watch your brother's glorious display." Gawain smiled confidently, gazing up at the high sun overhead.
Yes—wherever sunlight shone, the Sun Knight was invincible.
This battle would be a crushing victory without suspense. There was nothing to fear.
Gareth stared at Gawain. As the last seat, she was far less experienced than the others. So, even without considering their bond as siblings, she couldn't bring herself to oppose him with conviction.
In the end, she could only watch as Gawain departed through the gates.
The atmosphere on the battlefield changed instantly. The clash of swords rang out, fiercer than expected.
The enemy warrior was indeed skilled.
But in the end, even a Roman general could not rival Gawain. He was slain shortly afterward.
Yet before dying, the man said something to Gawain—something that made the knight's expression change drastically.
He rushed back at once.
"Brother Gawain, what's wrong?!"
"Quick! Gather the troops and pursue them outside the city—now!"
-End Chapter-
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