"Do you have any intention of becoming mine? I offer excellent treatment here, including full benefits and even a housing fund."
Leon looked at Morgan with shining eyes.
The British witch before him could be considered exactly his type. A cold beauty, with silver hair and blue eyes, and a classically beautiful face… who could ignore that? For a conquering king like Leon, anything that caught his interest would naturally become something he desired to possess. Of course, that didn't necessarily mean a physical relationship—turning an opponent into a loyal subordinate was also an excellent choice.
What mattered was that the other party was someone worthy.
Morgan couldn't help but be momentarily stunned by the proposal.
Although she didn't fully understand what Leon meant by "full benefits," she immediately—and mistakenly—interpreted it as something more intimate. Despite her reputation as the Witch of Britain, Morgan was not a frivolous woman. Even in the face of someone as powerful as Leon, she still had the resolve to refuse such an offer.
Leon simply shrugged helplessly.
Fruit taken by force is not sweet… though it can still quench thirst. Unfortunately, he wasn't thirsty at the moment.
Besides, Morgan's true goal was to become someone akin to the great Lord Rukkhadevata—his future representative in Britain. In a sense, that also meant becoming Leon's subordinate.
"Well, if you don't want to, forget it. I'm not a demon… though I might end up becoming one in the future."
"Your Highness is overthinking."
Morgan shook her head slightly. Her gaze fell upon the black veil in her hand, but in the end, she did not raise it back to cover her face.
The reason she wore the veil had never been to hide from others.
It was to hide from herself.
Morgan deeply hated Artoria Pendragon. That hatred was so intense that even her own face—almost identical to her sister's—filled her with disgust. Every time she saw her reflection, it was like confronting the very thing she despised most.
That was why she wore the veil.
Not to conceal her beauty from the world… but to avoid looking at herself.
Otherwise, she would end up destroying every mirror she encountered.
At that moment, Morgan felt particularly irritated.
"Damn that Artoria… is this face really that valuable?"
She didn't realize it.
What fascinated Leon was not Artoria's face.
It was hers.
Compared to the blonde, blue-eyed version, Leon undoubtedly preferred, without hesitation, the silver-haired, cold-eyed woman before him.
"Honestly… don't you think it's a waste to hate your own face because of someone else? Witches really do have a peculiar tendency toward self-destruction."
Leon shook his head, as if already used to it. After all, the witches around him had never been exactly… normal.
"In any case, let's get back to the topic. How do you intend to deal with the King of Knights?"
"Yes… in that case, allow me to recommend someone. A person who could become the key."
As soon as the subject shifted to Artoria, Morgan's gaze sharpened.
"In terms of strength, I can guarantee she is extremely powerful. As for her reputation… well, that's another matter. It will depend on whether Your Highness has the courage to use her—and the ability to control her."
Morgan's lips curved into a subtle smile.
It was an expression familiar to Leon.
He had seen it before—in artists who had just completed their greatest masterpieces.
After a few seconds of thought, Leon immediately understood.
"Ah… I see. It's her."
"Hm? Your Highness already guessed?"
Morgan was genuinely surprised.
Leon was even more perceptive than she had imagined.
At that point, the witch became more direct. After all, provoking a man like him would be a terrible decision—especially when he was, quite possibly, the most powerful being in the world.
"Come. Take me to her. I'm curious… I didn't expect to find a Knight of the Round Table here. Or rather… should I call her a Knight of Betrayal now?"
"Yes. She was expelled from Camelot and currently serves as my bodyguard. If Your Highness can win her over… she will be yours."
"You think I wouldn't be able to?"
"…That was my mistake."
Morgan gave a slight bow, acknowledging her error. After all, someone who intended to conquer the world would hardly fail to conquer a single knight.
A few minutes later—
In the former office of the Great Sage, now essentially Leon's office, an imposing figure appeared.
Clad in heavy red-and-silver knight armor and a horned helmet, the warrior's presence filled the room.
"You there. Remove your helmet… and state your name."
The figure remained still for a moment, casting a wary glance at Morgan. After receiving a slight nod from her, the helmet began to dissolve, merging into the armor in an almost organic process.
In the next moment, a firm voice echoed.
"My name is Mordred! The one and only legitimate heir to the King of Knights, Arthur Pendragon!"
The face revealed was that of a young woman.
Like a blazing sun… like a lioness in her youth.
Her blonde hair, tied into a ponytail, contrasted with the mature expression of an experienced warrior.
Leon silently confirmed it.
She was exactly who he had expected.
Even so, he couldn't help but comment:
"So… you betrayed your king?"
"Betrayed?!"
Mordred immediately exploded, her face flushing with indignation.
"I'm not the one who betrayed anyone! It was the Knight King who betrayed me!"
"Oh?"
Leon tilted his head, intrigued.
There was a good story here.
"That king never acknowledged my strength! Whether in swordsmanship or politics, I had already reached her level—no, I had surpassed her! But because of my birth… she denied everything!"
Mordred's voice carried intense, almost tangible fury.
An oppressive aura began to emanate from her body.
Leon raised his eyebrows slightly.
He understood immediately.
Mordred possessed legitimacy… but also carried a fatal flaw.
She had inherited Artoria's blood.
But not in the proper way.
Since Artoria was a woman incapable of producing heirs, Mordred had been artificially created by Morgan—a clone, a copy, an attempt to forge the perfect successor.
In terms of ability, she was comparable—perhaps even superior in certain aspects.
But her existence… would never be accepted.
Even so, one thing was undeniable.
She was extremely powerful.
And at that moment, Leon had already made his decision.
He would claim her for himself.
---
(End of Chapter)