Chapter 42: Noah Has Always Had a Flexible Moral Compass
"The Northern Six Territories advocate for military strength, making the situation there easier to handle."
"However, the Southern Six Territories present a more complex scenario. Simply having the lords of the Southern Six Territories fall in line is clearly insufficient; we must also consider the nobles of the Southern Six Territories... Yes, this requires focused attention."
After accepting the role of advisor, Morgan had clearly adopted a new demeanor.
She had discarded her oppressive black witch robes, leaving only the sleek black inner garment, over which she draped a white, lightweight women's gauze coat.
The veil on her face was also removed, revealing features more mature than Artoria's—a face that seemed to lie somewhere between the Lion King and the "ahoge". Her pale, nearly white long hair was tied into a ponytail with a black ribbon.
Now, she bore no resemblance to her former witch-like appearance and was speaking earnestly about the issues with the Southern Six Territories' nobility.
"Before I came to Camelot, I had already traveled incognito through the Southern Six Territories. Those nobles there even fraternize with the Saxon Barbarians, allowing them entry through the borders and letting them plunder the southern parts of Britain before departing safely."
"This is likely the core reason why the defenses of the Southern Six Territories have been breached by the barbarians occasionally over the years."
"So, I believe this situation must not be overlooked under any circumstances."
Hearing Morgan's words, both Kay and Artoria, who were listening nearby, furrowed their brows.
Although their initial thoughts upon seeing Morgan had revolved around the issues between her and Artoria, upon hearing about the Southern nobles collaborating with the Saxon Barbarians, their focus had clearly shifted back to the matter at hand.
"If that's truly the case, it must not be tolerated..."
Kay narrowed his eyes, his voice colder than usual.
"And it's not just once or twice that the Southern Six Territories have failed to hold off the Saxon Barbarians. The situation here indeed demands attention no matter what."
Kay was not one to take statements at face value, but his additional remark conveyed his stance.
His meaning was simple: even if Morgan's intelligence was incorrect, the fact that the Southern Six Territories couldn't withstand the Saxon Barbarians was real. Thus, even if only for this issue, the Southern Six Territories needed to be addressed.
Artoria nodded silently in agreement.
Her attitude was similar to Kay's.
However, her thoughts were a bit more extensive than his.
"Moreover, Merlin is currently in the Southern Six Territories. If we address this issue now, we can also summon the lords of the Southern Six Territories and fully stabilize the south."
Morgan, Kay, and Artoria all shared similar views.
Though Vortigern was also present, she leaned against the wall without saying a word.
Noah waited for Morgan and the others to finish speaking before voicing his own thoughts.
"First of all, Merlin should be returning soon..."
After saying this, he locked eyes with Fou, who was lying on the table, and mentally inquired with Mary about the situation in the Southern Six Territories.
Mary, who also possessed the highest level of Clairvoyance capable of seeing the present, directly informed Noah of the movements in the Southern Six Territories. Only then did Noah continue speaking.
"However, Merlin's task was completed quite reliably. While I might have some reservations about him in other aspects, I have absolute faith in his talent for being irritating. So by the time he returns, and before I send him to the Southern Six Territories for the second time, the six southern kings will definitely come to Camelot as a group and actively discuss matters concerning southern Britain with us."
Hearing Noah mention Merlin's special talent for being annoying, Fou directly lay down on the table, closing his eyes and playing dead.
Apart from him, Morgan, Kay, and Vortigern all particularly agreed with this assessment. Even Artoria, that honest child, didn't refute it at all.
It seemed Merlin's image in certain aspects was quite firmly established among people.
"After Merlin returns and the six southern kings arrive, what we need to do next is quite simple—but we can't act recklessly in dealing with the nobles of the Southern Six Territories. We still need to gather evidence of their collusion with the Saxons. So regarding this matter, Morgan, take some people and make a trip to the Southern Six Territories. I'll leave the evidence collection to you."
Hearing this, Morgan nodded.
Then Noah added another sentence.
"Use more forceful methods and measures when necessary. Don't be afraid of driving them to the Saxon side... After all, such parasites aren't essential to us. And... you know the White Dragon's objectives and temperament—they won't meet a good end even if they go there."
"But while they may leave, they can't take anything with them. Britain has no extra supplies or people to give to the Saxons—not even a single gold coin or one British citizen. Do you understand?"
Hearing Noah say this, Morgan smiled.
This was what Morgan liked most about Noah.
Compared to those rigid knights, Noah's moral bottom line was quite flexible when necessary.
Perhaps Kay and Artoria hadn't caught on yet, but she understood perfectly—Noah was hinting to her to mercilessly eliminate those nobles, then confiscate their properties and recover the funds.
Oh, no
It was that those nobles foolishly fled to the barbarians' territory and were brutally killed by those impossible-to-reason-with savages.
And those barbarians not only killed people but also looted the nobles' family assets.
It was all done by the Saxon Barbarians, so we need to dispatch troops from Camelot to the south and gather the southern forces for unified management to prevent such cruel incidents from continuing to occur in the south.
"I understand."
Morgan, having grasped the meaning behind Noah's words, nodded with a smile.
Noah then added another sentence.
"By the way, don't forget to capture a few nobles when the time comes. After all, we need to publicly try several of them to warn other nobles that some things can be done, while others must never be attempted."
"I know."
Morgan nodded again, while Kay and Artoria, after some thought, said nothing about Noah's arrangements.
The two of them were still too young.
They only felt that Noah was about to deal harshly with the south, though they couldn't fully grasp the implications in his words.
Seeing them like this, Noah thought that when the time came to handle the Northern Six Territories, he could send these two there for some practical experience.
"Alright, that's settled then. I can see you still have things to discuss, so let's pause matters here for now. We'll address other issues after Merlin returns."
Noah glanced at Morgan, then at Artoria, before giving Kay a meaningful look. He then took Vortigern and left the study.
He had recently increased his training hours, and Scáthach was expected to arrive soon, so Noah was heading off to train now.
Kay was momentarily puzzled by Noah's look, but when he realized only Morgan, Artoria, and himself remained in the room—with both women staring at him—he quickly caught on. Making up an excuse, he departed as well.
After he left, Morgan and Artoria finally turned their attention to each other.
They stood in silence for a while, seemingly at a loss for words. After a long pause, Morgan, being the elder sister, sighed and broke the silence.
"This is our first time meeting, isn't it, Arthur... or should I call you Artoria?"
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