Three days later.
Creak—
The massive doors slowly opened. Arthur, clad in knightly armor and wrapped in a heavy cloak, stepped into the chamber. His gaze was stern and filled with overwhelming authority.
Step. Step.
He walked forward and took the main seat. Lamorak sat beside him, expressionless and calm as ever.
Gareth, Galahad, and Agravain took their seats as well.
A ripple spread through the air.
Gawain's figure appeared as a projection—an illusion linked to his real body.
Aside from Arthur, the five Round Table Knights—Gawain, Lamorak, Agravain, Galahad, and Gareth were now assembled. Gawain sat at Arthur's right, symbolizing his standing among the knights.
"Thus," Arthur said calmly, "the first Round Table meeting begins."
In truth, Round Table meetings were rare even in Britannia. The knights did not handle state affairs. Matters requiring their votes were limited to who could join the Round Table, or who needed to be hunted down. Expecting a group of battle-obsessed warriors who knew nothing about governance to discuss domestic policy would be a joke—otherwise Agravain wouldn't be working himself to exhaustion.
Another projection appeared.
Morgan materialized, smiling with amusement as she casually sat down. Whether the seat belonged to her did not matter.
Once considered a traitor, she was now the King's elder sister and a crucial figure of the empire—the wielder of the Island's Power and the Queen of Britannia. The two most exalted figures in Britannia were Arthur Pendragon, heir of the Red Dragon bloodline, and Morgan le Fay Pendragon, heir of the Island's Power.
"Big Sister," Arthur said calmly, "please don't cause trouble."
Morgan snorted but said nothing. She was simply here to watch.
Arthur looked around the room.
"Gawain, Lamorak, Agravain, Galahad, Gareth. All five Round Table Knights are present. The meeting begins."
Everyone nodded seriously—except Lamorak, who clearly had no interest in such matters. Her role was simple: if Arthur agreed, she agreed; if Arthur disagreed, she disagreed.
"Agravain, report Britannia's current situation."
"Yes."
Agravain opened his documents and spoke seriously.
"External trade is steadily developing. Roads, bridges, and underwater tunnels are under construction. Population has reached 120,000—10,000 from other races and 110,000 humans.
"Additionally, recent recruitment has selected 15,000 trainee knights. From these, 10,000 will be chosen for Galahad's training to form the Knight Corps.
"Furthermore, Fish-Man Island—the Ryugu Kingdom, has become a vassal state of Britannia. Under Sir Gawain's protection, a 10,000-strong Fish-Man Knight Corps has been formed."
He continued:
"Three small nations south of Britannia's waters wish to join as vassal states. They are not World Government members."
In simple terms, they wanted protection—and protection meant paying tribute.
Arthur spoke again.
"Hugh. Max. Wei. Bohr. Mashi. Nejin. Are these six qualified as candidate Round Table Knights?"
Votes: Gawain – Approve
Agravain – Approve
Gareth – Approve
Galahad – Approve
Lamorak – Abstain
"They proceed to the next stage of evaluation," Arthur concluded.
Arthur then continued, "Now we discuss whether to accept the three nations as vassals."
Galahad asked, "Travel time?"
"Thirty-six hours at full speed," Agravain replied. "Total population: 1.5 million. Military: 150,000. Weak and frequently raided by pirates."
"Annual tribute?"
"Fifteen billion Beri total. Five billion per country."
Gawain spoke first. "Loss outweighs benefit. I oppose."
Gareth thought carefully. "This is an opportunity. Accepting them will attract more nations and help train the knight corps. I approve."
The siblings stood on opposite sides.
Agravain turned to Arthur.
Arthur asked Gareth, "Can you protect them from pirates?"
Gareth answered firmly, "I swear that within three years I will forge an elite knight corps."
Arthur nodded. "Then we accept their protection request. Gareth will lead the defense."
Voting began.
Gawain – Oppose
Lamorak – Approve
Gareth – Approve
Galahad – Approve
Agravain – Approve
The decision passed.
Arthur continued, "Gawain, the situation at Fish-Man Island?"
"No major movements. However, spies from various factions have begun appearing."
"Can you handle it?"
"Of course."
Arthur nodded. "The Round Table meeting is adjourned."
Gawain's projection faded.
This meeting had been less about politics and more about deciding who would guard the three nations. The tribute itself barely covered the cost of supporting the 10,000-strong knight corps—but the prestige gained by Britannia was far more valuable.
Arthur gave final orders.
"Gareth, deployment begins in three months. Galahad, strengthen the knight corps."
Both knights struck their chests in salute.
Arthur left with Lamorak. The other knights returned to their duties, while Morgan yawned in boredom.
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