It seemed that, besides the blonde girl beside him, Arthur had other "natural enemies" without even realizing it.
And honestly, the mere fact that someone had managed to completely catch King Arthur off guard like that was already terrifying enough.
That could only mean one thing:
The person responsible for that mark was someone extremely dangerous.
Milo silently observed Arthur's reaction as she thought to herself.
To get close to that boy without him noticing…
To leave such an obvious mark in such a sensitive place…
And even worse, to do all of that while he apparently genuinely believed it was some kind of "blessing"…
That rival definitely wasn't simple.
But Milo showed no concern.
She had reached her current position after overcoming countless hardships and political disputes within the tribes. She wasn't someone who relied solely on appearance or luck to survive.
If there was a rival…
Then she would simply crush her.
Meanwhile, upon noticing that Milo and Artoria had finally stopped exchanging barbs, Arthur slowly let out a sigh of relief.
Honestly…
Why did dealing with women arguing feel far more exhausting than fighting the Saxons?
Arthur was even starting to suspect he would rather fight thousands of Saxons alone in an open field than deal with that strange atmosphere again.
And changing the subject…
Lily became withdrawn?
Arthur turned to look at Artoria.
The girl kept her head lowered in silence, saying absolutely nothing. Unlike before, when she would immediately respond, she now seemed strangely quiet.
Arthur hesitated for a moment before lightly patting her shoulder.
"You don't need to worry so much about this," he said with a helpless smile. "I know you wouldn't do something like that."
Artoria slowly raised her head.
Then suddenly, with an extremely serious expression, she spoke:
"I will prove my innocence."
Arthur blinked several times.
"…What?"
"Then please step back a little."
Arthur: "???"
Why had she suddenly become so strangely stubborn?!
Wasn't it just a mark?!
There was no need to turn this into a matter of national honor!
"Oh?" Milo immediately played along, clearly amused. "So you really intend to do it?"
Artoria completely ignored the provocation.
She placed both hands on Arthur's shoulders.
"Excuse me."
After saying that, she gave Arthur no chance to react.
Her face slowly moved closer.
Very slowly.
Arthur could feel her soft breathing against his neck.
Artoria's lips were so close they almost touched his skin.
But at that exact moment—
"Enemy troops approaching!"
Agravain's loud and serious voice violently echoed from the city walls.
"There's an enormous number of them!"
"More than three times our forces!"
Almost instantly, the entire atmosphere changed.
The resting knights abruptly stood up.
Their relaxed expressions vanished completely.
Artoria's expression also shifted slightly, and she immediately let go of Arthur.
Arthur jumped to his feet.
His heart sank.
An ambush?
How was that possible?
The Saxons had abandoned several territories in succession. Everything pointed toward a complete retreat.
Then why…
Why was there an army waiting specifically in that place?!
Arthur quickly forced his brain to work.
No.
This wasn't improvised.
They knew exactly which route we would take.
Otherwise, it would have been impossible to mobilize so many troops so quickly.
That meant that from the very beginning…
The Saxons had been monitoring all of their movements.
But Arthur had no time to think deeply about it.
The priority now was survival.
If they became completely surrounded inside that city, it would be over.
Before Arthur could even issue orders, Milo suddenly grabbed his arm.
"There's another exit gate in this territory," she said quickly. "Please, follow me."
Arthur immediately turned his head toward her.
"How do you know that?"
"My father used to govern this region when he was still alive," Milo explained without hesitation. "I heard stories about this city ever since I was little."
She quickly glanced at Scott.
"Sir Scott can confirm it."
The very next second, Scott stepped forward and immediately nodded.
"Milo's father was an old friend of mine," he said seriously. "Saint Lenica was one of the territories managed by him. It's not strange that she knows this city's structure."
Arthur rapidly evaluated the situation.
The main gates were probably already surrounded.
Remaining there would be suicide.
"The main gates are closed. Even if the enemy still needs time to enter, leaving immediately is still our best option."
"Everyone follow me!" Arthur raised his voice. "Milo will lead the way!"
Fortunately, they had only recently stopped to rest.
The horses were still prepared.
Within moments, everyone mounted up once more and followed Milo through the silent streets of the abandoned city.
Compared to the previous main gate, this second gate was much smaller and more discreet.
Milo quickly explained while they advanced:
"This used to be the city's main gate many years ago. Later it was abandoned for unknown reasons, and the other one began being used instead."
"We can discuss history after we get out of here," Gawain said as he unsheathed his sword.
With a single powerful strike, he destroyed the lock on the massive gate.
The door slowly opened, and then everyone froze.
Outside…
An endless army waited silently.
The troops completely covered the horizon.
And standing at the very front of that sea of soldiers was a man with serpent-like eyes.
He slowly smiled upon seeing Arthur.
"King Arthur…"
His voice was calm.
"I have waited for you for a very long time. Do you still remember me?"
Arthur immediately narrowed his eyes.
He recognized that face.
It was one of the Saxon leaders who had participated in the previous negotiations.
The serpent-eyed man maintained his elegant smile.
"I believe you already understand your current situation, correct?"
His voice remained extremely calm.
"If you lay down your weapons now, we can speak civilly. I guarantee that no harm will come to you."
Arthur instantly realized the true meaning behind those words.
They had deliberately abandoned all the previous territories.
It had been a trap from the very beginning.
They wanted to lure Arthur deep into enemy territory… and isolate him.
The serpent-eyed man continued smiling.
"Of course… as for the others beside you…"
His gaze slowly swept across the Knights of the Round Table.
A faint trace of caution appeared in his eyes.
"I cannot promise anything."
Even they knew the reputation of those knights.
If the Saxons wished to survive in the future, the Knights of the Round Table would inevitably become their greatest enemies.
Therefore…
Even if they failed to capture Arthur…
They still needed to eliminate those people there.
No matter the cost.
For a brief instant, a cold glint flashed through the man's eyes.
But his elegant smile remained perfectly intact.
"So…"
He slightly spread his arms.
"What will your decision be, King Arthur?"
(End of Chapter)