UWTD 381: Morgan?

‘I’ve had officials and lords coming over to ask for my secret for strong stamina… How do I even explain to them?’ Adam sighed; he simply brushed it all up, having a naturally stronger body to get people off his back.

“Tasty!!” Slipping a robe on, Artoria started digging into the food. A wide smile spread across her face as she basically inhaled the soft, tasteful bread made with methods ahead of her time, along with the hot stew filled with spices.

Eating till 80% full? Artoria believed in eating until she was 200% satisfied. That only took about 2 pots of stew and 30 loaves of bread today.

The two left the room and Artoria took an obligatory bath with the maids helping wash her hair. Thanks to Adam, she could use bath products from the future, too; her lustrous golden locks and snow-like skin had become the talk of the town. Even maids gushed about it while washing her hair, glancing at her figure and features with envy. Truth be told, even Artoria felt shocked at how her curves had grown out.

Sure, they got in the way and limited her battle, if not the slight back pain. But when she thought about how much Adam liked her curves, she could accept the small negatives that came with large breasts.

‘Even now my mind is full of him… when did I become so hopeless?’ She sighed, but couldn’t stop smiling.

After dressing up in her usual attire with the maids helping, Artoria pushed the day’s agenda for later, and informed Merlin that she’d be away till sunset.

Merlin only nodded with a knowing smile when she heard that Adam was accompanying Artoria somewhere and got to work.

Three hours after sunrise, Adam and Artoria left Camelot for a peaceful opening in a forest near the southern coast. Even if away from people, Adam erected several barriers for concealment and protection.

On the other hand, Artoria removed her velvet cape and golden crown. She felt the bursting mana, raging across her body with Excalibur in hand. Her body had absorbed the sperm filled with mana for the entire night, and now it coursed through her, giving her newfound power. An overwhelming flow that tripled her reserves and skyrocketed her physical attributes.

Artoria didn’t speak a word; she kept swinging her sword, reducing trees to splinters and carving ravines into the earth. Practicing against the shadows of heroes she had faced in the holy grail war. But no matter what she tried or who she faced, not even one could get close to her, let alone touch her.

Even the King of Heroes, the first hero, Gilgamesh, felt like a weakling in that moment. That spike in power terrified Artoria, but it also made her question things.

A 70% boost in physical stats, tripled mana reserves. Could she achieve that on her own? Was there still room for her to grow now that she lived again, or did she reach her full potential?

“You can grow more,” Adam answered her question.

“I can?” She looked at him, hope blooming in her heart.

“As long as one isn’t dead, they can always grow. The moment you don’t think you can grow any longer, is the moment you die,” he said.

Adam had pushed through the cursed world with that mindset. Even when presented with an impossible task, he had to push forward. The moment he accepted that he couldn’t, it would’ve spelled the end for him.

Above all, he didn’t have a safety net; he could only struggle every day just to take one step. But things were different for Artoria.

“Just look forward and keep growing. If you fall, I’ll help you up. If you feel like there is no hope, I’ll show you the bright future waiting for you. So, just go for it.” Adam patted the golden hair of the King of Knights, hoping she would outgrow everything that held her back.

“Would I need to sign contracts for them, too?” Artoria asked.

“Well… it would depend, I guess.” Adam scratched his cheek.

“Heh. Give me a discount next time.” She smiled softly, holding his hand.

The contract didn’t matter between them; however, she didn’t want to rely on it. And even if she had to…

‘I don’t mind relying on him… and that too.’ Her face flushed, but she leaned on his shoulder regardless. Accepting the changes she went through in the past six years.

However, problems didn’t want to leave her alone.

That same week, Artoria’s sister, Morgan Le Fay, arrived in Camelot.

***

The summer was in full swing, as full swing as it could go in the British Isles. She just ended her meeting with the Knight of the Round Table, discussing their recent endeavours and the current state of the surrounding forces.

Thankfully, the Saxons or the pirates from the north showed no intention to escalate the situation. And Artoria had no plan to expand her territory; she felt fulfilled with what she had and what she had created with Adam’s help.

This land, her kingdom, had taken form as she wanted. It's people prosperous, her retainers alive and well.

However, on one particular afternoon, on her way to have lunch, Artoria ran into an unexpected intruder in Camelot.

“There you are, sister, or should I call you, Your Majesty?” The jarring tone cut through the quaint hallway.

Artoria turned to see the woman in striking black drapes. Her face, hidden behind the veil, was eerily similar to hers, but her hair was white as bone. The cold, bitter eyes pierced through the cloth and dug into her.

Artoria recognized her sister, Morgan Le Fay; in fact, she had been waiting for her to show up. Because Morgan didn’t take her ascent to the throne well, not before, and certainly not this time either. In her eyes, Artoria had stolen her right to rule.

“You don’t have to worry about that.” But Artoria didn’t have any true ill will towards her sister. She just couldn’t understand her at times; it was like speaking with multiple people at once. She could never tell what her sister’s true face was.

“That won’t do, a ruler must maintain their position of superiority. Even in front of their family, or the one they love.” Morgan’s words cut through the tense air, her gloved hand covering the mocking chuckle.

“I do not believe that I am superior to anyone. I only fulfil my duties as a ruler my subjects trust with their future.” Artoria said, trying to figure out the reason for this sudden visit. If it were like last time, Morgan would start her attacks on her rule and attempt to usurp the throne.

But there was no chance of creating a Mordred this time, unless Merlin betrayed her, which he wouldn’t dare to do with Adam’s presence. So, what was Morgan’s reason for this visit?

“That is so like you.” A strange calm settled over Morgan, nothing like the venomous tone from before.

The almost motherly tone threw Artoria off again.

“I have accomplished what I needed; I shall take my leave.”

Before she could even call after her sister, she had vanished in a veil of black smoke.