The next day, Camelot.
The sky hadn't fully brightened yet, but the streets already buzzed with a festive air. People were excited, as if waiting for something monumental.
The formal handover ceremony of the throne!
After today, they would officially accept Arthur's rule. According to the Flower Magician's prediction, the Saxon invasions would no longer be a threat, and Britain would enter an era of prosperity.
But their king didn't look well at all.
Dark circles under his eyes and a pale complexion betrayed not just one sleepless night, but several.
"Tsk! Nobles, nobles, nobles, and more nobles! Was it like this during Uther's time? All the power is hoarded by the nobles. What kind of king is this?" Arthur grumbled, holding a list that recorded Camelot's nobles and their corresponding positions.
During the ten years the throne was vacant, power had been carved up almost entirely by the most influential nobles. Whenever Arthur thought of this, he was filled with dissatisfaction. If the nobles merely enjoyed wealth and luxury, he could tolerate that. But many held real political power—even when Uther was still alive.
All this would restrict Arthur as king, making many of his plans to develop Camelot impossible.
"If you give me more time, I can definitely fix this," he sighed.
But today was coronation day. Morgan's work wasn't fast enough, and it couldn't be delayed any longer. He needed to secure some nobles' support.
Helplessly, he picked up another stack of documents and signed them with a grim expression.
"Okay, Lord Draven, deliver this to Lord Agravain."
"Yes, my king."
Not long after Draven left, the door opened again, this time revealing Kay.
The fierce-looking knight frowned, then bowed respectfully.
"My king, today you wear the crown. As per your orders, I will serve as your guard. Also, as king, please mind your appearance—even in private."
"That's so troublesome. Someone's been nagging me about that lately. I thought you didn't care about such details, Kay. I'm disappointed," Arthur said with a disgusted look.
"Most of the time, I don't care about those little things. But today is special—especially for you."
"So you're turning into Lancelot's kind of person now?"
"It's just proper knightly etiquette."
Kay remained unmoved by Arthur's teasing.
But it made Arthur uncomfortable.
"I still liked it better when you treated me like you did when we first met."
"...Are you an M, you perverted king?"
"You are—"
"Forget it, be sharp-tongued if you want. Still, I didn't expect you to be truly loyal to me from the start." Arthur waved his hand tiredly.
Anyone with eyes could see Kay's loyalty was really to Artoria. Strictly speaking, their relationship was mutually beneficial. Arthur tolerated Kay's quirks, but had no plans to give him an important position.
By the way, Arthur was paranoid.
Since traveling through time, he'd never felt truly safe.
"King Arthur, your words just now insult a knight," Kay said, his already fierce features hardening. "Please correct your impression of me. Since I have chosen loyalty, I will be loyal to the end, no matter what."
"Oh? Okay then, I'll order Artoria expelled from Camelot."
Surprisingly, Kay hesitated two seconds, then nodded seriously.
"So, should I convey that order now?"
"...You don't even deny it?" Arthur was stunned. Was Kay really that ruthless?
"Driving her out might keep her out of trouble. It could be a good thing for Artoria."
"Forget it, no more jokes." Arthur suddenly felt bored. "Kay, maybe you should spend more time with Merlin—you might get as interesting as you used to be."
Kay trembled violently, veins bulging on his forehead.
"Even joking about that is horrible. Only that bastard will never be forgiven!"
He was furious.
Come to think of it, with the coronation approaching, many nobles had traveled to Camelot recently—giving Merlin the perfect chance to stir things up.
But Merlin's 'childishness' was a nightmare for Kay.
"Do you know what that vile bastard did to me?!"
"What could Merlin possibly do to you? You're both grown men..." Arthur stayed calm. As a time traveler from the 21st century, he'd weathered all kinds of storms. How could Merlin shock him?
If Merlin proposed to you, that'd be surprising. Then I could watch your wedding while eating popcorn.
"That bastard incubus used magic to disguise himself as me and nearly tricked a countess into bed—right in front of her husband! He did it on purpose, that bastard definitely did! Just now on my way here, the two counts and their wives were still harassing me!" Kay gritted his teeth recounting the ordeal.
Arthur was stunned for a moment, then regained composure.
Damn, I've never seen this particular trick before.
It's just Merlin's daily life as an inhuman.
"Ahem, back to the topic. Kay, Merlin came to me yesterday and asked to release you from your oath."
"I chose to be loyal on my own."
"But if you keep this up, Artoria might resent you."
"That doesn't matter. If my sister can find ordinary happiness—even if she hates me for it—I will be happy too. As long as she can hate like a normal person." Kay's words were full of resolve.
That gave Arthur pause.
"…You love Artoria that much, Kay? Is your love really limited to that of a brother?"
Good fellow. I didn't expect you to be this kind of Kay. Without Merlin's interference, you'd have enacted the Genji Plan on Artoria long ago. Tsk tsk, what an evil fellow. So enviable.
Arthur's passion for juicy drama burned bright.
"What do you mean?" Kay asked, stunned.
Kay could never have imagined his king was looking at him like he was a pervert.