Simulator in Type-moon, Starting with becoming Morgan husband!

Chapter 41. The Fall of the King Is Also a Heaven-Sent Opportunity

When Ian heard the news, he didn't show the slightest surprise.

The downfall of King Uther was a fate even the king himself had acknowledged.

Rather than calling it a failure, the fact that he managed to hold off Vortigern for such a long time was already a tremendous effort.

If that was the case—

Ian glanced at the Knights of Britannia standing before him.

These were men who had likely just retreated from a failed frontline battle.

One;

Two;

Three;

Ian roughly estimated the number of knights before him.

He alone would probably be enough to kill them all—after all, nearly every one of them was carrying injuries.

There was no way the news of the frontline's collapse could be allowed to reach Camelot so easily.

Ian's hand moved to the longsword at his side.

"Where have you fled from to come here?"

The question from the leading knight pulled Ian back slightly from the murderous intent surging within him.

All he could muster was a feigned smile before replying:

"I didn't flee from anywhere."

"I am Camelot's garrison soldier."

"Camelot's garrison, huh…" The lead knight nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly seemed to recall something.

"Then you must have met the Princess!"

"..."

Ian hesitated for a moment before choosing to reveal part of the truth.

"Well… actually, I was the one who escorted her back to Camelot the entire way."

The lead knight was momentarily stunned, then grabbed Ian's hand in excitement.

"You… you're the knight they call Ian?"

"Yes, that's me."

"Hey!" The lead knight immediately waved to the others behind him. "Come here quickly! This is the Knight Ian that everyone in the camp has been talking about!"

"What?!"

[The defeated knights gather around you.]

[They look at you with eyes full of admiration.]

[This surprises you slightly.]

[You begin to ask what is going on.]

[The defeated knights quickly recount every detail to you.]

[Finally, you have the chance to understand the state of the frontline after you and Morgan left.]

[King Uther never publicly revealed the real reason he sent his daughter, Princess Morgan, back to the capital.]

[Instead, he claimed that "Camelot needs her protection" to explain it to his army.]

[As for you, King Uther used the excuse that you were "the knight who only the princess could command" to conceal the entire truth.]

[This turned out to be his greatest failure.]

[Because, in the eyes of the knights, Morgan was an invincible figure, and you were a mighty general who served under her.]

[As the Britannia army began to collapse, these rumors spread even more widely.]

[Your and Morgan's absence had come to be unanimously seen by the knights as the root cause of the war's failure.]

[But you, who know the truth, understand that this was a deliberate act by King Uther—perhaps the last bit of care he could offer his daughter, Morgan.]

[You realize this situation might be a heaven-sent opportunity.]

Ian quietly sheathed the sword he had been about to draw.

"So, this is what happened."

"You've really had a tough time."

"It wasn't tough at all…" The lead knight's expression showed regret and sorrow. "The king lost, and we lost too."

"It wasn't entirely your fault."

Ian patted his shoulder, comforting him.

"We share the responsibility—we should have insisted on staying at the frontline."

"Sir Ian, we…"

"That's enough. Don't dwell on it any longer." Ian stopped the knights from sinking further into their grief. "You must look forward; the path of hope is always at your feet."

"Tell me, how many others like you are there nearby?"

The knight shook his head.

"I'm not sure."

"Everyone is fleeing. We're just a small group, and right now most are gathered in the village ahead."

"I see."

Ian felt a bit relieved that he hadn't acted rashly earlier—after all, causing too much commotion might have scared some of them off, which would have made the situation even more problematic.

"Gentlemen."

Ian stopped his horse.

"Take me to meet them."

"Understood!"

[Under the knights' guidance, you entered the village.]

[Talent "Affinity Knight Aura" and Talent "Chivalry" activated: with your proper attire, you are regarded as a skilled knight. The villagers do not show hostility toward your presence.]

[You met the remaining knights.]

[They were gathered around a campfire, looking utterly exhausted.]

[Their injuries were even worse than those of the knights you met earlier.]

[Clearly, these were the most severely wounded knights.]

[From their wounds, you could vividly imagine how they had fought for King Uther.]

[Truthfully, as a former comrade, you also felt some heartache for them.]

[The knights who brought you here informed everyone present of your identity.]

[They were visibly astonished.]

"Sir Ian…"

The wounded knights struggled to their feet to show their respect.

"There's no need to stand."

Ian immediately stopped them.

"My rank is not much higher than yours."

This wasn't true—but it was evident these knights were unaware that Ian had married Princess Morgan.

Or rather, that grand wedding seemed to have had no impact on this remote village.

On his way in, Ian had sensed more curiosity than reverence in the villagers' gazes.

"You don't need to be so formal."

As he spoke, Ian took out his food rations and shared them with the knights.

"Eat something first."

"Thank you so much, sir!"

The knights expressed deep gratitude for Ian's generosity, and this conversation helped them relax considerably.

"How is the Princess doing now?"

"She's well," Ian replied without hesitation. "Under her leadership, Camelot has grown more prosperous than ever."

"Damn it!"

Hearing this, one of the knights punched the ground fiercely.

"If only we could defeat that bastard Vortigern!"

"If we could bring victory back to Camelot, we wouldn't have to live with this guilt!"

"..."

Ian briefly considered revealing the truth—that this war had been doomed from the start.

But in the end, he kept that thought to himself.

Some things were better left unsaid.

"So, how did you all end up in this village?"

Ian glanced at the surroundings.

"Was it by chance, like me?"

"Not exactly by chance."

"What do you mean?"

"Um…"

The knights exchanged glances before nodding in unison.

It was the lead knight who explained:

"A young man named Artorius led us here."