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Tristan's plan proved to be highly successful. Not only did they manage to eliminate the enemy's commander, but they also buried over 20,000 magical beasts in the volcano. As a result, the enemy had no choice but to temporarily halt their offensive, leading to a stalemate.

However, Shirou's forces also suffered significant casualties. Despite initially consisting of around 2,000 soldiers, their numbers were reduced to a mere 724 after a thorough inventory was conducted.

Artoria's cavalry suffered a devastating loss, with not a single soldier surviving. Similarly, Gawain and Gahares' infantry unit, which had consisted of 1,300 soldiers, was reduced to a mere 427. Meanwhile, Tristan's archer unit was left with only 297 soldiers. Along with Kay's garrisoned soldiers, which numbered over 200, the total number of survivors was only 919.

With the initial force comprising over 2,000 individuals, the current number of survivors was not even half that, standing at less than a thousand.

Shirou's decision resulted in the deaths of these individuals, and the weight of the power he wielded was immense. With a single sentence, he determined the fate of so many lives. However, rather than feeling elated about it, he was overwhelmed by fear.

The gravity of his decision was constantly on his mind, and he couldn't help but consider the countless parents who would lose their sons, as well as the wives and children who would be left without husbands and fathers. The sheer responsibility he carried was immense, and the weight of it was almost too much for him to bear.

Despite the overwhelming emotions he felt, Shirou knew there was no time for him to panic.

While the recent battle had been a great victory, Shirou and his forces knew that the enemy was still watching them closely. The enemy still had thousands of land magical beasts, nearly 10,000 bipedal flying wyverns and griffins, as well as a Saxon army comprising 10,000 soldiers. The sheer size of the enemy's forces was staggering, totaling close to 30,000 individuals. Despite their recent success, the odds were still stacked against Shirou and his allies.

Doubts began to emerge among Gawain and the other soldiers, as well as the people they were protecting. They questioned whether their recent victory was truly a win.

However, Shirou couldn't afford to doubt himself. Though he too experienced negative emotions, he remained outwardly calm, offering a reassuring smile to those around him. With conviction, he reassured his people that they would ultimately emerge victorious.

Shirou also took practical steps to strengthen his position. He instructed Morgan and Merlin to reinforce the barrier in Caerleon during the enemy's temporary suspension of their offensive. He also mobilized manpower to collect the names and achievements of the fallen soldiers, which he compiled into a book of heroic spirits.

He reminded the soldiers that though these heroic spirits had passed away, their legacies would live on through the retelling of their deeds by thousands of people, ensuring that their names would be immortalized forever.

This simple yet powerful gesture greatly boosted the morale of the disheartened soldiers, reminding them of the valor and bravery of their fallen comrades and reinforcing their commitment to the cause.

As Shirou documented the aftermath of the battle, he dispatched an envoy to Camelot, seeking their aid. His own army consisted of a mere 900 soldiers, vastly outnumbered by the opposing force of over 30,000 troops. Even if they fought for a full day and night, they would never be able to eliminate them all.

The strategy involving the volcano proved effective only against low-intelligence magical creatures. The bipedal flying beasts had the ability to fly, while the Saxons were human, rendering the plan ineffective against them.

With Caerleon's defenses stretched thin, seeking reinforcements became imperative to prevent an imminent breach. Meanwhile, Morgan had also reached out to the northern kings of Hadrian's Wall and discovered that they had already taken action.

Their plan was to march along Hadrian's Wall, advance towards the Kingdom of Orkney, intercept the Picts who had responded to Vortigern's call, and finally lend their aid to Caerleon.

The news was undoubtedly a great relief. With the northern kings intercepting the Picts, Shirou and his army could attack the invading forces from both sides, potentially defeating them before devising a plan to repel Vortigern.

After receiving this information, Shirou shared it with his soldiers, who were thrilled at the prospect of reinforcements. However, Lamorak appeared to have something on his mind but hesitated to speak up, choosing to remain silent in front of the group.

As night fell, a team from Camelot arrived, much to Shirou's surprise. However, instead of a reinforcement army, it was a group of nobles led by Sir Ywain, with Lucan among them. They had brought 300 horses and 500 swords, a welcome addition to Shirou's forces.

Shirou warmly welcomed Sir Ywain into the castle and invited him for a chat. During their conversation, Sir Ywain proposed that Shirou take him on a tour of the current situation in Caerleon. Shirou readily agreed and personally showed him around the city.

Sir Ywain was taken aback by what he saw. Despite the ongoing attack by Vortigern's army, there was not a trace of fear or worry on the faces of the people in Caerleon. Instead, they seemed to radiate a sense of positivity and hope, as if bathed in sunshine.

To Sir Ywain's surprise, the people of Caerleon had even taken it upon themselves to establish a supply line, led by Bedivere, and were cooking and providing food for the soldiers who were defending the city. Sir Ywain watched in amazement as the whole process unfolded before his eyes.

After the tour, Shirou escorted Sir Ywain back to the castle. Curious, Sir Ywain asked, "Your Highness, how did you manage to instill such a sense of ease and optimism in the people of Caerleon, while Camelot is in complete chaos?"

Shirou replied simply, "I told them that I would lead them to victory and a better future."

Sir Ywain pressed further, asking, "Putting aside the question of whether victory is achievable or not, did you promise in Camelot to lead us to defeat Vortigern, reclaim our homeland, and guide us towards a better future?"

Shirou nodded firmly, "Yes, I did."

Sir Ywain then questioned, "But what if you are unable to fulfill that promise?"

He smiled reassuringly, "I'm not here to play games with you, Sir Ywain. As a king, my duty is to do everything in my power to ensure my people lead good lives. If I can't achieve my goals, I will find ways to stall and keep fighting until we can achieve them."

"You are wise, Your highness. However, in order to achieve your goals, it's crucial to maintain a firm grip on the throne. And to accomplish that, I suggest you find a way to deal with Princess Morgan," Sir Ywain proposed, his tone filled with wisdom.

Shirou's expression turned cold. "What did you say?"

Sir Ywain explained, "Princess Morgan is like an unstable variable. She has always coveted the throne, and if 'Arthur' were anyone other than Guinevere, she might have been willing to bide her time. But if 'Arthur' was 'Guinevere', she could become the next Vortigern. So, my king..."

Before Sir Ywain could finish speaking, Shirou sneered and cut him off, "Sir Ywain, if I were to get rid of my 'sister' who has treated me so well, then who else among my loyal subjects would feel safe? Who else would be willing to serve me wholeheartedly?"

Sir Ywain urgently pleaded, "Your Highness, you're being too lenient when it comes to women!"

"I am being humane."

"A king must be both merciful and ruthless!" Sir Ywain argued desperately. "If you spare those who threaten your power, your reign will never be secure!"

Shirou replied firmly, "I believe that those who sow seeds of fear will ultimately reap the fruits of regret."

Sir Ywain let out a sigh and said, "You have the courage, wisdom, and shrewdness of a king, but you lack the necessary ruthlessness."

"As a king, my duty is to resolve conflicts. Whether it's conflicts between me and my subjects, conflicts within the country, or conflicts between me and the people I care about, like Morgan, the key is to find a way to reconcile. Why should I resort to cruelty if we can achieve our goals through understanding and cooperation?"

"What will you do then?"

"I will lead with compassion in my heart, uphold the law in my hand, instill hope in others, share in their sorrows, and govern both my family and my kingdom with fairness and justice."

Sir Ywain looked at Shirou in a daze and whispered, "That's more than enough... That's more than enough..."

Reaching into his pocket, he took out a crown and presented it to him.

Shirou furrowed his brow in confusion, asking, "What is this?"

Sir Ywain replied solemnly, "My king, if defending Camelot becomes impossible, then abandon it and declare yourself king elsewhere. This crown is a symbol of your right to rule, regardless of location or circumstance."

Shirou refused, "I have already made contact with the northern kings. They intend to march south after repelling the Picts, and together, we will counterattack Vortigern. With our combined strength and resources, we may have a chance at repelling him."

Sir Ywain voiced his concern, saying, "However, I fear that Barton Fortress may not be able to hold on until then."

Shirou furrowed his brows, his thoughts drifting to King Mark.

Sir Ywain continued, "Moreover, the nobles in Camelot have been corrupt for a decade now, and crowning a new king would only cause more chaos. Baldwin and some other nobles, along with a treacherous king, are behind this plot. To be honest...I am also involved in this mess. Among us three, only Brastias remains steadfast in his loyalty. Baldwin and I have been corrupted, which is why we now face this dire situation."

Shirou shook his head resolutely and stated, "While we cannot change the past, we can still strive towards a better future."

Sir Ywain nodded in agreement and said, "Indeed. I have come to an agreement with Baldwin that if we can successfully repel Vortigern, you will be crowned king, and we will fulfill the late king's last wish by serving you to the best of our abilities. However, if Camelot cannot be defended, then take the crown and leave. Camelot has strong defenses and ample supplies, and it can withstand Vortigern's forces for at least three years. This time period will be your opportunity to consolidate your power. The seventeen internal ministers, including Lucan, are all nobles, but they have not succumbed to corruption like we have. They can be of great help to you. I have already prepared horses and weapons for you, but you will need to provide your own food."

Shirou stared at Sir Ywain, who appeared serious and resolute, for a long moment before furrowing his brows. "If we can forge a three-party alliance, then Camelot still has a chance!"

Just then, Lamorak knocked on the door and entered the room. Sir Ywain had to quickly put away the crown.

Shirou turned his attention to Lamorak and asked, "What is it, Lamorak?"

Lamorak's expression was troubled as he spoke, "Your Grace, I urge you to contact the northern kings immediately and ask them to halt their march toward King Pellinore's kingdom!"

Shirou looked at Lamorak with a confused expression and asked, "What do you mean? Are you not the son of King Pellinore? Are you concerned that the northern kings will harm your father? Rest assured, with the enemy at our doorstep, they will not act recklessly."

Lamorak shook his head urgently and replied, "No, it's not that. If they go there, they will face complete annihilation!"

Shirou looked at him with a mix of confusion and concern and asked, "What do you mean?"

Lamorak's expression was one of sorrow as he replied, "My father has become a Dead Apostle. And our once-thriving territory has been transformed into a kingdom of vampires!"

...

At the Fortress of Barton Mountain, the coalition of kings succeeded in once again driving back the vanguard forces of Vortigern.

Despite the fact that Vortigern's main army was steadily advancing, the fact that their vanguard forces had failed to take the fortress left them feeling somewhat disgruntled, as their time was limited.

The turmoil that gripped the European continent was rapidly approaching its conclusion, signaling the end of the Age of the Gods.

With the clock ticking, Vortigern knew that he had to consolidate his rule over the British Isles before it was too late. Only then would he be able to harness the power of nature and unleash the holy lance Rhongomyniad to achieve his ultimate objective. However, time was not on his side, and he had already spent ten long years at Hadrian's Wall, unable to advance.

After finally using "Arthur" to reveal the truth and sow discord among the northern kings, he broke through Hadrian's Wall and had to quickly unite the entire British Isles.

He was acutely aware that capturing Camelot would be a lengthy process, made even more difficult by the presence of Dead Apostles on the islands. Despite this, he was surprised to see that the kings who had fallen for his deception were able to repel his vanguard forces without the support of Hadrian's Wall.

In truth, Vortigern realized that if he could establish a connection between King Pellinore's kingdom and Orkney, he might be able to directly unite the British Isles, rather than simply capturing Camelot.

However, the presence of Dead Apostles that surrounded that kingdom gave him pause, and he ultimately decided to temporarily abandon that approach. Instead, he opted to break through from Orkney, which he deemed to be a safer option.

Vortigern had made up his mind to take Camelot, consolidate his rule over Wales and the southern part of England, and then reclaim King Pellinore's kingdom.

With time quickly running out, he felt a growing sense of frustration towards the kings who had successfully repelled his vanguard forces at Barton Fortress. However, he remained ignorant of the fact that those same kings were already dead.

"What are you--" King Nantes began to speak, but before he could finish, he felt the sharp point of a sword pierce his abdomen.

The assailant was none other than the King Mark, although his appearance was now somewhat unsettling. His eyes glinted with a blood-red hue, and his four sharp teeth were bared.

With a savage snarl, King Mark sank his teeth deep into the neck of the King Nantes, draining him of blood and flesh. Once he was finished, he tossed the withered body of his victim aside with contempt.

"Even a Dead Apostle cannot transform this waste," King Mark sneered.

In that moment, a message suddenly buzzed in his ear, emanating from the silver ring on his right hand. The ring began to glow with a bright light, indicating an urgent communication.

"Have you cleaned up?"

"Rest assured, Your Excellency Merem," King Mark replied with a respectful tone. "I shall prepare the freshest of food for the Great King of the Moon."

"Excellent," replied Merem with a pleased tone.

As the bright light from the ring faded away, King Mark looked around at the lifeless bodies of the kings he had just drained of their blood and flesh. He sighed in frustration, realizing that none of them had been turned into Dead Apostle.

"Oh well, let's leave this place to Vortigern," he muttered to himself with a frown. "The blood of the noble aristocrats in Camelot will surely satisfy the King. It's a shame that Vortigern came at the wrong time. If the plan had succeeded, we could have offered 'Arthur' and 'Morgan' to the King. I just don't know where that Merlin has gone again. I heard that the King is very interested in his blood..."

With that, King Mark turned and walked away, leaving behind the lifeless bodies of the once-powerful kings.

...

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