"Alright, alright—go prepare a pot of black tea for me. After that, we'll review your battle from earlier. And Noelle, for now, keep what I told you in mind."
Leon gently raised his hand and placed it on the head of the silver-haired knight before him. Her short hair, shimmering under the sunlight, was softer and more refined than the finest silk, sliding between his fingers with an almost addictive texture.
He couldn't help himself—his fingers brushed through it once more, and then he lightly pinched Noelle's cheek, like a demanding collector carefully appreciating a rare and precious piece from his personal collection.
"Yes, Your Highness."
With just that brief contact, Noelle felt her head spin slightly, as if she were dizzy. Her heart was beating faster than it had during her intense battle with Mordred just moments ago.
She quickly pulled away from Leon's touch.
If she stayed even one second longer, she had the strange feeling she would truly drown there—not in danger, but in something far softer… and far more dangerous.
And at the same time, an unavoidable thought surfaced:
If she really did drown in that person's arms… perhaps it wouldn't be so bad.
"Looks like I overdid it again. Heh, she really is adorable."
Leon smiled faintly as he watched Noelle hurry off to prepare the tea, clearly trying to hide the blush on her face.
In silence, he reflected.
Compared to his previous life—an era marked by cynicism, self-interest, and disposable relationships—the girls of this world were almost too pure.
Here, deep feelings weren't ridiculed.
Love hadn't been trivialized, and devotion was still something sacred.
Leon knew very well that he would never be a just and rational king like the legendary King of Knights.
He was selfish.
And he had no intention of changing that.
He had stopped Noelle from walking the path of battling humans.
Even knowing it could make her stronger.
Even knowing it could make her far more powerful.
He still refused.
"Because I simply want her to remain like this."
A pure, kind, and innocent girl.
She didn't need to learn how to kill.
She didn't need to harden her heart.
She didn't need to bear the weight of taking human lives.
Leon would never allow that.
She was his shield, not his sword.
"Everyone has their role."
There were plenty of people around Leon who could dirty their hands—
People willing to fight, to kill, and to bleed for him.
But Noelle didn't need to be one of them.
A short while later, Noelle returned with the tea.
A gentle aroma filled the air as she carefully served it.
Then, the two began reviewing the battle.
"I think the main reason for your defeat, Noelle, was…"
"It was… what?"
She tensed immediately, her small hands clenching slightly.
She trusted Leon completely.
If he pointed out a flaw, then it had to be something crucial.
Leon crossed his arms, touched his chin… and spoke with absolute seriousness:
"It's because you were standing on the left side."
"…I see— Huh?"
"Since ancient times, facing attacks from the left leads to defeat."
Leon nodded, convinced.
"At the moment of the final clash, you were on the left and Mordred was on the right."
He paused, then added:
"Next time, stand on the right. Or ask your opponent to switch positions before the final blow."
Noelle froze completely.
She didn't know whether to laugh… or cry.
For a moment—just a moment—she had almost believed him.
"…Understood."
In the end, she simply nodded obediently.
If His Highness was satisfied… then it was fine.
"I'll be more mindful of my conduct as a maid."
Meanwhile, on the other side—
Mordred had already gotten back on her feet.
Despite her victory, she knew very well that Noelle had barely taken any real damage.
Meanwhile, she herself had expended an absurd amount of energy.
"Haah… it's been a while since I had a fight like that."
"Please give me more guidance in the future, Miss Mordred."
"Yeah, I'll come fight you anytime… but don't call me 'miss.' Don't treat me like a woman."
"Ah… understood."
Noelle nodded immediately.
Only then did Mordred seem satisfied.
She didn't like being treated as a woman.
But she also didn't like being treated as a man.
In the end, it was all about balance.
To Leon, however, she was nothing more than a small wild cat.
Fierce, proud, and hard to tame—but interesting.
"Alright, let's talk about the next step."
Leon lightly snapped his fingers.
"Let's come up with a plan to conquer Great Britain."
"Huh? That fast?"
Morgan showed clear surprise.
But to Leon, it was as trivial as deciding what to eat for lunch.
Mordred's eyes, on the other hand, lit up intensely.
She could hardly wait for the rebellion.
It was exactly the kind of thing that made her blood boil.
"We're going to conquer Britain—why think so much about it?"
Leon shrugged.
"The answer is already right in front of you."
He didn't even need to elaborate.
The situation was practically resolved already.
The king's sister was already on his side.
Even the queen.
Everyone, in one way or another, was already connected to him.
And now, Mordred—one of the pillars of the Round Table—stood at his side.
"There's no way I can lose this battle… even if I tried."
Leon smiled.
Then, he looked directly at Mordred.
"Mordred. The conquest of Britain will be your responsibility."
"You will be the vanguard of my army."
The air grew heavy for a moment.
"I'll provide you with all the necessary resources, and then…"
He smiled casually.
"Do whatever you want."
With Leon's financial power and influence, combined with Mordred's overwhelming strength, building an army would be trivial.
Even more so once she revealed her identity as the daughter of the King of Knights—
A symbol far too powerful to ignore.
Then, Leon picked up Mordred's helmet.
And tossed it aside.
"From now on, you don't need to hide who you are anymore."
"Go. Tell everyone. Tell the entire world."
His eyes gleamed.
"Tell the King of Knights… that you've returned."
Mordred froze for a moment.
And then—
"Ahahahaha!! Leave it to me!!"
She grinned wildly.
And threw herself onto the sofa, brimming with energy.
The fire within her burned brighter than ever.
(End of Chapter)