Rischel Hot Springs (4)
Static—crackle—
Responding to the voices echoing in his mind, Lancelot revised the plan in real time.
'Master's defenses are tighter than expected. I'll release a few more decoys and bide my time for a sure shot.'
The ones who'd gone ahead were disposable pawns anyway.
The only ones truly capable of targeting Master were himself and a select few.
That's why Lancelot remained seated in the inn room, unmoving.
Like a champion leisurely watching challengers fight among themselves, he sat back, adapting the plan to the unfolding situation.
Just this alone made him feel his odds of victory rising sharply.
'But getting caught too recklessly would be a problem.'
It was fine if they dropped out competing against each other, but raising Master's guard to the max and retiring—that was the issue.
'He noticed our presence sooner than anticipated.'
Thanks to that, he'd realized the Round Table was after him far earlier than planned.
'At least he doesn't think the whole Round Table is gunning for him. Small mercy.'
The full Round Table had only ever targeted him once before, during that past rampage—the first and last time. From his perspective, it would look like individual knights acting on their own.
At most, he'd assume two or three had teamed up.
But that held only if no more Round Table knights got exposed.
'Merlin and Agravaine are already down. If any more get caught, the whole operation's toast.'
The worst-case scenario was Master skipping the hot springs altogether and leaving.
And at this rate, that wouldn't be far off.
'Time for me to step in.'
Sensing he had no choice, Lancelot slowly closed his eyes and sent a telepathic message to the other Round Table knights.
──Of course not!
Nodding faintly at the unified response, Lancelot broadcast to them next.
──Roger.
With that sent, Lancelot slowly rose.
"...Alright, let's go."
His destination: the hot spring Master would head to.
'Strike first before the others move.'
What ceasefire until he enters? Ridiculous.
Process didn't matter—the first to claim him wins.
Loyalty, honor, duty.
The so-called knightly virtues were worthless in the face of love.
'Love isn't waited for—it's seized.'
He'd appointed himself commander for this moment alone.
Every plan built for this one order.
And now that it was relayed to his rivals, the outcome was set!
'This game...'
'I've won...!'
Lancelot flashed a rotten grin, thinking of his foolish comrades.
───
"……."
"……."
Meanwhile, Kay and Bedivere, hearing Lancelot's message, exchanged knowing glances.
"Hmmm~"
"...What do you think?"
Bedivere asked for her opinion, and Kay let out a light hum, flashing a sly smile.
"Beddy, you think Lancelot said that for our sake?"
"Not a chance."
"Right? No Round Table knight would buy it."
Obviously.
Just this morning, he'd dumped all the work on Arthur.
A man who'd betray even his lord for his goals.
And not just once or twice.
To the people, he was the "Knight of the Lake," symbol of integrity and purity.
To those around him, the "Knight of Betrayal," trust at rock bottom.
That was Lancelot.
And so, not a single Round Table knight in this inn took his words at face value.
Yes, contrary to Lancelot's expectations.
.
.
.
At the same time, the Round Table knights receiving Lancelot's orders sprang into action.
"That leaves us just one thing to do!"
"Yeah, we gotta secure position before the others beat us to it."
Kay and Bedivere headed to the hot spring Yeon Je-seong would visit, carefully plotting.
"Sister, let's hurry."
"Right. If we sisters go all out seducing him, even he won't keep his head!"
"Of course. We'll show him the delights of sisterly donburi."
"S-sisterly donburi...!"
The blunt, provocative Baylor casually dropping lines, while her sister Bailin blushed but swallowed hard, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Ehehe, gotta set up in advance!"
Recording Start──!
Gareth installing cameras throughout the inn via her stigmata.
"Hey, lend me these."
"What for?"
"No law says hot springs are just for soaking!"
Percival grabbing bath supplies from a staffer, heading out with Gawain.
'If everyone's heading to the hot springs, he'll notice for sure. Better pivot—claim a room first!'
Tristan's eyes gleaming, waiting for him to leave his room.
'They're all so naive. Transformation potions aren't limited to humans.'
Finally, Mordred—now a fluffy white puppy—wagged her tail excitedly toward the hot springs.
───
While they bustled about with different thoughts but the same goal,
in the distant castle, Arthur sighed wearily after finishing her work.
"Ugh... done... finally."
No attendants around, she slumped over, pressing her cheek to the cool desk, eyes closing as she gathered her fatigued mind in the pleasant chill.
"Ugh... those guys are never getting forgiven."
Grinding her teeth at her subordinates who'd dumped everything on their lord and flown off, she suddenly thought of Yeon Je-seong.
'By now, the Round Table's probably exposed. No way he's... holding an orgy or something...!'
No, unlikely.
Considering his always cautious, conservative nature, the odds were slim.
'Probably got caught and kicked out.'
She didn't expect the knights to succeed.
Skilled as they were, they couldn't evade his eyes.
A light warning at best, or roughed up a bit.
'My instincts are quiet—no accidents.'
Her battle-honed gut was reliable.
More trustworthy than ungrateful knights, at least.
'Wish I could at least see his face...'
Yeah, too exhausted today.
Doubly swamped as usual, no time for that.
Meeting him required preparation and resolve—a big mental burden.
'Just a quick wash and bed.'
No chance they'd succeed anyway; details could wait till morning.
Decision made, she called the maid outside.
"Anyone there?"
"...You called, Your Majesty?"
"Mm. Prepare for bed."
"Yes. Shall I ready the chambers and attend your bath?"
"No need for attendants—just nightclothes."
"As you command."
Simple orders given, she left the office, dragging her weary body to the private hot spring in her quarters.
A staff hot spring in the castle, but she used it on busy days like this.
Quality below the Royal Inn with Yeon Je-seong and the Round Table, but it had its charms.
Like the castle's stark, uniform style.
"Good work."
"An honor."
Exchanging brief greetings with usually overlooked subordinates.
Many perks, but
"Anyone inside?"
The biggest: sharing the spring with them.
"Yes, shall I announce Your Majesty?"
"No need. Just curious."
Not high nobles, but mid-to-low ones working as castle hands—or lucky servants.
Bonding across classes.
Why Arthur frequented the public bath.
"Hope for some new faces today."
Maids would be nice too— they rarely let their guard down around me.
Undressing casually, she grinned mischievously, imagining the reactions that always followed.
Subordinates turning, eyes widening, mouths agape.
The shocked ones even dropping their towels—irresistible reactions that delighted her.
Heh heh heh, wonder what it'll be today.
Queen of Rischel, after all.
Panicking at an unexpected royal encounter? Natural.
Creak—
"Mm, pardon the intrusion. Someone in...?"
Yes, so the queen shouldn't be the surprised one.
"Uh, ah, wha—?!"
Thus, she could only call this an accident.
"Wh-wh-wh-why are you...!"
Her trembling finger pointed one way.
Above the steaming hot spring.
A familiar man, butt on a rock.
"……."
"Blublub..."
He froze silent in shock; her eyes widened unprecedentedly.
Instinctively, her mana-enhanced gaze scanned him head to toe in under a second, multiple passes.
His finely sculpted muscles steepened her breath.
Then, the man slowly crossed his legs, speaking calmly.
"Fine night."
"……!"
Plop—
Her towel slipped weakly, fully exposing her; he shot up, dunking his lower half in the spring.
"Ahem! Standing like that'll chill you—get in."
But in that brief moment as he moved from rock to water,
Her sharpened eyes caught the dragon slumbering below...
"Ex... Excalibur...!"
"Wait—!"
Fainting at the monstrous sight she'd never beheld.