King Arthur Won't Die by Accident

The islands were united, and the fifth month of the British monarchy had arrived.

Arthur had cut off all chances for the kings to stage a comeback. Just when the kings thought the ruthless orders might pause, cruel new decrees arrived.

When the soldiers delivered Arthur's commands to the kings, their anger was undeniable.

But no matter how furious or humiliated, they had lost their armies and their trusted retainers, and held no bargaining chips to negotiate with Arthur.

Soon, they realized resistance was futile across Britain. Fearful and resigned, the kings sadly accepted their fate: they were to be demoted from kings to mere nobles.

"Well, at least that means Arthur won't bother us anymore, right?" some thought.

Yes, just as Merlin had predicted, next King Arthur would lead the Knights of the Round Table to defeat King Vortigern and bring lasting peace to a land long mired in chaos. Even as nobles, their lives would be safer than when they were kings.

King Marco was one such man.

Why?

It was simple.

He had once led an army to besiege Camelot, bribed Arthur's guards to assassinate him, and was even imprisoned for a time. Yet after all that, Arthur had allowed him to return to his kingdom.

What did that mean?

That Arthur needed him. Britain was too vast, too chaotic—even a near-god like Arthur couldn't maintain order alone.

He needed allies.

Without Marco, a piece of the realm might crumble.

"So no matter what, I'll survive. I have the talent and am indispensable to King Arthur," Marco once boasted.

He remarried, started a new family, embraced aristocratic life, and zealously helped Arthur pacify the people.

Though he provided food and jobs and improved their welfare, Arthur hardly needed his assistance.

Everything seemed to be back on track.

But reality dealt Marco a harsh, mocking blow.

Submission and compromise were never enough for Arthur.

All Arthur wanted...

By the seventh month of the British Dynasty—in the cold winter—

An order arrived to abolish the aristocracy altogether.

From now on, there would be no noble titles. People would earn positions by strength and talent. Those who failed would be commoners, subject to the state's arrangements.

Thankfully, Marco was deemed capable and retained value.

But Arthur's appointment was humiliating.

"What's this? I pledged loyalty, helped stabilize the dynasty, and yet he won't even let me keep my noble rank! What next? Will he kill me?"

That night, in his mansion, Marco raged, his fury twisting his face.

Cabinet doors lay smashed across the floor.

His new wife cowered in a corner, trembling.

Suddenly, he stopped, his rage spent.

Only then did she dare speak.

"We survived worse before. This time… let's endure too. As you said, you're talented and needed by Arthur."

"Don't call him King Arthur! It makes me sick!" Marco snapped.

But he knew it was useless.

Once a king, now humbled, he had learned a bitter lesson.

"It's the same as last time. No one will resist now—they're all under his control, like zombies. Witchcraft! Which witch helped him manipulate hearts? This slow exploitation… if I submit, he'll strip away everything I have, piece by piece."

"But—"

"No 'buts.' Remember the prophecy? He is the incarnation of the red dragon, not a man."

Fear burned in Marco's eyes.

His wife glanced out the window, her voice low: "Tonight's a full moon. Legend says Arthur's assassins are most active on full moon nights."

"Of course. His orders will reach me tonight."

"What will you do?"

"Pack. We leave. Get away from here—away from Britain. I can't fight him anymore. If we stay, he won't stop until we're gone."

"People say King Arthur is kind. He's never killed anyone."

"That's because we never saw it. He's a dragon incarnate. A dragon won't starve itself just because its prey is weak!"

He roared with desperation, seeking understanding.

No matter who stood before him, he needed to be understood.

Marco was sober now.

His wife smiled gently, stepping close to wrap him in the softest embrace.

"Maybe you're right. He is a dragon, so he won't let us go."

"Do you… understand?"

His body trembled as his tension eased.

"Of course. I finally see why they say you have a strong will and must be restrained. I don't want to believe it, but the leader is right."

—

Suddenly, Marco's vision blurred.

He saw himself standing, a knife inlaid with a red gem buried deep in his chest.

His own actions brought him to his knees.

"Long live King Arthur! Long live Britain!"

The crazed face shouting his king's name was his own.

Figures emerged from the darkness.

Marco's fear turned to panic, then strangely to relief.

Yes, he had known it all along.

Arthur would never let him go.

Not then.

Not ever.

That night, similar scenes unfolded across the land.

The next morning, those fearing Britain would plunge back into darkness woke to peace.

No one resisted Arthur's orders.

Nobles relinquished their titles and surrendered power without protest.

Even former lords bore smiles.

In that calm dawn, aristocracy passed into history.

-End Chapter-

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