CHAPTER 194: CHAPTER 93: KINGLY BEARING! WAS THERE ANY WRONG? (PART 2)

Her humiliation and hatred require Duncan to uphold justice!

Clang.

In the presence of all eyes, Duncan slowly stood up. He drew the longsword called Oathkeeper and placed it on Merlin’s shoulder. The sharp cold light pierced the skin of his neck. He gazed down at the elder before him, whose expression was dispirited, face pale, eyes blind, and his beard and hair coiled like tree roots, and slowly said: "Was it King Uther who made you use witchcraft to transform into the likeness of the Duke of Dingtiger and secretly infiltrate the castle?"

Everyone couldn’t help but hold their breath.

Merlin sat weakly on the ground, a faint bitter smile on his face. He originally didn’t want to, but couldn’t resist King Uther being tempted by beauty, and he also anticipated the birth of the prophesied child, getting somewhat demonized, so made a decision against his will.

According to his numerous prophecies, the Duke of Dingtiger should have died at that time.

But Duncan’s appearance changed everything.

Merlin remained silent for a long time, eventually nodding slowly, saying: "Yes."

The entire hall erupted in an uproar.

Within Duncan’s army guard, some knights who had once served the Duke of Dingtiger couldn’t help but want to draw their swords to slay Merlin.

Duncan continued questioning: "Was it you who poisoned the Duke of Dingtiger to death?"

Merlin slowly shook his head, his voice hoarse: "It was merely an accident."

"If I wanted to kill him, there’d be no need for such trouble."

Afterwards, the Duke of Dingtiger vented his anger by killing the castle’s guards, which worsened his wounds further. Merlin knew all this secretly but chose to stand by for in his prophecy, the Duke of Dingtiger should have died long ago.

This is the terrifying aspect of the demonized ones of prophecy, hence why the Crow Queen Triss, the Avalon Guardian Fairy, and the Valkyries bore such great hostility towards him.

Now everything has become a joke, and Merlin doesn’t mind admitting it frankly.

Even if Duncan wants to kill him, he won’t resist.

But Duncan didn’t kill him and instead ordered: "Take him away."

"Keep him guarded well."

After speaking, he reached out to help the nearby Duchess Igraine up, saying solemnly: "I’ll handle this matter."

"King Uther will pay the price!"

At this moment, Duncan paused for a moment, looked at Igraine before him, then focused on her abdomen and said in a lowered voice: "This child."

"Should be the prophesied child that leads Merlin astray."

"Whether to keep it or not, you make the decision."

Merlin is in ruins.

Finally, this thorny problem could be addressed.

Nearby, Merlin staggered in his steps, even at this moment upon hearing matters concerning King Arthur, his heart couldn’t help but tremble.

Right now, Duchess Igraine’s expression was extremely complex too. Though Merlin tried his best to protect King Arthur’s birth, she developed a very special maternal feeling over time, because she could sense the unborn child seemed somewhat extraordinary.

She hated Merlin, hated King Uther, but couldn’t but not hate the yet unborn King Arthur. More hatred lay towards herself as a woman, being subjected to manipulation, unable to choose her own destiny.

Who could believe the delicate Duchess has been secretly practicing swordsmanship, hoping to one day personally strike her enemies down?

Blood ties.

Igraine couldn’t bring herself to do it; her painful struggle was understood by none.

Duncan conferred the choice upon her.

But Igraine didn’t know how to face the future, especially the origins of this child. Revenge against King Uther could lead this child to face a difficult situation in the future?

Merlin stopped, unwilling to leave, wanting to know Duncan’s plan.

If King Arthur were to disappear just like that, he’d find it difficult to accept.

Prophesied child.

A king possessing the knightly virtue unlike King Uther who can be forsaken, King Arthur is Merlin’s life’s work. He even imbued it with some supernatural power from Britain, allowing the child to be born with talents far surpassing ordinary ones.

This is a difficult choice, and Igraine had no answer to offer.

But no answer is the answer.

After contemplating for a moment, Duncan gazed at Igraine before him and said solemnly: "If you decide to give birth, then I will take him as my adopted son."

"As the adopted son of Oathkeeper Duncan, surely no one will be able to slander his origins."

At this moment, his domineering aura was unleashed.

If Duncan truly intends to take King Arthur as his adopted son, then indeed nobody can question her origins. Her existence could even easily dismantle part of King Uther’s royal authority, as those loyal to King Uther would shift their allegiance, thus giving them a ’reasonable’ excuse to turn their loyalty to Duncan.

Upon hearing this, Igraine joyfully lifted her head.

This man’s magnanimity made her tremble in submission; she made a difficult decision, ultimately following her heart, wanting to preserve this extraordinary child.

A real king could hardly not bear an unborn child?

The world is at fault.

It’s the people with ulterior motives.

Legendary wizards plotting against a frail woman.

Not at fault is Igraine who lacks the power to choose her fate, she’s merely a pitiful woman; and not at fault is the unborn King Arthur, why should he bear all this?

Let her be born in the name of saving Britain, bearing such a burden even as a young child, truly absurd!

Is there no one else in the world?

What prophesied child, Duncan taking King Arthur as an adopted son, she could live the life she’s wanted, become the person she’s wanted to be!

Inside the hall.

Igraine slowly knelt again and lowered her head, Duncan’s words allowing her to reclaim her own destiny, she sincerely bowed in submission.

From now on, her origins would no longer be a weakness for this child. She could proudly stand tall, telling the world she is the adopted child of Oathkeeper Duncan. From this moment on, she irrevocably severed ties with the past, and even according to imperial adoption traditions, she possessed certain rightful succession rights.

These succession rights are second only to Duncan’s bloodline descendants.

Merlin’s prophesied kingship yet unknown, but the true king stood in the hall, all the knight guards around silently kneeling on one knee.

Duncan has battled many fields, sheltered thousands, yet couldn’t shelter an unborn child?

He now grants King Arthur legitimate status.

Merlin trembled all over.

All beliefs of his earlier life were shattered, at this moment he let himself be taken away in despair.

Everyone departed.

Before leaving, Igraine humbly bowed her head toward Duncan’s majestic silhouette.

The last submission was when Duncan, in the name of Oathkeeper, appointed Moloss as Duchess of Britain, and this time, Duncan once again in the name of Oathkeeper set things right, with astonishing magnanimity, granting this child of mysterious origin a bright future.

At this moment, she was even willing to die for Duncan!

Inside the hall.

The Crow Queen Triss was stunned for a long time, finally saying softly: "Do you intend to completely subdue Merlin? Use him for your purposes?"

Duncan smiled faintly and nodded gently.

.........