On the tenth day of their journey, Arthur and Merlin arrived at a village.
As Arthur had said, this trip was a field study—to observe the living conditions of Camelot's people.
Without intervening too much or revealing their identities, they would genuinely record the reality of people's lives and how much they had accepted the ideas Arthur had been spreading.
The progress was actually not bad. Arthur was quite popular among the people, thanks to their fear of the Saxons and their hope in the chosen king over the past decade. The nobles had also toned down their excesses, at least publicly.
But all of it could only be called acceptable.
The gap between nobles and commoners remained stark. Many nobles abused their power in their fiefdoms, even to the point of causing deaths. Arthur had heard about such cases.
Yet he took no action.
Not because he lacked the ability, but because the times didn't allow it.
The rigid traditions and mindset of the British Isles confined people's thoughts. Freedom of thought was a luxury. Even if the nobles were convicted and the people held the sharp sword, most wouldn't dare to raise it against their lords. The nobles were born into higher education and power, free to act with impunity.
Even when someone was executed, if it was justifiable on paper, people quickly moved on without further debate.
The traditions of this era brought human forgetfulness to limits Arthur could hardly imagine.
But this village they'd just arrived at felt different.
An odd atmosphere hung over the place. Although they were welcomed warmly, whenever they asked the villagers about their past, the people fell silent and avoided their gaze.
"Huh~"
Arthur exhaled softly, put away the crystal ball, and marked his work for the day complete.
"It seems this village deserves a thorough investigation. My gut says things here aren't simple."
"Really? We've passed through several villages like this and seen plenty of injustice. Finally, our low-key king is roused and ready to punish the evil lords?" Merlin said sarcastically, sitting cross-legged on a nearby bed.
The complaint in his tone was unmistakable.
Come to think of it, Merlin once said he wanted to take a glamorous journey with Arthur, a journey full of flowers and legends.
But for the past ten days, the two had wandered the towns of Camelot like ghosts—as if they were invisible. Forget punishing villains, they barely addressed minor grievances or problems that could have been solved.
"I told you not to call me king... but no matter how many times I correct you, you won't change."
Arthur sighed and reluctantly accepted Merlin's address.
After some thought, he explained, "It's not that I don't want to intervene—it's that I can't. If I punish one noble, the others will see. They'll obey me on the surface but become more aggressive in secret, because they'll want to destroy what I want before I can establish it."
That's how humans are.
When their interests are threatened and they feel powerless to fight back, they act weakly in public, but behind the scenes, they lash out wildly in ways that hurt everyone.
If Arthur acted openly, the nobles would oppress the people more cruelly, more bloodlessly, until the people lost all courage to resist.
But would things really go so smoothly?
Arthur was certain they would not.
Humans aren't a race that submits easily. The more oppressed they become, the stronger their resilience.
If this continues, contradictions will push Camelot into the abyss of self-destruction.
There were many such incidents throughout history: the last king of Shang, the tyrant Nero of Rome—aren't they all cautionary tales?
If you challenge the rules without enough strength, you pay a heavy price.
"Though Britain is chaotic now, the old rules haven't burned out. So change requires not just force and faith, but subtle influence. If people don't accept it, no matter how good the policy, it won't take root."
If the Saxons had been a greater threat, pushing Camelot to the brink—or even beyond destruction—that might have been a blessing in disguise.
Though it would cost many lives and ruin foundations, it would force people to resist or perish, and the change would be swift and thorough.
But Arthur didn't want to see such devastation.
"Enough about state affairs. Let's talk about this village's problems."
Merlin was still indignant. He said, like a child sulking, "Humph, why can't the great King Arthur solve this himself? Why drag in a useless magician like me who has no loyalty?"
Accurate!
So unhappy!
Why did this incubus demon get so childish at the critical moment?
Despite his annoyance, Arthur held back his temper.
"If it were just nobles oppressing the people—within reason—I'd stay out of it, as I said. But this time, the villagers don't seem to be suffering at the hands of nobles."
"Why are you looking at me? I don't have time to bully villagers in some backwater!" Merlin snapped. He was a flower magician, after all, shameless but principled enough not to toy with bored peasants.
He was also picky about his playmates, okay?!
Besides, the incubus's jokes weren't that lowbrow.
"I mean, the culprit is a magician—like you. What are you thinking? Have you done so many bad deeds that you feel guilty now?"
"Absolutely not. Big brother is the greatest magician, and he's an incubus~" Merlin pounded his chest proudly.
In other words, as an incubus, Merlin claimed no real emotions—no guilt, no remorse.
Arthur didn't understand what Merlin was proud of.
"Well, can you please, Mr. Merlin, greatest flower magician, use your clairvoyance to see what's really going on in this village?"
"Hmph! I'm just a tool. Throw me away when you're done. Super convenient, right?"
Merlin turned his head, ignoring Arthur.
In that moment, Arthur wanted nothing more than to draw his sword and throttle the guy.
"Have you been simulating the emotions of some weird person again?"
"Oh, I've been found out. Was it that obvious? Or does His Majesty the King not like this personality?"
Super obvious. And disgusting—grown men shouldn't be this timid.
Arthur's eye twitched. His face darkened.
He gritted his teeth: "Are you going to watch or not?"
If you don't watch, it's worthless in the end.
Completely useless junk—why keep it for the New Year?
"Fine, I see. If it's an order from my king, I'm happy to serve."
Merlin smiled, eyes flickering with magic.
Only moments later, his grin widened—exaggerated, triumphant.
"Oh my, what a surprise. This place really is weird. Even with my clairvoyance as a top-level magician, I see nothing."
"······"
Let me reiterate: an incubus demon who deceives people with a flattering tone deserves a beating.