C119
Chapter 119: The Successor of the Holy King (5)
“-And that’s how we came to this point.”
From the first meeting between Yoo Seong and Rene up until now.
Of course, not everything that happened in between was told.
There were many things left out, and some parts were intentionally hidden.
However, Rene made sure to emphasize how heroic Yoo Seong’s actions were, and how many lives were saved thanks to his efforts.
And there were important stories that had not been known to the public.
The fact that the knights of Camelot were the ones whose memories and powers were sealed, and that Yoo Seong was rapidly growing stronger as he continued to fight, caused Princess Charlotte and Count Bisten to be unable to hide their excitement.
The knights of the Round Table were returning.
Not their successors or heirs, but the very knights who fought alongside King Arthur over five hundred years ago to open the age of man.
“My goodness, does this mean I fought alongside the Knights of the Round Table?”
At Count Bisten’s words, Yoo Seong nodded, and Count Bisten became so excited that he looked almost ecstatic.
“Sir Tristan and King Pellinore…”
When the true names of the two people were revealed, Princess Charlotte and the Master Knights all thought the same thing without exception.
Then, who are the remaining knights?
The golden-haired knight with a shining aura, Sir Kate.
Morgan, the wielder of a truly magical swordsmanship.
Diana, who hides her passion beneath a cold exterior.
Roland, who charges forward without hesitation, with his spear raised.
“Actually, I think everyone already knows about Diana.”
There was a rather decisive hint that she was in a romantic relationship with Tristan.
It seemed like everyone could guess the rest of the identities of the knights, but without confirmation, no one dared to say them outright.
Anyway, as the hushed excitement settled, Rene glanced at Yoo Seong.
Her gaze seemed to ask if it was okay for her to continue the story, so Yoo Seong nodded immediately.
The meaning of the Age of Ominous Stars and the story of the Wall.
Rene took a deep breath and created an illusion with magic before she began speaking.
The flame of civilization that humans held.
In order to protect the flame of civilization, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table created a wall that separated the human world from the outside.
The world outside the wall, now turned to ash due to the absence of the flame.
The wall began to crumble, and monsters gathered through the cracks where light seeped through.
“The manager of the wall, Lady Ninian, said it. The wall will eventually fall. That future is unavoidable.”
The wall will fall, and the light will be exposed.
“The seven kings beyond the wall are crossing it to steal the light of humans.”
“Then the Lion King…”
“Yes, he is one of the seven kings beyond the wall.”
Although the Lion King had been repelled, there were still six kings remaining, some of whom had already crossed the wall and infiltrated the human world.
Princess Charlotte and Count Bisten’s faces became serious.
It wasn’t just the problem of having six more beings as powerful as the Lion King; they realized there was an even greater issue at hand.
The collapse of the wall.
The fact that monsters weren’t flooding into every direction at once and were instead coming through sporadically was due to the existence of the wall.
What would happen once the wall disappears?
Wouldn’t an overwhelming army of monsters flood into the human world, a force far beyond what they currently faced?
Although they hadn’t fully considered it, the problem felt insurmountable, and no answers seemed to come to mind.
The only unrealistic answer that came to mind was to slay every monster beyond the wall.
“Is it possible to create a new wall?”
“It will be difficult.”
Ninian had said that the gods of humanity created and maintained the wall.
In other words, the wall could only be constructed with the full cooperation of the gods.
From the very start, the collapse of the wall meant the exhaustion of the gods’ powers, so constructing a new one was impossible.
A hopeless future would come one day but that didn’t mean destruction was certain.
They still didn’t know the full scope of the world beyond the wall.
They also didn’t know exactly how many monsters existed beyond the wall.
So for now, they focused on the present.
Repel the invading kings, drive out the monsters, and strengthen the human forces.
At Yoo Seong’s words, Princess Charlotte swallowed and nodded.
She agreed that this was the best course of action.
When the Master Knights also made similar expressions, Yoo Seong took a breath and continued speaking.
“I want to create the King’s Army.”
This wasn’t about toppling the five kingdoms and the empire to establish a unified nation like Camelot.
In a broader sense, it was similar to the Western Lord Alliance.
An army created to save humanity from monsters.
The strength of humanity united under the banner of the King.
By creating the King’s Army, they would fight against the seven kings beyond the wall and focus humanity’s strength.
Yoo Seong wasn’t asking for the crown of the Silatein Kingdom.
Just like the lords who joined the Western Lord Alliance, he was asking for their cooperation with the King’s Army.
At Yoo Seong’s words, Princess Charlotte fell silent for a moment, then smiled gracefully – no, simply with a calm smile – and replied.
“I will follow the King’s will. As the Princess of the Silatein Kingdom, I will join the King’s Army.”
“I too will join.”
“I have already joined.”
After Count Bisten, it was the turn of the Grand Duke to speak, and Rene beamed with a bright smile.
Though the Silatein Kingdom wasn’t pledging full cooperation or handing over the crown, the cooperation of the acting monarch and the Master Knights was still a significant step.
‘Moreover, since the Grand Duke is the real power of the Cabal Kingdom, it’s practically like receiving cooperation from two kingdoms.’
The King’s Army was being formed.
Under Yoo Seong’s banner, much like Camelot of old, the army of humanity would unite.
As Rene imagined Yoo Seong marching forward, leading the army with great dignity, she blushed and smiled.
It was already so magnificent just imagining it.
‘No, isn’t it actually just too magnificent?’
Yoo Seong advancing with the Knights of the Round Table.
Yoo Seong holding the sword of light high, leading everyone.
And beside him, Rene herself.
As Rene, inspired by her imagination, fell into ecstasy, Yoo Seong and Princess Charlotte began another important conversation.
“The flame of civilization lies within the Empire…it’s a possible story. And I have some idea of what it might be.”
It was a different reaction from what Rene and the Grand Duke had shown.
“Do you know something about this?”
At Yoo Seong’s question, Princess Charlotte nodded and glanced at the Master Knights – especially the Grand Duke – before speaking.
“Due to the disappearance of King Arthur, the knights of the Round Table, and the great wizard Merlin, Camelot naturally fell. Many nations arose afterward, but only five kingdoms and one empire remain.”
The five kingdoms of Silatein, Cabal, Bertoria, Basil, and Midgal, and one empire.
“But perhaps this was inevitable. The five kingdoms and one empire are countries founded by six talented individuals left behind by King Arthur and Merlin in Camelot.”
Four knights and two wizards.
They were extraordinary individuals, but King Arthur did not take them on his final campaign.
It was to minimize the chaos that would follow their disappearance.
“They were prepared kings. The great wizard Merlin left behind six divine artifacts for them, and even now, the five kingdoms and one empire each possess one of Camelot’s legacies.”
This was a story unknown to the public.
Even the Master Knights, including the Grand Duke of the Cabal Kingdom, were hearing it for the first time.
“In the Silatein Kingdom, this story has been passed down only within the royal family – specifically to the direct line of succession and their close associates. The other kingdoms and empires probably have similar stories.”
“Then, the divine artifact passed down to the empire might be the flame of civilization.”
At Yoo Seong’s words, Princess Charlotte nodded.
“I believe there is a high possibility of that. And, Your Majesty, since the Grand Duke and Count Bisten will handle matters in the south, I would like you to go with me to the capital.”
To establish the King’s Army, not only the princess but also the support of many nobles was needed, so going to the capital was the natural next step.
But the reason Princess Charlotte mentioned heading to the capital was not just to gain the support of the nobles.
“Is it in the capital?”
“Yes, it is hidden deep in the capital.”
The founding king of the Silatein Kingdom received a divine artifact from Merlin.
“I don’t know what it is or what powers it holds. But according to tradition, it’s said that when the rightful king of Camelot returns, the seal on the divine artifact will be lifted.”
At Princess Charlotte’s words, Rene turned to look at Yoo Seong with excitement on her face.
And Yoo Seong, instead of dismissing everyone’s hopes, nodded.
“I must go to the capital. Please take care of it.”
“Yes, I will escort you.”
This time, Princess Charlotte smiled not gracefully, but with a lively, cheerful smile, and Count Bisten also smiled contentedly.
“Well… I’ll also look into whether the Cabal Kingdom has a divine artifact. I’ll see if it’s hidden in the capital.”
Although the capital had already been taken once by the Lion King’s army, the divine artifacts were likely safe.
As Princess Charlotte had said, only Yoo Seong could lift the seal on the divine artifact, so even if the Lion King had found it, he would not have been able to do anything about it.
“Please take care of it.”
“Yes, leave it to me.”
With the Grand Duke adopting the formalities of Camelot, the important matters were concluded, and everyone relaxed a little as they continued their conversation.
What the Grand Duke had experienced after crossing the border, why he had been able to arrive at the Galatein Fortress in time, the situation of the various nations, and so on.
“Then, we will depart for the capital the day after tomorrow in the morning.”
Since everyone was injured, they still needed some time to recuperate.
Once the schedule was set, Princess Charlotte ended the meeting by inviting Yoo Seong and Rene to the evening banquet.
At the same time, in a different location, Count Carian and Juliet were moving in opposite directions, for one reason.
It was because of the conversation that had taken place three days ago.
“His Majesty will surely head to the capital.”
Upon hearing the news of the Lion King’s defeat and the rescue of the princess, Count Carian became even more determined to make his move.
And when the princess’ message came to him, he had no intention of missing this opportunity.
At Juliet’s words, Count Carian smiled bitterly, and Jillian made an effort to maintain an elegant expression.
“Thank you. In any case, His Majesty is highly likely to launch the Holy King’s Army from the royal capital, so I will lead the Western Lord Alliance and head to the royal capital. Sir Juliet, please lead the cavalry of the Baltois family and head straight to the Galatein Fortress.”
It would have taken a long time for the infantry to reach the fortress, but with cavalry, it was a different story.
“Understood. I will be of assistance to His Majesty.”
Count Carian nodded at Juliet’s reply and turned to Jillian.
“What about you, Lady Saint?”
“I will go to the Galatein Fortress with Sir Juliet.”
The thought of a forced march on horseback made Jillian feel like her backside was already aching, but she declared that she would go with Juliet.
After all, as the King’s Saint, she felt she needed to be by Yoo Seong’s side.
“I understand. Then please depart immediately.”
“Yes, we will leave at once.”
“What? Right now?”
“We don’t know when His Majesty will leave the fortress for the royal capital. We must hurry.”
“Lady Saint, let’s go.”
Juliet quickly stood up from her seat and extended her hand to Jillian.
Not only Juliet but Count Carian was also already standing.
“Ah…I understand.”
It was tempting to say that it was midnight or that the sun would rise soon, but Jillian swallowed her tears and stood up.
And three days later, at present.
“Lady Saint, we’re almost there. Just a little more, so let’s keep going.”
Sniffle “Understood.”
It seemed like they would need to ride for two more days, so it didn’t feel like “just a little more,” but anyway, she understood.
The sight of Jillian crying while riding a unicorn evoked sympathy from the other cavalrymen, but Juliet continued to ride with a cold expression.
It was understandable, though, because Juliet, being Rene’s older sister, had one big worry.
‘The bride of the century.’
Moreover, considering that His Majesty had probably saved the life of the kingdom’s princess, it was impossible not to consider the possibility that the princess had fallen for His Majesty.
‘Rene, that frustrating girl, would probably just laugh like an idiot saying the princess is pretty instead of putting any checks in place.’
So, it was up to Juliet, the older sister, to do so for the love of her younger sister and the glory of their family.
“What is she thinking about?”
“Whatever it is, it’s probably something ridiculous.”
Even as Edgar and Robin whispered softly, Juliet kept riding hard, and as a result, two days later, in the morning, the Baltois cavalry arrived at the Galatein Fortress.