I Became a Mythical Knight King

Chapter 54: Lords Meeting Ⅱ (3)

If it were a regular meeting of the lords, a grand banquet would typically precede the meeting. However, given the current circumstances, it was reduced to a modest dinner gathering.

“Still, since it’s an official occasion, we need to prepare properly.”

In Yoo Seong’s room, Rene, wearing a blue dress that matched her deep purple hair, adjusted Yoo Seong’s tie as she spoke.

Given the timing of his inauguration as the Lord of Lothian, Yoo Seong had more often donned armor than formal attire. Looking back, this was the first time he had ever dressed in ceremonial clothing like this.

The luxurious black suit embroidered with gold thread felt somewhat excessive to Yoo Seong, but since it was chosen by none other than Rene, he decided to wear it quietly.

A suit chosen by the daughter of a count wouldn’t possibly be inappropriate.

“Hmm, it’s great. As expected, with a good figure, the clothes really stand out.”

Stepping back a few steps to take in Yoo Seong’s full appearance, Rene smiled brightly.

Her cheeks were slightly flushed, indicating she genuinely liked what she saw.

Feeling uncharacteristically shy, Yoo Seong shifted the attention to Rene instead.

“You look amazing too, Rene. I think you’ll stand out the most at the dinner.”

She wore an off-shoulder dress that revealed her shoulders.

Unlike usual, her hair was tied back neatly, highlighting the elegant line of her slender neck and shoulders. With the dress being predominantly dark, Rene’s clear, fair skin stood out even more.

‘Hehe.’

Rene, as if shy, twisted her body slightly and extended her hand.

An escort was essential on such an occasion.

Having been thoroughly trained in the related etiquette over the past two days by Rene and Jillian, Yoo Seong calmly took her hand in his, escorting her smoothly.

“Shall we go, then?”

“Yes, Successor.”

With Yoo Seong standing in the upper 180 cm range and Rene around 160 cm, there was a height difference of over 20 cm, which only added to their charm as a pair.

As they exited the room, Jillian, Ruan, and Robin, who had been waiting outside, gave soft words of admiration for Yoo Seong and Rene’s formal attire.

“The Saintess looks stunning as well.”

Jillian, in a white clerical robe, didn’t show much skin like Rene but gave off an aura of elegance beyond her usual demeanor.

Ruan, like Yoo Seong, was not dressed extravagantly but wore clerical attire that conveyed a solemn, priestly presence, contrasting with his usual look.

And then, there was Robin, whose outfit barely differed from her usual attire.

“Well, I’m just a bodyguard.”

Though she had added a decorative touch, such as a brooch on her chest, Robin’s usual attire as a knight of the Count’s house was already impressive, so there was little change.

With Yoo Seong and Rene, as well as Ruan and Jillian all being striking in appearance, their group naturally drew the gazes of passersby as they walked together.

“Wow, it’s like light is emanating from your faces. I recognized you all from afar.”

Baron Varian approached them with a hearty laugh.

Apart from the escort knight seen on the first day, there were no others in his entourage. Both he and his escort wore dark formal attire that exuded gravitas rather than extravagance.

Given Baron Varian’s robust stature, his very presence in such formal clothing seemed picturesque.

Typically, weapons were forbidden at banquets and gatherings, but as this meeting brought together lords from various regions, minimal weaponry and one escort knight per person were allowed.

Thus, the entire group entered together, with Robin escorting Yoo Seong and Rene, and Ruan accompanying Jillian.

“It seems most people have already arrived.”

Baron Varian grinned as he spoke.

Indeed, as he mentioned, the dinner hall was filled with lords attending the meeting, chatting among themselves or surveying the surroundings either alone or in groups.

“When Count Carian, the host, arrives, we’ll all move to the meeting room together.”

Count Carian wasn’t late due to poor time management; rather, he had deliberately allowed time for the guests to mingle.

Walking with Rene, Yoo Seong subtly observed his surroundings.

‘That’s Baron Ober over there.’

The one rumored to have amassed immense wealth through managing a trade company.

Upon hearing Rene’s whispered explanation, Yoo Seong looked toward the window. A woman in her late twenties with red hair was speaking to several men, laughing. Her lively expressions and the unfamiliar tinted glasses she wore gave off the impression of a party-going celebrity.

‘That’s Baron Anjou.’

In contrast to Baron Ober, Baron Anjou stood alone with a stern demeanor.

Though not very tall, his sturdy build made him noticeable. When their eyes met, Baron Anjou didn’t greet Yoo Seong or attempt conversation, merely observing silently. It wasn’t a hostile gaze, but neither was it friendly.

“High Priest Jillian, it’s been a long time.”

Caught in an awkward stalemate of who should look away first, another guest approached Jillian and spoke, breaking the tension naturally.

Although this was a meeting of lords, the dinner also included many other guests, such as important figures from Lushen, including mayor Hexen, and noble family members.

“It’s been a while. How have you been?”

Jillian responded kindly and introduced Yoo Seong, Rene, and Baron Varian to the guest, who reacted with a touch of exaggerated enthusiasm.

“Oh, you must be the famous Black Knight of Lothian!”

Raising his voice slightly, he drew the attention of everyone in the banquet hall to their group.

“I’ve heard all about your feats in Lothian. In these perilous times, having a knight as remarkable as you appear brings us great reassurance.”

“You flatter me.”

As Yoo Seong responded modestly, other guests began gathering around them.

Even if not for Yoo Seong, Jillian and Baron Varian were figures of note. It was only natural for the guests to approach them to make acquaintances.

Still, the main focus of attention was Yoo Seong.

Though he hadn’t realized it due to his reclusive activities in Lothian, his reputation in the western regions of the Silatein Kingdom had already become widespread.

In particular, his exploits in Baron Volano’s domain were reminiscent of the heroic deeds from knightly tales, garnering admiration not just from nobles but also from their escorts.

However, as always, not everyone was favorable.

There’s a saying that extreme admiration also breeds detractors.

“Hmph, he’s a nobody. He’s not even a legitimate baron.”

One of the attending lords scoffed disdainfully.

The problem was that whether intentional or not, his voice was loud enough for everyone to hear, drawing attention. Naturally, Yoo Seong and his group turned to look at him.

Yet the lord—Baron Laval, an independent lord near Count Carian’s domain—showed no sign of embarrassment or backing down. Instead, he snorted again, as if daring anyone to challenge him.

What to do now?

Should Yoo Seong throw down a gauntlet like in movies or novels?

The time to ponder was brief.

Before Yoo Seong could act, Rene’s eyes flashed fiercely.

‘What did you just say?’

To Yoo Seong, Rene always looked adorable no matter what she did, but her natural aura was closer to that of a proud, feline-like witch rather than a puppy.

Now, with fury evident in her voice and gaze, mixed with her magical power, the pressure she exuded was formidable.

Rene wasn’t just any mage. She was the daughter of Count Baltois, who held unparalleled military and financial power in the west.

Moreover, standing beside her with equally piercing eyes was Baron Varian.

“Are you perhaps not very bright?”

To provoke someone accompanied by the daughter of Count Baltois and the count’s trusted aide?

Though Baron Varian’s words were cutting, Baron Laval didn’t dare retort. Instead, he gulped nervously, stammering.

“I, uh, I misspoke…”

With his face flushed, Baron Laval muttered something incomprehensible and quickly retreated, leaving the guests exchanging knowing smiles.

“Hmph, looking for pedigree, are we? As if anyone here has more than our Successor.”

Rene, still fuming, spoke as if her anger hadn’t yet subsided.

That was natural. To Rene, Yoo Seong was the successor of King Arthur, chosen directly by the Lady of the Lake.

The successor of the Holy King who ushered in the era of humans, and chosen by the Lady of the Lake herself—who on this earth could claim a higher pedigree than that?

In terms of legitimacy alone, even the King of the Silatein Kingdom or the Emperor of the Empire would have to concede to Yoo Seong.

“Did you remember that person’s name and face?”

“Of course, I did.”

Baron Varian answered with a fierce grin to Rene’s question, and Yoo Seong, feeling both happy and reassured, once again realized that Rene was indeed the daughter of a powerful noble.

“Calm down, calm down. Maybe he really just wasn’t very bright.”

When Yoo Seong spoke in a soothing tone, Rene pouted her lips once and said:

“Successor, you’re far too merciful. People like that need to be thoroughly crushed so they can never act up again. They shouldn’t even dare to look in this direction.”

Was this really the same Rene he had known all along?

Still, she wasn’t wrong, and perhaps because he knew she was angry on his behalf, he couldn’t help but find her endearing.

‘Maybe I’m more affected than I thought.’

That’s what Yoo Seong was thinking when:

“Count Carian is making his entrance.”

At the voice of the steward announcing the entrance, everyone in the banquet hall stopped what they were doing and turned to look in the same direction.

The only Count attending this meeting of the lords, as well as the ruler of Lushen and its surrounding territories.

Accompanied by a tall, slender female knight, Count Carian entered, glancing around the banquet hall once before giving a slight bow.

Then the female knight at his side stepped forward and said:

“Thank you all for attending the banquet. The meeting of the lords will now commence, so we kindly ask the lords gathered here to move to the meeting room.”

The meeting room was prepared adjacent to the banquet hall.

It seemed that the plan was to conduct the meeting while continuing the meal there.

As the host, Count Carian was the first to head toward the meeting room, and the other lords began moving there one by one.

After bowing to the guests who had gathered around him, Yoo Seong also headed to the meeting room with his party.

Though it was called a meeting room, it was essentially an extension of the banquet hall, as it was an open space connected to a balcony.

However, to maintain confidentiality, the distance between the balcony and the dining table was significant enough to make eavesdropping difficult.

In the spacious meeting room, which appeared large enough to comfortably seat dozens, a dining table was set up at its center. Nameplates at each seat indicated where attendees were to sit.

Naturally, Count Carian was seated at the head of the table, while the other seats seemed to be assigned based on regions.

As a result, Baron Varian and Jillian had to sit somewhat apart from Yoo Seong.

Once all the lords were seated and their escort knights stood by, Count Carian clapped lightly.

At his signal, stewards began wheeling in carts laden with food into the meeting room.

When all the dishes were served and the lords’ glasses were filled, Count Carian stood up and said:

“Thank you all for attending. Let us all raise a glass to commemorate this gathering.”

Since it was a customary toast, everyone, including Yoo Seong, raised their glasses in their own way.

And it was precisely at that moment.

Slash!

With a sharp sound, Count Carian’s wrist, which had been holding the glass, was severed.

There was no scream.

Few people even showed surprise at the sight of the black-clad man suddenly appearing next to Count Carian.

That was because Count Carian wasn’t the only one under attack.

“Guh!”

A sword that had emerged from the shadows pierced through Baron Varian’s chest.

The severed head of Baron William from Count Artois’ territory fell onto the dining table, and the torn abdomen of the aged Baron Montfort spilled intestines onto the floor.

Clang!

Yoo Seong blocked the blade of the shadowy figure with Agravain’s cloak.

The man, with purple-hued skin and his face obscured by a black mask, stood revealed.

The pointed ears poking through his white hair indicated his race.

‘Dark Elf!?’

“Kyaaaah!”

Baron Ober finally let out a delayed scream.

Having been saved by Baron Anjou, she was now halfway into a state of hysteria at the sight of the blood spraying everywhere.

Yoo Seong swung his sword again, pushing back the Dark Elf assassin as he simultaneously assessed the situation around him.

In the chaos, Jillian clasped her hands in prayer, Ruan swung his sword at another Dark Elf assassin, Count Carian clutched his severed wrist in agony, and the female knight charged toward the assassins—all while Baron Varian coughed up blood.

“Baron!”

“Heavy infantry unit! Assemble!”

Rene’s scream overlapped with Yoo Seong’s shout.

A golden flash exploded, drawing everyone’s gaze, as giants of steel emerged.

“Hoooaaaah!”

Hector immediately swung his axe, cleaving the Dark Elf assassin Yoo Seong had repelled in two.

“Push forward! Form a circular formation!”

The heavy infantry instantly sprang into action.

Shielding the lords, they pushed back the Dark Elf assassins with their shields and formed a circular defensive line around the dining table.

But the Dark Elves did not retreat so easily.

With the sound of explosions, more Dark Elves burst into the meeting room from outside the windows.

“Baron! Baron!”

Rene clung to Baron Varian, crying.

Jillian, who had rushed over to check on Baron Varian’s condition, bit her lip without realizing it.

“S-Sister? Why, why aren’t you using healing magic?”

Rene, her face a mess, asked just then.

Boom!

A deafening roar shook the entire banquet hall building violently, as if an earthquake had struck.

An earthquake.

The cause of the earthquake.

What accompanies an earthquake?

Yoo Seong held his breath.

The thought that came to him reflexively made him look past the Dark Elves and toward Lushen, where the sun was beginning to set.