Chapter 324: Chapter 44. Beheading
[Arc5] - 44. Beheading
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"Haa... as expected of the Holy Knights of Camelot, truly formidable," sighed Cyd as he leaned on his [Reforged Pandora], now in Athena's form, and took a heavy breath. "Only one hour until dusk."
"Vice-Captain, even if you buried their heads in the dirt, I could still hear their curses. You've really gone overboard," Merlin remarked, casting a sidelong glance at the neatly arranged knights, each with just their noses poking above the ground. She wouldn't have offered any praise if they weren't buried up to their faces.
In less than an hour, all of Camelot's Holy Knights were planted in the ground by Cyd. The only injury they inflicted on him was a minor tear in his coat. Cyd had also taken this opportunity to demonstrate his combat prowess to Merlin.
"Vice-Captain, while I know you want to prove your teacher's combat training is the best, don't you think the knights of Camelot fought you so fiercely because you broke their prized knight swords into pieces?"
Camelot is a knightly kingdom, and the most significant symbol is the ceremonial sword used by Camelot's king when he accepts knights' oaths of loyalty. This sword, forged through countless battles, embodies the honor of Camelot's king.
The first sword Cyd broke, with his bare hands no less, was none other than this ceremonial sword.
"Not my fault," Cyd said without a trace of guilt. He was merely defending himself.
"Damn it, Cyd, the Heroic Holy Knight of Liones, did you betray Bartra? Is that why you attack Camelot, an ally of Liones?" King Uther, the first one to be planted in the ground, pushed dirt aside with his mouth and yelled, "I will not yield to your power!"
"It was you who attacked first, and we even helped you deal with the leftover weapons of the Demon Clan," Cyd mused, deciding not to pull Uther out. Who knows if he'd attack again and break something important?
"We couldn't determine your intentions, and you kidnapped my son and foster son!"
"Son? Haven't seen him. If you mean your foster son, is this him?" Cyd pulled Arthur in front of Uther.
"Ah, Father, I wanted to explain earlier, but the knights' brilliant display distracted me," Arthur chuckled, scratching his head. Despite his cheerful expression, he didn't hide his amusement at seeing his foster father and the Holy Knights of Camelot planted in the ground by Cyd.
"Sir Cyd is not a bad person; he just saved me. I don't think he'd harm anyone here."
"It's true, the Heroic Knight has never killed anyone. The supposed 'beheading' is probably just a burial like this, but…" But having their king and the entire order defeated by one man was still humiliating.
Cyd glanced toward Camelot's city walls, noticing curious citizens beginning to gather. Uther seemed to be a good person, but kings often had to make tough decisions.
"Well, there's only one answer."
"For the sake of friendship between Liones and Camelot, and for Britannia's future—"
"I surrender!"
"What?" Both Uther and Arthur stared in shock, while Merlin, intrigued, raised her hand in surrender alongside Cyd.
"I surrender as well."
Anyone else would have chosen to flee, but Merlin was clever. She knew this was a legitimate way to enter Camelot, and besides, she disliked sneaking in.
The people of Camelot watched with admiration as the wounded but smiling king captured Liones's Seven Deadly Sins Vice-Captain and Gluttony, enduring hardship for their safety.
In truth, Uther was quite uncomfortable under these admiring gazes. Liones's recent turmoil had left him on edge; seeing Arthur "kidnapped" had triggered him, leading to this disastrous clash.
"Sir Cyd, Lady Merlin, apologies for the inconvenience," Uther said, now understanding that Cyd, at least, wasn't a traitor. The "Heroic Knight" title was well-deserved. That left Liones's two new senior knights as the likely troublemakers.
"It's no problem; it actually makes things easier. We planned to meet you anyway, so this saved us the trouble of sneaking into the palace," Cyd replied, wiggling his bound hands, still holding his [Reforged Pandora]. Only he could handle its weight.
"This is about the ancient prophecy."
Uther's relaxed expression stiffened upon hearing Cyd's words.
"This isn't going to be a friendly tea party, is it?"
Camelot's King Uther was an excellent ruler, but merely "excellent" in comparison to Bartra. On the turbulent continent of Britannia, Bartra stood as the mightiest leader, able to foresee the signs of Holy War and even prevent it. Uther, though a good king, lacked the necessary strength. However, Camelot held a destiny—a king among kings would emerge.
"So this is the Sword in the Stone?" Cyd folded his arms, examining the sword embedded in the rock. Its hilt and exposed blade looked ordinary, but only because it was still dormant. Only one chosen by fate could see its brilliance.
The spirits residing within the Sword in the Stone celebrated; they saw a pure white soul, one of radiant brilliance. They anticipated that the hero before them would draw the sword and become the king among kings, leading Britannia.
"Never mind. I have no interest in taking what belongs to others," Cyd said, shaking his head and refusing the sword's call. Behind him, Uther looked conflicted.
On a personal level, even though Cyd was good-hearted, he was still an outsider, and letting an outsider rule Camelot was unsettling. However, the Camelot royal teachings insisted that anyone who raised the Sword in the Stone would be a great king, destined to usher in a new age of prosperity.
"Sir Cyd, perhaps you could…"
"Forget it; I'm not the only one qualified here." Cyd looked over at Arthur, who had been cheering from the side. "Rather than me, someone with limitless potential like him would make a far better owner for this sword."
The sword fell silent. The spirits closed their eyes, knowing the hero before them had already completed his story and needed no new titles.
Another was destined for this—a young man named Arthur Pendragon, the future king of Camelot.
Uther clenched his fist and, after a moment's hesitation, bowed deeply to Cyd.
"Sir Cyd, I hope Arthur can stay by your side for a time."
"You're awfully open-minded, entrusting the future king to an outlaw from another kingdom."
"You are a man of true worth, Sir Cyd; there's no reason for doubt." Uther's tone was firm. Though Arthur was technically his adopted son, he was also the true son of Camelot, and as the chosen of the holy sword, he would benefit more from time under Cyd's guidance.
Cyd had no reason to refuse. Keeping the boy by his side wasn't the same as taking him on as a disciple.
"Alright, kid, you'll be my assistant," Cyd said, motioning for Arthur to come over.
"Of course, Sir Cyd. I can handle any tough job," Arthur said, straightening up like a knight, "and please, my name is Arthur. Don't call me 'kid.'"
"That's the name of Camelot's future king. Until you draw that sword, I'll call you 'kid.' So, kid…"
Cyd knelt, flicked Arthur's forehead, and said, "Strive to become a great king."
The Sword in the Stone awaited patiently, ready for the day its rightful owner would come and draw it. The time might be long, but compared to what it had already waited, it was only a blink.
Chosen king of Camelot, you will return, draw this sword, and become the new king.
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