MTLNOVEL C101
Chapter 101: Deployment (1)
After the victory festival, Legion remained lively every single day.
This was because, daily, anywhere from hundreds to thousands of troops from the Western Lords’ allied forces were arriving.
Since there were so many vacant houses in the castle, nearly half of the allied forces stayed inside the castle rather than building encampments outside.
Thanks to this, natural exchanges occurred between the soldiers and residents, creating various types of vitality that filled the castle.
“Those who live must live.”
Morgan, with a pipe in her mouth, looked out the window and said.
The outbreak of war and the loss of lives were always sorrowful events.
But one couldn’t remain buried in sadness forever.
Those who live must live.
They must smile, talk, and enjoy life again.
500 years ago, when Camelot was founded, wars were truly incessant.
It wouldn’t have been an exaggeration to say people died every single day.
Yet even then, Morgan never lost her smile.
She laughed, saying the rice she ate that morning was delicious, and smiled at the beauty of passing clouds.
Even in front of the graves of comrades who fought alongside her, after shedding tears, she would recall fond memories with a bittersweet smile, even if her face was a mess.
“Phew…”
Exhaling a long puff of smoke, Morgan shifted her gaze from the window to inside the room.
A man with black, sweat-soaked hair was sprawled on the floor, panting heavily.
The successor of the Holy King.
The yet immature King of Humanity.
For several days now, he had been training to wield his ideology, but there were no tangible results yet.
Of course, that was expected.
Yoo Seong didn’t understand his own ideology—more precisely, the ideology contained within his chivalry.
The successor of light, Yoo Seong, bore the chivalry of the Knight of the Falling Star and the King of Humanity.
Generally, knights carried their own ideals, striving to achieve them through repeated effort, eventually becoming aware of their chivalry.
But Yoo Seong hadn’t gone through that process. He simply possessed chivalry.
This was because Yoo Seong’s chivalry was the King of Humanity’s chivalry.
And that was the problem.
Ordinarily, mastering one’s ideology was an extension of developing one’s own chivalry.
By cultivating their chivalry, knights naturally learned to wield their ideology.
But since Yoo Seong couldn’t follow that path, he inevitably struggled more than other knights.
‘Perhaps the reason he hasn’t advanced to the second stage is due to ideology.’
While Yoo Seong’s chivalry had grown overwhelmingly stronger compared to when he first used it, it remained at the first stage.
Summoning the Army of Light.
Using the Holy King’s Cross Sword.
These two aspects grew in strength but never went beyond their defined boundaries.
‘Maybe I misjudged.’
Knights who could wield their ideology could handle multiple simple concepts of ideology.
Becoming sturdier, sharper, or faster—those kinds of universal concepts.
While weaker than the ideology tied to their chivalry, they were still ideology nonetheless.
Once they gained mastery, they wielded incomparable power.
‘I thought focusing on universal ideology would help…but was that a mistake?’
For someone who couldn’t yet wield ideology to attempt universal ideology might have been fundamentally different from a knight mastering their own.
‘Still, it feels like he’s close.’
It was as if he was on the verge of grasping it.
If he could seize it just once, it seemed the process would flow naturally from there.
Morgan folded her arms, deep in thought.
With Yoo Seong’s overflowing talent, he might eventually grasp ideology even through universal concepts, but perhaps there was a better way.
‘The ideal would be to comprehend the ideology within his chivalry itself.’
The ideology of the Successor of Light reflected both the chivalry of the King of Humanity and that of Yoo Seong himself—his soul and life.
‘Grasping universal ideology to get a sense of it, then finding his own chivalry within the grand scope of the King of Humanity’s chivalry, and ultimately understanding the ideology contained within to advance his chivalry.’
That was Morgan’s educational goal.
Looking at Yoo Seong again, Morgan smiled softly.
‘I’ve been too ambitious.’
Yoo Seong had only learned of the ideology’s existence a few days ago. Even being able to vaguely sense it now was remarkable.
‘He’ll manage just fine.’
What Morgan could do was point him toward that distant horizon.
Paving the way and walking the path itself was Yoo Seong’s task.
And in Morgan’s eyes, Yoo Seong was doing it admirably.
So, she resolved to stop being overly ambitious and to support him from behind rather than leading him.
Morgan smiled warmly, looking at Yoo Seong’s face, and the panting Yoo Seong rolled his eyes toward her in response to the blatant gaze.
“What?”
When asked why she was smiling like that, Morgan mischievously grinned and replied.
“Just because. The successor is handsome, kind of cool, maybe even my type?”
Although Morgan was undeniably beautiful, Yoo Seong didn’t blush or get flustered. Instead, he gave a lukewarm look.
How to put it?
It was similar to how he teased René by calling her cute or pretty, yet it was also different.
“Whew, I suppose we’ll stop here for today.”
Raising his upper body, Yoo Seong spoke with a tone of regret.
As Morgan had guessed, Yoo Seong was on the brink of grasping ideology.
It was like trying to catch a falling feather, just barely missing.
But almost wasn’t quite enough.
‘I’d like to train all day if I could…’
Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible.
Even though Count Carian was doing his part, Yoo Seong couldn’t leave everything to him, especially not today.
It was the day of the Western Lords allied forces’ deployment ceremony.
“Training even on the morning of the deployment ceremony? Admirable yet worrisome,” Morgan said with a radiant smile.
After briefly contemplating, Yoo Seong stood up and replied, “Thanks for helping me train this morning. I’m always grateful.”
Hearing Yoo Seong’s heartfelt words, Morgan blushed, hiding her embarrassment with a loud laugh.
“I’m the successor’s knight, after all. Still…hearing it up close, even I feel shy.”
Scratching her cheek awkwardly, Morgan’s demeanor made Yoo Seong chuckle. After sending her off, he looked out the window.
The bustling streets of Legion were now filled with an additional ten thousand soldiers.
Observing the laughing, chatting, crying, and quarreling people, Yoo Seong slowly turned away.
He left the training room and headed to his room.
Unlike during the banquet preparations, this time he wasn’t alone.
Just like when preparing for the council of lords, René was by his side.
“Hmm, perfect. Just perfect. You look amazing.”
After adjusting his tie, René stepped back, taking in Yoo Seong’s appearance before giving her signature bright smile and a thumbs-up.
His attire was different from the grand evening suit he wore for the banquet. This was formal ceremonial attire.
Fitting for the “Black Knight of Lothian,” the black-and-gold outfit wasn’t dazzling but exuded grandeur and dignity.
As this was Count Lothian’s first official event, René was especially meticulous.
Since René would also participate, she, too, was dressed more elegantly than usual.
Though it wasn’t a banquet dress, her robe was more ornate, paired with a cloak and gold accessories.
On her waist was a book, rather than a weapon like a sword. The sight initially felt strange, but over time it seemed fitting, giving off a mage-like vibe.
“It’s just for decoration, though.”
Camelot’s magical tomes were too large and heavy to carry at her waist, so René had opted for a decorative book. However, during combat, she would sometimes wear a scroll book instead.
Once René’s inspection was complete, Yoo Seong stepped closer and adjusted the brooch on her cloak.
“It was crooked.”
“Oh, um, thank you,” René said, blushing slightly.
Was it the closeness? No, they had been close like this many times before. It was likely due to the slight awkwardness lingering since the previous banquet.
‘It’s kind of ticklish.’
Her glances, shyly meeting his before quickly averting, only to look again, her fidgeting fingers—it all made Yoo Seong smile.
“Are you two ready?” Robin’s voice came from outside the door.
René looked up at Yoo Seong, and he nodded with a smile.
“We’re ready.”
“Shall we?”
Yoo Seong teasingly held out his hand, and René blinked for a moment before smiling brightly and taking it.
The escort they had done during the banquet.
Together, Yoo Seong and René stepped out of the room side by side.
Outside the walls of the Legion fortress, the entire army of the Western Lords’ Alliance had gathered.
Since the troops were brought together by lords from various regions, the composition and numbers of the soldiers varied widely.
Even so, the sheer number of 10,000 was impressive.
The sight of colorful banners raised high and the ranks neatly aligned was enough to stir anyone’s heart.
The citizens who had come to watch the departure ceremony could not contain their amazement at the sight of the assembled forces.
Though they had grown accustomed to seeing soldiers in the castle over the past few days, this was their first time witnessing so many gathered in one place.
What especially drew the crowd’s attention was the thousand-strong cavalry unit led by Juliet, representing the Count of Baltois.
A thousand warhorses, each much larger than a human, were gathered, and atop them rode not mere conscripts but Baltois’ elite troops.
Their posture and the intensity in their eyes set them apart from ordinary soldiers, exuding an overwhelming aura that left onlookers breathless.
“Juliet truly carries herself with dignity,” Yoo Seong remarked as he walked along the castle wall.
At his words, René quickly turned to look at her sister.
Though Juliet acted like a carefree foal in spring around her younger sibling, in official settings, she was the epitome of an elegant and intelligent beauty, exuding both dignity and grace.
René wanted to shout, “It’s all a lie! None of that is real!” but she held back.
Exposing her sister’s true self would only bring embarrassment. So, instead, she exchanged a knowing glance with Robin, who shared her urge to spill the truth, and then changed the subject.
“It’s really incredible to see everyone gathered like this.”
In truth, over half of the army consisted of hastily recruited conscripts, so their equipment and discipline left much to be desired.
But on the flip side, this meant that nearly half of the troops were seasoned soldiers.
These were the elite forces nurtured by the lords of each region.
As Yoo Seong and René walked along the walls, observing the troops one by one, their gazes settled on the same group.
The battle priests led by Ruan and the soldiers of Lothian.
Apart from the troops of Baltois, who bordered the northern kingdom of Bertoria and had extensive combat experience, these were the most seasoned warriors present. Their posture alone distinguished them from the conscripts of other regions.
Yoo Seong was reminded of Sir Simon and Sir Rant, who had trained those troops, and he couldn’t help but smile wryly.
It had already been nearly a month since he last saw them, and with the expedition ahead, it would be a long time before he met Lothian’s retainers again.
As he thought of Lady Iserina, who was likely overseeing the restoration of Volano, Yoo Seong continued walking toward the platform on the castle wall.
There, Count Carian and the lords had gathered.
“Welcome,” Count Carian greeted Yoo Seong with a bow, surprising some of the other lords.
The change in the relationship between Yoo Seong and Count Carian, compared to the lords’ council, was palpable.
After lightly returning the greeting, Yoo Seong ascended the platform.
Below the castle walls, 10,000 troops were arrayed in formation.
Though he had seen them on the way, the sight of them from the platform, all at once, was awe-inspiring.
However, the formation was not yet complete.
The soldiers of the Western Lords’ Alliance were arranged in a square, but there was a large empty space in the center—directly in front of the platform.
Yoo Seong knew the reason for this.
In fact, everyone present knew the reason.
The 10,000 troops below all looked toward Yoo Seong.
The citizens gathered outside the walls to watch the spectacle also turned their eyes to him.
The lords, including Count Carian, looked at Yoo Seong with expressions no different from those of the soldiers.
And then, René Baltois and Jillian Ynatri—the King’s Mage and the Saint—smiled, one faintly and the other gracefully.
“Gather.”
At Yoo Seong’s command, a radiant golden light burst forth among the soldiers, and as everyone held their breath, the Army of Light appeared.
At the forefront were Hector’s heavy infantry and Vanadain’s elven archers.
Though their numbers barely exceeded 100, no force present— not even Baltois’ elite cavalry—could match their overwhelming presence.
Behind them emerged Roland’s heavy cavalry.
The massive warhorses were clad in armor, and the cavalrymen atop them were similarly equipped, creating an imposing sight beyond words.
And then there was one more.
From the soldiers and citizens, unable to contain themselves, gasps of astonishment erupted.
Descending from the skies was the griffon unit.
There were far more people present who had not witnessed the recapture of the Legion fortress than those who had.
Even the lords were struck speechless by the sight of the griffon unit.
“Haha, ha!”
Baron Laval puffed out his chest as if basking in the lords’ astonishment, while Count Carian smiled deeply.
As the admiration reached its peak, Yoo Seong raised his hand once more.
With his command, Hector’s heavy infantry, Vanadain’s elven archers, and Roland’s heavy cavalry vanished in a flash of golden light, and new units appeared.
These included Kate’s royal guards, Rando’s ballista unit, and Morgan’s elite swordsmen.
Though smaller in number compared to the previous three units, their presence was equally formidable.
The sudden appearance of the massive ballista unit drew fresh amazement, even from those who already knew about them.
It was clear that the ballista unit’s mobility, often considered a major drawback for such units, was no longer an issue.
Yet it was not just the ballista unit that captured everyone’s attention.
Morgan’s elite swordsmen.
Including Morgan herself, they numbered only eleven, but anyone who faced them could not help but gulp nervously.
“Their aura is different.”
Baron Anjou immediately recognized it.
The ten elite swordsmen were like finely honed blades themselves. Ordinary knights would stand no chance against them.
“And…”
At the forefront stood Morgan.
She made no attempt to conceal her aura.
Even those who had seen her at the banquet hall before could hardly believe she was the same person, so overwhelming was her sharp and fierce presence.
Even Baron Anjou, a seasoned warrior, broke out in a cold sweat.
“She’s strong.”
Overwhelmingly so.
This wasn’t about mere aura or knightly demeanor—it was an overwhelming mastery of skill.
Her depth of ability was beyond what Baron Anjou could even begin to gauge.
Yoo Seong looked down at them.
The Army of Light looked up at Yoo Seong, while Kate, bearing the banner of Camelot, lightly thumped her chest with her fist and called out.
“For the glory of Camelot.”
Though her voice was not loud, its clear and resonant tone reached everyone present.
Soldiers, citizens—everyone heard Kate’s voice.
It was almost like magic.
The glory of Camelot.
Everyone knew.
Among those who lived in the age of humanity, none were ignorant of King Arthur’s legend.
And because of that, their hearts raced.
Breathlessly, they followed the gaze of the Army of Light, staring at the one hailed by Camelot’s honor.
“For the glory of Camelot.”
Yoo Seong responded.
He thumped his chest with his fist, and at that moment, the entire Army of Light mirrored the gesture.
“For the glory of Camelot.”
Lothian’s soldiers joined in.
Even René, Jillian, Count Carian, Baron Laval, and Baron Anjou on the platform followed suit.
A legend and a myth that had become history.
The tale of King Arthur.
Soldiers and citizens alike thought of the same thing as they looked at Yoo Seong.
And at noon that day, when the sun stood highest in the sky, the 10,000 troops of the Western Lords’ Alliance began their march toward the southern region of the Silatein Kingdom.