I Became a Mythical Knight King

Chapter 104: Hector (1)

The Western Lords’ Allied Forces advanced southward smoothly.

After the battles in the County of Artois, the army’s morale was exceptionally high, likely due to their awareness of their position as a “liberation force.”

“If we continue south like this, we’ll reach the County of Charlotte within three days.”

The County of Charlotte, located in the southwestern region, bordered the Kingdom of Cabal. It had fallen to the lizardmen advancing from the western wilderness. Their main force had moved eastward, engaging the Crown Princess’s army in battle.

“Is it abandoned, like the southern County of Artois?” asked Baron Laval.

Count Carian shook his head. “No, they’ve left some troops to maintain their supply lines.”

This wasn’t just about providing food to their main force fighting in the east. Reinforcements were also being supplied from beyond the wilderness, over the barriers.

However, Yoo Seong and Count Carian knew that no further reinforcements would arrive. The cracks in the barriers across the western region of the Silatein Kingdom had all been sealed by the barrier guardian, Ninian.

“The smaller territories near the County of Charlotte lack the strength to reclaim it. And, as you know, the County of Artois was ravaged by the ratmen. Once the lizardmen conquered the County of Charlotte, they likely faced no significant threats, allowing them to focus on the eastern battles.”

Yet the lizardmen had failed to break through the eastern region. The Crown Princess and Count Bisten, a Master Knight, were leading the central army southward.

“With their forces concentrated in the east, the County of Charlotte likely has few troops, and if any remain, they’re unlikely to be elite.”

Cut off from reinforcements, the lizardmen were now cornered, like rats trapped in a cage.

“Our plan is to reclaim the County of Charlotte, cut off their supply lines, and march east to join forces with the Kingdom Army under the Crown Princess to annihilate the lizardmen.”

This plan, already discussed and finalized days earlier by Yoo Seong and Count Carian, was straightforward and sound, leaving little room for objections.

The only concern was the approaching winter, as autumn was nearing its end.

After the military council, which felt more like a briefing, the lords and knights left the tent. Left behind were Yoo Seong, René, Jillian, and Count Carian—those involved in more confidential discussions, such as the sudden appearance of the Guardian General at the banquet.

The purpose was to inform them that Yoo Seong, René, and Jillian would briefly leave for Yoo Seong Castle to oversee its development, which could take a few hours or up to a day. But there was another reason.

“The Kingdom of Cabal is in turmoil,” Carian said gravely.

The Lion King’s army was advancing far faster than expected. Although the information, passed through multiple channels, lacked precision and speed, it was clear the pace was beyond initial estimates.

‘The absence of the Guardian General is indeed an issue,’ Yoo Seong thought.

The Guardian General’s plan to escape the royal capital using the royal family’s treasure, rally northern forces, and counter the Lion King had already gone awry. He had crash-landed far from his intended destination, wasting nearly ten days.

Although the Guardian General left the County of Artois ahead of Yoo Seong, he also had to safeguard the royal family members heading toward the Empire. It was likely he hadn’t yet joined the northern forces or, if he had, had struggled to organize them effectively.

While generals in the northern Kingdom of Cabal existed, expecting them to stop the Lion King’s army, especially after the capital had fallen and with no Master Knight to aid them, was a stretch.

Listening to Carian’s report, Jillian bit her lip, second-guessing whether delaying the Guardian General by two days had been the right decision.

“You did the right thing. It was the best course of action,” Yoo Seong reassured her, seemingly reading her mind.

Startled, Jillian looked up. Yoo Seong smiled warmly and continued, “Without those two days, the Guardian General might have collapsed on his journey. That time was crucial.”

Yoo Seong’s words were correct, and Jillian, who had personally treated the Guardian General, knew this better than anyone.

“…Thank you,” she said, feeling reassured by Yoo Seong’s affirmation.

With her gratitude expressed and her doubts quelled, Jillian nodded resolutely. Yoo Seong then turned to Count Carian.

“Have we heard from the Guardian General?”

“His last message was three days ago, when he crossed the border.”

The Lion King’s army was fast, and the Guardian General was slow. But impatience wouldn’t solve anything. The focus needed to remain on reclaiming the County of Charlotte.

“We’ve also received word from the Crown Princess. She expects to meet us at Galatein Fortress.”

This fortress was where the Crown Princess and Count Bisten were holding back the lizardmen.

Nodding, Yoo Seong turned his attention to the map on the table. His forces were advancing southward from the west. The Crown Princess’s army awaited in the east. Meanwhile, the Lion King’s forces were advancing northward from the south. And amidst these converging forces were the lizardmen.

‘Focus on the lizardmen first.’

Two days later, in the afternoon, the first battle against the lizardmen began.

“We won!”

“Wooooooo!”

The city of Baron Baltin’s territory, the gateway to the County of Charlotte, erupted in cheers.

Standing on the city walls, Baron Laval waved the allied forces’ flag triumphantly. The soldiers responded with jubilant shouts.

The first battle against the lizardmen was nothing short of a decisive victory.

With the enemy commander assassinated—or rather, openly killed—by Vanadain’s chivalry, Diana’s gryphon unit attacked the enemy headquarters, throwing their ranks into chaos. The now disorganized enemy was overwhelmed from three sides.

Though the lizardmen numbered over 2,000, the allied forces boasted 10,000 troops—five times their strength. Even with the advantage of the fortress, the lizardmen couldn’t withstand the assault after losing their leadership.

Individually, lizardmen were far superior to humans in physical strength. This was why the Crown Princess’s forces had struggled to repel them from Galatein Fortress.

However, the lizardmen here were in their rear, not their frontline. They were weaker than their frontline counterparts, and the allied forces had knights capable of overpowering them.

Among these knights, Hector, Roland, and Kate stood out, as always. But the most remarkable was Morgan.

“Nice to meet you. Time to say goodbye,” Morgan said with a bright smile as she climbed the walls.

With ten elite swordsmen by her side, Morgan turned one section of the wall into a scene of devastation, her ferocious charge inspiring awe among the soldiers.

“Morgan! Morgan!” the soldiers chanted.

Their morale soared, while the lizardmen, paralyzed by fear, were unable to fight effectively.

The result was a complete victory. Even the residents trapped in the fortress joined in the celebrations, turning the city into a sea of joyous cries.

“Glory to Camelot!”

“Long live the Black Knight!”

Hearing the cheers, René jumped excitedly, and Jillian gracefully waved to the soldiers, sharing in their joy.

Yoo Seong, smiling at their antics, sheathed his sword and sought out Count Carian.

“Did you call for me?”

Count Carian approached with a smile, accompanied by a female knight whom he had seen a few times before. His face was slightly flushed, perhaps from the excitement of their recent victory.

“Congratulations on such a resounding victory.”

“You worked hard too, Count Carian.”

It was a time when any conversation was bound to feel joyous after such a triumph.

“The performance of the knights of Camelot was truly extraordinary.”

By now, even Count Carian had come to understand that these knights were the famed Round Table knights whose memories had been sealed. The admiration on his face as he looked at them was innocent and pure, a far cry from his usual demeanor.

“Indeed, the Round Table knights are special.”

It wasn’t just their strength that he was referring to. For the people of this world, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table were not merely legends or myths; they were historical figures, woven into their very heritage. It was only natural for even someone like Count Carian to harbor a sense of awe and reverence.

“Sir Morgan’s achievements were especially remarkable.”

The sight of Morgan and the elite swordsmen devastating the wall with overwhelming combat prowess was enough to inspire awe in anyone. Even Yoo Seong found himself marveling several times, feeling that Morgan was worth every point spent.

After a bit more lighthearted conversation, Yoo Seong lowered his voice and spoke.

“Count Carian, as I mentioned earlier, it’s today.”

Count Carian tilted his head in slight confusion at Yoo Seong’s words, but only for a moment. Realization quickly dawned, and he nodded in understanding.

“I see. Will it be immediately after the battle?”

“No, I plan to leave during the night.”

Though it was best to address the development of Yoo Seong Castle as quickly as possible, doing so immediately after the battle would have been physically taxing.

“Understood. Leave the post-battle arrangements to me.”

“I’m relying on you a lot.”

At Yoo Seong’s words, Count Carian smiled warmly and patted his chest with his fist.

“For the glory of Camelot.”

“For the glory of Camelot.”

He certainly seemed to have taken a liking to Camelot’s customs.

After Count Carian stepped away with a polite bow, Rene, who had been cheering with the soldiers, approached quietly.

“Hehe.”

“What’s so funny?”

When Yoo Seong asked, Rene chuckled again and looked at Count Carian’s receding figure.

“It’s just strange to think that we’ve come to this kind of relationship with Count Carian. I never imagined it.”

“True.”

At the beginning, their interactions had been guarded, if not outright antagonistic. When they first met in Lushen, they couldn’t have imagined such a harmonious—or even subordinate—relationship.

Still, in hindsight, this development seemed natural. It wasn’t just Count Carian; many of Yoo Seong’s relationships, including those with Baron Laval and others, had transformed significantly.

As he thought of the retainers who remained back in Lothian, Yoo Seong noticed something in the distance and smiled.

“Sir Juliette is so composed.”

Even while Count Carian had been practically glowing with joy like a child, Juliette maintained a solemn demeanor, calmly surveying her surroundings to ensure nothing was amiss.

Though her appearance resembled Rene’s, their personalities were worlds apart. Her dignified and lofty presence was nothing short of admirable.

But then—

“What’s wrong?”

“Uh…it’s nothing.”

Rene’s expression turned strangely awkward, and she laughed uncomfortably. Yoo Seong tilted his head, puzzled by her reaction.

That night, in Yoo Seong’s quarters at the Baron of Baltin’s castle, Robin stood guard as Yoo Seong, Rene, and Jillian held hands together.

“Why are you doing this now?”

“I just… it feels so big.”

Rene wiggled her fingers inside Yoo Seong’s large hand and took a deep breath before looking straight ahead.

“Well, then, we’ll be off.”

“Safe travels.”

Robin, as always, saw them off with a calm farewell. Rene glanced back at Yoo Seong, and after briefly meeting the gazes of both Rene and Jillian, Yoo Seong pressed the button on his status screen.

“To Yoo Seong Castle.”

With a flash of golden light, the invitation activated.