MTLNOVEL C123
Chapter 123: Journey to the Royal Capital (2)
The human king is coming.
The residents of the royal capital, who had repeatedly learned about the ‘Miracle of Galatein Fortress’ through minstrel Diego, were literally ecstatic.
News that an army of more than 6,000 soldiers was approaching the royal capital would normally have caused fear and terror, but this time it was completely different.
“It’s His Majesty the Holy King’s army.”
What was there to worry about when the Holy King’s army would never attack the royal capital?
Moreover, according to rumors, this army would form the foundation of the soon-to-be-established ‘Holy King’s Army,’ so there was even less reason to fear.
Although the royal capital had never been attacked, it didn’t mean they were blind and deaf.
The Age of the Ominous Stars had already arrived.
The south had been somewhat resolved thanks to His Majesty the Holy King, but the Kingdom of Cabal was still in the hands of monsters, and rumors continued to circulate that the Kingdom of Bertoria in the northwest was in danger because of monsters.
If the Kingdom of Bertoria were to eventually fall, and if a new army of monsters were to march toward the Kingdom of Silatein, just as the Lion King had done after destroying the Kingdom of Cabal…
It was a terrifying thought, but now it was fine because His Majesty the Holy King had returned and because the Holy King’s Army would rise and drive away the monsters.
“I heard there will be a victory ceremony this time.”
“Of course there should be. Absolutely. If His Majesty doesn’t hold one, then who would?”
“That’s right. That’s absolutely right.”
Public opinion regarding the victory ceremony was also quite favorable.
No, it was beyond favorable—people were welcoming it with open arms.
Everyone wanted to see the human king in person.
Of course, this wasn’t just spontaneously formed public opinion.
Those who had received secret orders from Count Carian were spreading rumors and stirring up people throughout the royal capital to create public sentiment but it wasn’t forced.
A mere mention of the victory ceremony, like giving a gentle push, was enough to quickly form a public opinion welcoming it.
“When will he arrive?”
“I heard it will take about two more days.”
“Two days?!”
People of all ages and genders in the royal capital began counting down the days to the victory ceremony, and even residents from territories near the royal capital flocked to the capital to witness it.
Meanwhile, the nobles of the royal capital awaited the king’s return with somewhat more complex feelings.
It was an unprecedented situation where an army of 10,000 was marching toward the royal capital.
Of course, like the commoners, the nobles of the royal capital didn’t think the Holy King’s Army would attack the capital.
But even so, the fact that 6,000 soldiers would enter the royal capital—or more precisely, their domain—was not something they could simply laugh off.
“But I don’t think there will be many who have serious complaints or are genuinely anxious.”
“I think so too.”
Princess Elizabeth and Count Carian didn’t explicitly explain the reason, but they had similar thoughts.
The reason nobles weren’t particularly anxious.
The reason they accepted the existence of the King of Kings without much resistance.
Was it because the Age of the Ominous Stars had arrived?
Was it because their hearts were overflowing with the return of the king, straight out of myth and legend?
Both weren’t wrong, but there was a more realistic reason.
‘The Bride of the Century.’
It was the princess’s existence.
Regardless of whether they were royalists or aristocrats, the nobles of the royal capital were tentatively considering the union of Yoo Seong and the princess.
In other words, they were thinking that the King of Kings would become their king—the king of the Kingdom of Silatein—so there was no reason to be disturbed by the appearance of the King of Kings.
This might seem like an oversimplification of the nobles, but that was the reality.
Even those who thought the union of Yoo Seong and the princess wouldn’t be as easy as imagined were secretly thinking, ‘Anyway, won’t they somehow end up together?’ and so on.
The reason was too obvious.
There was no particular reason why they had to unite, but conversely, there was no reason why they shouldn’t either.
No, rather, a union would be beneficial.
Camelot was gone.
Even if one didn’t deny that the king of Camelot was the human king, the current king of Camelot had no country to rule.
But if he married the princess, he would gain the Kingdom of Silatein as a foundation.
In other words, according to the nobles’ way of thinking, it would be strange not to marry the princess.
‘And I suppose the princess’s existence also provides a sense of psychological stability.’
The psychology that if he married the princess, they—the nobles of the royal capital—would become vassals of His Majesty the Holy King, so His Majesty would have no reason to attack them.
For these reasons, Princess Elizabeth and Count Carian dedicated their efforts to preparing for the victory ceremony and the establishment of the Holy King’s Army without much worry.
And another day passed.
Rumors that the Holy King’s Army had approached to a not-so-distant location increased the vitality of the royal capital.
Moreover, the atmosphere improved even more with the addition of rumors that Count Bisten was making great strides in the south.
Of course, there wasn’t only good news.
Rumors also circulated that the situation in the northwestern Kingdom of Bertoria was not normal.
But unlike when they heard the news of the fall of the royal capital of the Kingdom of Cabal, the residents of the royal capital didn’t show much agitation or fear.
Another day passed and finally, on the day of the victory ceremony the residents of the royal capital, who had stayed up all night, all looked in the same direction, south.
The direction from which the Holy King’s Army was approaching.
“The Holy King’s Army is coming!”
Those who had gone far outside the walls came running back, shouting.
The Holy King’s Army is coming.
The Holy King’s Army is coming!
Even though Yoo Seong had yet to officially announce the formation of the Holy King’s Army, the term ‘Holy King’s Army’ was already widely used in the royal capital.
Starting from someone’s mouth at some point, it was now a term used casually not only by the commoners of the royal capital but also by the nobles.
Of course, that someone was Count Carian’s spies, and the reason Count Carian went so far as to deploy spies to spread the term ‘Holy King’s Army’ was simple.
‘Because it’s effective.’
If the term ‘Holy King’s Army’ was already widely used and the people considered the existence of the Holy King’s Army as a matter of course then Yoo Seong ‘s plan to establish the Holy King’s Army could proceed much more naturally.
To put it simply, it was similar to oiling a machine to make it run smoothly.
In any case, thanks to the efforts of Count Carian and his spies, the term ‘Holy King’s Army’ was widely spread throughout the royal capital, and when they saw the group led by Yoo Seong approaching the royal capital, they all unanimously thought of the phrase ‘The Holy King’s Army is coming!’
“At last!”
The residents of the royal capital couldn’t possibly climb the walls just to get a better view, so they came out to the streets to prepare to watch.
The royal capital’s soldiers controlled the crowd, maintaining some semblance of order.
In fact, considering the relationship between Yoo Seong and the Kingdom of Silatein, there was no particular reason for the royal capital’s soldiers to step forward to control or assist Yoo Seong’s victory ceremony, but the soldiers had the justification of the ‘princess.’
Of course, there was also the basic justification of maintaining security in the capital.
Under the soldiers’ control, the residents of the royal capital gathered on both sides of the main road passing through the central square, waiting for the Holy King’s Army’s victory ceremony.
With people gathered from other territories as well, the total number would easily exceed tens of thousands.
Outside the city gate the soldiers guarding the gate swallowed hard as they watched a group approaching from a distance.
There had always been a long line formed in front of the city gate, where many people passed through, and today was no exception, but the purpose was different.
It wasn’t to enter the royal capital, but to see and welcome the Holy King’s Army.
“The Holy King’s Army is coming!”
“The Holy King’s Army is coming!”
Following someone’s shout, a lively rumbling of the earth reached them.
It would be strange if the earth didn’t shake when more than five thousand people marched in unison.
Moreover, about a thousand of them were cavalry.
“Waaaaaaaa!”
“Oooooooooh!”
The people gathered in front of the city gate shouted cheers toward the Holy King’s Army.
What started as simple excited shouts soon gained an indescribable thrill.
It was because of Camelot’s flag held high by the cavalry at the front.
Everyone knew the emblem of the sacred sword engraved on a lake.
Even those who couldn’t read had engraved Camelot’s flag in their minds through stories heard in childhood, through a scene from a sacred painting seen by chance.
But for most, seeing the actual fluttering flag of Camelot was a first.
And it wasn’t just any flag, but a large and beautiful Camelot flag held high by a beautiful female knight—Juliet—wearing splendid armor.
Knights were advancing with Camelot’s flag held high and most were from the Baltois Cavalry led by Juliet.
They had not participated in the battle at Galatein Fortress so perhaps their participation in this victory ceremony might seem improper but they had military achievements from the domain of Count Artois.
They had experience fighting on the battlefield while assisting the returned human king.
Therefore, not only Juliet but also the knights and cavalry under her command all marched forward with their heads held high.
It wasn’t only the residents of the royal capital who were excited about Camelot’s flag.
The Baltois Cavalry also felt an indescribable elation at this moment of advancing with Camelot’s flag.
It felt as if they had become the army of Camelot from the King Arthur stories they had read in childhood.
A part of the Baltois Cavalry led by Juliet advanced, followed by infantry led by the princess and the lords of the Western Lords Alliance.
The princess’ escort knights held the flag of the Kingdom of Silatein high, and behind them followed the relatively smaller but colorfully distinctive flags of the lords belonging to the Western Lord Alliance.
And at the rear were the Baltois Cavalry led by Robin and Edgar again.
Looking at the majestic Holy King’s Army advancing, people were excited, but at some point, they all had the same thought.
So where is the human king?
Where is the king’s magician, said to be as beautiful as the goddess of night?
And where are Camelot’s warriors who are said to accompany the golden light?
People murmured and looked at each other, and Washim, the owner of the Mermaid’s Song, turned to Diego who was standing right next to him.
With a look that said “Why don’t I see anything from your bloody song?” Diego sweated nervously, looked at the advancing Holy King’s Army again, and felt perplexed.
There was the princess and soldiers who had fought at Galatein Fortress, but the human king, the king’s magician, and the brave warriors of Camelot were nowhere to be seen.
The cheers were loud, but the murmurs grew louder.
And it was the same for the high-ranking nobles watching the victory ceremony from high places.
The nobles of the royalist and aristocratic factions didn’t murmur like the commoners, but they all frowned and tilted their heads.
A victory ceremony without the protagonist, the human king, participating wasn’t just strange; it simply didn’t make sense.
What could it be?
Could there be some hidden production?
Meanwhile, Juliet, who held Camelot’s flag high, continued to advance and eventually reached the central square of the royal capital and then an unexpected event occurred.
Juliet, who had been advancing with a smile, stopped her horse.
Moreover, it wasn’t just her.
As if it had been agreed upon, the entire procession of the Holy King’s Army halted.
What could it be?
Could the knights and soldiers participating in the victory ceremony be angered by the murmurs?
A strange silence spread from the central square.
The princess smiled bitterly, and Robin, positioned at the rear, started grinning like Rene.
The reason they did so was because Juliet raised her head and looked at the sky.
Because all of the Baltois Cavalry did the same, the residents of the royal capital who were watching them also reflexively raised their heads and looked at the sky.
As it was the time when the sun was at its highest, those who looked up at the sky felt the dazzling brightness in the clear blue early winter sky but that wasn’t all everyone saw.
Something descending from the sky, it was a jet-black warhorse with red eyes and a jet-black knight.
A fairy horse running on his right side with a witch in a purple robe, a unicorn running on his left side with a black-haired saint dressed in pure white vestments.
A blinding light flashed again before the eyes of those who were staring blankly.
And as if it had been agreed upon, all the men and women, young and old, of the royal capital opened their mouths wide and couldn’t say a word.
A golden light flashed as dozens of griffins with huge wings flapping appeared in that dazzlingly bright light.
Above them sat knights wearing silver armor and holding lances high, and attached to the lance of the female knight positioned directly behind the black knight was Camelot’s flag.
People understood who the one descending from the sky wrapped in golden light over jet-black armor was and voices spread.
Exclamations and admiration soon became cheers, and an enormous roar shook the entire royal capital.
There was no uniformity in those shouts.
Some shouted for the Holy King, some for the Black Knight of Lothian, and others hailed the miracle of Galatein but those roars didn’t last very long.
The moment the warhorse arrived in front of the square and when dozens of griffin riders took their places beside the black knight, once again, a golden light rose.
The people of the royal capital were momentarily blinded by that too dazzling light, and when their sight recovered, an unbelievable scene had unfolded.
The king’s magician stood beside the king wearing black armor, and Camelot’s knights lined up as if to protect them.
A beautiful female knight with long golden hair guarded the king’s left side with her royal guard.
A knight in heavy armor who could only be described as a giant guarded the king’s right side with heavy infantry wielding enormous shields and axes.
And a female knight with white hair stood behind the king.
Ten knights stood by her side, and behind them again, griffin riders held their lances high and were lined up.
People could tell that those were the warriors of Camelot who had caused the miracle of Galatein Fortress.
The scene was so overwhelming that people forgot to even cheer.
Holding their pounding hearts, all they could do was watch.
And among them, the black knight stepped forward.
The king’s magician by his side couldn’t control the corners of her mouth, and the king’s saint deliberately maintained an elegant smile.
Everyone looked at the black knight.
With bated breath, they opened their ears and waited to hear what he, who seemed to have walked out of myth and legend, would say.
“I am Yoo Seong, the successor of the Holy King, the rightful king of Camelot, and the chosen one of the Lady of the Lake.”
He didn’t shout.
He didn’t yell until his throat burst.
But nevertheless, Yoo Seong’s voice was transmitted to everyone in the royal capital.
It was thanks to magic that Rene had found in Camelot’s magic book, but no one would think that.
They just felt it was natural for the king’s voice to reach their ears.
“Rene Baltois. She came to find me after receiving a revelation from the Lady of the Lake. She who reminded me that I am the successor of the Holy King is my precious magician.”
When Yoo Seong pointed to Rene as he spoke, all eyes turned to her.
More than tens of thousands of enthusiastic gazes were too much for one person to bear, but Rene didn’t care about that at all.
Yoo Seong’s words filled not just her mind but also her heart.
‘My precious magician.
My magician.’
Rene smiled with teary eyes.
Juliet also cried and laughed, and the princess, who couldn’t see Rene’s expression because she was positioned in the middle, wore a slightly bitter smile.
“Jillian Ynatri. She is Camelot’s saint who, having received the oracle of Omphalos, once again reminded me of my existence.”
This time, people’s gazes turned toward Jillian.
With those tremendous gazes, Jillian felt like her heart would burst and she would die, but rather, she maintained an even firmer and more elegant smile than usual.
It was strange even to Jillian herself that she could maintain calmness in this moment when she was being declared the king’s saint.
“The Age of the Ominous Stars has arrived.”
At Yoo Seong’s words, the residents of the royal capital gasped or swallowed hard and concentrated on Yoo Seong.
Despite more than tens of thousands of people gathered, the absence of any noise in the royal capital was almost strange, but Yoo Seong calmly continued speaking.
“Enemies of humanity are coming from beyond the barrier created by King Arthur, threatening the human world.”
The royal capital of the Kingdom of Cabal has fallen.
The Kingdom of Bertoria is also under invasion.
The Kingdom of Silatein has also suffered enormous damage in the west and south.
“Citizens of the Kingdom of Silatein, people of Camelot.”
Yoo Seong took one more step forward.
Like a lie, he stepped into the air and rose to a high place, and spoke looking at everyone from the transparent magical stairs created by Renée.
“I declare here and now. To protect the human world from humanity’s enemies, to guard all humans, the Holy King’s Army will rise.”
It was a simple statement but the residents of the royal capital began to gasp.
With hearts pounding as if about to burst, people of all ages clenched their fists in excitement.
Yoo Seong raised one hand high and as everyone watched, light poured from the sky, touched Yoo Seong’s hand, and from there, a brilliant sword of light shot up.
It was that which was drawn from the stone, the sword of selection.
“The light of Camelot will protect you.”
It will protect the human world against the enemies of humanity.
That light emanating from Caliburn soon spread throughout the royal capital, and those who faced the light came to realize what that light was and what that light meant.
Some shed tears.
Some opened their mouths and let out their voices with an elation that felt about to burst.
And someone first uttered those words.
Following the verses of the King Arthur stories heard in childhood, so naturally.
“To the glory of Camelot.”
It wasn’t just one.
There were many.
Their repeated voices gradually became one.
“To the glory of Camelot.”
“To the glory of Camelot!”
“To the glory of Camelot!”
The unified roar shook the entire royal capital.
The monsters are coming to end the age of humans but the Lady of the Lake did not abandon them.
Along with the Age of the Ominous Stars, the successor of light has also returned and is now here to protect humans from monsters and to continue the Age of Humans.
“The light of Camelot will protect you.”
Yoo Seong looked at everyone in the royal capital and everyone in the royal capital looked at Yoo Seong.
At some point an enormous roar erupted, shaking the entire royal capital once again.