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[FTMWDK] Chapter 43: Trial
🕑 Added 2023-10-04 08:37:40 +0000 UTCEveryone's emotions became increasingly excited.
Even the great mage now admitted that the new king was the chosen one, the person favored by fate.
Could Vortigern stand against fate, no matter how powerful he was?
Their initial faith became firmer.
They all knew that Camelot and Vortigern would eventually clash.
If they didn't show their loyalty to the new king now, wouldn't they miss a golden opportunity to prove themselves in front of him when the time for battle came?
A quick-thinking knight immediately stepped forward, kneeling before Arkhan, and exclaimed, "O Noble King of Camelot, I humbly offer my body to you, fervently hoping for an opportunity."
Despicable! Shameless!
Everyone cursed silently in their hearts and then unhesitatingly joined, one after another, kneeling on the ground, making declarations of loyalty to Arkhan.
Looking at over three hundred knights kneeling before their teacher, Kay and Artoria were momentarily stunned, while Merlin wore a smug smile.
Lamorak straightened his back, gazing at Arkhan's back with genuine admiration, firming up his resolve.
Only a king like this could bring hope to Camelot!
"Damn it, can't you monkeys have a little backbone..." Nidhogg muttered with irritation under her breath.
Arkhan took a step forward and spoke with a deep voice carrying a solemn dignity.
"I am aware of your faith. With pillars like all of you in Camelot, I am deeply gratified."
Black and white light swirled around him, coalescing into a massive lance, its holy patterns gradually illuminating as they converged toward the tip.
Pure and gentle white light fell like a curtain of rain, and everyone bathed in it involuntarily closed their eyes, feeling as if they were soaking in a warm spring, extremely comfortable.
After about ten minutes, the light dissipated, and everyone opened their eyes, sensing changes in their bodies. A look of astonishment appeared on their faces.
As knights, they inevitably accumulated some hidden injuries from training and battle, but now, after spending just a while in that light, all their injuries had been completely healed!
Furthermore, they could clearly feel that their bodies had undergone a profound transformation as if they were now filled with inexhaustible strength!
What is this? A miracle!?
Everyone's eyes were filled with fanatical fervor, and there was no longer any doubt about the new king's identity.
If he weren't the chosen king, how could he accomplish such a feat!?
""My King!""
""My King!""
The knights shouted frantically. Though they numbered only three hundred, the momentum they created rivaled that of an army of tens of thousands!
Arkhan suddenly raised his hand, and everyone instinctively closed their mouths, though the fervor in their eyes remained undiminished.
Artoria's face couldn't help but reveal a yearning expression.
Just a simple gesture could instantly calm down hundreds of frenzied knights. What a terrifying leadership quality. Could she also achieve this level someday?
The Abyss Flower dissolved into specks of light, but Arkhan's face remained composed.
If it had been him before, depleting his magical energy like this, he probably wouldn't be able to stand now.
But after awakening the power of Nidhogg, everything was different.
Whenever and wherever this body continuously produced magical energy, there was no need to worry about exhaustion unless he used powerful magecraft consecutively.
Just now, he had done just that, using Fenghuang Down to channel Jizo Mitama's power into Carlock's body, corrupting and erasing the concept of 'life' from him entirely.
Consecutively wielding the power of two Divine Keys was something he could have done in the past, but the magical energy required was too immense, enough to drain him after just a few uses.
However, the present him could easily withstand this level of consumption.
Moreover, unlike Artoria, he didn't need a massive amount of food to sustain his body.
Unlike Artoria, Arkhan possessed an exceptionally strong talent for magecraft. This was evident from the fact that he had mastered Primordial Rune in just sixteen years. His powerful magecraft talent allowed him to control magical energy with exceptional precision.
Now, he could choose to activate or deactivate the Black Dragon Body at any time, without worrying about depletion.
This might be good news for Camelot's granaries.
"For those who are loyal and brave, I have never been stingy with rewards." Arkhan said in a solemn tone. "Since you all hold this belief, I will give you a chance."
He glanced at Merlin, who immediately stepped forward, taking out a map of Camelot from his voluminous sleeve and displaying it before everyone.
Everyone raised their heads and saw a clearly marked red line on the map, extending from Tintagel.
"If you want my recognition, try following this route." Arkhan's voice remained calm. "I can honestly tell you that this is a very difficult path. Along the way, you'll encounter cliffs, raging rivers, fierce beasts, and there might even be wyverns."
Wyverns!?
Many knights' faces immediately turned stiff. Those were phantasmal species that had existed since ancient times. Unless one was a powerful knight, encountering them was practically a death sentence!
This was too dangerous!
Some people displayed hesitance on their faces.
As if he hadn't noticed, Arkhan continued:
"If anyone wishes to withdraw, I won't hold it against them; the choice is in your hands. However! Only those who pass this trial will be recognized as true knights by me! If you want to follow me in achieving great glory, then show me your conviction! On the day of your triumphant return, I will personally offer you a celebratory toast with fine wine!"
===
Watching the departing figures of the three hundred knights, Artoria couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, is this route really as dangerous as you said?"
"Of course it is~"
Before Arkhan could answer, Merlin spoke first with a sly smile, pointing to himself.
"Because I personally selected this route."
"But, won't it be too dangerous if wyverns really appear?" Artoria hesitated.
"While wyverns are indeed challenging opponents for them, as long as they unite, they are not unbeatable. The life energy I left within them is enough to support them through this journey." Arkhan said calmly.
"But is that really effective?" Kay asked in doubt.
Arkhan raised his head, gazing at the clear sky.
"I have not lied. If they can overcome this trial, they will become... true and chivalrous knights."
