I Became a Mythical Knight King

Chapter 19: The Master of Lothian (3)

As the sun set and night fell, the people of Lothian gathered in front of the castle walls, all looking at the same spot.

In front of the barely cleared castle gate stood a massive altar, with towering flames rising high into the sky.

The soldiers of Lothian stood in formation before it.

The first order given by the new lord, who had fallen from the sky, was a funeral.

It was a joint funeral, not only for Baron Latus but for all the soldiers who had lost their lives in the battle that day.

There were no grand preparations.

Lighting a large fire and offering flowers was about all that could be done.

But even so, it was a funeral.

It was a ceremony to honor all those who had thrown their lives away to protect Lothian.

A funeral, after all, wasn’t just for the dead.

It was for the ones left behind.

It was to comfort the hearts of those who had lost their loved ones.

Beneath the great fire, René recited words of condolence from the Holy Scriptures of the Lake Goddess in a voice choked with tears.

Thus, some wept while others merely gazed at the flames with a quiet, somber expression.

The falling star reminded Yoo-seong of Baron Latus’ last moments and the soldiers of Camelot.

He thought of the young peasant soldier who had first lost his life in the battle of Lotho Village.

‘The Era of the Ominous Stars…’

It had only just begun.

More battles like the one from last night would continue to unfold.

Taking a deep breath, Yoo-seong thudded his right fist against his left chest.

He steeled his resolve while looking at the great fire.

***
The funeral finished around midnight.

As the flames, having consumed all the firewood, slowly extinguished under the moonlight, the conscripts and residents scattered to their homes, and René, whose eyes were red from crying, was supported by Robin as she returned to her room.

Left alone, Yoo-seong decided to head for his quarters, as the lord’s room still wasn’t fully cleaned up.

On the way, Sir Rant attempted to approach Yoo-seong with a bottle of alcohol and a cup, but thanks to Sir Simone’s timely intervention, nothing came of it.

It seemed that both Sir Rant and Sir Simone had grown fond of Yoo-seong after the joint funeral.

And so, deep into the night, sitting on the bed in a room with no lights but the moonlight, Yoo-seong began to collect his thoughts.

The funeral was over, and the lordship had been established—at least for now.

It was time to move forward.

Yes, forward.

The time had come for the things that Yoo-seong had wanted to do ever since he woke up but had been holding off on.

“Status window.”

Promotion of the peasant soldiers to regular infantry, additional management of the army, construction of military facilities, leveling up of knights, additional skills, René’s growth, and so on.

As if rewarding Yoo-seong’s patience, the Light Window appeared, and he quickly skimmed through it, unable to hide a smile.

It was more than he expected.

Yoo-seong’s hand moved faster as he operated the status window.
—
[Achievement Unlocked: Savior of the City]

[Item: Lothian Flag (slightly increases allied defense) obtained]

[Commander Skill Points: 5 points obtained]

[Achievement Unlocked: Foe of the Demon God]

[Passive Skill: Foe of the Demon God (10% increase in damage against human enemies) obtained]

[Commander Skill Points: 5 points obtained]

[Achievement Unlocked: Successor of Light]

[Passive Skill: Successor of Light (10% increase in power of Holy Knight skills) obtained]

[Commander Skill Points: 5 points obtained]

[Military Facility: Blacksmith available]

[Points Available: 65 points]

[Maximum number of units you can summon: 3 units]

[Legion Management]

Kate’s Serf Unit Lv4 (Promotion available!)

Commander: Kate

Trumpeter: Jimmy

Members: 12+1 (Max: 40+1)

[Add 5 serf soldiers: 1pt]

Commander Champion: Kate

Level: 4

Weapons: Camelot Flag (Morale +1) / Standard Sword / Leather Armor / Warhorse

Chivalry: Glory of Camelot (Increases the morale and battle strength of allies within the range, while reducing the will of enemies.)

[Hans’s Serf Unit (5 members) added: 5pt]

[Add Trumpeter to Hans’ Serf Unit: 1pt]

Vanadain’s Archer Unit Lv4 (Promotion available!)

Commander: Vanadain

Members: 9+1 (Max: 30+1)

[Add 2 Archers: 1pt]

Diana’s Light Cavalry Lv3 (Can be upgraded to the next level)

Commander: Diana

Members: 2+1 (Max: 10+1)

[Add 1 Cavalry: 1pt]

[Hero Management]

King’s Wizard: René Baltois

Level: 3

Pt held: 5pt

Weapon: Oak Staff / Wizard’s Robe

Unique Skill: –

Unique Spell: –

[René gains Magic Power Enhancement Lv2: 3pt]

[René gains Barehanded Combat Lv1: 3pt]

[René gains Battle Meditation Lv1: 3pt]

[René gains New Magic: 3pt]

[René mounts a Warhorse: 3pt]

[René’s Strength Enhancement: 1pt]

[René’s Agility Enhancement: 1pt]

[René’s Stamina Enhancement: 1pt]

—

Yoo-seong quickly scanned the text in front of him, a satisfied smile forming on his face.

‘The achievement rewards are not bad.’

While there were no additional points, he had received items and passive skills.

Moreover, he was particularly pleased with the effects of the passive skills.

‘It’s not just an additive increase, but a percentage increase.’

In other words, as Yoo-seong became stronger, the effects of these skills would become stronger too.

‘The army and moral bonuses also help, so the Holy Knight skills will become incredibly powerful.’

It could be described as a bonus within a bonus within a bonus.

‘The effects of Foe of the Demon God and Successor of Light will overlap as well.’

He could deal much more damage to human enemies than normal.

‘But in the end, my enemies will be human anyway.’

It was a skill that only worked against specific enemies, but those enemies would be the ones he fought most of the time.

‘Come to think of it, even humans would fall to this, wouldn’t they?’

Though still only a “Successor,” Yoo-seong was effectively following in the footsteps of King Arthur Pendragon, a human king.

So wouldn’t his enemies become the enemies of humans as well?

It might sound a little mad, but it was actually quite a plausible theory.

‘I hope I don’t have to test it, but it seems likely.’

Yoo-seong nodded to himself and stared quietly at his only equipment reward: the Lothian Flag.

An item that provided a defense buff to allies.

He liked the effect.

The only problem was that Kate was the only flag bearer hero in the legion—Kate.

‘Maybe she could just carry two flags.’

It might look odd, but she could attach two flags to one pole.

Curious, Yoo-seong decided to equip the Lothian Flag to Kate.

Unexpectedly, something happened.

[The Lothian Flag is added to the Camelot Flag.]

[The Camelot Flag is enhanced.]

[Camelot Flag: (Enhances the morale and combat power of allies within the range and reduces the will of enemies / Slightly increases the defense of allies.)]

“Oooh.”

The effect of the Lothian Flag was added to Camelot’s Flag.

‘So it really was the Camelot Flag that made this possible.’

Upon closer inspection, it wasn’t just the effect that was added; the original abilities of the Camelot Flag were slightly enhanced as well.

‘If I keep enhancing it like this, this could become a truly amazing flag.’

It felt like Kate had a unique equipment item now.

‘Maybe it will even get a special ultimate skill for the flag.’

Yoo-seong briefly entertained the idea before turning his attention to the next item.

‘A blacksmith.’

Additional military facilities.

As soon as he saw it, Yoo-seong had an idea.

In Fantasy Monarch, when a legion reached a certain size, if there was a territory, a blacksmith or a mess hall could be added either in the territory or as a makeshift facility in the army.

‘If I add a blacksmith, I can produce and repair weapons. If I add a mess hall, morale will improve, things like that.’

There were many other facilities, such as a market or a hospital, each with various effects.

‘I don’t think the blacksmith will be a physical building, but…Let’s add it for now.’

[Adding Blacksmith Shop: 10pt]

[Adding Blacksmith: 3pt]

10pt.

Including the blacksmith cost 13pt.

It wasn’t a small amount of points, but it was definitely worth investing in.

[Blacksmith added.]

[‘Yoo-seong Castle’ now has a blacksmith.]

[Blacksmith Fergus has been added.]

[Assistant Blacksmith Melisa has been added.]

[You can now manage the equipment of your units.]

[You can now manage the equipment of your heroes.]

The series of notifications made Yoo-seong’s eyes sparkle.

‘Yoo-seong Castle.’

The name was a little awkward, but once he heard it, he felt like it had a good ring to it.

It was the place where Kate and the legions of Camelot stay when they are not summoned.

A forge and a blacksmith have been added to the property.

Fergus’ Blacksmith Group Lv1

Members: 2 (Max 2)

Blacksmith Fergus Level: 1

Assistant Blacksmith Melissa Level: 1

‘If I call them, will they show up?’

The moment when Yoo Sung thought that.

[Yoo-seong Castle]

In the corner of the status pane, I noticed an unfamiliar button.

I pressed it, and a floor plan of a castle, reminiscent of a classic 2D dot game, appeared, complete with depicted figures inside.

‘Oh, is this Kate? Is this Jimmy?’

The dots were third-rate depictions, but their features were so well-defined that I immediately recognized them.

‘But the castle is kind of empty.’

The only facilities in the castle were the soldiers’ quarters and the smithy, but even these were rundown and lackluster, screaming level 1.

‘I wonder if they just sleep together here.’

With no private rooms, it felt like Kate, Vanadain, and Diana were sleeping with the soldiers in a large tent.

‘There are two blacksmiths in the forge.’

The muscular man with the bushy beard was probably Fergus, and the brunette next to him was Melissa.

‘How do I add on to this?’

I tapped around in the window and found the menu for adding buildings, but most of them were locked.

Apparently, Yoo-seong needs to level up before he can add more facilities.

I thought, “If I add a training center or something like that here, will they level up if I leave them alone?”

It’s like idle games.

The soldiers of Camelot would have been sad to see that Yoo-seong was thinking of adding a training center rather than a restaurant or bar, but it was inevitable.

That’s the kind of personality that made him number one in the first place.

‘I can grow this castle anyway.’

Yoo-seong’s own castle, which doesn’t exist in reality, but which he can take care of and grow.

I felt like it was fun to just watch the heroes and soldiers running around, because I could relate to them.

But I couldn’t keep watching forever.

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Yoo-seong activated the Legion Management menu again.

‘52 points left.’

The first thing that came to mind was to upgrade the serf and archer units, but there was something else that needed to be prioritized.

‘The damage is done.’

More than half of the legionaries had been cut down in the Lothian siege.

The serf troops who fought in close combat were particularly hard hit.

‘Let’s replenish the forces before I promote them.’

If you think of it in Fantasy Monarch terms, the number of PT needed to increase troops will increase after the promotion, so it’s efficient to increase the number of troops before the promotion.

—

Kate’s Serfs Lv4

Members: 35+1 reserves: 2

Vanadain’s Archers Lv4

Members: 26+1 Reserves: 1

Diana’s Light Cavalry Lv3

Members: 10+1

—

The reason I didn’t max out the troop replenishment was because it was obvious that the maximum number of unit members would decrease when the level was reset upon promotion, and I wanted to save pts for the blacksmith.

I spent a total of 22 points on recruitment.

Remaining points are 30.

—

[Promote a serf unit to regular infantry: 10 pt]

[Upgrade archer unit to elite archer unit: 10 points]

—

20 points total.

Without hesitation, Yoo-seong pressed the button to upgrade both units.

A selection text appeared.

—

[Select the armament of the regular infantry]

[1. Spear]

[2. Sword and shield]

—

‘Spear.’

Legionnaires with swords and shields were tempting, but if there was only one infantry, it was spears.

After happily choosing the spear, Yoo-seong looked at the status window again.

—

Kate’s Regular Infantry Lv1

Rider/Commander: Kate

Bugler/Deputy Commander: Jimmy

Members: 30+1 (Max: 30+1) / Reserves: 7

[5 infantry reinforcements: 2pt]

[Forge Bonus: Equip Wooden Shields: 10pts]

Commander: Kate

Level: 4

Armament: Banner of Camelot (New!) / Mundane Longsword / Studded Leather Armor (New!) / Round Wooden Shield (New!) / Warhorse

Chivalry: Glory of Camelot

Title: Champion of ??? (New! / Locked)

Skill: Kingdom Swordsmanship Lv1 (New!)

—

‘Oh.’

Kate’s troop leveling up has changed her quite a bit.

Not only has she gotten more gear, but she’s also gotten a skill and, while it’s still locked, a title.

‘Jimmy’s been promoted to Deputy Commander.’

Not exactly heroic, but a tangible promotion nonetheless.

‘The Forge effect is tempting, but I only have 10 points left, so let’s see what else is available.’

If I hadn’t recruited at all, I might have been able to give all three troops Forge effects, but that would have been impossible.

Once we had reinforcements, anything was possible.

‘Next up, Vanadain.’

—

Vanadain’s Elite Archers Lv1

Commander: Vanadain

Members: 20+1 (Max: 20+1) / Reserves: 7

[2 archer reinforcements: 3pt]

[Forge Bonus: Equip Flaming Arrows: 10pt]

Archer Squad Leader: Vanadain

Level: 4

Weapons: Elven Longbow / Dagger / Leather Armor (New!)

Chivalry: Piercing Strike (increases the penetration and power of your attacks)

Title: Gunner of ??? (New! / Locked)

Skill: Rapid Fire Lv1 (New!)

—

‘Oh, flaming arrows.’

That’s it.

He should have at least one attack attribute.

‘Vanadain has a rapid fire skill.’

Does that mean he’ll shoot even faster?

Smiling happily, Yoo-seong looked at the light cavalry one last time.

—

Diana’s Light Cavalry Lv3

Commander: Diana

Members: 10+1

[1 additional light cavalry 1pt]

[Forge Additional Effect: Equip Horseshoe: 10pts]

Light Cavalry Commander: Diana

Level: 3

Weapons: Short Spear / Long Sword / Leather Armor (New!) / Wooden Shield (New!)

Chivalry: Diana’s Shock

—

‘Diana’s a bit dull, maybe because I haven’t upgraded her troops yet.’

But Diana’s light cavalry is only one more level away from being upgraded, so I shouldn’t be disappointed.

‘Horseshoes will increase my cavalry’s movement speed and speed retention.’

Equip Infantry with wooden shields.

Equip Archers with fire arrows.

Equip Cavalry with horseshoes.

With 10 points left, there was only one immediate choice between the three options.

‘Let’s go with the fire arrows.’

These are fire arrows.

How can I resist fire arrows?

—

[Equips Flaming Arrow]

[Points remaining: 0pt]

—

Using his points wisely, Yoo-seong activated the Yoo-seong Castle again.

Then the expected sight appeared in front of him.

“Good.”

The appearance of the troops had changed.

Gone were the serf troops in their old, tattered clothes.

Spearmen in gray, sleeveless robes layered over black tops and bottoms were lined up near their quarters, and Kate’s appearance changed slightly.

‘This is Jimmy.’

Yoo-seong smirked at the sight of a large man standing near Kate, shrugging his shoulders in his new outfit.

The elite unit of archers also changed.

They wore beret-like hats with flags pinned to them, as if to say they were elite, and at their waists were oil bottles.

‘They’re for the fire arrows.’

Yoo-seong’s eyes widened as he realized that they were a group of light cavalry.

Among the horses tied roughly to poles with no stables, one stood out.

It was a dark stallion, just like Kate’s, only bigger.

‘Now that I think about it, isn’t this my horse?’

The newest addition to the herd.

‘I’ll have to give him a name.’

Now all the horses in the light cavalry had names.

Kate’s steed had a name, too, so she must have named him without Yoo-seong’s knowledge.

‘Even the soldiers have names.’

It should have been obvious, but now that he realized it, the troops in the castle seemed more familiar.

‘I’ll have to save up my points to add more facilities.’

There were plenty of places to spend points right now, but a stable or dining hall would be nice.

Looking back at Kate, Vanadain, and Diana one last time, Yoo-seong closed the status window with a satisfied smile and reopened it.

There was one person he had forgotten.