I Became a Mythical Knight King

Chapter 66: Black Knight of Lothian (5)

The lords’ discussions were mostly similar.

“Thank you for saving my life.”

“I hope we can maintain a good relationship moving forward.”

“As a token of gratitude for saving my life, I will send something soon,” and so on.

Perhaps because René was present, no one proposed a political marriage, but it was clear that everyone wanted to strengthen their ties with Yoo Seong, no matter what it took, if possible.

Of course, not everyone spoke the same way.

There was one person who spoke quite differently from the others.

“I know this may be an impertinent question, but please do tell me. Have you reached the third level of chivalry?”

Baron Anjou.

Among the lords attending the meeting, excluding Yoo Seong, he was the only knight, and he asked the question. Yoo Seong didn’t answer immediately and instead looked at his face.

He was a man like a rock.

He had neatly cut hair, but didn’t try to make it look stylish, and his face seemed stern.

He was the kind of person who probably walked the path of discipline silently and persistently.

He didn’t resemble anyone, but his face reminded Yoo Seong of one man.

Baron Latus, a hero who sacrificed his life to protect Lothian.

Baron Latus had been born a commoner but instead of succumbing to despair, he had persevered, striving to achieve his own chivalric code.

Although he didn’t resemble him in appearance, his way of life and soul mirrored that of Baron Latus.

Perhaps because of this, after some thought, Yoo Seong gave a candid answer.

“No, I have not reached the third level. My chivalry is at the first level.”

Baron Anjou widened his eyes at Yoo Seong’s response.

His face flushed as if he were angry, but only briefly.

He looked directly into Yoo Seong’s calm eyes, gave a small laugh, and said:

“So it’s not a lie. You really are at the first level?”

“Yes, it’s the first level.”

After Yoo Seong’s calm response, Baron Anjou moved his lips a few times before finally speaking.

“That’s remarkable. To think that such a chivalry is at the first level…”

Even now, whenever he closed his eyes, he could still recall the image of the Army of Light he had seen that day.

Yet, for that chivalry to be at the first level…

Chivalry was essentially the soul of a knight.

Then what kind of man was the Black Knight of Lothian to have such a chivalry at the very first level?

Instead of pondering further, Baron Anjou looked back at Yoo Seong.

There were many things he wanted to say, but the words that finally left his mouth were somewhat restrained.

“I wonder what will happen when you reach the second level.”

“I will let you know once I reach it.”

At Yoo Seong’s answer, Baron Anjou laughed openly.

“Thank you for answering honestly.”

As Baron Anjou himself had said, it was a question that could have been seen as rude.

Yoo Seong’s honest answer was something he appreciated.

Seeing Baron Anjou’s demeanor soften, Yoo Seong smiled and said,

“That’s why I addressed you as Baron Anjou.”

“Haha, I’m grateful for that.”

Baron Anjou laughed humbly again, then suddenly composed himself, drew his sword with style, and held it in front of his chest.

“I, Balak Anjou, swear that when the Black Knight of Lothian calls, my sword shall be his.”

It was a pledge to never refuse help and to fight together.

It sounded like something one would hear in a fantasy novel, but the response seemed to come naturally to Yoo Seong.

Thus, he too composed himself, drew his sword in front of his chest, and said:

“When the time comes, my sword will join with Balak Anjou’s sword.”

At these matching words, the corner of Baron Anjou’s mouth lifted slightly.

After sheathing his sword, he looked extremely satisfied and said:

“I will await your call. Call me whenever you need.”

“Yes, I will.”

No further conversation was necessary.

Baron Anjou took a deep breath, then struck his left chest with his right fist and said:

“For the glory of Camelot.”

He wasn’t doing this because he knew Yoo Seong was the successor to the King of Light.

To him, Yoo Seong was a wandering knight who claimed to be a descendant of Camelot, so he showed respect in the long-established ceremonial manner of Camelot.

Yoo Seong understood Baron Anjou’s intentions and smiled in return, offering his own gesture of respect.

“For the glory of Camelot.”

“Then, I shall take my leave.”

Baron Anjou spoke with a satisfied face before exiting the room.

‘He’s to my liking.’

A man who was plain, straightforward, and as steadfast as a sword that moved forward without adornment.

But just then…

“Successor.”

“Hmm?”

“Is it really the first level?!”

René asked, her face full of surprise.

From her expression, it seemed she had wanted to ask ever since hearing it but had held back due to Baron Anjou’s presence.

Yoo Seong chuckled and said:

“Yeah, it’s really the first level.”

“But if that’s the first level, what happens when you reach the second level?”

Will something emerge, like an airship?

“I wonder. I’m curious too.”

Moreover, the end of chivalry wasn’t at the second level.

Since he didn’t even know what the second level was like, imagining the third level was beyond his reach.

“Hmm, anyway, I see. As expected from Successor. Since you are the heir to the King of Light, your chivalry must be extraordinary. King Arthur was called the Knight King, so you must be the Knight King too. And if your chivalry is the Knight King’s, then it’s no exaggeration to call it the king of chivalry. Hmm, I get it now.”

René, answering herself, seemed to come to an understanding. Yoo Seong, smiling once again, stood up.

Due to the lords continuing to visit, they had taken a suitable room to keep talking, but it was now time for Yoo Seong to return to his own quarters.

“Let’s go, René.”

“Yes, Successor.”

The two walked side by side toward the quarters.

The schedule for the next few days proceeded smoothly, though somewhat urgently.

First, a brief funeral was held for the deceased lords.

René, once again bursting into tears, entrusted a letter to Count Baltois’ men.

Originally, it should have been Baron Varian’s job to deliver the letter to Count Baltois.

After the funeral, the lords gathered again for another meeting.

Perhaps because they had survived the crisis together, or maybe because of Yoo Seong’s presence, the atmosphere in the meeting room was quite positive.

Having developed a sense of solidarity in the face of the imminent threat, the lords promised to cooperate closely and adjourned the meeting.

“I’ll see you again later.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

As soon as the meeting ended, the lords gathered around Yoo Seong and exchanged greetings.

Since they had stayed longer than expected, they all had to hurry back.

But just then…

A soldier entered the meeting room with a worried expression and hurriedly whispered something to Count Carian.

The soldier’s face was so frantic, and Count Carian’s expression turned serious in real-time, making the lords stop their conversations and look at Count Carian.

What had happened?

In truth, they all had a suspicion.

Thus, a tense silence filled the meeting room, and finally, Count Carian spoke.

“Bad news. The ratmen’s army has invaded the Artois County.”

It was exactly what they had suspected.

Baron Laval, with a nervous look, asked:

“When you say an army, how… how many are there?”

“I don’t know the exact number, but it looks like at least 10,000.”

“10,000?!”

It was an enormous number.

That was the kind of number that would require all the western lords’ armies combined.

Of course, if they prepared for total war and gathered their forces, they could potentially face an army of tens of thousands, but that was only in the case of a full mobilization of the western lords.

Moreover, Count Carian had said at least 10,000, meaning it was a force so large that the Artois County alone could not possibly fend it off.

“The invasion of the Artois County happened last night. Due to magical communication, we don’t have all the details, but Count Artois himself has requested support. You may have already received a message in your territories as well.”

The lords’ faces grew even more serious.

The proud Count Artois had sent a magical message requesting help in just one day, which meant the ratmen’s army was no ordinary force.

Count Carian turned his gaze to Baron Laval, whose face had turned pale, and to the other lords as he spoke.

“We must form an alliance. The time of isolation has passed. We must unite in the face of the monsters’ attacks.”

There was no time to wait for the kingdom’s slow response.

Forming a military alliance could be considered treason, but there was no hesitation on Count Carian’s face.

However, the lords hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances.

Not only was there the risk of being accused of treason, but simply offering military aid was something they couldn’t easily commit to.

Then, at that moment…

“I agree with Count Carian’s suggestion. Lothian will join the alliance.”

The moment Yoo Seong spoke in a calm voice, the lords once again glanced at each other as if engaging in a battle of wits, and it was Baron Ober who spoke first.

“If the Black Knight of Lothian is participating, I will join as well.”

“I will join too.”

The second to speak was Baron Anjou.

At that, Baron Laval, who had been alternating his gaze between Baron Ober and Baron Anjou, clenched his fist and said,

“I, I will join too.”

“I will also participate.”

“I will join as well.”

With Baron Laval now speaking up, the other lords eagerly voiced their intent to join.

Seeing this, Count Carian smiled bitterly.

The lords, who had hesitated at his words, immediately turned around and pledged their participation once they heard that Yoo Seong was joining. He was filled with mixed emotions.

But rather than disappointment or dissatisfaction, joy dominated his feelings.

Unlike the past, Count Carian now knew that Yoo Seong was the heir to the Holy King.

“We, from the House of Baltois, will also join. Certainly.”

Rene spoke softly, and the faces of the lords brightened somewhat.

Although the number of 10,000 was intimidating, they now felt that if all the lords of the West united their forces, it might be possible.

Count Carian spoke again.

“Words alone won’t be enough. We must gather actual troops and supplies. And we need to do so as quickly as possible.”

The troops wouldn’t just gather on their own.

It would take considerable time to gather the scattered forces from each of the fiefs in Lushen.

It was uncertain whether the territory of Count Artois could hold out until then, and no matter how quickly they acted, it would not be enough.

“Count Carian.”

At the call of Yoo Seong, Count Carian, who had been mentally calculating, hastily turned his gaze toward him.

Yoo Seong faced Count Carian directly and spoke.

“I ask for your help in forming the alliance. The Lothian forces will be under the command of Lord Ruan.”

Baron Ober tilted his head slightly at Yoo Seong’s words.

It seemed that Yoo Seong wasn’t going to lead the Lothian forces himself.

Why was that?

Yoo Seong didn’t waste time and immediately provided the answer.

“I will head to Count Artois’ lands from now on.”

“W-wait! What… What do you mean? Are you saying you’re going alone without any troops… Ah!”

Baron Laval, who had reflexively raised his voice at Yoo Seong’s words, suddenly widened his eyes as if he had realized something.

And the same realization dawned on the other lords as well.

He was going to support Count Artois’s territory alone.

In a normal situation, this would have been absurd, but for the Black Knight of Lothian, it was different.

He was an army in himself.

“We will form the alliance as quickly as possible and march south.”

Count Carian answered with an excited expression, and Yoo Seong turned to face the other lords and spoke.

“I ask the other lords as well. Now is the time for us to unite our forces.”

Starting with Baron Laval, the lords nodded in agreement.

If Yoo Seong were at the center, it seemed possible that all the lords of the West would truly unite.

“Rene.”

“Yes, heir.”

Rene responded with a determined face at Yoo Seong’s call.

It was clear that she was willing to go with him to Count Artois’s lands.

After exchanging a glance with Rene, Yoo Seong turned to look at Jillian.

“Lady Jillian.”

“…I will join you.”

Jillian bit her lip briefly and looked pained but then nodded and answered.

The King’s mage and the saint would be joining.

“Ruan, I leave the Lothian forces to you.”

At Yoo Seong’s words, Ruan felt a strong impulse to say that he wanted to go along, but he restrained himself.

Leading the Lothian forces and joining the alliance was an important task.

“I will obey your command.”

Finally, Yoo Seong turned to Robin.

Without needing to say anything, Robin stood beside Rene.

Originally, Yoo Seong had planned to send Robin with Ruan, but he changed his mind.

Not only did he need to escort Rene and Jillian, but he also needed someone else should the situation arise.

Once everything was arranged, Yoo Seong turned back to face the lords.

“I will depart first. I will see you all at Count Artois’ territory.”

After saying this, Yoo Seong exchanged a silent nod with Count Carian before turning around and leaving the conference room.

“I already have supplies prepared.”

Rene spoke quickly as they walked.

The supplies were something Yoo Seong had prepared after experiencing guerrilla warfare in the Volano Baron’s territory, anticipating that a similar situation might arise again.

“You really are capable.”

“Because I am the King’s mage.”

Rene smiled, and Yoo Seong smiled back at her. He then turned to Jillian, and with a slightly apologetic expression, said,

“But this time, I won’t be breaking through tunnels or anything. Probably.”

Rather than responding, Jillian just gave a hollow smile, and the four of them summoned their horses as soon as they left the inner sanctum and mounted them.

“Wow! The Black Knight!”

“The Black Knight of Lothian!”

“The Witch!”

Seeing Yoo Seong and his group riding toward the castle gates, the residents of Lushen, who were completely unaware of the events in the south, cheered.

Instead of stirring up unnecessary anxiety, Yoo Seong waved at the residents and passed through the castle gates.

“It’s that way!”

Rene, riding with Robin, pointed to the southeast, towards the direction of Count Artois’ territory, the greatest granary of the West as Yoo Seong and his group rode their horses.