The Knight King Who Returned with God

You Are the Ones Trapped Where I Am

I was reincarnated into a fantasy world.

A quiet ceiling.

Instead of LED bulbs, oil lamps lit up the room.

Clothes woven from silk and velvet. Heavy wooden tableware. It was clear this civilization was behind Earth's.

Still… since this was a fantasy world, wasn't this a rich household? Considering I was a poor orphan who died from overwork, this wasn't a bad reincarnation.

More than anything, there was one reason I was sure I was nobility—my mother's beauty.

"My dear child..."

The dazzling smile of my biological mother as she gazed at me. There was no way that face didn't belong to nobility. My future love life seemed promising.

By the time I turned three, I finally saw beyond my crib and out of my room. Even accounting for my young age, everything was massive.

"Young master!"

My nanny, Mona, rushed over and picked me up. And so, my first adventure came to an end.

Looking back...

I probably shouldn't have dreamed of adventure.

If I had known that real adventure was 100% brutal reality, I could have saved myself a lot of suffering.

Year 6.

Apparently, I had been reincarnated into a grand ducal house, one of the most renowned in the kingdom.

The House of Dragonia.

Its founder was a legendary knight who slew an evil dragon and bathed in its blood. The house had even produced four kings in the past.

For reference, this kingdom elected its kings.

By the time I was eight, I was expected to train in swordsmanship as a future knight of the kingdom.

My heart pounded with excitement. A fantasy knight! Would I be able to unleash sword aura and wield my blade with mystical power?

The one assigned to train me was Sir Gordic, a Holy Grail Knight dispatched from the royal palace.

Wait… a Holy Grail Knight?

Year 10.

It hurts. My whole body feels like it's breaking apart.

I had chosen the path of a knight, which meant getting beaten up every day by that musclehead Gordic.

Being the grand duke's heir had given me the chance to skip being a squire, but I had to train with the sword and learn to ride daily without exception.

Holy Grail Knights… In fantasy terms, they were basically Swordmasters.

Knights in this world were very different from what I had imagined, but Holy Grail Knights were true monsters, beyond human limits.

To become one, I had to complete a series of quests, earn recognition as a kingdom knight, achieve military merits, and—most importantly—be chosen by the Holy Grail and drink its sacred elixir.

Strength was a given, but I also had to be honorable and devout.

Damn it… I'm not even religious.

Year 14.

Every day was suffering.

The grueling training was one thing—I could handle that. I could feel myself getting stronger, which gave me a sense of accomplishment.

The real problem was etiquette and academics.

As the leading candidate for the next grand duke, I had to master everything required for the position.

Governing subjects, enforcing laws, debating the philosophy of justice, courtly manners, religious studies…

This world had countless gods, and people worshiped them at the Grand Pantheon.

Gods, huh? Classic fantasy.

But… why do I have to earn the recognition of some goddess of justice to be chosen by the Holy Grail?

Year 16.

Now, I was wandering the world.

Huh? Isn't sixteen the age of a middle schooler? Well, in this world, I was considered an adult.

The first requirement to become a Holy Grail Knight: embark on a pilgrimage, protect the kingdom's people, and complete honorable quests.

To receive these quests, I had to find the goddess's avatar.

How?

By traveling the kingdom and proving my honor. Supposedly, the avatar would find me when I was worthy.

Fantastic.

Year 17.

Today, I slaughtered orcs.

These war-crazed beasts constantly invaded our borders, slaughtering our citizens. If not for them, the kingdom would be enjoying an era of peace.

I fought alongside Sir Gildus and Sir Antok, as well as Gunlarr, the guardian of the forest, an ancient walking tree.

"Thank you, Sir Knight! Thank you!"

"Tend to the wounded and rebuild the barricades. The kingdom's sword and the goddess's grace be with you."

I was worried.

The kingdom had bountiful harvests, and taxes were paid on time, yet we had too many enemies.

Too many non-humans surrounded us. And now, cultists were on the rise.

Year 20.

I met the goddess.

No joke. Gods were real.

Wasn't religion just a tool to enlighten and control the ignorant?

Heaven? The Hall of Honor? Banquets with the gods? Weren't those all myths?

Sure, the current king had ruled for 110 years, but as a Holy Grail Knight, he probably went through some kind of rejuvenation ritual.

Even my master, Sir Gordic, was a 90-year-old Holy Grail Knight.

"Wulfric Dragonia's son, Leon Dragonia. I grant you a quest to prove your honor and faith."

"I-I accept the goddess's decree!"

After four years as a knight-in-training, I had finally met the goddess's avatar. Lady Ariana was real!

I had slain orcs, torn apart goblins, eradicated vile cultists, and defended the kingdom's lands.

It wasn't bad. In fact, it was great.

With every honorable deed, my name spread, and admiration and respect swelled around me.

Sir Gildus, son of War Knight Galbat.

Sir Antok, guardian of the mines.

Gunlarr, once a 2-meter-tall treeman, had grown into a 5-meter tree giant.

At last, I was acknowledged by the Holy Grail and became a Holy Grail Knight.

Year 27.

I became the youngest War Knight in history.

Beheading an orc warlord and wiping out a barbarian nomad tribe had solidified my reputation.

Seriously, orcs reproduced like crazy. Every few years, they invaded with armies of 100,000 or more.

As a War Knight, with the authority to wage war and summon knights, my first act was an orc extermination campaign.

I massacred 700,000 of those green-skinned bastards.

Felt good.

Year 300.

A strange gate appeared.

"Unbelievable… I've never seen a gate like this before."

"Stay alert, Hari. This is the first unmeasurable gate in thirteen years. Who knows what's inside?"

"I know, but… what could be in this world that makes it impossible to gauge the rank?"

"I don't know… maybe high-ranking demons?"

"Don't say such terrifying things."

And just like that, exactly 300 years later, I came face to face with Earthlings.