-"Eno, I was worried something had happened."-Artoria smiled in relief when I appeared by her side.
-"My mistake."-I answered guiltily, still ignoring Cellinia's gaze drilling the back of my head.
-"Good that you are ok."-She put her helmet on.-"Ready to go?"
-"Yes."-I nodded and also put my hood up.
Two of us stepped into the Falmouth streets. Margaret, Viviana, and Cellinia accompanied us, but always stayed a step behind. People instantly lined up around us, the new King and Justiciar walking together quickly attracted people. But we ignored them, moving outside the city, where a temporary stadium for jousting was set up.
Some knights were already contending with each other, the stands full of nobles and young ladies watching the excitement. Artoria didn't move to find her seat; instead, she moved to the field. Her appearance made everyone stop, but she raised her hand and spoke.
-"No need for etiquette on the field, here I'm a knight first, king second."
People nodded, but no one would treat her like that; the king is a king after all.
-"What can we do for you, Your Majesty?"-Someone asked.
-"I'm here to watch and take part in the tournaments."-She answered and moved to the side where other knights were watching.
I was about to follow her when a voice stopped me.
-"Your Excellency, can I take some of your time?"
I turned around and looked at a somewhat young knight who called out to me. I instantly noticed that one of his hands seemed to be missing, replaced by some kind of enchanted steel prosthetic.
-"How can I help you?"
-"While this might be impolite, I'd like to ask Your Excellency for some pointers. I heard Your Excellency's name during my travels and always wanted to meet you."
-"Oh? Then, may I know what you have heard?"
-"I heard of a knight like an angel, with a crystal arm that alone was worth a hundred knights. But what attracted me most were stories of your judgment and righteousness."
-"I don't remember doing anything worth such praise."
-"Your Excellency did. The story of how you treated both soldiers and civilians fairly, even giving dignity to your fallen enemies by constructing a cemetery, had spread. I visited the said place and saw the cemetery with my own eyes."
-"I see. I'm honored to be respected like that. How do you wish to compete?"
-"I'd like to duel you. I tried to find oponent but no one wished to fight a disabled person."-He smiled sadly.-"So from the stories I heard, I thought that Your Excellency..."
-"Would understand?"-I asked, smile hidden under my hood.-"I do. Let's go. The King is watching."
Artorina nodded at us.
We walked to the center of the competition ground, everyone making space for us.
-"What are the rules?"
-"No magical objects or spells, only techniques."-He answered.-"Prosthesis is an exception."
-"Agreeable."-I nodded and asked Cellinia to bring me a sword.
She returned quickly with a simple sword of similar length to mine. I thanked her, giving her my Royal Scepter and my own sword for safekeeping. I swung the sword a few times to get a feel for it before turning to the young knight and saluting.
-"Enoch, Personal Knight of King Arthur, asks for advice."
He looked surprised, but smiled and responded with a salute of his own.
-"Bedivere, a wandering knight, asks for advice."
We watched each other for a moment before he launched his attack. His strength and speed were slightly above normal human limits, but still short of most races on Terra, so I could respond to his attacks without an issue. I kept my speed and strength at smiliar level to his, focusing on showing our techniques.
After exchanging so many strikes, I could tell that he was well-trained and disciplined, a good knight. Strength-wise, I would put him around Agravain, slightly below Fionn. We continued to fight for a few minutes, until Bedivere had to created diffrence to catch his breath.
-"You are strong, likely top ten of all knights here."-I told him honestly.-"But you lack any technique to defeat supperior opponent. You should learn magic or obtain a powerful magical weapon."
-"Thank you for your advice. May I see Your Excellency's true skill?"
I looked at him and nodded. I stepped forward, keeping my strength and speed the same, but no longer covering my skills. The sounds of rapid clashes echoed, and soon, a sword flew into the air. Bedviere took a step back, looking at the sword in the air.
-"The stories were right. It was an honor to spar with Your Excellency."
-"You have great potential. Our King lacks good knights by his side; how about serving under him?"
-"Eh?"-He looked at me in surprise before turning to Artoria on the side.
-"If Eno believes you are worthy, then I'll gladly accept your service.
-"It's my honor."-He knelt before her.
-"Rise up, Sir Bedivere."
I looked at them, then felt another gaze at me. Looking at its source, I found a young girl with ash-blonde hair and blue eyes. She noticed my gaze and forced a smile before hiding in the crowd. I didn't think much of it, returning my attention to the field.
After Bedivere was accepted into service by Artoria, other knights started to present themselves. Duel after duel, they tried to show off their meager skills, failing spectacularly. It was only after Gawain entered the field that Artoria became interested.
In the end, she herself entered the field, when, after over ten minutes of intense combat, she emerged victorious. Gawain then asked her to enter her service like Bedivere, and Artoria agreed, gaining a second knight. She then looked at me, eager for a spar, and I couldn't refuse with so many eyes looking at me.
-"Magic or not?"
-"No big spells."
-"Good. Merlin, take care of the audience."
I could hear a sigh carried by the wind.
This time, I didn't hide my left arm, using it to throw a crystal sword to Artoria, as normal weapons wouldn't be able to endure our combat. I also used the crystal sword and spear, entering my stance while waiting for a signal to start. She caught the crystal sword, noticing it to be a perfect imitation of her Caliburn in weight and shape.
She also took her stance, wind blowing around her. Matching her aura, slight moonlight appeared on me, both spear head and the blade of my sword also glowed with it. The wind couldn't approach me, stopped by waves of moonlight emanating from me. We stood still for a few breaths, then, I dissapeared wirh glimmer of blue magic.
Then there was a clash, as Artoria turned around and blocked my spear coming at her back. What followed next was a flurry of attacks, targeting any opening and teleporting to another position before she could counter. This ended only when Artoria finally used her full strength to stop the ground, sending the rocks and dust flying.
I jumped back, floating slightly above the ground, looking for oppening. Then, I quickly moved back, a slash of wind passing where I just was. I looked down and saw that the dust had settled. Artoria stood there with her sword covered by the wind, looking like a hurricane about to erupt.
Already seeing what's about to happen, I flew higher into the air, the surroundings turning into clouds shimmering with starlight. Two opposing extremes entered a strange balance: the ethereal starlight and the raging storm. Then she swung her sword, and I pointed my spear.
The countless blades of wind met the falling stars head-on, creating a cacophony of sounds. The onslaught continued for a minute or so before the field returned to the silence. I landed slowly, my eyes never leaving Artoria, waiting for her next action. Artoria, meanwhile, struck her sword into the ground, two hands on the handle.
-"I think that's enough."-She spoke, her voice calm without any signs of exhaustion.
-"Indeed. Eny more, and Merlin will get annoyed."-I nodded in agreement.
She chuckled slightly.
-"Can you restore the grounds?"-She asked, looking around.
-"Sure."-I dissipated my crystal weapons and focused on the earth around me.
Soon, the ground started to tremble, as roots and vines erupted from below. Using them to reinforce the earth, I manipulated stones and dust using Gravity Sorcery to repair the ground, lifting anyone who was in the way. Moments later, the field returned to its previous state, with no signs of the damage we caused.
-"Done."-I dusted off my hands.
Artoria nodded, and we went to the spectator seats prepared for us. The side job of showing our power was done; now we only needed to socialise with people present to not appear too distant. And so, Artoria quickly became the center of attention, allowing me to disappear on the side.
I found a quiet corner and sat down, observing the jousting tournament that started on the field. A few minutes passed, and someone sat next to me, leaving a seat of space between us.
-"You've been watching me, may I know why?"-I asked.
-"Is there a person here who isn't watching you?"
-"Touché. What can I do for you?"
-"Can you tell me more about the King?"
-"That depends, you want to hear secrets or just some common knowledge?"
-"Neither. I want to hear what kind of person he is, his aspirations and dreams, likes and dislikes. Not how he is in public, but truly who he is."
This made me look at that person, only to find them to be the same girl who had avoided my gaze previously. She wore a noble dress far more expensive than most other ladies, signaling her high status. She looked quite delicate, but this only accented her beauty.
-"I can't say much as it'll be bad if such stories were to appear in public."
-"I'll keep them to myself."-She assured me.
I could feel her sincerity, so I nodded and started speaking.
-"Arthur is an idealist who was forced to become a realist. Someone who sees the best in people, even if that costs him dearly. If I may say so, he and his sister, Morgan, are total opposites, but they also complement each other well. If not for all this mess, I believe two of them would build an empire that would last centuries."
-"That's high praise."-The girl said, but wasn't surprised.
-"I won't belittle my friends to outsiders."
-"Good."-She nodded.-"What about his dreams?"
-"I'm not sure myself. Arthur always wanted to be kinght, to uphold knightly virtues, to travel around and help people. Aside from that, it would definitly be food. He is a foodie, and not a little one at that."-I smiled to myself, thinking about Artoria's expression when she ate my pastries for the first time.
-"A foodie? That sounds so simple."-This time, she was surprised.
-"Most figures that appear high and mighty are, in truth, simple people."
-"Are you also like that?"
This made me think for a while.
-"I guess so. I'm just doing what I can to uphold my duties and promises."
The girl nodded as the silence descended. Neither of us spoke; we simply watched the knights on the field. Only after I noticed Artoria being brought back to the field did I speak up.
-"It would seem that I need to go."
-"I won't stop you. I think we'll see each other soon again."
I looked at the girl, she hadn't spoken that because of some emotions, but rather she knew something I was unaware of. But it wasn't the time to think about that; I needed to understand what was going on around Artoria. When I approached Artoria, I noticed three knights close to her.
-"King, please grant me the honor of sparring with you."-The knight with purple hair spoke.
Artoria looked at me, who appeared nearby, giving me a nod to assure me everything was ok, and then looked at my Knights behind me.
-"Gentlemen, how about you first fight a team fight? I will grant your request if you present your skills."
Three of them followed Artoria's gaze, noticing my three knights. Their eyes instantly went to the ears and antlers on top of my Knight's heads. I could see some interest in their eyes, but there was more doubt. Those times weren't especially high on gender equality.
-"This..."
-"Are you sure, Your Majesty?"-A tall man with short white hair asked her.
-"Don't underestimate them."-Artoria advised.-"They are Knights of Holy Son for a reason."
The tree men looked at each other before nodding.
-"We'd like to challenge them."-The last man, with red hair and closed eyes, announced her decision.
Everyone then looked at me, and I nodded.
-"What rules?"-I asked while walking to the side.
-"Same as King's"-The purple-haired man responded.
I looked at them, noticing that they lacked any magical training, and shook my head. But I didn't stop them from commiting mistake. Soon, three of them faced Margaret, Cellinia, and Viviana. Girls stood in loose formation: Margaret, guard; Viviana, attacker; and Cellinia, flanker.
-"Margaret, Knight of Holy Son, asks for advice."
-"Viviana, Knight of Holy Son, asks for advice."
-"Cellinia, Knight of Holy Son, asks for advice."
Their pleasant voices attracted the attention of spectators.
-"Lancelot, a wandering knight."-He responded, but still treated them with disregard.
-"Tristan, wandering knight, please guide me."
-"Percival, also wandering knight, it's an honor to face you."
After the introductions, the field quieted down, waiting for the start. When the signal sounded, my Knights instantly activated their Arts. Margaret, surrounded by radiant light, stepped forward, forcing both Lancelot and Percival to focus on her. At the same time, Viviana used her light to create countless candlelights floating in the air. At the same time, she faced Tristan, not losing a step to the talented knight. Cellinia, meanwhile, disappeared from everyone's eyes, waiting for the chance to strike.
Lancelot and Percival tried to pierce Margaret's defences, but with her using both her Art and miracles, they had a hard time doing anything. Tristan also noticed the direness of their situation and tried to push Viviana back, but he found that he couldn't compare to a Terran strength-wise, causing him even more trouble. It was then, when Viviana and Cellinia cooperated, striking at Percival, whose focus was purely on Margaret.
Cellinia appeared behind him, her sword striking at the wakpoint as Viviana's candlelights suddenly swarmed Lancelot, making him unable to help his partner. Cellinia did a quick job disarming Percival, switching her attention to Lancelot as Viviana and Margaret exchanged opponents. Lancelot now faced the duo of Viviana and Cellinia head-on, and even with his skills, he was soon overwhelmed and disarmed. Seeing this, Tristan quickly conceded, marking the end of their fight.
After the battle, my Knights saluted their opponents and returned to my side amid cheers of the spectators. Many previously considered them to be vases, but now they have proved that few could be their opponents. This earned them many fans, especially among the ladies present, to the point that I believed that soon, lady knight will be a new genre of knight stories in the kingdom.
I looked at the three defeated knights, but I didn't speak to them; this was Artoria's occasion to shine. I just stayed by her side, ready to respond to any problem.