I Became a Mythical Knight King

Chapter 37: High Priestess Jillian (2)

When Jillian arrived in Lothian, she was deeply moved.

It was understandable because the journey had been grueling.

From the Omphalos Monastery to Lothian, it was a journey of about two to three days on horseback.

While two to three days might seem short, travelers would typically stop to rest, usually in villages along the way.

The problem was that there were no proper villages left between the monastery and Lothian.

Recalling the devastation in the village she had stopped by on a whim, Jillian’s face looked as if she was about to cry.

Monster corpses and the bodies of villagers.

She could endure the sight of the monsters’ corpses but not the villagers’ bodies.

The methods of death were too gruesome.

After vomiting several times, Jillian had tearfully buried the two small bodies of children lying at the village entrance.

Since the bodies weren’t intact, her hands shook and nausea struck as she gathered the remains. But somehow, she managed.

That was the limit.

More than just distress and fear, the sheer number of bodies made it impossible to continue.

After weeping and praying, Jillian left the village.

For the next two days, she didn’t even think of stopping in another village.

She simply rode as fast as she could to reach Lothian.

This urgency was why she covered a five-day journey in three days.

Of course, everything has a price.

Covered in dust, Jillian’s appearance was shabby, and her already sorrowful face looked even more forlorn from exhaustion.

She was sleepy, hungry, and desperate for a bath.

For Jillian, who was overwhelmed by these three desires, Lothian’s fortress walls, which seemed unfitting for a barony, were a moving sight.

‘I’ll wash, eat, sleep, and then meet Ruan.’

Anything else was too much to handle.

As she approached the fortress gate, she wondered if her legs would give out once she dismounted.

Lothian’s gate was teeming with refugees.

“Ugh…”

The line was moving relatively quickly, but with hundreds of people, it seemed like an eternity before her turn.

So Jillian pondered.

‘What if I cut in line?’

If I go to the gate and declare I’m the High Priestess of the Omphalos Order, they’d probably let me through immediately.

They’d let me through, wouldn’t they?

Meeting Ruan as soon as possible seems beneficial…though maybe not for the greater good.

With a face on the verge of tears, Jillian guided her horse to the end of the line.

And then, it happened.

“High Priestess Jillian?”

A familiar voice made her turn his head to see a surprised combat priest, Phil, looking her way.

“Combat Priest Phil.”

When Jillian instinctively called out, Phil nodded and approached him.

“Yes, it’s me, Phil. High Priestess, have you come to see Sir Ruan—or perhaps the Scorching Black Knight?”

Phil beamed as he spoke, while Jillian awkwardly smiled, straightened her posture, and assumed a dignified stance.

She was happy that Phil was alive, and delighted to see him again after so long, but a High Priestess must maintain a certain decorum.

“I’ve come to see Sir Ruan.”

When Jillian spoke with as much elegance as she could muster, Phil smiled knowingly and pointed toward the gate.

“Then follow me.”

“Understood.”

As Phil took the reins and led the way like a squire, Jillian clenched her fists.

She was overjoyed at not having to wait in line.

“But, Phil.”

“Yes, High Priestess?”

“I’m glad to see you safe.”

“Haha, it’s thanks to the Black Knight.”

From Phil’s expression and tone, it was clear he deeply admired the lord of Lothian.

What kind of person could he be?

Had Ruan, like Phil, been utterly captivated by the Black Knight?

‘They seem likable.’

The Black Knight who had saved Lothian.

The Scorching Black Knight who had avenged the people of the Volano Barony.

Perhaps it was because she had seen the village’s devastation, but Jillian found herself drawn to the Lord of Lothian, who had defeated the monsters.

And her admiration grew as they passed through the gate.

Lothian was a mess.

The southern walls were heavily damaged, and refugee tents were haphazardly set up along the walls, creating a chaotic and unsightly scene, accompanied by unpleasant odors.

But there was vitality in the people’s faces.

It was astonishing.

After two massive battles, with many having lost their homes, vitality was unexpected.

Not that people’s faces were filled with joy, as if there were a festival.

But compared to the dire circumstances, their energy was remarkable.

How could this be?

Though Jillian couldn’t figure it out, Phil knew the reason.

It stemmed from the miraculous victories.

They had won.

They could win.

They could dream of tomorrow.

And then there was the presence of a hero.

In a reality where monsters killed people, the knowledge that there was someone to believe in and rely on provided immense comfort.

The existence of war heroes wasn’t for nothing.

If he’s here, we can win.

With him, we can win.

And Lothian had such a hero.

The Scorching Black Knight, who had defeated the Kobold Prince in single combat and taken down giant trolls to save the city twice.

“Sir Ruan is in the inner castle.”

Phil’s words brought Jillian back to reality. She flinched, startled to realize they were heading toward the inner castle.

Going to the inner castle → Meeting Ruan immediately → Disrupting the plan to wash, eat, and sleep first.

“What’s wrong?”

Phil tilted his head curiously, prompting Jillian to respond with a slightly teary expression.

“It’s nothing…”

As a High Priestess, she couldn’t admit to being hungry and sleepy.

Suppressing her feelings, Jillian put on a stoic face, and Phil, after a moment of confusion, resumed leading the way.

Half an hour later, having at least managed to use a restroom, Jillian raised her favorable opinion of Lothian’s lord.

The restroom was exceptionally clean.

“Phew.”

Sitting in the waiting room, Jillian massaged her trembling legs as she awaited Ruan.

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before Ruan appeared.

“High Priestess.”

“Sir Ruan.”

“You’ve arrived. I’ve been waiting.”

When Ruan approached with a bright smile, Jillian raised a hand to stop him and spoke firmly.

“Sir Ruan, first, I thank you for the safety of the combat priests and for Omphalos’ grace.”

After making the sign of the cross and praying, Jillian looked directly at Ruan.

“I’ll be clear. I’m very upset with your actions.”

Not only had he recklessly left his post against orders, but he also hadn’t returned from Lothian after the battle, disobeying two commands.

“Sir Ruan, you said I’d understand once I arrived in Lothian.”

The reason for Ruan’s actions.

“Well then, explain.”

Crossing her arms, Jillian urged him to proceed, and Ruan, with a serious expression, stepped closer and said,

“Understood. Please come with me. My lord is waiting.”

“Wait, your lord? Do you mean Lothian’s lord?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Sir Ruan?”

A knight-priest of the Order having a lord?

What nonsense is this?

Almost in shock, Jillian stared at Ruan, who, as if anticipating this reaction, smiled wryly and gestured toward the door.

“Come now, High Priest. You’ll understand once you meet my lord.”

What could it be?

What would I understand?

‘Could Lothian’s lord have hypnotized him? With magic, perhaps?’

If so, following him might be dangerous.

What if I’m hypnotized too and end up serving Lothian’s lord?

‘No, no. That’s absurd.’

Suppressing her wild imagination, Jillian stared at Ruan’s back with suspicion.

What could he have seen?

Was the Black Knight of Lothian an enchanting beauty who bewitched Ruan?

But isn’t he a man?

Could it be a dangerously charming man?

The wild thoughts resumed but were thankfully interrupted by their arrival at the lord’s office, where Lothian’s lord awaited.

“My lord, High Priestess Jillian has arrived.”

“Let her in.”

Hearing permission from inside, Ruan opened the door.

Jillian took a deep breath and followed him into the office.

‘So, that’s Lothian’s lord.’

Standing in front of the lord’s chair was a man with black hair and black eyes.

Though not clad in black but in white, his dark features suited the nickname “Black Knight.”

Tall and well-built.

Exotic yet handsome.

Beside him stood a strikingly beautiful woman with violet hair.

Meeting Lothian’s lord, Jillian gave a formal greeting.

“I am High Priest Jillian Ynatri, head of the western branch of the Omphalos Order in the Kingdom of Silatein.”

“I am Cheon Yoo seong. This is my mage, Rene Baltois.”

Lothian’s lord, Yoo seong, replied in a soft tone, and Jillian involuntarily flinched.

“Wait, Baltois…?”

“Rene Baltois, at your service. I am the second daughter of the Baltois count’s family.”

Rene imitated Kate’s benevolent smile as she spoke, and Jillian quickly adjusted her expression and returned the smile.

The daughter of Count Baltois?

Then, could it be that Count Baltois was backing the Lord of Lothian?

Count Baltois’ family was one of the ten most powerful in the Silatein Kingdom, not just the western frontier.

Was the “revelation” Ruan mentioned about this connection to Count Baltois?

‘No, but that doesn’t seem right, does it?’

Ruan wasn’t the type to chase power.

As Jillian began to sink into confusion, Ruan gave a knowing, bitter smile and addressed Yoo Seong.

“Milord.”

“Understood.”

In truth, Yoo Seong was quite taken aback. When Ruan had first described her, he imagined meeting a rotund, worldly, and avaricious old priestess. Instead, what appeared before him was a slender, youthful, and innocent-looking beauty.

‘Maybe this really could work.’

The persuasion method Ruan had suggested.

“Your Grace, please observe this.”

Yoo Seong drew his sword, and Jillian flinched, letting out a small gasp.

The reaction caught Yoo Seong off guard, but he quickly proceeded to the next step, afraid Jillian might scream.

The Holy King’s Cross Sword, First Blade, Inferno.

As Yoo Seong’s eyes turned a glowing gold, golden flames ignited along the blade.

“Eek!”

Jillian let out a small scream and collapsed on the spot.

So this was why she’d been called here? Could it be they intended to eliminate her?

What had she done so wrong?

Tears brimmed in Jillian’s eyes. No, she was on the verge of breaking into full sobs.

But at that moment—

“Your Grace, it’s all right. Please open your eyes.”

Ruan’s gentle voice coaxed Jillian to peek through her eyelids. She blinked in astonishment.

“Huh?”

Golden sacred flames burned at the tip of Yoo Seong’s blade, radiating the divine energy of the Goddess of the Lake.

“How is this possible?”

Since the fall of Camelot, no one had ever manifested the divine power of the Goddess of the Lake.

But now, how—?

No, wait, could it be?

Jillian’s pink eyes widened as Rene, looking delighted, pointed at Yoo Seong and declared:

“Let me formally reintroduce him. The Heir of Light, chosen by the Goddess of the Lake, the one who inherits all that belonged to the Sacred King Arthur Pendragon—Lord Cheon Yoo Seong.”

The Heir of Light.

The long-awaited King of Humanity.

Jillian, her jaw hanging open in astonishment, turned to Ruan, who nodded knowingly, as if he understood all her thoughts.

“Your Grace, I trusted that you would recognize him.”

Though she was a crybaby, timid, and sometimes worldly, Jillian was kind-hearted and earnest.

Jillian instinctively clasped her hands together in prayer.

‘Oh Omphalos, has the King of Humanity truly returned?’

It wasn’t a conscious plea for an answer; it was more a reflexive prayer, born of her overwhelming shock.

And then, in that moment—

[Yes.]

A voice echoed in her mind.

Omphalos had answered.

Jillian’s eyes widened in shock, and she stared at Yoo Seong.

Seeing the golden sacred flames reminiscent of the morning sun, she swallowed hard.

Ruan had been right, the King of Humanity had truly returned.

Jillian understood now.