I Became a Mythical Knight King

Chapter 65: Black Knight of Lothian (4)

King’s Insight was a technique of the Holy King, and while Yoo Seong used it, the divinity of the Goddess of the Lake imbued his eyes.

However, Count Carian lacked the ability to recognize divine energy.

If it had been Ruan or Jillian, they would have immediately recognized the divinity in Yoo Seong’s eyes as that of the Goddess of the Lake, but Count Carian was not a clergyman.

He was not even a knight, making it impossible for him to distinguish between the aura emanating from a knight and the holy power of a clergyman.

Yet, the moment he saw Yoo Seong’s eyes, glowing golden, Count Carian was convinced.

This is real.

The man before him was undoubtedly the successor of the Holy King.

It wasn’t just an instinctive intuition.

The moment he assumed Yoo Seong to be the Holy King, all the fragmented information in his mind connected seamlessly into a beautiful line of reasoning.

The wandering knight who suddenly appeared, claiming to be the heir of Camelot, coincided with the emergence of the monsters.

The daughter of Count Baltois, inexplicably by his side.

The miraculous victories achieved in the territories of Baron Latus, Baron Volano, and Lushen.

The knightly feats so extraordinary they could only be described as transcendent, even to the untrained eye.

The sudden absorption of the Omphalos clergy into Lothian.

With the assumption that Yoo Seong was the Holy King, Count Carian questioned himself and answered.

Why has he appeared now?
Because he must halt the Age of Ominous Stars as the Holy King.

Why is Count Baltois’ second daughter by his side?
Because he is the Holy King.

Why did Baron Latus suddenly transfer his title and wealth to him?
Because he is the Holy King.

How has he achieved these miraculous victories?
Because he is the Holy King.

What is the source of his extraordinary chivalry, and how does he possess it?
Because he is the Holy King.

Why has Archbishop Jillian sworn allegiance to him?
Because he is the Holy King!

Individually, each answer seemed like an overreach.

But when considered as the single answer to all these mysteries, it was no longer an overreach.

The Age of Ominous Stars had begun.

And finally, after more than five centuries, the successor of the Holy King had returned.

Count Carian, known for his calm and composed nature, could not maintain his composure at this moment.

His breathing became ragged as he unconsciously touched his lips with his only remaining hand.

When this era of chaos ends, it seems you will become king.

The words Count Carian had once said to Yoo Seong.

He had meant them.

He truly believed it would happen.

But to think that he was the Holy King—The heir of Arthur Pendragon.

“Baltois. Does Count Baltois know of this?”

The question burst out reflexively, unrefined.

It was a foolish question.

After all, wasn’t Count Baltois second daughter right here in this very room?

“Yes, he knows.”

René, her fist clenched beneath the table where it couldn’t be seen, answered with an elegant smile reminiscent of Jillian’s.

Count Baltois knew.

He had already boarded the same ship as the returned successor of the Holy King.

Count Carian’s mind raced.

This allowed him to regain some composure.

“I see. So that’s how it is. That’s what this is.”

Over the past two days, Yoo Seong had been an enigma to Count Carian.

Though he had made a significant investment based on Yoo Seong’s chivalry and achievements, it had been nothing more than a calculated gamble.

But now, everything has changed.

“Now I understand why you’ve kept this hidden. It’s probably best to continue keeping it concealed for some time.”

Though addressed to Yoo Seong, his words were more akin to talking to himself.

The reason for hiding Yoo Seong’s identity as the Holy King was simple.

First, the chances of people believing it were slim. Second, if they did believe it, it would inevitably lead to unnecessary conflicts with the existing power structures.

If Yoo Seong could secure the support of Count Baltois and Count Carian—and if he became a count himself, as Count Carian had planned—then the combined strength of these three forces could be enough to unite the entire western region into a single independent kingdom.

But that was the limit.

The Kingdom of Silatein was no small nation.

Two other kingdoms of nearly equal power existed in the world, as well as an empire that surpassed the combined strength of those two kingdoms.

The Holy King was the King of Humanity.

This meant he was a superior entity, not just to the kings of kingdoms but even to the emperor of the empire.

The moment the Holy King’s return was acknowledged, the existing monarchs would have to relinquish their thrones. There was no way they would willingly recognize the Holy King’s existence.

Would they really fight over power when monsters were invading?

They absolutely would.

Humans were that kind of creature.

Thus, it was better to keep it hidden.

At least until the forces grew stronger and until the existing powers crumbled significantly.

Count Carian raised his head and looked at Yoo Seong.

Avoiding the still-golden glow of Yoo Seong’s eyes, he slightly lowered his head before standing from the sofa. With a solemn bow, he spoke in a calm voice.

“I, Mathis Carian, pledge my loyalty to the returned King of Humanity.”

Mathis Carian was Count Carian’s true name.

René clenched her fist tightly once more, struggling to suppress a triumphant smile. Yoo Seong deactivated his kingly insight and rose to address Carian.

“I accept your loyalty, Mathis Carian. From this moment on, you are one of my vassals.”

Count Carian flinched momentarily at Yoo Seong’s words but only for a moment.

He quickly straightened his posture and replied in a composed voice.

“I will handle the matters we discussed as swiftly as possible. Is there anything else you wish to command?”

Yoo Seong responded with a thought that had just occurred to him.

“I’d like you to investigate where the ratmen’s tunnels lead.”

Although the water-filled tunnels were now unusable, leaving them as they were would be irresponsible.

Even if the monsters had withdrawn, the tunnels would likely lead to places where they had once been.

“Understood. We began work on that yesterday afternoon. I’ll inform you of the results as soon as they are available.”

At Count Carian’s reply, Yoo Seong couldn’t help but smile.

The reality of having a capable subordinate with wealth and power suddenly hit him.

“Good. Then I leave it in your hands. Let us end today’s meeting here.”

“Yes, as you wish.”

Count Carian stood, took a deep breath, and pounded his left chest with his right fist before speaking in a slightly trembling voice.

“For the glory of Camelot.”

What could this mean?

Was he imitating the gestures of the Army of Light toward Yoo Seong?

Yoo Seong didn’t dwell on it.

Whatever the reason, since Carian had displayed the etiquette of Camelot, he responded in kind.

“For the glory of Camelot.”

After returning the gesture, Yoo Seong left the office with René.

And a few seconds later—

Now alone, Count Carian sank onto the sofa and let out a deep breath.

A boyish smile spread across his previously composed face.

“The Holy King.”

The heir of Arthur Pendragon.

Covering his face with one hand, Count Carian laughed again.

He couldn’t hold back his laughter.

Though he came after Count Baltois, he was the second.

He could provide more tangible assistance than Count Baltois had.

Thus, he would become the foremost of Yoo Seong’s vassals.

If they overcame the Age of Ominous Stars, he would stand as the most prominent of the Holy King’s loyalists.

—Not that he was motivated by such calculations.

The smile on Count Carian’s face was far purer and brighter.

“Arthur Pendragon.”

The King of Humanity.

The one who had forged the Age of Humanity.

From his breast pocket, Count Carian pulled a thin book.

The Legend of King Arthur.

A tale of the Holy King he had read hundreds of times since childhood.

The only solace during the bitter feud for the count’s title, when his brother had read it to him the night before his assassination.

Of course, Count Carian knew.

Arthur Pendragon had not returned.

Yoo Seong was merely his successor, not the Holy King himself.

Furthermore, Yoo Seong’s existence proved the Age of Ominous Stars to be real.

The chaotic era that lay ahead was inevitable.

But even so—

Count Carian, after returning the Legend of King Arthur to his pocket, placed his right fist over his left chest and murmured softly.

“For the glory of Camelot.”

The greeting he had seen repeatedly in the legends of King Arthur.

Count Carian closed his eyes.

He stretched his body out and, for a brief moment, forgot all the complex matters at hand, wearing a soft smile.

While Count Carian was lost in reverie, René exited the hallway and, as soon as she reached a quiet spot, raised both arms in celebration.

“Yes! Count Carian, secured!”

She even performed a light dance in her joy, causing Yoo Seong to burst into laughter.

“Is Count Carian some sort of unique card?”

“What? A unique card?”

“Yeah, something like that. Anyway, you seem really happy.”

“Of course I’m happy. Count Carian has become Successor’s vassal. And soon, you’ll also be titled a count. Wow, don’t you realize how quickly we’ve amassed tremendous power?”

The Barony of Lothian, despite being larger than typical baronies, was still just a barony. Its population barely reached a few thousand across the entire territory, limiting its productivity.

Even though Yoo Seong had achieved several victories, the overall size of Lothian’s forces had hardly changed for this reason but that was no longer the case.

By absorbing the Fabian Barony and the restored Volano Barony, their power could triple instantly.

The monsters’ attacks were growing fiercer every day.

Although the Army of Light was also becoming stronger, they alone couldn’t hold back the monsters.

What was needed was a human army.

An army fully loyal to Yoo Seong and under his command, akin to the Omphalos Order’s battle clergy.

Now, Yoo Seong had the conditions to build such a force.

“Hehehe.”

René smiled endlessly, delighted. Then, suddenly lifting her head, she asked Yoo Seong a question.

“By the way, Successor, you looked at Count Carian earlier with the King’s Insight, right? What did you see?”

“Oh, he’s capable.”

It wasn’t just a casual statement—he truly was skilled.

Although not a knight or a mage, and thus lacking combat power, his political abilities—especially in governance—were top-notch, making him an ideal candidate for a chancellor.

At Yoo Seong’s answer, René blinked, as if expecting more, then outright asked aloud.

“Um… That’s it?”

“Yeah, that’s all.”

“No, like, anything legendary? A heavenly demon or a supreme king? Anything like that?”

“Nope, none of that.”

René slumped her shoulders in what seemed like disappointment or regret, and Yoo Seong lightly flicked her forehead.

“It’s not that Count Carian is lacking—it’s that you, René, are extraordinary.”

“Huh…Really?”

“Yeah, really. That’s why the Lady of the Lake chose you as the King’s Mage.”

At Yoo Seong’s words, René blushed for a moment before breaking into a satisfied hum, laughing as she went, and Yoo Seong joined in the laughter.

“Come to think of it, he does seem to have more emotional depth than I expected.”

“Count Carian?”

“Yeah, he’s not just a cold and rational person.”

“That’s surprising.”

Was he someone who feigned being cold and logical on the outside but read poetry and shed tears in private, full of emotion?

While René briefly let her imagination run wild, a voice called out behind them.

“Ah, the Black Knight of Lothian. Here you are.”

Turning around, they saw Baron Ober smiling faintly.

“There’s something I wanted to say to you in person.”

At Baron Ober’s words, Yoo Seong and René briefly exchanged glances and shared a subtle grin.

Why had Baron Ober gone out of his way to seek a private audience?

Was it merely to express gratitude, or did he have some ulterior motive like Count Carian?

“Of course. I’d be happy to hear what you have to say.”

And that afternoon, one by one, Yoo Seong met privately with five lords who had sought him out.