r18novel Chapter 15 The Round Table is First Established
Chapter 15 The Round Table is First Established
The day after Morgan left, Arthur convened the first formal meeting of the Knights of the Round Table.
Although it's called a "round table," there isn't actually that famous table yet.
That was a giant table, a symbol of equality and unity, meticulously crafted by artisans after the pacification of the entire British territory.
Now, the knights are simply sitting around a long table in the palace hall, but the spirit of the "Round Table" has been passed on to everyone through Arthur's words.
"In my hands, there are no first or last seats, no thrones or steps; each and every one of you is a pillar of Britain."
On the left side of the long table sat Kay, Bedwell, and Gawain.
On the right are several knights who distinguished themselves in suppressing bandits and quelling internal strife, as well as representatives of several high-ranking nobles.
Kay sat closest to Arthur. He was Sir Hector's eldest son and Arthur's foster brother. The two had grown up together since childhood.
Kay is straightforward and loyal, sometimes short-tempered, but deep down he has an almost blind trust in Arthur.
His left arm was still wrapped in bandages, an injury sustained during the previous bandit suppression operation, which had not yet fully healed.
Bedivere sat next to Kay, a one-armed knight whose right hand was severed from the wrist and fitted with a silver prosthetic.
He was elegant and composed, and always spoke clearly and logically. He was one of Arthur's earliest confidants.
Bedivere had been serving Arthur since before he pulled the sword from the stone, handling his paperwork, administration, and foreign communications.
If Kay is Arthur's sword, then Bedivere is Arthur's pen.
Gawain sat opposite Bedwell. He looked no more than sixteen or seventeen years old, with blond hair, blue eyes, a handsome face, and a tall and strong build.
He was one of the first knights to join Arthur's ranks.
Gawain possesses an innate aura of sunshine; in fact, his power is indeed related to the sun.
It is said that his fighting power increases significantly from sunrise to sunset, and he is invincible at noon.
"There's only one topic for today." Arthur sat at the end of the long table, his emerald green eyes sweeping over everyone present.
"The Future of Britain"
He stood up and walked to the map of Britain hanging on the wall.
"As you all know, Britain is in a certain state right now."
The Picts in the north continued to raid southwards, Irish pirates in the west frequently landed and harassed the region, and the Saxons on the southeast coast were amassing troops.
Internally, local nobles acted independently, with some even secretly colluding with the invaders.
The hall was silent.
"I'm not here to be a 'king in name only'." Arthur turned around.
"I will unify Britain, not through slaughter and repression, but by making everyone believe that following me is better than following anyone else."
Kai was the first to speak: "I'll follow you, no matter what others say."
Bedivere nodded slightly: "Your Majesty, I have trusted you from the beginning. I will continue to handle state affairs for you so that you have no worries."
Gawain stood up, his golden hair gleaming in the sunlight streaming through the window: "My lord, my sword belongs to you. Gawain Orkney will fight for you."
Arthur looked at the three people, a warm light flashing in his emerald green eyes.
"Thank you," he said, "but what I need is not 'fight for me,' but 'fight alongside Britain.'"
He walked to the long table, placed his hands on the surface, and leaned forward slightly.
"From today onwards, you are no longer my 'subjects'."
You are my "companions," and this table has no beginning or end, no high or low.
Everyone's words will be heard, and everyone's opinions will be respected.
Kai raised an eyebrow: "You're the king, you can say whatever you want."
Bedwell said softly, "Your Majesty, such a concept... is unprecedented. The nobles may find you lacking in 'majesty'."
"Authority isn't built on distance," Arthur said.
"It's about trust, when soldiers believe their general won't abandon them."
When the people believed that their king would not starve them.
True 'majesty' lies in a knight's belief that his lord will not betray him.
Gao Wen nodded: "I understand. I will pass this message on to my brothers."
Arthur looked at Gawain: "Your brothers? The Knights of Orkney?"
"Yes, after my father passed away, my mother took over the Orkney territory and army, and she is willing to support you."
Arthur extended his hand: "Welcome."
Gao Wen grasped his hand and shook it vigorously.
"There's one more thing." Gawain released his grip, his expression turning serious: "You appointed Morgan le Fay as the 'Magic Archon'..."
The atmosphere in the hall instantly became subtle.
“She’s my sister,” Arthur interrupted him. “Besides, she’s talented, and Britain needs her talent.”
Gao Wen remained silent for a moment.
"I've heard of Morgan le Fay. Some say she was a witch, some say she was crazy, and some say... she was just too lonely."
Arthur looked at Gawain, a hint of surprise flashing in his emerald green eyes.
Which one do you believe?
Gawain thought for a moment:
I believe in the concept of "loneliness".
Because I have also been lonely... After my father passed away, I thought the whole world had abandoned Orkney.
Later I realized that loneliness isn't something given to you by others; it's a choice you make yourself.
Arthur nodded.
"So, are you willing to accept her as the Magic Archon?"
Gawain looked into Arthur's eyes and then smiled.
"I trust your judgment. If you believe she can be trusted, then I will trust her."
Kai muttered from the side, "I never said I trusted you."
Bedwell said softly, "Kay, you're just being stubborn."
"I don't!"
Arthur smiled.
This was the first time he had smiled so easily since returning from the Land of Shadows.
After the meeting, Arthur stood alone in the palace gardens.
Mary peeked out from the flower bushes, a few petals clinging to her long, silvery-white hair.
"Your Knights of the Round Table are more reliable than I thought."
She said, a hint of a smile playing in her amethyst-like eyes:
"Especially that Gawain, the Sun Knight, invincible at noon, tsk, if you were to fight him, the outcome would be hard to say."
Arthur did not respond.
"Merry, do you think I can change those 'predestined' things?"
Mary stepped out of the flower bushes and patted the petals off her skirt.
"You're already changing," she said.
"Morgan is sitting to your right, Kay believes in you, Bedivere supports you, and Gawain follows you."
She walked up to Arthur, stood on tiptoe, and patted him on the shoulder.
"Don't overthink it, take it one step at a time, you still have a long way to go."
Arthur lowered his head and looked into her amethyst-like eyes.
Why are you helping me?
Mary paused for a moment, then turned her face away.
"Who helped you? I was just watching the show."
"Then why have you been here all this time?"
"...Because there are lots of handsome guys here, okay?"
Arthur smiled.
"Thank you, Mary."
Mary's ears turned red again. She turned around and walked deeper into the garden.
"Go back and deal with official business! Don't waste my time here!"
Arthur watched her figure disappear into the flower bushes, then turned and walked back to the palace.
A frog croaked in the garden pond.
It's like saying, "Keep it up!"
……
In the castle of the Land of Shadows, Scáthach stood on the terrace, her wine-red eyes gazing into the distance.
She held the "Guardian" rune in her hand, its pale golden light pulsating in her palm like a silent blessing.
"One hundred and twenty-seven cycles," she said softly.
"You have learned swordsmanship, you have learned runes, you have learned 'Godslaying'."
Now, it's time to learn how to be a king.
The magical flowers on the terrace swayed gently in their magic.
Scáthach put the rune into her bosom and turned to walk back to the castle.
"Don't die," she whispered.
This was her only request.