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The investiture ceremony officially began. From the Knights of the Round Table and tribal chiefs to some nobles and seasoned warriors, everyone received a badge and rewards. However, due to differing accumulated merits, the badges and rewards varied significantly.
Nonetheless, this was an honor. Regardless of the reward, it would serve as bragging rights in the future, so almost everyone carefully accepted the badge personally bestowed by King Arthur.
After the investiture ceremony for the Knights of the Round Table concluded, Asher began presenting badges to the tribal chiefs. Artoria remained by his side. She was the Court Steward and a member of the Knights of the Round Table. Although petite, her aura was not to be underestimated; no one would think that someone accompanying King Arthur would be an ordinary person.
"Thank you, King Arthur." Milo smiled sweetly, her smile so charming and amiable that many nobles in the audience directed their gaze at the gentle girl.
If one could marry this tribal chief, it would be equivalent to gaining a territory, and she was already a sweet-looking girl. In any case, she was an enviable presence. Asher merely nodded slightly and moved to the next tribal chief, pinning the platinum badge on their shoulder.
Everyone watched the scene, almost every person filled with excitement. This was King Arthur's first investiture ceremony, and who knew how long it would be until the next. Moreover, the next time, the badge might not be personally bestowed by King Arthur.
One could say this was an immense honor; for a commoner, it was akin to instantly becoming a noble, bringing immense material and spiritual satisfaction.
Asher walked towards the fifth tribal chief. Artoria handed him the fifth meticulously crafted badge. Asher stepped forward, about to pin the badge on the tribal chief's shoulder.
"Wait!"
But at this moment, the tribal chief raised his hand, stopping Asher's movement. Almost everyone was stunned by the tribal chief's action. This was an important ceremony where King Arthur was bestowing badges. Even if there were questions, they should wait until the ceremony ended before raising them. Yet, this tribal chief actually spoke up at this moment.
Asher's eyes narrowed slightly, but he maintained his smile. "Duke Bell, do you have any questions?" The man before him was Duke Bell, who had previously been threatened by Morgan Le Fay and was forced to swear an oath to willingly surrender his territory. His dark circles were heavy, his lips somewhat pale, and his eyes were narrowed into slits, his cold gaze fixed on the young man before him.
"I believe that before bestowing the badges, King Arthur should first clarify the matter of the White Dragon's body?"
"Does such a matter even need clarification, Duke Bell? Are you doubting King Arthur's identity?!" Milo tilted her head, looking coldly at Duke Bell.
"Although I also trust King Arthur very much, one should always be suspicious of the unknown, right? After all, in this chaotic world, there are too many conspiracies and schemes. I don't think anyone would want the king they follow to turn out to be a member of a foreign race, would they?"
As Duke Bell's words fell, many people secretly nodded. What he said made sense. Many of them wanted to serve King Arthur with all their might, but they did not want to be deceived. If King Arthur turned out to be a spy for a foreign race, it would be a slap in everyone's face!
"Do you really think I am of the White Dragon's body, Duke Bell?" Asher asked in a deep voice.
"I wouldn't dare," Duke Bell said neither humbly nor arrogantly. "But I believe, since King Arthur is the King of Britain, to ask your subjects to follow in your footsteps, shouldn't you prove yourself for this?"
Asher frowned. "How do you think I should prove myself?"
"A Geis." Duke Bell stared at Asher with eyes like a venomous snake. "Swear an oath, and then everyone will believe in your innocence."
"Nonsense! Should King Arthur be forced to swear an oath because of one or two words from you? You are deliberately using public opinion to pressure King Arthur, which is a great treason!" Milo said coldly.
Asher did not speak. He had considered many possibilities, but he never expected anyone to dare to demand an oath at such a moment.
"You don't dare, do you?" Duke Bell said, then turned to the commoners below.
"Because the current King Arthur is indeed of the White Dragon's body, a descendant left behind when Vortigern disappeared a decade ago!" The crowd below erupted in an uproar, whispering among themselves. If King Arthur truly was of the White Dragon's body, with his true identity being Vortigern's son, then even an ordinary person could imagine the turmoil Britain would plunge into.
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Gawain remained silent, his gaze fixed on Asher with a complex expression. King Arthur had personally admitted that day that he was of the White Dragon's body, but Gawain had never mentioned it to anyone. This was not entirely for Asher's sake, but more for the sake of Britain's current situation.
If the current King Arthur's true identity were exposed, Britain itself would suffer the most damage. For the sake of the greater good, Asher's identity absolutely could not be revealed. Moreover, as his mother had said before, King Arthur had never done anything to harm Britain. To condemn him solely based on his identity would be too pedantic.
But the common people were different; not everyone could trust a King Arthur of such an identity. After all, the White Dragon's body represented the Saxons; for a White Dragon to be King Arthur was simply too absurd.
"No words? Does that mean you're tacitly admitting it?" Duke Bell looked at Asher with a sneer. "I know you're still thinking of your words, so now, I will completely shatter any further lies you have!"
"Next, we invite Uther's daughter, Vortigern's niece, Morgan Le Fay, to confirm the truth of this matter!"
Duke Bell spread his hands, turning to look at Morgan Le Fay, who had remained seated in her chair. The situation had unknowingly completely entered Duke Bell's rhythm. He was clearly very well prepared, even having greeted Morgan Le Fay in advance. The previous letter was sent by Duke Bell to Morgan Le Fay, with the aim of achieving a fatal blow at this moment.
Gawain and the others were stunned, looking at Morgan Le Fay. How could Mother...
Almost at this moment, everyone's gaze was focused on Morgan Le Fay. She maintained her calm demeanor from beginning to end, as if everything before her had nothing to do with her, until Duke Bell's voice and the gazes of others turned towards her, and only then did she slowly stand up.
Asher's eyes flickered, staring at Morgan Le Fay. He naturally didn't believe Morgan would conspire with the tribal chief, but he also didn't understand why she was standing up now? From the looks of it, Duke Bell had already had private communication with Morgan Le Fay, otherwise, Duke Bell wouldn't be directly pointing to Morgan Le Fay now.
Under countless gazes, Morgan gathered her long, flowing hair behind her. She wore a long court dress, her high heels clicking rhythmically on the floor. Her tall figure and exquisite features attracted countless eyes. Morgan Le Fay quickly came before the common people. The commoners rarely saw Morgan Le Fay, and upon seeing her face at this moment, they were all somewhat moved.
Rumors about the witch also circulated outside, but most of them had been distorted. Now, seeing Morgan Le Fay's appearance and the amiable smile on her face, they all began to question the previous rumors. How could such a refined and captivating woman be associated with being a witch?
"Princess Morgan, please expose King Arthur's conspiracy next. I will protect your safety." Duke Bell said with a smile, "As everyone knows, Princess Morgan is King Uther's daughter. Although external rumors portray her as seemingly wicked, I believe that rumors stop at the wise. In reality, I have always firmly believed that she is a kind woman."
King Marco beside him also nodded solemnly, "If King Arthur is truly of the White Dragon's body, we will guarantee your safety afterwards, so please, Princess Morgan, feel free to reveal the truth."
Under the gaze of the kings, Morgan Le Fay nodded, turned to face the commoners below, and her voice, amplified by magic, resonated throughout the entire castle:
"I, as the daughter of the former king, a princess of Britain, and by the reputation of Merlin, the court magician of Britain, swear that all my following statements are true. If there is even half a lie, I, Morgan Le Fay, willingly subject myself to divine wrath, and after death, my soul shall be imprisoned by the Goddess of Death, never to know peace for all eternity!"
The crowd gasped. This oath was truly vicious. Duke Bell's face showed a satisfied smile. Indeed, seeking Morgan Le Fay's help was the most correct choice. Even if he rarely paid attention to matters in Camelot Castle, he knew very well that this woman, Morgan Le Fay, had a great desire for power. Perhaps the former king's failure to pass the throne to Morgan had left her deeply resentful? Utilizing this mindset, it would be easy to draw her to their side.
"Next, I shall announce my conclusion," Morgan Le Fay looked around and said in a deep voice, "King Arthur is not of the White Dragon's body. He is our King Arthur, and he has always strived for the rise of Britain!"
Duke Bell froze. Why would this woman dare to lie with her eyes open? Is she not afraid of the oath she just swore? They were convinced that King Arthur was of the White Dragon's body and had been preparing for this for a long time, even going so far as to offer three territories in the future as a bribe to Morgan Le Fay to ensure success. Yet, she actually said something like a madwoman?
Morgan did not stop speaking. Her subsequent statements further moved the common people and silenced the nobles. She spoke of how King Arthur, when he first drew the Caliburn and became king, also felt confused and uneasy, worried about whether he could lead the country to prosperity.
Fortunately, with Merlin's guidance, he was no longer lost and instead turned to tirelessly managing state affairs day and night. She also mentioned how King Arthur still diligently worked in the cold night, and whenever Morgan Le Fay entered the room, she would see King Arthur still working hard. Sometimes, when he was tired, he would nap on the table for a while, and she would drape her coat over King Arthur to prevent him from catching a cold.
Not only that, Morgan also gave several detailed examples.
For instance, one evening, as she and King Arthur were discussing important matters of repelling foreign tribes, the loyal Agravain of the Knights of the Round Table couldn't bear to see the King toil so hard, so he interrupted their discussion, even risking the King's displeasure, just to hope the King would get some good rest.
Another example was Gawain, who deeply understood King Arthur's difficulties, but also knew that all of this was for Britain's sake. Therefore, what he could do was quietly help with basic tasks, hoping to share some of the King's burdens.
And then there was the Court Steward, Artoria. Although she was a woman, she was a Knight of the Round Table, an elite among elites, who had made immense contributions to repelling foreign tribes. King Arthur often discussed martial arts with Artoria, and they encouraged each other to progress together, making for a truly commendable tale. In short, in Morgan Le Fay's description.
King Arthur was an absolute wise king, and she was a virtuous woman accompanying King Arthur. They discussed state affairs daily, sometimes even staying up late into the night diligently researching how to repel foreign tribes, and even had experiences of staying up until the early hours of the morning.
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Upon hearing the last of it, many lowered their heads, rubbing tears from the corners of their eyes. They had actually questioned such a wise king earlier because of a few words from Duke Bell. Now, thinking back, they felt incredibly guilty. Someone started applauding first, and soon, one after another, the common people joined in the applause. These cheers were their profound respect for King Arthur.
Duke Bell's face was utterly grim as he listened to the end, staring deadly at Morgan Le Fay as she walked towards them.
"Now, I would like to ask Duke Bell, why would you bring up such a matter at the investiture ceremony to disrupt morale? What exactly is your purpose?" Morgan Le Fay raised her voice at the end, her queenly aura fully unleashed, looking down at Duke Bell and sharply asking:
"Are you the spy for the foreign race, intending to remove such a wise king from power?!"
Duke Bell took a step back, screaming hysterically, "This is slander! This woman cannot be trusted, she is lying! She is absolutely lying!"
"Sigh," Morgan Le Fay merely shook her head and sighed, "Duke Bell, you just said I was the daughter of the former king, and that rumors stop at the wise. Now you're turning around and slandering me. What exactly are your intentions?" As she said the last words, her gaze was fixed on Duke Bell. "Is someone manipulating you from behind?"
Gawain and Lancelot stepped forward, approaching Duke Bell. Although they hadn't drawn their swords, their imposing presence moved the kings present.
The Knights of the Round Table are truly not to be underestimated.
Duke Bell slowly retreated, his eyes quickly darting left and right, a look of panic in them. He subconsciously looked in a certain direction, as if hoping someone would come out to help him. But that person did not appear, merely observing coldly from among the kings. Duke Bell's eyes flickered, and he suddenly drew a dagger hidden in his sleeve, stabbing at Asher beside him as if he didn't care about his own life.
His speed was too fast, completely unlike a movement an obese man could make. Asher was not carrying a weapon, and a crimson streak of blood appeared on his right shoulder from the blade's graze. Asher staggered back two steps. Morgan Le Fay quickly supported Asher, a hint of distress in her eyes. She raised her hand to cast healing magic, but found that the normally unfailing healing effect did not work on Asher.
"I'm fine, don't worry," Asher said softly. Duke Bell did not launch a second attack. He grinned eerily, rapidly retreating as if intending to leap from the castle.
"Don't even think about it!" Gawain stomped his foot back, his body lunging forward as he swung his sword at Duke Bell. But the seemingly obese man seemed well-prepared, blocking the attack with just the sharp blade in his hand, and simultaneously retreating quickly.
Lancelot followed closely, blocking Duke Bell's path, but Duke Bell's face showed no trace of panic. He evaded Lancelot's attack like an eel, stepped onto the top of the palace, and leaped down.
He had already prepared for his escape, and he also had the armor that person had prepared for him, which could block a fatal blow if necessary.
As for Morgan Le Fay... although he never expected her to betray him, he didn't have to worry about her making a move. After all, this woman would definitely not use her magic in such a public setting, otherwise her reputation as a witch would be even harder to clear. In short, although the outcome was not ideal, the plan was completed, and the rest could be left to that person.
Boom!
Just as Duke Bell was about to jump down, a red spear from a distance, like a flash of lightning, pierced through Duke Bell's right shoulder, a circular deep purple lightning flash appearing in mid-air, nailing Duke Bell in the air.
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