Ch 43

As Caron entered the Knights Training Center, all the knights’ gazes fell on him.

"Oh jeez, how should I respond to such a welcome?" said Caron.

Benjamin and Tashid chuckled.

"You're probably the only one who could say that in this situation." said Benjamin.

"I know. Is he bold or just stupid?" Tashid replied.

The knights’ gazes were filled with a mix of curiosity and caution, with a few looks of hostility, too. It was because they knew he was a Crow.

Percival felt the gazes of the knights and sighed quietly. “These four are the new knights who have been confirmed to join the team. They haven't received their knight names yet, but I ask that you applaud them and show them some hospitality."

At Percival's words, the knights applauded and welcomed them. There was nothing good about starting things off on the wrong foot, as they would all be living together in the future.

"A knight name? What's a knight name?" Caron asked.

Tashid answered in a quiet voice, "The Knights of the Round Table are given a new name by His Majesty the Holy King, as a sign that they have abandoned themselves as individuals and have been reborn to serve the nation. Sir Percival and Sir Gwalchavad, those are not real names.”

It was similar to how a priest abandoned his family name and was called only by their first name, to mark their commitment to God.

"Really? Throwing away your name is interesting."

Caron didn't like his name that much, anyway. ‘Caron’ was a name given to someone designated as the caretaker of the holy place for generations, far from the freedom that Caron wanted.

Gwalchavad smiled, "Sometimes there are recruits who are proud of their family name and don’t want to throw it away, but I am glad that none of the new recruits seem to be like that. It's a little late, so let's just do some simple physical training to finish the day."

The Knights of the Round Table sighed collectively.

"Ahh! The good times are over!"

"Right! All the good times are over now!"

Among the knights, a pair of rascal-looking twins grumbled with their hands locked behind their heads.

“I can't believe Sir Gwalchavad's choice of words. ‘Simple', he says!" a pale-looking knight with deep dark circles under his eyes agreed.

Gwalchavad smiled mildly, "You have complaints about ‘simple’? I see, you guys have high aspirations. Then let’s do something more advanced!”

The knights turned pale.

"Oh, no! Of course it was a joke!"

"Of course, of course! Who has a complaint?!"

"Right, right! Who is it? Who’s complaining?!"

Despite the knights' backtracking, Gwalchavad spoke in a low voice, emitting martial aura with a gentle smile.

"I will give you five minutes. Gear up and gather!"

All the knights ran to the dormitory, where their gear was.

"Argh! Run! Anyone who takes longer than five minutes will fall into hell!"

"Get out of my way, you punks! Don't get in the way!"

In an instant, a scene of chaos unfolded. Caron whistled, impressed, while the other three new recruits swallowed dryly.

"We have not received any military gear yet. What should we do?" Tashid asked.

Percival smiled. "Don't worry, we won't push the newcomers too hard on the first day."

Gwalchavad nodded. "Sure. Of course, new recruits will be given a period of adjustment. But what about you, Captain?"

"Huh? Me? Do I have to do it, too?"

"Of course, is a Captain the same as a new recruit? As Captain, you should be setting a good example."

Percival grew pale and ran in the direction of the dormitory, too. "Get out of my way, you guys!"

Percival broke through the narrow entrance by force and quickly jumped out of the window with his military gear.

Lancelot, seeing Percival, slipped back and said, "I-I'm going to do some backlogged paperwork. Good luck everyone!"

The new recruits looked at Gwalchavad with fearful eyes when they saw the vice-captain running away.

Gwalchavad said with a smile. "Training is organized by me, under His Majesty's order. Of course, because the Round Table values autonomy, it is entirely up to each individual member whether they will follow my training. Fortunately, everyone respects my instructions.”

Caron felt goosebumps rise on his skin when he saw Gwalchavad's smile. Indeed, it was not known whether or not the knights followed Gwalchavad’s instructions purely out of respect.

* * *

The knights laid on the ground with their gear on, exhausted by Gwalchavad's extreme physical training.

"You guys have gotten out of shape in my absence. I cannot believe you are this tired already.” Gwalchavad sighed. He hadn’t sweat a single drop.

"No, everyone was about this tired in the past too." said one of the knights.

"Be quiet, Sir Bedivere. Everyone, follow after the Captain. Doesn’t Sir Percival look just fine?"

The knights looked at Percival. His face looked calm on the surface, but his legs were shaking. The knights turned a blind eye, to help their captain save face.

"I have told you all so many times. You will only get stronger if you train your body to be useful before using the power given by His Majesty."

Since the power from the Holy family was only an ‘amplification’, it was more efficient to train with the power contained, rather than use it when it wasn’t needed.

"If it was up to me, I would like us to train a little harder, but...” said Gwalchavad, trailing off.

The knights swallowed dryly.

"Since I have to guide the new recruits, I will stop here for today."

They all breathed a sigh of relief.

"Puha! I survived!"

"I thought I was going to die!"

Gwalchavad smiled, then turned towards the inner castle and said, "Sir Caradoc, please guide the new recruits."

At Gwalchavad’s request, a strong-looking knight stood up and began unpacking his gear.

"Hmm? Ah, is it the summons from His Majesty the Holy King?" Caradoc asked.

Gwalchavad nodded. It appeared that it wasn’t only him who received the call, as Percival also began to neatly arrange his disorganized clothes.

"Now, let's all go in and rest. Sir Bedivere, I'm sorry, but could you put my gear in my spot for me?"

Caradoc handed over his military gear and approached Caron and the new recruits. "I’m Caradoc. I'm the advisor of the Round Table."

"I..."

When Forward tried to introduce himself, Caradoc raised his hand to stop him.

"Ah, it's all right. I know who you all are. Besides, won’t you be getting a new name soon? I'll listen to your official introduction a little later when you receive your name."

* * *

Caradoc took the lead, supporting his shaky legs with mana. He led the four men around the training grounds, royal blacksmith's shop, shower room, and dining area, quickly going over the necessary places for living.

"Dining times last one hour, starting at eight in the morning, noon, and six in the evening. If you're late, you have to eat on your own. The blacksmith's shop is closed after sunset, don’t forget that. You can use the training grounds and shower room anytime. If it doesn't interfere with your daily routine, I don't care if you dance with your sword alone at night. Do what you want in your free time.”

After the brief tour, they were given their knights' uniforms, swords, and supplies, such as military gear from the royal warehouse. Then they headed for the dormitory.

"This is a space that everyone uses together. These are basic rooms for six people, and you've all been assigned to the thirteenth dormitory room here."

The thirteenth dormitory room was a fairly large room filled with fluffy beds and large personal lockers.

"The two spots by the door are those used by Sir Bedivere and me, so you guys can fill in the remaining spots on your own."

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Caron quickly put his supplies in the locker by the window. "Yahoo! Then I'm here!"

Benjamin looked at Caron, then asked Tashid and Forward, "I like the window, too. What about you two?"

“I don't mind anywhere.”

“I don't mind either.”

The four people organized their supplies and personal items in their respective places.

"Since this is a military facility, servants cannot come inside, so basic cleaning is your responsibility. If you put laundry in a dedicated container next to the entrance on the first floor, the maid will take care of it, so keep that in mind.”

Caron looked out of the window after organizing his things. The sun was almost to the ground, and the sky was turning red.

"It's almost time to get appointed as knights. Come along, everyone." said Caradoc.

"Is there a reason why we're doing this at this hour?" asked Forward.

Caradoc shrugged. "Well, if it was because of a military strategy, I’d know. I heard that there is a theological meaning, since the Holy Land is a theocratic country. I don't know about such boring things, so ask this friend for details." he said, pointing to Tashid.

With that, Caradoc and the recruits headed to the temple in the center of the palace. Entering the temple, a huge statue with a monument behind it greeted them. In front of the statue stood a blue-haired middle-aged man and Arietta. Caradoc saluted the middle-aged man.

"Caradoc greets His Majesty the Holy King."

Aradrian smiled and raised his hand. "Haha, no need to be so formal with me. It's not like we are in front of other high ranking officials, so just act comfortably."

Caradoc smiled lightly. "I would like to, but Sir Gwalchavad and Sir Lancelot would scold me. Sir Lancelot would end it with just a nag, but Sir Gwalchavad...”

Caradoc shuddered at the thought.

Aradrian laughed. "Sir Gwalchavad is certainly strict. Now, let's start the knight appointments."

When the Holy King looked at Arietta, Arietta took the Holy King's staff out from her pocket space. Caron and other new recruits thought nothing of it, but Caradoc looked at the Holy King in surprise.

Aradrian smiled. "It's a succession lesson. I called the other three already and told them separately."

The three people the Holy King was referring to were Percival, Lancelot, and Gwalchavad, the executives of the Round Table. Arrieta was a little nervous as she infused the staff with the Holy tribe’s mana.

"Benjamin Farhan, come forward and kneel.” she commanded.

Benjamin knelt down in front of Arietta.

"Will you devote your body to the country and the people?"

"I will."

"Will you devote your life to His Majesty the Holy King and the royal family?"

"I will."

"Then, abandon your name and raise your head to accept God's blessing."

As Arietta waved the magic staff as if she were giving a blessing, one of the characters engraved on the stele shone brightly as mana from the staff entered Benjamin's body. At the same time, Benjamin's body emitted blue light and his hair turned sky blue.

Benjamin was surprised by the mysterious power boiling within him. "This is…!"

"Do not get too drunk on your strength. The conceited cannot survive long." Arietta warned.

Benjamin, already entranced by the power, suddenly regained consciousness as if he had been hit by cold water, and regained control over the power. It reminded him of the words of a veteran mercenary he knew, who had also been blinded by power.

"I will engrave the Holy Princess’s advice onto my heart."

"I am glad to hear that. Welcome to the Knights of the Round Table, Sir Tristan."

The name Tristan, which was engraved on the stele, disappeared. It now belonged to Benjamin. The name Tristan would not be re-engraved on the stele unless he died. Tashid was next, followed by Forward. Like Tristan, they received the power of the Holy tribe after answering two questions.

"Welcome to the Knights of the Round Table, Sir Gwalchmai, Sir Galehaut."

The paladin, Tashid, was given the name Gwalchmai, and the rural boy Forward was given the name Galehaut.

"Now, it is time for the last person. Come forward, Caron Blade."

"Yeap! I’ve been waiting!” exclaimed Caron.

Arietta matched Caron’s mood with a playful smile of her own. “I have high expectations of you.”

“Then I’ll have to live up to them.”

Caron went down on one knee in front of Arietta and swore his allegiance. When Arietta blessed him, the staff and the stele glowed brighter and larger than it had for the previous three.