I Became a Mythical Knight King

Chapter 64: Black Knight of Lothian (3)

The ruler of Lushen was mayor Hexen, but he was merely an administrator; the true master of Lushen was Count Carian.

Moreover, he was one of the top three power brokers in the west and had extensive connections in the royal capital.

Thus, under normal circumstances, Yoo Seong’s meeting with him would inevitably form a hierarchical relationship.

From a broad perspective, both were independent lords of the same kingdom, but the disparity in what they possessed was vast.

However, the situation had somewhat shifted.

Due to the battle last night, Yoo Seong’s position had greatly risen.

Of course, this didn’t mean that Yoo Seong suddenly gained wealth and power.

In terms of possessions, Yoo Seong and Count Carian were essentially the same as before.

But Yoo Seong had revealed his value.

Whereas before, Yoo Seong was just a strong knight surrounded by rumors, he was now a transcendent being capable of toppling a fortress alone.

The Savior of Lothian.

The Avenger of Volano.

The Liberator of Lushen.

The Black Knight of Camelot, commanding the Army of Light.

And crucially, Count Carian and the surrounding lords of Lushen owed Yoo Seong their lives.

Considering all these factors, Yoo Seong was no longer someone who could be dismissed as just a baron of the western frontier.

Thus, the meeting between Yoo Seong and Count Carian was not a case of a superior condescending to meet an inferior.

Despite the significant gap in their titles and resources—baron and count—they were able to establish an equal relationship.

“I have been waiting for you.”

The destination, guided by the attendants, was the mayor’s office.

But waiting inside was Count Carian.

Standing to greet Yoo Seong, his face bore unmistakable fatigue.

Without staring at the loose right sleeve of the count, Yoo Seong lightly paid his respects.

“I am Cheon Yoo Seong of Lothian.”

It was somewhat unfamiliar to speak in a more formal tone, but Yoo Seong matched the count’s manner.

“As you already know, I am Count Carian.”

“I am Rene Baltois, Sir Yoo Seong’s mage.”

Following Count Carian, Rene introduced herself.

Count Carian momentarily observed Rene, who had accompanied Yoo Seong, then nodded as if weighing whether to send her out.

“Please, sit down.”

After offering Yoo Seong and Rene the sofa in front of the office desk, Count Carian took his seat opposite them once they sat.

“First, I want to express my gratitude for reclaiming Lushen. Thanks to you, countless residents of Lushen were saved.”

Though Yoo Seong had shown humility in Lothian, saying it was merely his duty, this time he simply nodded.

The circumstances were different now.

“As you may already know, it was no easy task.”

When Rene spoke, looking into Count Carian’s eyes, the count slowly nodded and pointed to a map already laid out on the table.

“During this attack, five lords who attended the council of lords were killed. Among them was a young man named Baron Fabian.”

It was a name Yoo Seong knew.

Although they hadn’t spoken at the banquet, Fabian was the lord of an estate in the northern part of Lothian.

Pointing to Fabian’s estate, Count Carian continued.

“He was under my protection. Unfortunately, he died without leaving behind a wife or children, so there is no heir.”

At this point, it became clear what Count Carian intended to say.

Yoo Seong lifted his gaze to the count, who also met Yoo Seong’s eyes and spoke.

“I will transfer it to the Black Knight of Lothian. I will handle the tedious formalities required for the process.”

It was an exceptional offer.

Considering that Fabian’s territory would be added to Lothian’s already extensive domain, Yoo Seong would immediately control land equivalent to a small count’s estate.

Moreover, the value of the estate wasn’t just about increased territory and population.

[Wow! Successor! This means there’ll be a direct route to my home!]

Rene’s voice echoed in Yoo Seong’s head.

Though startled, Yoo Seong didn’t flinch or stand up abruptly but turned to look at her. Rene, her lips tightly sealed—her excitement barely hidden—continued speaking in his mind.

[It’s a messaging spell I learned from the Book of Camelot.]

[In any case, Successor, this will make it much easier to receive direct support from the Baltois Count family.]

She was right.

Currently, the Lotho mountain range created a significant barrier between Lothian and the Baltois Count family, making smooth exchanges difficult.

But if Fabian’s estate, which bordered the Baltois territory on flatlands, came under Yoo Seong’s control, the situation would change.

[Until now, it was hard to transport supplies or troops due to Count Carian’s influence in the area, but if it becomes the Successor’s land, there’ll be no issue.]

[Uncle Varian used to lament about this…but it’s resolved now.]

At the mention of Baron Varian’s name, Rene’s voice grew momentarily somber, but only briefly.

Quickly regaining her composure, Rene glanced at Yoo Seong, who then turned back to face Count Carian and spoke.

“I accept with gratitude.”

It was an extraordinary gift, but given that Yoo Seong had reclaimed Lushen and saved Count Carian’s life, it was something he could rightly accept.

As Yoo Seong responded, Count Carian gave a wry smile before pointing to another spot on the map.

“The Volano Barony is currently unclaimed land. While Lady Iserina is alive, she lacks the wealth and ability to restore the ruined barony. Besides, she’s essentially working under the Black Knight of Lothian.”

After saying this, he lifted his head to meet Yoo Seong’s gaze again.

“Take it. We will provide the resources and funds needed to restore the Volano Barony. Many survivors of the Volano Barony and those wishing to follow the Black Knight of Lothian reside in Lushen. Take them all with you.”

It was truly a remarkable proposal.

Not only did he offer the funds necessary to restore Volano Barony, but he also offered its residents.

In a world where labor was essential to everything, population was both productive capacity and military power.

In the kingdom, residents didn’t have the freedom to migrate as they pleased.

While some escaped or secretly relocated, formal migration required a lord’s permission.

The residents were among the lord’s most valuable assets.

Yet Count Carian was now offering them to Yoo Seong.

This proposal left Rene unable to contain herself.

Startled, she blurted out.

“Really? Huh!”

Though she quickly covered her mouth with both hands, the words had already escaped.

Her face red with embarrassment, Rene watched as Count Carian, rather than laughing, spoke seriously.

“I mean it. I will give you everything. And with this, the Black Knight of Lothian’s influence will surpass that of most counts. I will also use my connections in the capital to secure a count’s title for you.”

“What?”

Once again, Rene couldn’t hold back.

Was Count Carian out of his mind?

This wasn’t a baron but a count’s title he was offering.

Titles like these weren’t granted with a simple word. Even with Count Carian’s extensive connections in the capital, it would require significant resources to secure.

And yet he was offering this for free?

It was such a delightful and exciting proposal that it also felt too good to be true, prompting doubt.

After glancing at the map, Yoo Seong turned to Count Carian and asked.

“While I am grateful, may I ask why you are going to such lengths?”

Though he had saved Lushen and Carian’s life, the rewards were excessive.

At Yoo Seong’s question, Count Carian gave a wry smile, pointing once again to the Volano Barony and saying.

“A formal reason would be to fortify a buffer in front of Lushen. In the current situation, it wouldn’t be surprising for Lushen to be attacked again.”

While a reasonable explanation, it didn’t balance the scales.

As he had said, it was merely a formal reason.

So what was the real reason?

When Yoo Seong silently stared at him, Count Carian briefly glanced at his limp right sleeve, then turned to the large map of the kingdom hanging on the wall, not the western map on the table.

“The Age of Calamity has begun. Not just the west, but the entire kingdom—no, other kingdoms and the empire are also under attack by monsters.”

The Age of Calamity was no longer just a story from old tales.

It was a reality they now faced.

“And this time, I learned something new. This is not a problem that will easily end. Seeing monsters emerging from tunnels of unknowable depth and using creatures straight out of myths made me think…”

After a brief pause, Count Carian gave a wry smile and said.

“Perhaps it wouldn’t be surprising if kingdoms or empires fell in the near future.”

The Age of Calamity had arrived, and the monsters’ strength was greater than expected.

And their offensive was just beginning.

“We are entering an era of chaos. And if humanity overcomes this era—the Age of Calamity—I believe you will emerge as our king.”

Rene unknowingly clenched her fists.

But Count Carian was not looking at Rene’s fists or face; he was gazing into Yoo Seong’s eyes as he continued.

“Thus, this is an investment. A gesture of goodwill to someone who might one day become my sovereign.”

After saying this, Count Carian straightened his posture and offered a respectful bow.

“Will you accept my sincerity?”

It was a form of political wager.

Yoo Seong could tell that Count Carian wasn’t uttering nonsense or merely testing the waters.

He was sincere.

Count Carian was a powerhouse of the west, a neighboring lord to Yoo Seong and a capable leader in his own right.

Yoo Seong had already decided to accept his proposal.

The only matter he was pondering was beyond that.

Turning to Rene, Yoo Seong’s thoughts were quickly discerned, prompting her to hastily use the messaging spell.

[Me! Let me do it! Please let me handle this! Yes?]

Despite having desperately wanted to do so, she had always had to restrain herself until now.

At René’s earnest plea, Yoo Seong let out a small laugh, nodded, and turned to Count Carian.

“Count Carian, before we proceed, there’s something I need to say.”

Though intrigued by Yoo Seong’s words, Count Carian appeared somewhat puzzled, perhaps due to the exchanged glances and smiles between Yoo Seong and René. Nevertheless, he assumed a posture of attentive listening. Instead of speaking, Yoo Seong looked back at René.

‘Please take it from here.’

At his unspoken request, René’s face lit up with excitement. Rising from her seat, she adjusted her expression into one of solemnity, looked down at Count Carian, and began to speak.

“Count Carian, allow me to reintroduce myself. I am René Baltois, the Royal Mage ordained by the Goddess of the Lake.”

For a moment, Count Carian seemed utterly taken aback.

The Goddess of the Lake?
The Royal Mage?

Had René made such an introduction when they first met, Count Carian might have dismissed her as delusional. But now, that was impossible.

Upon hearing the term “Royal Mage,” Count Carian instinctively turned to Yoo Seong in a rush.

Noticing this reaction, René smiled. With an elegant gesture toward Yoo Seong, she spoke softly, as though reciting a poem.

“This is the one chosen by the Goddess of the Lake. The heir to the Light of Camelot. The long-awaited, returning King of Humanity—Lord Cheon Yoo Seong.”

The King of Humanity.
The heir to the Light of Camelot.

Count Carian’s face revealed not just astonishment and wonder but also an inexplicable joy he couldn’t conceal.

Faced with the mixture of emotions in Count Carian’s expression, Yoo Seong turned toward René. Watching her revel in the moment, her words, and the atmosphere she had created, he let out a faintly bitter smile before addressing Count Carian again.

‘He’s accepting René’s words.’

If that was the case, what should Yoo Seong do to instill even greater confidence in him?

Should he declare himself to be the true successor of the Holy King chosen by the Goddess of the Lake?

No, that wasn’t necessary.

Instead of diminishing his dignity with unnecessary words, he chose to show something else.

King’s Insight.

A divine golden light shone from within Yoo Seong’s eyes.