The Greece Antagonist

A few young people recognized her and came forward to talk.

Altria nodded perfunctorily.

Outside, she presented herself as a young man.

No, ever since she was born, she had been raised as a "man."

She thought so herself.

She usually wore men's clothing, tied her hair back, and mimicked the mannerisms of boys. Her identity was that of an orphan adopted by the old knight Hector, and she was still an apprentice knight who hadn't passed the assessment.

But due to her beauty, she was quite popular among the town's girls.

Her teacher Merlin was quite displeased about this, saying she stole the spotlight and caused many beautiful ladies in the town to lose interest in him, so he often demanded that she privately switch to women's clothes.

Altria looked down at her palms and chest.

Before the age of fifteen, even a slender figure could be passed off as a man's, but if it continued, it wouldn't be possible to hide anymore. Although now an apprentice knight, sooner or later she would officially graduate and step onto the battlefield.

Altria pursed her lips, roughly understanding the intention of her foster father Hector for sending her to deliver weapons.

"Please make way, I need to deliver something to Sir Kay."

"What is that, a spear? The festival doesn't require weapons, right?"

"Master Merlin said earlier. If someone can pull out that sword from the rock up ahead, then that's enough!"

"The one who pulls out that sword is the King of Britain!"

The Great Sage Merlin said so.

The sword embedded in the rock was the Holy Sword that would call forth victory, a proof of kingship more certain than blood.

Before the gods and Fate, bloodline had no meaning.

Only those who had the power, those who could save Britain, would be acknowledged by the sword.

"I see, it's called Caliburn, right?"

"Ah, yes, yes. Thanks to that, it's been noisy since early morning."

"Never seen so many people in town."

"I suspect all the famous knights from across Britain have come!"

It's no wonder it's so lively, becoming a festival of gathering.

Knights, desiring the restoration of Britain and having the throne as their greatest wish, were gradually gathering in this town.

And her foster brother Kai was also the son of the once-renowned Hector. He had every right to challenge the Chosen Sword.

Altria looked ahead, seeing numerous figures of knights before the Chosen Sword.

People gathered in front of the Chosen Sword, mesmerized, watching the knights put on a serious expression, lay their hands on the sword's hilt, and then leave dejectedly.

There were knights who didn't give up and challenged several times; some shouted, "There must be something wrong"; some boasted of strength as if they could lift the entire rock along with the sword...

But no one could pull the sword out.

Altria also did not spot her teacher's figure among the crowd.

The feeling of disappointment spread not only to the knights but also infected the people.

Does this country not have a knight worthy of kingship?

Does Britain not have a future?

Come to think of it, was that Great Sage Merlin's prophecy true?

The knights, feeling the crowd's anxiety, began to discuss.

Anyway, so many knights had gathered here. There were countless ways to choose a king.

Simply test the strength of a knight; the most outstanding one could succeed the previous king Uther and be established as the Knight King.

The knights ignored the Chosen Sword, which hadn't selected them, and began choosing methods that worked in their favor. First was jousting. If one were an honorable real knight, then a duel on horseback with guns was only natural.

Altria looked around and finally found her foster brother standing unhappily on the side without a gun.

She quietly approached him, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, handed the weapon she brought to her foster brother, and softly asked her doubt:

"Brother, are you just going to ignore the Chosen Sword?"

"There's nothing to ignore. Since no one can pull it out, it's just an obstruction. Next is the knight's elimination match, a decision we all made together."

Kai turned to look at Altria, his eyes flashing as he advised,

"Alright, you should go back. The upcoming elimination match is only for officially appointed knights, and you, as an apprentice knight, are not qualified to participate."

"But, are you really leaving the ceremony alone?"

"We don't have the luxury to dream with Merlin and Uther. Judging by how many subordinates, money, and power there are now is much more in line with humanity than some unseen proof of king. There's no need for a mighty leader. If our interests align, working together is easier, and calculating things is simpler. Most importantly, compared to that ethereal fate and prophecy, I trust my own hands more. A 'savior agent' like that sounds like a thankless job. Say all you want; I wouldn't want it even if it were given to me!"

"Do you really think so, brother?"

"Of course. Go back to the estate; Father needs someone to care for him, and today's horse hasn't been fed. Listen, this is the first and last chance. Don't bother with trivial matters; obediently go home."

Kai repeatedly ordered, with an unusual severity in his tone.

However, the elimination match had already begun, and he had to follow the knights' flow first and head to the competition venue to report.

The surroundings returned to calm.

It had been so bustling just now, but now there was no one left.

The knights and people had all left.