Sword in the Stone

The Russell family dining room.

In the exquisitely luxurious dining room, an oversized, ultra-luxurious dining table was set. Colin and Linda sat opposite each other, Butler Hank stood meticulously to the side, and a male and female servant attended them.

Breakfast was also very rich: a steaming steak, a delicious-looking cream cake, a fruit pudding, a large basket of fragrant long bread, and plenty of milk.

"Colin, I can't just stay home all the time. I need to find something to do." Linda had only recently woken up, exuding a lazy aura.

Having just quit her job, she was already eager to find new work. The eldest daughter of the Russell family was no lazy bum content to just eat and wait for death.

"What do you want to do, big sister?" Colin knew his eldest sister's nature; it was impossible to stop her from working.

"Hmm, I haven't decided yet." Linda thought for a moment, looking a bit lost. She had always been a House Tutor and had never considered doing anything else.

Colin scratched his head. He popped a piece of steak into his mouth, chewed, and swallowed. Then, he picked up a glass of cold milk and took a big gulp. He looked up and asked Butler Hank, "Hank, do you have any suggestions?"

"How about fashion design?" Butler Hank bowed slightly and said.

"I'm not good with fashion," Linda said with a dejected look.

"Then how about a job in mathematics?" Butler Hank pondered for a moment and asked.

"My level is only good enough to teach young children," Linda shook her head.

"What about literature?" Butler Hank asked again.

Butler Hank asked over a dozen questions, but Linda couldn't do any of them. By the end, her face was filled with frustration.

"I can only be a House Tutor, teaching children. Or maybe a cook?"

Colin almost laughed, but he suppressed it and comforted Linda, "Don't be discouraged, big sister. You can cultivate skills you're not good at." He paused, then added, "Our family's finances are not only worry-free but also have a surplus. If you decide on a profession, why not hire a House Tutor? I think literature, music, or oil painting would be quite good and suitable for the eldest daughter of the Russell family."

"Sigh." Linda let out a long sigh, feeling listless.

After breakfast, Colin grabbed his schoolbag and headed out. Linda regained her spirit, raised her right arm, clenched her fist, and said with full vigor, "Go, Colin!"

"Okay, big sister," Colin replied quickly. Not long after, Colin arrived at Will Knight Academy and entered his classroom.

After greeting Bill, Colin stuffed his schoolbag into his desk.

"Colin, I looked up some information about the Dolor Mountains yesterday," Bill said excitedly. Colin turned his head and caught the scent of women's perfume.

"Who doesn't know about the Dolor Mountains?" Colin rolled his eyes.

Marquis Kent's territory was a large plain, with dense forests to its south. There were also vast and immense mountains, which were the Dolor Mountains.

According to various records, the length of this mountain range was unknown, with its widest parts spanning over ten thousand li. It harbored many fierce beasts, magical creatures, and various secrets. Many legendary adventures from knight novels took place within these mountains.

To the south of the Dolor Mountains lay a mysterious and ancient kingdom, the Black Death Empire. Legend had it that in the Black Death Empire, there was a supernatural profession called Wizard. They wielded primitive and unique magic, possessing immense power. Countless years ago, the Van Gogh Empire and the Black Death Empire had waged war.

Although the mountains were dangerous, the outer areas were relatively safe. The location of their operation this time would undoubtedly be on the outskirts.

Bill was displeased with Colin's attitude and glared at him, saying, "Let me finish speaking."

"Alright," Colin obediently shut his mouth.

"Do you know about the Sword in the Stone?" Bill asked, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"The sword of Emperor Frederick, the founder of the second Van Gogh Dynasty," Colin retorted, rolling his eyes. He then added, "Bill, my history grades are much higher than yours."

Bill looked dejected. Compared to history, he preferred Heraldry. He glared at Colin again, and Colin wisely kept quiet.

"That's right. It's the sword of Emperor Frederick, the Dragon Slayer Sword, a divine artifact rumored to be capable of slaying red dragons. However, after Emperor Frederick's death, this divine sword became a burial item, forever sleeping beside him. But recently, I heard that the Dolor Mountains, or more precisely, somewhere nearby, a tomb was discovered, possibly Emperor Frederick's mausoleum."

Bill continued to speak freely. Boys were always filled with interest in legendary hero stories.

Colin, however, rolled his eyes again and said, "If Emperor Frederick's mausoleum was truly discovered, the Emperor's army would spare no effort to come, even if the empire is currently at war with the Xathus Dynasty."

"That's true." Bill's surging excitement was finally extinguished by Colin's words, and he became listless.

Setting aside Bill's potentially false information, as time passed, the students in the class gradually began to look forward to this year's Knight Order operation.

Time finally arrived on November 1st.

It was a clear and sunny day. After bidding farewell to Linda, Colin mounted an East格兰 War Horse and slowly rode towards the south city wall of Will City.

After passing through the city gate, Colin saw a large crowd. Among them were, of course, familiar classmates from Class Five, but also many laborers and attendants.

Many laborers were leading dogs of various colors, and these dogs were barking incessantly. There were also many mules and horses, and carts filled with food and tents.

Yellow flags were planted on the carts, bearing the words "Fifth Knight Order." These flags were also heirlooms, passed down from seniors of unknown classes at the academy.

The Knight Order operation mimicked that of a regular knightly order. When the knights went to war, they naturally wouldn't cook their own meals; they needed logistics personnel.

Noble scions like Lyon and Michael had also brought along some strong attendants.

Colin also saw Ms. Anna on horseback. She was still dressed in a cool manner, but her brown hair was tied into a ponytail. A greatsword was sheathed at her waist, and she wore black leather gloves on her hands. Her black lady's riding boots were firmly set in the silver stirrups. She was a heroic and valiant female general.

"Hi, Colin," Bill, riding a tall East-Grandiose Horse, waved at Colin. Beside him were the other members of the first squad, all commoner children.

Colin smiled and nodded, then rode his horse closer. Bill and the other three team members dismounted in unison and bowed to Colin, "Your Excellency, Captain."

"Please, rise," Colin said, dismounting in a similar fashion. Then, he couldn't help but laugh at himself, thinking what a leisurely Boy Scout activity this was.