"This is Britain's capital, Camelot." Merlin sat astride his horse, pointing toward the magnificent city walls ahead as he introduced it with a smile.
"Ah, yes." Anno was on horseback too, taking in the legendary capital.
The walls stood a full ten meters high. In an age with such limited productivity, building something on this scale was no small feat.
As an aside, Anno had only just learned to ride.
The two left their horses at the city gate and entered Camelot. Within the city, only the king and victorious knights were permitted to ride.
Along the way, Anno's imposing figure in armor drew frequent sidelong glances from passersby. If Merlin hadn't been with him, the patrolling knights would probably have already stopped to question him. After all, Anno also had a longsword at his waist.
Merlin held his staff and used his hat to conceal his face. He turned to Anno and said, "King Uther has decided to set out on an expedition in three days. Will you come with me to meet the king now?"
Anno answered without hesitation. "Sure."
He had the strength to back himself up now, so there was no need to be as cautious as when he had first arrived in this era.
Merlin settled Anno in an unoccupied house. It was fully furnished, and it was clear Merlin had prepared it in advance.
Anno stayed there until evening, then went with Merlin to meet Britain's current ruler, Uther Pendragon.
Camelot's palace wasn't especially large, but it was lavishly decorated.
A man who looked to be about thirty sat on the throne atop the steps. He wore gold-and-blue armor and a crown, and his face bore an imposing authority. He was currently sizing up Anno, who stood beside Merlin.
Anno was examining the king as well.
There was no doubt that King Uther had the bearing of a king.
Merlin removed his hat and introduced Anno to King Uther. "Your Majesty, this is the reinforcement I brought with me, a human from the Non-Human Realm—Anno."
King Uther frowned. "From the Non-Human Realm? What does that mean?"
Merlin kept smiling. "He's an orphan I took in. He's spent his time training on the other side of the Non-Human Realm, clearing out Orcs and Goblins."
King Uther nodded. "I see. Then I imagine Anno's skills are quite impressive." As he spoke, he glanced at the longsword at Anno's waist. His meaning was clear.
Anno understood that King Uther wanted to test the strength of this prospective knight. He smiled confidently. "At your command, Your Majesty."
Merlin smiled as he led the two of them onward.
As the court magician, Merlin held a distinguished position. He was one of only two people in all of Britain permitted to walk ahead of the king.
Merlin led the way. King Uther rose from his throne—he was considerably taller than Anno—and followed behind Merlin, with Anno bringing up the rear.
The three of them came to an open area. Several weapon racks and suits of armor stood there; clearly, this was where King Uther usually honed his martial skills.
As a nation that revered knights and martial prowess, Britain's king was naturally one of its strongest knights.
Merlin stepped aside, leaving the space to King Uther and Anno.
Uther took a longsword from the weapon rack and faced Anno.
The two saluted.
Anno drew his sword and fixed his gaze on Uther, standing some distance away. His expression grew serious as he breathed out a plume of warm air.
This man felt far stronger than any of the Orcs and Goblins.
He would have to make the first move. It was a knight's way of showing respect to a king.
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