Ten days passed.
During that time, Britain was in turmoil. After most of its powerful knights had fallen on the battlefield against Vortigern, the Royal Court of Camelot had become a stage for petty schemers.
The royalists, led by Sir Ector, the court mage Merlin, and Anno, the only guard knight still able to fight, were at each other's throats with the faction supporting a new king, led by Morgan le Fay's uncle. Outside the kingdom, according to Merlin's intelligence, the Orcs had crossed over from the inhuman realm and were threatening Britain's borders.
"How much longer until the king wakes up?" Anno asked Merlin, his face dark as he stood with his arms folded.
Merlin was just as unenthusiastic. "Three more days at most."
Anno sighed.
After fighting side by side, he could tell that, whatever the king's private life was like, Uther truly cared about his country. Besides, the two of them had faced life and death together on the battlefield. Uther was the man Anno now served, and they had formed a bond.
As comrades in arms, and as king and subject.
Anno gazed up at the clear blue sky and let out a long breath.
"Merlin, I've lost my weapon. Could you help me find another sturdy one?" Anno turned to Merlin.
"You're planning to...?" Merlin asked, his expression unreadable.
"Mm." Anno nodded.
Merlin sighed softly. "Back in the inhuman realm, you faced scattered groups of Orcs. This time, you'll be facing their army. Neither their numbers nor their strength can compare to those you fought before, and you're still injured. Are you sure?"
Anno cut him off. "I've made my choice. For King Uther, and for Britain."
It was a knight's choice.
Merlin said no more and simply nodded.
The Orcs' threat to the borders was one of the most important excuses Morgan le Fay's supporters used to justify their bid to install a new king. If Anno could hold back the Orcs—even for just one day—it would give King Uther a chance.
Those disloyal knights were doing everything they could to get to Uther, so they could make sure the gravely wounded king never woke up again.
At noon that day, while Anno was still eating at his residence, Merlin came to visit.
Merlin drew a sheathed sword from inside his robes.
"This sword was forged using magic power and Magecraft. It was part of my private collection, but since you need it, I'll give it to you." Merlin patted Anno on the shoulder and smiled. "Be careful."
Anno nodded, took the sword from Merlin, and drew it from its sheath.
Its blade was pure silver, and a blue gem was set into its ink-black hilt. It gleamed brightly in the sunlight.
The scabbard was nothing special, just ordinary steel painted with a coat of color.
"There's nothing special about this sword, but I still hope you'll take good care of it," Merlin added.
"Understood," Anno replied.
He didn't sit back down to finish his meal. Instead, he called outside, "Ruslan, take my horse outside the city."
"Understood, master," the boy called back.
"I won't see you off, and I won't say any more," Merlin said.
Anno smiled, went inside, and put on his Treasure Armor.
At the city gate, Anno sat astride his horse in silver armor, the sword Merlin had given him hanging at his waist.
He took one last look at Camelot, then rode off at a gallop.
Before you continue