A few days later, on a date Merlin had chosen as auspicious, Arthur Pendragon held a grand coronation ceremony.
In the presence of nobles, knights, and commoners, a handmaiden reverently placed King Uther's crown upon Arthur's head.
Arthur's face was solemn. He wore a blue wool cloak covered in ornate golden patterns and blue-and-white armor. The Sword of Royal Selection still hung at his waist—it had become King Arthur's sword.
She solemnly proclaimed to Britain, "From this moment on, I am the King of Britain, and I rule over all its lands."
Then she declared to the knights, "As King of Britain and lord of the island of Britain, I announce to all the people and knights of Britain that I, Arthur Pendragon, have become king. I shall uphold the glory of knighthood, protect the people and their dignity, carry on what came before, and safeguard all who live within my lands."
"I shall repay courage with honor, loyalty with love, and betrayal with vengeance. Let the glory of Britain bear witness!"
Cheers rose and fell across the square.
Everyone knelt on one knee and pledged their loyalty to the king.
Then Merlin, the court mage, stepped forward.
As the court mage, it was his duty to prophesy what the future of Britain under its new king would hold.
Leaning on his staff, Merlin stood in the middle of the square.
He sat cross-legged on the ground. Before long, he rose and delivered his prophecy.
"Britain will reach its peak under the king's rule."
The crowd immediately erupted in cheers, their clamor drowning out the rest of Merlin's words.
"And it will also meet its end under the king's rule."
Only Anno, standing beside Arthur, had sharp enough hearing to catch those words.
Frowning deeply, Anno wanted to ask Merlin at once why Britain would fall, but this was the coronation ceremony. It was clearly not the right time.
Arthur took the scepter and medal from the handmaiden.
The sword, crown, scepter, and medal were the finest symbols of the King of Britain's authority.
A painter quickly set to work, eager to preserve this historic moment. The resulting coronation portrait of King Arthur would be hung in the crypt beneath Camelot's Royal Court, alongside the portraits of King Uther and the other kings who had come before, for future generations to admire.
In the painting, King Arthur was depicted as a little older, making him look even more imposing and authoritative. This was necessary.
Once the portrait was complete, servants took away King Arthur's scepter and medal. Arthur then had to lead his ministers and several distinguished nobles to the church in Camelot.
Only after receiving the Pope's blessing would the coronation ceremony officially be over.
By the end of the day, Arthur was utterly exhausted, both physically and mentally.
That night, Anno sought out Merlin and questioned him about many things.
At a small castle outside Camelot,
Morgan le Fay summoned her son, Agravain.
Agravain had a somewhat sinister appearance and wore black plate armor.
"Mother." Agravain bowed without expression.
He respected his mother, but felt little affection for her.
"My son, Agravain," Morgan le Fay murmured. "Arthur is king now—my dear younger brother has been crowned. We have no chance anymore."
Agravain said nothing, waiting quietly for her to continue.
"Since I have no chance of ever claiming that throne, then let's destroy him." Morgan le Fay's face twisted with hatred. "You'll do it, my son, Agravain."
Before you continue