Coronation and Kingship

A few days later, on the auspicious date selected by Merlin, Arthur Pendragon held a grand coronation ceremony.

Under the gaze of numerous nobles, knights, and commoners, the crown of King Uther was respectfully placed upon Arthur's head by a handmaiden.

Arthur's face was solemn and grave. He wore a blue woolen cloak adorned with magnificent golden patterns and blue-and-white knightly armor, with the Sword of Royal Selection still hanging at his waist—it had now become the personal blade of King Arthur.

He declared with majesty to Britain: "From this moment forth, I am the King of Britain, ruling over all the territories of Britain."

He then proclaimed to the knights: "As the King of Britain and the Lord of the British Isles, I announce to all the people and knights of Britain that I, Arthur Pendragon, have become King. I believe in the glory of knighthood, will protect the people and their dignity, carry on the legacy of the past, and shelter all those within these lands."

"I shall reward courage with honor, loyalty with love, and betrayal with vengeance. May the glory of Britain bear witness!"

Within the plaza, cheers rose one after another.

Everyone knelt on one knee, offering their loyalty to the King.

Afterward, the court mage, Merlin, stepped forward.

As the court mage, it was his duty at such a time to deliver a prophecy regarding the future of Britain under the new King.

Merlin stood in the center of the plaza, leaning on his staff.

He sat cross-legged on the ground for a short while before standing up to deliver his prophecy.

"Britain shall reach its zenith in the hands of the King."

The crowd cheered immediately, the clamor drowning out the second half of Merlin's words.

"And it shall also meet its demise in the hands of the King."

Only Anno, who was by Arthur's side, possessed keen enough hearing to catch those words.

His brows furrowed tightly. Anno desperately wanted to ask Merlin right then why Britain would perish, but given that it was the coronation ceremony, it was clearly inappropriate.

Arthur took the scepter and the medal from the handmaiden.

The longsword, the crown, the scepter, and the medal were the ultimate symbols of the British King's status.

An oil painter worked rapidly, intent on preserving this historic moment. Afterward, the coronation portrait of King Arthur would be hung in the crypt of the Royal Court of Camelot, alongside the portraits of King Uther and other past kings, awaiting the admiration of future generations.

In the oil painting, King Arthur was depicted as slightly older, yet appearing more majestic and imposing; this step was necessary.

Once the painting was finished, the servants collected King Arthur's scepter and medal, while King Arthur himself had to lead the ministers and several representative nobles to the cathedral in the royal city of Camelot.

Only after receiving the blessing of the Pope could the coronation ceremony be considered officially concluded.

By the end of the day, Arthur was exhausted, both physically and mentally.

That night, Anno found Merlin and questioned him about many things.

Inside a small castle outside Camelot.

Morgan le Fay summoned her son, Agravain.

Agravain had a somewhat sinister appearance and wore a suit of black plate armor.

"Mother." Agravain bowed without expression.

He respected his mother deeply, but there was little affection between them.

"My son, Agravain," Morgan le Fay murmured softly, "now that King Arthur, my dear brother, has been crowned King, we have lost our chance."

Agravain did not respond, waiting quietly for what was to follow.

"Since I am now completely barred from that position, then let us destroy him." A look of hatred crossed Morgan le Fay's face. "You shall be the one to do it, my son, Agravain."