Return to Camelot

Anno had been leading troops in battle for a year and a half.

During this period, he returned to Camelot once to meet with King Arthur and have Merlin examine his arm again.

In that year and a half, Anno had used the power of the Chalk Holy Sword once more; the condition of his left arm could no longer be delayed, which was the reason for his return.

Although his left arm still looked thick and powerful, it appeared severely imbalanced when placed next to his right arm.

His right arm was far thicker than his left.

Merlin warned Anno that he must try his best not to use that technique again, otherwise, his left arm would likely be left permanently disabled.

Anno did not answer Merlin's question, simply mounting his horse and returning to the army.

In a year and a half, Anno had quelled seven rebellions and wiped out eight small nations, averaging one victory every month or so.

The knight order under his command had shrunk from over five hundred to just over one hundred, yet one could vaguely see the shadow of the Britain Chalk Knights from years ago within this group.

The number of soldiers in the army had reached thirteen thousand, but of those Anno had brought out from Camelot, it was feared that fewer than two thousand remained.

They had all died in the north of Britain.

While Anno was leading the army on campaign, Arthur fully utilized her talents.

First, she stabilized the nobles within Camelot, then worked with diplomats to use the wealth Anno sent back to trade with the neighboring Kingdom of Britain, France, exchanging it for massive amounts of grain, allowing a large number of commoners to survive the first winter after Arthur's succession.

Then, she carried out a massive purge of local nobles and officials, promoting young newcomers.

It is worth mentioning that Arthur reached a reconciliation with her royal sister, the eldest daughter of the late king—Morgan le Fay Pendragon—and brought Morgan le Fay back to live within the Camelot Royal Court.

Today was the day of Anno's return to the Camelot Royal Court.

Arthur, accompanied by the eldest princess Morgan and the court mage Merlin, waited within the Royal Court for Anno's arrival.

Morgan le Fay stood behind King Arthur, a black veil obscuring her gaze.

The look she cast toward Arthur was chillingly cold, even after living with her for a long time and understanding her true nature.

However, the fact that Arthur was female had posed a significant obstacle to her plan to destroy Britain.

The homunculus embryos she created required King Arthur's seed to fully form, but King Arthur's true gender was female.

Morgan had no choice but to secretly modify her magical methods and the traits of the embryos.

Accompanied by the cheers of the people in the royal city of Camelot, Anno, wearing bright silver armor and a cloak with his long black hair tied in a ponytail, arrived before the Royal Court on horseback, followed by the members of his knight order, who were also mounted.

Several powerful warriors walked behind Anno; among them, aside from the vice-commander Lamorak and Anno's foster son Lancelot, his student Kay, and Agravain, Bedivere, and Bors—whom Anno had singled out over a year ago—were also prominently present.

Their martial arts had allowed them to survive countless wars, and they radiated a terrifying bloodlust that would likely take time to subside.

Anno dismounted before the Royal Court and handed his horse's reins to a servant.

He approached King Arthur, who stood upon the steps, and knelt on one knee.

"My King, I have fulfilled my mission."

Indeed, he had fulfilled his mission; although small nations still existed in the surrounding areas, they had largely chosen to pledge loyalty to the Kingdom of Britain out of fear of Anno's army, and within the lands of Britain, not a single voice of rebellion remained.

Arthur looked at her mentor and subject, nodding, "You have worked hard, Minister."