A Match

With that, Sovell raised the "Holy Sword" and brought it down. Blood gushing from the giant bear's neck sent its severed head tumbling across the ground.

"If you don't want to die, leave now. Let those two serve as your warning."

Sovell surveyed the Demon Beasts around him as he spoke, intensifying the draconic aura emanating from his body.

The Demon Beasts slowly backed away, then demonstrated what it meant for an army to collapse in defeat. The mass of beasts broke their encirclement and fled headlong into the forest.

Sovell controlled the wind, lifting the giant bear's corpse and flying toward Orkney City, north of the battlefield.

In less than five minutes, the white-robed boy had reached the royal city's southern gate.

King Lot and Morgan had already come down from the gate to welcome this powerful, helpful stranger when Sovell rescued Gawain.

Sovell looked at the King of Orkney and the woman beside him. His gaze lingered on her for a moment, but no one noticed.

Sovell withdrew his gaze, then placed a hand over his chest and bowed to King Lot.

"Greetings, honored King of Orkney. My name is Stam Ambrosius."

Sovell used disguise Magecraft to conceal his white hair and silver eyes, and gave a false name.

Eight years earlier, while Sovell was still at Vortigern's Royal Court, he had seen the kings at a banquet. Among them had been King Lot of Orkney City, who now stood before him.

After all, children with white hair were rare enough, let alone silver eyes, which did not occur in Britain.

Eight years was enough to forget someone's face, but such rare hair and eye colors would leave a lasting impression.

He gave a false name for the same reason. A single "Pendragon" was enough to stir up considerable waves in Britain as it was now.

"I am a traveler who happened to pass through your city. Might I offer this giant bear King Beast's corpse as payment to rent a room for the night?"

A traveler? A traveler who effortlessly slew a high-ranking King Beast with a weapon that looked suspiciously like a Holy Sword?

The corner of King Lot's mouth twitched, but recalling the surname the boy had given, he immediately suppressed the urge to voice his disbelief.

"Of course, Mr. Ambrosius. I will have the palace steward prepare a room for you to rest in.

But this giant bear's corpse still belongs to you. Now that you have slain it, the Demon Beasts outside the city will need several years before another King Beast emerges.

There will be no more large-scale gatherings of Demon Beasts for years to come.

And you saved my son Gawain as well. A mere room is hardly worth mentioning."

"Very well. Thank you for your generosity. In that case, could I trouble you to have someone turn this giant bear's corpse into jerky for my journey farther south?"

The flesh and blood of Demon Beasts contained their magical energy, particularly their hearts.

Food made from their flesh and blood could provide considerable magical energy. The flesh of a high-level Demon Beast such as a King Beast was rare even among Magecraft materials, let alone something to be made into jerky.

"Certainly, Mr. Ambrosius.

Gawain is resting in his room. I will have him come to see you shortly.

Attendants, prepare a grand feast! I shall drink my fill with Mr. Ambrosius."

King Lot did not know the origins of this boy, who looked about the same age as his eldest son, Gawain.

But such formidable strength and courteous conduct were reason enough to treat him amicably. After all, another friend was always better than another enemy.

Besides, the surname "Ambrosius" readily brought to mind that frivolous yet powerful lecher of a mage in King Uther's Royal Court.

Inside the banquet hall, apart from King Lot, Sovell, and Gawain, who had fully recovered after Morgan's treatment, only a few guards and a maid stood in attendance.

The maid filled the wine cups beside the three of them, then withdrew to stand at the side.

Gawain looked at Sovell's now-blue eyes in puzzlement, but after thinking it over, he decided he must have been mistaken earlier.

"Mr. Ambrosius, to thank you for slaying the King Beast and saving my eldest son Gawain, allow me to offer the first toast."

King Lot raised his cup toward Sovell, then drained it in one gulp.

"Your Majesty, King of Orkney, you overwhelm me with your courtesy. Please, simply call me Stam."

Sovell maintained his elegant bearing and replied without a change in expression.

"Very well, Mr. Stam. Come, Gawain, offer Mr. Stam a toast."

Gawain raised his cup beside him and drained it before speaking to Sovell.

"Mr. Stam, thank you for saving my life. If you ever need my help, so long as it is within my power, you need only ask."

"You are too kind, Prince Gawain. Your bravery on the battlefield is more than enough to show that you will become an excellent knight.

We are much the same age, so let us call each other brothers.

Allow me to return your toast."

With that, Sovell likewise raised his cup and drained it.

Tch. It really did taste awful.

After grumbling inwardly, Sovell felt his body begin to heat up, so he used his magical energy to speed up the digestion of the wine.

"Brother Stam, I have a request. I wonder if you would agree."

Gawain began addressing Sovell as his older brother as he spoke.

"Oh? Please go ahead, Your Highness."

"Brother Stam, stay here tonight, and tomorrow morning, let us have a match.

I obtained this Sun Holy Sword, Carnwennan, a little while ago. Apart from today's battle against the Demon Beasts, I have yet to test my full strength against anyone."

Gawain extended the invitation sincerely. Sovell naturally had no reason to refuse, so he accepted the match.

Besides, in his eyes, Gawain was an excellent uncut gem. With a little polishing, he would shine brilliantly. Thus, he replied.

"Certainly. Let us use the plain outside the city where the Demon Beasts attacked."

Gawain stole a glance at King Lot beside him. Seeing no displeasure on his father's face, he relaxed and began chatting with Sovell.

After the banquet, a servant led Sovell to the room King Lot had prepared for him to rest in.

Gawain and King Lot remained in the banquet hall.

King Lot sipped the fine wine in his cup, and an uncanny silence settled over the room.

Then Gawain was the first to break it.

"Father, why did you allow me to challenge our guest this time?

In the past, didn't you always stop me by saying it was improper?"

King Lot set down his cup and replied earnestly.

"Gawain, do you know why that 'Stam' suggested that the two of you call each other brothers?"

"Uh... because we're about the same age?"

"Correct. That is one reason.

But that is not the important part.

After saving you, he could easily have left alone with the giant bear's corpse. With his strength, forcing his way into any household for a night's lodging would have been child's play.

Yet he approached us as a passing 'traveler,' willing to offer the corpse of a rare King Beast as an exorbitant 'rent' merely to stay one night.

Even if he wanted to turn the bear's meat into jerky for provisions, there was no need to entrust that to us. More likely, that was simply incidental.

So, isn't the answer obvious?"