(Einar's POV)
Our journey soon began. Based on 4 people, our group, including me, Artoria aka Arthur, Merlin, and Brother Kay, soon came across a city near the town we lived.
It was not that far so we didn't face any problem except that I had to sit on the horse with Brother Kay since I still didn't have my personal horse. Although my fear of horses was gone, I still don't like to ride any animal.
If required I could levitate myself using my spear as support but Merlin stopped me since using magic in public would get a lot of unnecessary attention. His words in the group were of top priority.
(AN: In anime, Merlin showed to ride a horse despite having the ability to fly.)
Of course, if I have to ride with someone it has to be Artoria but she was now on her path of a king so respect should be shown to her. A subordinate can't ride the same horse as a king, can he?
Another option was Merlin but there is no way that I would go with half incubus. So the only option was Brother Kay.
Anyway, when we entered the city, I felt a little odd since it was giving a queer feeling. People were tensed a little and when Artoria appeared as a king with a golden sword on her hand, they rejoiced that they finally found their savior.
Though I could see the smiles on their faces with hopeful eyes at Artoria, I could tell that they would be going to place all of their tension on her shoulders which is not good.
About Artoria, she was wearing full body armor revealing only an expressionless face and bond hair with a ponytail. Of course, she looked like a girl no matter how you see it. Merlin suggested Artoria cut her hair short but only to face his neck pointed by two weapons of mine and Kay's. There was no way in hell we would allow Artoria to go to that extent. So in the end, Merlin made a Mystic Code for Artoria that let her perceived as a man than as a woman.
(AN: She is wearing the same armor as her lancer version but without a helmet.)
Anyway, the City Lord didn't retaliate against the claim of Artoria as rightful king but instead accepted her as his King with only one request; to clear a barbarian outpost.
Upon inspection, we found out that those barbarians were a compromised group of bandits and thieves. They were harassing that city including a couple of more surrounding areas contracting the supply of necessities in the city.
Of course, Artoria has to accept it since by clearing the barbarian post, she could raise some achievement and gain some influence.
Not only she but I would also gain a massive influence in the upcoming operation of the round table. Brother Kay and Merlin have sufficient achievements so they were safe but Artoria and I were greenhorns so we have to thrive by making our own ways.
After accepting the quest, we first need to gather forces. It was a hard challenge. Since the city was poor and people were starving due to the harry of barbarians, recruiting strong knights for the assault was necessary.
Artoria wanted to take all the knights available in the city to battle but I argued that they would be going directly to death's door if we aren't careful. Besides leaving the city without any defense would be foolish. Thanks to Merlin's and Brother Kay's approval Artoria didn't argue back and accepted my advice.
Her argument was based on the fact that if we were a little late and let barbarians gather their troops in that time then there would be more casualties. If that were to happen then we would face a bigger challenge.
She had a point but it was risky. She was sure of her victory but she had to consider the casualties we might face.
Though I was able to correct her with the help of Merlin and Brother Kay, I wouldn't know if she would go the same route.
Of course, her decision would have been correct if we go for high-risk high reward conditions but they were just barbarians and not another army that we would be facing.
Anyway, we were able to gather enough forces. They were around 300 which mainly consist of knights on foot. Only around 100 were cavalry riding horses who would be on the rear.
Shortly afterward our march began.
"How is your new armor is doing?" I asked Brother Kay. I was now lying on a spear with a boring look and levitating in the air.
"Great! This is more than I could ask for. It is light and sturdy. Lance also looks pretty amazing. Let's see how it goes in real battle." Brother Kay answered with a bright smile. Just like a kid excited to see his new toy, he was also acting the same when I gifted him the armor.
He has now covered in full plate white shiny armor and a beautiful lance. Though those metal plates looked heavy, they were light as leather armor. He was also carrying a shiny silver lance that has a cutting edge on one side that he could use to slice something. He could also channel mana to fur further impact.
It was the first set of weapons I crafted for someone. Vivian taught me smiting and crafting but I never really considered any need to master since I had Chastiefol so any other weapon was unneeded.
I nodded after his response then flew forward where Artoria was moving.
"Hi~ My beautiful manly king." I decided to tease Artoria who was riding her horse with a monotone face.
"Do you want something, Einar?" She asked dryly but her ahoge was swinging left and right indicating that she was happy that I came to talk to her. Seriously how the hell her ahoge works?
"Bored. I was wondering if you could show me your smile. It brightens my day."
She nodded and smiled but I was not satisfied.
"Not this one for your subjects but the one you showed after eating my food like a pig," I said.
"Pff!" Merlin and Kay snickered before they coughed and start talking among selves.
Artoria covered her eyes and upper cheeks with her bangs to hide her embarrassed face and smiled.
"Thanks, Einar." This time she showed me a bright smile.
"You're welcome, Artoria. Now it's time to take a kiss." I said and got closer but she smacked my head lightly.
"Be serious here, Einar. This quest is important for both of us." Artoria said with a serious face.
"Tch. Yeah, yeah. It's just a barbarian post. What the hell they could possibly do? Release wyverns on us?" I shook my head. Even if I try to be serious, I can't since the enemy is just some barbarians. I have dealt with them a couple of times so it was not hard for me.
Soon we reached the gate and saw a single person standing at the watchtower. He smiled and blew a horn.
Cheeeh*
High squealed cries could be heard from the outpost and three figures emerged from the outpost and flew in the sky.
"Wyvern? Congratulations Einar, speak of the devil you should get serious." Artoria said with a smug smile
I nodded with a red face. I can't believe my tongue to be this black.
Our first battle to begin our legends began.
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Don't even think about leaving without dropping Power Stones.
1.4k power stones/ 2 chapters in the end of week.
1.8k power stones/ 3 chapters in the end of week.
Is that called robing? Hell yeah!
Thank you~
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