"Is the king truly alive?"
"They say he has returned to the very pinnacle of his prime."
"It's hard to fathom such a thing."
"So, does this mean The Sword of Stone has lost its purpose?"
"Hush… The King has returned."
The soft whispers of nobles echoed throughout the grand throne room. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation and awe as King Uther was escorted by his court mage, Merlin, and an elite group of knights, who surrounded him on all sides with an imposing aura.
The crowd parted before them with reverence and fear, allowing the king passage to his throne. As King Uther took his seat, Merlin stood loyally by his side, ever watchful and ready to serve.
The king's eyes swept over the gathered nobles, his gaze sharp and calculating. In response, they lowered their heads in unison, showing the utmost respect to their sovereign.
Regardless of their private doubts about the king's miraculous resurrection, one fact could not be denied: the king had indeed returned to his former glory.
His presence radiated a suffocating pressure, making it difficult for those in the room to breathe. It was as if they stood before the apex of a predator, a being who ruled by sheer force of will.
He was, in fact, the sole ruler who governed the kingdom through sheer force of will alone, while others relied purely on brute strength and the privileges handed down to them on a silver platter by their parents.
These advantages often took the form of unique bloodlines, such as those of dragons and other extraordinary beings.
Yet, despite all of this, here we stand—Uther, a mere human among them, and yet the most formidable apex predator on this island.
The rest could only be overshadowed by his brilliance.
King Uther subtly activated his Conqueror's Haki at its lowest intensity, yet even a mere fraction of this power was enough to overwhelm the nobles.
The oppressive force of his will alone was enough to strike fear into their hearts, solidifying his dominance over all who stood before him. The aura of a true conqueror filled the room, leaving no doubt as to who held supreme authority.
This isn't just a display of power; it's a declaration that Uther is not just back—he's in charge, and woe to anyone who dares think otherwise.
Even Merlin, ever the wise and composed mage, was momentarily taken aback by the sheer power emanating from his friend.
Yet, he said nothing, remaining steadfast by the king's side from the beginning to the end, awaiting King Uther's command to begin the court session.
No one dared to interrupt the king, nor did anyone speak out of turn, for it would have been seen as a direct challenge to his authority.
This was a fundamental rule of the court, a matter of common sense that no one in their right mind would dare to defy. Only a fool would risk starting a conversation before the king had spoken.
Observing the disciplined silence of his court, King Uther nodded in approval, then cleared his throat, signaling that the proceedings were about to begin.
"Lady and Gentleman, regrettable, I was deeply saddened by the fact that after my serious injury, Camelot became weak, the weakest force in Britannia! This is intolerable! In the past, those invaders, those Barbarians, would never land in this land, in my kingdom! Why is this lady and gentleman? Is my subjects so incompetent without their king leading them?" He roared, his voice filled with a mixture of fury and sadness, as no one in the room dared to meet their king's piercing gaze.
Since the moment of his affliction, Camelot has been heading down a most disastrous path.
Though their capital remain unconquered, rather than advancing and crushing the remnants of the Saxons that King Uther once vanquished, they have retreated into their homes, indulging in the luxuries of wine, women, and excess.
The nobles, lost in their decadence, care little for the suffering of the common folk, while the civilians themselves, cowardly and desperate, hide behind the safety of the Capital, helplessly watching as the world around them burns at the hands of the Saxons—the very barbarians they once derided.
The Celts, once strong and proud, have been reduced to a shadow of their former shell after the brutal invasions led by the combined forces of the barbarians and Vortigern. It is no wonder that Britannia is descending into a dark age during this perilous period.
The brutality of this era, and the near extinction of the Celtic people, foreshadows the tragic future when the Saxons will rise to dominate the island.
This brutality and savagery can only be compared to how the native peoples of America were nearly wiped out by the hands of colonists. The same fate now threatens the Celts, and not even a noble king like Artoria may be able to save them.
Their near-extinction, as recorded in history, seems inevitable.
Although near-extinction might seem exaggerated, given that the data only shows 50-70% of their population was either killed or driven out, that's nonetheless how he expressed the event that happened during this Dark Age.
It's similar to how Cameron's declaration of "I'm king of the world" at the Oscars in front of the masses.
As for whether Uther can save them or not, only time will tell.
Watching their complete lack of backbone in refuting him and proved him that what he said was wrong, Uther honestly felt a profound sense of disappointment deep within.
It would have been far better if they had fought with every ounce of strength until their very last breath, even if it meant acting immorally, rather than succumbing to such pitiful cowardice!
He held admiration only for those who exhibited true strength and for those who survived through adversity, rather than for the pathetic worms cowering before him.
As he gazed at their luxurious attire and the scent of expensive perfume that hung heavily in the air, he observed their crumbling composure with disdain.
One thought dominated his mind.
They didn't deserve to live.
Perhaps noticing something was amiss in King Uther's eyes, Duke Redgrave cleared his throat, knelt before the monarch, and, without hesitation, swore his unwavering loyalty.
"Though it may be late, we are ready to fight alongside you until our very last breaths, my king! We are prepared to face the Saxons with you! Who stands with me?!" Duke Redgrave unsheathed his sword, rising to his feet and leading the assembled nobles in a defiant war cry.
"As Duke Redgrave declared, my king, I too am willing to fight by your side once again." Sir Ector unsheathed his sword alongside Duke Redgrave, raising it high in solidarity.
Even Duke Barthomeloi, who had remained silent throughout the proceedings, cleared his throat and finally expressed his stance.
"The Barthomeloi family and Clock Tower will stand with you until the bitter, bloody end, my king. Let us bash the skulls of those barbarians!" He roared, his voice filled with fervor.
More and more nobles began to declare their allegiance after witnessing the tide turning in favor of King Uther and his warlike stance against the Saxons.
"So be it, by the will of the god, here I stand, my lords, I will lead this kingdom once more, to the bright future!" King Uther proclaimed, his voice strong and resolute.
Rising from his throne, the king raised his sword high in a triumphant war cry.
"For now, let's retake all of our land and make those barbarians ever regret that they're born in this world!"
"The King of Camelot!"
"The King of Camelot!"
"The King of Camelot!"
A thunderous roar of approval erupted from the assembled nobles as they raised their swords and echoed the battle cry.