Chapter 427: Stupid Ideals (1/2)
Arthur was least interested in biology, so he didn't know if being sweaty ran through genes. However, when the baron's son tried to answer his question about visitors, he turned into a mini fountain.
”We receive many visitors, mostly young nobles wishing to hone their skills and face hardships,” Randolph tried to wipe away his sweat. ”As for any-any others, I don't remember. After all, they were many, haha.”
Arthur squinted his eyes at the man, who was clearly of a guilty conscience. However, he kept stuttering and sweating meant that he at least knew that something was off. The rest could easily be uncovered using his submission art.
”I understand,” Arthur wanted to save his art for last after he gathered enough clues himself. ”Then, we should visit the lake first. What do you think?”
”That would be wise,” Randolph smiled and stood up. ”I'll prepare a few drivers who are well-versed in the terrain. My Lord can rest until then. Well then,” Randolph bowed and left the room.
”What do you think?” Arthur turned toward the winged demi, who startled at his question.
”Ah,” the demi scratched his head. ”He looks nice. I don't think he's a bad person.”
”Why so?”
”His smell,” the demi said seriously, and Ma looked at him as if he was an idiot, but Arthur knew better. Demis were instinctual species, and he felt the same from the young noble. So, even though he wasn't bad, he still hid something from Arthur.
”What's your name?” Arthur asked the winged demi, who simply shook his head.
”The moment I became your knight, I had no name but the one you want to call me.”
”What?”
Arthur was surprised and turned to Ma, who nodded as if it was a common thing. But, now that Arthur thought about it, all of Solomon's knights had titles instead of names, which was the highest rank a knight could attain.
”When a knight pledges his loyalty to a Lord, he is stripped of his name and identity, becoming nothing but a vessel for the lord,” Ma explained.
”That's very inconvenient,” Arthur was amazed. ”How do I address them without names?”
”You can just give them titles.”
”Wouldn't that make them Titled Knights?”
”No, only a king's knights are Titled. A Lord's handpicked knights are called Chosen Knights, or Rising Stars. The Lord would train them into becoming at the very least captains, commanders, and so on.”
”I didn't know it was this messy,” Arthur sighed. ”If I did, I would have just picked more powerful people. These sound like childish titles.”
”My Lord. The knights are quite proud of these ranks,” Ma glanced at the demi, who wore an uncomfortable face. His face amused Arthur, who mocked his so-called honor.
”Ma. Go and gather the knights in the field,” Arthur stood up. ”I want to test them. You,” Arthur stopped the demi from leaving, ”should stay.”
Ma never saw Arthur acting like this before, so he didn't dare question his words and simply hurried to leave. The demi was uncomfortable in front of Arthur, and his feathers rose in fear.
”What is honor for you?” Arthur smiled as he touched the knight to teleport him away, and he followed right after to appear in the field. The knight was disoriented, and he was on his knees.
Arthur waited until all of them were here. The proud Mad Prince, Kaza, and Veran, who never left each other, the giant, and the waves rider.
”I believe there has been a misconception,” Arthur said as the six stood in front of him, confused and wary. ”You six seem to believe that me choosing you has made you 'The Chosen Knights' or whatever bullshit that is.”
”My Lord,” the Mad Prince stepped forward to say something.
”If you dare interrupt me again, I'll gut you,” Arthur said with a smile that sent chills down their spine. The Mad Prince's body shook before she saluted and retreated.
”The six of you are worthless to me at the moment. Nothing will change if any of you disappear, but I failed to make that clear. You still care about the honor of being a knight, and there is still pride in the names you were given but never deserved.”