Chapter 433: A Scheme Against The Throne (1/2)

Rega peeked from behind the branch above them, looking at the new visitors wearily. Arthur could tell that her main interest was the young girl who was almost her age.

”You can come over,” Arthur said as he led the six Junior Knights and the two witnesses, Big Bear and Courage, toward the root of the Divine Tree.

The spirit hesitated before nodding, and she flew over toward them as the knights stopped with amazement. Its appearances frightened the knights, as it looked nothing like a human or a demi.

”Meet one of my dearest friends,” Arthur introduced before he was stumped for words. It was unknown to the world that his Divine Tree was the same one in Shades City, so he couldn't introduce her as Rega.

As he felt the mana thrive around Rega, Arthur had to come up with a name on the spot. As the spirit hid behind his leg, Arthur introduced her.

”Her name is Mana,” he said, a feeling of incoherent familiarity arising in his mind. ”She is the protector of this Divine Tree and the one who is making it thrive.”

”Mana,” muttered Big Bear as he knelt on the ground. ”A befitting name,” his actions made Arthur speechless and Rega scared.

Seeing that their vice-commander was kneeling for the small spirit, the Junior Knights followed suit. But, of course, Dia and the Knight of Courage knew that such a thing wasn't necessary for Arthur or Rega, and Hana was just confused.

The name, which Arthur came up with on a whim, would live for hundreds of years as the name for this Divine Tree. After the weird reverence was over, the group walked the tree's base, which has become a small pit where the roots created a platform for the ceremony.

”You asked for names,” Arthur walked to ascend the roots and turned to meet the crowd. ”And I am nothing less than honored to have you as my nights. I've seen all of you in the lake that day.”

As he said so, Arthur took out his phone. He didn't care a lot about people seeing it because everything could be explained as an 'ancient artifact' in this world.

”Some of you helped animals, another helped humans,” Arthur looked at the giant man and Kaza before he continued. ”You two worked together to follow my instructions to the letter,” he said to the Mad Prince and the winged-demi. ”You dived deep into the ocean, disregarding your safety,” he said to the wave rider, who blushed and looked at her toes. ”As for you,” he stopped at Veran. ”You were my eyes.”

Arthur didn't say anything more, and the black-haired knight smiled warmly in response. After getting enough sleep, he looked to be quite refreshed and more easy-going.

”Step forward,” Arthur gestured for the Mad Prince, and she obliged, ascending the platform. ”You are hardworking and bright, aloft and dedicated. That's why your name will be Sun.”

”As you command, my lord,” Sun bowed down with a gratified grin, and she stepped down. The following person was the giant man who had a bashful smile.

”Your massive build didn't prevent you from being kinder to those smaller than you, so your name will be Shield.”

”Thank you, My Lord,” Shield bowed and retreated as well. Then came the winged demi, which Arthur called Sky, hoping he would oversee the land. Finally, the wave rider was named Wave because of her abilities.

”For you,” Arthur motioned to Kaza to step forward. ”Your name will be Lux, as you are the defender who keeps the darkness at bay,” Kaza accepted the name humbly and bowed.

Then came Veran's role, who seemed hesitant to step forward. Arthur didn't know about his current thoughts, but he could tell that his past name was one of sentiment to him.

”My name is the only thing given to me by my parents,” the knight stepped forward and muttered. ”And I always dreaded the day I abandon it.”

”Mind your words!” Sun muttered with rage as Veran's words offended her ideals as a knight. However, Arthur raised his hand for her to stop talking.

”Do you wish to retain it?” Arthur asked, and his words made all of the knights furrow their brows. After all, the knighthood for them was a path of no return for them, and a knight keeping his name was a disgrace to their resolve.