Chapter 258: Merlin Trials (1/2)

Leonel was shocked by the sudden change, as was everyone else. However, Leonel had long since gained a habit of paying attention to everything going on in his surroundings at once. This wasn't only a method of training his Internal Sight, but it was also a method of protecting his life.

Due to this, Peirce's expression fell perfectly into Leonel's vision. The hint of surprise quickly followed by anticipation didn't escape him.

'He knows what this thing is?'

Leonel didn't think much of it. He knew too little about this world. It made sense that a veteran knight like Peirce would know more than he did. However, this only made Leonel more curious.

The reason was simple. While Peirce reacted in this way, none of his fellow knights or death guards did. In that case, the most likely explanation was that this was very high level information. This was only made more obvious by the fact none of the books Loenel had read in the Mage Academy had the necessary information. If they did, his Dreamscape would have reacted.

Peirce's expression changed many times before it seemed he finally settled on a decision.

”Arrange the formation! We're retreating back to the Large Barracks!”

Peirce's roar called out, causing the knights who had followed him here to be stunned for a moment.

The reason they had gathered here was to counter attack the demons. While they thought the humans were all converging back toward the Large Barracks, they'd be caught off guard by the sudden appearance of an army.

Yet, instead of waiting to deal this blow, Peirce actually decided to retreat immediately. It could only be said that whatever that pillar of light was, it was extraordinarily important.

Leonel's gaze flashed, but he didn't say much. It could be said that the death of a Demon Lord was already a great result for this expedition. Even if it was easy for Modred to replace Demon Lords, they would still need time to acclimate themselves to their new strength.

'I wonder what's going on…'

…

Leonel knew that this matter would be a big deal, but he could have never imagined just how great of a matter it would be. It was to the point that even the core city of Camelot was stirred.

Whether it was the mysterious Grand Magi, the Knights of the Round Table, or even the lofty King and Queen of Camelot — Arthur and Guinevere — not a single one could sit still.

Before the sun rose on the horizon the following day, a single title had been ingrained in the minds of every human and demon across the Mythological Zone…

The Merlin Trials.

**

Leonel never expected he would have returned to Camelot so quickly. Of course, he had already mostly completed the mission he and Lionus had been assigned. They were only meant to be posted at the border regions for a single month and half of that time had already passed.

”Merlin Trials…?”

Leonel sucked in a cold breath.

The moment he heard these words, his Dreamscape reacted, numerous arcs of lightning branching to cover dozens of books.

Without exception, all of these books touched upon King Arthur's legend in one way or another. Despite not directly mentioning the Merlin Trials directly, Leonel came to understand something very important.

It was very likely that before the birth of Camelot, it was precisely these Merlin Trials that allowed King Arthur to gain the legacy he needed to rise to the top of this Mythological Zone.

If Leonel's conjectures were correct, this meant that these Merlin Trials were even more important than he originally assumed. It was no wonder Peirce's reaction was so fierce.

There was another matter as well, though…

The movements of the demons could have been considered to be exceptionally odd before the appearance of these trials. But, if the appearance of that pillar of light was taken into account, then it would explain everything.

The demons had forced the humans to retreat from the Small Barracks. The result of that was the humans losing the footholds they had gained around the trial location. Due to this, it was not only easier for the demons to enter, but it had suddenly become several times more difficult for humanity to do the same…

'But isn't Merlin a hero of the humans…?'