Chapter 296: The Sword‑Bearer

In a corner of the Royal Capital, on a high platform with an excellent view.

Yu Lin lazily reclines in a comfortable armchair, relaxed, as if the fierce duel in the Tournament Arena below that decides the kingdom's future were merely a pastime drama for him.

The clanging of weapons and the cheers and gasps of the audience seem to become distant background sounds.

Until a figure silently appears beside him and gently places a finely crafted long sword adorned with Runes on the table next to him.

Yu Lin finally turns his head slowly, glances at the sword, then looks up at the newcomer—Merlin, his tone tinged with a hint of teasing:

"What are you doing with Kai's sword? Look, you're so anxious you're leaping around below like a monkey."

Merlin's face bears a mysterious, leisurely smile, his gaze deep, and he says slowly:

"This is not theft, but… Destiny's guidance."

He offers no further explanation, but turns his gaze to the streets below, his eyes precisely locking onto the young figure anxiously sprinting through the crowd, thinking silently:

'Arthur, go… go draw the King's Sword that I and your father have long prepared for you…'

Below, in the bustling streets.

Arthur is forcefully pushing through the crowd, running anxiously, his eyes scanning the sides of the road at speed, searching for any place that might hold a weapon, even fine beads of sweat seeping at his temples.

'Sword! Where on earth did Brother Kai's sword fall?!'

He is extremely anxious in his heart.

Kai's duel round is about to begin, and today he happens not to be carrying his own sword!

His adoptive father Sir Ekete happens to be away at this moment, unable to provide a spare weapon!

If he were to lose the duel because of this, Brother Kai would be so dejected!

He is so focused on searching that he doesn't notice his running path seems guided by an invisible force, and the surrounding crowd gradually thins without his awareness.

When he comes to his senses, he finds himself inexplicably in a quiet place—the Church Cemetery rumored to house the Stone Sword.

The cemetery is silent, as if a world apart from the outside clamor.

And directly ahead, on a stone platform, a long sword is quietly planted there.

At the instant Arthur's gaze reaches the sword, as if destiny itself arranged it, a brilliant ray of sunlight pierces the sparse clouds above, like a stage spotlight, precisely bathing the blade and stone platform!

The long sword glows with an extraordinary sheen in the halo, its rustic hilt set with gems, and the way it seems naturally fused with the stone… everything appears so holy and extraordinary.

However, the frantic Arthur cannot spare a moment to appreciate or contemplate what makes this sword special, let alone connect it with the famed Stone Sword.

What he sees is merely a very sturdy, very sharp "ownerless" sword!

"Great! Found the sword!"

He darts forward in a single stride, without any hesitation, his right hand grasping the icy hilt—surprisingly a perfect fit—and then pulls hard!

"Clang…"

A light hum, not the heavy resistance he imagined; the long sword said to be immovable is effortlessly, smoothly drawn from the stone!

As if it had merely been resting on the stone platform, awaiting his arrival.

Arthur was stunned for a moment, feeling the sword came out too easily, but his urgent need left him no time to think.

'Good sword! Perfect for Brother Kai!'

He clutches the sword, doesn't even glance at the platform again, immediately turns and sprints back along the same path at an even faster speed toward the Tournament Arena, his mind fixed on one thought: hurry! Faster! He must not delay Brother Kai's duel!

"Brother Kai! Brother Kai!"

Breathless, Arthur rushes back to the waiting area of the Tournament Arena, thrusting the freshly "picked up" long sword into the frantic hands of Kai:

"Here! This is the sword I just found! It looks decent, you can make do with it!"

"Great! Arthur! You truly are my savior!" Kai exclaims, overjoyed, not even taking time to examine, he takes the sword, feeling its hefty weight and superb balance, his mind steadied.

He grips the hilt tightly, turns and strides into the arena, ready to face his own battle.

However, just as he reaches the center of the arena and the sunlight fully illuminates the entire blade in his hand, Kai subconsciously lowers his head, wanting to give a final check to this "emergency" weapon.

The moment he looks, he is struck as if by lightning, freezing instantly in place!

The sword's style… its rustic guard… the embedded marks… and the faint, heart‑pounding aura of authority…

An inconceivable, even terrifying thought flashes through his mind like lightning!

"This… this… could this be…" His voice trembles from extreme shock, even cracking, uncontrollably shouting out:

"Stone Sword?!!!"

"Whoever pulls it becomes the ruler's Stone Sword?!!"

His earth‑shattering shout, like a splash of cold water into a boiling oil pot, instantly ignites the entire Tournament Arena!

Swish—!

In an instant, all the clamor—clashing of weapons, cheering shouts, murmurs—abruptly ceases!

Everyone's movements, whether knights locked in fierce combat, nobles watching from the high platform, or the crowded commoners around, all freeze.

Countless gazes, filled with incredulous horror, simultaneously focus on the center of the arena, on the radiant long sword in Kai's hand!

When that legendary, immovable King's Sword—symbol of Destiny's claim—clearly reflects in everyone's eyes, a massive shock spreads like a plague, replacing all prior emotions.

"Stone Sword! It's really the Stone Sword!"

"Oh my! The Stone Sword has been drawn!!"

Shouts, doubts, and uproars erupt like a tsunami, sweeping the entire Royal Capital Tournament Arena!

All the rules, all the duels, at this moment, lose their meaning.

The kingdom's Destiny, in this single shout, suddenly turns!

"Was it you who drew the Stone Sword?!"

The nobles instantly gather before Kai, looking at him, their eyes full of solemnity.

In that instant, Kai feels the weight of the whole world pressing on his shoulders.

He lowers his head, gazing at the radiant Stone Sword in his hand, as if it contains the kingdom's entire fortune.

As long as he nods now, as long as he admits that he is the one who drew this sword… then the supreme Royal Throne, the admiration of ten thousand, the glory of being recorded in history, the assistance of Merlin the Archmage… will be within easy reach. From then on, he is no longer Sir Ekete's son Kai, but Britain's king Kai!

Power, status, fame… all of these are like the most tempting honey, exuding a dizzying fragrance.

His heart pounded wildly in his chest, blood surged, and a tempting voice screamed in his mind: "Admit! Admit quickly! This is destiny's chance for you!"

His lips trembled slightly, the word "yes" was about to burst from his throat.

Yet, at that split‑second, his gaze passed over the aggressive nobles before him and fell on the edge of the crowd, where Arthur, who had just handed him the sword and now wore a bewildered, worried expression, stared at him.

That was his brother! The brother he had grown up with, trained with, and defended the village with! In Arthur's clear blue eyes there was no jealousy, no greed, only pure concern and confusion over the chaotic situation before them.

A surge of hot blood rushed to Kai's head, instantly dousing the momentary wavering and greed.

No! This glory does not belong to me! This sword was drawn by Arthur! The truth is the truth!

Under the watchful eyes of all, Kai thrust his head up, and every hesitation and shock on his face turned into an unprecedented resolve.

He shook his head forcefully and clearly.

Then, under everyone's astonished stare, he, like a salmon swimming upstream, pushed through the crowd before him and rushed a few steps to the still‑confused Arthur.

In Arthur's stunned gaze, Kai seized his hand and, solemnly and without hesitation, thrust the thousand‑pound Stone Sword back into Arthur's hand!

Immediately, Kai spun around, faced the entire crowd frozen in stupor, and raised Arthur's arm holding the Stone Sword high, letting it shine with indisputable brilliance in the sunlight!

He shouted, "Listen to me carefully—!!"

"The one who drew this Stone Sword is not me!"

"It's him—!!"

His gaze swept across the crowd, each word measured, landing on the ground with a resonant thud:

"My brother, Arthur Pandragong!!!"