Chapter 302: A Failure Is Needed

Under Arthur King's rule, Britain ushered in unprecedented strength and prosperity.

The once‑sundered frontier, long plagued by Saxon raids, has erected a solid defensive line; trade routes now crisscross, and villages and towns scarcely hear the wails of famine.

He enforces just laws, supports agriculture and crafts, and even the most demanding nobles must concede that this young king possesses wisdom and resolve beyond his years.

Yet the Arthur who has achieved such brilliance is only twenty‑two this year.

A smooth national destiny, successive victories, the people's unreserved support, and his flawless record… all, like the richest wine, quietly nurture a mindset—confidence, an almost absolute confidence never yet bruised by reality.

This confidence makes his decisions swift and decisive, but it also surrounds him like an invisible wall.

He still respects Merlin and Yu Lin, yet before everyone else his word is law, unquestionable, because every decision he has made so far has proven correct.

No one can oppose, nor dare to; with his current achievements he truly surpasses the ancient sovereigns.

Yet this is far from his endpoint.

The present splendor instead resembles a splendid shackle, limiting his vision and preventing him from seeing matters far deeper than governing or expanding territory.

At this moment.

Far from the Royal Capital's clamor, by a tranquil lakeside, Yu Lin holds a simple fishing rod, leisurely watching the water. The float twitches; his wrist flicks, the line lifts, but the hook bears only a tuft of waterweed and a few dead branches.

His expression remains unchanged as he prepares to cast the hook again; a faint glimmer flashes nearby, and Merlin's silhouette silently appears, sitting on the grass beside him.

"All these years, why have you never gone to see Arthur?" Merlin asks, staring at the calm lake, getting straight to the point.

Yu Lin dips the weed‑laden hook back into the water, without a pause:

"Don't you already know the answer in your own heart?"

Merlin nods, his aged face showing a hint of complexity: "Indeed."

"His continual success has made him… too proud now."

He pauses, then adds, "Although before you and me he can still keep that humility, in front of others… well, in fact, no one now would oppose him."

"By his present deeds, no ruler of the past can compare."

"Of course," Merlin's tone shifts, saying gravely, "this is far from his endpoint."

"One could even say his current success limits him, preventing him from seeing what truly matters."

Yu Lin waves his hand: "Enough, no need for these winding riddles."

"What do you propose?"

Merlin's face breaks into a smile, oddly at odds with his legendary Dharma Master stature, a hint of mischievous youth, and he lowers his voice:

"I think he needs a failure."

"A… failure profound enough to strip away all vanity and pride, truly touch his soul, and achieve a rebirth through defeat!"

Yu Lin hears this, a faint curl lifts his mouth, and he continues to stare at the lake, as if conversing with the fish below:

"Alright. How should I cooperate with you?"

Merlin's smile deepens, he leans closer, his voice dropping further:

"We…"

Their whispers blend with the lakeside breeze and the babbling water.

Meanwhile.

Far in the Royal Palace, Arthur sneezes sharply, a vague sense of unease rising within him.

He touches the faint whiskers that have sprouted near his lip, muttering:

"Strange, why does this feel a bit off.........."

Before he can ponder the cause, a servant enters from outside, reporting:

"My king, several tribal chieftains wish to have an audience with you, they...."

A little over a month later, Arthur King's forces have nearly swept away all unconquered powers around the kingdom, and the realm's borders expand at an unprecedented pace.

Yet, in this unstoppable campaign, one stubborn "bone" remains unyielding—the Raisenor Kingdom!

The kingdom itself is formidable, and more crucially, its king Perinor is a warrior whose power makes hearts race.

His name for bravery echoes across nations; he is hailed as the strongest warrior of the age, a true pinnacle of personal might, an exceedingly tricky figure!

Just days ago, Arthur dispatched an elite force, intending to subdue Raisenor in one stroke.

The army advanced smoothly until a swift river blocked the path; only a stone bridge spans the water, the sole passage to the opposite bank.

And on that bridge, Raisenor's king Perinor, alone, personally holds the defense!

When the battle report reaches Camelot, the entire court is astonished.

Arthur's troops are halted at the bridgehead by Perinor alone, unable to advance a single step!

Even more unbelievable, several masters from the Round Table, whom Arthur personally assembled and boasts of, take turns challenging, yet cannot gain even a fraction against Perinor!

That spear in his hand seems to become the Heavenly Rift, cleaving all attacks and ambitions that try to cross the bridge.

Inside the palace, the atmosphere is heavy.

"My king, Perinor's strength is unparalleled; the bridge's terrain is perilous, easy to defend and hard to assault. He alone guards the pass; ten thousand men cannot open it!"

The ministers glance at each other, murmuring, yet none can propose an effective plan.

Perinor's personal might has become a chasm that cannot be bridged by sheer numbers of ordinary troops.

On the Throne, Arthur Pandragong silently listens to the report, his brows slightly furrowed.

His fingers lightly tap the throne's armrest, producing a steady soft sound.

After a moment, the tapping ceases abruptly.

Arthur slowly lifts his head, his gaze sweeping over all the ministers in the hall who look toward him with hope and worry.

The final hint of hesitation on his face vanishes completely, replaced by resolve.

He rises from the Throne that symbolizes power, his posture as upright as a pine, his voice clear and echoing through the silent Great Hall:

"I will act personally."

Once the words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent.

What followed was excitement! Unparalleled excitement!

Will they finally be able to see this undefeated king act again?!

This battle must be won!

But.

In a corner not far from the Royal Palace.

The figure standing in the shadows watched the scene, its face full of profound meaning.