Chapter 391 - 390: Unexpected Development
"Arrogant, but for how long?"
King Uther slightly stopped in his tracks as he saw Van carelessly dropping his hammer to the ground, but it was only a moment, as his feet continued to rush towards Van.
Just a few hours ago, King Uther was in his circle, speaking of strategies on how to help the people of his country, alleviate the needs of the poor, how to become a better ally to the neighboring countries, as well as eradicate all the magical beings until none of them exist in the world.
But suddenly, one of his retainers barged inside their council, only to report that his idiot brother had gotten himself in trouble once again. He initially thought that his brother was caught patronizing in the whore house, but as soon as he heard that he was being held hostage; the only thing King Uther could do was let out a long and deep sigh.
Not only as a brother but as a King; if he did not help his brother, then it would surely be seen as a sign of weakness by the people. And so, he had no other choice but to leave the more important stuff and save his brother.
The reports weren't clear, and the only information he got was that Prince Aurelius was being tied up in a nearby town where he was supposed to be overseeing the execution of the mages… never did King Uther think that the one to take him hostage was actually the people he was supposed to execute.
King Uther was not complaining, however, as it had been a while since his sword had tasted the blood of magical beings, trembling as it laid eyes upon its prey. And so, King Uther had no other choice but to strike first as soon as his eyes caught the sight of Van.
What he did not expect, however, was that during their clash, the sword did not even let out a whisper-- signifying that the one in front of him was not actually a magical being. But that made it even more… curious.
How can one not attuned to mana be able to block his strike, which could split mountains with a single swing? Granted, he held back; but still, any normal man should have been squashed into a paste just trying to block his strike with a shield.
But here he was, casually avoiding King Uther's fists which were enough to crack the air itself with every pump.
"Interesting."
And not only that, he had the audacity to whisper as if he was just toying with him.
"I put you just below grandma Charlotte's strength," Van then muttered as his eyes examined King Uther's fist as it slowly passed by his cheek, "Tell me, King Uther. Are you the strongest this world has to offer?"
"I am!" King Uther then let out a roar, causing the ground beneath Van to crumble; slightly causing him to lose his balance. King Uther took this chance to tighten all of his muscles, before kicking his feet from the ground.
The dust floating within the air around King Uther exploded as a thunderous noise erupted from the skirt of wind that circled his body as he slammed his whole body through Van. Emrys and Arthur, who was nearest to the two, almost flew away from the sheer force of King Uther's body slam.
They all expected Van's guts to fly around, but the only thing that the King hit with his body was the empty air in front of him.
"I was right."
King Uther then quickly turned his body around, only to see Van beside the sword he left pierced through the ground.
"You're below grandma Charlotte in terms of raw power," Van then said as he slowly floated… stepped on the air, "Perhaps it is time for you to use your sword, King Uther? I feel like you are a lot stronger with it."
Van then grabbed King Uther's sword by the hilt; looking slightly awkward as the sword was taller than him.
"...Fool," King Uther then whispered. And as soon as he did so, Van felt a jolt trying to crush the hand he grabbed the sword with.
"..." Van could feel his muscles contract as if there was an invisible force trying to twist and crush his arms into smithereens. The pain reminded him of when he first absorbed a Soul; like his bones were breaking and being rebuilt.
"The sword you are holding is called Excalibur," King Uther then let out a short but deep sigh as stood upright, abandoning any stance he had earlier, "Only those of Royal blood are capable of harnessing its power. Any who dares hold the sword not carrying the name Pendragon will perish. Our battle should have been legendary…
...But I suppose this is farewell."
"...I see," Van breathed. But after a few seconds, he gritted his teeth and let out a muffled roar.
"Stop strugg-- What?" King Uther then blinked his eyes a couple of times in disbelief as the ground beneath them started to tremble. The horses, which had just finally calmed down, once again clamored wildly.
Was this young man in front of him… actually trying to pull Excalibur from the ground?
"...Fuck!" Van then once again roared as he let go of Excalibur, once again calming the ground beneath them. He was initially planning to throw the sword to King Uther so he could see how strong he was when using it, but who thought that he could not even pull it from the ground because of some bullshit reason-- he thought.
"I thought you hated magic, King Uther?" Van then clicked his tongue as he waved his hand; his palm, slightly sizzling in the air as the burn on it slowly healed.
"You… are still alive?" The shock in King Uther's voice was clear for everyone to hear, "You… are you a Pendra--"
And before King Uther could finish his words, he saw the scenery around him completely changed as an extremely colossal pressure wafted through his entire body; and the next thing he knew, he was kneeling in front of his sword.
"Use the Excalbaldrog or whatever."
He then heard a whisper coming from behind him, a whisper that seemed to be mocking his whole existence as his knees touched the ground.
"It's the only way I can know how strong you truly are, King--"
"You dare make me kneel!?"
And contrary to Van's advice, King Uther stood up from his position and rushed towards him once again, using only his fists as his arsenal.
"..."
Van could only let out a long and deep sigh as he watched as King Uther's fists once again slowly passed by his side. Granted, King Uther's strikes were explosive and there were probably only a few back in Yggdrasil that could match him in terms of strength and technique-- but if it was just this, then King Uther would not even last a minute against Gerald.
Van then turned his attention back to the sword. If anything, Van could feel a stronger presence inside the sword, even stronger than King Uther himself. If only Van could use the sword himself, then travelling to this planet would… could have been worth it.
But alas, he still needed to rile King Uther up before he could see the potential of the--
"..." Van's thoughts were then suddenly disrupted as soon as he saw something truly quite unexpected, and it only took this single moment for one of King Uther's strikes to hit him.
"Got you!" King Uther roared as his fist made contact with Van's face. A smile on the King's face could not help but form as he watched as Van's small body rolled across the ground several meters. He was about to rush him again before he could recover; but then, he saw Van suddenly pointing towards something, his eyes completely distracted from their epic battle.
"What!?" King Uther yelled as he turned to look at where Van was pointing to, only to see someone holding… trying to steal his precious sword.
"Let go of the sword if you do not wish to per... ish?" And before King Uther could even roar a command, a slight plonk whispered through his ears. And with it, the unsheathing of his sword from the ground.
"...What?" King Uther quietly muttered as he watched Arthur carelessly, and casually lift Excalibur like it was nothing.
"You seem to be too much of a liar to be a King, King Uther," Van then said as he stood up from the ground, gently massaging his slightly red cheek.
"...Oh," Arthur, who finally noticed that the King was watching him with eyes filled with intensity. And then, ever so slowly… he pierced the sword in the ground, returning it to its original position, "I… I was just admiring it. I wasn't thinking of stealing it or anything."
Arthur then said with a nervous chuckle as he slowly made his way back to Emrys, who was also looking at him in a weird way.
"You…"
Arthur then slightly looked away as King Uther started approaching his location.
"What… is your name, son?" King Uther's whispers almost reached even the clouds as his tone carried a heavy weight.
"I… I'm no one, your Majesty!" Arthur then kneeled on the ground, making sure his forehead was dirtied by the ground, "My… My name is Arthur, your Majesty. I'm just a lowly servant living under--"
"My son!"
And before Arthur could even finish his words, he felt King Uther's arms wrap around him.
"..." Van, who was watching the scenario unfold from the side, could not help but blink a couple of times as he watched as King Uther suddenly hugged Arthur.
"...What the fuck?" Van then muttered.. It was probably best he look for another planet as soon as possible.