The Beast Tide

*Buzz—*

On the towering city walls, magic formations lit up one after another, casting a clean and pure radiance that bathed every corner. Even without torches, everything within a ten-meter radius shone brightly, making the surroundings as clear as day. From a distance, it resembled a city of light.

"Quick! Quick!"

The well-equipped soldiers rushed back to their positions, even though it was deep into the night. Their backs remained straight as spears, and they had solemn expressions as they gazed into the distance.

Crossbows, catapults, and Greek fire—all sorts of military equipment had already been brought up onto the city walls. With these items, they could repel even a ten-thousand-strong army should it come to siege the city.

However, a heavy and oppressive atmosphere lingered, and everyone remained silent, as if in the calm before a storm.

"Have the eastern keep's garrison report their numbers to me quickly. Also, allocate an additional one thousand archers to the western side." Bedivere ordered methodically. But suddenly, he felt an unfamiliar gaze upon him and turned to see a black-haired youth.

"Your Majesty, have I done something wrong?" Bedivere asked, appearing somewhat uneasy.

On his way here, Bedivere had already learned of the identity of the youth before him.

Although he didn't know why the new king, who had been making waves in Camelot recently, had come to Lucanmont, his upbringing instilled in him since childhood made him respect the new king.

"No, I'm just surprised that the duke has a younger brother, and it's you at that." Arkhan said with a smile.

Bedivere looked puzzled. It seemed the new king was not just familiar with him, but almost intimate.

More than familiar.

Anyone who had played the Sixth Singularity of the game would hardly find this androgynous figure in silver armor a stranger.

The weakest of the Knights of the Round Table, he was the sole survivor of the Battle of Camlann, witnessing the final moments of King Arthur.

To make amends for his own mistakes, he, a mortal, had embarked on a solitary journey of fifteen hundred years, reaching the edge of the world to offer the last peace to the king he once served.

Arkhan had anticipated meeting him, but he didn't expect that Bedivere would be a member of the House of Lucan, let alone the younger brother of the current Duke of Lucanmont.

Fate was truly unpredictable.

"Bedivere." Arkhan walked closer, propping his hand on the city wall as he gazed into the dense, shadowy forest in the distance. "Can you please explain to me the situation with this so-called beast tide?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Bedivere nodded, pondered for a moment, organized his thoughts, and said, "The initial beast tide occurred about half a month ago, catching us off guard. To buy time for activating defensive magecrafts, we had to confront them outside the city. In the end... we lost five hundred soldiers."

A hint of sadness flickered in his gem-like green eyes, which then turned resolute.

"Afterward, two more beast tides occurred, with intervals of about seven days each. But for some reason, this time, it happened after only two days..."

"Have you requested aid from Camelot?" Arkhan inquired.

"Of course, we sent people to Camelot from the beginning. But the duke, my elder brother, said that if we were waiting for reinforcements to arrive from there, it would take at least two more months..." Bedivere replied with a wry smile.

Arkhan furrowed his brow slightly. "Have you sent anyone to investigate the cause of these beast tides?"

"We dispatched three squads to investigate in total, but in the end, not a single person returned." Bedivere said with a heavy tone.

Arkhan rubbed his chin, his eyes revealing a thoughtful expression.

"Lancelot, Artoria, Kay, the three of you go to the other three city gates and help the soldiers defend there."

"But, Your Majesty, your safety..." Artoria hesitated.

"This is an order."

A calm voice, yet with undeniable authority.

Artoria took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes, I understand."

The three of them nodded slightly to Arkhan and left separately.

"Thank you for your help, Your Majesty." Bedivere's face showed a touch of gratitude as he bowed deeply to Arkhan.

"Lucanmont is the territory of Camelot, and I have an obligation to protect it." Arkhan said, turning to Guinevere beside him. "Are you sure you don't want to hide in the city? It might get dangerous here later."

"It's alright." Guinevere smiled and shook her head. "As long as you're here, this is the safest place."

"Well, you certainly have a high opinion of me." Arkhan chuckled. 

"Your Majesty, you're quite partial, aren't you? I'm also risking my life here, y'know!" Merlin complained.

"I just hope that if there is real danger later, you can run a bit slower." Arkhan replied nonchalantly.

"You really know how to hurt someone's feelings, Your Majesty..." Merlin sighed. "I am, after all, the Great Mage of Britain, and I have other strengths besides running fast, y'know."

He tapped his staff gently, and suddenly, a profusion of pink petals sprang forth from beneath his feet, spreading like a living shield around the city walls within a few breaths, creating the illusion of a flowery barrier.

The extraordinary transformation naturally drew the attention of everyone. When they realized that all this was the work of the Mage of Flowers, they couldn't help but exchange astonished glances.

"Thank you very much for your help, Lord Merlin!" Bedivere exclaimed, excited that the legendary mage was personally involved.

Arkhan raised an eyebrow, looking at Merlin with suspicion. "What are you up to?"

"Can you guess~?" Merlin's face bore that familiar mischievous grin.

Arkhan looked bewildered. The lazy and procrastinator incubus was actually taking action? Could it be that the sun would rise from the west tomorrow?

*Rumble!*

A powerful earthquake-like tremor suddenly emanated from beneath their feet, and thick smoke billowed from a distant forest as if a legendary giant capable of moving mountains and filling seas was charging with rapid steps. The entire earth groaned under the immense pressure.

The soldiers on the city wall instantly tensed, gripping their weapons tightly.

The thick smoke drew nearer, and soon revealed its true nature as it emerged from the forest.

It was a group of demon boars!

At a glance, there were at least a thousand of them. Some were the size of infants, while others stood as tall as two grown men, resembling small mountains as they charged towards them, their overwhelming aura sending shivers down everyone's spines.

"Sound the alarm!"

Benedict shouted sharply and his piercing shout cut through the air.

"Prepare the entire army to face the beast tide!"