Chapter 427
Chapter 427: The Welcome Ceremony
The newly transformed maritime city, Clayton.
Two individuals played an absolutely vital role in the dazzling development of this city.
If you lived in Clayton, you’d think of them without hesitation.
Notura.
And Italus, the head of the Lenon Workshop merchant group.
In fact, the two enjoyed the unwavering support of the residents and wielded the greatest influence within the city.
Their opinions were, in essence, the law of Clayton.
"We greet you, Lord Arthur."
"We greet you, Lord Arthur."
The two stood at the center of the pier where all attention was focused, and bowed to a young man.
Those present at the welcome ceremony, surprised as they were, had no choice but to acknowledge it.
That these two men’s actions were proof of how special that young man truly was.
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
It was a moment when Arthur’s presence left an indelible impression on everyone.
Arthur smiled as he looked at the two.
Familiar faces.
“This is a bit overwhelming for a surprise event.”
“I thought it was necessary. Everyone needs to know who the true master of this place is.”
Arthur smiled bitterly and looked around.
From the King of the Dwarves to the Witches’ Elders, to the spiritual leader of the Elves—
Those known as the core of the Allied Forces had all gathered here.
Arthur turned to observe the crowd packed into the pier.
Expectation, curiosity, tension—
A mixture of emotions poured out through countless gazes.
Whatever the case, it seemed Notura’s plan to make his presence known had succeeded.
Arthur wanted to check in on those who had come to welcome him, but it was too noisy for a proper conversation.
“We’ll talk in detail once we reach the residence.”
“We’ve prepared carriages.”
“Ah, before that...”
Arthur gestured behind him.
The rest of his group had just disembarked from Ship Gridment.
The most eye-catching among them was Lochter, who was carrying Karl on his back. As he approached with Karl—still unconscious—Elton, the ghost, approached with a tense expression.
Arthur smiled and spoke to him.
“Karl’s safe. No need to worry too much, Elton.”
“...Is that so?”
“Are you alright now?”
He’d last seen Elton after the latter had suffered serious injuries while taking on the flames of the Demon of Flame, Melkor, inside the World Tree.
At Arthur’s inquiry, Elton nodded.
“The witches took good care of me. I recovered quickly.”
“So the witches came with you.”
“It’s an important occasion.”
“It’s good timing. We needed someone to examine Karl’s condition.”
Arthur bowed his head toward a wizened witch who was watching him nearby.
Moments later, Elder Medeia approached with a quiet sigh.
“So, you intend to work this old woman as soon as she arrives?”
“I didn’t expect you to come. Quite the journey you made.”
“A large number of witches wanted to experience the festival in Clayton. As an Elder, I had no choice but to accompany them.”
“It’ll be a good experience for them.”
Arthur called Lochter over and handed Karl over to her care.
As the oldest of the witches, Medeia was skilled in healing arts and well-versed in spirits.
Until Karl regained consciousness, it was best to entrust him to her.
Without hesitation, she accepted Arthur’s request.
“It’s crowded here. Let’s move together.”
As Arthur spoke, Notura called for the prepared carriages.
Luxurious carriages appeared.
Once everyone had boarded, the sound of hooves echoed as the procession began.
The line of carriages slowly left the pier.
As they passed through the densely packed welcoming crowd, thunderous cheers erupted each time.
From the pier all the way into the city, the procession continued through a parade of people.
And so, the noisy welcome ceremony of Clayton came to an end.
[The true master of Clayton has arrived!]
Perhaps because of the powerful impression made during the ceremony, rumors about Arthur quickly spread throughout Clayton.
Commander of the World Tree Allied Forces.
Savior of the non-human races.
Master of Hunt.
As these grand titles spread, Arthur’s presence grew ever larger.
The rumors spread like wildfire and inflated even more—by the next day, people were calling him the strongest man in the world.
Was it the power of mystery?
No one had actually seen Arthur’s strength with their own eyes, and that’s why such stories were possible.
While Clayton buzzed with rumors about Arthur—
Lochter and Heinz were climbing a hill with a full view of the city.
Heinz was alone with Lochter.
It had been a long time since someone who now held real power in Tobaron had moved around without guards.
But he wasn’t worried at all.
Because the man beside him was Lochter.
“I never thought I’d get the chance to walk leisurely with you like this, Sir Lochter.”
“Really? Well, life in Tobaron was pretty intense.”
Lochter briefly looked up at the bright moon, then reached out his hand to the struggling Heinz. Heinz smiled and took it.
“Steeper than it looks.”
“You should exercise more.”
“I think I’ll finally have time for that once you return to your position.”
“That position belongs to you.”
The Tobaron region had become a united domain of humans and non-humans.
Heinz had gathered the nobles and was now the human representative balancing relations with the non-human races.
The Commander-in-Chief of Tobaron’s human army.
That was Heinz’s current position.
But he sighed and shook his head.
“This is as far as I can go. Tobaron still needs you.”
“So something’s happened.”
“It’s because I’m human.”
Heinz gave a bitter smile.
As a commander of the anti-Kamel coalition, Heinz had driven out Kamel’s forces and worked to erase his influence in the region, promoting integration.
Because the Allied Forces were superior in both justification and strength, integration had gone smoothly.
As a result, the army Heinz brought now numbered 20,000, with over a thousand knights—a massive force.
“But the knights didn’t come here because of me. They need you, Sir Lochter.”
“There’s the Dwarf King. He’s the ruler of Tobaron.”
“But he’s still non-human.”
“Though Tobaron is unified, remnants of racial division still remain. No knight wants to risk their life under a non-human commander.”
Lochter silently looked at Heinz, then resumed climbing the hill.
Heinz hurried to follow.
Staring at Lochter’s broad back, Heinz became certain.
Tobaron’s army still needed him.
A cool night breeze swept past Heinz’s hair.
“Ah…”
At the top of the hill, the night view of Clayton unfolded before them.
The city preparing for the festival was dazzling.
As Heinz stood dazed by the lights that looked like stars scattered across the land, Lochter’s voice reached him.
“Do you remember what you said to me the first time we met here?”
“You said I looked like I had a good expression.”
“After hearing that, I reflected a lot. Since when had my expression become like that? I kept thinking about it.”
“After leaving Tobaron, I let go of a lot I’d been holding inside. Thanks to one man. He saved me and led me here.”
Heinz already knew who that man was.
Arthur Clayton.
The one who transformed that man who once howled for revenge into a true knight.
“As long as he needs me, I cannot return. That’s my answer.”
As their eyes met, Heinz realized he could never overturn Lochter’s resolve.
He let out a quiet sigh.
The Elves had Fenry, who handled the Shadow King.
The Dwarves had their king, Dorneth Gader.
The Witches had Lily, the center of Ortain.
“We, too, need a ‘KING.’”
In the city of Clayton, Heinz had met with Notura, who was in charge of the city, and had conversations with him.
He too felt the need for someone who could raise their voice from the human side.
Of course, both Heinz and Notura first thought of Arthur as king.
But then they had no choice but to shake their heads.
“Because he’s the leader of the World Tree Allied Forces.”
Arthur had to remain neutral and hold the center as the representative of the Allied Forces.
If he became king of the humans, the unity of the Allied Forces would begin to crack.
That left only one alternative—Lochter.
But Lochter cared only about swordsmanship.
‘If I asked Lord Arthur, could he persuade the man before me?’
Had Lochter read Heinz’s inner turmoil?
He smiled bitterly and turned his head.
Looking toward the dazzling lights where Arthur surely was, he opened his mouth.
“Have you thought about why Arthur went to such lengths to hold a festival this large?”
“I heard it’s for unity.”
“Is it really just about unity?”
“...Pardon?”
“Arthur is thinking beyond unity.”
Heinz had stayed in Tobaron, so he wasn’t fully aware of the current atmosphere in Hell Grime.
But Lochter, having stayed by Arthur’s side, understood the nature and tensions of Hell Grime completely.
Right now, the scent of war hung in the air.
Depending on where the spark landed, the flames of war could engulf all of Hell Grime.
“To survive, we must all come together as one.”
“I understand.”
“Understanding and truly feeling it are different things. Just like how the knights resent taking orders from Dorneth.”
In Clayton, not only Tobaron’s army but also non-human forces were stationed together.
Just like with the knights, the non-humans were likely having the same concerns.
When war breaks out, can they really risk their lives under a human commander?
“Through this festival, Arthur will try to unite the Allied Forces emotionally. He may even attempt to consolidate all the armies into one.”
“A mixed army of non-humans and humans?”
“Wouldn’t that solve the issue you mentioned?”
“But would the leaders of the non-human races agree to that? It’s entrusting the fate of their races.”
Lochter let out a small laugh.
That question was almost as amusing as the game of hide-and-seek he’d heard about recently.
“Needless worry.”
Heinz had not seen Arthur since Tobaron—that’s why he could say such things.
But Lochter had gone through everything with Arthur.
The Ordor Forest.
The City of Vagrants.
Aintrier.
Arthur had achieved miracles while working with the non-human races.
The Dwarves, Elves, and Witches.
Their fates had all changed because of Arthur.
“Just like me.”
Recalling the recent rumors about Arthur, Lochter said:
“If it’s Arthur, they’ll entrust him with their fate.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because he’s the strongest man in the world.”
It wasn’t about personal combat strength.
In every crisis, he survived.
No matter how strong the opponent, he always won.
If he had to face Arthur as an enemy—
It wouldn’t just be a battle of strength.
And in such a battle, Lochter didn’t believe he could win.
“All who’ve stood against Arthur have fallen. That won’t change now or ever.”
In Lochter’s eyes, Arthur was the strongest man in the world.