Arthur woke before the first light of dawn, as he always did. The chill of the winter morning air clung to his skin as he strode toward the royal training grounds, his breath misting before him. Even on this day—his Accession Day—his discipline remained unwavering.
When his training was done, he returned to his chambers, where steaming water awaited him. After washing away the sweat and exertion, he dressed in regal attire befitting the occasion. Today was not merely a celebration of his reign—it was a day of spectacle and glory, the grand tournament where the kingdom’s greatest knights and most formidable mages would test their skill. Warriors from every corner of the realm had gathered to prove their worth, and as their sovereign, Arthur would stand in witness to their strength.
As he stepped from his chambers, the scent of roasted meats and freshly baked bread drifted through the halls. He made his way to the grand dining chamber, where he found Alice and Aaron already seated at the long, polished table. Both were dressed in elegant finery befitting the occasion.
Both Alice and Aaron greeted King Arthur before turning their attention back to their breakfast. Arthur took his seat at the dining table, savoring the lavish spread before him. The morning light streamed through the tall windows, casting a golden glow over the polished silverware and embroidered banners hanging from the stone walls.
Once breakfast concluded, the three of them rose from their seats. Alice and Aaron exchanged a few words with Arthur before making their way toward the carriage that would take them to the tournament grounds.
As Arthur stepped out of the dining hall, he turned to his valet, who followed closely behind. "Send word to Owen. Tell him to prepare the linotype exactly as I instructed. It will be one of the main events at the banquet after the tournament ends, so he must complete it without delay."
The valet bowed deeply. "At once, Your Majesty." Without hesitation, he hurried off to carry out the order.
Arthur then strode through the marble corridors of the palace, his royal cape flowing behind him. Outside, a carriage awaited, its polished wood gleaming under the morning sun. Without a word, Arthur stepped into the carriage, and Ken followed, taking his seat across from the king. As the wheels creaked into motion, the carriage rolled forward, carrying them toward the tournament ground.
As Arthur’s carriage rolled to a stop before the grand tournament grounds, the carriage door swung open, and Arthur stepped out. At the foot of the carriage steps stood Klein, dressed in the finest attire befitting his station. He bowed deeply before speaking.
"Your Majesty," Klein said, his voice firm yet respectful. "The tournament is prepared. The knights and mages stand ready, and the people eagerly await your arrival to announce the start of the grand event."
It was a tradition for the people to wait for the king arrival and that the king to announce the start of the event so Arthur intentionally arrived a bit late on the schedule.
Arthur then nodded, now leading the way to where I needed to go. As Arthur followed Klein, Arthur cast his gaze over the massive arena, where rows upon rows of spectators had gathered—nobles seated in lavish pavilions, common folk cheering from the stone stands, and warriors waiting in the competitor’s hall with anticipation etched upon their faces.
With a slight nod, Arthur strode toward the raised platform at the heart of the coliseum. As Arthur ascended the marble steps, the murmurs of the crowd hushed into an expectant silence.
Arthur stepped forward, surveying the crowd with pride. Then, with a commanding voice that carried across the vast arena, he declared,
"People of Kledoria! Today, we gather to witness the strength, skill, and honor of our finest knights and mages. This tournament is not merely a contest—it is a celebration of our kingdom’s might! Let those who seek glory step forth, and may the worthy claim their place among legends!"
The crowd erupted into thunderous applause, their cheers shaking the very ground beneath them. Trumpets blared, and banners waved as the gates to the tournament grounds creaked open.
Arthur took his seat upon the royal dais, his gaze fixed on the tournament grounds as the first contenders stepped forward. The opening match pitted an aura knight against a mage. Judging by the crowd’s reaction, it was clear the knight was the favorite—his reputation likely well-known among the spectators.
As the duel commenced, the outcome unfolded just as expected. The knight, clad in armor and wielding a longsword, closed the distance before the mage could complete his incantations. With swift and decisive strikes, he overwhelmed his opponent, securing an effortless victory.
The tournament continued, with warriors from across the kingdom stepping into the arena. Some battles were evenly matched, forcing both combatants to push themselves to the limit, using every ounce of their skill and strategy to seize victory. Others were one-sided, with a single fighter dominating their opponent from start to finish. Arthur found it refreshing to witness both types of battles—some showcasing raw power, while others displayed the cunning and perseverance of those willing to fight against the odds.
As the day progressed, the tournament reached its climactic final match—a duel between two knights. In this kind of competition, knights typically held the advantage. The confined space of the arena left mages with little time to prepare their spells, forcing them into close-quarters combat, where knights excelled. However, this did not mean mages were weak. On rare occasions, a skilled spellcaster could turn the tide and claim victory, but this year’s final battle was a clash of steel, fought between two of the kingdom’s finest knights from the Keldoria’s military.
Klein had meticulously arranged this tournament, ensuring that the kingdom’s strength was on full display. The competitors had been carefully selected—elite knights and seasoned mages, chosen to represent Kledoria’s military against the warriors of noble houses and ambitious challengers. While nobles occasionally claimed victory in these tournaments, such instances were rare. Also to maintain fairness and prevent excessive power imbalances, strict regulations were placed on the fighters, setting both minimum and maximum qualifications for participation.
The final duel was fierce, with both knights displaying masterful swordplay and unshakable resolve. The clash of blades echoed through the arena, sparks flying as steel met steel. The crowd roared with every strike, their excitement reaching a fever pitch. In the end, after a grueling exchange of blows, one knight emerged victorious, his blade pressed against his opponent’s throat in a decisive display of skill.
Arthur rose from his seat, acknowledging the champion with a nod of approval. As tradition dictated, he stepped forward and presented the victor with a purse of 50 gold coins and an honorary badge—a symbol of triumph and prestige.
With the tournament concluded, Arthur wasted no time. He departed the tournament grounds and returned to the castle, where preparations for the evening banquet were already underway. Unlike the tournament, which celebrated strength and honor, the banquet held a far greater purpose. It was not merely a feast but a stage for unveiling new innovations that would change Keldoria’s future and reaffirming the kingdom’s noble hierarchy.
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