"It's starting!" Everyone was incredibly excited. The sword-drawing ceremony began promptly at ten in the morning, and there were several requirements for drawing the sword.
First, one must be a Knight!
Second, one must be a noble!
Third, one absolutely cannot be a commoner!
There was a certain logic to all of these.
Firstly, if one is a Knight, then their martial prowess and physical condition are not an issue. If the new king were a sickly person who died within two days, what would be the point?
Secondly, nobility ensures a deep family tradition of learning; at the very least, their outlook can be considered broad.
Thirdly, not being a commoner guarantees a certain level of education. At least Knights and nobles can receive an education. Can commoners? If a person who doesn't even know the country's annual income becomes king, how long can the country last?
Therefore, there's a certain logic to taking civil service exams. At the very least, you can't let a mentally challenged person become a director, right? Although most who become directors end up mentally challenged... the saying 'power corrupts' still holds true. For an official whose term is only eight years or even shorter, what do you expect him to do? If he does well, there's no benefit for him. If he does poorly, it's a huge stain on his political record. Mediocrity is a blessing! After a few years, it's another political achievement... That's why Communist officials are the most corrupt. If they don't seize power or embezzle during their short term, who will remember their past glory once they step down?
Kailar shook his head, watching the four Grand Dukes ascend the platform.
"Since the four of us hold the highest titles, we'll shamelessly assist Great Sage Merlin in presiding over the sword-drawing ceremony." Grand Duke Andre, being the most prominent recently due to Kailar's rise, and also the most benevolent among the four Grand Dukes, spoke first. With the other three sitting in support, almost everyone had no objections, nor dared to have any.
Of course, with the mindset of 'the Emperor's turn to draw the sword, today it's my house's turn,' even though the four Grand Dukes knew it was already decided, they still tried it out for fun. After attempting to draw the sword and finding that it was truly embedded in the stone as if it couldn't be pulled out, they all shook their heads in lament. Grand Duke Andre's casual remark, "This is practically the sword in the stone," instantly spread among the Knights.
Although the Knights couldn't guarantee that their strength was equal to that of the four Grand Dukes, who had experienced many battles and held three titles each, they still had to try, didn't they?
Following the order of Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Baron, the nobles came forward one by one to draw the sword. It was clear that merely facing the sword revealed the nobles' attitudes. Some unambitious nobles, even if they drew the sword, would only exhale heavily, deciding to give up if they truly couldn't pull it out. Others displayed their ugliness, clinging to the sword and pulling even if they couldn't draw it, ignoring the blade cutting their fingers and shoulders.
Watching the many Ugly of these fools, the four Grand Dukes, who had been observing from the side, showed cold smiles. As for Merlin, she remained wrapped in her cloak, her expression unseen.
Including the four Grand Dukes, at least a hundred nobles... all failed!
Many Knights went up with red faces, not out of shyness, but because their liege's ugliness was truly too embarrassing, shaming the honor of the Knights!
There were many more Knights, of course, divided into Titled Knights, Qualified Knights, Official Knights, Knight Marquis, and Knight Attendants.
Knight Attendants were mostly thirteen or fourteen years old. Although they greatly wished to accompany their lords to witness this grand event, unfortunately, the venue was only so large. Apart from exceptionally favored attendants, where would a Knight bring a Knight Attendant?
Camelot alone had 100,000 Knights, and 8,000 of them were Titled Knights!
These 8,000 people spent a whole day drawing the sword!
All failed!
By the morning of the second day, when the last Titled Knight walked off the platform with a bitter smile and a shake of her head, both she and everyone else breathed a sigh of relief.
No matter how much one claimed not to care or felt they weren't king material in daily life, when the possibility arose, one would inevitably feel nervous. It wasn't about ambition, but merely a pure physiological reaction.
After the Titled Knights came the Ace Knights.
These Ace Knights were the reserves for Titled Knights, the top experts among ordinary Knights, all capable of earning a title in a single battle. They eagerly rubbed their hands together, but had already given up the thought of becoming king, merely wishing to draw the sword to prove their valor.
These over 20,000 Ace Knights spent a full two days trying to draw the sword, which directly made this unyielding sword famous throughout the world.
The name sword in the stone spread unintentionally.
By the fourth day, when the 70,000 Knights drew the sword, it took a full seven days.
A whole week passed just like that. With so many people, if the merchants from Red Leaf Ridge hadn't come to circulate and sell food, it would have dispersed long ago.
The sheer amount of food was an astronomical figure! Not to mention that one horse counts as three people. Including the Knights, that's a total of 400,000 people consuming food!
"No wonder Kailar notified me in advance to have them bring their own food or buy from the citizens..." Merlin, from the tavern, couldn't help but inwardly praise. If it were truly as she had imagined, with the royal family supporting the provisions, the new king would likely inherit an empty shell of a royal family... This disciple of hers truly was a little monster.
However, precisely because of this, Merlin looked forward even more to a confrontation with that little monster... It should be very interesting... Stroking her chin, Merlin, despite being in her forties, still looked like a mature and alluring woman of twenty-eight or twenty-nine.
It was the dream of every woman to possess the art of maintaining youth. In an era without cosmetics, how difficult must it be to maintain such grace!
"I'll give you a surprise." Merlin chuckled, gently placing her index finger to her lips and sucking on it. The contact between her slender, jade-like finger and fiery red lips created a strong visual sensation, involuntarily stimulating others' desires.
However, the Knight standing behind her, wearing a mask and helmet, remained silent, only a slight movement of his fingers. Was it excitement or anger?
"Haha, you don't have to be anxious. Tomorrow will be your time to shine, won't it?" Merlin gently withdrew her finger, her tone filled with endless amusement and mockery: "I really want to see my good disciple's expression when he sees you..."
... The Knight, head bowed and completely encased in armor, remained silent.
As if greatly displeased by his attitude, Merlin 'tch'ed' and walked into the palace, her long magic robe trailing behind her.
The Knight knew she was going to have an all-night secret talk with the Queen. He found their 'lily-like' behavior quite annoying... No, it should be a primal aversion.
Tomorrow, then... The masked Knight looked up at the moonlight. Just tomorrow... he would see him!