In Brittany, there was an ancient legend. Not long after the first Knight King, Arthur, passed away due to illness, a green knight appeared in the Brittany forests.
He had always been taciturn. Except for a few special circumstances, he almost never spoke. However, his strength was far beyond the imagination of ordinary people. He was the guardian of the Kingdom of Britannia and was also a household name in the entire kingdom.
He appeared in the forests, strolled under the shade of ancient trees, moved in clear lakes, appeared in waterfalls, and battled evil creatures that defiled the sacred land of the Lake Goddess.
Without a doubt, the Green Knight's main enemy was the Orcs. In thousands of years of war, the Green Knight had slaughtered tens of thousands of Orcs by himself. This earned him the title of "Soul Killer" among the Orcs.
He was the champion conferred by the Lake Goddess, a demigod who walked among the mortals. He was the only one in Brittany who had the power above the Sanctuary-realm.
The green light illuminated the yellow forest. Kalad swallowed his saliva. His heart was first filled with joy, then it turned into a solemn expression as though he was facing a great enemy.
He gripped Durandale tightly in his hand and waited for the Green Knight's reaction.
To the Expedition Knights, the appearance of the Green Knight was an important symbol of the Expedition.
Kalad's Holy Grail Expedition was about to undergo an important test.
The Green Knight would challenge the Expeditionary Knight to test his martial arts and devotion. This battle would be a true battle between champions. The Expeditionary Knight would have to use all of his abilities. Otherwise, if he lost, he would be in danger of being killed.
This was not nonsense. Some ignorant people would often question the narration of bards or even Grail Knights in taverns. Why would the Green Knight, who had the strength of a demigod, attack an expedition knight who was only a Legendary?
The only logical explanation was that the Green Knights never used their full strength, and weapons could hardly harm them. Swords and arrows pierced through the bodies of the Green Knights as if they were floating through the morning mist, unable to cut anything. No matter how badly the Green Knights were injured, they would not die. There was once an expedition knight who relied on his powerful bravery to decapitate a Green Knight, but the Green Knights only calmly picked up their heads and left.
The Green Knight's figure was illusory. His emerald green eyes were hidden in his helmet. He looked at Kalad and said, "Knight on a long journey, accept my test."
"Please." Kalad nodded calmly. It was time for battle.
The Green-eyed King was riding on a warhorse that could no longer be called a living creature. The warhorse was breathing out green smoke, and its figure was looming in the illusion, just like the Green Knight. The other party was in the illusion. Other than the Sword of Pain in his hand, Kalad even doubted if the other party really existed.
The chill in the bottom of his heart seeped into the knight's heart and lungs. Kalad gradually realized that just looking at such a mysterious thing brought him terrible pressure.
The Green Knight obviously did not intend to give Kalad a chance to breathe. When he noticed that the other party had mounted and was ready to fight, the Green Knight immediately urged his mount to charge.
So fast! It was too fast! Kalad had just forced himself to shift his attention back when the Green-eyed King's charge was already right in front of him. He moved forward like a phantom, passing through all obstacles. His illusory figure allowed the branches to scratch his armor. In the blink of an eye, he had already closed in on Kalad.
"Come!" Kalad's heart was chanting the holy words of the Goddess of the Lake. He clenched the divine sword left to him by Uhles with both hands. The divine sword was burning with golden flames. He urged his warhorse, and the sharp blade drew an arc in the air. The challenge from his mouth was accompanied by a strange melody. Endless anger surrounded Kalad's will. Durandale's ferocious sword arc was pointed straight at the Green Knight's head.
The Green Knight did not say a word as he faced Kalad's challenge head-on. The green Sword of Agony in his hand slashed at Kalad with a force that could split heaven and earth.
Clang! The fierce sparks from the clash of blades made Kalad almost unable to open his eyes. This strike from the Green Knight was enough to kill him several times over. The expedition knight cleverly used his own strength to block the Green Knight's attack. The two figures crossed each other.
This was the first round.
"Again!" The expedition knight narrowed his eyes. He could feel the strength of his opponent. Kalad roared as if he was trying to be brave. "Show me everything you've got! Green-eyed King! "
The Green Knight turned a deaf ear to Kalad's words. The Green-eyed King simply turned his horse around, faced Kalad again, and began to charge.
The green figure turned into a meteor and rolled over. Just as imagined, the Green Knight ignored all restrictions of the terrain. His movements were not affected by the branches and mud in the forest at all. His movements were like an illusion of destruction. Only the Sword of Agony in his hand exuded a shocking killing intent. The Green-eyed King's eyes were emotionless.
Kalad was not sure what the reason was. Was it because he had lost all human emotions in the thousands of years of war? Or was it because he was not human to begin with?
The expedition knight did not know. What he knew was that if he did not pull himself together, there was a possibility of him being killed. The Green Knight had never shown mercy to the expedition knight.
I will not lose! Along with fear came a strong will to fight. Kalad gripped the divine sword in his hand tightly.
Durandale had witnessed the glory and downfall of Ulles. Now, this sword would witness his downfall.
Battle!!!
Kalad roared furiously. He could only feel the flames of anger igniting in his chest. The Lady's knight would never admit defeat! Never!
Clang! Durandale and the Sword of Agony clashed once again. The Green Knight's sword spun back and forth. In one round, Kalad faced the Green Knight's fierce attacks head-on. The Sword of Agony emitted a cold light that devoured everything.
"Ugh! Ugh! " Kalad hastily blocked the Green Knight's attack. He flipped his blade, but the blazing flames on Durandale's blade forced the Green Knight to retract his' Blade of Agony '. The warhorses clashed, and the second round came to an end.
Kalad turned his horse around and gripped his sword tightly. "Again!"
"…" The Green Knight remained silent.
The battle resumed.
Within the Arden Forest, within the mist belonging to the Green Knight, the curtains of a grand battle between the champions had been drawn.
Kalad's posture was like an angry lion. He proudly displayed his strength and challenged the Green Knight who occupied the throne of the Lion King.
The Green Knight's battle style was like a Lion King ruling over a herd of beasts. He leisurely enjoyed the battle between the champions. The Green-eyed King did not say a word. His strength was like an eternal waterfall that flowed endlessly. Every time he struck, the Green-eyed King's strength would increase by a few notches.
The Sword of Agony and Durandale clashed endlessly. The expedition knight Kalad's strength was even stronger than an ordinary Holy Grail Knight. As a Legendary-pinnacle expert, Kalad had gained a lot in his two years of training. He had long since integrated his horsemanship, swordsmanship and spirit into one. Under the endless martial training and the blessings of the Goddess, he kept up with the Green Knight's ever-increasing strength.
A crazy tug-of-war had begun.
In the mist, the brave expedition knight and the legendary Green Knight began a never-ending battle.
The clash of divine weapons sounded in the forest. Between heaven and earth, only the figures of the expedition knight and the Green Knight seemed to be left. The intensity of the battle seemed to have returned to the time when Brittany was founded, when the twelve first-generation Holy Grail Knights fought against endless enemies to protect the country.
This was a battle between champions that was destined to not belong to mortals.
Time lost its meaning. The sky lost its color. Everything lost its existence. Only the figures of Kalad and the Green Knight were left.
The sun rose and set. From the refreshing morning to the sunrise, to the afterglow of the sunset and the night of the night, to the cool morning, the battle between champions continued.
Kalad's warhorse could no longer support him. The expedition knight chose to fight on foot. The Green Knight, on the other hand, was obviously looking for a fair battle. The battle on horseback became a battle on foot. Under the understanding of the extraordinary, one round, two rounds, three rounds …
Fifty rounds …
One hundred rounds …
Two hundred rounds …
When the battle between champions reached the 500th round, two days and one night had passed.
Kalad's body was full of wounds. Even the rune-engraved armor of the dwarves could not withstand the attack of the Green Knight. Although he was covered in blood, Kalad was full of spirit and never tired. The expedition knight silently recited the names of Ulles and Anna. His scarred body and tormented heart would never compromise with the enemy.
This was the vow he made to the body of Ulles. He would keep it until he became a Holy Grail Knight … or until he died.
Contrary to his imagination, the Green Knight stood in front of him but did not raise the Blade of Pain. The eyes of the Green-eyed King seemed to flash with a sense of recognition and regret for a moment. Kalad did not understand why, but he immediately adjusted his breathing and continued to fight.
The Expeditionary Knight instinctively slashed Durandale at the Green-eyed King, but the Green-eyed King dodged it. Under Kalad's astonished gaze, the Green-eyed King stretched out a hand and grabbed the Expeditionary Knight's neck. The Expeditionary Knight was lifted up on the spot. The Green-eyed King emotionlessly used his other hand to smash Kalad's chest. The Expeditionary Knight was ruthlessly lifted up.
The expedition knight felt his ribs break on the spot. He endured the pain in his internal organs and pierced the Green Knight's shoulder with his divine sword.
The Green Knight did not seem to be hurt at all. He calmly threw Kalad into the distance. When Kalad's body hit the surface of the water, he found that the place where they fought had become a lake. Under the blessing of the Lake Fairy, he stood on the crystal clear lake, and the reflection of the expeditionary knight's face was reflected in the lake.
The strength in his body was gradually fading. Kalad understood that he was a mortal after all. In the face of the powerful Green Knight, he could not win. Even if he had the blessing of the Lake Fairy, even if he had a strong will and the will of Ulles, he could not fight like this forever.
So what was the meaning of this challenge? His strength had long surpassed many ordinary Holy Grail Knights! He should not be the one who failed!
Something must have gone wrong. The expedition knight recalled the teachings of Ulles.
"The way of knighthood is not the spirit that guides us to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages."
"Some things are more precious than life."
"The Holy Grail made me strong and long-lived. I also have to bear my responsibility."
After another round of confrontation, Kalad was forced to retreat again. The Green Knight seemed to have given up on using the Blade of Pain. He still looked at Kalad calmly, as if waiting for something.
"Humility, honesty, compassion, courage, justice, sacrifice, honor, soul." Kalad silently recited the teachings of the Lake Fairy. The expedition knight looked at the divine sword in his hand and then looked at the Green Knight opposite him.
The wind passed, the lake moved. The wind stopped, the lake was still.
When the bright moonlight was reflected on the lake from the sky, the expedition knight had already understood everything.
"Plop." Kalad put down Durandale. The expedition knight's eyes were filled with tears. He knelt on one knee and handed his life to the Green Knight. "The duty of a knight is to protect, not to destroy. My strength, my soul, and my will will fight to protect the land that the Lady has given us. Relying on bravado and using force will only add more blood and hatred to the mortal world. My sword exists only to protect."
After saying that, Kalad gave up on the championship duel.
The Green Knight nodded slowly. Mist filled the sky.
A beautiful song gradually sounded from the lake. It was an ancient elven song. The beautiful voice was like the sound of nature under the lake. The white moonlight shrouded the entire lake.
In the brilliance of the gods, the graceful figure of the Goddess of the Lake emerged from the surface of the water. She wore a golden flower crown on her head, and her silky golden hair hung down to her ankles. Her green eyes were shining brightly. Her silk dress was decorated with emeralds and iris petals, and there were countless ancient words engraved on it. Her indescribable beauty was displayed in front of the expedition knights.
"My Lady!" Kalad knelt down. Bright golden light enveloped the expedition knight. The Lake Fairy smiled. She looked at the knight kneeling in front of her. Her voice was like the clear spring in the mountains, refreshing. "Kalad de Garamente, you have proven your bravery and your virtue."
The expedition knight felt his heart beat faster. His face was burning. Lowering his head, Kalad did not dare to look at the beauty of the Goddess. "My Lady … I …"
"The Holy Grail is not something that the knights ask for." The Lady of the Lake was still smiling. Her voice made the knights feel ashamed of their inferiority. "It's the hard work of the knights. You've proven that you're worthy of the Holy Grail. There's no doubt about it."
"Now, this is the reward that belongs to you." The Goddess held the golden Holy Grail with her white jade-like hands. The pure liquid rippled in the Holy Grail. "Don't forget, you are a knight who is dedicated to spreading the virtues of knights, justice, and glory. Therefore, I give you the Holy Grail."
"Thank you very much." When the Holy Grail inlaid with gems came close to Kalad's dry lips, the expedition knight finally lowered his head and took a sip from the Holy Grail.
His body was changed forever.
After drinking the water from the Holy Grail, Kalad's soul was submerged by boundless power. His eyes were red and emitted a faint aura. His body's injuries were healed and golden light flowed through his body.
He became taller, and his appearance became younger. The wind and frost on his face and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes disappeared under the power of the Holy Grail. At the same time, a terrifying aura erupted from his chest.
This expedition knight who had suffered, lost his mentor, and lost his family had officially advanced into the holy realm.
"Go back, go back to your territory … Kalad." The Lake Fairy's figure slowly descended from the lake. Her long golden hair was gradually submerged by the lake water. "Fulfill your duty, my Holy Grail Knight."
"I will." The newly promoted Holy Grail Knight knelt down again, full of devotion.
The Green Knight also disappeared. On the calm lake, only Kalad's lonely figure was left.
The moon was in the middle of the sky.
"My Lady, thank you!"
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