Arthur left the dungeon after clearing it.
Although he felt some sadness over losing the four Mana Recovery Potions, he remained hopeful for the future promise of getting many more thanks to his second Calamity, the Fox.
He smiled faintly the moment he stepped out of the swirling portal.
The instant he appeared, the guards standing outside the portal stared at him in a daze.
Their gaze simultaneously fell on the white scarf wrapped snugly around Arthur's neck, contrasting sharply with his stark, bald head.
No, it wasn't a scarf, but a creature!
They felt their hairs stand on end the moment their eyes landed on the little Fox.
"You—Your Highness! Congratulations on clearing the tenth dungeon!" both guards immediately bowed their heads, hiding their shocked expressions.
Arthur waved at them casually, then walked calmly away, not minding the stares he was getting due to the Calamity wrapped around his neck.
The Fox stared at the surroundings with eyes full of curiosity.
Arthur noticed this and rubbed the little Fox's head gently.
"I'm the King around here, so feel free to do whatever you like. But before then, you'd want to eat, right?"
The little Fox's eyes glowed at the mention of food.
Sensing this, Arthur increased his moderate pace.
The Dragon Knight had already been unsummoned since Arthur realized his Mana recovered faster while the creature was in the Summoned Space.
He and the Fox walked for a few more minutes, passing through marble steps and structures before entering the Royal Dining Hall where the King once had his meals with his children and wife.
The moment he sat down, within minutes the maids and servants brought an array of steaming dishes toward the royal table, serving him fish, meat, omelet, cake, and a few other delicacies.
Arthur raised his gaze to scan the food spread before him, then shook his head. "Bring some more food."
"Yes, Your Highness!" The group of six bowed their heads and walked away.
Arthur shifted his gaze back to the plates, but to his amazement, the little Fox had already begun devouring the meals spread out before him.
Laughing, Arthur shook his head, but then the memories of the past resurfaced in his mind, and a sorrowful, melancholic expression appeared on his face.
Previously, the dining hall had been shared by his mother, father, and three sisters.
Arthur could recall when they were little, throwing food at each other, teasing, and sharing all sorts of emotions together.
'Those were truly pleasant memories…'
A faint smile tugged at Arthur's lips, and he pushed the thought to the back of his mind, then returned his attention to the meal in front of him.
'At least the little one is here to keep me company,' he chuckled once more, realizing that the little Fox had already cleaned up three dishes and was starting on the fourth.
…
After dinner, Arthur returned to the Meeting Hall where the Elders were gathered.
His eyes scanned the crowd as he walked up to his seat, the King's Seat.
"Your Highness, we've received information that the entrance examination to the Sentient Academy is in two weeks. It should take you roughly that time to get there with the carriages we have."
"I see." Arthur nodded, praising the youthful figure that brought the news.
He scanned the crowd and noticed their tense expressions.
He chuckled. "I'm not as ruthless as the previous Kings. Feel free to state your worries to me."
At Arthur's words, the Elders exchanged hesitant glances.
Although Arthur wasn't as strong as them, as long as he was King, he could demand their heads should they overstep their boundaries.
It was the strict rule of leadership governing the Pendragon Family.
Finally, after a short while, a female Elder summoned the courage to voice their concern.
"Your Highness, you are a Summoner, and Summoners rarely ever get accepted into the Sentient Academy due to their weak strength, so…"
Her words trailed off and died in her dry throat.
They knew Arthur had cleared more than ten E-Rank dungeons, but it was obvious to everyone that was all the work of the Dragon Knight.
They didn't believe Arthur had the strength to clear those dungeons himself.
After all, he was merely a Level 1 player.
'Hahahahaha!'
Surprisingly, instead of getting angry, Arthur burst out laughing, almost clutching his stomach.
To maintain his demeanor and royal composure, he forced himself to calm down.
"That's not a baseless worry."
Arthur scanned the Elders and noticed their curious gazes.
During the entrance examination, there would certainly come a time when he would have to complete the trial alone, and he couldn't depend on the Dragon Knight forever.
They were right.
Arthur came up with a solution instantly.
"Who is the strongest youth in the Pendragon Family?"
The Elders glanced at each other in puzzlement, not understanding what Arthur was planning.
Nonetheless, the same female Elder spoke. "It's a sixteen-year-old youth called Lukas."
"Lukas, huh?" Arthur muttered, then gestured to the guards stationed at the door. "Get Lukas for me."
The guards bowed and departed.
Confusion deepened in the Elders' eyes as they exchanged uncertain looks.
Was Arthur planning to trick the Sentient Academy's system?
That was impossible.
The Academy definitely had at least an A-Rank player among its staff.
There was no way Arthur could trick such a system.
They could only wait and see how things played out.
Nevertheless they would try their best to counsel him as Elders.
The hall fell silent for roughly ten minutes before a youth with flowing black hair, sharp sword-like brows, and a calm expression walked in.
Looking at the way his hair swayed gently behind him, Arthur clicked his tongue in annoyance, feeling the cool breeze on his bald head.
"You summoned me, Your Highness?" Although Arthur was his age, the youth remained courteous, bowing politely.
Arthur nodded. "Come, let's have a little spar."
At his words, the Elders' eyes widened in disbelief.
Even Lukas looked stunned.
He, a Level 12 player, was being asked to spar with someone at Level 1?
Although Arthur was the King, what an insult!
Arthur smiled faintly, then picked up his sword and stood. A wave of bloodlust suddenly leaked from his cold expression.
At that moment, a chill spread through the hall, and Lukas instinctively took a step back.
For a brief instant, it felt as though he was facing a terrifying, savage beast capable of ripping his head apart at any moment.
The Elders' eyes widened in shock at the killing intent radiating from Arthur.
Was this truly their Young Master?
What was this terrifying aura that only those who had survived countless battles in dungeons could possess?
Suddenly, they realized something.
How could they have forgotten?
Arthur was their King.
Because he had always been casual with them, they hadn't expected this terrifying side of him.
Arthur's cold eyes sharpened, and in an instant, he made his move.
...
A/N: Sorry the chapter is coming late, I had to go for medical check-up.