Chapter 117: Where Has King Arthur Gone? (Additional Chapter for First Subscription)

"Boycott the film 'King Arthur'!"
"Celts are not fit to be heroes of the United Kingdom!"
"King Arthur is a coward! He didn't even dare to speak up when his wife was taken!"

A massive crowd of protesters marched down the street, waving placards emblazoned with a large 'X' over the name "King Arthur." They chanted slogans in complete disarray, effectively blocking the entire road. These were the citizens of the United Kingdom, whipped into a frenzy by public opinion. They were even more extreme than the masterminds behind the scenes intended; they wanted to block the film's release entirely.

Just as they stopped to rest from their chanting, another group of people carrying signs emerged from a different street. For a brief moment, both sides assumed the others were allies, until their eyes swept over the placards held by the newcomers.

One side had a large 'X' over the name "King Arthur," while the other had a large 'X' over the word "Saxons."

Indeed, no matter how the narrative was steered, there would always be opposition. Whether out of a desire to be iconoclastic or because their own ancestry traced back to the Celts, these people were protesting the government's inaction and the implicit disparagement of Celtic heroes in official statements.

The two groups stared at each other for a few seconds before immediately erupting into shouts, as if the loudest side would win the skirmish. However, the opposition group was significantly larger, and within moments, the supporters were drowned out.

Just then, a stone flew from the crowd of supporters, striking a placard held by the opposition.

Instantly, the situation escalated. From a war of words, it turned into a physical brawl. It was fortunate that firearms were not as ubiquitous in the United Kingdom as they were in the United States, or a full-blown gunfight might have broken out.

As the two sides clashed, an inconspicuous figure ducked his head and tried to slip out of the crowd of supporters, intending to flee.

*Swish!*

A thick steel rebar grazed his face and embedded itself deep into the nearby wall. Before the provocateur could react, a figure lunged at him, pinning him against the wall with a hand around his throat. Energy flowed from the assailant's palm, surging into the provocateur's body to paralyze his limbs while stabilizing his vital signs, ensuring he could not commit suicide.

"Speak! Who ordered you to incite this conflict?" Lancelot stared intensely into the man's eyes, his expression murderous.

"I've checked the perimeter. There are no backup agents. It seems he's a suicide operative. Careful, Lancelot, don't kill him, or it will be even harder to find out who is plotting against the King." Gawain landed behind Lancelot as he spoke, his arrival from the rooftop completely silent.

Upon seeing Gawain drop from a height of several dozen meters without a sound, the operative realized that these people were the "mystical" individuals their master had warned them about.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I will make him talk. He won't even be able to die if he tries."

As Lancelot prepared to use more coercive measures, a surge of power suddenly erupted from the operative's soul, shattering the control Lancelot had placed on his body. Lancelot's arm was struck by an electric shock, forcing him to instinctively retreat several meters.

*Zzzzt... BOOM!*

Before he had even pulled back, blue arcs of electricity danced across the operative's body, detonating him like a firework.

Watching the operative reduced to nothing but ash, Gawain shook his head, choosing not to say a word. He had suggested that he handle the interrogation, but Lancelot had insisted on doing it himself. Look what happened now.

"It's fine. We still managed to gather some information. The person behind this is likely a mage using arcane energy. I've memorized the fluctuations; I'll send them to the Clock Tower to see if they have any records," Gawain said, comforting the sullen Lancelot. "Besides, there's an even larger protest tomorrow. I'll make sure to contain these guys when the time comes."

Lancelot nodded, though he didn't know what else to say.

Suddenly, five luminous orbs descended from the sky, encircling the two of them. Gawain and Lancelot reacted with lightning speed, summoning their weapons and arming their armor, ready to face the enemy.

*Tap, tap, tap.*

The sound of a scepter striking the pavement echoed. Zhao Ling'er approached the two men, holding the Nuwa Scepter.

Lancelot recognized her immediately as the wife of the Shushan Sect Leader and one of the preeminent members of the modern Nuwa clan: Zhao Ling'er. That being the case, the five orbs trapping them were likely the legendary Five Spirit Orbs.

"Zhao Ling'er! Why are you trapping us?!" Lancelot demanded sternly. He was certain that Zhao Ling'er was not among the masterminds—not only because their systems of power were entirely different, but because if the Heavenly Court or Shushan truly wanted to target Artoria, they would not have waited until now, nor would they have used such methods.

"The situation in the United Kingdom has attracted attention from many parties. I am here representing the Heavenly Court to resolve these matters," Zhao Ling'er said softly.

"This is the United Kingdom! The jurisdiction of the Knights of the Round Table! I appreciate your concern, but you have overstepped your bounds!" Lancelot maintained his defensive stance, even though he knew he would struggle to survive more than a few exchanges against Zhao Ling'er and her divine artifacts.

"Lancelot, we seem to have left the Knights of the Round Table, haven't we..." Gawain whispered from behind him.

Lancelot glared at Gawain. What was this guy doing at a time like this?

"The Silver Knight is quite right. Currently, only Artoria has the authority to question me. May I ask where she is?" Zhao Ling'er smiled at Gawain. She had heard that the Silver Knight, Gawain, was a bit of a natural airhead. Seeing him now, she found it hard to believe that someone thousands of years old could still be so naive.

"Apologies, but the King's whereabouts cannot be disclosed without permission!" Lancelot refused flatly.

Gawain blinked, bewildered. Did they know where King Arthur was? He certainly didn't. Did they all know and just hadn't told him? That would be rather unkind.

Just as Gawain was about to chime in and ask for Artoria's location, Lancelot, as if anticipating his question, nudged him with his elbow and mouthed a single word: "Shut up!"

Observing their behavior, Zhao Ling'er realized that these two former members of the Round Table were likely looking for their King as well. She raised her hand and retracted the Five Spirit Orbs.

"My apologies, that was rude of me. If you do see King Arthur, please tell her that the bigger picture is what matters."

"Of course, I am not suggesting she return good for evil. But such matters can be handled in the shadows; as long as it isn't done in the public eye, anything is acceptable," Zhao Ling'er added. Truth be told, she supported Artoria in cleansing the current United Kingdom, as long as it wasn't done in the light of day.