Chapter 318: Chapter 51: I’ll Probably Never Forget You (Part 2)

"The Lord even blasted Yonglan’s Divine Chosen to the ground! What the hell can stop him now? Is there anything left that can?!"

"I told you there was nothing to worry about! How could the Lord ever be turned into Star Fury Power? He’s the only one who turns others into it!"

’You pieces of shit! Changing your tune so damn fast!’

Westheid was so exasperated by this group of Guards he almost laughed in frustration. ’So you’re the ones who were just wailing about me turning into Star Fury Power, and now that I’ve won, you’re the ones singing my praises, is that it?’

However, he also knew the Qinghui Guard meant no harm. They were just overly empathetic, speaking without engaging their brains.

They were all Loyal Ministers of the Purity People. Their intentions were good, even if their execution was skewed.

As he glanced around, he saw it wasn’t just his Qinghui Guard. The Yonglan Knights who followed him were also gazing at him with looks of fervent adoration.

Although Westheid’s current appearance was far from heroic—he could be described as a wretched, half-paralyzed mess—he was the one left standing in the end. A victor’s image is always one of absolute glory.

Not to mention the world-ending display he had just put on. It was doubtful anyone would dare have the slightest objection to Westheid.

Duke Qinghui took a deep breath, recalled [Shadow-Born] from within the [Gale Heart], and declared in a booming voice:

"The Riding God’s Divine Chosen has been struck down by my hand! To all present, does anyone still object to my kingship?!"

"I, Westheid Qinghui, the King Claimant, am I worthy of becoming master of the [Gale Heart]?!"

His powerful, resonant voice carried across the snowy plains before the Yonglan Capital. After a moment of silence, Uther was the first to step forward. He proclaimed:

"Yingxi Castle pledges its support to Lord Westheid as our king!"

The Black Knight’s declaration had a remarkable effect. The Knights of Yingxi Castle roared their approval, stirring the other Yonglan Knights to join the cry.

"I, too, support Lord Westheid as our king!"

"Me? I’ve been a die-hard fan of Duke Qinghui for twenty years!"

"Long live the Knight King!!"

"......"

Cheers and the clash of weapons erupted from all sides, enveloping Westheid. He tilted his head back, extremely satisfied.

He then turned and walked toward the only conscious Steel Will Guardian lying in the snow. He looked down upon the old Knight and said:

"Grand Knight of the Gale Heart, what say you? Will this city gate open for me?"

Anhexius, whose arms and legs had been sheared off by a Sunlight Spear, met Westheid’s gaze and quietly asked,

"What did Mephit say... at the end?"

"Something about how I, as a Yonglan Knight, was incomparably powerful."

"Ah, I see."

Anhexius nodded and said,

"Since Mephit has acknowledged your strength and quality as a king, you have passed the Trial of Steel Will. My personal feelings are insignificant in the face of Yonglan’s destiny and the Divine Ancestor’s will."

"Knights, ring the bells twelve times! Welcome the new king of the [Gale Heart]!"

As Anhexius finished speaking, the massive, several-hundred-meter-high city gate was slowly pulled open by the Knights garrisoning the [Gale Heart].

"DONG DONG DONG—"

A deep, distant tolling of bells then echoed from a faraway clock tower, one peal after another, filling the heavens and the earth.

It sounded of mourning, of celebration, and of inscription.

Westheid reached out, touching the falling snowflakes as he stepped onto the long bridge before the gate, supported by the two young women.

"Let’s go. Let’s finish this quickly."

As they proceeded slowly, the grandeur and solemnity of the Celestial God’s architecture unfolded before them. It was a vastness that would leave any mortal speechless. In the face of this colossal structure, filled with a chilling, majestic, and magnificent aura, words became superfluous. One could only enter with a sense of reverence for the divine miracle.

Lining both sides of the grand avenue, guardian Knights in platinum robes and exquisite armor knelt neatly on one knee, silently welcoming their new king.

Behind the King Claimant was his pilgrimage army. As per tradition, they would traverse the entirety of the [Gale Heart], a symbolic act signifying that the King Claimant’s will now enveloped this divine structure.

The King Claimant himself had to formally sit upon the throne to complete the ritual. The path to the Yonglan Hall was a very long one.

Even with all the mechanisms along the way activated, the journey on foot would take an immense amount of time. For example, one would have to experience what it’s like to ride a lift for two hours.

Under normal circumstances, admiring the breathtaking scenery of the [Gale Heart] would have been a refined pleasure.

But at this moment, after Westheid’s great battle, the damage from the [Soul Burning Technique] had covered half his body with cracks. The physical wounds were not the frightening part. The crucial point was that the [Soul Burning Technique] was one of the few Forbidden Techniques that could directly drain his spirit and Life Force, and even the [Withered Glory Sun] was powerless to help.

Right now, Westheid just wanted to collapse and sleep. As he started to fall backward, Mivana caught him.

"Teacher West, hang in there! There’s only the final part of the ritual left. Once you reach the Holy Hall, you’ll be the undisputed Knight King."

The Wolf-eared Maiden’s pretty face was filled with excitement. After all, she was currently holding a newly crowned Knight King!

As a Yonglan Knight, the honor made Mivana practically leap for joy. Her large, wagging tail wound itself around Westheid’s thigh.

Reiya wasn’t as openly joyful as the Beast-eared Maiden. She simply said softly,

"If West hadn’t become king, I wouldn’t have minded ending the history of the Country of Yonglan."

This was no joke. That’s just how his most extreme devotees are.

Westheid shook his head. "Then it’s a good thing for Yonglan that I made it this far... It’s fine. Just help me a little further. I think I can hold on."

Supported by his two lovers, who were also Westheid’s intended Apostles, he finally arrived at the Holy Hall at the very center and summit of the [Gale Heart].

In this Holy Hall, the one closest to the [Yonglan Riding God], the marble and crystal-paved floors reflected the light of the magnificent, dazzling chandeliers. The seats for the Knights all faced a high dais, where a throne cast from white iron sat, waiting for its occupant. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

The Knight King was supposed to receive a direct blessing from the Divine Ancestor here, becoming the nation’s ruler by divine right. Though not as orthodox as the Emperor of the Empire or the master of the Royal Court, they would still be considered a legitimate Divine Chosen.

Of course, Westheid would not be receiving the [Yonglan Riding God]’s blessing now. This wasn’t a bad thing for him. In fact, had the [Yonglan Riding God] truly still been present, Westheid would never have even considered this pilgrimage to claim the throne.

’All I want is the Knight King’s authority to command the nation. I have no desire to be some devout servant to a Celestial God. A great man is born between heaven and earth; how could he languish long under another’s rule?!’

He ascended the steps, and with Mivana’s support, Westheid gently lowered himself onto the Knight King’s throne, formally completing the ancient ritual.

Without even pausing to catch his breath, Westheid immediately spoke.

"I’m leaving the rest to you. Once news of my ascension within the [Gale Heart] spreads throughout the Country of Yonglan, the Grand Knights who are watching from the sidelines will have to make their choice."

"Invite those who are willing to recognize me into the [Gale Heart]. As for those who object to my claim to the throne... I can’t be bothered to deal with them myself. I’ll leave it to you to suppress them."

"Understood, West. Get some rest. You can leave everything else to us."

Reiya cradled Westheid’s head in her embrace and spoke softly.

His tense spirit relaxed in the young woman’s full, soft bosom. Westheid slowly closed his eyes, and a wave of exhaustion and dizziness immediately washed over him.

............

When Westheid regained consciousness, the first thing he felt was himself lying on a large, soft, warm bed.

A faint fragrance wafted into his nostrils. Westheid was about to call out for Reiya or Mivana, but as the name formed on his lips, he realized the scent was completely unfamiliar.

It wasn’t the scent of either of his lovers.

Duke Qinghui’s eyes snapped open. A voice immediately filled his ears—a voice brimming with such attachment and fervor it felt as if it were trying to latch onto his very soul.

"You’re awake?"

"Lord Westheid... No, My King."

Turning his head, Westheid saw that he was indeed in a bed. However, the person keeping vigil at his side was neither the White-haired Dragon Lady nor the Wolf-eared Maiden. It was Mephit—the very person who had just given him such an unforgettable experience.