Just as the long-winded blessing ended, the people in the ceremony hall were about to continue celebrating the King's wedding when they suddenly saw hundreds of soldiers carrying a massive round table into the hall. This was a huge, circular table, without corners, making it impossible to distinguish between primary and secondary positions.
"This is a wedding gift from my father, King Arthur, to me and Vier. This Round Table has no corners, and therefore no primary or secondary positions. It eliminates distinctions of nobility and status between people; it embodies the supreme principle of fairness in the world. It has no decorations, yet it gathers the beauty of human reason and the light of the soul. It symbolizes freedom and equality."
Looking at the confused crowd and Vier, who was still a bit unaware, Athena went up and caressed the dining table... cough, the Round Table, explaining to everyone. Afterwards, Athena gave Vier a look, and Vier nodded, indicating she understood.
"Thus, I thank King Camela. Come! Knights, I have placed twelve seats upon this Round Table. Knights and heroes present! Display your martial arts, flaunt your swordsmanship! The twelve strongest will claim these supreme seats, becoming My Guardian Knights, becoming one of the strongest warriors of Great Britain. Glory will forever accompany you!"
Following Athena's prompt, Vier instantly understood what to do. She gave a command, and a space was immediately cleared in the hall. Countless warriors, yearning for glory, eager for combat, and seeking to protect, surged towards the arena… "Wait for me, I must become your Knight, to protect and comfort you for life, My Princess."
The adorable purple-haired girl, Lancelot, looked fervently at the Round Table and Athena beside it. She gripped Arondight in her hand and advanced towards the arena with determined steps.
"I haven't seen Merlin, where did she go?"
"This is a very shameful matter, but I will tell you, Vier."
Not seeing that familiar figure, Athena asked Vier. Vier showed a troubled expression for the first time, but she quickly composed herself and began to explain to Athena. The sword in Vier's hand was not the Sword in the Stone. Before the proposal, that sword had broken during a battle. The sword she held now was a replica made by Merlin using alchemy, barely harder than an ordinary sword and looking identical to the Sword in the Stone. However, using a replica would eventually be discovered by those with ill intentions. So, after presiding over the wedding, Merlin ran off midway.
She was now heading to Avalon to find the Lady of the Lake and inquire if the Sword of Promised Victory had been forged.
"So that's how it is?"
Hearing this news, Athena sighed internally. It seemed fate had finished its prelude and was about to enter its climax.
"Eh! This Knight's martial prowess is actually not beneath mine."
While Athena was lost in thought, Vier suddenly became excited. It seemed she had encountered an opponent she could fight. Her battle blood was boiling, but without a good weapon, she remained calm.
Following Vier's gaze, Athena instantly spotted the purple-haired individual who was tormenting their opponent. She immediately knew their identity: Lancelot, who was rumored to have an affair with her, 'Guinevere.' What an interesting encounter. This person wasn't seen before the wedding, so it seemed she only arrived for the wedding. What a melodramatic fate.
"This person is so strong; she can guard Vier while I go retrieve the sword and protect her."
At this moment, a thought suddenly surfaced in Vier's mind. She didn't know that this thought of hers was the beginning of some tragedies, nor did she know that her decision would actually destroy the country she had painstakingly built.
Athena elegantly sipped her red tea while watching the tournament, her graceful demeanor captivating a group of infatuated women.
When a pot of tea was finished, the tournament also ended.
Looking at the twelve seats around the Round Table, Athena couldn't help but sigh. Sure enough, the trend of history cannot be changed.
Lancelot, Lamorak, Percival, Gawain, Kay, Geraint, Gareth, Gaheris, Tristan, Galahad, Bors, Bedivere.
She had originally thought that a small butterfly like herself could change something, but it still reverted to the original history. It seems the power of fate is indeed formidable. Thinking this, Athena no longer observed. She had already prepared herself mentally for the twelve Knight Princesses before her, so there was nothing to be surprised about. It was better to enjoy the scenery and be a quiet, beautiful young wife!
"Vier, what do you think of Sir Lancelot becoming your Guardian Knight?"
Just as Athena was thinking about what to eat for dinner, Vier's words brought her back from her statue-like state. She looked at Vier, who was earnestly asking her, "Aren't you afraid I'll give you a tall, green hat?"
Forget it, since she doesn't know history, she might as well agree!
"Thank you, King. Please take good care of Sir Lancelot."
"Thank you for your courtesy," Zeus said to the purple-haired girl kneeling before them.
"Not at all! It is my honor to protect Her Majesty Queen Guinevere."
Sir Lancelot's face was a little red with excitement, not expecting such sudden happiness.
Seeing Zeus and Sir Lancelot conversing so harmoniously, Lia nodded in relief, knowing she could now retrieve the sword as quickly as possible.
The wedding concluded successfully, and Great Britain officially embarked on its journey.
In another world, humanity was in trouble.
"Quick, you go that way, you go south! We must find the thief who stole the statue of the God."
At this moment, the entire village was in a frantic search. The incredibly precious statue of their Creator had been stolen, plunging them into immense panic. They feared the Gods would send down punishment, so they searched desperately.
"Phew! Finally, a little safer."
After the patrolling guards left, Athena emerged from the shadows. She hadn't expected to trigger an alarm as soon as she acted, a piercing sound echoing throughout the village. Athena used divine magic to shrink the statue and tucked it into her embrace. She didn't regret what she had done at all; obtaining this item gave her a connection to her Mother Goddess, so she wouldn't be lonely anymore.
"Stop, Athena! It's you, isn't it! You stole the statue, didn't you!"
Just as Athena was escaping, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind her. It was Pallas, who had rushed over upon hearing the news. She couldn't believe that the friend she had genuinely made had betrayed her, stealing the most precious item in the entire village.
"That's right, it was me!"
Athena reluctantly turned around, looking at the weeping girl before her. She didn't want to be like this. She had a good impression of this girl who wasn't afraid of her and played with her, but she had to get this item no matter what.
"Why? Why would you do this?"
Pallas looked at Athena heartbroken, truly not wanting to hear this news.
"This is the statue of my Mother Goddess. I want to be with my Mother Goddess."
Taking out the statue, which resembled a figurine, from her embrace, Athena lovingly rubbed it against her face.
"I don't want to take this step, Athena. Return the statue, then leave, and I will pretend nothing ever happened."
Seeing the statue, Pallas drew the sword at her side. She painfully warned Athena that without this statue, the humans living here would face the punishment of the five Goddesses—an unthinkable outcome. At that time, this beautiful village, where she had grown up, would be destroyed. Pallas did not want such a thing to happen.
"That's impossible! I'm sorry, Pallas, forgive my willfulness."
If she used divine power in the village, she would be discovered by the Gods behind the scenes; otherwise, she would have flown away long ago. If she left any trace of divine power, they would mark her, and then she probably wouldn't even sleep peacefully.
"Then I'm sorry, Athena."
Raising the sword in her hand, she acted for the sake of the village, but she overestimated herself and underestimated Athena's strength.
"No, I'm sorry, Pallas."
Athena hadn't expected the power of her mixed bloodline, from the third-generation Titan (Zeus) and the primordial Titan (Gaia), to be so immense. With a single strike, she pierced Pallas. She stared blankly at the bloodstains on her hands and Pallas lying in a pool of blood. Painfully, she embraced Pallas.
"Athena, please save these poor humans! They... they simply cannot withstand the punishment of the five Goddesses. Please... please."
"Okay, I promise you, I promise you."
Experiencing sadness for the first time, Athena held the gradually cooling Pallas, repenting and agreeing.
"From today onwards, I will be called Pallas Athena."
Athena swore in sorrow, then froze Pallas's body and shattered it. This was her funeral for her first, and likely her last, dearest friend.
Avoiding all the guards, Athena, clutching the statue, slowly walked towards the deep forest. She needed to be alone for a while, and then she would deal with the human affairs.
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