Chapter 72: How Can He Be So Humble!
Scáthach's disciple selection heavily depends on fate, so her students' personalities and even martial arts styles are generally not very similar.
There are even complete opposites among them.
But if you were to find a common trait among such a group, you'd discover that whenever you ask Scáthach's disciples this question, they would immediately give you the answer.
That is—fear of their teacher!
Indeed.
Whether it's warriors daring to fight armies alone, heroes laughing in the face of death, saviors of nations, righteous individuals who keep their promises, madmen bold enough to draw swords against gods, or lust-obsessed fools... No matter how strange, no matter how brave, all those taught by Scáthach fear their teacher.
Noah might be the only exception here.
But he only learned from Scáthach in simulated memories, never actually becoming her disciple in reality.
Thus, to this day, no disciple of Scáthach has ever been unafraid of their teacher.
Naturally, Wakuri is no exception.
Originally standing firm with unyielding resolve, fearless even of death or things more terrifying than death, the moment he saw Scáthach, his legs turned to jelly and he dropped to his knees.
Even his call of "Teacher" lacked confidence.
Seeing him like this, Scáthach—already displeased upon learning her disciple had surrendered without a fight—immediately kicked Wakuri!
Wakuri was sent flying against the cell wall, not even daring to get up.
"Wakuri, I don't recall teaching you to surrender without a fight. Nor do I remember teaching you to tremble on the ground in fear upon seeing me."
Scáthach wasn't angry about what Wakuri had done.
Nor was she angry that he lost.
But she was furious about his cowardice!
It could be said that what Scáthach despises most isn't weakness, but timid and cowardly individuals!
Those who dare to summon courage, no matter how weak, are worthy of remembrance.
While the cowardly, no matter how well-trained, will always be weaklings!
Noah understood Scáthach well, so the moment he saw Wakuri kneel, he slipped out of the dungeon.
His originally arranged plans were temporarily shelved.
Only after Scáthach finished disciplining Wakuri and brought him out of the cell did Noah—who had been leaning against the wall waiting—finally speak.
"Can we talk now?"
Hearing this, Scáthach's gaze fell upon Wakuri.
Her stare made Wakuri shrink his neck and nod repeatedly.
"Talk, we can definitely talk!"
"What kind of person is that Wakuri anyway?"
While Noah and Scáthach went to the dungeon to retrieve Wakuri, the knights waiting at the prepared negotiation table turned to Rivalen—the only one who had contact with Wakuri—for answers.
Even White looked over at this point.
Rivalen sighed helplessly.
"I don't know him that well either. I only had brief contact with him during the escort to the dungeon..."
Rivalen initially intended to explain further, but when he noticed the surrounding knights still watching him, he gave up on further explanations. After thinking for a moment, he finally spoke.
"If I had to say, that Wakuri fellow must have an exceptionally strong backbone."
Hearing him finally begin to speak, the surrounding knights grew more attentive.
"First, I still remember when the King unleashed his royal aura—that Rivalen was one of the few among the Picts who wasn't immediately stunned. He was the only one still standing, weapon in hand, and even dared to look directly at the King... He likely hadn't given up the fight at that moment. But when he saw his comrades behind him either unconscious or kneeling on the ground, he probably realized it was futile and surrendered."
As Rivalen spoke, the other knights reflected and realized it was indeed true. They had all been present at the time. Even though Noah's royal aura wasn't directed at them, they could still feel the terrifying intimidation it carried.
And as the enemy who was both targeted by the King and closest to him, to be "shaken but still not abandon the fight" under such circumstances... He truly had a strong backbone!
"Also, when I escorted him to the dungeons, I could sense that although he didn't resist and remained completely silent, deep down, he never saw himself as a prisoner."
At this point, Rivalen sighed.
"So even though the King claims he can persuade the other party, sign an agreement, and even have them hand over Pictavia directly, I still think such a thing... would be very difficult."
Originally, Rivalen wanted to say it was absolutely impossible. But as he looked at the knights around him, he swallowed his words.
After witnessing Noah's royal aura, these knights' admiration for Noah had reached its peak. Even if he were King Rivalen himself, speaking ill of Noah would likely draw their ire.
Moreover, he wasn't entirely certain himself...
If he were tasked with persuading that Wakuri, he would undoubtedly be at a loss.
But if it were the King...
He had already achieved the feat of ending the war unscathed and securing a complete victory. What miracle couldn't he accomplish?
It was with this thought that Rivalen changed his wording.
And he quickly realized—thank goodness he did, or he would have been utterly embarrassed!
For when Noah and Scáthach emerged with that iron-willed Wakuri he had spoken of, the warrior who had shown him no respect was now all smiles beside Noah, nodding eagerly at whatever Noah said.
When Noah asked him to sign the agreement, he didn't even glance at the contents before putting his name to it.
It was just... How could he be so submissive?
The knights, who had just heard Rivalen praise Wakuri, first glanced at him with odd expressions. Seeing his own shock, they slightly shifted their thoughts.
Their suspicion changed from "Were we deceived by King Noah?" to "What on earth did the King do to this guy in the dungeons?"
But as soon as this thought arose, they remembered Noah's terrifying royal aura.
Well...
If it meant submitting to such a king, then Wakuri's current state... perhaps it was understandable.
They all thought this way, and even after signing the agreement, Wakuri still dared not look at Scáthach, trembling like a frightened rabbit.
Noah, seeing him like this, shook his head slightly. While signing the agreement, he explained the situation to Wakuri.
"Since you have signed the agreement, I will soon release you and a large portion of the Picts' main forces. From now on, you will be under Scáthach's command."
"Your Pictavia will henceforth be part of Britain, becoming the Pictavia Territory following the Twelve Territories of Britain and the Royal Capital, Camelot. Scáthach will serve as its lord. Do you have any objections?"
Upon hearing that the Picts would not be reduced to slavery but instead become citizens of the new territory, Wakuri naturally had no objections. In fact, he was somewhat taken aback.
If earlier he had signed the agreement solely out of extreme fear of Scáthach, now, as Noah handed him the signed agreement, he could feel the weight it carried.
Losing a war and yet not becoming slaves...
For him, this was nothing short of a blessing.
What he didn't know was that the surprises were not over yet.
After handing him the agreement, Noah began explaining the next matter.
Namely...
"Now that Pictavia Territory is part of Britain, as the king of both Britain and Pictavia, it is my duty to help the people of Pictavia resolve the issue of living space."
"Therefore, the first task I assign to Pictavia Territory is to utilize the land that no longer enjoys the protection of the Age of Gods, following the methods I will provide. Is that acceptable?"
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