Chapter Seven: The Gift (Continued)

Page 1/3

The greatest use of keeping the Frost Giant King’s severed head was as a refrigerator. Although placing food next to a grotesque, menacing head tested one’s tolerance, once accustomed, it didn’t feel so bad—there was even a hint of dark Gothic style to it. For those intrigued by such aesthetics, one could even cuddle the Frost Giant King’s head while sleeping, using it as an air conditioner.

Kai’s explanation sent a chill through the group, though some carefree souls thought it a clever idea; after all, everyone knew that lower temperatures better preserved food.

“Father, I think we can put this thing in our storage room!” Arthur’s boldness showed itself at this moment. After overcoming his initial fear, he eagerly took out the Frost Giant’s head and suggested it to his father.

King Uther shot a glower at his perpetually reckless son and grit his teeth. “Don’t even think about it!”

Kai watched the interaction between father and son with amusement. After so many years away, he found himself missing the warmth of home. Though life outside was thrilling, it always lacked this kind of heartfelt intimacy.

“Alright, Arthur, put that down. I was joking earlier. That’s my trophy, a testament to my friendship with King Bryl. There’s no way I’d let you put it in the kitchen.” Kai took the head from Arthur’s hands and returned it to its box, ending the little ‘battle’ between father and son.

Next, Kai pulled several boxes from a pile of parcels, first handing a long case to Arthur.

“This is your gift.”

As Arthur’s older brother, Kai had watched him grow up. Arthur never knew the meaning of politeness with Kai and eagerly opened the long case, removing its contents.

It was a longsword, roughly 1.4 meters in length. The grip was extended, and the blade about nine centimeters wide. It resembled a typical knight’s longsword, but unlike ordinary steel swords, this one gleamed with a dark golden hue, its design simple yet grand. The guard was shaped like two dragons arching over the blade—a perfect match for Arthur’s lineage (the royal emblem of King Arthur’s family is a red dragon).

Arthur had undergone the strictest knightly training since childhood, his knowledge of weapons surpassing even that of his own garments. Holding the sword, he immediately recognized it as a formidable weapon.

“This longsword was specially forged for you by a master dwarf smith in Asgard. Its material comes from the hardest, most mysterious metal beneath the northern ice plains. I spent nearly all my savings on it. Use it well, Arthur.”

In truth, forging this sword was even more arduous than Kai described. Its primary material was called “Mithril.” When Kai first heard the name, he almost thought the dwarf was another traveler like himself. Though Kai seldom read novels in his previous life, he had encountered Western fantasy tales during his studies and knew Mithril was a fictional metal, a product of fantasy.

However, Kai soon realized he had misunderstood. Though both called Mithril, this rare metal was entirely different from the mythical one he knew. It was incredibly light—less than a quarter the weight of iron of the same volume—unlike the fictional Mithril. Yet its hardness and cutting ability matched the legends perfectly.

Its rarity was even greater. Were it not for Kai’s favor with the dwarves, the greedy dwarves would never have parted with it. Still, Arthur’s sword wasn’t made purely of Mithril; it contained other metals as well. But the dwarves of Northern Europe had craftsmanship far beyond this era, their alloying techniques were exquisite, resulting in a sword of exceptional quality that honored the Mithril’s reputation.

Originally, the dwarves and King Bryl intended to enchant the sword, but Kai declined their offer, knowing King Uther’s disdain for magic.

Page 2/3

Though sharp and sturdy, the longsword bore no magical properties.

Arthur fondled the sword Kai had given him, utterly delighted. He swung it twice, feeling the perfect balance and structure—no awkwardness, incredibly effortless. The more he held it, the more he admired it, until accidentally the sword’s tip brushed against a nearby wine jug and cup.

At this time, the Celts had yet to possess fine porcelain. They mainly used pottery, while the royal palace featured metal vessels. King Uther’s favorite wine cup was crafted entirely of pure gold.

Yet when Arthur’s sword struck the wine jug and cup, the blade passed through them as if they were not there.

About five seconds later, the jug and cup slowly split into two halves—more accurately, they slid apart silently. The upper halves slid down without a sound, spilling wine everywhere, the cut edges perfectly smooth without a single burr.

Everyone gasped in shock—they had never imagined such a razor-sharp weapon. All the men present fervently gazed at the longsword in Arthur’s hand. After all, they were knights; no knight could resist the allure of a divine weapon.

In their eyes, Arthur’s sword rivaled the legendary Celtic artifacts of myth.

Arthur himself gasped, the sword’s sharpness unnerving him. For a moment, he feared it might cut him as well.

Kai was unperturbed. He patted Arthur on the shoulder. “Use this weapon wisely.”

“Does this sword have a name?” Arthur asked eagerly.

“Excalibur—the Sword of Vow and Victory,” Kai said with a mischievous grin, then turned his attention to King Uther.

Uther, initially uninterested in Kai’s gifts and disapproving of Kai’s decade-long world travels, which he saw as frivolous, now found himself pleasantly surprised. Like all knights—and indeed all men—he could not resist the allure of a legendary weapon.

Unfortunately, Kai didn’t have a habit of repeating gifts, nor did he have access to more Mithril. Instead, he presented Uther with a crown.

An exquisitely magnificent crown, crafted entirely from coral and pearls.

“This crown is called the Fisherman’s Crown. I received it from the King of the Fishermen’s Kingdom during my travels in Atlantis. Though the name is humble, it is the kingdom’s most treasured artifact—naturally formed coral, untouched by polishing, adorned only with a few golden pearls.”

Upon hearing this, King Uther’s expression brightened with satisfaction. In fact, when Kai produced the crown, Uther was already thrilled. Though not a weapon, a coral crown of this nature was a rare and wondrous treasure.

Page 3/3

The Celts’ seafaring skills were lacking; otherwise, they wouldn’t have remained confined to England. This made coral and pearls exceedingly rare in the Celtic realms—more precious than gold or gemstones. In other kingdoms, a crown adorned with fragments of coral would suffice to please a king; one with a single pearl would arouse the envy of all monarchs.

But the crown Kai gave was composed entirely of the most beautiful red coral, naturally formed, with the golden-hued pearls adding priceless value. King Uther even suspected that if he sold it, some kings might trade entire castles for it.

With this crown, Uther could boldly proclaim Camelot’s wealth and power to all. Such temptation was irresistible to a king.

Finally, Kai’s gaze turned to Morgana, who had been watching him with a proud smile since the beginning, admiring his confident demeanor that impressed everyone.

When Kai’s eyes met hers, Morgana suddenly blushed deeply.

Kai stepped forward, took her hand, and gave her a playful head pat.

“And how could I forget our dear Morgana, my most beloved sister?” He led her to a pile of boxes. “These are all yours, my dear Princess Morgana.”

Excited servants quickly opened the boxes. After the lavish gifts given earlier, no one expected Kai’s present to Morgana to be ordinary.

When opened, the contents dazzled them all.

Exotic gold jewelry, gems, artworks, mysterious silks—but most striking was a set of ladies’ armor and a pair of slightly shorter knightly swords. Every item radiated immense wealth; even the well-traveled King Uther felt as if he stood before his royal treasury.

Morgana was momentarily overwhelmed. She certainly cherished Kai’s gifts, but their extravagance left her unsure how to respond.

King Uther was a frugal monarch—proud, but not ostentatious. As his adopted daughter, Morgana never lacked for anything, yet she had never seen such treasures before.

“What’s wrong, my dear Lady Morgana? Are you going to refuse your Kai? That would be heartbreaking!” Kai teased theatrically.