Chapter 43: Noah's Conqueror's Haki
"...Does the King know I'm using a false identity?"
When Artoria heard Morgan say this, she remained silent for a moment before asking such a question.
It was evident that although she knew she should properly face Morgan, she still felt somewhat uncomfortable about the situation.
Just as Morgan had long known about her, Artoria had long known about Morgan too.
Merlin had told her everything about Morgan.
If Artoria were to become King, she would inevitably have to face her elder sister—because even though Merlin said Morgan couldn't defeat Vortigern, it didn't change the fact that she had taken the throne from her sister.
But now she wasn't the King—she was Artoria.
This left her somewhat unsure how to approach Morgan.
Family.
Although Ector and Kay had given her a home, the concept of blood relatives felt undeniably distant to Artoria.
She had no idea how to handle relationships with blood relatives.
Otherwise, in the original timeline, she wouldn't have had conflicts with Mordred after already being at odds with Morgan.
After pondering for a while, Artoria finally settled on a random topic.
"He probably knows."
Seeing Artoria like this—especially that face identical to her own when she was still the First Princess, before becoming a witch—Morgan, who had initially intended to mock her, ultimately couldn't bring herself to do it.
After all, the conflict between her and Artoria no longer existed.
Her anger and sorrow had long ceased to be directed at Artoria after Noah became King, so now she had no reason to convince herself to do anything further.
Since that was the case...
—Then as an elder sister, it was only right to take care of her younger sister a little.
"I know Noah fairly well. I heard from Ector that you and Noah sleep together at night now. If Noah didn't know you were a woman, he would never do such a thing."
Hearing Morgan say this, Artoria blinked.
"Sister, have you known the King for a long time?"
"Ah... indeed, it's been quite some time. We knew each other before he became King."
Morgan spoke casually, then she saw Artoria come right up to her and grab her hand.
The stray hair on Artoria's head—defying all logic—swayed continuously with her emotions.
—Just like a puppy's tail.
"Sister, can you tell me about the King then?"
Seeing Artoria's eyes practically sparkling, Morgan instinctively shrank back, but Artoria leaned in even closer. This gesture made Morgan, who was unaccustomed to physical contact, feel somewhat flustered.
"Alright, don't be like this..."
Morgan first pushed Artoria back, then, while masking her unsettled feelings, she granted Artoria's wish.
"Anyway, it's nothing important. Since you're interested, I'll tell you about it."
"Yes!"
...
Noah didn't know how Artoria and Morgan's conversation was going, nor did he know what the two sisters were discussing.
But he left Fou, that is Mary, on the study desk. If Morgan and Artoria truly started arguing, Mary would inform him.
Since Mary hadn't said anything to him, it meant the two sisters seemed to be getting along relatively well now that the throne was no longer between them.
At this thought, Noah let out a long sigh of relief.
Although in the simulated memories he had witnessed both scenarios—Morgan and Artoria reconciling or not—it was naturally best if they could reconcile on their own.
Freed from this worry, Noah's mind gradually settled.
His body mechanically practiced martial arts as per his memories, while his consciousness sank deeper, increasingly oblivious to his surroundings.
Noah had been contemplating Conqueror's Haki for the past few days but hadn't managed to awaken it yet.
Therefore, during recent training sessions, he had been calming his mind while continuously attempting to activate Conqueror's Haki.
Though he knew that in the original work, some people's Conqueror's Haki would activate with their strong will, that method clearly only worked during critical moments.
What he needed was Conqueror's Haki that could be freely controlled.
So it couldn't be about having a will strong enough to trigger it, but rather... finding his true conviction that could guide him throughout his entire life!
For Noah, the process of awakening Conqueror's Haki was also a journey of self-discovery.
As for what conviction could awaken his Conqueror's Haki...
Was it leading Britain forward?
No!
If he merely wanted to become a ruler of a nation, his Conqueror's Haki wouldn't be particularly strong.
Was it wanting to unite the world and become the king of the world?
Also no!
Because he clearly understood that such goals were merely objectives to accomplish if possible, not his genuine aspiration.
Then what exactly was it...
As Noah's consciousness sank deeper, the memories in his mind gradually shifted from this lifetime's memories and simulated memories to those of his previous life.
That was a world without the supernatural elements of the Nasuverse, a world more belonging to humanity.
Humans were the dominant species on Earth.
Humans hadn't discovered other intelligent life in the universe.
Humans were the strongest known species to themselves!
Whether criticized as physically weak or accused of losing hunting instincts... even these were criticisms humans made about themselves.
And no matter what humans said about themselves, it couldn't change the fact that humanity was then the dominant species on Earth!
Reaching this point in his thoughts, Noah suddenly opened his eyes.
That's right.
Although he hadn't realized it before, whether developing Alchemy or improving cuisine, these were all processes of shaping the present world to resemble the one from his previous life.
Thus, the conviction that could awaken his Conqueror's Haki became quite simple.
—It was the pride and confidence in humanity, unique to him as a transmigrator in this era!
The moment Noah established this understanding, his will radiated outward in all directions!
The previously audible birdsongs and wind sounds instantly vanished.
The entire world fell silent under Noah's will.
In this silent world where birds fell to the ground, winds ceased, and swaying trees stood still... the only one remaining upright was Noah himself.
His immense presence, unrelated to physical stature, manifested fully at this moment.
This caused Scáthach—who had initially intended to confront Noah out of curiosity after witnessing his martial prowess—to freeze in place after leaping forward.
It also made Vortigern, who had been leaning nearby and preparing to draw his sword upon noticing Scáthach, halt his movement.
Scáthach had never met Noah before, though she had heard some tales about this King Arthur.
But she held no regard for concepts like "Chosen King" or similar titles. As both a warrior and the Queen of the Land of Shadows, she had her own understanding of what constituted an exceptional king.
Yet at this moment, without having exchanged a single word with Noah, Scáthach formed a thought...
Was King Arthur the Chosen King?
No!
With such formidable presence, he needed no divine selection—nor even followers. Standing alone here, he was undeniably a king!
Why was he king?
Because he was born to be king!
----------
For advance chapters join my Patreon.
[email protected]/Aarvan