Simulate the universe, starting with speedrunning Greek.

They were also reminded of the discussion between Volsung and the prince about the magnanimity of a king.

Is there a simpler way to verify whether selling his daughter was a sign of a king's magnanimity than what we have now?

Only the one who can draw this sword is the destined king; everyone else is surely a false king.

Is there anyone more deserving of the title of king than the one who has received the holy sword, which is to say, the king who has been recognized by the gods?

however--

At that moment, I saw the burning gazes on those people's faces.

Although he also coveted the sword, he was not obsessed with its so-called honor of being chosen by Heaven, but rather wanted to use it as a weapon for his adventures in this universe.

After all, it's an epic tale of heroes—it would be too pathetic if it didn't even have its own unique weapon.

Aside from the fact that he, as a newly born human, cannot use other divine artifacts in the gamble, the number of weapons with a significant reputation in this era can be counted on one hand.

Therefore, Ye was drawn to the advantage of weapons. On the contrary, those who entrust their kingship to a sword and need the recognition of others and the gods to be considered worthy of the name of a true king, which of them deserves to be called a true king?

Does a king who is not recognized by the gods not deserve to be a king? A person who lacks absolute self-confidence can be swayed by the words of others and lose his mind. When he has the idea that he needs a sword to judge his true king status, he is no longer qualified to be a king.

That's not called a king... it's a dog that has been tamed by the gods.

At this moment, everyone present began to scramble to draw their swords.

Although these people were quite unaware of their own actions, and indeed did do things that were equally unaware of their own, each of them harbored some unknown expectation that they might be the chosen king. They tried to pull out the sword, but most of them were unable to even touch the hilt because they were resisted by the power of the sword in the tree.

This included Higir, who tried several times but refused to leave, and several other princes, and even King Volsung, who also tried but failed...

Seeing this, Ye knew that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, only Sigmund could grasp the sword and pull it out.

He wasn't going to wait any longer; he wanted to pull the sword out of the tree before Sigmund could!

And just as Ye Dong approached the tree, everyone around him turned their gazes toward him.

Soon after, they saw Ye easily touch the hilt of the sword in the tree without any effort, seemingly without any resistance from the power of the holy sword.

Suddenly—everyone was stunned.

how come?

They had considered that perhaps someone could touch the sword and pull it out, but they never imagined that the hilt, which they themselves had struggled to even approach, would be grasped so easily and casually by someone else.

???

The holy sword was said to possess a spirit, and its pride would not be easily tamed.

Chapter 153 Kneel down or die, choose!

What about that squeezing sensation emanating from the sword, as if it were being repelled by the atmosphere?

Where did that irresistible, unapproachable, and despair-inducing force of repulsion go? How did it suddenly disappear?

Even if it were just a little more difficult for them to hold that sword, people would feel better.

This is... differential treatment?! In an instant, countless people's eyes turned red, as if their Dao hearts had shattered.

The next moment, under the gaze of countless eyes, and in the stunned eyes of the old man (Odin) hidden in the shadows, Night suddenly drew his longsword with a clang!

He then lifted it up with one hand and placed it in the sunlight, carefully examining the sword's blade as it reflected the clear light of a lake.

Is this the sword in the tree—Gram? The prototype of the sword in the stone, the undisputed holy sword among holy swords, and one of the few swords with the feat of slaying dragons (attribute)!

In mythology and history, most holy swords have a great reputation but no record of defeating powerful enemies. But Gram is different... Whenever you mention dragon slayers, dragon-slaying heroes and their swords, you will inevitably think of Siegfried and his holy sword Gram.

That's right, this is a holy sword, not a demonic sword—a sword that brings victory, and holy swords with this characteristic are usually not ordinary in their power.

Examples include the golden sword obtained before nightfall, which was powerful enough to defeat the Fiery Demon and destroy the world, as well as Excalibur, which saved the planet, and the golden sword of the Persian war god that severed his divine status. These weapons had an almost invincible record in the hands of their wielders and in the era in which they were active.

Of course, the requirements for using such a sword are also extremely demanding; only a true master can wield a holy sword of this caliber.

At this moment, the sword in the tree felt as if it were an extension of his own arm in Ye's hand.

Mastery of all weapons—that was the ultimate martial arts training of Night, manifested in the physical body at its peak… It was a talent that allowed one to use any weapon at will, which rendered Odin's tactile intervention on the sword in the tree completely ineffective against Night.

Rather, it's not just heroes who choose their weapons; weapons also crave powerful and skilled masters.

Night's terrifying martial aura completely subdued Gram. The holy sword, originally forged to be perfectly suited to Sigmund, now lay obediently in Night's hand.

(Gram: Sigmund? Who's that?! I don't know him at all... Don't bother me, I'm afraid my master will misunderstand!)

"He drew that holy sword...!"

"How could it be him?!"

"The Chosen King—has appeared...!"

When the outcome is already decided...

The entire banquet erupted in an uproar.

On this extraordinary day, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Ye, who had just pulled the sword from the tree, stood tall and strong, his figure resembling a scene from a mythological epic.

Sigourney and the other princes were stunned. Sigourney, the youngest sister, felt an unparalleled admiration and longing for her brother. Night became increasingly special to her, and she began to distinguish her feelings for him from those for her other brothers.

Her brother—was a king ordained by heaven, a true hero who seemed to exist only in stories and epics?! He was practically the embodiment of destiny!

Witnessing such a legendary scene, Sigourney's face flushed with excitement and her breathing became rapid. At this moment, she had completely forgotten most of the sadness she had felt not long ago.

Meanwhile, on the other side, King Higel of the Goths had his face completely twisted in agony. Why... wasn't that person me?

The figure standing tall and majestic with sword in hand in the sunlight was like a deity walking among mortals, radiating a dazzling light that commanded respect...

So, so, so—enviable! Envious! Even infuriating…!

I don't want to see this scene, where the other party is in the limelight, continue any longer. Let's freeze this moment in time.

At this moment, Higel interrupted the sacred moment, and it was his voice that brought everyone's attention back to the present: "I am willing to pay three times the weight of this sword in gold for it!! Sell this sword to me, how about it?"

When Higil suddenly spoke loudly to the night from the crowd, he immediately attracted everyone's attention.

But—after clearly hearing what nonsense Higir had just said.

Huh? At this moment, not only Ye, but even the people around him were stunned after they realized what was happening.

Wait, what did the Gothic King just say? How much is he willing to pay for this holy sword?

The next moment, people looked at Higil with disdain. Three times the gold? That's all? So stingy... and you expect to get such powerful divine-made weaponry?

Can the value of a holy sword be measured in something as mundane as gold? Not to mention that it only increased the size of the sword by a mere three times. What's the difference between that and buying someone's land for a dollar—a forced sale?

Even if they were offered cities in exchange, they might not be willing to do so.

That was a symbol of miracles, a symbol of divinely ordained kingship!

On the other hand, Ye's attitude towards such idiots was very simple and brutal, consisting of only one word: "Get lost!"

That handsome and beautiful face, like Asmita under the Bodhi tree, when he looked over indifferently, yet uttered such vulgar words, no one felt anything was wrong, only that he was a little unable to hold back, but upon closer inspection, there was even a hint of domineering.

Higil: "You...!? Do you really think you can command all nations with just a sword? It's a waste that this sword is only good for fighting in your hands, but it can be of much greater use in mine. Selling the sword to me is a good thing for both of us. Only a king is qualified to wear the sword of a king, and right now you are at least a prince. Don't break the rules."

Higil almost said, "If you can't handle this sword, then I can."

His intense desire for the holy sword was practically written all over his face. He would stop at nothing to get it!

To this night, he simply said, "I have absolutely no interest in the rules that ants crawling around on the ground have."

He paused slightly, then continued mockingly, "Want my sword? If you serve me as your master and do a few things that please me, a mere sword or two—it's not impossible to bestow them upon your subordinates as a reward. But as a follower, you are completely unqualified in my eyes."

"—And you unworthy fellow, you've placed your misplaced, foolish greed on my treasure. So, have you considered the price for offending me, King of the Goths? I'll give you a notice too. Kneel down, or die—choose!"

When the night was so domineering, and such a shocking announcement was made out of the blue, the air fell silent for a moment, chillingly cold.

Higel clenched his fists, his body stiffening, and looked at him incredulously, as if he still doubted whether he had just hallucinated.

What? What? What? How did things suddenly escalate to such a dangerous point?

Kneel down, or... die?!

Chapter 154 Killing the King for His Sister? Nordic Women: This Man is So Cool!

Having roughly figured out what kind of person King Volsung was, and having already gotten the sword in the tree he wanted from his girlfriend, Ye didn't plan to play along with these idiots any longer. At most, there would just be a battle here.

And this era may also have some powerful and troublesome things, such as that evil dragon Fafnir.

But these ordinary people in front of me are clearly not a threat to the night at all.

At this moment, everyone around was completely stunned: "...!"

They were completely baffled by this prince who acted in ways that defied all expectations.

Although the night brought absolute composure, calmness, and confidence stemming from absolute strength...

But in other people's eyes, it's a completely different story.

They initially thought Higil was trying to intimidate them, and began to lament for the night.

Turns out, this guy is actually the more domineering one...?

Kneel down or die...?! Hiss!

Even though everyone here knows what kind of person Higil is, isn't this prince really worried about offending him and then facing the power of the entire Gothic kingdom behind him?

The small territory of Volsunga can't withstand the turmoil caused by its neighboring countries. Doesn't he even care about his own son?

This is insane! Absolutely insane! (At this moment, Volsung: ? I'm totally stunned. My mind is completely blank with fear.)

Higil: "...! Damn it, I'm standing right here, do you dare lay a hand on me? Lay a hand on a wealthy and noble king—?! I..."

Although Higil had been intimidated by Ye's assertive attitude and cold aura, upon realizing he was now in a crowd, standing with Volsung and the others...

Higel was determined to only talk big and would never actually stand up and fight the other side one-on-one!

However, as soon as he finished making his harsh remarks, everyone around him immediately moved away from him, as if avoiding a plague god, clearing the battlefield for him.

Although these people also felt that Ye had gone mad to make such a reckless decision, it didn't mean they dared to stand in front of that madman.

What if we get killed along with them?

It was this sudden scattering of people that left Higil completely exposed, making every inch of his skin incredibly sensitive, as if he were naked and exposed to the air, and he started getting goosebumps.

Oh no! Just as this ominous premonition arose, the next moment, Shigil's hair stood on end, and his body instinctively surged with an overwhelming sense of fear and terror. Whoosh!

A swift flying blade slashed past him, as naturally as a swift gliding across the sky on a rainy day.

When the blood bloomed like cherry blossoms in the sky, beautiful as raindrops, those around felt as if they had fallen into an ice cellar, utterly stunned.

They actually...really...made a move?!