The Knight from the Fairytales-Chapter 16: Green Knight

The king invited the finest court swordsman in the kingdom to instruct Beihai.
Beihai naturally wouldn't refuse. Compared to fighting like street thugs and ruffians, learning elegant techniques was far better. There was a timeless saying—who cares if it's practical or not, looking cool is what matters!
"Honorable Knight, if you wish to learn, you must start with the basics: thrust, slash, and flick."
As he spoke, the instructor demonstrated, emphasizing the importance of a stable stance and swift execution.
Beihai followed along, perfectly replicating the movements—this was the power of Attribute Points at work. The original Beihai would have needed extensive practice, but with Attribute Points enhancing his strength, reaction speed, and movement precision, he could adapt and control everything flawlessly.
"Not too difficult. Let's skip these basics."
"Th-this Knight, you were born for the sword!"
Excitedly finishing his words, the instructor performed his sword technique on the spot.
Beihai mercilessly replicated it again. Thanks to his superior strength, where others relied on technique, Beihai's single strike could cleave both weapon and body in half if not blocked.
"He... he learned it already! This isn't even about force application technique anymore—with such power, mastery hardly matters!"
The swordsman teaching Beihai was now drenched in sweat. With such rapid learning progress, wouldn't Beihai absorb everything he'd honed over a lifetime in just one day? Such talent was truly terrifying! Then... then Beihai requested another demonstration because he'd forgotten.
There was no helping it—it was like playing a game where you allocate Attribute Points to your character, but intelligence hadn't improved much yet. It was similar to memorizing poetry: four lines could be grasped at a glance and recited after a few repetitions, but an entire article required more time. Given his inherently lazy nature, he might not master an article even after a week, having only perfected slacking off and playing.
So the three basic moves were simple—Beihai understood them instantly. But when it came to techniques and stylish sword dances, it became difficult. His brain understood after one viewing, but his hands didn't cooperate.
Thus, five years passed quietly.
During these five years, whether it was archery, understanding this world, or various skills, Beihai neglected none of them. He studied desperately, even though he was somewhat dull-witted. Even with his physique off the charts, some things just wouldn't stick and could only be memorized through rote learning. Joking aside, having to memorize an entire library's worth of books nearly made Beihai pass out from exhaustion.
"The five-year period is up. It's time for me to leave and vanquish that damned Witch!"
Beihai now felt terrifyingly powerful. Even the king was holding his horse's reins for him.
"Knight, you've learned everything, but it's still not enough. Besides, there's still no news about that Witch. Would you like to wait a bit longer?"
"Your Majesty, we can't wait any longer. The sooner we eliminate the Witch, the sooner the curse is lifted, saving Princess Aurora."
Beihai was quite puzzled. Lifting the curse wasn't just for his benefit—it was for your daughter's sake too. Yet now, after three years had swiftly passed, your Aurora is already rolling around on the ground.
"Knight! Of course I know, but I must let my daughter Aurora know who is protecting her. She must meet you and remember you."
"Uh, Your Majesty, your daughter has been following me since she could crawl. Your daughter already remembers me."
What a joke—with all those blessings combined, by age two she was toddling on short legs as swiftly as an adult, possessing the intellect of a ten-year-old child, enough to be called a prodigy. Some children haven't even "booted up" by age three.
Besides, the longer he stayed here, the more he might miss other story protagonists' development. That would hurt more than losing a hundred million!
"Sigh, since you insist on leaving, then let it be this afternoon. Attend a banquet before you depart. We'll hold a feast for your departure and allow Aurora to properly bid you farewell—you won't refuse this, will you?"
With the king speaking like this, as a knight, it wouldn't be proper to refuse again. But what's the point of saying goodbye to a little kid? It's uncertain whether Beihai would even return after this departure.
Beihai could only dismount and return to the palace with the king.
Upon returning, the king immediately began arranging the banquet, which also served as a small celebration. No neighboring kings or citizens were invited—only the king's own ministers were present to enjoy.
During the banquet, the king naturally sat in the center position, with the queen seated in the first row to his left. Beihai sat opposite the queen, with little Princess Aurora beside him.
Though small in stature, Aurora held a storybook in her hands.
"My destined hero, are you leaving? Will you return? If not, must I venture out on an adventure? Then overcome countless obstacles to slay the Witch together with you? The ending must surely be living happily ever after."
Beihai mercilessly rapped the little brat on the head with his knuckles.
"What destined hero? Read fewer storybooks, or you'll rot your brain."
Beihai showed no mercy. She was just a little kid, even if she liked following him around. But she was still just a little kid—what was there to discuss? It's normal for children to be full of fantasies about everything in the world. Who didn't dream of being a princess as a child, imagining a hero coming to save them and then entering marriage? In Beihai's previous world, some people still dreamed of domineering CEOs—it's essentially the same. Every era has its own dreams.
"I'm not a child anymore. I've grown up."
"Princess Aurora, hasn't anyone told you? Those who say such things usually aren't adults—they're children eager to grow up."
Beihai relentlessly shot her down. During work, he could handle official matters with proper etiquette since there were benefits involved. But when not working, Beihai couldn't even be bothered to give Princess Aurora a proper glance. Everything had its place. Besides, no matter how pretty she looked now, like a doll, she was still just a little brat. Little brats with their clinging, tantrums, and crying were the most annoying.
The banquet proceeded in this atmosphere, with the king leading the ministers in cheerful conversation and laughter. Even the queen watched with doting eyes as her little princess interacted one-sidedly with the knight.
As fine wine and delicacies flowed continuously at the feast, allowing everyone to drink heartily, suddenly—BANG!—the castle doors were smashed open.
A tall knight riding an emerald warhorse burst in. This sudden development made everyone present freeze. The knight's arrival plunged the banquet into complete silence.
While everyone stood stunned, the knight scanned the room and proposed a strange wager in a hoarse voice.
He allowed any brave warrior present to strike him with his sharp axe. If they could knock him down, this divine weapon would belong to the victor. However, there was one condition: one year and one day later, the opponent must withstand an identical strike.
The king and ministers exchanged bewildered glances. What being in this world could survive an axe strike and still be lively? If not, wouldn't they be committing murder? Was this guy here to die?
Seeing everyone's hesitation, the Green Knight publicly mocked the king's cowardice.
Faced with this taunt, the king had no choice but to stand up and defend his dignity.
But Beihai stepped forward first, snatched the battle-axe, and chopped off the knight's head. Beihai couldn't contain his secret joy—he never expected such an unexpected windfall.
Equally delighted was the Green Knight's bleeding head lying on the ground.
The Green Knight's head was severed, yet he remained alive, even grinning widely. The headless Green Knight calmly picked up his own head, and while mounting his horse, didn't forget to tell Beihai:
"Remember your agreement."