22 Chapter 22 Hesitation
In an open field, there we saw the sword of selection that would determine the fate of Britain and elect the greatest king, Caliburn.
I could see that it was made from the best magecraft that Merlin could pull but from just its texture I could conclude that he took Vivian's help in making this strong weapon.
Many knights gathered to pull the sword out from the slab but none was able to succeed. They were trying various ways like pulling sword with two or more knights or tying sword with rope then pulling with force hoping to take out the sword but their efforts were in vain.
"Oi!" We then heard a masculine voice and saw Kay waving his hand. Both Artoria and I nodded and went towards him.
"You have become old that you are forgetting your own stuff, Brother Kay," I smirked.
"Haha, I thought it will be another boring day of paperwork so I intentionally left them at home." He chuckled and said.
"Or you just want to date some other pretty girls!" I shook my head.
I never thought that he would turn out to be second Merlin. He also liked to flirt with girls and date them if he thinks that the girl was of his taste but all those girls end up leaving him in the end since his duty as a knight was a busy one and he was still young only 19 years old. In actuality, knights don't have any leeway to even look at a girl for marriage other than lust but he was a playboy who likes to take advantage of his handsome face.
"Haha! Don't be jealous. You will also become handsome when you get a little older." He said with a smirk to which I ignored while watching knights taking out the sword.
"Brother Kay?" Artoria called Kay.
"Ahh?"
"Is that the sword of selection?" She asked looking at the shiny sword that would change her life.
"Ahh.. yeah… Merlin came here yesterday, saying that it will determine the next king." He answered and got ready to try his luck. He then looked in my direction as if wanted to ask something. He then sent Artoria to the stand to place his lance and armor.
"Einar?"
"Yes, Brother Kay?"
"What do you think about this sword?" He asked but I guessed that he wanted to ask something else.
"Merlin's handmade with the essence of unidentified magic if I say…" I didn't why but it was giving me a unique feeling that my honest side didn't like. The only reason I don't like wield any holy sword from Vivian's treasury was that it erases some of the emotions or anything related to pain.
Well, my main reason was that it gives longevity by slowing down growth that I didn't want at this time.
"I am not asking about its magical aspects. Do you think a person could take out this sword if he is suitable to be king and not fated to be king?" He asked again and this time his focus was on my expression.
"I…" I didn't have an answer. I was clueless. How should I know that if a person is suitable or not? I never judged the rule of anyone. There were still some nations that were ruled by small lords and kings but I never get to know or scale-out their laws of governing.
"Ah… I guessed." He stood up from his seat when Artoria came back and we all walked towards the slab.
"Oh, look! The great knight will try his luck!" Surrounding villagers who were watching people trying their luck started to gossip.
"Hey, isn't that Merlin's disciple? I guess he could try some magic to take out that sword."
"Yeah, he is so cute. If the king is such a cutie pie then this place will become a dreamland!"
And how is that possible that I didn't come into the discussion? All three of us ignored the comments and came to the position of the slab. I could also read the description written on the slab that whoever will take this sword out of the slab will be deemed worthy of becoming king of Britain.
Brother Kay held the sword tightly then put all of his might into taking out the sword.
"O' sword of selection chose me!!! Ughhh!!"
After muscling to tear out the word out of slab for a minute, he finally let go of it. He became sweaty clearly showing that he put all of his muscles.
"So I am not worthy to become a king…?" He looked disappointed. Though he knew the identity of Artoria, he was still determined to try his luck. It was deemed a knight's dream to become a king someday without realizing the responsibility they would face. Not to mention the biggest thorn that they will face, Vortigern.
"Is that great knight also not worthy?"
"I wonder if the new king will really appear…"
Villagers became a little discourage since Kay was the best knight of the town. If he isn't worthy then who else? They didn't take me into account since I was a mage and a 12 years old child while Artoria was out of the question since she- no Arthur was girlish looking.
"It's a sword that no one can draw, a figure that only by existing can cause problems. The one that will become king will be decided by a tourney." Brother Kay said looking at the sword like it was just a troublesome thing.
"Does that mean…?" Artoria guessed the meaning behind Brother Kay's words.
"It is already been decided, this is a good way to choose."
"Even if a King was not chosen?" Artoria asked.
"What is a king who cannot be seen? It's more human to measure who has more power with its hand and with money." His eyes fell on me for a moment before reverting back to shiny sword and he continued, "It is easier to help ourselves with objectives that align with our interest. No one wants to see or become "The agent of god that saves everything."
At his statement, I opened my eyes wide while realizing something. In short, he wanted to say that the person who shall be the king has to be someone who has the interest to become a king to protect something like a knight who knows what to protect than the person who is designed to become a king who has no idea what a king is.
I looked at Artoria who was a little perplexed at that time. I put my hand on her shoulder to get her attention and smiled that would be saying, 'don't worry, I am here with you.'
She also nodded then asked Brother Kay, "Brother Kay, do you think the same?"
"Of Couse. You should go back to father before you get mocked for having such a slender feminine body that can barely hold a sword." He asked Artoria to put on some muscles since she indeed looked like a girl even after being called Arthur publicly.
"This is your first and last opportunity. You should go back home." In short, 'Think about it before for one and last time before putting your hands on this sword.'
He looked at me for a moment before leaving me and Artoria me alone to start preparation for jousting.
"It seems that they will decide who will be the king with a competition, lets go see!"
"Should we also go?"
"So Merlin's prophecy was not true?"
Villagers showed their disappointment before leaving the two of us alone.
I looked at Artoria and was about to extend my hand but stopped. I had no words to say. I hesitated.
---
It was night time and the sword of selection was glittering from bright moonlight.
I approached the sword of selection when no one was around.
Just like any other person who wants to try their luck, I was also the same but why in the dark when no one was around, I didn't know the answer at that time but it was visible reality.
I was a coward.
I didn't want people to see me taking out this sword and become a king in front of them. I just wanted to test if Artoria was the only one or if there is a hidden meaning behind Merlin's philosophy.
I walked up to the slab and put my hand on the handle of the sword.
"Huh?"
I was jolted with silent surprise as the sword budge and if I put even a tiny bit of force, I would have taken it out and become the king.
'What's the meaning of this?' My mind was in mess.
I knew that the sole reason Artoria wanted to win the grail war was to undo the sword of selection because she went for the doom taking the nation along with her.
'Will I be better than her?'
The answer was no. I was just a mage and knight with little to no sense of kingship than Artoria. I was just an ordinary person in my previous life too. How will I face the expectation of the whole of Britain? Will I be a better King? You could add dozens of reasons that I don't want to go such a path.
'Should I replace her and save her from her demise?'
My feelings conflicted with replacing the legitimate King Arthur to save my beloved Artoria against my whole wish to come here and be a knight to stand with the legend.
'I love you, Artoria. It will never change.'
I smiled and decided to pull the sword-
… only to let go and walk back to my home.
I didn't even have to courage to pull the sword then how could I face the whole nation. That fear overshadowed my love for Artoria as a rational reason.
I was just but a coward.
---
(Merlin's POV)
I saw Einar walking back without even noticing me. No, perhaps he had noticed me but he was thinking about something.
"Such a letdown…"
I was a little disappointed that even Einar didn't dare to save her.
"We will see. Einar, my beloved disciple, I am in this game too. When the time comes, I hope to be able to place all my cards on you."
I smiled looking at the bright moon when petals rise in the air.
---
I will say this again. Although MC is not super mega alpha male who will do everything right, I will try to make a bearable so not to destroy the plot too much. Again, MC's role is that of an observer.
Wait where are you going? There is another chapter mix in this one. Enjoy.
==========
[Omake 1: Arrival of Storm in Chaldea]
A girl could be seen walking nervously in the hallway towards the special room. She had shoulder-length red hair tied in a side ponytail on the left side with a usually yellow hairband and a cowlick, and light orange eyes.
"I hope I could summon an SSR servant…" She was biting her nails and sweating from the anxiety.
Her name was Ritsuka Fujimaru, the sole master of Chaldea as well as humanity. Her role was to work as a magus and to summon servants to help in her quest.
It was a special day for Ritsuka as she was taking a risk of losing a lot of saint quartz for this event.
The reason behind this was to complete the servants from the Knights of the Round Table.
This morning.
"Gil-san, why are you so angry?" Ritsuka asked Caster Gil.
"That rude Merlin thinks that he has the greatest clairvoyance and was using his skill to find our belongings and threatening me!" Caster Gil crossed his arms.
"Did he find out your porn collection again?"
"How did you- I mean don't be a mongrel, Ritsuka Fujimaru! More importantly, the point is, if you don't stop him then I will take this matter into my hand. This organization will not be safe. The dogs of the round table are really troublesome. Jeez, why the hell my other self is up for that gender-bend king…?" Caster Gil said after a moment of embarrassment.
"Calm down, Gil-san. I will talk to him." Ritsuka tried her negligible womanly charm to stop the king of heroes.
"Hmm? Wait." Caster Gil stopped Ritsuka while looking at the sky before suddenly burst into laughter. "Hahaha, those mongrels of the round table shall now face their worst fate ever, hahaha!"
"What's the matter now, Gil-san? Is it about another singularity?" Ritsuka asked with worry.
"Haha, no and rejoice as today you have a good chance to summon a very special servant. Go and summon him. I want to see Merlin's face. I will tell him that his doom is coming. Go now and you may summon him. He is someone from knights of the round table too." Caster Gil said and left.
"But I promised myself that I will safe SQs for a special event…." Ritsuka said with a defeated look looking at 30 SQs. But after considering Caster Gil's advice, she has to take the risk.
Upon her way, she read various expressions from knights of the roundtable.
"I am not feeling well. Something even more fearful from the destruction of humanity is approaching. I could feel it…." Gawain could be seen walking with another knight at the round table.
"But I don't think so… I feel like someone very closer to 'culture' will approach us. I must polish my poetry skills and singing skills. I hope that I could defeat that someone someday." Tristan said looking at the sky with open eyes that were rare coming from someone whose eyes were always close or so squinted that he looked Asian.
"Ugg… Sir Tristan, I advise you to forget about challenging him, especially with your Rank E luck." Gawain said with a pale face.
Tristan was taken back for a little before he spoke, "Let's go fishing."
"Yes…"
'Who could it be…?' Ritsuka's curiosity was now getting bigger and bigger. She didn't know why their intuition was working like this. If they have this skill in battle then she wouldn't have to face near-death experience every time in each singularity.
She then saw Bedivere and Lancelot (Saber) walking. Bedivere was flustered for some reason while Lancelot was frowning for some reason… well; he was always frowning considering his past.
"Sir Lancelot, my embarrassing memories are kept repeating in front of my eyes. Why? I don't get the reason…." Bedivere asked Lancelot with a flushed face.
"Same here. I felt like a big brother being beaten by his younger brother over and over again." Lancelot shook his face.
"It is nothing than being forced to wear maid outfit, nurse outfit and act like a girl. I should consult with Merlin to erase my memories." Bedivere said and a clear smoke could be seen coming from his ears.
"But being reprimanded by your little brother was also a frustrating moment. Sir Bedivere, let's go fishing." Lancelot suggested like one other knight.
"Yes, you are right, Sir Lancelot. I remember we used this spot to share our sorrows. I hope it doesn't come to worst." Bedivere said with a sigh.
'Even them?!' Ritsuka was now certain to roll her luck.
She then came across the male toilet and saw Cú Chulainn and Diarmuid Ua Duibhne outside the toilet hitting the door.
"Merlin! Come out now!" Cu screamed.
"No!" Ritsuka heard Merlin's voice.
"How long are you going to be in the toilet?"
"As long as my tingling feeling in my stomach doesn't get away. My dick is also hurting for some reason."
"What type of disease be hurting to Merlin, the great mage?" Diarmuid asked.
"Get lost! You 3-star lancers with shit luck should go and pray to a god to improve your luck and don't end up committing suicide!"
"But we are atheists?"
"Then worship that body tight suit woman, your owner. F*ck my dick hurts!"
"Alright! We are breaking this door!?" Cu was pissed and tried to destroy the door but it was ineffective.
"Haha, Invincibility bitches!"
'What the…?' Ritsuka was astonished upon hearing foul words from magus of flowers.
The concern over why lancers were nervous that there was a need to go to the toilet as a servant didn't ring a bell for Ritsuka.
She also saw concerned moms of Chaldea; EMIYA and Boudicca in the cafeteria.
She also bumped into a man with long hair and a two-piece suit that looked like someone from knights of the round table.
"Who are you?" Ritsuka asked.
"Master, you forget about me. I am other Lancelot." The man spoke.
"You mean Berserker Lancelot?!"
"Yes, I have been turned into a new leaf. All for the greater good of this organization. I let go of m sorrows and hatreds." Lancelot spoke while shaking visibly.
'The f*ck!!?'
Back to the current state.
Ritsuka saw Da Vinci and Mash Kyrielight in the summoning room.
"Why are you guys here?" Ritsuka asked. She was more concerned since Mash was also looking nervous like the rest of the knights of the round table.
"She is not feeling well and asked me to stop you from summoning." Da Vinci said.
"S-senpai, my instincts are telling me to sop you…" Mash said with a nervous face.
"Relax, it is normal summoning. Don't worry since my luck is not very good lately." Ritsuka said with crossed fingers.
She was determined to summon at any cost.
Without waiting for further Ritsuka rolled. Light of the summoning consumed the room with golden rays and soon a figure emerged from the summoning circle.
He was a boy appearing in his teens with blond hair and an angelic face. He was carrying a book in one hand and floating in the air.
"Servant, lancer. My name is Einar Sirius du lac, the mysterious knight of the round table, their greatest support as well as their doom." The body introduced himself. "You can call me Lancer with EX Rank or Luckiest Lancer or greatest knight class servant in the history."
It was the day sighed for greatest demise for knights of the round table.
--------------------
You see Author is a total asshole. I know I didn't upload chapters regularly. Work take good of me so i was struggling to take out time to write properly. Research takes an hour while writing takes two hours most. Anyway, I am now free so chapters will be uploaded on daily basis... probably.
I uploaded two chapter in one since I didn't want to destroy regular rhythm. Some readers wanted omake where if MC is to be summoned in Chaldea. Lets see what storm he would brig to other servants as well as knights of the round table.
Please comment if you you like omake and what would you like to see.
Don't even think about leaving without dropping Power Stones.
1k power stones/ 2 chapters in the end of week.
1.4k power stones/ 3 chapters in the end of week.
Is that called robing? Hell yeah!
Thank you~
If you want advance chapters then check out:
https://www.patr eon.com
