True Nature

She looked at Artorius seriously and delivered the lines she had already rehearsed in her mind.

"Even a woman like me has something more important than my own life."

"..."

After saying these words, Morgan gazed earnestly at Artorius. It wasn't until he broke into a smile, blossoming like a thousand flowers, that she breathed a sigh of relief.

"I understand... Thank you for the answer."

Morgan: 'Ahh, I can't believe it. I actually said that...'

Artorius: 'Even someone like Morgan is willing to sacrifice for the greater good?!'

Their thought processes and what they were contemplating were completely different. Yet, their emotions were surprisingly aligned.

They both felt relieved and pleasantly surprised. As they looked into each other's eyes, emotions began to blossom, leaving the others around them perplexed.

Artorius expressed astonishment and joy, which was easy to understand. But Morgan, why was she so delighted? Wasn't she the antagonist? Why would she go through fire and water for Artorius, to save the world? Has she lost her mind?

Upon witnessing this, Artoria instinctively looked at Merlin, hoping her mentor would provide answers.

However, the incubus, who couldn't comprehend human hearts, remained oblivious. He shrugged his shoulders, assuming a helpless expression.

His 'lack of understanding' was contrasting with everyone else's.

Being able to observe the fate of those before him through 'Clairvoyance', he understood Morgan's heart very well.

'Where is the vengeful Witch of Britain? Laughable.'

'She's obviously just a silly girl who's fallen in love.'

'And what surprised me is... the progress between them is this fast?'

He could happily enjoy the banter between Morgan and Artorius.

But what Artorius was thinking, Merlin had no idea.

Due to Artorius's immense power and the uniqueness of his soul, Merlin couldn't foresee his future.

He couldn't have anticipated that the soul he had stolen on a whim, with mischievous intent, would turn out to be so extraordinary.

Taking something without permission is considered theft. By deceiving the cycle of death without the consent of the rightful owner, he utilized the soul. It was a rather evil act. Only an incubus like him who was ignorant of right and wrong, could do so without any burden.

In this regard, Merlin's nature was even worse than Morgan's creation of individuals like Mordred. The artificial souls created by Morgan were obtained through the proper 'reincarnation' of 'nature.' There were no crimes committed against the manipulation of souls.

'You see... when I said I can't see your future...'

'... That's not a lie.'

'Only you, Artorius... only you, I cannot see clearly.'

The inability to see clearly and face the unknown leads to confusion, resistance, and fear. It's a common condition among intelligent beings, and Merlin acquired and imitated these emotions from humans.

For these reasons, Merlin had always subconsciously resisted getting too close to Artorius. Even when they met, he was unwilling to say too much.

This situation persisted until now.

'You've become the perfect savior, surpassing even Artoria.'

'Not just on the scale of Britain, but Europe, and possibly even reaching the level of the world and humanity.'

'It's truly something to look forward to. How far will the final version of you go?'

Merlin is incredibly eager for it.

Unlike a disciple who was taught step by step by him like Artoria who was like his daughter, the incubus's attachment to Artorius leaned more toward the relationship between an artist and their work.

It wasn't the dedication of an artist pouring their heart and emotions into creating a masterpiece. It was more like a mischievous child haphazardly building a sandcastle. Today it might seem cherished, like the apple of their eye, but in the blink of an eye, they might ignore it or even deliberately stomp on it, reveling in the innocent smile that accompanies the destruction of the sandcastle.

Different from Artorius Pendragon, who awakened his sense of justice in the Holy Grail incident.

When Merlin witnessed Galahad willingly sacrificing himself, there was no fluctuation in his heart at all, he even felt a slight urge to laugh when witnessed the spectacle. The present incubus still couldn't grasp human hearts.

In the original history, it was Artoria's very tragic fate that touched him, propelling him from a demon to a human. But now...

Whether this step can still be taken or not, no one knows.

That's why Artorius doesn't trust Merlin.

Unlike other knights who disliked Merlin due to his behavior and actions, Artorius saw through his true nature. A being that seeks pleasure, lacks humanity, and imitates human emotions.

Such existence can be used but never trusted.

===

"What we're going to discuss is the future, the first step to saving humanity."

Artorius spoke confidently in the corridors of the black castle. Meanwhile, Mordred and Gareth, left behind on the training grounds, watched everyone's retreating figures with envy. Merlin, however, was surprised.

"Hey, Artorius? Have you forgotten something? Didn't you ask a question? I haven't answered yet!"

"..."

"Is it necessary?" Artorius countered. "Your answer would surely be 'No' right?"

"How can you falsely accuse me like that?! I am going to be angry you know!" Merlin appeared agitated. "You didn't even ask, how could you know I would refuse?! Look at Morgan, for example. She seems like a villain, even the boss of the villains. Did you consider the possibility that she would agree with you? No, right? So why can't it be the same for me? Can't you have some faith in me?"

"..."

Continuing to argue with this idiot wouldn't get them anywhere. Artorius didn't have so much time to waste.

So Artorius decided to be direct. "Then tell me, are you willing to sacrifice your life for something?"

"Of course not~"

"..."

Artorius took a deep breath with clenched palms, suppressing the desire to tear Merlin apart.

"Let's go."

He decided that from now on, he would ignore whatever Merlin babbled about.

With this resolution, the group arrived at the meeting room in the black castle. At the entrance, Artorius exchanged a glance with Scathach. She didn't express disagreement, so he took it as approval.

With a single thought, Artorius transformed the layout and furnishings of the meeting room.

Under the violet glow of magical lights, they settled into chairs that shimmered like obsidian. In front of them stood a massive round table, similar in style to Camelot but black-purple in color.

"It looks nice..." Scathach remarked in a relaxed tone.

"I'm glad you like it, Teacher." Artorius smiled.

The Holy Grail not only increased his strength and broadened his horizons, but it also made him more straightforward and bold when dealing with women.

His desires and lust hadn't diminished; in fact, they had somewhat intensified. However, he didn't have so much time in Rome to engage in romantic flirting with women.

His main time and energy were dedicated to his plan of saving the world and humanity by conquest. He needed to manage his time well. So when it came to women, he preferred simplicity over complexity. If he could skip kissing and go straight to taking off his pants, he would. Speed and efficiency were crucial, even in intimate relationships.

And so, the meeting began for the Dragon King and his loyal followers, centered around the mission of saving the world and humanity, in the newly arranged conference room bathed in the purple glow of magic.