Type-Moon: The Human Love Simulator [94]

Merlin smiled faintly, "It's exactly as I said! Miss Ritsuka, you know a bit about Kaelar's history, don't you?"

Ritsuka nodded. "Yes, I do. Kaelar was King Arthur's mentor, the statesman who laid the foundations of Britannia's culture. His achievements were instrumental across governance, judicial reforms, military organization, and economic production. He even influenced the cultural identity of the Celts and Saxons well before Charlemagne earned the title of 'Father of Europe.'"

"And of course, he's also known as the saint who sacrificed himself to save the world. Legend says he gave up everything to forge the Sword of Grace and Compassion, which King Arthur used to slay the Apocalyptic Beast," she added.

"Yeah, yeah, we all know that story! It's from Saintly Words, right?" muttered Charlemagne, still sulking. He let out a huff. "But, honestly, I think that story's dubious. Kaelar? He's been a total letdown."

Merlin's smile wavered ever so slightly, her fists clenched tight as she took a few calming breaths. She then fixed a sly smile on her face and asked, "Oh? So, that's how you all see it, is it?"

Holmes nodded politely. "Given what we've observed, that seems to be the case. As for the truth… well, that remains to be seen." Though his words were reserved, his expression clearly asked, Isn't it obvious?

Merlin's eyes narrowed, pondering if she should just bury this whole group of misguided fools and let Chaldea send over some brighter replacements.

Then Ritsuka spoke, her voice steady and defiant as she shook her head. "No, I don't believe that's what Kaelar was like at all!"

"I trust him."

"Master, don't be naïve," Holmes interrupted coolly. "We've all heard the Beast's words. It was Kaelar's arrival that brought the Apocalyptic Beast, capable of destroying the world, back to life."

"You know me. I can sense if a Beast is speaking the truth."

His eyes gleamed with a strange light, not entirely of this world. There was a seductive tone in his voice as he continued, "Between Emperor Nero, the Beast of the Apocalypse, and Kaelar, I believe it is Kaelar who is the true rogue here."

Nero's persuasive words, twisted with malice and her powers as a Beast, had blurred the line between truth and lies, successfully deceiving Holmes' detective instincts. Subtle, alien forces seemed to be quietly warping his judgment.

"He's nothing but… a Beast wreaking havoc upon the world for his own gain!"

After all, Holmes' reasoning hinged on the belief that Kaelar had unleashed the Apocalyptic Beast upon humanity. This assumption led him down his current line of deduction.

And the detective loved his deductions, correct or not—they kept his mind ever churning.

Beside him, Charlemagne, still fuming, nodded in vigorous agreement. "Yes, yes! That's exactly it! Holmes, you're my mouthpiece!"

Ritsuka took a deep breath. After a moment, she said quietly, "But… I feel that Kaelar wasn't seeking glory or sainthood at all. I think he didn't care for any of it… he only wanted to save humanity, to do what he truly believed in."

Hearing this, Merlin's expression softened. She gazed at Ritsuka, finally understanding why Kaelar had chosen her, even leaving his last traces of awareness—fragmentary though they were—for this girl from Chaldea's distant future.

Merlin thought about something she'd noticed: Ritsuka had never called Kaelar a saint, only "Mr. Kaelar." This was no accident; it was because Kaelar despised being put on a pedestal and revered as a saint.

Just as he'd said to Morgan before he forged the sword: Morgan warned him that once he was gone, no one would remember his sacrifice, his contribution to humanity's history, or his ideals.

But Kaelar had answered, "I accept that."

Because, in the end, he only wanted to save humanity and the world—nothing more.

Merlin let out a genuine smile and said, "Ritsuka, since you understand Kaelar, I can now tell you how to defeat the Beast."

"Find Artoria. Seek out King Arthur."

With a theatrical flair, Merlin said, "Since you're facing a Beast marked in human history, then, as fate dictates, seek the sacred sword that once banished it. Only by wielding the Sword of Grace and Compassion, a symbol of Kaelar's will, can you have any hope of victory."

"To defeat the Apocalyptic Beast, you need Kaelar's sword… and only with his blessing can you wield it."

Of course, Merlin chose not to mention the sword's powerful influence on the mind. Only those with an unwavering sense of self could retain their clarity under Kaelar's radiant, intense will.

Arthur had managed it. Whether Ritsuka could as well was yet to be seen.

But if she failed, if the sword overwhelmed her mind… well, then perhaps humanity's time had simply come to an end.

With a warm smile, Merlin concluded, "Ritsuka, now that you're ready to confront Kaelar's will, let me help you achieve that."

Ritsuka Fujimaru… since you walk a path so much like Kaelar's own, Merlin thought, then as one captivated by his light, I will help you in his honor. It all made sense now; Kaelar's last remnants had created this trial just for her.

Kaelar… he always made the right choices.

This time, neither Charlemagne nor Holmes had any objections. Holmes even nodded thoughtfully, "We'll need to return to Britannia and speak with King Arthur."

"Yes… I feel this world is still wrapped in fog, and everyone seems to be lying…"

Indeed, since Chaldea's arrival in this realm, nearly every person they'd met had spun some sort of tale.

Artoria had deceived them, sending them to Europe to fight the Beast.

Nero had spoken the truth only selectively, nudging them toward mistaken conclusions.

And now Merlin, who had volunteered to help them, was telling half-truths laced with riddles.

All of them…

They all had their own motives, as though an unseen hand had woven them all—so many distinct personalities, clashing perspectives, and divergent goals—into a single, orchestrated tapestry.

Then Ritsuka asked something offhandedly, almost as if it just occurred to her, "By the way, Merlin… I've been meaning to ask…"

"As Britannia's royal mage, King Arthur's friend and advisor, why were you in the Roman Empire's ruins in Europa rather than at Arthur's side?"

Holmes' eyes widened as Ritsuka's question seemed to lift a veil that had clouded his thoughts ever since they'd first encountered Merlin. They'd all somehow ignored the incongruity, ensnared by Merlin's lead.

It had taken Ritsuka, a Master who had already solved six Singularities, to point out the oddity of it. Why was Merlin—a figure so deeply tied to Britannia—not in Britannia, but conveniently lying in wait here, as if anticipating their arrival?

Of course, she wouldn't be so easy to deceive.

Merlin replied with a sly grin, "Ah, that's a secret, dear! Secrets are what make a lady truly charming."

"…"

Seeing that Merlin wasn't going to reveal anything more, the Chaldea crew could only suppress their suspicions and follow her back to Britannia.

Because, no matter what, Britannia would be the final hurdle they'd have to cross.

---

Following Merlin's lead, they soon reached the ruins of the Roman Empire in Normandy, in the territory of Gaul. This was the closest European land to the British Isles and would later play a crucial role in European conflicts.

On the journey over, it was the resourceful Mr. Tesla who had fashioned a small boat by hand, and it was he who powered the boat with his Zeus-grade lightning.

Now, with Tesla sent back to Chaldea courtesy of Nero's sword, and Ritsuka's Command Seals spent in that fight, Chaldea was facing tough odds. Charlemagne's fiery spirit had fizzled out, his power dwindling to a barely-there trickle, weaker even than his usual state.

In short, Chaldea's battle power and survival skills were running on empty. Even the small channel in front of them—a mere fifty kilometers—had become an insurmountable barrier.

With a wry smile, Charlemagne muttered, "Master, we can't seriously swim back, can we?"

For Servants, feats of endurance came almost standard. Charlemagne and Holmes each boasted a C-rank in endurance—better than peak human capability even at its lowest level. For them, swimming back wouldn't be impossible.

But Ritsuka was an ordinary girl (presumably), and her stamina was surely not up to crossing an ancient sea. Especially now, when the Age of Gods had barely passed, meaning the ocean was brimming with magical energy and dense aether.

"Don't worry, Master! I can manage!" A resolute Mash raised her arm. "I can carry you across with no problem!"

With her endurance ranking at a formidable A, Mash's stamina rivaled that of top-tier Heroic Spirits, seemingly limitless. Crossing the channel with Ritsuka on her back? Hardly a challenge! Mash could carry her all the way to the New World if need be.

With a slap to his forehead, Charlemagne sighed, "My dear Mash, we're not discussing who's going to carry Master all the way back…"

"Why not leave it to the marvelous Mage of Flowers if you're in a bind?" Merlin chimed in, smiling. "I may not be the most skilled in magic, but I can handle a little something like this."

"Oh, thank you so much, Merlin!"

Ritsuka joyfully clasped Merlin's hand. Merlin took her staff, tapped it on the ground, and instantly conjured a grand magical workshop…

Every mage had their workshop, and Merlin's had once been housed in Avalon. But ever since she'd witnessed Kaelar forging the Sacred Sword, she had taken her magical workshop with her everywhere she went.

Merlin stepped inside, reemerging moments later with several small trinkets in hand. "This sea was once polluted by Nero's authority of Judgment. You'd best avoid touching it, or you'll regret it… Besides, there are a lot of twisted sea monsters in there that could drive you mad with a single glance…"

Ritsuka, enlightened, remarked, "So that's why Mr. Tesla's makeshift boat was shielded with a Faraday cage—he must've detected something dangerous in the water."

"Truly, Tesla was a man of great wisdom," Charlemagne sighed regretfully. "It's a pity he was sent back by that Apocalyptic Beast. Otherwise, we'd have been spared all this trouble."

Taking the trinkets from Merlin, Ritsuka, Mash, Holmes, and Charlemagne each slipped on a pair of feathered shoes.

Merlin explained, "These are Hermes' Winged Boots. I've stored enough magical energy in them to get you across the channel to Britannia. Now, I'm not an expert alchemist, so I can't guarantee nothing will go wrong."

In all honesty, Holmes trusted his instincts—and his A++ Insight skill confirmed that these shoes were stable enough—so he put his on without hesitation.

While Charlemagne's boisterous persona might suggest otherwise, he was astute and cautious, observing Holmes carefully. Once Holmes donned the shoes, Charlemagne followed suit.

Mash helped Ritsuka into her shoes with gentle hands. Once everyone was ready, they tapped their feet, and with a light leap, the Chaldea team soared above the future English Channel.

Merlin watched them depart, a faint smile tugging at her lips. But the smile vanished as quickly as it appeared, a fleeting glimmer that might as well have been a trick of the light.

Halfway across, Charlemagne's shoes were the first to malfunction. The wings began to droop as if sunburnt, prompting Holmes to shout, "Charlemagne, your boots…"

Merlin, quick to interject, called out, "Oh dear, it must be a power issue! Charlemagne, try putting more magical energy in and flying lower; that should hold them together!"

"It's not too serious, trust me! Everything will be fine!" Merlin assured him with an overly bright smile.

Charlemagne gritted his teeth. "Fine… but you'd better not be messing with me!"

One didn't earn the title of "Father of Europe" by being naive. Charlemagne sensed that Merlin was up to something, but he channeled his magic into the failing boots, hoping they'd stay functional.

Even with his A-ranked magic and luck, two near-EX attacks earlier had left Charlemagne drained. It felt like adding salt to the wound, but with sufficient magical input, the boots, though shaky, managed to hover just above the water.

Holmes, watching from nearby, felt a sinking suspicion. Glancing down, he noticed that the wings on his own boots were beginning to tremble…

Before he could react, Merlin's voice rang out, feigning panic, "Oh! Holmes, your boots are…"

But her warning came too late. With a jarring jolt, Holmes' boots unraveled, sending him plummeting into the sea.

His boots' wings, freed, continued on their merry way through the air while Holmes took a sharp dive into the icy water.

"Merlin, what's going on?" Ritsuka asked, trying to mask her anxiety.

"Ah, probably just a little technical issue…" Merlin replied, sounding faintly guilty. "After all, in any batch of products, there are bound to be a few defective ones. It's totally reasonable!"

Totally reasonable.

"Uh… My concern is that my boots might break, too…" Ritsuka said, her face pale.

Merlin put on her best innocent expression. "Oh, don't worry… I'm pretty sure they won't."

Mash, keeping close to Ritsuka, looked ready to dive in should things go awry.

The exchange went on for several moments, but Holmes hadn't resurfaced. Charlemagne, growing worried, shouted down, "Hey, Holmes, you okay down there?"

Merlin glanced down nonchalantly. "Oh, did I forget to mention? This water still contains traces of the Authority of Judgment, meaning anyone without A-rank Magic Resistance might have a hard time…"

Though Charlemagne's resistance was A-rank, Holmes clearly wasn't so lucky. The second he touched the water, the residual corruption surged in, overwhelming his defenses.

"Then why didn't you mention that earlier?" Charlemagne shouted, diving into the water to fish out Holmes, who was surrounded by malevolent sea creatures.

Had Charlemagne delayed a moment longer, he might've had to retrieve Holmes' remains—if Servants even left remains when sent back to Chaldea.

"You never asked!" Merlin replied, feigning innocence. "And I assumed we wouldn't have to touch the water! Who mentions dangers they don't expect to encounter?"

Ritsuka rubbed her face, cheeks pale from worry. "Merlin, can't these shoes go any faster? When are we getting to Britannia?"

"Oh, not long now, just keep going!" Merlin called out cheerfully.

In the end, they arrived without further incident. Merlin, Ritsuka, and Mash set foot on the shores of Britannia, with Ritsuka breathing a sigh of relief. "Finally… What a journey…"

One she'd be content never to repeat.

They waited another half-hour before Charlemagne emerged, carrying a drenched, visibly battered Holmes. Ritsuka instinctively took a half-step back; there was something unsettling in the aura surrounding them.

Drenched in seawater, both Charlemagne and Holmes were emanating a thick, almost tangible aura of corruption, guilt, and a strange allure that made Mash lift her shield in cautious defense.

Charlemagne shook his head as if trying to clear it. "That sea… I could hear strange whispers pushing into my mind. It's lucky I could resist, but Holmes…"

Holmes occasionally twitched, his face contorted with pain. Merlin offered a mildly guilty smile, "Oh dear… it seems I might not have guaranteed the boots' quality as well as I thought…"

Ritsuka tried to comfort her, "Merlin, we couldn't have even crossed the channel without you. At least Holmes fell in halfway across, and not from the start."

Charlemagne let out a huff as he forced the last of the malevolent influence to dissipate, his aura clearing up. "It looks like Holmes has finished his little journey."

"It's just the three of us left now to accompany you, Master. We'll see it through."

Since Command Seals in Chaldea only replenished once every 24 hours, they could only summon one Servant a day. And this time, Ritsuka was determined to call in the heavy hitters—top-tier Servants, nothing less.

They'd already lost two in a single day, a worrying trend.

Just when they thought Holmes would be down for the count, he surprised everyone by sitting up, his eyes gleaming with a strange, unfamiliar light. "I'm alright."

He wiped the seawater from his face. "Apologies for the spectacle."

Merlin narrowed her eyes, noting his recovery. Intriguing… she thought, this man may not be so simple after all.

What Merlin didn't know was that Holmes carried a latent resistance to Kaelar's influence, embedded by his ties to the Alien God. Though he'd sealed away memories of the Outer God, the enmity lingered deep within his soul, creating a natural aversion to Kaelar, the one who had stood in the way of all future catastrophes, indirectly thwarting the Alien God's plans.

Even as he massaged his temples to soothe a lingering headache, Holmes insisted, "My issues can wait. Our priority is to reach Britannia and obtain King Arthur's holy sword. Only then can we stand a chance against the Roman Beast."

Only by doing so could they ensure Kaelar's influence was finally removed from this world.

But Charlemagne, watching Holmes with a slight frown, couldn't shake the feeling that something was off…

As Holmes recovered from the strange visions and thoughts plaguing him, his Insight skill hadn't activated, leaving Charlemagne's suspicions simmering.

Seeing that Holmes seemed stable, Ritsuka dismissed her doubts and rallied, "You're right. Meeting the King of Britannia is our next step."

"But… not tonight."

With Chaldea's group battered and weakened, only Mash and perhaps Merlin could still fight. Should anything go wrong, any hostility from Artoria would leave them utterly defenseless.

As night fell, Ritsuka activated her communicator, reaching Dr. Romani back at Chaldea.

"Ritsuka! Thank goodness you're safe…" Romani's face relaxed as he took a bite of strawberry cake and asked, "How's everything? Are things going smoothly?"

"Not exactly. Mr. Tesla should be back at Chaldea by now, right?"

"Yes, he is," Romani confirmed, and Ritsuka sighed.

"To be honest, Dr. Romani, this Singularity is far tougher than any we've encountered before… Even the Lion King from the previous one didn't make me feel this powerless."

"What's making you feel that way?" Romani probed, "Is it a lack of power? Chaldea could send over some of our top Servants."

"No, that's not it. To resolve this Singularity, I don't even think strength is the issue. Once we get the sword from King Arthur, our combat power will be fine."

Ritsuka shook her head, adding, "Without that sword, even summoning the greatest Servants wouldn't help."

Romani nodded in silent agreement, recalling the vision of Nero's devastating abilities.

"Then what is it, Ritsuka? You're Chaldea's only Master, destined to protect humanity's history."

Ritsuka sighed, rubbing her temples. "Honestly… I think it's the uncertainty."

"Since arriving in this Singularity, we've been swept along by everyone else's plans, hardly making a choice for ourselves. The whole day's felt like one chaotic blur, and now… I don't even know what side we're on."

"Everyone's lying, Dr. Romani."

She exhaled in exasperation. "Someone's using Kaelar's name to serve their own ends, King Arthur sent us off to fight the Beast, Nero says Kaelar is the true puppet master, and Merlin insists we go back to King Arthur for answers…"

"Every one of them is hiding their real motives, either dodging the truth or outright lying…"

"I'm at a loss here… I can't tell if I'm helping humanity or just being used."

The Singularity's endless mind games were wearing her down. From Artoria to Morgan, Nero to Merlin—every one of them seemed to manipulate her for their own ends.

It started with Morgan, who guided them to Artoria. Then Artoria herself had directed them to face the Apocalyptic Beast before revealing anything.

Next, Nero taunted them, insisting that Chaldea couldn't defeat her true form and had been misled by the Britannian king.

Finally, Merlin claimed that only Kaelar's will could shatter the Beast—a truth that felt equally frustrating yet undeniable. They'd come full circle, with nothing gained but lost allies.

Ritsuka's tone grew weary. "So what's next? Tomorrow, we'll meet King Arthur, who will probably throw more tests our way… maybe even refuse to lend us the sword."

"Or worse… she might just betray us outright."

The weight of the day's betrayals had hardened Ritsuka's resolve. She couldn't help but brace for the worst from Artoria.

Romani wracked his mind for words to reassure her. Who could give her some guidance here?

Then Da Vinci interjected, "Ritsuka, saving humanity's history is never easy, but if you keep going, I know you can do it!"

Ritsuka straightened. "You're right, Da Vinci. Perseverance and effort… I'll hold onto those. As long as I don't give up, we'll find a way to restore this Singularity."

Crisis averted. Romani thought, nodding. Apparently, Ritsuka could pep-talk herself just fine.

"..."

Romani: Nice.

Clearing his throat, Romani added, "Well, we're here to support you, Ritsuka. Hang in there!"

Once their call ended, Romani covertly opened up the Magical☆Merry streamer channel on his device.

Yes, even as an ordinary person, he still had his small vices (definitely).

With the communicator tucked away, Ritsuka finally felt a little relief as her three Command Seals refreshed. At least she now had some support.

Unlike the Holy Grail War's Seals, Chaldea's Command Seals were only mildly binding, more like a battery boost than a life-or-death decree. And, best of all, they recharged daily, allowing her three new chances to boost her Servants every midnight.

It was then that Charlemagne discreetly approached her, his tone serious. "Master, something's off about Holmes. You might want to be careful."

Ritsuka looked at him, surprised. "Charlemagne, how did you notice?"

"Think back over his actions since he got to shore," he replied before walking off, his voice trailing behind, "The waters around Britannia were deadly. Even I, with my A-rank resistance, struggled to endure it."

"So how did Holmes make it through unscathed?"

---

The next morning, Merlin once again led Chaldea's group back to Maple Ridge.

The territory was close to the coast, and it only took a few steps from the shore to reach it. As they returned to Maple Ridge, they saw Britons everywhere, avoiding labor in favor of devoutly studying two specific texts. In the center of Maple Ridge, a large statue was under construction.

It was unmistakable—if a statue was being built here, it could only be of Kaelar.

With a complex expression, Ritsuka Fujimaru paused, watching the towering stone figure gradually rise, and let out a soft sigh.

Merlin sidled up to her, smiling mischievously. "So, how do you feel right now? Admiring the reverence given to a saint? Or mourning a simple, noble soul forced to ascend the pedestal of divinity?"

"That's a secret." Ritsuka paused for a moment, then said, "Secrets make a woman more intriguing."

Merlin was momentarily taken aback…

At that moment, Agravain and the other titled knights of the Round Table rode up on their massive steeds, their faces grim.

"Merlin, why have you returned?" Bedivere's expression grew cold. Among the Knights of the Round Table, this was a mild reaction; the other knights couldn't even be bothered to acknowledge Merlin.

Ritsuka muttered to herself, "How did they know so quickly?" Then she spoke up, "Is this an invitation from King Arthur?"

It made sense. With Merlin accompanying Chaldea's group back to Maple Ridge, it would be nearly impossible to keep the news from Artoria. Sending the Knights of the Round Table to 'escort' them was expected.

Agravain nodded. "Guests of Chaldea, the King invites you to the lord's castle."

"As for this 'traitor'…" Agravain's hand rested menacingly on his sword, a scowl etched across his face. "Consider yourself lucky that the King has not ordered your complete removal!"

Merlin still wore her carefree expression, smiling lightly. "If the King has not given the order, Agravain, do you intend to overstep and make decisions on Artoria's behalf?"

"Oh, by the way… seeing you here has given me a new prophecy. Would you care to hear it?"

Of course, Merlin knew well that she no longer had any prophetic powers.

But with newfound awareness of human emotions, the Dreamweaver had become even more cunning, knowing just how to strike a nerve.

It was like setting a hornet's nest on fire—the Knights of the Round Table grew even more incensed, hurling accusations: "You traitor! Betraying Lord Kaelar once wasn't enough—do you plan to betray him a second time?"

Merlin scoffed, choosing not to explain herself. "You don't understand Kaelar at all."

Tristan ground his teeth. "It's you who doesn't understand, Merlin. You're aiding outsiders, you… Do you even know what you're doing?"

"I'm following Kaelar's will," Merlin replied calmly. "I will never betray his teachings."

"Lord Kaelar is working to create an eternal, undying Britannia. What you're doing… don't you realize that you're undermining Lord Kaelar's grand plan?"

"Merlin, you're the one who doesn't understand Lord Kaelar!"

Ritsuka Fujimaru felt a sudden pang of uncertainty. Could it be that the Round Table, Britannia, weren't Chaldea's allies after all?

To the Knights of the Round Table, aiding Chaldea was akin to aiding outsiders—it was a betrayal of Kaelar...

But if they were enemies, why hadn't King Arthur or the Knights of the Round Table simply attacked?

This…

Ritsuka felt the shroud of mystery thickening. Charlemagne, with a slightly singed brain, muttered in frustration, "Alright, alright, enough of this bickering with these so-called allies we can't trust. If this Arthur wants to meet with us, then let's go already and put an end to the squabbling!"

As the Emperor of Paladins, even in Servant form, Charlemagne's power surpassed that of most knights of the Round Table, and he possessed a natural aura of command that compelled the knights to listen.

After Charlemagne's reprimand, the Knights of the Round Table remembered that this was no place for arguments. Casting Merlin a resentful glance, they turned and led the way.

Naturally, Chaldea's group stuck together. Sherlock Holmes spoke up, "Something's truly amiss. The situation in Britannia doesn't add up."

Charlemagne rubbed his temples. "Anyone can see that. There's something strange about this Britannia, and as for that so-called Saint Kaelar…"

"All I know is, one step into that lair feels like we're heading into the lion's den!"

"...Those thoughts are pointless," Ritsuka said. "What matters next is whether or not we can borrow the King's Holy Sword."

"If King Arthur is willing to lend us the sword, then we don't need to dwell on her motives. As long as our own purpose is met, we can ignore the rest."

"But if there's no sword…"

Ritsuka fell silent.

Before long, they arrived at the lord's castle where Artoria was temporarily stationed. Upon entering, they saw both Artoria and Morgan. The two women glared at Merlin for a long moment before Artoria, her voice icy and devoid of emotion, said, "Merlin, you have a lot of nerve…"

Though her tone was calm, Ritsuka could detect an undercurrent of murderous intent.

But Merlin seemed unfazed. She smiled and said, "Arthur, I've brought this child to borrow the Holy Sword. Without The Sword of Compassion, defeating the Beast of the Apocalypse is impossible."

"Absolutely not!" Artoria's refusal was immediate and firm. "No one is taking this sword from me!"

Merlin frowned. "Arthur, don't disappoint Kaelar."

"Merlin!" Morgan interjected coldly. "Of all people, you are the least qualified to say that."

What was that—Galeforce Silence into Armor Break?

Merlin visibly flinched, her expression slipping for a moment, almost as if she'd been thrown off-balance. Before another argument could erupt, Ritsuka Fujimaru stepped forward. "Your Majesty, King Arthur, please lend us the Holy Sword of Compassion and Grace."

Ritsuka wasn't the type to stand back and let others do the fighting while she reaped the rewards.

Seeing Merlin surrounded and aware of Britannia's general disdain—bordering on hatred—for the Dreamweaver, Ritsuka instinctively stepped forward. "Your Majesty, this is the wish of Chaldea as well."

"Without the sword in your hands, it's impossible to defeat the Beast. Knowing this truth, why did you send us to Rome?"

Artoria was silent, offering no explanation. As the tension mounted, Chaldea's group and the Knights of the Round Table gripped their weapons, the atmosphere growing increasingly hostile…

At that moment, Merlin's voice cut in, "Arthur, if you don't believe me, then why not let this child try to hold the sword?"

"You know as well as I do—only a rare few are worthy of being acknowledged by Kaelar and allowed to hold the sword that represents mercy and love."

That Holy Sword was no ordinary weapon.

Even Artoria herself could only wield its true power when facing the Beast of the Apocalypse.

Otherwise, she merely 'held' it.

To truly wield the sword required the extremely rare qualifications of a true savior.

And she herself… did not possess those qualifications.

Artoria gritted her teeth, still reluctant to relent, because she understood fully that this orange-haired girl from Chaldea possessed those very qualifications. She had never doubted it.

Otherwise, this alternate history—this Singular and Lostbelt-intersecting Britannia—would not have allowed this girl entry.

But, outwardly, Artoria's reluctance stemmed from her attachment to the sword that had become Kaelar…

Yet the deeper reason was her unwillingness to see the prophecy fulfilled—the one where "a Holy Sword-wielder defeats Nero"—play out once more in this world.

Because that would mean the end of this particular alternate history, and the last remnants of Kaelar's consciousness would vanish completely.

What's more, as she had heard from Morgan…

This world could potentially become a genuine reality, a place where Kaelar might truly return.

Now…

Clutching the sword tightly, Artoria's saintly blue eyes flashed with intense fury, glaring venomously at Merlin.

If it weren't for Merlin, she might have been able to conceal this information.

And if Chaldea failed to defeat the Beast of Rome, allowing the Beast to continue ravaging Europe, Kaelar's will would remain in this world forever.

Just as the Knights of the Round Table claimed, this could become an eternal, undying Britannia.

If she could only finish building Kaelar's statue, if his worship could be firmly established, then even without transforming this hybrid world into reality, she might yet find a way to keep his memory here eternally.

---

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