Chapter 16: I Can't See, Arthur

Chapter 16: I Can't See, Arthur

Chapter 16: I Can't See, Arthur

"You walk out of Guinevere's room as usual."

"But the next second, your brain crashes just like a computer."

"Not far away, about ten meters from you, King Arthur's advisor, Agravain, is watching you."

"You can feel that he has lost his usual composure, replaced by shock and anger!"

"You don't explain."

"Quietly, you watch him run away with reluctance."

"You take a deep breath, and your mind instantly recalls the plan you've simulated countless times."

"Yes, you had anticipated that such a day would come."

"Even if King Arthur knows and condones it, the knights of the Round Table, those royal cooks, would surely love to tear you to pieces."

"You grasp the hilt of your sword and turn back to the room, where Guinevere is still lying there lazily."

"Seeing you rush in, Guinevere sits up and asks what happened."

"You tell her about Agravain's presence just now, and you instruct her to leave in ten seconds."

"Guinevere nods."

"You return to the courtyard and whistle towards the sky."

"Immediately, the sound of hooves follows, and your steed, a horse with a lineage of fantasy breeds, arrives before you at once."

"You mount the horse, and just as Guinevere comes out at a trot."

"You reach out your hand, and amid her light cries, you lift her up."

"Together on one horse, you charge out of Camelot."

"Guinevere asks where you are going."

"You tell her, to the land of the fairies."

"Guinevere lies in your arms, a content expression on her face."

"But as soon as you leave the sleeping quarters, the royal guards block your path."

"After nearly a decade."

"You draw your sword once again."

"The holy light shines again over the British Isles..."

In the office of King Arthur at Camelot,

"Let's talk about something cheerful, Artoria, what does chivalry mean to you?"

Merlin glances at the Round Table knights outside, already in a commotion, then turns back to Artoria.

"Adhering to morals, protecting the people with one's body, ensuring the survival of the sovereign, showing no fear on the battlefield, not for personal desires, but to wield the sword for the protection of the nation and beliefs..." Artoria recites without hesitation.

Merlin nods slightly: "But chivalry also varies individually, some return courtesy for courtesy; some prioritize punishing evil above all; some take pride in protecting their territory; some cling to their knightly vows as a reason for their existence."

"I think it's about the individual's pride, beliefs, no, although I'm not obsessed with that, I don't have a personal feeling, but I can understand."

"The Paladin, that's what he is like. The queen was the reason he took up the sword again, and now, even with you and Camelot, there are unspeakable bonds, but the reason from those days remains unchanged."

Artoria's eyes widen as she looks at Merlin, then she laughs.

"I didn't expect to receive concern from you, teacher. It seems I do look quite dejected, but I have no regrets, because it is indeed my fault, as this twisted existence of a king, I took away their happiness."

Merlin, for some reason, dares not meet Artoria's gaze.

Yes, in her eyes, this is still concern.

But, it has already seen the end that is close at hand.

"So, what are you dejected about, Artoria? Do you hope the Paladin stays in the land of the elves to accompany Guinevere, or do you hope he returns to your side to continue waiting to fulfill the oath with you, or... to have a child with you?"

Artoria's eyes widen again.

Yes, her teacher has clairvoyance, to it, there seems to be no secrets in the world.

"I..."

Artoria is at a loss for words, just looking at the letter on the desk that has just been opened.

"Let's talk about the letter to the Paladin later, now we need to deal with the problem with Rome, we need to properly teach those who didn't learn their lesson and drove out the Saxons, of course, we need to return the favor on the sword with all that has accumulated so far."

"But outside..."

Artoria wants to say that Sir Agravain and Sir Lancelot are almost at the point of drawing swords against each other.

Merlin smiles unconcernedly: "They have always been a headache for you, Artoria, this is what makes it interesting, isn't it?"

Artoria wants to say that today's matter is different.

But Merlin has already spread out the map.

As for outside, it has become quiet.

The entire Round Table knights have set out, completely ignoring the will of King Arthur, intending to bring back the Paladin and the queen.

Merlin looks at Artoria's profile with a heavy heart.

"Arthur."

"Hmm? What is it, teacher?"

"Even if everything is foolproof, there will still be things that come to an end, nothing in this world lasts forever, things always change into something new, so, what should be protected is not the future."

"Really, what is it this time? You are quite talkative today."

"Don't worry about it, you need to understand, the most important thing is the process you have lived through for what you are trying to save."

"The outcome is always overturned by new results."

"The correctness of a king will be erased by the next king for their own convenience, nothing will remain, nothing will stay, even so..." Merlin pauses here: "If your life remains untarnished until the end, that is something to be proud of, if you are loved by the people, then as long as human history continues, it will become a record that lasts forever!"

Artoria clearly does not know that this is the last conversation she will have with Merlin in this life.

She lifts her chin and thinks for a moment: "That, Merlin, that, how should I say it, like glory or honor, I don't need it anymore, I've already taken too much."

Merlin shakes his head, pursing his lips: "No, what people have placed upon you is not honor, nor can it be considered glory, if anything, it's a curse, you actually haven't received anything."

Artoria frowns: "Sorry, I really don't understand."

But in a moment, her frown relaxes: "But, it's not that I haven't received anything, I can still say whatever I want in front of one person..."

Merlin is stunned for a moment, speaking in a tone that is almost inaudible and indistinguishable as regret: "It seems so, but will this person, like in the past, in that distant future, continue to listen to your bitter words?"

"This time, I can't see, Arthur..."

"Teacher? What did you say, what can't you see?"

"Nothing, I have to leave now, the army can set out, Arthur.",