52 [52] My Heart, Belonging to Morgan
Listening to Merlin's pitiful wails, there was no sympathy in the hearts of the Round Table members. Instead, a rare sense of satisfaction emerged.
The lives of over two thousand knights from Britannia, as well as the grim fate awaiting the Knights of the Round Table for the next round, were almost entirely orchestrated by Merlin.
Having lost a hand, it was questionable whether it could be reattached. Even if it could, wielding a sword in the future was almost out of the question.
The consequences of the siege he initiated were to be borne by himself, and the Knights of the Round Table had no complaints.
As for those knights who were subjected to madness?
Some of them could have escaped.
But just like that, they were heartlessly treated as expendable by this incubus.
Those who toyed with people's hearts and lives did not deserve sympathy.
However, they were utterly helpless against the incubus. Its near-immortal nature and illusions capable of deceiving the world made revenge an impossible feat.
At this moment, hearing his wails, the only thought in the hearts of all the Knights of the Round Table members was...
Serve you right!
Artoria's expression was even colder than that of the Knights of the Round Table. If it were the usual Lily, she would have expressed concern for her mentor.
But at this moment, Arotria's eyes showed no trace of mercy.
She detested deceit.
So when the incubus told her, "I have hardly told any lies to you." Artoria immediately understood, everything Alvin said was true.
When a person emphasizes that they haven't violated the law, it means they lack moral integrity.
Merlin seemed to derive great pleasure from having said, "I have hardly told any lies."
So, he believed he had "hardly made any mistakes."
When the golden-haired girl said to him, "Merlin, I don't trust you again." the incubus's expression did not change, only appearing very puzzled.
Why?
I'm almost entirely telling the truth.
Why?
I only guided you on the journey to become a king, Lily.
Why?
I was doing something so correct—straightening the world, bringing it back on track, such an unquestionably right thing...
But...
"The greatest lie is the truth left unsaid."
With a surging sense of nausea and disgust, Artoria thrust the Sword of Selection into Merlin's shoulder, cut off her own cloak, and handed it to the incubus, symbolizing the severing of their future relationship.
Afterwards... returning along the same path, she found herself trapped in that land of fairies, only able to watch as the knights besieged Alvin.
Anger, helplessness.
She knew she had fallen into a trap.
Setting herself free was Merlin's intention, he was well aware that she would speak up to save the Knights of the Round Table.
This fact made Artoria feel incredibly disheartened.
"Am I just a disposable pawn to you, Merlin?"
The incubus, with eyes filled with remorse, could no longer answer her question. The illusion collapsed to the ground, convulsing and dying, turning into scattered flowers.
As the last remaining rays of twilight also dissipated.
The earth once again embraced the silence of the quiet night, and the fields lost their vibrant colors.
Alvin, carrying the sword, walked through the battlefield, burning all the bodies of the fallen knights.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
Everything related to Britannia also returned to Britannia.
The gentle autumn breeze lightly brushed his silver hair but couldn't erase the bloodstains.
Finally, Alvin stood in front of the weathered wooden stake in the training ground.
Every few days when he was farming, he would come to this training ground and stand quietly for a while.
Running his hand over the rough sword marks.
As if he could feel the persistence of the swordsman day after day.
"It's time to say goodbye, Artoria."
The blonde girl's lips trembled as she spoke.
Indeed.
What words of retention could there be, to make him stay?
What regretful words could be said, to convince him?
She was King Arthur.
The King of Britannia.
The son of the vile King Vortigern, over two thousand knights died in the fields, and all the Knights of the Round Table lost an arm.
After today, the name Alvin Pendragon's reputation will resound throughout this island, shaking all of Britannia.
She knew that this matter could not be concealed.
Merlin would definitely announce it, forcing her to get back on the right track.
Later, facing the onslaught of the Saxon army, the shaky defense lines of the scattered county armies would be in imminent danger.
It was urgently needed for King Arthur, with the remnants of the Round Table, to rush and stabilize the situation, turn the tide of chaos, and support the collapsing building.
So...
The time for parting had already arrived.
So, finally...
Artoria tightened her grip on the sword hilt, raised the sword, and stood in front of him.
"What if I defeat you, Sir Alvin..."
Her words began with a tremor.
As she continued, they became more and more resolute.
"Even if you are injured now, even if I win unfairly, I will still stop you. I want to prove to you..."
"If I defeat you, then I am stronger than you."
"You don't need to go to hell. I can free myself from that fate."
She had also grown a lot.
She had also experienced countless setbacks.
From an innocent and naive girl, she had grown into the renowned ruler of the island today.
Alvin could see it.
The current Artoria is much stronger than the entire Knights of the Round Table combined.
Even under the sunlight's threefold power and with the advantage of the Galatine, Gawain is still not her match.
It is the will of the world, blessing the Red Dragon. Her growth rate is almost catching up with her ultimate form.
"I have seen your determination, I have heard about your reputation."
"I have been watching you. When I discussed your deeds with Ector, the old man would show a proud and complex expression."
"If you want to prove your growth, then come, it's a battle that makes one nostalgic..."
Alvin raised his sword, "If you still can't reach a conclusion..."
"Use the sword to find the answer."
Artoria continued.
Boom~
The earth trembled, and the fields swayed.
The continuous shockwaves spread layer by layer on the ground, the incredibly violent forces between the two dragon kinds trampling the earth.
Alvin raised the sword with one hand, presenting a vulnerable appearance, seemingly full of openings.
Artoria held the Sword of Selection with both hands, slashing and cleaving. She knew she didn't need to hold back, she poured out all her strength from the very beginning!
The person in front of her, who was like an insurmountable mountain, she had climbed it thousands of times. She understood better than anyone.
But... to save you, Alvin.
I have to overcome you!
Clang~
The Sword of Selection collided with the Firelink Greatsword. The language of swords conveyed intentions more effectively than verbal words.
Inheriting his past teachings.
Artoria felt fully unleashed, the heart of the dragon almost thundering like war drums.
Every strike swung at the opponent's weakest point, every move filled with a determination to kill, without any reservation of murderous intent.
But...
The opponent just continued to hold the sword with one hand, looking at her somewhat sadly, casually blocking all her attacks.
Defense.
Defense...
Defense...
Why...
"Why don't you attack me! Sir Alvin!"
Anger at being underestimated surged for the first time from the depths of her heart.
The Sword of Selection radiated light, and the golden-haired girl issued an indignant questioning.
"You said it's a sword that can't kill and can't protect people, right?! Then why don't you actively attack me!"
"Because your wrist is trembling, Artoria."
Huh...?
What...
The hand holding the sword... is trembling...
...Why?
I have followed all your teachings, I can now kill without hesitation, my swordsmanship has become instinctual...
...Why... is my hand still trembling?
"Because you lack confidence in defeating fate, because you fear too much the ending where I might die, because the beliefs you have always held are nothing more than 'sacrifice,' Artoria."
As always.
His gaze seemed to penetrate her heart.
"You've always been thinking about others, never caring about yourself. You've always held onto that twisted, pathological, sacrificial desire."
Clang~
"You are a noble knight, indeed, but you're deceiving me and, more importantly, deceiving yourself."
Clang~
"Your heart is wavering."
"So, how can the sword be stable..."
"Who understands what you're saying!"
Clang~
The dragon blood inside her roared, the erupting heart of the dragon roared, and Artoria raised the Sword of Selection high, letting out a lion-like roar under the night sky.
"Caliburn!"
Boom~
An incredibly dazzling and brilliant burst of light shot up into the sky, sweeping away the thick clouds of the night as if it were daytime.
Far away, Gawain, supported by his comrades, looked up in astonishment. It was a radiance that he now could never reach, a brilliance admired by thousands.
"My King..."
However, the next moment...
Alvin raised his hand.
He cut through the dazzling and radiant beam of light that came down like a sword from the middle.
Crack~
The light dissipated.
The Sword of Selection, symbolizing the king's nobility, broke apart.
The tip of the sword fell to the ground.
The girl holding the sword also knelt on the ground in shock.
The Sword of Selection was broken.
The sword that was just pulled out in the morning.
Broke in the evening.
"Your heart is wavering, so the sword is trembling, Artoria... you have lost."
"You don't think you can oppose the will of the world. You just want to sacrifice yourself to save me. But I firmly believe in my righteousness."
"I won't deliberately seek sacrifice, and I won't think about hurting myself. Because I want to live happily and peacefully with the people I cherish."
"Even if it's the will of the world, Gaia..."
"I will confront it, head held high."
The dark knight passed slowly from the kneeling, bewildered, and dazed golden-haired girl.
"Goodbye, Artoria..."
"I will surely save you."
"Sir... Alvin... don't..."
Artoria reached out her hand.
She grabbed him like that.
Because she didn't want him to head towards hell.
The girl almost tremblingly issued the final, pale and powerless plea.
"I... love you..."
Click~
The arm gauntlet, already shattered, was torn off abruptly and fell to the ground.
Afterward, his blood-drenched left hand was revealed.
Looking at the ring on the ring finger, Artoria's gaze almost froze, with a complex expression.
Alvin's iron-gray eyes stared at her, and he said softly, "I'm sorry, I'm already engaged."
The stars dimly flickered.
The night seemed to be disturbed.
Alvin lifted his head, sensing something.
Above his head, a dark shadow suddenly tore apart, and from it emerged the familiar, soft figure of the witch.
"Alvin! I escaped to help you! I was so annoyed by that dead fairy, Vivian-"
Alvin raised his hand and gently caught her.
"Are you okay? Ah! Why is there so much blood on your face?! Did you get seriously injured?! Alvin, I'll heal you now..."
Morgan anxiously and anxiously touched the silver-haired youth's wounds all over, as if she were an ant on a hot pan.
Such a flustered witch.
It looked particularly cute.
Alvin smiled like that, gazing gently into her iron-gray eyes.
Finally... the witch realized.
...Huh?
"...The battle is already over?"
"Yeah."
Alvin gently lowered his eyes and kissed her soft lips.
"It's over now..."
"I took Merlin's Clairvoyance. It's a wedding gift I give to you."
"Alvin..."
The incubus escaped a great disaster, something that should have been extremely happy, but Morgan didn't care at all.
Seeing Alvin's bloodied appearance, she knew how fierce the battle he had gone through was.
"Damn it! Where's that old thing, Vortigern! Has he gone senile?! It's been so long and he still hasn't caught up!"
Morgan was upset. She was at least released, and her father seemed to be excluded.
"Light Devouring Dragon?! He might as well change the name to Late Dragon!"
"...Well, that's not entirely inaccurate."
The airflow began to surge.
A sturdy and huge white dragon descended slowly from the sky, landing on the wheat field.
Vortigern in dragon form folded his overwhelming wings that seemed like a mountain, and the dragon scales covering his entire body slightly opened and closed, presenting a jade-like color under the moonlight.
"I saw a false image... that was Merlin's illusion..."
"I was too careless... I'm sorry, Alvin, for your father's late arrival."
The vertical pupils emitted a majestic golden light.
The white dragon let out a self-reproachful sigh.
"Hmm? Your sword is..."
"It's okay... it's all over now, old man. Let's talk later."
Alvin knew that Morgan couldn't be blamed, and even more so, Vortigern couldn't be blamed.
Through various subtle manipulations, the world did its best to create an opportunity for this ambush.
Even if it wasn't this time, there would be another time.
"I'll be more careful in the future, rest assured."
The family of three finally gathered together.
Vortigern's dragon body crouched down, using his body as a backrest for the two.
Morgan took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped the blood from Alvin's face.
The atmosphere was oddly harmonious.
However... Alvin couldn't help feeling that something seemed to be missing?
One person, one dragon, one witch.
The three pairs of eyes all turned to look at the kneeling, dazed, and disheveled golden-haired girl on the ground.
"Red Dragon?"
Vortigern's dragon pupils narrowed slightly.
"Yeah..."
Alvin didn't know what expression to make. Well, just smile, right?
Morgan was also a little stunned for a moment.
Looking at the girl in front of her, whose face almost mirrored hers, she never expected to meet her sister in such a situation...
...But what's with the kneeling and disheveled posture?
Her eyes seemed to be teary, and she appeared somewhat swollen.
Looking at her appearance, she seemed like an unwanted, pitiful little dog...
"Alvin, did you bully her?"
"Uh... bully?"
Alvin somewhat complicatedly shifted his gaze away, looking at the Artoria in front of him who was kneeling dazedly.
"...Sort of."
"Artoria... Lily, right?"
Morgan walked forward, squatting down with a compassionate expression, and wiped away the tears on the golden-haired girl's face.
Artoria raised her gaze in a daze, looking somewhat puzzled at the face in front of her... that was almost identical to hers.
She knew she had a sister.
...That cunning and deceitful witch?
"A bit... unfamiliar, right? Nice to meet you, Lily, I'm your sister, Morgan. Didn't expect to meet under these circumstances..."
Morgan sighed quietly.
Because she was afraid of being noticed by Merlin initially, which might affect Alvin's overall plan, she had deliberately avoided her sister all this time.
After thinking about it, Morgan took out a small mirror from her pocket. It was a carefully crafted mystic code with beautifying and anti-aging effects, and she stuffed it into the golden-haired girl's pocket.
"Don't be polite, just a little welcome gift. Uh, Lily, how's your father Uther... how is he?"
"Father...?"
Artoria muttered the term somewhat unfamiliarly and answered in a daze,
"Merlin said... he passed away three years ago."
"...I see."
The vindictive emotions were not as strong as before.
Morgan learned about the death of the former king.
The witch realized that she didn't feel relieved, happy, or any sadness at all.
She just heard this information and responded with a casual "I see."
Then she realized that he had finally died.
Because she no longer cared about him.
This could be considered the most ruthless revenge.
Compared to the news of Uther's death, what Morgan was more concerned about was...
...Come to think of it, wasn't her sister an orphan from a young age?
"...Ah, this is just too pitiful."
Morgan opened her arms and embraced her, pressing the face of the golden-haired girl onto her ample chest.
This is...
The... cunning and deceitful witch?
Certainly, she was dangerous, and... quite large.
Feeling the warmth on her face.
It was a motherly love that Artoria had never experienced before... soft, gentle, and caring.
Because it was too comfortable.
Even the hairs on her head couldn't help but curl up.
"Now that everyone is a family, feel free to visit often... uh, sorry, I forgot..."
When Morgan thought about where her home was, she suddenly felt a bit awkward.
Inviting King Arthur to Londinium for a visit, wasn't this a grand occasion?
"Uh... right, why are you kneeling here..."
The witch sighed, pulled up her little sister who seemed to be kneeling for some reason, and casually released a flowing shadow to cleanse the dirt on her body.
Yeah, why kneel here? Did Alvin bully her?
The witch thought about Alvin's subtle expression and the current situation...
"!"
She understood. This was a farewell...
Morgan suddenly retreated a few steps awkwardly, subconsciously grabbing Alvin's hand.
"Sorry... sister, I was a bit confused just now..."
Artoria looked at her in a daze.
Looking at this witch, with the oath ring on her right hand in a style similar to her idol's.
Alvin held Morgan in his arms directly, and her body was covered in blood.
Morgan licked his blood.
He kissed the witch's lips.
"Sorry... Artoria, that's how things are."
Alvin didn't know how to explain... this cruel truth for her.
However, breaking up is often more damaging to both parties.
"I am already engaged..."
"I... can't accept your love, and I don't have any love for you. If there is any emotion, I have already said it... that is... admiration and pity."
"My heart has long belonged to Morgan..."
"We will... have our wedding at home tomorrow."
Alvin held the witch's hand, and their rings rubbed against each other.
Artoria stood there dazedly.
She stood there motionless on the wheat field, like a stiff wooden stake.
Vortigern's ancient and solemn golden eyes stared at her for a moment, then glanced at his own son.
"Leave her here... the Knights of the Round Table will come to pick her up."
Alvin, holding the witch, boarded Vortigern's dragon body.
"Let's go... old man."
The old man, lastly, looked back at her, sighed with a bitter smile, and shook his head.
"Goodbye, Artoria..."
The dragon wings waved, causing a fierce wind that swept over Artoria's golden hair, tousling her delicate face.
The figures of a seemingly happy and peaceful family reflected in the deep green pupils of the girl finally vanished into an invisible point in the clear night sky.
Bitterness.
Doubt...
Questioning...
Artoria lowered her head, gazing blankly at her own palm, which held a broken sword that could never be connected again.
Why... did he like a face similar to hers but not love her?
Why... did he want to save her, but not love her?
Why... did he intrude into her life so dazzlingly, only to abandon her in the end?
"Because you didn't appear as early as Morgan, and you're not as powerful as Morgan..."
"Because you are too weak, Lily, so you can't snatch Alvin back."
In this most bewildering moment.
The gentle voice of the incubus echoed in her ears.
Artoria, in a daze, turned her gaze aside, and the closed-eyed illusion of Merlin stood by her side.
The grayish-white eyes of Merlin, which had lost their brilliance, were no longer vibrant.
Instead, they were oozing a dark purple blood.
The girl showed a disgusted expression.
"Go away."
"Oh~ I know I'm hated by you now, Lily, but did I ever say anything baseless to you?"
"Can't you understand human language? You, this inhuman thing..."
Her body trembled, roaring in anger.
"I told you, go away!!!"
Boom~
Dragon blood roared, the heart shook, and the imposing aura of the red dragon suddenly surged. Artoria violently threw the broken sword in her hand, shattering Merlin's face into a splendid burst of petals.
"Huu... Haa...."
She breathed.
Helplessly, sorrowfully breathing.
The deep green lake rippled violently, but she tried to suppress it. What's the use of crying now? There's no need to cry anymore.
Under the lonely night.
The figure of the incubus, like a ghost, floated beside the lonely girl.
"Look... Lily, everyone has left you, only I am still with you."
"No. It's Kay, and even Ector, and Alvin. They have always been with me. You are not worthy."
With a disgusted expression.
Artoria began to walk away briskly, while the incubus, like a phantom, floated by her side.
Merlin lost his own Clairvoyance and eyes.
In his vision, there was only a withered and dead gray, barely able to recognize some vague outlines in front of him.
Although he could still smell the fragrant emotions, he could no longer... witness any joys with his own eyes.
This kind of silence, this kind of boredom.
Finally, Merlin felt... the emotion called resentment, which he had never experienced before.
The incubus didn't understand what resentment was, but he had never hated someone so much.
Wanting to see... the most miserable ending for Alvin.
In the land of fairies, trembling and curled up, Merlin, as if feeling Gaia, obediently followed that invisible guidance.
He once again came to Artoria's side.
The incubus's eyes were indeed useless now, but his most skilled illusion was still intact.
The so-called illusion.
It was the art of bewitching people's hearts.
"In fact, there is a way to have the best of both worlds, Lily..."
"Let you live, let Alvin live, and you both can live peacefully and happily together..."
The steps of the golden-haired girl slowed down imperceptibly.
She didn't say a word, but this was undoubtedly the knot in her heart.
Taking advantage of that bewildered gap.
Merlin corroded her sanity and induced her thoughts.
The incubus unabashedly unleashed his manipulation of human hearts.
"That is..."
"Just kill... Vortigern and Morgan."
"Kill..."
Artoria showed a dazed expression.
"Vortigern and Morgan?"
"Yes, that's right. It's that simple. Kill your uncle and sister, and you can be with Alvin."
The incubus smiled happily.
"Vortigern is the embodiment of this island. Killing Vortigern will lead to the decline of the age of gods, unstoppable, and the world won't be severed."
"Kill Morgan, and you can be with Alvin. He has no other choice but you, aside from Morgan."
"So-called compassion... is actually love, he just doesn't want to admit it because he has Morgan."
"Except for Morgan, your feelings are actually deeper than anyone else's, Lily?"
"A dragon and a witch, as the King of Knights, it's your duty to eliminate such villains, right?
"Even if the tide of the age of gods recedes, you can still stay with Alvin in the Inner Sea of the Planet, living happily and peacefully..."
That's right.
This is the truth.
The most exquisite lie in the world is the truth.
Because the fact is indeed like this.
If Vortigern and Morgan die, the age of gods will undoubtedly decline, the world won't be severed, and Alvin will belong only to her.
These thoughts surged and occupied her brain.
"I can't do such a thing."
She wanted to say these words, to reject this disgusting guy.
However, inexplicably...
The golden-haired girl opened her mouth, but the content changed to...
"I don't have that kind of power."
Artoria thought dazedly, yes...
"My sword is broken."
"A sword is meant to be broken, Lily. It's better to break it sooner."
The incubus said with a smile.
In those pale gray eyes, there was a flicker of resentment.
"To break the sword is nothing, and what you will gain... is the entire world."
Guiding the golden-haired girl.
Artoria went all the way to the dream that bloomed brilliantly in vivid colors.
"I will save you, Alvin..."
...
"You're saving me, Alvin..."
The witch gently touched the scars on his body.
He pulled her out of that vortex of hatred.
He engraved the vow to stay with her for life.
Under the night sky, he held her hand, warming her heart with his own heat.
She was no longer a monster feared by humans but just the witch of one man.
No blessings, no expectations, and no hopes from anyone.
Only under the moonlight and the darkness, an unattended wedding took place.
When the mottled bloodstains were gradually washed away by her.
When every scar on his body was smoothed by her.
Alvin lifted his hand, gently caressing the witch's face.
The bright autumn moonlight spilled down from the window, illuminating her face covered by a thin veil.
The deep blue lake rippled slightly, reflecting the dazzling and brilliant stars.
She was like the night, deep and mysterious.
Following the son of the white dragon, she was also immersed in it.
Black represents unwavering loyalty until death. Therefore, the witch chose a black wedding dress for herself. The textured and exquisite long skirt draped over the couch, with the black veil wrapped around her fair skin like flawless soft gem, tempting people to reach out and touch.
The side-slit dress revealed the perfect curve of her long and straight legs, leading along this breathtaking path, seeming to lead to the profound depth.
The serene blue lake, the colored pupils... vigorous, mature, shy. Like a snake and scorpion, forbidden, tempting, deadly.
Those lines, those contours.
Those well-defined curves.
Every inch of her body had been touched countless times by Alvin, but it still felt like climbing the stairs to heaven, making people constantly fantasize about climbing.
"I want to have a daughter, Alvin..."
"No, that's not right..."
"...Now, I should call you, hubby?"
A soft and slightly panting voice in the ear.
The witch leaned forward on the couch, lifting her own black skirt towards this side.
Underneath that profound night-like fabric.
Was the earthly paradise with nothing.
The witch turned her head and smiled at her husband.
Alvin muttered to himself.
"Let me die..."
