53 [53] You Are Important to Me
[In order to make Morgan beg for mercy, you diligently cultivated this land named the fertile soil of the witch.]
[First day...]
[Second day...]
[Alvin, oh Alvin, how could you fall so far! Where has your determination and will gone? Are you going to indulge in the gentle land of the witch like this, unable to extricate yourself?! This can't go on!]
[Third day...]
[For three days and nights, none of you stepped out of the bedroom.]
[... Even though you now possess A+ stamina, you still felt a moment of weakness and softness when you went out.]
[You realized a truth.]
[Only Morgan gets tired, the land is never exhausted.]
[In these few days, you haven't withdrawn because, for the sake of contributing essence to your daughter, you can no longer replenish magic from the witch. The daily irrigation is to make even the ultimate life form feel exaggerated consumption.]
[Nourished by you, her face gradually became more rosy, and the patterns on her lower abdomen also brightened, evolving towards the direction of deep blue.]
[Eating, pampering the witch, eating, pampering the witch...]
[A plain and unremarkable yet kidney-damaging and calm life continued like this. While experiencing pain and happiness at the same time, you also felt that the tranquility was a bit too much.]
[It's like... the calm before the storm.]
[Three days later, only the one-armed knights of the round table were left, finally being driven out of Orkney like dogs.]
[You slaughtered more than two thousand knights alone, cutting the knights of the round table's hands, and the news spread like wildfire.]
[The whole country was shocked...]
[Like adding fuel to the raging fire, the son of the white dragon, quickly became known throughout the island.]
[Your presence became known to everyone, and the momentum of Alvin Pendragon swept every inch of Britannia's corners. Your brutal reputation temporarily overshadowed even your old man, the White Dragon Vortigern.]
[Merlin's prophecy gradually spread, indicating that this island is facing the crisis of destruction by you.]
[This further intensified people's panic.]
[The majority of knights in Britannia had their power wiped out by you in one battle. Each island and county immediately fell into chaos, and morale plummeted.]
[Knowing the deeds of you, the king's son, the armies under the vile king were correspondingly excited, with their morale boosted.]
[You gained the talent "Tyrant Aura."]
[Tyrant Aura (A): From Londinium to Orkney, from the land of fairies to the wizard's tower, your notorious name is known to everyone on this island. You will be able to command the army more effectively, and the policies you implement will run more efficiently. If your figure appears on the battlefield, it will instantly boost the morale of your own troops and make the enemy feel fear.]
[Vortigern gradually began to hand over the military power to you, and he looked pleased as he watched his son gain such a full-fledged reputation.]
[He used to worry that you would be criticized by everyone, but you directly surpassed that, and now the dragon family's reputation in Britannia has become even more resounding. It seems like the dragon family is finally complete, truly a case of filial piety.]
[For some reason, watching your old man introduce you to the generals, gradually transferring the power of Londinium to you, you always felt that he had a taste of passing on his legacy.]
["Inheriting the true throne? Don't tell me you're that old, old man."]
["Silence can be an option, son."]
[Vortigern rubbed your silver hair and gave you a good knock.]
[The war on the front line began to heat up suddenly, and after more than half a month, Artoria, who pulled out the sword from the stone according to the prophecy, was still missing. Even Merlin was nowhere to be seen.]
[Suddenly losing the backbone, the situation in various counties of Britannia became even more turbulent.]
[The remaining kniths of the round table knights barely organized a resistance line, but every attempt to reconnect ended in failure. The concept of death attached to them burned their souls, and their arms had already been used up.]
[Failing to connect the prosthetic arm, the knights of the round table knights not only did not become fifty times stronger, but they became fifty times weaker than before. The one-armed them are now difficult to resist, and they don't even know where Artoria has gone.]
[With fearful hearts, everyone is waiting for the return of the king, hoping that day by day things will gradually fade away.]
[The morale of the various counties in Britannia is increasingly scattered, and the large army under the vile king is like a broken bamboo, chasing and dispersing the Celtic people, advancing towards the northern border of Orkney.]
[You sit in Londinium observing the current war situation, the frontline of the Britannian camp is now in jeopardy.]
[The six counties of Britannia have fallen into the hands of the vile king, and Vortigern wants to expel all Celtic people from the central island. By doing so, he won't have any worries, and it seems that this plan is about to be completed.]
[The Saxon army led by the white dragon has tens of thousands of soldiers. How can you lose?]
[As the last line of defense in Orkney, a dazzling blue light suddenly soared into the sky, shaking the clouds.]
"Lady of the Lake called for assistance from a guy named Lancelot? He temporarily took over the Knight of the Round Table and wielded the Arondight, its brilliance unmatched for miles?"
Sitting on the throne, Vortigern held the frontline battle reports in his hands.
The Saxon army suffered a major defeat in the siege of Orkney under the radiance of Lancelot's Arondight.
Lady of the Lake summoned reinforcements, and Lancelot, with the Arondight, was much stronger than the currently demoralized Knights of the Round Table. His appearance significantly boosted the morale of the Britannian side.
All the remaining resistance forces in Britannia gathered towards Orkney, a desperate struggle for the Celtic people, making these islands even more challenging to conquer in the future.
Faced with such a huge defeat, Vortigern's expression showed no sign of disappointment.
On the contrary, a smile appeared on the old man's face.
"Good news, Alvin."
Defeated, yet it's considered good news?
Although the old man is of such an age, being a dragon, he shouldn't suffer from senility.
Alvin pondered and thought about the timing of Lancelot's appearance...
"Is it Artoria?"
"Yes, I intentionally put pressure on the frontline to bring forth external help. The number of casualties among the Saxons people doesn't matter."
The white dragon chuckled.
"Now, even with the lady of the lake, the situation in Orkney is critical, and the red dragon has yet to show up, claiming she can't free herself."
Vortigern looked up towards the castle, as if penetrating the sky above, gazing into the unknown realms.
"I, Vortigern, have been waiting for this opportunity for twenty years... Alvin, don't move in Londinium in these next few days, the crucial time is approaching."
[Vortigern retracted the frontline troops, preparing for a strict defense.]
[Three days later, his words seemed to come true.]
[A gloomy and dark cloud covered the entire island, and a torrential rain poured from the sky. In the fifteen years since your arrival, you had never seen such a heavy rain in Britannia.]
[Standing at the top of Londinium, looking towards the land, the field of vision was vast. Even with your ultimate life form's vision, you could only see tens of thousands of meters clearly.]
"This rain... is strange."
Alvin bathed in the rain, covered by shadows, and all the rain couldn't wet his clothes.
He raised his hand, gently flicked the water droplets on his hand.
"Rich in magical energy, old man..."
"I guessed right... You broke the red dragon's sword, broke it! Now she must be undergoing a trial in the lake."
Vortigern, with a robust figure, stood beside Alvin. The old man's words made the silver-haired youth slightly startled.
"A trial in the lake?"
"Vivian controlled the trial from the lake. She is one side of your cousin."
The old man lowered his gaze, glancing at his own son, and spoke softly.
"When they were born, they were split in two by the fairy in the inner sea, and all the evils were poured into Morgan."
"So..."
The words of the witch echoed softly.
"She is the kind and popular fairy in the lake, and I inherited all the unknown influences."
Morgan's figure appeared beside Alvin.
She gazed at the torrential rain, her tone somewhat mixed.
"I learned about this after many years."
Morgan laughed somewhat mockingly.
"Alvin... It turns out that all the hatred, prejudice, and rejection I experienced had reasons... because people would naturally think I have evil."
...There's such a thing?
Listening to this, Alvin was truly angry, he really wanted to kill these fairies. What kind of precious beings were they?
"It's okay, I don't care anymore."
The witch, holding Alvin's hand when he tried to touch his own face, shook her head.
She was indeed no longer in the inner sea because she had Alvin's love.
This wouldn't affect the overall situation. Alvin kept this in mind and vowed to create an opportunity to strike back.
The silver-haired youth looked up at Vortigern.
"Earlier, you mentioned the timing... Is the trial in the lake related to this rain?"
"Heh..."
Vortigern let out a chuckle.
"Vivian is going to lift the Sword of Promised Victory from that lake and lend it to the red dragon."
"The Sword of Promised Victory is equipment destined for King Arthur. As for the purpose of taking it out... need I say more... it's to cut off the head of this dragon."
Faced with such clear hostility from the unknown realms.
The old man's expression remained indifferent, showing only disdain.
"In other words, the Excalibur, right..."
Alvin knew that this was Saber's famous weapon.
"A divine construct weapon isn't so easily taken out. This rain, full of magical energy, is the manifestation of the agitation of the lake water..."
Vortigern raised his head, looking towards the gloomy sky.
Dark clouds covered the sky, and the rain poured like a waterfall.
On this vast land, who would rise and who would fall?
Vortigern just laughed.
Never had he laughed so brightly and happily.
"And this, too, marks the weakest moment of the Inner Sea of the Planet barrier!"
"For twenty years, I, Vortigern, have been preparing and waiting for this day!"
Facing the torrential rain.
Standing at the top of Londinium, the dragon with a devouring radiance suddenly spread open his hands.
Boom~
In Londinium Castle, a burst of crimson blood light soared into the sky, reaching the clouds.
In the distance, within the vast rain curtain, five blood-colored lights burst forth at the same time, piercing through the sky.
The thick red, like blood, slowly flowed on the earth...that was the blood accumulated from the battles between the Celtic and Saxon people over the years, gradually seeping into the ground.
Centered on Londinium.
A colossal blood-red circle, covering the central part of Britannia Island, is slowly taking shape.
Countless people in Britannia looked up at the blood-red light rising into the sky from within the rain curtain, sensing a strong and uneasy omen.
"Nationwide Magic Circle... Old thing, you really know how to surprise people."
Morgan looked at this scene with extreme amazement. She never expected that Vortigern had such a move hidden.
"So that's it... That's it! Over the past twenty years of continuous warfare, you were just driving away the Celtic people, deliberately prolonging the front lines."
"At first, I was puzzled about how you would pull out the Anchor of the Planet, as you were rejected by the Inner Sea of the Planet... Now it seems like I understand."
"Yes, my Britannian body is instinctively resisted by the Inner Sea of the Planet."
Bathing in the rain, Vortigern emitted a disdainful chuckle to the world.
"My spirit, Vortigern, is not allowed to be crossed into it either. You thought that you could stop me like this? Weak, too weak..."
"The trial of the lake is opened, the lake is in turmoil, the rainwater of reality permeates, and at this moment, it is the weakest time of the Inner Sea of the Planet barrier!"
"And in the blood, there is the soul... I spent twenty years depicting this Nationwide Magic Circle, able to confuse my spiritual core, deceive the Inner Sea of the Planet barrier, and infiltrate my spirit!"
"Spirit..."
Alvin looked at Vortigern in astonishment.
"Old man, are you going to abandon your physical body?"
"Yes, no matter how the body of the White Dragon is resisted, temporarily abandoning the flesh, so what? I, Vortigern, can suppress the Anchor of the Planet with just my spirit!"
In the pouring rain.
The nationwide magic circle, covering the earth, took shape.
Blood light surged out, turning Londinium's rainwater into a crimson hue.
The crimson descended, as if the world was bleeding, the pain felt by the devouring radiance of the dragon permeating the world.
Bathed in this vast blood-colored rain.
The old man raised his hand, gently rubbing the head of the silver-haired youth.
"Londinium is temporarily handed over to you, Alvin. I trust you the most. Wait for me to return with the Holy Lance, and the return of the age of gods is right in front of you!"
"My dear..."
The robust old man stood in the blood rain, and his eyes seemed to have lost their luster.
In the next moment.
"ROOOOAR!!!"
A resounding dragon roar echoed, like thunderous reverberations, sweeping away the gloomy and dark clouds.
Between heaven and earth.
The virtual image of a towering white dragon soared, breaking through the clouds of the sky.
...
"You've faced all the trials... and made the most correct choices. Your talent has surprised me, Artoria."
On a vast and quiet lake, filled with the fragrance of flowers and the songs of birds, seemingly isolated from the world.
Lady of the Lake, Vivian, gazed at the golden-haired girl before her, and even her flawlessly beautiful face couldn't hide the expression of deep emotion.
Artoria, she had passed through all the trials in the lake with unstoppable momentum.
Various tests, various questions, various choices testing human nature... she had almost handed in a perfect answer sheet.
Even when faced with the illusion of Alvin confessing his love to her.
Confronted with such a probing inner confict, she showed no hesitation, swung her sword and dispelled it into fragments.
"I don't need to know if it's an illusion."
She said indifferently, with an unwavering tone.
"I only know that the Alvin who can be defeated by me in that way is not him."
It was astonishing...
Understanding human hearts, possessing divinity, and the determination displayed that made people turn their heads...
"You undoubtedly have become an outstanding ruler, Artoria. I admit that you qualify to wield the Excalibur."
The lake water rippled, and a noble sword slowly floated up, held in the graceful hands of the lake's fairy.
"However, before I bestow it upon you, you must answer one final question..."
"Sword and scabbard, who do you think is more important?"
The answer to this question actually didn't matter.
No matter how Artoria answered, Vivian would give her both the sword and the scabbard.
This was essentially a psychological test.
The sword symbolized struggle, while the scabbard symbolized protection.
Choosing the sword indicated a determination to open up a new path.
Choosing the scabbard indicated a desire to protect the people.
The answer to this question would allow Vivian to understand the ruler's mentality and provide her with targeted advice.
However...
"Both are not important."
She didn't pick up the sword or take the scabbard.
The golden-haired girl's decisive and resounding answer left the lady of the lake dumbfounded.
She had thought of countless answers.
Choosing the sword, choosing the scabbard, explaining her reasons, or even following human greed and choosing "I want both."
But...
"You said..." Vivian confirmed in disbelief, "What?"
"Sword and scabbard, both are not important."
Vivian stared in disbelief, glancing at the agus of flowers squatting on the lakeside.
What the hell did you teach this girl?
The blindfolded half-incubus showed an incredibly complex expression.
Sorry, I can't do that for you, Vivian.
Because... I can't be her teacher anymore.
"Well..."
Vivian couldn't help but ask,
"What is important, Artoria?"
"I don't need this ridiculous ritual. What's important to me is..."
Artoria gripped her palms together.
As she walked to the edge of the fairy lake, she became aware of Merlin's guidance while still in a dream.
Yes, the trial of the lake had already begun, and she had no reason to retreat.
She wanted that person to face her determination.
She wanted to prove that she, too, could overturn fate.
She wanted to rescue Alvin from the path to hell.
"I don't need to become a king to decide whether or not to accept a sword."
She declared resoundingly.
"But... only if the sword recognizes me as the one destined to become a king, can it truly embody its value as a sword!"
Without any hesitation.
Artoria, without taking the sword or scabbard, just took a turn and walked back towards the lake shore.
The Magus of Flowers stood up in shock.
"Lily, you can't do this... you can't do this!"
"None of your business."
She was leaving.
She had already demonstrated her determination to become a king, and that was enough.
Alvin Pendragon was right.
If you're prepared to resist fate, you don't need to fear death.
She would, with her own hands, reverse the tragic future of Britannia.
Stunned.
Vivian almost stared blankly at the departing figure of the golden-haired girl, even though she, as the fairy of the lake, possessed a calm temperament, she felt an indescribable shock at this moment.
Not the sword, rejecting her.
It was she, showing disdain for picking up the sword.
What kind of... ruler!
Hum~
The sword and scabbard in Vivian's hands suddenly emitted a tremor.
The Excalibur flew into the air as if by magic, floating beside Artoria.
And she...
Even couldn't be bothered to look at the sword.
The lady of the lake stared silently and motionlessly.
Staring at the Excalibur, a divine construct, behaving like an extremely flattering dog following its master.
"Alvin, I will save you."
Her figure disappeared into the mist on the lake shore.
