Davidian's Holy Grail War

If Lancelot hadn't been so insane and hadn't committed such a heinous crime at the execution ground, things might have been handled much better in the end.

"However, the matter is settled now and there's no need to say more. The current priority is to resolve the issue in Rome. We need to use our considerations to teach those stubborn fools who drove the Saxons out a lesson."

Of course, we should return the favor tenfold, adding to the cost we've inflicted so far. We must shoot them down without mercy, and then they'll naturally come to us with a treaty to negotiate and establish future peace.

She smiled brightly, a smile that didn't upset Merlin. Unbeknownst to Merlin, Artoria seemed to have resolved her inner conflict.

She no longer dwelled on the final outcome; at that moment, Merlin etched that smile into his heart forever. For in that instant, he saw the most beautiful thing in the world.

“You did the right thing, but the destruction of this country is inevitable. Even if it survives for another hundred years, it will not have much impact on the history of this island.”

Rather, it is destroyed. Britain's story has come to an end...

What would you think if I said that?

Chapter 158 "Hope Remains"

Artoria smiled and said calmly, "This is not a joke, is it? But I think perhaps it really should end here."

If Davidian has been pushed to this point, then I suppose the people have reached their limit of patience. In order to protect them, I adopted overly harsh policies. That is indeed my fault.”

She took the blame upon herself when it was not hers. If the land were prosperous and the people were happy, her policies would be nothing at all.

Unfortunately, everything at its core has been destroyed, and Artoria's policies have become oppression.

"However, before the end comes, we still have to do what we should do, don't we?"

Artoria had already expressed all her thoughts; how could the intelligent Artoria not have foreseen the outcome? But even knowing it, it would be wrong not to try.

Merlin smiled contentedly after hearing this, but then he said helplessly:

"I'm sorry, it's a bit abrupt to say this now, so I'll stop here. I've run into a little trouble; I've been targeted by an evil fairy, so I need to hide for the time being."

Artoria's previously relaxed smile turned troubled, and all she could say was:

"Even David Anqing so earnestly requested that you restrain yourself and reduce your problems with women, but this is the only thing that will never change no matter how many years pass."

"Of course, what kind of life is it without flowers? This is the whole meaning of my existence." Merlin was quite proud of himself, as if he didn't care about the matter at all.

However, even though Merlin's statement was quite problematic, Artoria didn't blame him. Instead, she smiled at Merlin.

"However, thank you. Merlin, I thank you. To me, you are undoubtedly a great teacher."

If I had to say, Hector is my adoptive father, King Uther is my biological father, but you are the loving father who gave me meaning in life.

Therefore, I feel that the fact that you have always been by my side, and the years you have spent with me, are very precious treasures.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your companionship.

In that instant, the most sincere emotions surged through Merlin's heart. He was a cold-blooded magician, and in all his past years, no one had ever shown him such feelings.

The final conversation ended with these words from Artoria, and Merlin watched her figure board the ship from the port. Today, he finally understood the reason for his unease on the chosen day.

They hoped they could create an excellent king, a transcendent being who would abandon human desires.

But Artoria's eyes were on the happiness of the people; she came from the people and could not abandon their hearts.

From the very beginning, they focused on different things. If only he had noticed that difference during those eleven years.

He felt deeply pained and guilty about this, even extremely distressed.

Because his sins have already been committed, no one will ask him to repent for them, but his own heart will torment him.

This shouldn't be a thought that someone as inhuman as him would have. If others understood his inner thoughts, they would probably sigh in this way:

This is the moment Merlin is closest to a human being.

When Merlin had sorted out his inner turmoil, he returned to Camelot.

Davidian was looking down from the top of the palace at Camelot, which still looked flawless but was exhausted inside.

“Lord David, let me thank you for your contributions to her over the past twenty-one years. For that, the promise we made can be fulfilled. Go back to your own time and live the life you once lived.”

Upon hearing Merlin's words, David turned around, his expression one of bewilderment and surprise.

"You actually remember this?"

Merlin was stunned, then he deliberately showed a displeased expression and said:

"What? You don't actually think I have no sense of contractual obligation at all? For the past twenty-odd years, I've been working very hard to refine this magic that will send you back to your own time, okay?"

This magic trick is now practically perfect, without the slightest flaw! You can finally go home now.

Davidian laughed too, and then he said something that surprised Merlin:

"No need, Merlin... no, Merlin-sensei. Thank you for remembering these things. Even when I myself had given up hope of this matter, it is amazing that you still remembered it."

"Why? Even you were despairing of the current Round Table before, so why don't you want to go back? You can leave all this chaos behind and go back to your own time to live the peaceful life you deserve."

Merlin recalled David's accusation in the Round Table Hall. He felt that David was clearly on the verge of collapse at that moment, but now he was still holding on here.

Merlin took two steps closer to David and couldn't help but say, "You no longer need to sacrifice for this round table, nor stand up for this land. You have done enough."

Merlin was speaking the truth; the Round Table had miraculously survived for eleven years. David An deserves much credit for making it this far.

"If not me, then who? If I don't step forward, who will? Who should I ask to sacrifice for me?"

This simple rhetorical question, based on Merlin's words, left Merlin speechless.

But Merlin was even more tormented by this, because he had already seen it. He had seen Davian's fate, when Davian said he could not leave Britain. His end had already entered Merlin's vision.

"Indeed, that day in the Hall of the Round Table, I couldn't control my emotions due to the circumstances, and even said things like I wished I could die during the Vortigern Rebellion. But, Master Merlin... the King is still here, I am still here, and hope remains!"

At this point, Davidian raised his dark sword, pointing it at the people below who were struggling to make a living in Camelot, and continued:

“Teacher, everyone in this era is different from me. They have not experienced a much better era than this, nor have they suddenly fallen into the abyss and come to this dark era like I have.”

But they have persevered in their struggle, clinging to their hopes for a better future. Given this, how can I, who have witnessed even better times, not fight for them?

How can I simply escape back to my own time and turn a blind eye to those who are still striving?

Upon hearing David's words, Merlin even had the urge to tell David about the future, to tell him that all hope for the future had been lost.

The king was indeed still alive, and his expedition to Rome was bound to be victorious. But when she returned home, she was greeted only by her own country's army.

Her rebellion was inevitable; within her rebellion, destruction would befall Davian, and she would meet her end in lamentation. Merlin knew all of this.

"But please allow me to thank you. Thank you, Teacher Merlin. I can't find any more suitable words."

I have lived a very fulfilling life in Britain for the past twenty-odd years. Although there are more painful memories than joyful ones, there have also been many happy ones.

Thank you for remembering our initial agreement. Thank you.

David bowed to Merlin, expressing his deepest gratitude.

Merlin suddenly realized he had made another mistake. He had thought that David would gladly accept his magic and return to his own time to live his life.

But he was wrong; people change, and so did Davidian.

He shouldn't have made that agreement in the first place. The moment he defeated Vortigern, he should have sent David back to his own time and ended it all.

"Alright, Merlin-sensei. I need to get back to Camelot; I have a lot to do."

As Merlin watched Davidian leave, a sorrow that no one could see was revealed on his face.

He now understood why David and Artoria were so compatible, why they had persisted until now, and why such people existed.

So this is what the human heart is like: a heart that loves others, a heart that loves its companions, a heart that loves its people. We fight for all of this, we fight for something better.

It's not about using these things as spiritual sustenance to satisfy ourselves, but rather a genuine hope that everyone can achieve a better future, a tomorrow that everyone can reach.

Unfortunately, it was all too late.

Chapter 159 Traitor (Part 1)

Since then, as Merlin had said, he left Camelot. Davidian didn't know where he went, only that he had to leave for a while due to personal reasons.

Knowing the reason, he couldn't help but smile bitterly. Merlin's bad habit of seducing women was something he could never change, even until his death.

But he didn't say much and continued to focus on his work. Now, only he, Mordred, Kay, and Bedivere remained in Camelot. Honestly, there was so much work to be done.

However, Mordred was attending a simple meeting at a secret hideout unknown to David. Although the number of attendees was small, they were the leaders of the major clans and lords of Britain.

They had gathered together in secret, preparing to seize this opportunity to overthrow the Knight King's rule. Their chance had finally arrived as Arthur embarked on his expedition to Rome.

However, they now face a major obstacle: Lord Camelot, Davidian Sleirick, and his First British Glorious Eternal Garrison.

To be honest, no one present wanted to confront this kind of opponent head-on.

If a rebellion is launched hastily without adequate preparation, the most likely outcome is that David will lead his men, one clan at a time, to slaughter them all, leaving no one alive.

A trap must be prepared for the Glorious Eternal Legion, enough to kill them all, and even eliminate Davidan himself.

Otherwise, as long as Davidian is still alive, their rebellion will not be able to achieve the greatest results in the shortest amount of time.

However, Mordred already had a plan in mind. She told everyone about it, and the other kings nodded in agreement after hearing it.

"Then hurry back and make preparations, and don't let the news leak out. This plan must succeed on the first try."

The brief meeting ended with Mordred's voice. The leaders of the various clans immediately returned to begin preparing for Mordred's plan.

Less than half a month later, David, who was still in Camelot, heard the news of the rebellion.

The three major northern clans have declared their intention to end King Arthur's reign and have formed an alliance to overthrow the old king.