In Type-Moon, it all starts with adopting Sakura.

He felt a little curious.

However, seeing Grey and Ad start arguing, he didn't rush to snatch Ad away to find out what was going on, but decided to wait until they got back.

"Alright, alright, you idiot Gray, of course I know to be quiet. But this kid's scent is so familiar, there's an extremely unpleasant fragrance and a feeling that makes you want to drowsy, but there's also little Artoria's scent... What's going on?"

"A feeling of drowsiness?"

Upon hearing this, Grey's expression turned somewhat strange. She looked at Ad in her hand with a puzzled expression and asked, "Ad, didn't you say that you had been sleeping before I woke you up? Why do you feel so familiar? Could it be that Mr. Crowley is someone you knew before you fell asleep?"

"No, of course that's impossible! How old do you think I am?! I'm not talking about him personally, but rather an extremely annoying yet familiar scent. That scent is as sweet as flowers, as intoxicating as a dream, yet as repulsive as scum. Ahhh~ This feeling is really ominous. I didn't expect to be able to smell that guy's scent even in this state. He's really persistent..."

"What a strange description!"

After hearing this description, Grey's expression became somewhat strange.

However, Yad and Lowe's eyes met at that moment, clearly indicating that they both understood what the other was talking about.

After confirming with a glance, Yad turned directly to Luo Wei and asked, "Young man, if I'm not mistaken, you should have some connection with that damned dream demon who deserved to die even if he were killed hundreds of times, right? Is there something he left behind? Or something? And you also have a faint aura of Artoria on you... You really are quite surprising."

A nightmare demon who deserved to be hacked to death hundreds of times...

Luo Wei was naturally familiar with this nickname; in fact, because the description was so accurate, he had personally taught that pervert a lesson countless times.

Are you talking about Merlin?

"Aaaaaah—!! It really was him!!"

Upon hearing Rowe's answer, Yad suddenly let out a howling sound.

"That damn perverted bastard, it really is him! What a twisted fate! Even after all these years of death, he still won't let me have peace. Tell me quickly, brother, what exactly happened to Merlin? Wasn't he supposed to be forbidden from leaving the tower until the end of the world? How did he get involved with you? And the aura of Arleigh Burke, that aura is quite obvious too. How did you manage to encounter both Arleigh Burke and Merlin at the same time?"

When Artoria was mentioned, Yad's tone suddenly became somewhat anxious.

"...Well, there are many complicated issues involved. However, I only communicate with Merry through dreams, and she's currently my illusion teacher, so it's normal for us to have some connection, right? As for Artoria, I met her a few times during the Holy Grail War and we became friends. The familiar aura you sensed is probably because of that..."

Lovi pointed to his chest, where the light belonging to Avalon flickered slightly.

"It's Avalon! I knew it! I never expected that you and Little Al would have this kind of relationship, and Avalon is still with you... But what did you mean by 'she' just now?"

Upon seeing the light emanating from Avalon and sensing its familiar aura, Yad shouted excitedly. He was about to ask his sister how it was when they met again when he suddenly noticed something extremely strange in Rowe's words.

For example, Merlin isn't actually Merlin, but rather the name Merri, and... [she]?

Upon hearing that Merlin had become Meryl, Yad suddenly screamed as if he had heard something extremely terrifying: "Whoa!! That pervert actually went so far as to cut off his own manhood?!"

However, it quickly realized that something was wrong.

"Something seems off, after all, that guy doesn't even have a gender."

"..."

Looking at the easily startled Sir Kay, Lowe couldn't help but feel speechless. No wonder Mary always mentioned Sir Kay when recounting her adventures. Putting everything else aside, his personality alone was enough to make for a good show. He and Mary were definitely the kind of people who could easily get along. He was also the kind of person Mary loved to tease the most.

However, looking at Grey, who seemed to be overloaded and completely bewildered, unable to understand what Ad and Lowe were talking about, Lowe shook his head and then opened the wooden door to invite her to bring Ad inside first.

“I have a lot of connections with Melly and Artoria, and it’s a bit complicated to explain. Anyway, please come in and have a seat. I’ll tell you a story about me and them later.”

"And it's not just between them, actually... I also have a certain connection with you, little Grey. While I was looking for companions this time, part of my goal was also for you and Ad."

"You came for me and Ad...?"

Upon hearing Rowe's undisguised answer, Grey's eyes involuntarily flashed with fear, and she instinctively wanted to run away. However, encouraged and reminded by Ad beside her, she stopped and looked back at Rowe.

Although she couldn't understand a word of their conversation, Yad said, "Since he can use Avalon and has connections with both Artoria and Melly, he's probably not a bad person. Besides, even that old gravedigger, Belsac, said this kid is trustworthy. So what's there to hesitate about? I also want to know about Artoria's situation!"

Encouraged by Ad, Grey mustered her courage and chose to trust Rowe, entering the room. Although she didn't understand what he had just said, a strange intuition told her—[This older brother in front of her is definitely not a bad person; he is trustworthy, and he must be someone extraordinary.]

Furthermore, Gray's heart skipped a beat when the name Artoria was mentioned.

Because she knew it was King Arthur's name.

It wasn't just Ad that was concerned about Artoria; at this moment, she was even more eager to know about King Arthur and her own future—

Fate

※※※※※※※

……

……

Happy New Year, everyone.

Writing late at night during the Lunar New Year is indeed a very strange experience, believe me, you wouldn't want to try it.

So, considering how hard the author has worked, could you please give them more votes and gifts as support?

Vadashi, I will definitely try my best.

(QAQ!!)

Chapter 116 My Promise with Grey

Inside the tomb keeper's house.

"—Hahaha! Is there really such a thing? The Holy Grail War, the summoning of Heroic Spirits, such a magical thing actually happened without my knowledge? It sounds just like Valhalla's Hall of Heroes. How interesting. Crowley, your story is even more fascinating than I imagined."

"And ah..."

After listening to Loewy's brief account of the Holy Grail War, Yad burst into loud laughter. Unlike Morgan, who had remained silent and watched quietly the previous night, the boisterous Yad always offered his own observations and opinions when Loewy recounted Artoria's story.

At first, when he heard that Artoria was almost carried away by Finn during their first meeting at the port, he couldn't help but worry for his sister. Later, when he heard that Artoria's Master, the man named Kiritsugu Emiya, repeatedly ordered his sister to do things she didn't want to do, Sir Kay directly cursed the man's despicable behavior, wishing he could personally step in and teach him a lesson.

At the same time, he didn't forget to directly hurl insults, saying that the one summoned by Kiritsugu Emiya was actually Artoria, and that she still seemed to have retained some of her personality traits, not fully transitioning to her royal status, and thus still clinging to her principles as a knight. If he were to encounter any of his more hot-tempered Knights of the Round Table, who dared to force him to do things like that, he would definitely teach them a lesson about the style of the Knights of the Round Table.

Later, when he heard that Artoria was being criticized by the other kings at the King's Banquet, Yad's mood worsened. It felt as if he, as the older brother, was incompetent and only realized what had happened belatedly, allowing his sister to be bullied without his knowledge.

Especially when he heard that Artoria's initial wish was to negate his efforts, that she was not a qualified king, and that her goal and desire for the Holy Grail was only to change that tragic history and start over, Yad fell completely silent.

This time, Sir Kay didn't make a sound; he just listened quietly and pondered.

Although he didn't utter a word, both Rowe and Grey could sense the pain and sorrow hidden deep within Ad's heart and soul. Even if he wasn't truly human, nor the real Sir Kay from history, his feelings for Artoria were undeniable.

Unlike Loewy, Grey, as Ad's companion, quietly placed Ad in the birdcage on the table after noticing this. Although she also had many questions, the understanding Grey did not interrupt Loewy's story, but simply listened quietly with Ad to the end of this tale of King Arthur.

Fortunately, this sadness and silence did not last long. When he heard that Lovi and that nightmare had joined forces to scheme against Artoria, and even taught her a lesson in the end, waking her from that absurd dream, Yad laughed happily again.

This time, while laughing heartily at Artoria's carelessness and underestimation of her opponent, Sir Kay gave a very high evaluation of Rowe's strength.

After all, Artoria was his younger sister, and as her older brother, he knew her best. Having watched Artoria grow up, Kai was also her best sparring partner. Around the time Artoria was seven, he personally experienced the oppressive power of a humanoid Tyrannosaurus Rex. That battle easily left him completely disoriented, let alone Artoria after she became a full-fledged knight and a king.

So even though Lovi emphasized that this time it was because Artoria's Master dragged her down to some extent, and because she herself was absent-minded, he was able to take advantage of the information gap. Furthermore, his verbal taunts and provocations caused her to lose her mind, which is why he was able to defeat her by chance.

However, Kai knew this. Even a weakened Artoria was still King Arthur, his sister, and a veritable humanoid Tyrannosaurus Rex. Even if she was weakened, how much weaker could she be? Therefore, for a magician like Lovi to defeat King Arthur in person was indeed an unimaginable miracle.

More importantly, after hearing that he had recounted the events surrounding the fall of Britain to Artoria after that battle, successfully helping her overcome her inner turmoil and abandon her absurd desire to deny her past actions and achievements and choose to start anew, Kai breathed a sigh of relief. He subsequently gained complete trust in this stranger, Rowe, and found him increasingly agreeable.

And without any hesitation, he said, "Compared to that useless succubus, you're much more suitable to be little Artoria's mentor... If you had been there in our time, perhaps things wouldn't have turned out the way they did..."

Sir Kay expressed his heartfelt feelings.

To this, Luo Wei simply shook his head and did not offer any further explanation.

After all, the past is the past, and no matter how much we talk about it, it cannot be changed. Instead of lamenting and regretting the present, it's better to look at the present with the future in mind. At least from a long-term perspective, things are moving in a positive direction.

Moreover, sensing the admiring gaze from Ad, Rowe even felt that this guy wasn't even human. If Sir Kay were really here now, the other party would definitely drag him out for a good drink, and they might even become sworn brothers.

As for the events that occurred in Britain in the later period, Lowe actually had some understanding of them.

Natural disasters and man-made calamities, the changing times—no matter how hard you try, you can't change anything. Besides, Merlin felt that he had reached the end of his journey and there was no point in continuing, so he simply gave up.

Because Britain lost Merlin, its strategist, and the land and the Age of Gods had truly come to an end, plus the unexpected emergence of Mordred, the entire nation collapsed and inevitably perished.

The reason Kai hates and dislikes Merlin is mostly because of this.

If it weren't for his guidance, Artoria could have lived a normal life. She could have lived a free life as a knight, and there was no need for her to face this tragic end and bear this responsibility that wasn't hers. If that guy hadn't irresponsibly left, many of the tragedies that followed wouldn't have happened. Don't say Merlin's clairvoyance couldn't see it? Don't say this is some kind of bullshit correct development! It's just that guy's excuse for standing by and doing nothing.

And this is indeed the case...

Later on, Merlin did indeed let go, witnessing everything come to an end. However, he did not expect that the outcome he had foreseen would plunge the girl he had raised and watched grow up into such pain, into despair, unwilling to rest in peace or find release, and tormenting her soul endlessly.

This was also the first time that non-human being had felt guilt and pain that belonged to humans, which is why he did everything he could to change Artoria's fate.

And the final result...

When Merlin saw Artoria personally choose to liberate herself, he genuinely felt a new emotion. This time, however, it was the happiness and joy he had been searching for for countless years, a beautiful emotion.

Although she later became attached to Loewy and was forced by him to use the contract that could do anything to turn Merlin into Merry through a deal with the Jewel King, the other party showed no remorse. All she wants now is to see more interesting things and to experience new happiness from Loewy once more.

After hearing all this, Yad was now completely convinced, just like the Silver Knight Bedivere who accompanied the awakened king on his new journey fifteen hundred years ago. Sir Kay before him also expressed his deepest respect.

Since Loewy freed King Arthur and fulfilled the wishes of these incompetent men, all the Knights of the Round Table should owe Loewy a huge favor. Furthermore, Yad stated that if Loewy needed any help, he could come to him anytime; it would do anything within its power, even at the cost of its own destruction.

Upon hearing this promise, Luo Wei's eyes lit up instantly, and he wore a "plan is in the air" expression. It was as if he had been waiting for Yad to say these words.

Going through fire and water, even to the point of being shattered to pieces—that's not quite right. However, there are certainly many places where I can help you.

Anyway, you'll have a way to repay this kindness once I take Grey and you back.

"Um... big brother, do you mean... King Arthur didn't die?"

Upon hearing this, Artoria, in her final moments, did not choose to give up on life, but instead relinquished her identity as King Arthur and embarked on her final journey. Yad, possessing the personality of Sir Kay, was naturally extremely pleased, but Gray, having listened attentively to the story, had a much more complex feeling.

As King Arthur's witch, Gray was naturally happy for Artoria's rebirth, but... if it turned out like this, wouldn't everything the village had done from beginning to end have been in vain?

"So……"

A look of fear crossed Grey's face, but Rowe quickly put a finger to his lips, signaling to Grey.

"Shh~ Don't say things like that carelessly... Although this is a good thing for King Arthur and Artoria, it could cause chaos for this village."

riot.

Lowe's words contained no exaggeration or falsehood. After all, the very existence of the Gravedigger village was to complete the ritual that could resurrect King Arthur, awakening the long-sleeping king from his eternal slumber. This was their goal and responsibility, and for this reason, the entire Gravedigger village had strived for over a thousand years. The birth of Gray was the most important outcome of this ritual; she was the most successful individual born from their millennia-long existence, a true vessel capable of containing King Arthur, and their most promising chance for liberation. However, Lowe's frankness directly revealed the answer.

It's no use. No matter what, the ending is predetermined.

King Arthur did not die, so it was impossible for her to be resurrected. The gravedigger's hopes were just wishful thinking from the very beginning.

Therefore, no matter how perfect Grey is, even if she has a face and similarities to King Arthur, she cannot be used as a basis to resurrect Artoria.

If the villagers, trapped for over a thousand years, were to learn of this cruel reality, there would only be one outcome. Upon learning that their millennia of effort had been reduced to ashes, that their efforts had ultimately failed, and that their assigned mission could never be fulfilled, the villagers' faith would crumble. Having confirmed that they would never find liberation, they would descend into despair and madness. Such things are extremely common in the world of magic. If it were to truly escalate to this point, no matter what actions were taken, the final result would inevitably be a tragedy.

So, at this moment, Yad decisively shut his mouth and promised Rowe that he would never tell anyone about it. Grey also fell silent, deeply affected by this tragic event.

"...Um, big brother...you mean King Arthur can't be resurrected, and everything is over, right?"