Chapter 52 - 53: My Heart Has Long Belonged to Morgan (8.5k)
Hearing Merlin's miserable wails, the hearts of the Round Table knights held no sympathy, but rather a rare sense of pleasure. The lives of more than two thousand knights of Britannia... and the tragic state of their own arms, which could be used in the next battle, were almost entirely caused by Merlin.
Having one's arm cut off, it's not even a question of whether it can be reattached. Even if it could be, they would probably never be able to hold a sword again in the future. They had initiated the siege, so they should bear the consequences. The Round Table knights had no complaints. But what about those knights who had been driven into a frenzy? Some of them could have escaped. Yet they were ruthlessly used as consumables by this nightmare. A guy who toyed with people's hearts and lives did not deserve sympathy.
It was just that they were completely helpless against the nightmare. With its almost immortal body and its illusions that could deceive the world, revenge was out of the question. At this moment, hearing his wails, all the Round Table knights had only one thought in their hearts—
Good, he's blind!
Artoria's expression was even colder than the Round Table's. If it were the Lily of the past, she would have been concerned for this mentor. But at this moment, the King Arthur in her eyes held no pity at all. She hated deception. So, when the nightmare said to her, "I have hardly told you any lies," she immediately understood—Alvin was telling the truth.
When a person emphasizes that they have not broken the law, it means they do not possess morality.
Merlin seemed to be very pleased with his own proper reason. Because he had "hardly told any lies," he also believed that he had "hardly made any mistakes." When the blonde girl said to him, "Merlin, I am very disappointed in you," the nightmare's expression did not change at all, but only seemed to be very confused.
Why? I clearly told the truth ninety-nine percent of the time.
Why? I was just trying to guide you on the journey of a king, Lily.
Why? I was clearly doing something incredibly correct, putting the world back on the right track—
However...
"The biggest lie is the truth not fully told."
With a surge of nausea and disgust, Artoria stabbed the Sword in the Stone into the sage's shoulder, cut off her own cloak and threw it to the nightmare. It was a symbol of the severing of their relationship from now on. Then... on her way back, she was trapped in that fairy forest, only able to watch as the knights besieged Alvin.
Anger, helplessness. She knew she had fallen into a trap. Letting her out was precisely because... Merlin knew that she would definitely speak up to save the Round Table. This fact made her feel an incomparable chill in her heart.
"Am I just a tool for you to use and then throw away, Merlin?"
The blind nightmare could no longer answer her question. The illusion directly collapsed on the ground, convulsed and died, turning into scattered flowers.
As the last ray of dusk also dissipated, the earth once again welcomed the silent and dark night. The wheat fields all lost their color.
Su Shu walked all the way with his sword, burning all the corpses of the knights on the edge. Dust to dust, earth to earth. Born in Britain, and all returned to Britain.
The autumn breeze gently caressed his silver hair, but could not blow away the bloodstains.
Finally, he stood before a mottled wooden stake on the wheat field. Every few days when he was farming, he would come to this training ground and stand quietly for a while. Caressing the rough sword marks on it, he seemed to be able to feel the day-after-day perseverance of the swordsman.
"It's time... to say goodbye, right, Artoria?"
The blonde girl's lips moved. Yes. What words of retention could possibly make him stay? What words of regret could possibly persuade him?
She was King Arthur. The Knight King of Britain.
In the siege of the vile King Vortigern's son, more than two thousand knights had all died in battle on the wheat field. The Round Table knights had all had their arms cut off. After today, Alvin Pendragon's name would surely resound throughout this island. The whole of Britannia would be shocked and turbulent. She knew that this matter could not be hidden. Merlin would definitely announce it, precisely to force her to go back and get on the "right track."
After that, facing the impact of the Anglo-Saxon army, the scattered defensive lines of the various counties would surely be precarious. They urgently needed her, this King Arthur, to lead the defeated Round Table back to stabilize the situation, to turn the tide and save the collapsing building.
So... the time for parting had arrived.
Then, finally...
Artoria gripped the hilt of her sword, raised it, and stood before him.
"What if I can defeat you, Senior Alvin..." Her words, at first, were trembling. But the further she went, the more determined she became.
"Even if you are injured now, even if my victory is not honorable, I must stop you. I want to prove to you...—if I defeat you, then I am stronger than you. I don't need you to go to hell. I can break free from that fate myself."
She had also grown a lot. She had also experienced countless setbacks. She had also grown from an innocent and naive young girl to the now-famous king of the island.
Of course, Su Shu could see that. The current Artoria was much stronger than the entire Round Table combined. Even the three-times-stronger Gawain under the sun, even with the weapon advantage of a holy sword, the Knight of the Sun was by no means her opponent. That was the blessing of the will of the world on the son of the red dragon. Her growth speed was almost catching up to his own, an ultimate life form.
"I have seen your resolve, I have heard of your fame. I have been watching you. When I discussed your deeds with Ector, the old man would show a gratified and complicated expression. You want to prove your growth, then come on. What a nostalgic battle..."
Su Shu raised his sword.
"[If you still cannot reach a conclusion,]" he said.
"[Then use your sword to find the answer.]" she said.
Boom—
The earth trembled, the wheat fields swayed. Continuous shockwaves spread across the ground, one after another. It was the incomparably violent force of two dragon-kin trampling the earth.
Su Shu held his sword high with one hand, showing his side, looking as if he were full of openings.
Artoria held the Sword of Selection with both hands and slashed with a wide-open stance. She had long known that she did not need to hold back. She had unleashed her full power from the very beginning! The person before her, what an insurmountable mountain he was. She, who had climbed it thousands of times, knew better than anyone!
But... to save you, senior, I must... climb over you!
Clang—
The Sword of Selection and the spiral sword collided. The language of the swords could convey feelings better than spoken words. Inheriting his previous teachings, Artoria's instinct was fully open, her dragon's heart was almost like a war drum. Every strike was aimed at the opponent's weakest point, every strike was filled with a deadly resolve. There was no holding back in her murderous moves.
However... the other party just held his sword with one hand all along, looking at her with some sadness, lightly blocking all her attacks.
Defense. Defense... Defense—
Why...
"—Why don't you attack me! Senior Alvin!"
The anger of being looked down upon rose from the bottom of her heart for the first time. The Sword of Selection in her hand burst with brilliance. The blonde girl let out a resentful inquiry.
"Didn't you say that a sword that cannot kill cannot protect people either?! Then why don't you take the initiative to attack me!"
"Because your wrist is trembling, Artoria."
Eh...? What... My hand holding the sword... is shaking... ...Why? I have clearly followed all your teachings, I clearly have no hesitation in killing now, my swordsmanship has long since become an instinct...—Why... is my hand still trembling?
"Because you have no confidence in defeating fate. Because you are too afraid of the ending where I die. Because the belief you have always held has only ever been 'sacrifice', Artoria."
As always, his gaze seemed to be able to see through her heart.
"You have always been thinking about others, never caring about yourself. You have always held that kind of twisted, pathological, desire for sacrifice."
Clang—
"You are a noble knight, that's right, but you are lying to me, and even more so, you are deceiving yourself."
Clang—
"Your heart is wavering. So how can the sword be steady..."
"Who understands what you're talking about!"
Clang—
The dragon's blood in her body was roaring, the bursting heart was roaring. Artoria raised the Sword of Selection high, and under the night sky, let out a roar like a lion.
"Caliburn!"
Boom—
An incomparably brilliant and dazzling huge brilliance suddenly shot up into the sky, sweeping away the thick clouds of the night as if it were daytime. Gawain, being supported by his comrade in the distance, stared blankly and raised his head. That was a brilliance he could never hope to reach now, a brilliance that was so admirable.
"My King..."
However, the next second... Su Shu raised his hand. He cut the splendid and brilliant huge beam of light that was slashing down in half with one stroke of his sword.
Crack—
The light dissipated. The Sword of Selection, which symbolized the dignity of a king, broke just like that. The tip of the sword fell to the ground. The sword-wielding girl also knelt down on the ground, stunned.
The Sword of Selection was broken. The sword she had just pulled out in the morning... was broken by evening.
"Your heart is wavering, so the sword is also trembling, Artoria... you've lost. You don't think you can be an enemy to the world. You just want to sacrifice yourself to save me. And I have always believed in my own principles. I will not deliberately seek sacrifice, let alone think of harming myself, because I want to live a happy and peaceful life with the people I cherish. Even if it's the will of the world... I will make it bow its head."
The dark knight walked slowly past the kneeling, bewildered, dazed blonde girl.
"Goodbye, Artoria. I will definitely... save you."
"Alvin... senior... don't..."
Artoria reached out her hand. She grabbed him just like that. Because she didn't want him to go towards hell. The girl, almost trembling, made a final, pale and powerless plea.
"I... love you..."
Click.
That already-shattered arm guard was suddenly pulled off and fell to the ground. Then, his blood-soaked left hand was revealed. Looking at the... oath ring on his ring finger.
Artoria's gaze almost froze.
With a complicated expression, Su Shu's iron-gray eyes stared at her. He said softly, "...Sorry, I'm already engaged."
The stars flickered dimly. The night sky seemed to be being pulled. Su Shu, as if sensing something, raised his head. Above his head, a deep, dark shadow suddenly tore open. From it, a familiar, soft body of a witch pounced out.
"Alvin! I escaped to help you! That damn Vivian, that dead elf, is pissing me off—"
Su Shu raised his hand and gently caught her.
"Are you alright? Ah! Why is there so much blood on your face?! You! You're seriously injured?! Alvin, I'll heal you right now—"
Morgan frantically and anxiously caressed the silver-haired youth's wounds all over his body, as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. Such a flustered witch... also seemed particularly cute.
Su Shu just smiled like that, his iron-gray eyes gently staring at her. Finally... the witch noticed.
Morgan: "...Eh eh?"
"...The battle... is already over?"
"Mhm." Su Shu gently lowered his eyes and kissed her soft lips. "It's already over. I took Merlin's clairvoyance. That's my wedding gift to you."
"Alvin..."
The nightmare had suffered a great disaster. It should have been a very happy thing, but Morgan didn't care at all right now. Seeing Su Shu covered in blood, she knew what a tragic battle he had just been through.
"Damn it! Where's that old bastard Vortigern! Is he fucking senile! Why hasn't he come over yet!" Morgan was furious. She had at least been cleared from the board, but was this dad of his removed from play? "The magic dragon that devours light?! He should just change his name to Holy Dragon!"
"...That's not impossible."
The airflow began to surge. A burly, mountain-like huge white dragon slowly descended from the sky and landed on the wheat field. The dragonized Vortigern folded his sky-covering wings. The scales covering his entire body opened and closed slightly, showing a warm, jade-like color under the moonlight.
"I saw a false image... it was Merlin's illusion... I was too careless... sorry, Father is late, Alvin."
His vertical pupils shone with a majestic golden light. The white dragon let out a self-reproachful sigh. "Hm? That sword of yours is..."
"It's alright... it's all over, Dad. Let's go back and talk." Su Shu knew that this was not Morgan's fault at all, let alone Vortigern's. Through various subtle coincidences, the world had tried its best to create this opportunity to besiege him. If not this time, there would be a next time.
"I will act more cautiously in the future, please rest assured."
The family of three was finally reunited. Vortigern's dragon body lay down, using his body as a backrest for the two of them. Morgan took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped the blood from Su Shu's face. The atmosphere was so harmonious it was a bit strange.
It's just that... it always felt like something extra was there.
One person, one dragon, one witch. Three pairs of eyes all looked sideways at the kneeling, stunned blonde girl on the ground.
"...The son of the red dragon?" Vortigern's dragon eyes narrowed slightly.
"Mhm..." Su Shu didn't know what kind of expression to make. Er, just smiling should be fine, right?
Morgan was also a little stunned for a moment. Looking at the face before her that was almost nine-tenths similar to her own, she had never thought she would see her little sister here...—But, what was with this kneeling, pathetic posture? Her eyes seemed to be still holding back tears, slightly swollen. Looking at her... she looked like a pitiful little puppy that no one wanted...
"Alvin, did you bully her?"
"Er... bully?" Su Shu looked at the stunned Artoria before him with a complicated expression. "...I guess so."
"Artoria... Lily?" Morgan walked forward, her expression full of pity as she squatted down and wiped the tears from the blonde girl's face.
Artoria stared blankly and raised her gaze, looking a little bewildered at... the face before her that looked almost exactly like her own.
She knew she had an older sister.—The sinister and cunning... Witch of Britain?
"A little... unfamiliar? Nice to meet you, Lily. I'm your older sister, Morgan. I didn't expect to meet under such circumstances..." Morgan sighed secretly. Because she was afraid of being detected by Merlin and affecting Alvin's grand plan of winning her over, she had been deliberately avoiding this little sister of hers.
After thinking for a moment, Morgan took out a small mirror from her bosom. It was a magic Mystic Code she had carefully crafted, with the effect of beautifying and nourishing the skin. She stuffed it into the blonde girl's arms. "Don't be polite, a small meeting gift. Er, Lily, your father Uther... how is he?"
"Father...?" Artoria muttered the word with some unfamiliarity, answering in a daze, "Merlin said... he passed away from illness three years ago."
"...I see." The desire for revenge was no longer as strong as before. The news of the former king's death was learned by Morgan. The witch found that she felt no relief, no joy, nor any sadness. It was just... hearing such content, and then letting out a "I see." Then she realized that that guy was finally dead.
Because she no longer cared about him. This was the most cruel revenge.
Compared to Uther's death, what Morgan was more concerned about was...—In that case, wasn't her little sister an orphan since she was a child?
"...Ah, this is just too pitiful."
Morgan opened her arms and embraced her, pressing the blonde girl's face into her full bosom.
This is... the sinister and cunning... witch? Indeed very dangerous, indeed very... big.
Feeling the warmth of her face being touched, it was a soft and kind... motherly love that Artoria had never experienced before. Because it was too comfortable, the ahoge on top of her head couldn't help but curl up.
"We're all a family now. If you're free, you can come over often—er, s-sorry, I forgot..." Thinking of where her home was, Morgan was suddenly a little embarrassed. Inviting King Arthur to Londinium as a guest, isn't that just a Hongmen Banquet?
"Eh eh... right, why are you kneeling here..." The witch, with great sympathy, pulled this little sister of hers up, and with a wave of her hand, a flowing shadow washed away the dirt on her body. Right, why is she kneeling here? Did Alvin bully her?
The witch thought of Alvin's subtle expression, and the occasion at this moment...
Witch: !
She understood. This was a farewell...
Morgan was suddenly a little embarrassed and took a few steps back, subconsciously pulling Su Shu's hand.
"S-sorry, my mind was a little confused just now..."
Artoria stared blankly at her. At this Witch of Britain, at the oath ring on her right hand that was the same style as her senior's.
Su Shu wrapped his arms around her and directly held Morgan in his arms. The bloodstains on his body directly stuck to the witch's body. Morgan licked his blood. He kissed the witch's lips.
"Sorry... Artoria, that's just how it is."
Su Shu didn't know how to explain... this truth that was so cruel to her. But, being indecisive would only cause deeper harm to both sides.
"I'm already engaged. I... cannot accept your love. I have no love for you. If I had to say what feelings I have, I've already said it—it's... sympathy and pity. My heart... has long belonged to Morgan. We're... going home to hold our wedding today."
Su Shu took the witch's hand, their rings rubbing against each other.
Artoria stood there, bewildered. She stood bewildered on the wheat field, like a stiff wooden stake.
Vortigern's ancient and stern golden eyes stared at her for a moment, then he glanced at his son. "Leave her here... her Round Table will come for her."
Su Shu held the witch and mounted Vortigern's dragon body. "Let's go... Dad."
That person looked back at her one last time, shook his head with a bitter smile.
"Goodbye, Artoria—"
The wind from the dragon's wings blew through her golden hair, making her exquisite face a little messy. The sight of the happy and peaceful family of three was reflected in the girl's deep green pupils, and in the clear, cloudless night sky, finally annihilated into an invisible point.
Bitterness. Doubt... Interrogation—
Artoria lowered her head and stared blankly at her palm. It was a broken sword that could never be repaired.
Why... does he like the face that is similar to mine, but not me?
Why... does he still want to save me, but not love me?
Why... did he so dazzlingly squeeze into my life, only to abandon me in the end?
"Because you didn't appear as early as Morgan, let alone as strong as Morgan. Because you are too weak, Lily. So you have no way to snatch Alvin back."
In this most bewildered of moments, the nightmare's gentle voice sounded by her ear.
Artoria stared blankly and shifted her gaze. Merlin's illusory, eye-closed figure stood beside her. His gray and pale pupils no longer had any brilliance, but were flowing with... deep purple blood.
The girl showed an expression of disgust. "Get lost."
"Oh my~ I know I'm disliked by you right now, Lily. But have I ever told you anything without basis?"
"Can't you understand human language, you thing that isn't human..." Her body trembled, and she roared in anger. "I told you, get lost—!!!"
Boom—
The dragon's blood was roaring, the heart was shaking. The red dragon's aura suddenly burst out. Artoria violently threw the broken sword in her hand, suddenly shattering Merlin's face into a pool of splendid flower petals.
"Hah... hah—" She panted. Helplessly, sorrowfully panting. The deep green lake was violently rippling, but she tried her best to suppress it. What was the use of crying? There was no need to cry anymore.
Under the lonely night sky, the nightmare's figure floated lightly beside the lonely girl.
"You see... Lily, everyone has left you. Only I am still by your side."
"No. It's Brother Kay, and Ector, and even Alvin. It's them who have always been by my side. You... are not worthy."
With a look of disgust, Artoria began to walk away quickly. The nightmare, like a ghost, floated by her side.
Merlin had lost his clairvoyance and his eyes. Now, in his field of vision, there was only a withered, dead gray, barely able to make out some blurry outlines. It was like the 3D zone losing Jerusalem, like eating without any side dishes. Although he could still smell the fragrance of emotions, he could no longer... personally witness any fun.
Such silence, such boredom. This finally made Merlin feel... an emotion he had never experienced before, called resentment.
The nightmare's heart did not understand what resentment was, but he had never resented a person so much. He wanted to see... Alvin's most tragic end.
Merlin, trembling and curling up in the fairy forest, seemed to feel the will of the world. Following that unseen guidance, he once again came to Artoria's side. The nightmare's eyes were ruined, that's right, but his most skilled illusion magic was still there.
The so-called illusion magic... was the art of bewitching people's hearts.
"Actually, there really is a way to have the best of both worlds, Lily. A way for you to live, and for Alvin to live. A way for you to... live peacefully and happily together..."
The blonde girl's footsteps slowed imperceptibly. She didn't say anything, but this was undoubtedly her heart's knot.
Taking advantage of that bewildered gap, Merlin corroded her mind, guided her thoughts. The nightmare unfolded, without any scruples, his bewitchment of the human heart.
"That is...—just kill... Vortigern and Morgan."
"Kill..." Artoria showed a dazed expression. "Vortigern and Morgan?"
"That's right, it's that simple. Kill your uncle and your sister, and you can be with Alvin."
The nightmare laughed happily.
"Vortigern is the incarnation of this island. Kill Vortigern, and the decline of the Age of Gods will be unstoppable, irreversible. The world will not be pruned. Kill Morgan, and you can be with Alvin. He will have no other choice but you. The so-called pity... is actually love. He just won't admit it, because he has Morgan. Besides Morgan, your feelings for each other are actually deeper than anyone else's, aren't they, Lily? A magic dragon, a witch. As the Knight King, you should have eliminated these villains, right? Even if the Age of Gods declines and the tide recedes, you can still be with Alvin, stay in that Inner Sea of the Planet, and live happily and peacefully..."
That's right. This was the truth. The most exquisite lie in the world is the truth. Because the facts... were indeed so.
If Vortigern and Morgan died, then the Age of Gods would surely decline, the world would not be pruned, and Alvin would belong to her alone.
The surging thoughts... occupied her brain.
[I cannot do such a thing.]
She wanted to say such a thing, to refuse this disgusting guy. However, for some reason... when the blonde girl opened her mouth, the content became—
"I don't have that kind of power."
Artoria thought in a daze, that's right... "My sword is broken."
"A sword is meant to be broken, Lily. In fact, the sooner it breaks, the better." The nightmare said with a smile. In his pale, gray pupils, flashed a venomous resentment.
"What's broken is just the golden sword. And what you will gain is... the entire world."
He guided the blonde girl. Artoria walked all the way into that dream where flowers bloomed splendidly.
"I want to save you, Alvin..."
"You are saving me, Alvin..."
The witch caressed the wounds on his body. He had pulled her out of that vortex of hatred. He had inscribed an oath to be with her for life. He had taken her hand under the night sky, warming her heart with his own heat. From then on, she was no longer a feared monster, but his witch alone.
Without anyone's blessing, without anyone's expectation, and without anyone's hope. Only under the peeping of the moonlight and the night, a wedding that no one witnessed was being held.
When the mottled bloodstains were gradually washed away by her. When the wounds all over his body were soothed inch by inch by her.
Su Shu raised his hand and gently caressed the witch's face. The bright moonlight of late autumn poured down from the window sill, illuminating her face, which was 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, making the son of the magic dragon, who was accompanied by shadows, also indulge in it.
The black color represented a loyalty that would not change until death. Therefore, the wedding dress the witch had chosen for herself was, of course, black. The long dress, with its beautiful texture and floral patterns, trailed on the bed. The pale skin, faintly visible under the black gauze, was like flawless soft jade, making one want to reach out and touch it.
The side-slit dress revealed a perfectly straight and long leg. Following this beautiful path, it seemed to lead to a deep and secluded place.
The deep blue, quiet lake, the color of her eyes—vigorous, mature, shy. Also like a scorpion, forbidden, tempting, fatal.
Those lines, those contours. Those curvaceous arcs. Su Shu had caressed every inch countless times, but it was still like a ladder to heaven, making one unable to stop fantasizing about climbing it.
"I want... to have a daughter, Alvin... no, that's not right...—now I should call you, husband?"
She whispered and panted by his ear. The witch lay on her stomach on the bed, lifting her black skirt towards this side.
Under that deep, night-like fabric, was the most beautiful scenery in the human world, with nothing underneath. The witch turned her head and smiled seductively at her husband.
Su Shu murmured to himself, "Just let me die..."
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