"Are you also sent by Father... to watch me?"
Despair, despondency, a gaze seemingly unaware of any future meaning… this look was familiar to Ryuya, as it was how Yukino looked as a child.
But unlike Yukino, the girl before him was clearly in a much more severe state. This was evident from her expression and this dilapidated, ice-cold castle.
[Facing the girl's despairing question, as a knight, you naturally refuted her claim.]
["I am not one of Uther's men. I am merely a knight passing through. Is there any way I can assist you?"]
[Giving this answer, you did not see any relief on the girl's face. Instead, she wore an expression of disdain and lightly raised her hand.]
Boom!
Under the night sky, the castle erupted with intense darkness at the girl's gesture. The desolate gloom was like the filth hidden within the evils of the world, emanating an aura of misfortune just by looking at it.
[Freely displaying her mana, the girl seemed to have already pictured your terrified expression. "Well? Even so, do you still wish to help me?"]
["Even so, I will help you. On my honor as a knight."]
[Though surprised by the mana emanating from the girl, this level of power did not threaten you. You responded.]
[Hearing your answer, the girl was somewhat taken aback by your persistence and lowered her hand.]
[She scrutinized you carefully for a long time before finally speaking her name.]
"Morgan. My name is Morgan le Fay Pendragon."
'It really was Morgan le Fay!'
Ryuya had suspected her identity upon seeing Morgan's appearance. Ryuya was somewhat familiar with the Type-Moon history, having been an old FGO player before his transmigration.
But it had been eighteen years since he last touched those games. His memories were hazy, and furthermore, Morgan's current age was clearly younger.
Unlike those alluring official artworks, this world's Morgan was dressed conservatively and normally, fitting the medieval style.
["So, Morgan, how do you need me to help you?"]
Facing Morgan, Ryuya thought for a moment before asking.
["Help me? I don't know."]
Morgan didn't answer directly… she clearly wouldn't open her heart to someone she just met. She shook her head and returned to her room.
[Curious about everything concerning Morgan, and wanting to see how Uther had let Camelot fall into decay, you decided to stay in Morgan's castle.]
[Seasons turned, and in the blink of an eye, you had lived in Morgan's castle for a year. During this time, your relationship with Morgan gradually improved, and you began to talk and laugh together.]
[However, you never saw any of Morgan's family come to the castle. Only a servant arrived monthly with a cartload of supplies, then hurriedly fled as if for his life.]
[As time passed, you sensed something was amiss.]
"Is."
On this night, the fourteen-year-old Morgan and sixteen-year-old Ryuya lay on the highest point of the old castle, gazing at the distant starry sky.
Morgan spoke suddenly, her voice very soft.
"Did you know, Is, the Age of Gods is declining in this world. Mystery, in the form of Ether, is gone."
"But I, Morgan le Fay, the innate king... from the moment I was born, I was blessed by my bloodline. Unlike Father, I possess immense mana."
In the final days of Britain, the decline of the Age of Gods was inevitable. But unlike everyone else, Morgan was inherently the darling of the gods, born with vast mana.
Yet, what seemed like a powerful gift, Morgan viewed as a curse. Although she possessed absolute talent, her mana was darkness, shadow… the silhouette beneath the sunlight.
Every time she used her mana, it caused plants to wither, objects to decay, and even brought misfortune to people. Over time, the title 'Witch of Britain' became attached to Morgan.
It completely transformed this girl into an object of scorn. Even Uther Pendragon avoided his own child, confining her to the old castle outside Camelot.
"It makes sense. I was never Uther's biological daughter anyway. My father died for Camelot, my mother became Uther's woman... How could a stepdaughter like me receive genuine affection?"
Her cerulean eyes recognized that she wasn't hated for any misdeed, but rather despised because her very existence was a mistake. Morgan had had enough of such a life.
'Since they all resent me, since they all curse me, then what does it matter if I become a true witch?'
'I longed for my father's acknowledgment, only to be ruthlessly cast aside.'
'I longed for the people's affection, only to be cruelly regarded with hostility.'
'I longed for everyone's forgiveness, only to be shrouded under the name of the witch.'
Softly recounting her past as if it were someone else's story, Morgan turned to look at Ryuya.
"So, Is, someone like me... you must despise me too, right?"
Fear, terror, panic, confusion… this was Morgan's heart at this moment.
Having been ostracized by the people of Camelot since childhood, Morgan, dwelling in darkness, thought her heart had long been sealed away. But this man, this man named Isbel, the time spent with him was so joyful.
He never despised her for her mana, never complained about her clumsiness, never distanced himself because of her cold demeanor.
'Only him, only him, only him, only him!'
'Even if this world has no need for me, even if everyone sees me as a witch, Is is different. He values me, he protects me, he truly cares for me.'
'But... what if he finds out I am Morgan, the cursed witch?'
Facing Ryuya, Morgan had been living in constant fear. Finally confessing her past, she was terrified… terrified of Ryuya leaving, terrified of his rejection, terrified of returning to that sunless world.
"A witch?"
Under the vast, cold sky, stars twinkling, looking at Morgan's pitiful appearance before him, a silver light flashed in Ryuya's eyes.
If the mana dwelling within Morgan was darkness, was shadow, then the mana within Ryuya was calamity, the very essence of the world's evil.
Gently drawing the girl, who seemed to weigh nothing, into his embrace, Ryuya's voice was firm and brooked no doubt.
"Morgan, if you are a witch, then I shall become the Demon King of this world."
"I will protect you properly. This is my knight's vow."