Chapter 27: Merlin Has No Genealogy At All
Merlin's Clairvoyance is said to see through the present, but in reality, it cannot perceive everything—a fact Noah had long understood.
This is similar to how other top-tier Clairvoyance abilities also have limitations that restrict their full potential.
Gilgamesh's supreme Clairvoyance allows him to see the end of the world from his position and even predict the future trajectories of unique beings like Beasts. However, his personality ensures that, under normal circumstances, he rarely uses this ability.
Solomon's case is different. Though his eyes could see everything in the past and future, grasping all trajectories, he remained utterly detached. Before becoming Roman, Solomon would observe without forming any opinions or taking action.
As seen in the FGO storyline:
Did Solomon not foresee Goetia's emergence?
Impossible—he absolutely saw it.
When making his wish, he knew exactly what would happen, yet he did not care.
As the people in the original story remarked, Solomon was unlike other kings. He was neither ignorant nor powerless—he knew everything and had the ability to change everything, yet he chose to do nothing. He merely watched.
He did not perform good deeds, nor did he hinder any acts of kindness.
He did not commit evil, yet he allowed all wickedness to unfold.
It was only when his wish was fulfilled, the moment he transformed from the aloof Solomon into Roman, that his perspective shifted.
He had seen Goetia's rise, but as Roman, he was no longer the indifferent Solomon. Thus, he felt compelled to intervene.
This, too, is deeply ironic.
When nearly omniscient and omnipotent, existing as a god among men, he could know and change everything—yet he did nothing.
Only after losing the power and wisdom of a divine being, having truly become human, did Roman resolve to act.
Thinking of this, Noah shook his head.
He quite liked Roman as a person but could not bring himself to admire Solomon.
Perhaps this was proof of his own humanity.
But these were merely passing thoughts.
In any case, whether it was Gilgamesh or Solomon... such supreme forms of Clairvoyance always came with limitations.
And Merlin was no exception.
However, Merlin's restrictions did not stem from his personality. Unlike Gilgamesh, the old trickster had no hesitation in using Clairvoyance. Noah had even heard Morgan say repeatedly in simulated memories:
"One reason Vortigern turned into the White Dragon was allegedly because Merlin spied on him bathing with Clairvoyance and mocked him. So, even if it's a small factor, that old scoundrel Merlin bears some responsibility for Vortigern becoming the White Dragon of Britain!"
Though Noah wasn't sure if this was true, it gave him a clear idea: Merlin had absolutely no reservations about using Clairvoyance.
Merlin was also different from Solomon.
When he saw something, he would intervene if he wished, only allowing events to unfold if he couldn't change them.
Given his personality, the limitations of his Clairvoyance lay elsewhere.
That is because his Clairvoyance cannot see through the past and future, only the present, and from that he can only deduce parts of the past and future.
Moreover, his eyes cannot see everything in the present.
His mind is also incapable of receiving all the information of the present moment at all times.
Additionally, his Clairvoyance cannot see through the interiors of many hidden realms, and after people learned of his ability, many took targeted precautions.
For example, the Lady of the Lake and Morgan, who might have some connection to the Lady of the Lake.
Even this Camelot Castle can block Merlin's sight. Vortigern... although it's unclear whether Morgan's claim about it transforming into the White Dragon is true, it indeed has methods and measures to block Merlin's gaze.
So, in reality, many people have ways to counter Merlin's Clairvoyance. Even with Noah's level of Alchemy, his Alchemy can achieve this.
Thus, if Merlin was unaware of Scáthach joining the Knights of the Round Table and no announcement was made, Noah wouldn't find it strange.
But while it wasn't strange, Noah still looked at the simulation page with a somewhat odd expression.
Then, with anticipation for Merlin's reaction upon seeing Scáthach, he continued reading.
[After learning that reaching the location of the 'Pillar of Light' required passing through the Land of Shadows, you led Merlin to Scáthach with a peculiar expression.]
[Merlin was clearly stunned when he saw Scáthach, and while he was still dazed, you explained the matter to Scáthach.]
[Although Scáthach didn't know why you insisted on finding the 'Pillar of Light,' since she had promised to help you, she didn't mind lending this small assistance.]
[Moreover, Scáthach could open the gate to the Land of Shadows, guide living people inside, and ensure the environment of the Land of Shadows didn't affect them, preventing the death shadows within from attacking those who entered.]
[With the Land of Shadows completely unguarded against you, Merlin quickly guided you onto the path to the 'Pillar of Light's' location.]
[The path was located in Scáthach's bedchamber. Upon learning this, you recalled Merlin's earlier warning and began mentally cursing Merlin's ancestry.]
[After all, if you didn't know Scáthach, sneaking into her bedchamber undetected would be quite difficult, especially on your return.]
[But after cursing for a while, you remembered: Merlin has no ancestry.]
[With Scáthach's help, the task wasn't difficult.]
[You entered Scáthach's bedchamber, and Merlin guided you to activate the passphrase to reach the 'Pillar of Light's' location.]
[Amidst a haze of light, the world turned pure white, and the 'Pillar of Light,' radiant even in this pure white world, piercing through heaven and earth, appeared before you.]
[After guiding you here, Merlin's illusion materialized beside you.]
[He still couldn't understand why you had come here, as there was truly nothing—except for that 'Pillar of Light.']
[You approach the Pillar of Light and raise your left hand bearing the Gandálfr rune, placing it upon the Pillar of Light]
[You feel the Gandálfr rune growing hot]
[A deafening hum erupts through the space, the world flickering between pure black and pure white, manifesting an unstable state. The Pillar of Light trembles, shaking the entire world along with it]
[Amidst the world's wailing, Merlin, though unaware of what you are doing, urges you to stop immediately]
[But at this moment, you can no longer hear Merlin's voice]
[Because you hear another presence—more overwhelming, more immense]
[What to Merlin is ear-splitting vibration and shrill, grating noise becomes intelligible speech to your ears]
[And you clearly sense this isn't due to the Haki within you—your ears simply comprehend the meaning of these noises... as if you understood this land's language the moment you arrived in this world]
[The voice speaks:]
["Star Chanter, answer me"]
["Do you wish to become a god, or remain human?"]