In truth, when Ludwig introduced himself as "Ludwig van Brunestud," he had no idea how much of a misconception and shock this name—which carried the meaning of "Ludwig from Brunestud"—would cause the magi participating in the Holy Grail War.
The man responsible for all this had gone to his room to rest after returning from the Einzbern forest and finishing the strategy meeting.
He slept until the afternoon.
This sleep brought back dreams of the Land of Steel era. Consequently, when he woke up and saw the deep blue winter sky through the window, Ludwig remained in a daze for a short while.
After lingering a bit longer in his homesickness, he finally climbed out of bed.
Ultimately, he had chosen to step onto the battlefield to protect the city where he lived, just like those who had gone to war to prevent the city from being destroyed by the movement path of the "Cross."
Though he hadn't lived to see the outcome of his battle, he had awakened within that Millennium Castle.
If he could go back, he naturally would; if he couldn't, he would simply keep moving forward, continuing this journey full of the unknown and the uncertain—a journey where the destination remained a mystery.
"Huh? Is Saber not here?" Ludwig walked into the drawing-room and saw Merlin lying alone on the sofa.
The television was still on, but she wasn't paying attention to the program; she seemed lost in thought.
Merlin raised her violet eyes to look at Ludwig, who was leaning against the back of the sofa.
"She went out. After all, staying here doing nothing while waiting for you to wake up or for night to fall is quite dull," Merlin teased with a sly smile.
"Then you should at least show some hospitality and entertain Saber, shouldn't you?" Ludwig raised an eyebrow. "This is the base you arranged, isn't it?"
"We chatted a bit, but honestly, I don't have much to say to the Knight King of this world." Merlin rolled over lazily, lying on her side in an alluring pose as she looked up at him through narrowed eyes. He had circled around the sofa and sat down nearby. "After all, I am the person with the least connection to her in this world. I do have that much self-awareness."
"...And so, what did you two talk about?" Ludwig understood what she meant and pivoted to ask about what had happened while he was asleep.
"Nothing much. She just asked me about the 'Arthur' of my side," Merlin said, spreading her hands. "But fundamentally, aside from the obvious gender difference, their experiences aren't all that different."
"If you say so, then they must be largely the same." Ludwig looked thoughtful.
"Still, hearing that Britain met its end regardless of the circumstances is bound to be a bit saddening, isn't it?" Merlin explained with a playful smile.
Ludwig tilted his head. "Are you that kind of person? The type who enjoys the suffering of others?"
"Not at all. I simply don't require everything to be beautiful. No matter how ugly things get, as long as a single twinkling star remains in the world, that is enough." Merlin sat up and leaned close to Ludwig. "May your journey shine as eternally as the stars."
"Planets eventually meet their demise; there's no such thing as an eternally shining star," Ludwig joked.
"But you haven't despaired, have you? I've seen your dreams, you know." Merlin reached out her thumb and forefinger and playfully pinched Ludwig's cheek, just as he had done to her that morning. "Even in a world like that, you can still show a smile from the bottom of your heart."
"...I knew there was a reason I didn't remember dreaming." Ludwig realized.
Since he knew Merlin was a succubus among dream demons, he was well aware that she might consume dreams. Of course, in a more unscrupulous scenario, she might even force him to have a "certain" kind of dream.
"No comments?" Merlin let go of his face.
"What comments? Comments on having my dreams eaten? I think it's fine. It makes no difference whether I dream or not," Ludwig said. "If anything, a dreamless sleep is quite rare. I slept rather soundly."
"Hehe, how wonderful! It's exactly this side of you that is so cute," Merlin laughed happily. "Regarding things outside of combat, you're unexpectedly optimistic and positive."
"What's so unexpected about that? Am I supposed to walk around with a face full of gloom?" Ludwig said. "I'm just one of many humans. I'm not like Saber, who was born to be a King and has so many things to consider."
"Is that really true? To me, even in the era you originally lived in, you couldn't be considered just 'one of many,'" Merlin asked with great interest.
Watching his dreams hadn't been enough; she wanted to hear Ludwig tell his own story with his own lips.
"That part is true." Ludwig tugged at his bangs. "In fact, cases of the Human species and the Angel species breeding to produce hybrid A-Rays weren't uncommon... but most were only slightly stronger than pure Humans."
Someone like him—who combined the advantages of both the Human and Angel species, possessing combat and flight capabilities comparable to the Angels while also being one of the few humans capable of manifesting a "Demonic Sword" as a "Knight"—was an exception among exceptions in every sense.
"I imagine your parents were quite extraordinary, then," Merlin mused.
"Parents? I've never met them," Ludwig said. "While the old-style family structure still existed, the constant warfare meant that socialized upbringing was very well-established. I was raised by the system."
"Meaning, your parents..." Merlin's smile remained.
"I don't know. Though I assume they're long gone," Ludwig shrugged. "But don't go wasting your sympathy on me. My childhood wasn't hard. You'd be better off pitying the few remaining Old Humans."
"I may love humans, but I don't give out sympathy randomly," Merlin shook her head with a chuckle. "After all, humans don't need sympathy from a being like me."
She had known clearly from the beginning: "Humans are humans, and I am I." As a half-human, half-dream demon, she felt no lament or worry over her nature.
"So why did you follow me and cause me so much trouble?" Ludwig tilted his head, studying Merlin.
"I simply noticed your existence by chance and became interested," Merlin said. "And what interests me most is which side you will eventually lean toward."
"Lean toward?"
"But looking at the current situation, you've chosen this side," Merlin crawled forward like a cat, leaning close to Ludwig and speaking as if to herself. "Ludwig van Brunestud. A name is never just a simple label; it always symbolizes a certain stance."
"You mean—"
Ludwig was about to press for more, but Merlin gave him a light, fleeting kiss on the lips before backing away with a giggle.
"Too many questions, Lutz~"
"..."
Left somewhat speechless by Merlin's antics, Ludwig hesitated for a moment before leaning back in toward her face, capturing her cherry-pink lips in a kiss.
A dream demon's lips were softer and sweeter than he had imagined.
Once the contact was made, it wasn't easy to pull away.
Ludwig realized he had fallen into a trap. He had the confidence to fight seven Servants to the death, yet he couldn't extricate himself from the soft, warm arms Merlin had wrapped around him.
Well, it wasn't harmful anyway, so there was no point in overthinking it.
With only a gentle push, he and Merlin tumbled together onto the sofa.
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Type-Moon: The A-Ray Knight's Holy Grail Journey
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