If that was the truth, why had I been able to save Britain so smoothly?
Britain's destruction had been absolute, yet I had easily changed fate.
Morgan had once believed that she, a genius, had achieved miracles through her own efforts, even breaking through the Counter Force's interference.
Now, she finally understood that it had never been that way at all—
This entire thing was probably a dream Shirou had woven for himself!
Merlin neither confirmed nor denied it, and continued, "Arthur did not disappear."
"He didn't disappear? How could that be possible!" Morgan refuted him excitedly.
"He didn't disappear. He simply accompanied you in another form."
Merlin did not explain what he meant. Instead, he said sadly, "Half of your guess is correct.
"The reason you were able to save Britain was because of Shirou's secret assistance—he entered into a contract with the Counter Force."
"!"
Morgan opened her mouth in astonishment. "A Counter Guardian...?"
A guardian of the Counter Force—
She had once heard that rumor.
The seductive voice heard by humans in despair, the most malicious of miracles.
Offer one's soul to the Counter Force and become an eternal slave known as a Counter Guardian, exchanging that for one chance to have a wish fulfilled.
The Queen's voice trembled. "Are you saying that Shirou willingly sacrificed himself to become a Counter Guardian in order to create a world where I could be happy?"
At that, Merlin revealed the same infuriating smile as always.
"If becoming a Counter Guardian could make you happy that easily, Arthur would have done so long ago. A mere Counter Guardian wouldn't be able to stop Britain's destruction."
"What... do you mean?"
Morgan asked instinctively, and at that instant, the unease in her heart reached an unprecedented level.
Merlin said softly, "Arthur did