Merlin, Raise the Holy Grail!

"Answer me!"

"..."

"Will you do whatever it takes to ensure the people of Britannia survive?! Even if it goes against your own wishes and morals?!"

"..."

Arthur was met with a long silence. But after that, Artoria still answered him:

"I... will. Even if... it means killing, plundering, even if in the end the very concept of the Celts disappears and their bloodline merges with the Germans, as long as everyone can be happy, then..."

"Good."

Arthur nodded. "Remember what you said." After saying that, he kissed Artoria on the forehead.

"Then let's try the Holy Grail first. If it works, I'll stay in Britannia. If it doesn't, we'll do as I said. All right?"

Artoria: "...Mm."

After a moment of silence, King Arthur nodded anyway, finally putting Arthur at ease.

"Mm, that's good. Though I feel a little sorry for Galahad."

Arthur thought.

Everything would proceed exactly as history had said.

Galahad would fail, and then die. By then, Artoria would finally give up completely.

In the original history, after the Holy Grail returned to the heavens, Artoria had completely lost the drive to move forward. She merely mechanically did what she "ought to do." But this time, Arthur had shown her a different path.

Even if it hurt, even if she was sad, even if it went against her wishes, Artoria would still follow the path Arthur had pointed out.

Perhaps by then, her heart would change. Perhaps she would become a cruel, heartless king like alter.

But what did that matter?

By then, he would be living happily with Father King.

Humanity would be saved too.

The world would be saved too.

Although Galahad would die. Still, in a little over a thousand years, he would become an eggplant and return to Chaldea. Rounding things off, was that still a profit?

However.

"I will personally verify it and personally take the Holy Grail."

What Artoria said next shocked Arthur once more:

"If it really is a trap, then let me be the one to sacrifice myself."

"Father King... but..."

"Then you, Arthur, will inherit all of Britannia." Facing Arthur, who was so stunned he could barely speak, King Arthur revealed a gentle smile.

"Though I cannot fully understand... I believe you will become a better king than I was. You suit this era better than I do, and you are stronger. If it is you, then even without relying on miracles and magic, you will surely succeed."

"Father King..."

"Because you are the child I am most proud of."

She lightly kissed Arthur on the cheek.

"Then carry Father King's final wish with you and keep walking forward with strength. My child."

Author's Note:

I originally planned to post the new chapter at the usual time. But after looking at the comments and reviews, the arguments were getting a little intense, so I posted it early.

Everyone, remember a few essential points here—

Artoria's opposition to Arthur's plan had a premise: the "Holy Grail." You are all spoiler readers, so you know the Holy Grail is useless. But she doesn't. You cannot demand that she know the same things you do.

Sustaining oneself through killing, conquest, and plunder. Arthur's actions did indeed possess an evil nature. What he did was fundamentally no different from the Anglo-Saxons invading Britannia. Naturally, Artoria found it repulsive—her feelings were like: "Kid, I get paid in two days. Then I'll buy you a bucket of fried chicken. Just endure for another two days."

"What? You can't even endure for two days and just have to go rob someone?"

The premise behind her judgment was that the Holy Grail worked, restoring Britannia's land output to the level of the Age of Gods.

If that really worked and had no side effects, then it truly would be better than Arthur's plan.

And after Arthur pointed out the problems with the Holy Grail plan, Artoria's attitude changed. That was all.

Merlin, Raise the Holy Grail!

"But if that happens, Father King, you will..."

"Die."

"But that's all right."

She looked at Arthur with eyes as pure and translucent as crystal, her gaze gentle. "Because Arthur already exists—you are a better savior than I am. You were from the very beginning. You are my transcendence."

"Even if I die, you will take care of Britannia. You will do better than I ever did. So I will die without regrets."

She revealed a pure smile, like a lily.

Artorius felt heavy-hearted.

He had no way to persuade Father King.

Artoria gladly embraced the matter of sacrificing herself for her country and people. Even though Arthur had said it was a trap, and even though she had vaguely sensed it herself, she was still willing to give it a try.

Just as she had said, even if she died, Arthur would still be there. If that was the case...

"My idealistic, foolish, adorable, self-sacrificing, exasperating Father King."

He could only tightly embrace his gentle, petite, adorable Father King and let out a helpless sigh.

From the perspective of her figure and appearance, when Arthur held her in his arms, what he felt was not the radiant Knight King, nor the Red Dragon Knight who could defeat the White Dragon Vortigern in single combat. She was merely a frail girl who needed to be cherished.

She had not been born as a person.

She had not grown up as a person.

She had not been educated as a person.

She had not been used as a person.

She had never lived a single day for herself.

Yet it was this girl who had stepped forward when Britannia's Celts were on the verge of being exterminated by the Anglo-Saxons, leading everyone through victory after victory, reclaiming lost territory, and defeating the terrifying White Dragon.

In the original history, she had even defeated Rome, defeated the rebel knights, and defeated nearly every enemy there was.

Or perhaps, from the perspective of those who came afterward, looking down with the view of God, people might feel that what she did was not good enough, not perfect enough, not outstanding enough. But from the perspective of the person involved, Artoria Pendragon—there could have been no one more suitable for the role than her.

After all, Artorius had not existed in the original history.

"Arthur..."

Enjoying her beloved child's affection, Artoria revealed a happy smile.

It seemed she had set down every burden, every weight, and every pressure. She now had no regrets and was ready to die at any moment.

With that, Artorius left her room.

"What should I do next?"

Arthur pondered.

It was impossible to keep persuading Father King not to touch that Holy Grail.

So then... how should he stop Father King? Reveal that Artoria was a woman, then ascend the throne...?

No, no, no. That was the usurpation route, and it would not stop Artoria.

Even if she was no longer king, she could still go to the continent to take the Holy Grail. Then she would go to the Throne of Heroes.

Then... should he place her under house arrest, control her, imprison her, and lock her in a dungeon?

"Unless there is absolutely no other choice, I should not do that..."

Arthur thought, Otherwise, Father King will hate me for the rest of her life.

"So that means..."

Having thought that far, Arthur already had an idea.

"Why not make contact with the Holy Grail before Father King does?"

"If someone has to be sacrificed, then just throw out some unimportant person."

"Not Father King, and not Galahad. Just let some random person touch the Holy Grail."

"Of course, I have to do it behind Father King's back. Otherwise, she will not be at ease either. Heh heh, heh heh, hehehehe..."

"I need to plan this carefully... Oh, right, why not just send that damned Merlin?"

"Seems that won't work. That guy is still somewhat useful." Arthur found that rather regrettable.

Having swiftly devised such a sinister plan, Artorius wore a sinister smile as well. Then, outside King Arthur's study, he encountered his nominal mother, Guinevere.

Unlike Artoria, who had always maintained the appearance of a fifteen-year-old, Guinevere was now nearly thirty. She looked mature and dignified, like a gentle wife.

"What is it, Arthur?"

She asked Arthur with some concern, "I heard a very loud noise just now. Did you argue with Father King?"

"It's nothing. Don't worry about it."

Arthur still respected his adoptive mother greatly. He smiled and spoke to her as though nothing had happened.

After saying this, he turned and prepared to leave.

But before that:

"Arthur!"

Guinevere called out to him.

"Be a little kinder to Father King."

She spoke to Arthur in a gentle voice:

"He has been having a hard time lately, so... please try to understand him, all right?"

"..."

"Of course. After all, he is my dearest Father King."

Arthur's relaxed attitude instead made Guinevere uneasy.

So she entered the study again.

"What happened, my king? What did you and Arthur say just now? Did you argue?"

"...You could say that we argued."

Artoria said, "But don't worry, we have already made up." She smiled and walked toward Guinevere.

"Guinevere, you have worked hard all this time."

"...?"

Artoria's words worried Guinevere, filling her with a vague sense of dread.

"My king, what do you mean...?"

"Soon, you will be free, Guinevere." She spoke to her gently. "You will no longer need to worry about my affairs. You can freely enjoy your own life."

"..."

"I will go to Europe and obtain the Holy Grail. Whether I succeed or fail, I will pass the throne to Artorius. After that... you can go do whatever you like."

Though Artoria spoke to Guinevere that way, she could not bring Guinevere any joy. Guinevere felt only sorrow, and when she embraced her closest friend, tears could not help but flow down her face.

Author's Note: