Merlin

Looking at the ahoge atop Arthur's head, a tempest of shock surged within Lion El'Jonson.

A king with an ahoge, short in stature, and features as delicate as a girl's...

Lion El'Jonson felt as if he had transmigrated into another world once again.

Is this still Warhammer?

"Arthur, you are a girl, aren't you?"

A trace of surprise flickered across Arthur's face; she could sense that the blatant malice the man had been projecting while asking this question had dissipated.

Before she could respond, her brother Kay interrupted, "Arthur is merely a minor figure, no need to dwell on such matters. The most pressing issue right now is the situation between the Camelot Court and yourself."

Observing their reactions, Lion El'Jonson became even more certain of his hypothesis.

She really is a girl!

Lion El'Jonson remembered watching a comedic Type-Moon animation in his past life, where the heroine would turn into a dark version of herself—the "Alter" form—the moment she pulled out her ahoge... It was that specific scene that left such a deep impression, allowing him to react instantly.

Since Arthur is a girl, this must be the Type-Moon world.

And Arthur is Artoria.

Then what about me?

He is Lion El'Jonson, a Primarch; how could he suddenly appear in Type-Moon?

What about the Emperor?

Would He really just watch His eldest son drift away into another world?

Humans over three meters tall are rare. Could this be the world of One Piece?

But that doesn't fit either!

Lion El'Jonson had learned about the world beyond the island; there was no World Government, nor were there Four Emperors of the Sea... Across the sea on the Europa Continent, there were only many barbarian tribes and a long-collapsed Rome.

Or is this a scheme of Tzeentch?

Did his transmigration draw the attention of Tzeentch to this unique soul, leading the entity to reshape this planet and set a trap for him?

In a split second, a thousand thoughts raced through his mind, but Lion El'Jonson could not find a solution.

He blamed himself for not studying the lore of Warhammer properly when he was on Earth—he wasn't even a "casual fan"—and he hadn't delved into the settings of Type-Moon either, having only watched a few animations, leaving him woefully unprepared for this moment.

"Haa~"

Lion El'Jonson exhaled a long breath. Thinking about this now was useless; he wouldn't figure it out in an instant.

In any case, he would remain suspicious of everything before him.

The immediate priority was to seize control of this nation; other matters could be resolved slowly.

Looking at Kay, who was shielding his "younger brother," Lion El'Jonson asked, "What does the Camelot Court intend to do? The one who draws the Sword in the Stone shall be king—that is a decree verified by the Court itself. Surely you don't intend to deny it now?"

"This matter is not for a minor knight like me to decide. The Court has important figures who will speak with you personally."

Kay reached for his backpack, a move that triggered the surrounding knights to tense up, fearing an assassin's ploy.

Facing the blades pointed at him, Kay remained unflustered. He calmly opened the bag, displaying its contents to the knights and Lion El'Jonson: it was filled to the brim with various red and pink flower petals.

Once opened, a thick, sweet floral scent drifted through the room.

Kay stated, "Within the royal court, there is a magician of great importance named Merlin. He wishes to appear and speak with you himself."

Recalling the image of Merlin from the Type-Moon animations of his past life, Lion El'Jonson understood what Kay was about to do and raised a hand, signaling him to proceed.

Receiving Lion El'Jonson's consent, Kay scattered the petals from the bag into the air.

A gentle breeze swirled the petals into the sky, and a white figure slowly emerged amidst the floral rain, landing in the chapel with a soft thud.

"Here I am, here I am! It's your handsome big brother Merlin!"

A slightly frivolous tone echoed through the hall. Lion El'Jonson observed the great magician as he appeared: white robes, white hair, holding a wooden staff, with a dashing smile on his handsome face—a smile so excessive it felt artificial.

Lion El'Jonson watched Merlin's overly dramatic demeanor, which was identical to his appearance in the games and animations.

Merlin stood between Arthur and Kay, tapping his staff lightly against the floor. When he saw Lion El'Jonson sitting above, a look of surprise crossed his face, and he bowed slightly. "A pleasure to meet you, Lion King. You are even more imposing and heroic than the rumors suggest."

Behind him, Kay frowned at Merlin's words, glancing at the indifferent Artoria beside him.

Lion El'Jonson took in the expressions of all three, easily guessing their inner thoughts. "Merlin, you actually address me as King. Does this mean the Camelot Court acknowledges my claim to the throne?"

"The one who draws the Sword in the Stone shall be king—those were my words to begin with. Since you have drawn the sword, I naturally have no objections." Under Kay's increasingly dark expression, Merlin remained as calm and smiling as if he hadn't noticed a thing.

"And what of the king you were originally cultivating?" Lion El'Jonson swept a casual glance toward them, and Kay immediately stepped to shield Artoria.

"Oh, Lion King, you certainly know a great deal."

As he spoke, Merlin signaled the two behind him to relax, but faced with such a lethal question, it was clear that Kay and Artoria could not maintain a calm facade.

They were, after all, still too young and lacked experience.

Merlin sighed softly. Though he did not understand human emotions as they did, he could grasp the general thoughts in their hearts. He saw that this young lion held no murderous intent toward the three of them—especially not toward Artoria—likely because he had already discerned the true identity of his disciple.

But why?

Although they had only just met, Merlin could tell that this lion was not a gentle soul; rather, he was an ambitious, cunning, and ruthless man. Since he had guessed Artoria's identity, why not eliminate her on the spot to prevent future trouble?

Was there some dark scheme afoot, or perhaps an intent to use Artoria for some ulterior motive...

"Since you were able to draw the sword, it means fate has chosen you; no one else has the right to dispute that. Of course, this is merely my own opinion; I cannot guarantee how others might feel."

Seeing that the other party had no intention of attacking, Merlin breathed a sigh of relief and nodded in agreement with his words.

If a fight were to truly break out, even a grand magus as handsome as himself could not guarantee a victory, let alone ensure the safety of Kay and Artoria.

"It matters not. In all of Camelot, you are the only one I fear, Merlin."

Leon stood up, the Sword in the Stone held in his hand. His massive frame strode toward the trio, the shadow he cast completely enveloping Merlin.

Merlin looked up, trying to discern Leon's face, but saw only a void of darkness.

"Merlin, is this truly the first time you have seen me? I recall your eyes have always been quite exceptional."

Leon had also played that gacha game from Type-Moon; although his luck was poor and he had never pulled the red support Merlin, he had watched the animation and possessed a certain understanding of Merlin's lore.

As far as he knew, Merlin was a half-human, half-incubus hybrid who possessed the peerless Clairvoyance, allowing him to observe everything in the present. Anything occurring on this planet was laid bare before his eyes, and he could even use this power to predict the future.

Leon felt that his own existence was like a crane in a flock of chickens; he feared he had been under Merlin's surveillance ever since he arrived in this world.

"My eyes are far more than just 'exceptional.' This is one of the few highest-grade Clairvoyance abilities in the world. I can see everything happening in the present; very little can escape my gaze."

Merlin's expression was full of agreement, clearly proud of his eyes, but as he looked at the giant before him, his face quickly calmed.

"Yet, even with such formidable eyes, I still cannot perceive your existence."

"Hm?"

Leon was taken aback by these words. Merlin's statement was beyond his expectations. Could it be that because his soul had transmigrated and his body was that of a Primarch, his status was so high that even top-tier Clairvoyance could not see through him?

He wondered if these words were true or false.

"You aren't lying to me?"

If even Merlin's Clairvoyance was ineffective against him, then future-sight of the same level should likewise be unable to observe him, and various prophecies would be unable to map out his life.

"Of course not." Merlin's reply was straightforward. "Only by standing face-to-face with you like this can I see you with my own eyes. I cannot observe you normally; for instance, just now, I could only watch the reactions of others to know that you had drawn the Sword in the Stone."

"I see." Leon raised the Sword in the Stone, holding the blade horizontally before Merlin. "Speaking of this sword, I have a favor to ask of you."

"Can you help me undo the magic on this sword?"

Looking at the sword before him and the spells woven into it, Merlin couldn't help but exclaim inwardly with a smile.

The magic on it is still there?