"Based on that reasoning, I awakened you."
"I know I disturbed your long sleep. I know I shattered your peace. But even so, I still did it."
Merlin held that sword in both hands—Excalibur—and smiled gently as he looked at the man standing before him.
A withered, decaying man with only one arm temporarily reattached.
Anno. That was his name.
A human who had emerged from the Fairy Realm; King Arthur's teacher, retainer, knight, and the wall of Britain.
But now, that wall had long since rotted away.
All that remained was a body on the verge of collapse, standing here.
"Your body has already withered away. Your soul departed long ago. And your mind has been brought to its current state because of me, an unworthy friend."
Merlin sighed.
The withered knight stood perfectly straight. He merely looked at Merlin without speaking.
He understood the situation. Of course he did.
He simply felt that Merlin was being somewhat reckless.
Yet beneath that straight posture lay an unhidden stoop, and beneath that decay showed damage beyond repair.
Merlin had not awakened Anno through summoning. He was merely a half-incubus who had locked himself away. Leaving the tower and going to the shore of the Holy Lake had already been a transgression; the punishment he would face would be even deeper.
All he could do was bring Anno's remains, which had lingered at the Holy Lake, back to Avalon. In this way, he called Anno's soul forth and used a body that had long lost its vitality to construct a spiritual foundation like a candle flame flickering in the wind.
"But your task remains unfinished." Merlin gripped Excalibur's hilt, raised the holy sword, and spoke to Anno with solemnity.
"So this is why this Singularity came into being?" Anno gripped the