Fourteen Years

"This child named Lancelot is human, and sooner or later, he must enter human society just as Sir Anno did," Merlin explained. "Besides, I am a bit worried about Sir Anno's mental state. If there were a child by his side... no, it is nothing."

The Lady of the Lake felt a bit reluctant. She understood the logic in what Merlin said; her essence was that of a fairy, and a Great Mother-level fairy at that. A fairy's lifespan is far longer than a human's, and she dreaded the thought of having to see Lancelot off to his grave as his foster mother when he grew old and frail.

"Could you let Lancelot stay with me for two more years?" the Lady of the Lake asked, sounding somewhat heartbroken.

Merlin chuckled, "Anno has not agreed yet, so let me go and speak with him." With that, he walked toward Anno, who was holding Lancelot.

Merlin recounted his suggestion to Anno.

Anno handed the child back to the Lady of the Lake, his brows knitting together again.

Anno pondered for a moment. He did not agree immediately, nor did he refuse, simply saying, "I will consider it."

However, it was clear that he was tempted.

Anno liked children very much, though not in the way a priest might.

Merlin and Anno lingered by the Holy Lake for a few more days to avoid suspicion.

Anno's hesitation did not last long; by the afternoon of the next day, he agreed to Merlin's suggestion. However, Lancelot would still have to stay in the Holy Lake to accompany the Lady of the Lake for a few years. On one hand, the Lady of the Lake was deeply fond of Lancelot, and on the other, all three of them, including Anno himself, remained doubtful about whether they could properly care for such a young child.

Therefore, the three decided that when Lancelot turned six, they would send him to Anno's side to learn the knowledge befitting a knight.

Merlin and Anno sat by the Holy Lake, bored, watching the Lady of the Lake and Lancelot from afar.

"To be honest, Sir Anno, you are not exactly young this year, are you? How old are you?"

Anno glanced at Merlin. "Exactly twenty."

"Have you never considered finding a wife? The noblewomen of Camelot are quite covetous of you, you know," Merlin teased, half-seriously.

Anno's eye twitched, and he hurriedly waved his hand. "No, no. Marriage and such—let's just forget it. Besides, I have to raise Lancelot in the future."

As for the noblewomen of Camelot or the daughters of the high nobility, Anno really found them difficult to describe.

They were simply too open, and their private lives were a mess. As a knight who was as upright as one could possibly be, a symbol of absolute righteousness and light, Anno's values in this regard truly could not mesh with theirs.

Whenever they caught sight of Anno, they would cling to him like a stubborn plaster that could not be peeled off, even going so far as to make blatant advances.

As a knight, Anno could not use force or scold the ladies, so he could only passively avoid them, never once thinking of letting anything actually happen.

Anno did not want to accidentally offend any important figures, so to this day, he had never had any female friends with whom he was particularly close.

In the end, having stayed long enough, the two men bid farewell to the Lady of the Lake and the infant Lancelot, mounted their horses, and began the journey back to Camelot.

Upon returning to Camelot, their lives returned to the normal track: Anno led troops into battle, while Merlin spent his days treating King Uther and occasionally dreaming to check on the situation of Artoria.

Time passed by in the blink of an eye.

The internal economy of Britain finally stabilized, and Lancelot was brought to Anno's side.

Already, fourteen years had passed without anyone noticing.