Fate/Magus Path

In a residence in the gravekeeper village, Gray, the vessel of King Arthur, was feeling quite restless.

She leaned against the edge of the bed, her head lowered, with a somewhat dejected expression, lost in thought.

The anxiety and fear in her heart kept this young girl awake all night.

Every time she closed her eyes, the face of Artoria, which was identical to her own, lingered in her mind.

'King Arthur... has he really returned? Does that mean I am about to disappear?'

'Master, father, mother, and everyone in the village will soon not be able to see me, right?'

Thinking about how she would soon vanish from this world, a profound fear emerged in Gray's eyes.

As a girl in her teens, it was entirely normal to feel afraid of death.

No one wishes to disappear easily or to give up their life without a fight; it's simply a human instinct.

While she was lost in her anxious thoughts, a familiar voice suddenly appeared in her ears.

"Good evening, Gray."

"Who is it?"

Upon hearing the strange voice, Gray hurriedly turned to look out the window, but she saw no one. Frightened, she began scanning the room but couldn't find the source of the voice.

But it was definitely not a hallucination because that voice still lingered.

"Don't look for me; I'm right above you."

"Above me?"

Gray reached up to touch her head but felt nothing.

"On your hood."

The voice came again.

"Ah..."

Following the voice's instructions, Gray reached for her hood and discovered a blue butterfly resting on it. Carefully, she took the butterfly in her palm.

"What a beautiful blue butterfly!"

She was captivated by the butterfly in her hand.

"It looks beautiful, doesn't it? A useless guy taught me this; I think it's quite nice."

"That Merlin guy is occasionally quite useful..."

Roy said calmly.

"Merlin? Is he the legendary grand magus from the Arthurian Legends?"

"Yes, that's him. Although he doesn't seem very reliable, he will fulfill his role when you need him."

This was Roy's evaluation of Merlin.

"Are you a legendary fae?"

"Why do you ask that, Gray?"

"Because you know Merlin! Isn't it said in the Arthurian Legends that the grand magus Merlin has been imprisoned in Avalon? Only fae should live in Avalon..."

Hearing Gray's response, Roy couldn't help but laugh.

"Hahaha, although I am friends with Merlin, I'm not a fae. I'm just an ordinary magus, also a traveler who has come here."

"Didn't we just meet tonight? And with the King of Knights, no less."

Just met? With the King of Knights!

At that moment, the figure of the King of Knights appeared vividly in Gray's mind.

She shrank back, her pupils dilating in fear.

"Calm down, Gray. There's no need to panic or be afraid; I'm here."

"If you have any questions, feel free to ask me."

This gentle voice had a magical power to soothe the deep-seated anxieties within her.

Under Roy's comfort, Gray's agitated emotions gradually calmed down.

The blue butterfly flapped its wings, dancing in front of her, releasing stabilizing powder that helped her regain her composure.

This was also one of the reasons they could ensure safe communication.

"Huft... Huft..."

Gray took a deep breath, feeling a mix of anxiety and curiosity, finally asking Roy with an inquisitive tone, "Is that girl really... the legendary King of Knights?"

The butterfly flapped its wings a few times before Roy's voice emerged.

"Yes, she is the past King of Britain, the King of Knights, King Arthur."

"When you saw her face, didn't the obvious answer already call out to you in your heart?"

A calm voice echoed, and the surprise on Gray's face and the bitterness reflected in her eyes were noticed by Roy.

It seemed she had long known her fate.

It really is King Arthur...

"It seems that day has truly come..."

Gray lowered her head, her tone despondent.

Everyone fears death and the idea of disappearing; even gods who have existed for endless years are reluctant to perish, let alone a little girl.

Although Gray knew she would eventually disappear as the vessel for King Arthur's resurrection, she continually hypnotized herself to accept this glorious fate, responding to the expectations of everyone in the village and her parents, fulfilling her responsibilities as the vessel of King Arthur.

But when that day actually arrived, she was still filled with dread.

Her pale little hands unconsciously began to tremble, her emotions restless.

"Are you very afraid of that girl? Are you scared of disappearing?"

"Um..."

Gray's voice was barely audible, soft tones hiding her sadness.

"I don't want to leave everyone in the village; I want to see the outside world."

"Master Bersac's health has been worsening lately. Without my care, I worry whether he can manage on his own."

"And there are so many other things I want to do... To just disappear like this, it really makes me unwilling to accept it..."

"I see... Even in this situation, you're still thinking of others. Gray, you truly are a good child."

"Ah? Sorry, Sir. I haven't lived up to everyone's expectations, becoming a competent vessel of King Arthur. My mission is to offer my life and body to the king, yet... I..."

Gray's voice trembled with tears, warm droplets sliding down her cheeks, pouring out much of her unyielding feelings at that moment.

"No, you've been very strong."

In response to her was not the expected scolding but a gentle comfort.

"Everything will perish; people fear extinction and even gods do. It is an instinct of existence. So you don't need to blame yourself."

"You owe nothing to King Arthur; rather, she should apologize to you. She disrupted your life. Moreover..."

"You've already done very well, Gray."

"Really? Will King Arthur not be angry? Will Master not be disappointed? I am clearly the..."

"But you are still yourself."

"No one can control another person's fate, not even King Arthur. Before you were the vessel of King Arthur, you were still you... a girl named Gray."

"Rest assured, I have explained everything to the King of Knights; she will not blame you. Your mission as the vessel of King Arthur has officially come to an end."

Roy said gently, "You don't have to part from your loved ones; go live the life that belongs to you."

"Really... The King has forgiven me."

"Yes, she has let it go."

"That's great! I'm so relieved the King isn't angry, and I don't have to leave Master and everyone!"

Unbeknownst to her, Gray's face was already streaming with tears, her tone mixed with sobs. But this time, the tears were not of pain and despair; they were tears of joy and relief.

"Cry, Gray. You've done very well. It's been tough on you all this time; you'll feel better once you let it out."

Roy held a bit of pity for the girl.

That's why, after their first meeting, he had sent a familiar to accompany her.

Curiosity lingered.

But there was also an inexplicable feeling of compassion.

Her past life didn't belong to her; even the meaning of her existence belonged to an unseen king.

Because of her identity as the vessel of King Arthur, she was both revered and distanced by the villagers, which led to her having no friends or family in the village.

Even her parents, when facing her, could only maintain a respectful demeanor. The pain of being revered and distanced by family and friends weighed heavily on such a small body; it was something she would find hard to bear.

And it would also... be very lonely, right?

Roy understood this clearly, and Artoria surely did too.

She had been secretly raised as the heir by Ector and Merlin.

Born to be a king, she was destined to rule Britain as King Arthur.

From the moment she learned to walk, she was forced to continuously study swordsmanship and military strategy with Merlin, day after day. Even in her dreams, she had to keep learning. The gazes of those around her and countless expectations pushed her to keep moving forward.

She often told herself that King Arthur had to do everything perfectly, had to be even more perfect and had to meet the expectations of others.

Even after becoming a king, that pain and pressure always clung to her.

She had to be better than everyone else; if she wasn't, how could she be king?

From the moment she saw Gray, Artoria thought of all this and saw her former self.

Roy's words at this moment were not his own narrative but more a conveyance.

A retelling of King Arthur's feelings towards Gray.

Watching Gray cry, Roy remained silent for a while, allowing the girl to have her moment of solitude.

After a long time, she finally wiped her tears, regaining her composure and rallying herself.

"Thank you, Sir."

"Don't mention it, Gray. Do you have any other questions you want to ask me? I will answer anything I know."

"…"

"Sir, you're actually the legendary Magus of Flowers, Merlin, right?"

Gray asked curiously.

"…"

They were having a good conversation, and now she's accusing him?

"Gray, why do you ask that?"

"Because Sir said you was a magus traveling here, also a companion of King Arthur, very familiar with her, and could even call me by name."

"To know everything and be alongside King Arthur, that identity in the Arthurian Legends can only fit the Magus of Flowers, Merlin."

"You just said you were a friend of Merlin; it must be to conceal your identity, right? After all, great magus are such mysterious and powerful figures."

Gray's earnest and admiring remarks left Roy feeling somewhat helpless.

"You've misunderstood. I really don't…"

"Hahaha!! Merlin, Merlin? That useless waste."

"You're killing me! To describe others with that useless Merlin? Gray, you're truly hilarious!"

Before he could finish, a sharp laughter suddenly erupted from a square object resembling a bird's beak, carved on the birdcage placed on the table.

After being silent for so long, it finally spoke.

It had been present during Gray's meeting with Artoria.

Its name was Add, a special type of mystic code designed to mimic Sir Kay's personality. So, in its perception, it also regarded Artoria as a sister, hence its feelings and excitement upon seeing her were no less.

But it had also accompanied this girl named Gray for a long time, considering her an indispensable companion. She bore the same appearance as Artoria but had a completely different personality.

Her character was full of contradictions. strong yet weak, brave yet timid, and at times overly sentimental. Various emotions converged within her, evoking both affection and concern.

Through their interactions, it had long considered Gray as its partner, even its sister, willing to protect her.

However, when these two girls with the same face met and it had to make a choice, it felt fear and retreated.

It couldn't choose between them.

It couldn't give up anyone, nor could it choose anyone.

So keeping silent and not meeting Artoria seemed the best option.

But at this moment, that sadness and struggle were finally broken. This magus brought the most joyous news.

There was no sacrifice, no need for choice; they were all here, and Add cheered for that.

"Add!"

Gray instantly panicked, quickly covering the peculiar metallic being, anxiously looking at the blue butterfly.

"Cough, cough, let go of me, you idiot Gray! Are you trying to suffocate me?"

The metal being named Add voiced its dissatisfaction.

"But Master said you can't..."

"Idiot Gray, what's there to hide? He's not an ordinary person; since he's a companion of Artoria, he naturally becomes our companion too."

"And this guy is definitely not that useless Merlin. That guy wouldn't say such comforting words."

Add's tone became very animated.

"Merlin is just an emotionless swindler! Scum! No, he's not even scum! Just non-combustible trash!!"

It was clear that he had a very poor impression of Merlin.

"So he really isn't Merlin..."

Gray paused for a moment, then nervously looked at the butterfly. Roy just smiled at this and then asked.

"Is it Sir Kay?"

"Hey, you really do know me."

"Of course, Sir Kay, if we're talking about King Arthur's adoptive brother."

Upon hearing this, Add laughed heartily. "Who told you that? Was it Artoria? No, she doesn't know I'm hiding here. Was it that old gravekeeper? Oh, it must be him. After all, not many in the whole village know about me."

"See, Gray has nothing to hide. This guy knows everything; your Master has told him everything."

"...Master, do you know Master?"

"Hmm, not only do I know him, but Mr. Bersac is also with us."

"Then is Artoria with you too?" Add suddenly interjected.

"Yes, she's right beside me. Do you want to come over and meet her? Sir Kay, Artoria is also looking forward to seeing you again."

"And there may be some things we need your help with afterward."

"You need my help? Just let me know if you have any difficulties; with me around, I can take care of everything."

"Hahaha, of course I want to meet! I haven't seen Artoria in a long time! Where are you? I'll have Gray take me over to find you."

"The Forbidden Area, the forbidden area of this gravekeeper village, is also the place where the child of prophecy releases the shadows of the past. Gray should know about it, right?"

"Forbidden Area?"

Upon hearing this term, Gray paused for a moment, nervously asking, "But didn't Master say...?"

"Don't hesitate, Gray. Since they can find the Forbidden Area, it means your Master has already agreed to enter. And even King Arthur has come back to life; what are you still hesitating for?"

"Hurry, hurry, let's go! Gray, I can't wait to see Artoria!"

Under Add's constant urging, Gray sighed, pulled at the hood on her head, and nodded helplessly.

"Fine then."

"Please wait a moment, Sir."

"Sure thing."

Roy nodded.

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