Chapter 32: Chapter 32
It was a pin-drop sort of silence. One sported by the sound of one's throat swallowing nervously.
"W-What in God's name?" Lord Adinak stuttered, his mount neighing as it protested staying in the area for even a moment longer.
The other horses were reacting in the same way. After all, animals were generally known to have a keener sense of danger than humans. Bugs and rodents for example may migrate away from the origin of a natural disaster before said natural disaster could even strike. This intuition was the same for the horses now staring forward at that group of goblins appearing at the forest's clearing.
They weren't natural entities, but rather, things that shouldn't exist in the human realm. This was clearly something the Wizard Merlin knew for fact. As the goblins were a local resident of the Reverse Side of The World. Although not lacking in number, their intelligence was questionable at most times, and Merlin hardly found himself interacting with them. Yet, in this sort of situation, he really had to.
Shifting his gaze towards Shirou, Merlin stared hard at him with narrowed eyes. Of the people present, the only one to notice such a discreet action was Arturia herself who's grip tightened around her reins.
It wasn't a coincidence that these goblins would appear here in such a time. Nor was it something unexpected for Merlin either. Just, he hadn't expected such a reaction to occur so soon.
"We're going to have to have a talk later, lad," Merlin said to Shirou. "But I'm afraid this situation is more pressing. But don't fret. We are dealing with idiots."
Saying that Merlin conjured a ball of magic at the tip of his staff which he then fired forward. The ball of magic released an eye-catching light that many of the goblin were drawn too. Hovering just in front of them, the goblins grew curious as they surrounded the thing in confusion.
Subsequently, the entire thing erupted in flames that engulfed all around it.
Arturia and the others seemed to sigh in relief seeing the relative ease that Merlin was dealing with the problem. Despite their nervousness, their tension was slowly fading. That was, until they noticed Merlin's expression droop.
"Well, doesn't that make things more difficult," Merlin muttered.
Staring back at the army of goblins and the other balls of magic light Merlin sent forward, it was clear that none of the goblins stepped forward towards the light. Yet, from the gleam in their eyes, it was evident that many goblins still wanted to inspect it despite seeing what had occurred to their brethren. However, that impulse was seemingly being subdued by something. Instead, the goblins backed away from Merlin's attack by a radius of ten meters.
It was then that a larger and more astute looking goblin stepped out from the forest. His skin was a deathly pale rather than the sick green of those around him. Scars ran down his face, crossing a line from his left eye to his right cheek. Unlike the other goblins who were barely even dressed in leather, this one goblin had a set of armour on the likes of which couldn't have had been forged by man.
Pieces of metal were riveted in place and seemingly bolted entirely onto the goblin's skin. The armour's shoulders were equipped with black thorn like spikes that jutted out from the sides, and even the leggings were of similar design.
Yet what caused the most apprehension was the belt around the goblin's waist. It was an average belt made of stretched and dried leather, but attached to it, was a row of human skulls. Some of which still had bits and pieces of rotting flesh.
"A Hobgoblin," Merlin muttered derisively.
Hobgoblins were on an entirely different class from the regular goblins. Not only were they larger, but unlike regular goblins, they were intelligent. And because of this one fact, they had a natural disposition to command the respect of the fools around them in much the same way a teacher handled children.
Those balls of light Merlin had sent forward, were now being avoided like the plague.
Merlin grunted before flicking his hand forward, manually setting of his magic.
Seven grand explosions ripped across the battlefield. Even from where everyone was standing they could feel the pressure exuding from that one action. Lord Adinak and his men who had never seen Merlin in action were left gob smacked. If before they thought Shirou was godly atop Efret's back shooting down foe after foe, then now they were floored seeing Merlin's actions.
"With a flick, the ladies swoon with my actions. And with the simple motion of my hands, an entire army of fools falls into disarray," Merlin said boastfully.
Yet none of the those around him rose in response to his words. Many were still recovering from the shock of what just occurred. Only Arturia, the lone woman in this army of men, glared hard at her teacher.
What 'ladies swoon with my actions?' Arturia's lip twitched. The last time she saw Merlin talk with a lady, he ended up slapped in the face when another love interest showed up at the same time.
What a load of hogwash.
In fact, something about Merlin's face right now made Arturia want to punch him. And as a matter of fact, her expression was enough to convey her sentiments towards Merlin who sobered up while looking a bit depressed.
This, this was favoritism! Merlin cursed internally before glaring at Shirou.
When Shirou went out on Efret's back shooting magic arrows down onto the enemies, you didn't level a single nasty expression in his direction. And now when I perform an act befitting of a man such as myself you scowl at me?!
Merlin felt truly wronged at that moment as he still felt Arturia's piercing eyes on him. It wasn't fair. All along as he traveled silently with Arturia and the rest, he hadn't had the chance to reveal his skills as Shirou acted too fast for him to even need to do anything. Moreover, he was already growing tired of hearing the incessant amount of praise coming from Lord Adinak and the other Knights towards Shirou. Calling Shirou the stuff of legends when a real legend was but a scant few meters away? Preposterous.
It wasn't that Merlin had grown discontent that no one was talking about him anymore that he had acted first before Shirou. In fact, even his action of stepping in front of Shirou wasn't to obscure his vision, but rather the duty of a teacher to keep his student safe.
"M-Merlin the Wizard?" One of Lord Adinak's men rasped out in astonishment. "We've been travelling with Merlin the Wizard?!"
A yes, sing praise, and put more effort into it.
The increasing glow on Merlin's face was evident to Arturia who knew the man very well, and that need to punch him in the face was only growing stronger.
"Merlin," Sir Ector coughed into his hand.
"Ah? Oh yes," Merlin then cleared his own throat while suddenly giving off the vibe of some otherworldly being as he surveyed what remained of the goblins.
This sudden change in bearing only made Lord Adinak and the other knights look at Merlin more profoundly. Yet Arturia only snorted in contempt.
As the smoke from Merlin's magic lifted, what was left was a smoldering field of burning wood and drifting ash. Strewn across the ground were numerous goblins, some injured while the majority were not.
Even if goblins were some of the lesser known phantasmal species in the Reverse Side of the World, it was a given that their natural constitution would still be higher than that of a human's. For example, the attack Merlin had just used should have reduced a man to coal, the explosion itself enough to separate one's limbs from the body. However, the only damage evident on the goblins were a few minor injuries and burnt leathers with a pungent smell.
Merlin's expression stiffened as he felt the gazes on his back.
"I do not specialize in this sort of magic," Merlin said calmly, feeling slightly aggrieved.
The attack he had used just now should have had defeated regular goblins. He'd tested such a thing already in the Reverse Side of the World, yet for some reason the one's in front of him seemed more durable.
No matter, he'd just have to fire more.
Magic gathered at the tip of his staff. The energy of the world, prana, shifting to usable od.
Merlin was known as the Wizard of Flowers, specializing primarily in the magecraft of plants. As the magic energy coalesced upon the staff's tip, green vines began to swirl up the staff's length as the greenery nearby underwent a sudden growth.
In the process of that moment, it seemed as if the world itself was changing.
"The flowers, they're blooming," Lord Adinak said silently.
"Impossible," another knight said. "It's already drawing towards the days of cold. No such flowers bloom at this time."
All eyes were turned on Merlin at the moment, watching as a wave of green travelled across the fields like a wave. Wherever it went, flowers and vines grew out to make an image no different from the dazzling scenery told of in myth. A land untouched by man. A world of nature.
The Hobgoblin's expression fell seeing the attack coming in his direction.
Immediately, he issued the orders to retreat, but there was a reason why the Wizard of flowers was so feared.
What is there to do?
What is there to think?
Where are you to run?
When the world itself was your enemy?
He was the world, the plants and life around him, an extension of his power. The staff was pointed forward, a radiance emitting from it that travelled the entirety of the distance in an instant.
The grass came alive, lush strands and leaves growing like long wheat stalks on a summer's day. Those goblins injured over the ground seemed to get swallowed by the tall grass until there was nothing left to be seen. Only the sound of shifting soil could be heard along with the nervous gulps of those behind Merlin.
It was too surreal. Starring at the grass beneath their own feet, Lord Adinak didn't even know the first thing he would do if he was caught in such a magic. Hell, he never wanted to when he saw what remained of the goblins smothered within the grass. There was simply nothing left. As if they had never been there. If not for the purplish liquid over the grass's stalk, then none would have been the wiser to step in to such a death trap.
With the hobgoblins orders, the entire army of goblins began dispersing back into the forest.
The smile on Merlin's face was anything but kind at the moment. As a resident who could cross to and fro from the Human World to the Reverse Side of the World, he knew the rules of the Reverse Side of the World like the back of his own hand. Those who shouldn't be in the human world, should not be in the human world. That time has long since passed, no matter what fools wish to prolong it.
Even as the goblins ran into the protection of the trees, they were none the wiser of the true extent of Merlin's power.
He was something like nature itself.
To fight him where there was growth was only inviting one's demise.
The trees came alive. Large roots shooting up from massive trunks that completely tangled every goblin that ran by. If one tree wasn't enough, then maybe two? Three? An entire forest perhaps? There was simply nowhere to run.
Like snakes coiling around their prey, those roots trapped every goblin inside. The hobgoblin was no exception and he was the one who struggled the most. Using the serrated short sword in his hand, the hobgoblin was able to hack away at a majority of the roots bind him. But at that time, more and more roots, both large small splintered off from the larger roots and became vines that wrapped the hobgoblin completely in a cocoon.
Muffled sounds could be heard sounding throughout the forest. It was the same chittering noise that everyone had heard previously. Although this time the sound was tinged with panic, the pitch high enough to pierce one's ear drums.
By this point, everyone was numb. And that included Shirou who watched silently. If even he, a magus, was like that, then there was no need to even describe how the others felt.
As the chittering noise began to dye down, squeals of pain could be heard as the goblins were dragged down by the roots deep into the soil. Other less fortunate goblins who only had a leg or two bound by roots suffered far greater than those completely wrapped. After all, when the roots began to sink while pulling the goblins down, the soil itself was not anything like sand, rather, it was more akin to rock. And the process involved in the sinking was much like pushing a block of cheese through a tiny hole. The goblins couldn't possibly fit their entire bodies into the small circular area created by the tree roots.
Many began to pale as they imagined the scene that lay ahead, but Merlin was tactful. A deluge of falling leaves blocked all from sight until once again, nothing remained in the area.
Arturia swallowed. She had never thought magic could be this powerful. It was true that Merlin had taught her about it, and even shown her a few things or two, but all of that paled in comparison to what she had just seen. It was simply too powerful. She herself didn't know if she would be able to escape such a thing let alone fight back.
Shirou on his part was considering things more seriously. In the era he was in, there was no such civilization away from nature. And in war, plants were everywhere. He could understand completely just why Merlin could combat an entire army by himself. The army of goblins was proof enough. So long as one fought Merlin, they would have to be wary of the trees around them. The bushes, the shrubs, even the ground one stood had to be paid with close attention.
In the medival era, Merlin truly felt unrivaled. For the grass flowed everywhere, and the woods ran thick.
Merlin was a Wizard that could represent the world. One famous enough to have his name known thousands of years later, yet unfortunately never became a heroic spirit.
Shioru pursed his lips. If Merlin didn't get trapped in the Reverse Side of the World, then who was to say that Camelot would have had ever fallen with him by Arturia's side.
It was simply a tragedy. While the future Arturia was out suppressing the final dredges of the Saxon invaders, the Kingdom fell into revolt. And by the time Arturia returned, it was only to see all that she'd worked for in ruins. How could a girl who had abandoned everything that she was and could be for her people and country not buckle in the despair of what had become of them; the Kingdom she vowed to lead being nothing more than rubble? A witch waiting in the shadows for the prime opportunity. Yet even then, there would no longer even be a kingdom to rule.
Shirou's expression was a mixture of indignance and incredulousness as he glanced in Merlin's direction. The man was currently basking in the glory, the expression of Lord Adinak and his men still staring blankly. To think that such a man would meet his end for his cowardice to meet with a certain love affair, choosing instead to hide in the Reverse Side of the World.
Even the little bit of knowledge he tried to impart to Merlin about the eventual error of his ways was somehow taken as a declaration of sorts by the man. Merlin was truly too stubborn, but there was no doubt that he was capable.
With the sudden silence that befell the area, a certain somberness took root as Lord Adinak marched his men forward. However, neither Merlin nor Shirou followed. Instead, Merlin motioned for Shirou to follow him elsewhere as they slowly lagged behind.
Perhaps the one who noticed this the most was Arturia who pursed her lips as she forced herself to maintain her position near the front of the group. As the next King, she had to maintain a certain bearing at all times. This was one such case as she and Lord Adinak were continuing the initial plans to conquer the Saxon base now weakened from losing a majority of its men.
It wasn't till she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder that she noticed Kay pulling beside her on his mount.
"If you want to go, you shouldn't hold yourself back," he spoke.
These were the words of her brother and the very Knight Arturia had once been apprenticed to in her youth.
Seeing Kay's expression, Arturia grew even more conflicted as she looked back towards Shirou and Merlin's fading silhouettes as they moved to some place hidden in the woods.
"I can't," she said dismayed. "How can the leader just leave whenever he wishes?"
Kay shook his head. "You are the King," Kay smiled lightly, leaning in over his horse to whisper into Arturia's ears. "Sometimes it okay to be selfish. Name one King that wasn't selfish at least once at one point in their life."
Arturia was silent, mulling over what Kay just said.
"Besides, you aren't the King yet until we can host a proper ceremony." Kay shrugged his shoulders as he readjusted his position atop his horse. "Besides, aren't I, your brother here?" Kay laughed uproariously. "What is there to worry about, just delegate the duty to me. You yourself knows that a King can't be everywhere at once. Now go, before you lose sight of him. You wouldn't want Merlin's personality to rub off on your first knight, now would you?"
Arturia's face twitched as a vein formed over her forehead. "That bastard better not," she spoke subconsciously.
There was a venomness in her tone that shocked even Kay. Yet in the next moment, amusement appeared in Kay's eyes.
"Well, it would be a welcome change actually," Kay began speaking nonchalantly. "No matter where I took him in Roan, he didn't strike a fancy with any woman."
"What did you say? You took him where?" Arturia didn't notice it, but Llamrei was glaring hard at Kay. After all, Arturia's entire body was tensing, and she was pulling harder on harder on Llamrei's reins. Based on Arturia's dragon strength alone, it was far from a comfortable feeling Llamrei was feeling.
Kay took delight in Llamrei's misery. Ignoring the magical horse, Kay shut his mouth for the moment, watching the storm brewing over Arturia's head.
"Its only natural," Kay insisted righteously. "There are times in a man's life where he was to go meet with various ladies of different sorts. The thing is, Shirou was just too stubborn to even think of such matters."
"Oh?" Arturia said, visibly growing relieved.
"But that was a couple months ago, and you know as well as I do how Merlin is. I wouldn't be surprised when the next time I take Shirou to visit certain places that he would hit it off pretty well. You should've seen how much attention he attracted last time. Especially because of how adored he was in Roan. Young ladies practically threw themselves over him. I was quite envious to be frank."
Arturia's expression darkened once again, this time, involuntarily pulling hard on the reins and eliciting a neigh of surprise from Llamrei. Even Lord Adinak turned his attention back to look at the commotion. However, by then, Arturia composed herself, though the cold gleam in her eyes was unmistakable. Even the way she was no longer looking forward was evident. Instead, her gaze was focusing on both Merlin and Shirou getting further and further away.
"Keep talking," she said flatly. "Besides, if Merlin could really affect him, then why hasn't he changed after being taught by Merlin for so long?" She reasoned.
"Naïve," Kay said knowingly. "Think clearly, has Shirou ever been alone with Merlin while training with him?"
It was like an arrow suddenly pierced Arturia's chest.
No, Shirou did not spend too much time alone with Merlin. They had always undergone lessons together, and even if she had to practice alone, she would often be doing it off to the side of where Merlin taught Shirou. Therefore, she was always somewhat nearby.
Then what would happen now if she were to leave them alone?
"You know, it's going to be quite amusing if Shirou's personality ever twisted to the same likeness as Merlin and his expertise in womanizing. Well, you can think of it this way. At least you can have a diplomat to woo any of the other noble's daughters to solidify your base of power."
Kay was already beginning to snicker seeing the steel like expression on Arturia's face. Her lips were a thin line, her eyes staring straight ahead, and not even a muscle could be seen moving on her face.
"He's my teacher, Merlin wouldn't do anything like that," Arturia's tone was flat, bordering on monotone. "He should know better."
"And yet you know him better than I," Kay said calmly. "What do you think is going to happen if you leave them alone?"
Arturia halted Llamrei in its tracks, and for a moment, there was a murderous air around her that quickly vanished. "I trust Merlin." She said resolutely.
Kay rose a brow. "Then what's that over there?" Kay pointed towards Merlin and Shirou and as if by sheer coincidence, Merlin was currently talking to a woman and her younger sister belonging to a wandering caravan.
It was common to see such a sight of people moving along the roads in groups. After all, it was practical to prevent bandits from thinking of attacking, and people just generally felt safer in a group. Encountering such groups was commonplace, but to run into one on their way to the Saxon stronghold, it was truly unfortunate for Merlin. Especially so when he pulled Shirou next to him to talk to the older woman's younger sister. What made things worse, was seeing just how accustomed Shirou was to dealing with woman, the younger sister seemingly fidgeting under his gaze.
Kay seemed to hear a cracking sound like shattering glass stemming from Arturia's direction before he felt a wave of killing intent that startled everyone including him. This killing intent only felt worse when Kay looked at Arturia and saw that she was still wearing the same expression as before except-
When had she drawn out her sword?
"If you'll excuse me," Arturia said before nodding deeply at Kay before riding off.
Kay reciprocated the gesture, knowing full well that Arturia was allowing him to take charge of the offense against the Saxon stronghold. It was a form of delegation, and something a King had the power to do so most of the other Knights following didn't mind it as much. Although they did feel a tad put out by it. Still, it wasn't worth complaining over now that merits were right in sight. And the capture of a Saxon stronghold was truly something that could be considered a great merit.
Just thinking about the goblins from earlier still sent shivers down everyone's backs, but they had already put it in the back of their minds. Unwilling to get involved in something so dangerous.
Taking up the handle of his reins, Kay kicked his horse into a steady gallop, remaining sielnt as Sir Ector rode near him.
"Kay, you?" Sir Ector asked inquisitively before sighing.
Kay looked off into the distance and at the scene of Arturia suddenly slamming into Merlin, sending the man flying with a stunned expression on his face. Despite the violence of the act, Merlin wasn't really injured, and the smile on Arturia's face was all Kay needed for justification.
"It's not really fair is it father?" Kay said solemnly, a rare seriousness on his face.
He and Sir Ector had their horses galloping near the front of the moving group so their discussion couldn't be heard unless one strained their ears. In which case, Kay was still careful with his wordings.
Slowing down the pace of their horses, the two stilled to a gentle trot.
"She's working so hard for acknowledgment that the expressions she once made in Roan are beginning to fade. Everywhere she goes she's under the scrutiny of hundreds of men and retainers, not once able to relax unless taken away by sleep." Kay furrowed his brows.
Only the sound of the horse's hooves on the gravel road could be heard between the two at the moment, Sir Ector having nothing to say. After all, he had noticed exactly what Kay was talking about.
"Aye, that be true," Sir Ector gaze became a tad downcast. "Yet this is the path she chose to follow."
"If it means losing who she is to become something that others make of her, then is that really a King I want to look up to? Shirou he's a good kid, isn't he?" Kay spoke form the heart. "He makes her happy. I've seen it, and you have as well. The old wizard probably knows the best of all, assuming his reputation as a seer is believable."
Sir Ector thought back to what Kay was referring to. In her moments of indecision, Shirou was there. When she was in trouble, or even had the smallest of emergencies, he was there as well. In fact, thinking about everything now, he had always been there for her. Sir Ector could recall Shirou's time spent in Bristol. He made her food. He trained with her. Taught her. Bled for her. And in turn, she had grown to return such actions, yet could never voice a desire that she clearly had, doomed to bury it forever within her.
Sir Ector's hands balled into fists before he unclasped them.
"Nothing is truly fair in life," Sir Ector eventually said. "The fall of Uther was the same."
Sir Ector's placed a hand over the bridge of his nose as he steadied himself atop his horse. "Nevertheless, in this time of crisis, the Lords and the People need a King to rally under. The symbol of our sovereign who will deliver us to a path of victory."
Kay snorted derisively, the vexation he was feeling not something that could be easily described. "Who says we need a King? Can a Queen not lead her people just as well?"
Kay leveled a glance at Sir Ector, the motion revealing his earnesty.
"Father, I grew up with her. And even though she may have been a brat at times, picking fights with pigs, and even ordering that shitty horse to hang me up over by a leg, I know for a fact that she doesn't deserve this. If she was exactly how she was before she met Shirou, then perhaps I could accept what she wants to do for our country and people, but now," Kay trailed off before he gritted his teeth. "How do you think she's going to feel when she's invited to the marriage of Shirou and some other woman?"
Even if Kay was already feeling outraged and despondent with the situation, Sir Ector was even more so having raised Arturia when she was still just a baby. Yet still, Sir Ector remained silent.
Kay brooded by himself for a moment, a small smile rising and appearing on his lips as he turned his attention to Arturia who was now vehemently berating Merlin who looked as if he had been wronged.
"Britain doesn't need a King. All it needs is a worthy ruler to guide its people. A King and a Queen are no different, at least to me."
Kay quieted down, not speaking for a while.
"Is that why you manipulated Arturia using her own feeling to chase after them?" Sir Ector asked slowly.
A tremble travelled down Kay's back, but the look on Kay's face was resolute.
"Because my sister deserves happiness too. And even if its fleeting, what else can you expect a brother to do?" Kay replied.
Sir Ector closed his mouth, unable to say anything. He didn't know when, but the son he raised had finally grown up. A certain proudness a father could only ever feel was evident on Sir Ector's face.
A boy had turned into a man.
My son, the light of my eyes.
And my daughter, the hope of my life.
Sir Ector closed his eyes after glancing once more at Arturia. Sighing, he felt a certain type of content that he didn't think that he would ever feel again.
My dear King Uther, your knight no longer has any regrets.
LINE BREAK
By the time Arturia was done with Merlin, Shirou actually felt bad for the man. No matter what his performance was like against the goblins several hours ago, it would mean nothing as Merlin was helpless against Arturia.
Nursing the bruise that was slowly forming atop his head, Merlin truly felt aggrieved. He had done nothing wrong, merely stopped to chat with an older lady and her younger sister from a travelling caravan before discussing certain matters with Shirou.
In the end, he was rammed by a horse, then dragged away by Arturia into the forest where no one could see them. In the forest, no one can hear you scream. Or at least that was how most natives thought. Because even if they did hear a scream, why would they go out of their way to help a stranger and potentially bring disaster upon themselves?
This was especially true to the woman Merlin was just talking to whose face was paling by the second.
It would only be later that Merlin would be able to cut himself some slack.
The current situation was just too unfair. By the time Merlin and Arturia returned, the lady Merlin had once been talking to had long since disappeared with her sister along with the caravans.
"I've been wronged. Someone has besmirched my good name," Merlin complained under Arturia's glare. "Who was it, tell me so this great Wizard can get to the bottom of this! I swear to you that none will be able to escape when I'm this serious. When I'm serious I even scare myself!"
Arturia would have no more of Merlin's nonsense and decided to stand next to Shirou's side, her arms crossed with an unpleasant look on her face.
"Haven't you laid there long enough teacher?" She called out to Merlin.
"Not even giving a helping hand, oh my dear students are already discarding me. I have no choice but to abandon myself to a life of a wanderer. To be truly free and-"
"Merlin, what's gong on?" Arturia cut in.
Merlin deflated, sighing as he picked up his staff and looked intently at Arturia. The solemnness in his eyes completely erased whatever image Arturia had of Merlin mere moments ago. This was the true appearance of the one called the Greatest Wizard in the era.
"This matter is not something the future King of the country should be getting involved in. Is it not your duty to be unifying the lands at this moment?" Merlin shrugged. "I suppose it doesn't really matter if I just inform you of what's going on. This actually has more to do with Shirou there."
Hearing his name spoken, Shirou paid very close attention. Phantasmal Species were never supposed to have had appeared in this timeline, and even if there were, there should not have had been that number of goblins present. It was simply too much.
"There is a plane of existence called the Reverse Side of the World. It is where supernatural beings have retreated to after the Age of Gods ended, but more than that, it is where those who wish to return to the Present World are waiting. Many of whom wish to bring an end to the world of Man to re-enact the Age of the Gods. The both of you have all heard of legendary beasts? Perhaps not all, but there are many of such fearsome creatures on the other side. A greedy dragon that wishes to horde all of the world's riches, a wolf who wants to bring about Armageddon, and an entity whose sole purpose is to destroy, many such things can be found. I have personally seen them for I can travel between worlds. And I can say this, should any one of those fearsome beasts descend, then the consequences are going to be far more than just the ruin of this Kingdom. It would begin a mass extinction the likes of which had never before been seen. There will not be a single man left alive."
There was no lies or fluctuation in Merlin's voice as he spoke, not even caring that he had just so nonchalantly explained a means for the destruction of the human race.
"And Shirou has to do with this why?" Arturia inquired, expression growing dim. Her brows were furrowed, and her concern was hard to conceal despite her efforts of hiding it.
Merlin frowned, but eventually the expression passed. "He is an Ashton, and that name carries a certain weight to it for those living in the Reverse Side of the World. After all, at the Reverse Sid of the World, there are no humans, no will of mankind that worked to push out phantasmal species. But there was such a time where a human, a family lineage of them were able to step through. The Ashtons. And even till this day I do not how. The answer is therefore hidden in the ancestry. Shirou's ancestry."
Shirou pursued his lips, but eventually opened his mouth to speak. "That should be impossible," he said with certainty. "I'm not an Ashton." He said.
The admission was met with silence, and only Arturia reacted. Her expression showed her shock and disbelief. She had always believed that he was an Ashton, and now Shirou himself admitted that he wasn't.
Something flickered in Merlin's gaze, but his next words left Shirou floored. "Out of the question," he said. "If you are truly not an Ashton why was it that those goblins directed their attention towards you alone. They are calling back that which was established since your birth. The pact made with the Beasts of the Blood Packs. They wouldn't mistake a target."
"That's," Shirou had no words to reply. The goblins indeed locked onto his person when they had first appeared. In fact, it was probably because of him that they surrounded the area with Arturia and the rest.
"Can you guarantee for sure that you are not an Ashton?" Merlin inquired further.
"…" Shirou fell silent.
He himself knew that he couldn't guarantee it. After all, even as he was now, he had never known just who he was before the Fuyuki Fire occurred. Therefore, there was no certainty no matter how much he may think otherwise.
"During the Ashton assassination, you should have been no more than a child. Can you remember anything substantial?" Merlin asked.
Again, Shirou had no answer. He couldn't even remember any sort of memories he may have had then. "I don't remember. No, it's not that I can't remember, it's just that I don't have any memory of it at all," Shirou said.
Merlin's brows furrowed hearing that answer before the man brought a hand to rest beneath his chin.
"This makes things far more difficult," Merlin muttered. Still, there was an odd light in his eyes. "There are only a couple doors able to allow one into the Reverse Side of the World, but those doors are heavily guarded by things called 'Anchors.' These Anchors fasten the planet together to ensure that the world of humans on the outermost layer of the world can't be destroyed by those on the Reverse Side. Because so many residents of the Reverse Side were able to get through, then there must be a weakening in one of these Anchors. And the Ashtons are the main culprits. How else can one enter the Reverse Side without somehow tampering with one of these Anchor points? This should normally be impossible, but regardless of how they were able to do it, it only means a path has been created for those on Reverse Side to follow. The fact that only now they are appearing in the present world dictates that whatever safety mechanics the Ashtons had devised are running towards their end."
Merlin leveled a stare at Shirou.
Shirou stared straight back.
"And you, Shirou my student, must find a way to mend this before it's too late," Merlin said. "I can't be of too much help in this matter as I am merely an observer. And even then, should I help, it may draw the attention of some of the less savory bunch within the Reverse Side."
"So, the hate doesn't just stem from this side of the world," Arturia muttered. "You made someone mad at you at the other side too?"
"Ahem," Merlin moved the subject away. "Regardless, only an Ashton should be able to discover what it is that needs to be done."
Shirou fell into contemplation. What Merlin said had to be taken into contemplation, and he himself knew he had been putting of this matter for too long already. If what Merlin said was indeed true, then he would have to stop this. Such a matter didn't occur in Arturia's original timeline, but admittedly this situation might actually have to do with him. Therefore, he would take responsibility so that no harm could come to Arturia.
"I understand," he said. "I will leave tomorrow then."
Merlin nodded his head. "The best place to probably search for clues is the Ashton manor itself. It may have had been abandoned, but there will always be traces of magic left behind in a magus's workshop. Still, you should prepare yourself beforehand."
Saying that, Merlin watched as Shirou nodded in understanding. He gave a bow to Arturia, and then took his leave. Mounting on the horse provided for him, Shirou rode off with his back straight, determination in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Arturia, the one who had only been listening in, was the one most distressed of all.
From the point when Merlin said that Shirou would have to solve this, she was already growing nervous. The fact that Merlin said he wasn't going to be of much help to Shirou only made things worse.
Thinking about it. Everything that Merlin was speaking of was relating towards those monster's Kay had once told her of as a kid. The ones that hide beneath her bed, and the ones as large as houses.
If Shirou was going to face such creatures, then what were his chances of winning? Thinking back to the beast in her childhood, her body involuntarily shivered from the trauma of back then. He had been so still on her back, blood dripping ceaselessly as she cried while carrying him back to her home. Even then, he still didn't wake up, and all she could do then was blame herself.
She was King now. She had drawn the Sword in the Stone. Yet why did she feel so empty despite finally starting the road to a prosperous future for her own people?
Arturia.
She could still recall the way he had called her name on numerous occasions. The care, the concern, and the unceasing drive to provide all that he could for her.
And then she watched that lonesome back fading away in the distance.
It wasn't fair.
The voice in her head was screaming injustice.
For what did you truly become King for?
I am your knight.
Sentence after sentence hammered at her in a never-ending barrage that wilted away her conviction.
Before she even knew it, she was breathing heavily, a thin sheen of sweat over her brow as the dark clouds above transitioned to a dark evening sky.
Releasing the breath, she had been holding, she then felt lost. Not knowing what it was that she should do. Drawing forth Caliburn had required her full conviction, and it was a steel that was unbending. She would fight off the Saxons and bring peace to the Kingdom. Yet, through it all, she always envisioned Shirou by her side.
She bit her lip, thoughts in a jumble.
"The Duty of a King is not just towards one's people," Merlin spoke.
The Wizard himself had not moved a single inch from when Shirou had left. Instead, he had remained, watching as Arturia debated with herself.
"At this moment, you are not fit to be King."
Merlin's words were like thunder in Arturia's ears.
"You do not know the path you wish to take. No, more accurately, you can't choose. That which your heart desires, or that which the people need for their salvation, both are equally heavy choices," Merlin swirled his staff and mots of glowing dust burst into the air like a cloud.
This glowing dust had a pale white colour to it, and its thickness was thinning as it spun in the air and lit the area up. The intensity was like that of a gentle campfire that illuminated both Arturia and Merlin's faces.
"For what purpose do you take up that sword? It is a question that you yourself will have to find out the answer to. No one will be able to help you, not even my guidance will. For in the end, no goal can be achieved without a hundred percent surety of success. And that surety is what is known as self-confidence."
"Young Arturia, I have taught you all that I know of mage craft to prepare yourself for unexpected situations. Even then I have taught you a thing or two about the sword, but in no way, have I taught you what should be considered right and wrong. No matter what, it was you who I foresaw leading the future of this land. But as of now, you yourself must experience events and opportunities that will help you find what it is that you are looking for."
"But I can't, there's no such time for me to do such things," Arturia reasoned. She had many things to do now that she had drawn forth Caliburn.
Merlin shook his head.
"The Teacher can help carry the burdens of the student," Saying so, Merlin lifted a finger and created an Arturia-sized doll out of wood and vines. "Once covered in armour, no one would be able to tell the difference. And besides, it's a simple thing to alter one's voice. Leave the unification of the land to mine and Kay's hands. We will deal with the Saxons in your absence so rest easy."
Arturia soon remained silent to listen. This was the custom when her teacher Merlin was actually teaching her. She was the very image of a student waiting to be taught with utmost diligence.
"Let me say this again. Until you find your true purpose, you are not fit to be King," Merlin said.
With a tap of his staff, the light coming from the dust shone with a dull yellow glow before the entire cloud coalesced around Arturia. A surprised gasp came from her mouth as the light began to spin wildly around her, leaving only her face visible from the swirling storm.
Merlin sighed, but in the next moment released a wry smile. The boy truly did work fast.
"Therefore, I suppose it would be best if you went on a training journey before taking the crown, don't you think?"
LINE BREAK
By the time morning came in the next day, there was already word of the victory led by Kay and Lord Adinak to take over the Saxon stronghold.
It was a moral blow to other Saxons in the area, but it was information those remaining in Lord Adinak's territory needed to uplift their spirits. And through it all, praise for the new King was being sung by both the people and travelling bards.
Shirou for his part though was busy doing other things.
He finished securing the last of what he'd need before departing. He was travelling light, so the most he was bringing were rations to eat. And besides, if he truly grew hungry, hunting wasn't out of the question. Rather, it was the most practical.
Efret cawed as he neared the flaming bird, and it was clear that Efret was excited to be returning back to the Ashton manor in Bristol. In regards to returning, he was a bit apprehensive about what he'd find, but he knew that it was something he had to do.
There was always something about the place that drew him there. Perhaps it wasn't even a coincidence when he had stumbled into it in the first place. Regardless, he had finished resting and only had to say his goodbyes before leaving.
He had already done so for Sir Ector, Kay, Bedivere, and some of the other Knights he was acquainted with, yet oddly, Merlin and Arturia were nowhere to be found.
No matter how much he tried, he just couldn't find them. The two didn't even appear to congratulate Kay for his role in capturing the Saxon stronghold. In fact, it felt as if they were avoiding everyone for some reason or another.
Unable to find them, he was resigned to leaving without bidding them goodbye. Well at least he was with them the previous day, so that could count as something.
Slinging his belongings to a strap over his chest and waist, he began his way to board onto Efret's back when his ears perked up from a sudden noise.
It was a clicking sound he had not heard since the twentieth century. The clacking sound of heels.
Head turning behind him, his soul seemed to leave his body as he couldn't believe what was he was seeing directly in front of him.
This, was this really Arturia?
Never before had he ever glimpsed such a form in Arturia's memories, yet now it was clearly right before him.
His mouth was suddenly dry; him not realizing that it was actually half open, but that didn't matter.
Arturia's cheeks were flared red as she had never worn such an outfit before. This was also the first time Shirou would be seeing her wear such a thing. Yet for some reason, seeing the expression on Shirou's face, a feeling of butterflies in her stomach caused a warmth to spread across her body.
She was in a sleek pale white one-piece dress adorned with an armoured waist the shape of a flower's petals. White stockings ran up her legs stopping just as it reached the middle of her thighs, the dress falling over it.
A black ribbon at the back of her head tied her hair into a long pony tail that fell like a river down her back.
Both of her shoulders were exposed, revealing smooth unblemished skin that was slowly reddening the longer Shirou found himself looking.
Perhaps self-conscious of his gaze, Arturia pulled in her shoulders while clasping her hands in front of her. "I-It wasn't my idea," she immediately said. "It was Merlin's."
Merlin, NICE!
Shirou shook his head from the sudden exclamation and composed himself, or at least tried to. She, she was just too beautiful. And when contrasted to the upright Saber he knew, it only made this new sight something that he wanted to burn directly into his mind. Yet just form the design alone…
"I thought you were trying to hide your gender?"
Arturia blushed feeling too self-conscious. "I said the same thing to Merlin, but he insisted that no one would be able to relate the King who drew forth Caliburn to what I'm wearing now."
Merlin definitely had a point, Shirou had to concede.
"Maybe I should ask Kay's opinion," Arturia murmured.
Shirou shook his head. "No, you don't have to. It's beautiful on you."
Arturia looked away, caught speechless as Shirou smiled in her direction. At this point, she still didn't know if what she was doing was right, but what her heart was telling her to do could not be any clearer at this moment.
"I'm coming with you," she said without room for debate.
Shirou was tongue tied. Generally, he would have had a quick response to counter as he would never bring her into danger willingly. Yet at this point, he was too shocked after seeing what Arturia was wearing to even formulate a response.
By the time he composed himself, Arturia was already making herself comfortable on Efret's back and motioning for him to hurry up; a glow on her that Shirou had not seen since the carefree days of her childhood.
Yet he didn't move for a long while
Dazed as he was with her radiance and the smile that bloomed across her face that resembled that of the most charming of Lilies.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone