บท 23: Arc of Embodiment and Chain of Heaven
"It seems you got more than you bargained for, my friend," Merlin chuckled as he observed his companion, who was now as pale as a ghost, drained of both blood and essence by Baobhan Sith.
He had already fully dressed himself with the aid of his Arc of Embodiment ability, which he had gained after completing a mission, along with Chain of Heaven as a bonus.
After successfully impregnating Baobhan Sith, he found himself mastering that amazing power.
"Pour me some wine, Merlin. Let me have a drink first. I don't want to talk about this right now," King Uther commanded, his voice weary and strained.
"Well, I didn't bring any wine," Merlin sighed, a hint of regret in his tone. "However, I did bring you something else—a gift, if you will. This here is a potion that can restore you to your previous state. It's not the real Fountain of Youth, though. It's merely a counterfeit made by an alchemist. It won't grant you eternal youth, but it should be enough to make you feel better for now."
With that, Merlin pulled a small blue vial from his pocket and tossed it to Uther.
The king quickly uncorked it and drank it down in one go.
Almost instantly, his complexion improved dramatically.
The pallor disappeared, replaced by a healthier, more youthful glow.
Though his face remained reminiscent of Tywin Lannister in his prime, rather than a younger version of himself, he could still feel a surge of vitality coursing through him.
"Where did you get this?" Uther inquired, a mixture of curiosity and suspicion in his voice.
"From the Holy Island," Merlin responded with a weary sigh. "Unfortunately, it will be difficult to obtain again, especially after your declaration of war against the King of Gwynedd. The fae there have become wary of us, my friend."
"If I'm not mistaken, the Holy Island lies within that traitor's territory," Uther mused, his gaze narrowing. "To be precise, it maintains its independence on a small island just off his lands, ruled by none other than King Oberon, the Fairy King, and son of Vortigern."
Many often confuse the Holy Island with Avalon, but they are not the same. While Avalon remains an independent realm in its own right, ruled by Morgan le Fay, daughter of King Uther, the Holy Island is led by Oberon himself.
Avalon, once located in Camelot, had been moved to Pict territory after Morgan deceived King Lot in an elaborate marriage ruse, using her illusions to make him believe he had claimed her body. In truth, he had never touched her, as evident by her retaining her hymen which is already claimed by Uther.
Uther chuckled darkly at the memory of their intense encounter.
The details of how she orchestrated the deception didn't much concern Uther, but in summary, King Lot was perhaps one of the most pitiful characters in this story. Not only was he cuckolded, but his kingdom and legacy were also stolen from him. Even his supposed children were not truly his—they were creations of Morgan's alchemical prowess.
Whether it was truly alchemy or some other method, Uther didn't know for sure.
What he did know was that Gawain, Agravain, Gareth, and Gaheris were not born through natural means. They were, in every sense, man-made.
"If his assistance to the King of Gwynedd is what concerns you, rest assured, my king, I will speak to him personally. I will ensure that he does not interfere in our war." Merlin declared with firm conviction.
The gravity of their discussion prompted Merlin to adopt a more formal tone, addressing him as 'king' instead of 'friend.'
In moments of casual conversation or jest, Merlin would use 'friend' to address him, but when it came to serious matters of state or war, the title of 'king' was reserved as a sign of respect and acknowledgment of their solemn responsibilities.
It was as simple as that.
"For now, let us focus on the issue at hand—the church. Oberon can wait," King Uther commanded, his voice carrying the weight of authority.
"What do you think of my plan to root them out, Merlin? How do you think the people will react to such a bold move?" Uther inquired, his gaze fixed on the wizard.
"Their influence is weak across this island, my king. They hold significant sway only in Camelot, while the rest of the island still adheres to their pagan beliefs. Therefore, resistance will likely be minimal." Merlin responded, his tone measured and calculated.
"Unless they summon reinforcements from Rome." Merlin's self-assured demeanor momentarily shifted to one of solemn concern as he brought this news to light.
"That is why I intend to strike tonight," Uther replied with a dark chuckle. "I want to ensure that they disappear without a trace."
He paused, his eyes narrowing with determination. "I will capitalize on the height of our popularity among the people, leveraging their support before it wanes, to justify this purge."
"So, how many trusted knights have you gathered for this operation, Merlin?" Uther asked, his voice laced with anticipation.
"Three hundred loyal knights are at your command, my king," Merlin replied with a respectful bow.
"And that number will more than suffice to eliminate them." Uther chuckled once more, a sinister edge to his laughter. "However, we can only eradicate them within the confines of the capital. Beyond that, there remain scattered forces, small but persistent, across Camelot."
Uther frowned, realizing the challenge ahead. To truly eliminate them, he would need to confront them openly, but he was well aware of the church's tenacity. Even the mighty Roman Empire had failed to crush them when they were still a fledgling group, lacking influence.
They were, after all, backed by Alaya—the collective will of humanity on this planet.
"Hah... I will consider our next steps later. For now, I need to send them a message. The purge will hopefully bring them to their senses and teach them the price of their hubris," King Uther declared with finality, his words laden with the weight of decision.
Merlin nodded thoughtfully, and together they began to outline the details of their plan, preparing for the confrontation that lay ahead.
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