Chương 14: Chapter 14
I slowly walked toward the newly built Camelot, not really in a rush to get there. I really just wanted to take in the view of Camelot. It looks a lot better then when it was portrayed in Fate Grand Order, with the desert and all being around it. Now it is surrounded by lush green plains of grass and trees.
Before me stretched the city of Camelot… My Camelot…. Its pristine white walls gleaming in the sunlight, the towers and spires reaching up as if to brush the heavens themselves. I can tell that the craftsmanship of the walls are some of the best I have ever seen in any of my life's.
It was everything I had envisioned Camelot being, the dream of a king made manifest. And yet…. It was silent.
No knights. No courtiers. No bustling streets filled with the laughter of my people. Just the wind whispering through the empty halls and streets.
I walked forward slowly, my boots crunching against the path leading to the gates. For a brief moment, I faltered, glancing back at the grass filled plains behind me. "What sort of fool builds a city with no one to live in it?" I muttered to herself, shaking my head. "A lonely king, apparently."
"No, that's not right. I'm me, wait no….. I am a King and a faerie. Augh…. whatever, I will worry about this once I'm done seeing Camelot."
The outer walls of Camelot towered over me as I came upon the gates. The gates of Camelot swung open with a mere gesture from my hand, their massive, ornate doors creaking like they had been waiting centuries for my return.
I stepped inside, my footsteps echoing unnaturally loud against the polished cobblestones. My voice broke the silence as I whispered to herself "It's beautiful, perfect…..too perfect. Not a single stone out of place, not a single blade of grass unkempt."
I wandered through the empty streets, my gaze tracing every detail—the intricate carvings on the walls, the banners fluttering in the breeze, the fountain in the square where no water flowed. My fingers brushed against the stone, smooth and cold to the touch. It was beautiful, yes, but it was lifeless.
Stopping in the shadow of a grand archway, I let out a small, humorless laugh. "All that power," I said aloud, addressing no one. "All that effort. And I couldn't even build a proper tavern. Lancelot would be devastated."
My voice cracked slightly on the last word, and I immediately shook my head, closing my eyes. "No" "I shouldn't think of them now. They… they are gone. This Camelot is for the future. For the humanity of this universe."
But even as I said it, I couldn't stop the memories from flooding back: the Round Table, my knights, ,y people. The laughter, the arguments, the loyalty. The weight of the crown and the dream I had once believed in so fervently.
"This isn't how I imagined seeing Camelot again," I admitted softly. I looked up at the empty sky above me, as if searching for an answer in its endless blue expanse. "I thought… perhaps they'd be here. Gawain, Bedivere, Lancelot, Mordred, all of them. Even Merlin with his insufferable smirk."
I continued to walk towards the main castle. I glance around at the civilian buildings around me. I realize that all of the buildings are completely furnished. It completely baffles me that they even have TV's in all of the houses. I shake my head in disbelief.
"Rhongomyniad really outdid itself this time." I continue on to the castle. Passing through the castle gate brings back memories. My eyes take in the familiar design of the halls around me. The white, blue, and gold accents on the floors, walls, and ceilings give off a regal and grand feeling to the passageways.
I sighed, glancing around once more, a bittersweet smile tugging at my lips. "Well, at least the view is nice. I'd give myself a solid nine out of ten for architecture."
As I turned toward where I remember the throne room being, My boots echoing throughout the empty halls. I arrive at the throne room's main entrance. Stopping at the site, the two doors are detailed with golden lions on each as if they are protecting the throne room itself.
I smile at the lions, I have always preferred lions to every other creature. They are just so cute. I push the doors open walking into the throne room. If other parts of Camelot were grand, then the throne room was magnificent.
The throne is just how I remembered it, or how Artoria remembered it. I sigh in frustration. I sit down on my throne taking in the site of the light shining in through the beautiful crafted windows. "Raphael, I feel like I am becoming someone I'm not…. or already am."
I relax into my throne which is honestly more comfortable then any chair I have ever sat on before. "Augh, I still feel and act like myself. But I know how close it is to me fully assimilating with both Artoria's, I can feel it. Do you know when it will happen Raphael?" I ask softly. Watching the sun start to get closer to dipping below the horizon out to windows to my left.
[ I'd say you have until tomorrow before the assimilation is fully complete….. You know Artoria, it's not wrong to be scared right? ]
I am surprised by how caring her voice sounded. I look up to the impressively crafted chandeliers, the lights inside them automatically coming on from the sun going down. "I know Raphael, but is it wrong that I wanted to be my dumb and naive self for just a little longer."
[ Well there is still time left for us to do something entertaining. Let's go see what your chambers look like. I'm sure it's better than your old one. ]
My eyes light up from the suggestion, I quickly stand up and rush out of the throne room. Instinctively knowing where my room is located in the castle. "You're right Raphael! I wonder what's in my room. Clothes, makeup, maybe even a TV?"
I arrive at my room, the name Artoria on the door. "Huh, Rhongomyniad must have changed it from Arthur. Whatever." I say as I shrug. I open the door to my room stopping just at the entrance.
I stood in the doorway of my personal chamber, my hand resting lightly on the doorknob. The room stretched before me, bathed in soft, white of the moon light from a window that overlooked the sprawling empty streets of Camelot. White walls adorned with intricate carvings caught the moonlight, and accents of royal blue and gold shimmered like the remnants of a dream.
The room was fit for a king. A grand canopy bed with white drapes trimmed in gold dominated the space, but the plush blue pillows piled at one end and the faint floral embroidery on the blanket hinted at a softer, more personal touch. A small bookshelf stood near the bed, already filled with titles I didn't recall collecting, and on the desk by the window sat an ornate tea set, complete with a plate of cookies that… hadn't been there a moment ago.
I squint my eyes suspiciously at the plate of cookies. "That doesn't make any sense. Did you do that Raphael?" I say getting closer to the cookies. Something inside of me really wants to eat those cookies. And they are chocolate chip cookies, perfectly baked and fresh.
[ No, that was not me. I predict that it was somehow Rhongomyniad's doing. I think it's trying to get on your good side. With its connection to the ends of the world, I'm sure it can do much more. ]
My mouth waters at the thought of free food of any kind of food I want. I come back to my senses and find that I have somehow eaten all the cookies already. "What! I never thought I would be able to eat without noticing. That is some terrifying power."
I moved to the window, my white cape trailing behind. Outside, the city gleamed in the moonlight, as perfect and empty as ever. It was a masterpiece, a testament to Artoria's dream of Camelot reborn—but without people, it felt more like a museum than a kingdom.
"Well it's probably time to go to bed and say goodbye to myself or her, me. I can't think about this anymore. It's too confusing. Bed here I come!" I move to the bed but remembering that I still have all my armor on I ask. "Hey Raphael? I can just will my armor to disappear right?"
[ Yes, you can. Just think it and it will happen just remember to keep the clothes on underneath. ] I deadpan at her words.
"I'm not going to sleep naked very much" I say as I will my armor to disappear. It dematerialized off of me leaving me in just my blue form-fitting bodysuit with gold trims. I uh, just noticed how much bigger "that" is. And I will not comment on it right now.
I lay down on my, wow, I really can't put into words how comfortable this is. Anyway, I tuck myself in and the curtains close themselves... as I was just thinking about how they were still open.
"Rhongomyniad, did I ever tell you how much I love you, because I really do." As I say that the comfiness of the pillows pull me into a deep sleep. Tomorrow will bring a great many surprises for me. I can't wait.
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