Arthur fell silent. He closed his eyes, his brow deeply furrowed as he weighed the heavy decision. His breathing sounded strained in the stillness of the cavern.
Then, once more, the voice of fate echoed.
CLUNK!
The sound of the Dharma Wheel's rotation jolted his awareness. Arthur opened his eyes at once—now filled with resolve.
"Very well," Arthur said firmly. "I will do it. Tell me what I must do."
Lady Avalon smiled broadly, clearly satisfied.
"Ahaha~ That's the King I adore. No complicated preparations are needed. Just lie down beside the Master. You don't even need to remove your armor."
Arthur complied. Without further words, he lay down on Ritsuka's right side, whose body was still twitching.
"Alright, now let us begin the 'operation,'" Lady Avalon said.
Suddenly, her violet eyes shifted sharply toward the male Merlin standing near Artoria.
"And you, Onii-san… let's begin as well. You must have had your own reason for showing yourself here, right? You want to do something to our 'Princess' too, don't you?"
Male Merlin looked at Lady Avalon with a thin smile.
"Well… so you noticed. That's no fun."
Merlin then lowered his gaze, looking at Artoria Alter lying helplessly with her chest exposed from Ritsuka's attack.
Artoria glared back at him, her eyes burning with hatred.
"What do you want… you damned incubus mage," Artoria hissed sharply.
Merlin immediately clutched his chest, putting on an exaggerated look of shock.
"My goodness! Lia, how cruel—talking to your own teacher like that! I raised you like my own child, you know… sniff, sniff…" Merlin pretended to wipe away crocodile tears.
"Shut up!" Artoria snapped, her face flushing with rage.
"If I could move my hands, I'd have already crushed your jaw."
She struggled to steady her heavy breathing.
"Answer me. Why are you here, Incubus?"
The playful smile vanished from Merlin's face, replaced by a flat, unreadable expression.
He struck his wooden staff against the ground.
TAP.
Artoria's weakened body suddenly floated into the air, wrapped in pale purple magical energy.
"Wait—!" Artoria panicked, her eyes widening.
"What are you doing?! Put me down, you damned incubus!"
"Calm down, Lia," Merlin said gently, his tone brooking no refusal.
"I won't hurt you. I only want to strengthen our Master's body."
Merlin looked at Artoria's floating form.
"That Dragon Heart came from your body. To make it truly fuse with a human, we need the 'blood' and 'concept' of its original owner as an adhesive—just like what that she-devil over there will do with Arthur."
"You—! Do you realize what you're do—"
Merlin snapped his fingers in front of Artoria's face.
"Sleep."
Artoria's consciousness vanished instantly. Her body went limp, drifting along as Merlin walked toward Ritsuka.
Rikka, seeing Merlin bring the enemy closer, immediately went on guard.
"Hey! Why are you bringing that woman here?!" Rikka shouted, ready to attack.
Olga and Mash also stared at him with hostile expressions.
Merlin smiled reassuringly.
"No need to be so aggressive. I already told you—I won't endanger Ritsuka."
He pointed at Artoria floating behind him.
"Lia is necessary for the operation. The heart inside Ritsuka belongs to her. Without resonance from the original body, the fusion process could fail."
The explanation sounded logical—yet still suspicious. They hesitated.
Then Lady Avalon's voice cut through the tension.
"Could you give us some space?"
She waved her hand dismissively, as if shooing away children.
"This operation requires extreme concentration and delicate mana manipulation. Your presence will only disrupt the mana flow. Step back."
"B-but…" Mash hesitated. Her instincts screamed that leaving Ritsuka alone with two Merlins was a terrible idea.
"Senpai…"
"We're not planning anything bad," Lady Avalon interjected, her eyes narrowing sharply.
"Remember, Miss Shielder—we don't have time. Our Master is inching closer to becoming an enemy of humanity."
Olga grabbed Mash's shoulder firmly, stopping her from protesting.
"We're leaving, Mash," Olga ordered, her voice firm but trembling.
"We'll only interfere if we stay."
Mash bit her lip, then nodded weakly. They turned and walked away from the center of the cavern.
Rikka glanced back one last time.
The sight was surreal. Merlin had laid Artoria on Ritsuka's left, while Arthur lay on his right.
Her brother lay in the center—sandwiched between two King Arthurs, Black and White.
All three appeared asleep. Lady Avalon had cast a calming spell on Ritsuka, stopping his screams; his face now looked peaceful, though his body still radiated intense heat.
TAP.
Merlin struck his staff against the ground.
Instantly, transparent walls of light mixed with flower petals formed a massive dome, isolating them from the outside world. The cavern's noise vanished, replaced by absolute silence within the barrier.
"Now the 'operating room' is ready," Merlin muttered, his face serious.
"Let's begin."
Lady Avalon nodded and raised her staff.
Slowly, Arthur's, Ritsuka's, and Artoria's bodies lifted into the air, floating in a sleeping posture.
Merlin and Lady Avalon began chanting spells in an ancient language. White and pink light radiated from their hands, enveloping the three floating bodies. A dense mana current began to swirl, transferring essence from Arthur and Artoria into Ritsuka at the center.
Clunk!
The Dharma Wheel sounded again, but this time softly, as if muffled by their magic.
Amid the intense concentration, Merlin shot a sharp glance at his counterpart.
"Why are you doing this?" Merlin suddenly asked in a low voice.
Lady Avalon, still gracefully channeling magic, glanced back without stopping.
"What do you mean, Onii-san?" she asked innocently.
"Don't play dumb," Merlin hissed, his eyes glowing amid the incantation.
"Why did you lie to them? You said Ritsuka would become an Alter because of Artoria's heart—but we both know that's nonsense."
Clunk!
"Oh~ you noticed?"
Lady Avalon giggled, utterly unrepentant.
"As expected of my dear big brother. Your eyes can't be fooled."
"That's exactly what disgusts me," Merlin muttered.
"Manipulating their fear to get what you want—that's why I never wanted anything to do with you."
"Hahaha~ thank you for the compliment, Onii-sama," Lady Avalon replied cheerfully.
Clunk!
Lady Avalon gazed at the peacefully sleeping Ritsuka with deep interest.
"But you heard it too, didn't you?" she whispered, her tone twisting into something grotesque.
"The one screaming and thrashing earlier… that wasn't Ritsuka."
Merlin fell silent, his expression hardening.
"That was Angra Mainyu's scream," Lady Avalon continued.
"The 'All the World's Evils'—he was screaming in terror. He's desperately trying to escape from our Master's body."
Merlin let out a long sigh, acknowledging the truth.
"It would be impossible for me not to notice. A tragic irony."
He looked at Ritsuka's peaceful face.
"The mud intended to corrupt the Master's mind, but once inside, it was the one 'corrupted' by the weight of Ritsuka's soul. It tried to taint this human spirit, only to find itself trapped in a bottomless abyss."
Merlin shook his head slowly.
"The Devourer… became the Devoured. Angra Mainyu couldn't endure it in there—Ritsuka's soul is far 'darker' and 'heavier' than that mud ever was."
"Hahaha~ how pitiful…" Lady Avalon laughed brightly, as if watching a comedy.
"That's what happens when you recklessly peer into the abyss of our Master's mind."
Clunk!
Merlin stared sharply at her.
"So… the whole 'Ritsuka Alter' lie was just your ploy? You deliberately manipulated Arthur's fear so he'd willingly give his heart to Ritsuka?"
Lady Avalon turned to him, her eyes gleaming with delight.
"Exactly. That was my goal."
She spread her arms slightly, gazing proudly at the three floating bodies.
"I want to create a New King. Imagine it, Brother… Black Dragon blood from Artoria, the Dragon Heart from Arthur, united within the vessel of the 'former Last Master of Humanity,' whose soul has been tempered by hell."
Lady Avalon smiled widely.
"I'm terribly curious… what kind of King will be born from such a perfect fusion?"
Clunk!
Merlin shook his head in disbelief.
"You're… truly more insane than I am."
"How cruel~" Lady Avalon pouted theatrically.
"Don't be a hypocrite, Onii-sama. Weren't you planning something similar with your Artoria too?"
Merlin fell silent for a moment. He couldn't entirely deny it.
"I won't deny that I had a similar idea," Merlin admitted.
His gaze shifted to Ritsuka at the center of the swirling magic.
"But at least I didn't deceive and sacrifice your Arthur for my experiment. You, on the other hand… you toy with their lives like playthings. You really are insane."
Lady Avalon simply smiled.
Merlin tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"Two Dragon Cores… two Dragon Factors in a single human body…" Merlin murmured analytically.
"I'm curious—will his potential surpass Albion, the Boundary Dragon itself?"
Clunk!
Lady Avalon shrugged elegantly.
"Who knows? But one thing is certain. With the blood of two kings now flowing through his veins… he will be reborn as the 'Strongest Human' of his era."
Merlin smiled wryly.
"That is, if his era even survives."
A brief silence followed.
Then Lady Avalon suddenly chuckled softly, as if realizing something amusing.
"By the way, Brother… there's one thing that makes me curious."
Merlin glanced at her warily. He had a bad feeling.
"What is it now?"
Lady Avalon pointed at Ritsuka, flanked by Arthur and Artoria.
"Think about it. If our Master receives flesh, blood, and hearts from Artoria and Arthur…"
She grinned mischievously.
"Conceptually, biologically, and magically… doesn't that make him their legitimate biological child?"
Merlin paused, processing the insane implication.
A second later, loud laughter burst from his mouth.
"HAHAHAHA! You're right!" Merlin exclaimed, clutching his stomach.
"By magical law, blood, and flesh—he qualifies! That means our Master is now the Legitimate Heir to the Throne of Camelot!"
Clunk!
Lady Avalon giggled along.
"It seems the Pendragon family just gained a new member. A biological child born from 'Father Arthur' and… hmm, 'Mother Artoria'? Or should it be 'Father Artoria' too? Two fathers?"
She tapped her chin, confused about Artoria's position.
"My stomach hurts! Just imagine the scenario!"
Merlin swung his staff enthusiastically.
"I can't wait to see Mordred's face when she finds out! She won't know whether to kill him or hug him because she's got a 'new little brother'!"
Merlin wiped tears from his eyes, then grinned wickedly.
"And the best part—Morgan! Hahaha! Imagine that witch's reaction! She always claims Ritsuka as her 'Beloved Husband,' right? But now… Ritsuka is technically Artoria's child, which makes him Morgan's nephew!"
"A magnificent royal scandal!" Lady Avalon chimed in.
"Marrying your own nephew—wow, Arthurian history really repeats itself in the most ridiculous way!" Merlin's laughter boomed within the barrier.
Outside the barrier, tension still gripped them.
"What are they even talking about?" Rikka muttered irritably, her brow furrowed.
"Why are they laughing at a time like this?"
"They don't look focused…" Olga bit her lip nervously, her foot tapping the ground.
"Will this really work? Will Ritsuka survive?"
Mash held Olga's hand, trying to calm her.
"All we can do is pray, Director. Believe in those Magi."
Caster, who had been observing the mana flow closely, noticed a drastic change.
"Look," Caster said, pointing.
Inside the barrier, Arthur's and Artoria's bodies began to glow brightly. Not a healing light, but a light of farewell. Their forms slowly broke down into golden particles—proof that their Spirit Origins had been completely consumed.
Clunk!
The Dharma Wheel rotated one final time, its sound long and mournful before fading into nothingness.
"It seems the operation is complete," Caster said softly.
At the same time, the flower barrier shattered into petals of light that drifted away on the wind.
At the center, only Ritsuka remained. Arthur and Artoria had vanished entirely, fully merged into him.
"Brother!!"
Rikka didn't wait a second. She ran through the falling petals and dropped beside Ritsuka's body. Olga, Mash, and the Servants rushed after her.
Rikka lifted her brother's head onto her lap, her face filled with hope and fear.
"I-is my brother okay now?" she asked in a trembling voice.
Lady Avalon nodded gracefully, looking satisfied.
"Yes. His new heart is beating steadily. Relax—he'll wake up soon."
And indeed, Ritsuka's eyelids slowly moved.
"Ungh…"
Ritsuka opened his eyes. His vision was blurry, the world spinning.
"I-is that you… Rikka?" his voice rasped.
Slowly, his focus sharpened. He looked at his crying sister.
"Y-yes… it's me, Brother!" Rikka sobbed. But when Ritsuka looked straight at her, she flinched.
"Brother! Your eyes—"
"Huh?" Olga, leaning in, froze.
"What happened?! Why did his eye color change?!"
Ritsuka's former ocean-blue eyes were gone.
Replaced by a pair of clear, sharp jade-green eyes—the color identical to the King of Knights.
Ritsuka, confused by their reactions, touched the area around his eyes.
"My eyes…?"
Caster let out a long sigh, gazing at them in awe.
"That's a side effect of the 'donors' he received," Caster explained.
"Artoria's blood and Arthur's heart altered his body. He has inherited their eyes."
Ritsuka clenched his left chest. He could feel an incredibly strong, scorching heartbeat—far beyond any normal human's.
"So… my transplant worked?" Ritsuka murmured.
"Now I have Artoria's heart and—"
Suddenly, his eyes widened. He turned sharply to his right. Empty.
"Wait… Arthur?!"
Ritsuka looked around frantically, searching for the King of Knights. But instead, he found two suspicious figures standing nearby.
Ritsuka gaped.
"Y-you two…"
Merlin and Lady Avalon exchanged glances, then smiled awkwardly at him.
"Uh-oh, he's awake. He's definitely going to be furious," Merlin whispered.
"Oops! Looks like it's time for us to make our exit. Farewell, Master~!" Lady Avalon called cheerfully.
"Bye-bye!" they said in unison.
WUSSS!
A storm of cherry blossom and rose petals exploded where they stood. When the petals touched the ground, the two Grand Magi had vanished without a trace—fleeing their responsibility.
"WAIT!" Ritsuka shouted uselessly.
Panic surged through him.
"Where's Arthur?! Where is he?! What did they do to him?!" Ritsuka screamed hysterically, grabbing Rikka's shoulders.
Rikka lowered her head, unable to meet her brother's eyes.
"Brother…" Rikka swallowed hard, her voice soft.
"Arthur… sacrificed himself. He gave you his Dragon Heart on that female Merlin's suggestion… so you could survive."
Ritsuka's body froze.
Silence.
His face slowly flushed red. Veins bulged at his temples. His teeth ground together as rage exploded in his chest. He realized they had been completely played by those troublemakers.
Ritsuka threw his head back toward the cavern ceiling and roared with all his strength.
"MERLIIIIIIIIINNNNN!!!"