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Chapter 10 - Chapter 10 Artoria's End

Silence...

A long silence.

What did Artoria see in Ryuya's eyes?

His expectations? The hope of Britain? The White Dragon's trust? Proud pride?

She fell into a very, very long silence, as if the entire world had faded away, leaving only the sound of their two heartbeats, and other noises.

Like the continued crackling of the firewood, the chirping of night insects, the whisper of the heavenly breeze... and the sound of tears hitting the ground.

Lifting her head, looking directly at Ryuya's face, Artoria regained her previous calm and steady demeanor.

She needed to be strong, she needed to persevere, because she was the king he had nurtured, the king he hoped for.

This was her destiny, and the only thing that could make him happy.

Her body trembled uncontrollably, her emerald-green eyes straining to stay wide open, even though they were filled with hot tears.

Her voice tinged with bitterness, disappointment, self-reproach, emotional reserve, helplessness, and... the pain of impending separation, Artoria finally nodded.

"At your command, Teacher."

Watching Ryuya's gratified expression, Artoria firmly wiped her tears and, without hesitation, loudly continued her response, "I will inherit your will and continue the glory of the Pendragon Family!"

The blood within her boiled, a sign of awakening.

As if seeing countless people cheering under the banner of the Red Dragon, the scene of her own coronation, Artoria drew the sword representing the king and raised it high.

"I swear here in the name of Artoria Pendragon."

"I will forever protect Camelot, protect Britain! With this body, I shall become the Red Dragon, extending the light of the Age of Gods for ten years, a hundred years, a thousand years, until eternity!"

Using the last of her strength, Artoria's words seemed to pierce through mountains and rivers, through the shores of Britain, reaching straight to the ends of the world.

Winds gathered, clouds swirled, thunder flashed and lightning crashed. The lifelong oath announced the rise of Britain, but also declared the end of a maiden's heart.

Until the very end.

[After Artoria inherited the throne, you could finally relax.]

[In the time that followed, you, Morgan, and Merlin enjoyed your remaining life together. You traveled across Britain's beautiful landscapes and witnessed sights you had previously wanted to see but couldn't.]

[Three months later, your lifespan reached its end, and the final moment arrived.]

[You returned to the graves of Vortigern and Uther, telling them you had done well, very well, that you could proudly tell everyone Britain had flourished under your care, and that you had found the most suitable successor.]

[You died.]

[After your death, Morgan and Merlin did not follow you in death, because they knew they needed to help Artoria take care of Britain. This was your wish, your final wish.]

[Through the joint efforts of Artoria, Morgan, and Merlin, Britain prospered and was soon unified.]

[But as time passed, the longing for you within Artoria, Morgan, and Merlin grew increasingly severe. Morgan and Merlin fared better, as they had received your love and had precious memories to cherish.]

[But Artoria was different. She deeply yearned for you but, hindered by their respective statuses, never dared to confess, leaving her with only daily regret.]

[Finally, under endless longing, Artoria made a bold move: using previously collected samples of your blood, combined with her own bloodline, she employed forbidden magecraft to create a new homunculus, similar to her own creation.]

[Hearing Artoria's bold idea, Morgan and Merlin disagreed for the first time. The former wished to support Artoria, as the homunculus would be like your child. Morgan deeply regretted not having a child with you.]

[Merlin opposed it, as if she had foreseen an unfavorable future.]

[Through the collaboration of Artoria and Morgan, Gawain was born.]

'Artoria... liked me?'

The moment he 'died', Ryuya returned to reality from the simulator's world. The subsequent text and scenes appeared in his mind like a movie.

Watching the emergence of Gawain, Gaheris, Agravain, and Gareth in the simulator, Ryuya hadn't expected these Knights of the Round Table to appear in this world, and to be born from his blood.

[Gawain and the others, possessing the bloodlines of both the White and Red Dragons, were clearly exceptional. Britain grew even stronger, but they were still not enough. At least, Artoria and Morgan did not see your shadow in these children.]

[Morgan and Artoria continued their efforts. This time, not just with White and Red Dragon's blood, Morgan also added her own bloodline. Mordred was born.]

Completely speechless, Ryuya suddenly remembered the Knight of Treachery, 'What was this? Creating your own rebellion?'

Watching Mordred grow up in the simulator, Ryuya noticed the child bore a strong resemblance to both Artoria and Morgan… the same blonde hair, the same exquisite features characteristic of the Pendragon Family.

It was just the personality... straightforward and rather tomboyish. But it was this candor that breathed a sliver of life back into the now somber Camelot.

[Seeing a reflection of your own straightforward nature in Mordred, Artoria found some solace and continued to live on as king.]

[But sometimes, she wondered if she had made a mistake. If she had confessed her feelings back then, if she had chosen to stay by your side like her elder sister, Morgan, abandoning the so-called Red Dragon bloodline, would her life now, would Britain's happiness, be better?]

[Amidst such doubt and hesitation, Artoria became less like a king. Her longing for you surpassed everything, and she felt remorse for her actions. She had never been a qualified king, she only wanted to be the king you desired.]

[What happens when the king is unfit to be king? When the king is not a qualified king?]

[Due to Artoria's changes, the Knights of the Round Table split. Some felt the current king needed rest, while others believed the king should abdicate.]

[Among them, knights led by Gawain supported their 'mother'. Mordred even declared that anyone who showed disrespect to the king would face her blade.]

[But Artoria did not see it that way. Realizing she was no longer a qualified monarch, she proactively chose to abdicate, passing the throne to the most mature Gawain.]

[Afterwards, Artoria, Morgan, and Merlin entered Avalon, that fairy realm belonging only to fantasy. As for Gawain, although his abilities were outstanding, he was powerless against the end of the Age of Gods.]

[Finally, Camelot... the Age of Gods completely declined. The era of Britain, represented by the Pendragon Family, vanished into the dust of history.]

[This simulation has ended.]

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