In the dream, Merlin and I prepared everything before sending Arthur in. At first, Arthur was surprised and Lost, but after a few days, he started to adapt. He was now the second son of some noble, about to be trained to become a knight under the Golden Order.
With his skills with the sword, he quickly stood out from other, spoiled nobles, but he struggled with Golden Order Incantations, resulting in some troubles. Luckily, his talent was so great that even with almost no faith, he was able to finally use miracles and thus become a full-fledged knight.
With his new status, he was dispatched from the capital to the camp at the border of Caelid, where she fought with beastman and dragons that still existed there. In that camp, she met me from memories. Back then, I was just accepted by my Mentor, and she took me there to train me. With us, there was a small contingent of other Carian knights, assisting the Golden Order there.
Our first encounter was not that great, as he appeared while I was struggling against a young dragon, while my Mentor watched. He wanted to help but was stopped and could only watch how I fought, and I, with my magic use forbidden, had quite a trouble. Only after half a day of combat was I able to slew that beast.
Seeing me lying exhausted, my Mentor told Arthur to heal me while she busied herself with the remains of the dragon. Arthur helped me up, and that's how we started talking. From an outside perspective, I couldn't be sure if he recognized, but as my crystalline arm, halo, and wings were in full view, I doubted that. We returned to the camp together, talking the whole way. Since that day, we would train in the mornings, eat next to each other, and even accompany in our missions. It was somewhat strange to see how the false me created memories I had no recognition of, but I also decided to treat them as a dream.
Time in the dream passed quickly, and before I even noticed it, years flew by. Arthur was recalled to the capital long ago and chose to be permanently stationed at the Academy as part of that man's entourage. I also spend most of my time there, especially after my Mentor left for the Crusade. Two of us would often talk and work together, but slowly our responsibilities started to shorten our free time.
First was my appointment as future champion of Carian Knights, inheriting the mantle of my Mentor. My new responsibilities required me to spend a long time in Carian Manor, not to mention being dispatched to the front from time to time.
Later, Arthur received information that his dream father had returned to the Erdtree, and so inherited parts of his estate in the capital. He had to regularly visit the capital and deal with nobles drowning in luxuries, isolated from the outside by the high walls.
The situation in the Academy also took up my time; resolving conflicts between scholars and Carians was not an easy task, not to mention my own research and studies. Back then, I was rather antisocial, and my dream self reflected that, spending most of my free time in a pile of scrolls.
Finally, the last nail to the coffin was me swearing fealty to the Princess. Arthur was present at that ceremony, even gifting me a precious seal as a gift, though his eyes had a strange glimmer of envy while looking at the Princes.
Since then, our meeting grew fewer and fewer, until one day, the tragedy that would redefine the entire world happened. That man was recalled, and he agreed, citing duty as a reason. I stood at the gates, behind me, the devastated Queen was held by the Princess and two Princes. That man never looked back, but Arthur met my eyes.
What he saw in mine must have had a great impact, as he let out a short breath, feeling the coldness and disdain. He left shortly after, but before returning to the capital, he went to a certain small town tavern where we would meet before. Some time later, I also appeared there.
-"I'm sorry."-Arthur apologized after I approached.
-"No need, it's not your fault."-My dream self shook his head.-"Who knew that true love was only worth this much?"
He was silent, not knowing what to say.
-"Arthur, tell me, was that man correct? Abandon the Queen and everything because 'his duty called'."-I asked, my eyes closed.
-"I don't know."-Arthur answered quietly.
-"Heh, indeed. Me neither."-I laughed bitterly.-"Then I guess this will be our last drink together."
-"I hope that it's not."-Arthur tried to show some optimism.
-"Hope is all that is left."-I raised my cup to him-"Cheers, to all the lords who do not understand human hearts."
He also tried to raise his cup, but my words made him stop. He lowered his head and was silent for a while before the light of conviction appeared in his eyes.
-"Cheers, to the knights that won't lose themselves."
With that, our story ended. I would soon be sent away, while Arthur returned to the capital. He lived a few more years, but he grew disillusioned with the Golden Order, deciding to also depart on his journey.
Witnessing all this, Merlin and I were silent for most of the time, only watching Arthur from outside. But as I lived through the weirdest Deja vu, Merlin was genuinely interested in my memories.
-"Fascinating world! You are definitely a Foreigner. How did Counter Force allow you to appear?"-Merlin asked me.
-"Counter Force? Never heard of it. The ritual that brought me here is not something I fully understand."-I answered, not looking away from what was happening in the dream.
-"Right, I'll explain all that to you later."-Merlin waved his hand to change the subject-"Can you tell me more about that world?"
I nodded and began to tell stories and legends from times before the Golden Order, but my attention was still on the dream.
When Arthur woke up, he was disoriented and needed some time to remember everything. As he was still in the middle of waking up, I approached him and started to speak.
-"Still yourself?"
Arthur looked at me, as if trying to remember who I was for a short moment before answering, his voice confused.
-"Yes... Just need a minute."-He nodded and collected himself before asking.-"Were those your memories?"
-"That dream was constructed from them, but your involvement changed some details."
-"Everything really happened like that?"-Arthur asked quietly, his head now lowered.-"Did Radagon really throw everything because of one order?"
-"That man believed that his duty outweighed everything else."-I nodded.
-"Have you ever spoken to him?"-Arthur's voice now sounded truly lost.
-"Yes, many times. We might not be exactly close, but I would work along with him from time to time, and even received his teachings once or twice."
-"What should I do, Eno?"-Arthur finally asked a question that made him so lost.-"I always believed that duty is more important than life, but now... I'm unsure. But then, why am I working so hard? Am I wrong?"
I looked at Arthur, who now looked much smaller than always, and roughly ruffled his hair before speaking.
-"Why act like you are a dying man at his deathbed performing the last prayers? You are young, a whole life before you. Your hard work won't be wrong because your purpose changed, and did your purpose really change? Don't forget, we are knights; we also have a duty."
Arthur looked at me, waiting for my words to continue.
-"Dying for something is not wrong, but living solely for one thing is a mistake in my eyes. Work and fight for what you think is right, but leave some time for things you enjoy and want. First be human, then knight."-I took an Erdtree seal I rarely used and put it on Arthur's table.-"To me, all that happened is tragedy, but for you it should be just a warning. If you think that what that man did was wrong, then make sure not to repeat his mistakes."
After speaking what I had in mind, I left, leaving Arthur alone, staring at the seal on the table. The room remained in that stillness for some time before Arthur finally stood up and picked up that seal. Grasping it, he quickly cast a simple cleansing miracle on himself. As the light that enveloped him receded, his form underwent a rather striking change.
His previously short hair now covered Arthur's whole back. Face, now delicate and feminine, still showed that familiar look of resolution. Figure, while still young , showed signs of future greatness.
-"Finally got your answer, Artoria? "-Merlin asked, a smile in his voice that couldn't be hidden.
-"No."-She smiled.-"But I can get my answers along the way."
-"So what is your plan now?"
-"I will continue to learn."-Artoria looked at the seal in her hands-"I will become a King that people wish to follow, so that he will also follow me."
-"He already has his liege."-Merlin warned.
-"I don't want his homage, only friendship. All these memories might be false, but the connection between us is real."-Artoria shook her head, trying to cover the slight envy that appeared in her eyes.
-"Then I can only wish you the best."
From that day, my relationship with Arthur notably changed. He now treated me like he did in the dream, dispersing any doubt about me being recognized from before. While he would still learn from me daily, outside the lessons, he would act like a friend. I didn't mind it much, though after Ector and Kay returned, they couldn't connect the present Arthur with one before. After leading soldiers many times in his dream, he now carried the charisma and confidence of a veteran general. Even Ector strengthened his back when he saw Arthur after returning, as if seeing his commander.
Our daily lives continued like that. Everyone would train in the morning, I would hold the lessons, and the afternoons were spent on research and other tasks. Ector continued teaching Kay how to manage a household and army, Arthur would learn more miracles from me and assist me in my magic experiments, while I not only continued my research, but also expanded my business and began letter correspondence with a few other mages.
Now, aside from paper, I also 'invented' a printer press and started selling books and providing printing services. Aside from that, I also cooperated with another mage who was also the lord of some territory in creating alchemical fertilizer, allowing the war thorn lands to bear fruit once more.
The last, but definitely not least, venture I undertook was forming a merchant guild. At first, it mainly existed to facilitate my paper and book sales, but later, I began to form trade caravans and fleets, expanding my clientele outside Britain, while offering transportation at a price to other merchants.
This quickly became popular among even the biggest merchants, as by using some magic and training and then employing qualified guards, I was able to keep everything much safer. My action also attracted the attention of other mages; most only watched, but some were outraged by my 'degrading' this sacred profession.
Most of those who study magic are proud, too proud to mingle with those common people, so seeing one of them using their sacred magic for those unworthy purposes made them despise me. Only a few stood on my side, among them was my pen-pal, who was also my business partner in the merchant guild.
Despite never meeting face-to-face, two of us resonated over some shared values on magic and philosophy. We exchanged letters almost weekly now, sharing research and discussing magic principles. I found their view on some spells enlightening, while they drew inspiration from Glintstone sorcery. I felt truly blessed to meet someone so alike in those foreign lands.
My life continued, and soon years passed. Kay grew into a young man, visibly carrying Ector's genes, while Arthur seemed to stop growing, still being head shorter than I. But it was Ector who changed the most. His age and past injuries started to catch up to him; he no longer could keep up with all the morning trainings, and even riding a horse for a long time proved challenging.
Kay took over most of Ector's responsibilities, his previous preparations proving fruitful. Arthur remained solely focused on learning and training, and grew to the point that our score from friendly training duels was slowly approaching a tie. He was able to adapt the miracles of the Golden Order, creating his own Knightly miracles based on virtues and oaths.
He was also able to learn the basics of Carian sorceries along with many auxiliary spells from no particular school. Now I was slowly teaching him Night sorceries, but our peaceful life was about to be cut short.
-"So a festival will take place in a nearby town?"-I asked Arthur while writing a letter.
-"Yes."-Arthur nodded.-"Would you mind accompanying me there?"
-"When?"
-"We will have to leave tomorrow."-Arthur looked at the letter I was writing.-"Still writing to that Vivian?"
-"Yes."-I nodded while not stopping my pen.-"As for the trip, I will go with you. I need to check how my trade post is being handled."
-"Good."-Arthur smiled after hearing me agree.
-"What's the festival is about anyway?"-I asked after finishing the letter.
-"King's succession."-Arthur answered, his voice somewhat strange.
-"That Merlin's trick? Sword in stone?"
-"Exactly. What are your thoughts about that?"-Arthur looked at me after asking carefully.
-"Hmm... If we speak about how Merlin kept this country stable thanks to that small trick, it's brilliant. If we speak about enchantments on that sword, then I must agree that he deserves his reputation as court mage."
-"I mean about the meaning that one who can draw that sword is destined to be a king."-He interrupted me.
-"Childish."-I answered curtly.-"While the idea of a worthy king gaining approval through such a trial is beautiful, power is not something one can be bestowed like that. Nobles won't recognize such a person, and Vortigern will fight them to the end. What this country needs is not a virtuous king, but a capable one."
Arthur was silent; my words seemed to stir something inside him.
-"What will happen if the chosen king is wrong?"-He asked finally.
-"It depends. If he is weak, Vortigern will take over. If he is not ruthless, nobles will slowly devour him. But overall, I believe that he will live a short and tragic life."-I answered after short contemplation.
-"I see."-Arthur looked at the floor, his eyes hidden.
-"Well, if I were to say something nice, then if the king is able to stand to the challenge, his name will surely resound through the ages. No matter the end of his dynasty, his legends will live on."-I added after feeling the awkwardness in the air.
-"Legend, huh?"-Arthur chuckled strangely.-"Let's hope he is worth it."