(Merlin's POV)
I always wondered what if humanity won't grow the way it should be growing.
I am talking about the current life cycle.
For example, people will make fun of you or you could even be executed for telling a lie that human will reach the moon without the help of magic, you can talk with someone who is present on the other side of the world or man can cover a distance in a day that would take years on foot.
Surely if you live in those times when a human couldn't even think about these possibilities without magic, you will be called a fool just telling those possibilities that lay inhuman hands.
Then suppose if humanity continues to develop when relying on magic.
I will tell you what will happen. The world will be ruled based on the power of magic, humans who got the talent to take humanity to another level without the need for magic will be suppressed never to be seen again and it will be the rule where only the strong has the chance, no, right to live just like in those wuxia trashy novels that Einar wrote to mess with my head.
In short, humanity will not survive the way it should be.
And as someone whose life depends on the very dreams of those beautiful creatures knows as humans, I have to make sure that they survive based on the laws of physics and science than rely on mysteries and magic.
As such, I used the gift that I was born with, my clairvoyance.
Till the day I was born, I used to think that what I was doing is right. I made several prophecies and raised many kings until the land of flowers called Britain fell in the hands of an evil dragon called Vortigern.
At that time, my clairvoyance showed another future that told me the prosperity of the humans of this land so I acted.
I told Uther to produce an heir for the throne but the person who was supposed to be a man was turned out to be a girl. However, my clairvoyance didn't change so I took the chance to raise that girl to be the ideal king.
I did everything to make her the ideal king from teaching her about kingship and etiquettes about nobility to forging a sword that should have made her an ideal king.
However, there was one unrequired element that entered the world, my disciple, Einar Sirius. The moment my sight fell on his treasure called Chastiefol I saw another future where he could save everyone so I took him under me and taught him necessary magic.
In short, it was another gamble. On one side I raised Einar as an exceptional mage and on another hand, I continued to raise the ideal king even knowing what lies in her life was nothing but a cruel fate.
Their emotions called love did tremble the positive future since King Arthur's supposed marriage would never happen so I looked for the chance and threw the dice.
It was success… however, when I saw the despair in my beloved Einar's eyes, I realized my mistake. I forgot that Einar is a morally upright person and would never accept Artoria's marriage.
Anyway, Artoria reassumed her reigns and become the king that 'she' wanted until I realized my second mistake.
"King Arthur doesn't understand people feelings"
It was what a round table knight murmured before leaving King Arthur's service.
After that, more recognizable knights went back to their lands by their own volition.
The king accepted that, thinking that it was an obvious outcome, and gave the administration of the lands to them.
If they stayed in their lands, depending on how the fight against the invaders went, they could be used as bait.
That measure left the knights more scared.
The daily life of the population was also not changing, causing the flourishment of evil on the people's hearts.
"Wasn't King Arthur the king that would shine?"
"The one that if we follow his words would lead us to a prosperous country?"
People blamed her.
One day when both of us discussing the next plan.
"The fact that I would be reprimanded was inevitable. Because of this year's plans, we were forced to buy farm products from other countries. I'm going to require Sir Lancelot's help another time."
She knew that she was hated by people more and more she shines.
"Ah hehe! Einar uses those products in his cooking. I think it was not that bad."
"Ah yes, Einar…" As if recalling her old memories, she looked at the sky and spoke, "I was always well aware that I would betray his trust when he confessed his feelings for me. It was not supposed to happen yet those were my happiest moments. But as expected from someone who is going to play the role of King Arthur, the legend filled with people's happiness at the cost of his suffering."
"Indeed, since always this island has been poor. Everybody thought that when Vortigern Usurper was defeated we would gain peace.
Even so, the result was different. Humans like the truth even though they hate things that are too truthful.
As long as King Arthur remains the ideal king for those people, they will depend on King Arthur and degrade him at the same time. You will have to ignore or even crush what they say in order to rule. All of what you receive is injustices and twists. However, the more of it, the more the daily life of the population stabilizes."
"In short, the more I suffer, the more the country will prosper, is it?"
"Yes, you knew about this, didn't you? You knew about this when you pulled the sword of selection."
"Ah yes, I know of it. For a person who betrayed the only person I have ever loved, I was bound to atone for my sins to face sufferings alone. However, I have the pride to say we are doing well. Please, watch me, Merlin. I won't say that it will be now, but I can say with certainty that this country will become a great one, not one to lose against the legendary Avalon, I'm sure.
I have already crushed his trust, I won't do that with my people and give them the happiness they deserve. In that regard, I hope I would find a little salvation."
It was at that moment that the magus realized the mistake.
What was important for her was not actually being king.
She pulled the sword only for the sake of the people and his beloved Einar. She, since the start, did not hold any pride for being king, the mistake of the magus and the old King Uther.
As soon as he perceived the difference between what they demanded and what she demanded, the magus knew that she would despair.
I then find myself in a garden and saw Einar resting under the tree.
I felt a little ashamed that what he has become now.
I went towards him and sat beside him.
"Einar, how about we-"
"Merlin, let me tell you a story."
With his eyes closed, he started to tell me a story.
"Once upon a time, man befriended a wild bear by giving him honey in exchange for protection from other wild animals.
However, the relationship progresses to another level when they started to play and hunt together and got closer.
One day, the man fell asleep near the bear and the bear, in the hope of not disturbing his friend's sleep, started to guard him against flies and other insects.
One fly didn't want to get away from man's nose so, in pursuit of killing the fly, the bear picked a big stone and crushed the fly together with the head of his friend also killing him."
He finished the story and it didn't take long for me who he was referring to in his story. My throat became dry and not a single word could come out from my mouth.
"Merlin, you are doing the same with Artoria even knowing that she would face despair. However, disregarding human emotions, just because you don't understand yourself, doesn't make one a king of humans.
What is best is not always right."
He glared at me with disgust and hate that I would never forget.
"I am also at fault to even agree to help her to climb the throne but I don't think you are any less faulty. You taught me many things and helped me where I am but what you did to mine and her feelings, I don't think both of us could ever forgive you.
Don't forget that in the end, you are just a filthy incubus who just wants to fulfill any desire in the human heart whether good or evil so that pleasurable dreams are produced."
He said and left.
It made me realize my original place in society.
Every of his word was like a needle that pierced my heart. When I put a finger on my eyes, I saw one thing that even I was not aware of.
"Tears?"
I became aware that even if knowing what was happening is unexpected, I was probably the main cause of all of this.
The magus was ashamed for having such disgusting overconfidence.
It was my first time that I saw my own end in a cage trapped like a bird and I also accepted it. However, before going there, I made my mind that I will save them.
'I apologize humans but I can't let myself die or be trapped without atoning for my sins.' I made a little suicidal vow.
"So you have finally developed some balls?"
I was in midst of looking for certain someone when I heard the voice of the devil in question.
Let me tell you something. There are three people that I feared most in my life, Morgan le Fay, Einar and-
"Elaine!"
*****
Yeah, Elaine's character is mysterious forever so consider it a character to full plot holes.
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