For Artoria, the pain of losing Kaelar once had been unbearable.
Even if it meant deceiving herself—even if this wasn't what Kaelar truly wanted—she yearned to keep even a trace of his essence alive in this world.
If no one mentioned Kaelar's final request, Artoria could pretend not to know. After all, Kaelar's residual emotions would only surface under specific circumstances; as long as those conditions weren't triggered, his presence would continue in slumber.
But Merlin's arrival had shattered this fragile peace, leaving her no choice but to face reality.
Artoria could not go against Kaelar's wishes; she had to support his will and allow Chaldea to endure this trial for humanity's survival.
She owed him too much…
Even now, Artoria could refuse to comply, could deny Chaldea's plea, could ignore Ritsuka Fujimaru's request. Kaelar was merely a remnant of himself, a lingering consciousness, powerless to prevent her decision.
But everyone knew…
Artoria would never refuse Kaelar's request, even if it was only a shadow of his former self.
With trembling hands, Artoria lifted the Holy Sword. Suppressing the surge of anger within her, she addressed Ritsuka Fujimaru. "Master of Chaldea, step forward. Try to gain Kaelar's approval."
"However, you only have one chance. If you fail, under my name, Artoria Pendragon, ruler of all Britannia, I will exterminate you all without mercy!"
"Now, you may choose to refuse and instead secure the friendship of Britannia."
"No need to choose—I've only ever had one option, haven't I?"
Ritsuka took a few steps forward and grasped The Sword of Compassion and Grace that Artoria held in a vise-like grip.
To Artoria and Morgan, Kaelar was everything.
Even the Knights of the Round Table longed for a world where Kaelar still existed—a world not defined by his absence.
So, even if it wasn't Kaelar's true intent, they wished for this singularity to endure. Though Artoria and Morgan outwardly honored Kaelar's wishes, they clung to their own desires, hoping this world could persist forever.
Thus, Artoria had ordered the construction of Kaelar's statue, spread his teachings, hoping that his spirit might become deified, achieving a form of eternity…
As long as Kaelar saw that Chaldea could not fulfill his trial, that Ritsuka Fujimaru could not face humanity's future disasters, he would stay bound to this world.
And the Knights of the Round Table, knowing there was a chance of resurrecting Kaelar, would press toward this goal with unwavering fervor. To them, the extremity or cruelty of their methods mattered little.
But they failed to grasp that Kaelar had understood one essential truth— that the dead should not interfere with the world of the living. He was already gone; with his passing, he had completed his work and should have let go.
Yet—
When Kaelar glimpsed the coming disasters of human history, his character wouldn't allow him to simply ignore them.
Even if, at that time, he was merely a remnant.
Kaelar had fashioned this world as a testing ground, a stage for humanity's savior. It was never his intention to involve Artoria or Morgan here, but due to their unbreakable bond with him, they had appeared as unexpected guests.
Despite his request, neither fully embraced Kaelar's intentions. Their selfish desires drove them to preserve this Britannia. They didn't want to lose this world where Kaelar still existed.
Or, rather, they weren't ready to lose this Britannia that still held Kaelar within it.
They sought to make this world real, regardless of the cost.
Even if it meant the entire human history would shatter—they didn't care. So long as they could keep this version of Kaelar alive within Britannia, that would be enough.
Merlin alone shared an unspoken understanding with Kaelar. Though she too was reluctant to see the last trace of Kaelar vanish from this world, her thousand-year journey had led her to faithfully uphold Kaelar's ideals.
This was where Merlin differed from Artoria and Morgan.
Artoria and Morgan cherished their personal loves and their small family. They cared little about the consequences of stalling humanity's history for the sake of this singularity, nor did they mind if humanity's timeline was halted entirely…
But Merlin prioritized Kaelar's intentions. No matter Kaelar's purpose, she was willing to go to any lengths to fulfill his wishes. So, even though she didn't harbor warm feelings toward Chaldea, she still chose to aid them.
Ritsuka reached out and took hold of the sword. In that moment, Kaelar's lingering consciousness was awakened, and she felt as though she was staring into the sun.
It was dazzling, illuminating everything, a radiance comparable to the stars themselves. And yet, it was gentle, warm…
"Ritsuka, you've come."
Kaelar's voice echoed as he looked at her. "Are you ready? Ready to face the true challenge?"
Ritsuka managed a wry smile. So this singularity was Kaelar's gift—a trial from him.
The moment she held the sword, it became clear. Defeating the Beast of Rome was Kaelar's trial for her.
If she succeeded, she would earn the title of savior.
This world itself, crafted by Kaelar, was a grand ritual, a consecration that would solidify such an achievement.
If the girl named Ritsuka Fujimaru completed this trial, it would be as though she donned an armor bestowed by Kaelar himself—a holy strength granted by the sanctified presence of Kaelar.
Even if, due to its rushed construction and inherent damage, this power was not as enduring as that of an ordinary Servant…
If she failed…
If she couldn't even defeat the Beast of Rome, then what hope was there to save humanity?
This world would simply remain, frozen in time.
After all, the First Beast, King of Demons Goetia, was far mightier than the Beast of the Apocalypse, Nero.
Ritsuka gathered her courage and asked, "Mr. Kaelar, can you tell me… why you're doing this?"
"Oh? Ritsuka, what do you mean?" Kaelar smiled. "Why I unleashed the Beast of the Apocalypse to destroy the world? Or why I placed all this upon you?"
"...Mr. Kaelar, I feel that you don't truly wish for any of this to happen, do you?"
Ritsuka bit her lip, her voice soft. "Whether it's the Beast of the Apocalypse ravaging the land or everything happening in Britannia right now, you don't want any of it to happen, do you…"
"I can feel it—this causes you pain, too. I hope you can find peace, find release…"
"Hahaha~" Kaelar laughed warmly. "To think, the one who understands me best, who truly empathizes with me, is someone I've never even met."
"Ritsuka, you were born a savior, the protector of humanity, the Master of Heroic Servants, and Chaldea's last hope…"
"Your determination to save humanity is something I acknowledge."
Looking at Ritsuka, Kaelar sighed. "But before me, you're not a savior. You're a small girl, a child fighting desperately to survive."
"My heart aches for what you've endured, for my inability to rescue you, because even if we've never met, I would still choose to love you."
"Mr. Kaelar…"
Ritsuka's heart twinged with pain. No one had ever understood her like this.
She was Chaldea's only hope, the last Master of humanity, and the savior of human history. People projected their hopes onto her, never once pausing to acknowledge that she was still just a teenager.
But in this extraordinary singularity, the saint she had heard about all her life, a gentle, kind older brother, softly patted her head, understanding her every fear, her sorrow, her full range of emotions…
Understanding—more vital than any other emotion.
"My child, I cannot do more for you, for I am dead," Kaelar said tenderly, patting her head. "For that, I am truly sorry."
"All I can do is forge you a sharper sword, a stronger armor!"
He looked her in the eye. "The Beast of the Apocalypse is both my gift and my trial for you. Go, defeat her, and earn the title of Savior, the power I grant. This is my final gift for humanity's savior and for all of mankind."
Ritsuka held his hand with gratitude, her resolve unshaken. "Mr. Kaelar, I will not let you down!"
"This world doesn't have much time left…"
After Ritsuka left, Kaelar's gaze turned cold as he looked upon the Demon King, the alien god, and the advancing tides of human history he held back through sheer will.
Kaelar had turned this Britannia into a barrier, holding at bay two catastrophic threats, enduring the combined assault of the Demon King, the alien god, and the inevitable weight of history itself.
Through his efforts, as long as Britannia continued to exist, these two catastrophes would not descend—because history itself could not progress, locked eternally in this moment.
This was why Artoria spoke of an "eternal Britannia…"
But Artoria had only seen the surface of Kaelar's efforts.
In truth, this singularity, this artificial world Kaelar had created, bore a weight beyond comprehension, always teetering on the brink of collapse under the weight of human history.
The singularity's existence wasn't maintained by the Demon King's Grail.
Nor was it due to the Alien God's Tree.
It was upheld by Kaelar's love for humanity.
To withstand the assault from three fronts, Kaelar's remaining consciousness could only emerge intermittently, needing long slumbers to keep this world from being crushed under the strain.
When he could finally awaken fully, to act freely—that might just mark the end of this singularity.
---
"I saw Kaelar," said Fujimaru Ritsuka as soon as she opened her eyes.
The brilliance in her gaze hadn't faded yet. Artoria, who had wielded the Sword of Compassion and Grace for over fifteen hundred years, recognized this aura immediately. She knew that Ritsuka had been acknowledged by the sword, allowing her to encounter the lingering will Kaelar had left within it—a will so vast and potent it left traces in anyone who touched it.
This also revealed something crucial: Ritsuka's own will was profoundly strong. Whether she was someone of Kaelar's caliber or simply had the resolve to resist being absorbed by his influence, she was undeniably formidable. She was, after all, humanity's last master—a true savior, validated even by Kaelar's blessing.
The knights of the Round Table looked hopeful, as though eager to hear any message Ritsuka might bring from Kaelar, but Artoria and Morgan remained silent. Despite their impatience, not one of the knights would speak before their king.
Artoria and Morgan knew well what Kaelar wanted to say, yet they dreaded hearing it. For if they did, they would be forced to comply with his wishes—to assist Ritsuka in completing Kaelar's trial and thus dispel this singularity, erasing the last remnant of Kaelar's consciousness for good.
"Master of Chaldea," Artoria's voice was frigid, laced with an unrestrained fury and deadly intent. "You have gained all that you came for. Are you satisfied?"
She leveled her gaze at Ritsuka, her expression void of warmth. "Now go. Fulfill Kaelar's command and leave Britannia at once. This kingdom no longer welcomes you."
Artoria and Morgan exchanged a glance. For a moment, both were startled, realizing they saw themselves reflected in the other. Though they'd warred like intertwined fates for a millennium, they shared a unity of thought and chose the same path without a word.
The message was clear between them: "The plan must proceed."
Without delay, Fujimaru Ritsuka re-summoned Nikola Tesla.
Not only because of his immense power but also because, as a genius, Tesla's capabilities extended far beyond his battle prowess. At the very least, he could ensure safe travel between Rome and Britannia.
Ritsuka had no intention of enduring another journey in Merlin's defective flying shoes—two failures out of five pairs was hardly reassuring. It was time for something more reliable.
Once Tesla returned, he looked around, assessing the situation. "Master, did my boat survive the last trip?" he asked.
"Oh, yes! It's in Merlin's workshop," Ritsuka replied promptly.
"Although…" Merlin cut in, "I kind of had to… repurpose it to make the flying shoes!"
"I assure you, though, the flying shoes are flawless! Let's just fly over there."
Without a beat, Ritsuka turned back to Tesla, ignoring Merlin. "Tesla, if you could build another boat, would you need any special materials?"
"Those shoes work perfectly fine!" Merlin huffed. "Since you're so unappreciative, I'll go ahead of you on them myself! It'll prove my craftsmanship!"
There was no doubt that flying was the fastest mode of travel, bypassing any obstacle in air or sea. But Ritsuka was beyond wary of Merlin's handiwork—sometimes, prudence simply won out.
Feigning relief, she nodded. "Thanks, Merlin. Please go scout the area ahead for us!"
"…Fine," Merlin muttered, taking off.
With Tesla's resourcefulness, he soon crafted a new boat designed to withstand the cursed sea. Once aboard, Ritsuka, Tesla, and the others sailed back toward Rome. Merlin, having long since departed by air, had presumably flown ahead, more than happy to "prove" her invention's reliability.
"Strange. Where is Merlin?" Ritsuka scanned the beaches of Normandy, eyes searching for any sign of the mage. She wasn't naive enough to think Merlin was just playing one of her usual pranks.
"Could it be that she ran into trouble?" Ritsuka's expression darkened. "But who could possibly trap a mage as powerful as Merlin?"
Ritsuka waited a while, but Merlin's familiar figure did not appear.
Mash ventured, "Senpai, maybe she's already gone ahead?"
Ritsuka bit her lip, shaking her head. "I have a feeling Merlin's caught in a serious situation."
"Well," she sighed, resolve hardening in her eyes. "We can't help her now. The best we can do is finish Kaelar's trial by defeating the Beast and restoring this world."
Elsewhere, Morgan faced an illusory image of Merlin. She finally sensed that Merlin's true form had fled and released her spell with an icy sneer. "Merlin, you've meddled long enough," she murmured to herself. "There's no place left for you in this world."
"My 'Spear of Limit—Rhongomyniad' may not have killed you, but it'll leave its mark, dream-demon. Stay hidden as long as you wish."
Morgan's vivid blue eyes blazed with cold fury. She'd intended to end Merlin for good. But even with her ambush and invoking the Spear's ultimate truth of pacification, she had only managed to heavily wound Merlin, severing her staff but not her life.
Morgan knew Merlin had foreseen this, that eventually aiding Chaldea would bring her at odds with Artoria, Morgan, and the entire Round Table. She would never have the opportunity to live in peace after helping them secure Kaelar's will—the Sword of Compassion and Grace.
But even Merlin hadn't anticipated the pursuit would be so swift. Morgan hadn't waited a single day, striking the instant Merlin had crossed the English Channel. Severely injured, the elusive master of illusions had vanished into hiding.
For now, Merlin's skill in evasion was too high to bother seeking her. So long as she stayed out of the way, Morgan was content.
---
T/N:
Hi, lovelies! I'm so excited to share my new project with you—I Just Want A Single Ending! It's a crossover of mygo!!! and Bocchi The Rock! with all the band drama, emotions, and fun you could ever want. I've been swooning over every chapter, and I hope you fall in love with it too! (I got like 200+ chapters stockpiled)
Oh, and guess what? I've got a few more stories coming your way this week, so stay tuned. As always, thank you so much for your support—you're the best!
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
If you wish to support me or read ahead here's a link! [patreon.com/WiseTL]
(this story currently has 146 chapters on patreon!)