[Merlin's words struck deep into your core.]
[Innate Affinity: Code of Chivalry —LOST: Enraged, you no longer adhere to the etiquette expected of a knight.]
[Your sword lashes out at Merlin, again and again.]
[Each strike aimed at his vitals. Each thrust meant to kill.]
[This may be the angriest you have ever been—how dare a magician, whom you've only just met, attempt to strip away everything you and Morgan have painstakingly built!]
[Yet fate continues to mock you.]
[Your swordsmanship is far from mediocre—yet no matter how many times you strike, you fail to harm Merlin.]
It wasn't that you missed.
It was that the fatal wounds that should have been inflicted upon him simply ceased to exist.
Rei stared at Merlin, realization dawning that this unkempt, carefree man was likely an entity far beyond conventional understanding.
"You should have realized by now that such methods cannot harm me."
Merlin spoke as he calmly stepped backward.
The blade that had impaled his heart slowly slid out of his body—yet it bore not a single trace of blood.
"You tried your best."
"But unfortunately, it was all for nothing."
"Well… perhaps that's not entirely fair."
Merlin held his thumb and forefinger apart, forming a tiny gap between them.
"There was some value in your efforts."
"At the very least, you haven't completely ruined Camelot."
"..."
Rei gripped his sword so tightly that the hilt threatened to shatter beneath his fingers.
Yet Merlin paid it no mind.
Brushing the dust from his clothes, Merlin smiled.
"No point in wasting any more breath."
"In the end, some people will never accept it, but nothing will change."
"Well then—farewell."
With those words, Merlin turned to leave.
And as he passed by Rei, he heard the knight's voice—cold and devoid of emotion.
"Merlin—one day, I will make you regret every word you've said."
"Oh?"
Merlin didn't even glance back, continuing forward without breaking his stride.
"That's the first time someone's ever told me that."
[More of Merlin's magic began to unfold.]
[Despite you and Morgan's refusal to accept it, Merlin still established himself in Camelot as the court magician.]
[Of course, this was merely in name.]
[In truth, he was more frequently seen wandering the streets and alleys of Camelot.]
[You ordered your children to closely monitor him and report any unusual movements immediately.]
[But you quickly realized it was futile—each of your children perceived completely different information from Merlin.]
[You understood then that your children were likely incapable of seeing through his magic.]
[You and Morgan attempted to imprison Merlin, only to discover that confinement held no meaning for him.]
[He always appeared exactly where he wished to be.]
[It seemed that the only path left was to accept the King's Selection.]
On the Balcony
Rei and Morgan stood side by side.
The moonlight bathed them in a silver glow, casting everything in pale hues.
"Rei."
"I'm here, my lady."
"We—"
Morgan gazed upon the courtyard, where moonlit flowers bloomed in an ocean of white.
"Haven't we tried everything?"
Rei tightened his grip on Morgan's hand.
"Not yet, my lady. There are still many things we can try."
"But the King's Selection is inevitable, isn't it?" Morgan cut straight to the heart of the matter.
"..."
Though Rei didn't want to admit it, he nodded solemnly.
He could not lie to Morgan.
Time could not be reversed.
They could not change the plans Uther had set in motion long ago.
Yet, this time, Morgan did not seem as despondent as before.
What she said next sounded almost like the simplest statement in the world.
"Rei, I still refuse to accept this."
"Then, my lady—" Rei's hand instinctively moved to the sword at his waist.
"Perhaps we should consider another approach."
"The King's Selection cannot be undone—but the King himself… might not be so fortunate."
"No, not yet."
Morgan gently moved Rei's hand away from his sword and placed it at her waist.
"For now, let the children test their own capabilities."
The Drawing of the Sword
[You and Morgan could not stop the King's Selection.]
[Merlin revealed the Proof of the Red Dragon to all.]
[It was a sword embedded in stone—whoever could pull it free would be crowned the new king of Britain.]
[The title was far too enticing.]
[The knights were eager, their eyes gleaming with ambition.]
[You and Morgan placed your hopes in your children.]
[But the results were far from ideal.]
[Gareth was the first to try—but going first did not grant her any advantage. The sword did not budge an inch.]
[Amidst her frustrated protests, Agravain stepped forward.]
[Yet, he merely touched the hilt before pulling his hand away.]
["I can't do it," he said.]
[After calming Gareth, Gaheris took his turn.]
[But his attempt ended exactly the same as his sister's.]
[Gawain was their greatest hope—his physique alone suggested he had the best chance.]
[He waited patiently, letting other knights go first, and only stepped forward at sunset for his first attempt.]
[Yet, despite all his strength, the sword would not move.]
"Forgive me, Father, I have failed you."
"It's alright, Gawain. This isn't your fault."
Rei's voice was calm, but inside, his thoughts churned in turmoil.
If his children could not fulfill Morgan's ambition, then he would.
He began crafting the necessary justifications for assassinating the future king.
[Pulling the Sword from the Stone was far more difficult than it appeared.]
[The knights' initial excitement slowly faded—except for Gawain, who remained burdened with guilt for failing your expectations.]
[He continued to visit the sword daily, making attempt after attempt.]
[Yet his efforts bore no fruit.]
[The number of knights gathered before the chosen sword dwindled until none remained.]
[Only a solitary sword stood embedded in stone.]
[The King's Selection seemed to be at a standstill.]
[But you dared not lower your guard—you monitored the situation day and night.]
[Until one day, a familiar figure arrived in the city.]
[It was Arthur.]