Chapter 24

POV: Artoria Pendragon

Castle Camelot

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The echoes of my armored boots reverberated down the grand hallways of Camelot's castle. The corridors were illuminated by soft, ethereal light, casting long shadows against the towering walls.

Tapestries of my past exploits adorned the stone surfaces, their depictions stirring bittersweet memories. The path ahead led me to the heart of the castle, the chamber of the Round Table.

The weight of my purpose pressed heavily upon my shoulders. Though I carried Rhongomyniad, the unshakable lance of my authority, I felt an ache of apprehension growing within.

This was not merely a ritual to summon aid; it was a reunion with the souls of those I once called my companions.

The knights of the Round Table, who had stood beside me in my darkest hours, and some, who had rebelled against me at my lowest.

I paused before the grand white steel doors of the chamber. With a deep breath, I pushed them open.

The doors creaked as they revealed the iconic Round Table, a flawless circle of polished wood that radiated a faint golden glow. It was as though the table itself recognized my presence.

It was a perfect circle, its surface engraved with the names of my knights. The sight brought a faint smile to my lips, but it was tinged with sadness.

Around it, the high-backed chairs stood like sentinels, each one bearing the crest of a knight long gone.

I stepped forward, my boots echoing in the vast, silent chamber. The air felt heavy with history, as if the very room remembered the weight of past decisions. I ran my fingers over the edge of the table, my mind racing with memories.

"Bedivere... Gareth... Tristan..." I whispered, naming them softly as my eyes passed over their crests. My gaze faltered as it landed on the chair marked with a red dragon, Mordred's seat. My throat tightened.

"Will you hate me still, Mordred?" I thought. "Will you even want to stand beside me again? I always loved and accepted you Mordred, even after everything you did. I just didn't want the people finding out about your heritage and not accepting you for who you are, my best knight, and my daughter."

Then there was Lancelot. His betrayal, though long forgiven, still echoed in my heart. I clenched my fists. "No, I don't blame you or Guinevere for that, I don't blame any of you."

I said aloud, shaking my head. "I will not let the past define this Camelot. We will begin anew."

"This table... It was never just a symbol of unity," I whispered. "It was a promise….a promise I failed to keep. Even if the times were against me, even if the ages of gods were ending, it wasn't an excuse to fail. But now I have a chance to do better, be better, for everyone."

The light streaming through the stained-glass windows cast shifting hues onto the table, creating an almost otherworldly ambiance. I walked toward the center, My gaze fixed on the table as memories of laughter, camaraderie, and betrayal surged through my mind.

"Will they accept me again?" I murmured to myself, my voice tinged with vulnerability.

"Will they see the changes in me, or only the failures of the past?"

I sighed, my voice softening. "Even if it is difficult... they deserve another chance, as much as I do."

Reaching my chair which is positioned in front of the large stained glass window behind me, I sat my hand gently on the ornate table. "Raphael, so how are we going to do this, and who exactly can I summon from the Throne of Heroes?"

[ Since you already have access to a leyline, with Camelot being built on top of the largest one in England. As well as a magic circle with the Round Table itself being recognized as one. ]

My gaze moves towards the Round Table's center, reminding me of a fond adventure, "You know Raphael, the Round Table really does look like Mash Kyrielight and Galahad's shield. Maybe I could meet Mash one day."

[ It could be possible, anyway, Once those two criteria are filled the only thing you will need to summon is a Holy Grail with a system connection to the Throne of Heroes. Though that is already solved since your built in system already allows the grail to access the Throne since it was part of your powers at one point. Though with the connections you have right now, it could be possible to summon any hero for the Throne. ]

I paused, my eyes widened a little at her words.

"You mean I could summon anyone from the Throne? Not just my knights? When did that change, did you figure out how to do it?"

[ After your full assimilation with both Artoria's, I was able to use one of my skills, Analytical Appraisal, to appraise your being as well as all of your weapons and abilities. And with my other skill, All Of Creation, was able to comprehend and understand everything about you. Meaning that with you being a divine being, and your now deep connection with the World and Humanity from Rhongomyniad and Excalibur. It will give you the ability, with the help of me and the system, to summon anyone from the Throne of Heroes. ]

"Uh, w-wow, that's...." I shake my head, clearing my shock, stealing my expression.

"I can work with that, for now let's just summon Merlin. Then I can figure out all the rest. So what should I do to accomplish the summoning, Raphael?"

[ You will need both Rhongomyniad and Excalibur touching the table. Once they are in position, you will need to pour your divine mana and od into the table. Try to pour as much as you can. I will focus on the Holy Grail inside you. ]

Nodding as I moved towards the center of the table, I raised Rhongomyniad high. The outer shell opened as the center glowed with a golden ethereal light, the outer shell spinning around it creating a spiral of light.

The lance gleamed with power, its connection to the world's foundation resonating with the chamber itself.

My free hand summoned Excalibur, the blade's brilliance complementing Rhongomyniad's ethereal glow. Golden Faerie particles slowly lift off the blade and fill the room with Rhongomyniad's glow.

I placed both weapons at the center of the table crossing them, the magic between them forming an intricate summoning circle across the surface of The Round Table.

With my heart steady, I placed both my hands on the side of the table with my name engraved into it and began the incantation by pouring all my mana into it, though I forget that my mana and od are infinite because of my divine status.

But while I focused on my mana something was changing inside of me. The grail I once thought was just the Holy Grail, a lesser grail was changing.

The amount of mana I am infusing through and into my being is causing it to change, evolve into something more. The Greater Grail.

[[ Notice: the object known as the Lesser Grail is set to evolve into the Greater Grail. Will the user proceed with the evolution?]]

[ Acceptance: User will accept evolution of object Lesser Grail into that of the Greater Grail. Proceed will evolution process. ]

[ Notice: Servants will receive more information since they are being summoned by the Greater Grail. Since the Grail is inside your being, all of the information you have experienced will also be conveyed to them. ]

I'm so focused on remembering the chant for summoning that I dont even hear either of the voices speaking in my head. So I start the chant, focusing on my mana.

"Silver and iron to the origin.

Gem and the archduke of contracts to the cornerstone.

The ancestor is my great master Pendragon.

The alighted wind becomes a wall.

The gates in the four directions close, coming from the crown, the three-forked road that leads to the kingdom circulate.

Shut (fill).

Shut (fill).

Shut (fill).

Shut (fill).

Shut (fill).

Repeat every five times.

Simply, shatter once filled.

―I announce.

Your self is equal to me, my fate is in your sword.

In accordance with the approach of the Holy Grail, if you abide by this feeling, this reason, then answer.

Here is my oath.

I am the one who becomes all the good of the world of the dead, I am the one who lays out all the evil of the world of the dead.

You, seven heavens clad in three words of power, arrive from the ring of deterrence, O keeper of the balance ―!"

The room glowed brilliantly as the power of the Holy Grail surged, channeled through my divine essence. I shielded my eyes with my free hand.

The air crackled, and the table's light intensified, forming intricate patterns of golden runes.

The hum of mana became a crescendo, as if the world itself held its breath.

Mana surged through the air, making the Round Table glow as the names inscribed upon it flickered. The ground beneath my feet trembled as the summoning reached its climax.

[ Notice: The summoning had been completed. ]

When the light receded, I opened my eyes to see a figure bathed in light standing at the head of the table.

For a moment, my heart soared—my first summoning had succeeded. I stepped forward, my voice steady but eager.

"Merlin," I began, "I knew I could rely on—"

My words faltered as the figure came into focus. It was not the familiar male mage I had expected, but a young woman with silver hair and lavender eyes, clad in flowing robes that mirrored the aesthetic of my Camelot.

This was Merlin, but not the one I had anticipated.

I blinked, utterly stunned.

"Merlin...?" my voice faltered. "You're... a woman?"

The figure gave a soft laugh, stepping closer.

"Ah, not quite the Merlin you expected, I see. I am Merlin, yes, but not the one from your timeline. Let us say I am a... prototype, if you will."

My face flushed, my composure momentarily slipping. I quickly straightened, gripping Rhongomyniad tighter. "I... see," I managed, my voice cracking slightly. "Well, Merlin, you are summoned to aid Camelot in this new era."

Merlin tilted her head, studying me with a sly smile. "Oh, I will aid you, my King," she said, her voice dropping into a tone that sent a shiver through me.

"But first, let us see how this new Camelot truly feels."

I looked away, willing my face to try not to betray my thoughts.

"This will be... an interesting partnership," I muttered under my breath, already questioning my decision.

But my eyes narrowed slightly, though my lips twitched with amusement. "I should have known Merlin would find a way to be unpredictable, even across versions."

"Surprise!" Merlin chirped, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. She twirled her staff dramatically. "Did you miss me, my dear King? Or should I say, miss us? Because clearly, you weren't expecting me! Now, what do you need of me."

My expression softened as I looked down at the table. "I need my knights. I need them to help me rebuild this Camelot—not as the perfect kingdom I once envisioned, but as a sanctuary for all. But..."

My voice grew quieter. "I'm not sure how they'll react to me. Especially Mordred. Lancelot. Those I failed."

Merlin stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. "You've already taken the first step by admitting your flaws. That's more than many rulers can say. And besides, they were your knights for a reason. Trust them to make their own choices."

I blinked, momentarily stunned. "You are... different from the Merlin I know,"

I managed, my composure returning despite the odd situation.

"Flattery already? Oh, my King, you spoil me." The female Merlin stepped closer, her expression softening as she examined Artoria.

"But I sense a weariness in you. It seems even kings can carry burdens heavier than lances and swords."

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "I summoned you for counsel, not riddles."

"Well," Merlin said with a wink, "you summoned a Merlin. Consider me a delightful surprise. Now, shall we continue gathering the court, or are you going to spend the next hour staring in disbelief?"

I allowed a small, reluctant smile to surface. "Very well. Let us summon the others. But Merlin..." My voice grew softer. "Thank you for answering my call."

"Always, my King," Merlin replied, her voice sincere for a brief moment before the mischievous sparkle returned. "Now, let's see what trouble we can conjure, shall we?"

I turned back to the table, the weight of the ritual momentarily lifted by Merlin's playful presence.

But as I prepared for the next summoning, the apprehension in my heart remained.

Would the others answer my call?

And if they did, would they stand by me once more?

Only time, and the Throne of Heroes, would tell.

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