Chapter 30

POV: Artoria Pendragon

Outside Camelots Throne Room

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The air outside the Throne Room was heavy with expectation.

The immense golden doors of New Camelot's throne room shimmered with faint pulses of light. Arcane glyphs hummed along the edges, reacting to my presence like a heartbeat synced with my soul.

I stood calmly before the doors, flanked on one side by Mordred, who was visibly trying (and failing) to contain her restlessness, and on the other by the serene, ever-smiling Proto Merlin, whose luminous silver hair swayed like a curtain of stardust in the castle's gentle breeze.

"So…" Mordred glanced at the massive double doors. "Any chance you added a trapdoor to this place? Y'know, for dramatic exits."

I blinked. "I… did not consider that."

"Oh come on!" Mordred groaned. "What's the point of ruling a kingdom if you can't drop someone into a dungeon from your throne?"

"Duly noted," Merlin said with a smirk. "Shall I log that under Future Features of Tyranny 101?"

Mordred grunted, arms crossed tightly. " Though Gotta say, it's a little intimidating when the doors glow at you like they're reading your soul."

"They probably are," Merlin offered cheerily. "The arcane matrix woven into the doorway is tuned to divine bloodlines. Though you're a part of that, so I imagine it's just confused."

"Confused?" Mordred arched an eyebrow. "I'll show it confused."

I closed my eyes and sighed. "Please don't punch the door, Mordred."

"No promises."

I sighed, though the corners of my lips tugged upward.

With a soft wave of my hand, the massive golden doors parted—light spilling out in a cascade of brilliance, illuminating the three of them as they stepped forward into a chamber reborn.

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The Throne Room of Camelot had once been a grand hall of stone and solemnity. Now, it was something else entirely.

Gone was the cold, solemn stone of the old days. The New Throne Room glowed with divine majesty. Its pillars stretched high into a ceiling painted like the cosmos, enchanted constellations shifting gently above. Crystal chandeliers floated of their own accord, shedding ambient light across polished floors of white-gold marble veined with silver.

Lining the walls were banners of the Knights of the Round, but between them floated translucent display panels filled with moving runes, magical graphs, and current news of Camelot's citizens—like a palace and command center had fused into one.

Well that's different from the last time I was here. I glanced down at Rhongomyniad woundering why it changed it, but I guess it's not too big of a deal.

The throne itself remained at the far end—elevated on a raised dais, but now reimagined in silver and luminous blue, as though forged from Avalon's divine crystal.

Mordred whistled. "...Okay, wow. I take it back. This might actually be cooler than the old Camelot."

Merlin stepped further in, eyes roaming with clear delight. "Fascinating. You've woven Rhongomyniad's power into the very foundation of this place. Gaia must be tolerating this on aesthetic grounds alone."

I, who was walking forward with the elegance of a goddess and the bearing of a king, turned slightly to look at them. "Rhongomyniad reshaped Camelot using the materials and knowledge available in this world. It is built to endure—for both humanity and the planet itself."

"Well," Mordred said, throwing herself dramatically into a standstill, "I hope Fury's impressed. This is like walking into an elven iMac, not that I've ever seen a iMac but i know what they are."

They reached the base of the dais. But the room was…

Empty.

No Nick Fury. No knights. Just the echo of their footsteps and the low hum of magical systems running along the chamber's edges.

"I don't see Fury," Mordred added, suddenly peering around. "All that dramatic build-up and he's not even here? Seriously?"

"He'll arrive shortly," Merlin said, brushing silver hair back from her face. "Camelot is far larger than it used to be. Navigating these halls takes time—especially if he's being escorted at a mortal pace."

"You can't expect a mortal with one eye to teleport." Merlin said, glancing over her shoulder.

"Teleporting would be more efficient."

"Be patient, daughter," I said gently as I walked toward the throne. "He will arrive soon."

"Still, I could've carried him." Mordred grumbled.

"No," I replied instantly, not even turning around as make my way to the base of the steps. "Absolutely not."

With a graceful turn and my white cape flowing behind me, I ascended the steps and seated myself upon the throne of Camelot. I summoned Rhongomyniad to my hand in a flash of pale blue light—its golden shaft glowing faintly.

Then, with a soft pulse of my will, I struck the marble once.

Two beams of light extended from the floor, forming into two elegant chairs, each uniquely designed.

The one on my left was regal but imposing—armored edges and red-silver lining unmistakably Mordred's.

The one on my right was softer, blooming with symbols of the stars and forests—Merlin's seat, complete with a floating crystal platform for her tea.

Mordred raised a brow. "You gave me a chair? Wow.... You do love me."

"I was being practical."

"Sure you were."

Mordred blinked. "Wait.....You just… made chairs."

Merlin leaned forward, a playful glint in her eyes. "From nothing. How delightfully overpowered."

I set Rhongomyniad beside me. "It is not from nothing. The lance draws upon the world's foundation. If Alaya and Gaia opposed it, such creation would be impossible."

Merlin took her seat gracefully and crossed her legs, resting her staff across her lap. "I must say, the ability to create from nothing still fascinates me. Rhongomyniad truly is a pillar of both this world and yours. Alaya and Gaia must be in rare agreement to allow this kind of sovereignty."

I nodded. "They do not resist. For now, they watch. They understand that Camelot is not a weapon—it is sanctuary."

Merlin gave a soft hum. "Well, then. Either this world has a wonderful sense of style, or the planet thinks you're cute."

I raised an eyebrow. "Merlin."

"Yes, yes, I'm sitting quietly now." Merlin sipped from a teacup that she absolutely did not have a second ago.

Mordred flopped into her chair and threw her arms over the back lazily. "Well, I'm just glad I don't have to sit on a stone bench like the old days. My butt thanks you."

"I did not build this kingdom to ruin your posture."

"You didn't not do it, either."

Mordred straightens her posture just a little looking embarrassedly at the side of my face. "So, just out of curiosity—can that thing make a pub?"

"No," I said.

"A tiny one?"

"No."

"A bar stool with my name carved in?"

I hesitated as I thought about it, well it wouldn't hurt to....

Merlin laughed. "Give her an inch, and she'll demand a tavern."

"I'd run it well!" Mordred defended. "Every knight drinks for free!"

Merlin chuckled. "We should be grateful. Though… now that we're seated… one must ask an important question."

I raised a brow. "Which is?"

"Where are our rooms?" Merlin smiled innocently.

Mordred perked up. "Oh! I already called dibs on the room next to Father's."

I blinked. "You what?"

Mordred nodded firmly. "Yep. First one summoned, first pick." Completely forgetting the fact that she wasn't the first summoned.

Merlin tilted her head toward her with a mischievous grin. "Oh~? Wanting to be close to dear father, are we?"

"It's not like that!" Mordred's ears turned pink. "I just—! I mean—if anything happens, I can respond quickly. Yeah. Tactical advantage!"

"Of course," Merlin said, utterly unconvinced.

My lips curled into the faintest of smiles, watching the two bicker like sisters. For all the chaos they brought, I had missed this—the banter, the camaraderie, the warmth of not being alone in my burden.

"I'll assign rooms soon," I said, raising a hand to silence their squabble. "Merlin, yours will be in the observatory tower. Mordred… yours can be next to mine."

Mordred grinned triumphantly.

Merlin simply clapped. "How heartwarming."

I allowed myself to relax, just slightly. The throne beneath me hummed with a pulse of divine presence, but I wasn't burdened by it. Not anymore. Not with them beside me.

I looked to my left, to Mordred—headstrong, chaotic, utterly loyal.

Then to mu right, to Merlin—mischievous, brilliant, and a source of comfort I hadn't known I needed.

For the first time since awakening in this world, I did not feel alone.

Then I smiled.

I truly smiled.

- - - - - -

"Still no Fury?" Mordred asked, glancing at the door like she expected it to burst open in a puff of smoke and bureaucracy.

"He'll arrive when he arrives," I said, my voice calm.

"I could've fetched him by now," Mordred muttered. "With or without his permission."

"You're not dragging government officials through the halls, Mordred," I replied without turning.

"Not unless they ask nicely," Merlin added with a smirk.

I exhaled softly, eyes half-lidded with both fondness and weariness.

Then-

A faint metallic echo bounced from the far end of the chamber.

An Enforcement Knight knocked on the doors.

They spoke from the other side of them. "Announcing the arrival of Director Nicholas Fury, of the organization known as S.H.I.E.L.D."

I rose from my throne with practiced ease, Rhongomyniad vanishing into golden particles.

My voice was calm, regal.

"Let him enter."

Mordred cracked her knuckles. "Showtime."

Merlin smiled like a cat. "Let us see what kind of war this world's diplomacy is."

The great doors to the throne room creaked open. A trio of knights led Nick Fury into the chamber, the director's long black coat sweeping behind him. His expression, as always, was unreadable—but his one good eye darted between the throne, the walls, and the two women seated beside the king.

Fury came to a stop at the base of the dais. "Your Majesty," he greeted evenly. "…I see you've got company since our last chat," he said, eye flicking from Merlin to Mordred. "They always been here, or did they drop in from some divine cloud layer?"

I inclined my head. "Indeed. These are two of my most trusted companions. They were summoned using the Holy Grail. Both of them are Servants—heroes from beyond time, returned to aid Camelot.".

Fury blinked once. Just once. "Right. Of course. Naturally."

Masking his surprise with the finesse of a man used to aliens, monsters, and billionaires in flying suits. "So the Grail's not just a myth."

"No more than I am," I answered plainly.

Merlin stood and bowed with fluid grace. "Merlin. Yes, that Merlin. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Director Fury. Don't worry, I only cast hexes when I'm bored."

"I'm rarely bored," Fury replied dryly.

Mordred offered a sharp-toothed grin and didn't bother standing. "Mordred, Knight of Treachery, daughter of the King. And no, I don't bite. Unless provoked."

Fury stared a second longer than usual.

"I'm starting to think the universe just likes throwing everything at me all at once."

Mordred rolled her eyes. "Welcome to our world, pal."

"Mordred," I said, calm but firm, "We'll be working on your etiquette later."

Mordred groaned like a punished teenager.

Fury raised a brow but said nothing. He was still processing the fact that King Arthur had a daughter and that the Holy Grail now had a body count of summoned legends.

"I assume this isn't a social call," I said, gently guiding the conversation forward.

Fury cleared his throat. "Alright then. Down to business. I didn't come all this way just for the view."

He tapped his tablet, pulling up a projection that hovered between them. A shaky video played—a massive green-skinned creature tearing through military barricades, flinging armored vehicles like toys. Panic, screams, the chaos of a university campus turned battlefield.

"This is Bruce Banner," Fury explained. "Once a scientist. Exposed to gamma radiation during a military experiment. He transforms into a powerful, near-unstoppable creature when agitated. They call him the Hulk."

Mordred perked up. "So... like a berserker with bad skin?"

I tune out Mordred as I activate my skill Thought Acceleration.

'Raphael do you think it's possible that if we help Bruce Banner and give him the possibility of curing his gamma radiation, that he would come to Camelot and help us in our research division every once in a while?'

[ It is highly probable that if you where to help the being named Bruce Banner with the process of curing his gamma radiation or even just better controlling it. He would be inclined to help you in return as well as the possibility of staying in Camelot since it would give him sanctuary from the American government casing him, while allowing him to research a cure. ]

'Yes, it would make a lot of since to try and recruit him. Even if he doesn't bring to much to our city, just the fact that someone of a different nationality came here for salvation will help with Camelot's image. Now I just need to summon someone to run our research and technology division. I guess I can go with her....'

I deactivate Thought Acceleration returning time to normal for my own mind.

I go back to watching the footage intently. My gaze never wavering.

"He's been on the run for years," Fury continued, ignoring her. "Yesterday, an American general attempted to apprehend him at a university in Virginia. Banner escaped, but not before serious collateral damage."

I gave a small nod. "Virginia... that is a state in America, yes?"

Fury gave a curt nod. "Eastern coast. We've been tracking Banner's movements and have reason to believe he's heading toward New York City."

Mordred snorted. "Let me guess. The Americans caused more damage trying to catch him than the actual big green guy did."

"Sounds like a typical mortal solution," Merlin said, sighing into her tea. "Charge in with cannons and surprise when the monster fights back."

Mordred leaned back. "Let me guess. The geniuses in charge want us to play monster whisperer."

Fury didn't disagree. "He's now off the grid again. Last sighting suggests he's moving toward New York City. The World Security Council wants your help. If Banner shows up again... they want you to de-escalate it. Talk him down. Prevent casualties."

Mordred scoffed. "And why should we care what this... council wants? We've got no stake in their mess."

Merlin, as usual, was quicker with the reasoning. "Because it shows we're willing to act for the good of humanity, regardless of borders or alliances. Symbolism is everything, Mordred."

I was silent for a moment. The throne beneath me pulsed faintly, as if weighing the words. Then I looked down at Fury, my gaze resolute.

"I will help," I said. "Not because I serve the Council, but because I believe in protecting humanity. Camelot is a sanctuary—and if a man suffers alone, hunted by the people he wishes to escape, then I will extend my hand."

Fury gave a faint nod. "Understood. Thank you."

"Who's going?" he asked next, glancing at the other two.

"I will go," I said, standing. My armor caught the throne room's light, casting me like a divine figure carved in gold. "And Mordred will accompany me."

"What?" Mordred blinked. "Wait—seriously?"

"The world should see Camelot through its king," I said simply.

"And you are my daughter," I said simply. "You will walk beside me as a knight of this new era."

Mordred looked torn between beaming and trying not to show it. "Yeah, okay. Cool. I can do that."

"And I," Merlin said with dramatic flair, "will stay here. I've got my hands full making sure the birds in the garden don't unionize."

Fury looked at her. "I'm not going to ask."

"Smart man," she grinned.

Fury nodded. "Then I'll notify the Council. If that's all...?"

I stepped down from the dais. "You are free to explore the city. Speak with my knights. See what Camelot offers."

Fury gave a short nod and turned to leave—but paused.

"I'll admit," he said, glancing back at the three women, "I expected something a lot more medieval. Not... this."

I smiled faintly. "Camelot is not of the past. It is of what can be."

Fury nodded once more. "I'll take a look around. Just don't be late."

He turned and began to walk back toward the entrance with his escort.

As the doors closed behind him—

Mordred gave a low whistle. "Well... that was weird."

Merlin laughed. "You're just upset you don't get to hit anything yet."

"I didn't say that," Mordred muttered.

"I did," Merlin said brightly.

Mordred exhaled and leaned back in her chair. "But did you hear that? I get to go with the King. Eat that, Merlin."

Merlin arched a brow. "Oh, I'm crushed. Truly. I'm sure walking into a military powder keg is such a glamorous honor."

Mordred grinned. "Jealousy looks good on you."

"I wear everything well, dear."

Watching the two, I allowed myself a quiet smile. For once, the path forward didn't feel so lonely.

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Heya guy's! Man I really need to start putting more of my time into writing these chapters. So as an apology I made this one extra long for you guys. I hope you enjoy it! Writing these characters is so fun!

Question: Out of all of the Catser servants which one is your favorite?