Simulator in Type-moon, Starting with becoming Morgan husband!

Chapter 84: This Time, He Wanted to Be the One to Save Her

Humans possess a very limited understanding.

All judgments must be based on perception.

Because there is light and heat, they recognize it as fire;

Because there is coldness and fleeting motion, they recognize it as wind.

In short, things beyond human perception cannot manifest themselves in a form comprehensible to humans.

However, for Artoria, this was not entirely true.

She was, indeed, human—a truth that could not be denied.

But at the same time, she was the miraculous child conceived conceptually in Camelot, bearing a heart not much different from that of a dragon.

Thus—

Artoria could touch things that humans could not.

This was determined by the characteristics of a "dragon."

But simultaneously, her human side could not be erased.

This caused everything she touched to compress into forms comprehensible to humans.

These two aspects of her existence intertwined, spiraling and evolving continuously.

Ultimately, they formed the blinding light of Rhongomyniad: The Lance That Shines to the End of the World.

This was a conceptual weapon born from a king's prayer.

Though called a "lance," its true form transcended that concept—it was known as "The Tower that Connects the Inside and Outside of the World."

It was encapsulated as a "lance" only so that Artoria's human side could grasp its existence.

However, all of this was interpreted from the perspective of "humans."

For Vortigern, who also bore the characteristics of a "dragon," the perspective was entirely different.

The weapon Artoria wielded was the sacred lance he had been relentlessly searching for—the very thing that could bring the age of gods back to this land.

"Why?!"

Transformed into a dragon, Vortigern roared in rage.

The storm carrying his fury swept across the final battlefield.

"Why is the one recognized you—a hollow shell with nothing to protect?"

"Why not me?!"

"If I had this weapon, the age of gods would surely descend upon Britannia once more!"

"Indeed."

Artoria gripped the lance crystallizing within the column of light, Rhongomyniad: The Lance That Shines to the End of the World.

Her expression carried both resolve and sorrow.

"Why was I the one it recognized?"

"Even now, I still can't find a clear reason to explain this."

"But—"

The Knight King wiped away the remnants of starlight lingering on the newly formed lance.

"Vortigern, if it chose me, it means that everything you have done is not what Britannia needs."

"Here and now, I will follow the decree of fate and kill you."

"Rest for eternity."

Rhongomyniad, the lance that shines at the world's end, possessed the power to slay the colossal white dragon in a single strike.

For the first time, Vortigern felt the terror of death.

It was so real that it could not be dismissed as an illusion.

"No! I will not accept this!"

All of Vortigern's resistance was futile.

The lance, embodying the grace of a king, was hurled into the sky.

It traced a dazzling golden arc.

Unwilling to accept death, the white dragon swung its claws with the intent to shatter the crystallized lance.

Yet, the moment it made contact, it realized it was utterly incapable of doing so.

For within the lance lay not only Artoria's will but also a higher-tier concept.

It did not bring "death"; it proclaimed the "end" of its target.

Swish—

The lance pierced through the white dragon's palm, followed by its chest, muscles beneath, and finally its heart.

"No—!!!"

Blood gushed from the white dragon's body, dyeing the earth red.

The colossal form began to dissolve, transforming into countless glimmering particles, slowly ascending into the sky.

Amidst the stillness that signaled collapse, Vortigern reverted to his original form.

No.

It was no longer his original form.

A massive hole had been gouged through his chest.

But compared to the physical wound, the complete destruction of his spirit was a far graver blow.

"People of Britannia, why did you not choose me?"

"I must kill you… kill all of you!!!"

Thud.

Vortigern collapsed onto a large stone.

His body lay motionless, silently proclaiming the truth that his life had ended.

The white dragon was dead.

The lance, Rhongomyniad, also began its descent.

When it struck the ground, a golden wave of light radiated from the impact point like ripples.

[This was a tremor powerful enough to shake all of Britannia.]

[Knights of the Round Table, both on and off the battlefield, could feel its resonance.]

[Even if they had not witnessed this grand battle.]

On the Streets

Kay was inspecting a fleece scroll in his hands, calculating the allocation of military funds.

As he had done for years, he meticulously accounted for every expense, so much so that those who knew him often referred to him behind his back as the "Stingy Knight."

But only Kay knew that these funds were things Artoria had "borrowed," and he could not afford to waste even a single nail.

When the holy lance struck the earth, the tremor spread across Britannia.

He looked up, gazing into the distance.

"Artoria, what trouble have you caused this time?"

Though he spoke in this manner, Kay's heart was filled with concern for his sister.

....

On the Castle Walls

Agravain stood, staring toward the distant horizon.

He felt the oncoming surge of energy.

In a voice only he could hear, Agravain murmured:

"Father… did you succeed?"

...

Inside the Palace

Bedivere was immersed in handling countless tasks—as the royal steward appointed by King Arthur, he worked tirelessly and earnestly every day.

He paused his quill over the parchment and gazed out through the small window at the endless expanse of golden wheat fields.

His eyes showed no joy, only deep worry.

"My King… Are you paying the price with yourself for Britannia?"

It was a powerful upheaval.

Each Knight of the Round Table perceived it differently.

[You are unaware of these things.]

[Because at the site where Rhongomyniad fell, you and Lancelot were the two Knights of the Round Table most severely affected.]

[You and he were both rendered unconscious.]

["Gift of the Red Dragon" has been activated: the red dragon's blood flows within you, granting you Artoria's protection.]

[You regained consciousness earlier than Lancelot.]

[You realized something was amiss.]

The use of Rhongomyniad to vanquish Vortigern, the vile and cowardly king, should have been cause for celebration.

But Ian sensed that things were far from simple.

The mana flowing within him quietly warned that something turbulent was occurring at the site where the Holy Lance had struck.

What was the cause?

Ian's gaze swept his surroundings.

The first thing to catch his attention was the three Holy Swords of the Lake.

At this moment, they were embedded in the ground in a haphazard manner: one to the east, another to the west.

Ian quickly dismissed any connection—he felt no abnormalities from Excalibur Galatine: Sword of Revolving Victory.

The two other Holy Swords originating from the Lake, Arondight: The Unfading Light of the Lake and Excalibur: Sword of Promised Victory, also showed no signs of disturbance.

Then what could it be...

He directed his gaze forward.

There, Artoria stood resolute before Rhongomyniad.

This conceptual weapon, responding to her will, had descended and was now radiating an indescribable light.

The issue must lie with it.

With trembling hands pressing against the ground, Ian slowly pushed himself upright.

He had to admit that even the aftershock caused by Rhongomyniad's descent was a blow far beyond what an ordinary person could endure.

Had he not absorbed sufficient mana from Artoria, he too would likely be lying completely unconscious like Lancelot.

Even so, his current state was far from ideal.

With every step he took, his joints seemed to scream in agonizing pain.

[The short distance between you and Artoria feels like a journey of immense length.]

[You endure countless struggles to finally reach her back.]

[You call her name.]

"Artoria."

On a normal day, that name would make her turn around with joy, like a nimble rabbit bounding towards him, throwing her arms around him, and burying her head in his chest.

But now...

Artoria doesn't respond to Ian's voice.

"..."

Ian finds it hard to believe—did she not hear him?

He tries again, calling out louder this time.

"Artoria?"

Despite the volume, nothing changes.

Ian feels the situation worsening.

Reaching out, he attempts to place a hand on her shoulder.

But the moment he touches her, a massive force blocks him immediately.

This is something that has never happened before.

[You don't panic.]

[You know this must be happening for a reason.]

[You quickly begin to analyze the situation.]

[There's no change between you and Artoria.]

[The only new element present is Rhongomyniad.]

[You realize she is forming some kind of covenant with the Holy Lance.]

But what is this covenant?

Ian has no way of understanding it fully.

After all, both Artoria and Rhongomyniad are entities far beyond his comprehension.

And yet...

Staring at Artoria's unmoving figure, Ian can sense that this covenant is undoubtedly not in her favor.

If that's the case—

Even if it places him in danger, he must uncover the nature of this covenant.

Ian takes a deep breath and extends his hand toward Artoria once more.

[You are using the fragile body of a human to resist the overwhelming power.]

[You feel every part of your body under unbearable pressure.]

[Blood seeps from the corners of your mouth; the sound of bones fracturing echoes within you.]

[But you don't let go.]

[You know you must see this through.]

[As if destiny has already decreed it, you push through the immense power blocking you.]

[And what you witness is a sacrifice in progress.]

In this world, there is no such thing as a free lunch.

The arrival of Rhongomyniad was no exception—it came with a heavy price.

This conceptual weapon, far beyond ordinary comprehension, could not simply be wielded by a king without consequence.

And so—

After defeating Vortigern, the price demanded was an equivalent sacrifice.

Artoria had chosen to relinquish her "humanity."

She offered up the entire concept of her "human self" to Rhongomyniad as payment.

The young girl, in the prime of her life, would gradually lose everything tied to her existence as a human. Her thoughts would no longer align with those of mortals.

Over an immeasurably long time, she would become a wandering spirit across the world.

In return, she would bring about the revival of the Age of Gods.

"..."

How could this be?!

To defeat Vortigern by sacrificing Artoria's humanity?

Why did it have to be this price?

No!

Absolutely not!

This was not the fate she deserved!

That's right!

Then I will take her place!

Ian glanced at his hands, without hesitation.

He had spent too long being a wretched man.

This time, he wanted to save her.

["Red Dragon's Gift+" Lost: Even the Red Dragon's blood cannot protect you as you forcefully interfere with this covenant.]

["Excalibur Galatine++" Lost: The blessings of the sun can no longer shield you; you can no longer wield Excalibur Galatine.]

["Shadow of the King of Knights+" Lost: Your very existence begins to fade; no one will recognize you as the shadow of the King of Knights.]

["Knight Eternal+" Lost: The Holy Lance's interference prevents you from being remembered as a knight, but the Round Table Knights shall endure.]

["Battle Continuation" Lost: This is a concept that transcends even death; you cannot escape it.]

["Maiden Awakening" Lost: Your humanity is stripped away, and you can no longer serve as the vessel for Artoria's emotions.]

"Artoria."

With all his strength, Ian managed to touch the girl's cheek.

"At last, I can return this to you."

He leaned down, placing a kiss on her lips—a final gesture to return her emotions to their rightful owner.

"I'm just a despicable man, unworthy of your love."

"From now on, live as you wish."

"Your fate should never be dictated by anyone else."

[You have lost the right to be "human."]

["Curse of the Princess+++" strengthened to "Curse of the Princess EX": Devoid of any protection, you have been wholly consumed by Morgan's curse, becoming a concept that no longer belongs to humanity.]

[And yet, even in this form, you still have one purpose left to fulfill for Artoria.]

[You must utterly destroy the chains of destiny that have bound her.]