The establishment of the Time Travelers Alliance began in the first year of Conan

Chapter 339 The Strongest Merlin in the Entire Type-Moon Universe-001 (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)

As someone who appears in countless myths and legends, standing at the pinnacle of great magicians.

Merlin, a hybrid of human and succubus, possesses proof of being a top-ranking magician and is a candidate for Grand rank in the Caster class.

In other words, he undoubtedly possesses the highest level of "clairvoyance".

Of course, it is different from other crown candidates.

For example, unlike Solomon's clairvoyance which allows him to see both the past and the future, Gilgamesh's clairvoyance allows him to see the future.

Merlin's clairvoyance, on the other hand, is a kind of eye with a subtle purpose, allowing him to see everything in the present moment.

It cannot allow him to see through the foundations of history, nor can it allow him to grasp the end of the future, but it can allow him to see the "present" more carefully.

This is especially true for Merlin.

He can even perceive every minute crack in the chaos of the present, seeing "every present moment".

"Therefore, my eyes can play a great role when faced with an existence where neither the past nor the future can be seen."

After all, at this point in time, it's all too common to not be able to see the true past and future.

This is probably one of the most important reasons why, apart from being a dream demon and being skilled in illusion magic, he was able to be won over by the Jewel King and even cooperate with him on an equal footing.

After all, in some situations, the present moment is more important than anything in the future or the past.

……

For example, in the search for traces of that alliance, and in the pursuit of a girl named Artoria.

His eyes then performed to their fullest potential, even able to see "foreign objects" that transcended the boundaries of their time.

Although, under the cover of the CYZ effect, Merlin could not see the "truth" of those things.

Just as the Alliance used records of ley lines to confirm historical changes in the past, Merlin also confirmed the existence of related things through those remaining traces.

For example, the camera equipment we just saw in that place called "CYZ Photography Studio" was clearly outdated.

In Merlin's view, these devices were clearly something this faction had taken from the future to the present.

Just like when Kiritsugu Emiya believed that the Alliance were "timeline beings" from outer space.

Knowing more about Merlin leads to an even deeper realization—

These devices and technologies are by no means a natural extension of humanity or any other intelligence in this universe, but rather traces of origin from "outside".

For example--

That ley line absorption device that seemed to pierce Gaia; those effortless creations and displays of time and infinity; that base that was absolutely impossible to approach or enter…

Furthermore, considering this force's interference in the Fourth Holy Grail War...

"And traveling with someone who can see the script is always unpleasant."

The smile on the Flower Magician's face vanished, and she couldn't help but sigh softly at the outcome.

He knew that feeling all too well.

Over the long years, after clashing with countless beings capable of foreseeing destiny, and after waging one protracted "endless war" after another—

Merlin grew increasingly disgusted with this "preordained script" mentality.

……

Of course, if this force is stronger than oneself, and can become an ally and help one...

That's a different story.

"Moreover, it seems that this force is neither evil nor hostile."

As for the basis for the judgment... it's quite simple.

Although Merlin cannot see the moon over Hasegawa, he also cannot see Sherlock Holmes.

But just like his observations of Matou Kariya, and of Emiya Kiritsugu and others...

And, after witnessing the miracle of Fuyuki City's death rate being reduced to almost zero.

Merlin, on the contrary, became even more convinced of his deduction.

Therefore, with the thought that "it's better to die than not to try," he contacted the Gemstone Elder and decided to give it a shot.

After all, with the help of the Jewel Elder, he was quite confident in the concealment of his illusions.

It should be noted that this flower magician was even able to use dreams to lure Tiamat, the primordial mother goddess who existed in the Age of Gods, and put that primordial mother into a deep slumber.

In a sense, as a nightmare demon, Merlin's illusions are no longer just about bewitching people.

He could use this power, like Loki, the god of lies, to blur the line between reality and fantasy, weaving that "dream" into reality, making the "impossible" into "reality".

And this Merlin.

Or rather, Merlin's illusions are even more so.

Just like how he might be the first to discover that there is a possibility of "saving [Artoria] again" in this parallel universe.

Therefore, although he may seem like a comedian, if you take it seriously...

This Merlin might be the most powerful Merlin in the Type-Moon universe.

……

Of course, compared to the "Merlin" of countless parallel worlds, besides being powerful, his only very obvious difference is—

This flower magician seems to have become very, very, very pessimistic.

His face always wore a smile devoid of emotion, as if it were merely a mask used to maintain superficial politeness.

In fact, anyone who has even a slight contact with them can easily discover this:
That is actually a kind of sorrow, mockery, and indifference towards oneself and all things.

It seems that Merlin, who always smiled and could easily defuse any heavy atmosphere, had already died at some point.

What remains now is merely a shadow that habitually uses a smile to appease the world.

As for the evaluations of Merlin by his old comrades-in-arms who had shared life and death with him—

"Although he may seem to lack a sense of urgency and responsibility, and at times even appear to be a suspicious fraudster, anyone would relax in his presence."

"She is a cool and righteous person."

"A person who can objectively recognize things and acknowledge that the human world is very cruel, yet can still liven up the atmosphere with a simple 'But wouldn't that be boring?'"

"He's a guy who loves the human world, loves pranks, loves girls, and protects it day and night so that humanity can have a perfect ending."

Such praise is now like a distant memory for Merlin.

In fact, it could be said that things have become completely the opposite.

This nightmare completely abandoned them.

Anyway...

One more of him is not too much, and one of less of him is not too much.

As one of the survivors of that war, which could be said to have affected almost the entire multiverse, the most brutal, tragic, and terrible war.

For Merlin, who witnessed both the beginning and the end of it all—

That eternal conflict known as the "War of Branches" not only robbed countless heroes and spirits of their lives, but even the gods themselves.

It has shattered humanity's hopes, glory, and dreams, as well as the "story" itself.

Since then, the original meaning in Merlin's smile has disappeared, leaving only a mocking connotation.

At that moment, a sarcastic laugh came from Merlin's mouth.

"Ah—an epic of heroes..."

"It's better if such a thing doesn't exist."

For Merlin, his only wish now is—

Save Artoria.

Then, together with the girl who shouldn't have to bear such a cruel fate, they escaped this world.

[Merlin] truly believes this.

Call him cowardly or timid, he accepts it all.

He was even prepared to be hated by Artoria forever.

If merely acknowledging one's own cowardice, if merely being resented, can bring Artoria "true redemption"?

Merlin can even openly and generously display this attitude to everyone.

Let the whole world laugh and resent us.

Ugh……

If everyone who worked with him in the past could see Merlin now...

Their first reaction would probably be that some shameless villain has replaced this hero.

Yes, he has changed.

He would occasionally glance at "himself" in other parallel worlds and utter a self-deprecating sigh.

He might even encounter the still-existing queen again in some remote universe, or in the courtyard of Avalon, only to be met with her angry and disappointed rebuke, and perhaps even a final confrontation with her drawing her sword.

But so what?

In the past, this nightmare loved humans dearly. Now, he is as... indifferent to them.

It was not a feeling of hostility or hatred, but a complete and indifferent indifference.

It's like watching a puddle that's about to dry up.

They showed neither pity nor joy.

He simply... watched coldly, without even a hint of interest.

Although I've thought about it more than once—

"If only I had stayed in the [Control Room] back then."

"If only I hadn't saved [humanity] back then."

But these thoughts were not regret, but more like a helpless sneer.

What's the point of saying all this now?

This nightmare would rather travel to several other universes, find some Artorias to "talk" to, and accept their scolding and even insults.

Then, driven by complex emotions, before wavering, I dreamt along with that universe, reliving my sorrow to solidify my resolve.

This nightmare is meant to torment me like this.

This endless suffering and despair is the end I deserve.

This nightmare now firmly believes that the universe is beyond saving and does not deserve to be saved.

—If it weren't for discovering the special features of that parallel universe.

No, I firmly believe that.

I was not motivated by any noble motive, nor was it a heroic act.

For example, his selfish behavior now.

If it weren't for someone who wasn't absolutely certain, they could have perfectly and reasonably concealed this universe from the already paying attention gaze.

Merlin will definitely take this universe, which may hold miracles, and run far away as soon as possible.

—The farther the better.

After all, how long has the "branch war" been going on?
Hundreds of millions of years?
Billions of years?

Billions of years?

Or perhaps, from an even more distant time?
Saving the world and all that has absolutely nothing to do with my current despicable self.

……

In short, it was at the moment that Merlin discovered and confirmed that it was indeed the thing that Fujimaru Ritsuka had mentioned.

A kind of ecstatic joy, like drinking sweet spring water after encountering hope, blossomed in the heart of this nightmare.

But—perhaps it's because there's an inherent quality that's hard to erase no matter what.

In that instant, a fantasy still surfaced in Merlin's mind:
"Perhaps... this is an opportunity to save the universe."

Of course, the next moment he completely erased such a ridiculous and dangerous thought from his mind.

Merlin would never admit that he still harbors even the slightest bit of goodwill.

He would never allow himself to have even the slightest positive expectation for humanity, the universe, or anything else.

I've become numb to those hellish scenes.

So—please, please, never let it happen again.

"Well... it's just because I really can't perfectly conceal those traces on my own."

He laughed and mocked himself, attributing his momentary wavering to his own nightmare nature and negligence.

"That's absolutely all there is to it."

And so, this flower magician, filled with despair, finally reached out and made contact with that guy who could still be considered part of the "resistance front"—

That demonic marshal, [Gemstone Elder].

……

[Jeweler] could clearly see that [Merlin] was intentionally revealing his information.

He could even see Merlin's true thoughts.

After all, Merlin made absolutely no attempt to conceal anything.

The name "Huatian Linmei" was far too obvious.

Faced with the old man's teasing, Merlin maintained his seemingly gentle yet indifferent tone.

"After all, everyone knows that I am a nightmare demon who takes advantage of kindness and has no human emotions."

"And if we keep hiding it, what if that force mistakes us for the enemy and even credits us for the success? That would be a real problem."

[Jewel Elder] made no response to the sarcasm implied in the nightmare's words.

He simply posed a question.

"So, Merlin, do you think... they can do it?"

The nightmare's expression remained completely calm.

This nightmare demon, who had helped the Alliance cast illusions to cover up their interference with Illya, Lancelot, Caster, and beings like Gaia on several occasions, spoke with a seemingly nonchalant tone.

"Who knows?"

However, it seemed as if she wanted to reaffirm her own ideas.

Merlin then emphasized his words, refuting Jeweler's doubts.

"But if this power can even fulfill the absurd wishes of [Emiya Kiritsugu]."

"Then, saving her again... truly saving [Artoria] shouldn't be an impossible thing."

"As for your question about failure..."

A complex expression finally flashed in the blue-purple pupils hidden in the shadows of the stone tower.

The Nightmare then revealed the same thought that he and the old man with the gemstone had, which was the real reason they chose to take action.

"Otherwise... Zelrich, why did you suddenly agree to help me this time?"

"Actually, it's just because they are outsiders, isn't it?"

As he said this, Merlin's somewhat glaringly sarcastic smile turned up even more noticeably.

Anyway, he had nothing left to lose.

Merlin paused, "In short, in order to gain enough trust and leverage, Zelrich, cast me into that split timeline."

Immediately afterwards, his words took on a threatening tone.

"And... Gemstone Elder, since you only have 'one'... don't forget to keep our plan a secret."

"Otherwise, I might have run to the other side."

The Demonic Marshal's somewhat aged face showed an even more bitter expression for a moment.

"Yes, that's why I really can't handle you all anymore..."

Merlin completely ignored the old man's words, which were tinged with a hint of advice.

Hmph, he's not as lucky as him, with so many things to care about.

At the moment when the power of the Second Law was about to be projected onto him.

Merlin gently turned his head, his gaze falling on the view outside the window—

Unlike the usual pink flower fields that flutter everywhere in Avalon.

Outside the stone tower, a strange sea of ​​crimson flowers undulates in the wind, as if a raging fire is constantly burning the earth.

With a slightly melancholic gaze, he kept staring into the depths of the sea of ​​flowers until he left.

In a small clearing amidst a sea of ​​flowers, a small, slightly raised grave lies quietly.

The miracle called resurrection—if it weren't for the fact that the person now known as [Eiri Kuin] was indeed miraculously still alive, [Merlin] would not have held any further hope.

But at this moment, he spoke softly, as if talking to himself:
"This time, even if we can't achieve that goal, at least..."

"Saving the other one and then leaving with both of them shouldn't be too difficult, right?"

……

Yes--

Just like what that small grave represents.

This is the strongest of all, Merlin, the King of Knights.

This is [Merlin]'s [Artoria].

It's completely dead.

and--

Her death was meaningless, and there was nothing she could do about it.

(End of this chapter)