Davidian's Holy Grail War

How did I end up in the air?

Why does my chest hurt so much?

What exactly happened just now?

Also, why do my hands hurt so much?

These were the thoughts that flashed through David's mind before he landed. However, with a thud, he landed on the ground coughing loudly.

The sharp pain in his chest made it hard to breathe, and in just two breaths, he was sent flying without any chance to react.

Even if he saw Artoria's sword slashing upwards at the last second, he had no time to react. How could a child possess such immense strength and speed?

"Haha, it looks like you're still a long way off. Don't assume you can definitely beat him just because he's younger than you."

Even if you have an advantage in basic physical attributes and physical growth, experience and intellectual level are definitely Altori's advantages.

"You were able to see his sword clearly at the last second and instinctively prepare to block; that's already quite good."

Merlin smiled and helped David up, brushing the flowers off him. He seemed to be trying, but it wasn't enough.

David took a deep breath to calm himself. In just one round, he couldn't even stop it. Was this really human strength? He had a feeling Merlin was hiding something from him.

"Alright, Artorius, stop exerting yourself now. Just spar with him and share some experience with him. I can only teach you techniques; as for combat experience, that's up to you."

Merlin waved to Artorius, signaling him to spar with Davian again, but this time, he wouldn't use magic.

"I understand, Merlin. But is this really a good idea? I feel like you're dragging innocent people into this again."

After saying this, Artorius sighed. Merlin was undoubtedly a good person, but his nature still had some problems. What kind of mess was he going to inherit in the future?

"It's perfectly fine. Trust me, he's great. Okay, okay, let's continue. Ah, you guys practice first, I have something to do."

After saying that, Merlin turned around and transformed into flower petals, leaving the two of them to continue practicing. There were still several hours before sunrise, so they could practice and get to know each other better.

Artorias smiled helplessly, then turned and pointed his sword at David, signaling him to attack.

"Next, it will be a contest of pure swordsmanship, but as Merlin said, don't think that your physical strength can overpower me."

David nodded. At this moment, he had truly thrown away all his inner restlessness. The boy in front of him could easily defeat him, or to put it bluntly, he could even torture him to death.

If I am careless at this moment, I may experience the pain I just felt again.

So this time he launched a preemptive attack without hesitation. Even if it was just for one round, he wanted to make the person in front of him feel that he was capable too.

Even though Artorius's sigh just now wasn't directed at him, he still felt a pang of shame.

I made the mistake of judging people by their appearance, so the pain I just felt was something I had to endure.

Artorius blocked his attack, this time without using his magic to enhance his body and surpass the boy before him.

However, she could only reach a corresponding level, since with her own physical abilities, she really couldn't beat Davidian.

So this time, David's fight was much easier than his first, and he was able to fight at least three rounds.

In the fourth round, his sword was knocked away by Artorias, and the gold-inlaid blade was pointed directly at Davian's throat. If he thrust forward, Davian would die on the spot.

"You've managed to hold out for three rounds. Is this your current level? How about it? Want to keep fighting?"

Artoris smiled and sheathed his golden sword; the warmth in that smile dispelled any resentment in David's heart.

There was neither the smugness of victory nor the contempt for David's weakness. This gentle smile made David determined to raise his skill level to the same level as Artorius, or even... above him.

He ran to the side, picked up his dark sword, and steadied his breathing. He then launched another attack on Artorius.

He wanted to become stronger, strong enough that he himself, and even the Artorius before him, would acknowledge him. This desire took root in his heart; he wanted to gain Artorius's approval!

"Wow, he's really working hard. Artorius's power has completely ignited David's inner strength. Right now, he probably doesn't even want to go back to his own world anymore. Young people, it's so easy to read their minds."

In other words, they're very easy to fool. Of course, Merlin would never say that, nor would he consider it a deception.

He simply sent an opponent to David's side to help him train and improve. After all, in the coming Dark Ages, you can't survive without some skills.

Then he turned around and said to the darkness, "So could you please stop looking? He's not yours, you're just the first one to see him. I'm the one who saved him."

Because of his words, someone emerged from the darkness. This person also had dazzling blond hair, and in terms of appearance, he looked exactly like Artorius's brother.

However, the person in front of me was dressed entirely in a feminine style, and her eyes held an unyielding icy coldness.

"It's just that you beat me to it, what's there to be so smug about? Besides, I haven't done anything yet, I'm just watching."

The woman's words were filled with resentment, a deep resentment directed at Merlin. An ordinary person who heard such words would likely feel a chill run through their entire body and would not dare to face this woman again.

"Anyway, you're already married to King Lothar and you're in Orkney. You're someone else's wife now, so stop thinking about the British throne."

From the moment Artoria was born, fate was sealed, and human reason had already determined that Britain's mysterious regression was inevitable. If you were to rise to power, things would lead to a dead end.

Merlin seemed to have an unusual talent for provoking people; his words immediately made the blonde woman's veins bulge. She almost wanted to skewer Merlin right there and then, to teach him the consequences of his foul mouth.

However, she managed to calm herself down and was not completely enraged by Merlin.

"It seems you want to groom that kid to be an asset to that wretched woman. But is it too late? Or rather, will the final outcome change?"

If it were an ordinary person, knowing the outcome and being provoked like this, they might have lost their temper and wanted to tear this woman's mouth apart.

But Merlin wasn't like that. On the contrary, he said happily, "The ending is already predetermined and cannot be changed. But the things that happen to the people in the story can be changed. I also hope to have more stories that deviate from the original trajectory to satisfy me. That would be a good thing."

The blonde woman was speechless, completely taken aback by his words. Merlin was a nightmare.

However, she wouldn't let that kid become that hateful woman's ally so easily. Winning him over would be a good thing.

Chapter 5 No choice

"Alright, get up, it's time to start today's training." Merlin smiled and pulled on David's blanket, trying to throw it away. How could a young man be lazy? Get up and exercise!

"I don't want to!" Davidian really didn't want to get out of bed at this moment; he hadn't slept much at all last night.

Even though he felt physically okay, he was mentally exhausted. He had been fighting Altori for a full three hours, and for those three hours he had been relentlessly beaten up by Altori.

If he really had to put it into words, he ended up feeling pain all over his body! So much pain that he didn't want to move at all.

"Okay, let me see. There's really nothing wrong with it, isn't there?"

Merlin used even more force to try to pull off the blanket, while David used even more force to protect his amulet.

The contest between the two sides ended with Merlin's victory, and when David got out of bed, he felt his legs were trembling.

After being beaten for so long last night, I feel like I've already given it my all to be able to stand up today.

"Alright, alright, stand up straight. If you can't handle this much, what's coming next might make you cry your eyes out."

Merlin watched as David picked up the Dark Sword and continued teaching him other sword techniques. As a great magician who had served many generations of kings, he had seen and learned far too many sword techniques.

Hopefully, David will be able to absorb all of this.

During the day, they practiced swordsmanship like this. Lunch and dinner consisted of wyvern meat, bread, ale, and a certain amount of vegetables.

Davidian devoured all the food, along with his swordsmanship practice from the day, without wasting a single drop. In fact, he was already incredibly grateful that Merlin provided him with such meals every day.

After all, this was the fifth century, an era when most people couldn't get enough to eat. Just by listening to Merlin's narration, David could guess what kind of life many people in this era led.

In short, in such a difficult era where survival was a struggle, even if Merlin had designs on him, he didn't simply abandon him to fend for himself; instead, he provided him with food, clothing, and shelter. For this alone, Davidan should be grateful to Merlin.

That night, after falling asleep, it was the same as always: in his dream, Artoria fought him again. Although only a day had passed, today, Davian held off Artoria for ten rounds.

You have to understand, in those three hours yesterday, he didn't manage to hold off Altoris for more than ten rounds in a single exchange. This first fight today is already a significant improvement for him.

"You're really working hard. Maybe if you keep this up, you'll be on par with me in less than six months."

Artorius smiled as he picked up the Dark Sword from the ground and handed it back to Davidian. This guy really has a talent for this; he only managed to block three rounds yesterday, but today he can block ten. At this rate, surpassing me wouldn't be difficult.

He couldn't help but think that he had picked up a sword when he was five years old, and now seven years had passed, and he had finally managed to improve his swordsmanship to this level.

The person in front of him, whom he had predicted would be able to match him in less than six months? Was the gap between people really that big? This made him start to doubt his own abilities.

Merlin, who was standing nearby, saw what he was thinking, patted him on the shoulder, and comforted him:

"You two have different responsibilities. One day in the future, he will surely charge into battle for you and bring you countless victories. His name will resound throughout Great Britain, becoming your most glorious knight and your right-hand man."

He spoke these words so matter-of-factly, so confidently. David, standing to the side, was completely dumbfounded. Could it be? The so-called future king? Could it be…

However, Merlin shook his head slightly, signaling him not to say anything. Davidian immediately shut his mouth, which he had just opened. Was this child the future King Arthur? Really? Was this the king he was to serve in the agreement he made with Merlin?

Even if you have already guessed his identity, please do not say it. Now is not the time.

Throughout Britain, the King's men are frantically searching for his location. Even in this dream world, we cannot let our guard down. "May I trouble you, Davidian?"

Merlin's words made Davidan realize just how dire the situation was. It was a wonder he had managed to hide for so many years; the pressure Artorius was under must have been unimaginable.

“I understand. I will keep the secret until the day you, Merlin, decide it’s time.” Davidian nodded, leaving everything to the day the secret is revealed in the future.

"Oh, right, I haven't told you about the day of the selection of the king yet."

Merlin began to tell David about his prophecy, and David nodded in agreement.

This has that "divine right of kings" feel to it from history books; Europeans have always loved playing this game. The later clash between monarchical and divine authority was probably just a fine tradition of theirs.

"So until that day comes, you just need to hone your skills. There are still four years until the day of the King's Selection, and I will teach you everything a knight has to offer in the next three years."

And for the rest of the year, you can travel all over Britain. Go see what Britain is really like, and whether you're truly willing to fight for it. I look forward to your story; it's sure to be quite a story.

"Wait, wait, wait!" David quickly reached out to interrupt him.

"Merlin, aren't you afraid that I'll learn everything you have and run off to work for someone else? Or that I'll just run away to somewhere else, like France, or something else."

Even worse, I found a way back, ignoring the ridiculous agreement and returning to my own time. I'm not entirely sure about my own resistance; maybe beauty or wealth would have made me run away?