The villain's journey from the Type-Moon world

"Therefore, you need to take the initiative to give up these anchor points and give them to me to burn like fuel to gain magic power. Then I will have enough magic power to truly take you back to the past." said the "Holy Grail".

"What will happen to me if I burn those memory bubbles?" A bad premonition emerged in Altria's heart, and she immediately asked.

"Since those memories are burned as fuel, then naturally you no longer have those memories," the Holy Grail replied.

"No! If that's the case, then there would be no point for me to go back to the past! Without knowing these things, I would still make the same choice in the end! However, I went back to the past just to change this choice." said Altria.

"If you don't burn your memories, how can you sever your connection with the present world? How can you provide enough magic power to return to the past?" said the Holy Grail.

"But isn't the Holy Grail about making a wish to do something that is impossible?" said Artoria.

"But did you win?"

"I..." Artoria only then remembered that she hadn't won the Holy Grail War. On the contrary, she had failed, and was back on that sword hill. For a moment, Artoria was speechless.

"This is the price you must pay. The price of making a wish to the Holy Grail. Miracles never exist in this world, only equal exchange." The Holy Grail said slowly, "The death of six Servants, the magic power gained in exchange for six souls, can grant you the right to make a wish. It's not that you make a wish without paying a price, but that price has already been paid."

"..." Artoria clenched her fists and looked toward the endless road. The choice she longed for lay ahead. But once she stepped into it, there would be no way to choose again. In the end, she would only repeat the same mistakes.

"Since... since the wish I made is to change my choice of drawing the Sword of Choice. Then, what you need to satisfy is not just as simple as letting me go back to the past. You must at least guarantee that I can change my choice as I wished." After thinking for a while, Artoria took a deep breath and said while looking at the "Holy Grail".

The Holy Grail seemed to think for a while, and finally said: "Okay, then I can give you a chance."

"Your memories will undoubtedly be lost, but I will plant in your heart the will to go back and change your choices. Furthermore, at the moment you finally draw your sword, I will recreate the burned-out memories in your mind. How do you do that?"

After hearing the new conditions offered by the Holy Grail, Altria knew this was her best chance. Maintaining her resolve to return and change her choices, and allowing her to temporarily regain her memory when she drew her sword, she would surely be able to change.

"Okay, then it's settled." said Altria.

"The contract has been made. Now, choose your first batch of memories to be burned." The "Holy Grail" said slowly.

Artoria grabbed the two bubbles closest to her and handed them to the Holy Grail. Yet, strangely enough, as she grasped those two memory bubbles, the scenes from those memories resurfaced in her mind, as if she were there. Artoria once again tasted the bitterness of her defeat in the Holy Grail War, once again savoring the endless regret and woe that welled up in her heart as she stood atop Sword Hill, gazing upon the devastated and hopeless Kingdom of Britain.

"Wow—"

The sound of burning flames rang out, and those images disappeared from his mind one after another, just like canvases being ignited, along with the bitterness and grief, and along with the burning memories, turned into nothingness.

A flicker of confusion flashed in Altria's eyes. Why was she here? What was she going to do? Wasn't she supposed to be on her way to the Roman expedition?

"Go back? Go back and change? Why? No... let's go back." Altria continued walking forward. She didn't understand why she had to keep moving forward. She just knew that she had the urge to keep moving forward, an urge that could not be suppressed.

Chapter 320: Retracing the Road to Britain

Altria walked forward. Whenever she encountered a memory bubble, although she didn't know the reason, there was always a voice telling her to touch the bubble and offer it to the Holy Grail, so that she could continue to move forward.

But why should she touch it, why should she offer it to the Holy Grail, Artoria didn't know. Artoria didn't even understand why she was moving forward.

But every time she touched that bubble, she would recall the scene in that memory, feeling as if she were there herself, experiencing the difficulties she had faced, the emotions she had felt. From the exhaustion of the expedition to Rome to alleviate domestic famine; to the shock of learning Mordred's identity and Morgan's conspiracy; to the discovery of Lancelot's affair with Queen Guinevere, and the heavy heart she felt when she faced the chaos of Britain's impending collapse; to the long campaign that led to the knights' disloyalty, and to Tristan's famous words, which cast a dark shadow over everyone.

It can be said that the second half of Artoria's life as a king was filled with countless pains, confusions, and gloom... Although those did not defeat the king who shouldered everything, they laid bricks one after another for the collapsing wall of despair that eventually crushed the king.

And now, those memories resurfaced in Artoria's mind, finally igniting in a flame. Just like the countless emotions within Artoria, on that final sword hill, with a cry of unwillingness and indignation, they vanished into nothingness.

The king's memories vanished. Though still bewildered, his face gradually lost the mechanical, idealistic image of a king devoid of emotion and selfish desire. His steps became brisker and more active, his eyes gleaming with light as he led the Knights, constantly forging hope for the British Kingdom.

That was the time when Artoria became queen and led the British Kingdom into a period of illusory prosperity. Even though it was an illusory, false prosperity, that time was the best time for the Knights, the people of the British Kingdom, and Artoria herself.

However, even within this beautiful journey, there were still many setbacks. The cruelty of war, the sacrifices of soldiers. Even during the conquest, Artoria lost her chosen sword and its scabbard.

She even remembered that during a battle, when they had only potatoes to eat, Gawain volunteered to make everyone a special Gawain mashed potato. Since then, Artoria, who always loved food, never let the gorilla cook easily again. Even so, every time Gawain made it, she still swallowed it with a blank expression, after all, she couldn't waste food.

Although it is a memory with shadows, during that time, everyone shared the joys and sorrows, and fought to restore the glory of the British Kingdom and to ensure that the people had enough food to eat.

Despite the hardships and sufferings, Wang...still smiled from the bottom of his heart.

"Wow--"

Sacrifice never cares about whether the memory is good or bad, painful or happy. And the corresponding emotions also disappear as the memory burns away. So, when all the memories of becoming King Arthur fade away, what is left of Altria now?

With a youthful face and expression, she looked around curiously, as if everything seemed so new. She softly called out to Merlin, the mentor who had always instilled in her the teachings of the king, the one who ultimately shaped the half-nightmare of King Arthur's tragic life.

The last memory bubble burned clean, and a voice echoed in the young Altria's mind: "We're here..."

"Are we there yet?" Artoria was stunned. Where were we?

But before Artoria, there was only a wall of white light. When Artoria touched it, the light engulfed her. The blinding light forced her to close her eyes. When she opened them again, she saw a lush grassland where many knights were pulling out a sword stuck in a stone.

However, many knights had already failed, and everyone's enthusiasm was getting even more depressed. Some mocked the impossibility of pulling out the sword, while others began to doubt the authenticity of the prophecy.

The frail Artoria stood out among the knights, weaving through the crowd and heading towards the sword stuck in the stone. That day, Artoria had a sudden realization: she had come so far, this constant urge and obsession, all for this moment.

Choose the moment—whether to pull out the sword from the stone.

Now, all that remains in Altria's memory is Merlin's teachings, telling her that she was born for this moment, to draw the Sword of Choice and become king.

Now Artoria came before the Sword in the Stone. No one was looking at her. They all had doubts about Merlin's prophecy.

Facing the sword that would determine her fate, Artoria heard Merlin's voice in her mind: "Think carefully before you take up that thing. Once you take up that sword, you will no longer be human until the end. You will be hated by all humans and will eventually meet a tragic death."

Artoria knew that once she pulled out the sword from the stone, she would no longer be the little girl who had studied and trained so hard to become king, but a true king. To protect her people, her sword would be stained with blood. Even if she was abandoned, betrayed, and reviled, there was no turning back.

However, Artoria reached for the sword as if it was natural, ready to draw it. But at this moment, a voice suddenly exploded in her mind: "Don't draw the sword!"

Altria was stunned for a moment, then she heard a voice: "Now is the time to fulfill the contract."

In an instant, a flood of information and images flashed through Artoria's mind. She saw her life after she drew the holy sword, her battles, and the Kingdom of Britain, led by her, first experiencing a period of false prosperity, then falling into poverty and weakness as the land lost its fertility and yielded nothing.

And, having witnessed how the Kingdom of Britain, under her leadership, gradually crumbled and fell, she saw... her own end, and even heard her own grief-stricken cries on Sword Hill. She also understood the obsession and lament of the person who had said, "Don't draw your sword."

Altria's face paled, her frail frame barely able to stand. Some knights who happened to glance over hissed and cast contemptuous glances, eager to see this "overconfident" knight embarrass himself.

This time, Merlin's voice once again rang in Artoria's mind: "Once you pick up that sword, you will no longer be human until the end. You will be hated by all humans and will eventually meet a tragic death... Even so... Even so, will you still choose to pull it out?"

Artoria looked at the "Golden Sword of Victory" stuck in the stone. It was as if two images appeared before her eyes at that moment.

A picture, blue sky, white clouds and grass. The girl in the picture is like an ordinary girl in the field, with her own happiness and the peaceful life she deserves.

In another scene, the land was barren and war was raging. Amidst the pile of corpses and broken spears, he was standing on the land of the British Kingdom, which was about to collapse and disintegrate, covered in blood.

For everyone, the choice of which path to take is crystal clear. No one would actively choose a path destined for pain.

Then...what about Altria?

Originally, Artoria had made up her mind... But when she felt the despair and the echo of her own despair at the end of the game, would she still choose that path without hesitation?

"Then why do you continue to fight? Why do you keep fighting when you know you're losing? My other self?" Just as Artoria hesitated, a voice echoed from within her mind. It seemed to be the question posed by her other self, clad in black. At that moment, a dark figure appeared in the scorched earth, facing her like a reflection.

"That's good... Arthur. That's good. But, talking about changing everything... Really, it's still as unsettling as ever..."

He was a knight whom he once trusted the most. Even after his betrayal, he never blamed him. However, he did not expect that his forgiveness would become an indelible curse for him. Now he was standing in the scorched earth, gazing at his king.

"...Are you still going to go on alone? You're such a troublesome fellow, you don't listen. Lancelot and I have already said everything we needed to say, so why are you still so stubborn? Ha... troublesome father..."

He was a rebellious knight who was the direct cause of Britain's destruction, and she also stood in the picture with that unruly smile.

And then, one familiar face after another kept appearing in the picture, Kai, Gawain, Guinevere... The words they spoke seemed to be still lingering in yesterday.

"Everyone..." Altria's mood became increasingly complicated and heavy.

"...You are not a true king, but merely a little girl bound by an idol called 'King' that exists only for others." The emperor's words once again echoed in Artoria's mind. Just as Artoria's mood was about to sink to its lowest point, another voice appeared in her ears:

"Artoria, what is the Kingdom of Britain to you? Is it the immortal city? Or the eternal rule that belongs only to you, or the Knights of the Round Table? Do you remember what you are fighting for?"

It was a strange combination of a Master and a Servant. He suddenly appeared in the picture, looking at her tenderly.

Chapter 321: It’s a long way around

"Artoria, what is the Kingdom of Britain to you? Is it the immortal city? Or the eternal rule that belongs only to you, or the Knights of the Round Table? Do you remember what you are fighting for?"

The man asked himself this.

"What are we fighting for..." Artoria murmured softly, as if this conversation had already taken place not long ago.

"This is the ending you created, Artoria. No one in your position would ever do this. And your knights, I think, feel the same way as you do. They, like you, are blaming themselves..."

"...You've actually been guiding them with your actions. Just like you uphold the spirit of chivalry, just like you fight tooth and nail to protect the people of Britain. It's these gestures that have made them follow you so closely, and their character has also tended to be like yours, even becoming like you, blaming yourself for Britain's destruction."

"...Whether it's the berserk Lancelot or the twisted Mordred, they all, to some extent, want you to blame them. Only you, as the King of Britain, have the right to blame them and judge their sins. This is their unanimous opinion. This is how much they respect you, Artoria."

The man showed her the end of the road. Those familiar faces, their joys, sorrows, anger and happiness were all displayed in front of her, and those memories kept running through Altria's mind.

"This is the ending you created... No matter how painful the process is, you cannot deny your past self. Because that is you, Artoria." The man's words ended and he disappeared from Artoria's sight.

"Mr. Wang Chong..." Altria murmured the man's name.

Finally, another figure appeared. It was the magician who had arrived a thousand years late. He appeared before Artoria, and the first words he spoke, as always, were the words he had repeated countless times:

"Once you take up that sword, you will no longer be human until the end. You will be hated by all humans and will eventually meet a tragic death... Even so, will you still choose to pull it out?"

"..." Artoria took a deep breath. This time... at this moment, her eyes were no longer filled with confusion. The image faded, revealing the Sword of Choice, embedded in the stone.

Without any hesitation, Artoria drew the "golden sword of victory" as she had done before, as if it were a matter of course. At that moment, the river of time froze for the king, his body and face stopped growing and aging, forever frozen at the age of fifteen.

"Of course, because I am Artoria Pendragon, King Arthur of the Kingdom of Britain." The extremely calm words slowly came out of Artoria's mouth. At this moment, the knot in her heart... was resolved.

"Click——"

The dream shattered, and the sound of applause echoed in the pure white space. Merlin clapped his hands, looking at the Artoria who appeared before him. No one knew what emotions he had in mind as he witnessed Artoria's life. But at least now, Merlin sincerely congratulated Artoria:

"Congratulations, my king."

"It's been a long time since we last met...Merlin." Seeing the "culprit" who had paved the way for her destiny with his own hands again, Artoria did not show much joy or anger, but only nostalgia and indifference after not seeing him for a long time.

"This dream was very long, my king." Merlin said slowly.

"Yes... this road is also very long. It's really a long way around... really, really... it's a long way around." A look of nostalgia flashed in Altria's eyes.

"If it weren't for you, I might have walked even longer... But I'm quite curious. Based on your personality, you should choose to watch it to the end, right? Why are you willing to come out now?" Altria looked at Merlin and asked slowly.

"Nothing can be hidden from Artoria. Alas, actually I still prefer that little girl who always follows me around and asks questions." Merlin was still the same as usual. He was serious for less than a moment before he started to feel itchy again.

But Artoria, already accustomed to this, remained unmoved. Instead, she gazed at Merlin with a faint smile, a stare that made Merlin uneasy. Compared to Black Hairless's straightforward, tyrannical form, Merlin was actually even less adept at dealing with his own idealistic king, who never revealed his thoughts.

“Alright, alright. Anyway, I was asked to do this and there’s nothing I can do about it…” Merlin then explained the words Wang Chong had given him, a series of things related to Wang Chong, and the truth about the Holy Grail.

Altria listened, finally nodding. She understood everything: her own experiences, Mordred's inexplicable attitude, and Merlin's reason for being there. Everything was connected to the man who had untied her heart knot—Wang Chong.

"I've said everything I need to say. I don't mean to favor that guy in the slightest. I'm just speaking the truth... However, although he did have plans to plot against you, Altria, he also helped you resolve that knot..." Merlin spread his hands and said, "Anyway, it's up to you to decide what to do. I've long since stopped interfering, especially since this is your personal matter."

"Ha... Mr. Wang Chong is the most peculiar man I've ever met," Altria said slowly. "And, if the truth about the Holy Grail is this, I can now understand why he's lurking between the two factions."

"He has never cared about who will win the Holy Grail War. He only needs to stop those who want to obtain the Holy Grail the most. Even though there are 8 Servants, if he wants to win, no one can match him. He only needs to remain invincible. Stop everyone who wants to get close to the Holy Grail until that evil is gone."

"So, Artoria, do you think you have forgiven him?" Merlin asked curiously.

"Let's put things in perspective. If he's still a man, he has to take responsibility for some things." Altria said, "Let's go, Merlin. It's about time for me to wake up and go see him."

"Well, then - British magic, Artoria, wake up and chant!" Merlin chanted the fancy magic, and with a shake, Artoria closed her eyes.

When she closed her eyes, the memories that flooded back like a tide also returned to the depths of Altria's memory. With a calm face, she faced her life's experiences, and finally placed them all in the deepest part of her mind, remembering them forever.

……

Opening her eyes, Altria saw a pair of iron bars that looked like a dungeon. It was obvious that she was imprisoned in a dungeon. Well, it was a natural result. After all, she had already learned everything from Merlin.

Sitting up, looking at the two familiar figures outside the railing, Altria frowned slightly and said, "Did you... have a fight? Was it so fierce?"

The two people covered in blood couldn't help but feel embarrassed after hearing Altria's question.

Chapter 322: Take Responsibility for Me

A moment ago, Wang Chong had received news from Merlin that Artoria was not far from waking up from her dream, so Wang Chong decided to take Jeanne with him to the dungeon room where Artoria was.

"Ha... Mr. Wang Chong, I believe you for now, but I'm afraid the Knight King won't believe your words so easily. Let me persuade him first." Joan of Arc followed Wang Chong and said behind him.

Jeanne's favorability towards Wang Chong had now reached 90 points. Although she claimed this was only temporary trust, deep down she had already forgiven him and believed Wang Chong's claims about the truth of the Holy Grail War. She was even willing to speak up and help Wang Chong persuade Altria.

"Don't worry. I actually did the Knight Queen a big favor. Besides, there's someone she trusts more than anyone else beside her trying to persuade her. I think the Knight Queen should give me a chance to explain." Wang Chong explained.

"Is that so? Could it be Mrs. Irisviel?" If there was anyone Altria could trust right now, it would probably be Irisviel. After all, Jeanne had learned from Wang Chong that Irisviel, like herself, had forgiven Wang Chong for his actions.

"You'll know when the time comes." Wang Chong deliberately kept it a secret, then opened the door and finally arrived at the place where Artoria was imprisoned. When they first arrived, Artoria was still asleep.

Seeing this, Jeanne was about to go over and shake her awake when Wang Chong pulled her back, shook his head, and motioned for her to wait a moment. Not long after, with a slight tremor from Altria's body and Merlin's reminder, Wang Chong knew Altria had woken up.