A Villain's Journey Begins in the Type-Moon World

"Therefore, you need to actively abandon these anchors and hand them over to me to burn like fuel in order to obtain magic power. Only then will I have enough magic power to truly take you back to the past," the "Holy Grail" said.

"What would happen if I burned away those memory bubbles?" A bad feeling welled up in Artoria's heart, and she immediately asked.

“Since those memories were burned as fuel, you naturally no longer possess those memories,” the Holy Grail replied.

“No! If that’s the case, then what’s the point of me going back to the past? Even if I didn’t know these things, I would still make the same choice in the end! But I went back to the past precisely to change that choice,” Artoria said.

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

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

"But did you win?"

"I..." Artoria then realized that she had not won the Holy Grail War. On the contrary, she had failed and returned to the Hill of Swords. For a moment, Artoria was speechless.

"This is the price you must pay. The price of wishing upon the Holy Grail. There are no miracles in this world, only equivalent exchanges." The Holy Grail said slowly, "The death of six Servants, the magical power obtained in exchange for six souls, are what grant you the right to make a wish. Your wishes are not without a price, but the price has already been paid."

"..." Artoria clenched her fists, looking at the endless road ahead. The choice she longed for lay before her. But once she stepped onto it, she would have no way to choose again, and would only repeat the same mistakes.

“Since…since my wish was to change my choice to draw the chosen sword, then what you need to grant is not just a simple request to return to the past. You must guarantee that I can change my choice, just as I wished.” After thinking for a while, Artoria took a deep breath and looked at the Holy Grail.

The Holy Grail seemed to ponder for a moment before finally saying, "Alright, then I can give you a chance."

"You will lose your memories, but I will plant the seed in your heart that you must go back and change your choices. And, at the moment you are about to draw your sword, I will replay the scenes of your burned memories in your mind. How about that?"

Upon hearing the new conditions offered by the Holy Grail, Artoria understood that this was the best opportunity she could seize. She would maintain her resolve to return and change her choices, and she would also utilize the brief memory recovery she experienced when drawing the sword. With this, she was sure she could make a difference.

“Okay, it’s settled then,” Artoria said.

"The contract is complete. Now, choose the first batch of memories you will burn," the Holy Grail said slowly.

Artoria grasped the two closest bubbles and handed them to the Holy Grail. Strangely, as she grasped those memory bubbles, scenes from those memories resurfaced in her mind, as if she were right there with them. Artoria once again tasted the bitterness of her defeat in the Holy Grail War, and once again felt the endless regret and sorrow that welled up within her when she stood atop Sword Hill, gazing upon the ravaged and utterly hopeless kingdom of Britain.

"Wow—"

The sound of flames burning rang out, and those images vanished from my mind one by one, like a canvas being set on fire, along with the bitterness and the grief, turning into nothingness along with the burning memories.

A look of confusion flashed in Artoria's eyes. Why was she here? What was she going to do? Shouldn't she be on her way to the Roman expedition?

"Go back? Go back to change? Why? No... I should go back." Artoria continued walking forward, not understanding why she had to keep going. She only knew that she had an irresistible urge to keep going.

Chapter 320 Retracing the Path of Britain

Artoria continued forward, and whenever she encountered a memory bubble, though she didn't know why, a voice always told her that if she touched that bubble and offered it to the Holy Grail, she could continue on her way.

But why touch it, and why 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 scenes from that memory, experiencing firsthand the hardships she had faced and the emotions she had felt. From the exhaustion of the expedition to Rome to solve the famine in her homeland; to the shock of learning Mordred's identity and Morgan's conspiracy; to discovering Lancelot's affair with Queen Guinevere and facing the impending collapse of Britain with a heavy heart; to the long wars that led to the disloyalty of the knights, and the gloom that hung over everyone when Tristan uttered that famous line.

It can be said that Artoria's later life as a king was filled with countless pains, confusions, and glooms... Although none of these things brought down this king who bore everything, they added brick after brick to the wall of despair that eventually crushed her.

Now, those memories resurfaced in Artoria's mind, only to be consumed by a blaze of flame. Just like the countless emotions within Artoria's heart, on that final sword mound, with a cry of unwilling resentment, they vanished into nothingness.

The king's memories faded. Though still bewildered, his face gradually lost its mechanical, emotionless, and selfless demeanor, that of an ideal king. His steps became lighter and more lively, his eyes shining as he led the knights to continuously bring hope to the Kingdom of Britain.

Those were the days when Artoria became queen and led the Kingdom of Britain into a fleeting, illusory prosperity. Even if it was an illusory, false prosperity, that period was the most beautiful time for the Knights, for the people of Britain, and for Artoria herself.

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

She even remembered a battle where potatoes were the only food available. Gawain volunteered to make a special kind of mashed potatoes, and from then on, Artoria, who had never refused any food, never let the gorilla cook again. Even so, she would still swallow her food expressionlessly whenever Gawain cooked it, after all, she couldn't waste food.

Although it was a shadowy memory, during that time, everyone shared joys and sorrows, striving to rebuild the glory of the British Kingdom and fighting to ensure that the people had enough to eat.

Despite the hardships and suffering, Wang... ultimately revealed a genuine smile from the bottom of his heart.

"Splash—"

Sacrifice doesn't care about the quality of memories, whether painful or blissful. And the corresponding emotions vanish along with the burning of those memories. So, when all the memories from when she became King Arthur are gone, what will the current Artoria have left?

With a youthful face and expression, she curiously surveyed everything around her, as if everything was so new. She softly called Merlin's name once more, calling upon the mentor who had always instilled in her the teachings of the king, the half-nightmare who ultimately shaped King Arthur's tragic life.

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

"We're here?" Artoria was taken aback. Where were we?

Before Artoria stood only a wall filled with white light. When she touched it, the light engulfed her. The blinding light forced Artoria to close her eyes, and when she opened them again, she saw a lush grassland where many knights were pulling a sword stuck in a rock.

But many knights had already failed, and everyone's enthusiasm waned. Some mocked that no one could possibly pull out the sword, while others began to doubt the truth of the prophecy.

The somewhat frail Artoria was inconspicuous among the knights, weaving through the crowd as she walked towards the sword stuck in the stone. That day, a realization dawned on Artoria: the impulse and obsession that had fueled her journey so far had been for this very moment.

Select a moment – ​​whether to pull the sword from the stone.

Now, all that remains in Artoria's memory is Merlin's teachings, telling her that she was born for this moment: to draw the chosen sword and become king.

Now Artoria stood before the sword in the stone, and no one was watching her; they had all begun to doubt Merlin's prophecy.

As she faced the sword that would decide her fate, Merlin's voice echoed in Artoria's mind: "You'd better think carefully before you pick that up. Once you pick up that sword, you will no longer be human. You will be hated by all humans and will eventually meet a miserable death."

Artoria knew very well that once she pulled the sword from the stone, she would no longer be the little girl who desperately studied and trained to become queen, but a true queen. To protect her people, her sword would inevitably be stained with blood, and even if she were abandoned, betrayed, and scorned, there would be no turning back.

But Artoria, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, reached straight for the sword, ready to pull it out. But at that moment, a voice suddenly exploded in her mind: "Don't draw the sword!"

Artoria was taken aback at first, and then she heard a voice: "Now is the time to fulfill the contract."

In an instant, a flood of information and images exploded in Artoria's mind. She saw her life after she drew the Holy Sword, she saw her campaigns across the land, and she saw the Kingdom of Britain, under her leadership, first experience a period of false prosperity, and then fall into poverty and weakness as the land lost its fertility and crops failed.

And, having witnessed how the Kingdom of Britain, under her leadership, gradually descended into collapse and destruction, she saw... her own end, and even heard her own grief-stricken cry from the Hill of Swords. She also understood whose obsession and lament truly uttered the words, "Do not draw your sword."

Artoria's face paled, and her frail body nearly collapsed. Some knights who happened to glance over booed and cast disdainful glances, eager to see this "overconfident" knight make a fool of himself.

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

Artoria gazed at the "Golden Sword of Inevitable Victory" stuck in the stone. It was as if two images appeared before Artoria's eyes at that moment.

A scene unfolds: blue sky, white clouds, and grass. In the scene, I am like an ordinary girl in a field, enjoying my own happiness and the peaceful life I deserve.

In another scene, amidst a desolate landscape and the chaos of war, he stands, covered in blood, on the land of the crumbling British kingdom, surrounded by mountains of corpses and broken spears.

For anyone, the choice of which path to take is crystal clear. No one would willingly choose a path destined for suffering.

And... what about Artoria?

Artoria had originally prepared herself for that... but when she felt that despair, when she felt the desperate echo of her own despair at the end of the game, would she still choose that path without hesitation?

"Then why do you continue fighting? Why fight in a battle you know you'll lose? My other self." Just as Artoria hesitated, a voice echoed in her mind. It seemed to be the question posed by another version of herself, completely black. At that moment, a black figure appeared in the scorched earth, facing her like a reflection.

"That's good... Arthur. That's good. But, talking about changing all this... honestly, it still makes me uneasy as always..."

That was a knight he once trusted most. Even after his betrayal, he never blamed him. But his forgiveness became an inescapable curse for the other, and now he stands in the scorched earth, gazing at his king.

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

He was a rebellious knight, the one who directly caused the downfall of Britain, and she, with that wild and unrestrained smile, also stands in the picture.

Then, one familiar face after another appeared in the scene: Kai, Gawain, Guinevere... their words seemed to have remained from yesterday.

“Everyone…” Artoria’s mood became increasingly complicated and heavy.

"...You are not a true king, but merely a little girl bound by an idol called 'King,' existing only for others." The emperor's words echoed in Artoria's mind once more. Just as Artoria's spirits were about to sink to rock bottom, another voice appeared in her ears:

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

It was a strange combination of Master and Servant, who suddenly appeared in the scene and gazed at me tenderly.

Chapter 321 We took a really long detour.

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

The man asked himself this question.

"Why fight..." 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 could have achieved this. And your knights, I think, feel the same way you do. They, like you, are torturing themselves..."

"...You have already guided them with your actions. Just like you uphold the spirit of chivalry, just like you do everything in your power to protect the people of Britain. It is these actions that make them follow you so closely, and their character tends to resemble yours, even becoming like you, blaming themselves for the destruction of Britain."

"...Whether it's the berserk Lancelot or the twisted Mordred, they actually both crave your rebuke to some extent. Only you, as the King of Britain, have the right to rebuke them and judge their sins. That's their unanimous thought. That's how much they love you, Artoria."

The man showed her the end of that road, and those familiar faces, their joys and sorrows, were all displayed before her. Those memories also rushed through Artoria's mind.

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

“Mr. Wang Chong…” Artoria murmured the man’s name.

And finally, another figure descended. It was the magician who had arrived a thousand years late, appearing before Artoria, and his first words, as always, were those words he had repeated countless times:

"Once you pick up that sword, you will no longer be human until the very end. You will be hated by all of humanity and ultimately face a miserable death... Even so, would you still choose to pull it out?"

"..." Artoria took a deep breath. This time... at this moment, there was no longer any confusion in her eyes. The image faded, and what appeared before her was the chosen sword stuck in the stone.

Without any further hesitation, Artoria drew the "Golden Sword of Victory," just as she had always done. At that moment, time seemed to freeze for the king; his body and face ceased to grow and age, forever remaining at the age of 15.

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

"Snap—"

The dream shattered, and the sound of clapping echoed in the pristine white space. Merlin clapped his hands, looking at Artoria who had appeared before him. What he truly felt as he witnessed Artoria's life, no one knew. But at least for now, Merlin genuinely congratulated Artoria:

"Congratulations, Your Majesty."

"It's been a long time... Merlin." Upon seeing the "culprit" who had paved the way for her fate once again, Artoria showed little joy or anger, only a sense of longing and indifference for the long time they had not seen each other.

“This dream has been very long, my king,” Merlin said slowly.

“Yes…this road is very, very long. It really is a very long and circuitous route…really, really…it’s a very long and circuitous route.” A look of longing flashed in Artoria’s eyes.

“If it weren’t for you, I might have gone much longer… But I’m quite curious, given your personality, you should have chosen to see it all the way through, right? Why are you willing to come out now?” Artoria looked at Merlin and asked slowly.

"Nothing can be hidden from Artoria, sigh. Actually, I still prefer that little girl who's always following me around asking questions." Merlin, as always, couldn't stay serious for long before getting itchy again.

But Artoria, who was already used to this, didn't react much. Instead, she stared at Merlin with a slight smile, making Merlin feel a little uneasy. Compared to the straightforward and tyrannical form of the black-haired, hairless king, Merlin was actually less adept at dealing with his ideal king, who never revealed his thoughts.

"Alright, alright, I was just doing what someone asked me to do, and there was nothing I could do about it..." Merlin then explained the story Wang Chong had given him, as well as a series of things related to Wang Chong and the truth about the Holy Grail.

Artoria listened and finally nodded. She finally understood everything: her ordeal, Mordred's inexplicable attitude, and Merlin's reason for being there. It was all connected to the man who had resolved her inner conflict—Wang Chong.

"I've said everything I needed to say. I didn't mean to favor that guy at all. I'm just telling the truth... However, although he did have designs on you, Artoria, he also genuinely helped you resolve this inner conflict..." Merlin shrugged and said, "Anyway, you can decide for yourself. I stopped interfering a long time ago, especially since this is your private matter."

“Ha… that Mr. Wang Chong is the most peculiar man I’ve ever seen in my memory,” Artoria said slowly. “Moreover, since this is the truth about the Holy Grail, I understand why he’s lurking on both sides.”

"He never cared who would win the Holy Grail War. All he needed to do was stop those who most wanted the Holy Grail. With eight Servants, if he wanted to win, no one could stand against him. All he needed to do was remain invincible. Stop everyone who wanted to get close to the Holy Grail until that evil disappeared."

"So, Artoria, does this mean you've forgiven him?" Merlin asked curiously.

“One thing at a time. If he’s still a man, he should take responsibility for some things,” Artoria said. “Let’s go, Merlin. It’s about time. I should wake up and go see him.”

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

As she closed her eyes, the flood of memories returned to the depths of Artoria's mind. With a calm expression, she faced her life's experiences, ultimately placing them all in the deepest recesses of her mind, to be etched therein.

……

Opening her eyes, Artoria was greeted by iron bars that resembled a dungeon; clearly, she was imprisoned in one. Well, that was to be expected, given that she already knew everything from Merlin.

Sitting up, Artoria looked at the two familiar figures outside the railing, her brows furrowing slightly. She asked, "You two... you had a fight? And it was quite a fight?"

The two people, covered in blood, couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed after hearing Artoria's question.

Chapter 322 Take Responsibility

Moments ago, Wang Chong had already received a message from Merlin that Artoria was not far from waking up from her dream, so Wang Chong decided to bring Jeanne d'Arc to the dungeon room where Artoria was.

“Ha…Wang Chong, I’ll believe you for now, but the Knight King probably won’t believe you so easily. Let me try to persuade him later.” Joan of Arc followed Wang Chong and said from behind.

Jeanne's favorability towards Wang Chong has now reached 90 points. Although she says it's only temporary trust, she has already forgiven him and believes his explanation of the truth about the Holy Grail War. Now, she is even willing to help Wang Chong persuade Artoria.

"Don't worry, I actually did the Knight Queen a big favor, and she has someone she trusts more to persuade her. I think the Knight Queen will give me a chance to explain," Wang Chong explained.

"Is that so? Could it be Mrs. Irisviel?" If Artoria could still trust anyone at this point, it was probably only Irisviel. After all, Joan of Arc already knew from Wang Chong that Irisviel, like herself, had forgiven Wang Chong's actions.

"You'll see when the time comes." Wang Chong deliberately kept them in suspense, then opened the door, finally arriving at the place where Artoria was imprisoned. When the two of them arrived, Artoria was still asleep.

Seeing this, Joan of Arc was about to go forward and shake her awake when Wang Chong stopped her, shook his head at her, and gestured for her to wait a moment. Not long after, with a slight tremor in Artoria's body and Merlin's reminder, Wang Chong knew that Artoria had woken up.