Sitting atop one of the towers of Caerleon Castle, Kay looked over the areas in amazement, seeing a burgeoning town being built around the castle when there was nothing but barren lands a week ago.
"To think they would be able to do that in such a short time, that's quite impressive."
"People can do anything if they put in the effort, and making themselves a new home isn't an exception." Kay heard Merlin say as she sat on his lap, leaning her back against him while playing with his hands with hers.
"That's true. Oh, it looks like Ector is training the newcomers." Kay said as he watched his father lead a group of soldiers, running them around the castle walls while carrying heavy equipment.
"Still, I'm really grateful that he decided to come as soon as he got your letter. Ever since we decided to build a town in this place, we got a lot of people coming over, many wanting to establish a new life with Artoria as their lord and a few wanting to enlist in her army. Although I can take care of villagers and help them get settled, I've had quite a bit of trouble with the aspiring soldiers."
"If you ask me, it was pretty fun seeing you being swarmed by those people all wanting to know the secrets of your strength. Of course, seeing you beat them to the grounds because they were so persistent was even more fun."
"Perhaps I should beat you to the ground too..."
"Hey, don't get violent on me all of a sudden. That said, it's good indeed that Ector came because if he didn't, then I wouldn't be able to spend some time with you like this, especially since he decided to be in charge of welcoming the guests." Merlin said as she wrapped herself with Kay's arms, the young boy simply letting out a sigh.
"It feels weird to say it, but it's good that you're enjoying yourself. But too bad for you, it's time that you let go of me, I have to prepare for tonight's feast. Why don't you go help Artoria with the paperwork? I'm sure she needs some help in her office."
"Nah, she'll be fine. And she has to learn that being a king isn't solely about fighting in wars, but also managing her territory. She'll do great if she learns how to do it on her own."
"I can't refute that..."
"Oh yes, I wanted to ask. Is the Granblue universe, as you call it, the only world outside of the Root you can travel to?" Merlin said with curiosity in her eyes as she looked at Kay who nodded at her question.
"For now, yes, but with some time, I'll be able to have access to more worlds in the future."
"I see. Then, can you inform me when that time comes? I think it would be great if we go on a small journey without Artoria once in a while, a little secret trip with just the two of us."
"I'll think of it." Kay said, making Merlin smile broadly as she started kicking her feet enthusiastically like a child while he turned to the sky, staring at his Catalog windows displaying through the HUD.
'Thanks to the captures I made in the Granblue universe, I managed to fill up the gauge again. Should I use it now?' Kay thought as he looked at the displayed window, thinking about his next course of actions.
Having gained credits from the captures he made in the world of Granblue Fantasy, he bought the perk [Pursued by a Bear, allowing him to choose the next world he wishes to enter from seven which are chosen randomly by the Catalog's system, regardless of their danger ratings.
'It's a good thing the gauge won't be used until I choose one world out of the seven. And that I can save an option for later and reject one every try. But still, this is nothing but gacha. It would be really bad for me if the system decided to make me choose between the most dangerous worlds I can have access to with the Catalog. Well, I can just skip the whole thing but it would make me feel bad to waste a full gauge like that... Alright, let's do this.'
Congratulations, you have managed to fill the gauge of [Exit Stage Left].
Would you like to see the next worlds available?
Warning: Time between worlds flows differently.
You can currently configure time dilation to the point one month spent in the world you are currently in equals one day in other worlds you have already visited.
'Yes.'
At Kay's mental affirmation, seven windows appeared before him, all displaying different destinations, some of which were unknown to the young man.
Monster Girl Encyclopedia
Rating: 2
Canon ver., Mamono territory
'Isn't Monster Girl Encyclopedia something about a world full of monster girls, all of them being sexualized and known for raping people to death? Somehow, it feels like the world Merlin would love to be in... But although I love fucking, I don't think dying from fucking is something I want.'
Bionicle
Rating: 9
The Kingdom
'I... don't know anything about this. I'll guess I'll reject that one. Doesn't help that world's danger rating is high as fuck.'
Helltaker
Rating: 6
'I remember playing the game in my past life. I wonder if I'll take the Helltaker's place or not if I choose to go in that world. Still, I don't think I'll be able to enjoy a harem made up of the demon girls of that world. Although they are physically attractive, I don't think I can personally get along with them. Well, I managed to get along with Merlin, so maybe there's a chance I do get along with them... as friends, of course.'
Tales of Phantasia
Rating: 5
'The first game of the Tales Series... I started with Graces F and never got the chance to play the first games. Well, I know a few things about the game and I can say that I'm quite interested in that game's ultimate weapon, the Eternal Sword. The Eternal Sword, a legendary sword capable of splitting the fabric of time and space itself, even tearing a world apart and creating two in its place or even enabling its wielder to travel through time. While I don't believe it has the power to destroy the world seven times like Granblue's Revenant weapons, its abilities over space and time are truly enticing.'
Pokemon
Rating: 5
Pokemon Legends Arceus
'The last Pokémon game I played, I still remember that silly hairstyle on Cynthia's ancestor. There must be a limit to jokes. Still, I guess this is the perfect world for me if I want to earn some credits just by catching some Pokemons around. It would be great if I could catch an Eevee. It was always one of my childhood dreams to own one. I... think I used to cry to my parents to buy me an Eevee plush when I was a kid... It was such a long time ago I don't have many memories of it, but I know I was happy to receive that plush.'
Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Rating: 6
'I only played the first one, so I don't know anything about that world. But I won't say I'm not interested in it though.'
Nasuverse
Rating: 6
Fate/Zero
'This is... a little unexpected. There are too many questions on my mind about that world, but there is one that makes me wonder a lot. If I decide to choose this world, will I be sent to the canon version of Fate/Zero or will I be sent to an alternate universe like the one I am currently in? In any case, I don't know if I'll pick that world. Perhaps I'll be fighting as a Servant or be a Master in the Holy Grail War... or could be a spectator.'
Glancing around, Kay didn't see any time limit anywhere, making him believe that as long as he didn't choose a world, his gauge won't be depleted. And so, he decided to postpone his decision on his next destination until a later date.
"Is there something wrong?"
"Nothing, just thinking about the future. Still, I wonder how the party is going to go tonight.
"
"I'm sure it will be really festive and animated, that's for sure."
With the sun coming down, the interior of the castle was animated as countless guests were present, all invited by Merlin in order to celebrate Artoria's coronation.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, my liege. My name is Ulfius, I was once a knight under your father."
"The same goes for me, my liege. I am Baudwin, and I came not only as a former knight of your father but also as a messenger of King Leodegrance of Cameliard, who was also another knight under the services of the late Uther. He wished to give you his blessings directly and proposed to make an alliance with you, but he was unable to make the trip because of the troubles in his territory."
"I don't mind, I'm happy to know that he's willing to make an alliance with me. Please let him know that if he wants my support, I'd be happy to give it to any time."
"What generosity. I'm sure that he will be happy to hear that."
As Kay observed Artoria from afar, watching her speak with some guests, he let out a small smile.
'I still can't believe that the little girl who often wet her bed has truly become a king... Somehow, it feels weird to see her acting so majestic and dignified... Still, I'm surprised Merlin managed to invite all of those people, many of them being old companions of the old man and who served Uther alongside him and their families... Is that their daughters? I wonder if they are trying to introduce them to Artoria in the hope that he would marry them.'
"Hey, Kay. Why are you looking at the women over there? Is there someone you are interested in?" Kay glanced down at Merlin who was standing by his side, looking at him with a smirk, but he just shrugged his shoulders.
"Not really. They don't even have half your appeal, so they have to do better than this if they want to attract me."
"You know, if you keep spouting stuff like that, I'm seriously considering throwing a wedding for the two of us right here, right now."
"Please don't. It's supposed to be a feast for Arthur, not us."
"Alright, you spoilsport... But it's fine, because the main attraction is coming really soon." She said, making Kay frown at her before he widened his eyes when he saw the door being open, a knight entering the courtroom in panic.
"What is the meaning of this?" Artoria questioned the knight who immediately knelt before her and opened his mouth.
"I'm sorry, my king, but our scout reported the appearance of an army marching in our direction right now. According to their speed, they would reach our village in an hour."
Gasps echoed through the audience hall as they all looked at the shocked knight who flinched at the gazes on him.
"Merlin, do you think you can project us some images with your Magecraft?" Artoria asked her mentor who nodded, an excited smile on her face as she started to wave her staff around in the air.
"Sure. But it looks like that it isn't the only army marching in our direction. Do you want me to show all of them?" Merlin said casually, not caring that her words had caused the guests to panic further, while Artoria nodded at her question.
"Then wait a few seconds... and here you go."
And the moment she tapped the floor with her staff, several projections appeared in the air before their eyes, displaying several armies on them, all made up of hundreds of soldiers, marching in the direction of Caerleon.
"Thank you, Brother, for lending me your help. I'm grateful."
Belinant of Sorgales
100 knights
"Don't worry about it, I'm only doing my job as your older brother. Now, let us go and drive that pest from our lands!"
Cradelmas of Northgalis
300 knights
"I don't care if that woman is a famous prophet, I won't forgive the insult she made over my glorious self!"
Brandegoris of Stranggore
600 knights
"Sir, we will soon reach Caerleon in approximately an hour. Your orders?"
"Kill anyone on sight and take anything that looks valuable... Scratch my first order, feel free to spare the women. We can put them to use, if you understand what I mean."
Carados of Estrangore
500 knights
"To think that we would be reunited in such a manner. Fate works in a strange way..."
Urience of Gore
400 knights
"Indeed. But unfortunately, it seems that we aren't free of that abomination's shenanigans, despite having parted ways with her since Uther's demise."
Nentres of Garlot
700 knights
"It doesn't matter, the only thing we need to do right now is to make that witch and that brat learn their place."
Lot of Orkney
500 knights
"Just how many of them are there?" Ector muttered as he was a bit surprised at the sheer number of soldiers displayed on the projection.
"All together, they amount to about three thousand soldiers. I suppose we should consider ourselves lucky that they didn't bring their entire armies to our party. We don't have enough space to accommodate them all, after all."
"That's for sure. Now, Merlin, don't you think it's time for you to confess what you've done to make them that angry?" Kay asked Merlin as he slowly approached her, a bright smile on his face that didn't reach his eyes, causing the succubus to nervously step back from him.
"I just sent them letters, inviting them to the feast, that's all. So, please you look at me like that, you're starting to scare me..."
"Letters, huh... Then please tell me what you wrote on them."
Merlin nervously chuckled as she stepped back, only to blink in surprise when she found herself with her back against a wall, and then, she yelped when Kay suddenly slammed his hand against the wall, near her head.
"And please give me a summarized version. I don't think we have the luxury to waste time right now... and don't try to run away."
"Well, if that's what you want, then... Ghm. Hey, temporary kings of Britain, good job dealing with the civil war! You're probably reading it with a calm look, but wasn't it a hassle? As far as I investigated, you all had bigger losses than expected and you didn't manage to put an end to it, sucks, right? Actually, how do you feel after fighting a losing war against the foreigners for ten years? Hey? But, too bad. We don't really care at all. After all, the prophesied king that will save Britain is none of you, but Arthur, your late lord's child. So, yeah, we've been thinking now that we should go save the country because you old fossils can't do such a simple thing on your own. And yeah, since we will be hosting a feast in a week at Caerleon, how about you pay us a visit? Do that and we might overlook your uselessness. Okay? Sounds good, doesn't it? We're such good people, aren't we? Also, if you give us gifts too, it would be great. Better be useful late than never. Okay, please come or respond. But, if you don't, then we may consider you all our enemies. I mean, there is no need for more than one king in this country. See ya... Would that be a good summary?"
To say that all the people present in the room were speechless after hearing Merlin's summary would be an understatement as they all looked at the Magus with wide eyes.
"Kay."
"What is it, Arthur?"
"Tie her up."
"Alright."
"Wait a moment–Gyaah!"
As the knights all watched Kay pull a rope out of nowhere and tie Merlin's body up in a manner they subconsciously compared the succubus to a caterpillar, they could only stare with a deadpan look at the Magus who hung in the air, bound and gagged. Meanwhile, the veterans instead ignored the commotion and looked at Artoria who kept staring at the projections with a calm expression.
"What should we do, my liege?"
"Before we take any actions, I'll try to talk to them. What we do next will depend on how the talks end. Oh yes, may I ask if you brought any troops with you and how many of them if you did? It would be good to know before we start fighting them." Artoria said, looking straight into the old knights who all stared in disbelief at the young king, not able to understand her train of thoughts.