On a certain morning, when the young girl woke up from her bed, put on her armor and male attire, and prepared to lead the army to attack Vortigern's next territory, the white-haired magus under her command sought her out.
He informed her that today was an important day.
The day to reforge the broken sword.
After a long time, she was finally going to get her new weapon.
Thus, after giving orders to her subordinates and temporarily handing over the army to Kay and Gawain, Artoria changed into plain clothes and set off with Merlin to the Holy Lake to retrieve the sword from the lake.
"Merlin, what kind of sword is it?"
Artoria, having reverted to her female attire, rode on a white horse. She curiously asked Merlin, who was leading the way by the reins.
After so many days of military life, compared to before, although her appearance hadn't changed much, both her demeanor and temperament had undergone a significant transformation.
Every action and movement already carried a hint of a leader's aura.
However, out of habit, when encountering things she didn't know, Artoria would still instinctively ask Merlin.
And in response to his disciple's inquiries, Merlin would always patiently explain until Artoria understood and learned.
This time was naturally no exception.
"That sword, ah... it's quite a remarkable thing."
Merlin chuckled softly, his tone as gentle as ever.
"Lily, the sword I found for you is named Excalibur. It can also be called the Holy Sword of the Planet. It is a genuine Divine Construct, the crystallized manifestation of this planet's will."
"Excalibur... 'The Sword of Promised Victory'?"
The young girl, instilled with the ideals of a King and the spirit of chivalry since childhood, had not received any other education. Considering her age and worldly experience, she could actually only be considered a village girl who somewhat understood the ways of the world.
Therefore, regarding Merlin's explanation, Artoria actually didn't understand much of the first half.
She only understood the meaning of the sword's name, 'Promised Victory', and felt it sounded better than her previous 'Golden Sword of Assured Victory'.
Moreover, judging from the style of the name, it seemed to be more important than the Sword of Selection.
After all, in Celtic culture, a geis (vow/taboo) was one of the most important things. In the Age of Gods Celtic era, making a vow could grant commensurate power, while breaking it would invite disaster.
Artoria didn't know what kind of restriction and sacrifice the word 'Promise' on this sword represented. But according to Merlin, this sword was the best sword in all of Britain today.
If she wanted to defeat Vortigern, she had to obtain it.
To achieve this goal, to save Britain from the White Dragon, she had to obtain this sword.
Chatting like this along the way, when the sun rose to the southeast, they arrived in front of a clear little lake in the forest.
"Is this the location of the Sword in the Lake?"
Artoria first curiously examined the environment around the Holy Lake. Then, at Merlin's gesture, she walked to the edge of the lake.
"Respected Lady of the Lake, Vivian. According to the agreement, I have come to seek the Holy Sword of the Lake from you."
Following the lines Merlin had given her beforehand, Artoria first performed a knight's salute toward the Holy Lake, then shouted respectfully.
As the young girl's crisp voice echoed across the Holy Lake, the next moment, ripples suddenly appeared on the initially calm surface. Immediately after, two figures slowly emerged from the lake. One of them held Artoria's target this time, the Holy Sword of the Planet, Excalibur.
But, why were there two figures? Could the Lady of the Lake, Vivian, be two people?
Artoria blinked in confusion.
Meanwhile, Merlin, who was behind her, saw that Morgan, who was supposed to appear alone, had someone beside her. The smile on his face instantly collapsed.
What's going on? Why is Lamorak here? This is different from what we agreed on!
"Lamorak?!"
At the same time, upon clearly seeing the face of the male figure among the two—who was none other than the Lamorak she had yearned for for so long—Artoria instantly froze.
That grayish-white medium-length hair, the handsome face, the azure eyes, and that water-like gentleness and clarity; she was confident she would not mistake him.
But if this was Lamorak, then the person beside him... Vivian? Or her Royal Sister, Morgan?
Instinctively shifting her attention to the woman beside Lamorak, Artoria was quickly surprised to find that the person's appearance was exactly the same as hers.
The eyes and facial features looked as if they were carved from the same mold. The only difference was that compared to her 'plains', that person's figure could already be described as 'towering mountains'.
Inexplicably, the young girl felt a sense of defeat, as if she had been outdone.
At this time, Morgan was also examining Artoria by the lake. Upon seeing the other party's still-immature face and petite body, she instinctively let out a cold snort.
"Heh, frail."
Then, Morgan didn't withdraw her gaze. Holding the Holy Sword, she led Souya to the front of the young girl.
"Why, you spoke so respectfully, but upon seeing me in person, have you forgotten even your manners? My dear sister."
Morgan spoke with a cold sneer, deliberately emphasizing the word 'sister'.
Merlin, behind Artoria, seemed to sense that the atmosphere was truly amiss. He hurriedly tugged at the hem of Artoria's clothes, hinting at her not to act on impulse.
Fortunately, Souya was present on the scene. Although Artoria had no good impression of this Royal Sister for various reasons, she still didn't want to show a lack of manners in front of Souya.
So she forced a smile and said, neither humble nor overbearing:
"I apologize, Lady Morgan. I truly did not expect the so-called Lady of the Lake, Vivian, to be the same person as you. I was a bit presumptuous for a moment."
Saying this, she bowed to Morgan again.
But Morgan clearly had no intention of returning the salute. She merely stared at Artoria mockingly.
"Even with the facts laid bare before your eyes, are you still unwilling to call me 'Sister'? Arthur."
Regarding Morgan's almost naked provocation, Artoria didn't get angry. She simply counterattacked with her actions.
Ignoring Morgan's mocking words, the young girl shifted her gaze to Souya beside her. Light instantly spilled from her eyes, and her voice became somewhat cheerful.
"Long time no see, Lamorak."
"Uh... long time no see, Artoris."
Sensing the gunpowder-like atmosphere between the two people beside him and in front of him, Souya didn't dare say much at this moment. His face was full of helplessness.
Then, he noticed that after Artoria said this, Morgan's face showed a hint of anger due to being deliberately ignored, and her gaze pierced over like a sharp sword. Souya hurriedly signaled Artoria with his eyes to stop talking and get down to business.
Fortunately, Merlin also stepped up to save the situation.
"Alright, alright. Save the catching up and acknowledging each other for after the business is done. Lily, aren't you here to ask the fairy for the sword? Let's not delay and start the trial quickly."
Merlin patted Artoria's shoulder while making small talk, simultaneously winking at Morgan.
"Don't shoot me those disgusting looks. I will do what I'm supposed to do."
Morgan shot Merlin a look of disgust and didn't maliciously make things difficult for Artoria again.
Such a boring and tactless person. If she weren't the sister my Royal Father placed high hopes in, if she weren't this so-called Child of the Red Dragon, I really couldn't even bring myself to be interested in her.
Thinking this, Morgan suddenly glanced at Souya again.
Feeling the gaze she cast at him again, Souya silently took half a step back.
I have a bad feeling about this... I want to run, guys...
No longer thinking about other things, Morgan began the sword-bestowing ceremony following the procedure Merlin had requested of her in the dream earlier.
"Arthur, since you have come seeking the sword, do you know the name of this sword, its purpose, and the responsibilities you must bear to possess it?"
Silently recalling the lines Merlin had given her, although feeling intense shame and annoyance, Morgan—who had sworn an oath and would not break it—forced herself to finish the sentence.
"I know."
With Merlin's reminder, Artoria, knowing the trial had begun, put away her hidden thoughts. Her expression and attitude also became serious.
"The sword's name is Excalibur, translated as 'The Sword of Promised Victory'. It is a sword forged by the planet. The meaning of its existence is to save the world and fight against disasters. And the responsibility required to hold it is the same."
Artoria answered fluently.
These were the answers Merlin had repeatedly told her long ago, and she had already engraved them in her heart.
"Then what is the reason? Is the reason you came seeking her merely to get a weapon?"
Morgan's eyes flashed slightly. The deep blue, like a cold pool, reflected Artoria's golden figure.
Behind the young girl, the white-haired magus frowned imperceptibly.
That line wasn't in the script he and Morgan had established.
Hearing this question, Artoria froze. She could feel that Morgan's tone in asking this was calm and serious; it wasn't another instance of her making things difficult.
Therefore, she didn't answer hastily. Instead, she calmed her heart and thought seriously for a moment.
After a long while, the young girl's voice rang out over the lake again.
"To save."
"Save?"
Morgan instinctively repeated the word, her gaze probing.
"Yes, save. I want to reclaim the territory that should have belonged to my Royal Father from the Vile King. I want to rescue the people who have been harmed by his despotic power. I want to protect and save all the people and things I value."
The young girl's eyes were firm and serious. After finishing, she seemingly casually cast a glance at someone.
"Heh."
Although she couldn't find a place to refute the girl's answer, Morgan was still very dissatisfied with certain words she used.
So she sneered and tossed the Holy Sword of the Planet in her hand to the other party.
"You speak grandly, but that is all it is."
"If you want the Holy Sword, then try to pull it out yourself. No matter how well you speak, if you aren't recognized by it, it's just empty talk."
Instinctively catching the sword thrown at her, Artoria looked at it somewhat blankly, then turned back to look at Merlin.
"Draw the sword, Lily."
Merlin didn't say much; he merely nodded at her, offering an encouraging look.
Thus, Artoria no longer hesitated and reached out to grasp the hilt.
There was no dazzling light, nor was there the hum of a precious sword leaving its scabbard. Artoria drew the Holy Sword as casually as drawing the most ordinary knight's sword.
Seeing this scene, recalling how the sword had seemed to fuse with its scabbard when he held it earlier, Souya couldn't help but sigh.
Just like the Ruyi Jingu Bang's ultimate master will only ever be the Monkey King, Excalibur's wielder can only ever be Saber.
The so-called destiny was exactly like this.
And even though she already knew the prophecy, seeing the other party draw the sword so easily still made Morgan feel somewhat unhappy.
However, she didn't show it much. She immediately asked the next question.
This was also the most important part of the sword-bestowing ceremony.
That was the classic story: the sword and the scabbard.
"Choose, Arthur. Do you want the sword that represents power, or the scabbard that represents protection?"
After saying this, Morgan said no more. Her beautiful eyes stared intently at Artoria, who had fallen into deep thought.
Behind her, Merlin was doing the same.
And just as Souya was also curious if the current Artoria would make the same choice as in the original work, he saw the other party raise her head and look at him.
Wait, what are you doing?!
Alarm bells rang loudly in Souya's mind. A voice somewhere seemed to tell him that if he didn't run now, he should prepare for a world of pain.
But it was already too late to run.
Under the gazes of Morgan and Merlin, Artoria flashed a radiant smile at Souya.
"What do you think, Lamorak?"