Naoki wasn't looking for a reason, but a purpose.
In a sense, the two could be considered the same thing, but in some cases, they could also be seen as two different things.
After staring at Naoki for a moment, Merlin simply smiled casually, "There's no particularly important reason. It's just that, as an immortal being, I want to find some entertainment for my long and boring life. You must know, the longer you live, the less interested you become in the things around you, until eventually, you become a meaningless lump of flesh."
"I don't want to end up like that, so sometimes I actively seek out entertainment like this. That's essentially the reason and purpose."
"This time, it was just a sudden whim. While waiting for you here for a year, I wasn't always idle in this dorm. Sometimes I would go out, take spontaneous trips. About three months ago, I happened to visit the Blackmore Cemetery."
It was truly a coincidence. Merlin didn't really know where to look for entertainment. She just wandered aimlessly, and by chance, she entered the Blackmore Cemetery, encountered the village, and discovered the secrets buried beneath it.
Honestly, even for someone as experienced as Merlin, seeing such a situation for the first time was shocking—a village dedicating hundreds of years to the mission of resurrecting someone else. If it were Magus, it would still be understandable, but among the villagers, there wasn't a single Magus—just a group of ordinary people who had mastered some technology.
After the initial shock, Merlin found it intriguing—this was clearly something fascinating. A village worshipping King Arthur, a vessel created to revive King Arthur, a weapon mimicking King Arthur's spirit... Each of these elements was captivating on its own, and combined, they were more than just interesting.
So, after that, Merlin made a decision—once Naoki arrived in England, she would take him to the Blackmore Cemetery. She was very curious to see what would happen there after Naoki's visit.
To achieve this, she disguised herself as a friend of the Mage Association using illusions, suggesting that they submit a request to the Clock Tower regarding the Mana anomaly. She created a magical item with a hidden flaw and gave it to Naoki. As for how to get Naoki to go there, even if the series of events from this martial arts training hadn't occurred, Merlin would have created some accidents later to steer Naoki onto the same path.
This woman truly wouldn't hesitate to use any means if she wanted to be mischievous!
"Well, are you satisfied? With my experience at the Blackmore Cemetery."
"Hmm... half satisfied, half unsatisfied. Overall, it's acceptable. According to my original plan, you were supposed to spiritually merge with Logos React, evolving from half King Arthur to two-thirds King Arthur. But Arthur's manifestation was completely unexpected."
Relying on such a fragile connection to forcibly manifest—this wasn't just a low probability event, but something nearly impossible. It could truly be called a miracle, a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence.
"Ah, what a pity. I really wanted to see what kind of unique existence would be born from the fusion of a male personality and a female soul, or a male body and a female soul. The result was wasted."
"I think even if the fusion had happened, nothing would have changed." Naoki sighed and said, "Even though they're not the same person, King Arthur... even if it's a simulated soul, she wouldn't have taken over my soul in the end."
Because that noble King of Knights, that is Artoria.
Merlin pursed her lips and raised both hands, "Indeed, it's hard to return to old habits. The result was half-baked, maybe because it's been too long since I last did this kind of work. My skills have gotten rusty."
"By the way, the ten years you just mentioned—" Naoki paused for a moment, "Maybe I'm overthinking it, but you deliberately gave Gray ten years. Do you have a plan?"
It's currently 1995. Ten years later would be 2005, which coincides with the time of the Fifth Holy Grail War. Honestly, Naoki didn't believe that Merlin didn't have a plan.
Merlin smiled mysteriously, "Hmm~ Something like that. It's fine to be honest with you. The Holy Grail War you experienced was supposed to happen every sixty years, but last year, due to too many unexpected events, the Mana accumulated in the leyline wasn't fully used. As a result, the next Holy Grail War will be moved up significantly, roughly ten—no, nine years from now."
Is this unchanged?
Because of the Sajyou Manaka incident, Naoki thought the Fifth Holy Grail War would be slightly different from the original, such as a delay in its timing.
"And in the next Holy Grail War, this world's King Arthur will definitely be summoned." Merlin stated firmly, "What this means, you surely understand."
"Gray will fully merge with King Arthur due to King Arthur's manifestation—that's what you're saying. But how can you be so sure that King Arthur will be summoned?"
"Because Morgan is still alive."
"What?!"
Naoki couldn't help but stand up abruptly.
Morgan is still alive? That Morgan? The Morgan who was summoned as a Servant?!
"How did she—"
"Not long after you and Arthur defeated the Beast, she went to Mount Enzou and obtained a body using the remnants of the Mana Beast left there. Earlier, by some coincidence, I ran into her, though we didn't talk much."
"I thought she was out of the game."
After all, as a Master, Emiya Kiritsugu was intimidated by Naoki using his Mystic Eyes. Essentially, Morgan should have died, and after losing her Master, if she didn't have the Independent Action skill, the Servant would have no choice but to return to the Throne of Heroes.
Because of this, Naoki always thought Morgan was out of the game. He never expected her to still be alive.
"Are you saying Morgan will participate in the next Holy Grail War?"
"For her, if she can summon the sister she hated most in life as a subordinate and use her as she pleases, she would undoubtedly feel very satisfied. There's no need to worry about the summoning process, as her existence alone can serve as both a catalyst and a holy relic."
So, nine years from now, Artoria will appear in Fuyuki City as usual?
That's definitely not good news for Gray.
"So, what's your plan?"
"This isn't something you need to know right now." Merlin smiled mysteriously, "Besides, everything I've said so far is just speculation. There are still several years before the next Holy Grail War. Who knows what will happen by then? Morgan might even die within these few years."
"..."
"So, for now, don't think too much about the distant future. Just focus on dealing with the present, like your debt."
"And whose fault do you think that is?!"