Era of Heroic Spirits: I Was Exposed by Alaya

Under the weight of his words, even the impossibly powerful child of nightmares paused slightly. "Two kinds of birds?"

"Yes, exactly those two. Think about it—aren't you the latter?"

Nameless's expression grew even more disdainful, as if staring at a white-haired scammer.

"The latter... can't fly itself..."

Under his questioning, Merlin suddenly fell into silence.

He pondered earnestly, analyzed carefully, and then had an epiphany—

Not just similar, but a perfect match!

At the same time, the barrage of comments exploded:

-[Earlier narration mentioned that King Uther and Merlin couldn't defeat Vortigern, which is why they created King Arthur, pushing her relentlessly every day!]

-[My heart aches for King Arthur—she worked harder than I did cramming for college!]

-[Someone lamented how modern parents spare no expense for their kids, enrolling them in endless tutoring. Then another chimed in: Yeah, pushing kids is way easier than pushing yourself!]

-[Damn, I don't even have the chance to push my own kids (crying)]

-[F*ck, us single folks just got emotionally wrecked by that last comment!]

...

"One type works hard to fly on their own, while the other lays eggs and pushes their offspring to fly relentlessly..."

Roya's eyes lit up.

Without hesitation, she turned and ran over, puffing out her steel-plated chest. "Souma, are you the second type?"

"..."

Souma was momentarily speechless.

How had the mocking words he'd used against Merlin been turned back on him by this brat?

He reached out and ruffled her hair. "If I were that type, I'd have signed you up for a bunch of cram schools ages ago. Would I still let you play games every day?"

"Hmph, well then, thank you very much!"

Roya pouted slightly and skipped back to the sofa.

On this point, he really couldn't be faulted.

She and Illya snuggled back into the couch to continue watching the video.

On screen.

After mocking Merlin, the Nameless Hero turned to the girl: "You already know the price of pulling the sword to become king. Do you still want it?"

"I want to end the wars. I want to see everyone smile!"

Artoria's emerald-green eyes fixed on him, the cowlick on her head swaying slightly.

"You will face hunger, hatred, mockery, humiliation, even betrayal," the Nameless Hero sighed.

"I know!"

"Everyone will distance themselves from you. Can you accept this crushing loneliness?"

"I... can accept it!"

Artoria paused briefly.

She had wanted to ask if he would stay by her side always.

But she couldn't bring herself to say it.

This person had already done so much for her - he shouldn't be bound any further.

The Nameless Hero's steady voice continued: "Not just your enemies - even your friends, even your family will cause you pain!"

"I know!"

Artoria bowed her head slightly.

This was precisely what Merlin had repeatedly taught her - the inevitable price a king must pay.

"You will be betrayed. Your kingdom may fall. You may be despised by countless people."

"I don't need gratitude. I don't need pity. I don't need fame. I just want to save this country!" The girl's expression grew increasingly resolute.

He asked once more: "Are you willing to kill?"

"I... am willing!"

Artoria closed her eyes, her delicate, lovely face clouded with unmistakable anguish.

"One day, you'll deny everything you are now. You'll drown in endless regret."

The Nameless Hero's expression grew increasingly complex.

Pity, heartache, the desire to stop her - yet no idea how to do so.

"I know all this. Please... allow me to pull the sword from the stone!"

Artoria grasped his hands, making her request with utmost solemnity.

A long silence followed.

The Nameless Hero sighed heavily: "You really are a fool."

"No, this is a saint!"

Beside them, Merlin's face was full of admiration.

Truly the girl destined to be king - still so young, yet possessing such noble resolve.

-[I'm in love! The perfect king indeed!]

-[Ah, this reminds me of all the reformers throughout history who willingly sacrificed... this prosperous age is what you dreamed of!]

-[The Nameless wants to save King Arthur, yet can't bring himself to destroy her will... how heartbreaking!]

-[These two are such a perfect match, so sweet together!]

...

Downing Street, Britain.

Mordred stole a glance at her father-king.

These brief two minutes of dialogue gave her deeper understanding of the king.

In this moment, Mordred suddenly understood why the king had said—

["I never hated you. There was only one reason I didn't pass the throne to you—you lacked the capacity to be king."]

She had thought her father was denying her.

But now, watching her father's conversation with the Nameless Heroic Spirit, she realized those words were true.

No, no!

This video is fake, why am I suddenly immersed in it, unconsciously treating it as real?

Mordred suddenly came to her senses.

Don't forget, she still had that bet with Gawain.

If she lost, she'd have to eat mashed potatoes for a whole year.

She'd rather die!

She cautiously asked, "Father, what do you think of this Nameless Heroic Spirit?"

"A fraud!"

King Arthur stared fixedly at the video, her expression strangely complex.

This answer instantly relaxed Mordred, who smugly glanced at Gawain beside her.

Victory!

Even Father says it's a fraud—she was about to get a year-long vacation.

She could do whatever she wanted!

Pure bliss!

In her elation, she started treating the video like a movie, practically wishing for a bucket of popcorn.

In the video.

The Nameless Heroic Spirit gently patted the young girl's shoulder: "Then, pull out the sword in the stone. I shall become your most loyal knight!"

This time, he offered no resistance.

"Alright!"

Artoria stepped forward toward the gathered crowd.

A sword gleamed brightly, embedded in a massive stone.

Many strong knights had already tried, exerting all their might, yet couldn't budge it an inch.

Some knights even began doubting Merlin's prophecy.

At this moment, no one paid attention to the unfamiliar petite figure approaching.

They were preparing to jointly denounce Merlin, demanding an explanation from him.

Artoria reached out and grasped the sword's hilt.

In her heart, she clearly knew that once she drew this sword, she would no longer be an ordinary little girl.

But a king who would bear the future of an entire kingdom and countless people.

This sword was destined to be stained with blood!

Hum~

A brilliant light suddenly erupted.

The Sword in the Stone was pulled out effortlessly by her!

As if it had been waiting for her all along!

"How is this possible!"

A knight stared at her in shock.

All eyes instantly focused on her.

Merlin cheered loudly from the side: "Rejoice! This is the King of Knights who gathers the power of all knights and is destined to lead Britain to glory!"

"The Sword in the Stone has been drawn. What is your choice?" The nameless heroic spirit stood by calmly.

At this moment, all the knights with ambitions to become king instantly went mad with rage.

They glared furiously at the three: "This is an elaborate scam! What exactly are you trying to do?"

How could they let some unknown child become king?

"Oh, good question. If any of you are interested, you may pledge loyalty to King Arthur—but only after passing the selection process."

The nameless heroic spirit smiled at the knights nearby, "Because only elites can join the Round Table. We don't take trash!"

"Why are you looking at me? Are you calling me trash?"

That knight instantly flew into a rage, drawing his sword to point at him.

"No no, don't misunderstand."

The nameless one drew his sword, smiling even brighter, "I'm not targeting you. I'm saying all of you here are trash!"

***

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