NOVEL WEB Chapter 703 Rise of Camelot
703 Rise of Camelot
— 6 Years Later —
The old territory of Ealdorman Norman eventually fell under Arthur's control, including all the subjects of the Ealdorman's domain. The newly claimed land was named Camelot.
During this time, many kings and lords challenged Arthur, as the territory of Camelot had been blessed by the powerful wizard Merlin, making its soil exceptionally fertile. Crops flourished, and food was abundant.
This was not merely superstition or propaganda for the newly established kingdom. It was a proven fact. Camelot's harvests were so plentiful for five consecutive years that they could sustain three kings' territories with crops from this small land alone. This made Camelot an irresistible prize for the surrounding rulers.
Yet, despite numerous attempts, none succeeded in claiming this blessed land. With each failed invasion, Camelot grew stronger and stronger. At the same time, its enemies bled, their armies depleted, and eventually fell of self-inflicted harm.
The kings who had greed over Camelot's wealth and prosperity found their lands weakened and vulnerable, falling prey to rivals who had been waiting for the right opportunity to strike. The surrounding lords and kings divided their territory like cake.
Over the years, the rulers and territories surrounding Camelot shifted constantly, yet Camelot stood firm. Though it had begun as a small kingdom, merely an inheritance from Ealdorman Norman's domain, its strength had grown beyond that of an ordinary realm.
This was all thanks to advancements in metallurgy, woodworking, and fletching. The reputation of the great wizard Merlin attracted secluded elves and dwarves to trade with Camelot, as they knew Merlin had somehow gained the allegiance of fairies and pixies who resided in his lake.
As a result, Camelot's armor and weaponry became far superior to that of neighboring kingdoms. Additionally, Camelot was the first to establish the traditions of knighthood, feudalism, and chivalry, forcing the surrounding kingdoms to adapt. Many were compelled to send their craftsmen to learn from Camelot, for if they failed to keep up with its rapid development, their lands would quickly fall into obscurity.
Such had been the trend over the past six years. Camelot's rise and its ever-growing power. This also posed a major headache for the kings and lords of adjacent territories. Because of Camelot, their people, soldiers, and warriors gradually migrated to Camelot, drawn by its prosperity, leaving their lands increasingly desolate each passing year.
During these six years, the Lake of Avalon had become a symbol of magic and mystery. Many aspiring mages traveled to the lake, hoping to study under Merlin.
Still, only a select few were accepted as apprentices... under one strange condition: each apprentice had to return to their homeland to spread the name of Merlin before they could return to continue their studies.
Because of this unusual requirement, many mages speculated that Merlin sought fame rather than wealth or magical knowledge. Some even misunderstood his motives, believing that perhaps Merlin had already reached the pinnacle of magic.
Achieving direct access and complete control over the Akashic Records. They reasoned that if that were true, then his only desire would be to ensure his legacy transcended time itself.
As a result, numerous mages, lords, and kings who wished to earn Merlin's favor also helped spread his name and glory far and wide.
News of Merlin's wisdom and great power spread to distant lands, drawing mages from as far as the deserts in the south and the land of silk in the east. They journeyed to Avalon, hoping to become his apprentices and study under the legendary wizard.
As for Camelot's territory had expanded to encompass nearly half of the southern region of the British Isles. Camelot Castle stood atop a hill in what is known in modern times as Somerset. At the same time, Avalon had become the Holy Land of mages.
--- 496 AD - Lake of Avalon —
The magical Lake Avalon had become a prestigious place of study for mages from all over the world, who were gifted enough to learn magic under Merlin and gain access to the vast library within his tower. Over the past six years, the woodlands surrounding the lake had changed slightly, as several dorms were built to accommodate more than 10 Novice Mages, 250 Apprentices, and 500 Students.
Students had limited access to magical knowledge compared to Apprentices. They were required to study basic magic for at least four years before earning the right to take a test and advance to Apprentice status. Apprentices, in turn, needed to study for another two years at a minimum before they could request a defense trial to graduate as Novice Mages.
It was important to remember that this era was still the Age of Myth, during which magical creatures roamed freely and had not yet been hidden by the Hightower due to their near extinction. Hunting magical creatures was not forbidden, as no organization existed to regulate such activities.
However, Merlin and the Lake of Avalon were the first to implement strict regulations on hunting magical creatures, requiring all mages within Britain to comply… or face the consequences. These consequences ranged from a simple warning letter to a personal visit from Merlin himself.
There was a tale of a powerful mage family in the north of Britain who deliberately overhunted magical creatures, doubting that Merlin would dare take action against them due to their considerable influence and power.
As a result, their stone keep was blown to high heaven by an explosion spell after Merlin's golem army beat them to a pulp. They were then sentenced to ten years of humiliating labor, serving as caretakers of magical creatures in a specialized reservoir Merlin had created just for them.
—
At a gazebo near the lake, Merlin grilled barbecue for Envy, known in this era as Morgan le Fay. She sat comfortably in the gazebo, sipping tea while enjoying a book in her hand.
"Merlin, I must say, you have quite the knack for cooking. This… roasting dish, called barbecue, smells delightful. Is this also a feat of being skilled in alchemy?" Morgan mused, placing her teacup down with a satisfied hum.
"No, it's just a skill I picked up from living alone. When you live alone and don't want to suffer through terrible meals, you must learn how to cook," Daniel said, half-joking.
"That…" Morgan was momentarily stunned. "That's surprisingly convincing coming from you."
"But you know…" Daniel started, his tone shifting. "I don't want to live alone anymore." He looked at Morgan meaningfully, causing her to blush.
Daniel had been courting Morgan le Fay like a man wooing a woman for the past six years. She had been very resistant to his advances, and it took him years before she finally began to open up to him. Eventually, she agreed to be his girlfriend, but Daniel sensed she still needed more time.
Now, he was sure of something: perhaps Envy and the other women in his life, like the Witch, had been drawn to him because of their aspects of sin.
Envy had been lured by her own envious nature, particularly toward Koyuki, whom she regarded as her apprentice.
Greed was drawn to him out of her sin of greed, wanting to possess him.
As for Pride. Her rivalry with Koyuki likely influenced her sin of pride, which would wound her pride if she settled for a man inferior in power or status to him.
As for the women he had actualized, that was obvious. They had been drawn in by the loyalty instilled in them when they were actualized by his power.
To put it bluntly, he had it easy back in the modern day. But now, with no one for her to be envious of, Morgan le Fay was far more difficult to court. She might tease him or play along with his advances, but that didn't necessarily mean she had truly opened her heart to him.
That started to change three years ago when they officially became a couple. After living together for more than three years, she had grown comfortable enough to let him hug her. But a kiss? Or more than that? That was still up for debate.
Regardless, it had been six years since he started living here as Merlin, and not once had he heard a single word from the real Merlin. There had been no rumors, no claims, not even an angry, all-powerful wizard storming toward him, demanding to strangle him with his bare hands.
Could it be that Merlin doesn't exist in this timeline? That didn't seem right. Or… maybe… just maybe…
He was Merlin all along.
If that were the case… wouldn't that mean he had technically cucked himself?
Cuckedception?
It shouldn't be… right? … Right?
"Ah! Lord Merlin! Lord Merlin!"
A familiar voice called out to him while Daniel was having a minor crisis in his head.
A man in a breastplate rode a strong, well-bred horse toward him, carefully maneuvering to avoid disturbing the nearby flowers. Once he reached Daniel, he dismounted and walked over.
"Ahhh, Wiglaf. How may I help you?" Daniel said with a smile, subtly shifting his body to shield Morgan le Fay from Wiglaf's sight.
"Please… Lord Merlin, my name is Sir Lancelot now. That is the name His Majesty bestowed upon me. Remember?"
Wiglaf… or rather, Lancelot, let out a tired sigh. Merlin never called him by his new name, always insisting on using his old one.
He had a feeling that maybe Merlin hated the name Lancelot for some reason.