Avalon
In the land where endless flowers bloom, the entire world looked like a dreamlike paradise.
Dressed in luxurious robes, Merlin sat in front of a magically conjured computer, grinning broadly as he watched a video.
"Nameless, oh Nameless... let's see how you survive this!"
Merlin was particularly delighted.
Because—
In the latest episode of Unlimited Blade Works released by Alaya, Nameless and Gilgamesh had fought to the death.
The two were practically blood-sworn enemies, irreconcilable foes!
"Tch, I didn't expect the King of Heroes to have such a side to him—like his brain got soaked in black mud."
Merlin clicked his tongue as he watched the video, where the once proud tyrant now judged humanity like a divine figure.
Though Gilgamesh had always despised the gods, he had now unknowingly become like one himself.
Could the black mud actually have a corrupting function?
How terrifying!
But thinking it over, it made sense.
After the Holy Grail leaked, the black mud that flowed out was literally the "All the Evils of the World."
It represented the collective evil of all mankind.
For example—
In a classroom full of students, someone is bound to want to throw trash away.
So naturally, you'd place a trash can there.
You can't exactly arrest someone for littering, right?
That trash is "All the Evils of the World."
And the trash can—the Holy Grail—represents "All the Good of This World," the gathered wishes of humanity.
However...
Evil, in the end, outweighs good.
The endless trash completely overfilled the trash can, and yet no one bothered to empty it—
No, actually, the King of Heroes was the one trying to empty it.
But he chose to dump the trash in the classroom itself.
In other words, he released all evil to judge humanity.
As the nightmare who devours human dreams, Merlin fully understood the Hero King's thought process shown in the video.
To his eyes—
Since it was humanity who created this garbage, they must also take responsibility for it.
Trying to push that away?
Keep dreaming!
If you can't solve the problem, then die!
The King of Heroes, who had completely made himself into a god, now rampaged freely to punish humanity for its sins—
"Exterminate all of mankind!"
Under these circumstances, Nameless, as a counter guardian, teamed up with his past self—Shirou Emiya—to kill him at all costs.
From then on, the two became complete enemies!
"Once the King of Heroes sees the video, he'll definitely team up with me to deal with Nameless. A world-shaking drama is about to unfold!"
Merlin tapped his fingers on the keyboard, smiling more brightly than even Avalon's flowers.
Now that Alaya had revealed Unlimited Blade Works, everyone was convinced Nameless was hiding in Fuyuki City.
Once they found Nameless, Mordred would absolutely try to fight her Father for that man.
A man weighed down with countless sins!
A grand emotional drama of "loving father and filial daughter" would soon play out in peaceful Fuyuki.
And Merlin? He was both the mastermind behind it all—and the best-positioned viewer.
The thought alone made him so giddy he could barely breathe!
"So... should I go meet the King of Heroes now?"
Merlin fell into thought.
That talk of sealing himself forever in the Tower at the End—
Heh, it was just for show.
Could you really strangle yourself?
Or hold your breath until you die?
"Oh right, that Illya who appeared in the video seems to have gone through some changes."
Merlin opened his Clairvoyance again.
His Clairvoyance could observe every corner of the Earth without him taking a single step.
A tiny place like Fuyuki Academy City was nothing.
Through his Clairvoyant vision—
The entire academy city was in the middle of grand, tense preparations to welcome three great Heroic Spirits: the King of Heroes, King Artoria, and Mordred.
Three Heroic Spirits—nation-ending level threats. They had to be cautious.
And Illya was one of the student representatives in charge of this event.
At the moment, the adorable little loli was speaking with the school principal. Tamamo-no-Mae looked at her with amused curiosity,
"You really are beyond my expectations."
This little girl possessed miraculous magical talent, surpassing every other magus in the academy city.
At first, Tamamo had suspected it might be tied to sealed history. Now, with Alaya exposing everything in Unlimited Blade Works—
Her intuition was spot-on.
"Sorry... I'm not sure why I lost that part of my memory either..."
Illya's gem-like red eyes were full of confusion.
Something so important shouldn't have been forgotten—yet it was gone completely.
Was this all Alaya's doing?
"Since you're capable of summoning the greek hero Heracles, you must beware the Council of the Olympus Gods," Tamamo warned solemnly.
Back then, when America uncovered ancient ruins, they stumbled upon relics left by the Greek gods—allowing them to harness divine power and craft mechanical god-bodies.
That group had always desired to become true gods—to rule all beings.
Now that the Unlimited Blade Works video had gone public, they'd definitely try to capture Illya and steal her Heracles summoning rights.
"Mm, I understand," Illya nodded obediently.
"But no need to worry. If those guys show up—we'll just cut them down!"
Tamamo's voice was filled with killing intent.
And she wasn't joking—she really would.
"Thank you, Principal!" Illya beamed sweetly.
Tamamo blinked her fox-like eyes and smiled,
"Now then, you should focus on preparing to welcome King Artoria and the others."
Based on the Unlimited Blade Works reveal, this little loli also seemed to have feelings for Nameless.
Tch. Nameless... which one of us is the real fox spirit here?
She too was eager to see how King Artoria and the others would treat Nameless upon arrival.
Fight! Fight!
She loved watching girls fight!
"Mm, okay. I'll prepare with Sanjiro and the others," Illya replied seriously.
This was a matter of national pride—it had to be handled properly.
As for whether Sanjiro was actually Shirou... she was gradually confirming that in her heart...
"Huh?"
Tamamo suddenly turned her head and slapped at something.
"What is it?" Illya asked curiously.
"Oh, nothing—just saw a mosquito."
Tamamo smiled.
The two continued discussing how to receive the Heroic Spirits.
Meanwhile—
Back in Avalon, Merlin clutched his face.
That slap had actually come straight at him through his Clairvoyant vision!
If he hadn't dodged quickly, he'd definitely have been hit!
"As expected of the Nine-Tailed Fox, whose power rivals that of humanity's evils..." Merlin sighed.
He had acted too rashly—he should never have tried to spy on her.
Such a terrifying fox spirit.
"Wait a sec... did Illya just say Shirou is someone called Sanjiro?"
Merlin blinked, wondering if he had misheard.
But her expression didn't seem fake at all... was it just a name that sounded the same?
He quickly checked the records—
[Moriya Sanjiro: 17 years old, third-year high school student at Fuyuki Academy City.]
[Average academic performance. Average athletic performance. No magical circuits...]
[Includes video of repeated failed attempts at high jump in PE class.]
"Tch, just a normal high school kid."
Merlin looked disgusted.
He was now convinced the guy was just a regular student with no magical potential, hoping to support magi behind the scenes.
If that guy were Nameless, then the top donor of his livestream—a NEET doctor—must be a Grand Servant! (T/N: Oh boy, you have no idea...)
Merlin casually deleted the file and threw it into the recycle bin.
Ding-dong~
Just then, a new message popped up on his computer—
[Merry-chan, after watching Unlimited Blade Works, I suddenly remembered a lot. Could it be that I really wasn't human in my past life?]
No doubt—another message from that Chaldea NEET doctor.
"This guy... definitely not simple. Feels like he's on my level," Merlin muttered.
Even his Clairvoyance couldn't see through the man—quite the mystery.
If not for that, he wouldn't bother with such a simping, self-deprecating loser.
Now in a sour mood, Merlin casually replied,
"Why not just die and return everything to God? Maybe you'll get reborn next time."
What the hell had this guy been through to end up such a hopeless shut-in?
No cure. Just reincarnate already.
And as for what he said while watching Unlimited Blade Works:
"If Shirou can beat the King of Heroes—no, even just survive his attacks—then I'll turn into Magical☆Merry and meet the top-donating NEET doctor!"
Sorry, that was the past me.
Nothing to do with current me, okay?
You say I'm not human?
Well, you're right! Because I am the Child of Nightmare—definitely not human!
Watching the Chaldea doctor through Clairvoyance, Merlin wore a disdainful grin:
"I just love that look on your face — like you want to punch me but can't even touch me!"
To the proud Flower Magus, a mere shut-in doctor wasn't even worth mentioning.
If you've got the guts, come catch me!
Merlin casually shut off his computer.
"Alright, time to prepare. I need to go meet that King of Heroes and discuss our delightful little performance."
Vmm~
Avalon quivered softly.
The trap that should have sealed him for eternity was crossed with ease.
The Magus of Flowers descended upon Fuyuki City with unparalleled elegance, riding the dreams of countless people.
The moment he arrived, Merlin saw that king.
The man stood atop a streetlamp, crimson eyes gazing down at him indifferently.
As arrogant as ever.
Merlin smiled.
"King of Heroes, I've come as invited."
"Oh? How did you, the nightmare sealed in the Tower at the End, manage to break your seal?" Gilgamesh looked down upon him.
His Sha Naqba Imuru, the all-seeing eye of kingship, activated.
In an instant, all deception crumbled. He saw through the illusion— the one standing before him was indeed the true Merlin.
"That was merely self-restraint,"
Merlin replied, taking a step forward.
As he walked, countless flowers bloomed beneath his feet, giving him an ethereal, dreamlike aura.
He appeared completely otherworldly.
A smile suddenly appeared on the proud King's face. "Since you've come, this king will bestow a small gift upon you."
"Oh? And what gift would that be?"
Merlin was a little surprised — he hadn't expected the King of Heroes to value their collaboration so much.
This made him even more delighted.
Haha, this round's in the bag. Nameless, you've got no escape!
Under Merlin's gaze, the King of Heroes casually summoned a golden vortex and pulled out a small vial of potion.
Gilgamesh smiled. "Naturally, it's to turn you into the real 'Magical☆Merry', so Nameless can do whatever he wants with you."
???
Merlin was immediately full of question marks. He couldn't believe what he was seeing or hearing.
What the hell!?
This isn't the script we agreed on! Why is the King of Heroes siding with Nameless after watching that video!?