Waa~
A baby's cries echoed, announcing her birth.
Morgan held the tiny infant in her arms. A face strikingly similar to Artoria's bloomed with a joyful smile.
"My child, when you were born, the whole of Britain whispered your name—Mordred!"
Success.
Artoria, the hope of humanity in Britain, bearer of the power of the Red Dragon.
Vortigern the Usurper King, the embodiment of the last remnants of mystery, and the island of Britain itself—his true form, a White Dragon.
Then there was Nameless, a mysterious visitor from another timeline, whose fate was entirely unpredictable.
And finally, Morgan herself, the ruler of Britain who inherited the power of the island.
Combining the essence of these four mighty beings, she had finally created the ultimate genius, one capable of effortlessly destroying Artoria.
No—
Even calling her a genius was not enough. She was clearly...
The Child of the World.
Beloved by the entire world.
Morgan, smiling ever more brightly as she held the infant, whispered, "My child, someday Artoria will reach her end, and you shall be crowned king!"
This was a homunculus, with a growth rate more than double that of an ordinary human.
At just eight years old, she had already matured, bearing an exact resemblance to Artoria.
And then—
This eight-year-old knight was sent by Morgan, using Gawain's hand, to the Round Table Knights' stronghold.
Morgan told her this:
"As my son, you possess the right to inherit the throne. For now, hide your identity and serve the King. And then—strike her down and take her place."
AspiringPedo-[Damn, she's eight?! Nicee~]
AlmightyMiddleFinger-[Even if you told me, I wouldn't believe it. She's only been alive eight years and already like this?! And @AspiringPedo bruh chill.]
HistorianWithWifi-[As we all know, video clips can't be faked. So you're saying Britain's Prime Minister Mordred is a homunculus?!]
KeyboardKnight-[As expected of Morgan—she accomplished something no one else could!]
Blorbo-[It's over. The classic "kind father, rebellious son" plot is here!]
...
"Huh? So that's how Mordred came to be?"
Kirina grew more and more amazed as she watched this scene.
The uploader [Alaya] was seriously overpowered, relentlessly exposing the Heroic Spirits' dark pasts and secret histories.
If this was true, the whole of Britain would be shaken to its core.
"So—so amazing!" Illya couldn't help but exclaim.
Fusing the essence of four extraordinary beings, what kind of terrifying genius had that birthed?
Even someone like her could never compare to such a person.
The video continued.
After Mordred joined the Knights of the Round Table, everyone adored the brilliant young knight.
And she, in turn, was utterly infatuated with Artoria and Nameless.
Especially Nameless.
Just like how he taught Artoria, he taught her hand-in-hand.
He would even prepare delicious meals for her in private.
Illya swallowed hard. "Don't tell me Nameless knew who Mordred really was from the start?"
"Of course he knew. That guy's is from the future timeline!" Kirina replied with full confidence.
Then—
She stared at the screen where Nameless was teaching and feeding Mordred. Then turned to look at the otaku sitting across from her.
Her face lit up with a sly smile. "Nameless even knows how to cook, and he treats people so gently. So handsome it's unfair…"
"What? Go date him then!" Sanjiro said, increasingly annoyed.
This girl kept comparing him with himself—it was ridiculous!
In truth, he deeply regretted spoiling Mordred too much back then. That was probably how he ended up raising a rebellious child known as the Knight of Treachery.
He couldn't help it. As a single guy, suddenly discovering an adorable little girl who carried his blood—
How could he not spoil her?
Spoil her? Spoil her rotten!
By the time he realized it, it was already too late to undo the damage.
Tears... he was crying real tears!
After learning his lesson, the second time he raised a kid, he focused on frugal upbringing and all-around development in morality, intellect, fitness, aesthetics, and labor.
And yet—
Why did he end up with another rebellious child?
Was it because she was destined to be the enemy of Heroic Spirits from the start? That her nature was just unchangeable?
Sanjiro's heart grew heavier with conflicted emotions.
Though he had toasted with countless Heroic Spirits and saved the world, at this moment, he felt only defeat.
"Hmph, Mordred, King Artoria, and Jeanne are already with him. There's no room for me!" Kirina pouted.
No matter how great he was, he belonged to others now. While her otaku was hers alone.
(T/N: Poor child...)
Don't be fooled by how dazzling Nameless seemed now. Once all his dirt got exposed by [Alaya], this guy who'd messed with so many Heroic Spirits was bound to face the Hell of Jealousy.
That would be a fun show to watch!
Let the drama begin! Let them fight!
In the video—
The court mage Merlin, dressed in white, watched the smiling girl and knight training with swords.
As long as she stayed by Nameless's side, the girl named Mordred never stopped smiling.
The Flower Magus' smile deepened.
"As the knight destined to betray, you're still too young to understand—that what you're feeling isn't admiration, but an impossible love."
But he would not warn her.
This was a fate humanity had to experience.
Besides, what was more delightful than witnessing it firsthand, down to your very bones?
Oh? You say he's not human?
Apologies—he is the Child of Nightmares. He feeds on human dreams. Of course he's not human!
...
As the homunculus Mordred grew rapidly, her admiration for Artoria deepened day by day.
Then Morgan appeared once again.
The witch delivered a cruel blow straight to the heart,
"Artoria doesn't even know you're her child. And even if she did, she wouldn't acknowledge a filthy child like you!"
"Filthy…?"
Mordred stared blankly at her mother.
She had been overjoyed to learn she was the King's child. Yet now, her mother used that word to describe her?
"Yes. You will never be recognized. No matter how hard you try, you'll never be acknowledged as an heir to the throne!"
Morgan smiled and twisted the knife, "And Nameless doesn't belong to you either—he belongs to her! My child, kill those two lovebirds and claim your crown!"
That smile stung Mordred's eyes.
"No, I don't believe you!"
She stepped back, shouting in disbelief.
Then, she confronted Artoria herself, desperately needing to know if what her mother said was true.
Hearing her question, the King sighed softly. "So it was my sister's plot. Though you are indeed my child, I will not acknowledge it—nor will I pass the throne to you."
"I see... So that's why I've always been seated at the end of the Round Table—I finally understand now."
Mordred stumbled away.
In that moment, she understood everything.
Artoria had always despised Morgan. How could she ever accept her?
No matter how hard she worked, no matter how exceptional she was—she would never be acknowledged.
Her once boundless admiration for the perfect King turned to bottomless hatred.
And finally—
When Artoria led her army to Rome, seeking peace for Britain through one final campaign...
Mordred raised the flag of rebellion and seized control of the Holy City of Camelot. She led a massive army and blocked the returning King on the Hill of Camlann.
The war to destroy Britain had begun.
The knight who once adored Artoria now raised her sword against her.
"Farewell, Father, and to my cowardice!"