Merlin was a master of dark magic, who used his wicked spells to manipulate and deceive. He also had a hidden agenda, which was to overthrow the Count Phillip and take his place.
One day, Count Phillip was riding through the forest, when he came across a monk, who was traveling to a nearby monastery.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEh5WNuJQwk
The monk was a humble and kind man, who devoted his life to helping others and spreading the word of God. He greeted the Count with respect and courtesy, but the Count mocked him and his faith.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1A70pdzSr3
"Ha! What do you know of life, you foolish monk? You waste your days in pointless prayer and meditation, while I enjoy the pleasures of this world. You have no power, no real influence, no glory. You are nothing but a beggar in a robe."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPznUEpU1oO
The monk smiled and said, "My lord, I do not seek any of those things. I only seek to serve God and his creation. I have no selfish need for raw power, influence, or glory, for they are fleeting and vain. 478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGP3G1gl5xp
You see here, I have everything I need in my heart, which is filled with love and peace."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqb8ZIXdqAu
The Count sneered and said, "Love and peace? What utter nonsense! There is only war and strife in this world. Love is a weakness, and peace is a lie. 478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsh5TBlBOC1
You are a stupid fool to believe otherwise. Come, Merlin, let us leave this pitiful, idiot creature to his silly delusions."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2VUxRimkZ
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwo0q2Z7aQ
The Count turned his horse and rode away, followed by Merlin. The monk watched them go, and prayed for their souls.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1gt7GLYQW
The Count and Merlin returned to the castle, where they plotted their next move. They had been at war with the neighboring kingdom of Camelot, which was ruled by the noble King Arthur and his knights.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGJU6XofrR
The Count wanted to conquer Camelot and claim its riches and lands, while Merlin wanted to destroy it and its protector, the wizard Gandalf.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlYtoDCkvC
Merlin had a plan, which he shared with the Count. He said,478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZIfPccvQI
"My lord, I have devised a way to defeat our enemies once and for all. I have learned of a powerful artifact, hidden in the depths of the forest. 478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusWFPHuUOi
It is called the Holy Grail, and it is said to grant eternal life and wisdom to whoever drinks from it. If we can find it and use it, we will become invincible and unstoppable."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XSrunS5v8
The Count was quite intrigued and asked,478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMHlRGahWn
"How do we find this Holy Grail?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdBbAwz2da
Merlin said, "There is a legend, that only the purest of heart can see it and touch it. We must find someone who fits that description, and use them as our guide. I have a candidate in mind, someone who crossed our path today."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbFhH6ow7r
The Count realized who he meant and said, "The monk? You want to use him?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vkU8Ugi0v
Merlin nodded and said, "Yes, he is perfect. He is innocent and devout, he knows the forest well, and he has no ties to Camelot or Gandalf. He will not suspect our intentions, and he will lead us to the Grail. All we have to do is capture him and persuade him to cooperate."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Mhqv5QIV3
𝑴𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒏478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5qWsOi9qo
The Count agreed and said, "Very well, let us do it. When do we leave?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFdfPsuCnv
Merlin said, "Tonight, under the cover of darkness. We will take a small group of men with us, and leave the rest to guard the castle. We will be back before dawn, with the Grail in our hands."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KkqhK9KCl
The Count smiled and said, "Excellent. Let us prepare then. Soon, we will rule this land with an iron fist."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxRuFBpaer
That night, the Count and Merlin, along with a dozen of their men, rode to the monastery where all the monks were staying. They arrived in the pale midnight, and attacked the peaceful, sleeping, monks, killing many of them and setting fire to the buildings. 478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnaL6I9oyQ
They found the monk they were looking for, and dragged him out of his bed. He was terrified, and bitterly confused, begging them to spare his life.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE12V6vyXfZ
The Count said, "Do not fear, we will not kill you. We have a special task for you. You will lead us to the Holy Grail, the most sacred relic in the world. You know where it is, 478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pZupCObcG
do you not?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqGmwxTDn9
The monk said, "The Holy Grail? I do not know what you speak of. I have never seen it or heard of it. Please please, let me go. I have done nothing to harm you."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsSxaBVIzy
Merlin said, "Do not lie to us, you pious fraud. You are one of the purest of heart, and only such can find the Grail. We have seen it in our dreams, and we know you have too. It is hidden in the forest, in a secret place known only to God and His chosen ones. You will take us there, or you will suffer greatly."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPnXDGsgAQ
The monk said, "I swear by God, I do not know anything about the Grail. You are mistaken, or deluded by evil spirits. The Grail is not for mortal men to seek or possess. It is a divine mystery, beyond your comprehension."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaRUY2zPAz
The Count said, "Enough of your nonsense. You will obey us, or you will die. Come, mount this horse. We have no time to waste."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdpBQkcolp
The Count forced the monk to ride with him, while Merlin and the rest followed behind. They left the burning monastery behind them, and headed into the forest.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2K0krG3auz
The Count and his men rode through the forest for hours, following the directions of Merlin, who claimed to have a vision of the Grail's location. The monk was silent and prayed inwardly, hoping for a miracle. 478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBHEOonx9f
Though he was quite hesitant to lead the Count to the Holy Grail, he would not lay down his life for it.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOgxOEoVIz
At last, they came to a clearing, where a red small chapel stood. It was old, decrepit478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡym4xlZymqQ
crumbling, and covered with vines and moss. Merlin said, "This is it. This is where the Grail is hidden. I can feel its power. Come, let us enter."
The Count dismounted and said, "You stay here with the monk. I will go in first. The Grail is mine, and mine alone."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtR0yqTEw3
Chapter II478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLO4UJEcqB
He drew his sword and walked towards the chapel, leaving Merlin and the others behind. He pushed open the wooden door and entered.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVpfGdfoqQ
Inside, he saw a dimly lit room, with a stone altar in the center. On the altar, there was a golden cup, shining with a faint light. The Count gasped and said, 478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLH2XnaY0G
"The Grail! It is real! It is here!"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxl8AEuUSe5
He approached the altar, his eyes fixed on the cup. He reached out his hand to grab it, but as soon as he touched it, he felt a surge of pain in his chest. He looked down and saw blood spilling from his heart. He fell to the ground, dead.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWyRJNnYTQ
Outside, Merlin heard a scream and said, "What was that? What happened?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8ZQPXRbuN
He ran to the chapel, followed by his men. They saw the Count's body lying on the floor, and the cup on the altar. Merlin said,478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYgCpinjWw
"The Grail! It is real! I 478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHjx9o35Qs
must have it!"
He rushed to the altar, ignoring the Count's corpse. He grabbed the cup and lifted it to his lips. He drank from it, expecting to feel eternal life and wisdom. Instead, he felt a burning sensation in his throat and stomach. 478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY9uWARpbL
He dropped the cup and clutched his belly. He realized too late that he had been poisoned by the Grail's holy power. He collapsed on the floor, dying.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQql1oNWf7
The other men saw what happened and were terrified. They ran out of the chapel, leaving behind their leader and their lord. They mounted their horses and fled from the forest.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgTSXSe2HY
The monk was still tied to a Willow tree, watching everything in horror. He did not understand what had happened, or why God had allowed such evil to befall him and his brothers. He wondered if he would ever be free again.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpgtq1DAeA
Then he heard a voice in his ear, saying, "Do not despair, my son. You have done well. You have resisted temptation and remained faithful to me. You have witnessed my justice and my mercy. You have seen the folly of those who seek the Grail for their own gain."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8W1crLtiaI
The monk looked up and saw a man standing next to him. He was tall and fair, with long blond hair and blue eyes. He wore a white robe and a silver crown. He had a kind and gentle face, but also a majestic and noble one.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZISsgD5zD
The monk recognized him at once and said, "My lord... King Arthur?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDWwnVQWDv
The man smiled and said, "Yes, it is I. I have come to save you from your enemies."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gK0kduefn
He untied the monk and helped him to stand up. He said, "Come with me. I will take you to a safe place."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoq0GAIBpW
Chapter III478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDrEDidbRA
Meanwhile, in Camelot, Sir Lancelot was restless. He had a dream the night before, in which he saw a golden cup and a voice that said, "Seek the Grail, and you will find your destiny."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdsNPcjnK9
He did not know what it meant, but he felt a strong urge to follow it. He decided to leave Camelot and go on a quest for the Grail.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LBlavXpHn
He packed his belongings and took his horse. He did not tell anyone where he was going, not even his beloved Guinevere, the queen. He knew she would try to stop him, or ask him to take her with him. He loved her more than anything, but he also felt guilty for betraying his king and his friend, Arthur.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ604oRu6IAV
He left a note for her, saying, "Forgive me, my love. I have to do this. I will return to you, if God wills it.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCLjShs9Pa
He quickly rode out of Camelot, without even looking back.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCmrMGg6qK
He rode his horse for many days and nights, through forests and fields, mountains and valleys. 478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyOvEl9Uqb
He prayed every day, asking God to guide him to the Grail. He hoped that by finding it, he would then be forgiven for his sins and be worthy of God's love.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5R9uFSAz5
One day, he came across a castle in the middle of a lake. It was surrounded by a wall of fire, which burned without smoke or ash. He heard a voice from within the castle, saying, 478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJKl8iHvn4
"Whoever wishes to enter this castle must prove himself worthy by passing through the fire."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERF4tCLLsi
Lancelot did not hesitate. He spurred his horse and charged towards the fire. He felt a brief pain as he crossed it, but then he was inside the castle.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegg4sO6OaU
He dismounted his horse and looked around. He saw a large hall, with a long table in the center. On the table, there was a golden cup, shining with a bright light.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAShhSN7Ku
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒚 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒍478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBivmH64Zr
Lancelot recognized it as the Grail. He felt a surge of joy and awe, as he walked towards it, his eyes wide in478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQB41YW0mJ
wonder.
He reached out his hand to touch it, but as soon as he did, he heard a scream.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YRkieSpty
He turned around and saw Guinevere standing at the door of the hall. She was pale and bleeding from a wound in her chest. She said, "Lancelot! How could you? How could you leave me? How could you choose this cup over me?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBs9uTtt73
She fell to the ground, dead.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wXchgVPp0
Lancelot was shocked and horrified. He then dropped the cup and ran to her side. He took her in his arms and said, "Guinevere! No! This can't be! This is a trick! This is a lie!"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7cWYUnNfU
He looked at her face and saw that it was not Guinevere's face at all. It was the face of Morgana , Arthur's half-sister and enemy. She had wickedly used her sick, morbid magic to disguise herself as the beauty, Guinevere, to lure Lancelot into a trap.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemcIt9JMrn
She laughed and said. "Fool! You have fallen for my trap! You have chosen the false Grail, which is not a cup, but a curse. It has poisoned your soul and your love . You have lost everything."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6H0tPKXz3
She disappeared in his arms, still laughing.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6eG9L1Miz
Lancelot realized that he had been deceived. He had chosen the wrong cup and wrong destiny. He cried out in anguish, "God!" Forgive me! Help me!478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgL2pjpHZPR
And he too, heard a voice in his ear, that said, "Do not fear or despair, my son, you have done well. You have followed your heart and your faith. and have faced evil temptation and trial. You have seen the stark truth, also the lie and have found your true destiny ."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YcSEQ6NAj
He looked up not478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRTxTh61uy
believing his own
eyes...
𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒖𝒓478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXHSf5FmSm
Lancelot recognized him at once and said, "My lord ... King Arthur?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnPmcCS4HI
The king smiled and said, "Yes, it is I, I who have come to save you from your enemies."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGqqyMd50E
He helped him to stand up. He said, "Come with me, I will take you to Avalon, where I dwell with my knights and my lovely queen. There you will find peace and joy. There you will see the true Grail, which is not a cup, but a vision of God 's love."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleQOTFcSvW
He led him to a white horse that was there waiting nearby. He helped him to mount it and then mounted another one himself .478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6UOa37UqG
He said , "We are all going to Avalon, where we are free from pain, evil and sorrow. There we are one with God and each other and we are happy and fulfilled."478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLf18Wxybz
He rode away with Lancelot, leaving behind the castle, the fire, and the corpses. They crossed a bridge of light, which had spanned over a misty lake.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpVenBxEtZ
They entered into Avalon, where they were welcomed by knights that had transcended their physical bodies and were now guardian angels.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IDi0m1PpN
478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrKHMV2yks
