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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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79DZwARyse
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNvPswftiT
"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."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3dirf9Xav
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. 364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3wkQ21O5Q
You see here, I have everything I need in my heart, which is filled with love and peace."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCSmo2asPB
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. 364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fN5WuXSTP
You are a stupid fool to believe otherwise. Come, Merlin, let us leave this pitiful, idiot creature to his silly delusions."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtf7WCYxDyx
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgo9SLL0oUA
The Count turned his horse and rode away, followed by Merlin. The monk watched them go, and prayed for their souls.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7dyg5LQBh
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYuUtyn9tf
The Count wanted to conquer Camelot and claim its riches and lands, while Merlin wanted to destroy it and its protector, the wizard Gandalf.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iJ20q6DiB
Merlin had a plan, which he shared with the Count. He said,364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhdP680SdJ
"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. 364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1LJS4utU8
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."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fbdmHbJcl
The Count was quite intrigued and asked,364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nevApWQbd
"How do we find this Holy Grail?"364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjGvlhW1Xe
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."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjePwKBeme5
The Count realized who he meant and said, "The monk? You want to use him?"364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xlygRLsi7
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."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehJznoj3t6
𝑴𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒏364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsHAzmUfXL
The Count agreed and said, "Very well, let us do it. When do we leave?"364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInC3qES3p3
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."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTcHCtxVQt
The Count smiled and said, "Excellent. Let us prepare then. Soon, we will rule this land with an iron fist."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIIPpEkhyj
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. 364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnV3hIBpmS7
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeP1fF3266u
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, 364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjD0olN6Av
do you not?"364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8uZqCOxMq
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."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVRGsf9zca
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."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oe8wjRF0l
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."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fKvOWVMlK
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."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnB4Ov5XG4
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkHdi5mUsW
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. 364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ1R1dziDz
Though he was quite hesitant to lead the Count to the Holy Grail, he would not lay down his life for it.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrw6gkImGo1
At last, they came to a clearing, where a red small chapel stood. It was old, decrepit364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2D43jNhDb
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."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGEAn5ea2w
Chapter II364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU9qzwGj8u
He drew his sword and walked towards the chapel, leaving Merlin and the others behind. He pushed open the wooden door and entered.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRNjf8lbTY
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, 364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Mx1WXdDh0
"The Grail! It is real! It is here!"364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkvMk5ur31
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLszyS1nZv
Outside, Merlin heard a scream and said, "What was that? What happened?"364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaps28DIYI
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,364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0i9Sp6vPZD
"The Grail! It is real! I 364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypgi01AYZP
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. 364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBRW5lxSVi
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jyx2j1WW7
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JSGkN5kGF
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH69pq3t0i4
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."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0KqAxE77Z
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zbgD8Nd1a
The monk recognized him at once and said, "My lord... King Arthur?"364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2TzUbrtOj
The man smiled and said, "Yes, it is I. I have come to save you from your enemies."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Fyxw5XvPO
He untied the monk and helped him to stand up. He said, "Come with me. I will take you to a safe place."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOmEgn4huU
Chapter III364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8N7N0r9UF
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."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMuv8EjAVg
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZi7BiCoPK
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVNRBL2GXG
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJkWbk3SgH
He quickly rode out of Camelot, without even looking back.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OMp16kL4N
He rode his horse for many days and nights, through forests and fields, mountains and valleys. 364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1V6DGkjI3
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsbqVAWglb
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, 364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2R97fo4RY
"Whoever wishes to enter this castle must prove himself worthy by passing through the fire."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNHXIp8MjN
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdTP1usTda
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl7mGro451
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒚 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒍364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBVgU3DGP3
Lancelot recognized it as the Grail. He felt a surge of joy and awe, as he walked towards it, his eyes wide in364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG5ykG02rf
wonder.
He reached out his hand to touch it, but as soon as he did, he heard a scream.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdd8oAK2LYY
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?"364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl5D1KpuL3
She fell to the ground, dead.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JxHbIAjrb
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!"364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgJVleQtqO
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRE0pGNo1H
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."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbqxHRLjpA
She disappeared in his arms, still laughing.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gUpZQAqT7
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!364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaz2ghtfug
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 ."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUG1g4Tv0Mz
He looked up not364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJY115HpFJ
believing his own
eyes...
𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒖𝒓364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFt3kht05gE
Lancelot recognized him at once and said, "My lord ... King Arthur?"364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjhsKMS4EA
The king smiled and said, "Yes, it is I, I who have come to save you from your enemies."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JFYEOKoSE
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."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCh4OxwaWb
He led him to a white horse that was there waiting nearby. He helped him to mount it and then mounted another one himself .364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFDZMGnN3T
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."364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKZhIHTYsx
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.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ12fM4aVh8
They entered into Avalon, where they were welcomed by knights that had transcended their physical bodies and were now guardian angels.364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfYMMTR6d7
364Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6RYEbG0jP
