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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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hC0KxvfG0
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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4BiRBhjhh
"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."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoCZ4sq5PC
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. 307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZew3WjgFeG
You see here, I have everything I need in my heart, which is filled with love and peace."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5U3cin0YuH
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. 307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgjXWu1Tr1
You are a stupid fool to believe otherwise. Come, Merlin, let us leave this pitiful, idiot creature to his silly delusions."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqO2fnsd6I
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsfLd8ZZD4
The Count turned his horse and rode away, followed by Merlin. The monk watched them go, and prayed for their souls.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QCAK07hvf
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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJ9vIHuUSz
The Count wanted to conquer Camelot and claim its riches and lands, while Merlin wanted to destroy it and its protector, the wizard Gandalf.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCjXqZN0J2
Merlin had a plan, which he shared with the Count. He said,307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpOrTjmIx0
"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. 307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl4F3mMX4G
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."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RNfcQ4E7m
The Count was quite intrigued and asked,307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCF4pC0OsTg
"How do we find this Holy Grail?"307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMwVFOkw8R
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."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIhyPqoRkw
The Count realized who he meant and said, "The monk? You want to use him?"307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kADqcIqlu
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."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WJzt9s3bP
𝑴𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒏307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v60cq4uBG
The Count agreed and said, "Very well, let us do it. When do we leave?"307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMs1IM6covg
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."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuxpu5xNfF
The Count smiled and said, "Excellent. Let us prepare then. Soon, we will rule this land with an iron fist."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiSqVhlIJ0
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. 307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEC7fXilCR
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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59Ztnan3ah
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, 307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIH5wWi5JDg
do you not?"307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGliLx5rp7H
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."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Vol2WsnQE
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."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76oqHuRpJD
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."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8TyO2O3mO
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."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNIrl8yGeb
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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKV4IW85bU
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. 307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmpmLZgxL0
Though he was quite hesitant to lead the Count to the Holy Grail, he would not lay down his life for it.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9p5CNhTX6
At last, they came to a clearing, where a red small chapel stood. It was old, decrepit307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZqnMYhqBV
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."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmKHCuUXep
Chapter II307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OBQS1VnuI
He drew his sword and walked towards the chapel, leaving Merlin and the others behind. He pushed open the wooden door and entered.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVrtPkTM7K
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, 307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jTLIXOKrq
"The Grail! It is real! It is here!"307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasJW9q8riJ
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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgXUOTIg8U
Outside, Merlin heard a scream and said, "What was that? What happened?"307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2qv2fxqRk
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,307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1Z8B9v2Lm
"The Grail! It is real! I 307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRf9Dh64qV
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. 307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRsbhoabOE
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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdp59FxlULa
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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OwryqdtTH
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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOTq3J2P1m
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."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3IjAm9LLV
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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCt4Bv1SlN7
The monk recognized him at once and said, "My lord... King Arthur?"307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdKcRxy9UO
The man smiled and said, "Yes, it is I. I have come to save you from your enemies."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqRkr43pPe
He untied the monk and helped him to stand up. He said, "Come with me. I will take you to a safe place."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2i6iAZOJ7
Chapter III307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKpQNjLD8c
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."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnS05kcZJtm
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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOkbpTEdvJ
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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqq9bLDqapk
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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYyIjNRq8p
He quickly rode out of Camelot, without even looking back.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBC1aKVeRnx
He rode his horse for many days and nights, through forests and fields, mountains and valleys. 307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oroxqnBwL
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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YVbR3G1cK
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, 307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7sTcuhpak
"Whoever wishes to enter this castle must prove himself worthy by passing through the fire."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1s0ylbB2f
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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8FeXEX2hc
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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrqjMyuVbg
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒚 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒍307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eR8wa4tpp
Lancelot recognized it as the Grail. He felt a surge of joy and awe, as he walked towards it, his eyes wide in307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXNadNjQI5
wonder.
He reached out his hand to touch it, but as soon as he did, he heard a scream.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqXyQI2tfv
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?"307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQputV7j2i
She fell to the ground, dead.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTY5wcU852J
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!"307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3sIHwaL5V
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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHhKnOwg0h
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."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WoHDZ7Lrm
She disappeared in his arms, still laughing.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RQNB1MUkp
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!307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQALUOXv3J
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 ."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPWXXJmoVv
He looked up not307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYg61SpqyV
believing his own
eyes...
𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒖𝒓307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHgI9o9V6k
Lancelot recognized him at once and said, "My lord ... King Arthur?"307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHDoqBX3Gk
The king smiled and said, "Yes, it is I, I who have come to save you from your enemies."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HwFl1VYv0
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."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kdjPx9BFj
He led him to a white horse that was there waiting nearby. He helped him to mount it and then mounted another one himself .307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFy73A69Kd
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."307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkDlo2lB2G
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.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmCAJHqOPF
They entered into Avalon, where they were welcomed by knights that had transcended their physical bodies and were now guardian angels.307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96BS6BGzpI
307Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMP3NkaoPcb
