The king rose from his throne, looking at Hikari, and said to her: "I understand your concern. I will tell you why I called for you. Please, sit down."
In my youth, I was raised by my mother, Morgan Le Fay. She tried to guide me according to her own ambitions, doing everything she could to manipulate me.
In my castle room, my mother opened the door without warning. She demanded: 'Mordred! It's past time to frame the soldiers for sword theft... Are you listening?!'
I was reading a book. As she spoke, I took a deep breath and closed the book. I replied: 'My Lady, even though this is your request, I refuse! I will take noble actions, according to the will of our king!'
'Honestly, Mordred... One day you will remember this. You will regret it.' And with that, she left in a fury.
Her departure made it clear that her ambition knows no bounds. It means dishonor for our family.
The next day, I woke up excited and wanted to visit my father by the end of the day. My father... Hmmm, was Artoria Pendragon. Even though she was a woman, she wielded Excalibur and wanted to create a kingdom full of hope and prosperity.
I arrived at the Round Table at dusk. Reaching the entrance to the hall, I stopped and thought. Yes! I will tell them my greatest desires. I slowly opened the door – 'Mordred, please come in. I wanted to talk to you.'
I walked calmly and serenely towards him and asked: 'What is it, my father?'
'I will announce your entry to the Round Table. You will undergo training before that.'
'Really? Thank you, Father!' I gave him a tight hug.
'You're welcome... Ah, what happened with Morgan? Have you seen her?'
I looked down, my expression turning serious. 'She tried to influence me to do wrong things...'
'Hmmm, that makes sense... So the rumors were true. Thank you, Mordred. Get some rest, for tomorrow you will be trained by me personally before your entry to the Round Table.'
My training with Artoria, even though it lasted only a day, taught me many things. From the basics of sword fighting, to distrusting everything and everyone, and much about perseverance and persistence. Above all, courage and honor are the most important things for one who would be king.
At the entrance to the hall, about to enter the Round Table, my father called me to discuss something in the king's hall. As I approached, I heard him coughing loudly, agonizing in pain. I didn't waste time; I desperately opened the door and found her fallen, spitting blood. I ran to see what had happened.
'Father! What happened?'
'Get out of here, Mordred! Run!' she shouted in concern.
'I want to help! Please!'
After expelling a lot of blood, she stopped and began to smile as her face lifted. Her arm and her armor were corrupted from the inside out. Dark purple tones covered her. Her sword, Caliburn, was reconstructed before her, with vivid blood-red fissures running along the blade. A dark and tormenting aura made the hall tremble, reminding me of imminent death.
My voice trembled as I slowly recoiled. 'Father! What happened to you?! Are you...'
Her arm punched my face, throwing me against the wall. I was on the verge of unconsciousness. I saw another figure emerging from behind a pillar, laughing at the situation. Flames surrounded the throne room. My father knelt, bowing her head in reverence.
'Joan of Arc, thank you for the power of the dragons! I will use it well. I will create discord in all the kingdoms of Britain.'
'I did what had to be done. I will deal with this spoiled brat. Enter the portal; I will see you later.'
She raised her sword in my direction and recited my end. 'This is the howl of a soul full of hate, burn forever. La Grondement Du Haine!'
I raised my hand against the blinding flames. I thought... Why? Why did it have to be like this... I just wanted to see my father and the kingdom happy...
The flames approached, making me think I would die without fulfilling my promise to be a king like my father... I cried; my tears evaporated. I closed my eyes, awaiting my end.
All I could hear were the sound of someone running footsteps, shouting the following words: 'Hope! Create the barrier that protects my most precious treasure. Crimson Blood Shield!'
...
My heavy eyes struggled to open. I felt the silk fabric covering my arms. My clothes were light. I whispered: 'Where am I?'
'You are recovering after being attacked by a knight of flames...'
I opened my eyes fully; they hurt from the brightness. 'My head! What a pain! Hmmm... What happened?' I paused briefly, recovering the thread of my lost memories. 'My Father?! What happened?'
I was in a bed set apart for the highest royalty. The knights Gawain, Bedivere, Gareth, Tristan, and Lancelot were awaiting my recovery. I grew desperate from the knights' looks after the question I asked.
The silver-armed knight knelt before my bed, bowing his head. He answered: 'I'm sorry, Miss. Unfortunately, our king... He simply disappeared. You were lying unconscious on the ground while an unknown mage treated you.'
I was thoughtful for a few seconds. I took a deep breath, wiped away my tears, and showed confidence: 'Is she still here?'
'Yes, I will call her here. Please wait a moment.'
Entering, she referenced before introducing herself. 'Pleasure. I am Mordred Pendragon...' I interrupted her, shocked. 'Are you sure?!'
Many there were secretly startled, watching cautiously. 'Alright, calm your stares...' She took a deep breath, calming her nerves. 'I am a servant summoned by the Grail's will from another time. I was killed trying to protect my...'
She stopped, puffing, emotional from remembering that day. But she resumed the explanation: '...My daughter, Eleonora Pendragon. I had entrusted her to a couple of redheads in my final moments...'
'I'm so sorry...' I looked downcast.
'I apologize for the mood I've created. Let me get straight to the point. Eleonora is the key to defeating Artoria. She is the requirement for the Grail to be activated correctly.'
I held back my tears after remembering my father, clenched my fist, and shouted with confidence. 'Alright! We, the Knights of the Round Table, will believe in you. I will speak with Lady Avalon. We will see what you are capable of contributing to Camelot. For now, behave yourself. I, the new king, will honor my father.'