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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.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TIpVAl3ZM
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.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHr9PqA2VS
"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."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR8FDJhZed
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. 349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWaCLOvaJw
You see here, I have everything I need in my heart, which is filled with love and peace."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoKSSDrz8k
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. 349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROWUW9SK7m
You are a stupid fool to believe otherwise. Come, Merlin, let us leave this pitiful, idiot creature to his silly delusions."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwdL7nyNTJ
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITLqv7tMkO
The Count turned his horse and rode away, followed by Merlin. The monk watched them go, and prayed for their souls.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOyFisnQ4B
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.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYODUbaITc
The Count wanted to conquer Camelot and claim its riches and lands, while Merlin wanted to destroy it and its protector, the wizard Gandalf.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuxtQDKDC0
Merlin had a plan, which he shared with the Count. He said,349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuNgLd5kYu
"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. 349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXSB7EYIG6
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."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQlB0baOv0
The Count was quite intrigued and asked,349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRB8CytjQff
"How do we find this Holy Grail?"349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtggxfEjIl
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."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANEmzLmeEm
The Count realized who he meant and said, "The monk? You want to use him?"349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDixNUrgF4
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."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKX6qiwLy2X
𝑴𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒏349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh32tLi96Pq
The Count agreed and said, "Very well, let us do it. When do we leave?"349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQlbf1GaYZ
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."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXfx1UyAIp
The Count smiled and said, "Excellent. Let us prepare then. Soon, we will rule this land with an iron fist."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzQP3JU53i
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. 349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5oVq5jlet
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.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiVMa9b8k3
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, 349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJQtQlPlJh
do you not?"349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpTXZlY3mA
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."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6ZxGZQadz
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."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEvTMligIF
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."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Rnw477u1v
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."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJAMrbWTHX
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.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5PoRYdTXV
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. 349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0m9Uac7irQ
Though he was quite hesitant to lead the Count to the Holy Grail, he would not lay down his life for it.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3dn0kdeU4
At last, they came to a clearing, where a red small chapel stood. It was old, decrepit349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxQggyhWdd
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."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAX270gSJNe
Chapter II349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3JJkTsCGW
He drew his sword and walked towards the chapel, leaving Merlin and the others behind. He pushed open the wooden door and entered.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbsujKgvxY
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, 349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjfdF3v1xB
"The Grail! It is real! It is here!"349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsxBR8Diwn
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.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWBAEtzcvg
Outside, Merlin heard a scream and said, "What was that? What happened?"349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2DpGeblGN
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,349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3t9NY7b6IB
"The Grail! It is real! I 349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDPwPyBQef
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. 349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97M9p8BH1v
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.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE4XfGGLz6
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.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtdTfUe0wt
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.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NcIKkSIUO
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."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2jkFKRYcu
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.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9JnAGKxYk
The monk recognized him at once and said, "My lord... King Arthur?"349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4J6V6BWg2
The man smiled and said, "Yes, it is I. I have come to save you from your enemies."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshohqWDhWH
He untied the monk and helped him to stand up. He said, "Come with me. I will take you to a safe place."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vz2ppTtFy
Chapter III349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlI9J09nIba
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."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpKBi8NsSt
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.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlcpncgjQk
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.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1kpspvaGm
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.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wFy2ppuC4
He quickly rode out of Camelot, without even looking back.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNZ9HszxCy
He rode his horse for many days and nights, through forests and fields, mountains and valleys. 349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRr6he8LOA4
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.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVfMIxoOxq
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, 349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmuq315xHB
"Whoever wishes to enter this castle must prove himself worthy by passing through the fire."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiN6Y6SfZAr
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.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8p0NApLVp
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.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxztiKFvoI
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒚 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒍349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCRNIsTfot
Lancelot recognized it as the Grail. He felt a surge of joy and awe, as he walked towards it, his eyes wide in349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1qb884wgF
wonder.
He reached out his hand to touch it, but as soon as he did, he heard a scream.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvGt12JPwY
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?"349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbMsfIipSU
She fell to the ground, dead.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTerfb3AKDY
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!"349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDZlR9TmmQ
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.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7fLyE7iQW
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."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8a2H2yjB39
She disappeared in his arms, still laughing.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1y1v9XfNA
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!349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWcXkbLF4r
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 ."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡME4bCCRQSz
He looked up not349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbtzVt1ITo
believing his own
eyes...
𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒖𝒓349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbx2dEK0cbL
Lancelot recognized him at once and said, "My lord ... King Arthur?"349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81sQyK7WVU
The king smiled and said, "Yes, it is I, I who have come to save you from your enemies."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6jobvwN9d
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."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9010aUJz1
He led him to a white horse that was there waiting nearby. He helped him to mount it and then mounted another one himself .349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8lgDRoxSR
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."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVd6CwcMdie
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.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtffp8h0XC
They entered into Avalon, where they were welcomed by knights that had transcended their physical bodies and were now guardian angels.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaqJi2mCgy
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyfDVockxi
