My youth story, a crossover anime, turns out, is FGO!

Shika listened to the story quietly, and as before, she did not offer any opinion.

This story is quite different from what people know. King Arthur has answered the call, and he is indeed a man, not a girl.

The reason for this might be that King Arthur and Merlin, as an inseparable king and subject, did not deliberately meet, and when they did meet by chance, the atmosphere was strange.

However, Toka never asked Merlin the reason. In her view, she was not Merlin's Master and had no right to ask Merlin these questions. Rikka, on the other hand, seemed to have her own set of logic and naturally accepted these differences.

At this moment, Merlin said something different from what he had said before.

Shihua changed her posture, straightening her back. She could sense that even though Merlin's speaking speed and posture hadn't changed, his inner self... was too strange. He was clearly devoid of emotion.

Yes, Toka has already realized that Merlin's outward behavior is merely a clumsy imitation of human emotions, meaning that he may not actually have any human feelings.

This is why she gave up beating Merlin and tried to lecture him instead; in her view, Merlin was not human and could not be judged by human standards.

She's restraining Merlin now only because she doesn't want Merlin's strange rumors to affect Rikka.

However, Merlin is different now.

"At the final moment of parting, as the departure bells rang, King Arthur spoke to the magician who had always been by his side..."

"Although I haven't had any relationships with the opposite sex like you have, and although I can't describe this feeling in words, the fact that you've always been by my side, and the years you've spent with me, are very precious treasures. Maybe, I've fallen in love with you."

Shika's eyes widened. She never expected Merlin to say such a thing. Was even King Arthur in Merlin's history of scum?

She wanted to speak out in condemnation, but ultimately remained silent.

Because she saw Merlin's eyes; even the magician himself probably didn't expect him to look at him like that.

Very, very close to humans.

So, Toka chose to remain silent, listening like a friend, because perhaps Merlin simply wanted to confide in someone and tell the story of this king.

"The magician was overwhelmed by emotions he never dreamed of, and he couldn't utter a single word. He was unable to respond with his usual flippant remarks, nor could he say any words of farewell."

Merlin's story continues.

The magician watched her walk away, muttering to himself—

"Although I appear human, my true nature is that of a cold-blooded, emotionless non-human, like an insect. But alas, I have fallen in love with the only beautiful heart (form)."

"The magician discovers that Artoria, knowing her fate, still does her utmost to protect the people's happiness. The magician, who once believed he 'understood human suffering but not the weight of that suffering,' feels for the first time profound confusion and pain: 'The radiance I've pursued throughout my long years, the radiance I thought I'd never attain—I realized I'd already been granted it, yet unknowingly lost it with my own hands.'"

Toka sighed softly, but Merlin, with his keen senses, seemed oblivious; perhaps he simply wanted to tell the story.

After reiterating the final outcome to the King, the Magician said, "Even so—if your life remains untainted, worthy of praise, and beloved by all, then as long as human history continues, you will become an eternal record (a star)." Seeing that the King still didn't quite understand, the Magician added, "So, even if that ideal cannot be realized, as long as you uphold the vow you made at some point, someone will surely be saved because of it."

"...And so, through Morgan's machinations and with the magician standing idly by, King Arthur fell at Gladiolus Hill."

"In the end, the magician imprisoned himself in a high tower, which could be described as the end of a foolish man who, with amusement, interfered in the fate of a young girl."

"Until the very end, the magician, who had waited for thousands of years, finally witnessed a young girl accept her fate and find liberation."

"—This is the story of the king."

Merlin let out a long sigh and lowered his white eyelids.

“I’ve listened to it all too.” Toka sat down next to Merlin, resting her chin on her hand. “Guess what I think?”

"What is it?" Merlin asked politely.

"You're such a scumbag!" Takanashi Touka concluded, "You're a scumbag who doesn't even know his own feelings and is so self-righteous."

"I was originally planning to stop calling you scum, after all, you are half-nightmare, a hybrid, and without emotions, you can't be considered human no matter what."

"Oh dear," Merlin scratched his head sheepishly, then looked annoyed. "So, why the original? In the end, you still think I'm a scumbag, Toka."

"Ah, do you have a problem with that, you scumbag?" Takanashi Touka said bluntly, "You have no feelings, yet you still confess to more than three girls every day, juggling seven or eight relationships without any remorse. Are you an octopus? Or should you be glad you're a Heroic Spirit so you're not afraid of a hatchet?" Should we say it's a good thing Artoria isn't in the story? Otherwise, Merlin would have been killed long ago.

"Oh, let me correct you," Merlin said smugly, pointing out the mistake. "It's ten ships!!"

Ten-flowered tiger's body trembled, then he erupted in fury: "Die, you scum!"

A fist slammed into Merlin's face, and the giant Fou-type spirit wailed, covering its face: "Don't hit my face, Touka! This is the only good thing I have!"

"So you actually have some self-awareness!" Takanashi Touka almost blurted out. "No, I absolutely can't let this guy lead me astray."

"Do you have any last words?" A soup spoon appeared in Shihua's hand. She slowly patted her palm with the spoon, her eyes dangerous.

"Ah, if you, Toka, also become a Heroic Spirit, this soup spoon might become your Noble Phantasm, right? Like the Holy Chef's Kitchenware or something?" Merlin said, having a good laugh.

"Then let me show you what it feels like to have your Noble Phantasm slapped in the face—" Juka's hand left afterimages.

"In the end, Toka still didn't tell me the answer?" Merlin rubbed his badly slapped face. "Ouch, Toka, your strength is comparable to Artoria's. Are you really not a Heroic Spirit?"

"Stop pretending." Shihua rolled her eyes at him. "Don't think I don't know that physical attacks can't hurt you."

"Even if I don't actually get hurt, I will still feel pain."

Merlin said angrily.

"Hmph, what does it have to do with me, you idiot."

Shihua stood with her hands on her hips, looking very arrogant.

However, my mood seems different now.

In the end, you, who had imprisoned yourself, clearly regretted it.

If you're troubled by feelings like regret, you're hardly not human.

It's just a cub that doesn't yet understand what emotions are, yet still feels sadness.

Then, let's judge you by human standards.

Merlin, the magician of flowers.