【Merlin Roman】As You Like It

WARNING: Contains spoilers, descriptions of deaths, and implication of the original plot.

On the last day of 2016, Merlin arrived in Chaldea.In the wind and snow, he braved the severe cold to climb to the top of the mountain and knocked on the door of the research institute, just in time for Da Vinci to announce important news.

"Modern medicine simplifies many things. Death came so softly that we would hardly have realized he was dead if we hadn't looked at the EKG."

Da Vinci holds a report.The same three pieces of paper were sent to Fujimaru, Mash and Merlin.The paper reads: Romani Akiman, male, ID number XXXX-XXXXXXX, died in the central control room of Chaldea at 2016:12 am on December 25, 11, cause of death: cardiac arrest.

The three of them each occupied a seat, all expressionless.Fujimaru poured hot water into the teacup, the water temperature was too high, white mist rose up.Floating to Matthew's glasses, she took advantage of the opportunity to hide herself behind the fog.

She held a box of tissue paper and said in a very soft voice, "I'm not sure I can finish it."

The tissue box was pinched and dented in several places.

"let's start."

The big screen lowered to play the surveillance video.

2016-12-2420:43C-02X位摄像头

"Hey, doctor, what are you?"

"This is a newly made medical device. It is box-shaped and easy to carry. I want to find a chance to try it."

"If it succeeds, I will give everyone one of them. It is really tiring to monitor around the clock...Ah! I'm sorry, I'm not..."

"It doesn't matter to be honest, everyone is very tired haha...don't worry. I'll be there later."

"Doctor, when was the last time you slept?"

"……Uh……"

"Sleep for a while."

"um. Thank you."

"He's installing the hardware, and there's 5 grams of pentobarbital sodium, 100 mg of bispixonidyl bromide, and 100 mEq of potassium chloride. It doesn't have to be 5 grams...he's racing against time. This time Operational error margin is zero."

Da Vinci explained.

2016-12-2511:36C-031X位摄像头

"Romani?"

"The value of the future... Matthew has said so, I should also be aware of it."

"Why, do you still plan to do that?"

"Yeah. The best timing, Gaedia's limit has just been seen. I am a person who has only fought battles with a chance of winning. I leave the defense of the control room to you, Leonardo, you are a genius. Can you keep it?"

"Of course. You can go too, I don't expect you to bring back any souvenirs."

"I knew his plan a long time ago. Apart from me, there should be other insiders..." Da Vinci gave a look, and Merlin nodded knowingly, "Merlin, we all know his plan. This matter happened a few months ago It's settled."

"...he walked out of the area," Matthew stared at the screen, "is there any more?"

"If you can bear it. Cameras are also arranged inside the cage."

Fujimaru hesitated a bit when he said this. "Why monitor him?"

"Romani Akiman's death needs to be witnessed by all. We have to make sure that he is not in a deep coma or anything else. This is what the Commander requested."

2016-12-2511:41B-019Z位摄像头

"It is now 11:45, and I, Romani Akiman, are performing injections in the B01 cage. The video is simultaneously broadcast to the central control screen, please monitor."

"Within 10 seconds after the initial injection I would lose consciousness and the device would automatically perform the follow-up injection. But if something goes wrong...well, I'm very reluctant to say this: Just in case, have my colleagues in the medical department be on standby to make sure Subsequent injections of bipisteronide bromide and potassium chloride went smoothly, and the time of my death was controlled within 7 minutes."

"I didn't intend to make my death a burden to you, it's inhumane. If you have any unhappiness in your dreams in the future, please complain to me loudly, and I will take responsibility.... You have all received my empty check, thank you Thank you for your care over the years. . . . Goodbye."

"It didn't seem so fast again. I just made a basic mistake... No rubbing alcohol at all, right? The last shot... Cough! For the record: Romani Akiman gave up the disinfection step. Start the injection immediately."

"Officially...goodbye."

"The picture is basically still after that, so you don't have to watch it anymore." Da Vinci sighed, "I personally don't recommend it. He hasn't slept for a long time, and people who lack sleep look like this when they lie down... After 2 minutes and 19 seconds After death, the transfer of spirit particles started and arrived smoothly."

In the surveillance video, Romani's eyes are closed and his lips are slightly parted.If it wasn't for the EKG, everyone would have thought he was sleeping.That's exactly how he sleeps.

This picture is more realistic than the curtain ending with light scattered.

Matthew's glasses were clouded with tears and mist. "I don't understand...why do you have to..."

Da Vinci stroked her hair. "Think about it carefully, you know, the transfer channels used by people who don't have the qualifications... The director gave him inspiration."

Merlin got up and paced with a teacup.He is uncharacteristically dressed in a British three-piece suit and gold-rimmed glasses.Today he is extra formal.

"You have to believe that he used to be the smartest person in this building, and the solution he could think of must be the best solution. No matter what the result is, the task is completed and the story ends. The big results are gratifying."

Da Vinci raised his eyebrows. "With all due respect, you are not qualified to say that. You were not there."

Merlin looked at her, slightly dazed in astonishment. "Why should I be there? Do you think I'd like the ending?"

Their logic is clearly not in one dimension.No one can convince anyone.Merlin is not an employee of Chaldea, nor is he obliged to do his duty for mankind.

"People don't call this kind of thing 'ending'," Fujimaru collapsed on the sofa helplessly, "You don't understand."

"I understand that you can't say it because you are not objective enough. The real objectivity is to stay out of the matter." Merlin poured hot tea for everyone present, "Even I am not objective enough this time, and I still have something to do with this world."

"Merlin, how do you feel? Sad? Regret?"

"Express regret in etiquette." Merlin smiled, "I have nothing in my heart."

■

"So, you were born in 05." Merlin was eating a cup of freshly baked soufflé. "A lot of movies appeared in that year...Ah, this cake is delicious."

"Weimiya's craftsmanship is so good," Romani said after eating happily, "You don't want to eat it for me."

Merlin held the spoon in his mouth, and said in an ambiguous tone, "Okay. So we are the kind of friends who can exchange leftover snacks."

"I'm not your friend," Romani said helplessly, "I'm..."

"fan."

"No! Don't talk nonsense!"

Merlin pushed half a glass of orange souffle across the table.

Romani's protests cut off abruptly, and he took a spoonful.He must be a chef's favorite type of guy who can ooze ecstasy over a cake.Merlin watched him take one spoonful after another, and somewhat understood Emiya.

"The movie in 05, do you like "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"?"

Romani was pleasantly surprised: "How do you know?"

Because the screen is full of sweets.

"...I haven't watched many movies from 05," Romani argued in a low voice, "It's only the first year, and I can't understand it even after watching it."

It is said that he has just become a human being and cannot understand human minds.

"Who said you can't watch movies without feelings?" Merlin objected, "Brokeback Mountain is also an old movie from 2005, did you cry?"

No matter how Romani explained that he hadn't read it, Merlin didn't take it to heart.He loves movies, and movies are a human drama within a drama.Watching a hundred stories of no more than 120 minutes, you can always meet Happy Ending.As long as the ending is good, Romani must like these too.

Merlin took a sip of tea leisurely: "You were one year old in 05, you should watch fairy tales if you don't watch movies. Do you like Andersen?"

Romani is not convinced: "I write poetry myself."

■

During the intermission, everyone went to the restaurant for lunch.Matthew couldn't help but feel sad for Merlin's words. To a certain extent, he hurt her feelings. It was not his intention. He still apologized solemnly.But his apology is as weightless as the hurt, and you can't negotiate rules with someone who is not under your jurisdiction.It is the greatest respect for human beings that he is still sitting here.

On important days, it is also suitable for lunch.Fujimaru and Matthew wept when the mutton risotto in red soup was served, which was Romani's favorite dish.Desserts include Chestnut Mont Blanc, Orange Souffle and Blue Mountain Coffee.Everyone has leftovers except Merlin.After a meal, their faces turned even paler.

Bad things are yet to come.Before the coffee cup was put down, Da Vinci dropped a new bomb: Romani signed a body donation agreement.Now not only his soul, but his body is also fully utilized.He wrote in his suicide note (actually a work log): "... 47 seriously injured people are still on the verge of danger. Modern medicine cannot guarantee that they will live or how long they will live, but this responsibility should not be entirely attributed to Olga Marie Ani Musfia or Maris Billy Animsfia. My donation will save some."

Chaldea accepted Romani's agreement.After the cardiac arrest, his body was immediately cryopreserved.Merlin went to visit him and stood by the freezer for a long time.Fujimaru and Mash were waiting outside the door.Until they were exhausted, Merlin stood there without saying a word.It's more like watching than remembering him. It's usually not so obvious, but today, his inhuman side is fully exposed.

Fujimaru and Mash didn't know what he wanted.Today, they deeply feel that Merlin is not one of them.He looked at Romani with the eyes of a living person.Incredible.

"So some parts of this body will be transplanted to others." Merlin's fingers slid back and forth outside the glass, "He is not a magician, and there is no magic influence."

Romani spent 11 years personally verifying that the body given by the Holy Grail is no different from ordinary people.He was within spec, fatigue and stress leading to dry skin, vision loss, high liver load, sleep deprivation causing dizziness, migraines, anxiety and mild OCD.As a doctor, Romani tried his best to ensure that he lived a reasonable life, but he was still thin, with no flesh around his waist, his nail beds lacked blood, and he barely reached the donation quota.His organs might save a life or two.

Merlin studied the face through the glass.

Quite serene.Romani has made all preparations.When he was alive, he was full of flaws, but after death, he was like an iron wall. Merlin could no longer read anything from his expression.

"Declare the will," Merlin said.Facing Romani, it seemed that any moment he would sit up and read to himself.

■

Because of a discussion, Merlin recommended Wilde's fairy tales to Romani, which hit Romani's virgin reading field impartially.Romani quickly found the book and nestled on the sofa to watch "The Happy Prince".It was too quiet, and he was determined to make some noise.

"'The next day he sat on the prince's shoulders all day long, and told him what he had seen and heard and experienced in foreign lands. He also told the prince about the red ibis, which stood in a long row of the banks of the Nile, to catch goldfish with their beaks; and of the Sphinx, which is as old as the world, and dwells in the desert, and knows everything in it; Walking slowly, feeling the rosary beads made by the wolf; he talked about the king of Moon Mountain, whose skin was as black as ebony, and worshiped a huge crystal; The snake, who had twenty monks to feed it with cakes made of honey; and he told of the dwarfs, who rode to and from the lakes on great flat leaves, and were always at war with the butterflies.'”

Sad and beautiful.After reading a long paragraph, Romani put down the book sadly.

"Every time I read it, I feel so sad. The prince can only listen to other people's stories, and he can't go anywhere by himself."

Merlin shook his head: "He's like a puppet. How can a puppet leave the base and run around? Just stand obediently."

Romani's expression darkened. "Perhaps so. The prince died after all."

He was silent for a while.

"The prince died in the end." Romani repeated, "Isn't the death of a human being considered dead? He is not human."

"Why not? Life is an actor, and death is a curtain call. It is not often said that being able to die is a good ending." Merlin shrugged, "Maybe because the literary works and movies in recent years have been too fond of open endings. Just want to have fun."

Romani was instantly relieved. "That's true."

Merlin turned out a page for him to read: "This passage is the saddest—'The ruby ​​on his sword hilt has fallen off, the sapphire eyeballs are gone, and he is no longer gold. A beggar is no better than a beggar!'”

"Do you know what it means to be sad?"

"Online book reviews say that I cried when I saw this."

"That's not how you feel." Romani closed the book and looked sideways at Merlin. "What do you think? Touched, sad...is there any?"

"Regret in etiquette." Merlin admitted sincerely, "I have nothing in my heart."

■

According to the will, Romani returned all property to Chaldea.The word "return" is used solemnly, but the content is shabby.His basic necessities are all in Chaldea, so he has to save his salary, and the interest will be paid in the middle of next month, and there will not be much more; the books in a room are all moved from the library, which is not considered personal property; Cross-dressing, this is the only set, which is particularly eye-catching when mixed with twenty copies of uniforms; three pairs of leather shoes, one pair of short boots, and two pairs of soft fur slippers; six workbooks, dozens of soft-covered copies, a lot of them are not thrown away after use pen refills; two computers, a terminal unit, and an enameled teacup with a sheep pattern on it.

People are a kind of crystallization of life, and when diluted, they are mostly trivial gadgets.Romani's 11 years are among the above-mentioned objects, so poor that I don't know who to give it to.He has nothing that can be called "inheritance", the most precious organs have been donated, and the rest are packed up and distributed to relatives and friends as souvenirs-here is another tragic thing, and Romani's interpersonal relationship is also lackluster .The sheep teacup was entrusted to David, the manual notes and computer were given to Da Vinci, the Halloween costume was given to Matthew, and the slippers were given to Fujimaru.When it was Merlin's turn, everyone looked at him with pity.There was really nothing left to hand on the table.

Da Vinci double-checked the will to make sure he read it correctly.According to the above statement, Merlin can take away the remaining part of Romani's donation.But it was probably a jar of ashes, and they were very nervous.

"The useful part belongs to you, and the useless part belongs to me." Merlin drank another cup of coffee with a relaxed expression, "I don't have any demands."

David doesn't need this.Nothing for Merlin.

"If you wish... I can give you the slippers." Fujimaru mustered up his courage.

Merlin was very moved. "Thank you, but I have slippers made of fufu."

The peripheral products of Beast4 are earthquake-resistant, fire-resistant and can float on water, which is not comparable to Romani's indoor slippers.

"There is still an hour for the first batch of organs to be excised and preserved. The remaining 47 people who were frozen will also be put into treatment one by one." Da Vinci pointed to the freezing cabin, "I don't intend to spoil the fun, but please hurry up and say goodbye."

"We've said everything we can say," Fujimaru couldn't laugh or cry, "How many days did he lie in bed? Six days?"

The four of them looked at each other, and finally remembered: Today is the last day of the year.The busy 2016 is finally coming to an end.

■

Romani nestled on the sofa in the lounge.He looked at Wilde again, his expression changed from indifference to helplessness.Merlin admired his expression from the opposite side, with ever-changing expressions and endless flavors.

"As long as the ending is good, you can't demand too much from the story."

"Have you seen this? When spring comes, angels come to this city and take away the two most beautiful things - the lead heart and the swallow's corpse." Romani frowned, "Is this considered HE?"

"Of course. They met in heaven."

"Merlin, where is heaven is still a question."

"The Welsh people don't care about this, we are going to the other world." The tone was cheerful, "If you are interested, I can take you to Avalon."

Romani's face creased suspiciously.There is no doubt that he is struggling, whether out of shyness or disgust is unknown.

Merlin waited for a long time before he heard him say sullenly: "...Isn't that heaven, who wants to be with you in heaven."

■

"Will the Welsh go to Avalon when they die?" Fujimaru asked.

She, Matthew, and Merlin sat on a bench in the hallway.They lined up in a row, looking at the ground neatly.

"No. Avalon is just one of the symbols of the 'beyond world', and ordinary people cannot enter."

"What is Avalon like?"

"Filled with golden apples, streams, trees that never wither... and a tower that punishes sinners."

No one answered for a while.Merlin was bored, recalling how Romani tied her hair and tied it into a high ponytail.

"Merlin, do you never feel pain?"

"I'm half human. Although I don't have emotions, I can understand when to suffer. Once I understand it, I can't stay out of it. How scary... Empathy is something."

"Have you ever been in pain?"

Merlin struggled to remember. "Perhaps. I'll live on and be able to bury each of you. But I don't like attending funerals."

Matthew smiled through tears and covered her mouth. "Because it's not HE?"

"That's right." Merlin tugged at his collar, "I've only participated in a few games, and today is the most shabby one."

Who else's funeral?They really asked.Merlin didn't care to tell them, but that may not be suitable for today.He has attended only a few lovers' weddings.They were all one-night stands, but sometimes he passed by and saw a woman he knew was buried, so he stopped by to have a look.Merlin couldn't remember their faces when they were young, and the relationship between women was generally like this—there was no contact after 419, and the funeral was the second side of each other—there was no real meaning in saying goodbye.One of them, perhaps named Mobiledale, Marina, or whatever name begins with M, still missed him until his death, and asked his grandson to send him a glass pendant.Merlin didn't admit in public that the young and handsome self was the old love of the old woman in the coffin, but instead took the necklace after nightfall.There is no bright spot, he quickly threw it away.But after that, whenever he attended a funeral, he always took one thing with him.

In Merlin's view, it is a kind of commemoration for those he does not love. Even if it has not been preserved for a long time, "owning" is also an attitude.He had them, and he had them again.He meets them briefly in death.

But today is different.He got nothing from Romani.The Happy Prince lost his ruby, sapphire and gold, and only the swallow kept him company.All Merlin can get is the heart of lead and the corpse of the swallow, and in detail, it is a jar of ashes.He intends to take it back and put it in Avalon.

Fujimaru said nothing more.

Merlin got up to see Romani for the last time.He looked at him and remembered that those closed eyes were grass green, more beautiful than any woman's necklace.And Romani never knew this, he was never self-aware, he never wore a necklace.

Merlin decided to tell him anyway.

"Your first ID is Olivine, like your eyes, and it sounds much better than Dr. Romantic."

Merlin didn't kiss him.What can be accomplished in a dream does not have to be put into reality.

■

"Put away the illusion, Merlin."

Merlin looked up at Fujimaru.

They're down the corridor.The other Merlin and Romany Akiman are over there, curled up on the couch, reading Wilde head to head.

"Put away the illusion." Fujimaru begged.

For a moment, Merlin didn't realize it was an illusion.He thought it would be some kind of parallel reality.Although it meant nothing to him, at that moment he felt something that he didn't have before and started to smile.

"Oh, I didn't even notice. Did I do it?"

With a wave of his hand, the illusion disappeared.

■

Romani Akiman died as a human.

Merlin stayed in Chaldea for a while.As agreed, he took Romani's ashes and sprinkled them under an apple tree in Avalon.

Because that body was too ordinary, nothing happened.There is no change in the leaves, flowers and fruit of the apple tree.

In his free time, Merlin would stand under that tree and smell the branches.Avalon does not distinguish between four seasons, and the apples are piled up under the spring light, which is dazzling.The flowing water passed through the cracks in the stone, just like the time he spent, slow and endless.

Merlin didn't hate it at all.If the person who invited him here wanted to make him resent, he might be disappointed.He was never bothered, and he brought in what he liked and kept it here.

2016 passed safely.Merlin knew exactly what kind of year it was—at the end of February in a certain world line, the actor with the same name as Da Vinci won a statuette. It had nothing to do with Merlin, but he shed tears for it.That's just the way history has changed. It's nothing to accompany running, as long as the ending is good.Wiping away his tears, he thought: everyone likes a story that everyone likes, and I want to bless the world.So that year when Gilgamesh was recruiting, Merlin was obliged to go, with some love and gratitude that he didn't understand.When the King of Uruk asked the reason, Merlin replied: "It is only by saving you that you will have a future, and the No. 80 eighth Oscar. Tonight, you can use clairvoyance to help me see, who is the best director awarded to?"

Gilgamesh, of course, ignored it.I later learned that it was The Revenant.Compared with the movie itself, it is even more moving that the leading actor won the trophy.It's the kind of Happy Ending that Merlin loves to watch.The above happened in a certain month in 16.

At the end of 2016, Merlin assisted in the great cause of saving the world.After a brief farewell, he figured out a way to go to the present world to complete the agreement with Romani.

In Romani's impression, the first time they talked was online, both parties pretended to use youthful expressions that were not suitable for their age.In Merlin's memory, the first time he saw Romani was in a dream.

Out of a curse, he can only go to a world where he does not exist, and simply went to the 10th century BC with a bundle of baggage.Solomon waited for him, and they saw one side in the flood. At that time, Solomon's all-seeing eyes were still effective. Only that side already knew who Merlin was, where he came from, and why he came.They let time slip by without speaking, and it took thousands of sunsets in one glance.Merlin returned to the tower without saying anything.The above happened in Merlin's [-]th year in Avalon.

Solomon is omnipotent, but always a little short: he doesn't know the answer to what death is.

Now, Merlin strings together some details and realizes that Romani's 11 years as a human being have not been wonderful, and the knowledge he has learned is used to kill himself in the end, but Romani is not unhappy. Because of death, he arrived at the Answers, got the final wisdom.This alone is enough to explain: the ending can be considered good, and a good ending is enough.

Merlin thought back to Oscar Wilde's fairy tales.Sad but beautiful, Romani's taste.

"'Bring me the two most precious things in the city,' said God to one of his angels. So the angel brought back to God the lead heart and the dead bird."

Merlin patted the trunk of the apple tree, and said in a gentle tone, "We met. The year is over, the disaster will stay in 2016, and a new story has arrived. Just a happy ending."

After speaking, my heart itched slightly.

In the usual way, Merlin would say: It means XX in etiquette, but there is nothing in my heart.But this time it was different, what was in his heart was extremely difficult to express, and it was unprecedented.

The prince and princess held a grand wedding and lived happily together.When the kneels were bowed, everyone said goodbye.A good ending is probably like this, and there are traces of joy, anger, sorrow and joy.But Merlin just likes a happy ending, and Romani's matter is no exception.The property is returned to its original owner, the soul is reset, the disaster subsides, the world is saved, and he gets a good ending again. Everyone is happy.In this story, Merlin is not even an audience, so he has to go to the scene to perform the last scene.

1 people who loved him offered gifts, but Merlin turned a blind eye; Romani left nothing, but Merlin got a lot.

He sat under the tree until dusk fell, thinking about that face and things related to it, thinking about the sudden new emotion and the unheard-of throbbing in himself.It's late, but it ends well—he keeps his promise and takes Romani back to Avalon.

Here is the eternal spring and the ancient star, Merlin and Romani.For such a happy ending, Merlin began to believe that he possessed him for a short time.

Finish

This is the original version of "As You Like It".Considering the problem of Solomon's Noble Phantasm before, I thought it was impossible for the doctor to have a body left behind, but in the 1.5 prologue, the staff still remembered the doctor and planned to write him into the report, which made me think that these guesses are not impossible...just the original idea Finished.

It is said that Alter may be more cruel, and there is speculation about the death of the doctor.Personally, I speculate that he died in a similar way to the director, committing suicide first and then performing spiritual transfer.

In the textual research part, I discussed a lot with Mrs. Naru, thank you very much!

Refer to the previous part for references.

I listened to IWillFollowYouIntoTheDark, GavinMikhail version and JasmineThompson version while writing this.Nice to hear.