IBHJ Chapter 778

"Don't worry about it. At that time, you were also under its control, Agravain," Bedivere said, smiling reassuringly.

He knew exactly what Agravain was blaming himself for. 1,500 years ago, when Bedivere had returned from the European battlefield to the kingdom to arrange supplies, he was suddenly ambushed by Agravain. Bedivere realized something was wrong with Agravain and was about to report it to Artoria, who was engaged in battle with Attila, but he never made it, losing his life along the way. However, he never held it against Agravain. This only served to deepen Agravain's guilt. He thought to himself, "Once this battle is over, I must offer a proper apology."

"Could you two save the lovey-dovey act for when I'm not around? I mean, strategically speaking, I get it. You haven't seen each other in ages, so emotions are running high. But as a normal guy who's into women, it's giving me the creeps," someone beside them sighed.

Agravain turned his head, glaring at the man who had spoken. The man was dressed in a flower-like ceremonial garb, his face so beautiful it could rival that of a fairy. This handsome mage was none other than the famous Merlin from Arthurian legends.

"That reminds me, I still owe Morgan a favor... But seriously, it's been so long. I really wanted to drop by and see that unreliable old pal in Tintagel, but with this crazy schedule, I don't think I'll have the chance. Oh, and I might have also promised to meet up with a lovely lady a while back... Hmm, I wonder if I'll be able to find her again in the future. Wait, speaking of women, that wicked fairy shouldn't be able to track me down here, right?" Merlin rambled on.

"Shut it, Merlin!" Agravain snapped, his face stern.

Geraint smiled and chimed in, "Same old Agravain. Merlin, you need to read the room. Now's not the time for idle chatter."

"I get where Agravain's coming from, but we need Merlin's clairvoyance. I doubt the king would've summoned someone as unreliable as him otherwise, right?"

Agravain scowled, shooting Merlin a dark look. "If we didn't need your clairvoyance, I wouldn't even be talking to you. Just do your job and be a good map."

"Alright, alright," Merlin pouted, but when the enemy was mentioned, his demeanor turned serious. Generally speaking, aside from the bizzare situation in Fuyuki thirteen years ago, few things could make him this solemn and grave. However, when faced with such a formidable foe, he had no choice but to adopt a more serious stance.

Come to think of it, what did he mean by 'reset'? Could it be...? Merlin pondered to himself. As he observed the world using his clairvoyance, he cast a spell to project a map.

Agravain lowered his gaze to study the projected map, his mind racing. The Giants were invading from Muspelheim, their forces totaling around 250,000 strong, spreading out in a fan-like formation. According to the intelligence provided by the king, if these fire giants were to launch an attack on Asgard and successfully conquer it, they would gain access to Pan-Human History. In other words, their mission was to defend Asgard at all costs.

"It's like we're playing a tower defense game," Merlin quipped.

Agravain wasn't familiar with the concept of a tower defense game. However, given their current situation, he believed they had a high probability of victory. Bedivere shared this sentiment, saying, "I have faith that we will emerge victorious. After all, this time, we're all together, aren't we?"

Agravain nodded, "But we can't let our guard down because of this. The king once said that underestimating our enemy is our biggest mistake, and in the past, that's exactly what led to our downfall."

Using Merlin's clairvoyance, they observed the army of fire giants. To be honest, they were shocked by what they saw. This elite force was in a completely different league compared to the quantity-over-quality troops commanded by the likes of Vortigern. In terms of combat prowess, the fire giants far exceeded their expectations.

If it weren't for Svadilfari's foolish decision to summon Shirou, Surtr would have likely already seized control of this Connection Point. In fact, if it hadn't been for Svadilfari's stupid move, Hel and Skadi would have probably ended up as fodder for Ogelmir, and either Surtr or Ogelmir might have already brought their plans to fruition. However, with Shirou being dragged into this connection point, they all found themselves stuck in this precarious and awkward situation.

But that wasn't the extent of Svadilfari's blunder. He also provided Shirou with a generous starting amount of mana, nourishing him enough to fully unleash his Noble Phantasm and skills, enabling him to slay the black dragon and obtain sufficient mana to summon the Eternal Knights and soldiers, numbering nearly 500,000 strong. Even the elite Hundred-Man Knights of the Round Table were summoned. Without such a vast number of highly disciplined and skilled legions, it would have been impossible to stop Surtr's advance.

Surtr's plan was likely meticulously calculated some 14,300 years ago. If Ogelmir, the Giants, Hel, and Surtr knew the truth, they'd be beyond frustrated and depressed. But Shirou can't be blamed for how things turned out. If they want to point fingers, they can only blame Svadilfari for his foolish decisions. Though, if Surtr finds out, he might make Svadilfari wish he was dead. Not long ago, Surtr made fun of Hel for being taken down by some random horse-headed nobody, and now, the same nobody has also ruined his plans. It just goes to show how ironic life can be.

If Artoria, the King of Knights, had led the knights and the eternal army into battle, things might have turned out even better. But maybe it was for the best, considering Agravain and the others didn't know how to face her after what happened over 1,500 years ago. They needed her, but it wouldn't be easy for Artoria to forgive them. No matter how big-hearted she is, forgiveness might be too much to ask.

"Maybe it's a good thing she's not here and at Chaldea with Mordred," Merlin said.

Bedivere gave him a puzzled look. "Mordred is also at Chaldea?"

Merlin nodded, his smile growing wider. "Yeah, the kid's there alright."

Agravain couldn't help but ask, "Wait, Mordred? As in, our Mordred?"

Merlin nodded, "Yup, that's right."

Bedivere was taken aback by Agravain's reaction. "What's wrong?"

Agravain brushed it off. "It's nothing. Bedivere, just focus on your own work." He turned to leave, his demeanor cold. "I'm going to interrogate the giant again. There must be more information we haven't gotten yet."

Bedivere nodded. Agravain could be like a child at times, struggling to control his emotions.

As for Mordred, it seemed she finally had the chance to meet Lady Artoria. For a brief moment, a pleased smile flickered across Agravain's face, happy that Mordred could reunite with her mother. But just as quickly, his expression returned to normal as he headed towards the place where the giant was being held.

The giant had been tortured to the point where his face was unrecognizable, pale with sheer terror. When he saw Agravain approaching, it was like he was staring death in the face.

Agravain's expression darkened as he demanded, "What else do you know?"

"I don't know anything else, I swear! I've told you everything!" the giant cried out in agony.

"Oh, really?" Agravain's face remained eerily calm as he slowly sliced off the giant's thumb.

"No, please! I really don't know anything else!" the giant screamed, his voice filled with pain.

Agravain then proceeded to cut off one of the giant's little fingers, taking his time. "Alright then, what's seven plus seven?"

"F-Fourteen, ahhh!!" the giant screamed. "Why!"

"What's seven plus one?"

"Eight, ahhh!!" the fire giant cried out in agony. "Wait, no! I don't know! I don't know the answer! Ahhh!!"

Agravain sliced off half of the giant's toenail and then ripped it off entirely. His voice remained chillingly calm as he asked, "What else do you know?"

"I don't know, I swear I don't know anything else," the giant pleaded.

In the pitch-black cave, the fire giant's terrified wails and agonized sobs echoed, sending shivers down the spines of the soldiers standing guard outside.