As people predicted, the light novel did pander to the Saber fans, but it is completely justified as the novel did also bring more insight to Camelot and the Nasuverse. This is the first time we received visuals of Merlin, and he does look pretty badass. We were also given some backstory on him such as how he is the son of a human and incubus, and that he possesses Clairvoyance, "the Eyes Which See through the World." Nonetheless, what is also revealed is that Artoria's Excalibur has the capabilities of an anti-planet Noble Phantasm. What I really enjoyed was her conversation with Merlin:
"But Merlin. I am now holding that spear. Wouldn’t that mean the anchor of the world has been undone?”
"No, the tower at the end of the world is still intact. It's because you are holding it that people can no longer see it. The tower of light shining at the end of the horizon is in your very hands. Doesn't it excite you, make you feel like you have become a god?”
As someone stated in the new revelations: "Saber's sword is created by the planet to protect itself from annihilation, its sheathe is the embodiment of the fairy land of Avalon, and her lance Rhongomyniad protects the age of man." A pretty daunting responsibility for one that is only king. Ironicly enough, the lance that is supposedly the pillar holding humanity together was used to stab Mordred