The characters who had been chattering just moments ago now pretended not to notice, sipping champagne or turning their heads to cover their mouths with fans.
The only ones who didn’t avoid Morgana were Caradoc, Morgause, and Elaine.
Among them, Elaine seemed particularly flustered by the situation. She glanced around nervously, tugging at the sleeve of Morgause’s dress.
“What’s really going on with you?”
Morgause, however, didn’t budge an inch and simply glared at Morgana.
Morgana, facing Morgause, lightly grasped her hand as if to offer a polite bow. In that instant, a bright light radiated from the hand she held.
From somewhere in the crowd, someone’s awed murmur could be heard.
“The power of the Lady of the Lake…”
Unlike her usual practice of subtly releasing just the right amount of power to match the wound, this time she openly let her power flow.
Caradoc’s hand, stained with wine and blood, healed at an astonishing speed. His hand was restored to its original state without a single scar, a feat even the most skilled priests couldn’t match.
Even the priests, who were accustomed to healing others’ wounds, were left speechless.
“So that’s the legendary power of the Lady of the Lake…”
“In this lifetime, I’ve finally seen her power with my own eyes.”
The nobles of Avalon, who had always seen the faint power of Duke Fay, were solemnly struck by Morgana’s display. She released Caradoc’s hand and smiled calmly.
“When you said I was joining the family, wasn’t it then? Now, picking faults is like spitting on our family.”
“If you’re not the true owner of the sword, wouldn’t the family share the blame?”
This wasn’t the Morgause who usually trembled at the sight of Morgana. Her voice, which generally started with shouting, stomping, and even throwing things, was strangely calm this time.
‘She was the one who most disliked me joining the family…’
Even though Morgana had openly pointed out her joining the family, Morgause showed no sign of anger and faced her with a serene expression.
Instead, Elaine, standing beside her, fidgeted and kept gesturing towards Merlin.
“Why are you fussing about something that’s not even certain? Especially in front of the High Priest.”
Her expression was too calm to simply be suppressing anger because it was a temple banquet.
Judging by the pale complexion of Duke Fay, who was watching from a distance, it didn’t seem like they had discussed this beforehand.
Morgana smiled faintly and fiddled with the hand holding the sword.
“What’s certain is that I’m the owner of the sword now, isn’t it?”
Tap. She lightly tapped the tip of the sword on the floor of the hall and continued cheerfully.
“What would happen if the ruler of the continent cut down one troublesome person before their eyes?”
According to the prophecy, no one could interfere with her. The prophecy had acknowledged her, and Morgana’s current choice was the law.
Elaine, who couldn’t possibly be unaware of this, kept poking Morgause’s side, but it was no use.
‘Something’s definitely off.’
She was too calm, and there was no sign of her usual reckless aggression. It was suspicious how much she had changed in such a short time.
‘Could it be another curse…? When did it happen?’
She had been perfectly fine when she first entered the temple. It had been a long time since she heard the story of how she had thrown a fit when Olivia submitted her resignation.
‘Has the caster been cornered that much?’
As Morgana quietly observed Morgause, a middle-aged woman’s voice rang out from the crowd.
“Why are you crushing our child’s spirit?”
Turning her head towards the sound, Morgana first noticed a dress adorned with large, jewel-like patterns.
Beside her was a minstrel whose face seemed to openly declare his innocence.
The woman shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly and tapped her cheek with her fan.
“Judging from the letters Morgause sent regularly, isn’t everything she’s saying now quite possible?”
“Mother…”
Morgause’s eyes, which had shown no emotion until now, shook violently.
‘So that’s the former Duchess of Fay, the one who divorced.’
Her strangely sharp eyes and baseless arrogance resembled Morgause’s. When Morgana looked at her, Matrona shrugged.
“Can’t the child have some doubts? Isn’t it too much to pressure her without even considering her faults?”
Even though they were divorced, it seemed they kept in touch regularly. Still, she’s defending her own child.
Morgana sighed inwardly, steeling herself, and quietly whispered towards Excalibur.
“Excal, let’s go!”
It might be a bit embarrassing, but it was time to accept it. As if excited by the attention, Excalibur eagerly responded.
— Can I cut them down?
“No. That could cause misunderstandings later.”
If they were to commit suicide under the caster’s orders and then blame Morgana, it would be troublesome.
‘I’ll take the image of the temple’s healer!’
While instilling fear is one way, it would also bring rumors. Fully lifting the curses would be better for gaining others’ trust.
‘On the other hand, if the cursed targets are revealed, it would make for a better comparison.’
At Morgana’s words, Excalibur seemed disappointed and clicked its tongue before shouting:
— Fine, if that’s how it is! Then I, Excalibur, the magnificent, grand, swift, strong, and even graceful one, shall show myself!
In a flash, Morgana’s hand automatically flung Excalibur toward the ceiling.
The sword, which had been resting its tip on the floor, spun in midair and suddenly emitted a brilliant light. The light was twice as intense as the chandelier’s, casting its glow over the stunned faces of the spectators.
Everyone in the banquet hall opened their mouths in shock, their eyes following Excalibur’s movements.
After spinning several times and radiating light, the sword fell and clung tightly to her right hand.
As the light faded, Morgana swiftly moved, pointing the tip of the sword directly at Morgause’s neck. It all happened in an instant.
— How about that, the beautiful form of Excalibur!
‘Ugh, this is so embarrassing…’
Though she held her head high, Morgana was crying inside from shame. Even a magical girl’s transformation would likely be less flashy than this.
Caradoc, who had been watching from the side, seemed dazed and clapped absentmindedly, shaking his head.
Which made it even more embarrassing.
Excalibur, completely unfazed, urged her on.
— Come on, what are you doing? Hurry up and deliver a cool line!
Following its words, Morgana cleared her throat, composed herself, and forced a smile, pretending everything was fine.
“Well, does this still make me unworthy of being Excalibur’s owner?”
Having witnessed the holy sword’s light, no one dared to respond.
Even Morgause stood still like a doll, and the grand banquet hall fell so silent that only the occasional sound of someone swallowing could be heard.
Matrona, who had earlier defended Morgause, awkwardly coughed.
“Well, she’s just immature. I meant for her to be appropriately punished, that’s all.”
Perhaps embarrassed by her own explanation, she turned her frustration on the trembling minstrel beside her.
“My throat is dry. Let’s go.”
Meanwhile, Kellive approached and surveyed the surroundings.
“There’s no need for Morgana to handle this herself.”
He smiled faintly and stood firmly by her side.
“If I believe in Morgana, who dares to oppose?”
His golden eyes, glaring at the nobles of Avalon who were hastily trying to hide, were menacing. Kellive’s gentle voice echoed slowly.
“Leave the doubters to me. There’s no reason to dirty Morgana’s hands.”
Caradoc, who had been watching in a daze, seemed to snap out of it and quickly chimed in with a stern expression.
“The loyal servant of Britain, Duke Equator, also believes in Lady Morgana! Anyone who opposes will be considered a traitor!”
His booming voice made Elaine’s shoulders shrink. Morgana, still pointing the sword, turned to her and asked:
“Elaine, when did Morgause start spreading these rumors?”
“Ah, well…”
Unwilling to expose her sister’s flaws, Elaine nervously rubbed her palms against her dress.
As Morgana smiled and waited for an answer, Elaine glanced at Kellive and reluctantly replied.
“I… I don’t know. She said she was going to greet the High Priest earlier, and then she started acting on her own…”
She subtly tried to distance herself from the situation, but her reluctance to use formal speech made her words trail off.
‘She met the High Priest?’
Morgana turned her head to search for Merlin. From a distance, Merlin appeared calm as he watched the scene.
Suddenly, Morgause’s voice erupted.
“W-what is this! Who dares point a sword at my neck?!”
Her arrogant voice, filled with panic and anger, rang out. She was screaming in rage, completely oblivious to the situation.
When Morgana looked back at her, Morgause was glaring at her with the same hostile expression as before. But her gaze was now clear and distinct, unlike earlier.
‘The curse… it’s been lifted?’
Morgana hadn’t even sent her power, yet Morgause’s curse had been broken.
‘The caster must have released it intentionally. They’re feeling the pressure and trying to cover their tracks.’
Morgana quickly sheathed the sword and stared in Merlin’s direction.
‘They must be really nervous. To make a move like this.’
As if unable to believe the situation, Merlin rushed to Duke Fay, who had collapsed with his hand on his forehead. His panicked expression seemed genuine, as if this wasn’t part of some act.
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