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As the tournament approached and the herald appeared on the list, a cheer erupted from the spectators.
The arena was located just outside the palace walls, with a single wall separating it from the palace grounds.
At the highest point of the platform sat King Vortigern and Guinevere.
The only spot, shaded by a canopy, stood out with its flower vases, tables, and numerous attendants.
The herald bowed respectfully to King Vortigern from a distance.
Simultaneously, the spectators turned and paid their respects to the king.
King Vortigern raised his hand to acknowledge their greetings.
“It is a joyous day. Everyone, do not worry, and enjoy the tournament.”
“Glory to His Majesty Vortigern!”
“Glory!”
As the herald recited the praises on behalf of all, the participating knights raised their swords to the sky and echoed the final words.
Guinevere, who had been watching all of this, showed no emotion on her face.
“I don’t understand why everyone is so excited about such a boring tournament.”
“What are you talking about? The palace has been quite tense lately, so this is a good way to lighten the mood.”
King Vortigern refuted her in a calm tone, his eyes fixed on the list.
With his curly, brown hair, he had an ordinary appearance that made it hard to believe he was a king.
Guinevere leaned back in her chair, seemingly bored, fiddling with the flowers in the innocent vase.
Meanwhile, Morgana, who had been observing everything from behind, scanned the arena with restless eyes.
‘Where is Merlin, that fellow?’
He must be somewhere among the noble spectators, but with so many people, he wasn’t easily noticeable.
Rather, Lancelot, who was wandering around the outskirts of the arena waving his hand, attracted much more attention.
“Sir Lancelot! Why aren’t you participating this time?”
“I simply don’t want to be bound by a single rose after victory. Now, I can give flowers to anyone, right?”
He truly has the makings of an idol. The young ladies laughed joyfully as they looked at him, who didn’t even have a single flower.
Lancelot, who had been wandering around and chuckling, suddenly raised his head.
The moment their eyes met, he winked lightly at Morgana.
‘As promised, everything is ready.’
Guinevere, who had eerily witnessed this scene, leaned back in her chair and narrowed her eyes, staring at Morgana.
“I’m against this romance.”
Seeing her disheveled posture, King Vortigern knocked on the podium with his hand.
“Many eyes are watching. You must maintain decorum.”
“Father, that’s not the point. Sir Lancelot is trying to steal my maid.”
“If it’s just a maid, can’t you find another one?”
“But it’s not just anyone. Morgana is the maid who caught the thief in the Princess’s palace.”
For a moment, King Vortigern glanced sideways at Morgana.
Morgana pretended not to notice and bowed her head.
‘So, that person cast a curse, is that it?’
She had a strangely calm demeanor. The only magicians she had seen were those who repaired shops and the one named Aide she saw today, but the surrounding atmosphere was distinctly different.
‘I thought all wizards were a bit eccentric…’
Perhaps it’s because black magic was fundamentally different from regular magic. She was calm and composed.
His sunken cheeks and slightly dark under-eye circles made him appear even more sensitive.
“Stop being so dramatic. The more you act like this, the more people will look down on you.”
At the indifferent response, Guinevere let out a hollow laugh.
“It’s not being dramatic. I’m just hinting that you should quickly approve the quasi-noble title I submitted.”
Despite King Vortigern’s cold treatment, she fired back without hesitation.
Below, the excitement of the ongoing match was noisy, but inside the tent, the atmosphere was tense, as if it were a different space.
“Aim for the head, the head!”
“Ah, even I could do better than that!”
Amid the quiet, a few pairs of knights tasted victory and defeat.
“I dedicate my victory’s rose to Princess Guinevere!”
“May the victory of Britain be with you, sir.”
As the matches progressed, the number of rose bouquets in the vase beside them gradually increased.
Not a single bouquet was offered to King Vortigern.
When the 8th bouquet was placed in the vase, his dry gaze briefly turned towards Guinevere.
Morgana, who had been standing quietly behind, stepped forward and stood beside her chair.
Suddenly holding the vase, Morgana embraced Guinevere.
“Princess, if you’re in danger, use this to smash their heads.”
“What…”
Just before the bewildered words could leave her lips.
Bang!
A loud noise erupted near the palace. The knights and spectators turned their heads towards the source of the sound.
Everyone looked at the palace, which had seemed like a mere backdrop.
Amidst this commotion, the guards, and King Vortigern, remained unmoved.
Inside the tent, the only one flustered was Guinevere.
“What is that noise!”
“Princess, you haven’t forgotten what I said, have you?”
Above Morgana’s voice, another loud bang! A massive explosion was heard.
Those who realized the situation began to panic and flee in all directions.
“Miss Morgana!”
Lancelot quickly ascended the platform.
Just as he was about to grab Guinevere’s shoulder and lift her.
“Stop him.”
At the command of King Vortigern, the guards blocked his path, and at the same time, the tent behind him opened.
From within, Mellowart, cloaked in a robe, emerged with a dagger in hand, pushing his way forward and grabbing Guinevere.
“How dare you be here?”
“Princess, you must come with me now.”
‘I knew this would happen.’
Thud— The sound of someone collapsing was followed by Lancelot’s voice urging her on.
“I’ve stationed knights at the palace as promised. Leave this to me, Lady Morgana. Go!”
Having already dealt with the guards, he stepped over them without hesitation and strode forward.
“I arrived just in time. Take care of the Princess!”
Morgana hurriedly moved along the path he had cleared of guards.
Unable to shake her concern for Guinevere, she glanced back before leaving.
Seeing Lancelot, Mellowart tightened his grip on Guinevere’s shoulder and stepped back cautiously.
“Don’t come any closer! If you do, the Princess dies.”
The dagger perilously close to her neck was a terrifying sight.
Just as Lancelot hesitated to take another step, Guinevere clenched her teeth and muttered bitterly,
“I knew it would come to this…!”
Before her words even finished, Guinevere cursed and smashed the vase in her hand onto Mellowart’s head.
“You lunatic!”
Crash!
With the sound of shattering, Mellowart staggered, and she hiked up her skirt, ready to kick him at any moment, shouting,
“Morgana, don’t worry about me! I’ll handle this bastard myself!”
Amidst the chaos, King Vortigern remained eerily calm, his gaze fixed on the arena.
‘This is strange. He’s showing no emotion at all.’
Without a moment to think, boom! Another loud noise echoed from the palace.
Now, there really was no time left. Seeing Lancelot grabbing Guinevere and hiding her behind him, Morgana immediately started running.
Thanks to Lancelot, there were no living guards left on the path she was taking.
Morgana, who was practically leaping down the steps, quickly scanned her surroundings.
‘There aren’t as many fallen as I expected.’
Most of the guards were too busy evacuating the spectators to pay attention to her.
Once she reached the bottom where the list was, Morgana sprinted across the arena toward the back door.
Suddenly, the voice of King Vortigern, who had remained silent until now, boomed loudly.
“Seize that maid at once!”
Me? Why me?!
While Mellowart was causing chaos with a dagger behind, what were you doing? And now you’re after me?!
Baffled, she turned around and saw him pointing at her and shouting at the top of his lungs.
“What are the guards doing?! Seize that maid immediately!”
The knights, who had been busy evacuating the spectators, looked at each other in confusion at the sudden command.
“The maid?”
“It’s the king’s order! If you don’t obey immediately, it will be considered treason!”
At his loud command, the knights reluctantly began to approach Morgana, their expressions showing they were just following orders.
Ugh, if you’re going to grow old, at least do it gracefully!
Morgana swiftly turned around and ran with all her might.
“Hey, catch her first!”
As if human psychology dictates that when someone runs, others follow, the knights who were hesitantly approaching also rushed after her.
No matter how fast Morgana ran, the speed of the well-trained knights was faster than her stride.
The chase that started from a distance was only a few steps behind when Morgana grabbed the back door.
Gasping for breath, Morgana creaked the door open.
A giant figure was standing imposingly in front of her.
The shadow was so large that it could completely cover Morgana.
Quietly lifting her head, Morgana confirmed his face, which was large enough to block the sun, and immediately covered her ears.
As the giant took a breath and his chest slightly rose, an even louder voice filled the stadium.
“Everyone, halt!”
The voice was so loud that even the evacuating spectators turned around in surprise.
“Caradoc Equator! As the Chief Knight Commander, I command! From now on, anyone who moves even a single step will be cut down!”
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