A Villainess pulled out the Sword instead of the Hero.

Unnecessarily embarrassed, Morgana replied brazenly.

 “Art is supposed to look explosive.” “Miss, this isn’t art… I think we should stick to writing in our correspondence from now on, and not painting.” 

Raon raised his hands in disbelief and shook his head. He must not have been able to draw at all, because he backed away.

 

Morgana turned to Kellive, hoping for the best.

 “The lines are a little messy on this one, but the overall vibe is similar.” “It’s a summoning.” 

There was a chill in Kellive’s voice at the blunt answer. He still had a kind smile and a gentle voice, but it was the cold undercurrent that was most noticeable now.

 

It wasn’t directed at her, but it seemed to signal the danger of what the painting meant.

 “It’s not a good thing, is it?” “I suppose it depends on where it’s inscribed, but…” 

He held the paper neatly in one hand, and it crumpled invisibly.

 “Basically, the summoning circle looks something like this, where the mana and the ancient formulas come together and break it down.” “So what’s written down is the difference between getting a rabbit or a tiger?” 

He let out a short laugh. His slanted eyes looked genuinely amused.

“That’s a cute idea. Usually, it’s something a little uglier than that, and the more complex the summoner, the more difficult and dangerous it is, of course.” 

If Kellive’s description was correct, the summoning circle that used the entire palace as a picture was quite large.

 

If someone uses 13 paintings, they’re going to be on a complicated axis.

 

‘You were planning to clone her on the day of the jousting tournament.’

 

If Guinevere had been kidnapped, and then successfully summoned.

 

‘Britain’s symbolism would remain intact, and Vortigern would retain the throne.’

 

Lord Caradoc once said the same thing.

 

King Vortigern was afraid of Excalibur’s master. He may have thought the time was right when the sword had not yet been drawn.

 

If King Vortigen had placed the painting.

 

‘He will not grant the request to take it down.’

 

The painting was hung by order of King Vortigen.

 

All the gifts that came into the palace went into the royal storeroom.

 

But rather than rotting in a corner, the paintings were more often displayed to enhance the majesty of the palace.

 

If it was Alex’s work, it was so famous that no one would object to hanging it.

 

‘If this much work has gone into it, I don’t think it’s just a matter of removing a few paintings.’

 

There’s no point in having 13 paintings if someone accidentally destroys them.

 

So there would be some level of preparedness. Perhaps the key to the summoning was the last of the paintings.

 

They were all given to Guinevere as gifts, but only one.

 

The 13th painting, the one that would hang closest to the caster, the one that slipped in unnoticed, seemed to be the most important.

 

‘Is there any way to get into King Vortigen’s office?’

 

As it was an official residence, it was even harder to find a time when he was away.

 

‘But if it’s a jousting tournament, King Vortigen must be there.’

 

Jousting tournaments attracted not only royalty, but also the nobility of Britain and merchants of all kinds.

 

The winning knight received a large royal prize.

 

As a result, most of the royals were expected to attend.

 

‘The Princess has recently traveled to the palace to observe the tournament.’

 

This was his chance.

 

Morgana’s curiosity was satisfied, and she bowed.

 “Thank you, Lord Confucius.” 

He blocked her path as she turned to leave.

 

Morgana nearly smashed her face into his chest for a moment, then looked up, rubbing her nose where it had been grazed.

 

Kellive stood still, staring at Morgana, who was much smaller than he was in his arms.

 

Summoning was a form of black magic.

 

Whereas magic was created for human convenience, black magic was created for human destruction.

 

To manipulate minds, to summon things.

 

Kellive smiled slowly at her wide-eyed stare.

 “I thought you were catching thieves, but I see you’re after something bigger.” “Oh, I did catch the thief, and it’s all thanks to you!” 

The casual grin on her face bothered him.

 

If she died, Avalon would be in danger. His entire country depended on this one little woman.

 

But all these secondary matters aside.

 “I’ll introduce you to the mages at the tower, they’ll be much more helpful in removing the summoning circle.” 

There was no telling if this would be the last time I would see her.

 

Now I realized why I’d been obsessing over the gemstone for days. I’d been worried. I was afraid she’d get hurt.

 

At the same time, I wanted to smash it. She’s trying to save this thing so wholeheartedly.

 

I’d rather destroy everything, and then she’d come to Avalon.

 

Morgana asked innocently, oblivious to the darkness within him.

 “Do you think they can get in?” “You’ll just have to find someone who can. Magic Tower is neutral territory, so there’s a mix of people.” “Then I’m sorry…” 

He frowned, as if he was about to offer something else.

 

Kellive spoke more lightly,

“Don’t apologize, but maybe next time you’ll come to see me.” 

Not a wizard.

 

Not as Confucius.

 

Kellive Avalon. Him.

 

It seemed the time had come to reveal the truth behind the masquerade that had begun so lightly.

  “I’ve been waiting for you to come, Miss Morgana.” “At last, the apothecary has come!” 

Stepping onto the grounds of Count Equator, Morgana momentarily doubted her own eyes.

 

A line of servants watched her entrance with glazed eyes.

 

‘I said I would come quietly!’ 

 

She had just sent a letter to Lord Caradoc, announcing her visit today.

 

No doubt he’d been telling the servants about my visit again. Since I spent most of my time in the Princess’s palace, I rarely saw him in the palace.

 

Though they had heard of each other.

 “Miss Morgana, words cannot express my joy to see you after all these years!” 

As he strode toward her with a thumping, rough gait, Morgana lifted a hand to the hem of her dress in a light gesture of courtesy.

 

Without further ado, she bowed politely, placing a hand on her chest in greeting, and then trotted off again as if she’d always done so.

 “I can’t believe I didn’t win the first prize in the VIP invitation after buying so many of your herbs. This time, I’m repenting and buying even more!” “You don’t have to be so deliberate!” “Hmph? We don’t shop on purpose, Miss Morgana, you don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

He shook his head delicately with his great bulk.

 

Cadric, hastily dressed and neatly coiffed, gave a belated greeting.

 “Greetings, Miss Morgana, it’s been a long time.” “I feel like you’ve grown a little taller without even seeing Cadric!” 

He flushed the nape of his neck embarrassedly.

 “So I’m going to try my hand at jousting this time. Do you think I have a chance?” 

The tournament was coming up soon, and they were getting ready. The tournament was a big event, and knights who stood out were guaranteed a place.

 

The tournament was especially popular among the young ladies of the nobility, who were given flowers for each victory.

 

Most of the time, the knight’s master would receive them, but if the master wasn’t present, his wife would receive them instead.

 

It was also common to give them to a crush or a lover.

 

The more flowers a family received, the more powerful they were, and the more loyal they were to their lord, so it was a competition that each family took seriously.

 

That was in the past, of course.

 

‘Now, I’m sure Princess Guinevere will clean up the mess…’

 

Ever since the oracle was handed down, from the time she could not speak and was held in her nanny’s arms, she had received enough roses to make a bunch.

 

Occasionally, there was a spectacle in place of a confession, but they were few and far between.

 

Cadric was looking forward to this day.

 “I’m going to make sure I get the rose and give it to Morgana!” 

He stood up straight, his eyes widening in realization.

 “But what brings you here today?” “Oh, that, Lord Caradoc. You offered to grant my wish before. Does it still stand?” 

Morgana turned her head toward him, who was standing right beside her, staring at the two of them with amusement.

 

Caradoc nodded without hesitation.

 “Of course, I will attend the jousting tournament myself, if the Apothecary wishes.” 

No, that would be too much jousting.

 

The man would be swept away with one swing of his arm.

 

‘What kind of lord of the manor goes to jousting tournaments himself!’

 

Morgana shook her head quickly, as if she could sense the will to act.

 “No, no. Not to the jousting tournament, but…” 

She pursed her lips for a moment, then clasped her hands together.

 “I need you to help me get to the main palace, to His Highness Vortigen’s office.”