"The other world is only a single step away from the current one. It is inhabited by gods, spirits, and fairies, as well as giants and terrifying monsters. You can consider it a completely different world from ours… but once you enter that domain, not even the gods can leave easily."
Beneath the quiet veil of night, Morgan walked calmly through the garden, her light footsteps barely making a sound against the stone path. At her side, Arthur followed, listening attentively to every word, occasionally nodding to show he understood her explanations.
Even so…
Why do I feel like I have absolutely nothing to do with being a king right now?
Arthur cast a discreet glance at the woman beside him. Morgan was taller than him, her presence naturally commanding, her posture elegant and confident. Walking beside her at that moment made him feel… out of place.
More than a king, he felt like an escort.
I feel more like Morgan's escort…
If someone ignored the crown resting on his head and the cloak draped over his shoulders, Arthur would truly look more like a companion than a ruler.
But that wasn't the main issue.
The real problem… was the portal to the other world.
"So… someone opened the portal to the afterlife and released the spirits that were inside?" Arthur asked, finally voicing the doubt that bothered him the most.
"That's not correct."
Morgan slightly raised a finger, gently interrupting him. The moonlight reflected off her pale skin, giving her an almost ethereal glow.
She turned her face toward him.
"It wasn't someone releasing spirits. What happened was that, the moment the portal was opened… some of them simply escaped."
Her voice was calm, yet carried a hint of irony.
"What a coward… perhaps the pressure he endured all these years finally made him break?" she added, letting out a brief laugh.
"In any case, since I've been to the other world before, I have no need to act now. And honestly… I don't believe anyone can escape from there forever."
"Who?" Arthur asked immediately.
His mind began working quickly.
"…Vortigern?" he murmured, frowning slightly.
Of all the dangerous figures he knew, only one seemed capable of something so extreme.
"It's possible that it's Vortigern…" Morgan replied thoughtfully. "But have you never considered another possibility?"
She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice.
"What if the one who entered the afterlife… was your master?"
Arthur froze for a moment.
"That woman… would probably do anything to find a stronger opponent," Morgan continued, almost teasingly.
Arthur fell silent.
Master… entering the realm of the dead… in search of someone stronger?
…No.
She still has the Land of Shadows.
That doesn't make sense.
But…
If it's true…
Then I could see her again?
Morgan watched every subtle change in Arthur's expression. A faint trace of displeasure passed through her eyes.
So that's it…
Just mentioning Scáthach… and he reacts like this.
What did that woman do to him?
I'm supposed to be the witch here… so why does she seem even more dangerous?
"Morgan… I want to return to the Land of Shadows," Arthur said suddenly, lifting his gaze.
There was urgency in his voice.
If his master had truly left… then Nessa…
Would she be alone now?
Even if she had other disciples, none of them were as close as he was.
Thinking about it made Arthur increasingly uneasy.
Before he could continue, Morgan grabbed his hand.
"I only said it was a possibility," she said calmly. "If it worries you that much, I can go there tomorrow and check for you."
Arthur immediately shook his head.
"I want to see it with my own eyes."
Stubborn…
Morgan sighed, looking at him for a few seconds.
"Fine. I'll find a way for you to see your master. That way you can calm down, right?"
"Really?" Arthur raised his gaze, hope clearly visible in his eyes.
"Do you think I would lie to you?" she retorted.
Arthur nodded.
"Yes."
Morgan: "???"
"I'm kidding," he said with a faint smile. "Thank you."
Such a sincere thank you… and yet it doesn't make me happy at all.
Morgan sighed inwardly.
Taking two steps forward, she then placed both hands on Arthur's head and roughly ruffled his hair, leaving it completely messy.
Only after seeing that disheveled look did she seem a bit more satisfied.
"Then I'll arrange it. That way you stop worrying, right?" she said, now in a colder tone.
Arthur nodded.
"Yes. If I can see her, I'll feel at ease."
"Master this, master that… is your master your mother or something?" Morgan asked, clearly irritated.
Arthur hesitated for a moment.
"In a way… yes. I didn't have parents before coming to this world. She was the one who raised me."
"…"
Morgan fell silent for a few seconds.
"Go back," she finally said, turning away. "If I keep talking to you now, I'll lose my patience."
"Ah." Arthur simply nodded.
But after a few seconds…
She didn't move.
"Morgan…?" he called, confused.
"Can't you at least try to comfort me?" she replied coldly, without turning around. "Can't you tell I'm in a bad mood?"
Arthur blinked in surprise.
So… that's it?
He raised his hand and lightly patted her head.
"Is this better?"
Morgan slowly turned, looking at him in disbelief.
"That's how you comfort someone? If you want to see your master so badly, shouldn't you try harder to please me?"
She crossed her arms.
"You should know how to show your gratitude better."
Arthur thought for a moment.
What exactly am I supposed to do?
"So… what can I do to make you happy?" he asked.
Morgan placed a hand on her chin.
"…Maybe hug me."
Arthur looked at her.
Her elegant figure, her striking curves, her long legs…
And that slightly irritated expression.
"That's… a bit difficult," he answered honestly.
Just looking at her… reminded him of that dream.
And that made him uneasy.
"Normally, when I comfort Lily, I do this," Arthur said, giving her another light pat on the head.
Morgan immediately brushed his hand away.
"Forget it. Go to sleep. I don't want to see your face right now."
"So… I should really go?" he asked hesitantly.
"Get out of here!"
The response came instantly.
Arthur didn't insist. He simply turned and walked back toward the palace.
Morgan remained there, gazing at the moon.
After a long while… she sighed.
I envy that woman…
She came first… and everything ended up being hers.
She thought for a moment.
Should I go see Scáthach tomorrow?
Or take Arthur there?
…Maybe there's another way.
Then suddenly, she felt arms wrapping around her waist from behind.
Her body stiffened for a moment… but soon relaxed.
"What are you doing back here?" she asked without turning.
Arthur didn't answer immediately.
He simply held her for a few seconds… then murmured:
"Thank you… Morgan."
Before she could react, he had already stepped away.
When Morgan turned… he was already gone.
Watching his figure disappear into the darkness, she let out a small laugh.
Then she shook her head.
Raising her hand, she absentmindedly played with a strand of hair that fell over her shoulder.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Now that's better…"
(End of Chapter)