A Villainess pulled out the Sword instead of the Hero.

 

Back at the mansion, Morgana flopped down on the bed with a whimper.

 “Ugh, I’m stuffed.” 

Arthur, who had been carrying the jewelry box, stood up.

 “Where do you want me to put this?” “That’s by the bed, and the payment…” 

She fumbled, pulled an empty pouch from the bedside drawer, and rose to her feet.

 

Morgana opened the box to find the money being diligently carried away by the Count’s servants, who had been sent to escort her safely to the mansion.

 

With a thud, she slid the gold coins into them.

 

She held up a pouch the size of her bulging palm and asked.

 “Do you think this will be enough to pay a guard mercenary?” 

Arthur paused in his task. He was looking at her in the mirror beside the bed.

 “Speaking of mercenaries.” “Ask Raon. Today, I will see if I can find something to guard the warehouse.” 

Tomorrow was the promised month.

 

She was worried about the manor without Arthur, and his salary would be wasted on guarding a mansion, so she’d have to find someone new.

 

Arthur was silent as she rattled off a string of answers.

 

When he looked back, his expression hadn’t changed much.

 

Morgana, who had collected the money, tilted her head at him.

 “What are you doing? Let’s go meet Mister Raon.” 

Arthur followed her without a word.

 

When they entered the tavern, Raon greeted them.

 “What do you think, did they write you a letter of introduction?” “Yes, I think so, and I got an apology.” 

She decided to keep the curse to herself.

 

There was Count Equator’s name, and King Vortigern might turn against Morgana if he knew that the curse had been lifted.

 

For the time being, Caradoc said, he would play it cool and show a slow recovery.

 

‘It is not in Lord Caradoc’s nature to do so, but…’

 

For now, I have to trust that he would try.

 

Raon breathed a sigh of relief at the confirmation.

 “Well, I was afraid it was a forgery.” 

He cleared his throat as he sat down roughly on a high stool.

 “Oh, and my lady. We probably won’t be able to get a maid for a while.” 

Apparently it hadn’t gotten through to Arthur that she wasn’t looking for any more maids.

 

Mistakes happen, after all, and he was human. He seemed more human than he had been in the past.

 

Arthur stood in silence, and when he realized, he answered,

“You said you’re not looking for a maid anymore.” “Yeah, well. I’d be afraid of people for a while after something like that.” 

Morgana nodded vigorously and shot back playfully.

 “You’ve never had much luck with maids anyway.” “No, miss. It’s not because I’m incompetent. I’m afraid I won’t be able to recruit any proper maid from noble families this time.” 

He lowered his head down the table in frustration. Rummaging in a drawer under the table as if searching for something, he held up a notice.

 “Look. The royal family is hiring a maid.” 

The time had finally come.

 

Morgana stared at the royal seal. She swallowed hard at the words that seemed to signal the beginning of the end.

 

Raon tapped his finger on the notice.

 “Well, there was a spy in the royal family the other day, and the people involved were purged as a group, so there must be quite a few openings.” “Will it be hard to get in?” 

Morgana stared at the notice.

 「Notice from the Royal Court of Britain.

 The royal family is looking for someone to serve His Highness and Her Grace.

 Number of people : 0

 Career Origin : Unrelated

 Position : Servant Attendant

 Duties : Assigned after examination

 1st Documentation

 2nd Practical test

 3rd Interview

 4th Character Assessment.」

 

Given the time of year, the selection process was tricky.

 

Rubbing his chin in response to Morgana’s question, Raon replied dryly.

 “I don’t know these days. It used to be popular, but now people who just want to make less money and live longer are more likely to join the family than the royal family.” “Do you think there’s much competition?” “It’s Britain, though, and it’s always fierce. Even foreigners come to Britain nowadays.” 

Without adding anything, it seems that some people come for the safety of the Oracle.

 

It was an unavoidable trend because Britain was the place where victory was certain in a war.

 

Those were good times. Her time with Arthur and the escorts was over.

 

Morgana pulled a pouch from her arm and held it out.

 “Mister Raon. I’d like to hire some mercenaries to guard the mansion.” “Mercenaries? You know Arthur. He’s worth a dozen men.” “It’s nearing the end of his contract.” “Oh, is it that time of year already… If it’s mansion security, fine, I’ll take the kids and send them to the mansion, right?” “Yes!” 

Morgana’s enthusiastic reply made him lean back against the table and stare at her.

 

Presumably where Arthur was standing.

 

Raon smiled wryly. He’d seen him long enough to know Arthur well.

 

Before, he’d always seemed like someone who was about to die every time he went out to slaughter.

 

How ridiculous it had been when the kid had come to him out of the blue and asked to join the mercenaries.

 “Look. I’m taking it easy and people are bleeding from the face.” 

Arthur didn’t answer Raon’s question.

 

Not until they were back at the mansion, and Morgana was asleep. He sat still in the chair beside her bed and stared at her.

 

Arthur remembered the deadline. A month, to be sure.

 

Still, a part of him had a shallow hope that Morgana would stay with him just because she didn’t have a maid.

 

But he knew better,

‘I can’t stay with you forever.’

 

He could only earn money by going on raids. The sword was his talent.

 

If he continued to escort Morgana, he wouldn’t have the time to go out on the raids. He could sneak out as he had before, but she was too perceptive for that.

 

Still, there was no way to remain idle.

 

‘You seemed to be enjoying yourself when you were with Confucius.’

 

Maybe it was my poor disposition, but his demeanor was definitely more mannered and dignified.

 

Everything was different from the beginning, as he only held a sword.

 

He even wielded a magic sword freely. He was worthy of a swordsman.

 

Morgana even bought him clothes to wear when they entered Count Equator.

 

Despite her enjoyment in dressing him, Arthur felt ashamed as ever at the moment. He was being paid to do a job that Confucius had done with such ease.

 

Moreover, Lord Caradoc’s letter of introduction had put her in danger.

 

To Arthur, he was a kindred spirit, if not an acquaintance.

 

A man whose spirit she appreciated for the sacrifices he’d made on behalf of his family.

 

The fact that he had done what he did, even if it was out of his mind, was a shock.

 

Arthur stared at Morgana’s hand, which was limp from sleep.

 

Carefully, he laid his own raggedy hand next to hers.

 

He bowed his head deeply.

 

‘I need power.’

 

To stand beside her.

 

And the power to make sure people wouldn’t find it strange to see me standing next to her.

  

The sun has risen early. Perhaps it was the day of Arthur’s farewell.

 

Morgana diligently wiped the carnwennan with a handkerchief.

 

It was old and worn, so it wouldn’t make much difference, but she’d only borrowed it for a short time, and as penance, she scrubbed frantically.

 

Morgana looked at the shiny blade and smiled to herself.

 “I have a talent for polishing, don’t I?” 

She glanced back and forth from proudly shining Carnwennan in the light of the fire to the closed door.

 “Is he coming back by now?” 

Arthur had a knife-like sense of time.

 

In a moment, she’d hear footsteps.

 Tap, tap, tap— 

When the steady footsteps stopped in front of the door, tap. Two knocks.

 

Sometimes, if I was asleep, I wouldn’t hear it and panic.

 

Morgana called out, this time with more vigor,

“Come in!” 

Arthur opened the door and stepped in, his eyes determined, unlike yesterday. No knighthood ceremony, just the return of the dagger as promised.

 

He bowed briefly, as always.

 “You’re up.” “It’s the last of our time today, you know?” “Yes.” 

It was a simple answer.

 

Morgana held out the carefully polished Carnwennan to him.

 

Arthur stared at the dagger with his blue eyes for a moment, then took a few steps closer. Taking it, he bowed his head again.