A Villainess pulled out the Sword instead of the Hero.

Morgana kept her mouth shut on purpose.

 

Brenna blurted out the words without being asked,

“I do not worship dark magic, nor do I know how to curse, I swear!” 

The kingdom of Arka had long ago lost the war with Britain, and its name was no longer recognized on the continent.

 

They were characterized by pink eyes and traditional markings that ran from their backs to their arms.

 

To an outsider, they may have been simply British, but to those from the kingdom of Arka, they were hated.

 

As Brenna had said, they were cursed.

 

She bowed her head, tears welling in her eyes.

 “I didn’t know you could tell the difference between just a description and another. I won’t be venturing anywhere near here from now on.” “…can tell the difference?” “Well, you knew I was using a disguise to hide my appearance.” 

No, I wouldn’t say I knew, I just called her as I saw her.

 

Come to think of it, if I could break a curse with my powers, why not magic?

 

Morgana slammed her resume down on the table with a loud thud. Brenna’s jaw dropped, and she shut up.

 “I was asking where you were from, not judging you.” 

Her pink eyes turned red as she spoke. She quickly ducked her head, as if she didn’t want to be seen.

 

I’d heard that the recent banning of the use of appearance-related disguises was problematic in more ways than one.

 

I’ve heard of people faking their age and even their gender.

 

The last thing I expected was for someone from Arka to be caught in the crossfire.

 

Still, I had to work, but I couldn’t let her Arka roots show, so I tried again.

 

‘I wonder where all the people from Arka went…’

 

After the war, Morgana would be no different, since she was from Avalon.

 

The VIP invitation only comes once a month. The rest of the day would be spent preparing for that one night behind closed doors.

 

It suited her just fine, as it allowed her to show up as little as possible.

 

She continued the interview as if she hadn’t noticed.

 “You saw the posting, didn’t you? Do you know any aristocratic etiquette?” “Yes. I used to be a maid at a ducal estate.” “Do you have any other skills?” “Oh, well…” 

Brenna trailed off, glancing at Morgana.

 

There was no doubt in her mind that Morgana had the ability to discern.

 

‘She can sense traces of magic.’

 

She didn’t know exactly what it was, but she could vaguely discern it.

 “Is that the case with all people originally from Arka?” “What? Oh, it’s kind of like that.” “It doesn’t bother you when you’re working, does it?” “No! If you’re worried, you can pay me half my hourly wage, but my sister at home has been starving for over a month.” 

Without saying anything specific, they were talking about Brenna’s abilities.

 

They had tacitly chosen silence.

 

When Morgana rose from her seat, her gaze followed.

 

As she prepared to head to the apothecary on the first floor, Morgana turned slightly and spoke to Brenna.

 “You can start tomorrow, and Percival will show you around.” “They, thank you, I’ll work hard!” 

With that, Morgana stormed off, heading down to the first floor.

 

‘That makes sense.’

 

Whenever she looked at Confucius, everyone said he had brown hair.

 

‘I thought it was weird that his hair was all black.’ 

 

Not sure why he’d hidden it, but if he’d been using magic tools all this time, Morgana’s questions would have been answered once and for all.

 

As they emerged from the second-floor doorway, a crowd swarmed around the apothecary on the first floor.

 

Morgana put the hood of her robe back on her head and looked around, curious to see what was going on.

 

‘What, what is it?’

 

As he pushed through the crowd, he saw the entrance, lined with the knights of Count Equator standing guard.

 

Most of the people were simply onlookers, curious to see the lavish carriage of Count Equator.

 “Wow, Count Equator said he was cured of his illness with herbs, so I guess he wasn’t lying.” “Indeed. That wagon must be carrying an entire apothecary’s store.” 

That’s bad for business!

 

As Morgana hurried back into the shop, the knights bowed jaggedly.

 “Welcome, lady. The Count is waiting for you inside.” 

Upon entering, she was greeted by a burly figure.

 

Beside him was his son Cadric, carrying a sack.

 

Caradoc lifted his massive arm and pretended to draw a slow line from end to end of the display case.

 “Give me everything from here to there.” “Excuse me, Count. If you’re going for the VIPs, you’ve already gone overboard…” 

The little Percival was small enough to create the optical illusion of a fist in front of him.

 

He stammered out an explanation, but it fell on deaf ears.

 “Well, the store’s open, and you’ve got to make a profit, Cadric!” “Yes, Father!” 

Morgana hastily stepped in front of them, threatening to swallow the shop while at any moment.

 “Lo, Lord Caradoc! You’ve come!” “My dear, lady, have you arrived, or have I not just heard the news and rushed here?” 

Lord Caradoc greeted Morgana, his voice bristling with laughter.

 

Morgana bowed in greeting, somehow managing to hide the vial of herbs behind her back.

 

‘I think I know why Lennon’s weapons merchant hid his weapons from me.’

 

Never thought I’d be backed into a corner like this.

 

Morgana laughed, awkwardly, and glanced at the sack in Cadric’s hand.

 “No, you’re buying this much?” “It’s the power of your herbs, lass, we’ve been through it all, what’s not to buy? I’ve got the money, I’ve got the sack, I’ve got the goods.” “But we just opened today, shouldn’t everyone else be able to buy it?” “Hmm, we’re okay with being exclusive.” 

It’s not okay with me!

 

Jayden and Percival, who had been standing behind Morgana’s desperate defense, nodded eagerly in agreement.

 

Lord Caradoc smiled ruefully.

 “Well, since you put it that way, I can’t help it. Just enough to get the VIP invitation, then. Cadric, please take care of it.” “Yes, father.” 

Morgana glowered at him, the father’s eyes darting around for some reason.

 

He couldn’t see Kellive in the corner, where he’d been until he’d gone upstairs.

 “Did he run off in the meantime?” 

He asked, peering up and around to avoid the persistent eyes of the Caradoc.

 

Just then, the bell rang and Kellive walked in.

 

Morgana lunged for him and grabbed his arm. Her hands searched his body searchingly, here and there, as if to see in case he might escape.

 

When he looked down at her in surprise, she tugged at the collar of his coat, as if to remove it.

 “Do you want me to take it off?” 

Morgana looked up at him in despair.

 

‘Nothing, there’s nothing! Absolutely nothing!’

 

A wand was basically a tool. There was bound to be something tangible magic tool left behind.

 

Sometimes it was an accessory, other times it was a button or a piece of jewelry, but basically, it had to have a gemstone on it.

 

But Kellive didn’t have any of that.

 

I even checked his ears, just to be sure, and there was no stone dust.

 

‘Am I looking for the wrong thing?’

 

There was definitely a strange odor, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.

 

Suddenly, he heard the door open behind him, and he stepped out of the way, casually wrapping his arm around Morgana’s shoulders and pulling her into a hug.

 

Moving them into a corner to make it easier for the other man to enter, he asked quietly, “What’s wrong?

 “What’s the matter, have you lost the will to undress me now?” “No, I was just wondering if you, Confucius, might be using a magic tool…” “Certainly not.” 

He smirked and held up his hands.

 

Yeah, he didn’t. He wasn’t lying, she’d seen it with her own eyes.

 

Kellive smiled faintly as he straightened his clothes.

  I’m sorry, but something came up, and I think I should go, so…” 

He ducked his head, and a shadow fell over Morgana.

 

Just a breath away from her lips. The sounds of the noisy store seemed to fade away.

 

Slowly, he lowered his head and whispered in her ear.

 “Have you ever thought of coming to Avalon?” 

The unexpected invitation left Morgana speechless for a moment.

 

If only he’d smiled his usual smirk, she’d have taken it as a joke. The low, whispery voice and serious eyes were clearly sincere.

 

There was even a hint of desperation.

 “I…”