From the day he was born until now, this was the very first time someone had threatened him like this and actually succeeded.
Merlin looked at the boy before him, and a faint, inscrutable smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
How interesting…
Yes — the future he could not see was always the most fun.
Strictly speaking, Merlin was a master of illusions, an undying nightmare; there were precious few things in this world that could genuinely threaten his life.
And even if his life were threatened, he wouldn't actually care that much.
What Merlin truly cared about was whether there would still be something entertaining to watch tomorrow.
Tiamat was an existence capable of destroying all of human history.
If her true form arrived and burned away humanity's foundation, then even with clairvoyance, Merlin would have nothing left to watch.
He'd just have to sit there in Avalon, staring blankly at a world already destroyed.
For Merlin, that was unacceptable.
"…Fine, you win, Alvin."
Merlin sighed softly.
"But actually, you don't need my help to find Ishtar."
"When a divine spirit descends, it must pass through Gaia's channels. And once descended, if you wish to speak with Gaia again, there's only one way to do it."
Merlin stared at Alvin, then revealed a playful smile.
"Here comes a riddle but there's no prize for the right answer: How can you converse directly with the will of this planet?"
Oh for crying out loud, stop talking like a riddler… Alvin frowned in silence.
His mind began racing, thoughts flashing one after another like sparks.
"…the Holy Spear — the Holy Spear that links directly to the planet's surface?!"
Alvin's pupils widened sharply as he suddenly realized something, and said, "Ishtar went to find Gray?!"
Merlin smiled cheerfully and replied, "That Venus goddess had been suppressing her true personality for quite a while, but after entering the royal palace, 'Gaia' released her true self."
"In all likelihood, she now wants to speak directly with Gaia through the Holy Spear."
Alvin fell silent and immediately turned to head in Gray's direction.
Merlin quietly watched him from behind, and soon a meaningful smile appeared on his lips as he said softly.
"Be careful, Alvin,"
Although he had never been able to clearly see Alvin's future —
Gaia was such a unique existence that unless the planet faced destruction, it would never personally intervene.
Could it be that "Gaia" believed Alvin might actually be capable of destroying the planet, and thus sent Ishtar to probe him?
If that were true, then there was a fine show to look forward to...
Merlin thought this with a trace of anticipation in his heart.
.
.
.
Gray's room was on the northern side of the palace, usually reserved for important guests, with strict guards stationed outside to ensure their safety.
But today, this palace hall received an unexpected visitor.
"The first time I saw you, I thought you looked familiar. Now that I'm this close… you really do look a lot like her."
Platinum-colored hair cascaded like a waterfall, and the woman wore an exquisitely gorgeous gown as she stood silently before the tall windows, gazing at the sunlight beyond.
She held a glass of fine red wine in her hand and turned her head to look at the gray-haired girl behind her, who was clutching a "birdcage" and staring back warily.
Gray's eyes were full of caution.
Then she lowered her voice and said, "Lady Morgan… why have you come here?"
A flicker of surprise flashed through Morgan's eyes, then she smiled sweetly. "Much calmer than I expected… no wonder the Holy Spear acknowledges your existence."
"Holy Spear…? What Holy Spear?"
A trace of confusion crossed Gray's face, though inside she felt a wave of shock.
How did Morgan le Fay recognize in one glance that the thing in her hands was the Holy Spear?!
Could it be she had seen "Add" before?
But that shouldn't be possible… when the Tower of Radiance appeared, Morgan wasn't there.
Surely it wasn't Alvin who told her?
While Gray's mind was in turmoil, Morgan pointed at the birdcage in Gray's hands, smiling brightly.
"Can you lend me that thing in your arms for a moment?"
Unexpectedly, "Add," who normally had a foul mouth and loved to squawk, didn't dare utter a single word when Morgan stepped into the room.
If one looked carefully, they would even see that the strange creature inside the cage was trembling ever so slightly.
A flash of shock crossed Gray's eyes as well.
As expected!!!
Morgan knew the true identity of "Add" was the Holy Spear!
"Don't worry, I have no intention of taking the Holy Spear."
Seeing how violently shaken Gray was inside, Morgan took a small sip of red wine and said gently, "I only intend to confirm whether there is something behind the divine descent pulling the strings."
"Something"...? Gray froze slightly.
"This planet's will."
Morgan raised her wineglass, her sapphire-blue eyes looking especially bewitching in the reflected red light.
"The Holy Spear is a special artifact connected to this planet… as long as one possesses it, they essentially have the possibility of directly communicating with 'Gaia.'"
"Rest assured, I only plan to borrow the Holy Spear for a bit. I won't harm you or that child in your hands. After all…"
Morgan cast Add a meaningful glance, the corners of her lips curling into a charming arc.
"Hmph… the magical structure of this thing is truly familiar."
As someone who could skillfully mass-produce the "Silver Knights," Morgan le Fay could easily craft magical equipment capable of changing forms at will if she desired.
And a magical tool like "Add" — Morgan le Fay herself owned one.
— Golden Invasion Blade.
In the end, there was only one person in all of Britain who had the skill to create a special magical artifact like "Add" and give it the unique personality of Round Table Knight Kay.
...Morgan le Fay.
"Hand it to me. I'll return it to you after a while, once I've confirmed Gaia's intentions."
Morgan stretched out her hand toward Gray.
"Kid, you absolutely mustn't give it to her…"
A low warning came from "Add," whom Gray was clutching protectively.
"She already has the power of the 'Lady of the Isle.' If she gets hold of the Holy Spear too, it will cause huge trouble for King Arthur!"
Gray's heart gave a faint shiver.
The cooperation between the transmigrators and Britain had only just begun and if something happened to King Arthur now… the consequences would be unimaginable.
"So talkative — you really do have the exact same bad habits as Kay."
Morgan cast a light glance at "Add," then sighed softly.
"Forget it, I figured from the start this would be the outcome anyway."
As she spoke, she raised her fingertips.
Terrifying magic power gathered to its peak!
In the next instant, that compressed sphere of mana shot toward Gray!
The gray-haired girl reflexively squeezed her eyes shut but then realized the magic bullet had brushed right past her ear, flying straight behind her.
Boom!
Accompanied by a tremor, another magic bullet shot out from behind Gray.
The two forces collided in midair, making a deafening sound.
"Attacking a guest so rashly without even showing your face, is that Britain's way of hospitality?"
Immediately after, from within the thick smoke, came a goddess's voice filled with arrogance.
As the smoke cleared, a slender and graceful silhouette slowly emerged into view.
She was elegantly crossing her legs, lazily sitting atop the bed.
Long golden hair cascaded to her hips, crowned with a golden laurel, and in her pale golden eyes was utter contempt for everything in this world.
...Ishtar.