Chapter 49: Forward, Once More

Consumed by fury, Elizabeth raised her sword once more...

Thump.

But suddenly, her vision blurred.

A searing pain ignited in her chest, like fire scorching her very heart. Even breathing became a struggle.

And then, she collapsed.

But Morgana didn't stop.

She walked straight toward Avalon Castle, her small frame brimming with uncontainable fury.

Kyaaah!!!

Fairies scrambled as Morgana swept through the castle, subduing one after another with swift, precise magic.

Vivien's office, as Mia had said, was empty.

Morgana began casting spells to uncover any hidden rooms.

Before long, a concealed area responded to her magic. Morgana easily dispelled the protective seal.

The room was filled with mysterious books, emanating a sinister energy.

Scattered tomes lay open across the floor, and dark red magic circles were scrawled on the walls.

Among the clutter, Morgana pulled a book that mentioned the World Tree...

but most of its contents were things she already knew.

What caught her attention wasn't a research volume, but a diary.

The pages were aged, with dates long faded,

and much of the text illegible.

"Once again, I came home empty-handed."

"Why was I born without talent?"

"Swordplay and magic, the pride of fairykind, none of it ever clicked for me."

Flip

Morgana turned the page carefully, not to tear the parchment.

"My friends said they'd show me a good place to train."

"To share such a precious spot with a failure like me... I was so grateful."

"I really thought... I was lucky to be born a fairy."

Flip

"How could I fall for such an obvious lie?"

"They never saw me as a friend... not from the start."

"What do I do now? How do I get out of here...?"

Flip

"It's been a week since I entered the tower. Still no sign of an exit."

"I've run out of food."

"I always knew this day might come..."

"But dying alone... that's a bit sad."

Flip

She flipped to the next page.

And there, Morgana finally found the clue she had been searching for.

"I quietly closed my eyes, ready to accept death."

"But instead of my parents greeting me from the beyond..."

"I saw a great tree bathed in blue light, like nothing I'd ever seen before."

I scoured the area with the soldiers until sunset.

But Elizabeth was nowhere to be found.

Was I too late?

That grim thought was just starting to take hold when, someone tapped me lightly on the shoulder.