At this moment, Morgan could finally take a good look at her own younger sister.
A face nearly identical to hers, yet much smaller in stature.
The image of a heroic young boy.
None of a woman's features had developed yet.
"You eat so much every day where does it all even go?"
Morgan grumbled inwardly.
Thanks to some suggestive magecraft from Merlin, no one had ever realized Artoria was actually a girl all this time.
Morgan tilted her head and asked Artoria:
"Artoria, why are you here?"
Artoria looked up at Morgan:
"Your Majesty, I came to retrieve a sword for His Majesty King Lot."
As she said this, she felt a little puzzled.
Wasn't that sword over there His Majesty's personal blade? How could Her Majesty not recognize it?
Then why am I even here?
Confusion filled Artoria's eyes.
Hearing her words, Morgan instantly understood Merlin's vile scheme.
Oh, you damnable Merlin.
You truly are the worst!
Artoria had no ambition to become king.
So you resort to deception to achieve your goals.
Making Artoria dress as a man was part of your plan too, wasn't it?
The bloodline of King Uther, her outward appearance as a man,
And now, the legend of her drawing the Sword in the Stone.
Her becoming king was inevitable.
"But if that happens, Artoria will be ruined. Merlin, you old bastard, do you have any idea what you're forcing her to bear?"
Morgan cursed inwardly.
Though Morgan often acted disdainful toward Artoria,
She was actually quite fond of her little sister.
What Merlin was doing would utterly destroy her.
If his plan succeeded, Artoria would spend her entire life as a king fighting for Camelot.
She would have to live as a man forever.
Never revealing that she was actually a woman.
Cross-dressing for a day or two might be amusing,
But spending a lifetime presenting as a man?
That was nothing short of tragic.
Especially when she would have to become king.
The kind of king Merlin envisioned.
Not like her.
She became king because it was her lifelong dream.
And beside her, she had that horndog Lot to keep her company.
If she became king, she would never be lonely.
But what about Artoria?
All she had was the scheming Merlin.
A king is not alone but if my sister becomes king, she will be.
I won't let that happen.
Morgan looked at Artoria, her thoughts resolved.
"Lot's sword? There's no such thing here. And when I left the city earlier, I saw Lot he had his sword with him. He didn't lose it."
Morgan glanced around before asking Artoria.
"Huh?"
There isn't?
Artoria was baffled.
"That sword over there?"
She pointed toward the Sword in the Stone.
"That sword?" Morgan smiled. "Haven't you heard the rumors spreading through Camelot? They say whoever draws that sword will become Britain's chosen king. But so far, many have tried, and none have succeeded."
"So… Master Merlin tricked me?"
Artoria muttered to herself.
"Yes, it certainly seems that way." Morgan nodded lightly. "No one has managed to draw that sword yet, Artoria. I doubt you'll be any different. Merlin knows you're a dutiful knight if you couldn't pull it out, you'd stubbornly keep trying."
"True."
Artoria nodded in agreement.
If others couldn't draw it, she probably couldn't either.
And since His Majesty hadn't lost his sword…
So I really was tricked by Master?
Artoria thought, torn between laughter and tears.
She didn't hold any resentment, though.
She still held great affection for the teacher who had guided her all this time.
Even if he played a little prank on her,
She wouldn't get angry.
Still, she couldn't help but complain inwardly.
Master, if you wanted to mess with me, fine but couldn't you at least have waited until after I ate?
Running several kilometers outside the city on an empty stomach, and now I have to run back…
All this back-and-forth just delays my meal even more.
Oh, my poor stomach. I've wronged you.
Seeing Artoria's expression, Morgan knew she had convinced her.
But she wasn't done yet.
Merlin, since you dared scheme against my sister, I'll turn your own plan against you.
What was it that horndog called this again?
Ah, yes "hoist with his own petard."
With that thought, Morgan asked Artoria:
"Artoria, tell me do you want to draw that sword?"
"No."
Artoria shook her head honestly.
Draw a sword?
What does that matter compared to eating?
Besides, she couldn't even pull it out.
"Ahem…"
Morgan's face reddened slightly.
Then, she continued with a straight face:
"Very well. Then this is an order from the Round Table. Knight Artoria, I command you to draw that sword."
"But… Your Majesty?"
Artoria was confused.
How could she draw a sword meant to choose a king?
Morgan pressed on with her deception:
"That sword is a treasure of House Pendragon. Ordinary people can't draw it only those of Pendragon blood can.
I don't know who stole it and planted it here under the pretense of choosing a king, but I know their intentions are malicious."
"Aside from that vile Vortigern, I am the last of the Pendragons. The nobles would never allow a woman to draw the sword, so it would remain here forever. But as long as it stays, it undermines House Pendragon's prestige. People will forget our claim to Camelot and focus only on this Sword in the Stone."
"How despicable."
Artoria was shocked by Morgan's words.
"Yes, utterly despicable." Morgan's expression grew even more embarrassed. "But I have a way to let you temporarily gain the ability to draw it."
"So, Knight Artoria to crush our enemies' scheme, draw the sword for me."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Artoria answered firmly.