บท 277: Chapter 276 "Morgan's Past"

The trio exchanged quick glances, but an uneasy silence settled among them, each hesitant to break it. Eventually, it was Morgan who broke the deadlock.

"Say, don't you think we should work together to show our utmost respect toward the opponent we are currently facing?" Morgan spoke, planning to invite Voldemort into her side momentarily to take care of Skyler.

Even Skyler already saw this from a mile away; he is still quite shocked at how obedient Voldemort seems to change sides after suggesting earlier that he and Skyler should work together to take down Morgan and the Shadow Dragon.

While this was her first collaboration with "that person" from Knockturn Alley, the weight of responsibility fell heavily on her shoulders. Despite their ostensibly equal footing, "that person" being unable to intervene left Morgan accountable for the operation's success.

She understood the precariousness of their situation; despite outnumbering Skyler three to one, internal discord could lead to their downfall. Morgan's concern was not unfounded; she alone had never tasted defeat at Skyler's hands.

Barbarossa fell to Skyler in single combat, and Voldemort nearly succumbed to his power moments ago.

The urgency of their escape now dominated their thoughts, especially considering the awe-inspiring display of Skyler's might. It was clear that his power had shaken the resolve of her companions far more profoundly than her own.

"You possess formidable abilities and a depth of strategy," Morgan sighed, her eyes gleaming with admiration. "Your resilience surpasses that of most. While youth often breeds impetuosity, you display a patience akin to that of an elder. To wield such power yet exercise restraint until now is truly commendable. However-"

"I concede that I may have underestimated your true strength," Morgan interrupted, her hand gesturing gracefully. Instantly, a gold ring adorned with rubies materialized on her forehead, matching rings appeared on her wrists. Finally, her wand manifested in her right hand, a pure golden wand with the handle intricately carved in the likeness of a fire dragon's head, its mouth adorned with a matching gold ring.

"Oh, how I miss having this in my hand..." Morgan's soft voice fills the heavy atmosphere as she gracefully drags the wand through the wind, creating an afterimage of magic particles dancing in the air.

As her wand materialized, a surge of power emanated from Morgan, pushing against Skyler's presence with such force that they stood almost evenly matched. "Dear Skyler, I wish you are ready for whatever is going your way..."

A mighty gust of wind surged between Skyler and Morgan, rapidly coalescing into a powerful tornado. Within moments, it swept up everything in its path - inferi, tombstones, and dead leaves - lifting them into the air.

The ruby adorning Morgan's forehead suddenly emitted a crimson glow, as tendrils of red energy emanated from the gem, drifting toward the trio. Astonishingly, the energy was absorbed by them through their robes and skin.

Skyler furrowed his brow, recognizing the energy. It was the "pure blood" legacy of Slytherin, a potent force continuously delivered to him via a blood bead above his heart. However, he had yet to comprehend its benefits or absorb it fully.

"You may possess your own trump cards, but so do we," Morgan's demeanor and tone grew colder, influenced by the magical artifacts adorning her. "No matter what feats you may perform today, we are fully confident in our ability to handle them! And should this young wizard meet his end, I shall not lay claim to his treasures - they shall all be yours!"

Voldemort and Barbarossa's eyes ignited with fervor, brimming with fighting spirit. While the wand chooses its wielder, its power is more than enough compensation. It would be naive to assume they harbored no covetous intentions toward Skyler's wand.

"Do you hear that, kid? This time it would be different! I won't lose to any of your tricks anymore. Just surrender quietly and meet your demise!" Barbarossa exclaimed as he brandished his wand.

Moreover, their interest extended beyond the wand to include the ring adorning Skyler's finger, the cloak upon his shoulders, and the wizard's robe he wore.

Though he had never utilized them, characters like Barbarossa and Voldemort could discern from the faint magical emanations that these items were likely extraordinary.

"You must give it your all, even if it means ending this youth's life. I have a plan," Morgan's eyes gleamed with an increasingly manic light. "Seal his soul the moment he perishes, imprisoning it within the gem on my forehead. Let it become my weapon spirit, bound to serve me across lifetimes..."

"Hahahaha..." She lost control of her emotions and laughed wildly. "Arthur, Merlin, and now you! You men... I am not repulsive, yet you all reject me without hesitation! The only solution is to make you mine. We'll be together forever, never parted..." Her laughter echoed, sending shivers down Skyler's spines, even toward Voldemort and Barbarossa, even though they were allies.

Skyler's lips twitched slightly. "Whatever you've endured in the past, haven't you considered-" He shook his head, sighing softly. "Is it your own issue? Merlin seems like a kind guy."

"You speak nonsense! What do you know!" There was a hint of cruelty in Morgan's voice. "Arthur is a scoundrel—he had me, yet betrayed my love and trust. With my supreme magic and the power of Avalon, I built an empire for him... but did you know what he did to pay back all of my love?!"

"We, of the Dragon King's bloodline, are blessed with vitality and longevity, but at the cost of difficulty in bearing children. Yet, for him, I risked my life to bear his offspring, but..." Morgan's tone turned icy. "He took advantage of me during my vulnerable pregnancy, cavorting with that wench Guinevere... Can you imagine the devastation it wrought upon me when I discovered it?" Her gaze burned with hatred. "My precious child, my only offspring—conceived through sacrifice and struggle—snatched away..."

Her eyes glinted with malice as she continued, "I sought vengeance on that wretched Guinevere, employing the cruelest means...Arthur and I became enemies, but it matters not. I no longer love him. I desire not his death but eternal imprisonment. I want him to suffer, to languish in endless torment, forced to witness my triumph and his own despair..."

"But that damned Merlin..." Morgan's lip curled in disdain. "Merlin always pokes his nose where it doesn't belong... I tried to avoid him because of his favoritism towards Slytherin, but he couldn't care less about my wishes. Ignorant fool..."

"Did you two fight?" Skyler inquired, puzzled. This didn't align with the timeline he'd gleaned from Merlin's memories. The decisive battle between Morgan and Merlin didn't seem to fit this narrative.

"No," Morgan replied, a fleeting expression of nostalgia crossing her features before she hardened once more. "That self-righteous hypocrite... He's just..." She trailed off, her expression darkening. "I won't say more. In any case, his end is destined to be grim... Merlin can't fight his fate no matter where he goes..."

"I'm not particularly interested in your feud with Merlin," Skyler interjected. "What intrigues me more is... this blood mist you keep absorbing. What is it?"