Pa!
Merlin closed the book.
The dark spot under her eyes visible as she sat on the ground, resting her back against the bad frame.
In front of her was Terra, playing with empty bottles of potions like she was a kid - mentally, one could say she was.
Leaving that, Merlin gave out a sigh.
She had been reading old books about demon lords and sacrifices, trying to figure out where and how they would take place.
Since for them to complete the ritual they needed a powerful artifact with large amounts of magical energy, Merlin was calm, knowing that would be difficult for them to find.
According to what Ha Joon told her, he had stationed knights and guards in all the key areas housing any type of powerful artifact within the kingdom, most of which were in Telver. And he did the same to the trade routes where they could potentially try to smuggle guns.
"We are safe for now. This damn demon thing is so stressful."
Merlin grunted frustratedly.
"Normally, I wouldn't stress myself this much... But I need to do something that will make that king of mine owe me. Even if it's just a single night, I'm more than willing to take it." She looked towards the bookshelf.
"Demons uhn, didn't think I'd hear about that again. Chances of them succeeding with this should be low... right?"
"Depends on how dedicated they are."
That voice was familiar.
Standing at the entrance of Merlin's workshop, was Morgana. She was dressed in a white sun sress, and her maid, Gwenevere positioned behind her.
"Morgana..." Merlin blurted out, but only slightly.
"Don't look so surprised, I only came to see you, since you didn't feel the need to check up on my after my recovery."
Merlin gestured with her fingers at Gwenevere, urging her to leave both of them alone. And she did.
Gwenevere bowed her head and closed the door.
It was true that since Morgana woke up, Merlin had not come visit her, or even ask from anyone how she was doing.
Though there was a deep reason behind it.
"I would have. Seriously, there have just been too many things happening in Camelot. You wouldn't know since you've been asleep for so long." Merlin uttered fast, if only her expression was as confident as her words.
Morgana smiled.
She gently sat down on the ground, not too far from where Merlin was, but close enough that she could get a good look at Terra.
Morgan's words settled inside Merlin's head.
Realisation.
If the artifacts was somewhere or someone they know they could never get, they would be hesitant to go for it and snatch it.
But ...
Knowing they couldn't take the artificacts will force them to use a new method. Just as Morgan had said, as long as the artificact was within range of the summoning, it would work as a magical generator for the summoning.
In other words...
"They could do the summoning anytime they want... Dammit! We completely overlooked this fact!"
Merlin jerked up from the ground, running towards her work table.
"What are you doing?" Morgan asked.
"I need to get a hold of His majesty, we were completely wrong about the whole thing!"
She was suddenly holding a small round object in her hand.
This was something Ha Joon had given her in time of an emergency.
Pouring her mana into it, an hologram of Ha Joon seated inside his royal carriage.
(Merlin, I thought I told you to only use this when there's an emergency.)
Hearing Ha Joon's voice, Morgan's face turned red, fighting the urge to turn her gaze to where Merlin was.
"This time it's not because I want to see you naked, I promise."
(So something did happen?)
"Yes! We got it completely wrong! They don't need to acquire the artificats to use the summons."
(What?)
"It just needs to be within the vicinity for it to work!"
(Vicinity of what?!)
"I don't know! Probably the magic circle?"
(Quickly, send your mages to do a full scan of the Telver city. If they succeed with summons, I can't tell what will happen next. Hurry up!)
.
"R... right away!"