"Oh? Are you hoping that our father can kill Ki Song swiftly? I am not convinced. So, I am willing to risk it."
She tilted her head a little and studied him for a few moments.
Then, another smile illuminated her pale face — this one faint, but sincere.
"But what if Ki Song kills our father swiftly? While you are stuck here, unable to do it yourself?"
For the first time in a while, her brother's mask of benevolent decorum cracked briefly, revealing the hideous face of hateful madness beneath.
His grin evaporated, replaced by inhuman coldness.
Mordret took a step forward and raised his sword.
"You should not say such terrible things, sister. Your sound unfilial."
Morgan grinned.
"Go die, bastard."
With that, she lunged forward.
They clashed again, like they did every day. The fury of their confrontation shook the broken mountain.
In a weird way, it was almost enjoyable. Morgan did not often receive an opportunity to cross swords with someone who was close to her in skill. But for these past few months, she could express her sword freely and without restraint. She remembered being thrilled for the first few times… each instance was a battle where her very survival was at stake, as well.
And her brother, loathsome as he might have been, was still a descendant of War. His skill was fearsome, so it would have been hard to gain so much precious experience anywhere else.
It was just that she had to experience harrowing pain, watch her body be mutilated, and taste the bitterness of defeat every time.
Just like this time.
It was so... burdensome.
Soon enough, Morgan was broken and bleeding. Her sword had collapsed into a whirlwind of scarlet sparks, and her gaze started to blur.
She was hurt quite terribly.
Drowning in her own blood, Morgan reached within and activated the enchantment of the mystical hourglass once again.
Her bloodied lips twisted into a smile.
"See you… next time."
Mordret, who was in a slightly better shape, was looking at the deep cracks leading to the depths of the shattered mountains with a thoughtful expression.
His eyes glistened strangely.
"Yes… see you next time, sister."
The world seemed to dissolve into nothingness.
A few moments later, Morgan found herself tending to a pot of fragrant stew.
She closed her eyes tiredly.
'Damn it all.'