Kayneth's face flickered with changing moods, as if he was struggling inside.
And Barthomeloi from the Law and Politics division, even the Clock Tower's "acting dean," at this moment had slightly narrow, beautiful eyes, secretly sizing up this young man called Alvin and pondering something.
'If King Arthur noticed him, there must be something special about him…'
'But what exactly does Arthur intend to do now?'
It was not only Barthomeloi. After some people at the scene noticed the movement around Alvin, the same thought flashed through their minds.
They unconsciously held their breath and waited quietly.
Alvin was waiting too. His gaze was fixed on Artoria.
She basked in the dazzling light, as if combining grace and nobility in one body. Beneath the crown was that dignified, beautiful face, with saintly blue eyes free of any impurity.
Such lofty majesty, like a goddess on high. Beneath that fitted dress was a flawless, sensual figure.
Even though everything in today's banquet decorations was dazzling, in front of this King Arthur it all seemed dim by comparison.
Their eyes met for an unknown length of time. Alvin took the initiative and smiled in greeting, "You're back… Lily."
"How was it in Avalon?"
"Quite good," Artoria glanced at the young man, "You even personally teamed up with Merlin to send me into Avalon, you did well."
Alvin: "..."
At that time, to avoid unnecessary sacrifice from a fight between the two sisters, when Merlin opened Avalon, Alvin directly assisted him and temporarily sent Artoria there.
'So she still remembers that grudge now,' Alvin cleared his throat and said, "I just thought you both were a bit irrational back then, needed to calm down a little."
Artoria nodded lightly when she heard that, "I know what you mean."
"So this time I didn't plan to start any conflict with Queen Sis."
The unexpected reply left Alvin a little stunned.
'After a trip to Avalon Lily suddenly calmed down?'
Previously when meeting Morgan, she pulled out the holy sword at the slightest provocation.
'It seems separating them for a time was the right move,' Alvin grumbled inwardly.
Then he saw Artoria gracefully extend her hand, a faint smile on her face.
"The palace rarely holds such a grand banquet. Since we're here, accompany me for a dance."
The unexpected reaction made Alvin breathe a little easier.
'Lily is fairly calm. Looks like the situation is still under control.'
As for dancing, that was fine. As long as he could stabilize the situation for now. Thinking that, a faint smile appeared on Alvin's face as he reached to take the woman's hand.
But at that moment, Alvin's eyelid suddenly twitched because he saw another woman walking toward them behind Artoria.
She stepped past Artoria and grabbed Alvin's hand first.
In an instant, Alvin felt a despair that chilled him from head to toe.
In that strange, silent atmosphere, Morgan looked up and smiled at Alvin, saying softly, "Could you dance with me first, Alvin?"
The atmosphere in the hall seemed to turn slightly eerie at some point.
Although countless men and women still showed their dancing in the ballroom, more gazes were covertly fixed on that seductive, stunning beauty not far away.
Even if they did not know exactly what was happening, any clear-eyed person could see the tacit hostility between Morgan and Artoria.
As for the young man, he looked like the "sacrifice" trapped between the sisters.
In this situation, no matter whom Alvin accepted, the other would probably find it unacceptable and feel humiliated.
But then again, why did Artoria invite Alvin to dance first?
Was it just coincidence?
Or did some of his magical talent appeal to her?
For a time, the magi on the transmigrant side grew more active in thought.
Reines sat in the hall, watching the young man with doubtful eyes and soon muttered, "Alvin is really unlucky. He should check if his luck stat is negative when he gets back."
No matter how you think about it, Alvin was indeed very unlucky.
Everyone knew Artoria and Morgan le Fay did not get along.
If only Artoria had invited Alvin to dance, it would have been fine.
But now, he was caught between both sides.
These sisters were proud to the extreme. If Alvin chose one, the other would definitely be extremely displeased.
Thinking this, Reines instinctively looked toward Gray.
She expected Gray to be more worried about Alvin, but the gray-haired girl seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Her previously tense body slowly relaxed.
"Gray, aren't you worried he'll get drawn into the whirlpool between King Arthur and her sister?", Reines couldn't help asking.
"Worried… but it's okay," Gray said softly.
Compared to the secret of the white dragon core being exposed, the current situation seemed acceptable to Gray.
She originally thought Arthur had sensed an abnormality in Alvin's mana, but now it seemed the other side merely wanted to invite Alvin to dance.
'But why exactly?'
Thoughts raced through Gray's head, and at one point a ridiculous idea flashed across her mind.
Ever since before, Alvin was quite popular with the senior sisters at the Clock Tower. After all, his looks were favored by older women.
'Could it be… King Arthur also wants to?'
At this moment in the golden hall, another person was looking in Alvin's direction and quietly gloating.
King Marco. As a great noble once "oppressed" by Alvin, Marco could not help a faint smile when he saw the young man's dazed look, "I didn't expect I even had to do nothing. He ran into trouble all by himself."
Beside the man stood Barthomeloi, the Clock Tower's master, who had been speaking with him not long before.
If the Clock Tower wanted to cooperate with Britain in the future, it would need reliable partners in Britain.
And the great noble King Marco was a partner worth courting.
Hearing Marco, Barthomeloi raised a delicate brow, "You don't seem to like Alvin much, did he offend you before, King Marco?"
Marco snorted coldly, "How many people in Britain like him? Miss Barthomeloi, don't say I didn't warn you. If you want to secure a foothold in Britain in the future, it's best not to get too close to him."
"After all, he's offended more than just me."
Barthomeloi clearly froze a moment.
From this law and politics master's perspective, Alvin was at most Kayneth's proud disciple. Besides that, in the repeated negotiations the Clock Tower had, Aozaki Touko had also casually mentioned him and shown admiration.
'When did he offend these British great nobles?'
Perhaps noticing the doubt in Barthomeloi's eyes, Marco swept a glance over the banquet crowd and said quietly, "This isn't the place to talk. If Miss Barthomeloi is interested, you can visit my manor later."
Curiosity flickered through Barthomeloi's beautiful eyes and she slowly nodded, "Since King Marco invites so kindly, if there is a chance after this banquet, I will certainly visit."
After a short exchange, Barthomeloi turned her gaze back to Alvin, and thoughtfulness gradually appeared in her eyes.
———
What others were discussing at the banquet, Alvin naturally did not know.
He stood rigid where he was, like a white statue that might disperse with the wind.
'Queen Sis, are you really planning a sister showdown with Lily at the banquet?'
If it were a sister fight in the bedchamber, Alvin would not mind.
Imagine two similarly featured sisters with totally opposite temperaments on one bed, just thinking about it is thrilling.
But at a banquet, forget it.
If possible, Alvin did not want to use force to stop their fight.
Sensing Artoria's emotionless cold gaze, Alvin finally snapped out of it and at the same time silently blessed Merlin with all his heart.
If Merlin had warned him earlier, he would not be so passive now.
No wonder White Moonlight had taken on a reversal state; no wonder it flashed like a death omen when he entered the hall, at this moment Alvin finally understood.
The [Reversal·White Moonlight] had already warned him, only its description had been misleading, so Alvin had not realized the severity.
The entry had said something like "perhaps there will be some surprises."
What the hell kind of surprise is that?
If this develops further, his personal interface might as well tell him he's unlocked the small dark room new CG.
Who would feel surprised after entering the small dark room?
While Alvin's thoughts were in turmoil, Morgan's delicate pale hand had already taken hold of his, about to pull him into the center of the dance floor.
"Queen Sis, did you forget about me?"
But at that moment Artoria stepped forward and stood before Morgan.
Immediately, a dangerous smile spread across the face of this King Arthur.
"At least pay attention to who came first, right? Besides, given my relationship with him, there's no way you should invite him to dance first."
Saying that, Artoria shoved Morgan's hand aside and put Alvin behind her.
Her features were exquisitely painted, her saint-blue eyes looked sacred and noble in the golden light, giving off a chill that kept others away.
She released her hostility without an ounce of courtesy. Even Morgan rarely saw Artoria like this.
Morgan narrowed her eyes and quietly scrutinized the knight queen before her.
Soon Morgan smiled brightly, "You seem to lack confidence in yourself, Lily?"
"It's only one dance, not something bad, or are you worried that in the time of one dance our feelings will leave you far behind?"
While they talked, a deep black barrier wrapped around them, preventing eavesdropping.
Artoria was finally provoked. She raised an eyebrow and said coldly, "When did you and he have feelings? How come I don't know?"
"By feelings do you mean the despicable method of seduction using the body at first?"
That line hit hard.
Although later Morgan could feel Alvin's genuine feelings when they were together, however, at first she had met Alvin only to take revenge on her sister and had intended to seduce her sister's husband to bed.
Even though their relationship later warmed rapidly, Morgan still cared about that beginning.
'Oh no, it's really tearing up… and Lily and Morgan haven't even really started raging. If this continues, even if they don't fight at the banquet, they'll probably come to me afterward.'
Alvin's heart sank and he began to sweat.
At that moment he vaguely sensed a gaze and looked over to see Mordred watching him anxiously.
Alvin subtly signaled Mordred with his eyes, then slightly opened his mouth and used special magic to send his voice directly into Mordred's mind, ["Little Mo, do me a favor."]
Mordred froze, then instinctively looked up, and Alvin's voice continued in her ear, ["Go help me fetch Merlin."]
Seeing Mordred silently nod and slip out of the venue, Alvin quietly withdrew his gaze.
The one who tied the bell must untie it.
Since this was Merlin's doing, let Merlin clean it up himself.
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