Chapter 110 Chapter 109 Night of the Long Knives (Nacht der langen Messer)(12/?)
As military leaders slowly gathered, Morringan finally arrived at the party hall. This gathering was framed as a moment of relaxation before the actual meeting. The leaders had come without hesitation.
"Her Majesty Morgana is here!"
The announcement echoed as the doors to the hall opened. Morringan entered, her elegant gown trailing along the floor. Some of the military leaders rose with arrogant grins.
Others, however, looked tense. Especially the former head of intelligence, who seemed to be trembling. He appeared to be the most suspicious of what was about to unfold.
"Your Majesty, you've finally arrived," Jörg said calmly. Morringan furrowed her brows and turned to him, ignoring his rude tone. "It seems you're bored, aren't you?"
Jörg's smile faltered for a moment before he quickly composed himself. "No, no, we were just eager to see you."
The other military commanders echoed their support for Jörg. Morringan smirked mockingly, sensing their true emotions.
None of them were pleased, and their gazes were filled with veiled hostility toward her. Morringan acted as if she hadn't noticed their stares.
She stepped forward, took the coffee offered by a servant, and raised it. "Let the party begin, then. Let's not wait any longer."
Jörg laughed and took a sip of his wine as if in agreement. "To the Empire! To the glory of its mighty soldiers!"
"Yeah!"
As the soldiers behaved like barbarians, Morringan maintained her composure, waiting for Bernard's arrival. Once he came, chaos would descend upon them.
Morringan was also testing Bernard. If he killed his old comrades for her, then she could trust him. If not, Thomas was already prepared.
He would finish the job.
"Your Majesty, we've been working tirelessly lately," Jörg said, approaching Morringan. She nodded. "After all, the Empire is my responsibility."
Jörg sighed for a moment and gazed at her greedily. Morringan felt the lust and desire in his stare, even sensing his thoughts.
Seduce Morringan, rule the Empire.
But he could only dream. Morringan barely restrained herself from mocking him. Jörg gave her a sly grin. "Your Majesty, speaking of important matters, there's something we need to address."
"And what is that?"
Morringan asked calmly. Jörg's hesitant smile quickly turned confident. "The Empire cannot function with just an Empress. We need an Emperor."
Morringan narrowed her eyes. Jörg turned to the military leaders watching for support. "Isn't that right, gentlemen?"
"Yes!"
Jörg then faced Morringan again, speaking calmly. "It should be someone popular among the soldiers, strong, and handsome."
"Oh? Is that you, idiot?" Morringan asked harshly. Jörg flinched at her tone but didn't back down, maintaining his composure.
"No, no, I'm merely stating what's necessary. I would never approach you in such a manner." Jörg gave a half-smile.
"You wouldn't dare. Even speaking to someone like me is an insult to my status," Morringan mocked.
"What?" Jörg frowned but quickly recovered, unsure of what to say. At that moment, the former intelligence minister, Lois, approached to diffuse the situation.
Lois, in his seventies, was a bearded man with curly white hair, dressed in a professional suit. His pale complexion gave him an almost vampiric aura.
"If I may, Your Majesty, I would like to speak with you about a private matter," Lois said politely to Morringan while casting a look of disappointment and disgust at Jörg.
Jörg paled and shivered as he looked at Lois. Morringan raised a curious eyebrow, noting how the man instilled fear among the soldiers. Clearly, he wasn't a simple individual.
"Of course, Sir Lois," Jörg said, seemingly eager to flee the scene. He left without even saluting Morringan. Lois sighed and turned to her. "Your Majesty, we finally meet."
Morringan noticed his trembling hands. Fear, she thought. "You must be the former intelligence minister. What is it you wish to discuss with me?"
Lois paused briefly before speaking cautiously yet kindly. "I can guess your intentions. You plan to kill us, don't you?"
Morringan froze momentarily. She didn't appreciate how accurately he had guessed and gave him a cold, merciless glare. "Yes, you're right. Is that why you're afraid? Because you know you'll die?"
Lois stopped for a moment, then burst into laughter. Many of the military leaders looked on in surprise but didn't react otherwise.
Morringan was taken aback. "What are you laughing at?"
Lois seemed as though he had seen something amusing, leaving Morringan confused. He stopped laughing and replied, "I'm not trembling out of fear. I'm trembling with excitement for your arrival!"
Lois spoke with enthusiasm and looked at Morringan with reverence. Morringan frowned, perplexed. "What do you mean?"
"The previous King dismissed me," Lois said bitterly, "just because I opposed the inferior races invading our kingdom."
Realizing that the "inferior races" referred to the people of Albion, citizens of the Holy Mary Kingdom, Morringan quickly understood Lois's fanatical devotion to her.
Lois appeared to be an extreme nationalist. He must have heard Morringan's rhetoric and become a zealous follower.
"We Aryans possess the sacred blood of the Fairies, making us a superior race," Lois declared fanatically. "As you said, everyone else is against us. When I heard you were Empress, I was overjoyed. I even wept with happiness."
Lois smiled and added, "Unlike King Wilhelm, you are a true Aryan—superior, graceful, beautiful, powerful, and nationalist. You are the national symbol of this country."
Morringan was momentarily stunned by the barrage of compliments but quickly adapted, realizing her plans were succeeding.
"If I killed you now, what would you do?" Morringan asked coldly. "How can I trust you?"
Lois paused before smiling resolutely. "I can prove myself."
"Prove it."
"Here," Lois glanced around to ensure no one was nearby, then lightly raised his hand. Small shadows began to gather in his palm. Morringan stared in surprise. "You're a—"
"Yes," Lois said proudly. "When I saw you there, I tried and succeeded. I am, like you, a Dark Sorcerer, Your Majesty."
Morringan paused, unsure what to think. Was it more shocking that Lois was a fanatic or that he was a Dark Sorcerer?
She didn't know, but now she was certain she could trust him. "Good. You won't die here, but remember this: the slightest betrayal, and I'll tear you apart."
Lois nodded enthusiastically, saluting her. "If that were to happen, my first action would be to take my own life, Your Majesty. You have my word."
"Good." Morringan saw no need to say more. Realizing the time, she felt Bernard's arrival. And he wasn't alone—he had brought soldiers with him.
"Bernard is coming," Morringan said calmly, her gaze fixed on the doors of the hall. Lois also turned her head, waiting for Bernard to enter.
When the doors opened, Bernard's entrance surprised everyone. Soldiers filled the room instantly behind him, and Jörg looked at Bernard in confusion, unable to grasp what was happening.
"You even managed to turn Bernard to your side, Your Majesty. How clever of you," Lois said with admiration. Morringan couldn't decide whether to be surprised or amused by having another Thomas on her side.
"So, you've finally arrived, Bernard?" Jörg approached his short friend with a wide smile. Bernard, however, maintained a cold and ruthless expression.
There was not a hint of hesitation on his face. As the soldiers behind him spread out through the hall, the Morvos Knights entered and walked over to Morringan.
Jörg frowned suspiciously. "What's with these soldiers, Bernard? I thought it would just be us at the party."
Despite Jörg's questioning, Bernard remained silent and stood calmly. Jörg took a step back, sensing that something was amiss.
"Commander, doesn't something feel off here?" a captain asked hesitantly. Jörg turned to Morringan. "Your Majesty, please dismiss the lower-ranking soldiers."
"No," Morringan replied with a cold smile. Jörg's surprise turned to shock as a sword suddenly pierced through his abdomen, stealing his breath away.
"It's over, Jörg," Bernard said as he plunged his sword through Jörg's back. His expression remained unchanged, coldly killing his former friend.
"What you did to my mother is unforgivable. Even thinking of harming her is enough reason for me to kill you..."
"Your mother?" Jörg muttered with his last breath, his gaze shifting to Morringan. His expression was a chaotic mixture of emotions—sorrow, the disgust of betrayal, confusion, shock, and even a touch of fear.
When Bernard withdrew his sword, blood gushed out like a fountain, pooling on the ground. The military leaders had dropped their weapons, and their swords lay abandoned by their sides.
The soldiers sprang into action, stabbing anyone in their way. Agonized screams echoed through the hall as the military leaders were mercilessly slaughtered.
Morringan and Lois watched the scene unfold with cold detachment. Some of the military leaders attempted to flee but met brutal deaths.
"Stop! Please, stop!"
"It hurts!"
"No! No! No—!"
Morringan watched them all die, one by one. When silence finally enveloped the palace, she stepped toward Bernard, who was drenched in blood from head to toe.
"Bernard," Morringan said calmly. Bernard looked at his mother with expectation. Morringan met his gaze and embraced him, gently stroking his head.
"You're a good boy, Bernard," Morringan said with satisfaction. Bernard murmured softly, clearly pleased by her words. "Your mother is proud of you. Always be like this, alright?"
"Yes, Mother. I will always support you," Bernard replied with innocent devotion. Even the soldiers were stunned by Bernard's demeanor. He continued, "After all, we're a family, right?"
"Yes, we are a family." Morringan felt a pang of disgust—not toward Bernard, but toward herself. Manipulating someone's emotions like this left her feeling wretched.
She reminded herself of Seth's words, that she would grow used to this in time. After all, she was playing the role of Morgana, and she was adapting quickly.
"Mother, Jörg is dead, and they won't dare to rebel against you anymore," Bernard said seriously, looking at Morringan. "If they ever try something so foolish again, I'll kill them all once more."
Feeling the murderous aura radiating from Bernard, Morringan smiled and patted his head. Then she gave the order, "Everyone can leave now. Clean this place and burn the bodies."
"Hai!"
The soldiers saluted and quickly left the hall. Lois approached, looking at Morringan and Bernard. When he turned to Bernard, a smile spread across his face. "You've made the right choice, child. You truly deserve your reputation."
"Thank you, Grandfather," Bernard replied with a broad smile, purring like a contented cat. Hearing the word "grandfather" made Lois laugh with delight.
From a distance, he might have seemed like a kind and caring elder. But Morringan was certain he was the most deranged man she had met in years.
"Let's go, then. I still have duties and responsibilities to attend to," Morringan said calmly. Bernard stepped back and nodded. "I understand."
With that, Lois and Bernard left the hall. Morringan was left alone with her thoughts.