"Morgan, are you saying you can place a Geis on others?"
Kaelar's eyes widened slightly as he glanced at Morgan, surprised that this alluring witch knew so much.
Then he remembered who Morgan was, and it all made sense. Nodding in understanding, he said, "Of course, with your status, Morgan, you're certainly capable of imposing a Geis on someone."
Kaelar, being only a casual fan of Type-Moon, didn't know that Morgan was actually the ruler of the British Lostbelt, bearing the prestigious title of Fairy Savior... but even as Uther's daughter, her status was undeniably high. She could probably even impose a Geis on Merlin himself.
In today's Britain, the only ones above Morgan in status were Uther and Vortigern.
Hearing Kaelar's remark, a hint of surprise flashed in Morgan's eyes. "Kaelar, I didn't expect you to know so much about the nuances of a Geis. Have you encountered it before?"
Morgan's brows furrowed, her dark blue eyes filled with suspicion. "No, that can't be right... Geis is knowledge from the Age of Gods. Apart from the fairies who record all knowledge, no one in Britain should know much about it!"
In Celtic mythology, Geis held great significance, yet it remained one of the most secretive aspects—those who knew about it rarely spoke of it, making it all the more obscure...
In other words, it should be a lost art—known only to the fairies.
Even Merlin, the so-called Great Mage of Britain, did not understand how to properly use and invoke a Geis.
By all logic, even if Kaelar knew that Cú Chulainn and Diarmuid died due to broken Geis, he shouldn't be aware of its finer details.
And yet, he clearly did.
This complicated things—Morgan had hoped to exploit his ignorance to bind him with the conditions of a Geis, but now that seemed unlikely.
"Before I teach you about the Geis, there's something I want to ask," Morgan said, opting for a direct approach. "Kaelar, if you don't swear loyalty to Arthur, would you swear loyalty to me?"
"That's not an option," Kaelar shook his head. "Morgan, you know Merlin's prophecy—the king who bears the blood of the Red Dragon will rise to oppose the White Dragon that devours light."
"I'm asking 'what if,'" Morgan pressed, stepping closer. "If that were the case, would you serve me?"
"If you become the right kind of ruler," Kaelar replied, "then yes, I could serve you."
"Good!" That was the answer Morgan had been waiting for. "Then let's make a pact. As long as it doesn't involve Arthur or Britain, you will never betray me, Kaelar. Do you agree?"
Kaelar knew this was Morgan's final test.
Knowledge, especially valuable knowledge, was not something to be entrusted to just anyone.
The Celts of this age still adhered to ancient customs of kinship and bloodline. They wouldn't hesitate to massacre those outside their clan without a second thought.
Such slaughter was a badge of honor for Celtic warriors.
There were no familial bonds between Kaelar and Morgan, and with his current allegiance to the Red Dragon, they would inevitably become enemies, with Morgan standing as the Fairy Queen.
Without a pact, how could she trust him with her secrets?
If Kaelar agreed, Morgan would impart all her magical knowledge to him, and he would gain what he desired.
But Kaelar remained resolute, saying, "As long as it doesn't involve Arthur, if you are the right kind of ruler, I will never betray you."
There it was again—right.
"'Right'? According to your definition of what's right?" Morgan scoffed, a mocking smile tugging at her lips. "Kaelar, your version of 'right' is worthless."
"My 'right' is worth more than gold!" Kaelar said with conviction. "How can a sparrow understand the ambitions of an eagle? My goals will not change!"
"So, what do you say, Morgan? Will you agree to such a pact?"
Kaelar could flatter Morgan with sweet words, but his ideals and aspirations were non-negotiable. If Morgan refused to teach him, he wouldn't back down.
There were many paths to power, but only one true ideal.
"Heh, foolish child, people's beliefs change over time. I, Morgan, will wait to see how you change."
Morgan reached out her hand, her nails painted a deep shade of blue, sharp enough to draw blood. With a swift motion, she made a small cut on Kaelar's skin. At the same time, a drop of her own blood beaded on her fingertip.
"This is a Celtic blood pact. We must both honor this agreement."
"Kaelar, what kind of vow do you want to bind yourself to?"
Morgan had taught Kaelar the way to establish a Geis, issuing a warning as she did. "You know quite a bit about Geis, but as your teacher, I must emphasize this..."
"Kaelar, a Geis must never, ever be broken! It is a hidden taboo or fatal weakness for many heroes."
"If you haven't given it enough thought, don't rashly make a dangerous vow."
Morgan casually added, "Also, a Geis must be kept secret. Diarmuid's downfall was that he trusted his lord, Fionn, too much. He didn't hide his Geis from him, and that trust was what led to his death when Fionn abandoned him."
Kaelar merely smiled in response. Morgan was comparing him to Diarmuid—so, in this scenario, who would be the treacherous lord like Fionn?
Morgan's point was clear: Kaelar needed to keep his Geis hidden. Even if he established one in the future, he must keep it secret from Arthur. Then, if Morgan ever managed to discover his Geis through a contract, she would be the only one holding his weakness.
"What kind of Geis, indeed?" Kaelar narrowed his eyes, dodging the question with a smile. "Morgan, perhaps that's a question one should ponder for a lifetime."
Gazing at the pure-hearted boy before her, Morgan impulsively blurted, "Then... will you tell me your Geis?"
The words had barely left her mouth before she realized what she'd said. Her face flushed from pale to a deep crimson, and even her magical veil couldn't fully mask the redness at the corners of her eyes.
T-too... too embarrassing!
Ugh... Just kill me now!
By the time Morgan processed her own words, steam practically rose from her head. She wished she could connect to the Root, master time magic, and travel back to a few seconds ago to strangle her past self and take her place...
"Forget I said anything!"
The next moment, Morgan vanished, leaving behind only a hurried, "I'm heading to Avalon to prepare some materials."
"Witchy sister is just too cute~."
Kaelar blinked, then chuckled. This great witch was unexpectedly pure-hearted.
But...
There was an even more adorable little one waiting for him back home!