Chapter 595: Conditions for Exchanging Power 490
By now, the vines entwined around Tristan had vanished.
Because of his confrontation with Morgan, the magic that Reiger had cast, having lost its power, also ceased to work, not only freeing Tristan but also liberating Beryl beside him, no longer bound.
But none of that mattered anymore.
"...Mother?"
Tristan, clutching his reddened cheek, looked at Morgan with eyes full of disbelief.
In front of her, Morgan’s yet unwithdrawn hand revealed to everyone who was responsible for the slap sound and Tristan’s reddened cheek.
"What are you doing?"
Morgan coldly looked at Tristan, questioning him with an emotionless voice.
"I... I..."
Tristan could not utter a complete sentence, shrinking back, his recent brutality and elegance gone, replaced by an unprecedented vulnerability that clearly showed his inner turmoil.
"Tell me," Morgan continued coldly, "what are you doing, Bawan Xi?"
Bawan Xi.
That was Tristan’s real name.
Before becoming an Elf Knight and being granted the territory of New Darlington, Tristan’s name was Bawan Xi.
That meant, the name Tristan was granted to Bawan Xi by Morgan after he became an Elf Knight.
Not just Tristan, but Lancelot and Gawain were the same, having their original names until they became Elf Knights and were then named by Morgan, becoming the now known Lancelot and Gawain.
And Morgan’s act of naming was not merely naming someone; it was a ritual imbued with magical significance and mystique, allowing the named Elf Knights to gain powers not inherent to them through these names.
Bawan Xi had obtained that harp because of this, a power not of her own, but one derived from the name "Tristan."
And an Elf Knight, once their true name is revealed, could potentially strip away the power and identity obtained at the naming, reverting to their original form.
Under such circumstances, an Elf Knight’s true name naturally became something not to be carelessly exposed, also becoming a taboo not to be idly spoken.
But now, knowing these consequences, Morgan still directly addressed Tristan by his true name, showing that the cold-faced queen was truly angry this time.
"Mo-mother..."
Tristan was scared and fearful.
For her, who regarded Morgan as everything, the current development was undoubtedly the least desirable scenario.
This was the first time Morgan had shown such anger in front of Tristan, and it was the first time she had struck her.
Just this alone was enough to shatter Tristan’s mental state.
"I, I was wrong! Mother...!"
Tristan knelt before Morgan, not even attempting to justify herself, trembling and crying like a scared puppy, apologizing.
"It’s all my fault... all my fault... Please don’t be angry...!"
Tristan cried as she apologized, even knocking her head on the floor, a stark contrast to her previous brutal and bloody demeanor.
At this, Reiger knitted his brows, and Beryl also lowered his head, hiding his gaze behind his reflective glasses.
Morgan, looking down from above at Tristan kneeling and apologizing, allowed a slight, imperceptible emotion to briefly emerge in her usually cold eyes.
But this emotion was quickly suppressed by Morgan, who then very coldly said to Tristan.
"I do not wish for a next time, do you understand?"
Upon hearing this, Tristan immediately assured.
"There won’t be a next time! Mother!"
Such a relieved appearance was pitiful to behold.
Morgan finally spared Tristan and turned towards Reiger.
Reiger also lifted his gaze, looking back at Morgan once more.
The two exchanged looks again, but neither spoke.
After a moment, Morgan finally spoke.
"From now on, he is your father."
After leaving these words, Morgan activated the "Mirror" magic, stepping into the space that unfolded like a mirror and disappearing from the room.
Reiger silently watched Morgan leave, but soon Tristan captured his attention.
"...Father."
Tristan still appeared utterly terrified, looking at Reiger with eyes no longer filled with murderous intent but as if gazing upon something dreadful, her head bowed, calling out to Reiger in a whimpering voice.
"...I am not your father."
Reiger’s brows furrowed again.
"No, you are Father, that’s what Mother said...!"
Tristan wouldn’t listen, instead bowing her head even lower, her petite body trembling even more.
This behavior, rather than seeking Reiger’s agreement, seemed more like a fear of being disliked for not adhering to Morgan’s directive, desperately forcing herself to acknowledge this father.
Reiger’s brows furrowed deeper, glancing at the shivering Tristan lying there, then turned his gaze towards Beryl.
"Take her away."
After saying this calmly, Reiger, as if he had lost interest in all the prior disputes, left the room without looking back.
"..."
Beryl did not speak, his eyes hidden behind the reflective glasses flickering continuously, contemplating something.