Chapter 274: Pretender

The Unpredictable Oberon

Morgan's expression mirrored Lott's.

"Gaia? Is he starting to lose control?" Morgan thought.

At that moment, a name rang through the air—Oberon. If only he were like the character from the original story, there would be nothing to worry about.

In Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Oberon, the king of the fairies, is portrayed as powerful yet whimsical and immature. The story revolves around the confusion and chaos caused by Oberon's use of a love potion to resolve his quarrel with Queen Titania over a new servant. However, due to the mischief of Oberon's servant, Robin Goodfellow, the potion causes a mess, affecting the lovers Lysander and Demetrius.

In that world, Oberon is merely a supporting character in a comedic tale. But in the moonlit world, things are different.

"Oberon wants to destroy the world and obliterate all of human history," Lott thought to himself.

Seeing the change in Lott's expression at the mention of Oberon, Morgan paused, and then her face also darkened. Da Vinci, Mash, and others nearby sensed something was off. They knew Lott and Morgan were generally trustworthy, and they felt no particular malice from Oberon. However, Lott and Morgan's reactions seemed alarming.

"What's wrong with you two?" Ritsuka Fujimaru asked directly, her voice full of concern.

"This Oberon is not a good person," Morgan responded firmly.

As she spoke, she glanced at Lott, who was watching her with a look of surprise. "How does Morgan know what I'm thinking?" Lott wondered internally. "Does she also know about Oberon? But that's impossible. From our conversations, I know that aside from a few individuals' fates, my wife did not know the future."

Morgan, sensing Lott's thoughts, realized she could no longer hide the truth. She would have to explain everything to him later. For now, she thought it best to keep quiet.

At that moment, Da Vinci's voice came through the communication device. "Your Majesty Morgan, you say Oberon is a bad guy. Are you speaking from Camelot's standpoint, or is it a broader issue that concerns us all?"

Da Vinci had not forgotten that Lott, Morgan, and Chaldea did not always share the same goals.

"It's from the standpoint of all of us," Morgan clarified.

"Why?" Da Vinci pressed further.

Morgan hesitated, feeling the weight of everyone's gaze, especially Lott's intense and expectant look. She found herself both amused and frustrated.

Smiling slightly, she pointed at Lott and said, "Lott can explain this better. I don't know everything, but I do know that Lott does."

Lott was startled. "What is going on? How does Morgan know what I'm thinking?"

"This matter... I'll explain it to you later," Morgan whispered in Lott's ear before motioning for him to speak.

After a moment's thought, Lott turned to Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash. "Do you know what Oberon's class is?"

"What?" Ritsuka Fujimaru asked, confused.

She knew Oberon was a Heroic Spirit but hadn't inquired much about his class, especially since he claimed to have no combat abilities. Consequently, she and the others had overlooked this detail.

"His class is Pretender."

"Pretender?" Fujimaru's eyes widened in shock.

She hadn't expected this revelation. For a moment, she considered the possibility that Lott might be lying but dismissed the thought. It would be too easy to verify, and there was no reason for Lott or Morgan to deceive them.

"That being was born from the darkness that seeks to bring everything to nothing, an end that curses the world. His name isn't truly Oberon. No one knows his real name."

Mash, Ritsuka Fujimaru, and Da Vinci were left speechless by this revelation. Lott took Morgan's hand and started walking away, leaving the Chaldeans to process the information.

"You should think this over yourselves. Remember, as our captives, you don't have the option to escape," Lott added as they departed.

"Understood," Ritsuka Fujimaru responded obediently.

Although Mordred and Gawain seemed ready to resist, Morgan's stern look silenced them immediately. They understood that their father might no longer be their ally, but their mother was still their mother.

The group entered the city, and Lott and Morgan headed to the palace within the Chalk City alone. Once inside, Lott turned to Morgan, his eyes questioning.

"Now, can you tell me how you knew?" he thought, but before he could voice his question, Morgan began speaking.

"It's simple," she said, gently touching his cheek as she noticed his growing surprise.

"Lott, I can hear your thoughts," she whispered softly.

"What are you talking about?" Lott asked in disbelief. "Are you saying you can read my mind? How is that possible? Not even Merlin or Scáthach could predict my actions, let alone read my thoughts."

"Even though it sounds strange, it's true," Morgan said seriously.

Lott had never believed in mind-reading until he met Merlin. Before that, he had been just a skilled knight, and even then, no one could pry into his thoughts. Now, with his increased magical power due to Kavach-Kundal and Joyeuse, it seemed even less likely.

"You can read my thoughts without any magical fluctuations or signs?" he asked incredulously.

Morgan's smile turned proud. "Who said I use magic? I'm by your side, so I can naturally hear your thoughts."

Lott's jaw dropped. "You're serious?" he asked.

"Absolutely," Morgan replied. "Like right now, I know exactly what you're thinking."

Lott, still skeptical, tested her claim. "What am I thinking now?" he challenged.

Morgan listened carefully, then smiled confidently and began to speak...