A Villainess pulled out the Sword instead of the Hero.

The orchestra played light pieces on the right side of the spacious shop to liven up the atmosphere.

 

The tables, sparsely spaced so that they could barely hear each other, were covered with lace.

 

It was a luxury most people couldn’t afford, using such expensive lace as a tablecloth, even though it was difficult to wash and would be thrown away after one use.

 

‘I didn’t expect that. There’s something familiar about those things.’

 

From the Count, Lady Marleau, who had come with the intention of sneering, remained silent as she took in the assembled nobility.

 

Even the teacups were the work of craftsmen who had been hired by the royal family.

 

Even if she wanted to find a flaw, she couldn’t.

 

Marleau was seated at the same number on the invitation.

 

She pointed to a huge table and single chair set aside in front of her and asked the staff, 

 “Why is that table different from mine?” “Oh, those seats are reserved for the three people who have made the most sales this month.” 

Marleau snorted inwardly,

‘You’re letting it be known quite loud and clear that you’re a fool for spending money on herbs.’

 

Part of me wanted to throw the whole thing away, but I couldn’t as I drank the tea poured in front of me.

 

‘Why does this stupid tea work so well?’

 

My tired mind gradually calmed down with the warm tea.

 

The dessert was just as good. The greenish cookie with ground tea was neither too sweet nor too crumbly.

 “What is this cookie?” “These are cookies that are only available to VIPs. They’re infused with herbs that won’t make you gain weight.” “They taste good. Lily.” 

Lily, who had accompanied Marleau to the event, stepped up from behind.

 “Yes, my lady.” “Save some of these cookies. We have to show Father something.” “Yes, my lady.” 

Tea and desserts were being sold incessantly, but strangely, everyone’s minds seemed to be elsewhere.

 

Marleau was no different.

 

Everyone was waiting for one thing.

 

‘The love potion.’

 

Soon enough, a woman who appeared to be an employee stood in front of them.

 

In her hand, on a red cushion, was a small vial of pale pink liquid and roots.

 “Today’s limited offer. The raffle for ‘Mandragora Extract’ is now open.” 

The announcement was cut short by the sound of the words.

 

The only sound in the silent hall was the delicate strains of the orchestra’s violins.

 “You can choose one or ten tickets, and we will draw them in order, starting with number one, with no limit.” 

Marleau suddenly realized why they had set aside a huge table for number three.

 

The Mandragora’s extraction was tiny.

 

‘What if the extraction draw is over before my turn…?’

 

I didn’t even get to see it!

 

There were sighs from around the table as they realized this.

 

Backstage, the pink eyes of the hall were keenly observing the situation.

 

Brenna shifted nervously on her feet, her eyes never leaving the table where Count Marleau sat.

 

Suddenly, as if something had exploded, the crystal ball, which had been emitting light in rapidly alternating colors, burst into an aurora blaze.

 

In an instant, the aurora lights filled the hall, illuminating the ceiling of the soaring second-floor VIP hall with a phenomenon as beautiful as a real aurora in the sky.

 

At the same time, the staff member holding the Mandragora extract shouted and knelt on one knee in front of the crystal ball.

 “Congratulations!” 

At the same time, all the staff members in the hall clapped and shouted back at the guest who had successfully pulled the draw.

 “Congratulations!” 

The orchestra played a joyful, upbeat, yet grandiose piece to match the mood.

 

It was as if a warrior had just returned from a victorious battle.

 

100 gold in the 10th inning.

 

The random draws that followed, starting with the first one, cost thousands of gold for each person who came up.

 

And finally, the last Mandragora extract was about to go to its owner.

 

Everyone stood up and applauded the winner for their perseverance.

 

It was like a festival. The winner, clutching the bottle on the cushion, stamped her feet in excitement.

 “Finally! Thank you!” 

It was a mixed feeling.

 

Those who came with less gold than expected shed tears of disappointment, and those who gave up after spending nearly 2,000 units of gold and still no luck cursed their fate.

 

Among them was Marleau, who spent 6,000 gold and only got a large amount of tea leaves.

 “Hah… I can’t even break that damn crystal ball in half.” 

Seeing Marleau’s anguish on the table, the Young Ladies comforted her.

 “I’m sorry, I asked for a stand-in, and I didn’t get one…” “It’s okay, young lady. No worries.” 

Having extracted the Mandragora Extract for only 200 gold earlier, I had asked the Young Lady to draw it for me a few times.

 

It was meant to be a lucky person’s favor, but it wasn’t luck. I became tea-leaf rich.

 

Aside from the limited products, the desserts and rare tea leaves were the only things that were differentiated from the regular purchases.

 

The invitees were overloaded.

 

It was more fun than expected, and some seemed to enjoy it even if they didn’t win.

 You’ve got a knack for getting the crystal ball to glow like that, even though I only saw gold.” “I’ll definitely be first in line next time, the benefits are more than I thought.” 

Marleau was annoyed by the giggling conversation, oblivious to how her stomach was turning.

 

But I had to suck it up. Gritting my teeth, the employee stepped forward again and spoke politely.

 “I would like to thank our VIP guests for attending tonight’s banquet. As such, we at Tir na Nog have prepared a small gift for you.” 

In the hands of each employee standing respectfully in a line against the wall was a small box.

 

At the gesture of the employee in front of them, a small box was placed in front of every guest.

 

Upon unwrapping, they were filled with herbs in vials much smaller than a typical bottle.

 

The vial, about the size of an adult’s thumb, had a ring and a golden string that looked like it was meant to be worn as an accessory, to hang around the waist, bag, or neck.

 “What is this?” 

The employee in front of them politely replied to someone’s question.

 “It’s a herbal bottle pendant. It was specially customized for you. The herb inside is moonwort.” 

As the employee finished, the head of the table gasped.

 “Moonwort? You mean the Moonwort from the Holy Scriptures?” “No way. Moonwort was a real herb?” 

Moonwort was a herb that only existed in the Holy Scriptures.

 

It was the herb that the wicked man who accidentally got his hands on Excalibur slept with, fearing that the fairy of the lake would come to retrieve it.

 

That’s the herb.

 

Unfortunately, the story glosses over the fact that the lake nymph ignored Moonwort and took Excalibur back.

 

No one knows how its powers manifested themselves.

 

There was only speculation that it might be used to catch thieves.

 

But here it was, right in front of them, in this little bottle.

 

Unlike the guests, who were turned upside down by the appearance of the mystical herb, the staff bowed in unison.

 “Thank you for attending. We hope to see you at the next banquet.”  

Morgana stared out the window from where she sat.

 “The VIP banquet should be over by now.” 

She was supposed to get a report from Raon, but he was running late.

 

Knocking on the door, the maid was impatient.

 “Morgana, we need to get ready now because Her Highness will be entertaining guests soon.” “I’ll be there now!” 

Morgana hurried out of the room, leaving the bowl of breadcrumbs on the window sill for the messenger.

 

The usual stream of guests had thinned out today.

 

‘I wonder if it’s because they’re all at the VIP banquet, I hope so.’

 

The spaciousness of the schedule was a blessing, but also a curse.

 

Maren, one of Guinevere’s maids, whispered to herself as she looked at the knights on the pavement.

 “Oh dear, the thieves are making security tight. It’s a good thing we had so few visitors today, or we’d be exhausted.” “I know.” “It’s strange that there are so fewer than usual. Have you heard any rumors of thieves in the palace?” “Oh, no. No way!” 

Morgana cut off Maren’s question with a flourish and stepped into the reception room.

 

She saw the now somewhat familiar face of Count Lady Marleau. She had just arrived, and a pendant of herbal bottles hung proudly around her neck.

 “It’s called Moonwort, and it’s a real herb.” 

‘Hmm…’

 

Morgana counted the sheep in her head, trying to keep her mouth shut.