Merlin's voice gradually faded away. When Matthew came back to his senses, he realized he had returned to the real world.
Matthew put away the emerald gemstone, bade Merlin farewell, and set off for King Arthur's tomb. Fairy Fountain, the oak grove, and King Arthur's grave lay almost in a straight line, so they did not have to take much of a detour.
Lady of the Lake Caroline led them before a magnificent marble palace. This palace was King Arthur's tomb.
The tomb palace was built from pure white marble, its color as pristine as freshly fallen snow. It reflected the sunlight and shimmered with a gentle glow.
The tomb palace's main entrance was a grand portico supported by several pairs of marble columns, their capitals carved with intricate vines and floral patterns.
Beyond the portico stood a pair of enormous golden doors, inlaid with gemstones and gold-and-silver ornaments, solemn and resplendent.
Gryffindor, Slytherin, and the Black siblings were sitting on the stone steps, guarding the tomb entrance, completely unaware that Herpo had already entered the tomb by another route.
"The Holy Nail Curse has been removed?" Gryffindor rose to his feet when he saw them.
"The spring water worked well. It has already been removed..." Hufflepuff rolled up his sleeve, showing that the Holy Nail had vanished. "But—you haven't spotted Herpo? He has already sneaked into King Arthur's tomb."
Gryffindor and Slytherin exchanged glances. "We didn't see him..."
"Merlin spotted him. Every oak in Avalon is Merlin's eye..." Lady of the Lake Caroline sighed. "I couldn't see as far as the tomb from Fairy Fountain, but I can see him now..."
"He dug a tunnel in from another direction. King Arthur's tomb is protected by powerful Magic, yet he actually managed to breach it from the outside."
"He has