Develop epic tale modelled around cross (9)

I believe the answer is:

explicate

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'develop' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'epic tale modelled around cross' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'around' could be 'ca' (circa) and 'ca' is found within the answer.
'cross' could be 'x' (an X is a cross) and 'x' is found within the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for explicate that I've seen is " - Jones, Whitehall Banqueting House architect".)

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