Hakushaku to Yousei

                                                                                                                                                 * 

After leaving “Scarlet Moon’s” secret stronghold, Edgar proceeded to the outskirts of the monastery ruins. 
In order to wash away suspicious of Slade, there were an unexpected number of “Scarlet Moon” members gathered by Edgar’s side. Not only were there young people, there were old faces that served as managers all present as well.
Concerning Edgar’s resignation as “Scarlet Moon’s” leader, although there wasn’t anyone who planned on directly asking for the reason, so long as he tried his hardest for the organization in this way, the gazes towards him that had some hope automatically gathered. 
“Scarlet Moon’s” members knew that Edgar wasn’t truly of the Blue Knight Earl’s bloodline, but in order to fight against the Prince, they had no choice but to let Edgar take charge as the leader. But compared to the bloodline, they now trusted Edgar as a person.
Because of this, Edgar didn’t want to betray them, and decided to step down from leaders.h.i.+p. This matter was only one sidedly informed to them. 
Despite this, everyone was still willing to trust him. He was happy about this, but on the other hand, he also felt heartache. 
He wouldn’t hesitate to help Slade escape, but even if he made an effort, Slade might not be happy.
Slade was a manager of “Scarlet Moon,” and regarded Edgar with a calm gaze. He knew Edgar didn’t have the lineage that they should obey, and also knew the both sides were only collaborating to accomplish their shared goal, so he couldn’t show his emotions about the matter. Slade was such a person. 
If he could be rescued, Edgar might have to explain the facts to him. Edgar began to have that sort of idea. 
Now, the only one who knew about Edgar’s connection to Prince’s memories was Paul, but if it continued on like this, then it would become a situation where Edgar hasn’t completely cut ties with “Scarlet Moon”, hiding the truth from everyone. This was the same as continuing to betray them.
“Earl, we’ll be arriving at the Bourton residence soon.”
Paul said, as he looked outside the carriage. Edgar silently nodded. 
Within a short time, the carriage stopped in a hidden place under the shadows of the trees, and after getting off the carriage in that area, there were already several members of “Scarlet Moon” waiting, hidden in the shadows. 
“Everyone has already arrived at the property of the Bourton residence.”
Jack said as he came over. 
“Florey wasn’t a problem?”
After they caught Claire’s brother and interrogated him, he revealed that there would be a ma.s.s held here today. If his whereabouts were unknown, the religious order could become suspicious, so they let him go. 
Of course, it was in a situation where they made him lose consciousness before releasing him.
“He was originally a drug user, so we made him have a lot. He probably can’t even speak clearly at the moment.”
“Then let’s go, we mustn’t draw other people’s attention.”
They headed for the Bourton’s house on foot from there. 
Regarding the underground pa.s.sage found out from Claire, Edgar heard that the members of “Scarlet Moon” had already confirmed its existence. 
The pa.s.sage really connected to an underground chapel, and the mosaic on the chapel’s wall seemed to be the entrance.
From the other side of the chapel, it seemed that the mosaic couldn’t be seen as a door.
Although the religious order punished the Bourton family, they didn’t take the action of sealing this place. There hasn’t been anyone pa.s.sing through here for several months, so Claire’s brother, who was responsible for the punishment, also didn’t know of the pa.s.sage’s existence. The religious order likely doesn’t know yet either.
Whether or not Lord Bourton entrusted Owen out of pure interest to portray the scene that he stole a glance at, in reality he had no relations with the religious order, and just happened to be gazed upon by the religious order, who was investigating the monastery’s remains.
Claire’s brother followed the religious order’s commands to gather information surrounding Lord Bourton, and only later did they learn of the painting’s existence.
Edgar thought to himself that in short, as long as they used the underground pa.s.sage, it wouldn’t be difficult to break into the ceremony.
On the moonless night, the Bourton family’s garden didn’t have a single ray of light; it was completely surrounded by darkness.
Edgar and the rest didn’t carry any illuminating equipment, and came up to the side of the scorched building that way. They stopped at the rear of the house, deeming that this place shouldn’t be seen from the underground pa.s.sage, and then lit a very small light.
Even so, they still carefully only used the light to illuminate the ground at their feet. 
Because, they mustn’t be found by the members of the diabolic religious order who were a.s.sembled in the monastery ruins behind the Bourton residence. 
“The stone tablet of the ancient cross is covered in the depths of the garden plants. Just like Owen’s sketch.”
As they were lead forward, they were barely able to identify the shadow of a cross in the area around the withered trees.
Although this place was a part of the Bourton family’s garden, this area was likely a former corner of the monastery. Behind the cross was a small stone building, resembling an ancient temple. Though it already looked almost destroyed, there was still a rough outline left. 
It was like someone had dug up the almost-masked remains, because the surrounding earth was turned over and the rusted iron gate was also on the verge of collapse.
Lord Bourton probably excavated the remains out of curiosity and surveyed the inside, but this was probably the beginning of the tragedy.
Many medieval buildings would have secret pa.s.sages. This monastery had a pa.s.sage built underground, and the pa.s.sage’s only entrance might have been here.
Edgar and Raven entered the temple together, immediately catching sight of stone steps leading underground.
“How long is the distance approximately?”
“Just about five hundred yards. This pa.s.sage doesn’t have any split paths, and the underground chapel is at the end of the road.”
After walking down the stairs, they found that the narrow pa.s.sage really did go straight ahead, but even if they lifted the oil lamp forward, the pa.s.sage depths merely seemed like a dark cave.
“In addition to Jack and Louis, send around five other people to come with me. The others have entered the pa.s.sage at the same interval and are on standby, waiting for the signal to enter the chapel. The remaining people will keep watch outside, understood?”
The members of “Scarlet Moon” solemnly nodded. 
“Raven, you’ll sneak in with the religious order’s followers, and enter the chapel from that side of the monastery ruins.”
Raven silently nodded, as he should have naturally expected this. 
It was almost time for the followers to gather and partic.i.p.ate in the Black Ma.s.s. 
Edgar took a step forward towards the pa.s.sage depths.
Just like the initial report, there was a stone door at the end. 
“Can this door be opened?”
“It can’t be opened because of the rust, so we have our hands and feet against the door. As long as you push, the door will collapse on the other side.”
“So that’s it.”
At first, Edgar was leaning against the stone door, but after hearing this he immediately drew his hand back.
Having said that, this door was quite thick and heavy, so just leaning on it shouldn’t be able to open it. 
“There’s a hole on top.”
He followed the direction where Louis pointed at and raised his head. A tiny hole was opened on top, and a light from the other side slightly penetrated through.
Edgar leaned forward to steal a glance at the other side, finding that the underground chapel was wider than he had imagined. 
The altar and walls had many lit candles on them. There were many mosaic paintings hanging on the walls; it was a very beautiful chapel, and was preserved quite well. At the thought of the building above ground being nearly destroyed, it felt like this underground chapel ought to possess considerable value as a historical remnant.
However, this sacred place was being tarnished by the devil-wors.h.i.+pping Black Ma.s.ses.
A sheep’s head was offered as a sacrifice on the altar, and there were rope arranged as a magic square on the ground ahead. 
Moreover, presiding over the Black Ma.s.s was a person of the clergy. 
But if so, Edgar didn’t feel indignation either, only revealing a wry smile. 
Because, the person who completely destroyed the residence of G.o.d, that is, the monastery, which was originally within England and banished Catholicism was King Henry VIII. 
He was called the devil by Rome. 
And now, devil wors.h.i.+ppers really intended to gather in this underground chapel. 
However, he saw the partial silhouettes. 
Everyone wore a black hooded cloak, even their appearances couldn’t be seen. 
Edgar watched the altar attentively. 
The mastermind would soon show himself. 
“I already know the bishop’s name.”
Edgar murmured, seemingly not talking to the people beside him. 
“Even if I fail, I have already given the sketch of the evidence to some aristocrat. However, I can’t guarantee that he’ll definitely reveal the evidence to the public. After all, he is a major figure, and his self-preservation would take priority no matter what. On the other hand, trying to save Slade became difficult, but as long as someone gets a hold of the evidence, this religious order won’t be able to dispose of “Scarlet Moon” easily. So I can’t tell you the name that I know. As long as you guys don’t know, you shouldn’t be in danger.”
Everyone was silent. 
Edgar continued carefully observing the situation in the chapel. 
“Earl, no matter what happens, I will protect you.”
After a short time, someone said this. On that occasion, this seemed to be the consensus of everyone who was present, which made Edgar’s confidence grow. 
The other side of the door suddenly quieted down. 
In an instant, a person holding a long cane who seemed to be a priest entered the chapel. 
The person seemed to have arrived. Edgar waved the signal, and everyone braced themselves at the same time.That sense of tension was also taken with them as they proceeded. 

Although Lydia sat on Kelpie’s back anxiously heading towards “Scarlet Moon’s” secret stronghold, there was already no one there. The servant who was in charge of looking after the house said that everyone had gone out.
Lydia immediately changed her destination, deciding to head for the monastery’s ruins. 
At any rate, she must persuade that sixth yarn spinner fairy no matter what. Since she was unable to warn Edgar about the existence of the devil, she could only rely on the power of the fairies. 
“What! Aren"t there already a lot of dangerous men gathered there?”
Nico crossed his arms against his chest in dissatisfaction and looked up at Lydia. Lydia had brought him out just when he was sleeping comfortably, so he was completely unwilling to help.
No, he usually has this kind of att.i.tude. Lydia thought again, and then stared at Nico. 
“That’s why I brought you over, as long as we make use of the fairy pa.s.sages, no one will find us, and it may be easier to find that sixth fairy’s den.”
“If you enter the fairy pa.s.sage, you won’t see where the Earl is.”
That’s right. It would be as if she cannot see anything of the human world.
Because of this, Lydia tried to talk with him before he left. However it was already too late, so her only remaining option was to negotiate with the fairy.
“I am a fairy doctor. I can only solve fairy related matters-- besides, helping Edgar this way is my duty.”
Because, Lydia actually became the Blue Knight Earl family’s fairy doctor. 
“Kelpie, please, we must go a little faster.”
“Hmph, I know.”
He turned into a horse in an instant, with Lydia and Nico seated on his back. 
The hustle and bustle of London immediately disappeared from Lydia’s eyes, and the pitch-black Kelpie sped by the ash grey buildings and empty neighborhoods that were all around.
Kelpie shuttled between the cracks of the fairy realm and human world, with Lydia seated on his back, looking out on London’s streets from the back side.
While the townscape pa.s.sed by fleetingly, Kelpie was already galloping along the gra.s.s-covered riverside before she knew it. 
The gra.s.sland extended endlessly. Kelpie finally ran into a lush forest. 
At first, she thought they had already pa.s.sed through the trees, but Kelpie stopped.
A stone pillar illuminated by moonlight stood before their eyes.
It was the doorpost of the former monastery.
On the other side of the stone arches, there were many stones which seemed to be from the collapsed building. Although buried in gra.s.s and dirt, the white surfaces still shone under the moonlight, appearing faintly from within the darkness.
This monastery’s remains should be located in the outskirts of London’s residential district, but aside from the remains of the walls and pillars here, there weren’t any houses around whatsoever. 
There were even more newly built houses in this region.
Like looking over from the fairy world, whether it were houses or humans, the things that haven’t existed for a long time were merely like faint shadows, and simply wouldn’t appear before one’s eyes.
“I think the fairy’s den should be in an area where the G.o.ddess’ statue can be seen.”
Lydia pa.s.sed through the remains of the gate, where only it’s arches remained, and relying on her memory, she headed towards the location of the spindle-holding G.o.ddess statue.
Because there were no buildings or paths in their surroundings, her sense of direction was not quite coinciding with her memories. 
“So, where is the statue?”
“Umm, you walk straight from the gate and you will see the remains of a considerably huge wall.... ah, it’s that one.”
However, the statue that was located on the left of the wall according to her memories was not there. 
“It’s not on the opposite side either.”
Kelpie said, having went around the edges of the wall and came back.
“This is strange.”
Furthermore, they had expanded the search area by splitting up, but for some reason they couldn’t find that G.o.ddess statue. 
“Lydi--, it’s probably not here.”
Nico said, and sat on the gra.s.s, worn out.
“That shouldn’t be case though...”
Lydia was completely confused about the situation. 
Although it was now night time, those existing in the fairy realm can naturally make their appearance known, and in Lydia’s eyes, even the position of every leaf remained unchanged compared to daytime. Therefore, she cannot miss the sight of the G.o.ddess statue.
(Bride of the Blue Knight Earl.)
When she was at a loss, a voice suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
(Over here, Bride.)
“Is it the grannies? Where are you all?”
Lydia suddenly broke into a run toward the sound. There were the figures of five fairies right on the top of the hill shaped area.
As she approached that place, the huge boulders that appeared as rocks that had risen up from the ground, turned out to be a rocky hill. This was the hill of boulders. Were the ruins of the monastery in this rocky area? 
While she was also feeling doubtful, she was out of breath from running up the hill. Kelpie and Nico had also followed her.
(As expected, that sourpuss insisted on lending his strength.)
(We’re done for. The G.o.ddess statue is going to be shattered in pieces.)
The old women said hurriedly, at the sight of Lydia.
"Hey, about the G.o.ddess statue, I’ve been looking for it and yet I haven’t been able to find it.”
Lydia said, as she recovered her breath. The old women fairies exchanged looks of bewilderment. 
(It cannot be seen, huh? It could even be seen from a far distance.)
(Now, now, the eyesight of humans is quite poor compared to us.)
They said, and pointed at their feet.
Eh....?
Lydia’s gaze fell to her feet and she couldn’t help but gasp. 
“Woah!”
Nico shrieked, jumped up and then climbed onto Lydia’s shoulder.
What was thought to be a rocky area at their feet, were clear lines that was like the shape of a hand.
Could it be that what looked like a hill that they saw before, was the stone statue?
“What’s up with that! Lydia, you didn’t tell me the stone statue was this big!”
"But, when I saw it, it was around the size of a person....”
The rough and incomplete stone statue that was neither the G.o.ddess nor the Virgin Mary, was around the height of a child. But now, what could be seen at their feet was the same spindle that was being held, a huge G.o.ddess statue lying down half buried in the ground. 
(What can be seen from the human world is the G.o.ddess’s toes.)
“I--is that so.....that is certainly the G.o.ddess.”
“But it’s only huge, the magic is very weak.”
Kelpie said.
(In the past, the magic of the G.o.ddess covered the ground around this area, but now only we possess the remaining magic.)
(However, if we combine our magic in this place, there will still be enough magic to protect the statue.)
The five old women fairies widened their eyes and turned to Lydia in antic.i.p.ation. Lydia hoped she could find a way to convince the sixth fairy to give its name. 
“Where is the sixth fairy?”
(Probably in her den. But we don"t know where that fellow’s habitat is.)
(If you call her out, you can speak with her, but she won’t respond afterwards.)
Lydia was frantically contemplating.
The problem lied with the den. In the majority of the legends, the fortune of being able to find out the yarn spinning fairy’s name would usually descend upon the person who found its den.
However, ever since the time Lydia found the ruins of the monastery, the sixth fairy’s habitat wasn’t able to be found. 
Yet there was no doubt that it should be within the vicinity of the G.o.ddess statue. 
While Lydia thought that, she recalled what the fairy accidentally said. 
She said that whatever the G.o.ddess can see, she could see. 
Lydia thought that there was no mistake that the habitat was next to the statue. But in this fairy realm, the G.o.ddess statue was too huge, even if it was just the circ.u.mference of it, it would be a very large area.
Just as Lydia’s thoughts were flowing from that, she felt her surroundings suddenly grew dark and looked up to the sky.
The black clouds were expanding towards them, the moon was being covered by a smoke like cloud.
“Oi, Lydia! That’s.... "
Lydia turned to the direction Nico pointed towards and gulped down a scream. 
The ground looked like it had been painted pitch black. What looked like ink droplet that formed stains, was now expanding bit by bit towards them. 
(It’s the devil.....)
The fairies had a frightened tone to their voice.
(It’s already too late.)
(Now that it’s come to this, we can only protect our habitat........)
(But I don’t know how we’re going to survive....)
“Please wait, grannies!”
Lydia was going to have them cooperate with her till the very end. However, the frightened fairies had dispersed, having ran away.
She thought that perhaps they had broken into a run in different directions on the rocky hill, then the five of them all disappeared at once.
“Oh, they’ve disappeared...... what am I going to do?”
"That was only the shadow, not the body.”
Kelpie muttered, who was looking at the devil.
The shadows were growing bigger on a large scale, little by little. Perhaps the ceremony had begun.
“Has it’s true form finally emerged? I don"t want to see it.”
While Nico hid himself under Lydia’s skirt, his fur stood on end all over his body.
“Well, let’s get out of here, Lydia.”
“What are you saying, Nico? Edgar and the others are already nearby.”
If the ceremony began, stopping midway would be dangerous. Before Edgar and the others break in, she needed to seal the devil. 
Lydia took a deep breath to calm down. While she confirmed that the five old women fairies had disappeared, she walked on top of the rocks.
They said that they were going protect their own habitat. In other words, they returned to their own habitat.
So did that mean, their habitat was also not in this rocky area?
“Well Lydia, what are you going to do? Are you going to drag out the old woman from before?” 
Kelpie knelt down in front of the G.o.ddess statue’s chest.
“Is the yarn spinner fairy over there?”
“Yeah, inside the hole of the rock.”
Lydia peered into the hole as small as a knothole at her feet. There was s.p.a.ce inside the hole, as well as an old woman. While she was mumbling for some reason, she was moving around inside the room.
This was the hole just at the right hand of the G.o.ddess holding the spindle.
Lydia looked up and confirmed the place where the other fairies had disappeared. 
"Right hand, left hand, right foot, left foot, and then the torso....the five fairies’ habitat are in places aren’t they? Then the sixth fairy would be.... at the head, right?”
“I see. Then, where in the head?”
Kelpie took the initiative by heading towards the G.o.ddess’ head. 
“Whatever the G.o.ddess can see, I can see.”
Did she mean next to the statue? If that was the case, it would mean the G.o.ddess’ eyes, wouldn’t it?
Lydia who realized this, broke into a run towards the eyes of the statue and pushed away the leaves and searched through the holes. 
“Found it! But the inside cannot be seen. The inside of the hole seems to be winded.”
Then Lydia looked at Nico.
“I get it...... it’s fine as long as I go in and take a look, right?”
Although Nico seemed to really want to return immediately, he also understood that as long as Lydia was dissatisfied about the matter, they wouldn’t be able to go back. That’s why, perhaps he had given up, as he held out his paw.
“Thank you, Nico.”
“It’s impossible for me to enter the G.o.ddess’ region. Take this with you. If something happens to you, I will drag you out immediately.”
Kelpie tied his mane around Lydia’s finger.
“Thank you, Kelpie.”
"Well, let’s go.”
The moment after Nico said that, Lydia was inside a grotto like place. 
From the circular opening above, the moon between the rift of the black clouds could be seen. 
Was that hole the entrance?
"Having said that, the hole was quite winded. Even the pa.s.sage is difficult like that fairy.”
Nico walked ahead while he complained.
The roads were surely meandering left and right everywhere, it was unknown how far it continued on. Nevertheless, if they continued persisting forward, they will eventually reach the end.
There was a stone gate and from the small dug out window, light was coming through it.
Lydia peered into that window.
There was a spinning-wheel in the middle of the room, before it was the sixth fairy sitting alone. But she seemed to be absent-minded and motionless, it also seemed that she wasn’t going to mumble out her name. 
“How is it?”
“The fairy is there, but she isn’t talking to herself.”
Lydia was going to try waiting for a while for now, but the fairy wasn’t going to say anymore.
What should I do? There’s no time. The ceremony must be steadily taking place. 
"Hey, Lydia, what are you intending to do?”
While Nico quietened his voice, he was in panic because Lydia put her hand through the door. 
“I’m going to try directly talking to her.”
“She’s not going to tell you her name!”
However, Lydia was already pus.h.i.+ng open the door. This fairy was actually lonely and surely she wanted her name to be called.
Because she was uncooperative, she stubbornly did not want to say her name. However, if the person who informed Raven of Lydia’s danger at the church at that time was her, then Lydia thought that it perhaps wrong of her to trick her into asking for her name.
“h.e.l.lo, granny. You have a wonderful house.”
The fairy’s eyes widened in surprise, but soon her her face twisted into one of anger. 
(It’s you! Why are you here! Don’t you just come into my house out of your own accord!)
"I’ve come to save you. You should know that the G.o.ddess statue is shattering, right?”
(Hmph, I don’t care what happens to me. Anyway, you came because those five fairies asked you to come.)
“Why do you say that? Are you alright with disappearing?”
(It can’t be helped. Because no one knows my name. If you don’t say my name, you cannot use the magic.)
“Then please tell me your name.”
(Why do I have to tell you!)
The old granny fairy’s face went all the more red with anger.
Suddenly the area around them shook violently. 
Small stones fell from the ceiling, the shaking was to the point where people could almost fall. Nico frantically grabbed onto Lydia who was leaning against the wall. Lydia noticed the fairy was also clinging onto her skirt. 
After the vibrations had lessened, her eyes met with Lydia’s and the fairy jumped away, panicked.
(......I was just a little frightened, that’s all!)
“Yes, but granny..."
The devil’s power is probably becoming stronger. Lydia hurriedly tried to continue persuading her.
"I hope you can help us. The Blue Knight Earl is nearby. If you are willing to save us, then I will always be grateful to you from then on....”
Just when she wondered whether it was going to fiercely shake again, the floor crumbled by their feet. 
“Lydia!”
She jumped with Nico and Lydia managed to avoid the fall, however, from the opposite side of the hole that opened in the ground, she sensed a sinister presence with the smell of blood drifting in the air and frowned. 
(This…... seems to have connected with the human realm.)
The old fairy said. 
If you were to peer down into the lower part of the hole, you could see something like magic squares directly below. There were many people who were completely in black gathered around it. 
Words that sounded like spells being chanted in a low voice could be heard by the ears, a man who looked like a priest was dripping a fluid that appeared to be blood, from a container that looked like a chalice. 
Within the magic square, shadows that looked like smoke were rising up and were gradually becoming darker. 
“Is that a demon….?”
However, perhaps the demon’s figure could not be seen by the humans on the other side. 
(It’s already over. Everyone will disappear. Humph, it’s turning out that way because I’m being shunned.)
“Why? If you honestly open your heart, everyone, including you will become happy.”
While she became saddened as she pleaded with her, the old lady would not respond. She averted her eyes from the fairy and looked deeper into the hole.
“Where is Edgar?”
Lydia surveyed the chapel and did not know whether the he had intermingled with the crowd down below. 
“Lydia, it’s Raven.”
The moment Nico said that, someone in the corner quickly moved. 
The men surrounded the priest as if they wanted to protect him from being suddenly attacked. 
At that moment, the mosaics decorated on the wall collapsed, and shadows rushed out from there, one by one. All of a sudden, the chapel became noisy.
At the beginning of the brawl, the candles flickered and Lydia could not recognise who was who. For a moment, she sensed that Edgar’s golden hair appeared to have flashed before her eyes.
“Edgar!”
Lydia desperately called out.
“Edgar, don’t do this! If the magic square were to be destroyed, the demon will swoop down to attack everyone!”
However, it seemed that her voice didn"t reach him as the shadow in the magic square suddenly expanded and grew bigger. 
Perhaps someone has disturbed the rope used to make the magic square. The shadow that was expanding spread out on the magic square quite considerably, as if it were trying to break the barrier, but then their surroundings shook violently fiercely once again. 
The chapel also shook fiercely. 
In midst of the accidents that appeared to be happening in the human world, everyone there were surprised by it as they surveyed their surroundings. 
The candlesticks that fell, disappeared, and the candlelights on the wall quivered.
Pebbles fell like raindrops in the chapel, everyone was bewildered.
The things that were shaking did not settle down and the rocks of the floor collapsed once again. 
The yarn spinner fairy’s foot slipped. 
“Granny!” 
Lydia stretched out her hand and caught the old lady’s foot. Is what she thought, but the floor had also collapsed by her feet.
“Ahhh!!”
There was nothing more they could do, as the two of them fell down together. 
“Ouch…”
They should have fallen from a considerably high place, and yet, it felt like merely around two or three steps down the staircase, the reason being that they may have fallen from the fairy realm to the human world. 
While that may be true, it cannot be said that the situation was great.
If they were to get up and rub off their waists, there would be a person wearing a black robe before them. The face inside the hood was covered by a mask, however, this person was holding a ceremonial staff. There was no mistaking this was the one conducting the Black Ma.s.s. 
Lydia appeared to have fallen before him, who had hidden behind the altar in order to escape the brawl. She wondered whether he was surprised as he turned towards her and kept silent, but it was plain obvious that Lydia was in a pinch. 
“You… where in the world did you come….”
When the man tried reaching his hand out to her, a clump of grey hair came down and hit onto the man’s head. 
”Nico!"
“Lydia, hurry up and get out of here! Use Kelpie’s mane!” 
But Edgar should still be in this chapel.
Lydia managed to stand up the moment Nico saved her, but soon she could not escape as the priest got up and stood in her way. 
Behind his back, at the altar on the other side, was a demon that had grown huge. 
The shadow that looked like smoke was becoming a distinct black clump. She could recognise something like horns and a long tail. 
The fighting may have ceased as something like screams could be heard, perhaps everyone had noticed the existence of the demon.
Because the ceiling had collapsed quite considerably, the fairy realm and the human world had inadvertently intermingled, there was no mistaking that everyone could also see the demon with their eyes.
But perhaps it had been too late. The magic square that had broken could no longer contain it. Even so, Lydia first had to figure out a way to escape from the priest of the demonic religious organisation, she stared at the man before her while slowly stepping back. 
(You! How could you do this to our G.o.ddess!)
The old lady who hid behind Lydia’s back suddenly said, and jumped over to the priest.
(Cruel human! More cruel than the Blue Knight Earl!)
But the old woman whose height was that of a small child’s could only shout by the feet of the priest who was of large build. 
“What is that…”
Perhaps the priest had not seen fairies and the like, stepping back a little like he was seeing something uncanny, however having immediately changed his mind, he raised up high the staff he was holding. 
The Bishop staff.
Lydia who realized that, rushed over. 
If it was genuine, fairies would instantly turn to stone if they came into contact with it.
The staff that was swung downward drew near Lydia’s head, who hugged the old lady.
Although there was no time to close her eyes, the staff suddenly stopped before her.
“Raven….”
The brown skinned youth had raised and twisted the priest’s arm. The staff was s.n.a.t.c.hed away, and whilst holding the man’s arm, he took the opportunity to kick the tall man and send him flying to the wall with vigorous force. 
“Lydia!”
Lydia almost slumped to the ground and the person who held up her arm was Edgar. 
“Ah, why are you here?”
He embraced Lydia, who was still holding onto the old lady, close to him and frowned. 
“Sorry, I acted out of my own accord…but I was going to warn you about something….” 
“It appears that they truly are summoning the demon…”
Edgar gazed at the goblin in the magic square, somehow calm.
“We have to hurry and get out of here. If the ceremony were to be interrupted, the demon will slaughter everyone here.”
Holding Lydia’s face with both hands, Edgar quietly nodded. 
“I understand. Raven, tell Scarlet Moon to retreat.”
“Yes.”
Raven quickly turned back, but at that moment, the rope of the magic square was torn, as it fluttered in the air. 
“Ahhh!”
A scream came from the depths of the chapel.
Perhaps the demon had knocked some people off their feet and was coming in their direction. 
“Lord Edgar!”
Only Raven"s voice could be heard, but a large part of the wall collapsed, as if it was trying to create an obstruction between the master and his servant.
While hugging Lydia, Edgar took up residence in the hollow of the altar. 
But it seemed that they couldn’t move about from then on and the demon was increasingly shaking up the chapel, it seemed that it was trying to destroy it.
“Lydia, I’m sorry. I got you involved in this.”
“I…. am not competent enough. There is a way to get rid of the demon, but I couldn’t do it.”
Lydia continued to cling onto him in such a situation as this, and yet she mysteriously calmed down. 
While she thought that she was glad they were together because of this sort of situation, she felt that she was being hugged tightly. 
“It’ll be alright. No matter what happens, I will protect you.” 
Edgar tried to encourage Lydia, despite how the rocks had fallen violently and how they weren’t able to leave the area. 
“It’s ok, if we are here like this, I’m not afraid.”
“That’s no good. We need to return safely. Previously, I still haven"t expressed enough of my complete love, and I don"t want to die with you regarding me as that kind of guy.”
Wh--what is he talking about?
He stared at Lydia who was puzzled, and finally, it seemed that he had noticed the fairy she was carrying in her arms. 
“That fairy is?”
“A friend of the Earl household.”
Will she not be able to save this fairy, after all?
As a fairy doctor, Lydia was unable to resent fairies, and she said this in hopes of it coming true.
As a result, the granny immediately escaped from Lydia’s embrace.
She fled from there and turned her head in revulsion, saying:
“Friend? I hate people from the Blue Knight Earl’s family the most! I, t.i.tan-t.i.t-Tot*, will never be your friend!”
Lydia was startled, and murmured:
“t.i.tan-t.i.t......” 
The granny fairy suddenly rushed in the direction of the devil.
“t.i.tan-t.i.t-Tot!”
Lydia stood up, reciting the fairy’s name like chanting an incantation.
“Trwtyn-Tratyn, Gwarwyn-Throt, Triten-Troten, Whuppity Storrie, Habetrot! Use the G.o.ddess’ strength to protect this place!”
The grannies’ figures emitted a faint light. At that moment, there were five lights gathering together. After the final sixth fairy met with the other lights, a dazzling beam of light was produced at once, enveloping the surrounding area in a white flash.
She immediately closed her eyes, but the light was branded into her retina, as if it was thrust into her eyes.
Although the magic that Lydia felt on her skin was slowly waning, there was a period of time where nothing could be seen.
It ought to have been the same for Edgar and everyone else at the scene. Even if it wasn’t known what happened in the end, not one person moved.
Among the stillness of the shaking and the sounds of falling stones stopping, their sight was finally restored. As Lydia felt Edgar place his hand on her shoulder, she gazed at the center of the chapel.
Whether it was the destroyed magic square or another area, there were no traces of the devil. Although she saw the six spinner fairies dancing happily, that scene disappeared immediately.

“Oi-- Raven, are you okay?”
Raven felt a soft furry object against his cheek and opened his eyes.
“H--, it really was a matter of life and death. I thought I was going to be crushed by a rock.”
Nico stared at him. Raven was lying down on the gra.s.s.
He recalled the pillar falling as he felt the impact on his back, and then he lost consciousness.
While remembering, Raven sat up reflexively.
“What about Lord Edgar......?”
Although his back was still aching, he could still move. He had to hurry and save his master. Just as Raven was thinking about how to return to that collapsed underground chapel, Nico’s leisurely voice removed Raven’s nervousness, which had risen to its highest point.
“I’m sure they’re safe. The devil seems to have already disappeared. Just then, the surroundings of that chapel emitted light.”
“......Is that true?”
“Hey, cat and crow! Why is it you two!”
Kelpie suddenly appeared.
“I lent my mane to Lydia, why are you two the only ones glued to it!”
“Errr-- it was Lydia who let go of the mane. Then I followed Raven and grabbed the mane in the nick of time.”
Nico hid behind Raven and said.
“Tsk, here we go again. Then how is Lydia now?”
“She should be with Lord Edgar.”
After Raven spoke, Kelpie frowned with even more disgust, then turned around and disappeared.
He probably went to find Lydia. Raven suddenly realized that Nico disappeared as well.
“Mr. Nico......?”
Raven didn’t know that because Nico was still grabbing onto the mane, he was dragged along. He thought to himself that Nico was a fairy, so disappearing like this couldn’t be helped.
At any rate, he had to leave as well. He thought up to here and stood up.
At this time, a rustling sound came from the depths of the plants. As soon as Raven looked back, he saw figures that were staggering out from the darkness.
There were two people. One was a man with a mask, and one was clinging to his side, who seemed to be a guard.
It was the mastermind of the diabolical religious order; he couldn’t let them escape.
He immediately rushed forward, and even forgot the pain in his body.
Raven jumped in front of the masked man and struck him down.
While the other man tried to flee in horror, Raven suppressed the masked man, barely noticing.
“Raven, it’s the other person!”
Edgar"s voice came to his ears.
He released the masked man in astonishment, and chased after the other man that was escaping, whilst throwing a knife.
The knife pierced the cloak and was thrust deeply into the side of the tree, and the man was unable to move a single step, as if he was sewn there.
“Raven, you did great.”
Edgar came up from behind the tree. He pa.s.sed Raven and stopped in front of the man.
Then, after confirming the purple robe that was exposed at the other person’s feet, he removed the hooded cloak and looked at him.
It was a man with sharp eyes, about fifty years old.
Although Edgar had never seen him before, he saw the distinctively clear hooked nose. It was just as the n.o.bleman who knew him said.
“Nice to meet you, Bishop Chamberlain. You had your religious brother wear your mask, were you planning on making him bait to escape?”
“......That’s not my name.”
He averted his gaze and denied it.
“In any case, I already know your true ident.i.ty, and have the evidence as well. It is Owen’s sketch of the Black Ma.s.s.”
“Merely depending on a painting, how would you know whether or not it’s me?”
“It is because it could be made out that you disposed of the painting and its painter, is it not? Of course, a specific person cannot be pinpointed by merely having the bishop’s cane and the purple robe, but the person in the painting is left-handed, and you are the only left-handed bishop.”
“Do you think this ca.s.sock and bishop’s cane are genuine?”
It truly was a useless resistance. 
“Now that I have had the privilege of identifying your face, if you continue on leaving like this, then you cannot deceive anyone. I naturally believe that I have a considerably fixed position in this country, and I think that you already knew me.”
He couldn’t hide his agitation, so he was silent.
“That being said, I do not want to waste time here arguing whether or not you are actually Bishop Chamberlain. If it is necessary, I will put forward a suggestion to Her Majesty.”
“......If it is necessary?”
Edgar stopped halfway. The tone of his inquiry brought slight expectations.
Originally for Edgar, it didn’t matter who was wors.h.i.+pping the devil. He himself and “Scarlet Moon” both had ulterior motives, so if he used a reasonable trick to expose the bishop’s crimes, he would also realize that he will bring trouble to himself.
Thus, he snuck in here tonight in order to make a deal with the other party.
“Please release Slade, who was suspected of murdering Owen. It is pretty simple, is it not? Afterwards, I’m also going to ask you to terminate the search for “Scarlet Moon”. Do you not think it is the wisest choice to not interfere with each other?”
Although the bishop thought a little, he slowly raised his head and said:
“......If I do so, are you truly capable of keeping a secret? If that’s not the case, then I have my own plans as well.”
“I am the only one who knows your true ident.i.ty. As long as you abide by the agreement, you will not have to worry.”
The bishop glanced at Raven, but perhaps he thought that a foreign attendant’s statement wasn’t reliable, so he nodded, accepting the fact that Raven wasn’t one of the people who knew of his true ident.i.ty.
“Oh that’s right, please do not think that it is fine as long as you kill me. Because I am not a righteous person either, you will witness the world of purgatory.”
He clearly tried to summon the devil among the ceremonial ma.s.s, yet the bishop fearfully looked at Edgar’s smile.
Perhaps he thought that the person who dispersed the devil was Edgar.
Edgar turned around and walked away, with his back towards the bishop. 
After Raven pulled out the knife from the tree, the bishop lost his strength and collapsed on the spot.

                                                                                                                                                 *

The markets of London were crammed with carriages early in the morning to the point that nothing could get by. After learning that the road was blocked by a carriage whose wheels were broken and unable to move, Bishop Chamberlain suppressed his anxious mood and leaned back heavily against his chair.
A carriage also stopped at the other side of the window. It wasn’t known whether or not it was because they were impatient and couldn’t go forward. A man in the carriage stuck out his head from the window.
“You tried to make the devil obey you, and failed as a result, didn’t you?”
The man wasn’t looking at him when he spoke.
The bishop was startled and stared at the man"s face.
“......Oh, it’s you, don’t scare me.”
He recalled that man’s name being Ulysses. Although he seemed to be a teenager of a young age, he had a position that was closest to the “Prince”, and was given considerable authority.
“You were overthrown by that Earl, correct? You seem to have been caught by the tail by him, so now you’re following him obediently.”
The fact of it being like this was correct, but having this pointed out by a seemingly immature young man made him quite angry.
“There will be problems with disposing of ‘Scarlet Moon.’ Didn’t I advise you on this before?”
“Did you just show up to say these things?”
“No, I came for a more important matter.”
“Don’t put on airs, just finish what you have to say.”
Upon seeing the bishop’s fidgety appearance, Ulysses revealed a contemptuous smile.
“That’s our new Prince.”
The bishop frowned and did not understand what he was saying.
“I’m referring to Earl Ashenbert.”
“......Prince? Isn’t that Prince already dead?”
“Yes, and he took on everything from the former Prince.”
“Meaning he is the successor? But that Earl doesn’t seem to plan on joining forces with you guys. He seems to prefer that artist"s organization more, however, following those young imps of that puny organization now, and possessing the strength to contend with the royal family......”
Although the bishop said it as such, because he recalled the indescribable menace he felt when his ident.i.ty was revealed, he trembled. The one who made the devil perish, could it have really been Earl Ashenbert?
“However, you surrendered to him.”