It was them.
Although "giving what they desire, providing what they need" is actually the secret to the Belladett family's dominance, and "though this body is ice cold and flowing fire, it still anticipates the time of burning out" is a phrase from the necromancy secret technique that Harvey learned, none of these are originally theirs. But Ash was willing to believe, this was the trace they left behind.
"Looks like I lowered the average level of Shattered Lake..." Ash even found it somewhat amusing; he had to rely on the Supreme Tail Feather and the Heavenly Kingdom of Souls to bear the fifth level of hell, whereas Igula and Harvey passed through on their own strength.
Ash always thought he had a chance to repay, always felt that they were partners helping each other, but unlike him who accidentally became a cult leader, Igula and Harvey went to prison through their own capabilities.
