Unlike humans, when fairies die, their bodies dissolve into dust and merge with the earth. This is the unique trait they possess as the planet's sensory terminals.
Thus, no matter whether their remains are collected or buried, they will eventually vanish completely.
So when Shiomi returned here to pay respects to the Rain Clan, all he could do was stand before the castle ruins with his hands pressed together in silent mourning. Aesc didn't quite understand his gesture, but she followed his example, standing quietly with her hands joined.
"What kind of ritual is this?" she asked after a long silence.
"It's a gesture my people use when remembering the departed at their graves," Shiomi explained softly. "But it seems fairies don't have such customs. I wonder if this might seem disrespectful."
"Not at all." Aesc smiled faintly, though sorrow lingered in her eyes. "Father, Mother, and Vivian all loved the things humans created, so—"
Shiomi let out a relieved breath. "Then that's good… that's all that matters."
Hearing his voice, Aesc suddenly understood the reason behind such a gesture. It wasn't about reaching the dead. It was about giving grief a vessel, offering comfort to the living, so that they could continue walking forward with resolve.
Even though Shiomi had avenged them that very day—and even though he was never particularly close to or fond of the Rain Clan—a part of him still regarded that calamity as the result of his own lack of strength. He no longer bore any obligation to take responsibility, yet he shouldered nearly all of it regardless.
If only he could have slain three Sub-Bell with a single motion… If only he could have wiped out tens of thousands of fairy soldiers in an instant, with ease and laughter…
Aesc knew all of this. Standing beside him with her hands pressed together, commemorating the Rain Clan, she could feel his heart more clearly than ever.
In the past three centuries, no new ancestral Sub-Bell had appeared among the five clans. But what about the future?
During the time Aesc had let herself drift, he never once abandoned his training. Not even for a single day. Even though he was now far stronger than the man he had been three hundred years ago, Shiomi still found his strength lacking. His growth had slowed, as if he had reached some kind of limit.
"Even though you're always telling me not to push myself too hard," Aesc murmured with a slight frown as she gazed at the ruins, "the same goes for you, Tenkei… You're already strong enough."
"Strong enough?" Shiomi shook his head. "Not at all."
Among his spoils from the Uruk Singularity, Marduk's Axe still rested in his hand. Yet even after three hundred years, Shiomi had not mastered its power.
Marduk, God of War.
Marduk, King of the Gods.
At the very least, his strength had to reach the realm of that god—only then would the Axe of Marduk acknowledge him, becoming his true Noble Phantasm, like Gungnir.
Clap—
Shiomi brought his hands together softly, signaling the end of the memorial.
Snow began to fall once more. Though it was midsummer, Orkney felt as cold as winter.
This was no ordinary snow. It was the tears of the Rain Clan, the remnants of their destruction. A warning to the other clans. A poem of sorrow.
And also tears of apology to the Paradise Fairies.
For this reason, Orkney remained locked in winter year-round. Neither the resurgent Northern Fairies nor the southern clans dared approach this harsh and sorrowful land.
In a way, Orkney had become a sanctuary untouched by the outside world.
"It's snowing again. Before we head to the bell tower, let's find a place to rest." Shiomi reached out to help Aesc pull her hood up.
"But everywhere is…" Aesc was momentarily confused.
"There's a place we can rest. I hope you won't be too surprised when you see it," Shiomi said after a moment's thought.
Not quite grasping why he hesitated, Aesc unhesitatingly took his hand. Warmed by the embrace of his sleeve, she followed his footsteps as they wound their way around the castle, entering through a collapsed section of wall.
Parting snowdrifts and weeds, they came upon a room overgrown with vines, appearing at first glance like a long-abandoned dwelling.
It was her library.
After Shiomi tore away the vines covering the walls and windows, Aesc pushed open the newly revealed doorway. Stepping inside, she instinctively raised her sleeve to cover her mouth and nose—yet found none of the expected dust.
The entire Land of Rain had been destroyed, and the clan chieftain's castle had only narrowly escaped, its shattered outline still standing on the land of Orkney, its interior completely ruined. Only this beloved library remained unchanged.
Books sat quietly on the shelves, and in the corner, the Magical Workshop contained items arranged neatly and tidily. The answer was simple.
The entire library had been protected by Runes and then anchored in place.
"It wasn't… destroyed?" Aesc lowered her arms, wandering through the library in a daze.
"It was close," Shiomi said.
Because he had made a sudden counterattack, the fairy coalition forces setting fires and killing within the city had been drawn into battle, preventing further destruction of the castle.
Before the flames could engulf Aesc's library, a downpour swept over the city, dousing the conflagration. Before leaving Orkney with her, Shiomi had returned alone to inspect and clean up, discovering the library had only suffered minor damage.
Holding onto the thought that "perhaps I'll return here someday," Shiomi repaired the damaged sections with Runes, then sealed the entire library away.
It would never accumulate dust over time, nor would it weather or fade, forever preserving its original form.
In the end, it was able to welcome its rightful owner back, just as it stands now.
"Is that so… I see… I understand."
Aesc collapsed onto her favorite cushioned bench, burying her face deep within her hood. Her expression—whether sorrow or joy—remained hidden.
"I'm sorry. Did I overstep?" Shiomi sat beside her, his voice tinged with unease as he tried to comfort her.
He wasn't sure if showing this place to Aesc was for the best or the worst, so after entering, he had been anxious about her reaction.
"No, I'm grateful to Tenkei… for letting me see this place that once belonged to me." Aesc threw herself into his embrace, her hood slipping down. "Let's stay here."
Shiomi stroked her hair. "The blizzard is picking up outside. Rest well here first. Once we're prepared, we'll head to the Bell Temple."
"Mm."
The weariness from two days of travel gradually washed over her. Aesc curled quietly in his embrace, her eyes gently closing as she rested.