Perhaps sensing that Aesc was about to ring the Pilgrim's Bell as the Fairy of Paradise, the snow in Orkney had grown lighter by the next morning, when she awoke rested and full of spirit.
The path to the Bell Tower had long been buried beneath ruins and overgrowth, making the climb anything but easy. Yet Aesc's resolve did not waver.
This time, she didn't ask Shiomi to clear the way. Instead, she took the lead, stepping over shattered bricks, broken beams, and tangled vines, drawing closer to the bell tower she had known of for so long, but had never managed to ring.
"It never stood out much before, but now it looks even more ruined," Shiomi murmured.
"Yes." Aesc tightened her grip on her wand.
Together, they climbed the long, crumbling staircase. At the top, beneath a wide pavilion, hung a great, ancient bell.
"This is… the Pilgrim's Bell." Shiomi studied it with mild surprise.
"That's right, this is it." Aesc glanced around. From here, she could see the ruined city. "The Pilgrim's Bell was formed from the remains of the 'Chieftain of Life's End.'"
The six original clan chieftains, the six primordial Sub-Bells, had all perished over the course of seven thousand years. No matter the reason, within each clan's territory a bell was always hung, weathered by time yet never leaving its place.
"But according to Mother, while the bells were originally the ancestors' relics, some clans lost theirs to calamities. When that happened, the chief of that generation would transform into the bell instead," Aesc continued.
The worst case was when the bell was destroyed and the clan itself wiped out in disaster. Then, the last fairy of that clan to die would become the Pilgrim's Bell.
"Judging by the material, it's closer to bone, but not as light as bone." Shiomi raised his hand, brushing against the Pilgrim's Bell to test its texture. "A bone bell."
"That's why it's also called the Bone Bell." Aesc gave a helpless smile. "But ringing all six Pilgrim's Bells is far from simple."
"Why?"
"Because ringing a Pilgrim's Bell means gaining the recognition of the clan. It means submitting to the Fairy of Paradise, agreeing to open Britain. That's what it signifies." Aesc nodded to herself.
Her understanding came partly from the knowledge she carried as the Fairy of Paradise, and partly from the ice coffin that had sealed Shiomi. Even then, it was not entirely clear. It seemed her future self hadn't wanted her present self to know too much, instead hoping she would unravel Britain's mysteries step by step alongside Tenkei.
Confusing as it was, Aesc understood well enough. If anyone were to tell her the answer directly, she wanted it to be Tenkei Shiomi, and no one else.
"This might make you angry, but in our history—among Magi—there's a saying that bells were used to drive away fairies." Shiomi stroked his chin. "I worry it might be the same here. That when the bell tolls, it'll drive you off—ow!"
His teasing words earned him Aesc's annoyance. This time, she lifted her wand and gave his shoulder a light tap.
The result was the two of them making a ridiculous fuss in the otherwise solemn Bell Tower.
Only after Shiomi's pleas and reminders did Aesc snap out of it. She shot him a sharp glare before marching toward the Pilgrim's Bell in irritation.
"Begin." Shiomi's voice came softly from behind her.
Aesc tightened her grip on her wand and raised it high toward the Pilgrim's Bell. Mana surged from within her body, flowing outward and filling the air around them.
A sudden gust swept through the open bell chamber. Their robes whipped in the wind, yet the two of them stood firm, eyes fixed on the bell.
To ring the Pilgrim's Bell, no physical strike was needed. It was awakened by the Fairy of Paradise's Mana, compelled to respond to her call. The method was etched into Aesc's soul—or rather, into Morgan le Fay's soul. She needed no teacher to know what to do.
"Song of Paradise, Voice of the Inner Sea. To the one born for selection, judgment, and correction— the Bone Bell of Origin points the way home for the lost child. Forgive its sins."
As Aesc whispered the chant, Mana gathered at the tip of her wand until it reached its limit, then burst forth in a flash.
Nothing was destroyed, yet the Bone Bell before them resounded suddenly. The peal was louder than expected, its echo rolling across Orkney's skies. Reflexively, Shiomi turned his gaze south.
The ringing carried a force that pierced straight through. Even as a human, he could feel the shock of it tearing across the barriers of time and space.
"That sound… could it be…" he murmured.
But what caught his attention even more was the change happening in Aesc. As the bell tolled, the aura of her Mana flared violently. Her fairy body renewed itself in an instant.
The restraints on her power were broken. Whether as a Magus or as a fairy, Aesc's strength had leapt to another level. The knowledge and experience she had accumulated over centuries could now be wielded with far greater mastery.
"Tenkei, my husband, did you see?" Aesc's face was full of astonishment, tinged with excitement. "My power has grown stronger."
"Yes, I see it clearly." Shiomi was surprised by her reaction, but he nodded with sincerity. "To become stronger so directly… I almost envy you."
Aesc's smile blossomed. "If anyone deserves envy, it's you, Tenkei. A human who has touched the divine. Without such 'cheating,' I'd have been left far behind already."
"Now I'm even more curious how strong you'll be once all six Pilgrim's Bells are rung." Shiomi extended his hand.
"Do you want to spar here, to test my progress?" Aesc asked, eyes bright with anticipation. The road ahead might be difficult, but she was not alone.
"Not that I don't—"
Shiomi broke off mid-sentence, his pupils narrowing sharply. He spun around, pulling Aesc behind him.
"…Still a step too slow. Your efficiency is frighteningly high."
A youth dressed in Celtic garb, leaning on a blue wooden staff, was slowly climbing the final steps of the Bell Tower, his gaze fixed on them.
"Cú Chulainn… or should I call you Sétanta?" Shiomi raised his arm protectively before Aesc. "Or are you, like Mab, just a fairy who happens to look the same?"
"The first guess is right. The second is wrong. But I'd still prefer you call me Grímr for now. Otherwise, the output and stability of my Spirit Origin will drop, junior."
The youth's sharp expression softened into something familiar and almost friendly as he greeted Shiomi.