"It ended as an ocean, and in the beginning, there was an ocean."
"After a meteor streaked across the sky, the entire land turned into rivers."
This is a tale from a time so distant that it can no longer be measured—a story from ages long past.
Six fairies went outside and found that the world had become nothing but an ocean. There was no land, no rocks, no fish, no birds. Even the mountains and forests they cherished most were gone.
Helpless and sorrowful, they wondered if they should return.
"How pitiful."
"To think the world has turned into this."
Just then, a colossal figure rose from the sea—a vast, soft, and furry form.
Upon its shoulder sat an animal that should have ceased to exist. The animal perched there called the fluffy being Cernunnos.
Cernunnos and the animal became friends with the six fairies. The endless sea was dull, inhospitable, and harsh, but Cernunnos shielded them from the waves, making life easier for the six fairies.
However, because Cernunnos was a god, the animal said he required offerings. So the six fairies offered Cernunnos their joy. They offered Cernunnos their wishes.
"A sea without waves is nice, but..."
"...we still long for the land!"
Their wish was granted. The celebration came to an end. The god, weary, fell into slumber.
The six fairies held a solemn ritual for Cernunnos and carefully used what remained of his blessings.
And thus, Britannia was born.
May the original six fairies one day find salvation.
...
After the Mirror Clan's Bell Hall conveyed this history, Clan Chief Ainsel departed, leaving Shiomi and Aesc alone.
"Aesc, what do you think we should make of this Age of Myths account?"
After hearing Ainsel's retelling of the myth, Shiomi asked for Aesc's thoughts.
She lowered her gaze and thought quietly. "It's just a very simple story. From the content alone, I see no problems, but I don't understand why it ends with the hope that the original six Sub-Bells will find redemption."
However, this account did seem to support Shiomi's earlier hypothesis—that an Alien from the outer cosmos had devoured everything on the planet's surface before departing, leaving behind a Sea of Nothingness.
Afterward, Britannia was born from the ocean, and it was clearly related to Cernunnos, who also appeared in the murals of the Rain Clan. Up to that point, it all seemed like an ordinary tale. Perhaps because the events were too ancient, the details had grown unclear.
"Is that so? I have a different thought," Shiomi said with a faint smile. "Do you remember the creation myth of Proper Human History I told you about?"
Aesc frowned slightly. "Tenkei has told me so many creation myths. Which one do you mean?"
"The Mesopotamian creation myth," Shiomi replied. "In that tale, the primordial Mother Goddess Tiamat was slain by her children, and after her death, her body became the land of Mesopotamia."
Though in truth, the myth diverged somewhat from reality—Tiamat was never truly slain, only banished by her children into the Sea of Imaginary Numbers.
Shiomi's words instantly changed Aesc's expression, a flicker of alarm crossing her eyes.
"You mean... the land of Britannia appeared because Cernunnos was killed?"
"At least to me, that seems like the hidden part of this story," Shiomi said with a shrug. Indeed, it was his deep connection to Goddess Tiamat that made him first think of such a possibility.
"The Sub-Bells are powerful beings, but could they really kill a god?" Aesc asked doubtfully. "In the myths my husband once told, it was Marduk, the later King of the Gods, who slew Goddess Tiamat."
"But gods aren't beings without weakness, nor are they truly immortal. Even the mother of the primordial Mother Goddess was no exception," Shiomi replied softly, shaking his head. "So long as one finds the chance, even humans can accomplish the feat of god-slaying... let alone a Sub-Bell."
Aesc began pacing back and forth in the Bell Hall.
"If that's really the case, then was the mission given to me when I was sent to the surface because the original six Sub-Bells killed Cernunnos?"
"This is only my personal speculation," Shiomi said, lightly pressing his foot against the ground. "After all, even if it were true, Cernunnos has already become the land of Britannia. There's nothing left that could serve as proof."
Aesc's eyes filled with quiet concern. "Fairies are beings who live content with the present. Whether Tenkei's accusation is true or false, once they learn the truth—once they realize we've come to pass judgment—they'll surely rise against us as one."
"Without a Sub-Bell by their side, they're nothing more than a mass of corpses." Shiomi gazed out over the lake beside the Mirror Clan's Bell Hall.
Though well aware of Shiomi Tenkei's strength, Aesc shook her head. "Tenkei is powerful, but if our strength can't increase any further, wouldn't it be better to add more weapons to your arsenal?"
"Weapons?" Shiomi turned back to her.
"I've told you before—my wand is something I created myself to align with my own Magecraft System." Setting the wand down, Aesc lifted both hands as if presenting something invisible. "In truth, when I drifted from the Garden to Britannia, a 'Chosen Sacrificial Instrument' drifted along with me. When I was around ten, my mother returned it to me."
A weapon shimmering with radiant white light appeared in her hands.
"A spear?" Shiomi asked, slightly surprised.
"This is a weapon meant to save fairies, yet fairies themselves cannot use it. Only the innocent may wield it," Aesc said softly. "Tenkei... perhaps you could?"
When the light faded, Shiomi recognized the shape of the spear.
"Longinus."
Within the Temple of Time, one of the Knights of the Round Table who answered Artoria's call—Sir Percival—had wielded this very spear.
"Is that its name across all of human history?" Aesc smiled gently. "Then let it be called that. I'd originally planned to keep it for myself, but now... perhaps it's better in my husband's hands."
Originally, since Shiomi already wielded not only two crimson spears but also divine weapons like Gungnir, Aesc had thought this Chosen Spear paled in comparison.
However, after ringing the Pilgrim's Bell, studying the World Tree, and now facing the second Pilgrim's Bell, Aesc had grown increasingly uneasy—afraid that when the next bell tolled, her inner balance would break, and her duty as a Paradise Fairy—her growing sense of mission—would overshadow her heart.
Therefore—
"Then, with joy in my heart, I'll accept this gift—given to me with such love by my wife."
Shiomi extended both hands and caught the spear Aesc offered.