Gripping the spear Aesc had given him, Shiomi could feel the power coursing within it. With his considerable knowledge of Noble Phantasms, he judged that this weapon was likely of EX rank—perhaps even surpassing the spear once wielded by Percival, the knight of Proper Human History.
He raised his hand toward the sky above the Bell Tower and gave a light swing. A sharp air blade tore through the silence, cleanly slicing off the treetops in the distance.
"What a fine spear," Shiomi said with a smile to Aesc. "Only the innocent may wield it... Am I truly innocent? I really can't make sense of the standards by which the Inner Sea of the Planet passes judgment anymore."
"At the very least, this spear—or rather, the 'Paradise' that sent it with me from the Inner Sea of the Planet to the surface—believes you are," Aesc replied with a small shake of her head.
She was genuinely glad to see the spear display its true might in Shiomi's hands.
"Then I'll have to work even harder," Shiomi said naturally, resting the spear at his side. "I can't betray the trust of the one who entrusted this weapon to me."
As she watched him, Aesc felt her thoughts drift. As a seasoned warrior and master spearman, he truly looked the part. She couldn't help but admire him in silence.
"I see..."
Then, as though a thought suddenly struck him, Shiomi's expression shifted—like a man awakening from a dream.
"Hm?" Aesc tilted her head slightly.
"It's nothing," Shiomi said with a faint laugh. "Just realized something trivial."
He recalled the Fourth Holy Grail War, that fatal duel against Diarmuid. Back then, Morgan had told him not to rely too heavily on Gáe Bolg.
And now, even after all this time, Morgan had given him another spear.
"You're remembering the past, aren't you?" Aesc said, not at all surprised. She clapped her hands lightly, then turned to pick up the wand leaning against the wall.
There were more important matters to deal with now. Her gaze lifted to the Bone Bell hanging above.
Entrusting the 'Chosen Ritual Implement' was nothing more than a simple exchange between spouses—something that could be done at any time.
"Wait." Shiomi suddenly called out.
"Hm?" Aesc looked back at him in mild surprise.
From all directions, fairies of the Mirror Clan emerged, gathering around the Bell Tower. The Mirror Clan didn't have a particularly large population—at a glance, Shiomi estimated there were about three to four thousand of them.
They came in all forms—men and women, young and old. At the head of the group was their clan chief, Ainsel, who appeared as a young girl.
"So they've all come," Shiomi said, holding his spear loosely before him. "Did I just receive your gift, only to stain it with fairy blood moments later?"
The idea of using a weapon meant to save the fairies to slaughter them instead struck him as bitterly ironic. Unless his theory about the creation myth was correct—unless the fairies truly bore an unspoken original sin—then killing them might be their redemption.
"Wait," Aesc said, gripping his arm. "The Mirror Fairies don't seem hostile."
And indeed, as she said, the fairies merely gathered beneath the Bell Hall. None of them even set foot on the steps.
Only Ainsel ascended, step by step, before stopping before the two and kneeling on one knee.
"What is the meaning of this? Explain yourself, Chief of the Mirror Clan," Shiomi asked calmly, still keeping his guard up.
Ainsel lowered her gaze. "Just now, our Mirror Clan received a new prophecy."
"What does it say?" Aesc asked.
"The human granted the pure white spear by the fairy of Paradise shall become the King of Men who brings both governance and destruction to Britannia," Ainsel recited in an even tone.
"This prophecy... it's about Tenkei, isn't it?" Aesc said, looking at him in surprise.
Shiomi, however, remained impassive. "Governance and destruction... quite the two-edged prophecy."
His gaze swept over the kneeling Mirror Fairies. Their expressions were calm, serene—as though they already knew the truth and were merely waiting for judgment to be passed.
"Your prophecy—does it not mention the 'Fairy of Eden'?" Shiomi relaxed slightly, leaning on his spear as he asked.
"The Fairy of Eden remains ever at the King's side, ensuring his judgments remain ever wise," Ainsel answered once more.
Aesc's expression became unusually animated, but none of the fairies looked up. As a result, even Shiomi—who hadn't turned around—did not see her reaction.
"Does that... mean I'm Tenkei's queen?" Aesc muttered to herself, finding the leap a bit too much.
Shiomi couldn't help but laugh quietly. "A fairy queen in every sense of the word."
"Your fairy queen... huh."
The title had a pleasant ring to Aesc's ears, though whether it would come to pass depended entirely on what they decided next.
"You gathered here specifically to proclaim me king?" Shiomi asked, unwilling to accept the so-called prophecy at face value.
He was merely a Magus, a warrior—hardly qualified to be a king. And in that instant, he recalled Gilgamesh's mocking words from that long-ago banquet, deepening his resistance to the notion.
"We merely deliver the prophecy. Whatever choice you two make, the Mirror Fairies will accept it with calm hearts," Ainsel said.
It was clear that the Mirror Clan's composed reaction stemmed from the prophecy's revelation. Since it could not be changed, they had simply chosen to submit to it.
Shiomi raised an eyebrow slightly. Turning, he took Aesc by the hand and led her a few steps away from Ainsel before speaking in a low voice.
"Whatever their true intentions may be, we can make use of the Mirror Clan's current attitude."
"Does Tenkei intend to become King of Britannia?"
"How could that be... I merely realized we could use the Mirror Clan's obedience to our advantage. By taking them as a foundation, we might be able to form alliances and divisions among the other clans—gradually splitting and drawing them in," Shiomi said with a shake of his head. "The Mirror Clan's willingness to let us access the Bell so easily doesn't mean the others will be as accommodating. You don't want needless slaughter, and I don't want your eyes stained with blood."
"You intend to use the Mirror Clan as one of my future bases of operation, to make it easier for me to reach the Pilgrim's Bells of the other four clans?" Aesc asked, already understanding his plan.
"They can be used, but never trusted. Remember that," Shiomi said softly.
"Then, I shall follow my husband's plan."
Aesc smiled knowingly.
Then, Shiomi stepped forward once again.
"Ainsel, Chieftain of the Mirror Fairies, Aesc and I will speak with you later," he said, flicking his wide sleeves lightly. "For now, let us await the ringing of the Pilgrim's Bell."
Ainsel remained kneeling on the ground, her head bowed respectfully.
Then, Aesc's voice rose in chant.
"The Song of Paradise, the Voice of the Inland Sea, for the being born to be chosen, judged, and corrected. The Bone Bell of Origin, guiding the lost child home. —Forgive their sins."
...
[History]
Late summer to early autumn of Fairy Year 3670. The bell rang within the domain of the Mirror Clan, located in the northern lake region.
The second toll to echo across Britannia marked the arrival of a special existence upon these lands.
After that, records began documenting 'Aesc the Savior' stepping onto the stage of Britannian history and beginning her activities throughout the land.
In Fairy Year 3400, the Earth Clan—the most peaceful of the remaining four—grew closer to the Mirror Clan through the mediation of Aesc the Savior and the Sage.
In Fairy Year 2700, the Wind Clan finally joined the two, seeking prosperity and survival.
By Fairy Year 2200, even the Wing Clan could no longer remain idle and joined the clan alliance.
When time reached Fairy Year 2000, after seventeen centuries of flux, only the Fang Clan remained apart.
Yet the northern fairies, dormant for 1700 years, were finally ready to take revenge for past humiliations.
What followed was the great war between the northern and southern fairies—later known as the "Summer War"—a conflict that would sweep across all of Britannia.
...
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