The Gravedigger's Village (Part 2)

Although few in the secular world know about this cemetery, and even those who have heard of it mostly consider it a worthless tourist attraction—after all, no tourist site would use a cemetery as a selling point— Blackmore Burial Ground is actually quite famous in the Magecraft world. It's not only one of the most famous cemeteries in the world, but also one of the oldest, attracting countless necromancers and sorcerers who yearn to explore its secrets. Even Magus specializing in the Archaeology Department are eager to begin excavations there.

However, the area where the Blackmore Burial Ground is located has always been a mystery. Despite its fame, its exact location is unclear. Although there are occasional rumors about its location that attract people to search for it, most of the information revealed is false. Some Magus who were truly lucky enough to find it, and then, overjoyed and carried out some kind of blasphemous ritual for King Arthur's burial in the Gravekeeper's territory, were mostly buried directly beneath the village and became ghosts.

Over time, powerful figures who knew the exact location, fearing the terrifying things hidden behind it, would never go there lightly, nor would they allow their students or clansmen to risk their lives. Those who didn't know the location either couldn't find it at all, or if they did, they couldn't return. Even if they did return, they would be ordered not to reveal any information. Thus, the Blackmore Burial Ground gradually became just a real legend.

Even for Rovey and Lev, it was only because neither of them were simple people, and Lev's rank was really high, plus he came from the Archaeology Department, so most of the secret places in the London area were not secrets to him, that he was able to pinpoint their exact locations.

However, Rovey didn't understand it either.

How did these guys build the village in the middle of an endless mountain forest, at a crucial point in the Leyline? As a result, it's surrounded by forests and mountains, with no roads. Even with a map, it's easy to get lost for quite a while.

He didn't know how these reclusive guys managed to ensure their basic living supplies while living here.

Are these guys really self-sufficient? Do they never go out and interact with the outside world?

Moreover, farming in a cemetery is, no matter how you look at it, somewhat like hell.

About half an hour later.

'I finally made it through...'

After wandering through the forest and passing through countless thickets, Rovey finally emerged from one of the thickets after a long and arduous journey.

He glanced at the map in his hand, then at the increasing number of tombstones around him, and muttered to himself, "This should be it."

Then, following the direction of his gaze, Rovey continued to explore forward, walking through the dark, dense forest.

The towering trees, supporting their not-so-lush canopies, cast dappled, swaying shadows on the ground under the moonlight, obscuring the light from the earth.

In the darkness, it was almost impossible to see the road.

However, this was not a problem, as he had already prepared for traveling at night.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a portable lantern, then lit it with a match. Soon, a bright, orange-yellow ball of light illuminated his face and dispelled the surrounding darkness.

'Hmm... that makes things much easier.'

Thinking this, guided by the light, Rovey walked out of the darkness and saw more and more faint lights, and his vision became wider.

Upon closer inspection, it was the light emanating from several rows of dim lanterns hanging on the pillars.

The entire view of the remote village not far away had come into his view; this must be the village of the Gravekeeper.

After glancing at the map and then at the eerie surroundings, Rovey suddenly realized that he was in what appeared to be a cemetery.

He took a serious look at the map and suddenly realized that it seemed to be an archaeological map that Lev had prepared beforehand. Because this guy originally went to dig for treasure in the cemetery, the location was so remote that he had to crawl through the bushes and climb cliffs.

It turns out that guy never intended to make a formal visit... but rather planned to launch a surprise attack on the Gravekeeper's cemetery.

You sly Lev, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes! I thought you were a decent and honest person, but I never expected you to have such crooked thoughts.

'... If they start causing trouble like this and get caught, they'll definitely be torn to pieces by the Gravekeeper, right?'

Silently complaining, although speechless and somewhat worried, Rovey continued to walk, carrying his lantern, groping his way deeper into the darkness, searching for the right exit from this cemetery.

As he continued forward, not far from the cemetery statue, amidst the grass that rippled slightly in the evening breeze, Rovey saw tombstone after tombstone. Some were weathered by time and wind, appearing quite ancient. Others were white, seemingly recently carved, inscribed with "Unknown." However, seeing the artifacts clearly from the Clock Tower in front of the graves, Rovey could roughly guess that these unnamed individuals were either audacious grave robbers or unruly Magus.

Based on the analysis of the artifacts, most of them belonged to the Spiritual Evocation Department or the Archaeology Department. He wasn't surprised at all that these lunatics were here doing this kind of thing.

However, these things also made him quicken his pace. After all, Rovey didn't want to find Lev with only a tombstone and his belongings.

Even though Rovey knew that with Lev's magical abilities, these Gravekeeper shouldn't be able to do anything to him unless he confronted the Witch, he couldn't help but feel a little worried.

With such mixed feelings, Rovey quickened his pace and began to quickly feel his way towards the exit, following the marks of the tombstones, old and new.

Finally, after traveling a long distance, he stopped in a corner of the grass.

"That is..."

By the faint moonlight and the glow of his lantern, Rovey could see a figure wearing a grey hood and a small grey-black cloak crouching beside a newly erected tombstone, offering flowers to the deceased king. Although he didn't get close enough to confirm, he easily recognized the all-too-familiar figure.

"The vessel that resurrected King Arthur... Gray?"

"No, it was a living child, not some kind of container."

He muttered a question to himself, but he quickly dismissed the impolite remark, because even Artoria would have said the same thing if she were here.

No one is born to live for anyone else; fate dictates what one must sacrifice for.

Artoria, who had experienced the destruction of Britannia and the imposed mission, understood this all too well.

If she knew that there was a girl here whose fate was predetermined from birth, just as King Arthur was destined to sacrifice himself for Britannia, and that Gray, as the vessel, was destined to die for King Arthur, and that she would be the vessel to bring King Arthur back into this world, Artoria's heart would surely be filled with complex emotions and guilt.

Unfortunately, Artoria isn't here right now. So, this matter will have to be handled by Rovey. However, he knows his friend, Artoria, well, and he knows what choice she would make if she were here.

"... Really, am I just that destined to be with that Britannia family?"

With a sigh, Rovey led the lantern and began to walk towards the petite figure in front of the tombstone.

Da da da...

In the pitch-black night, in the deathly silent cemetery, a series of footsteps stood out all the more clearly. Because Rovey made no attempt to conceal his presence, but instead openly approached the figure, the creaking of his boots against the dirt did indeed startle the gray-haired girl who was intently praying for the deceased before the tombstone.

"Who?"

Hearing the voice behind her, she quickly stood up and turned around. She saw a young man carrying a lantern walking towards her in the darkness.

It was precisely in the instant she looked up at him and their eyes met that Rovey also took in her entire appearance.

His gaze sharpened slightly.

What he saw was indeed a face identical to Artoria's, a face belonging to King Arthur, though it was possible for someone other than King Arthur to possess that face.

After all, this is the legendary "one-faced sage," also known as the Takeuchi Face."

This is Type-Moon specialty; you absolutely have to try it.

"Who... who are you? No outsiders are allowed to enter here without Master's permission..."

Although startled by the sudden appearance of the figure in the darkness, and involuntarily taking a few steps back, Gray mustered her courage and spoke to Rovey after regaining her composure.

However, Rovey did not answer. Instead, he stared at her face and began to examine how she differed from the King Arthur he had seen before.

If you only look at their appearance, they are indeed identical, but Gray's gentle temperament is quite different from Artoria's humanoid tyrannosaurus.

Upon seeing the little girl, Rovey couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. After all, Gray was one of his targets on this trip, and he never expected to run into her so soon after arriving. It was truly an unexpected bonus for him...

"Um... can't you hear me?"

Feeling uneasy under Rovey's gaze, Gray tugged at her hood to cover her face and said weakly, "Please leave quickly, stranger. Strangers are not allowed in this cemetery."

As she spoke, she pointed in a direction and nervously reminded him, "If you get lost, I can lead you down the mountain. In any case, you'd better leave quickly before you anger your master and the villagers!"

Gray spoke anxiously, her voice filled with worry.

This place is forbidden; only the current Gravekeeper is allowed to enter. Strangers who trespass will anger the villagers, and they might do terrible things in response to such desecration of the land and the spirits of the dead. Kind-hearted Gray doesn't want to see Rovey hurt, so she wants to get Rovey away before they are discovered.

"I see..."

Sensing Gray's inner thoughts, Rovey smiled slightly; he understood Gray's purpose in doing so.

It's because they're worried about getting hurt...

It seems that even though they are strangers with suspicious behavior, they still care about me with goodwill.

This girl named Gray is such a kind child.

Rovey was also very happy about this small act of kindness.

"That..."

Seeing that Rovey still hadn't followed, Gray, who was about to take him away, hurriedly turned around, about to say something.

"Pat-pat-pat—"

However, at that moment, the sound of flapping wings suddenly came from the forest not far away, and then dozens of crows flew out of the forest with a thud.

"... Hmm, so many crows... Are they familiars? But they do fit the current environment quite well. After all, when you think of cemeteries and graveyards, you can't help but think of the dead and crows. The two seem to be bound together."

Looking at the many crows flying out of the woods, Rovey seemed thoughtful, then smiled and asked the anxious Gray, "Hey, Gray, do you know why this is?"

"Huh? What did you say?"

The sudden question startled Gray slightly.

Why are crows always associated with cemeteries?

"Because crows carry souls."

Before Gray could answer, an extremely old and deep voice responded to Rovey's question. Then, at the spot where the crow had flown out, a black figure appeared out of nowhere.

Rovey Wei glanced sideways at the tall old man walking towards them.

In the pitch-black night, even the light of a lantern couldn't make out his face. He was shrouded in darkness, an aura of death like the evening dew enveloping him, devoid of any sign of life. It was the scent of someone who had dealt with death constantly, like the scent of Yulifis. Only, the aura of death emanating from this old man was far more intense and terrifying than that from Yulifis.

"Gray, hurry back. I'll take care of this guest."

The old man glanced warily at the uninvited guest before him, then called out to Gray in a serious tone. His aged eyes were not cloudy; instead, they were filled with vigilance and killing intent. His broad hands were already tightly gripping a huge one-handed axe under his cloak, ready to strike down on Rovey's head should he make any unusual move.

"Um... Master... I..."

Upon seeing the old man, Gray immediately tensed up. Her gaze darted back and forth between the old man and Rovey, clearly worried that her master might have killed an innocent person like Rovey.

"Well..."

Upon seeing Gray's naiveté, the old man let out a helpless sigh.

After all, unless someone was deliberately searching, who would venture into the deep mountains and forests at night, especially into forbidden territory, and come into contact with Gray served as the vessel? More importantly, his aura didn't leak out in the slightest; it was as if he were shrouded in something. Unless he used magic or Magecraft, even the village's barrier didn't detect his entry. Even I only encountered him by chance when I came to visit Gray.

The person opposite him was clearly not an ordinary person; he had come with a purpose. If he hadn't come, Gray had been deceived and abducted, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Thinking of the consequences of Gray's loss, the old man's tall body trembled, and he tightened his grip on the axe handle, his gaze toward Rovey becoming quite hostile.

He had to keep this stranger here today and get to the bottom of things, no matter what.

However, he told Gray that it was alright, and that he would verify the guest's background. If there were no problems, he would personally escort him away.

Although extremely nervous, trusting her master, the naive Gray nodded and actually left obediently. Before leaving, she reminded Rovey to be careful when he returned, which made Rovey both amused and exasperated.

Compared to this death-like old man, Gray is practically a little angel...

However, Rovey didn't say anything, nor did he expose the old man's plan to dismember him. He simply raised his hand to say goodbye to Gray and watched her leave.

So...

"Is it okay for you to deceive a child like this? Gray, she trusted you so much. And this Gravekeeper in front of me, who is about to tear me to pieces, I don't even know what to call him."

"You damned Magus ... This is not a place for you. And you seem to know a lot... You even know Gray's name..."

The old man spoke in a low, hoarse voice. He had witnessed almost the entire incident. Although Gray hadn't given her name, this strange man had managed to summon it, which he found extremely unusual. He was also certain that this man's arrival was no accident, and that he must know some of the secrets about this place, so he absolutely could not be ignored.

"Magus, although I don't know where you got this information or what your purpose is, I warn you, Gray, she is definitely not someone you can mess with."

"You should have been killed here, but considering Gray's pleas, if you confess all your sources and pledge to never return, I'll spare your life!!"

His figure was like darkness, his voice like a cold wind echoing in the night, his words filled with indifference and unquestionable authority.

After Gray left, the enormous one-handed axe hidden beneath the cloak was revealed, reflecting a chilling, piercing light. Beneath the black robe, the blue light of Magic Circuits flickered faintly.

This is a warning.

If Rovey doesn't explain himself clearly, or if he continues to act recklessly, he will really kill him here today to maintain the peace of this land.

This is also his duty as Gravekeeper.

Only...

"Gray's mentor? So you're the Great Gravekeeper of this generation?"

Faced with the chilling aura and threat, Rovey showed no fear. Instead, he calmly replied, "Hmm, quite a killing intent, and your strength seems considerable. But don't worry, I have no ill intentions this time..."

(Well, okay, maybe they really are here to cause trouble. After all, they're all ready to go head-to-head with your master and they want to steal your Holy Lance.)

(However, as long as I don't admit it, then it doesn't exist.)

"So, why don't we sit down and have a calm talk? As for what to talk about..." Looking at the old man's furrowed brows, Rovey Wei smiled slightly and then spoke slowly.

"Let's talk about what you call the truth, and what you insist on. For example—"

[A king's corpse, a sacred tomb, an elaborate funeral, a return across time, or a story of futile effort? Let me tell you the story.]

"!!!"

As he listened to Rovey's unhurried narration, the old Gravekeeper's pupils suddenly contracted beneath his robes. His previously confident and cold gaze was completely shattered at this moment, and his eyes were filled with endless disbelief and... disbelief.

He couldn't understand why the young man in front of him would know all the secrets of this village.

In the next instant, without warning, the giant axe in his hand swung down heavily towards Rovey's body, producing a sharp whooshing sound.