"But there were always results." Tierra spoke, then nodded and pointed out the window. "Like this town. Padstow was one of their discoveries. It is one of the human towns closest in a straight line to Ahu-Y'hloa, one of the Deep Ones' three great undersea cities."
"It was also one of the towns with the most recorded sightings of horrifying fish-headed humanoid creatures over the past several centuries," Tierra said. "That is why I brought you here first."
After hearing Tierra's words, Jeffrey once again followed Tierra's finger and looked out the window. Before him lay a quiet, ancient town beneath the black night sky, surrounded by lush green hills. In the distance Tierra pointed toward stretched the boundless sea. Shrouded by night, the ocean had lost its daytime azure, taking on the dense blackness of ink.
Especially tonight, there was not a ripple on the sea. It was like a pitch-black mirror.
Looking at that black sea, Jeffrey could not help but shiver.
"It is too late to regret coming now." Tierra smiled. "My dear Minister of Foreign Affairs."
"In Muggle terms, you have already boarded a pirate ship," Tierra teased.
"It is not regret, Mr. Tierra. I just... well..." Jeffrey said, choosing his words carefully.
"Afraid?" Tierra voiced the thought in Jeffrey's heart before he could.
"Yes, Mr. Tierra. There is a slight feeling of that," Jeffrey admitted openly.
"That is perfectly normal. People are afraid of the unknown." Tierra raised his head and looked toward the sky—
The sky tonight, blanketed by dark clouds.
Then Tierra, seated opposite Jeffrey, gently closed his eyes, as though he had drifted into a light doze.
In London—the headquarters of the New British Magical Federation—at Hogwarts, New Tyneham Village, and the still-rebuilding Koom Castle Ancient Village, the Tierras who were working