Ch. 921Beneath the Iceberg, Within the Darkness
Key Plot Points and Events
- The chapter takes place several months after Marshal Gilles de Rais's confession and execution, with a joint operation between the Burial Agency and the Eighth Sacrament Society at his old mansion in Tiffauges, France.
- The team is recovering and documenting evidence from the scene, including runic inscriptions, rock fragments, and soil samples.
- Gilles de Rais confessed to harming over 140 children, but only around ten children's skeletons were found in the mansion's stone chamber.
- The team discovers signs of a successful summoning ritual and its subsequent disruption, indicating the presence of an extraordinary entity and another powerful force.
Character Developments
- The young clergyman is diligent, scholarly, and frustrated with the Burial Agency's lack of professionalism, particularly the Father's behavior.
- The Father from the Burial Agency is eccentric, indolent, and more interested in food and drink than the investigation. However, he shows keen insight when discussing the case.
Significant Themes
- The struggle between faith (represented by the Holy Church) and science (represented by the Mage's Association) is a recurring theme, with the two sides having clashed throughout history.
- The power dynamics between the Holy Church and the Mage's Association are explored, with both sides acknowledging each other's existence and influence.
- The mystery surrounding Gilles de Rais's crimes and motivations remains unsolved, with the true extent of his actions and the reasons behind his confession still unclear.
Character Interactions
- The young clergyman and the Father from the Burial Agency interact, with the young clergyman expressing frustration at the Father's unprofessional behavior.
- The Father and the young clergyman discuss the case, with the Father showing insight into the situation and the young clergyman providing updates on the investigation's progress.
- The chapter hints at the ongoing struggle between the Holy Church and the Mage's Association, with the Father mentioning the involvement of mages from the Clock Tower in the pursuit of François Prelati.