Chapter 683

They walked along, engaging in pointless conversation.

Although no one made a sound, they all vaguely sensed an unwelcome atmosphere, and were excited by it.

From this perspective, Shirou and Leinys are actually quite compatible.

Next, they were taken directly to the church located at the north end of the village.

It was a simple church, with ivy climbing all over its fish-scale-like walls.

Upon opening the church doors, the interior was surprisingly spacious.

The church had a high ceiling and was very clean, creating a serene atmosphere.

Although not ornate, everything from the benches to the metal candlesticks was spotless, a testament to the village's piety. I imagine many people will attend Sunday Mass.

The most striking thing is something deep inside the sanctuary.

"... Black Maria."

Shirou looked surprised.

As Leinys revealed in the spoilers, the village houses a statue of the Virgin Mary holding a child, which has been stained black.

The Virgin Mary, embracing the Savior, has an upright and unusual posture, and looks full of majesty.

Her piercing eyes looked down, and she resembled a Valkyrie more than a loving mother.

Although the art style is different, it is definitely an "Artoria face".

The grown-up Shirou will no longer make the same mistakes he did before. He can now distinguish Morgan, Artoria, and Jeanne d'Arc based solely on their demeanor, without even looking at their hairstyles.

Then, the figure depicted in this Black Madonna statue is undoubtedly Morgan le Fay.

"Shirou."

"What?"

Don't you think they look a bit alike?

"!?"

Shirou was secretly startled. Leinys shouldn't have met Morgan before, so why would she—

"As I thought... it wasn't my imagination."

The blonde girl stroked her chin and muttered to herself.

Then she leaned close to Shirou and whispered something in a voice only the two of them could hear.

"The baby held in the arms of the black Maria looks a lot like you, Shirou."

"Ah?"

Shirou was dumbfounded.

After hearing her words, Shirou couldn't help but re-examine the Black Madonna of the Virgin Mary.

The baby held in his arms, the savior—does he look just like me?

Now that Leinys has said that, it does seem somewhat similar.

No, it must be an illusion, right?

Ultimately, don't human babies all look pretty much the same?

The only one that can distinguish the differences is Tiamat, right?

"The atmosphere is... very similar."

"The atmosphere... um."

Shirou frowned, just then Bersac's voice came from behind him.

"Are you really interested in this statue of the Virgin Mary, Magecraft?"

Shirou nodded slightly. "A black statue of the Virgin Mary is quite rare."

"I heard this is something that has been passed down in the village for many years, but I don't know the specifics."

The gravedigger continued.

"Before you go to my house, could you two please offer a prayer to the Holy Mother? It's the custom in the village, after all."

After saying this, Bersac himself knelt down first.

Because of his muscular physique, his prayer looked more like a knight taking an oath.

Shirou and Leinys made the sign of the cross on their chests, then followed Bersac out of the church through the back door.

Looking up from behind the church, you can see a swamp near the mountaintop.

The place was surrounded by layers of metal fences, with several stone tablets in the middle. It seemed that this should be the legendary tomb of Artoria (candidate).

"This way."

With that, Bersac led the way for them.

Near the church, a dilapidated house came into view.

It's less of a house and more of a large storage room, but the presence of necessary furniture suggests he actually lives there.

On the dirty oak table sat several brass cups filled with coffee.

However, this coffee looks like muddy water, and it smells similar to muddy water.

Shirou looked at Leinys with anticipation.

Hopefully, she would display the composure expected of a lady from a distinguished family: "Huh? What is this? You're going to serve us this? Don't be ridiculous!", and then smash the cup on the ground.

Unfortunately, Leinys merely twitched her eyebrows and then calmly drank the muddy water that appeared to be coffee.

Shirou was utterly despondent and had no choice but to take a sip as well, which, as expected, tasted like muddy water.

After seeing them take a sip, Bersac, the gravedigger of Blackmore, got down to business.

What do you want from me?

Actually, I have a favor to ask.

As she spoke, Leinys stood up and bowed her head politely.

I have long admired the reputation of the Blackmore Cemetery.

I am speaking on behalf of my brother, Lord El-Melloi, and I request that you allow me to borrow a gravedigger.

Of course, we will also prepare a corresponding thank-you gift.

"... ha!"

Bersac stroked his chin and smiled dismissively.

"You're saying the Clock Tower needs our help? And it's a Lord?"

He flashed his yellow teeth and laughed loudly for a while.

The gravedigger narrowed his blue eyes and continued.

"I originally thought most people in the Clock Tower were too busy with their own factional struggles to keep up."

The Clock Tower's infamous reputation had even spread to such a remote place, which impressed even Shirou.

"I think your point is not wrong. But that's not the whole story."

"Are you referring to pursuing that 'Vortex of the Root' or something?"

A hint of nervousness crept into Bersac's voice.

This gravedigger has a thorough understanding of the world of Magecraft and knows what the ultimate ideal of all Magecraft is.

However, Leinys shook her head.

That has no direct connection to my brother's request.

Of course, since the Vortex of the Root is the source of all things and phenomena, I cannot deny the possibility that there is an indirect connection between the two.

Bersac tapped his fingers on the table, lost in thought.

"You need to borrow a gravedigger, is that right... Anyway, I know you're serious."

However, given our current situation, we cannot give you an immediate answer.

In that case, I think we both need some time.

Bersac replied with a politeness that belied his filthy appearance.

He gestured with his chin towards the window, indicating a certain direction to the two of them.

There's a hunting lodge outside the village. You can spend the night there.

"Thank you so much."

Leinys lowered her head once again.

"Also—if you intend to stay in this village, I hope you will abide by a few rules."

"Bersac said."

"Oh! It's finally here!" Shirou and Leinys both showed excited expressions.

Essential elements for detective and adventure stories: the strange rules of an ancient village.

Ignoring their agitation, the gravedigger held up four fingers.

"First, you must worship the image of the Virgin Mary. You have already done that."

He lowered his index finger. "Second, don't go out late at night."

Third, do not approach a cemetery alone.

Fourth, although multiple people can enter the cemetery, they must never approach the swamp.

I hope you will strictly abide by these rules.

Shirou and Leinys nodded silently.

That's a really strange rule.

Worshipping the image of the Virgin Mary is somewhat understandable, but the remaining points are truly baffling.

But that's what's good; that's what creates the atmosphere of a horror movie.

The gravedigger continued solemnly.

"I implore you to strictly abide by these rules."

"--Wow! There must be mites in this! And maybe lice too!"

The bed was so worn out and the blankets smelled musty—it Instinct appalling.

Shirou and the others were led into the hunting lodge by Bersac.

When Leinys heard that it was a house only used for hunting, she began to feel uneasy, and sure enough, it was even more dilapidated than the previous hut.

For the past half hour, Leinys had been meticulously applying disinfection Magecraft throughout the room.

Normally, this kind of thing should be done by Trimmau, but she decided that it was better not to release the Mercury Maid unless it was an emergency.

Besides the insects and musty smell in the room, there's actually an even more troublesome problem.

Since it was a hut used only by a solitary male gravedigger when hunting, it was only natural that there was only one bed inside.

They looked at each other, and then Shirou said, "I'll sleep on the floor."

It wasn't that he was particularly chivalrous; it was simply that he was a hired bodyguard, and there was no reason for him to let his employer sleep on the floor.

"How can this be? Shirou only came to this place because he accepted my invitation, leaving behind a comfortable environment."

If you were to sleep on the floor like this, I would feel so guilty that I wouldn't be able to sleep.

Shirou smiled and said, "Just knowing that Leinys still retains a human heart is enough for me."

Leinys rolled her eyes and said unhappily, "Please don't treat me like a demon. I'm different from Tohsaka- san..."

Come on, Shirou, let's squeeze in tonight.