Chapter 686

It's not good to force someone to talk if they're unwilling to, so Shirou followed her out of the hunting lodge.

Shirou and Leinys met in front of the square, and then Gray acted as their guide, taking them on a tour of the village.

Through conversations with the villagers, Shirou learned something.

Gray was highly respected by the villagers.

When they approached the villagers, the first thing the villagers did was to give Gray a very formal bow, as if they were seeing someone of noble birth.

However, the feeling was different from that of a commoner meeting a nobleman's daughter—it was a strong sense of awe and reverence.

Children who are revered by everyone in such a closed village are more likely to develop an arrogant personality.

But Gray appeared very timid and cautious in everything she did.

After being led around the village, Shirou and Leinys returned to the church they had visited the previous night.

I heard there used to be priests and Nun here, but they just happened to be away these past few days.

Shirou and Leinys understood each other perfectly—the church here probably had some connection with the Holy Church, so they were probably off to work.

Finally, they arrived at the crucial cemetery.

Blackmore does not evoke a sense of antiquity or solemnity; it is merely a list of tombstones bearing individual names and brief accounts of their lives.

The rusty iron gate was carved with crow patterns. Shirou examined it with interest and then asked a question.

"Is this cemetery where crows are considered sacred?"

"... Yes. This place is managed by Mr. Bersac, but I heard that the owner is someone else."

"Owner?"

Shirou muttered as he examined the tombstones in the cemetery, when Gray suddenly spoke up from behind him.

"... Why did Mr. Shirou come here?"

"I was hired by that person to be her bodyguard."

Shirou gestured with his chin towards Leinys was standing not far away.

"The accompanying guards? I thought Mr. Shirou was the one..."

Indeed, judging from Shirou's behavior, Leinys seems more like a companion on the journey.

Shirou explained Leinys's purpose to Gray.

Gray blinked hard after hearing this, then turned her head away.

"So, Mr. Bersac is going to town?"

"First, he has to agree, is there a problem?"

"... No, that."

After hesitating for a moment, Gray continued speaking.

"Actually, I've never left this village."

Not even once?

"Yes, not even once."

The gray hood bobbed up and down.

"Ah, but regularly the library and merchants with lots of goods would come. I've always looked forward to their visits since I was a child!"

"Library. Do you like reading?"

"Yes, I like detective novels, especially classic ones..."

The hooded girl's voice was excited for a moment, but then it fell silent as if a fire had been extinguished.

"... I'm sorry, I got so caught up in talking about myself."

"It's okay, I want to know more about Gray."

Shirou smiled at her.

She doubted that anyone had ever said such a thing to her in their entire life. The girl took a half step back, looking completely bewildered.

"W-Is it alright... Mr. Shirou, would you like to listen?"

"Hmm, I'd like to know."

Shirou spoke softly, ignoring the stinging gaze Leinys was shooting at him.

He's probably being seen by her as a lolicon obsessed with a girl he just met, but this is all in order to unravel the mystery of the village.

Gray happily began to talk about her own experiences.

She was chosen by Mr. Bersac to be the heir to guard the cemetery.

Because of an ancient pact between the village and the cemetery, the villagers had no choice but to make Gray Bersac's apprentice, even if they were unwilling.

After that, Gray talked about her troubles.

Despite being the heir to this cemetery, she is actually terrified of spirits.

Ghosts, necromancers, undead—all of this is unacceptable.

Gray hung her head and said dejectedly, "It's been like this as long as I can remember."

So even though the village cemetery is famous, I never go near it...

However, Mr. Bersac chose me... I don't understand why he chose me.

Even now, just standing here in this cemetery makes me feel like I'm going crazy.

As she spoke, the girl, already petite, curled up even more, as if she might disappear at any moment.

"It's simply because you're outstanding."

"Huh? Me? How is that possible!"

"If I were Mr. Bersac, I would also choose you as my disciple."

"..."

Gray stared blankly at Shirou, only to find him turning toward the entrance to the cemetery.

A gaunt figure stood there.

"So you've been here, Gray."

"Mother."

She was a kind-looking woman, around thirty-five years old, wearing a light shawl.

Although her appearance wasn't particularly outstanding, her composed expression exuded a gentle charm that made people want to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness we found you. It's time for prayer, hurry home and pray."

"... But Mr. Bersac asked me to be their guide."

"Listen to me. Although the work of the gravedigger is important, it doesn't mean we can neglect our prayers."

Besides, haven't you always said you're afraid of this cemetery? Don't force yourself."

The mother smiled and walked towards the girl.

"After all, your health is very important."

Leinys, sensing a strong sense of unease from the conversation between the mother and daughter, frowned slightly.

This feeling is very familiar--

Especially in the world of Magecraft, this is probably what it feels like when parents treat their children like puppets.

Shirou also looked at Gray's mother, but said nothing.

When Gray's mother asked if she could take her daughter with her, he laughed heartily and replied, "Sure, we've already finished shopping."

Leinys thought that, given Shirou's personality, he would definitely stand up for Gray here.

"That mother... there's something strange about her."

Leinys leaned closer to the boy, grinning mischievously as she teased him:

"The third wheel is gone, Shirou- sama. Where shall we go on our date next?"

"Excuse me, Leinys, why don't you continue exploring by yourself? I have somewhere I'd like to go alone."

"Why!?"

It was only past noon, and this was already the second time in one day that Leinys had been left out by Shirou!!

"I'm so sorry, I'll make it up to you when we get back to London," Shirou said apologetically.

Leinys sighed. "I have a dessert shop I want to go to."

"Yes, it's on me."

After uttering that "Ha," Shirou headed towards the outskirts of the village, in the opposite direction from the swamp.

There is a high hill there, and looking up you can see a large tree that is at least several hundred years old.

On his way to his destination, Shirou kept summarizing what he had seen and heard that day.

If she wasn't mistaken, this village did indeed harbor a huge secret.

Gray's face, and that hairstyle, are undoubtedly a tribute to King Arthur — Artoria.

That face was not something she was born with.

But when exactly did Gray become like that?

Shirou already had a guess in his mind.

But that was just a guess based on Instinct, and there was no evidence to support it.

The information we have at the moment is still too limited.

But Shirou had a premonition that he would find the answer if he went there.

To be precise, it means receiving an answer from a certain person.

Shirou reached the large tree on the hillside as fast as he could.

There were already some guests waiting there.

It was this person who contacted Shirou through crows in the cemetery and summoned him there.

"You've finally arrived! I've actually been wanting to see you for a long time."

The woman gracefully raised her fair arm, allowing the crow to perch on the back of her finger.

"..."

Just seeing that figure under the tree made Shirou feel like every cell in his body was about to boil.

That figure was all too familiar.

Her Shadow appeared countless times in Shirou's dreams and in his beautiful, dreamlike memories.

The Root of all evil in the Legend of King Arthur, the one who was the king's sister.

She is both a witch who opposes Camelot and a fairy who sends the deceased king to the Fae Village.

Not just in the two countries that Shirou conquered as Knights of the Round Table and that he toured as Faerie Knight.

There is also a legend about Morgan in Britain.

"Ah, I should have met you sooner, but that damned Merlin always ruins my plans."

Even though I've already locked that guy in the tower, he still keeps bothering me.

We've taken some precautions this time, and no one will bother us anymore.

The woman, who was saying this, slowly turned around and faced Shirou.