Hakushaku to Yousei - Volume 10 - Chapter 5

Chapter 5 ♦ Treacherous Prince

On the London Bridge, the evil nightmare had nested for a while, and didn’t seem like it would leave soon.  The huge evil entity casually rested atop the Bridge, but people, not being able to feel its existence, were still traveling back and forth across the Bridge.
It was in the evening when the gas lamps started to spark up but horse-drawn carriages still marched forward through the north route of the Bridge as did the pedestrians.
The Nightmare had continued to steal energy from them, in order to save its strength and continuously grow bigger.
The jet black kelpie shockingly looked up at the evolving Nightmare that had already grown so huge to the point where he could no longer tame it anymore. At that, he started to stealthily depart from the Bridge.
After trying to chase the silver fairy who had abducted Lydia, he ended up at the Bridge.
It was as if he could feel Lydia’s presence.  But the Bridge, protected by divine magic, did not allow Kelpie to approach any nearer.
The magic protecting the London Bridge was light magic - a different kind of fairy magic from Kelpie’s.
However, that magic was what protected London. Even if the Nightmare was growing more and more, the Bridge still existed as a normal looking one, hence people continued to casually travel upon it.  That was because the interior of the Bridge was like a formidable Saint territory acting like a sanctuary.
Although the outside of the Bridge became vulnerable due to the nightmare’s influence, the strength of the interior was still propped up with support due to the Bridge’s barrier.
But despite that, Kelpie still grew anxious.
Prince and his organization still intended to destroy the Bridge with the amplifying Nightmares and also intended to have them fasten on the Bridge.  If any external force was to be exerted again from outside the Bridge’s barrier , it would surely collapse and the internal sanctuary, along with Lydia, would be buried alive.  
He thought about who he should seek out first. He had to rescue Lydia, so there was no choice but to cooperate with that person to be able to enter the Bridge’s barrier.
Although he was forced to, he couldn’t think of anyone else to go to but the Earl.  As he was a fae race that ate humans, he had no other human acquaintances.
“It was because of him that Lydia slipped out of town so this is that guy’s responsibility. ”  
He intended to transform into his horse form as he headed for the Earl’s residence.
The pedestrians coming and going could see his physique but Kelpie couldn’t care less.   (?) But when he was about to change his appearance with magic, someone who was looking over at his direction, had seemed to notice him.
He stopped his footstep. There was a presence of something not human.
It was the Selkie.
"What are you doing here?”  
She looked unhappy as she crossed her arms and said, “Why are you here? Oh, was it to monitor the Nightmares residing on the Bridge?”  
Her dress up was still in disguise as men’s wear as she locked her eyebrows.  When she was still a human, she was called Ermine and had been a companion of Edgar Ashenbert. Then, after her death, Ulysses revived her as a seal fairy and she was now a part of the hostile organization.
Kelpie was neither a friend nor foe to her, but just as how most of the fairies were afraid of the water horse, she too instinctively felt that Kelpie was a dangerous creature.
Even so, she approached closer to him not paying attention to the possibility that he could eat her.
"What happened to Miss Lydia?”  
In order to chase Lydia, Ulysses’ hounds had come to Scotland.  And the fact that Kelpie was protecting Lydia, had also become apparent to Ermine probably because of Ulysses telling her.
Perhaps then, she was also aware that Lydia had been taken away by the unknown fae.
“What, do you plan on prying into that too so you can report it back to that brat?”  
Although he said such unpleasant words, Kelpie knew that she was not one to completely side with Ulysses.
While it was true she was indeed in the arms of the enemy, she also took the Earl and her brother, the Earl’s entourage, in full regard while carrying out her actions.
“Reporting? I will not resort to something that would anger the organization.  But, you also care about this Bridge, right?”  
Was this a trade she was offering?
It was probably Ulysses who had ordered her to investigate the whereabouts of Lydia.  They probably estimated that Lydia had come to the Bridge, so she came here to confirm that.
If Lydia had gotten close to stepping into the Bridge, then Ermine should know what that had meant.
“Hey, do you understand the depths of this Bridge?”  
Like pondering over the words Kelpie had asked, she continuously stared at the ground then finally looked up at him.
Then she soon opened her mouth. In order to know of Lydia’s whereabouts, she knew she had to bargain with Kelpie for it.
“The death of a sacrificed young girl, became the sacred strength that protected London Bridge. ”  

"Sacrifice · · · · ·"

“A maiden sacrificed her life force to protect London. But that was 100 years ago. So now, the power protecting the Bridge has weakened.  ”  
“If....a new young girl becomes the sacrifice instead, then would the power that protects the Bridge be strengthened again? Would it become so strong that even Prince wouldn't be able to destroy it? ”  
“The destruction of the Bridge is still possible.  As long as it’s what mankind creates itself, it’s possible to use the power of mankind to also break it.  However, if the Bridge victims lost their lives at the expense of the protection forces, then the Bridge’s barrier can remain untouchable.  ”  
Kelpie was surprised.
The silver fae intended to make Lydia the sacrifice to uphold the Bridge’s barrier.  Though he wasn’t a partner of Ulysses, the situation may have turned out even worse.
If he did not make best use of this time, it may be too late, Kelpie was going to turn around to leave when Ermine stopped him.
“Lord Edgar is within Prince’s hideout.  ”  
“Eh?”  
As he unexpectedly heard this, he stopped.
“The only person who can enter the inner part of the Bridge is the Blue Knight Earl himself or his immediate family. This means that at this point, it is only Edgar who can enter.  But now, Edgar himself was constrained at the moment. ”  
“Where is that hideout?”  
"Do you want to know?”  
Although her tone sounded as if she was surprised, she slightly smiled.
She then left from the Bridge and headed off.
For the time being, rather than to defend himself after her remark, Kelpie just decided to follow behind.

                                   *

The sketch on the map contained a mark carefully labeling Ulysses’ room.  Right in front of the large two-story room, walked a male servant and a bodyguard.
Edgar approached him with a straight posture. The guard glanced at Edgar with one eye, and averted from his view, letting him through the door convinced that he was Aruba.
Edgar gently knocked, and heard a voice from within asking who he was, but without bothering to answer, he opened the door.  (?)
Ulysses sat in front of his desk with his back towards the door, seeming not to plan to turn his head.
Edgar silently closed the door and neared Ulysses.
“What is it?”  
Ulysses said as he turned his head to glance at the bottom, then, thinking it was Aruba, he positioned his eyes back onto his desk.
But despite that, he suddenly must have felt that the atmosphere had tensed and so decided to stand up.
By this time, Edgar had already arrived at the back of Ulysses, and pressed his young slender shoulder down, he then pointed a knife towards the side of his cheek.
“....What.... So, you’ve come, Ted?”  
Ulysses, who was unable to move his head, called Edgar by what only Prince used to call him when he spoke to Edgar.
“Call me Edgar Ashenbert. ”  
“.....That was quite disrespectful, Lord. You disguised yourself so as to appear here and inquire about our matters?....Well my oh my, it seems Moses Aruba had unauthorized access to your room. ”  
As if trying to do a funny gesture to admit defeat, Ulysses raised his hands.  Edgar, while still holding the knife close to him, forced him to stand from his chair.
"Aruba's a very kind man. Not only did he open the door with the key, but also brought in this knife.  ”  
“Did you send your loyal Raven to tell him? It is impossible for Aruba to know of your capture.  This means I ought to strengthen the security around the mansion and find your entourage.  ”  
“You’re in no position to do that now. If you don't want to be killed, just do as I say. ”  
After Edgar pulled the knife away from Ulysses’ neck, he held a tight post on his side abdomen.
"You know, Ulysses. Here is the gap between your ribs.  If you were to be stabbed from here, the bone would not hinder a direct puncture to the lungs. Or perhaps with this angle,  just a little deeper and it could even make it to the heart.
“I see, then go on with your desires. ”  
Ulysses said, interrupting Edgar.  It seemed as if he easily accepted defeat under Edgar’s threat.
But although he said that to seem as he was submitting, he certainly intended on waiting for an opportunity to reverse the current situation.  But whatever the case, this was Prince’s hideout.  The only close companion he had around was Ulysses.  Considering this, the situation around Edgar really was dangerous.  (?) Instead, it seemed like a race against time for Ulysses to see how he would prevail. (?)
Because of this, Edgar knew he had to act as soon as possible.
“Take me to the place where the Freya is located.  ”  
They left the room in unison as he walked side-by-side with Ulysses while retaining a calm expression that wouldn’t raise suspicion that something had happened.
They went through the long corridor linking the mansion to the east side of the building.  According to Raven’s report, the front door of that entrance was closed tightly and was equipped with guards from both the inside and the outside of the doors, even the window ways had personnel. From these circumstances, it was clear that the enemy was being very cautious.
But everyone after seeing Ulysses’ face, just got out of the way and opened the door.
“Master Ulysses, only you alone have the authority to pass through it.  ”  
"I have acquired the permission of his Highness to bring him along.  ”  
Ulysses said, as he entered the room together with Edgar.
Just as how the guards stated Ulysses’ exclusive entry, there really were no other personnel around within the room.
It was a hall as broad as two wings, and it was surrounded by ancient paintings. Ulysses stopped his steps.  
In the center, stood a high metal dome structure engraved with the ground just like a snap-on.
Moreover, only a small window overlaid the peephole.
“The Freya is in there.  ”  
If one was to stand in front of the window to peep in, a glass box could be seen resting on top of a metal table, the box which housed the red stone.
That was the Freya stone which was stolen from one of Edgar’s territory villages.  Only the flame colored, deeper part had been incised from the stone shortening it to something as small as a plum.  However, removing the excess surplus red from the Freya made the stone exhort an even more beautiful appearance like a burning flame.
The strange thing though, was that the gleaming ray of the stone could be seen emitted out from the dome.  It was just like a frozen flame of a candle-- it’s shining glory spouted from the rigid light.
“Open it. ”  
"Only his Royal Highness can open it. ”  
Was that true?
“Do you want to go to where Prince is like this? ”  
Ulysses made a twisted face.  Certainly, Edgar also would not like to be seen by Prince.
“Lord, if you are smart enough, it should be very clear to see that even with me as a hostage,    it would make no  difference to his Royal Highness. ”  
Indeed,  if it was Prince, then even if his subordinates were taken as hostages, he would have no problem abandoning them and watching them being killed.
But even if the people in the organization understood their master to be one as such, they would still follow him loyally.  
And as to why it was as so, Edgar didn’t know.  But could it be that they weren’t submissive towards Prince to seek benefits, but based on the belief that the legitimacy of the Royal family had been expelled?
For all that, Prince’s subordinates were ones to not fear death.
“Are you asking me to spare your life?”  
Edgar smiled, while Ulysses gave him a very reluctant stare.
Even Ulysses did not want to die in vain.
Because of this, he had brought Edgar to this place and was actually afraid to go to where Prince was.
"Well, Ulysses, you should be able to open it. The Freya stone is what conceals the fairy magic.  And the only one in the organization who can handle fairy magic is you.  But the transfer of Prince’s memory into Aruba is also executed by you, isn’t it? It isn’t something that can be done without your help so you are someone who should be allowed to do so.  ”  
Ulysses felt the knife go up against his waist and sighed as if he was admitting defeat.
“Moses Aruba, I’m guessing he was surprisingly very talkative.  ”  
Ulysses reluctantly approached the metal dome.
"A total of twenty two locks, are not so easy to open. ”  
He took a bunch of keys from his pocket, then, one-by-one inserted the suitable one into the hole.
Edgar was thinking while staring at him.
This is the Freya stone that was stolen from the village of the Wrym.  And the Freya, has already been mined from the village in the past once before. It cannot be mined again.
The Freya stone that was mined in the past, is still probably in good condition to put into the market, but the fluorite is relatively weak, and unlike other gems, it can be preserved forever so finding another one like this special one, should be very difficult to do.  
And a magical Freya at that, is even more rare.
It is precisely because of this, that Prince intends to use the Freya to recover his position and continue his legacy.
And if this is the case, then the next time he uses the Freya on Aruba, I’m afraid, is the last.
But as long as he’s no longer here, Prince would perish in his deathbed, and the entire organization would collapse.
“Lord Earl, I’ll say this in advance, to take possession of the Freya is a very difficult task to do.  It’s magic is now already in its activated state, having become something that’s unbreakable and generally, if an ordinary person was to touch it, they’d be burned to death.  ”  
Ulysses, as if trying to turn the tables in his favor, said that lightly.
Aruba had said that if contact was to be made with the Freya then, his blood would elicit reactions and then memories associated with Prince would flow into his body.  In addition to the reactions that his human body would elicit, there would also be reactions of flames.
“In the Freya’s conservancy, is stored Prince’s memory.  The core of the stone which controls the dark magic, can be commanded.  As you know, demons are intended to be guided to destroy London. But the Freya stone, in Prince’s will, will call on  them to launch the aggression.  The order can only be withdrawn once he inherits everything of the first ‘Prince’, and only certainly after Aruba becomes the same character as the present Prince.  So Lord Earl, you are not qualified to execute it.  ”  
“Really, I thank you for your advice. However, since Prince’s survival depends on replacing the physical flesh, then should the same method also not apply to you? If that’s so, then the present you were also once destroyed like Aruba’s personality.  ”  
Ulysses chuckled under his breath and quietly smiled.
"What are you talking about? That is not the case with me.  Don’t forget, I inherited the blood of the fairies.  Even in the absence of the Freya, with only the body of a healthy descendant, I can transfer my memories and forever survive.  ”  
The magic of the Freya is the magic of fairies.   Ulysses had inherited the blood of the Blue Knight Earl, so even if he did possess such power without the stone, it was not inconceivable.
But a fairy’s life span was very long.  It was not necessary for them to sacrifice descendants in exchange with longevity, the supposed descendants and other people were merely ravaged by this method, and this regardless of anything, easily brought into light how humanity was abusing fairy magic.
“But the Blue Knight Earl’s family had banned the use of magic. ”  
Ulysses said, suddenly impatient.
“And as if that wasn’t enough, the bastards in order to not have the family descendants possess this magical ability, even if such persons were born, they would also be dispensed with such a technique that would make their ability vanish before they grew up. Of course, my strength was also almost taken away.  .....until I was saved by his Highness, Prince.  It was because of the strength of his Royal Highness, the dark fairy magic, that the shackles of the Earl family were unlocked.   Because of that, I was able to forever continue on to hold such power.  ”  
So Ulysses just decided to follow Prince because of that.
But Edgar still couldn’t understand. Was it not the initial Prince who had helped Ulysses?
“Isn’t this ridiculous? Ulysses. You ruthlessly mistreated Aruba didn’t you?However if he became Prince, would you faithfully follow him?”  
“I’m not following him, but the greatness of ‘Prince.’ ”  
Ulysses said, as he stopped his hand   inserting the last key.
"I'm sorry, Lord, time's up. No matter who plans to go in there, the guards will have to report it to his Royal Highness. His Highness should have already been informed, I cannot allow Aruba’s absurd behavior go unnoticed.  ”  
By this time, there rang out a sound of gunfire.  Edgar immediately dropped to the floor, and Ulysses used the gap that opened between them, to quickly escape.
A series of gunshots were flying overhead and hitting the metal dome.  Several men came running into the room, and Edgar, to avoid the continuously flying bullets, hid behind the metal dome.
"Do not shoot!He’s without any weapons, get him!”  
At Ulysses’ voice, the gunfire felt silent.  But the next moment, their screams could be heard.  Edgar rose up, and what reflected his eyes was the sight of a dark horse who had attacked the men.
“....Kelpie?”  
“Earl, hurry up to get out of there!”  
Human weapons could not harm such a fairy. Kelpie didn’t seem to care to face the direction from where the bullets were coming from.  He kicked and bit Ulysses’ men.
How did Kelpie get here?
Although it was still not clear to him, Edgar took advantage of the chaos to try and slip out of the room.
“Hey, he’s over here, hurry and grab him!”  
While they gathered towards him, he started running faster while trying to avoid them.
A man suddenly came into his view to block him.
Just when Edgar planned to pull out his knife, the man had already hit the floor.
“Lord Edgar, forgive me. ”  
Raven seemed to apologize for appearing before being instructed to do so.  But given the current circumstance, it didn’t really matter to Edgar.
Edgar nodded, and urged him to enter the next room.
They bombarded the furniture against the door, observed the room around them, but there didn’t seem to be a good hiding place.
"Raven, you’re just asking for trouble now. I said it was fine as long as I wasn’t going to be killed right away.  Conceal yourself for me right way.  ”  
“But there is still gun firing.  Even if they don’t plan on killing you right away, a stray bullet could also be very dangerous.  ”  
"Shhh, be quiet!”  
Where there was furniture piled up against the door, came the outspread of a voice. Kelpie slowly appeared in front of them with his dark curls falling over his face as he turned back into his human form. He walked over to Edgar’s side.
“Listen to me, do not make a sound nor any movements. Don’t bump into anything either.  ”  
He wanted to make every attempt possible in order to undermine the sound of shock waves that could echo from the room.  Kelpie set up the staggering cabinet that was about to fall off.
They would soon be captured from here, so Edgar could only do what Kelpie had asked of.
Whether or not they could trust Kelpie, Edgar was still dubious of as he nodded. And at the instant he tried signaling to Raven with his line of sight, the door was destroyed as men came pouring in.  
They raised their hands while holding oil lamps to slowly illuminate the room.
The striking light had come up close to Edgar’s eyes, but it seemed as if the man thought of his figure as a chair or some other object within the dark room, and so didn’t notice him standing there.
There were several people turning everywhere in the room and Edgar and Raven held their breath during each occasion.  Kelpie’s physique could also not be seen.
There were two men that occasionally brushed their shoulders, but the men still didn’t seem to notice the existence of the two people.
Their only options seemed to be to either escape through the window somehow, or to slowly slide along the wall to the next room.  It seemed as someone made a call to them, so the men rushed out. (?)
After no one else was left in the room, Edgar managed to catch his breath while he watched Kelpie slowly reveal his figure.
"Lord Edgar, please be careful. ”  
Raven said, in an alert posture.
Why did Kelpie want to help him?He was the one who wanted to take Lydia away to the fairy world.  He should be regarding Edgar as an obstacle for that.
Coblynau had said that Lydia sneaked out from Kelpie’s magic walls in order to come to London secretly.
It would have been understandable if he went to seek out Lydia in this situation, why did he appear in front of Edgar like this?
As Edgar was thinking, he felt the feeling of a bad omen which made him fall nervous and he instantly got up.
“Kelpie, it couldn't be that something happened to Lydia could it?”  
After looking back at Edgar, Kelpie quickly diverged his line of sight.  Although he didn’t want to have to say it, there was no other alternative.
“It seems she was taken to the London Bridge by some kind of malicious fairy she didn’t know of. The inside of the Bridge is a domain protected by the Saint’s magic that’s between the human and fairy world so I can’t get in.  ”  
“So....I’m the only one who is able to enter? ”  
“Yeah, so I’ll tell you where the entrance is.  But it’s not that simple to enter, and regardless of the method you use, you’re responsibility is to bring her out safely in one piece.  ”  
Edgar thought Kelpie's condescending attitude of being thinking to be Lydia’s only protector was really disgusting.
“Even if you need not say that, I am well obliged to, because I am her fiancée. No matter how I do it, I will make certain of her safe return.  ”  
With hearing Edgar emphasize on the word “fiancée”, Kelpie angrily curled his lip as words casted away from his mouth.
“I don't plan on befriending you, it’s just that there’s no other way.  (?) The Bridge, due to the nightmare’s weight, is about to collapse.  The downstream of the Bridge has already been flocked with all kinds of evil faes, and although it’s just barely holding up now, I don’t know what kinds of other external forces would exert it more.  (?) ”  
Edgar was suddenly reminded of all the cumulate gunpowder within the “Ark.”
If Prince’s plan was implemented, then the the Ark which was full of gunpowder would crash into the Bridge and London’s protection will collapse along with it.
“Why was Lydia taken to such a place?”  
“She’s a victim. It’s because even if the Bridge is physically destroyed, the enchantment of the holy land forces can still be maintained at the expense of a sacrifice.  Therefore, it seems Lydia was chosen as a sacrifice for the sake of the barrier’s protection. ”  
“But why should it be Lydia who needs to become a sacrifice?And what kind of fairy exactly was it that took her away?”  
“Who knows what that thing was.  That’s all the more reason to rescue her at once.  ”  
Right at that moment, Edgar’s mind started to run as he started collecting his thoughts together.
In short, it was first necessary to prevent the danger of the Bridge’s destruction, so it was necessary to tackle things from two aspects.
He had to first stop the “Ark” from crashing into the Bridge and at the same time, prevent the invasion of the Nightmare as well as any attacks from the evil fairies that gathered in the Eastern district.
“The matters with the Ark have already been entrusted with the “Scarlet Moon” members.” Because this was a man-made ship, it would be very tough to make it stop, so Edgar had great expectations in them.
But how could he stop the assault from the evil fairies?
“Kelpie, coming together at the low-lying damp slum areas in the Eastern end are evil faes especially of your kind.  Can’t you do anything to stop them?”  
“Those same type of fairies as trash, how can you compare them to something so noble as the aquatic horse? (?) ”  
"Well, if it’s rubbish, then can you get rid of them?”  
"There are too many. Mankind can also not stop those small insects of large clusters.  However, there seems to be a powerful Goblin  that’s leading those tiny army of insect faes.  So probably, just stopping the master Goblin itself would cause the insects to lose their centripetal force.  ”  
“Lord Edgar, it seems Prince was able to obtain the power of the War Goddesses.  ”  
Without being required to, Raven opened his mouth to interrupt, but it was most likely because of the firm belief he had on the matter.
“The War Goddesses?The Diopsides which have the spirits of Macha and Nemain sealed within it?”  
“At the time I was investigating the matters with the “Ark”, I repeatedly saw hooded crows flying in circles over the London Bridge. ”  
The spirits 'Macha', 'Nemain' and 'Morrigu', who took the form of hooded crows,  were the incarnates of the Goddess of War Badb and it was said that she was extremely powerful and she could move the tide of battle to her favored side and promise them victory. She was a Goddess in Celtic Mythology.  Prince had obtained two of the spirit-held Diopsides already.  The third spirit and last spirit resided within Raven’s body and was oppressed and prevented to show through control of Raven’s body.
Because Raven had the same Diopside’s power within him, he was able to detect the other two spirits of Macha and Nemain.
“The Goddesses are only said to follow the one who is in leadership of the battle. They wouldn’t act upon someone as Ulysses, but to the will of Prince, who puts forth the instructions.  ”  
Kelpie said. Edgar thought of the words Ulysses had spoken of.
The Freya that would harbor Prince’s memories, could be commanded by its core which contained the dark magic.  And Prince had already put forth the order to turn London into ruins by using the power of the Freya’s core. So even if Prince was buried, and the Freya was obtained, that still would not change the situation so much.  In order to stop the aggressions of the fairies, Aruba would have to completely obtain Prince’s memories, only then would they stop.
However, once he’d inherit the memory, Edgar was afraid that Aruba would then be fully assimilated into the being of Prince.
If that’s all true, then he really wouldn’t want to kill Aruba either because he promised to save him.
Then, the remaining method.....
“Lord Edgar. ”  
Did Raven also anxiously call out to him because he saw Edgar’s pondering face which looked like he was faced with a dead end?
"Oh, it's nothing serious, Raven. ”  
Edgar made an effort to make a pretense of a very calm appearance.
“Kelpie, if Prince expressed the will to request the Goddess to have the plot exterminated, would the evil faes also disperse? ”  
“Do that, and the evil fairies that are gathered together would surely spread out, rather than an achievement, it would be more of a great loss.  However, compared to its usual power, the forces should become a bit weakened.  ”  
The anticipated result cannot be obtained like that though.  Nevertheless, in order to try to stop Prince's plot, and in order to protect Lydia, he was only left with the option to give this method of his a try.
“There’s no time for excessive thinking.  ”  
In order to persuade himself, Edgar lifted his head.
Now was certainly not the time to hesitate.  He settled on his decision and then broke into a smile.
Kelpie, can you act according to my instructions?”  
"Huh?"Me?Why is that?”  
"In order to save Lydia, aren't you willing to cooperate?”  
“Well.......”
“Probe the enemy’s circumstance for me first. Just now it’s unusually become fairly quiet.  Rather than to just seek us out, they may be plotting some action instead.  Then find Aruba’s whereabouts, and report his current condition to me.  And if possible, bring him to me.  ”  
Kelpie reluctantly hummed from his nose.
“You remember this.  Agree to this beforehand that once Lydia is found, she will return to being under my protection.  Even after rescuing her, as long as my spell on Lydia remains unbroken, she will not remember agreeing to marry you. Good gracious, how can she possibly  get married to a guy such as yourself.  ”  
After those words, Kelpie left, his figure disappearing into the shadows.
Kelpie was not in the room anymore, and Raven, not knowing why, resembled a look of disbelief as he looked at Edgar.
“.....Is it really true?”  
"Huh?I'm sorry?”  
"It's nothing. ”  
Raven said, turning to move away his eyes from Edgar’s.
Because of what Kelpie had said, he came to believe that Edgar and Lydia did in fact come to understood each other’s intentions and heart. But before, when Edgar had announced that Lydia agreed to marriage with him, let alone Raven, but not even the Butler believed in that.
And to recall it, when Lydia gave consent to marriage, it was only Kelpie who was present at the scene.
“Raven, is it perhaps that you still do not believe it?Lydia really has accepted my proposal of marriage. ”  
"I'm sorry. ”  
After hearing his frank apology, Edgar at last was also taking his leave.
"Congratulations to you, Lord Edgar. ”  
To be sincerely congratulated like that, he finally felt relieved.
But because he was just a little comforted, Edgar sarcastically expressed a wry smile at Raven’s delayed blessings.
Even if in the future, she’s unable to recall that moment between them, it was the truth that Lydia had once truly accepted his proposal.  And as long as such a moment that once happened still remained valid, he felt that that alone would be enough for him to be redeemed.
Whatever he did from now on, would entirely be meant to protect Lydia. Even if he had to lose everything to achieve this.  That’s what he felt from his heart.

                                     *

“This club forbids ladies to go inside, please go back.  ”  
“I just want to speak with the representative director.  ”  
“The current representative director is not present at the moment.  ”  
“Well, perhaps there’s someone else I know of inside that I can speak to.  ”  
“I already said so that the entrance of females is forbidden here.  ”  
"Who do you think I am? Even the pirates immediately quieted down after listening to the cry and screams of a child. (?) In brief, I have an urgent matter. ”  
They were at the entrance of the high class “Moonshine” Club. The Bartender stood before the decorous black front door arguing with a euphonic and frivolous young girl.
Paul, in order to enter the club, approached the entrance and saw that there was a woman who was arguing over about wanting to see Slade on some matter, hence, he wanted to take a closer look at who it was.
She was a strange female.  Her tone of speech was informal, and her hair was carelessly tied up, she seemed like a woman from the lower-class but wore clothes of luxurious goods.
Even if it was Paul, he also knew of the fine craftsmanship of lace covered with glass beads.
“I heard from his servant that Edgar usually comes to this place, it was that servant that looks like a very fat fish.  ”  
Paul, who was just about to step in, could not help but halt his footsteps.
“You know of the Earl Ashenbert?”  
She turned around, and her face lightened up as she hurriedly ran up to Paul as if to embrace him.
"Yes. Hey man, if you know then hurry up and tell me. Where is Edgar?”  
Paul suddenly wanted to very much run away, he was thinking that she was probably one of Edgar’s women that he twiddled with.
It was a common practice for the nobility to keep a girl from the lower-class by dressing her up. That, he had also often heard.  If that was so, her odd mannerism and disproportionate clothing were understandable.
Such a thing would surely soon become a rumor amongst the “Scarlett Moon” members, and if it spread to Lydia’s ears, then matters would really become serious.
Lydia’s hostile attitude towards Edgar was because she knew that there were a lot of women that Edgar courted.
Paul started to emit cold sweats in front of the strange woman.
"Well, Miss, the Earl is not here. ”  
He backed away a step as he tried saying that.
"So then where is he?”  
“That......”
“He would not be in a woman’s bed would he? That bastard--saying he has a betrothed while at the same time still paying visits everywhere else in town?”  
“Oh, do you know the Earl has gotten engaged?”  
“Although there’s no credibility in what that philandering man has said, but......”
In other words, she really didn’t believe it. Paul thought that Edgar must have said that in order to part with her.
“He probably went to meet with that fiancée of his......therefore you... ”  
He tried persuading her that she’d best give up.
“Yeah that’s probably accidental, is the betrothal really true?That guy is so horny, can he really be together with only one wife?”  
Her brow furrowed more and more tight along with her face that approached Paul’s direction gradually in a looming way.
“Well, that......”
“Hey, you do know where that guy is right?There’s only the housekeeper at his fiancée’s home.  And Edgar’s butler also said that he didn’t come back yesterday.  This is indeed very suspicious. ”  
How she was even able to sniff out  Lydia’s present status, Paul did not understand. Not only that, but she had also been going in and out of people’s homes too.  It doesn’t look like she planning on parting ways with him this easily, is she going to compete with Edgar’s fiancée?
Paul became more and more rattled and wiped the sweat from his forehead with his hand.
And after seeing Paul’s distressed appearance, she became more confident in her own ideas.
“Could it be that he started to look for a woman to play with again?Then what he told me with much seriousness--he really was able to lie about.  If he ever crosses my eyes again--I must beat him up!”  
"No, oh, no. ”  
“So where is Edgar, is he here?If he dares to come out, I’ll make sure to prevent that marriage of his from happening.  ”  
Imagining Lydia get dragged into this mess, Paul couldn’t think of what he should do at this point, he then hurriedly escaped into the front doors of the club.
"Oh, wait a minute"
Paul had a look back at her and saw her intending to catch up with him as she was stopped by the Bartender at the front door, he then turned his head to run up the staircase.
He ran to the second-floor’s conference room, shut the back door, and let out a sigh.
The members of the “Scarlett Moon” had already come together there.
"What has happened, Paul?”  
"Oh, no, nothing. ”  
"Did you see the Police Department?”  
Paul had just come back after visiting the Metropolitan Police Department, where he had received information from an officer that Edgar was very familiar with.
They had found out that many people were imprisoned within the “Ark”.  Although some people had hoped that it would raise investigation, the fact was that all the people who were imprisoned, boarded the ship on their free will.  It seemed that the higher ups of the Police force were attempting to stop any investigations to impend on the “Ark”.
“This is so easy to buy, and I bet it’s not just me who thinks that.   (?) ”  
The Officer that Edgar had bribed from the police department, who was usually responsible for providing information, had said that while sneering.
"With that said, that means there’s only us left who can deal with this. ”  
Slade sighed.
“So what is it that the Earl is so fixed on doing at that place?”  
For Edgar to have entered the enemy’s fort alone, Paul was very worried over.
After learning of Paul’s disappearance, not only did Edgar return from Scotland right away, but also went to seek him out from the secret room of the “Ark” on his own with only Raven.  Whether it was Paul, or the “Scarlett Moon” organization, Edgar had never  exploited any of them as pawns for his selfish desires.  But instead saw them as partners with common objectives. Although initially, Edgar had left some bad impressions on Slade, and even offended him on some occasions, the two were still able to overcome that and he had recognized Edgar as the leader of the organization.
There were also drawbacks to Edgar’s sincerity as well. Edgar excessively provided guardianship and tried protecting his partners to the extent of putting himself out there as bait for the enemy, that indeed was something very worrisome.
“Raven’s pigeon returned with a letter saying that Jack and Louise just started to head to Prince’s hideaway with a young companion of Paul's. (?) ”    
“No matter how it is done, we must with all strength , take control of the Ark’s trends.  ”  
“Hmm....”
Since Paul did not use any weapons, he could only put his brain into use to stop the “Ark.”
He was also very concerned about   Ulysses’ subordinate, Greg, who had a possibility of becoming imprisoned in the Ark.  Although Greg had done despicable things, he still did not want to witness the death of an old acquaintance while not being able to save him.
“How could we obstruct the ship? ”  
“Since the enemy is on alert more closely now, invasion will be difficult. We can only intercept from the outside. ”  
We’ll be needing a large ship. ”  
“Something as a ship cannot be ready in such a short time.  ”  
That was right.  They’d had to first hire a sailor for that, and then more importantly, was the matter on how they would get the hired sailor to attack the “Ark”.
Just when all had fell silent, there was a ringing of a female’s voice
“I, I have a boat. ”  
Everyone raised their heads.  Paul looked up to see the girl he had just met, standing before the door.  
“You, you....how are you here... ”  
Paul anxiously stood up.
“Oh if you’re referring to the Bartender at the door then, I knocked him out.  ”  
Her eyes swept across the stunned men, as she began to walk in.
"I see you’re all Edgar’s partners. Does there seem to be a troublesome matter right now?”  
"Paul, who is she?”  
As Slade asked him in such a low voice, Paul could only answer.
“Ah umm...she is probably the Earl’s mistress. ”  
"What?"”  
“Hey man, I’m sorry, but I overheard a little bit of your conversation and just wanted to make clear that any relationship of me and Edgar, would be regarded as a sin, and although I’m busy, I may be able to help.  (?) ”  
As the young girl said that, she casually positioned herself in an empty seat and kicked her feet up on the armrest.
“The Ark is a suspicious ship at the Thames River.  How would you like to do this?Do you want to sink it?”  
She must have heard of Edgar’s circumstance to some extent, which was why without any hesitation, she willingly joined the meeting for the combat.
“.....Earl really likes a wide range of women. ”  
Slade grunted.  Paul sympathetically nodded too.
"Hey, is there a cigarette?”  
The young girl asked the man next to her. Wanting a cigar from him, she skillfully confirmed it’s fragrance and bit the cigar to pull it from his mouth. (?) Then she pointed it to a nearby candlestick as she lit it.
“Well what do you say?Are you going to count me in as a partner?”  
“As a precaution first just in case--let’s hear about it, what kind of ship do you possess?”  
“We have the 'Destroyer' of the Netherlands. Although she is small, she’s light and fast. Even in the complicated hustle of the River’s course of waves, it is still able to move freely.  ”  
“Isn’t the 'Destroyer' a warship?”  
“Since it was retired from service, it does not have any cannons. ”  
Slade told her to wait for a little bit, then everyone gathered in the corner of the room to discuss the matter.
“What should we do, Mr. Slade? ”  
“If there is a ship that we can find, then the precise conditions for combat can be established.  ”  
“Can she be trusted?”  
“Do you think she is the enemy’s spy?”  
“Well I think that since the Earl’s butler told her of this place, so then he too should know of  her and trust her.  As long as we confirm this with the butler, then it should be understood.....”
Paul didn’t have much confidence on the matter as he said it.
However, everyone else began to get excited.
“Be it so. She should be alright then.  It looks like she really wants to help the Earl.”  
"But if we just order the Earl's woman around, won't that cause trouble for us later on? Hasn’t the Earl recently got engaged?”  
“The....handling of relationships with women, let’s leave it to him to attend to by himself.  Since it's his area of expertise. ”  
Indeed, If Edgar’s words were to be of certain, then, Paul wouldn’t be in such a panic. (?) And what would happen if they met Lydia at that place? The more Paul thought of it, the more uneasy he felt.
Compared to all the women who got the Earl’s frivolous treatment, Lydia was just a pure little girl.   And although he said that Lydia agreed to marry him, as long as he kept such associations with young women, then would the marriage not likely fall?
For the Earl to obtain a peaceful and happy life, was also Paul’s wish.  And for that to happen, Lydia had to be the person beside him. Moreover, if Lydia in turn can also be loved rightfully, then she should also obtain a peaceful and happy life.
Although he did not plan to marry with such females and was only acquainted with them for the fun of it, it’d be uncertain to say for sure that his wife would even approve of such relations. (?) But if such matters occurred before the marriage, then there surely would be disturbances.
However, despite Paul’s such fears, the “Scarlet Moon” members’ opinion remained unchanged.
"Yes, Miss, what is your name?”  
Slade asked.
“Lota. ”  
Blowing out smoke, she smiled slightly.
At that instant Paul suddenly had a strange thought, with such an arrogant attitude, the lifting corners of the eyes, and slight dimples appearing as she smiled, Paul thought she seemed very cute.

                                   *

Edgar and Raven hid under the blackness of the stairs, as they waited for Kelpie’s return.
They investigated the circumstance of their surrounding and saw that there was no one in sight.
Ulysses and his men had stopped searching for Edgar, as it seemed they intended to plan on doing other things.
If there was any affair that was taking place, it was most likely the ceremony in which the Freya would be used to transfer new memories into Aruba.
Ulysses must have figured that he could draw Edgar out from hiding effectively once the rituals of the ceremony took place.
Perhaps the ceremony was scheduled to be conducted this evening.  If this was the case, they originally also had planned for Edgar to witness it as well.
Then as a result, he would present himself there exactly at the right moment.  If that was his own fate, then there was nothing that could be done.
Edgar thought the current matter was certainly not a finished one. (?)
He thought he should clearly dialect towards Raven beforehand so he could understand.
When he called Raven’s name in a small voice, he felt the youth slightly move in the darkness beside him.
“Raven, for the matter after this, I will not be ordering anything from you.  So, you’ll have to be using your own judgment.  ”  
As he faced the pupils of his eyes, Edgar could see the mysterious reflection of a faint light in the far off distance which illuminated the deep green color to his eyes.
The deep green symbolized the spirit’s unification with Raven that laid dormant inside of him.
“Yes.” He blinked his eyes and answered in a low voice.
"However, I have only one request. It is not an order, but my wish. ”  
Raven didn’t seem to discern the difference between the two, but Edgar went on to say anyways.
“In any case, protect yourself first. ”  
“My duty is to protect Lord Edgar. ”  
“If your safety is not be certain, then I also have no way to remain calm.  I beg you, Raven. It’s perhaps because I feel that this battle is worth too much, so my heart must be firm and not lose determination, therefore there can’t even be a slight hesitation.  ”  
Though Raven still appeared as if he did not understand, but because he did not say anything, he probably must have already agreed.
Raven was to originally  become a warrior of the Royal family to follow his tribe.  He was born with the inherited symbol of the evil spirit that resided deep within him.  Even so he did not choose the lineage of the Royal family, but instead Edgar as his master.
When Raven was taken from the hands of the Royal descent and brought to Edgar’s side, Edgar had to take into consideration that one day, he would also have to terminate the master-slave relationship with Raven.
He indeed had also once thought of that too.  And although Raven usually was near Edgar’s side assisting him to many kinds of places, Edgar thought he ought to have been elsewhere, living a different life.
However, now he didn’t hold such a thought, he wanted to believe that even if Raven regained complete independence, he’d still want to continue on to be his master.
This was the basis of their master-slave relationship.  It wasn’t that he objectified Raven and thought of him as a natural subordinate, but it was a relationship of complete integrity.  Edgar thought that regardless of what choices he’d make from now on, he would always want Raven by his side.
“Earl, come out, there’s no one in the vicinity.  ”  
It was Kelpie’s voice.
“What’s going on in the interior?”  
“Prince, Ulysses, and all those who work under him, are assembled in the Hall.  There was that new vessel who was also being transported there to that bell shaped structure where the Freya is. ”  
"Aruba?”  
“Oh, yeah, that so called person was also beaten with a whip to be taught a lesson. I stole a moment to get near him and heard that guy casually mumble, saying something about wanting to help the Blue Knight Earl.  But as soon as Ulysses approached, he’d suddenly become just like any other subordinate and expressed pleasure with a smile as if he wasn’t distressed at all.  ”  
Knowing that he would finally become one with Prince, he would have surely trembled with happiness.
But the real him, was still awaiting on salvation.
With having no justification for being kidnapped, being confined into a jail cell, and falling in the depths of despair losing all glimmers of hope, was how Edgar had lived.
"Aruba is also in the Hall."
“Good, then let’s go. ”  
Edgar looked Raven in the eyes, then stood up.
“We must enter.  But the Hall is strictly being patrolled by malicious fairies.  ”  
“So, you must be also looking at my help for that matter too. ”  
Edgar just planned to walk ahead after hearing that but Kelpie caught him from the shoulder.
“Earl, do you really want Lydia so bad?”  
He asked that in an unusual emotional tone filled with desperation.
“For you, what’s really important is the battle between you and Prince, therefore you only exploited Lydia.  The Sir has also thought as such.  ”  
“And so you probably also think that. ”  
“Good gracious, basically there are no means to trust you. As long as you are able to eliminate Prince, would you also be able to tend to Lydia’s feelings? (?)”  
“If I say no, would you believe it?”  
Angered by that, Kelpie stepped in front of Edgar and grasped him.
“.....that would be good, so absolutely do not die. (?) Although Lydia was not able to remember any words of marriage, she still escaped out in order to see you.  Therefore, if you die, I will not spare you. ”  
Because she said she had wanted to see Edgar again,
therefore, Kelpie, who was Edgar’s rival, had actually told him not to die.
Kelpie was being purely considerate for Lydia’s sake.
Such words had provided strength for Edgar’s heart.
But he thought that for the sake of Lydia’s feelings, he could not ever lose to that guy.
He then politely lifted Kelpie’s hand from his shoulder to the side.
“Kelpie, I will most definitely obtain victory!”   

Members from Prince’s organization, were fitted neatly into black long gowns as they arranged themselves within the Hall.  Wearing hoods similar to what the monks from the medieval times wore, holding candles, they entered the Hall. However, it was a ceremony of black magic that was being held, and since there was the absence of sorcery and goat blood and everything else to that sort, it rather made the contents of the ceremony incomprehensible for a person.
Edgar and Raven were also dressed in the same gowns, mixing in between the others. That was after they removed two of the members and took their places instead, of course.
They snatched the gowns of the two people and shoved them in a heating stove that had not been used for many years.  They should not be found for the time being.
In short, most of the staff should have been focused on in the Hall, and there only seemed to be a few other people within the mansion.  (?)
Centralized in the Hall, was a dome shaped structure like an upside down bell.
The glass container that had the Freya within it was locked layer upon layer.
A Throne laid deep behind the velvet curtains.  There was a figure of a man sitting on top of it.
It was Prince.
Compared to when Edgar had last saw him a few years ago, his head was covered with white hair now as he wore a mask to hide his face.  It was just as how previously when Aruba had worn a mask, but this time, instead of just covering one eye, he covered the full half of his face. What was only exposed, was his lips and bearded chin.
The burns he suffered seemed to only occupy one part of his face--the hidden part.  Before when he intended to kill Lydia using the substitute shadow he created, his entire face was wrapped in bandages.  He had suffered from skin cancer.
He naturally laid aside his hand on the broad armrest wearing black gloves, and on top of them he wore a ring with a large gem embedded in it.  He sat with a straight back and strong physique, it didn’t seem as if he was just an old man unable to walk.  The man who Edgar had been acquainted with even long ago, was the same unchanged man as now.
But more important than anything else were those eyes hidden behind that mask.
He could not clearly see them from where he stood, but could only feel their sharp gaze, desolate and arrogant, the eyesight that had the ability to foresee one's fate and cause insanity amongst people. They were exactly those eyes.
He was like the tyrant of ancient Rome, the leader and conductor of his organization who dominated everything by instilling terror.
Even with being separated and seeing his enemy after so long, Edgar’s blood still boiled the same way.
With having Prince right in front, it was not easy for him to retain composure.  Edgar’s feelings were driven by deep hatred and so he wanted to pounce right at him without a moment to spare.
He tried his best to persuade himself that he could not win against him like that, as he tightly clenched his teeth.
Even if he was being blended within so many people, such a strong effort would surely cause Prince to detect his presence, so Edgar had no choice but to tame his emotions of hatred.
For all this, he had already become a different person from whom he was before.
He believed that he did not come to this place for the sole reason of personal vengeance,
He came as the Blue Knight Earl, in order to complete his duties and obligations as the Lord of the fairies.
And also in order to protect Lydia.
As Edgar recited her name over and over in his heart, he found that he gradually calmed down.
Because she earnestly wanted to see him again, and because she even slipped away from Kelpie’s magical protection to seek him out, Edgar made a firm resolve to win.
Although he watched Prince’s shadow from afar, as he only kept on thinking about Lydia, Edgar was able to gradually restore a calm state.
He saw that occasionally, Prince’s fingers lightly trembled, and it became evident that his physical condition was not so well off.
It seemed that just maintaining such an intimidating posture had withered away his strength with no effort to spare.
With that said, in order to prepare to take control of this important period in London, to command the organization, direct the ceremony, and to declare war on the current Royal family, were tasks all requiring the presence of a strong and young “Prince.”
Edgar averted his vision from underneath his hood to Prince’s surroundings as he confirmed the positions of Ulysses and Aruba.
In order to keep close to the flame fluorite, Ulysses was standing next to the metal dome where it was being kept.
And in the opposite direction placed in a chair, wearing his mask, was Aruba just sitting there.
Edgar looked around and saw that he had been struck by several close associates of Prince, who were also surrounding the Freya and Aruba.
Ulysses took out a string of keys and then glanced at Prince’s one eye.
Prince slowly nodded as he ordered him.
At that moment, the Hall had become silent.
The Ceremony had begun.  The silence was filled with depressing gloomy air due to the large black gowned group.
Even as the metal dome illuminated under the candle light, it still emitted a sinister light in such an atmosphere.
Just like last time when he did in front of Edgar, Ulysses inserted the keys one by one into the keyhole. There was only the sound of metal collisions echoing around in the Hall.
The sound had rung for the twenty first time now.  The upcoming sound of the twenty second key turning, had also happened without any problems arising  and this time, the front door to the Dome slowly opened.
The members of the organization who watched from the sidelines since did not produce any sound, did not also seem to feel that an astonishing appearance was before them.
The Ceremony carried on with much silence.
As Ulysses walked into the Dome, he hastily picked up the glass case which held the Freya and then turned to go back outside.
Aruba stood up from the Chair.
Now was the awaited moment.  Edgar and Raven handed each other a sideways look.
Then Raven nodded slightly.
After getting the confirmation, Edgar immediately ran out into the Hall, and at the same time, gunfire echoed the room.
Raven firing two gun shots around the area was the cause to the commotion.
The members who wore the long black gowns, in response to the gunfire, mixed up their orderly queues they were positioned in.
Ulysses attention was drawn to the chaos therefore by the time he detected Edgar’s presence, it was too late.
Edgar making use of that gap, fiercely rushed towards Ulysses, making the two fall down and hit the floor together.
Edgar was able to grab hold of the glass box.
But as Edgar pressed down on Ulysses, he only laughed knowingly. (?)
“This is not the real thing, it was merely set up in order to have you specially come here and seize it. ”  
At that moment, someone had already come up behind Edgar and pointed a gun to his head as if ordering him to stay put, he was then forced to release his hands from Ulysses’ body.
The man who pointed a gun at him removed his long gown and pinned Edgar to the floor with just a single knee.
Edgar reluctantly turned to face at Prince’s direction and saw that the abominable man was smiling.
“Ted, I really should commend you for your efforts. But unfortunately, your efforts have angered me. Letting you escape would be very regrettable for me. But before we set you to your demise, we shall allow you to witness the instance of my rebirth.  ”  
Prince’s hand stretched into his coat, and what he seemed to remove from it, he threw on the ground.
“Aruba, pick it up. ”  
Rolling on the carpet like a burning flame, was the fluorite stone.
It passed by Aruba.
It is said once touching it, the Freya that transfers the memories would cause a reaction within the blood and then instantly allow the memories to flow into Aruba’s body.
Even if the real Aruba did remain in the body, he would also be completely eliminated without any resistance.
However, compared to the Aruba in the past, this person was now dominated by the aspiration to become Prince’s personality.
"Stop, Nodier Charles!”  
Edgar shouted out his real name.
“Be a little stronger! Do you want to kill yourself? ”  
For an instant, Aruba looked to the side and then all around his surroundings, then while his knees trembled, he sat back down motionlessly.
“Earl.....save me......”
But was pulled back up and dragged along by two men towards where the Freya was, his writs were captured as he was forced to press on the stone.
Aruba was barely resisting as if his old self was gone. (?)
The man who was behind Edgar suddenly loosened his grip and fell back, onto the floor.
Raven removed his hood and in his hands, held a knife and a pistol, as he stood defending Edgar.
Edgar immediately ran to retrieve the fluorite stone.
He immediately rushed over and pushing aside the men holding Nodier, Edgar slowly reached out his hand to grab the flare fluorite.
“No, Lord, stop · · · · · ·"
Ulysses’ voice was filled with fear, but Edgar had already settled on a decision.
Similar to Aruba and Prince, Edgar also had a blood relationship to the Royal family.
So it should have been possible for him to claim the intentions and powers hidden in the Prince's memories contained in the fluorite.
The core of it was what caused the evil fairies to obediently obey.  If he first got hold of that, he could have the fairies stop their aggression at their own will.  He was determined to use that method in order to weaken the power of the attack on London Bridge.
He had nothing to be confused over, Edgar tightly held the Freya in his hand.
He felt the intense burning of the stone.
The blinding light of the stone spilled out from his fingers, and proliferated in an instant.
Edgar couldn’t help but open up his hands. He saw that there was no trace of the Freya in his palms, it had only left red burn marks on his skin.
The memories of the first Prince should have flowed internally into his body, but he felt nothing of the sort. Perhaps the change would slowly take place, he thought.
But more importantly, he had other matters to still attend to.
While the surrounding people still remained shocked, Edgar grabbed the pistol from Raven and aimed it at Prince.
“......That was quite impressive. Ted, I should have killed you quickly right at the moment you betrayed me.  ”  
Prince’s facial expression was not visible under his mask, however, his euphonic tone of voice didn’t falter in the slightest.
“But, you did not defeat me. The curse of the exiled British Royal Family, and the deep hatred of the executed supporters, will all fester in your body from now on. This is not something your strength would be able to overcome.  ”  
"No matter what you say, you’re already finished. ”  
Prince, as if at very much ease, laughed aloud, and seemed to have been enjoying the unexpected situation.
“Ted, I know you swore vengeance against me for the sake of living on, disregarding any circumstance. You were born to stand above the crowd. And because you refuse to spare anyone who steps on your pride, you have only come to loathe me.  That arrogant soul has already unconsciously awakened.  So you should be able to realize that  even if you acquired this throne, you still would not be content with your status. ”  
"I am the Blue Earl Knight. It is now, and will also continue to always be my pride in the future too.  ”  
"Is that so?" Prince muttered this and then just as how he had previously taken out the Freya from his coat, he pulled out a pistol from there.
Edgar knew that he was just revealing it to intimidate him and that he did not intend to pull the trigger.  As he was thinking this, Prince suddenly turned the gun towards his own head.
“You can't kill me. ”  
After saying that, without hesitation, he squeezed the trigger.
Blood splattered on the chair, and Edgar’s enemy bowed his head, never moving it again.
And he unexpectedly concluded everything simply with that.
While still gripping the gun, Edgar’s arm hung down.
The Freya had disappeared. Therefore, a new Prince would not ever appear again.
And if Edgar’s original personality had not been destroyed, then he refused to believe that he could receive a “memory” which corresponded with someone else.
The Unseelie court from the East end must have felt the commandment, and so their will to attack had also vanished. And their magic had weakened.
If they can weaken their attack on London Bridge, Lydia could be rescued as well.
He understood after that, that there in fact was some similarity he possessed-- a firm resolve.  (?) Because of that, Prince’s last words still weighed heavily on Edgar’s mind.
Could Edgar ever really completely exterminate Prince’s existence?
Something had surged into his body.
Raven got closer and tightened his security in vigilance when right in front of his eyes, Ulysses and the other members positioned themselves in a single row.
Edgar contemptuously observed the situation around him, seeing that all in the Hall had knelt down together.
“Our Highness Prince who will inherit the future England, we take an oath to his Highness, to offer our loyalty forever. We ask you to accept us. ”  
It seemed laughable really.  They were just wholeheartedly serving the old man a moment ago, but as they witnessed him become a corpse, they did not bother to show concern for him again.
Edgar caught the uncanny sight of Ulysses lowering his head to his chest, and then dragged him to pull him up.
“Now stop the 'Ark' and the evil fae of the East side.  ”  
"I cannot do that. ”  
Ulysses did not peep to look up at Edgar as his lips formed a cunning smile like he did in the past, instead, he answered in a strange manner.
“The fae obey the ‘Prince’ from the contract and have come forth responding to his summons only. Even if we stop summoning them now, to suddenly try and constraint them given their quantities, is not something possible to do.  ”  
“Then the ship? It’s manipulated by humans.  ”  
“This plan had been organized for a desire of many years now.  It is impossible to abolish the order. But let alone that, the ship has already left the pier, and since no consideration had been given to the possibility of calling off the ship when the plans had been made, there is no means of contacting the ship. ”  
“I see, then I’ll have to stop it on my own. ”  
“Do you not want to let that important fairy doctor of yours become a sacrifice?”  
As Edgar was just planning to leave, he couldn't’ help but stop his footsteps.
Could it be that Ulysses had known where Lydia was and about the matters of her becoming a sacrifice?
He frowned, fixing his eyes on Ulysses.
“In the past, the sacrifice was made by the last of the Blue Knight Earl’s descendants, Lady Gladys, and as a result, Prince and our whole organization had been driven out from England.  ”  
“Then Lady Gladys is the protection of London Bridge.....”
"Yes. The capital city of the British empire had been saved when Lady Gladys exchanged her life in order to obtain the power that would maintain a strong barrier. From 100 years after that, our Organization had been accumulating much strength, and on the other hand, the role of the barrier to protect London against magical enchantment had gradually been forgotten.  And with that, the power of Lady Gladys has also weakened. Now it is possible to make it collapse right away.  This careful planning will achieve the desire of his Highness and our organization to reassemble our colony in England.  ”  
Gladys, in order to to fulfill the responsibility of the Blue Knight Earl, not only exiled Prince but also became a victim and lost her life?
“However, at the London Bridge, the servant of Gladys is still alive. Her fairy is the one who seeks out new sacrifices in order to strengthen the power of the enchantment.  Did he only bring over the fairy doctor because she was your lover?”  
Edgar was stunned.
Kelpie had said that Lydia was taken away by an unknown fairy which took her near the Bridge’s barrier.
That should have been Gladys’ fairy then. And he brought her over with the reason of her being the fiancée of the Blue Knight Earl.
So the fairy thought that, becoming a sacrifice to strengthen the barrier is her responsibility too.
Lydia would be killed, not by Prince’s organization, but for the reason of being Edgar’s partner, a member of the Blue Knight Earl’s family.  Edgar was in great shock from such a fact.
“Can that girl’s death really guard the barrier of the Bridge? To be able to control the nightmares on the Bridge, and aggression of the evil fairies, a considerable force is required.  Her power cannot possibly compare to Gladys’.  ”  
He had been in pursuit of Lydia for so long, and had somehow also finally obtained consent for his marriage proposal.  Instead of guarding her, the obligations of the Blue Knight Earl had been imposed on her.
Edgar  thought that the situation was really too absurd.  Was it necessary for Lydia to die in order to protect the London Bridge?
“Now that you are the Blue Knight Earl, will you raise awareness of the barrier’s protection at the expense of sacrificing your lover? Since there’s already no chance to rescue the fairy doctor,  a possibility to once again guard the barrier of the London Bridge may rise.  As part of being our ‘Prince’, please contribute to the destruction of London. In order complete the operation. ”  
Ulysses was apparently trying to persuade Edgar to give up so he kept on talking nonstop.
Moreover, when he smiled, he also revealed a little bit of that same stubborn and rude manner as he did in the past.
“You just said a little while ago that the Blue Knight Earl was your pride. How about you show what kind of pride is it now? I’d really like to see that once more.  ”  
Enraged, Edgar violently beat Ulysses again.
The young boy was overthrown on the top of the floor moment after moment, but no one stepped forward to help him.
Perhaps withstanding “Prince’s” violence like this for them, was no matter of concern.  
Ulysses helped himself climb up, and as if he was apologizing for his rude behavior, he knelt down.
This time Edgar didn’t look back as he left. It was if Edgar’s back figure towards Ulysses was loudly stating,
“You hold the key to the fairy world for as long as you could, you’d even hold tight on the hope to completely shatter the Earl’s family. For this reason precisely, is why the people who would like to obstruct us, should become nonexistent.  ”  
Raven brought the still absent minded Aruba along to have him follow them as well. The crowd hurriedly parted to make a clear path for them.
“We shall await your return, Your Highness. ”