Hakushaku to Yousei - Volume 24 - Chapter 4

Chapter 4 ♦ ​That which sneaks upon the full moon plains

The hill figure of the ship which was drawn on land, had revealed its entire form completely, but because it covered such a vast area, it was difficult to guess its appearance from the ground.
Lydia stood upon the top of a slightly elevated hill and tried to look over the picture, but she could only make out a line that looked like a mast.
Geoglyphs were drawn by shallowly digging out earth and exposing the white-coloured chalk underneath; there were countless geoglyphs in the surrounding area, and most of them were historic ruins created by ancient people for magical purposes.
This ship too, was not simply a hill figure. It was a ship hidden here in the territory of the Blue Knight Earl of the past, for his family to return to Ibrazel.
As the ship had been completely forgotten for a long time, the hill figure had been exposed to the elements, with soil accumulating and grass covering it, but Lydia found it together with Edgar.
When they boarded a hot-air balloon and looked down from the skies, only portions corresponding to lines originally created by digging out earth had poorly grown grass; and so, they could see the shape of the ship surfacing.
Subsequently, Edgar employed people to focus their efforts on restoring the hill figure, and made sure it was completed in time for the day they set off on their journey.
Tonight, the white lines drawn onto the land would be basked in the light of the full moon after the vernal equinox and so would recover its original form as a ship.
Lydia was waiting for that moment patiently together with everyone.
Although Edgar’s not with us, we’ll head for Ibrazel. In order to save him. And because from the moment Lydia became his bride, Lydia had also become part of the family of the Blue Knight Earl, who were Britain’s fairy doctor, she fully intended to find hope, for the sake of peace for the people and the Seelie Courts.
“The moon has risen.”
Kelly looked towards the eastern horizon beside Lydia. The round moon had just revealed itself.
The surroundings of the gentle-sloping hill Lydia and party were on, were broad plains which seemed to extend endlessly. It was just wasteland, with no fields for cultivation or villages. But in the distant past, the initial Blue Knight Earl and his family had lived in this area. It was said that even this land which had turned into waste, used to have a luxuriant forest. 
Lydia wondered if this was where the initial Blue Knight Earl had constructed the fairy ship and departed in search of new lands. In doing so, he arrived at Ibrazel and became the lord of the said country.
They themselves, as the new Blue Knight Earl, were also tracing the same path.
The moon which face peeked out from the lands, revealed its form as they watched. The skies, which should had been slightly cloudy, were now mysteriously clear, without a single cloud.
It was as if on this night when the magic of the land and the moon resonated with each other, the clouds were neatly swept away.
“Hey, look, the white lines are glowing!”
Lota raised her voice and as everyone turned their attention towards it, the picture of the ship made out of earth filled with chalk rose out of the darkness faintly, as if it had absorbed the moonlight.
“It’s beautiful…”
Fascinated, Lydia muttered so. It looked blurred, as if one was looking at the light of a lamp through a thick curtain, but with time, its brightness intensified.
The white lines started to shine with the same brightness as the moon, or even brighter than that, and Lydia narrowed her eyes.
Just as she thought so, all of a sudden, the surroundings became as bright as day. From the rock buried in the centre of the picture of the ship, light was released out up towards the sky; that light enveloped the surrounding lands and reached the hill Lydia was on.
Enveloped by light, Lydia was unable to see anything and so she inevitably shut her eyes.
As she sensed through her eyelids that the light was slowly receding, the appearance of a swan spreading its wings and smoothly swooping down came to her mind.
“It’s a ship!”
Lota shouted. When she opened her eyes, Lydia saw Lota hugging Paul as she cheered.
Beyond them, an elegant sailing ship appeared.
The raised white sails made one think of water birds which could take flight at any moment now. As the ship rested on the fields, the smooth curves of the ship’s bow looked like the raised head of a swan which was floating in a lake without a single wave.
“This, is Ibrazel’s ship.”
“Come, everyone. It’s time to set sail!”
When Francis dashed forth, Lota ran off undauntedly. Paul, whose hand was held by Lota, ran as he was about to be dragged along.
“Let’s go as well.”
Beside Lydia, who started to walk together with Kelly, was also Raven. But he suddenly took a look about their surroundings and stopped in his tracks.
“Lady Lydia, Mr Nico is not here.”
“Eh, you’re right. Where did he go?”
He couldn’t be found on the top of the hill. Even though they had moonlight, as it was night and Nico was small, they didn’t really know where he was.
“Nico! Where are you? If you don’t board the ship soon, we’ll leave you behind!”
Lydia tried calling out to him but there was no response.
To think that he’d do as he pleased at such a time.
“Is Mr Nico not feeling well or something? He seemed odd.”
Nico had slept through the ride in the carriage. Because it was something he did usually, Lydia didn’t know if he was odd, but Raven said so.
“When he alighted from the carriage, his fur was a mess, but even when I handed him a brush and a hand-held mirror, he was indifferent. Even when he saw the chocolate we brought as snacks for the voyage, for some reason, he grimaced.”
“Oh, that’s odd.”
“I’ll try searching for him.”
Saying so, Raven turned around.
“I’ll leave it to you Raven.”
Lydia and party decided to hurry towards the ship.
Lota and the other two had already boarded the ship. They waved their hands from the deck.
“Lydia~, board quickly! There’s an entrance there right?”
“An entrance?”
Amazingly, on the side of what should had been the bottom of the ship, was a door. Lydia wondered if it was alright to sail the seas with such a design. When she thought so, the door opened by itself.
“Consort, please enter.”
There was no one but Lydia heard a voice.
“Swan? Is that you?”
“Yes. I’m finally able to return to my original form.”
It seemed to be the voice of the ship’s spirit which Lydia and party had found.
When Lydia stepped foot inside past the door, the interior was unexpectedly constructed like an entrance hall. The area was awfully spacious up the stairs, and it was a little mansion.
Proceeding down along the corridor, there were lines of doors; there was also a dining room and even a salon. Based on what they saw all over, Lydia couldn’t imagine that they were inside a ship; the wooden pillars were polished while there were ornaments hanging from the ceiling, and they could see the round moon shining outside the window.
“Wow, though I thought that this was an old ship, its interior looks like a pretty mansion.”
“Yes, in order for everyone to be able to live comfortably, I did a little restructuring.”
“Restructuring? By yourself?”
“As it’s my body, I can change it as I like. Please let me know if you have any wish.”
“How convenient.”
Kelly murmured so, seemingly out of admiration.
When they exited onto the deck, the winds which they felt on the hills earlier also blew against them here. It made them realize that they did not slip into another world, and that they were still on the plains of Wickerbone.
“Hey Lydia, it’s quite a nice ship isn’t it?”
Francis’ face peeked out from between the sails. The pure-white sails were already raised but perhaps because the winds were avoiding that area, the ship was not moving, as if it had planted its roots onto the ground.
To begin with, ships do not move on top of land, but since it’s a fairy ship, it would definitely move when it’s time to do so.
“Yes, it’s wonderful.”
I wished that Edgar saw this as well. Even though that’s what I think, there’s no helping it now. Someday, the day when the two of us can go to Ibrazel will definitely come.
“Paul that guy, it seems like his creative urges have started flowing at once; he’s just standing still there in a daze.”
Lydia wiped her tears away quietly and looked towards the side of the ship where Francis pointed towards.
Paul was looking far off into the distance absent-mindedly. His profile looked somewhat melancholic, and when Lydia approached, he spoke up while still looking forward.
“Why, is the Earl not here?”
He too was thinking of the same thing as Lydia. Standing beside Paul, Lydia started.
“Even if he’s not here, our feelings are united as one.”
Because it was the wish of everyone here, as well as Edgar’s, to find a way to defeat Prince.
Even though he nodded, Paul’s expression was one that was unconvinced.
“I wonder why it’s always just the Earl who goes through hard times.”
Just about everything is unfair. Edgar had obtained the title of Lord Ibrazel and tried to become the real Blue Knight Earl, yet just because he came from a lineage deemed to be the most appropriate to be Prince’s successor, he’s being viewed as the root of all evil by the clan that is antagonistic to Prince.
Even though Edgar had always been fighting against Prince, his life was being targeted by Prince’s enemies.
“Isn’t it because he is a person who doesn’t give up?”
Be it the times when his family, name and parents were robbed from him, or the times when he was on the run and being hunted; even the time when he found out about Prince’s true objective, or the time when he shouldered ‘Prince’s’ memories, because he continued to fight without giving up, he was forced to make difficult choices.
And now, even if he reigned over Prince’s organization, Edgar had probably still not given up. No, the fact that he was facing the Organization, was proof that he was not giving up. And because he had made a difficult choice in order to put an end to things, Lydia too must not give up.
“Yeah… you’re right. That’s why we too, get the feeling that things will be alright if we follow him.”
“Nothing good will come from following Edgar you know. Because even if it’s something a normal person is unlikely to be able to do, that guy will dive headlong into it.”
Lota appeared, and Paul unexpectedly broke into a smile.
“Well, though we’re always being led about by that guy, this time round, let’s surprise him. By finding Ibrazel.”
That’s right, said Lydia as she smiled as well.
“By the way, before we leave England, I want to procure various things which we’ll need, such as food and water; can we stop by a port somewhere?”
“Swan, how about that?”
When Lydia queried, a voice came from nowhere once more.
“Yes, when we exit into the sea from the river mouth, let’s stop by a port nearby.”
“That’s right, you can steer the ship freely right?”
“I’ll do as the captain instructs.”
“Captain?”
“Of course, Lota, that’s you.”
“But Lydia, isn’t this your ship?”
“When it comes to things about the seas, I can’t make a judgement.”
“Is that so? Alright, leave it to me!”
Lota pounded her chest enthusiastically.
“Oh, it seems like someone came. … Oh, he’s saying that he wishes to meet the Consort.”
It seemed that even if Swan was chatting on the deck, she knew what’s going on at the entranceway.
“Eh, a guest for me here now?”
Lydia and Lota exchanged glances. Because she said it’s a guest, it seemed it wasn’t that Raven had returned.
“If it’s someone suspicious, I’ll turn him away. I can even use crossbows.”
When they looked, they found bows meant for use in battles mounted on the decks aligned. I see, it seems that Ibrazel’s ship is also a warship.
“Ah, wait! What kind of person is it?”
Lydia hurriedly stopped Swan, who felt as though she would release the arrows at any moment.
“He’s a young man. He has red hair and is holding something which is shaped like a musical instrument.”
“…Mr Darnell? Why would he be here?”
“Lydia, did you tell him about the ship?”
“Of course not, I wouldn’t talk about Ibrazel to outsiders.”
“I thought so. How did he find out about here?”
“In any case, let’s meet him and see first.”
Lydia called for Kelly and descended down to the entrance hall once more.
When she went outside from the door Swan opened, Darnell, who seemed to have rushed here riding on horseback, stood there with his usual unconcerned expression.
“I apologise for the suddenness; it was because I thought it was an emergency.”
Although Darnell was perfectly composed in both his expression and tone, the beads of perspiration on his forehead spoke of the urgency.
“What on earth…”
It was when Lydia had just opened her mouth to speak.
“Lydia~, it’s terrible.”
Together with that miserable voice, a grey-coloured cat showed its face out from the bag Darnell was carrying.
“Nico! Where have you been? You shouldn’t be wandering around by yourself should you? We’re not here for fun you know.”
“That’s not it, I was in London.”
When Darnell lowered the bag from his back, Nico crawled out from it, tottering.
“London? What’s going on? Didn’t you board the carriage together with me?”
“It’s that ghost… No, it’s not a ghost. It assaulted me suddenly, and then changed to look exactly like me.”
Nico’s whole body trembled. On behalf of Nico who appeared to not want to recall what happened, Darnell spoke up.
“It’s the ghost wearing iron boots, the one who showed up at the Earl mansion. That’s not a ghost but a demonic creature. It’s likely to be a type of Unseelie Court; it had in all likelihood sucked the blood of the girl called Emma when she dying and took on her appearance.”
“An Unseelie Court? Then, she didn’t escape from Prince’s Organization…”
“It’s possible that she was sent here.”
Lydia was perturbed and Lota, who came outside at some point in time, tapped her shoulder; Lydia took a deep breath in order to calm herself down.
“… Then, the Nico who came here together with us… do you mean he’s a demonic creature!?”
Nico appeared odd, because he wasn’t the real Nico but a demonic creature which took his appearance.
To think that I led a demonic creature from Prince’s Organization close to Ibrazel’s ship. Lydia put her hands on her head at the unthinkable failure.
“Hehhh, Lydia, so it’s a fairy which can take on someone else’s appearance by sucking his blood. There are such scary things around huh.” 
“Yeah, Lota, I’ve heard of it before. It’s a female demon who lives in the Highlands, a fairy called Baobhan Sith*”
“Ahh… Baobhan Sith huh. They’re the worst! That’s right, where’s my imposter?”
Nico looked about the surroundings hurriedly.
“Because you disappeared, Raven’s gone to search for you.”
“Ehhh, Raven’s in danger! If your blood is sucked by that, in severe circumstances you can die from it.”
That’s right, I need to go search for him, thought Lydia anxiously, but Kelly ended her rashness.
“If it’s Mr Raven, I think he won’t be assaulted easily.”
Darnell agreed as well.
“Furthermore, it’s not good to act alone in times like these.”
“Th-that’s true. It seems to be better if we gathered everyone and discussed together.”
If it’s a fairy from the Highlands, then Teran may be behind this. And Lydia knew how dreadful Teran was from her own experience. 
Even though he had the appearance of a human, Teran was a man who had the soul of an Unseelie Court. Edgar had to cross swords with him at the Organization.
“In any case, let’s go in.”
Lota said so and Lydia decided to invite Darnell into the ship.
At that moment, they saw the figure of Raven approaching the ship. It seemed like he was alone.
“Raven, you didn’t find Nico?”
“Yes. I thought that he may had come to the ship…”
As he said so, Raven’s eyes fell on Nico, who was leaning against Lydia with his fur still in a mess.
“Mr Nico, as I thought, you’re here.”
“Wah, don’t come near me! Everyone, don’t be deceived! This guy is a demonic creature! It’s definitely so. Since he came back by himself, there’s no mistake!”
Eh, thought Lydia, as she too froze in spite of herself. In the midst of everyone subtly moving backwards, Raven stood stock still, without an expression.
“How dare you suck my blood!”
Kicking a pebble by his foot towards Raven, Nico then dashed into the ship.
As he stared at the pebble which rolled and stopped right before him, Raven appeared to frown slightly.
“Hey, Lydia, how is it? Is he the real Raven?”
Lota whispered so by Lydia’s ear. They couldn’t tell from just his appearance. Even for that Emma, if it weren’t for that horrible state, she’d probably appear to be a normal human.
“Are you… Raven?”
Even though she thought it’s a foolish question, Lydia asked so.
“Yes.”
Answered Raven. But neither Lydia nor the others felt relieved.
“Th-that’s right, milady, we’ll know by asking him something which only Mr Raven knows.”
Lydia nodded at Kelly’s suggestion. But she wondered what she should ask.
“Erm, well then Raven, how old do you think Kelly is?”
“Thirty.”
“Thank goodness, it’s Raven.”
Relieved, Lydia took a breath, but Kelly raised her voice in objection.
“Milady! I-I’m eighteen!”
“I’m sorry… but Raven’s the only one who misunderstands that right?”
“Mr Raven, I’m eighteen!”
Kelly emphasized on that point, but Raven appeared to not be listening. He scanned the surroundings suddenly, as if he sensed something unusual, and threw his gaze towards the hills.
“Lady Lydia, that’s a fire!”
On the hills which outline became clear from the moonlight, were red flames. As they looked at it, it spread.
“It can’t be, a fire?”
Smoke drifted towards them.
“Let’s set sail quickly.”
Lota said so.

At that moment, as Kelpie was dashing across the plains, his eyes caught sight of the red lights as well. Concerned over Lydia and party, Kelpie had just arrived, as he thought that he’d watch over their departure.
“What’s that? A fire in the plains?”
On the leeward side of the fire, a white ship appeared to shine, as if it rose up to the surface from the night. There’s no mistake that that’s Lydia’s ship. But the flames appeared to be spreading, as if it were capturing them.
In the form of a jet black horse, Kelpie hurried his legs ever more, and sprinted towards the ship.
When he finally reached near the ship, he caught a glance of Lydia and party entering the ship through a door at the bottom of the ship.
There was something watching them secretly from the shadows. It was small and covered with fluffy fur; it was a fairy cat whom Kelpie also knew well.
“What’s that guy doing?”
As he thought so incredulously, he approached him from his back.
“Hey.”
The moment Kelpie called out to him, he was so shocked that he jumped straight up and tried to escape.
Kelpie grabbed hold of him by the scruff of his neck at once.
“You don’t have to run away right? What? Did you eat even Lydia’s share of the snacks?”
“…What are you talking about? Let go.”
Nico twisted his body and turned around. Then, while he was still being held up by Kelpie, his fur stood on its ends.
“You… A kelpie….!”
Even if he took on a human form, Kelpie had a demonic nature which was feared by even the fairy folk. Although it was in a fairy’s nature to identify a kelpie by instinct, it was odd for Nico to look at Kelpie and get shocked now.
“You’re not Nico? Who are you?”
A suspicious fellow, thought Kelpie as he strangled Nico while still grabbing hold of him.
Nico struggled desperately. Exposed to a kelpie’s magic, the thing which absorbed Nico’s life energy had that energy snatched away from him instead, and revealed its true appearance.
It was an ugly old woman with long undulating hair, but just as one thought so it became a face of a young beautiful girl. As it struggled further, its spilt mouth opened so widely that it reached the cheeks.
“You… You’re a Baobhan Sith!”
The moment Kelpie released his strength unwittingly due to the shock, that thing jumped straight at him.
It bit at Kelpie’s shoulder and he threw it off with all his might. Though it collapsed on the grass, it got up quickly and escaped.
Kelpie tried to give chase, but he felt giddy for an instant and tripped.
“That guy, it took a bite out of me…”
The female demon which jumped towards the ship, changed into the appearance of a black horse.
“Darn it.”
The red flames which Kelpie felt on his back, had approached him ever more closely.
Kelpie took the form of a horse once more.
I can’t stay here like this. He tried to chase after it quickly, but suddenly, the ship vanished before his eyes.

*
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Based on Teran’s information, it’s said that Ibrazel’s ship would probably appear at the mouth of River Aspen, at the coast of Somerset sometime tomorrow. Of course, Edgar knew that the information was accurate.
How can I let Lydia’s ship escape from the Organization’s pursuit? Edgar, who was mulling over that, had himself boarded a ship which departed from the southern coast of Wales in order to pursue Lydia. As the ship was headed towards the river mouth, he gazed upon the full moon from the window.
It was the first full moon after the vernal equinox had passed. He wondered if Ibrazel’s ship had departed from the plains of Wickerbone.
The peridot-coloured four-leaf clover was shining brightly even though it was night, perhaps because of the moonlight. He wondered if Lydia too, was looking up at the moon with her eyes of the same colour.
The night seas reflected moonlight and appeared as if jewels were encased in it. Showered in the light of the sea and sky, the white puppy which lay asleep at his foot, also appeared to be glowing faintly in white.
Perhaps it had followed Edgar from the mansion, for it had boarded the ship at some point in time.
Although fortunately, it appeared that no one had found it, the real Prince would probably not have the mentality of doting and caring for a puppy.
It might be better if I let go of it soon. Edgar smiled wryly at himself who thought that way.
He wondered where the self-confidence he had in not handing himself over to Prince went.
In actual fact, Edgar felt that the Prince whom he saw in his dreams, was another person’s consciousness trapped in a cage; day by day Prince raged on violently inside Edgar, and it felt like Prince was destroying the cage.
Edgar didn’t really know whether things became so because he came to Prince’s Organization, or whether even if he spent his days peacefully at the Earl mansion, the same changes would have started anyway.
It was only that, it was a fact that Prince’s continued existence activated the Unseelie Courts in Britain, and so sooner or later, that would probably affect Edgar himself. Edgar thought so.
Even if he continued to stay by Lydia’s side, eventually, he would probably be unable to protect her completely.
From Teran, and from himself.
Entrusting itself to the moderately blowing winds, the ship progressed. The ship Edgar boarded was also a ship which belonged to the pirates gathered by the Organization. Pretending to be a commercial ship, it joined the ranks of other ships and sailed on.
Although the ships were in numbers which were probably sufficient to surround and capture Ibrazel’s ship, Edgar estimated that it was also a number which he’d be able to somehow give Lydia the chance to escape.
“Lord Edgar, I’m sorry I’m late.”
Hearing a voice, he turned his eyes back into the room.
Ermine had knelt down by the door, without creating the sense of her having opened and shut the door.
To selkies, seas were places in which they could move more freely than if they were on land. She too had probably swum over but neither her clothes nor hair were wet.
“What did you find out?”
“At the current moment, there are no strange movements from Teran.”
Edgar let out a sigh. That probably meant that Teran was moving very cautiously.
“He should be plotting something.”
He was keeping watch over the Earl family from somewhere. There’s no mistake that Teran knew more than what he had reported during the meeting.
It was unthinkable that Teran would not make a single move while hiding that fact.
Just as Teran had explained as the source of his information, Ermine had indeed been instructed to approach Francis in order to obtain information about the Earl family. But what was passed on to Teran was false information.
Teran had concluded that Francis was just a useless person who frequented the Earl mansion and so he seemed to have made Ermine withdraw.
If that’s the case, it’d mean that Teran had lied to Edgar about the source of his information. Edgar wondered where Teran actually obtained information from.
“Exactly what kind of spy did he send to the Earl family?”
“There weren’t any particular reports from Francis.”
“That’s because that guy seems to not pay attention to his surroundings.”
Even if he noticed an abnormality, it took time before it would reach Edgar. It was frustrating but there was nothing Edgar could do.
He wondered if the ship had set sail successfully.
The puppy approached him and licked his hand, in order to soothe his anxious feelings.
(My Lord.)
The voice which came out of nowhere, was Arrow’s. Although currently Edgar couldn’t see Arrow’s figure, the fact that he could pick out a clear impression of Arrow by hearing, may be because it was a matter of utmost importance to Edgar.
(There’s an abnormality in the Lady’s surroundings… It seems that flames can be seen.)
“What did you say? Is Bow telling you that?”
(Yes. That it’s a fire like a conflagration.)
The star in Edgar’s treasure sword, was a fairy whose true essence was being an arrow, and it’s a paired existence with a bow. The fairy which was the bow of the fairy folk, resided in the moonstone which became Lydia’s wedding ring. That’s why if it’s about Bow, even if they were separated, it seemed that Arrow would know.
“Is the ship in flames?”
(No, the fire covers a wider range… the area of the plains is covered in flames… it appears so.)
Edgar stood up as if he was sprung into action.
Is this coincidental? Or is it Teran’s scheme?
“Lord Edgar, please calm down.”
Ermine said so. Of course, Edgar tried to calm down. But Teran’s words flashed through his mind.
“I’ll be willing to provide assistance anytime to make that body completely yours.”
If anything happened to Lydia, he may let go of the most important thing to him. 
Although that’s the reason why he had to remain calm all the more so, it wasn’t something that could be done easily.
But he was on the seas. He was hundreds of miles away from where Lydia was.
“Arrow, can you go and check on that?”
(I understand. But please take care in the time when I’m gone because the power protecting you from evil will be weakened.) 
“How long will you take?”
(I’ll return by midnight.)
Although even with that it was frustrating to wait, Arrow was probably Edgar’s only means of getting a grasp on the situation. 
“I understand. Be careful.”
Please read this at Daydream Translations
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*
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Swan expanded her sails to the fullest and the ship glided along the grass. That was a mysterious sight. The bow cut through the land as if it was the surface of water. The grass swayed like waves and the ship swayed as well. When one imagined there were water sprays, cut grass fluttered in the air and glistened in the moonlight.
“Swan, did you enter the fairy realm?”
“We’re still at the boundary of the space between. These plains overlap with the seas of the fairy realm.”
That was perhaps why the plains which extended endlessly also appeared like the seas to them. On such fields were flames spreading with momentum. It spread more and more, and they knew that it was closing in on their ship.
“This fire is no coincidence.”
Standing alongside Lydia at the side of the ship, Francis whispered so.
“Then, someone had set the fire? For what purpose?”
“To not let us set sail.”
Francis nodded at Raven’s words.
“Prince’s Organization?”
Paul furrowed his brows.
“Their actions have gotten bolder recently. The Unseelie Courts also seem to be getting active.”
Darnell, who was on board with them though it was unplanned for, said so.
“I wonder if Teran’s behind this…”
Once she remembered about that man, Lydia got goosebumps out of fear. Even now, he was probably still thinking of wanting to torment and kill her thoroughly.
“I see; if that man sent the Baobhan Sith, it’s not surprising if this location or the ship is completely known to him.”
Lydia wondered how Edgar was doing. Even if he was in Prince’s Organization, Teran had overthrown Ulysses and became the top brass of the organization. Although Edgar was Prince’s successor, his freedom may be robbed and he may be subjected to treatment against his will by Teran.
“River Aspen is in the northwest. Swan, can you avoid the fire?”
Lota, gripping the steer, shouted out from the pilothouse.
“We must not head for the river. The fire is too strong.”
“We can only take a detour huh.”
“Let’s try to go a little deeper into the sea of the fairy realm.”
After Swan said so, the flames they saw before them disappeared. The field of grass which undulated like waves, changed to the undulation of black seas.
“If it’s the fairy realm, the flames can’t reach us huh. If so, how about we pass through here and exit on the other side of the fire?”
“Even if we can’t see the flames, there may still be their effects. I’ll turn back immediately if I sense an abnormality.”
At that moment, suddenly, the ship shook violently.
Lydia and party who were standing on the deck, nearly fell down, but they each clung on to something near them.
Perhaps the moon was hidden by the clouds, for their surroundings turned dark suddenly. Sensing coldness in the air, Lydia lifted her face and saw countless black things gathering which seemed to cover the skies.
“…Bats?”
“No, they’re sluaghs!”
The things which were like black haze, coiled, creating a swirl and hovered in the air. They dived into the sea and set off waves. Each time they did that, the swan ship shook violently.
“Darn it.”
In order to avoid the swarm of sluaghs, Lota spun the steer by a great deal.
“Milady… everyone as well, it’s better if we go inside the ship…”
Kelly said so as she tried to get closer to Lydia by crawling over.
“No, those things are not trying to attack us directly… I see, it’s Lydia’s moonstone.”
Lydia came to a realization at Francis’ words and looked at her hand.
The wedding ring which was passed down through the Blue Knight Earl’s family, shone faintly on her ring finger. Its sheen which waxed and waned like the moon shone like a full moon tonight. Perhaps it was because even if the moon was hidden by the clouds, the radiance of the moon stone cannot be obstructed, it seemed that the sluaghs couldn’t approach the ship which was enveloped by that light.
However, the waves set off by the sluaghs got increasingly violent. If they were capsized, there was no point in having a charm which kept protected them from the sluaghs.
“Those guys… Come after us if you can! Full speed ahead!”
Swan pushed the ship forward as Lota instructed. The sails collected winds and the ship progressed as if it was gliding on the surface of the water. 
While avoiding the tall waves set off by the sluaghs, the ship sailed with great speed, as it tried to break out from below where the clouds hid the moon.
Not knowing how far they continued sailing at such speed, eventually, they reached a part of the waves where moonlight fell. At the same time, the shadows of the sluaghs started to become distant from them; the sluaghs’ energy was being weakened by the light of the full moon.
When the sluaghs ceased to be seen, the ship reduced its speed. They wanted to think ‘it’s already alright’, but there were various problems which remained that made them unable to do so.
“Where are we?”
Lota spoke first.
There was nothing but the sea and the moonlit night in their surroundings. Furthermore, that was the sea of the fairy realm.
“Based on the position of the moon and its height, we should be able to return to our point of departure if we head towards there.”
If it were about Raven’s knowledge, what he said was correct. 
“But if we return, wouldn’t we be surrounded by the fire and those evil spirit-like things?”
Paul had a point.
“In any case, in the fairy realm, we can’t determine our coordinates based on the position of the moon.”
No matter how accurate Raven’s memories were, there was no way of knowing where their original position was.
“Then, should we exit to the human realm?”
Swan replied Lota’s question.
“That’s dangerous. If we exit into the human realm all of a sudden, and it’s land without water, we’d be buried and be unable to move. We have to find a river or land where there is magic flow.”
But they didn’t even know which way to go in order to be at such a location.
“In other words, we’re lost huh.”
“Let’s wait for dawn. Sluaghs can only move at night and when we can see our surrounding scenery better, Nico may be able to find a path which links to a river in the human realm.”
Lydia could only think of that as something which they could do.
“Speaking of that, where’s Mr Nico?”
Raven looked around them. Everyone had gathered on the deck, but Nico was the only one who was nowhere to be seen.
“Because the sluaghs appeared, I think he got frightened and is trembling at the bottom of the ship. Raven, could you please tell him it’s alright now and bring him here?”
“…Yes.”
Although Raven headed to the staircase immediately, he showed a rare look of hesitation in his reply.
Speaking of which, earlier on, Nico was scared of Raven and avoided him blatantly. Because Nico mistook Raven as being an imposter by the Baobhan Sith.
Although it was difficult to read Raven’s expression, there’s no doubt that he was deeply hurt by Nico’s attitude earlier.
“Hey Kelly, could you please go along as well?”
If Kelly was together with him, Nico too would probably not mistake Raven for an imposter.
“I understand.”
Kelly appeared to be slightly perplexed, but she followed Raven obediently.
“Lydia, what should we do? Is it better if we stopped the ship until dawn comes?”
“That’s right. I think it’s better that we not move around aimlessly. But we need to make sure we’ll be able to deal with the sluaghs immediately if they appear suddenly.
“Shall we take turns doing guard duty?”
When Francis said so, Paul pointed up towards the sky.
“That… I wonder what that is.”
Lydia strained her eyes at the night sky. It looked like a star, but it was moving swiftly to the left and right. That tiny silver light, gradually approached them.
“What’s that? Is that a new demonic creature?”
“…No, that’s..”
When Lydia was in mid-sentence, it let out a sudden burst of bright light which enveloped the ship in silver light.
(Are you alright, My Lady?)
“Arrow?”
When the light receded, they saw a fairy whose entire body shone in silver seated on the top of the mast.
When he came down gently towards Lydia, who was looking up towards him, he knelt down with impeccable motion even though he had the form of a child.
(As Bow had informed me of the fire when the ship was about to set sail, I came in a hurry in order to check on that.)
Lydia sat down and gazed into Arrow’s face.
“Hey, how’s Edgar? You were by his side right?”
(Yes. He was worried for milady and instructed me to check on your situation.)
“Is Prince….? How has the memory inside Edgar become?”
That was what Lydia was most concerned about.
(He has not awakened yet.)
Although she felt relieved, that brought on a new sense of unease. 
“I see… But if that’s the case, the Organization will be bothered.”
(They’d probably realize eventually. Or… the magic swirling in the surroundings may awaken Prince. Though I too have been channelling my efforts towards protecting him from the influence of the Unseelie Court.)
“Then doesn’t the fact that you came here mean that Edgar is defenseless?”
(Yes, that would be the case.)
“Go back quickly!”
In order to urge Arrow, Lydia stood up anxiously.
(No, it’s not that he’d be completely defenceless; because the Lord has a mysterious mineral cage and Prince is locked up in that cage.)
“A mineral cage?”
(Well, it’s something of that image. Moreover, Lady, to be honest, as it stands, I can’t return either. I came here blindly by searching for Bow, and it doesn’t look like I’d be able to find my way back.)
That meant that the number of people who were lost only just increased. Lydia was at her wits end and this time, it was Darnell who looked up towards the sky as he raised his voice.

“Look, clouds are forming suddenly.”
As they looked, the clouds expanded in the skies and hid the moon.
Immediately, there was a turbulent storm-like noise and a black mass closed in on them. It was a swarm of sluaghs.
Lota clicked her tongue as she gripped the ship’s wheel.
“Seriously, this is the thing about fairy realms!”
Swan filled the sails with winds. But suddenly, Arrow spoke.
(Please don’t move the ship.)
Saying that, he looked towards Lydia and grinned.
(Lady, if it’s of that number, even with your power, you can drive them away.)
“Eh, me?”
(My true form is an arrow.)
As soon as he said that, he transformed into a shining silver arrow and hovered in front of her eyes.
By the time she noticed, Lydia was holding on to a white bow in her left hand. The true form of the moonstone, which was proof of being the Blue Knight Earl’s Lady, was also a bow.
The star sapphire which was etched onto the Merrow’s treasure sword purified evil. The sword itself certainly had power, but the star should be able to display its greatest power as an arrow.
Lydia had used the moon bow and the star arrow previously. Certainly, rather than saying that she had done it on her own, it was more accurate to say that she had borrowed Bow’s power, there was Gladys’ feelings and the other Arrow there; because various magic aided her, she somehow managed it.
Lydia wondered if she could shoot an arrow again even now. Although she did not know, she had no choice but to do it. It was only the Consort of the Blue Knight Earl who was able to use the moonstone bow.
“Lydia, they’re here!”
Francis hurried her. 
“I… I understand.”
Please Bow, lend me your strength.
Lydia somehow managed to fit the arrow to the bow string. Directing up towards the sky, she drew the bow to the fullest awkwardly. The swarm of sluaghs covered the sky above the ship like a large black monster.
Edgar too, was fighting alone by himself now. Lydia must not lose either. The more she thought so, strangely, the bow became stronger as well, as if it followed her will.
By the time she noticed, Lydia was watching at the arrow shot up into the skies, as if it was someone else who had done it.
A flash of light was released into the skies above and tore the swarm of sluaghs into pieces. The light became countless shooting stars and covered the sky. That purified even the black clouds.
“This is… the power of the Blue Knight Earl’s family. It’s impressive.”
Hearing Darnell’s whispers, Lydia finally came back to her senses.
(It’s not just something like this.)
Arrow threw Darnell a somewhat provocative look.
“You mean if it’s the bloodline of the true earl family?”
(No, I mean my power. I do not know the old Blue Knight Earl. So to me the true earl is only that person.)
Darnell furrowed his brows.
For Arrow, even if Edgar became Prince, he would still entrust him, as his master, with the power of ‘arrow’ (the treasure sword).
By obtaining the treasure sword and becoming the Blue Knight Earl, Edgar had created a new star for the treasure sword. That had perhaps changed even the meaning of the earl family.
With the sluaghs gone, the sea of the fairy realm was suddenly enveloped by complete silence. There was nothing apart from the moon and the sea. Left alone and isolated in a place where they did not know the way or their coordinates, Lydia thought it was hinting to her that that was all there was for Edgar and her, and so felt her heart in disarray. 

Kelly was walking about the interior of the ship together with Raven in search of Nico.
She wondered if the numerous lights she felt flashing outside the window was lightning. But she didn’t hear any rain, much less thunder.
Since they were in the fairy realm, there may be various mysterious things. And Raven walked on in silence, seemingly not bothered by what was happening outside. Because she was nearly left behind when she looked about, Kelly had to follow behind him with hurried steps.
“Ms Kelly, if possible, could you please walk in front of me?”
Raven said so with his usual morose tone. Kelly thought the reason for his irritation was her slowness, but somehow it seemed that she was wrong.
“Because it won’t do if Mr Nico hides after seeing me.”
Kelly did as he asked, but as she walked, she felt a sense of pity towards Raven.
“Erm, I think that Mr Nico had been really surprised and stunned earlier on.”
Raven followed behind Kelly without a word.
I wonder if he’s listening, thought Kelly as she felt uneasy. Since it was Raven, even if there were only the two of them here, it was possible that he didn’t realize that he was being spoken to. Regardless, Kelly continued.
“It’s precisely because he thought that it was his fault you were attacked by the demonic creature, his mind ended up being filled with regret and worry.”
And then Raven spoke up all of a sudden.
“Even if I get attacked by demonic creatures because I went to search for Mr Nico, it’s not Mr Nico’s fault.”
That’s true, but.
“Even if it’s not his fault, it’s something he’ll be bothered over isn’t it?”
“That is ultimately your imagination. No one would know whether or not Mr Nico truly thinks that way unless it was he himself.”
Having that declared to her, Kelly faltered; because even though she was trying to console him, she didn’t expect to receive such a response.
 “Th-that’s true, but… because I thought you were depressed…”
“In other words, it’s cold comfort.”
Offended, Kelly raised her voice.
“It’s true that Mr Nico is worried about you. Because he said so himself!”
Raven, who stopped and stood still suddenly, stared into Kelly’s eyes. She thought that he was glaring at her. However,
“Ms Kelly, you’re a gentle person.”
Ehh? I’m being angry over here you know.
“You’re the first person to show me consideration like cold comfort.”
Kelly no longer understood anything anymore.
“O~i, what are the two of you doing?”
At that moment, they heard Nico’s voice.
It was the dining room which was on the other side of the opened door. Nico was seated in a chair and the basket of confectionary which were meant for him was opened.
“Because we didn’t see Mr Nico, we came to check on you.”
“Ahh, well I was a little hungry.”
He’s always carefree. If a person’s personality wasn’t this careless, one may be unable to handle Raven, thought Kelly.
“Mr Nico, aren’t you afraid of me?”
Raven stopped and stood at the doorway, and asked honestly.
“No, I was surprised and stunned earlier. Now that I think about it, it’s impossible for you to be bitten even if it was a demonic creature. Yup, that’s great. If you had been eaten I’d be so depressed that I’d no longer be unable to eat my chocolate snacks.”
“Were you worried for me?”
“Of course I was. Come, sit here. I’ll give you one of these.”
Only one ok, emphasized Nico. But most probably, to Nico, Raven was such a close friend that he was okay to share his snacks with Raven. 
Kelly didn’t receive any chocolates, but she thought of the two of them charmingly as she watched on.
It happened then. Suddenly, someone grabbed her shoulder from behind her back. Shocked, Kelly let out a scream. Raven looked towards her and she gulped as she felt bloodlust swelling throughout Raven suddenly.
When she turned back hurriedly, she found a young man with black curly hair standing there. Of course, Kelly knew him as well; this was one of the fairies who was close with Lydia. But she wondered when he boarded the ship.
In the interval when she tilted her head, Raven moved swiftly. Just as Kelly thought that he grabbed hold of her arm roughly, he held her in his embrace as he pulled her away from Kelpie.
Be it being this close to a man or having her cheeks pressed against a man’s shoulder, it was the first time for Kelly and so she was flustered. However, the knife Raven gripped with his other hand entered her field of vision and she was so afraid that she wasn’t able to distance herself from him.
“Why, are you here?”
Raven asked him while openly displaying his wariness.
“Where’s the Countess?”
Kelpie said so.
“As I thought, you’re not Kelpie are you?”
The fur on Nico’s back stood on its ends at Raven’s murmur.
“What did you say? Don’t tell me…!”
Suddenly, Kelly was thrown out. She fell onto the floor, but Raven faced Kelpie without even turning back.
When the knife was stabbed into Kelpie’s shoulder swiftly, that thing let out a high-pitched shriek and moved backwards.
As it groaned, its form started to change. Its hair suddenly grew longer like the squirming of snakes. The thing which shook its hair, making it dishevelled, and twisted its body, was a skeleton-like old woman.  
“The Baobhan Sith!”
Nico shouted and he ran around on top of the table as if he fell into a state of panic. And then he went around to Kelly’s back and shrunk his body.
Raven tried to go towards it further, but just as they thought that the demon had dodged nimbly, it blended its form into the darkness of the passageway where moonlight did not reach.
It had perhaps disappeared as if it had melted into the darkness, because even if Kelly had hurriedly shone the lamp she held in her hand, there was no longer its form there.
“We need to inform milady quickly.”
Kelly hurriedly tried to dash off, but Raven stopped her.
“It’s dangerous for us to be separated. Let’s return while taking care not to be separated.”