It was the morning of the third day after Shiomi and Aesc arrived in Blackmore Village.
The two of them t Lord El-lloi II in the church chapel.
"So, you're not planning to object after all?" Aesc asked with a smile.
Lord El-lloi II's eye twitched. Though the pair in front of him appeared friendly, he felt as if he were staring down a pair of terrifying demons.
"I could easily say I'm against this, citing the importance of not interfering with local customs," he sighed deeply. "But if I did, I'd probably find myself waking up back ho in London the mont I finished saying it."
"Smart man," Shiomi said, leaning against one of the chapel chairs. "It'd be a real pain to send you back. If you can at least keep quiet about it, that's good enough."
Lord El-lloi II sat up and looked at the two. "So, are we heading out now? Just the two of you should be enough to deal with things here, right?"
"Not quite." A new voice cut in from behind the door. It was Sister Ilumia, who slowly stepped out from the chapel, stopping beneath the black statue of the Virgin on the altar.
"The Holy Church is keeping the building sealed during this ti to avoid attracting the villagers' attention. After all, even Magi can't go around slaughtering locals. That would make both the Mage's Association and the Holy Church put a price on your heads, wouldn't it?"
Shiomi gave a small smile and nodded. As a forr Sealing Designation Executor, he knew all too well how dangerous it was to violate the rule of secrecy.
Unless the troublemaker was a full-blown nace to society—in which case, the rules were another story.
"Besides, there's one more person who needs to co with us," Aesc added. "The gravekeeper of Blackmore isn't just soone who tends graves... He's the one who's safeguarded King Arthur's tomb for generations."
Just as she finished speaking, the chapel door creaked open, and a hooded girl stepped inside.
"Um… Mr. Bersac told
to co here," Gray said timidly.
Sister Ilumia's expression softened back to her usual deanor. "The ones you're eting are already here, Gray. No one from the village stopped you on the way, right?"
"No, they didn't." Gray shook her head.
The villagers had treated her with the sa respectful attitude as always, greeting her politely and chatting with her.
Still, she didn't really understand why Mr. Bersac had asked her to co to the church. He only said it was important, and that she had to bring Add with her.
The mont she saw Aesc, Gray's anxiety eased. She had a faint idea that this had sothing to do with her, and quietly decided to trust the lady before her.
"That's good. Close the door and co in," Ilumia said. "There are traveling rchants in the village today, so no one will be paying attention to this side of town. If you're ready, you can head out."
Even so, the fact that she had just asked Gray to shut the chapel door made her pause in confusion.
"Leave the rest to ," Shiomi said.
He walked toward a side door opposite the one he and Ilumia had entered through.
It was clear he had already mapped out the route, and Lord El-lloi II followed closely behind.
At that mont, Aesc extended her hand to Gray.
"Gray."
"Yes."
Realizing what was happening, Gray quickly took her arm—just as she had done the day before while showing Morgan around—and followed the two ahead of her.
They passed through the side door, turned down a hallway, and arrived at a storeroom stocked with wine and bread—the church's supply for communion.
Shiomi moved one of the shelves aside with practiced ease and lifted the carpet underneath. Pressing a specific spot on the floor, a section of it rose up and slid aside.
Beneath it was an empty chamber and a flight of rough, unpaved steps leading down.
"There's actually a secret passage under the church," Lord El-lloi II murmured. "I really shouldn't underestimate your social skills. You managed to get this information so quickly."
Leading the way, Shiomi replied, "You need different approaches with different people. When dealing with the Holy Church, it's best to be direct—make your intentions clear, and focus on the mutual benefits, especially those that favor the Church. That's the fastest way to gain their cooperation."
"Even so..." Lord El-lloi II shook his head, unable to hide his admiration.
The tunnel's dirt walls weren't reinforced—it looked like soone had dug it out and left it as-is. The damp soil clinging to the walls added a sense of claustrophobia and pressure to the already narrow space.
"Not exactly the most comfortable," Aesc remarked from the rear.
Then, as if a switch had flipped, the stagnant air began to circulate. A breeze brushed against them, replacing the musty staleness with a crisp, fresh scent.
A single, casual phrase was all it took—no incantation, no chant. The air-purifying spell was complete.
"Fresh air alone isn't enough."
Shiomi snapped his fingers. Four glowing orbs of light floated beside each of them, lighting up the underground corridor.
A pang of frustration hit Lord El-lloi II.
If he had cast such a basic spell, he would've needed a proper chant. If it were the person behind him, that was understandable—they played on a different level entirely. But Shiomi was a modern Magus like him, and that made the difference harder to swallow.
Still, there wasn't much ti to wallow in self-pity.
The illuminated path ahead revealed countless footprints worn into the earth.
Seeing the marks left by generations of pilgrims, Gray couldn't help but let out a soft gasp.
"Is this the real church? Or was the church built just to conceal this place?"
Her heart pounded.
This was the true face of the village—but Gray had lived here for fifteen years and never known.
"Don't be afraid, Gray," Aesc's cool voice echoed through the tunnel. "Beyond here lies only the abyss of death. If fear grips your heart, then take my hand. I will be your strength."
The voice was gentle, calm—but carried an undeniable authority that reached straight into the soul.
In that mont, Gray realized—the woman holding her hand wasn't just so noble lady. She was more like… a queen.
"In the past, many cultures believed the underworld was located underground," Lord El-lloi II said, perhaps to ease the tension. "So called it the underworld, so the netherworld. Others referred to it as the Realm of the Dead or the Land of Shadows. Whatever the na, the realm of the dead borders our own. If you're willing, it's a place you can walk into."
Shiomi let out a low, noncommittal hum.
"I can't speak for the others. But the Land of Shadows—unlike the underworld—is more of a realm of death itself. Perpetually overcast, no day or night, devoid of all life, except for—"
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