Hakushaku to Yousei - Volume 9 - Chapter 6

​Chapter 6 ♦ The Secret of the Diopsides

During the days when the sprite within his body went ballistic, Raven couldn't sleep due to the piercing pain he was experiencing.
In extreme fatigue, he was entirely unable to move his body. Not even to lie down. He could only squat like a broken puppet.
Even so, no one cared for the young boy.
He was always the one being held in a room, embedded with iron bars.
Whenever he could come out, it was for training purposes.
To teach him how to use different methods and techniques with weapons. His mentors were always replaced, because the young boy often killed them during training.
However, his skills in battle rapidly progressed.
As he continued to grow stronger unceasingly, it became more and more difficult for him to deal with the people around him. Once he was taught the use of corporal punishment, he did not even mind harming others.
Therefore, even with his hands and feet bounded, shackled by chains, anyone who feared him did not dare approach him from outside. And those who were close to him could not resist the atrocious violence inflicted onto them by the boy.
At that time, however, there was also no Prince. Those who were discharged from educating the young boy had already forgiven him for what he’d done.
There were all kinds of different scholars and doctors who examined and studied the young boy’s mental state. Even religionists and spiritual clairvoyants, who were hired for their supposed powers, did not succeed.
 The youth’s special abilities peaked Prince’s interest. However, if Prince was unable to take advantage of it, Raven would not be able to escape his fate of death. Such words slowly reached the young boy’s ears.
With his peers around him, they were waiting for Prince’s words --- “Enough is enough.” They were only willing to do one thing, to serve the boy’s meal through the gap between the iron bars. It was at this point, he appeared.
“I found your master.”
His sister said. She often avoided the eyes and ears of the people. In the middle of the night, she would come see him. However, this was the first time she had brought anyone else in there with her.
It was a handsome youth who made other people doubt if he truly existed in this world, who had a head of beautiful golden hair.
The boy watched as the youth unlocked the lock on his cage, using a key which the youth had obtained through god knows what means, and walked in without hesitation.
Looking down at the boy with a smile on his face, he very softly touched the boy’s cheek.
“Would you like to be my warrior?”
He said.
As the boy was touched that very moment, it was as if the boy felt the sprite worship the youth, was it all an illusion?
He was constantly suffering, bearing the burden of the unreasonable violence. Because of the sprite, he was restless. He wanted to fight back. But, because of the shackles, he couldn’t do anything. Before, the pain in his nerves prickled him like needles. However, all of a sudden, it was as if all the needles were pulled out.
“I will save you from hell, if you and your sprite swear allegiance to me.”
From his manners and words, he was unlike any other youth the boy had seen.
Although he didn’t know what a noble was, he understood why his sister said the words: “I found your master.”
The youth was not afraid of the sprite in the boy’s body. No matter how much he’d heard rumors of the danger, the youth rightfully touched him. Even when faced with an unknown opponent, he instinctively already had the upper hand.
Without the sense of being dominated by oppression, the boy was wrapped in a sheltered, calm feeling.
“I will give you a new name, for the sake of your new life.”
Raven, he called him.
“It is said that, in ancient mythology, it was the longest living name in history among all fairies. From now on, I hope you can dominate over your sprite.”
The boy grasped the youth’s hand with both hands, bringing it up to touch the cheek of his face. Had it been anyone before, the sprite would have took the chance to hold the arm, breaking it and smashing his skull. But at that time, the boy did not feel that impulse.
Although no one had ever taught him, the boy naturally knelt his knees down on the ground, placing the youth’s white fingers on his forehead.
 
　                                                                        ※
 
Lydia was walking alone within the dark forest.
The tall trees stretched out as dense foliage above her, making her feel as though she was walking through a tunnel.
From time to time, she heard the calls of unknown animals break the silence surrounding them, and the lower tree branches were always catching on to her clothes and hair. Despite all this, even though she was frightened each time, she  did not stop.
Lydia knew that this road, hidden by the rocks and trees all along the eerie swamp, was merely an illusion.
If she kept going, they could become dry twigs, pebbles, and puddles.
The fairy path reflected how people felt in their hearts. Therefore, the more anxious she felt, the more difficult the path became.
Though half-awake, Lydia continued to move forward in the realm of magic.
Near Lydia’s surroundings, there was another creeping chirping. A singing chime.
She turned her head in that direction.
The owner of the sound then spread out its black wings and flew. Hovering in a circle above her, it settled on the front branches before Lydia and stared at her.
It had a grey body with black wings, a hooded Carrion Crow.
It was only a common crow? However, since it appeared in a place like this, is it an embodiment of a fairy?
Thinking of the three legendary incarnations of the goddess, they did hold an image of a hooded Crow.
 A horrific crow flying on the battlefield, craving for the blood of the defeated.
(Who is standing my way?)
She seemed to hear the Crow speak.
Lydia thought, perhaps it was because the war goddess was on her mind, which in turn created this illusion.
However, even if it was seen in the fairy realm, there was a chance the illusion could also be true. For Lydia, she couldn’t determine whether if it was or wasn’t.
(Is this the Blue Knight Earl’s doing? Do you believe you can actually stop me? There used to be an outbreak of war upon this island. Blood was shed and flowed like a river. The Prince of Calamity had given me my blood. Therefore, I made a contract with him.)
Hearing the words 'Prince of Calamity', Lydia looked up at the Crow.
It was Prince that Lady Gladys had driven out of England. Due to his defeat in the war 100 years ago, her royal family was cursed with the abomination of Prince, the hateful prince who was born from the power of the evil fairies.
Lydia heard that the man who was now in opposition to Edgar was a descendant of the original Prince in the organization. Therefore, hearing the Crow’s words, Lydia became very anxious.
The Carrion Crow spoke again.
(In this island nation, the power of the dark fairies was growing stronger and stronger. Prince did not awaken only me alone.)
Then, who is this Crow? Badb? Macha? Or is it Morrigan?
Not to mention, these may have been the words spoken to the previous Blue Knight Earl, Lady Gladys.
What Lydia was seeing in this illusionary space, did the Prince’s organization awaken the goddess of the past?
(Blue Knight Earl, the goddess of war does not belong to anyone. I will only bless my side on the battlefield, the side of those who have given me more blood.)
The Crow then let out a strange screech that sounded like laughter.
(If you detest blood, then you will not win. Do you wish to stop my resurrection? I see. So, is that what you sent those men to do?)
The Crow looked up toward a branch, which suddenly began to rustle and shake.
What Lydia found wrapped around it was a large serpent. Horrified, Lydia let out a loud scream.
She desperately wanted to escape from this snake, and so she immediately ran off.
However, no matter where she ran, the serpent continued to coil in the tree. Or at least, appearing within Lydia’s sight. As if overlooking the distant mountain ridges from the train window, it will never disappear from sight.
The serpent and Crow eyed each other with animosity.
After being confronted for a long time, the serpent suddenly moved.
And, right then, it pounced toward the Crow. Seizing with a snapping bite, the serpent tightly entangled itself around the bird.
The Crow bitterly struggled against the serpent’s attack. With its scales peeling off, along with the Nordic Crow’s blood streaming with it, the serpent was attempting to swallow it.
Their fierce fight continued. One of the serpent’s eyes was pecked, and it immediately curled up its body in pain and agony. In order to extricate itself from the serpent’s entanglement, the Crow began to dig out the serpent’s eyes.
However, that did not deter the serpent for it never relaxed the strength of its hold.
Eventually, the serpent snapped on the Crow’s head, forcefully tighten around it. Breaking the Crow’s bones, without moving its mouth, it finally swallowed down the Crow.
Soon, with its bulging belly, the serpent began to move and lifted its head suddenly, looking over at Lydia.
Her legs, trembling, frozen in place. Lydia couldn’t help but become astonished.
In one of the serpent’s eyes, it held a transparent, dark-green color.
It was the rare, green Diopside - the Ceylon gem that was used by Lady Gladys.
This serpent was the descendant of the sprite.
It swallowed the awakened goddess and sealed her.
Such a terrible, magical thing. As it was eyeing Lydia, motionless, it watched at her.
Must run.
The moment she thought of it, the serpent took aim and lounged at her.
With it’s fangs baring open in front of her, Lydia was immediately pushed to the ground.
However, she then heard the serpent drop in the thick patch of grass and a voice reached her ears as someone caught her arm and pulled her up.
“We must get out of here.”
Raven.
Grabbing Lydia’s arm, he began to run.
“Raven, how are you here ......”
“I should be the one asking that question, Miss Lydia. Is this not my dream?”
“A dream?”
Not before long, the two people reached a rundown cottage that looked like a pile of dried twigs.
“It should not be able to catch up here... probably.”
Raven said as he released Lydia’s arm, feeling apologetic.
“This cottage… Raven, is this also part your dream?”
“Well, perhaps......I feel I have seen this a long time ago. It appears I was here with my sister a few times before......but I cannot remember. My dream started from here.”
In the dream, Raven was always wandering in this same place. He wished to go back to Edgar’s side, but he couldn’t go back. Wanting to wake up but not being able to.
From here, going into the forest, that was when the little Carrion Crow and the serpent would appear. They always battled in front of Raven, but the serpent was always victorious. However, the serpent would then turn to aim towards Raven, to attack and eat him. The next moment, Raven would wake up. However, he did not actually wake up. In fact, it was only an illusion because he would return before this cottage again.
But, this time, Lydia appeared. Raven had gotten a good dream. For this was the first time it had changed.
“I was on my way to London by taking a fairy’s shortcut. However, it seems like I’ve gotten lost.”
“Is Lord Edgar alright?”
Lydia nodded as she thought. Raven couldn’t wake up because the sprite was in control of him after all.
Raven’s sprite was the who went ballistic on the London Bridge, so Raven was not in control of his own body. Since he was being imprisoned by Ulysses in that state, Lydia had no idea what had become of him.
However, since Raven had appeared at this place, he must still be controlled by the sprite that resided in his body.
“Oh, hey, you should come with me. Thatway, we may be able to leave here together.”
Lydia pulled atRaven’s hand.
“All right? You don't have to think about anything, and just hold onto my hand and follow me. Just act like your my servant, or something like that.”
“Understood. But still, holding hands with my master’s fiancee is unforgiveable.”
Raven wanted to discretely release his hand, but Lydia did not let go.
"This is an emergency. So even Edgar will not get angry.” If we don’t do this, we will surely be separated.
“.....What should I do?”
Raven looked very upset.
That man’s jealousy was like his sweet words of praise - both of them were used to woo women. There had been instances where he had deliberately shown jealousy to attract their attention. However, nothing was wrong with holding hands, right?
“Well, as long as you don’t say anything, he will not know.”
“I cannot hide anything from Lord Edgar.”
“Listen, if he is angry because of this kind of thing, then I misjudged him for he must truly be a wrongful man. What do you think, Raven? Is Edgar that kind of person?”
A little worried for a while, he sighed as he replied:
“No, he is not.”
The threat seemed to work.
“Right. Well then, let’s go.”
Lydia began to move.
Quietly, he followed after her. The Crow and the serpent didn’t seem as though they would appear either. Lydia’s determination to escape from there was very strong.
Shortly after, the overlapping branches ahead seemed to clear up, revealing a pale, lavender sky. A little further down the road, it became brighter.
And then, as if it was dawn, the lavender sky revealed a glimmering shimmer. 
The way out must be nearby. However, as their surroundings gradually began to brighten, Raven’s footsteps began to slowly grow heavy.
“Hey, let’s hurry.”
However, he suddenly stopped and loosened Lydia’s hand.
“Raven?”
“......I’ve forgotten. I can no longer fight anymore. I hesitated to kill my master’s enemies.”
“Are you speaking of Ermine? Didn’t Edgar himself let you stop?”
“However, even slight confusion can lead to someone’s death. Therefore, I cannot control the sprite anymore. If it is like this, I will not be able to protect my master.”
As if the clouds dispersed around the sun in the sky, it became bright all around them. The scenery of luscious jungle-like forest suddenly disappeared.
Meanwhile, Raven’s form also seemed to start fading, turning pale.
If it continued, he could not wake up.
Panicked, Lydia reached out to him with her hand, but she could no longer touch him.
“Miss Lydia, if you see me in the real world, you absolutely must not approach me. Also, I must request a favor from you, tell Lord Edgar: ‘When my body’s taken over by the sprite, I can only see with my right eye, When the sprite goes berserk, the left side is my weakness. If you wish to beat me, you must.....”
“No, Raven! As long as you still have your human emotions, you are real and true. You are a warrior who can fight for Edgar!”
Despite her cries, it failed to stop him. Raven’s shadow suddenly disappeared.
At that moment, Lydia was standing in an unfamiliar place. A strange, wasteful garden.
She was aware that she was no longer in the forest. The overgrown weeds and bushes were not part of the disparate woods. Past the garden were standing, Romanesque columns.
Here, is this near London.. Or, because she lost her way, had she arrived to an unexpected place?
As she worried for the moment, she looked around and found a person’s shadow walking in between the stone columns.
She was only around Raven until now.
So, he must have returned so they could be together again. As Lydia thought happily, she ran forward. However, she noticed something was amiss. Suddenly, she stopped her footsteps.
He didn’t wear a coat and his necktie was loosened and tattered.
In order to avoid disgracing the name of Edgar’s entourage, Raven had always paid attention to his appearance.
Right now, this person was the real Raven, who was still under the control of the murderous sprite.
He held a knife in his hand.
Lydia immediately turned around to flee.
But, in the blink of an eye, he suddenly caught up behind her. 
“Lydia, here!”
Then, she heard the sound of Edgar’s voice.
Where? With no time to turn and look around, an outstretched hand grabbed her into the bushes.
“Edgar......”
She fell right from his hands into his arms. Only this time did Lydia forget her usual, stubborn sense of shame.
Her cheek was desperately close to his chest. And because she was forced to cling to him, she really felt relieved in her heart.
“Edgar, I.....”
But, there was no time to talk at that moment. He immediately pushed Lydia to the back and pulled out his sword.
The Merrows’ sword caught Raven’s knife, the clash of their blades made a crisp, metallic sound.
In every possible effort to defend, Edgar finally managed to block Raven’s attack and push him back.
He then pulled Lydia’s hand and ran.
Raven’s speed was very fast. Was it not all in vain to try to escape? However, the place Edgar ran into were the tall, towering trees which woven into a labyrinth.
The trees grew unpredictably, completely obscuring the road. Running through it, they were be able to successfully escape from Raven tracking them. Then, with his sword, Edgar was slashing off small branches blocking their way, only moving forward.
Although she wasn’t able to hear footsteps catching up to them, Lydia couldn’t help but look back behind her a few times to see.
“Raven will get lost. He is not good at dealing with this kind of place.”
“Really?”
“Initially, when he was in the manor, he often lost his way.”
Edgar finally slowed down. As he walked steadily, he said.
“Well, what about you?”
“Me?”
“This maze. Normally, once you enter it, you cannot come out.”
Lydia was disturbed, but he continued to cut off the branches near their feet.
“As a child, my home had a garden maze. I used to go there in order to avoid my tutors' pestering and that little nagging aunt of mine.”
And to skillfully bring visiting noble young ladies out to play, after luring them away from their watchful maid servants.  But, of course, he didn't say that out loud.
Lydia could have never imagined him behaving in that manner. In her mind, she saw an ordinary image of a young boy being naughty and mischievous. She smiled at the thought.

“However, the structure should not be similar to the maze here, right?”
“As long as I can be with you, let me stay here forever and I won’t mind.”
He stopped and put up the Merrows’ Sword. With a teasing expression, he turned his head back to look at her.
“How can you live in such a place?”
“If it weren’t this place, would you’d liked to live with me?”
Lydia was still hesitate, so she only remained silent. Although she liked the thought of it, it wasn’t easy for her heart to completely go through with it either.
“Now is not the time to say that.”
“However, regardless of the time, this is what I care the most about.”
With that, he pulled Lydia around to his side.
“I wanted to see you so much ... I was afraid you weren’t coming back. Nico informed me Raven’s location at the time. But, then he said you were kept imprisoned by Kelpie. I was worried that was what you wanted.”
“Eh, why?”
The way he held her was different this time.
This time, he wrapped his arms around her back, closely watching her as she was being shy. Although she insisted not to run away, it was already taking Lydia her utmost efforts to express her feelings towards him.
“I worried whether you had chosen Kelpie.”
In front of Kelpie, she chose Edgar. She spoke words that she could absolutely not say in front of Edgar.
“But....I  promised... I will not leave you alone.”
I am really not being candid. Although she thought that, she spoke in a casual, peaceful tone.
“Thank you. You are really a good girl.”
No, I am not.
“That, Edgar, Kelpie is not a human but a fairy. He’s my friend..... and not that kind of way.”
“What about me? Can I be that kind of way?”
Looking at her with passionate eyes, she thought to herself, she must certainly be flushed in the face. It was impossible to answer him.
Before she could respond, his lips touched the temple of her head.
When she felt it, she became startled and nervous. So, his fingers caressed her hair in order to soothe her.
His long, slender fingers wrapped around Lydia’s head. Being held by him so intimately close, she could not look away.
His kiss fallen on her eyelids that she had to close her eyes.
However, she suddenly felt afraid.
If she closed her eyes, then she couldn’t see Edgar and she wouldn’t know if he was looking at her. The one reflecting in his eyes, is it really me?
However, Edgar made a promise with her.
He said that before she accepted his proposal, he wouldn’t force a kiss on her.
“……I said, wait a moment.”
Lydia whispered with her eyes closed. Because she was close to him, she felt Edgar slightly drew back a bit, as it gently moved about the surrounding air.
“Yes. I’m sorry.”
That’s a lie.
But why do I feel regret for lying to him now?
Ugh, what am I thinking.
Lydia miserably pushed Edgar’s arm and took a step back.
Anyway, now was not the time to think of such things, so she quickly changed the subject.
“Oh, what is this place? Raven was hidden near the London Bridge, right?”
“It seems that Prince chose this place where Raven and I would fight.”
At Lydia’s stubborn manner to change the subject, Edgar could only give a wry, bitter smile. However, he answered her question.
Gradually, they were able to walk out of the jagged, tangled maze of trees.
Lydia didn’t know whether she felt relieved or disappointed as she followed behind him.
“Raven’s sprite seemed to have acknowledged Ulya as King. As long as his sprite is in control, Raven will treat us as enemies now.”
 “Fight against Raven? How can this be...”
“Regardless, in the end if Raven remains in that state, there would inevitably be a war.”
“From here, would you be able to run out and escape? You do not have to fight Raven after all. You only need to overthrow Prince.”
However, Edgar firmly shook his head.
“I wish to capture Raven again. If he can restore his consciousness and memories, then the fight between us will naturally end.”
"Until then, you will be killed.”
“Prince should also not wish for me to be killed. He just wants to enjoy the fierce fight between me and my most trusted Raven.”
“Even though Raven is unconscious and the murderous sprite will not show any mercy?”
“Ulya will be commanding him.” 
Then, this was more dangerous for Edgar. There was no guarantee that he would not be killed.
Nevertheless, Edgar's determination to fight was strong. Rather than the risk of being killed, maintaining their current situation was more painful for him.
He was betrayed by Ermine, taken away from Raven, and now he must also fight against him. Forced to determine the life and death of the people close to him, it was an enormously shameful suffering. This was all in order to break Edgar into despair. Having him submit to his knees, the people around him trampled on him to have Edgar reduced to being Prince’s tool.
By now, Lydia began to feel intense hatred for Prince’s methods and practices.
After all, this was a battle Edgar could not win in the slightest.
 “No. Edgar, Raven is still unable to wake up. He said he is unable to protect you.”
Edgar cleared out the way of the branches. Then, they arrived to a place of exposed rock walls which surrounded and enclosed a fountain that lied across from it.
This was the right way out. Edgar, who was standing there, was surprised and turned to look at Lydia.
 “Raven had said that? When?”
 “It was during the time when I was taking the fairy shortcut. I seemed to have interrupted Raven’s dream, and he said he couldn’t wake up from it. However, I believe he may not wake up, because he doesn’t wish to wake up.”
 “He doesn’t wish to wake up? What is going on?”
 “It was because he was unable to kill Ermine…...He didn’t understand why he didn’t kill her. And so he suddenly felt as though he was weak, as if he became incompetent. Therefore, that was how the ballistic sprite took over, with Raven’s conscious being suppressed like that.”
Hearing Lydia’s words discouraged him. Edgar painfully frowned as he furrowed his brows.
“I tried to convince him to come out, but I still failed. Then, near the end of it, he told me...... ”
Whether she should say Raven’s important words now, Lydia actually very puzzled. Regardless when she says it, it would be a painful choice Edgar would have to make. However, in order to let Edgar win against Prince, Raven decided to sacrifice himself. Edgar himself must decide how to deal with Raven's will.
“Raven’s spirit cannot see with its left eye. With the spirit controlling his body now, that would be his weakness. He wanted me to tell you that.”
 Edgar was silent and looked up at the sky. Under that serious expression, what kind of determination does he have now?
“Lydia, Prince is in that balloon, overlooking the garden. From time to time, he is reflecting light. It should be his way of contacting Ulya on the ground.”
 After hearing this, Lydia noted the floating balloon in the sky for the first time.
 “It is difficult to see us as long as we’re in this thick labyrinth of grass and trees. However, once we leave, we would be immediately found. Therefore, you must not stay here. Nico was looking for you earlier. So, you go with him and quietly escape from here, alright?”
 “Edgar, are you going to go?”
 “The opponent is Raven. So, you understand that, right? I’ll go there alone.”
Lydia and Ravan couldn’t afford to fight, but Edgar didn’t care despite her efforts to stop him.
However, the one in control of Raven is his sprite. Even though it was a distant, exotic spirit, it was similar to a dark fairy. Something may occur where only the fairy doctor Lydia could resolve.
 “No, I'll go. Perhaps I can find a way to wake up Raven. Once he comes to his senses, there won’t be a fight.”
 “It’s impossible, that was what you just said.”
 “However, I want to be your strength."
 “I am very happy. However, right now, it is too dangerous.”
 “That’s right. So, give me Lydia.”
 A voice was heard from a dark horse who jumped right in front of the bushes.
 “Kelpie!”
 “I found you, Lydia. Without my permission, when you lifted the sleep spell before I returned, it made me very much worried.”
 “And yet you casted magic on me without my permission. I said I was going to go back!”
 Kelpie transformed into his human form and nervously scratched his head. Nevertheless, he pouted and retorted flippantly:
“However, just earlier, didn’t the Earl just say you were in the way?”
 “I did not say she was in the way.”
 “No, that was right, Edgar......”
 “However, Lydia, I will appear before Raven as long as I can. No matter what happens. you must continue to hide or look for a chance to escape from here.”
 “Just stay by me, I can protect Lydia.”
Kelpie then grabbed Lydia’s shoulder.
“No, I also want to go!”
Lydia, like a wayward child, pushed Kelpie away with her hands.
“Do you want to be killed by that boy?”
“That’s why, Kelpie, you must also fight Raven and force the sprite out with your power!”
“I’m sorry, but he seems to be a very ancient, very strong guy. So I don’t want to meddle in that.”
I do wonder whether or not it is a bird or a snake -- Kelpie certainly described the sprite in Raven’s body.
Then, something appeared in Lydia’s sight
“Ulya. Raven, too.”
Edgar followed Lydia’s gaze into the grove outside.
“Kelpie, thank you for your magnificent appearance for they seemed to have found us here.”
It appeared Ulya was not too far from the exit in the maze.
Edgar decided to head out. And then Lydia hurriedly grabbed his coat and pulled him.
 “Wait, I have an important thing I forgot to say.....”
“Do you wish to marry me?”
“No!”
“It’s not it?”
It was obviously not the time to say such a thing, but he held an expression full of regret.
“Hurry up and go, Earl.”
Cutting them apart with his elbow, Kelpie interrupted, blocking near Edgar.
“It’s the serpent and the crow!”
In Raven’s dream, the the goddess’s incarnation, the hooded crow, had the eyes like Diopside when she fought with the snake in their battle.
In Raven’s soul, they were memories far in the past, which he didn’t know at all himself.
“Living inside Raven’s body is the serpent and the hooded Carrion Crow!”
“What do you mean?”
“According to the legend, the three goddesses of war emerges as a hooded Carrion Crow. In Raven’s dream, I saw one of them. It was the third goddess, Morrigan. Moreover, it was the serpent that swallowed her. If that was what enclosed the goddess in the Diopside with fairy magic, then the legend must surely be true. In Raven’s body, there are two spirits. One of them is the serpent  and the other is the carrion crow, the incarnation of the goddess!”
“That must mean.....Raven had the last remaining piece of the Diopside?”
“It should not be the stone itself. Although originally, it would have been a stone holding the sprite inside. Instead, it was placed into a human soul.”
In doing so, one of the three fragments of the Diopside became King and the others for his family guardian.
 This was to allow the evil sprite to obey the human by all means.
“In other words......Hidden within Raven himself, the dark sprite is the third Diopside stone of the war goddess?”
Perhaps from the cold sweat coming from him, Edgar placed his hand on his forehead.
If the three pieces of Diopside came together, the goddess would be resurrected.
“If that's the case, then Ulya has already collected all three pieces of Diopside. Originally, the Diopside’s force was able to suppress the enclosed magic hidden deep within the goddess. However, now that Ulya became the Diopside’s master, she may be able to order the release of the goddess.”
For Raven, he was not able to suppress the sprite’s obedience to Ulya’s will.
“Prince? Did he find out that Morrigan was hidden in Raven’s body?”
“If he had found out, how could he hand the last piece of Diopside to Ulya who has the other two?”
“So, Miss Ulya......”
“It was a popular legend in her own people, so she may have noticed it. Moreover, her purpose is the rehabilitation of her own country, right? As long as she has the power, even she will not need to rely on Prince....”
If Ulya intended to revive the goddess, and Raven cannot suppress his sprite, Edgar’s desire to win could only result in taking away Raven’s life.
If Raven died, the sprite that remained will swallow Morrigan before it becomes a host in another human and falls into a deep sleep. Therefore, Prince would not be able to get the goddess.
However, would Edgar be able to kill Raven? Even after knowing Raven’s weaknesses, even if Raven could not prepare  himself to recover his consciousness, can Edgar bear to be cruel enough to kill him?
If not, then Edgar......
“Hey, Edgar, the embodiment of the Carrion Crow goddess is one of the fairy ancestors. As long as it is concerning England’s fairies, it is my job.”
In any case, no matter how frightened she was, she was respectively here with him.
Will I not be able to see him again? Her heart was haunted with a uneasy feeling.
“Don’t say stupid things, Lydia. In that case, I will also be forced to take you away. If you remain here, you will probably suddenly run out there in the battlefield."
Kelpie, in order for her not to easily throw herself away from him, forcibly grabbed Lydia’s arm.
“Kelpie, Lydia’s my fiancee. Don’t pester and tease her.”
“So what? Are you willing to risk Lydia's safety when you're defeated? Moreover, it’s not like she's only in the presence of danger right now. Not only does the Nightmare remember the taste of her blood, waiting for a chance to come for her, your enemies may once again target Lydia as an enemy as well. Just give her to me. Until you can come see her, I will hide her in a safe place.”
Edgar sighed in irritation, but it was only for that moment. Then, he lifted his head.
“By the promise of the moonstone, if I wish to see Lydia, will you give her back to me immediately?”
“Well, if you’re still alive to come that is.” Kelpie smiled.
“No, Edgar, you cannot make a promise with a fairy!”
“It would be very troublesome if you brought her to a place I can't reach."
"If I could, I want to do that. However, thanks to tbe moonstone, I can’t take Lydia to the fairy world. So, I’ll just take her to her home in Scotland. You can go there,  right?”
“No! Even in the human world, Kelpie can use fairy magic to tie me down.”
Lydia said.
“Earl, you are Lydia’s fiancee. Compared to fairy magic, isn’t human love more powerful? Or do you not have any confidence?”
“Edgar, you said to me to stay by your side! At that time, when I went to leave together with Kelpie, I deeply regretted it because I thought I shouldn’t have left you, so I deliberately hurried to come back!”
She desperately tried to reach out to him. However, he did not hold up her hand.
“I can’t let you and the Earl die together.”
Kelpie embraced Lydia who became unsettled.
As if in order to appease her, Edgar calmly said with a smile:
“Lydia, thank you. As long as these are your words, I can have hope. If you are looking forward to seeing me again, I promise you I cannot die. Even without fairy magic, I will try to find a way.”
“......You liar. You always, always promise me so reassuringly like that! I don't believe it!”
Saying things like trying to think of way, when you obviously know nothing about fairy magic.
“I will not lie to you.”
“Those words are a lie, too! Although you said you love me and you forcefully pursue me, but is it not because you were thinking of another woman that you hesitate to kiss me?!”
“No, Lydia......”
“I didn’t know what to do, so I was a little afraid of becoming attracted to you. Because, I cannot believe what you say. However, I am still looking forward to the kiss, and that is the first time for me!”
Lydia refused to shy away, as she shouted while Kelpie dragged her away.
Edgar seemed as if he wanted to move towards Lydia. However, he only leaned his body for his feet did not move.
Just as desperate, he said:
“For me, it was also the first time. For fear that you wouldn’t be willing to forgive me, I didn’t even dare to kiss you!”
Startled, Lydia relaxed her strength which Kelpie then carried her on his shoulder.
“Please understand me, I was reborn as the Blue Knight Earl. You are my only hope for the future. No matter what happens, I don't want to lose you!”
“The deal is established, Earl.”
Kelpie placed his hand into a block in front of the wall of hedges. It slid open like a creature of branches. From there came a cave-like channel.
Kelpie, with only Lydia, opened the channel.
Lydia who couldn’t do anything, only shouted loudly:
“I.....want to get married! I want to marry you! So.....”
She was unable to control herself.
She wasn’t as passionate as Ermine. She was only fooling herself.
Even if she wasn’t Edgar’s favorite, she still wanted to remain in a place closest to him. Though he said he liked her, in fact, she was very willing to believe him. Even if she got hurt, it didn’t matter.
 As she was brought into the cave, she cried as she repeatedly spoke her words of desiring marriage.
‘So, no matter what happens, do not despair. If I could become your hope, I would also like to become your true lover......'