Walking in the Question and Answer System of Heroic Spirits

Conqueror King: "Kid, you're not up to par. How can you be exhausted after just a short mountain walk?"

Weber: "...Stop arguing, I will never become like that."

After resting for a while, the two continued their journey, and the Second Prince explained why he had come here.

He's here to increase his options for winning the Holy Grail War.

[Reines shook her head in exasperation, wondering why they were so fixated on the Holy Grail War.]

Just as the two were nearing the summit, a large flock of black birds emerged from the forest and began circling them.

[Second Generation: "Is it a crow?"]

"Crows transport souls."

[Accompanied by a deep voice, a man dressed in black appeared where the flock of crows had just taken flight.]

He was an elderly man, around sixty years old, with disheveled hair and an old-fashioned travel hat.

Despite his age, one could still see the robust physique beneath his coat.

"The same is true here in Britain. In the Celtic mythology of the continent, ravens also frequently appear. They are guides to the dead, guardian birds of the grave, and thus they cry out 'Nevermore.'"

The man continued, "A crow landed on his shoulder."

Kenneth: "The gravedigger... Oh, I see, it's Blackmore Cemetery!"

Weber: "Teacher, where is that?"

Kenneth: "It is one of the oldest cemeteries in the land, and it is also widely known in the magician world. I heard that the gravedigger there is very powerful."

Weber: "So that's why I went there in the future."

Artoria: "Blackmore's graveyard...?"

Although the video hasn't arrived yet, it's already quite clear that this is where the Second Prince met Grey.

Grey's whereabouts are now clear.

[Second Generation: "You mentioned the gravedigger, could you be...?"]

[Man: "What does the magician at the Clock Tower want with me?"]

Reines thought to herself, "They knew we were magicians from the Clock Tower. Did they guess it, or were they secretly eavesdropping on our conversation?"

[El-Melloi II bowed and said, "Greetings, I am El-Melloi II."]

The man nodded and returned the greeting, saying, "It's truly remarkable that I've had so many guests visiting, and they've all come to pay their respects to me."

"I am the gravedigger, Belsak Blackmore. If you have something to say, come with me."

The man turned and left, and the Second Prince, along with Reines, quickly followed.

Soon, they arrived at a small village nestled against a steep, rocky mountain.

The population here is at most a little over a hundred people, and most of the buildings are made of brick, appearing to be over a hundred years old.

Although the villagers coming and going were all dressed in modern clothes, it probably wouldn't have looked strange if they had all changed into medieval or modern clothing.

Weber: "The village doesn't seem out of touch with the outside world, but it also feels a bit stagnant."

Rin Tohsaka: "According to the plot of the movie, this kind of village must be hiding a secret."

Ilya: "Do you even need to tell me that?"

"Oh dear, Mr. Belsac. What's wrong with those two over there?"

As soon as they entered the village, a middle-aged man with a round build, dressed in priestly robes, called out to them.

Behind him followed a young nun, around twenty years old, with blonde hair and auburn eyes, her light freckles giving her a unique charm.

The Second King and Reines immediately recognized the two as members of the Holy Church and instinctively became wary.

Kenneth: "The Holy Church. Hmph, those guys really are persistent."

Rin Tohsaka: "Uh, I thought the priests of the Holy Church were all muscular, but it seems I was wrong."

Compared to Calabre and Kotomine Ryougi, the priest who just appeared in the video is the complete opposite.

His waistline was almost as big as his height. I really don't know how he maintained such a figure in such a remote village.

"Priest Fernand."

"They're here to see my guests," Belsac said calmly. "May I let them through?"

"Oh, please, please make yourself at home. The church doors are always open."

Fernand's gaze shifted to the two of us, the Second Prince, his suspicion undisguised. He narrowed his eyes and gave a perfunctory bow, saying, "Um, nice to meet you. My name is Fernand Kuroz. May I ask your names?"

"Lord El-Melloi II."

"Reines El-Melloi Archizorti."

They took turns giving their names, observing the priest's reaction, but he showed no particular emotional change.

[Is he completely unfamiliar with Elmero, or does he have excellent control over his emotions?]

Kenneth: "Heh, you're really good at pretending."

As members of the Holy Church, how could they not know the names of the twelve monarchs of the Clock Tower?

This guy either pretends not to know me, or he's from this village and has never left, so he really doesn't know El-Melloi's reputation.

Kenneth prefers the first scenario.

Even the gravedigger, Belsac, knew the name El-Melloi; it's impossible that someone from the Holy Church wouldn't.

[Fernand: "Oh, are you two siblings?"]

"Yes, we're so close we can't be separated no matter where we go! Right, my brother?"

Reines grabbed the Second Prince's arm, but he was clearly reluctant.

"By the way, who's that nun over there?"

"I am Sister Illumia."

The young nun spoke in a flippant tone, seeming unapproachable.

[Fernand: "Well, there are still some believers who wish me to visit them today, so please allow me to take my leave. I'm very sorry, but could you please ask Mr. Bersac to take them to the church?"]

[Belsauk: "Of course, that's exactly what I was thinking."]

"I'm sorry, this is just an ordinary little village. Please take your time and rest."

After exchanging greetings, Fernand swayed and walked away, but Ilumia deliberately slowed her pace and came close to Reines's ear.

"It's best not to stay too long."

[Leaving those words behind, she immediately hurried after the priest.]

However, hearing this only excited Reines, who loved to stir up trouble.

Rin Tohsaka: "Here we go, a common trope in movies."

Ilya: "Next, someone has to die."

Weber: "Hey, don't jinx it."

Led by Belsak, they soon arrived at the church located at the northern end of the village.

It was a simple church with scale-like walls covered in ivy; it looked quite old.

[Upon opening the church doors, the interior was surprisingly spacious with high ceilings and impeccable cleanliness, creating a serene atmosphere.]

Although not luxurious, the benches and metal candlesticks were spotless, a testament to the village's devout faith.

However, something seems off about the statue of the Virgin Mary enshrined at the back of the church.

The statue of the Virgin Mary was painted black, and although she was holding the infant Jesus, who was the savior, her posture was completely different from that of typical statues of the Virgin Mary.

She was very tall, with an imposing physique, and her piercing eyes surveyed us; she resembled a female general more than a kind mother.

[Second King: "...Black-faced Maria."]

Rin Tohsaka: "Black-faced Maria? What's this?"

Tokiomi Tohsaka: "It is a branch of Christianity, which is relatively obscure and niche, so not many people know about it."

Kenneth: "Is this a place where people worship the Black-faced Virgin Mary?"

[Reines: "What's going on, brother?"]

[The Second King whispered, "Black-faced Madonna statues are rare and scattered throughout Europe and other places. Famous examples include the Madonna in Montserrat Monastery and the Madonna in Lepie Cathedral."]

"These black-faced Madonna statues differ greatly in appearance from typical Mary statues. This phenomenon can also be seen in icons of patron saints and other deities, suggesting that it is due to the incorporation of the Earth Mother and pre-Christian beliefs."

"Are you curious about that statue of the Virgin Mary, magician?"

Seeing their expressions, Belsak turned and asked.

The Second Prince nodded and said, "Because it's quite rare."

[Belsauk: "I heard it's an ancient artifact passed down in the village. Priest Fernand should know more about it, right?"]

[Second Generation: "I see. If this area belongs to the Celts of the islands, does it mean they have different origins and have had cultural exchanges in the past..."]

[Belsauk: "Before I take you to my house, could you please pray to the Virgin Mary? It's a custom in this village."]