The Wing Clan's domain of Gloucester was a bit more prosperous than the Mirror Clan's territory or Manchester. It could rival Edinburgh, home of the Northern Fairies, though it lacked a certain indescribable charm.
Walking through Gloucester's streets, Shiomi felt as if he were seeing the Paris or London of the eighteenth century as described in books. The roads, still damp from rain a few days ago, were no longer muddy, but the earth beneath his feet was soft and unpleasant to step on.
Without the use of cleaning Magecraft, both his and Aesc's shoes would already be covered in grime. Still, compared to the less-than-ideal environment, Gloucester's commercial spirit stood out. Goods from all over Britannia could be found here—some even smuggled in from the Northern Fairies.
If you gave the right signal, the shopkeeping fairies would discreetly lead you into a back room to show their "rare" contraband. In reality, these so-called treasures were usually Edinburgh specialties like chocolate or spirits. Over the past century, relations between northern and southern fairies had soured once again, forcing what was once ordinary trade into the shadows.
"This fabric doesn't feel quite right, does it?" Totorot ran her fingers over the cloth on the counter as she spoke to Shiomi.
Before visiting the Wing Clan's chieftain to warn them about preparing for war, the group had decided to take their time browsing through Gloucester's markets.
Shiomi gave the fabric a quick glance. "You're right. It's not suitable for a wedding dress."
The material was clean, thick, and smooth—good for robes or undergarments. But a wedding dress... In his mind, such a gown should be made of silk or chiffon. This heavy fabric didn't fit his sense of beauty. It might suit the island of fairies, but it was lacking something.
"Maybe we should call Aesc to take another look. Hey, boss, bring us some higher-grade cloth, will you?" Totorot said, noticing that Aesc was no longer in the shop. "Huh? Where'd she go?"
"She just stepped out. Said the air was stuffy." Shiomi set down the fabric in his hands and turned to head outside to call her back.
But when he stepped out, Aesc wasn't at the door either.
Following the traces of residual Mana, he soon spotted her at a street corner, confronting several fairies. From her posture, Shiomi could tell she was struggling to hold back her temper.
"These useless fairies who can only suck blood—they have nothing to do with the Savior, right?" one of the fairies sneered.
They clearly recognized the unfamiliar outsider who had come to Gloucester.
Another fairy tugged at her companion's sleeve. "Ugh, what's the point? Bullying a worthless fairy as filthy as a rag is boring. And it's even worse when the Savior steps in."
"Anyway, this one's our toy. What's it to you?" the third fairy shot back, refusing to back down. She yanked the ragged fairy by the hair and threw her against the wall, glaring defiantly.
Her attitude made it clear—this was the Winged Fairies' internal affair. Even the Savior had no right to interfere.
They didn't realize that their baseless hatred for Aesc came from fear of the Paradise Fairies, not from her presence.
"No... I'm not your... ah!"
The red-haired fairy tried to deny it, but one glare from the leader silenced her. Terrified of worse punishment, she dared not speak again.
"Let her go! The Northern Fairies are about to attack, and you're wasting time tormenting your own kind?" Aesc raised her hand sharply, her tone cold and commanding.
She hadn't meant to get involved, but these fairies were merciless. They clearly intended to torture the red-haired girl to death right there in the street—for their own amusement.
The fairies passing by didn't even look. To them, it was just another ordinary scene.
"This is just the most useless low-level fairy. If she's gone, she's gone. She wouldn't have been much use in battle anyway." The leader of the fairies spoke indifferently.
"Get lost." Shiomi suddenly spoke from behind Aesc.
His cold gaze, sharp as a blade against their throats, froze the three fairies in terror. One of them, clutching a dagger, trembled so hard that the weapon clattered to the ground.
Aesc immediately realized her earlier urge to strike them wasn't misplaced. If they didn't leave right now, Shiomi would kill them here in the street—even if it meant offending the Winged Fairies.
Of course, that was assuming the other Winged Fairies wouldn't find the spectacle entertaining.
The three fairies fled in a panic, clearly aware their lives were in danger and knowing no one would come to their aid. Shiomi looked down, expression flat, and kicked the fallen dagger aside in disdain.
These fairies were utterly spineless.
"Sigh..."
Aesc let out a quiet breath, realizing how much more decisive Shiomi was compared to herself. She stepped forward and reached out to the low-level fairy slumped against the wall—covered in mud, bruised, and bloodied.
The red-haired fairy girl looked up at Aesc in stunned disbelief, as if seeing a ray of light pierce through endless darkness.
"Can you stand?" Aesc asked.
"No, it's fine... I'm too dirty. I'd only soil the hands of the Savior."
The red-haired fairy girl scrambled to her feet, wiping tears from her eyes as she spoke. The tears mixed with the mud and blood on her face, blurring her features until they were unrecognizable. Then she stumbled away.
"Too dirty?" Aesc murmured, not understanding what she meant.
"For a lowly fairy like her, Aesc's existence is unreachable. Even if you extend a hand, it's still the same," Totorot said from behind.
She had seen everything.
Throughout their journey from Manchester to here, Totorot had come to understand the couple's personalities quite well. They shared many similarities, yet were complete opposites in many ways.
Aesc possessed a genuine kindness—she was the perfect bride. Shiomi, on the other hand, was far colder than he appeared, especially toward fairies.
Just like those three who fled in fear, Totorot had no doubt that if they hadn't run, Shiomi would have killed them without hesitation.
"Is... that so?" Aesc murmured, still uncertain.
She could sense the hostility and hatred most fairies held toward her, but the red-haired fairy girl hadn't shown any of that. Like Totorot and the Black Knight Ector, she hadn't instinctively rejected Aesc.
"Who knows." Shiomi brushed a blade of grass off Aesc's collar. "It's about time we went to find the local chieftain."
"Not buying anything? Then let's go."
Aesc nodded in understanding.
After all that commotion, none of them were in the mood to shop anymore.