"Aesc and Shiomi, you've been traveling across Britannia for two thousand years, right?"
After journeying from the western edge of the Great Hollow to its eastern side, the group continued south along the road toward Oxford. As they crossed a small hill, Totorot glanced back at the distant rim of the Hollow, barely visible on the horizon, and asked.
"It's not like we've been traveling nonstop for all two thousand years," Aesc said, reaching out to pull up the lagging Baobhan Sith. "Whenever there's no war or calamity, my husband and I live in seclusion."
"That's not what I meant—don't use every chance to show off your love!" Totorot protested with a grin. "I meant, in all that time, you've never gone to investigate the Great Hollow?"
The fairies of Britannia all followed an unspoken rule: never approach the Great Hollow. Totorot was no exception. But passing close to it like this, it was impossible not to notice—and curiosity inevitably stirred.
"We checked it out long ago," Shiomi said. "But only the area around the edge. It's unbelievably deep. Even with Reinforcement Magecraft, you can't see where the light stops."
"Oh… I see," Totorot murmured.
"But back then," Aesc said with a wry smile, "my husband wanted to go down there himself. I had to stop him. The whole place gives off a deeply unsettling feeling."
She had been afraid that Shiomi might never return—and alone, she wouldn't be able to rescue him without endangering herself as well. To risk both their lives for an investigation with no clear purpose seemed utterly meaningless to Aesc. She'd rather keep her distance than let Shiomi venture into danger.
"I don't think it's that dangerous," Shiomi said with a faint smile. "But if you're against it, I'll let it go."
"So you still want to conduct a proper investigation?" Aesc asked, knowing he'd never truly given up.
Shiomi shrugged. "If we get the chance, let's take a look. We've got more companions now. You and the others can support from above while I go down to explore."
Aesc let out a long sigh. "...I knew this was going to happen."
Just as Shiomi was curious about the Hollow's depths, she was too. If possible, she wanted to descend herself—but when it came to deciding who should go, there was no winning against him. Even settling it through force wouldn't change that.
Aesc knew she wasn't as skilled in combat as Shiomi. Even if she could defeat every fairy in Britannia, she still couldn't defeat him. The difference in technique, awareness, and experience meant Shiomi could always seize even the slightest opening.
And his growth had never stopped. Aesc suspected that even after another two thousand years—even if she rang all six Pilgrim's Bells and lifted every restraint—she still wouldn't surpass her husband in battle.
"Don't worry," Shiomi said gently, squeezing her hand with quiet confidence. "I've already thought of a plan that should ease your mind."
Totorot laughed brightly. "Heh, you two really are a pair—one more reckless than the other."
"When the time comes, Sage, please focus on your investigation. We'll protect the Witch with everything we've got," Baobhan Sith said sincerely.
"We'll see. For now, let's just keep moving."
Shiomi smiled as he patted Baobhan Sith's head.
Their departure from Gloucester, the territory of the Wing Clan, hadn't been kept secret. Word had already spread to the other clans.
So as Shiomi's group drew closer to Oxford and glimpsed the fleeting silhouette of a Fang Fairy scout, he knew the Fang Clan would soon be ready to receive them.
"This is as far as we go."
As they crested a hill and the cityscape of Oxford came into view, Shiomi raised his hand, signaling Aesc and the others behind him to stop.
They quickly noticed that across the rolling plains below, hundreds of Fang Fairies had assembled in a tight, disciplined formation, ready for battle.
"Wow, quite the warm welcome. I thought the Fang Clan would be a bit less polite," Shiomi remarked, stepping forward alone to address the fairies below.
"Welcome? If that's how you want to frame it, then fine by me, Sage."
A coarse, arrogant voice answered him as a Fang Fairy stepped out from among the ranks—distinct from the rest, its bearing exuding authority.
Its fur was mostly grayish-white, with symmetrical dark-gray patches on the inner wrists and at the center of its chest. Its wild mane was loosely bound with golden iron rings, and its powerful physique clearly set it apart from its kin.
This was the chieftain of the Fang Clan.
And more than that... a rare Sub-Bell.
Shiomi immediately recognized its true nature and felt a brief, quiet sense of awe. Two thousand years had passed since the last Sub-Bell had appeared—and now, another had emerged, once again within the most combative and violent of all fairy clans.
"If this isn't a welcome, then why has the Fang Clan gathered here?" Shiomi asked with a calm smile, lowering his hands to his sides.
"To tell you lot to get lost, of course. Salisbury, Norwich—go wherever you like. The Fang Clan has no interest in entertaining guests." The chieftain's tone was filled with disdain as he delivered the order to leave.
Shiomi remained composed. "And what's your name, chieftain of the Fang Clan?"
"You want to know my name? You're not worthy of it," the chieftain scoffed. "You were the one who meddled in our affairs and caused our clan heavy losses during the war against the Northern Fairies. Don't think the Fang Clan has forgotten."
"Oh… sharp memory." Shiomi nodded thoughtfully. "So you're saying you won't listen to our warning—and you plan to face Queen Mab of the Northern Fairies on your own?"
"Pointless question," the chieftain replied with absolute confidence. His arrogance came from strength—the power of a Sub-Bell, said to rival even that of the first.
"Do you really think you can win?" Shiomi asked as he slowly descended the hill.
"Of course."
By the time he spoke, Shiomi was already standing before the Fang Chieftain. The towering fairy loomed over him, easily more than two meters tall—head and shoulders above Shiomi's 185 centimeters.
"I've heard that the Fang Clan believes 'might makes right.' How about this, then?" Shiomi clasped his hands behind his back. "If you defeat me, we'll leave immediately."
The Fang Chieftain sneered coldly. "And if you win, the Fang Clan will obey your command, Sage. Whether you're human or something else, it makes no difference."
"Is that your word?" Shiomi narrowed his eyes.
"I am Wryneck, chieftain of the Fang Clan. I swear it on a warrior's honor," Wryneck declared with full confidence.
Shiomi chuckled softly, the sound growing from a low murmur into a clear, resonant laugh that echoed across the fields.
From her spot on the hillside, Aesc heard it. Then, with a faint, sympathetic smile, she shook her head.
...
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