Magician in Type-Moon

Page 321

The beautiful scenery, interwoven with forests, lakes, and marble, exudes a solemnity reminiscent of a fairytale scene.

In terms of sheer merits, this place is in no way inferior to many famous cities in England.

But every marble slab piled up here seems meticulously calculated to instill unease. Though clearly man-made, it appears as if it was always in that shape—like something unearthed from the mountains, creating a stage for impossible illusions.

This city originally belonged to a magician named Gerlion Ashburn.

A magician who bears the name of "the monster that appeared in the tenth trial" of Hercules.

The miracle of Ashburn, also known as the restorer.

But not long ago, the city's owner died.

Because he did not designate an heir before his death, the city is currently being managed by the Legal Affairs Department of the Clock Tower.

After receiving a clue about Aozaki Touko, El-Melloi II immediately launched an investigation, eventually tracing the source back to this place.

According to a little-known record, Orlock Sissamond, the "authority on butterfly magic," had his magic mark maintained and repaired here, and lived here for a long time.

Considering the city lord's death, this is quite suspicious.

The guide, who had reached the front, stopped in front of the half-collapsed city gate.

This is a strange woman named Hanano Ryori who wears a Japanese kimono even in England.

She turned her head and looked at the group of magicians behind her, saying:

"Let me confirm again, is El-Melloi sure he wants to exchange the right to summon a Heroic Spirit for the opportunity to inherit Gryphon Ashburn's legacy?"

"Of course, according to the current investigation, there is also a way to repair the El-Melloi family's magic crest in this stripped-down city."

In response to Hana no Hishiri's question, Nise nodded in reply.

"Is that so? Although it seems a bit extravagant, for El-Melloi, there is really nothing that can compare to this."

Hanako Ryori glanced at Reines, the rightful heir of El-Melloi, who was at the very back of the group, playing with a hooded girl who was wrapped up tightly in a hood, and revealed a knowing expression.

"Then come with me. With your setup, you shouldn't cause any major trouble. I can only wish you good luck."

After uttering those words, Hana no Ryori stepped through the city gate.

Aozaki Touko, who was walking alongside the young master, nodded thoughtfully and followed.

Inside the open city gates was a simple but spacious courtyard.

Rather than being an English garden incorporating natural scenery, it gives a stronger impression that the owner had no interest in gardening and only maintained a minimal facade.

However, if we're talking about preferences, the owner seems to prefer water.

Because there are man-made lakes everywhere.

A thin man in a suit stood in front of the entrance hall of the mansion, which served as the main building of the castle.

He appears to be a butler, but after confirmation from Aozaki Touko, he is merely a programmed doll.

"We've been waiting for you, His Excellency El-Melloi II and His Highness Aozaki..."

He bowed respectfully and opened the door.

The hall was surprisingly spacious.

"I heard that all the magicians who came here to inherit the estate have died."

Aozaki Touko stepped into the entrance hall first, then casually uttered this somewhat terrifying statement.

She adjusted her glasses with her fingers, then turned to look at Hana no Ryori, who had been at the front of the group but had somehow ended up at the back, and said:

"Are there any helpful clues?"

Hana no Ryori shook her head and waved her hands:

"No, the master of this city died too suddenly and didn't leave many clues. The only thing that came out was the rumor that 'it can repair magic marks,' which attracted a large number of magicians to come here to try to seize his legacy."

"And then they all died here? And your so-called 'management on behalf of others' in the Department of Law and Politics is just collecting entrance fees?"

The Second King walked to the very center of the hall, circled it once, and looked at the unfinished angel statues hanging on the walls, saying this.

"It sounds a bit awkward, but it's really true." Hana no Ryori covered her mouth and chuckled, then continued:

"However, if we're talking about clues, there is indeed one noteworthy point: the magic crests on the bodies of the magicians who died here seem to have disappeared, without even a trace."

"Oh? That sounds interesting. No wonder it's called the City of Stripping."

Orange nodded, then directed Reines and the hooded girl Grey to begin setting up a barrier inside the castle.

It is a routine procedure used for protection, vigilance, and reconnaissance.

"Alright, you two can go and rest now. After all, the journey here has been quite arduous, and children who don't get enough sleep will have developmental problems."

After inspecting the setup of the barrier, Orange said this and then gestured for the Second Prince to follow her.

Although Grey and Reines were somewhat resistant, they gave up the idea of ​​following after receiving the Second King's approval.

Hana no Ryori was left standing to the side, ignored by everyone.

The stripped-down city is basically a two-story building, forming a twisted structure.

If viewed from above, it looks like an oriental magatama... or a fetus curled up.

The city wall extends outwards to protect the fetus, and the area near the fetus's arms becomes a wide vestibule.

Orange walked into the front yard and headed in 'a certain direction'.

Before entering the city, she had already used the insect familiar she obtained from Matouchi to survey the entire castle's structure from the air.

“The atmosphere in this city is chaotic,” the Second Prince said in a low voice as he walked up to Orange.

"Yes, indeed. It's like something that should have been perfectly harmonious has been completely altered and is no longer recognizable."

Orange looked at the angel statue that was not yet fully completed and said.

The Second King looked at the angel statue before him and nodded.

The chaos he just mentioned refers to these things.

This kind of thing shouldn't be here in the first place.

A magician's workshop that has been in operation for who knows how many years should, in all but common sense, be decorated and furnished according to the wishes of the city's original owner.

The interior design and decoration also need to be adjusted in accordance with the mysteries it possesses.

The angel statue that appeared in this castle was as if its owner had suddenly lost his mind and wanted to start over on a different path of magic.

This is where it gets irrational.

What magician would suddenly abandon the magic passed down through their family for countless years and then start anew on a different path before the end of their life?

Then there's only one possibility...

"Are you trying to find the source of the changes in the city's magical foundation?"

"That's right. You can see the original ideas of the city's owner just by looking at the original layout of the city."

Orange recalled the layout she had seen outside the city: the city gates, walls, mansions, and the distorted shapes she had seen from the sky.

The city gate represents the entrance—to enter.

The city wall represents a barrier—protection.

Lakes represent nutrients—nurturing.

The mansion located in the city center, when viewed from above, looks twisted like a curled-up baby.

It's like an embryo that hasn't fully developed yet; such a strong impression makes one think of an embryo.

In other words, this city must have been built according to the principles of life's creation, a castle resembling a womb.

The concepts symbolized by the magicians entering through the city gates...

It is undoubtedly the seed used to activate this city.

However, the embryo is already largely formed, so only a specific person can serve as the magician who can act as the seed.

Other magicians will only become nourishment.

"So it seems the claim that any magician can inherit the estate is a complete lie. The heir has already been designated. Has the Department of Law and Politics learned to use this kind of trick to fool people?"

The Second Prince sighed.

Orange looked at him with a strange expression:

"You haven't forgotten why we came here, have you? We're not here to inherit this legacy."

"Of course, but it would be such a pity not to see this magical achievement that can perfectly repair a magic mark in person."

The Second Prince murmured and strode forward.

"So blatantly trying to learn other people's magic tricks, no wonder everyone calls you the Plunderer..."

Orange made a comment and then walked forward.

The moon has appeared outside.

It is a full moon.

The moonlight was soon obscured by the lush, dense foliage, and the front yard transformed into a forest.

Orange and the Second Prince did not stop, ignoring the bushes and branches, and just kept walking straight ahead.

This level of friction would not damage their specially made clothing.

After walking about several dozen meters further, something trembled.

"Is this the place?" The Second Prince stopped and asked Orange.

"The location should be about right. If we compare the vestibule to a baby's hand, then according to the later renovation magic idea, it should be here."

Orange nodded.

Leaving aside the original design concept of the city, let's look at the unfinished changes that followed – the angels.

In Christian tradition, angels are often depicted as divine beings who hold holy light, bring sacred messages, or protect humanity.

The most famous of these is Gabriel, an important messenger of God who announced to Mary that she would conceive and give birth to Jesus.

From a magician's perspective, this is equivalent to a magician using their mystique to imbue something with a new form of change.

In other words, the source of change in this stripped-away city should be the place where Gabriel endowed the embryo with divinity.