The three, including Lydia, headed towards the sea. This was because Fergus said that the sun giant clan would be helpless in that area.
But even if they left the forest, there was still a vast plain before their eyes. Although they considered the sun, that was positioned quite low, as the target to go straight forward, it wasn’t clear whether or not they were headed towards the sea in the end.
They avoided the plains, walking only along the areas where many trees grew.
“Come to think of it, it’s still really strange.”
Just as they walked toward the edge of the forest, Lota spoke and squinted her eyes, because the thin clouds illuminated rays of light between them.
“You see, the height of the sun hasn’t changed since we left the rocky region where the giant was staying. I don’t know whether it’s sunrise or sunset. If it was sunrise, the position should become higher: if it’s sunset, then it should sink down.”
“You’re right.”
After Lydia confirmed the position of the sun once again, she mumbled.
“Right now, this place is in eternal light, this should be the Trow’s magic.”
“What, then will it always be daytime?”
“Yes, before I was captured by the Trow and wandered around everywhere, the sun was just about that high. This isn’t the Trow’s land, so be on the lookout and make sure the sunset isn’t coming.”
Giants loathe the sunset and the sea. Although this was perhaps their weakness, whether it was human or any fairy clan, they were no match.
“When the sun is swallowed by the sea for the third time”......
The Trow’s immortal body will die.
What does this mean?
If she didn’t solve this riddle, Lydia would probably be unable to return to Edgar’s side.
“Lydia, what’s wrong?”
Lota looked back at her. The reason why Lydia stopped her footsteps was because she felt as if she heard Edgar’s voice.
But there’s no sign of him anywhere, I must have misheard.
Lota pulled Lydia’s hand, and she continued walking once again.
“It’s going to be alright, it’ll be difficult for the giant to find the wooden staff amongst the forest with many grown trees. Nico, Raven and Edgar will definitely think of a way.”
Lota tried to cheer Lydia up, probably feeling that Lydia was very restless.
“Besides, Lydia, even if the giant finds the wooden staff and uses magic, I won’t leave you alone, I’ll stay with you.”
Although Lydia felt happy because Lota was grasping her hand firmly, she thought to herself that it was impossible for her to that.
If Lota was taken to the giant’s country, her lifespan would be reduced.
“Do you want to take a break? I’m tired.”
Lydia deliberately let go of Lota’s hand and then leaned against a thick tree trunk.
“Say, I also don’t know how long we must walk before we reach the beach. Although you can’t feel hungry or thirsty in the fairy world, you can actually get tired.”
Lota had also stretched, then casually sat beside the tree roots.
“Hey, Lydia, there is one way that can make you not bound by the engagement ring.”
Fergus stood in front of Lydia; rather than saying that he just thought of these words, it would be better to say that he had been thinking for a long time before he spoke out.
“That is to accept my proposal.”
“What? Don’t be ridiculous.”
Although Lota immediately refuted, Fergus held out a single hand toward Lydia who was leaning against the trunk, then continued speaking:
“The reason why the ring that was important to you was snatched away by the giant, is because it’s the engagement ring? As long as the engagement is rescinded, then it’s merely an ordinary ring, and the Trow won’t be able to use magic to kidnap you.”
“......That’s impossible. Besides, feelings can’t be changed like that so easily.”
“However, that Earl wasted the chance for you to return to the human world.”
That hit the mark. Surprised, Lydia looked up at Fergus.
“Think about it, then you’ll understand. I heard that the Kelpie that took you away is a fairy that you’re acquainted with?”
If it was a fairy she knew that would want to return Lydia to the fairy world, it would be quite difficult to accomplish without a ring, so he thought that Lydia would consider using changeling magic.
Worthy of being the McKeel clan head’s eldest son, he seemed to possess relevant knowledge of fairies.
“If it was me, then I would have recognised you. A fiancée who disappeared because of being involved in a fairy incident, and then there’s an unfamiliar woman with him and getting close to him, perhaps he would be suspicious. Then again, that guy claiming to be the Blue Knight Earl obviously knows that Lydia is a fairy doctor, yet he hadn’t thought about the possibility of a changeling, this really is too strange.”
However, this was inevitable.
Even Lydia didn’t think that Edgar would notice that she used changeling magic. She only expected that Edgar would intuitively know that she was by his side.
“Furthermore, the Trow won’t give up on you. Even if you return to the human world, they will still kidnap you. Even the Earl, who couldn’t make out a changeling, could he find ways to confront the giant? While the giants had once laid an agreement to not kill members of the McKeel clan, they will easily kill other humans. If it’s us then it’s possible to make a deal with the giants.”
Edgar may get killed by the giant.
Lydia noticed this point, and couldn’t help but become afraid.
Despite her hoping that Edgar would come and save her, and her wanting to meet with him, if he came here, it may lead to an uncontrollable situation, because he would sometimes handle matters recklessly.
“Fergus, that’s enough.”
Lydia couldn’t answer. Lota wanted to stand in front of her, but Fergus pulled Lydia over to him with a jerk, whose heart was uneasy.
His red hair nearly came across Lydia’s cheek.
Lydia was surprised.
The man that would to do this to her would only be Edgar.
Lydia had only touched Edgar’s blond hair, and it was only with Edgar’s ash mauve eyes that were at such a close distance, as she met his eyes when gazing at each other.
The ice-cold eyes with hidden emotions was the last memory of Lydia and him touching. As that recollection swept past her mind, she felt dazed because of Fergus’ passionate gaze.
During her confusion, unable to move, there was something flashing in the sky.
A silver ray of light beamed straight down.
“Whoa!”
In the moment that Fergus yelled as he jumped backward, a special sword pierced into the ground where he originally stood.
It was the treasured Merrow’s sword.
“W-what is this......?”
Fergus wanted to take a closer look at the sword when a voice suddenly appeared from deep in the woods.
“Don’t touch it! I forbid you to touch my things.”
It was Edgar’s voice.
Astonished, Lydia stared fixedly, deep into the forest.
The shadow of someone was slowly approaching.
“Didn’t I tell you to skewer him from the top of the head?”
After Edgar muttered, the sword began to answer:
(I thought you were joking.)
The sword then disappeared, and Edgar stood from a distance slightly away from Lydia.
She saw Raven and Nico running over from behind, together with Patrick.
Patrick overtook Edgar and ran to Fergus, but Edgar was still standing in place, looking at Lydia with a somewhat sad expression.
“Lydia...... you’re safe.”
He indeed called out Lydia’s name. It was truly a reassuring voice, the familiar and gentle voice that made Lydia want to cling to Edgar on impulse regardless of being seen by the others.
But she couldn’t because she was grabbed by Lota, who was beside her.
Did she think that if Edgar noticed Lydia just now doing something with Fergus, he wouldn’t accept her?
She clearly knew that it wouldn’t be the case, but when she was still “Liz”, the feeling of embracing Edgar and being pushed away came again, making her more fearful.
“Come on, hurry and go, Lydia.”
Lota urged her, but Lydia was unable to leave her.
“B-but Lota...... tell me, do I truly look like Lydia right now?”
“What? What are you saying?”
“Is there anything different?”
“There isn’t. Right, Edgar?”
Edgar saw Lydia appearing as if she wanted to run away, so he felt very troubled. Normally, he would definitely try leaning over and hug her regardless of everything, but now he didn’t do such a thing. Lydia increasingly felt that he wasn’t like usual, certainly because there was something different about herself.
She didn’t know that Edgar found out that Liz was her at that time and didn’t know that he felt heartache for this reason.
“Lydia, we were able to meet again, aren’t you relieved?”
“Hey Edgar, let me first make this clear, the matters just now, Lydia did nothing wrong, it was that guy who insisted on coming near her.”
Lota seemed to think that Lydia was afraid of Edgar’s misunderstanding.
“I know Lydia can’t love a man other than her formal fiancé.”
After Fergus heard this, he suddenly looked back and said:
“What formal fiancé, you didn’t even know about the changeling magic.”
Then he used his passionate gaze from a moment ago to look at Lydia.
“Lydia, think about it carefully. I am not asking you to decide between the Earl and I. Rather, I want you to choose between being forced to be the giant’s bride and returning to the island with me!”
Edgar walked towards Fergus. He pushed aside Patrick who tried to protect Fergus, then he roughly grabbed onto Fergus’s shirt.
“I will never let her become the giant’s bride, I came to defeat it.”
“What? This is why the English are unbearable...... You simply do not understand fairies, and how impossible it is to defeat the Trow. ”
Fergus snorted contemptuously.
“Then do you want to bet your head as the stake? If I win, the next eyesore will be you.”
“Fergus, don’t get provoked.”
Patrick spoke out to stop him, but Fergus wasn’t willing to back down.
“Suit yourself, you’ll be killed at any rate.”
“Edgar, stop it.”
Lydia wanted to stop him, thus she left Lota’s side. But she still couldn’t take the initiative to touch Edgar, so she was only able to worriedly look at the two glaring at each other from behind.
Just then, Lydia felt a strange sensation that struck her like having her hair pulled, causing her whole body to get goosebumps.
“It’s the Trow’s magic......!”
Nico yelled.
Instantly, a gust of wind blew. Just as he thought that, the gust swept up the trees, reduced the vortex range that surrounded them and pulled everyone in.
While the leaves and dust seized their field of vision, the wind’s spiral seemed to have determined a target and caught Lydia.
The giant found the wooden staff, and was using his magic to kidnap Lydia.
Edgar grabbed her in the moment that she was almost carried away by the wind, but her body was already floating in the air.
Edgar was clearly here, yet Lydia felt the ring’s pull. This was because she faced Edgar with hesitation. Although she understood, she didn’t know what to do.
Despite this, Edgar still didn’t let go of her hand, so the both of them were swept in.
If this continued, Edgar would also be brought to the giant’s side, perhaps he will be killed by the giant as Fergus said.
Lydia didn’t want this, at the same time, she extended her other hand towards Edgar.
Not long ago, Lydia’s hand wasn’t able to reach Edgar at the fort’s riverbank, but now, she forcefully held on.
He wrapped his hands around Lydia’s body, hugging her, and as she leaned against his chest, the wind suddenly calmed down.
The two of them were suddenly released from the wind, falling to the ground.
Lydia, bore the pain of her hit knee and raised her head, but apart from grassland, there was nothing all around.
Edgar caught her, so the magic that linked Lydia with the ring lost its effect before she was brought back to the giant’s side.
“Lydia..... if I could, I’d really like to maintain this current state, but now, perhaps it can’t be done.”
Edgar said painfully. Lydia pushed down on him.
“Ah! I-I’m sorry.”
After she hastily moved away, Edgar carefully got up like he was in pain. Once she looked, she found that Edgar’s chest was bleeding, and that the blood had already spread to his vest.
“You’re hurt!”
“That, it’s merely a wound that split open slightly, nothing more.”
“But...... oh no, does it hurt? Is the wound very deep?”
Lydia was flustered, at the same time, it was because she didn’t know what ought to be done and wanted to cry. Edgar saw her like this, and smiled without knowing why.
“Thank goodness...... you’re still willing to be worried for me.”
She felt a pair of hands touch her cheeks and lifted her eyes, but because she saw something dazzling, her heart skipped a beat. She saw the person she wanted to see, and also wanted hold Edgar in her joyous mood, but as expected, she was still a little afraid, so she couldn’t do it.
Compared to this, she felt that Edgar’s hands seemed particularly hot.
“Edgar, do you also have a fever?”
“Yeah, it’s not a big deal.”
He gently pulled back the hand stroking Lydia’s cheek, was it because he didn’t want her to know that he his fever had heightened?
Saying that it wasn’t a big deal, was simply a lie. Lydia was even more worried.
“How did you get hurt?”
“When I was swimming in the river, I was hit by driftwood.”
The river? Shouldn’t it be that time...? But why would Edgar be in the river?
Edgar worriedly looked at her, this time he only stroked Lydia’s hair.
“I was confused by your appearance, so wasn’t able to find out all along. I noticed before the moment I was about to lose you, it really is humiliating. But in the end it was still too late, and I just allowed you be brought back to the giant.”
Before, Lydia thought as if she was pulled up from the river by Edgar, and heard him call her name, it turns out that all of this wasn’t a dream. At the same time that she was astonished and recalled that kiss which seemed to confirm her identity, thus she blushed.
“No way, how can that be? It’s all because of me....”
“No, I reap what I have sown. It was me who let you get caught up in danger, and hurt you deeply. So I understand, you must be very afraid of me, right? You shouldn’t be able to trust me as your fiancé.”
It wasn’t like that. Her feelings of liking Edgar had not changed. But because Lydia liked him, she wouldn’t be able to respond, due to the fear of being rejected.
Edgar sighed painfully.
“Do I already lack the qualifications to be your fiancé?”
“N-no, not noticing the changeling magic was quite normal.”
“But because you thought that I would discover you, you used Kelpie’s magic to return the the human world, isn’t that right?”
“Th-then it should be said that I myself was too subjective.....”
Edgar frowned, dissatisfied.
“You mean you were expecting too much? Please don't say such things, as if I were only a man of this level...... Although I am only at this level, I have gradually improved. You see, even if women were to approach me, I honestly can’t enjoy it anymore.”
It was a little odd when he said, “honestly.”
Lydia was bewildered, but Edgar was only earnestly looking into her eyes.
“You repeatedly cried out for my help, yet I was unable to discover you, so if I am hated by you, then there is nothing I can do. However, I still have a chance to rescue you from here, right?”
Was Edgar really planning to become enemies with the giant? Lydia urgently stood up.
“There’s no way, the opponent is a giant, the giant clan can’t be killed by anybody.”
“So what do you mean? You wouldn’t think of trying to do according to what Fergus said, right?”
I don’t know. After all, what was the best way to settle this? For Lydia, she only did not want Edgar getting killed, thus there seemed to be no other way.
Seeing Lydia deep in thought, Edgar forcefully shook his head and said:
“No, I don’t want to hear it. Please be calm okay? Regardless of whether you want to scold me or hit me, it doesn’t matter, but please don’t say goodbye to me again.”
After that, he turned his gaze from Lydia towards the profound gloomy sky, using his hands to block the sun, that was positioned low.
“Arrow surveyed the land from the sky and located your whereabouts. He also informed me of the giant’s territory that is encircled by its magic.”
Edgar changed the subject, and then called out: “Arrow.”
The long sword, decorated with the Star Sapphire appeared in the sky. Edgar held out his hand, tightly gripping the sword.
“You can already talk with Arrow.”
“In the human world, it’s still very hard to do as I please, but I should be able to control this sword’s power a little. As long as the seal on the sword’s power is undone, drawing out the power of the Star Ruby, then perhaps we can overthrow the giant.”
“Star Ruby?”
“The Sapphire will emit a red light, transforming into a Ruby, afterwards this sword will be able to slay fairies. ”
Slay fairies? Lydia frowned in surprise.
Isn’t that unseelie magic?
Before the star was engraved into the gem, the Merrow’s sword probably existed since ancient times, therefore, it wasn’t strange even if it possessed ominous kind of powers. However, Edgar said that he wanted to draw out that power, which was quite difficult to imagine.
Besides, how was he able to understand and manipulate the sword’s power?
“But Lydia, there is still a riddle that must be solved. Giants will only die when “the sun is swallowed by the sea for the third time”. For one thing, I think it should be referring to the sunset, but is it possible that the giant could be killed by the third time?”
“Edgar, this region won’t have sunsets.”
After Lydia finished speaking, Edgar turned his head in shock, speechless at the circumstances.
“It seems it’s the giants use magic to prevent the sun from setting.”
“That sort of thing is possible?”
“This is the fairy world, moreover the sun probably won’t fall only within their range of magic influence.”
“……Then I will bring the giant outside of it’s magic range. Since they hate the sunset to this extent, from the moment the sunset comes, there is surely a chance.”
Although Edgar spoke very simply, Lydia didn’t believe the requirements of the condition would be fulfilled. That is, being able to kill the giant once sunset approached.
No matter how much power the sword had that was able to slay fairies, the giant will not die by any means other than the fulfillment of the condition from the legend.
The telling of the legend wasn’t necessarily fact, yet it’s bound to have truth.
Even so, Edgar still intended to fight.
Lydia saw him painfully get up, and couldn’t help being extremely anxious. Although she wanted to lend an arm out, Edgar said that it wasn’t serious. He probably wanted to concentrate on the battle with the giant.
“If I’m touched by you, I will only think about you.”
He said and smiled with self-derision.
“We haven’t seen each other for several days. Although I didn’t recognise you at the time, I was almost worried to death, thus my self-control has weakened. If I come across you, other matters, as far as I’m concerned, will become irrelevant.”
“But Edgar, your condition.....”
“If I don’t beat the giant, you will always be considered as a target, so I must do it.”
Edgar held the sword once more, and although there wasn’t a hint of instability in his steps, the reason why he wanted to concentrate on this matter was due to him lacking extra mental and physical strength to think about other things.
Just thinking about his usual self who would play a joke in critical situations, Lydia worried even more.
“The sword is trembling. The giant must be coming over here, because Arrow knows of Little Bow’s movements.”
Edgar looked around cautiously.
Lydia faintly heard the earth rumbling like the sound of footsteps.
She glanced towards the hills and saw a shadow. Moreover, it lifted a wooden staff up high.
“Edgar, watch out!”
When Lydia pushed Edgar away, a huge crack appeared on the ground.
Edgar held Lydia, who almost fell into the cracks because of the ground crumbling beneath her feet, and fell down with her on the grasslands.
The giant was trying to run down the hill.
The both of them hastily got up, pulling each other’s hands and running.
“Wait! Leave our bride!”
The giant's voice echoed along with the earth tremors.
“Lydia is my fiancée!”
Edgar retorted as he ran.
“This girl is the Prophet’s fiancée, you shouldn’t be the McKeel clan’s Prophet.”
“I am the Blue Knight Earl!”
“The Blue Knight......?”
Apparently the giant had heard of this name, merely whispering while trying to stay cautious.
“Don’t lie! I heard that the bloodline of the Blue Knight Earl family had already been severed.”
That wasn’t a lie. After Edgar whispered, he pulled Lydia’s hand and desperately ran.
The giant decided to use magic again.
Huge pillars of flames appeared as the giant waved his wooden staff, and the flames instantly became a blazing tornado. In addition, it was descending the hills and coming towards them.
Lydia felt a wave of heat behind her, and knew that the fire was already approaching her side.
Just when she thought that she was going to get swept in, something passed through the corner of her eyes.
It was a jet-black horse.
In a flash, Lydia surrounded by an ice-cold atmosphere of water mist, and heard the sound of rushing water, not knowing where it came from.
The flood washed away the grass and dirt and flowed past Lydia’s body, and it’s force struck the blazing tornado.
“Kelpie?”
“Keep running straight forward! The beach is that way!”
The fire and water were in confrontation halfway up the hill.
As Kelpie obstructed the giant, Lydia and Edgar hurried towards the sea.
It was as Kelpie said, the both of them immediately saw it.
Giants were weak when it came to the beach. However, although the position of the sun was very low, there was no sign of the sun setting.
Lydia stood beside the sea, gasping for breath while looking all around.
She first wanted to look for a place to hide, but only white sandy shores could be seen.
At her wits’ end, she was forced to head towards the headland, but at this time, Nico’s voice was suddenly heard.
“Hey Lydia, over here!” He called out.
After she turned around, she saw a fairy cat standing waving in front of the sea.
Just as she thought that, the fairy cat suddenly disappeared, as if hiding behind an invisible wall.
The both of them ran up to it and the scenery in front of them instantly changed as they stepped across the wall.
It was an area with many coarse black rocks. Nico stuck his head out from the big rocks, and beckoned them.
“Lord Edgar.”
The person who stood up was Raven.
“Is it only the two of you?”
“Yes. After Patrick said that he was going to to bring Fergus back immediately and Fergus refused so the two had a dispute. Then, we parted ways from Lota to search for you and Miss Lydia.”
“Lota..... I wonder if she’ll be alright alone.”
Even if it was Lota, wouldn’t being alone in the fairy realm leave her feeling forlorn and helpless? Lydia thought, but Raven replied without much thought: “It should be alright.”
“Because it was too late for me to stop her, she broke into a run by herself.”
Edgar heavily sat on top of the crumbling rocks, probably because he saw Raven and felt slightly relieved afterwards.
Raven bent down, wanting to take a look at Edgar’s condition, but he raised his hand and gave a gentle wave, indicating to Raven that he didn’t need to worry. Nonetheless, he still seemed to be in a lot of pain.
Raven gazed at the blood smudged on Edgar’s chest, but didn’t say anything.
“At any rate, we’ll return to the human world immediately, and come again to get Lota afterwards.”
Nico had a look filled with unease, as it seemed that he didn’t want to stay within the giant’s magic influence range.
“Even in the human world, the giant can still use magic, right?”
Edgar raised his head and asked.
“Yes...... It’s just that there’s no way to use it freely like in the fairy world.”
“If he came searching for Lydia, it would be the same even if we returned now. I want to end things here.”
“Whaat! What are you going to do? It’s impossible.”
Nico’s fur stood on its end and yet it seemed that Edgar didn’t intend on changing his mind.
“If the magic in the fairy world will be comparatively stronger, this sword’s power should also be fully brought out.”
“The sword? But you can’t use the magic well enough?”
Edgar ignored Nico and mumbled:
“The key is in the sunset. We must go to a place where the giant’s magic won’t affect the sun.”
“Hey! If you hide here, you’ll soon be found!”
Looking up, Kelpie was standing on a large rock and looking down upon them.
“This magic wall is so weak it’s shocking, you might as well not use it.”
Nico suddenly prickled his whiskers, seemingly protesting at Kelpie, who transformed into a human. However, as Kelpie turned his head, and as one would expect, Nico looked away, as if he was still afraid.
“Kelpie, what about the giant?”
“I used the river to block him, but he’ll cross over and come soon.”
When Lydia raised her head to look up at Kelpie, she suddenly felt that the scenery was a little uncoordinated, so she looked around.
The rocky area where they were located was a rock that fell from a steep cliff and took shape afterwards. The steep cliff protruded from the sea and formed a cape. In front of the peninsula stood a tall conspicuous tree.
Lydia kept this in mind, then turned around to look at the bay connected to the beach.
A peninsula could faintly be seen in the distance. The peninsula’s prominent form, together with the lone tree, was completely identical to the peninsula on their side.
“The giant magic’s border is on this peninsula. Edgar, there should be an item granting magic to the giant nearby, if only that item could be found.......”
“Then the magic preventing the sun from falling can be undone?”
Just then, something dwelling in the shadows of the rocks fell.
In the pitch-black rocky area, it was unusually reflecting light.
“...isn’t that a mirror?”
Lydia spoke and suddenly discovered something at the same time.
Both sides of the scenery that were identical seemed to overlap according to the mirror’s image. Furthermore, this side was the world’s seal.
The giant was using the mirror’s magic.
“Edgar, I know what to do. I’ll go and undo the magic.”
Lydia said, then broke into a run.
“Whoa!”
Nico suddenly called out, then raced away from the rocky area and dashed to the beach. As soon as he arrived on this safe area, he then called to everyone:
“The Trow is here, run away!”
There was a dark figure standing on a rock.
He used his sharp vision to stare at Lydia, who was planning to pass through the rocky area and run towards the mirror.
I can’t be caught. Although Lydia rushed over urgently, the ground was quite difficult to run on, thus she nearly fell several times, and could only climb the rocks.
“Lydia!”
While Edgar ran towards her, he shot a glance at Kelpie.
“Kelpie, what are you doing just standing there?! It would be great if you could go and get that thing!”
“Fairies can’t go and touch things that give the giants magic.”
“What did you say? How pathetic.”
“I’ll go.”
Raven ran.
Edgar helped Lydia up, who slipped again. Raven quickly ran past Lydia, climbing up the rocks, then extended his hand towards the shining item.
He grabbed the palm-sized round mirror.
“Raven, break that!”
As Lydia called out, Raven threw and smashed mirror onto the rocks at the same time.
Red light poured out from the broken mirror.
The light instantly spread open; the sea, sky, as well as all of the surroundings were caught up in the light.
It was as if red ink overthrew the earth, even the atmosphere was red.
The red sunset’s light that was sealed by the giant flowed into the space in one breath.
They noticed that even the sun became red.
The sun had already arrived at the edge of the sea, and soon it was going to be swallowed by the sea.
The giant looked towards the sea in shock, then looked away from sunset.
“Damn......”
He whispered then promptly turned around and ran.
The giant’s figure temporarily disappeared from the rocky area, but as long as they looked around from the shadows of the rocks, they could see him sitting at a distance further away from the waves.
“He wants to wait until the sunset that he hates has ended.”
“In other words, now is the time.”
Edgar took out his sword.
“But Edgar, the so-called condition of the sun being swallowed by the sea still hasn’t been fulfilled.”
“Regardless, I want to give it a try.”
You’ll definitely be killed.
Lydia’s fears were almost unbearable.
Despite Edgar getting through many dangerous situations to this day, Lydia, the person by his side, had never felt so afraid.
Just at the thought of Edgar losing his life, she felt her breath stop at once.
“……Don’t go.”
Lydia blurted out these words.
She ran towards Edgar, holding the hands that were tightly gripping the sword. His hands were still quite warm.
Although the silver blade of the Merrow’s sword shined a red light under the setting sun, the presence of the Star Sapphire that blossomed a mysterious clear blue light could be felt.
Edgar said that the gem would radiate a red light, was this true? After all, how did he want to release the unseelie magic?
If he was unable to bring out the sword’s power, Edgar wouldn’t have a chance at success. But, even if the sword was able to bring out its powers, the condition to defeat the giant still wasn’t complete.
“I beg you, don’t go, let us return to the human world like this.”
He frowned, troubled by this.
“If your don’t recover and treat your wound, then you can’t do it.”
“What if the giant kidnaps you when I’m bedridden?”
“You don’t have to try so hard for me!”
Lydia even believed that if he collapsed like this, it would be better to become the giant’s bride.
“Don’t need to try so hard? Does that mean that you no longer need me?”
“Edgar......”
“Could it be that I didn’t have the opportunity to rescue you, and so you lost your trust in me?”
“……Yes, that’s right!”
Lydia suddenly replied.
“I was disappointed in you...... I was really scared, really hoping that you would recognise me, but also, not knowing how many times I asked you for help, you....... you think that I’d forgive you?”
Although Edgar had a sorrowful expression, Lydia merely wanted to ask him to stay wholeheartedly.
“Things cannot be settled by you battling the giant, right? If you really like me, return with me. If the giants come and chase after us, we’ll run away together. Then I can forgive you, so regardless of whether it’s marriage or other matters, I’ll listen to you!”
“Although this truly is quite tempting, I don’t like running away. For a long time, I wanted to protect my companions and myself by means of running away from the Prince, but I wasn’t able to protect everyone. How could I force you to taste the pain of running away?”
Despite Lydia feeling that she was unable to stop Edgar, she still tightly grabbed onto him.
Edgar smiled tenderly, then pulled Lydia’s hand over towards him and gazed at her closely.
“Can I kiss you?”
Edgar quickly glanced around, then added: “kiss your cheek.” Because he knew that if they weren’t alone, Lydia was unwilling to do that.
I don’t want it, I don’t want this kiss which seems to be saying goodbye.
“I beg you...... promise me that you won’t go.”
When Lydia could only powerlessly say this, she felt Edgar’s lips. Although it was on the cheek, his lips timidly brushed close to side of Lydia’s lips.
Just as she thought that, his lips appeared to trail towards Lydia’s small mouth and then took it. Although Lydia was astonished, she was unable to move, because without knowing when, her head was held.
Lydia felt his kisses and his fingers sliding through her hair at the same time. If it was said that he wanted to stroke Lydia’s hair, yet the action was wild enough to make her hair dishevelled, it made Lydia appear that not even she understood the mood.
She was in a situation of being unable to move, unable to act freely, bearing his kisses which were even more passionate than usual.
Even when the two were alone, it was never so passionate like this. Lydia thought and was breathless to the extent that she was going to have a fever, but she merely embraced Edgar’s neck pathetically.
If Edgar were to simply forget the battle with the giant, being alone together like this would be nice.......
Despite these hopes faintly floating in Lydia’s mind, Edgar embraced her strongly for the last time then let her go.
“Once I touch you, I really am unable to restrain myself.”
Liar. if this was the case, then why are you still going?
Although Lydia thought this, she didn’t say anything.
“Raven, I leave Lydia to you.”
Raven originally seemed to look away frantically, but once he heard Edgar’s call, he quickly nodded soon afterwards.
Although Nico used his hands to cover his eyes, his fingers were opened up quite unusually. Kelpie, who was at the side, calmly looked at them. Moreover, he began to inquire curiously:
“Just now, you were almost going to be eaten up by the Earl.”
“N-no, that’s......um......”
“Was it pleasant?”
Fascinated, Kelpie brought his face close, so Lydia had no choice but to avoid him and back away hurriedly.
“T-this can only be done between lovers! More importantly, now isn’t the time to talk about this!” Lydia turned and glanced toward the beach.
Edgar stood before the waves that were dyed in red, glaring straight at the giant who met his eyes.
“Trow, if you don’t give up your intention in taking my fiancée away, then I have no choice but to bring you down.”
Edgar had the unsheathed sword standing upright before him.
The sapphire was absorbing red sunlight even though a magnificent blue light shone to awaken.
The power of the ruby that Edgar sensed in his dreams was still mute. He only had the usual sensation of grasping the ancient sword; that being said, he didn’t plan on backing down.
If he retreated, the situation would only head towards the outcome that he feared the most. The only thing he was unable to bear was Lydia being taken away.
The giant sat somewhat further from the beach, on the grass near the slope of the sandy beach.
“Humans cannot kill me.”
“We’ll see about that. I can see that you seem quite intimidated. If you hurry up and destroy me, you can gain the bride that you desire, and yet you aren’t moving even one bit?”
Edgar spoke provocatively, and the giant naively responded, revealing a bothered look and even stood up.
“Don’t look down on me. Even if it’s sunset now, it’s not like I can’t use magic.”
He slowly headed down to the beach.
Come a little closer to the sea.
Edgar gripped the sword and assumed a battle stance. He moved to the left, and retreated back to the area where the waves were upon his feet. But the giant seemed to hate the seawater, as he stopped on the dry beach and waved his wooden staff.
A rock rose midair. The giant waved his wooden staff, and the rock flew towards Edgar.
Having just narrowly dodged it, he lost his footing in the seawater and tumbled on the edge of the water. After seeing that, the giant probably lowered his guard a little and approached closer towards the beach.
This time, he pointed the staff directly towards Edgar.
Just when the giant was on the verge of using magic, Edgar hastily stood up and tightly grasped the sword that had fallen between the waves. Then, as if pushing aside the water, he waved his sword.
It splashed upwards, wetting the giant.
The giant suddenly panicked, and he immediately withdrew, turning his back towards Edgar.
Edgar took advantage of the discord and readied his battle stance once more, waving his sword to kill the giant.
However, the Merrow’s sword was unable to cut anything, passing through the giant’s body.
Was Edgar still unable to kill fairies? Or was it because the conditions were not yet fulfilled?
After the giant dashed away from the beach and used his robe to clean his wet staff, he frantically used his clothes to wipe his hands that came into contact with seawater.
The Trow, who hated the sunset and the sea, was also afraid of being dyed by the red sea water.
As Edgar watched frantic Trow and discovered something.
Right now, a “sun giant” was here. If the giant was pulled into the sea, then the second condition would be complete.
The sunset, which was just about to be submerged into the sea, along with the giant, who was soaked by the waves, did this not indicate the sea swallowing the sun for the second time?
Then, what about the third time?
Actually, Edgar already instinctively knew the answer. If that was Ulysses’ expectations, then he could surely beat the giant.
But before that, it seemed that the giant wouldn’t set foot in the sea so easily.
How was he going to lure the giant in?
The giant maintained a distance between Edgar as well as the waves, as this was probably the distance where the magic could barely cause any effects. He merely saw the giant raising his staf
Edgar was instantly hurled off by the magic, hitting a sandbar covered with rocks.
“Edgar!”
He heard Lydia scream.
Stay back. At the same time that Edgar mumbled, he glimpsed at Raven pushing her into the shadows of the rocks, not letting her come out.
“Although you claim to be the Blue Knight Earl, as I thought, you aren’t a real one.”
Edgar tried to get up, but his body protested. More blood flowed out from the wound.
“I am the real Blue Knight Earl. This is the Merrow’s sword, from the sea race that you loathe.....”
“And yet you don’t even know how to use it?”
Rocks rose once more. It was already too late for Edgar to get up, as the rocks fell from above.
He wasn’t aware at all that he had avoided it. Although he was merely staggering, and tried to move his body with all his strength, the rocks had barely fallen to his sides.
But this wasn’t regarded as being lucky, because the sword was trapped underneath the rocks.
Edgar gripped the sword hilt and tried to pull it out. But the giant intended to throw more rocks at him again.
At that time, Lydia shook Raven off. Not minding that she wet, she came rushing towards him.
“Lydia, go back!”
Although Edgar shouted, Lydia sat down beside him, then spoke loudly to the giant:
“Trow! If you want to use that chunk of rock and kill me as well, then throw it over.”
Ah that’s right. The giant can’t do anything to kill Lydia, because he needs to take Lydia as the bride and bring her back.
But this was too reckless; running out now, she would only be captured by the giant.
Sure enough, although the giant returned the rock to its original position, this time, he slowly walked over in order to grab Lydia.
“I’m sorry......”
Edgar embraced her, who said this as if giving up.
“I still believe that as long as you’re safe and sound, then it would be alright.”
You want to go to where the giants are? I definitely won’t let you do this sort of thing.
Edgar breathed deeply, while cautiously gazing at the giant who set foot in the waves.
The giant realized that he didn’t need to be afraid of Edgar, because he was merely a human. Furthermore, he also took the initiative to enter the sea. Perhaps after he had thought once more, he believed that the sunset and the sea wouldn’t cause him any danger in these circumstances.
“……No, Lydia, I won’t let you say goodbye to me again.”
For Edgar, now was the perfect opportunity.
It was Lydia who created the opportunity for him.
He embraced Lydia with one arm, then he tightly gripped the sword.
If he failed, he would lose Lydia.
For Edgar, the purpose in protecting Lydia was probably a force that was able to wipe away any of his confusion.
There was no room to hesitate even though he did not want to become something that he did not hope to become.
In that moment, he sensed the sword’s power.
Rays of light burst from the Star Sapphire.
Because the defensive blue turned into the offensive scarlet, its magic was now that of unseelie.
Originally, it was a dark blue resembling the Merrow’s sea but now it became a scarlet color, identical to the sea intending to swallow the sun.
“When the sea swallows the sun for the third time”.
The condition of the legend was complete.
The giant kicked about waves with his feet, looking down at Edgar and Lydia.
He kneeled down and tried extending his hand toward Lydia.
Now was the only time.
[PICKACHU]
Edgar pulled out the ruby sword from underneath the rocks.
It was a mystery that the sword didn’t resist and obeyed Edgar’s commands.
He thrust the sword out with all his remaining strength.
Indeed, he felt his sword piercing through something.
The sword impaled the giant’s chest, as the Star Ruby radiated a striking crimson light.
The color of the sky became a dark red, as it approached nighttime. The giant collapsed into the waves, which appeared to signal that the sun had begun to ascend below the horizon on the other side before long.
The waves continued to beat the giant’s fallen body and as Edgar watched, he finally understood that everything had already. Thus he lifted Lydia’s head and they gazed at each other.
“......The giant...... is dead......?”
“Yes.”
He responded briefly, then to confirm this, he embraced Lydia. Lydia, not knowing when, she began to naturally allow him to bring his body close. Edgar, on one aspect, felt that this was truly amiable and at the same time, he was also aware of one thing.
Although the giant was dead, his own suffering was going to begin from now on. As Ulysses wanted, he was only a step closer to Prince.
Perhaps there would be a day where Lydia would be afraid and stay away from him. However, Edgar eliminated this idea from his mind, telling himself that he wouldn’t regret it, because no matter what method he used, he was going to protect her.
The giant’s body was still pierced by the sword, and when the sea and sky turned blue, his body disappeared. The sword then fell into the waves, and the ruby had already returned to a sapphire.
Edgar picked up the sword and the Moonstone ring tumbled down.
The presence of the sun was lost as the moon began to ascend towards the sky.
* * *
(Your Highness.)
Within the darkness, someone called out.
Edgar felt as if he were in a hazy dream, and saw two hooded crows.
I am not your Prince.
Edgar muttered.
I’m only using the Blue Knight Earl’s title, I don’t plan on getting closer to you guys.
The hooded crows circled around while calling.
(But you obtained that power like the first Prince.)
I won’t use it again.
(It’s hard to say.)
(The Highland’s prophet ought to awaken, in order to take your life.)
Me?
Because I made Lydia my fiancée? Still, the McKeel clan’s prophet knows the Prince?
(If you do not wish for this, then he must be buried forever.)
(If it’s a new you, then it’s possible.)
Was everything in accordance to the Prince’s organization’s ideas?
Disappear from me.
Right now, I don’t want to think about anything.
The hooded crows fluttered about as they noisily squawked.
He whispered once more so that they would disappear.
A blue flash cut across the darkness.
After the hooded crows disappeared, there was a child hovering in the sky, looking at him.
Edgar asked out loud.
Arrow, what do you think? Am I no longer the Blue Knight Earl?
(I am a star nurtured from your body, moreover, only my master is able to be the wielder of this sword. My duty is to serve you as the Blue Knight Earl. I don’t know of any other matters other than this.)
In the end, who am I? There are no definite answers anywhere.
No, I still have someone to rely on.
Oh, that’s right, where is Lydia?
As long as she is willing to stay by my side, nothing will change.
I must be in a situation where I can seal the Prince’s memories, and obtain stable happiness.
However, where is she? Is she not here?
Ahh that’s right, she should have noticed, that the power that killed the giant was unseelie magic.
Thus, she is afraid of me.
(Edgar, I have something to tell you.)
Lydia, along with her voice, appeared within the dream. Her expression was quite solemn.
Oh no, it looks as if you want to begin talking about a breakup.
Edgar jokingly said, but he regretted it, because Lydia looked to be on the verge of tears.
Do you really want to break up?
Wait, please reconsider, I’m willing to do anything.
Lydia planned to leave, and Edgar desperately grabbed onto her hand.
“......Lydia!”
He was woken up by his own shout, and suddenly opened his eyes.
Edgar was holding someone’s hand. It was a woman’s.
He turned to the person in order to confirm, that the person beside him smiling from ear to ear was......
“...........Lota?”
“Hey, how are you feeling?”
Edgar quickly shook off her hand. He thought to himself that he really was too careless. Rather than holding this fellow’s hand, it would be much better to hold Tomkins’s.
“Why are you here? You wanted to attack me while I was sleeping?”
“What!? What’s with this tone of yours, just when I came to look after you.”
“Please stop. Saying that you’ll look after me, my condition will worsen because of this. This was quite well-known since long ago.”
Lota tsked and stood up.
“Oh my god, even when you’re sick, you’re not the least bit cute at all as usual, it’s unbearable.”
She said, appearing to have had enough of him. Although she tried to walk out of the room, Edgar hastily asked:
“What about Lydia?”
“How could I let her look after you? You’ll go crazy and drag her into bed.”
“Where is Lydia?”
Because Lota had the upper hand and was enjoying it, she chuckled.
“I don’t know, maybe Fergus is in the process of courting her.”
“That guy...... he’s still in London?”
“He’s around the same age as you but he’s naive or should I say, sincere. But he’s also honest, so Lydia might really like him.”
After Lota finished bothering Edgar as much as she could, she left.
“Damn it!”
He tried to get up but Raven came in immediately.
“Lord Edgar, please rest for now.”
“I’m going to see Lydia. Raven, prepare a change of clothes.”
“Y......yes.”
Although Raven replied, he was clearly perplexed.
Despite him promptly leaving the room, he was definitely thinking of a way to stop Edgar. When he brought his change of clothes, he also brought the head butler.
Tomkins forcefully pushed Edgar, who was trying to to get up, onto the bed.
“My lord, you mustn’t force yourself.”
“Let me go, I don’t need to rest.”
“You will have a fever again.”
“Raven, get Tomkins out of here!”
Raven was only seen covering his ears to block out Edgar’s command, slowly retreating and leaving the room.
“......Tomkins, if you don’t let me go, I’ll fire you!”
“That’s fine. In any case, if something were to happen to my lord, I will lose my job either way.”
The head butler was short and stout, yet he was quite strong in pinning down Edgar. But Edgar wasn’t to be outdone.
“Mrs. Lane, lend me a hand!”
The sound of Tomkins yelling for the housekeeper resounded throughout the mansion.
*
After Lydia finished changing her clothes in a hurry, she rushed out of her room and headed down the stairs. Her father was in the dining room, reading the newspaper, after having finished breakfast and taking relaxing a little.
This was the sight of the Carlton family every morning, it’s just that this morning, Lydia finished breakfast early and left not too long after.
“Father, I’m going out.”
After poking her head out from the door and calling out, her father looked up and said:
“You’re going out? If you’re that worried, shouldn’t you stay over at the mansion?”
“Yeah, but I think there should be no need. His fever had already alleviated yesterday, so now I can feel at ease.”
Edgar was unconscious for three days and three nights. Although Lydia hoped to stay by his side as much as possible, even if it was to take care of her fiancé, she also thought that she would feel a little sorry for her father if she lived in Edgar’s mansion before the wedding.
After hearing Lydia’s answer, her father was clearly relieved. Although Father told Lydia that she could stay over at Edgar’s mansion, his heart, in fact, certainly did not hope for her to do so.
Even though Lota, who used her status as a companion to assist Lydia, she was advised to at least return home in the evening as she was worried about her, relieving a lot of Lydia’s burden.
“Well there’s that. If you collapse, the Earl cannot be at ease and recuperate.”
“Eh, I’m not pushing myself.”
Although Father looked worried, he didn’t ask too much about what happened. When Lydia, whose whereabouts were unknown, suddenly returned three days ago, Father had only said welcome home and hugged her, neither asking nor blaming her.
This was because he knew that even as her father, as long as it was encountering fairies and other related matters, there was nothing he could do about it.
If Lydia went to a place where he couldn’t go to, he would probably think that it was her fate that she carried and was born with, therefore he couldn’t deal with the change. But, if her daughter had returned safely and was staying here now, it was only normal that he felt great.
Perhaps similarly for Lydia’s mother he had also come to accept this.
Lydia felt it to be her father’s greatest affection.
“Father, I’ll be sure to come home at the usual time today.”
Lydia walked over, left an affectionate kiss on her father’s cheek, then left the house.
When she was heading towards the main street to take the street carriage, she saw a figure standing beside the street lights looking at her.
This person was wearing a plaid skirt, so she knew right away that it was Fergus.
“You’re quite early. Where are you going?”
“You’ve been lying here in wait? Didn’t I say that I’ll never see you again?”
Finding it amusing, Fergus shrugged.
Not long after the giant was defeated, he and Patrick appeared at the beach. They seem to have witnessed Edgar slaying the giant.
Not only was it a shock for them, but it was a taboo at the same time.
To say the least, one theory was circulated on their island, that was, that the death of a sun giant was an ill omen. Moreover, the sword’s power that was drawn out by Edgar was an unseelie power that was hated.
Needless to say, it was only logical that they were anxious towards the Earl.
“The Earl still seems to be alive.”
The reason why Fergus said this with regret, wasn’t just because the giant was defeated, rather it was because he came close to being killed by Edgar afterwards.
After Edgar told him that he defeated the giant, he asked him to hand over head and pointed his sword at him. But fortunately, Edgar had no more physical strength to do so.
“If he recovers, he will come to get your head.”
“......Are you serious?”
He drew a cross on his chest.
“But I think that if you apologize to him and seek his pardon, he will be very lenient.”
That’s right, Edgar showed no mercy to the people that were hostile towards him, but as long as they begged him for his patronage, he would turn into a considerably lenient aristocrat. Lydia believed so.
But Fergus deeply frowned and refused.
“Highlanders won’t so easily apologize towards the English. Besides, this man is the type that I hate, not only did he threaten Patrick, he also said that he wanted to destroy our clan. He has no decency.
It was because he was swept up in an unusual conspiracy.
Lydia felt pain in her chest at the thought of his incurable affliction.
“Also, Lydia you’ve also noticed, right? Humans to go as far as to defeat a giant...... this really is inconceivable.”
“That’s because the condition of the legend was complete, whether they be human or other races, it’s only normal that they would be able to defeat the giant.”
This was the rule amongst the fairies and the fairy realm.
“But Patrick said that the magic at that time was the crystallization of ominous forces; as it goes without saying, humans are unable to manipulate the magic of unseelie court.”
Lydia was certainly frightened when she witnessed it.
At present, she still didn’t understand how Edgar could freely manipulate such magic.
As soon as she thought that, she sank into anxiety. Edgar was indeed harboring secrets that Lydia did not know of.
“Can you really marry that sort of man? It’s quite possible that man has a contract with the unseelie court.”
Indeed, she also only thinking that something close to that had occurred.
“Hey Lydia, if you don’t want to marry that guy, come to the Hebrides. It’s your mother’s hometown. If you become a member of the clan, will you protect the clan together with me?”
If Mother was still alive, what would she do?
Perhaps she would help them.
Even if she she didn’t act as the Prophet's fiancée, and didn’t marry with Fergus, if the clan got caught up in crises because of fairies, Lydia might be able to help them.
Although Lydia thought this, she shook her head.
She didn’t want to trouble Edgar.
“Fergus, in order to save me from the giant’s hands, would you not hesitate to obtain unimaginable and terrible power?”
Fergus frowned and did not answer.
Lydia continued walking once more, and Fergus remained there and did not catch up.
Why was it Edgar? Lydia had doubts since the beginning. Why had she come to like him? Why had she insisted and believed that he didn’t?
Now, she felt that she understood a little.
It was because Edgar strongly yearned to have her.
Even when she couldn’t believe that and firmly refused him, he wasn’t the least bit deterred. Perhaps one of the reasons was naturally because Edgar was confident in himself but in that case, even when there were so many girls he could pursue, his feelings for Lydia was so strong, it was unimaginable.
He probably noticed how timid Lydia was toward love and thus endeavoured.
She, who originally wasn’t well-suited with him, was fond of him now as a result, even thinking that she was capable of stepping onto the path of marriage.
Although Lydia was still unable to understand, there were also many areas where she couldn’t keep up to Edgar’s pace, but because he still earnestly hoped to be together with her, she no longer felt hesitant towards marriage.
Edgar freed the supposed seal on the power of the Star Ruby in the Merrow’s sword, but this was due to him not wanting to give up on Lydia, and in result the Ruby appeared. Therefore she didn’t want to take her eyes away from him.
Lydia had arrived at the Earl’s mansion with a relaxed heart, only to see Raven standing in the hallway, covering his ears. She entered the room, completely puzzled, and the the first thing that jumped into her eyesight was a short butler and large housekeeper fighting with Edgar.
“Edgar, what are you doing!”
Lydia shouted and Edgar stopped after seeing her surprise.
Tomkins who was restrained, freed himself from the Edgar’s arm. He promptly rearranged his crooked tie and fixed up his sparse hair.
“Ahh, Miss Lydia, you came just in time, Master insisted that he go out.”
“What did you say? Edgar, you ought to know that you must recover, right? What are you going to do if you were to open up your wounds again from behaving so violently?”
Lydia approached Edgar, making her way past the housekeeper and the butler.
“You are not a child, lie down still and rest!”
Edgar nodded, as if overwhelmed by her imposing manner.
“But Lydia, I just wanted to see you, that’s all.”
“Can’t we see each other at any time?”
I suppose he really is someone who is troublesome to look after for others. As Lydia was fed up, she sighed in frustration, and Edgar immediately gazed at her with abandoned puppy dog eyes.
“Really?”
Not only was he rude and unreasonable like a tyrant, he also did outrageous things and yet sometimes he would display this kind of timid attitude.
Lydia sat on the chair that Tomkins pulled out for her, while scowling.
“Only if you don’t mess around.”
The head butler and housekeeper quietly walked out of the room.
Although Edgar gazed at Lydia, hounding her every move, not wanting to miss a single one. But he didn’t lean forward, closing the distance between them like he usually did.
“Please don’t give me such an awful look.”
“But I really am shocked. Just when your fever finally reduced yesterday.”
“I’m sorry.”
Despite him honestly apologizing, he still looked worried.
Lydia glanced at the medicine on the bedside table.
“You haven’t taken your medicine?”
“It doesn’t have much effect either way.”
“That won’t do, as long as you believe that it’s effective, then it will be effective. ”
“If you feed me with your mouth, then it will probably be effective.”
He slightly returned to his usual manner, but Lydia couldn’t help but also resume her usual manner.
“Don’t joke around.”
“......I will take it.”
This practically seemed like criticising him.
While Edgar was bedridden and until coming here this morning, Lydia had been thinking about something else.
She wanted to have a good talk with him, so she sat upright.
“Edgar, I have something to tell you.”
“Ahh, that’s right, Lydia, I forgot to thank you. Thank you......for giving me the pocket watch, I will cherish it.”
“Oh, you found it?”
I completely forgot about that.
“It was the most amazing gift. From now on, I hope that we will always be together...... the feelings contained within your message made me very happy. Although I said that you were completely unconscientious of the marriage, I don’t think it’s like this now. I fully understand that you intend to stay by my side forever.”
The two of them wanted to get married, so this was a matter to be expected, but Edgar was frantic and especially moved as he said these words.
“If I knew this earlier, then I should have recognised that you were Liz. As long as I remember this, I feel very remorseful.”
“It’s alright.”
“It’s not alright at all. Just when I received precious words at that time.”
At that time, Lydia told him that she loved him.
“If you’re willing to say it once more, I will be very happy.”
Lydia was startled, then her face reddened all over and she looked down.
What am I going to do? Sure enough, I still can’t say those words as “Lydia”.
“Um...... Edgar, other than that, I have something I need to say.....”
However, once Lydia wanted to return to the main topic, Edgar had an anxious expression.
He quickly interrupted, as if he didn’t want Lydia to speak unnecessarily.
“I know! You don’t have to force yourself to say it, I believe your feelings are certainly the same as mine.”
“...Listen to me...”
“As soon as I can go out, is there anywhere you would like to go? We should occasionally break away from social parties, I think the both of us should go out for a walk.”
“Why are you interrupting me?”
Because it really was too unusual, Lydia couldn’t help but ask. As a result, Edgar sighed heavily, and buried his fingers into his blond hair.
After finally making his mind up, he looked up and said:
“You see Lydia, I have certainly given you many painful memories, but I have reflected from the bottom of my heart and won’t do something like that to trouble you again in future...... I won’t strongly pressure you like that, I will properly wait before marriage, and I won’t urgently decide on the marriage date again. I will do anything according to what you say.”
“Yes, so I wanted to talk......”
“But there is only this matter that I won’t agree on.”
“What?”
“As long as it’s your wish, I will fulfill it for you no matter what it is, but I don’t want to hear you talk about breaking up, I won’t ever listen.”
“Talk about breaking up? W-what are you saying?”
He stared at Lydia who looked astonished.
“……That wasn’t it? Because, I......”
After Edgar finished speaking, he looked down at his hands, and thought of the changes in the sword that he brought about. Did he think that even if he defeated the giant, Lydia’s feelings may have already changed?
Lydia grasped his hands that he was gazing at.
“Edgar, thank you. ”
Thank you for coming to my rescue, and...
“Thank you for liking me, so we...can have the wedding sooner.”
For Lydia, speaking these words already used up her greatest efforts, and as soon as she noticed, she was already in Edgar’s embrace.
“Really?......You don’t regret being engaged to me?”
“It’s not like I regret it.”
“Ahh Lydia, as long as you’re happy, I’m willing to love you even more now.”
“Eh? It’s already enough.”
“Now, would you like me to let you know how much I love you?”
Not only did Edgar whisper in her ear, his arms that hugged her used force, this couldn’t help but make Lydia feel that it was dangerous.
“Uh, didn’t you just say that you would wait?”
“Damn it.”
….How can he look happy while saying that?
He really is a hopeless man.
Just when she thought he was joking around, he suddenly said in a serious tone:
“Lydia, I’ve been thinking about something for awhile, I want to visit your mother’s grave before we get married.”
“Mother’s grave? You want to visit her grave?”
“That’s right. I would like to properly inform your mother of our marriage. In future, I might disregard the McKeel clan’s existence, so I can only ask for her forgiveness first.”
He ought to, in order to cut off ties with her mother's clan, as well as ties with the Prophet.
“Yes, speaking of that, I haven’t yet informed Mother that I was going to get married.”
Edgar gazed at Lydia, who lifted her head, then gently smiled as usual, and looked as if she was purely thinking about marriage.
Lydia still didn’t know what secrets he concealed within his mind, and was also not aware that he did not intend to ignore the McKeel clan, rather, he was prepared to consider them as enemies. She was thankful to God from the bottom of her heart that Edgar was safe.
The three, including Lydia, headed towards the sea. This was because Fergus said that the sun giant clan would be helpless in that area.
But even if they left the forest, there was still a vast plain before their eyes. Although they considered the sun, that was positioned quite low, as the target to go straight forward, it wasn’t clear whether or not they were headed towards the sea in the end.
They avoided the plains, walking only along the areas where many trees grew.
“Come to think of it, it’s still really strange.”
Just as they walked toward the edge of the forest, Lota spoke and squinted her eyes, because the thin clouds illuminated rays of light between them.
“You see, the height of the sun hasn’t changed since we left the rocky region where the giant was staying. I don’t know whether it’s sunrise or sunset. If it was sunrise, the position should become higher: if it’s sunset, then it should sink down.”
“You’re right.”
After Lydia confirmed the position of the sun once again, she mumbled.
“Right now, this place is in eternal light, this should be the Trow’s magic.”
“What, then will it always be daytime?”
“Yes, before I was captured by the Trow and wandered around everywhere, the sun was just about that high. This isn’t the Trow’s land, so be on the lookout and make sure the sunset isn’t coming.”
Giants loathe the sunset and the sea. Although this was perhaps their weakness, whether it was human or any fairy clan, they were no match.
“When the sun is swallowed by the sea for the third time”......
The Trow’s immortal body will die.
What does this mean?
If she didn’t solve this riddle, Lydia would probably be unable to return to Edgar’s side.
“Lydia, what’s wrong?”
Lota looked back at her. The reason why Lydia stopped her footsteps was because she felt as if she heard Edgar’s voice.
But there’s no sign of him anywhere, I must have misheard.
Lota pulled Lydia’s hand, and she continued walking once again.
“It’s going to be alright, it’ll be difficult for the giant to find the wooden staff amongst the forest with many grown trees. Nico, Raven and Edgar will definitely think of a way.”
Lota tried to cheer Lydia up, probably feeling that Lydia was very restless.
“Besides, Lydia, even if the giant finds the wooden staff and uses magic, I won’t leave you alone, I’ll stay with you.”
Although Lydia felt happy because Lota was grasping her hand firmly, she thought to herself that it was impossible for her to that.
If Lota was taken to the giant’s country, her lifespan would be reduced.
“Do you want to take a break? I’m tired.”
Lydia deliberately let go of Lota’s hand and then leaned against a thick tree trunk.
“Say, I also don’t know how long we must walk before we reach the beach. Although you can’t feel hungry or thirsty in the fairy world, you can actually get tired.”
Lota had also stretched, then casually sat beside the tree roots.
“Hey, Lydia, there is one way that can make you not bound by the engagement ring.”
Fergus stood in front of Lydia; rather than saying that he just thought of these words, it would be better to say that he had been thinking for a long time before he spoke out.
“That is to accept my proposal.”
“What? Don’t be ridiculous.”
Although Lota immediately refuted, Fergus held out a single hand toward Lydia who was leaning against the trunk, then continued speaking:
“The reason why the ring that was important to you was snatched away by the giant, is because it’s the engagement ring? As long as the engagement is rescinded, then it’s merely an ordinary ring, and the Trow won’t be able to use magic to kidnap you.”
“......That’s impossible. Besides, feelings can’t be changed like that so easily.”
“However, that Earl wasted the chance for you to return to the human world.”
That hit the mark. Surprised, Lydia looked up at Fergus.
“Think about it, then you’ll understand. I heard that the Kelpie that took you away is a fairy that you’re acquainted with?”
If it was a fairy she knew that would want to return Lydia to the fairy world, it would be quite difficult to accomplish without a ring, so he thought that Lydia would consider using changeling magic.
Worthy of being the McKeel clan head’s eldest son, he seemed to possess relevant knowledge of fairies.
“If it was me, then I would have recognised you. A fiancée who disappeared because of being involved in a fairy incident, and then there’s an unfamiliar woman with him and getting close to him, perhaps he would be suspicious. Then again, that guy claiming to be the Blue Knight Earl obviously knows that Lydia is a fairy doctor, yet he hadn’t thought about the possibility of a changeling, this really is too strange.”
However, this was inevitable.
Even Lydia didn’t think that Edgar would notice that she used changeling magic. She only expected that Edgar would intuitively know that she was by his side.
“Furthermore, the Trow won’t give up on you. Even if you return to the human world, they will still kidnap you. Even the Earl, who couldn’t make out a changeling, could he find ways to confront the giant? While the giants had once laid an agreement to not kill members of the McKeel clan, they will easily kill other humans. If it’s us then it’s possible to make a deal with the giants.”
Edgar may get killed by the giant.
Lydia noticed this point, and couldn’t help but become afraid.
Despite her hoping that Edgar would come and save her, and her wanting to meet with him, if he came here, it may lead to an uncontrollable situation, because he would sometimes handle matters recklessly.
“Fergus, that’s enough.”
Lydia couldn’t answer. Lota wanted to stand in front of her, but Fergus pulled Lydia over to him with a jerk, whose heart was uneasy.
His red hair nearly came across Lydia’s cheek.
Lydia was surprised.
The man that would to do this to her would only be Edgar.
Lydia had only touched Edgar’s blond hair, and it was only with Edgar’s ash mauve eyes that were at such a close distance, as she met his eyes when gazing at each other.
The ice-cold eyes with hidden emotions was the last memory of Lydia and him touching. As that recollection swept past her mind, she felt dazed because of Fergus’ passionate gaze.
During her confusion, unable to move, there was something flashing in the sky.
A silver ray of light beamed straight down.
“Whoa!”
In the moment that Fergus yelled as he jumped backward, a special sword pierced into the ground where he originally stood.
It was the treasured Merrow’s sword.
“W-what is this......?”
Fergus wanted to take a closer look at the sword when a voice suddenly appeared from deep in the woods.
“Don’t touch it! I forbid you to touch my things.”
It was Edgar’s voice.
Astonished, Lydia stared fixedly, deep into the forest.
The shadow of someone was slowly approaching.
“Didn’t I tell you to skewer him from the top of the head?”
After Edgar muttered, the sword began to answer:
(I thought you were joking.)
The sword then disappeared, and Edgar stood from a distance slightly away from Lydia.
She saw Raven and Nico running over from behind, together with Patrick.
Patrick overtook Edgar and ran to Fergus, but Edgar was still standing in place, looking at Lydia with a somewhat sad expression.
“Lydia...... you’re safe.”
He indeed called out Lydia’s name. It was truly a reassuring voice, the familiar and gentle voice that made Lydia want to cling to Edgar on impulse regardless of being seen by the others.
But she couldn’t because she was grabbed by Lota, who was beside her.
Did she think that if Edgar noticed Lydia just now doing something with Fergus, he wouldn’t accept her?
She clearly knew that it wouldn’t be the case, but when she was still “Liz”, the feeling of embracing Edgar and being pushed away came again, making her more fearful.
“Come on, hurry and go, Lydia.”
Lota urged her, but Lydia was unable to leave her.
“B-but Lota...... tell me, do I truly look like Lydia right now?”
“What? What are you saying?”
“Is there anything different?”
“There isn’t. Right, Edgar?”
Edgar saw Lydia appearing as if she wanted to run away, so he felt very troubled. Normally, he would definitely try leaning over and hug her regardless of everything, but now he didn’t do such a thing. Lydia increasingly felt that he wasn’t like usual, certainly because there was something different about herself.
She didn’t know that Edgar found out that Liz was her at that time and didn’t know that he felt heartache for this reason.
“Lydia, we were able to meet again, aren’t you relieved?”
“Hey Edgar, let me first make this clear, the matters just now, Lydia did nothing wrong, it was that guy who insisted on coming near her.”
Lota seemed to think that Lydia was afraid of Edgar’s misunderstanding.
“I know Lydia can’t love a man other than her formal fiancé.”
After Fergus heard this, he suddenly looked back and said:
“What formal fiancé, you didn’t even know about the changeling magic.”
Then he used his passionate gaze from a moment ago to look at Lydia.
“Lydia, think about it carefully. I am not asking you to decide between the Earl and I. Rather, I want you to choose between being forced to be the giant’s bride and returning to the island with me!”
Edgar walked towards Fergus. He pushed aside Patrick who tried to protect Fergus, then he roughly grabbed onto Fergus’s shirt.
“I will never let her become the giant’s bride, I came to defeat it.”
“What? This is why the English are unbearable...... You simply do not understand fairies, and how impossible it is to defeat the Trow. ”
Fergus snorted contemptuously.
“Then do you want to bet your head as the stake? If I win, the next eyesore will be you.”
“Fergus, don’t get provoked.”
Patrick spoke out to stop him, but Fergus wasn’t willing to back down.
“Suit yourself, you’ll be killed at any rate.”
“Edgar, stop it.”
Lydia wanted to stop him, thus she left Lota’s side. But she still couldn’t take the initiative to touch Edgar, so she was only able to worriedly look at the two glaring at each other from behind.
Just then, Lydia felt a strange sensation that struck her like having her hair pulled, causing her whole body to get goosebumps.
“It’s the Trow’s magic......!”
Nico yelled.
Instantly, a gust of wind blew. Just as he thought that, the gust swept up the trees, reduced the vortex range that surrounded them and pulled everyone in.
While the leaves and dust seized their field of vision, the wind’s spiral seemed to have determined a target and caught Lydia.
The giant found the wooden staff, and was using his magic to kidnap Lydia.
Edgar grabbed her in the moment that she was almost carried away by the wind, but her body was already floating in the air.
Edgar was clearly here, yet Lydia felt the ring’s pull. This was because she faced Edgar with hesitation. Although she understood, she didn’t know what to do.
Despite this, Edgar still didn’t let go of her hand, so the both of them were swept in.
If this continued, Edgar would also be brought to the giant’s side, perhaps he will be killed by the giant as Fergus said.
Lydia didn’t want this, at the same time, she extended her other hand towards Edgar.
Not long ago, Lydia’s hand wasn’t able to reach Edgar at the fort’s riverbank, but now, she forcefully held on.
He wrapped his hands around Lydia’s body, hugging her, and as she leaned against his chest, the wind suddenly calmed down.
The two of them were suddenly released from the wind, falling to the ground.
Lydia, bore the pain of her hit knee and raised her head, but apart from grassland, there was nothing all around.
Edgar caught her, so the magic that linked Lydia with the ring lost its effect before she was brought back to the giant’s side.
“Lydia..... if I could, I’d really like to maintain this current state, but now, perhaps it can’t be done.”
Edgar said painfully. Lydia pushed down on him.
“Ah! I-I’m sorry.”
After she hastily moved away, Edgar carefully got up like he was in pain. Once she looked, she found that Edgar’s chest was bleeding, and that the blood had already spread to his vest.
“You’re hurt!”
“That, it’s merely a wound that split open slightly, nothing more.”
“But...... oh no, does it hurt? Is the wound very deep?”
Lydia was flustered, at the same time, it was because she didn’t know what ought to be done and wanted to cry. Edgar saw her like this, and smiled without knowing why.
“Thank goodness...... you’re still willing to be worried for me.”
She felt a pair of hands touch her cheeks and lifted her eyes, but because she saw something dazzling, her heart skipped a beat. She saw the person she wanted to see, and also wanted hold Edgar in her joyous mood, but as expected, she was still a little afraid, so she couldn’t do it.
Compared to this, she felt that Edgar’s hands seemed particularly hot.
“Edgar, do you also have a fever?”
“Yeah, it’s not a big deal.”
He gently pulled back the hand stroking Lydia’s cheek, was it because he didn’t want her to know that he his fever had heightened?
Saying that it wasn’t a big deal, was simply a lie. Lydia was even more worried.
“How did you get hurt?”
“When I was swimming in the river, I was hit by driftwood.”
The river? Shouldn’t it be that time...? But why would Edgar be in the river?
Edgar worriedly looked at her, this time he only stroked Lydia’s hair.
“I was confused by your appearance, so wasn’t able to find out all along. I noticed before the moment I was about to lose you, it really is humiliating. But in the end it was still too late, and I just allowed you be brought back to the giant.”
Before, Lydia thought as if she was pulled up from the river by Edgar, and heard him call her name, it turns out that all of this wasn’t a dream. At the same time that she was astonished and recalled that kiss which seemed to confirm her identity, thus she blushed.
“No way, how can that be? It’s all because of me....”
“No, I reap what I have sown. It was me who let you get caught up in danger, and hurt you deeply. So I understand, you must be very afraid of me, right? You shouldn’t be able to trust me as your fiancé.”
It wasn’t like that. Her feelings of liking Edgar had not changed. But because Lydia liked him, she wouldn’t be able to respond, due to the fear of being rejected.
Edgar sighed painfully.
“Do I already lack the qualifications to be your fiancé?”
“N-no, not noticing the changeling magic was quite normal.”
“But because you thought that I would discover you, you used Kelpie’s magic to return the the human world, isn’t that right?”
“Th-then it should be said that I myself was too subjective.....”
Edgar frowned, dissatisfied.
“You mean you were expecting too much? Please don't say such things, as if I were only a man of this level...... Although I am only at this level, I have gradually improved. You see, even if women were to approach me, I honestly can’t enjoy it anymore.”
It was a little odd when he said, “honestly.”
Lydia was bewildered, but Edgar was only earnestly looking into her eyes.
“You repeatedly cried out for my help, yet I was unable to discover you, so if I am hated by you, then there is nothing I can do. However, I still have a chance to rescue you from here, right?”
Was Edgar really planning to become enemies with the giant? Lydia urgently stood up.
“There’s no way, the opponent is a giant, the giant clan can’t be killed by anybody.”
“So what do you mean? You wouldn’t think of trying to do according to what Fergus said, right?”
I don’t know. After all, what was the best way to settle this? For Lydia, she only did not want Edgar getting killed, thus there seemed to be no other way.
Seeing Lydia deep in thought, Edgar forcefully shook his head and said:
“No, I don’t want to hear it. Please be calm okay? Regardless of whether you want to scold me or hit me, it doesn’t matter, but please don’t say goodbye to me again.”
After that, he turned his gaze from Lydia towards the profound gloomy sky, using his hands to block the sun, that was positioned low.
“Arrow surveyed the land from the sky and located your whereabouts. He also informed me of the giant’s territory that is encircled by its magic.”
Edgar changed the subject, and then called out: “Arrow.”
The long sword, decorated with the Star Sapphire appeared in the sky. Edgar held out his hand, tightly gripping the sword.
“You can already talk with Arrow.”
“In the human world, it’s still very hard to do as I please, but I should be able to control this sword’s power a little. As long as the seal on the sword’s power is undone, drawing out the power of the Star Ruby, then perhaps we can overthrow the giant.”
“Star Ruby?”
“The Sapphire will emit a red light, transforming into a Ruby, afterwards this sword will be able to slay fairies. ”
Slay fairies? Lydia frowned in surprise.
Isn’t that unseelie magic?
Before the star was engraved into the gem, the Merrow’s sword probably existed since ancient times, therefore, it wasn’t strange even if it possessed ominous kind of powers. However, Edgar said that he wanted to draw out that power, which was quite difficult to imagine.
Besides, how was he able to understand and manipulate the sword’s power?
“But Lydia, there is still a riddle that must be solved. Giants will only die when “the sun is swallowed by the sea for the third time”. For one thing, I think it should be referring to the sunset, but is it possible that the giant could be killed by the third time?”
“Edgar, this region won’t have sunsets.”
After Lydia finished speaking, Edgar turned his head in shock, speechless at the circumstances.
“It seems it’s the giants use magic to prevent the sun from setting.”
“That sort of thing is possible?”
“This is the fairy world, moreover the sun probably won’t fall only within their range of magic influence.”
“……Then I will bring the giant outside of it’s magic range. Since they hate the sunset to this extent, from the moment the sunset comes, there is surely a chance.”
Although Edgar spoke very simply, Lydia didn’t believe the requirements of the condition would be fulfilled. That is, being able to kill the giant once sunset approached.
No matter how much power the sword had that was able to slay fairies, the giant will not die by any means other than the fulfillment of the condition from the legend.
The telling of the legend wasn’t necessarily fact, yet it’s bound to have truth.
Even so, Edgar still intended to fight.
Lydia saw him painfully get up, and couldn’t help being extremely anxious. Although she wanted to lend an arm out, Edgar said that it wasn’t serious. He probably wanted to concentrate on the battle with the giant.
“If I’m touched by you, I will only think about you.”
He said and smiled with self-derision.
“We haven’t seen each other for several days. Although I didn’t recognise you at the time, I was almost worried to death, thus my self-control has weakened. If I come across you, other matters, as far as I’m concerned, will become irrelevant.”
“But Edgar, your condition.....”
“If I don’t beat the giant, you will always be considered as a target, so I must do it.”
Edgar held the sword once more, and although there wasn’t a hint of instability in his steps, the reason why he wanted to concentrate on this matter was due to him lacking extra mental and physical strength to think about other things.
Just thinking about his usual self who would play a joke in critical situations, Lydia worried even more.
“The sword is trembling. The giant must be coming over here, because Arrow knows of Little Bow’s movements.”
Edgar looked around cautiously.
Lydia faintly heard the earth rumbling like the sound of footsteps.
She glanced towards the hills and saw a shadow. Moreover, it lifted a wooden staff up high.
“Edgar, watch out!”
When Lydia pushed Edgar away, a huge crack appeared on the ground.
Edgar held Lydia, who almost fell into the cracks because of the ground crumbling beneath her feet, and fell down with her on the grasslands.
The giant was trying to run down the hill.
The both of them hastily got up, pulling each other’s hands and running.
“Wait! Leave our bride!”
The giant's voice echoed along with the earth tremors.
“Lydia is my fiancée!”
Edgar retorted as he ran.
“This girl is the Prophet’s fiancée, you shouldn’t be the McKeel clan’s Prophet.”
“I am the Blue Knight Earl!”
“The Blue Knight......?”
Apparently the giant had heard of this name, merely whispering while trying to stay cautious.
“Don’t lie! I heard that the bloodline of the Blue Knight Earl family had already been severed.”
That wasn’t a lie. After Edgar whispered, he pulled Lydia’s hand and desperately ran.
The giant decided to use magic again.
Huge pillars of flames appeared as the giant waved his wooden staff, and the flames instantly became a blazing tornado. In addition, it was descending the hills and coming towards them.
Lydia felt a wave of heat behind her, and knew that the fire was already approaching her side.
Just when she thought that she was going to get swept in, something passed through the corner of her eyes.
It was a jet-black horse.
In a flash, Lydia surrounded by an ice-cold atmosphere of water mist, and heard the sound of rushing water, not knowing where it came from.
The flood washed away the grass and dirt and flowed past Lydia’s body, and it’s force struck the blazing tornado.
“Kelpie?”
“Keep running straight forward! The beach is that way!”
The fire and water were in confrontation halfway up the hill.
As Kelpie obstructed the giant, Lydia and Edgar hurried towards the sea.
It was as Kelpie said, the both of them immediately saw it.
Giants were weak when it came to the beach. However, although the position of the sun was very low, there was no sign of the sun setting.
Lydia stood beside the sea, gasping for breath while looking all around.
She first wanted to look for a place to hide, but only white sandy shores could be seen.
At her wits’ end, she was forced to head towards the headland, but at this time, Nico’s voice was suddenly heard.
“Hey Lydia, over here!” He called out.
After she turned around, she saw a fairy cat standing waving in front of the sea.
Just as she thought that, the fairy cat suddenly disappeared, as if hiding behind an invisible wall.
The both of them ran up to it and the scenery in front of them instantly changed as they stepped across the wall.
It was an area with many coarse black rocks. Nico stuck his head out from the big rocks, and beckoned them.
“Lord Edgar.”
The person who stood up was Raven.
“Is it only the two of you?”
“Yes. After Patrick said that he was going to to bring Fergus back immediately and Fergus refused so the two had a dispute. Then, we parted ways from Lota to search for you and Miss Lydia.”
“Lota..... I wonder if she’ll be alright alone.”
Even if it was Lota, wouldn’t being alone in the fairy realm leave her feeling forlorn and helpless? Lydia thought, but Raven replied without much thought: “It should be alright.”
“Because it was too late for me to stop her, she broke into a run by herself.”
Edgar heavily sat on top of the crumbling rocks, probably because he saw Raven and felt slightly relieved afterwards.
Raven bent down, wanting to take a look at Edgar’s condition, but he raised his hand and gave a gentle wave, indicating to Raven that he didn’t need to worry. Nonetheless, he still seemed to be in a lot of pain.
Raven gazed at the blood smudged on Edgar’s chest, but didn’t say anything.
“At any rate, we’ll return to the human world immediately, and come again to get Lota afterwards.”
Nico had a look filled with unease, as it seemed that he didn’t want to stay within the giant’s magic influence range.
“Even in the human world, the giant can still use magic, right?”
Edgar raised his head and asked.
“Yes...... It’s just that there’s no way to use it freely like in the fairy world.”
“If he came searching for Lydia, it would be the same even if we returned now. I want to end things here.”
“Whaat! What are you going to do? It’s impossible.”
Nico’s fur stood on its end and yet it seemed that Edgar didn’t intend on changing his mind.
“If the magic in the fairy world will be comparatively stronger, this sword’s power should also be fully brought out.”
“The sword? But you can’t use the magic well enough?”
Edgar ignored Nico and mumbled:
“The key is in the sunset. We must go to a place where the giant’s magic won’t affect the sun.”
“Hey! If you hide here, you’ll soon be found!”
Looking up, Kelpie was standing on a large rock and looking down upon them.
“This magic wall is so weak it’s shocking, you might as well not use it.”
Nico suddenly prickled his whiskers, seemingly protesting at Kelpie, who transformed into a human. However, as Kelpie turned his head, and as one would expect, Nico looked away, as if he was still afraid.
“Kelpie, what about the giant?”
“I used the river to block him, but he’ll cross over and come soon.”
When Lydia raised her head to look up at Kelpie, she suddenly felt that the scenery was a little uncoordinated, so she looked around.
The rocky area where they were located was a rock that fell from a steep cliff and took shape afterwards. The steep cliff protruded from the sea and formed a cape. In front of the peninsula stood a tall conspicuous tree.
Lydia kept this in mind, then turned around to look at the bay connected to the beach.
A peninsula could faintly be seen in the distance. The peninsula’s prominent form, together with the lone tree, was completely identical to the peninsula on their side.
“The giant magic’s border is on this peninsula. Edgar, there should be an item granting magic to the giant nearby, if only that item could be found.......”
“Then the magic preventing the sun from falling can be undone?”
Just then, something dwelling in the shadows of the rocks fell.
In the pitch-black rocky area, it was unusually reflecting light.
“...isn’t that a mirror?”
Lydia spoke and suddenly discovered something at the same time.
Both sides of the scenery that were identical seemed to overlap according to the mirror’s image. Furthermore, this side was the world’s seal.
The giant was using the mirror’s magic.
“Edgar, I know what to do. I’ll go and undo the magic.”
Lydia said, then broke into a run.
“Whoa!”
Nico suddenly called out, then raced away from the rocky area and dashed to the beach. As soon as he arrived on this safe area, he then called to everyone:
“The Trow is here, run away!”
There was a dark figure standing on a rock.
He used his sharp vision to stare at Lydia, who was planning to pass through the rocky area and run towards the mirror.
I can’t be caught. Although Lydia rushed over urgently, the ground was quite difficult to run on, thus she nearly fell several times, and could only climb the rocks.
“Lydia!”
While Edgar ran towards her, he shot a glance at Kelpie.
“Kelpie, what are you doing just standing there?! It would be great if you could go and get that thing!”
“Fairies can’t go and touch things that give the giants magic.”
“What did you say? How pathetic.”
“I’ll go.”
Raven ran.
Edgar helped Lydia up, who slipped again. Raven quickly ran past Lydia, climbing up the rocks, then extended his hand towards the shining item.
He grabbed the palm-sized round mirror.
“Raven, break that!”
As Lydia called out, Raven threw and smashed mirror onto the rocks at the same time.
Red light poured out from the broken mirror.
The light instantly spread open; the sea, sky, as well as all of the surroundings were caught up in the light.
It was as if red ink overthrew the earth, even the atmosphere was red.
The red sunset’s light that was sealed by the giant flowed into the space in one breath.
They noticed that even the sun became red.
The sun had already arrived at the edge of the sea, and soon it was going to be swallowed by the sea.
The giant looked towards the sea in shock, then looked away from sunset.
“Damn......”
He whispered then promptly turned around and ran.
The giant’s figure temporarily disappeared from the rocky area, but as long as they looked around from the shadows of the rocks, they could see him sitting at a distance further away from the waves.
“He wants to wait until the sunset that he hates has ended.”
“In other words, now is the time.”
Edgar took out his sword.
“But Edgar, the so-called condition of the sun being swallowed by the sea still hasn’t been fulfilled.”
“Regardless, I want to give it a try.”
You’ll definitely be killed.
Lydia’s fears were almost unbearable.
Despite Edgar getting through many dangerous situations to this day, Lydia, the person by his side, had never felt so afraid.
Just at the thought of Edgar losing his life, she felt her breath stop at once.
“……Don’t go.”
Lydia blurted out these words.
She ran towards Edgar, holding the hands that were tightly gripping the sword. His hands were still quite warm.
Although the silver blade of the Merrow’s sword shined a red light under the setting sun, the presence of the Star Sapphire that blossomed a mysterious clear blue light could be felt.
Edgar said that the gem would radiate a red light, was this true? After all, how did he want to release the unseelie magic?
If he was unable to bring out the sword’s power, Edgar wouldn’t have a chance at success. But, even if the sword was able to bring out its powers, the condition to defeat the giant still wasn’t complete.
“I beg you, don’t go, let us return to the human world like this.”
He frowned, troubled by this.
“If your don’t recover and treat your wound, then you can’t do it.”
“What if the giant kidnaps you when I’m bedridden?”
“You don’t have to try so hard for me!”
Lydia even believed that if he collapsed like this, it would be better to become the giant’s bride.
“Don’t need to try so hard? Does that mean that you no longer need me?”
“Edgar......”
“Could it be that I didn’t have the opportunity to rescue you, and so you lost your trust in me?”
“……Yes, that’s right!”
Lydia suddenly replied.
“I was disappointed in you...... I was really scared, really hoping that you would recognise me, but also, not knowing how many times I asked you for help, you....... you think that I’d forgive you?”
Although Edgar had a sorrowful expression, Lydia merely wanted to ask him to stay wholeheartedly.
“Things cannot be settled by you battling the giant, right? If you really like me, return with me. If the giants come and chase after us, we’ll run away together. Then I can forgive you, so regardless of whether it’s marriage or other matters, I’ll listen to you!”
“Although this truly is quite tempting, I don’t like running away. For a long time, I wanted to protect my companions and myself by means of running away from the Prince, but I wasn’t able to protect everyone. How could I force you to taste the pain of running away?”
Despite Lydia feeling that she was unable to stop Edgar, she still tightly grabbed onto him.
Edgar smiled tenderly, then pulled Lydia’s hand over towards him and gazed at her closely.
“Can I kiss you?”
Edgar quickly glanced around, then added: “kiss your cheek.” Because he knew that if they weren’t alone, Lydia was unwilling to do that.
I don’t want it, I don’t want this kiss which seems to be saying goodbye.
“I beg you...... promise me that you won’t go.”
When Lydia could only powerlessly say this, she felt Edgar’s lips. Although it was on the cheek, his lips timidly brushed close to side of Lydia’s lips.
Just as she thought that, his lips appeared to trail towards Lydia’s small mouth and then took it. Although Lydia was astonished, she was unable to move, because without knowing when, her head was held.
Lydia felt his kisses and his fingers sliding through her hair at the same time. If it was said that he wanted to stroke Lydia’s hair, yet the action was wild enough to make her hair dishevelled, it made Lydia appear that not even she understood the mood.
She was in a situation of being unable to move, unable to act freely, bearing his kisses which were even more passionate than usual.
Even when the two were alone, it was never so passionate like this. Lydia thought and was breathless to the extent that she was going to have a fever, but she merely embraced Edgar’s neck pathetically.
If Edgar were to simply forget the battle with the giant, being alone together like this would be nice.......
Despite these hopes faintly floating in Lydia’s mind, Edgar embraced her strongly for the last time then let her go.
“Once I touch you, I really am unable to restrain myself.”
Liar. if this was the case, then why are you still going?
Although Lydia thought this, she didn’t say anything.
“Raven, I leave Lydia to you.”
Raven originally seemed to look away frantically, but once he heard Edgar’s call, he quickly nodded soon afterwards.
Although Nico used his hands to cover his eyes, his fingers were opened up quite unusually. Kelpie, who was at the side, calmly looked at them. Moreover, he began to inquire curiously:
“Just now, you were almost going to be eaten up by the Earl.”
“N-no, that’s......um......”
“Was it pleasant?”
Fascinated, Kelpie brought his face close, so Lydia had no choice but to avoid him and back away hurriedly.
“T-this can only be done between lovers! More importantly, now isn’t the time to talk about this!” Lydia turned and glanced toward the beach.
Edgar stood before the waves that were dyed in red, glaring straight at the giant who met his eyes.
“Trow, if you don’t give up your intention in taking my fiancée away, then I have no choice but to bring you down.”
Edgar had the unsheathed sword standing upright before him.
The sapphire was absorbing red sunlight even though a magnificent blue light shone to awaken.
The power of the ruby that Edgar sensed in his dreams was still mute. He only had the usual sensation of grasping the ancient sword; that being said, he didn’t plan on backing down.
If he retreated, the situation would only head towards the outcome that he feared the most. The only thing he was unable to bear was Lydia being taken away.
The giant sat somewhat further from the beach, on the grass near the slope of the sandy beach.
“Humans cannot kill me.”
“We’ll see about that. I can see that you seem quite intimidated. If you hurry up and destroy me, you can gain the bride that you desire, and yet you aren’t moving even one bit?”
Edgar spoke provocatively, and the giant naively responded, revealing a bothered look and even stood up.
“Don’t look down on me. Even if it’s sunset now, it’s not like I can’t use magic.”
He slowly headed down to the beach.
Come a little closer to the sea.
Edgar gripped the sword and assumed a battle stance. He moved to the left, and retreated back to the area where the waves were upon his feet. But the giant seemed to hate the seawater, as he stopped on the dry beach and waved his wooden staff.
A rock rose midair. The giant waved his wooden staff, and the rock flew towards Edgar.
Having just narrowly dodged it, he lost his footing in the seawater and tumbled on the edge of the water. After seeing that, the giant probably lowered his guard a little and approached closer towards the beach.
This time, he pointed the staff directly towards Edgar.
Just when the giant was on the verge of using magic, Edgar hastily stood up and tightly grasped the sword that had fallen between the waves. Then, as if pushing aside the water, he waved his sword.
It splashed upwards, wetting the giant.
The giant suddenly panicked, and he immediately withdrew, turning his back towards Edgar.
Edgar took advantage of the discord and readied his battle stance once more, waving his sword to kill the giant.
However, the Merrow’s sword was unable to cut anything, passing through the giant’s body.
Was Edgar still unable to kill fairies? Or was it because the conditions were not yet fulfilled?
After the giant dashed away from the beach and used his robe to clean his wet staff, he frantically used his clothes to wipe his hands that came into contact with seawater.
The Trow, who hated the sunset and the sea, was also afraid of being dyed by the red sea water.
As Edgar watched frantic Trow and discovered something.
Right now, a “sun giant” was here. If the giant was pulled into the sea, then the second condition would be complete.
The sunset, which was just about to be submerged into the sea, along with the giant, who was soaked by the waves, did this not indicate the sea swallowing the sun for the second time?
Then, what about the third time?
Actually, Edgar already instinctively knew the answer. If that was Ulysses’ expectations, then he could surely beat the giant.
But before that, it seemed that the giant wouldn’t set foot in the sea so easily.
How was he going to lure the giant in?
The giant maintained a distance between Edgar as well as the waves, as this was probably the distance where the magic could barely cause any effects. He merely saw the giant raising his staf
Edgar was instantly hurled off by the magic, hitting a sandbar covered with rocks.
“Edgar!”
He heard Lydia scream.
Stay back. At the same time that Edgar mumbled, he glimpsed at Raven pushing her into the shadows of the rocks, not letting her come out.
“Although you claim to be the Blue Knight Earl, as I thought, you aren’t a real one.”
Edgar tried to get up, but his body protested. More blood flowed out from the wound.
“I am the real Blue Knight Earl. This is the Merrow’s sword, from the sea race that you loathe.....”
“And yet you don’t even know how to use it?”
Rocks rose once more. It was already too late for Edgar to get up, as the rocks fell from above.
He wasn’t aware at all that he had avoided it. Although he was merely staggering, and tried to move his body with all his strength, the rocks had barely fallen to his sides.
But this wasn’t regarded as being lucky, because the sword was trapped underneath the rocks.
Edgar gripped the sword hilt and tried to pull it out. But the giant intended to throw more rocks at him again.
At that time, Lydia shook Raven off. Not minding that she wet, she came rushing towards him.
“Lydia, go back!”
Although Edgar shouted, Lydia sat down beside him, then spoke loudly to the giant:
“Trow! If you want to use that chunk of rock and kill me as well, then throw it over.”
Ah that’s right. The giant can’t do anything to kill Lydia, because he needs to take Lydia as the bride and bring her back.
But this was too reckless; running out now, she would only be captured by the giant.
Sure enough, although the giant returned the rock to its original position, this time, he slowly walked over in order to grab Lydia.
“I’m sorry......”
Edgar embraced her, who said this as if giving up.
“I still believe that as long as you’re safe and sound, then it would be alright.”
You want to go to where the giants are? I definitely won’t let you do this sort of thing.
Edgar breathed deeply, while cautiously gazing at the giant who set foot in the waves.
The giant realized that he didn’t need to be afraid of Edgar, because he was merely a human. Furthermore, he also took the initiative to enter the sea. Perhaps after he had thought once more, he believed that the sunset and the sea wouldn’t cause him any danger in these circumstances.
“……No, Lydia, I won’t let you say goodbye to me again.”
For Edgar, now was the perfect opportunity.
It was Lydia who created the opportunity for him.
He embraced Lydia with one arm, then he tightly gripped the sword.
If he failed, he would lose Lydia.
For Edgar, the purpose in protecting Lydia was probably a force that was able to wipe away any of his confusion.
There was no room to hesitate even though he did not want to become something that he did not hope to become.
In that moment, he sensed the sword’s power.
Rays of light burst from the Star Sapphire.
Because the defensive blue turned into the offensive scarlet, its magic was now that of unseelie.
Originally, it was a dark blue resembling the Merrow’s sea but now it became a scarlet color, identical to the sea intending to swallow the sun.
“When the sea swallows the sun for the third time”.
The condition of the legend was complete.
The giant kicked about waves with his feet, looking down at Edgar and Lydia.
He kneeled down and tried extending his hand toward Lydia.
Now was the only time.
[PICKACHU]
Edgar pulled out the ruby sword from underneath the rocks.
It was a mystery that the sword didn’t resist and obeyed Edgar’s commands.
He thrust the sword out with all his remaining strength.
Indeed, he felt his sword piercing through something.
The sword impaled the giant’s chest, as the Star Ruby radiated a striking crimson light.
The color of the sky became a dark red, as it approached nighttime. The giant collapsed into the waves, which appeared to signal that the sun had begun to ascend below the horizon on the other side before long.
The waves continued to beat the giant’s fallen body and as Edgar watched, he finally understood that everything had already. Thus he lifted Lydia’s head and they gazed at each other.
“......The giant...... is dead......?”
“Yes.”
He responded briefly, then to confirm this, he embraced Lydia. Lydia, not knowing when, she began to naturally allow him to bring his body close. Edgar, on one aspect, felt that this was truly amiable and at the same time, he was also aware of one thing.
Although the giant was dead, his own suffering was going to begin from now on. As Ulysses wanted, he was only a step closer to Prince.
Perhaps there would be a day where Lydia would be afraid and stay away from him. However, Edgar eliminated this idea from his mind, telling himself that he wouldn’t regret it, because no matter what method he used, he was going to protect her.
The giant’s body was still pierced by the sword, and when the sea and sky turned blue, his body disappeared. The sword then fell into the waves, and the ruby had already returned to a sapphire.
Edgar picked up the sword and the Moonstone ring tumbled down.
The presence of the sun was lost as the moon began to ascend towards the sky.
* * *
(Your Highness.)
Within the darkness, someone called out.
Edgar felt as if he were in a hazy dream, and saw two hooded crows.
I am not your Prince.
Edgar muttered.
I’m only using the Blue Knight Earl’s title, I don’t plan on getting closer to you guys.
The hooded crows circled around while calling.
(But you obtained that power like the first Prince.)
I won’t use it again.
(It’s hard to say.)
(The Highland’s prophet ought to awaken, in order to take your life.)
Me?
Because I made Lydia my fiancée? Still, the McKeel clan’s prophet knows the Prince?
(If you do not wish for this, then he must be buried forever.)
(If it’s a new you, then it’s possible.)
Was everything in accordance to the Prince’s organization’s ideas?
Disappear from me.
Right now, I don’t want to think about anything.
The hooded crows fluttered about as they noisily squawked.
He whispered once more so that they would disappear.
A blue flash cut across the darkness.
After the hooded crows disappeared, there was a child hovering in the sky, looking at him.
Edgar asked out loud.
Arrow, what do you think? Am I no longer the Blue Knight Earl?
(I am a star nurtured from your body, moreover, only my master is able to be the wielder of this sword. My duty is to serve you as the Blue Knight Earl. I don’t know of any other matters other than this.)
In the end, who am I? There are no definite answers anywhere.
No, I still have someone to rely on.
Oh, that’s right, where is Lydia?
As long as she is willing to stay by my side, nothing will change.
I must be in a situation where I can seal the Prince’s memories, and obtain stable happiness.
However, where is she? Is she not here?
Ahh that’s right, she should have noticed, that the power that killed the giant was unseelie magic.
Thus, she is afraid of me.
(Edgar, I have something to tell you.)
Lydia, along with her voice, appeared within the dream. Her expression was quite solemn.
Oh no, it looks as if you want to begin talking about a breakup.
Edgar jokingly said, but he regretted it, because Lydia looked to be on the verge of tears.
Do you really want to break up?
Wait, please reconsider, I’m willing to do anything.
Lydia planned to leave, and Edgar desperately grabbed onto her hand.
“......Lydia!”
He was woken up by his own shout, and suddenly opened his eyes.
Edgar was holding someone’s hand. It was a woman’s.
He turned to the person in order to confirm, that the person beside him smiling from ear to ear was......
“...........Lota?”
“Hey, how are you feeling?”
Edgar quickly shook off her hand. He thought to himself that he really was too careless. Rather than holding this fellow’s hand, it would be much better to hold Tomkins’s.
“Why are you here? You wanted to attack me while I was sleeping?”
“What!? What’s with this tone of yours, just when I came to look after you.”
“Please stop. Saying that you’ll look after me, my condition will worsen because of this. This was quite well-known since long ago.”
Lota tsked and stood up.
“Oh my god, even when you’re sick, you’re not the least bit cute at all as usual, it’s unbearable.”
She said, appearing to have had enough of him. Although she tried to walk out of the room, Edgar hastily asked:
“What about Lydia?”
“How could I let her look after you? You’ll go crazy and drag her into bed.”
“Where is Lydia?”
Because Lota had the upper hand and was enjoying it, she chuckled.
“I don’t know, maybe Fergus is in the process of courting her.”
“That guy...... he’s still in London?”
“He’s around the same age as you but he’s naive or should I say, sincere. But he’s also honest, so Lydia might really like him.”
After Lota finished bothering Edgar as much as she could, she left.
“Damn it!”
He tried to get up but Raven came in immediately.
“Lord Edgar, please rest for now.”
“I’m going to see Lydia. Raven, prepare a change of clothes.”
“Y......yes.”
Although Raven replied, he was clearly perplexed.
Despite him promptly leaving the room, he was definitely thinking of a way to stop Edgar. When he brought his change of clothes, he also brought the head butler.
Tomkins forcefully pushed Edgar, who was trying to to get up, onto the bed.
“My lord, you mustn’t force yourself.”
“Let me go, I don’t need to rest.”
“You will have a fever again.”
“Raven, get Tomkins out of here!”
Raven was only seen covering his ears to block out Edgar’s command, slowly retreating and leaving the room.
“......Tomkins, if you don’t let me go, I’ll fire you!”
“That’s fine. In any case, if something were to happen to my lord, I will lose my job either way.”
The head butler was short and stout, yet he was quite strong in pinning down Edgar. But Edgar wasn’t to be outdone.
“Mrs. Lane, lend me a hand!”
The sound of Tomkins yelling for the housekeeper resounded throughout the mansion.
*
After Lydia finished changing her clothes in a hurry, she rushed out of her room and headed down the stairs. Her father was in the dining room, reading the newspaper, after having finished breakfast and taking relaxing a little.
This was the sight of the Carlton family every morning, it’s just that this morning, Lydia finished breakfast early and left not too long after.
“Father, I’m going out.”
After poking her head out from the door and calling out, her father looked up and said:
“You’re going out? If you’re that worried, shouldn’t you stay over at the mansion?”
“Yeah, but I think there should be no need. His fever had already alleviated yesterday, so now I can feel at ease.”
Edgar was unconscious for three days and three nights. Although Lydia hoped to stay by his side as much as possible, even if it was to take care of her fiancé, she also thought that she would feel a little sorry for her father if she lived in Edgar’s mansion before the wedding.
After hearing Lydia’s answer, her father was clearly relieved. Although Father told Lydia that she could stay over at Edgar’s mansion, his heart, in fact, certainly did not hope for her to do so.
Even though Lota, who used her status as a companion to assist Lydia, she was advised to at least return home in the evening as she was worried about her, relieving a lot of Lydia’s burden.
“Well there’s that. If you collapse, the Earl cannot be at ease and recuperate.”
“Eh, I’m not pushing myself.”
Although Father looked worried, he didn’t ask too much about what happened. When Lydia, whose whereabouts were unknown, suddenly returned three days ago, Father had only said welcome home and hugged her, neither asking nor blaming her.
This was because he knew that even as her father, as long as it was encountering fairies and other related matters, there was nothing he could do about it.
If Lydia went to a place where he couldn’t go to, he would probably think that it was her fate that she carried and was born with, therefore he couldn’t deal with the change. But, if her daughter had returned safely and was staying here now, it was only normal that he felt great.
Perhaps similarly for Lydia’s mother he had also come to accept this.
Lydia felt it to be her father’s greatest affection.
“Father, I’ll be sure to come home at the usual time today.”
Lydia walked over, left an affectionate kiss on her father’s cheek, then left the house.
When she was heading towards the main street to take the street carriage, she saw a figure standing beside the street lights looking at her.
This person was wearing a plaid skirt, so she knew right away that it was Fergus.
“You’re quite early. Where are you going?”
“You’ve been lying here in wait? Didn’t I say that I’ll never see you again?”
Finding it amusing, Fergus shrugged.
Not long after the giant was defeated, he and Patrick appeared at the beach. They seem to have witnessed Edgar slaying the giant.
Not only was it a shock for them, but it was a taboo at the same time.
To say the least, one theory was circulated on their island, that was, that the death of a sun giant was an ill omen. Moreover, the sword’s power that was drawn out by Edgar was an unseelie power that was hated.
Needless to say, it was only logical that they were anxious towards the Earl.
“The Earl still seems to be alive.”
The reason why Fergus said this with regret, wasn’t just because the giant was defeated, rather it was because he came close to being killed by Edgar afterwards.
After Edgar told him that he defeated the giant, he asked him to hand over head and pointed his sword at him. But fortunately, Edgar had no more physical strength to do so.
“If he recovers, he will come to get your head.”
“......Are you serious?”
He drew a cross on his chest.
“But I think that if you apologize to him and seek his pardon, he will be very lenient.”
That’s right, Edgar showed no mercy to the people that were hostile towards him, but as long as they begged him for his patronage, he would turn into a considerably lenient aristocrat. Lydia believed so.
But Fergus deeply frowned and refused.
“Highlanders won’t so easily apologize towards the English. Besides, this man is the type that I hate, not only did he threaten Patrick, he also said that he wanted to destroy our clan. He has no decency.
It was because he was swept up in an unusual conspiracy.
Lydia felt pain in her chest at the thought of his incurable affliction.
“Also, Lydia you’ve also noticed, right? Humans to go as far as to defeat a giant...... this really is inconceivable.”
“That’s because the condition of the legend was complete, whether they be human or other races, it’s only normal that they would be able to defeat the giant.”
This was the rule amongst the fairies and the fairy realm.
“But Patrick said that the magic at that time was the crystallization of ominous forces; as it goes without saying, humans are unable to manipulate the magic of unseelie court.”
Lydia was certainly frightened when she witnessed it.
At present, she still didn’t understand how Edgar could freely manipulate such magic.
As soon as she thought that, she sank into anxiety. Edgar was indeed harboring secrets that Lydia did not know of.
“Can you really marry that sort of man? It’s quite possible that man has a contract with the unseelie court.”
Indeed, she also only thinking that something close to that had occurred.
“Hey Lydia, if you don’t want to marry that guy, come to the Hebrides. It’s your mother’s hometown. If you become a member of the clan, will you protect the clan together with me?”
If Mother was still alive, what would she do?
Perhaps she would help them.
Even if she she didn’t act as the Prophet's fiancée, and didn’t marry with Fergus, if the clan got caught up in crises because of fairies, Lydia might be able to help them.
Although Lydia thought this, she shook her head.
She didn’t want to trouble Edgar.
“Fergus, in order to save me from the giant’s hands, would you not hesitate to obtain unimaginable and terrible power?”
Fergus frowned and did not answer.
Lydia continued walking once more, and Fergus remained there and did not catch up.
Why was it Edgar? Lydia had doubts since the beginning. Why had she come to like him? Why had she insisted and believed that he didn’t?
Now, she felt that she understood a little.
It was because Edgar strongly yearned to have her.
Even when she couldn’t believe that and firmly refused him, he wasn’t the least bit deterred. Perhaps one of the reasons was naturally because Edgar was confident in himself but in that case, even when there were so many girls he could pursue, his feelings for Lydia was so strong, it was unimaginable.
He probably noticed how timid Lydia was toward love and thus endeavoured.
She, who originally wasn’t well-suited with him, was fond of him now as a result, even thinking that she was capable of stepping onto the path of marriage.
Although Lydia was still unable to understand, there were also many areas where she couldn’t keep up to Edgar’s pace, but because he still earnestly hoped to be together with her, she no longer felt hesitant towards marriage.
Edgar freed the supposed seal on the power of the Star Ruby in the Merrow’s sword, but this was due to him not wanting to give up on Lydia, and in result the Ruby appeared. Therefore she didn’t want to take her eyes away from him.
Lydia had arrived at the Earl’s mansion with a relaxed heart, only to see Raven standing in the hallway, covering his ears. She entered the room, completely puzzled, and the the first thing that jumped into her eyesight was a short butler and large housekeeper fighting with Edgar.
“Edgar, what are you doing!”
Lydia shouted and Edgar stopped after seeing her surprise.
Tomkins who was restrained, freed himself from the Edgar’s arm. He promptly rearranged his crooked tie and fixed up his sparse hair.
“Ahh, Miss Lydia, you came just in time, Master insisted that he go out.”
“What did you say? Edgar, you ought to know that you must recover, right? What are you going to do if you were to open up your wounds again from behaving so violently?”
Lydia approached Edgar, making her way past the housekeeper and the butler.
“You are not a child, lie down still and rest!”
Edgar nodded, as if overwhelmed by her imposing manner.
“But Lydia, I just wanted to see you, that’s all.”
“Can’t we see each other at any time?”
I suppose he really is someone who is troublesome to look after for others. As Lydia was fed up, she sighed in frustration, and Edgar immediately gazed at her with abandoned puppy dog eyes.
“Really?”
Not only was he rude and unreasonable like a tyrant, he also did outrageous things and yet sometimes he would display this kind of timid attitude.
Lydia sat on the chair that Tomkins pulled out for her, while scowling.
“Only if you don’t mess around.”
The head butler and housekeeper quietly walked out of the room.
Although Edgar gazed at Lydia, hounding her every move, not wanting to miss a single one. But he didn’t lean forward, closing the distance between them like he usually did.
“Please don’t give me such an awful look.”
“But I really am shocked. Just when your fever finally reduced yesterday.”
“I’m sorry.”
Despite him honestly apologizing, he still looked worried.
Lydia glanced at the medicine on the bedside table.
“You haven’t taken your medicine?”
“It doesn’t have much effect either way.”
“That won’t do, as long as you believe that it’s effective, then it will be effective. ”
“If you feed me with your mouth, then it will probably be effective.”
He slightly returned to his usual manner, but Lydia couldn’t help but also resume her usual manner.
“Don’t joke around.”
“......I will take it.”
This practically seemed like criticising him.
While Edgar was bedridden and until coming here this morning, Lydia had been thinking about something else.
She wanted to have a good talk with him, so she sat upright.
“Edgar, I have something to tell you.”
“Ahh, that’s right, Lydia, I forgot to thank you. Thank you......for giving me the pocket watch, I will cherish it.”
“Oh, you found it?”
I completely forgot about that.
“It was the most amazing gift. From now on, I hope that we will always be together...... the feelings contained within your message made me very happy. Although I said that you were completely unconscientious of the marriage, I don’t think it’s like this now. I fully understand that you intend to stay by my side forever.”
The two of them wanted to get married, so this was a matter to be expected, but Edgar was frantic and especially moved as he said these words.
“If I knew this earlier, then I should have recognised that you were Liz. As long as I remember this, I feel very remorseful.”
“It’s alright.”
“It’s not alright at all. Just when I received precious words at that time.”
At that time, Lydia told him that she loved him.
“If you’re willing to say it once more, I will be very happy.”
Lydia was startled, then her face reddened all over and she looked down.
What am I going to do? Sure enough, I still can’t say those words as “Lydia”.
“Um...... Edgar, other than that, I have something I need to say.....”
However, once Lydia wanted to return to the main topic, Edgar had an anxious expression.
He quickly interrupted, as if he didn’t want Lydia to speak unnecessarily.
“I know! You don’t have to force yourself to say it, I believe your feelings are certainly the same as mine.”
“...Listen to me...”
“As soon as I can go out, is there anywhere you would like to go? We should occasionally break away from social parties, I think the both of us should go out for a walk.”
“Why are you interrupting me?”
Because it really was too unusual, Lydia couldn’t help but ask. As a result, Edgar sighed heavily, and buried his fingers into his blond hair.
After finally making his mind up, he looked up and said:
“You see Lydia, I have certainly given you many painful memories, but I have reflected from the bottom of my heart and won’t do something like that to trouble you again in future...... I won’t strongly pressure you like that, I will properly wait before marriage, and I won’t urgently decide on the marriage date again. I will do anything according to what you say.”
“Yes, so I wanted to talk......”
“But there is only this matter that I won’t agree on.”
“What?”
“As long as it’s your wish, I will fulfill it for you no matter what it is, but I don’t want to hear you talk about breaking up, I won’t ever listen.”
“Talk about breaking up? W-what are you saying?”
He stared at Lydia who looked astonished.
“……That wasn’t it? Because, I......”
After Edgar finished speaking, he looked down at his hands, and thought of the changes in the sword that he brought about. Did he think that even if he defeated the giant, Lydia’s feelings may have already changed?
Lydia grasped his hands that he was gazing at.
“Edgar, thank you. ”
Thank you for coming to my rescue, and...
“Thank you for liking me, so we...can have the wedding sooner.”
For Lydia, speaking these words already used up her greatest efforts, and as soon as she noticed, she was already in Edgar’s embrace.
“Really?......You don’t regret being engaged to me?”
“It’s not like I regret it.”
“Ahh Lydia, as long as you’re happy, I’m willing to love you even more now.”
“Eh? It’s already enough.”
“Now, would you like me to let you know how much I love you?”
Not only did Edgar whisper in her ear, his arms that hugged her used force, this couldn’t help but make Lydia feel that it was dangerous.
“Uh, didn’t you just say that you would wait?”
“Damn it.”
….How can he look happy while saying that?
He really is a hopeless man.
Just when she thought he was joking around, he suddenly said in a serious tone:
“Lydia, I’ve been thinking about something for awhile, I want to visit your mother’s grave before we get married.”
“Mother’s grave? You want to visit her grave?”
“That’s right. I would like to properly inform your mother of our marriage. In future, I might disregard the McKeel clan’s existence, so I can only ask for her forgiveness first.”
He ought to, in order to cut off ties with her mother's clan, as well as ties with the Prophet.
“Yes, speaking of that, I haven’t yet informed Mother that I was going to get married.”
Edgar gazed at Lydia, who lifted her head, then gently smiled as usual, and looked as if she was purely thinking about marriage.
Lydia still didn’t know what secrets he concealed within his mind, and was also not aware that he did not intend to ignore the McKeel clan, rather, he was prepared to consider them as enemies. She was thankful to God from the bottom of her heart that Edgar was safe.
