🎉Fate Q&A: Chapter 228: Blackmore Cemetery

Special thanks to Sarabjeet Seehra for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉

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[We boarded a diesel train at Burlington Station and arrived in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, two hours later. After that, we endured nearly five hours on a bus before beginning the final leg of our journey—hiking up a mountain.]

[As they trudged along the rugged animal trails, Reines glanced down at the uneven path and couldn't help but wonder why El-Melloi II would come to such a remote place.]

[However, El-Melloi II was in no state to explain, as he was currently lying on the ground, utterly exhausted.]

[It had been his idea to come here, yet he was the first to collapse.]

["Really, now? You're giving up from just this? Come on, dear brother. You just need to keep circulating your magical energy. Isn't it easy enough in a land so abundant with magical power?"]

[Reines, ever sharp-tongued, wasted no opportunity to mock him mercilessly.]

["Please don't attack me in my moment of shame," El-Melloi II panted in protest, hanging his head.]

Iskandar: "Hah! Boy, you're down already after such a short hike? Unacceptable!"

Waver: "...Stop talking. There's no way I'd let myself end up like that."

[After taking a brief rest, the two resumed their climb. Along the way, El-Melloi II explained the purpose of their journey.]

[He had come here to improve his chances of winning the Holy Grail War.]

[Reines, shaking her head, sighed in exasperation. Why was her brother so obsessed with the Holy Grail War?]

[As they approached the mountaintop, a flock of black birds suddenly erupted from the forest, swirling around them in an ominous formation.]

[El-Melloi II: "Crows?"]

["Crows guide souls," said a deep, gravelly voice.]

[Out of the shadows stepped a man dressed in black, emerging from where the crows had taken flight.]

[He appeared to be in his sixties, with unkempt hair tucked beneath an old-fashioned travel hat. Despite his age, his sturdy frame was visible beneath his coat.]

["It's the same here in Britain. Crows frequently appear in Celtic mythology as well. They are guides for the dead, keepers of graves. And so, they cry, 'Nevermore.'"]

[As he spoke, a crow landed on his shoulder, its beady eyes fixed on them.]

Kayneth: "Gravekeeper… Ah, this must be Blackmore Cemetery!"

Waver: "Professor, what exactly is that place?"

Kayneth: "One of the oldest cemeteries in this region, renowned among magi. It's said that the gravekeeper here is quite formidable."

Waver: "So that's why my future self came here."

Artoria: "Blackmore Cemetery… This must be where El-Melloi II first meets Gray."

[El-Melloi II: "You mentioned the gravekeeper. Are you…?"]

[The man interrupted, his voice calm but piercing. "What business does a magus from the Clock Tower have with me?"]

[Reines silently observed, wondering, How did he know we were from the Clock Tower? Did he overhear our conversation, or was it just an educated guess?]

[El-Melloi II bowed respectfully. "Greetings. I am El-Melloi II."]

[The man nodded in acknowledgment. "It's rare to have so many visitors in such quick succession, all coming to see me."]

["I am Bersac Blackmore, the gravekeeper. If you have something to discuss, follow me."]

[With that, Bersac turned and began walking away. El-Melloi II and Reines hurried to follow.]

[After a short trek, they arrived at a small village nestled at the base of a steep, rocky mountain.]

[The village was home to fewer than a hundred people. Most of the buildings were old brick structures that looked as though they had stood for centuries.]

[Despite the villagers' modern attire, it wouldn't have felt out of place if they had dressed in medieval clothing instead.]

Waver: "This village doesn't seem entirely isolated, but it definitely feels stuck in the past."

Tohsaka Rin: "If this were a movie, you'd expect a village like this to be hiding some kind of secret."

Illya: "Do we even need to say it? Of course, they're hiding something."

["Hey, Mr. Bersac, who are those two?"]

[As they entered the village, a round, middle-aged man in priestly robes called out to them. His figure was so portly that his height seemed nearly matched by his waistline.]

[Standing beside him was a young nun, no older than her early twenties. Her blonde hair, brown eyes, and light freckles gave her a charming, approachable appearance.]

[The moment El-Melloi II and Reines saw them, they instantly recognized the pair as members of the Holy Church and instinctively grew cautious.]

Kayneth: "The Holy Church. These nuisances show up everywhere."

Tohsaka Rin: "Huh. I thought priests from the Church were supposed to be intimidating. This one… doesn't seem to fit the mold."

["Priest Fernando," Belsac said calmly. "These are my guests. Please let them pass."]

["Oh, of course. The doors of the Church are always open."]

[Fernando turned his suspicious gaze toward El-Melloi II, his smile far from genuine. "This is our first meeting. My name is Fernand Crozier. May I have your names?"]

["El-Melloi II."]
["Reines El-Melloi Archisorte."]

[They introduced themselves in turn while carefully observing Fernand's reaction. Surprisingly, he showed no noticeable response.]

Had he truly never heard of the name El-Melloi, or was he simply hiding his emotions?

Kayneth: "Pretending, clearly. As a member of the Church, there's no way he wouldn't know about the Twelve Lords of the Clock Tower."

["Oh, are you two siblings?"]

["Yes, we're inseparable. Right, brother?" Reines said cheerfully, clinging to El-Melloi II's arm. Her brother, meanwhile, looked less than thrilled.]

["And who is that nun over there?" Reines asked, changing the subject.]

["I am Sister Ilumia," the young nun replied with a voice that sounded distant and unapproachable.]

[Fernando sighed. "Ah, I have some believers to visit today. Please excuse me. Mr. Bersac, could you take them to the church?"]

[Bersac nodded. "That was my plan."]

["This is just a small village," Fernando said as he departed. "Feel free to rest as long as you like."]

[Ilumia, however, slowed her pace and whispered to Reines as she passed. "You'd best not stay here too long."]

[Her words immediately piqued Reines' curiosity. She loved stirring up trouble.]

Tohsaka Rin: "Here it comes—the classic setup for a mysterious village story."

Illya: "Next thing you know, someone will end up dead."

Waver: "Could you stop being so pessimistic?"

[Under Bersac's guidance, they soon reached the church on the northern edge of the village.]

[The church was an unassuming structure, its weathered walls covered in ivy. It looked old, perhaps ancient.]

[Inside, the space was surprisingly spacious. The high ceilings and spotless interior exuded a serene atmosphere.]

[Though it lacked grandeur, the gleaming metal candlesticks and well-maintained benches reflected the villagers' devotion.]

[However, something felt off about the statue of the Virgin Mary at the back of the church.]

[Unlike the typical depictions of Mary, this statue was painted black. She held the infant Savior in her arms, but her posture was strikingly different. She appeared tall and imposing, her piercing eyes gazing down at them with an air of majesty. She seemed more like a warrior than a loving mother.]

[El-Melloi II: "...The Black Madonna."]

Tohsaka Rin: "Black Madonna? What's that?"

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "It's a rare branch of Christianity. It's obscure, so few people are familiar with it."

Kayneth: "They're worshipping the Black Madonna here? Interesting."

[Reines: "What is it, brother?"]

[El-Melloi II whispered, "Black Madonna statues are rare, but notable examples include the one at Montserrat Monastery and another at Le Puy Cathedral."]

["They are distinct from typical depictions of Mary. Some believe they originate from pre-Christian Earth Mother Goddess worship, blending older beliefs into Christian iconography."]

["Are you curious about the statue, magus?"]

[Seeing their expressions, Belsac turned and asked.]

[El-Melloi II nodded. "It's unusual, so yes."]

[Belsac: "This statue is an artifact passed down through the village. Priest Fernand likely knows more about it."]

[El-Melloi II: "I see. If this area has Celtic roots, it might suggest a blend of local traditions with broader Christian influences."]

[Bersac: "Before I take you to my home, I ask that you pray to the Virgin Mary first. It's our custom."]

[Saying this, Bersac knelt before the statue.]

[With his tall, imposing frame, his posture resembled that of a knight swearing an oath rather than a man in prayer.]