Chapter 50: The Secrets of the Clock Tower

Li Xiang reached out and took the soul contract. It was thin, yet the material wasn't paper—it was silky smooth, like the most expensive silk. The characters on the contract were elegantly written, neat and well-formed, though completely unfamiliar to him. It felt like doing a math problem where all the numbers were recognizable, but the formula was a complete mystery.

It must have been written in some ancient language.

The Clock Tower housed many old relics, not unlike Zouken Matou, who had lived for over 500 years. Who knew how old these mages truly were?

Li Xiang signed his name. As the final stroke fell, the characters on the contract ignited, glowing with a soft, eerie blue light that resembled fireflies dancing on a dark summer night. The light shimmered briefly before settling over his name.

He felt a sudden chill deep in his heart.

The moment he broke the contract, that chill would trigger the curse, instantly claiming his life.

Names, or more accurately, true names, held immense importance in the world of magic. Many spells were based on knowing someone's true name. It was an anchor, a key to one's being. In the Holy Grail War, knowing a Servant's true name could dramatically reduce the threat they posed, as it often revealed their fatal weaknesses based on myth and history.

Li Xiang handed the contract to Elena, and as he returned to his place, the chilling sensation in his heart vanished abruptly.

["Hmph!"] Irigar's voice echoed in his consciousness, her arms crossed in a triumphant stance. ["How dare they try to mess with my Master's soul? No shame!"]

"...Irigar, I appreciate you canceling the curse, but could you phrase it differently? I'm not some commodity, and what's this about 'messing with your business'?"

["Well… how about this? Your soul is already booked by me. No one else can take it."]

What's wrong with this system? Li Xiang thought.

Not long ago, it threatened to take over my body after I die, and now it won't even leave my soul alone? Is this system some kind of devil?

"Why do you need my soul?"

["That's a secret for now!"] Irigar responded in a playful tone. ["You'll find out once you're dead."]

"???" 

Li Xiang was at a loss for words. How would I know once I'm dead? 

It felt like he had boarded a pirate ship without knowing, and this system, constantly hungry, was determined to take everything.

Elena carefully checked the text on the soul contract. Once she confirmed there were no issues, she placed it into the Imaginary Number Space.

"Now, let's get down to business."

Elena clapped her hands to get everyone's attention, her expression serious. "Before we talk about Morgan le Fay, let me give you a more detailed history of the Clock Tower—something far more in-depth than what you've learned in the Basic Fundamentals course. It may sound absurd, but I assure you, it's real—stories that have endured throughout history."

"In 960 BC, King Solomon, the Mage King, died. His disciples, the ancient mages of that time, believed that the Age of Gods would come to an end. Some of Solomon's students thought that while the Age of Gods might fade, the wisdom of the past should be preserved as a form of knowledge. Thus, the very first magic association was formed—a group of mages gathering together to discuss the mysteries of magic."

"But in 20 AD, a genius mage from the Age of Gods used the lingering mana in the atmosphere to alter the form of magic, extending the Age of Gods. This lasted until the 5th century AD, around 500 AD, when the Age of Gods finally came to an end. The terminal event was the defeat of King Arthur at the Battle of Camlann."

"After King Arthur's fall, his loyalists built the Clock Tower on these lands. And from the Middle Ages onward, as the Holy Church rose to prominence, a long conflict between the Magic Association and the Church began—a battle that has lasted for thousands of years and still continues today."

"Going back to the 5th century, the Magic Association wasn't yet known by that name—it was called the Druids. Yes, the Druids mentioned in Celtic mythology, those tasked with preserving culture, were actually the precursors to the Magic Association."

Elena paused, her eyes scanning the room, pleased with the stunned expressions of the crew.

To be honest, when she had first learned this information after becoming the captain of the first unit of the Department of Law, she had been equally shocked. It felt as if another world had opened up before her.

Meanwhile, Li Xiang felt like his whole world had been flipped upside down. The founders of the Clock Tower were once the followers of Artoria Pendragon? Which one, though? And if that was the case, did that mean Gray had a rightful claim to the Clock Tower's legacy in some sense?

As Li Xiang's thoughts wandered, Elena continued, "The reason I'm giving this background is so that you'll understand and believe what I'm about to say regarding Morgan le Fay."

"First, let's talk about the ballad that Pascal mentioned. Its author was none other than Merlin. During Uther Pendragon's reign, Merlin served as the royal court mage and was extremely well-known throughout Britain. He composed this song in celebration of Princess Morgan le Fay's sixteenth birthday. However, after events concerning Arthur, Morgan and Merlin had a falling out."

"After the invasion by Vortigern the Usurper, Merlin took Arthur to a remote village. In 488 AD, under Merlin's guidance, Arthur pulled the Sword from the Stone and began his journey to reclaim the throne. That same year, Morgan le Fay raised an army from the city of Dundee in Pictland, now known as Scotland, in an attempt to defeat Vortigern and claim the title of Britain's ruler."

"Dundee is the closest city to the island we're currently on, meaning this ruin is indeed related to Morgan le Fay."

"But this is no cause for celebration. While the value of Morgan le Fay's ruins is immeasurable, she was far from benevolent."

"In Celtic mythology, she is Morrigan, the goddess of death and war. In Arthurian legends, she is a cold-hearted sorceress—the darker side of the Lady of the Lake. She was the Princess and Queen blessed by the island of Britannia and the mastermind behind Arthur's downfall."

"Crows are her symbol. Wherever she passes, death is sure to follow."

When Elena finished, the command room was so quiet that the sound of breathing could be heard clearly.

"I trust everyone now has a better understanding of the significance of these ruins," Adashino said, surveying the room.

After allowing a moment for the crew to process this revelation, she continued, "The crows we encountered earlier were a warning. I need each of you to remain vigilant and prepare for the worst, including the possibility of death. However, don't lose your composure."

"Lord Barthomeloi has already been informed of the situation. Should something beyond our control occur, she will arrive to assist. If not for Li Xiang's quick thinking in stopping the crows, we would have had to notify the Lord immediately. Remember, Lord Barthomeloi appreciates talent and bravery."

"When this mission concludes, each of you will have gained invaluable experience. This will enhance both your family's reputation and your personal advancement."

Adashino skillfully lifted the spirits of everyone present. 

As mages, their ultimate goal was to reach the Root. Apart from a few exceptions, most could not escape the desires of family and personal achievement. Almost all the members here hailed from prestigious magical families. They had come to the Clock Tower to raise their skills, gain fame in the world of magic, and then return to inherit their families' legacies.

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To all the Masters (or Reader?) who now know the secrets of the Clock Tower, beware of the curse! lol