『 Despair, helplessness, confusion—at this moment, there was not a shred of hope in Ritsuka Fujimaru's heart.
Through the window, she looked out at the world below. The forests where the fairies were sparsely distributed had been tragically razed, and the surface of the earth had reached its limit, beginning to crumble.
Two hours had passed since they set out, brimming with the conviction to save Britain, yet they hadn't saved a single thing.
This Fairy Lostbelt had already transformed into the most tragic hell.
Chaldea was at its wits' end. The atmosphere was scorching yet frozen; everyone wanted to save it, to change it, but they were powerless.
But just then…
"What's wrong? There's still hope. It's an hour too early to give up now." Merlin's figure suddenly appeared before them.
He said unhurriedly, "The sins of the fairies accumulated over fourteen thousand years, the two great calamities in the prophecy, the corpse of the god that appeared in the great hole."
"These are indeed helpless to the power of Proper Human History, and defeating them is out of the question. However, everything is merely a fantasy derived from this situation."
"The Britain Lostbelt became a Singularity, gained growth, and even became Proper Human History. In other words, it is a so-called distorted historical point."
"Once the Singularity is corrected, history will be restored, and the Fairy Kingdom will disappear from then on."
"Merlin!" Everyone looked at the Magus of Flowers before them with surprise!
Although Merlin was sometimes truly scummy, as long as he appeared, the sense of security was instantly maxed out!
What was even more surprising was that Merlin's Spirit Origin this time was undoubtedly the Grand Caster Spirit Origin! 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Gintoki Sakata (Gintama): "Wait… Merlin is a Grand class?! Damn it! We agreed to suffer together!" ]
[ Artoria Pendragon⦍Saber Alter⦎ (Type-Moon): "I see. I was wondering how this Britain Lostbelt could be missing that guy's presence. So he was holding back here?!" ]
[ Mysterious Heroine X (Type-Moon): "Merlin, the source of all evil! I will definitely chop you into mincemeat!" ]
[ Aqua (KonoSuba): "Eh? Isn't the Grand Caster Solomon? Why is Merlin one, too?" ]
[ Kazuma Satou (KonoSuba): "Idiot, Solomon is gone, so the Grand Caster position is empty. Of course, they have to find someone to fill it; otherwise it would just be empty, waiting for Romani to revive?" ]
[ Saten Ruiko (A Certain Magical Index): "Remember it was said before that Merlin and King of Heroes Gilgamesh were both candidates for Grand Caster? And the timeline of this world is chaotic anyway, so it's not that strange that Mr. Merlin is a Grand." ]
[ Lady Avalon (Type-Moon): "OOOOOH!!! Masaka! Is it time for Merlin-chan to appear?! It's you, Merlin-chan, abandon the Grand title!" ]
[ Merlin (Type-Moon): "No, no, if I abandon the Grand title so casually, the Counter Force will cry!" ]
[ .....]
〜Type-Moon World, ???? Worldline〜
Everyone learned about the Grand Servants of the Holy Grail for the first time, and at the same time, they were constantly guessing in their hearts.
Could it be that to become a candidate for Grand Caster, one must truly have the prerequisite of Clairvoyance to take the next step?
Thinking carefully, it is indeed so. Whether it is Solomon, Gilgamesh, or Merlin, they all possess the highest level of Clairvoyance, which is why they became Grand Servants or candidates.
—
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
It still has to be Merlin. Although everyone unanimously agrees that Merlin is a scumbag, it must be said that this frivolous guy sometimes provides a sense of security that is truly maxed out.
At the very least, right now, as a Grand Caster, Merlin is absolutely the existence in Chaldea that is like the heavens.
Could it be that Merlin is also going to abandon his Grand Spirit Origin here?
Everyone's eyes were full of anticipation. After all, isn't the appearance of a Grand Servant the moment to abandon their Spirit Origin?
This has been the case for all the Grand Servants that have appeared. Even a scumbag like Merlin cannot be an exception, right?
.....
『 Merlin greeted everyone and then informed the Chaldea group that he had actually arrived a long time ago, but because he was imprisoned by Morgan, he had been unable to meet with them.
Now that Morgan had been defeated, he had also gained his freedom~
The expressions of the crowd went blank, and Fou immediately rushed up, then pressed a footprint onto Merlin's face!
"You beast, Cath Palug, are you trying to kill your master?!" Merlin shouted.
But this was not the time for horseplay. The true purpose now was to head to the entrance of the paradise, Avalon!
"I'll get straight to the point. Hope means sending the Child of Prophecy back to me immediately," Merlin said seriously.
"From the moment the bell started ringing, Artoria has been able to hear the call of paradise, right? Now, the time has finally come for the Child of Prophecy to complete her mission."
Artoria was silent. She denied that she was qualified, but was refuted by Sage Grimm on the side, "Whether that thing exists or not doesn't matter."
"As long as the Child of Prophecy who rang the Pilgrimage Bell returns to paradise, the curse of the God of Wrath, Cernunnos, will weaken."
"Although it won't disappear completely, it won't get any stronger," Caster Cu said seriously.
His mission was to bring Artoria there. She had already rung the Pilgrimage Bell; in other words, it wouldn't matter even if he brought back a corpse.
Everyone was silent, and Artoria smiled helplessly. Her words seemed to be in agreement, yet also seemed to be unwilling.
Only Ritsuka Fujimaru was stunned; then her brows furrowed, and her face turned cold. "Grimm! What kind of nonsense are you spouting?!" 』
『 .....』
〜Type-Moon World, Fifth Holy Grail War Worldline〜
The savior of the world… the savior?
No, but Artoria absolutely does not want to be that!
Artoria looked at the screen, which was exactly like her but was not the same person, and fell into deep silence.
To save the world… must someone's happiness be sacrificed?
Artoria remembered her own mission, drawing the Sword of Selection and sacrificing everything to fight for Britain. Recalling everything she had been through and then seeing Artoria's current state, a trace of inexplicable sorrow and anger arose in Artoria's heart.
But there was more helplessness…
Mission, destiny… as long as such titles are placed on your head, you can't escape, right?
—
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
Everyone also showed a hint of interest. Previously, they had been focusing on Senji Muramasa, but now it seemed that this person called Artoria was also extremely interesting.
Even though she became a savior, she has no determination to be a savior.
Countless villains in the Myriad Worlds sneered. If they were to meet Artoria, perhaps they would only need to bring the sparks of hatred and unwillingness to her, and everything would be accomplished.
Saving the world requires sacrifice or something—that is not justice~
.....
『 The atmosphere gradually became scorching. Although Artoria tried to dissuade Ritsuka Fujimaru, the young girl was already somewhat dissatisfied with Sage Grimm.
How could he say such things to their companion!
Senji Muramasa did not speak, only looking at Artoria, who was smiling bitterly and anxiously, as if she had accepted the arrangements of fate, his eyes somewhat heavy.
Seeing this, Merlin hurriedly came out to smooth things over. He stated that no matter what, everyone must now head to the Avalon. This only required sinking into the boundary dragon that lay in the dark swamp, Albion.
Then, from his remains, they could enter the Inner Sea of the Planet.
And this was not a place just anyone could enter; the Inner Sea of the Planet is the greatest sanctuary in the magic world. 』
『 .....』
〜Type-Moon World, Fourth Holy Grail War Worldline〜
Tohsaka Tokiomi was somewhat excited. Could it be that the Inner Sea of the Planet is the location of the Root?!
The Inner Sea of the Planet is the greatest sanctuary in the magic world, so perhaps the Root is buried deep within it? This is entirely possible, right?!
Gilgamesh, who was on the side, couldn't watch anymore. Tokiomi, you really are an irredeemable fool.
The Root is not the Inner Sea of the Planet, nor is it inside the Inner Sea of the Planet. The Root exists on the outside of the planet. Simply put, it is the laws of this planet plus matter, which is this planet's database.
But Tokiomi, do you know that the place you have longed for your whole life is actually hell~
—
『 "With Ritsuka as the representative of humanity, Mash as the Round Table Knight, Artoria as the Child of Prophecy, and… well."
"Let's count one more follower, bring Muramasa-kun along," Merlin said as if he were just casually mentioning it.
Senji Muramasa raised an eyebrow. Others aren't qualified, but he, an Alien Apostle, is qualified, right?
Muramasa looked at Merlin, but the other person's face only held a kind, spring-breeze-like smile. Muramasa didn't say anything, and the four followed Merlin to the Inner Sea of the Planet. 』
『 .....』
〜Puella Magi Madoka Magica World〜
Homura watched the four being taken away with a subtle expression.
Taking an Alien Apostle to the most important place, combined with Muramasa's ultimate destination, so had Merlin foreseen everything long ago?
Was the Artoria Pendragon of Proper Human History also guided step by step by Merlin like this, eventually leading to destruction?
"Clearly able to see everything, yet never wanting to change it."
Having such a guy as a companion is sometimes truly disgusting.
—
『 Soon, everyone passed through the remains of Albion and entered a depth of 80 kilometers underground.
Under Merlin's guidance, the cave gradually became brighter. As they moved forward, Merlin told them everything that happened during the creation of this Lostbelt.
"Why, why do something like that?" Mash was somewhat angry.
"That was just because they were in the way, so they killed them." Merlin paused his steps and said in a low voice.
After the Ancestral Fairies arrived on the ground, the Earth had already turned into a sea of void due to their dereliction of duty.
But it was also at that time that the god Cernunnos, who had also come to the surface, protected the fairies, but the land had yet to appear.
The fairies thought this was Cernunnos's fault, that he hadn't tried hard enough. Furthermore, Cernunnos's shrine maiden was talking about making the fairies reflect and admit their mistakes all day long.
In the end, the fairies, unable to endure it, killed the god.
The god turned into land, the shrine maiden created humans, and civilization was rebuilt little by little. But as they continued to prosper, the fairies discovered in horror that although Cernunnos's soul had been extinguished, his remains had not completely died!
The fire in his heart had not been extinguished, as if he could wake up at any time!
But the fairies also discovered at this time that the corpses of descendant fairies could also be used as material for the planet. Thus, in the end, the island of Britain constantly expanded based on the remains of the fairies and finally became a Lostbelt!
Muramasa revealed a look of confusion, "But why did Cernunnos run to the ground himself? If he ran over himself and got involved with the fairies, then cursed the world after being killed, that seems a bit narrow-minded, doesn't it?"
Everyone was also full of confusion, but Artoria understood. Her expression became heavy and numb, "In other words…"
"Cernunnos was a messenger of Avalon sent to reprimand the fairies, right? Initially, he only appeared on the ground to punish the fairies."
"Perhaps, just like that mural, Cernunnos was a benevolent god, so he did not punish the fairies, but to the fairies, his mere existence was terrifying enough."
The expressions of the crowd now carried a touch of hideousness and horror.
They understood everything. Initially, the world was destroyed because of the fairies' dereliction of duty, and Cernunnos was responsible for punishing them, but the overly kind god not only did not punish them, but instead protected them.
But they were ungrateful…
As for why the fairies didn't forge the Holy Sword, it was simply because six fairies chose not to forge the Holy Sword, but chose to play around instead.
Only after they reached the ground did they realize the consequences of what they had done, but the fairies didn't want to admit that the world's destruction was their fault. 』
『 .....』
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
Everyone's worldview was refreshed again. Even countless villains couldn't help but have their brows twitch, and their eyes looked strange.
These fairies… what exactly are they made of? How could they be so evil to this extent?
It was simply a pile of disgusting feces mixed with trash that had been set on fire; the smell was simply nauseating!
What is there to save in such a world? Letting all the fairies die in pain and misery would be the best ending!
.....
『 Everything originated from the failure to forge the Holy Sword. To correct this mistake, the Inner Sea of the Planet selected fairies to go to the ground. The first was Morgan, and the second was Artoria.
The fairy who rings the Pilgrimage Bell becomes the Holy Sword itself, but Morgan rejected this mission; she was reluctant to part with Britain.
And Artoria also knew her fate when she rang the last Pilgrimage Bell, but she still came.
Artoria went through four segments of memories and finally arrived at the chosen place.
The forging place of the Holy Sword!
In a wide venue resembling an observation tower, there were mysterious, brilliant flames.
This was the furnace core of the universe, the place where the Child of Prophecy returns.
As long as Artoria throws herself into it, the Holy Sword can be established! 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Jingtian (Chinese Paladin): "Using a person to forge a Holy Sword… isn't this strangely familiar?" ]
[ Longkui (Chinese Paladin):"…Royal Brother." ]
[ Fujimaru Ritsuka (Type-Moon): "Watching a companion be sacrificed with my own eyes… without this sword, I can also stop the Star Calamity Cernunnos!" ]
[ Lady Avalon (Type-Moon): "Oh my~ my Ritsuka is really ambitious, but Ritsuka, are you planning to hit it with your head~" ]
[ Fang Yuan (Reverend Insanity): "Feeding the sword with one's body? This is a rare craft. I wonder what kind of powerful ability can be born from this." ]
[ .....]
『 Not just the Lostbelt, the white-papered Proper Human History could finally obtain the Holy Sword, not as a temporary reappearance of a Heroic Spirit in the record belt.
But as a possession of this era of humanity, a weapon to defeat the Alien God!
Turning the 0 probability into 1—
"I see, then, as expected, I must do it." A smile appeared on Artoria's face, but anyone could see it.
That smile was full of despair and bitterness.
The young girl stood resolutely at the furnace core; no matter who tried to dissuade her, it was useless.
But in the end, Artoria also decided to say some heartfelt words.
Whether it was humanity, the fairies, or the mission of Britain, she didn't like any of it. Fighting is scary; an ordinary life is happiness.
She wanted such a world, but she couldn't. She didn't want to let everyone down…
Just like that, become a good sword.
Artoria's physical form gradually disappeared. She knew her mission was about to end.
But she… really didn't want to die…!
Whether it was the world, the fairies, or humanity, she just wanted to live an ordinary life. Even so… is that not allowed?
Her mission… why should they add an unwarranted mission to her? When did she ever agree to it?
Grievance, sadness, pain—countless emotions surged into Artoria's heart, but Artoria's journey had ended here.
But she wanted to know what the light she saw, the light watching her, was. But in the end, she didn't get an answer.
"This was a little regrettable..."
"Is that so? Then it can't end here yet."
The sound of forging struck Artoria's heart violently. Senji Muramasa stood level with Artoria, and he smiled.
"Why…?!" Artoria's eyes were full of astonishment.
"What do you mean by why? If it needs to be forged, isn't it my turn?" Senji Muramasa said as a matter of course. "Severing fate, severing sins, my whole life has been dedicated to blades."
"Don't underestimate Senji Muramasa."
Death did not leave Artoria in tears, but at this moment, her vision was blurred by tears. Tears fell like pearls from a broken string. Senji Muramasa took a step, and the universe's furnace core erupted with even more violent and scorching flames!
But Muramasa revealed a smile.
Divine Essence, Unveiled—
Concept completed, convergence!
Forging technique, critical!
This is the ultimate, Tengen Kensei!
Amidst the roaring fire, the sound of forging rang out violently, deafening! 』
『 .....』
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
Everyone's scalp tingled, and their pupils trembled!
Too… TOO COOL, RIGHT?!!!
Ahhhhhh! OLD MAN MURAMASA IS TOO HANDSOME!!!