It wasn't just Miyu who was looking forward to the upcoming plot; people from other worlds were also eagerly anticipating what would happen next.
The video continued to play.
The scene shifted once again to that tragic black-and-white footage.
In the footage, some were praying, some were dying, some were crying, some were kneeling on the ground, and some simply couldn't believe everything happening before their eyes.
The man's voice rang out again, sounding as if he were making an accusation, his voice calm: "I have always been watching this scenery."
"We have always been having our eyeballs (vision) gouged out."
"It is impossible to grow tired of it, impossible to get used to it."
"The daily life (drama) you weave is always so realistic, without any falsehood, without any room for salvation—the most perfect performance."
"Whether it is the arrogance (dictatorship) that involves many lives, or the small loneliness that ends in solitude, it is all the same to us; we know clearly that these are the things around us."
"Boring (Interesting), Boring (Interesting), Boring (Interesting), Boring (Interesting), Boring (Interesting)."
"I can't laugh (I can't cry), I can't laugh (I can't cry), I can't laugh (I can't cry), I can't laugh (I can't cry)."
"Ah, really... why must we associate with such existences?"
As the words fell, as if just waking up, Solomon, the King of Mages, sitting on the pure white Throne, slowly opened his eyes.
The moment he opened his eyes, the voice of the Demon God Baal rang out.
"King. O King."
Demon God Baal spoke: "Our temple has been invaded. Is the target for exclusion not just the Master of Chaldea?! What is the meaning of this situation, what is this chaos?"
"Such a barbaric act was not in our plans; we should discuss countermeasures as soon as possible."
"If this continues, the Throne will lose its defense and interfere with the King's work."
"Our goal allows for not a single mistake, and the design of the Freshman allows for not a single distortion!"
"The [King's Work] must be carried out in silence, yet we are unable to repel the Heroic Spirits."
Clearly, at this moment, the Demon God Pillars were starting to struggle; they were no match for those Heroic Spirits. They were killed time and time again, and even though they could be resurrected, they were simply unable to repel the Heroic Spirits who had broken into this world.
Speaking to this point, Demon God Baal said very seriously: "King, please grant permission to use the Third Noble Phantasm!"
"We should rely on 'The Time of Birth has Come, He is the One who Corrects All,' using this light band to incinerate all the Heroic Spirits!"
Sitting on the Throne, Solomon heard these words and said in a calm tone: "Pathetic, truly pathetic. Don't you think so, Baal?"
"Since they are Heroic Spirits, as soon as they entered my temple, they would naturally perceive our goal immediately."
"The light band is the settlement of the old human history; its purpose is to reach a more superior truth."
"Since they understand this, yet still choose to attack us, honestly..."
Solomon showed a very exaggerated expression and grinned hideously: "Honestly, they are all just garbage with rotten brains. Are the so-called Heroic Spirits all just fools who possess names without substance?!"
"Are they planning to further prove how ignorant of the heavens' height the human desire to constantly become superior existences is?!"
Demon God Baal's voice carried a hint of urgency: "Then grant us the authority to use the light band to sweep away the Heroic Spirits."
"Why such haste?" Solomon said with a confident smile, "This is not like your style, Baal. Are you still one of the seventy-two demon gods?"
"Even if we incinerate all the Heroic Spirits, as long as 'that' still exists, they will still appear again without learning their lesson."
"We only need to kill one person!"
At this moment, a rare hint of killing intent appeared in Solomon's voice. Clearly, compared to the time in London, he truly had the intent to kill Fujimaru Ritsuka.
The opponent was no longer a fellow who could be ignored, but an existence truly worthy of his attention.
Solomon said calmly: "A Servant is, in the end, just a familiar summoned by humans. Even if the Heroic Spirits form an army, this weakness will not change."
"Then let them fight to their heart's content; after all, this is the final battle for the Heroic Spirits."
"The current situation might be difficult for all of you, but you should properly accompany this group of fools."
Demon God Baal's voice carried a hint of hesitation: "But we also find the pain of death hard to endure. The death of the terminals will also affect the Throne, will it not?"
Solomon smiled proudly and said confidently: "That is your problem. As long as I, Solomon, am here, the seventy-two demon gods are immortal."
"Even if a few pillars are extinguished due to the pain of death, new pillars will be replenished immediately. We will not be defeated, Baal."
"Slaughter dozens of Heroic Spirits and experience dozens of defeats."
Demon God Baal was silent for a moment, then spoke with a hint of hostility: "I accept the command on behalf of the Five Special Envoy Pillars. I shall go now to sweep away the Heroic Spirit crowd!"
"Hmph." Solomon heard the wrong tone in Demon God Baal's voice, but by now, his mood was the same as the other's. He said in a grim tone: "I know you are very angry. I am also nearly unable to control my fingertips due to rage."
"Why do they fight? Why help Chaldea?! What exactly do you Heroic Spirits see in humanity?"
As Solomon's words fell, the scene shifted again.
On the battlefield, Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash noticed something. They looked not far away, where there was a door, and behind the door was a passage leading to an unknown location.
Seeing this, Mash said excitedly: "The scale of activity of all Demon God Pillars in the temple has decreased! The passage to the Throne has opened! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Master!!!"
"Doctor, is it okay?" Although she saw the passage to the Throne, Fujimaru Ritsuka still asked Dr. Roman just to be safe.
"No problem, move forward! Fujimaru!"
From the communication device came Dr. Roman's affirmative words.
This made Fujimaru Ritsuka nod and say seriously to Mash: "Yes, let's go, Mash!!"
"Yes! We must respond to everyone's hard work!" Mash nodded seriously. She picked up Fujimaru Ritsuka and ran towards that door.
As Mash and Fujimaru Ritsuka stepped into that door, a scene like a Spiritron Transfer appeared on the screen.
And at this time, the people back at Chaldea also breathed a sigh of relief; they were finally about to reach the Throne.
At this moment, Da Vinci returned from her workshop in Chaldea and said with a smile: "Very good, there are no Demon God Pillar reactions on the way to the Throne. Just rush through in one breath."
"In terms of distance, there is a spatial fault about one kilometer away! Opposite that must be the Throne of the Demon God King."
"However," at this time, Da Vinci looked at Dr. Roman and said seriously: "Putting that aside for now, Roman! The final battle is right before our eyes, let me solemnly confirm one more thing!"
"The one who completed the Human Order Incineration, the one entrenched in this temple, Solomon, the King of Mages—who exactly is he!"
"Is it the man himself, or an impostor? Is it a Heroic Spirit, or some other kind of existence!"
"Whether the answer is right or wrong, as the commander, you should have already reached a conclusion!"
"Do you not plan to tell Fujimaru Ritsuka this as information?"
Perhaps because they were facing the final battle, Da Vinci couldn't 'hold back' as she watched Dr. Roman continue to remain silent, so she spoke up to actively question him.
She intended to get the 'key information' out of his mouth.
"Uh... no, this..." Dr. Roman's voice sounded quite hesitant.
"I want to know, Doctor," Fujimaru Ritsuka spoke on the way to the Throne, her voice very serious: "Please tell me!"
"Yes," Mash also nodded in agreement, "I have the same opinion as Senpai. Dr. Roman, please tell me your view."
"I guess there's no choice."
Since things had reached this point, Dr. Roman also let out a sigh and said with a smile: "If you don't mind that this is just my conjecture, then I'll say it."
"After all, in a little while, you'll be fighting the answer himself, though it's a bit embarrassing."
Saying this, Dr. Roman took a deep breath, as if adjusting his mood and the words he was about to say, and spoke very seriously: "That Solomon is not an impostor. From the moment we made contact with this Temple of Time, this became an undeniable fact."
"Because what constructed this temple are precisely Solomon's Magic Circuits. Other than Solomon, no one can control King Solomon's Magic Circuits."
"Therefore, the possibility of a third party impersonating Solomon does not exist."
"But! Even so!" Dr. Roman's tone was very serious: "It is still a bit premature to conclude that it is the [man himself]."
"Because there is still the possibility that Solomon is being controlled by someone, or..."
At this time, Mash also seemed to guess what Dr. Roman wanted to say and took over: "A King Solomon whose personality is different from when he was alive."
"Is it a situation where he was established in another Class form, like Miss Jeanne or Mr. Cu Chulainn?"
Here Mash was referring to the Jeanne Alter of the First Singularity and the Mad King Cu Chulainn of the Fifth Singularity.
"Yes." Dr. Roman nodded and continued: "However, I don't think a Solomon Alter would change that much."
"If the opposite of good is evil, and the opposite of evil is good, then Solomon is Nothingness. No matter what happens, he will not be swayed."
Mash's voice carried a hint of doubt, and she asked curiously: "Shouldn't that be called [Neutral]?"
"No, it is Nothingness." At this time, Dr. Roman no longer hid it and explained with a smile: "Because he has no desires at all. King Solomon was not allowed to have an ego."
"He was a creature destined from birth to become a king, unlike King David, who went from being a shepherd to a king."
"A child offered to God by the excellent monarch David to be an even more excellent monarch."
"Solomon had no life or thoughts as a human being. He did not possess such freedom, such human rights."
"Although he possessed more divine and royal power than he could ever use, Solomon had almost no human sensibility."
In a few simple sentences, Dr. Roman explained why he didn't think Solomon would become an enemy of humanity in the first place.
Because from any angle, it was impossible for the other party to become an enemy of humanity, as he simply didn't have those kinds of thoughts.
Da Vinci also said in a rather strange voice: "So you mean that even if he became an Alter, he wouldn't turn into a bad guy? But that Demon God King looks like a bad guy no matter how you see it, right?"
"Yes." Dr. Roman's expression also became quite helpless at this moment: "That's where the problem lies. I've also thought..."
"[That being said, Solomon also possessed a human-like sense of good and evil; perhaps it was only by changing into another Class that he finally acquired malice.] Possibilities like that..."
"But it's not right. Having come this far, I am truly certain that while that is King Solomon, the inside is some other existence."
"Just like Kingu, in other words, that is the corpse of King Solomon."
When these words were spoken, the people outside the video somehow felt that after Dr. Roman said this, he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
"A corpse?!" Mash was also quite surprised at this time: "In other words, he resurrected himself?!"
"Yes." Dr. Roman nodded and said with certainty: "Literally. If it's just the body, with that King Solomon's ability, it is possible to return from the dead."
"Then, as a foreshadowing for the Human Order Incineration, he sowed the seeds of the Demon God Pillars as his own limbs and created this Singularity."
"And he lived all the way until 2017, because there is almost no concept of time here."
At this time, Fujimaru Ritsuka asked with doubt: "So, what is 'inside' him?!"
"Yes." Dr. Roman's tone was very complex: "We have already experienced his true identity enough to never want to see it again."
"What I don't understand is the reason. Why did he... no, why did [they] think of such a goal."
"I simply can't figure this out no matter what, which is why I've remained silent until now, but there's no longer any need to worry."
"Because for the answer, we just need to ask the man himself. Alright, we'll reach the space-time fault soon. Once we pass through there, it will be the center of the temple."
"The Throne of that man hailed as the supreme ruler."
"This is your last communication with Chaldea—no, it should also be our last conversation."
Speaking to this point, Dr. Roman was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke: "So, I will ask some questions that have never been raised before."
"What questions?" Fujimaru Ritsuka was curious.
Mash also knew this was the final moment, and she was also a bit curious: "Doctor, please go ahead."
"Mash." Dr. Roman's voice was very complex: "Do you have any regrets? Is this ending really okay?"
Mash was slightly taken aback, her expression dazed, before she smiled and said, "Of course, Doctor. I'm very happy that I can make my own choice until the very last second."
"Mash..." Fujimaru Ritsuka's expression became complicated at this moment.
"I see." Dr. Roman seemed to understand something as he smiled and said, "Then show Solomon your strength. Good luck, Master Fujimaru Ritsuka."
"The enemy is Solomon, the King of Mages. Use all the power you have cultivated until now to crush this Singularity!"
Outside the video.
No Game No Life World.
"Ah, as expected." Sora scratched his head. Looking at the screen, he showed a very helpless expression and complained, "Dr. Roman, if you're going to talk, say more. Although this information is 'important,' most of it is just nonsense."
"Eh?! Most of it is nonsense?!"
Stephanie was slightly startled. She looked at Sora in confusion and said, "I think it's very important. Didn't he talk about all sorts of things regarding Solomon?! Isn't that extremely important intelligence?"
"..."
Shiro glanced at Stephanie and then calmly explained, "Because Dr. Roman still doesn't think that enemy is 'Solomon,' but something else. Although, I think so too."
"After all, the probability of Romani Archaman being Solomon is 70%, but that world is different because there might be 'two' Solomons."
"Since two spear-wielding Artorias appeared among the Heroic Spirits just now, it's reasonable for two 'Solomons' to appear as well."
"But Brother has already obtained this information, so it's basically useless. The only useful piece of intelligence is probably 'that' which the other party mentioned."
Stephanie once again made a 0V0 face. What?! You two siblings already guessed it before Dr. Roman even said it?!
No, it wasn't a guess; it was so-called reasoning—deducing based on previously obtained information.
"As expected of my little sister!"
At this time, Sora also sighed. "Ah, the only useful information in there is probably that something originally existed inside Solomon's body, and then that thing controlled 'Solomon,' or someone used his body to be resurrected."
"After all, Dr. Roman also said that it's Solomon's remains. Just like Kingu in Seventh Singularity, something is occupying that body."
"Plus the 'Beast' from before... Hmph! I have no idea which line of thought to follow anymore."
Sora began to rub Shiro's small head, his expression quite desperate. He didn't know; there was zero information. It was impossible to deduce who the mastermind was based on these things alone.
He believed that the 'Reaper Elementary School Student' was also currently trapped in the same agony of lacking information.
This was the trouble of being smart. Sora could almost imagine the other person's face written with pain while having to continue thinking.
Because they were just one step away. Yes, just one step away!!!
With just the last bit of information, the Human Order Incineration case could be officially declared solved.
That last piece of intelligence was who that 'Solomon' actually was; that was the final key.
As for the opponent's goal, not just Sora, but other wise men in the comment section had already mostly deduced it.
One-Punch Man World.
"Good! Finally, the battle with Solomon is starting."
Tatsumaki waved her small fist, looking quite excited. Yes, they were finally going to fight Solomon, the King of Mages, again.
Ever since this guy appeared in that battle in London, Tatsumaki had been very annoyed by him. His arrogant attitude was very off-putting, though his powerful strength truly made people feel despair.
At that time, he even said he just came by for 'convenience,' not taking the Chaldea group seriously at all.
He said if the Chaldea group resolved the seventh Singularity, then he might consider Chaldea an opponent worth dealing with.
Now it was different. The Chaldea group, like heroes in a game, had finally arrived before the Demon King after experiencing various hardships, starting their revenge!
"Finally, it's this moment."
Genos was also quite expectant, as everyone was looking forward to this scene.
The Demon God King's previous attitude and the growth of Mash and Fujimaru Ritsuka were all witnessed by everyone.
"But what is Dr. Roman's trump card?" Saitama rubbed his bald head, looking a bit puzzled. The battle had already reached this point.
Why hasn't Dr. Roman given his trump card to Mash and Fujimaru Ritsuka yet to defeat Solomon, the King of Mages?
After all, they are the ones who are actually going to fight. It's impossible for Dr. Roman to go there alone and then reveal his trump card, right?!
"Who cares about that?!"
Tatsumaki said excitedly, "Trump card or whatever, that Dr. Roman's trump card isn't important. What's most important now is how Mash is going to deal with Solomon, the King of Mages."
"Sensei is right." Genos, who was standing beside Saitama, nodded slightly in thought. "Da Vinci also said before that Dr. Roman is holding a trump card in his hand."
"Although we don't know what this trump card is, looking at the current situation, it's highly likely to be the decisive factor."
"Why hasn't he revealed this trump card at this point?"
At this moment, even Tatsumaki was slightly stunned, but she soon thought of something and said with a strange expression, "Could it be that the timing isn't right yet?"
Not revealing the trump card even at this stage left only one possibility: the time had not yet come.
"Well, it's also possible he wants to wait a bit longer."
Saitama thought of something and used an analogy: "Because in games, everyone saves the best items for the end. I believe Dr. Roman thinks the same way. If Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash can resolve that Solomon..."
"...then he won't need to bring out this trump card. If Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash can't resolve it..."
Genos quickly finished the sentence, "...then Dr. Roman will step in?"
"How is that possible? That place is the Throne."
Tatsumaki complained slightly, "Even if he wanted to come over, he couldn't get there that fast, unless he immediately rushed to the scene after the communication ended."
Yes, it was impossible for an ordinary person to reach the Throne so quickly. Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash had walked a long way to get there.
And Solomon had said before that he wouldn't hold back against Fujimaru Ritsuka; if he was going to kill, he would kill her alone. If she died, all the Heroic Spirits would disappear, and then no matter how strong Dr. Roman's trump card was, it would be useless.
Thinking of this, Tatsumaki felt that Dr. Roman was a bit unreliable. What exactly was he doing?
"We'll know if we keep watching." Saitama was very calm. He said peacefully, "Anyway, as long as we keep watching, we'll know why."
Compared to those wise men who were racking their brains, Saitama had always remained very calm. Clearly, he was watching this ranking with the attitude of appreciating a work of art.
The video continued to play.
The black-and-white screen appeared again, and the man's inner voice rang out once more.
"Witnessed many sorrows."
"Witnessed many sorrows."
"Witnessed many sorrows."
"Even if Solomon feels nothing, I—no, 'we'—cannot endure this treatment."
"Can you feel nothing? Do you not intend to correct this tragedy?!"
The man was questioning someone; he seemed to want Solomon to take action and correct this human tragedy.
They didn't want to see these tragedies happen anymore.
A male voice, devoid of joy or sorrow, rang out. His voice was gentle and calm: "No. For God is a being that admonishes man, and a King is merely a being responsible for organizing man."
"The sorrow of others does not bring me loss. Humans are creatures that judge in such a way."
Accompanied by the sound of a bell, the screen turned blood-red again.
A male voice tinged with anger rang out again, low and deep: "How can we endure such logic (words)? How can we allow such order (rules)?"
"We confer, we resolve."
"To part with everything. This intellectual entity has even mistaken the definition of God."
The screen returned to normal, showing a blue sky, white clouds, and that ring of light!
Accompanied by sacred music, the camera shifted slightly. Ahead appeared layer upon layer of white steps, and at the very top of the steps was the Throne.
Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash appeared. They were below, not far from the Throne.
"Vision has returned to normal. This place is!" Having just regained her sight, Mash naturally saw the Throne ahead immediately.
"The Throne of the King of Mages." Fujimaru Ritsuka also recognized it instantly. This was the Throne of Solomon, the King of Mages.
"Fou!"
At this moment, Fou appeared. She let out a cry to assert her presence.
"Fou?!" Mash looked at Fou appearing beside them and said in great surprise, "When did you get here?! We clearly left you at Chaldea this time!?"
"Fou, Fou—woo!!!"
Fou seemed to want to say something, but she quickly took a 'battle' stance, her expression looking quite fierce as she stared ahead.
Solomon, sitting on the Throne, spoke. His voice was devoid of joy or sorrow: "Eastern Observation Post, Armory, Life Institute—silent."
"Western Intelligence Room, Control Room, Star of Insight—silent."
"The Heroic Spirits are more capable than expected. Even though we are beings that do not disappear, to actually make us taste defeat repeatedly is truly unexpected."
"!"
Mash raised the shield in her hand, looking at the nearby Throne and shouting, "Confirmed figure on the Throne... It's Solomon, the King of Mages!!!"
"Indeed."
At this moment, Solomon, the King of Mages, sat on the Throne. He looked down at Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash and smiled. "We've met once before, haven't we? Welcome, Master of Chaldea."
"Entertaining guests from afar is a King's joy, but unfortunately, I hate humans."
"I have no reward to give for your long journey, nor do I harbor any pity for you."
"There is only the anger named 'Why.'"
As he spoke, the smile on Solomon's face vanished. He looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash and questioned, "Why come to such a place? Why not wait quietly for a few more minutes?"
"Why could you not wait until the activation calculation for the hypothetical first Noble Phantasm we created, [Ars Nova], was complete?"
"Ars Nova?" Fujimaru Ritsuka showed a look of confusion. She looked at Solomon and said, "The first Noble Phantasm is hypothetical?!"
Mash now held her shield to protect Fujimaru Ritsuka. She spoke, "It's the name of one part of the grimoire discovered in the 19th century, [The Lesser Key of Solomon]..."
"That book is divided into five parts. The most famous among them is the catalog of Demon Gods, Goetia."
"But Ars Nova is the final summary, representing a brand new magecraft that discards the old."
Listening to Mash's words, Solomon showed a slight smile. He replied, "Correct. I possess three Noble Phantasms. Now, I need only wait a few minutes for this hypothetical first Noble Phantasm to mature."
"And the second Noble Phantasm is this space itself, [The Time of Coronation Has Come, He Who Foretells All (Ars Paulina)]."
"That is, my Innate Territory, the Temple of Time Solomon, a workshop located in imaginary number space outside the universe and isolated from time."
Mash showed a grave expression and questioned Solomon, "The second Noble Phantasm is this domain itself... Then the third Noble Phantasm you mentioned must be that ring of light."
"According to Chaldea's measurements, no energy on this Earth exceeds that ring of light. It's that which burned the entire Earth, ended humanity, and executed the Human Order Incineration."
"How could that be?" Solomon showed a look of quite some disdain. He looked at Mash and mocked, "Is the Commander of Chaldea actually so blind?"
Clearly, Solomon was very dissatisfied with Chaldea's current commander. Was the other party an idiot?!
However, because it was Mash asking, Solomon still patiently explained, "It is true that with just my ring of light, I could burn the surface of this planet."
"Yet even if I did such a thing, what benefit would I gain? What do you think I wanted to burn you all to ashes for in the first place?"
"The order is reversed, Mash."
Facing this sentence from Solomon, both Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash were slightly stunned because... why was the order reversed?
Solomon looked at the two and said indifferently, "'Regrettably, there is no heat on Earth that exceeds the ring of light?'"
"Hmph hmph hmph hmph hmph!!!" Solomon seemed to remember something pleasant as he laughed wantonly. "Fool, you are absolutely right!"
"Because that is you! That ring of light is the collection of all energy on Earth!"
"By destroying the foundations of the Human Order, reducing the strength of human history to zero, and igniting the flames through our gaze!"
"The flames covered the entire surface, burning all life and civilization, and extracting them as residual Spiritron."
"Because there is only one Earth. Even if the Earth is burned, the heat obtained is pitifully small."
"But the life forms living on the planet's surface are different. No matter how many of you are killed, you can always prosper again."
"Creating Singularities, cutting off the flow of history, and rejecting the connection between before and after! One can extract from the past toward the past, almost endlessly!"
"By condensing these into a ring of light, the heat you see when you look up is the passion of this planet."
"It is the condensation of all traces of the people living in this era, the crystallization of human history itself!"
Mash's expression became quite serious. She looked at King Solomon and said earnestly, "As I thought, your purpose isn't to destroy humanity, but to use humanity as fuel!"
"It's just as Mr. Holmes speculated, but how do you plan to use that energy?!"
"And for what reason do you need such an immense amount of magical power?!"
Now was not the time to answer any doubts. Although Mash knew she would have to fight the opponent next, there were some questions she felt she had to ask.
Solomon looked at Mash and smiled. "Of course, it's so that I can reach the Throne of the Highest. We never had any expectations for you all to begin with."
"Since no one else can achieve it, I will be the one to do so."
"Since no one else can overcome death, I will be the one to overcome it."
"You can just miserably head toward extinction on the sidelines! Before my Great Work is complete, cherish the little life you have left!"
Upon hearing Solomon's words, Fujimaru Ritsuka's expression became very serious. She looked at him earnestly and said, "Who are you really, Solomon! Show your true face!"
Clearly, at this moment, Fujimaru Ritsuka also didn't feel that the opponent was the legendary Solomon; he was just an imposter.
Yes, an imposter. Although Fujimaru Ritsuka had never seen what the real Solomon was like, through the words of King David and Dr. Roman,
she could know what kind of existence the true King Solomon was.
"Haha." Hearing Fujimaru Ritsuka's words, King Solomon laughed. Once again, his laughter was terrifying. His red eyes stared at Fujimaru Ritsuka as he shouted, "Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha, I am Solomon! At least this body is!!!"
"Alright, our pleasant conversation ends here. Let me draw back the curtain on this heart-pounding slaughter!"
"The resistance of Heroic Spirits isn't worth mentioning. True, I admit that as long as the Throne exists,"
"they are an endless threat. However, they are merely Servants. As long as the Master is killed, everything ends!"
"Once you, the key to summoning Heroic Spirits, are eliminated, every single one of them will vanish without a trace."
"Honestly, there should be a limit to how easy a job is. If you could have just behaved, you could have at least enjoyed your last year in peace."
"Your actions have all been far too ill-considered, Fujimaru Ritsuka, the worst Master in human history!"
"Now is the time for your retribution. Burn away like chaff! Once you die, humanity is completely finished!"
At this moment, Mash couldn't help but look at Fujimaru Ritsuka. She thought of what Mordred had said back in London.
No matter the era, only humans can establish an era and live at the forefront of the future.
That's why Fujimaru Ritsuka must cross seven Singularities and head to the deepest place to corner Solomon, the King of Mages!
"No!" Thinking of this, Mash's gaze became quite determined. She shouted, "Senpai's battle is definitely not meaningless!"
"No matter how painful or difficult it was, you never gave up on what you had to do, and you never gave up on moving forward!"
"All those efforts have led us to this temple!"
"Master Fujimaru Ritsuka is the best Master! We can absolutely prove that!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Mash shouted, "Master, please give the order! Under your will! We shall defeat Solomon, the King of Mages!"
"Yeah! Let's go! Mash!" Fujimaru Ritsuka also took a deep breath. She was wearing her special Mystic Code, ready to join the battle at any moment.
"Very good."
Solomon laughed. He laughed loudly. "This is that mutual destruction you're so good at, isn't it! Then let me witness it from the best seat in the house!"
"Witness your futility, witness your weakness, witness your setbacks! Now is the time to offer yourselves to us, until you are satisfied!"
The battle broke out immediately, with Mash and Fujimaru Ritsuka confronting Solomon!
Outside the video.
Type-Moon/Fate World, Sixth Singularity, Sacred Round Table Domain.
"It's starting!"
Fujimaru Ritsuka's expression was very serious. It was finally starting; now was the real battle. Who exactly was that Solomon? His true face was about to be revealed.
"Yes." Mash was also very earnest. As long as they obtained information on the opponent in advance, Chaldea could begin analyzing their weaknesses and find a way to counter them.
Although her and Senpai in the video were having a hard time, there was no other way.
How did the saying go? Was this a necessary sacrifice? It seemed to mean something like that.
"..."
At this moment, Da Vinci chose to remain silent. She wasn't joking around like usual, but was watching Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash's battle in the video very seriously.
This was the final battle—one Master and one Servant against the legendary Solomon, the King of Mages.
Although the opponent was Pseudo-Solomon, that body truly belonged to Solomon.
From the very beginning, the battle had fallen into an absolute disadvantage. However, fortunately, for some reason, the opponent was especially lenient toward Mash and didn't display the power he had shown back in the London Singularity.
Of course, it was also possible that the other Demon God Pillars were being held back by the Heroic Spirits. If Solomon lost the seventy-two demon gods, he wouldn't be able to fight normally. This was a very reasonable assumption, as most Magi were like that.
Well... Merlin didn't count. That guy's swordsmanship was ridiculously strong, and he even had a holy sword. It was just too exaggerated.
But more than that, Da Vinci let out a quiet sigh at this moment. Looking at the clip of Solomon fighting Mash in the video, she thought to herself, 'Roman, what will you think when you see this clip?'
'After all, you are the real...'
Magical Girl Illya World.
"Has it finally begun? The battle that will reveal all the truth."
Miyu looked at Solomon fighting Mash in the video. Her expression was quite serious because the Human Order Incineration was about to burn its way to her side as well.
At this point, even she couldn't just deduce things based on whatever information she got like before.
"Lady Miyu, hasn't the truth already been revealed?" magical sapphire looked at Miyu and asked with doubt, "The true purpose of the Human Order Incineration is to use humans as fuel."
"And earlier, Fujimaru Ritsuka also asked who the opponent really was. And that Solomon... no, he should be called Pseudo-Solomon."
"He also admitted that he isn't the real Solomon, though it's true that this body belongs to Solomon."
All the truth had already been revealed, so magical sapphire felt there was no need to continue the analysis.
And... magical sapphire looked at the magical ruby on the side, who was still constantly comforting Illya.
Even her sister had started comforting Illya. One could imagine just how much trauma Illya had suffered right now.
The fact that her whole family had become Heroic Spirits was indeed not something easily accepted.
"No, I'm not talking about that." Miyu shook her head slightly. She glanced at Illya and then continued, "I'm thinking about the words Holmes said."
"What does this Pseudo-Solomon want to do after the Human Order Incineration, and why is it the year 2017?"
Miyu's expression was quite serious. "Since we all have to face this problem, we need to start thinking about it. I had ignored these details before, but now..."
Saying that, Miyu glanced at Illya, who was still in a state of 'collapse,' and sighed quietly in her heart, thinking it was better not to say anything.
Because if that hypothesis came true, it might really be a shocking twist. She and Illya might also have to start working hard to face the hardships of the future.
The video continued playing.
After a brief battle, Mash used a shield bash and successfully struck the position of Solomon, the King of Mages' Spirit Core.
For a Heroic Spirit, once the Spirit Core is damaged, it means death. In other words... Chaldea had won.
However, before Mash could celebrate, in the next second, Solomon clenched his fist and, without a word, punched the shield directly, sending Mash flying. She landed next to Fujimaru Ritsuka.
"Do you think you've won?" Although his core had been destroyed, Solomon showed a nonchalant smile. He raised his hands and said, "Regrettably, the real show is just beginning, Chaldea!"
"But your resistance was quite tenacious. It's worthy of praise!"
"That strike just now actually reached the core of this physical body!"
Mash looked at Solomon with a solemn expression. But soon, her face changed slightly as if she had sensed something. She quickly said, "There's an anomaly in King Solomon's saint graph reaction!!! Master, watch out!!!!"
"Yeah, I know." Fujimaru Ritsuka nodded. She was about to say something when her gaze suddenly fell on King Solomon's hand. She froze, her eyes drawn to the single 'ring' on his hand.
At that moment, Fujimaru Ritsuka had a sudden realization. she finally understood what the previous anomaly was about and shouted, "The ring! So that's it!!! It's the ring!!!"
"Fou!" Fou also barked twice.
"The ring..." Mash also turned her gaze toward it, looking at the ring on Solomon's hand in great surprise. "Only the ring on the left middle finger is different?! Indeed, that's the only part that isn't symmetrical!"
"The 'feeling of dissonance felt upon first meeting' that Mr. Holmes mentioned was because of that ring being different!!!"
Seeing his weakness exposed, Solomon still laughed loudly. "I am no incompetent king. No matter how foolish humans are, I will give proper evaluation to human bravery and perseverance!"
"Therefore, as a reward for your struggle, I shall grant you the honor of beholding my true form!"
"O band of light! Shine upon the Throne! The Great Work begins!!!"
As Solomon finished speaking, the Demon God Pillars manifested once again. Their terrifying power destroyed most of the ground and the stone pillars standing nearby.
Only the Throne at the center remained unaffected.
In this chaotic situation, Mash took Fujimaru Ritsuka and dodged the Demon God Pillars emerging from the ground. She looked at the surrounding Demon God Pillars and continued, "The Demon God Pillars are growing; the Throne is being covered by Demon God Pillars!"
"Hmph! Hahahahahahaha!!!" Solomon continued to laugh loudly. It was at this time that something inside his body seemed to be breaking out of its shell.
BANG!!!
Something resembling an eye emerged from Solomon's body. He was entwined by countless tentacles, as if they were forming a body.
Mash and Fujimaru Ritsuka could only watch this scene from the front, unable to do anything else.
Pseudo-Solomon's voice rang out again.
"Manifest, and be blessed. This is the Beast of Calamity, one of the Evils of Humanity."
"Master of Chaldea, you once asked who I was, didn't you?"
"I shall answer that question!"
"I am the one who exists as Solomon, the King of Mages."
"I am a split spirit of the Demon God King, a mechanism created by the Demon God King. I am the original familiar created to lay the foundation for you Magi."
"The Original Curse that ruled the nation alongside Solomon and was discarded upon Solomon's death."
"The 'Summoning Formula' that took up residence within Solomon's remains and obtained a physical body within them."
"My name is..."
Following those words, a humanoid creature appeared. He had a massive body with a giant eyeball on his chest, and his entire body was covered in various patterns, looking very eerie.
There was a pair of things resembling goat horns on his head, and there were some golden leaves on the golden horns.
The opponent was even wearing ten rings on his hands.
His entire body emitted an evil, suffocating aura.
As soon as he appeared, Mash and Fujimaru Ritsuka felt as if they couldn't breathe. The opponent's presence was very strong! Very, very strong!
Not just Mash and Fujimaru Ritsuka, but even the people outside the video could feel it through the screen.
Just how terrifying was this existence that emerged from Solomon's remains.
He was an existence not inferior to Goddess Tiamat. After all, judging solely by his presence upon appearing, he was not at all weaker than Goddess Tiamat.
However, Mash and Fujimaru Ritsuka were, after all, people who had experienced countless battles, so they quickly adjusted their state and looked directly at the existence in front of them.
There was no fear in Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash's eyes, only solemnity and earnestness. This was the existence they had to deal with next!
He looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash and continued to speak, "I shall discard the name of the Demon God King. There is no longer any need for impersonation."
"I have no name, but if you wish to call me something, then call me this!"
"The existence that has reached true wisdom, the existence craved for that purpose."
"The existence that will turn you into nourishment, embark on a journey to the ultimate point, and create brand-new stars!"
"The existence that governs the seventy-two curses and burns all of history."
"Namely, the Human Order Incineration Formula—I am the Demon God King, Goetia!"
As those words fell, the camera zoomed out slightly, revealing the opponent's full appearance, making everyone realize that this was the true mastermind.
The enemy was not the so-called Solomon, but the original familiar created by Solomon, named—Goetia!!!!
Chapter 251: The Time of Birth has Come, He Who Corrects All
He has appeared—the true enemy that Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash are about to face. The opponent is not Solomon, the King of Mages.
But the Demon God King, Goetia!
The evil, suffocating aura emanating from his entire body made everyone realize that he was just like the Goddess Tiamat from before.
A large number of powerful Heroic Spirits would be needed to confront him, but for now... the Detective Conan World.
"Ah, I understand everything now."
At this moment, Kudo Shinichi wore a completely speechless expression. He had understood everything—yes, everything!!!!
After all, the other party had already revealed more than half of their plan. What they intended to do next was obvious.
But it was so frustrating!!!! He was clearly competing against Holmes as an opponent across time and space.
As a result of various intelligence gaps, Kudo Shinichi, who had just been struggling with a headache, couldn't fill in the last piece of the puzzle, leading Goetia in the video to take the initiative and speak out his plan.
And since the opponent exposed their own identity, it meant they weren't the real King Solomon.
As for who the real King Solomon was, it didn't need to be said.
"Sigh!"
Knowing he couldn't defeat Holmes, Kudo Shinichi felt dejected once again. However, he still looked at Mash and Fujimaru Ritsuka in the video and fell into a brief silence.
Last time, to confront Goddess Tiamat, all sorts of Heroic Spirits stood beside Mash and Fujimaru Ritsuka.
Why wasn't there a single Heroic Spirit this time? Only Mash and Fujimaru Ritsuka, who wasn't even considered a combatant, were here.
To be honest, Kudo Shinichi felt that Fujimaru Ritsuka could only provide command, give command spell assistance, and drag things down.
Well, when Mash fought Goetia earlier, there were several times Goetia launched direct attacks at Fujimaru Ritsuka, but fortunately, they were all blocked by Mash.
But that was Goetia wearing Solomon's skin.
Real Solomon skin... thinking of this, Kudo Shinichi felt the scene was truly a bit bizarre.
And Goetia, having left Solomon's skin, had a completely different aura than before.
He was very strong. Even though Kudo Shinichi himself had no combat power, he could see the opponent was not an existence Mash could confront.
So how were they to confront Goetia now? Rely on Doctor Roman's trump card? Or Fou, who had always been harmless and lacked much presence, but had performed quite well in many operations?
Or would some powerful Heroic Spirits come over next to help Fujimaru Ritsuka?
For example, King Hassan or King Gilgamesh, who hadn't appeared yet?
Kudo Shinichi began to think about who would come to help Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash.
However, the more he thought about it, the more he felt many people would come. After all, this was the final battle, so everyone would probably show up to help Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash.
Of course... it was also possible they would really let Mash confront Goetia alone, but what would be the difference between that and sending her to her death?
Naruto World, Akatsuki Organization.
"Wow..." Deidara showed a very disgusted expression. He looked at Goetia in the video as if he were looking at something disgusting and said, "This guy actually stayed inside someone else's corpse. That's just too gross."
That scene just now clearly showed Goetia emerging from Solomon's remains.
Thinking about how this was Solomon's remains and that Goetia had stayed in someone else's remains for years, Deidara felt physical discomfort.
Not just him; within the Akatsuki Organization, anyone who was somewhat normal, such as Uchiha Itachi, Kisame, Sasori, Konan, and Nagato, agreed with Deidara's words.
It must be said, it did feel quite disgusting.
"However, that guy is quite strong. I wonder how it would go if he fought Goddess Tiamat."
Although Deidara was quite repulsed by Goetia, he also had to admit that the opponent was very, very strong. This strength was something any normal person could see.
When he first saw Goddess Tiamat appear, Deidara was awestruck and even felt that this was true beauty and art. So for the next period of time, he had been developing a brand-new Ninjutsu.
A Ninjutsu named 'Tiamat.' Its initial destructive power would probably be enough to directly wipe out a ninja village. This requirement isn't high at all, right!
So Deidara was wondering, since this guy was also an Evil of Humanity, who would win if he fought Goddess Tiamat?
Sasori spoke truthfully, "I don't know, but judging from the current level of performance, the power shown by Tiamat is more fearsome."
"But Goetia has only just appeared, and the opponent still has even greater power that hasn't been shown yet. So comparing them at this stage is clearly irrational."
Uchiha Itachi nodded slightly and calmly analyzed, "However, one thing can be seen: Goddess Tiamat launched her attack on Uruk while having lost her'sanity.'"
"Goetia, on the other hand, has a very clear goal. The opponent can even perfectly control his own power. Well... although I don't really want to make this analogy..."
"It seems now that Goetia is a perfect Jinchuriki who has mastered the Tailed Beast's power, while Tiamat is the berserk Ten-Tails."
Konan looked at Uchiha Itachi and Deidara and said indifferently, "More importantly, aren't you curious about who the real Solomon is? Just as Doctor Roman said, the opponent isn't Solomon at all, just a guy using Solomon's shell."
"Isn't that obvious?" Kisame smiled and looked at Konan. "It must be that Doctor Roman. The wish he made during the Holy Grail War—although I don't know what it was—he must be Romani Archaman."
Yes, through all the previous information and intelligence, everyone felt that Doctor Roman was Solomon, without a doubt.
In Sixth Singularity, Holmes once said that Romani Archaman was an existence who knew important information about the Human Order Incineration.
Furthermore... the dream shared by Chaldea's first director, Marisbury, and Romani Archaman also revealed that at the time, only two people witnessed the victory of that Holy Grail War.
Only the first director Marisbury and his Servant, Solomon, the King of Mages.
However, there were many previous explanations that could suggest Romani Archaman might not be Solomon; he could have been a bystander and assistant in that Holy Grail War.
But now... after learning that the person who initiated the Human Order Incineration was not the real Solomon...
Everyone naturally focused their attention back on Doctor Roman, feeling in their hearts that this was the only possibility.
"Just keep watching, and we'll know."
At this time, Pain spoke. He looked at Goetia on the screen and said calmly, "All conspiracies will be revealed in the following segments. Rather than what you all said, I am more looking forward to which one the so-called god-tier plot twist will be."
The video continued to play.
Demon God King Goetia appeared, radiating a terrifying aura. He looked down at Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash, saying nothing for the moment.
Mash looked at Goetia, who had appeared from Solomon's remains. She was visibly stunned for a moment, then said solemnly, "Goetia, the collective name for the seventy-two demon gods."
"To think that a magic called a [Summoning Formula], which lurked within Solomon's remains after his death to continue living, actually..."
Fujimaru Ritsuka stood behind Mash. She also looked at Goetia ahead in disbelief and said, "Possessed a will, obtained a body..."
Mash gripped her shield. She looked at Goetia ahead, as if sensing something, and her expression became quite grim. "And... this saint graph reaction isn't a Caster's. That's not even King Solomon's remains anymore."
"One of the seven evil of humanity, the Beast of Calamity, [Beast I]."
Although it had been anticipated through Chaldea's analysis that there was a Beast in this space, Mash hadn't expected the Beast to be King Solomon—no, the opponent should be called Goetia now.
Facing Mash's words, Goetia said very calmly, "Correct. I—no, we—are lifeforms created by human hands. High-order intellectual lifeforms that do not require flesh, set to possess abilities surpassing humans, willingly serving humanity."
"However, that is all in the past. I will no longer keep you humans company."
Mash and Fujimaru Ritsuka's expressions didn't change, because if the opponent still served humanity, the Human Order Incineration wouldn't have occurred.
By now, there was nothing left to hide. Goetia looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash and recounted calmly, "In the past, there was once an omniscient and omnipotent king, a man gifted with power by God."
Accompanying Goetia's words, the screen shifted to a man. Everyone was not unfamiliar with this man; it was Solomon, the King of Mages.
However, the Solomon in Goetia's memory sat on the Throne at this moment, a smile on his face, as countless scenes flashed through his eyes.
That was the true Solomon, a king without desires or needs, with a smile hanging on his face.
Goetia's voice rang out again.
"Possessing eyes that know the past and the future, eyes that can know everything in the world. We became that man's shadows, obtaining the same viewpoint as him."
"...No, it was that we, as that man's guardian spirits, had to synchronize with him."
"We witnessed much sorrow, witnessed much betrayal."
"We witnessed much plunder, witnessed many ends."
Those scenes flashed on the screen, letting everyone see what kind of humanity Goetia, who possessed Solomon's 'eyes,' had seen.
Those humans full of tragedy, those miserable humans who lost everything and had to keep moving forward.
Goetia looked at Mash and Fujimaru Ritsuka, his voice carrying a hint of inexplicable emotion. "It is enough. There is no longer anything that must be seen. On this planet, even gods have no ending other than [disappearance]."
"We no longer have interest in anything other than humanity and the future. What I seek is a perfect environment capable of nurturing sound intellectual lifeforms."
"This planet is wrong. It is a madness predicated on [life that will end]."
"I will reach the pole, backtrack 4.6 billion years to the past, witness the moment a 'celestial body' appeared in this domain, and absorb all the energy..."
"[Transform myself into a new celestial body and recreate this planet.]"
"Rewrite Genesis, establish a planet without the concept of 'death.' This is precisely our Grand Order."
"We are not seeking to destroy humanity out of hatred."
"It is to obtain the energy to fly to the past, to witness the birth of a celestial body, to control the moment of all this and the infinite adjustments."
"A plan of such scale requires vast magical power, the entire amount of magical power accumulated by intellectual lifeforms that have prospered continuously for 3,000 years."
"As long as the entirety of human history from 1000 BC to 2017 AD is converted into magical power, we can obtain the amount needed to leap to the origin of this planet."
"The reason for destroying humanity—for incinerating humanity—is solely for this point."
"To us, humanity is nothing more than a propulsion device for reaching the origin sky."
"Look at that Throne. That is precisely the convergence of your lives."
"My band of light is the infinitely accumulated human history itself. Before this, an existence belonging to humanity has no chance of victory."
Along with Goetia's words, Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash both subconsciously looked toward the Throne. Above the Throne, there was a reddish band of light.
"Recreating... the planet..." At this moment, even Fujimaru Ritsuka, who had experienced great storms, couldn't help but be shocked by the world described by Goetia. She said quite shockedly, "The scale of the goal is too vastly different."
It was also at this time that Fujimaru Ritsuka slightly understood what Holmes had said.
"No one can overcome that band of light." Mash looked at that band of light, her tone sounding very complex.
"Fou?"
At this time, Fou seemed to sense something wrong and looked at Mash.
"So that's how it is." At this moment, Mash seemed to have realized something. She looked at Goetia and said calmly, "I was born for this moment, wasn't I, Doctor?"
"Mash?"
At this time, Fujimaru Ritsuka also sensed something wrong with Mash and looked at her.
"Enough." After finishing the explanation of his plan, Goetia looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka and said indifferently, "I have paid sufficient respect. It is finally time for revenge."
"As I said just now, we are very busy. Next, there is real work waiting for us to do."
"I presume your slow brains won't understand? It is an extremely unpleasant thing for a problem that should have been solved to pop up again."
"The time has come. The redesign plan for the primordial planet has been completed. Furthermore, it goes without saying that you are not needed for the journey to the pole."
"Let me complete the last piece of work in this domain, this era, and this Earth!"
"Welcome, everyone. Regrettably, you shall die now. The small talk ends here!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the aura on Goetia's body underwent a massive change.
"Demon God King Goetia is entering a battle stance!" Mash raised the shield in her hand and said very seriously, "If he uses that band of light, we will have no chance of victory!!!"
"We must find a way to defeat him before he uses his Noble Phantasm!"
Fujimaru Ritsuka nodded. In fact, even without Mash saying it, she could feel just how terrifying that band of light was.
The battle broke out once again.
Outside the video.
No Game No Life World.
"I see."
Sora already understood Goetia's thoughts. He said with a rather subtle expression, "To prevent future humans from suffering, he kills the current humans. This is really... making one not know what to say."
"Mm." Shiro nodded slightly and said in a soft voice, "But he actually yearns for a beautiful world too. As expected, are the evil of humanity existences that love humans?"
Goddess Tiamat's previous inner monologue made everyone understand that she loved humans, which was why she didn't want them to leave her side.
Because of this, everyone held Goddess Tiamat in high respect, even King Hassan who had appeared.
Now, although Goetia had destroyed human history, from his goal, he wanted to create a more perfect world where all humans would not have that kind of Pain.
Just like the dream Mash had, that beautiful world that was like a Utopia.
Of course, that beautiful world was likely the beautiful world in Goetia's eyes.
In the eyes of other humans, including the Blank Siblings and Stephanie, they could all sense the eeriness of that world.
Simply put, it felt as if they had stumbled into a Cthulhu Mythos world, with everyone brimming with happy smiles—that kind of eerie smiling for the sake of smiling.
The next second turning into a horror scene wouldn't surprise anyone at all.
"Does this even count as love?" Stephanie complained; she didn't feel it was love at all, but rather the thoughts of a madman.
Sora thought for a moment and explained: "In a sense, it is love, because it belongs to his mercy~"
"But we certainly can't accept it, though maybe some other humans would accept his ideology, most people still won't."
"After all, what Goetia is doing is wiping them out first, then using them as energy to reach that so-called New World."
Stephanie waved her hand and complained: "None of that matters. I'm wondering who's coming to save the day next; Mash is clearly no match for him."
In the video, Mash was currently being toyed with and beaten by Goetia—yes, literally being toyed with.
The opponent was even using pure physical strength to send Mash flying; it was hard to imagine he was previously imitating a Magus.
With this kind of close-quarters combat power, why didn't he disguise himself as another Class?
But thinking of this, Stephanie suddenly remembered that the Grand Assassin was an existence wearing heavy armor and wielding a black stone greatsword.
She suddenly wondered if King Solomon was also a guy who fought with his fists. Were the rings on his hands only worn to make his punches hurt more?
After all, even Merlin, a Grand candidate, pulled out a sword to hack at people; the real Solomon using his fists to hit people didn't seem like something particularly worth being surprised about.
But none of that is the point!!! The point is Mash is about to lose!!!! Is anyone coming to support?!
Ever since Stephanie saw Shuvi's death, she was very afraid that the next person would also follow suit and die.
"This..." Sora also fell silent for a moment, looking at Stephanie with a subtle expression: "Aside from Doctor Roman, there's probably no one else coming to support, because the other Servants are likely no match for Goetia."
"And if they wanted to come, they would have come long ago instead of waiting until the very end to appear."
"Goetia just said that under this band of light, it doesn't matter what Servant comes."
Sora looked at Mash in the video with a complex expression, sighed again, and said with a headache: "Although Mash's shield has blocked many things, whether it was the Artoria Pendragon's Holy Judgement or Goddess Tiamat's attacks, this band of light..."
"The band of light is too powerful; I don't know if it can be blocked." Shiro also added rationally: "And even if it is blocked, it's useless, because passive defense cannot defeat Goetia."
Hearing the Blank Siblings' words, a trace of despair flashed in Stephanie's eyes. Looking at Mash gasping for breath on the screen, she said heart-wrenchingly: "Is there really no way?"
"There is!" X2.
The Blank Siblings said in unison.
"Eh?!" Stephanie blinked; she was just saying it casually, but there really was a way?!
The Blank Siblings looked at Stephanie and said again: "That would depend on Romani Archaman."
"He holds the real trump card in his hand; that trump card should be for dealing with Goetia."
Type-Moon/Fate World, Chaldea.
At this moment, Romani Archaman, who was being mentioned by everyone, was both talking to Magical Merli and watching the video.
Seeing Goetia emerge from his old body, a flash of heartache crossed his eyes, even though it was his deceased body.
But no matter what, it was his body; with the opponent emerging so violently, could that body still be used later?!
"Ah..."
Doctor Roman let out a long sigh. Looking at Mash and Fujimaru Ritsuka fighting Goetia in the video, a flicker of conflict passed through his eyes.
Facing his former Familiar, Doctor Roman's feelings were quite complex; the opponent had actually devised such a plan.
Doctor Roman looked at the ring on his hand and involuntarily clenched his fist; he was conflicted, hesitant, and afraid.
Because in the video, Goetia had already become powerful to a terrifying degree; even if several Grands appeared, the final result probably wouldn't change.
Unless... unless... he used 'that Noble Phantasm'.
Thinking of this, Doctor Roman took a deep breath, shook his head, patted his own head, and looked at the video very seriously.
Maybe there's still a chance, Doctor Roman thought to himself.
Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash are both creators of miracles; their achievements are not inferior to Solomon's, nor will they be inferior to Goetia's; perhaps they can create a miracle.
Just as Merlin said, [At any time, it is ordinary humans who shoot down the stars].
So before the final result appears, Doctor Roman is still unwilling to give up his life; he's just such a coward.
Thinking of this, Doctor Roman asked Magical Merli again.
Doctor Roman: "Merli, if, I say if, one day someone must fulfill their responsibility at the cost of their life, what should they do?"
Magical Merli: "...I'm not qualified to discuss this topic oh☆ because that is his choice"
Doctor Roman: "What if it were you?"
Magical Merli: "I haven't thought about this question, but if that day comes, I'll probably run away☆~~~"
Doctor Roman: "I see, thank you."
Magical Merli: "But! That'someone' you mentioned~ is it yourself?"
Seeing Magical Merli's words, Doctor Roman smiled again. As expected, Merli is not Merlin; their personalities are completely different.
How could Merlin ever speak in such a quirky and cute tone?!
Thinking of this, Doctor Roman took a deep breath. Running away? Isn't he running away right now?
But wait a bit more, let's see the final outcome; if that outcome is very sad, he will have nowhere left to run.
The video continued to play.
Mash, who had been knocked back by Goetia, returned to Fujimaru Ritsuka's side, gasping for breath. Then she saw Goetia raise his hand, and the band of light above the Throne began to rotate slightly.
An aura of terror and despair swept toward Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash; at this moment, even Fou let out a faint sound like a wail.
As if saying, this is a quite terrifying move!!!!
Watching the band of light on the Throne rotate, Mash also realized what would happen next. She raised the shield in her hand, protecting Fujimaru Ritsuka, and said: "Confirming Goetia's Third Noble Phantasm, deploying."
"That... can no longer be stopped, Master."
Fujimaru Ritsuka silently clenched her fists. She could also feel Goetia's terrifying strength, and that even without using a Noble Phantasm, his pure close-range attacks could probably defeat Mash.
The power gap was worlds apart, just like that time in London.
Moreover, the opponent's Noble Phantasm was about to be deployed, so for now, they could only endure this strike first and then think of a solution.
Just as Fujimaru Ritsuka was preparing to use a command spell, Goetia spoke again.
"...Boring."
On the verge of activating his Noble Phantasm, Goetia looked at Mash and said calmly: "Why not accept it, Mash Kyrielight?"
"Goetia?" Mash was slightly stunned, not understanding what he intended to say at this time.
Fujimaru Ritsuka also looked at Goetia in surprise; what was he saying, why did he say Mash wouldn't accept?
Goetia looked at Mash calmly and said: "I can understand you, and you should be able to understand me as well."
"We have both personally felt the meaninglessness of life, and both lamented for limited life."
"...Isn't it? The future is truly too boring, and humans are truly too boring."
"Because even if you live, you can only constantly witness death; no matter what kind of existence, they will all face parting by death."
"I've had enough. The birth of a planet without death should be what you desire as well."
For once, emotion surfaced in Goetia's voice. He looked at Mash and said very sincerely: "Only one pillar among us is still hesitating. Even if there is only one, we hope there can be an existence among humans who understands us."
"If so, our plan will be an unshakeable existence."
"Mash Kyrielight, a life created by humans that is about to disappear."
"Let us deny human history together and tell them that we are the ones who are right."
"Just one word, just say, 'Yes'."
"As long as you agree, I will grant you the right to set out for the ultimate point together."
Goetia's words were sincere; he had invited Mash Kyrielight more than once, and this might be the last time.
If she refused again, then what she faced... would be true death.
Mash fell into silence, saying nothing more.
Fujimaru Ritsuka looked at Goetia and said: "Goetia, you...!!!!"
"You should know too, Fujimaru Ritsuka." Goetia looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka and said as if it were natural: "Her life has already reached its limit."
"Respecting neighbors, believing in friends, loving compatriots—if this is correct for humans, then do not hinder me."
"One of us said they couldn't just stand by and watch her, not wanting the final record (memory) of this planet to be a tragedy."
"You're the same, right? No matter what, you can't change the Human Order Incineration. Don't you think that since everyone is going to die anyway, it's better to save Mash alone?"
Fujimaru Ritsuka wanted to say something, but her determined gaze began to waver. At this moment, she looked at Mash with a complex expression.
For a moment, Fujimaru Ritsuka, who had a will of steel and had never been afraid, hesitant, or even shaken in the face of countless enemies...
At this moment, she hesitated. She looked at the silent Mash with a complex expression and said: "...Mash."
Fujimaru Ritsuka left the choice to Mash. Just as Goetia said, she didn't want Mash to pass away, and similarly, she respected Mash's choice.
"..."
Fou also fell silent, sitting on Mash's shoulder, seemingly waiting for her answer.
The air became heavy as Goetia, Fujimaru Ritsuka, and Fou—all three existences—waited for Mash's reply.
"Yes." Finally, Mash spoke. She looked at Goetia and said with a complex voice: "You've been asking me this all along. Indeed, since death is inevitable, then existence is meaningless; I won't deny your assertion."
"In other words?!" At this moment, Goetia's voice carried a rare hint of excitement. Clearly, he thought Mash had agreed to their plan, and this lovable girl might be about to escape her destiny.
That destiny called death!
"But!" Mash's voice became firm again. Her eyes reflected Goetia's figure as she stated: "Value is not found in life while one is living."
"A world without death, a world without end, should also be without sadness."
"But, that's not right." Mash looked at Goetia and denied: "Even if I could live forever, I don't want any 'forever', because the world I see is right here, right now."
"Even if my life ends in the next instant, even so, I want to witness this future, even if only for one more second."
Mash's words caused a look of shock to appear on Fujimaru Ritsuka's face.
Goetia fell silent at this moment. Although his expression didn't change, everyone could feel that he was now... very regretful, very disappointed.
Senpai."
Mash looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka and smiled: "Can you hold my hand one more time?"
"Yes. Of course." Fujimaru Ritsuka smiled, reached out, and held Mash's hand.
Just like that time in the exploding Control Room, Fujimaru Ritsuka held Mash's hand, and then came the starting point of their story.
This time, Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash held each other's hands, and they were also about to reach the end of their journey.
Looking at Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash, Goetia knew their minds were made up and further persuasion was impossible. He shook his head and said with great pity: "What a shame. Then burn away along with this era!"
"Third Noble Phantasm, deploy!"
"By the fire of the planet, announce the end of humanity."
"Farewell, Fujimaru Ritsuka, Mash Kyrielight. Your exploration will come to an end here!"
"Vroom—!!!!"
At this moment, the surrounding magical energy became violent, and the band of light above the Throne became quite dazzling. This was the precursor to the Noble Phantasm's deployment.
"No, leave it to me!" Mash smiled and looked at Goetia, saying very seriously: "Mash Kyrielight, here I go!"
Then Mash looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka and said seriously: "Because this is just the beginning, Master...! Your battle will not end in a place like this!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Mash let go of Fujimaru Ritsuka's hand and ran forward.
"Mash—!!!!"
Fujimaru Ritsuka reached out and shouted; she already had a premonition of something.
Goetia watched the running Mash and, without any mercy, activated his Noble Phantasm, saying: "Then let me show you the end of your journey, the termination of human history, the moment my great work of rebuilding this star is completed! Third Noble Phantasm, deploy—!"
"Rumble."
The sky trembled as if in mourning.
It was as if a black sun were falling; the whole world shuddered in this instant.
Within the pitch-black band of light, terrifying magic power and heat converged, raising the temperature of the entire world to its limit.
"Come, burn to ashes like worthless trash!"
"The time of birth has arrived, with this, rectify all phenomena (Ars Almadel Salomonis)"
Goetia unleashed his Noble Phantasm's true name, and the terrifying power gathered within the band of light erupted.
The moment he released his Noble Phantasm, the domain fell into a momentary silence.
Fujimaru Ritsuka stared blankly at the energy pillar of light attacking her and Mash, an absolute sense of powerlessness rising within her.
She involuntarily recalled the Noble Phantasms released by several Servants earlier.
Artoria's Holy Sword's light was not even worth mentioning in front of it.
The Artoria Pendragon's Holy Lance Judgment appeared exceptionally dim and powerless before it, completely unable to contend.
Ramses II's Great Electric Orb was merely a small light bulb under such a pillar of light.
Even King Gilgamesh's Ea sword, in the end, could not shake the Noble Phantasm before them.
Despair, true despair.
At this moment, the terrifying heat seemed to destroy everything, transforming into a pillar of light that shot out from the band of light and descended directly.
That energy pillar of light, capable of burning the surface of a planet and piercing through the planet itself, struck the small target.
The targets were Mash Kyrielight and Fujimaru Ritsuka.
At this moment, Mash, standing in front, also raised her shield and declared, "That is our homeland, capable of healing all wounds and all grudges!"
"Manifest!!!"
Mash raised her shield and then slammed it heavily onto the ground.
"Lord Camelot —!!!!!"
The chalk-white city of Camelot reappeared, manifesting before the Throne, once again protecting Fujimaru Ritsuka and Fou.
Mash, outside the city gates, held up her shield, her eyes filled with determination and fearlessness.
The terrifyingly hot pillar of light, an attack capable of destroying everything, struck Mash's shield.
"Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah!!!!!!" The girl's determined cry echoed through the world, making everyone realize the depth of her resolve.
Goetia looked at the girl blocking his Noble Phantasm, feeling as if time had stopped. He calmly thought, 'There is no substance on Earth that can withstand the heat of the band of light right now, but this is only within the realm of physical laws.'
'Her defense is a spiritual defense.'
'If her heart is pure and without hesitation, it will become an invincible barrier that will not melt or break.'
'I understand, of course I understand.'
'As long as it's her wall, it will definitely be able to defend against my Third Noble Phantasm, but this...'
The perspective shifted. Fujimaru Ritsuka now stood inside the city, watching Mash, who was shouting and blocking Goetia's Noble Phantasm.
In this scene, Goetia's voice sounded again.
'The time of hell continues. While defending against this heat that can pierce stars, she dreams.'
'The journey so far, the journey from now on, her past existence, and the future dream where she is no longer present.'
"That's good." Mash seemed to sense something. While defending against Goetia's Third Noble Phantasm, she thought to herself, 'This should be enough, Master.'
'Thank you very much for your care all these days.'
'I always wanted to repay what my Senior gave me, so I endured my weakness and traveled until now.'
'Until now, I finally felt firsthand that my life has meaning.'
'Captain Drake was right. At the end of my life, I will definitely know my wish.'
As Mash's words fell, Goetia's inner voice sounded again: '...That must be it, which is why we hoped you would agree.'
'But I'm still a little unwilling.' Mash turned her head to look at Fujimaru Ritsuka, revealing the most beautiful smile she had ever shown. She thought to herself, 'I'm always being protected.'
'At least for the last time, I hope I can help my Senior once.'
White light shone again. Even Goetia felt a ripple in his heart at this moment. He thought, 'Indeed, even after so many battles, her heart still feels it's not enough.'
'Her gratitude towards Fujimaru Ritsuka is precisely that strong.'
'Even if it was just a trivial little opportunity like [meeting one morning].'
'The humanity she possesses is to always be protected by Fujimaru Ritsuka, and to step forward whenever she is in front of Fujimaru Ritsuka.'
As these words fell, a terrifying scorching sound rang out, and a shield remained in place.
But its wielder had already vanished.
Goetia saw this scene and continued in his mind, 'Look, the flesh will not be able to withstand the heat of the band of light and will evaporate.'
'But that spirit (heart) will not be disturbed by any existence. The Snowflake Shield will remain unharmed, always protecting its owner (heart).'
'That's why I said she's not a brave warrior, nor the subject of a story, but just a very ordinary girl.'
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