New Chaldea Wandering Sea Base – Central Strategy Conference Room
Several weeks had passed since that enchanting moonlit night, brimming with the innocence and impulsiveness of youth.
For Steve, the Sion Lily Incident of that night had been a subtle yet decisive turning point.
He had not declared "We're dating!" the very next day like some shōnen manga protagonist, nor feigned memory loss like a harem manga lead. Yet between him and Sion, an undeniable chemical reaction had unmistakably taken place.
Its most obvious manifestation was Sion's growing assertiveness whenever she asserted jurisdiction over him.
In the past, whenever Steve attempted to seduce Illya with a lollipop or flirt with Grandma Helena, Sion would intervene with plausible-sounding reasons such as for the sake of Chaldea's discipline or as the Master's responsibility.
Now, all she needed to do was push up her glasses, fix him with those all-seeing purple eyes, and casually deliver a single line.
"…Steve, your academic research concerning maternity is acceptable, but please do not forget that the promise you made to me earlier remains valid until the Human Order Preservation Event has concluded."
"During this period, any action that risks contractual default will be regarded by Trismegistus II as aiding the enemy."
And so the usual physical dragging began.
Of course, while grumbling about losing his freedom beneath that domineering Empress Aura, Steve's body offered no resistance whatsoever.
In the end, that night's kiss and the girl's brave declaration—"the ending doesn't matter"—had left an indelible mark upon the heart of a man who had originally intended only to pass through.
Yet even this bittersweet daily life had finally reached a temporary end.
Because the true storm was at last upon them.
…
"In conclusion, according to Trismegistus II's latest calculations, the collapse coefficient of the Sixth Lostbelt—the Fairy Round Table Domain—has exceeded critical thresholds."
Before the enormous holographic projection screen stood Sion, restored to her original size and once again clad in her Atlas Academy uniform. Pointer in hand, she delivered a grave pre-battle briefing.
"Initially we assumed this Lostbelt would naturally vanish through internal conflict and that intervention would prove unnecessary."
"However, the latest observational data reveals that this self-destruction will not be a quiet disappearance. Like a supernova explosion, the instant of collapse may release enormous quantities of curses and magecraft capable of affecting the entire surface of the Earth."
"In other words, if left alone, it will self-destruct and drag all of human history down with it."
"This is the enemy we now face—the Fallen Fairy Kingdom."
When Sion finished speaking, the conference room froze for a single instant.
But only for an instant.
Had this been the original Chaldea—short on soldiers, generals, and resources—such world-ending news might have plunged everyone into despair, perhaps even prompting the drafting of last wills.
But now?
Steve swept his gaze across the room and felt the corner of his mouth twitch.
This was no desperate suicide squad. It was clearly a demon army setting out on a picnic… and casually planning to destroy the world along the way.
Seated at the far left was Kirschteria Wodime.
The captain of Group A held his teacup with elegant grace, his expression calm, as though he were merely listening to tomorrow's weather forecast.
Behind him, Cú Chulainn casually wiped his spear, radiating impatience and wondering aloud when the fighting would finally begin.
Beside Wodime sat Pepe.
He was retouching his makeup in a compact mirror. Even upon hearing the words "end of the world," he did not so much as raise an eyebrow, merely chuckling, "Oh my, how dreadful. I haven't even finished applying my sunscreen yet."
Next came Kadoc.
Dark circles still shadowed his eyes and he looked as though his stomach ached, yet he ate his ice cream as though nothing were amiss. Whether the pain was real or feigned remained a mystery.
Ophelia sat ramrod straight, meticulously transcribing every word of Sion's briefing into her notebook. Her model-student bearing was so perfect one half-expected her to be attending a Clock Tower lecture at that very moment.
Consort Yu clung to Xiang Yu, wearing the lovestruck expression of someone who clearly believed, "As long as Xiang Yu is here, the destruction of the world has nothing to do with me."
In the corner…
While Senji Muramasa sharpened his blade, Kotomine Kirei contentedly devoured a plate of mapo tofu so vicious it looked capable of driving any sane person to madness.
With a lineup like this… defeating Morgan would be impossible, right? Even if the Clock Tower and the Church combined forces, they still wouldn't be enough to handle everyone in this room.
Steve grumbled inwardly.
"Hmph! It's only a fairy kingdom! What is there to fear?!"
At that exact moment, a voice overflowing with authority or perhaps sheer self-righteousness shattered the silence.
Everyone turned. A silver-haired girl in a luxurious red-and-black dress, two symbolic horns crowning her head, stood at the front of the conference table with hands on her hips, arrogantly looking down upon them all.
It was U-Olga Marie.
Or, to be precise, the former Director of Chaldea—who had regained her memories, discarded the troublesome identity of the Alien God, and rediscovered herself.
"As long as I am here… as long as your supervisor is here! I shall make those country bumpkins understand at once what the true glory of Animusphere means!"
She raised her chin, attempting to radiate monarchical dignity.
However…
"Wow. No wonder they call you the President of the Earth. The dignity in your voice is truly magnificent!"
Pepe's mischievous smile and teasing remark instantly deflated U-Olga Marie's aura like a balloon pricked by a needle.
"Pfft—!"
Kadoc nearly spat out the ice cream he had just eaten.
Even the ever-elegant Wodime's lips curved upward ever so slightly.
"Silence! Who is this President of the Earth?! That… that was a dark chapter in history! It was an accident! That accursed Alien God forced that setting upon me!"
U-Olga Marie instantly lost all composure. Her face flushed crimson and steam began rising from the two horns atop her head in pure rage.
"I am Olga Marie now! The Director of Chaldea! Call me Director!"
"Yes, yes, understood… Director."
Steve pressed the attack. "But seriously, that President of the Earth look was incredibly avant-garde. Won't you show it to us again sometime?"
"Steve! I'll cut your salary! I'll deduct every last cent you've earned over the past hundred years!"
The conference room dissolved into cheerful chaos. Everyone watched with amusement as U-Olga Marie bared fangs and claws, ready to physically punish Steve, while current Director Goredolft clutched his forehead and sighed, "My stomach hurts again…"
Not a single trace of tension regarding the impending large-scale battle could be felt.
"Enough, enough… let's stop joking around."
In the end, it was the big brother of the group—Wodime—who stepped forward and seized control of the situation with a calm yet dignified voice.
"Everyone appears relaxed, yet this is still the Lostbelt reputed to be the worst of them all."
"According to information obtained since summer, the fairies there… are, in some respects, even more troublesome than the mechanical gods we encountered in Olympus."
Wodime's gaze swept across the room before finally settling on Steve.
"Steve, do you have any suggestions regarding the strategy for this operation?"
Hearing the question, Steve—who had been bantering with Director U—gradually regained his composure.
He leaned back deeply in his chair and lightly tapped the tabletop with his fingertips.
"I have only one suggestion."
Though not loud, Steve's voice reached every ear with perfect clarity.
"Do not mistake the fairies there for adorable creatures from children's fairy tales."
"And do not attempt to judge them according to human moral standards."
"That place… is hell."
Memories of the Fairy Kingdom of Britain flashed through Steve's mind.
Morgan's dream spanning thousands of years. Castoria's tragic pilgrimage. Oberon's ultimate deception. And the shaggy, sanity-devouring horned god, Cernunnos.
And… those innocent fairies committing the most cruel acts imaginable.
In the original timeline, Fujimaru had advanced step by step through the quagmire alongside the remnants of the military, barely reaching the goal.
It had been a journey drenched in blood, tears, betrayal, and sacrifice.
But this time…
Steve turned his gaze to the comrades surrounding him.
Wodime, wielder of Grand-rank magecraft. Director U, bearer of a Beast-class Spirit Origin who, after transferring to Caster, had her Spirit Origin altered by Steve's space magecraft. Muramasa, bearer of divinely forged weapons. The immortal Kotomine Kirei. And the A-rank Masters who had survived this timeline and grown even stronger…
"However…"
Steve suddenly smiled. The dark shadow that had lingered in his eyes vanished completely.
"Even if it is hell, what of it? We have plenty of monsters here capable of destroying hell and rebuilding it."
He rose to his feet, eyes blazing like fire.
"Our objective this time is exceedingly simple."
"This is neither correction nor mere pruning."
"We shall wield absolute power to shatter that warped paradise and carry away everything worth saving in one fell swoop!"
"Just as we did in Russia, Scandinavia, and the Qin Dynasty!"
"That is the New Chaldea style!"
"OOOOOOOHHHH!!!"
Thunderous cheers erupted throughout the conference room—led primarily by Cú Chulainn and Director U—while the others wore confident, battle-ready smiles.
"Very well! Shadow Border—all hands, assemble!"
Director Goredolft straightened his collar, still somewhat nervous yet adopting a proper commander's demeanor, and issued his order in a booming voice.
"Target: British Lostbelt!"
"Now—let's move out!"
…
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