To Become a King and a Magician 891-895

Title: Farewell to Proper Human History

Fourteen thousand years.

This is a timescale no one can imagine.

The mere two thousand four hundred years Naoki spent here were already difficult for Ritsuka and the others to imagine, and fourteen thousand years... Such a long time is enough to completely change a person, making them forget everything in the past.

This is the price to pay to save a world.

Naoki must return to the past alone, living alone for fourteen thousand years in a new world.

“Not alone.”

Morgan spoke up.

“I’ll go with Naoki—“

【No, you cannot.】

Merry rejected Morgan’s idea.

【Regardless of us who are from Proper Human History, you who are from the Lostbelt, it’s impossible for you to accompany Naoki. Because the moment Naoki returns to the past and changes history from the beginning, all of you will disappear.】

Yes, disappear.

This is the result that changing history will bring. This Lostbelt, which has gone down the wrong path, will disappear. Traces of its existence will be lost forever—including the people living in this Lostbelt.

Of course, people from Proper Human History cannot go either. That is no longer a zone that Rayshift can interfere with. There is simply not enough Mana.

“Wait a minute, isn’t that reversed then?” Artoria frowned. “Master wants to save this world to fulfill Morgan’s wish. But if the price for saving the world is Morgan’s disappearance... what’s the point of this?”

There is no point at all.

At least for Naoki, that was the case.

What he was doing could indeed change the entire world, saving it from the path of destruction, but the person who pushed him to start saving the world would never be able to see that newly born world.

Morgan would not be able to see the future of a saved Britain.

“How can this be...”

“This...”

“Then it’s better to maintain the status quo.”

Everyone couldn’t help but look at Naoki and Morgan, then Gray couldn’t help but say: “It’s better to... cancel it, big brother. Don’t care about this world anymore, and come back to Proper Human History with us.”

“Of course, not just big brother, Miss Morgan, Caster, and the Fairy Knights too, everyone can come to Proper Human History, because this Lostbelt was originally—“

“I’ll go alone.”

Naoki cut Gray off.

Everyone fell silent in place.

Morgan shook her head slightly: “No, Naoki, you don’t need to—“

“Giving up here... would give me a feeling of futility, Morgan.” Naoki said with a smile. “The hope you expressed to me two thousand four hundred years ago, now finally has a chance to come true. I cannot disappoint you.”

“I will return to fourteen thousand years ago, defeat Sefar, and save this island from its roots.”

Saying that, Naoki went to Ritsuka, took the ten rings one by one from her fingers, and put them on his own fingers.

“Besides, I’m not going back alone; Goetia will be with me. I also won’t let you all disappear. There’s a way to avoid it—Merry, before history changes, can you take them all to Proper Human History via Rayshift, and then through your and Merlin’s illusions, can they all be protected?”

【In theory, it should be possible. Even if not, there are still unconventional methods, such as making them all Heroic Spirits, then summoning them back via Servant summoning. The point is, there must be a way.】

“Hmm, that’s good then. Then I’ll leave their affairs to you. Once you reach Proper Human History, please take care of them as you used to take care of me. But remember not to overdo it; not everyone is like I was then, who would indulge you in everything.”

【Of course I know—but, is this really alright?】

“What do you mean?”

【Considering the time flow difference between Proper Human History and the Lostbelt, fourteen thousand years in the Lostbelt is roughly equivalent to six years on our side. During these six years, we definitely won’t forget you, but after you’ve passed fourteen thousand years, will you still remember us?】

Merry asked what everyone wanted to ask.

Would Naoki still remember them.

Actually, six years alone is enough to make a person forget many things. For example, high school students will forget the names of their elementary school teachers, will forget the names of their elementary school classmates... If they keep communicating, it’s not a problem, but if they don’t communicate or reminisce for a long time, six years can truly make many things forgotten.

Furthermore, Naoki will pass fourteen thousand years.

It’s not just a matter of whether he will remember them. After fourteen thousand years, will Naoki truly return from that world to the world where they are?

He will surely meet new people, make new friends, even meet new lovers in the new world—after having a new life, will he still return to those who are the past?

Naoki remembered what Shiki, the Root of the World, said when he met her before.

He remembered it after defeating Goetia, right? He met her after reaching the Root again. At that time, she said—

[For us, the next meeting will happen in a very distant future. I hope that by then, you still remember me.]

For her who was connected to the Root, perhaps at that time, she had already seen this situation.

Seeing Naoki returning to fourteen thousand years ago to change history.

“Then... in short, all of you, please give me one slash.”

Naoki suddenly laughed.

“I will control my power well, not let the wounds you inflict on me heal, and I will mark each wound with a name—that way, no matter how much time passes, I will not forget you.”

“.......”

“.......”

Everyone fell silent.

Everyone was silent for a very long time.

Then.

*BAM!*

Aoko stepped forward, and first punched Naoki hard in the face, sending his entire body flying far away with a single blow!

“I’m not using weapons, just my fists, so this is enough for me. Remember well, I’m the one who punched your face, Aozaki Aoko—if six years later I don’t see you back, I will immediately forget you and announce to the whole world that I am single. Thinking I liked a foolish man like you before was just because I misjudged.”

“We sisters indeed have bad taste in men.” Touko smiled bitterly. She took off her cigarette, and pressed the cigarette butt hard on Naoki’s collarbone. “It hurts a bit, but you’re an Elemental Spirit, so it’s fine. My mark is like this—remember to come back, kid.”

The two oldest completed their farewells first.

After taking a deep breath, the others also came forward one by one.

Atalanta’s arrows, Artoria and the others’ sword blades, Ciel and the others’ Magecraft... Everyone left their marks on Naoki’s body in their own ways, completing farewells that suited their personalities.

Except for Gray.

“Big brother.”

Seeing Naoki, who looked messy and covered in wounds, before her, Gray sighed slightly. She stepped forward, stood on tiptoe, touched his lips, and bit them until they bled slightly.

This was the first time she had acted so actively.

“We will wait for you back in London, Big brother. Please be sure to come back, be sure, be sure, be sure to come back.”

“Gray... I will come back.”

Naoki nodded gently.

【I don’t need to.】

Merry’s voice sounded with a slight smile.

【If you forget me, then I can also easily forget you, then look for a new fun little kid.】

“Don’t worry, I won’t forget you at all. After all, a woman like you who makes me half-dead with worry, there’s only one throughout history. I wouldn’t be able to forget her even if I wanted to.”

【Good—then our side’s farewell ends here. Next, I will start performing Reverse Rayshift for everyone, bringing everyone back to Proper Human History, and starting to perform a directed summoning of King Solomon or King Gilgamesh.】

【Once everything is ready, we will officially begin the action of changing history—and the time before that, belongs to you all in the Lostbelt.】

-

Title: The Moment the Star is Born

The people from Proper Human History all left the Lostbelt, leaving only one person, Sajyou Rei, to make contact.

After losing the Vimana used to transport people, Naoki brought Morgan and the others to land on a large shattered rock, gazing at all of Britain from afar.

No one spoke.

Naoki and Morgan, Artoria Caster, and the three Fairy Knights, all six of them stood on that rock, silently gazing at the land where they had once lived.

Though this was an island built upon sin, though it was an island full of evil, and those dwelling upon it were all sinful beings, a filthy vessel.

Naoki smiled bitterly while stroking her head: “It’s fine, just wait a few years. During that time, the others will keep you company, Melusine. And after going to Proper Human History, you’ll surely meet more people, and won’t feel lonely.”

“I don’t think there will be any being superior to Naoki in Proper Human History.”

“Isn’t that natural?” Baobhan Sith hugged Naoki’s other arm. “Father can’t just be described as superior, you know. He’s truly perfect! Even if Father truly has flaws, in my eyes they are all merits! Right, Lia?”

Baobhan Sith’s sudden question made Artoria Caster smile: “Big sister truly loves Father... But what you said is indeed true.”

Though sometimes cold and cruel, sometimes punishing her daughter harshly, and very strict during training, in Artoria Caster’s heart, Naoki remained someone without too great flaws.

At most, Naoki was a bit flirtatious in the past. From the situation in Proper Human History, he seemed to be a sailor who left romantic traces wherever he went. But that was his former self. In this Lostbelt... at least as far as Artoria Caster knew, he had been faithful for two thousand years.

“But, what will we do after going to Proper Human History?” Barghest asked. “For us, that is an unfamiliar world. We...”

“You don’t need to worry about that, I think Merry will help you.” Naoki said. “Especially Barghest, I’ve been the one always fulfilling it, but for the next six years or so I can’t give you supplements. If you relapse during this period, look for Merry. I think she will give you a very suitable solution.”

“The others are the same. Your first stop after arriving in Proper Human History will surely be Chaldea, and you’ll stay there for a while. If you face any problems, you can look for Merry or the others. Mentioning my name should be enough.”

Naoki instructed them so.

And right at that moment—

“Master, the time is almost here.”

Rei, who had been standing silently beside him, spoke up.

“On the Chaldea side, all personnel have safely returned to Proper Human History via Rayshift. Regarding Master’s decision, those who didn’t come along also already know and expressed understanding. They all said they will wait for your return.”

“I see... I’m truly sorry, Rei. My decision might seem a bit selfish in your eyes.”

Rei nodded with a smile: “Yes, it’s quite selfish, but Master’s selfishness isn’t something new from yesterday, let alone just one or two years. Over the past twenty years, you’ve always been so selfish. It’s hard to say for others, but Manaka and I are already used to it.”

“I see... Thank you for all your hard work all this time.”

“Later, when Master returns, give me the marriage answer, and to all of us.” Rei laughed, then turned to Morgan and the others: “In that case, let’s all gather to me. I will take all of you back to Proper Human History via Rayshift.”

“.......”

The five of them suddenly fell silent for a moment, then—

“Then... Father, see you later.”

Artoria Caster was the first to approach Rei.

Then Barghest and Baobhan Sith followed.

“Your Majesty, we will wait for your return in Proper Human History.”

“Father, make sure to come back!”

“Oh, definitely.” Naoki smiled while waving his hand, then looked at the last two remaining by his side: “Alright, Melusine, Morgan, you two go over there too. Don’t make everyone wait for you two.”

When Naoki said that, Melusine hugged Naoki’s arm with greater force, then looked up: “I... understand. I will go, but—kiss me, Naoki.”

“Eh?”

“A farewell kiss... This is how lovers part. Naoki once mentioned it in the Proper Human History knowledge you told me about—so, kiss me once now, lip to lip. No cheek kisses as a formality.”

“.......”

Looking at Melusine who stared at him silently, Naoki placed both hands on her shoulders, bent down, and gently touched her lips: “This should be enough.”

“Hmm, not bad.” Melusine smiled. “For now, this is enough. I’ll claim the rest from Naoki all at once after you return.”

“Ya ya ya~~~~”

Stroking Melusine’s hair and pushing her to Rei’s side, Naoki finally looked at Morgan: “Well, are you also going to—Uh!”

Before he finished speaking, Naoki’s mouth was sealed by Morgan’s lips. As if wanting to suck out all the air inside his body, Morgan greedily seized the air from Naoki’s mouth.

This was a kiss a hundred times more intense than the one Naoki gave to Melusine earlier.

After ending the deep kiss, Morgan wiped the remnants from the corner of her mouth, stepped back to Rei’s side, and looked at Naoki.

“Farewell. I will wait for your return at home over there, Naoki.”

“Yes.”

Naoki nodded slightly.

Then, with Rei as the center, a strong light enveloped everyone, taking all of them out of the Lostbelt, heading towards Proper Human History.

With that, in the entire Lostbelt, on the entire planet, Naoki became the only remaining life.

“Start preparing, Goetia.”

Naoki raised his hand wearing the Ten Rings.

“Return to fourteen thousand years ago, and save this world.”

“Let it be born again.”

-

Title: The Dust Has Settled

“It’s over.”

In the Inner Sea of the Stars, Avalon.

After deactivating the projection Magecraft before him, Merlin turned to Roman, who was on a video call with him.

“In the end, their efforts were futile.”

This, of course, referred to Merry and the others’ plan to bring Naoki back to marry them all.

Originally, the reason Ritsuka and the others embarked on the Lostbelt exploration journey was to bring back Naoki, who had strayed and neglected his family, to marry them all. This was a plan that had been delayed for ten years, and the number of people involved suddenly increased due to the incident in the Seventh Singularity.

But...

“Naoki has a new purpose in the Lostbelt, a new desire, wanting to save the world just for one person. For that, he even decided to return to fourteen thousand years ago alone—even I didn’t expect such a development. This is truly interesting.”

【Interesting...? Is that the only reaction you can give?】

Roman looked helplessly at the Incubus, who was as hopeless as Merry.

【I think it’s somewhat ironic; half a year ago, we were just trying hard to stop one Human Order Incineration, but now we have to actively perform one Lostbelt Incineration... It can only be said that life is full of uncertainties; anything strange can happen.】

“You’re right—but is this really okay, Romani?”

【What do you mean?】

“The rings.”

Merlin said: “With this, the Ten Rings and Goetia all belong to Naoki. Do you think this is fine?”

【I thought you were going to say what... Well, I don’t care. Anyway, I’ve already thrown away these Ten Rings once in my life; throwing them away once more isn’t a big deal. Moreover, they are essentially Naoki’s spoils of war; it’s natural for them to be given to him.】

“Mmm~~~ Since you’ve already said so, let it be—Alright, enough with the casual chat. I’m going to update Magical Merry’s blog. Remember to come and give me a good review later.”

【Damn you, don’t talk in Magical Merry’s tone right now!】

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

“Eh? Leaving?”

In Chaldea’s Central Control Room.

Not long after Rei returned from the Lostbelt.

Seeing Aoko, who had already packed her belongings, Ritsuka asked with a bit of surprise: “Everyone’s leaving so soon? Not staying longer?”

“There’s no reason to stay, after all.”

Aoko, carrying a suitcase, smiled: “Initially, we came here to bring Naoki back. Since the problem is now resolved, there’s no need to stay longer, especially since there are some matters that need to be dealt with.”

“Matters?”

“Well, it’s a kind of follow-up. After this incident, Chaldea’s situation in the international eye will definitely become more troublesome.”

Aoko smiled bitterly.

Previously, Chaldea was somewhat like an independent nation. Protected by the seventy-two Demon God Pillars, neither the UN nor the Mage’s Association, despite wanting to intervene in Chaldea, were powerless, especially with the continuous pressure exerted by Aoko and the others outside.

But now, because Naoki took the Ten Rings, the seventy-two Demon God Pillars also disappeared from around Chaldea, leaving Chaldea in a defenseless state.

The Clock Tower might also be the same. Those who previously dared not make small moves due to threats from Artoria and the others, this time got about three weeks of respite. They might already be eager to start planning conspiracies.

“We will deal with the external parties who have ill intentions toward Chaldea; consider it a clean-up job—Well, this is not something Ritsuka needs to think about. You yourself also have things you need to do.”

“My own business...”

“For example, school—or something like that.” Aoko said with a smile. “I remember you’re only seventeen. Still a beautiful and vibrant high school girl. Ignoring the special circumstances of the Human Order Incineration at that time, this time you came to help by taking a long leave. Is your studies alright?”

“Ah!!”

After Aoko said that, Ritsuka truly remembered.

Right, studies.

Although she was a hero who had participated in battles to save the world, Ritsuka was still a beautiful and vibrant seventeen-year-old high school girl this year. The most important thing she should be doing was her studies!

Studying, taking exams, then going on to university—this is what a normal high school girl should be doing.

And because of this incident, she and Mash had requested indefinite long leave from school, and had already been absent from school for three or four months...

(I’m definitely going to be held back a year!!)

Held back a year.

For a student, this was the most terrifying thing, equivalent to failing an exam.

“I can’t, I also have to talk to Merry-sensei. These two days I must immediately go back and catch up on lessons with Mash. If I’m held back a year—oh right, I also have to call Dad and Mom to give them good news, and contact the school too...”

“Don’t rush, just relax, Ritsuka.” Aoko patted Ritsuka’s shoulder: “Well then, I’ll be going first.”

“Ah, alright, be careful on your way, Aoko-san.”

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Japan.

Misaki Town.

Ryougi Residence.

Sitting in the central courtyard, looking at the distant sky, Ryougi Shiki—no, it should be Root Shiki—seemed to have confirmed something. The corner of her lips slightly lifted, then lowered again.

“You still made that choice, Naoki.”

Regarding the things happening far away in the Lostbelt, Root Shiki already knew since the last time she met Naoki. It’s just that at that time, to avoid influencing Naoki’s choice, she concealed this matter, and instead expressed it obliquely in another way.

As a result, Naoki made the same decision she had known he would.

Root Shiki sighed softly.

“Haaah~~~~ With this, Shiki will have to wait a few more years. Although that’s nothing compared to the time you have to go through, but... letting a girl wait for you for over twenty years, you’ll have to explain yourself well when you meet later, Naoki.”

“However...”

Her gaze penetrated the sky, penetrated space and time, penetrated the world.

Root Shiki looked at the figure who had embarked on the path of world salvation, her hands slightly clasped together, as if praying and blessing.

“Before that, let me give you my blessing first.”

“May the path traversed by the Star Holy Sword Bearer be filled with hope and light. May he realize his wish, and save the world that was once destroyed.”

King and Magician.

-

Title: Fujimaru Ritsuka Collage Student

Japan, Tokyo.

At a university.

*DING-DONG!*

Accompanied by the bell signaling the end of class, the professor who was teaching at the podium stopped his movements: “Alright, today’s lesson ends here. You’re all graduating soon, so hurry and finish your theses; time is not on your side.”

“Yes, thank you, sensei!”

Amid the students’ voices, the professor left the classroom.

And immediately after, all the students began packing their bags. It was now eleven forty in the morning, and the previous class was the last for the morning session. Next, they had to rush to the cafeteria to get seats and have lunch.

“Fujimaru, wanna go together?”

Several male students sitting in the front rows turned to the girl in the back row, inviting her to lunch together.

The girl—Fujimaru Ritsuka—hearing that, smiled and shook her head: “No, I have an appointment today. Next time. See you tomorrow.”

After saying that, Ritsuka left the classroom with her shoulder bag.

“What a pity.”

Another male student, draping an arm over the shoulder of the student who had invited Ritsuka, teased: “Well, don’t get discouraged. Over four years, not a single guy has succeeded in asking Fujimaru out on a date. Try again next time.”

“Shut up! I know, it’s just that since graduation is coming up, I wanted to succeed at least once.”

“Then you should get in line. There are many guys in our department who like Fujimaru—by the way, there’s a rumor that Fujimaru actually likes women, you know.”

“No way!”

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Such conversations could be heard from the classroom behind.

Ritsuka didn’t pay attention to such conversations. After all, over her four years of university, situations like this had occurred multiple times. Rather than dealing with such trivial matters, she cared more about the person she was about to meet next.

Running out of the lecture building, following the flow of people, Ritsuka ran a short distance along the main campus road, then arrived at a small park.

Called a park, it was actually just a rest area surrounded by flower beds and trees, with a few long benches. However, the students here were used to calling it a park.

When Ritsuka arrived, there was already someone sitting beside one of the long benches.

Hearing Ritsuka’s footsteps, that person turned and smiled: “Good afternoon, Senpai.”

“Huff... huff... Yes, good afternoon, Mash.”

The one sitting there was Mash Kyrielight.

“Sorry, there were many people after class ended, so I was a bit late.”

“No, I just arrived too, and my last class was quite close from here—more than that, Senpai, let’s have lunch. I already prepared it.”

“Ohhh~~~~ Thank you for your hard work, Mash. It’s troublesome for you to prepare my lunch every day.”

Mash shook her head with a smile: “It’s not troublesome, because Senpai tends to sleep late—anyway, it’s been six years, Senpai should start learning to cook. When I went home last time, Mom said the same thing, something like ‘how will she get married’ or something like that.”

“Ah... that... I’ll definitely learn when I have the chance!”

Ritsuka smiled bitterly.

(But... six years? Time passes so fast?)

Yes, it had been six years since that time.

After completing the Lostbelt exploration and the journey to find Naoki, Ritsuka, like most of the gathered people, left Chaldea together with Mash, returned to Misaki Town, Japan, and restarted her life as a high school student.

However, because of the excessively long absence, their attendance was very poor. So, even though she and Mash tried hard to catch up on lessons after returning, and also asked Atalanta for private one-on-one tutoring, they still had to repeat a year.

Therefore, the two repeated their second year of high school, and two years later successfully completed high school, then entered the same university in Tokyo. However, as mentioned earlier, Ritsuka and Mash were not in the same department and faculty.

Due to the experience of the Human Order Incineration and the subsequent Lostbelt journey during high school, Ritsuka became interested in history. So, when choosing a major, Ritsuka chose the history department. Her high school aspiration was even to become an Archaeologist.

After all, after interacting with so many Servants, it was natural for her to have such thoughts.

Meanwhile, Mash chose mechanical engineering.

Not because she herself liked machines. In fact, for Mash, her future goal was certain. After graduating from university, the company under the name Chaldea would send her an invitation, and she would directly work at Chaldea. The major itself wasn’t important.

The reason she chose this major was because Mash felt that with this, she might be able to help in Da Vinci’s workshop.

Of course, this also applied to Ritsuka.

A rare physique with 100% Rayshift adaptation. Even though the Rayshift project hadn’t been restarted for the past six years, this didn’t mean Ritsuka had no value. Moreover, she was one of the heroes who had participated in saving the world, the brother-in-law of Chaldea’s Director, an honorary member of Chaldea...

So, no matter what, Chaldea would make arrangements for her.

“By the way, how’s your thesis preparation, Mash?”

During lunch, Ritsuka suddenly asked out of curiosity.

“My thesis, it’s already finished under Da Vinci-chan’s guidance when I did routine contact with Chaldea before.”

“Eh? Really?”

Ritsuka was immediately stunned.

“By the way... isn’t that cheating?”

Guided by the famous genius in human history, omnipotent... what would her thesis be like?

Mash smiled awkwardly: “Because at that time I happened to be preparing my thesis, Da Vinci-chan casually... Has Senpai’s thesis not been completed yet?”

“Ah... yeah... a bit stuck.”

“Three months left until submission. Will you make it?” Mash asked with concern. “Senpai’s topic... if I’m not mistaken, it’s about King Arthur. Want to ask Lia-san?”

“Eh? Is Lia-san in Japan now?”

Mash nodded: “Yes, it seems she came back for a family visit.”

Family visit?

“Ah~~~~ then the Department Head is there too.”

“Yes.”

“Good! Then let’s go this afternoon. Anyway, I don’t have classes until next Wednesday, even if there are, it’s just to show the final assignment to the professor. Let’s use this last week to catch up on the backlog.”

-

Title: Neo-Camelot House

After the incident six years ago ended, most people left Chaldea.

Although it was said they had left, regular communication still existed. Therefore, Ritsuka and Mash basically received communications from Chaldea every month, learning about the others scattered around the world through Merry or Gray.

First were Aoko and Touko.

According to Aoko, to deal with those with ill intentions in the Clock Tower, the two of them would help Chaldea from the outside—though Touko herself had no such intention, she was still forced by Aoko to cooperate.

Over the past six years, there had been reports on the internet of sudden gas explosions in some places, or sudden fires.

Though not all of them, about five or six out of ten cases were caused by Aoko.

Thanks to this, Chaldea had not faced any major problems over the past six years.

Of course, this was also thanks to the efforts of the two Lords, Riddell and Olga Marie. One was the Lord of the Department of Botany, and the other was the Lord of the Department of Astromancy. Their words and decisions held great influence in the Clock Tower.

Furthermore, it seemed the Department of Mineralogy and the Department of Modern Magecraft Theory also helped. In fact, with the support of four departments, Chaldea was quite safe, both internally and externally.

Next were Artoria, Mordred, Okita Sōji, and Angelica.

Artoria and Mordred returned to London, continuing their duties as Riddell’s bodyguards. Moreover, for the two of them, England was also their homeland. King Arthur continued to protect Britain in the modern era—just like the prophecy in the legends.

Meanwhile, Okita and Angelica were both in Japan. Angelica was originally the head maid of the Ryougi Family. Okita, being Japanese, now lived with Atalanta, serving as a swordsmanship instructor at a Dōjō established by the Ryougi Family in Misaki City, teaching Tennen Rishin-ryū.

Then there were Arcueid and Ciel. Originally, Arcueid continued to sleep in the Millennium Castle, but it seemed that two or three years ago, she cooperated with Ciel to open an office in Italy, which specialized in accepting requests to exterminate demons and vampires.

Apparently, it was decided on a whim by Ciel after she played a game a few years ago called Devil May Cry.

Honestly, when learning about this, everyone felt amused.

A former Executor of the Church, and a True Ancestor Princess, the two of them opening a demon and vampire extermination office right next to the Holy Church—openly stealing their business, and the Church couldn’t do anything about it.

After all, who could defeat Arcueid?

As for the rest...

Ayaka was invited by Riddell to join the Department of Botany, continuing her training in Summoning Magecraft while also delving deeper into Black Magic. Though in terms of compatibility, this Magecraft system wasn’t suitable for her, this could be considered a regret from the past. She hoped to redeem it now.

Last year, she officially became a Dignified-ranked Magus in the Clock Tower, and it seemed she could rise to Colour rank anytime.

Merry and Gray, as mentioned before, remained in Chaldea, responsible for coordinating with Naoki.

It happened about ten days after everything ended. Chaldea received a message from another world—actually, it was sent by Naoki from a parallel world fourteen thousand years ago.

In the message, he said that he had successfully defeated the White Giant God, urged the six fairies with a whip to complete the Holy Sword, and had become the king who unified Britain. Since the matters at hand were temporarily settled, he wanted to first give news of his safety to everyone. After that, he would continue sending messages to Chaldea every hundred years.

【This is also one way for me to remember you all, recording all your names, so I won’t forget anyone from you】—that’s what Naoki wrote.

After that, due to the time flow difference between the two sides, Chaldea actually received communications from Naoki about every week. Merry and Gray, as the direct contacts, were responsible for this part.

As for Rei, she had fallen asleep—more precisely, letting her consciousness enter hibernation mode, but her core body was still operating. After all, it was a replica of one of the Atlas Institute’s Seven Weapons that operated with the Greater Grail as its core. Now, as Chaldea’s central computer, she continued to observe the future together with Chaldeas.

【I am a doll that serves Master. A world without Master has no meaning for me. So, until Master returns, I will sleep】

This was the message left by Rei in her room before she fell asleep six years ago.

That was the current situation and state of everyone from Proper Human History over the past six years.

Likewise, the five people from the Lostbelt brought back by Rei—Morgan and the others—along with Miyamoto Musashi and Tomoe Gozen, also lived their own lives during these six years.

Musashi, due to her characteristics, continued to drift between different worlds, undergoing training to reach the Void. Six years ago, she had experienced her future self’s power, so her heart always yearned for that kind of self.

Tomoe accompanied her as her partner, while also acting as her Guide.

According to Merry, because Tomoe was an existence from Proper Human History, as long as she was with Musashi, Chaldea could track the locations of both of them, and if possible, guide them to return.

In fact, over the past six years, Musashi and Tomoe had returned several times. The two had even visited the parallel world where Naoki was once, meeting Naoki who had left Britain and become the hero of the Argo Ship in the Greek region. It seemed that at that time, he was targeted by several Greek Goddesses. Naoki also explained this in his hundred-year communications.

As for the people from the Lostbelt—

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

In Misaki City, about a two-hour journey from the university of Ritsuka and Mash.

After taking a taxi and arriving under a building, paying the fare, and going up to the second floor together, Ritsuka knocked on the door.

“The door’s not locked, come in.”

“Excuse us.”

Opening the door, Ritsuka and Mash entered the room.

The interior of the room looked somewhat messy, as if it had been tidied up but not quite. On the table were scattered cans containing strange corpses and experimental equipment, looking like someone’s laboratory.

And beside the office desk near the window—

“I was wondering who it was, turns out it’s you two who came.”

Wearing a white shirt and black skirt, like a female CEO at work, Morgan pushed up her gold-framed glasses and looked towards the two of them.

This was the current status quo of the group from the Lostbelt.

After staying in Chaldea for one year, the five of them came to Misaki City on Merry’s suggestion. They inherited the long-closed Garan no Dō office, reopened it, and operated it as an all-purpose service bureau.

Named—Neo-Camelot House.