To Become a King and a Magician 886-890

Title: Return from the Abyss

Vortigern once again faced something she could not comprehend.

In her long life of six thousand years, she had not been unfamiliar with things she could not understand, but this time, she faced it twice in a row.

—Naoki who continued to fight her even though he knew he was at a disadvantage and in absolute dire straits.

—Naoki who should have been dead but rose again and launched a suicidal attack on her.

Incomprehensible.

Truly incomprehensible.

Why could he go this far?

*CLANG!*

The Holy Sword and the Fairy Sword clashed. The blade of light condensed by Mana shattered in one attack. The broken fragments were swallowed and engulfed by countless swarms of insects, turning into food for Vortigern.

This was a scene that had been staged many times.

The light of the Holy Sword was no longer anything to fear. No matter how many attacks came, she could destroy and swallow them. The Holy Sword user was no match for her—Vortigern was absolutely convinced of this.

But why?

“Haaah—!”

Accompanied by Naoki Number Two’s angry shout, the re-formed blade of light was swung again!

Why?

Controlling the swarm of insects to swallow the light of the Holy Sword, Vortigern asked in a loud voice: “Why haven’t you fallen yet! Holy Sword Bearer?”

Mana was continuously swallowed, the Holy Sword was continuously swallowed, and power was continuously swallowed.

Despite having everything swallowed, Naoki did not hesitate to burn his life to stand up again, facing total engulfment for the second time—why was he doing this self-destructive thing?

Why could he still continue to fight? Why wasn’t he afraid? Wasn’t he afraid of truly dying? Know that every Mana he used now was converted from the burning of his own life! If he continued to let that Mana be swallowed by her, he would surely die!

“Answer my question! Holy Sword Bearer!”

“Why!”

Countless swarms of insects poured out from behind Vortigern’s skirt, transforming into a storm, besieging and sweeping Naoki Number Two from all directions. The pitch-black tornado frantically compressed the space around Naoki Number Two!

“Why?”

Naoki Number Two smiled faintly. After focusing Mana into the Holy Sword, he forcefully slashed a crescent moon in one direction! The emitted blade of light instantly made one storm shift from its original course!

Immediately breaking free from the opening, Naoki Number Two shot towards Vortigern—

*CLANG!*

Behind the Fairy Sword, which was being held by the Holy Sword, Naoki Number Two looked at Vortigern: “Who knows? Why I can’t fall, why I can still stand, why I must continue to fight—I don’t know any of those things at all!”

There was only one thing Naoki Number Two knew: to complete what the Main Body asked before his existence completely vanished.

After all, he was an individual who should not exist. If he had not been awakened, he should have slept until the moment he disappeared, and perhaps would not even have realized that he had disappeared.

But now, though not of his own will, he was asked for help. So, do his best before the deadline arrives.

As for Vortigern’s question, if it were the original Naoki, he might have said—

“I only know, that at least right now I absolutely cannot lose to you before my eyes!”

*ZING!*

The Holy Sword unleashed a dazzling light at zero range!

(The last light of a dying person before their death)—This thought suddenly crossed Vortigern’s mind.

(Useless! Just a dying struggle. I will still just swallow light like this!)

Swarms of insects poured out from behind Vortigern, biting the Holy Sword’s light like a giant python, tearing, destroying, and swallowing it bit by bit until it was gone!

The situation was the same as before.

Although the operator had changed, the power difference between Naoki and Vortigern was not something that could be resolved merely by a change of person. Compatibility was the most fatal thing, and in the compatibility relationship between the two, Vortigern completely overwhelmed Naoki. Even due to the field conditions, she also directly blocked Naoki’s trump card.

“It’s over. This time it’s truly over, Holy Sword Bearer.”

Swallowing the last light, Vortigern looked at the Holy Sword, which had returned to being completely dim, and Naoki, whose body looked withered like an old man, controlling the swarm of insects to raise the Fairy Sword high.

This time, she would not kick him down. To ensure her victory, completely destroying his body felt more reassuring.

“Goodbye.”

The Fairy Sword slashed down boldly!

Seeing the sword blade rapidly enlarging in her eyes, Naoki Number Two felt a slight relief in his heart.

(All power has been swallowed. With this, everything has been conveyed to you, Main Body.)

(Vortigern doesn’t know, but I know, you are still fighting inside her body. So I cooperated with you to give you all the power—my task is done. Although it wasn’t the task of stalling for time, this is the same, right?)

(Although for two thousand four hundred years I kept hating you, kept harboring resentment towards you, honestly, when I met you again, all my feelings disappeared. It turns out humans really can’t be that cruel, hating themselves from the bottom of their hearts.)

(So...)

Although he didn’t even have the strength to smile, Naoki Number Two still tried to move the corner of his mouth.

(The rest, I leave to you.)

*CRACK!*

A cracking sound suddenly echoed in Naraku’s space.

The Fairy Sword suddenly stopped in mid-air. Vortigern’s triumphant expression froze on her face, and quickly vanished, replaced by slowly dawning disbelief.

*CRACK!*

A cracking sound was heard once again. Vortigern hurriedly held her arm, as if trying to hold something back.

But—

*CRACK!* *CRACK!* *CRACK!*

Cracking sounds continuously emanated from her. Countless cracks appeared and spread across the surface of her body. And from those gaping cracks like wounds, streams of light like blood flowed out, then all flowed back into Naoki’s body, refilling life and strength into that withered body. Visibly restoring his vitality.

And then—

*BAM!*

A powerful Shoryuken punch was launched!

Vortigern, who was at a very close distance, had no time to dodge at all. Her jaw was instantly shattered, and her entire body was sent flying far away, soaring through the air for almost a hundred meters!

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Amidst this low voice, Naoki lowered his fist, bent down and picked up the dimmed Holy Sword, making it shine again for the third time. At the same time, his entire body emanated a brilliant white platinum light, instantly illuminating the entire dark Naraku!

Power returned completely.

Light shone again.

Life that had been burned to mere dregs, instantly rekindled with the return of everything.

“Come on, let’s start our third round, Vortigern.”

“This is the final round.”

“As you said, this will be completely over.”


-

Title: Holy Sword Bearer, Rise!

The pain of being shattered made Vortigern lose her ability to think for a moment.

But even though she quickly recovered, what was happening right now still made her feel like she was dreaming.

What happened?

Why was she receiving a backlash?

No, that wasn’t the point, the point was...

“The second time...”

Stabilizing her body, and letting it recover quickly, Vortigern wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, staring at Naoki who was bathed in white platinum light in the distance: “It’s the second time, Holy Sword Bearer—how many times do you have to fight desperately before you can truly die, huh? Are you a cockroach? Disgusting!”

“Can’t be helped. I’m just like this. I won’t think about death before finishing what I want to do.” Naoki laughed. “However, this time is truly the last, I guarantee it. It’s just that, the one who dies won’t be me, but you.”

“How dare you say that!”

A swarm of insects exploded into a storm behind Vortigern, propelling her instantly in front of Naoki like a pair of pitch-black wings. A pure black insect scythe slashed at his neck rapidly!

*CLANG!*

Just as the scythe blade was about to touch Naoki’s body, the Holy Sword precisely blocked the connection between the scythe blade and its hilt. Then he swung his arm powerfully, as if to clear something stuck to his hand, directly throwing Vortigern along with her scythe away!

At the same time—

*ZING!*

Light gathered in the Holy Sword, like a burning flame, almost stretching behind Naoki to form a large ribbon of light!

“Haaah!”

Accompanied by an angry shout, the Holy Sword slashed fiercely. The prepared light immediately streamed out! A brilliant torrent of light rushed directly at Vortigern! Illuminating her entire world!

(His Mana is back to its initial level?)

Vortigern raised her eyebrows, letting the swarm of insects transform back into a giant python, biting at the encroaching light.

(But what do I care? Even if he returns to his original state, the result is clear. I will obediently swallow him—)

*BANG!*

An explosion cut short Vortigern’s thoughts.

In her eyes, her swarm of insects, which had always been able to swallow any strong light, this time were extraordinarily directly destroyed by the Holy Sword’s light!?

*BAM!*

The light slash struck Vortigern hard!

In an instant, intense pain, as if burned by scorching flames, spread throughout Vortigern’s body!

“Waaahhhhhh!”

Completely unable to control herself, Vortigern screamed and wailed loudly.

“It hurts...! It hurts so much...! What is this...! Why can’t I swallow it?!”

No way.

She apparently couldn’t swallow the light anymore... How could something like this happen?

Approaching Vortigern with his sword, Naoki laughed: “If you could still swallow it, I’d be the one with a headache. If even destroying the Holy Grail couldn’t defeat you, then I really could only wait to die.”

“You just... said what?” Vortigern, with severe burns all over her body from the Holy Sword’s light, widened her eyes in disbelief.

Destroying the Holy Grail?

Which Holy Grail?

“Of course the Holy Grail inside your body. Didn’t you feel it? Or is it because six thousand years of togetherness made you completely accustomed to the Holy Grail’s existence, so you couldn’t react immediately when it suddenly disappeared?”

“—!”

Vortigern hastily focused her mind to sense the situation inside her body—and what answered her was emptiness.

The Holy Grail that had always been inside her body, was now completely gone without a trace!?

“You—what did you do!?” Vortigern stared at Naoki in horror.

“Didn’t do anything... This was an accident for me too. After all, who would have thought, after everything I had was completely swallowed by you, my consciousness could still revive inside your body.”

Consciousness!?

(S-so, he kept...)

“Kept damaging the Holy Grail inside my body?”

“Correct. It’s just that, what was a little troublesome was that the power swallowed from you wasn’t enough to destroy that Holy Grail. A little external help was needed.” Naoki touched his chest. “Fortunately, even though my consciousness left my body, I could still fight. The Mana transformed from life burning, was fully conveyed to me through your swallowing.”

Vortigern’s eyes widened even further.

(So, this person’s suicide attack earlier was actually...)

She hadn’t realized it at all—and that was only natural. Who would realize something like this?! In fact, who would even think something like this existed?!

“Alright, with this all your doubts are answered. Can you leave peacefully now?”

As Naoki’s words fell, the Holy Sword swung again. This time what erupted was a pillar of light like a fountain! Vortigern, who was at a very close range, couldn’t dodge at all! She was once again thrown far away by the impact of that pillar of light!

After tumbling several times in the air and getting back on her feet, Vortigern took several deep breaths: “Haaah...! Huh!? Is that all? I thought you had become so much stronger! The Holy Sword’s output hasn’t changed at all from before! Do you think you can kill me with just this? Holy Sword Bearer!”

“Fool.”

Instantly shifting behind Vortigern, Naoki looked at her coldly.

“That wasn’t the Holy Sword’s light at all. At most, it was just light shot from the Holy Sword. The essence of it was merely Mana Burst. You can’t even distinguish that?”

“.......”

Vortigern’s expression froze.

Just Mana Burst?

But its power was clearly the same as the Holy Sword’s light she had absorbed before!

(He became stronger... No, is it because he regained more than one part of his strength? Besides the part I swallowed initially, the Mana transformed from his life burning, he also got back!)

In terms of pure Mana quantity, the current Naoki was double his original state.

*BOOM!*

The Holy Sword emitted a dazzling light. Naoki took a deep breath, raising the Holy Sword high. Golden flames burst into the sky like a volcanic eruption. Mana like a storm exploded from all over Naoki’s body, gathering in the Holy Sword.

[Now this is a Holy Sword attack]

Naoki’s gaze seemed to convey this sentence.

Then—

“—Excalibur.”

Release of True Name.

Although no seals were released, the current power alone was enough. After all, the current Vortigern had lost that terrifying swallowing ability. Neither the Holy Sword’s light nor Naoki’s Mana light, she could no longer swallow them.

Therefore, a single attack like this was more than enough.

*RUMBLE!*

A beam of light piercing the stars exploded within the pitch-black Naraku!

As if tearing through the dark space, it drew a long and deep trail of light!

-

Title: Miyamoto Musashi Made It This Far

Meanwhile.

In the outside world.

“Tch! I can’t take it anymore!”

Seeing the magic cannon she fired being swallowed once again by the Cursed Worm, Aoko sneered: “If this continues, it’ll be endless! Forget penetrating this Cursed Worm, our attacks aren’t effective against it at all.”

“Indeed.”

Standing at the front edge of the Vimana’s deck and slashing once more, Artoria frowned: “Our Mana will run out first.”

Their attacks were ineffective against the Cursed Worm.

The swallowing ability Vortigern gained through the Holy Grail didn’t just apply to herself. The Cursed Worm, which was a different yet identical existence to her, also possessed that absurd swallowing ability.

Therefore, regardless of the Noble Phantasm releases from the Servants there, or Magecraft, magic cannons, or even Arcueid’s Marble Phantasm, none could harm the Cursed Worm in the slightest.

“If this keeps up, we won’t be able to save the Department Head.” Ritsuka bit her lip.

The Cursed Worm couldn’t be penetrated from within because the space inside was infinite. No matter how Naoki attacked, he couldn’t tear a gap from within. Only by penetrating the Cursed Worm from the outside could Naoki inside free himself.

But now everyone was helpless.

“What if I return to my true form?”

Melusine couldn’t help but ask.

“My dragon’s breath in my true form should be able to penetrate the Cursed Worm’s shell. Although I might not be able to return to this form, but—“

“I won’t allow you to do that, Lancelot.” Morgan stopped her. “Naoki didn’t want you to return to your true form from the beginning. Maintaining your current form is his wish.”

“But... if this continues, Naoki will...”

Melusine’s face was filled with worry.

Everyone had already tried every method of attack, even trying to concentrate everyone’s power to a single point, but it was still ineffective. The Cursed Worm’s swallowing ability was enough to swallow all of everyone’s attacks.

After all, it was an entity capable of swallowing all of Britain.

“Merry-sensei, how much time is left?”

【Three minutes remaining.】

Merry’s answer made everyone’s hearts tremble slightly.

Only three minutes left before the Cursed Worm completely swallowed Britain?

They had to find a way to defeat the Cursed Worm within this time—

“Damn it!”

Mordred seemed to vent her frustration, firing red lightning at the Cursed Worm!

However, unexpectedly, when the red lightning struck the Cursed Worm...

“Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa——!”

A dull, subwoofer-like sound echoed between heaven and earth. The Cursed Worm’s body visibly showed a crack where it was struck by the red lightning—a crack that didn’t immediately begin to heal.

Seeing this, Morgan frowned. She pulled out the last replica Holy Sword from her staff, shattered it without hesitation, and unleashed a pitch-black aurora sword that slashed at the Cursed Worm.

*RUMBLE!*

The Cursed Worm’s surface once again showed a clearly visible crack!

This time, everyone realized it.

“This...”

“Weakening, or can it no longer swallow?”

“Whatever it is, this is a good opportunity.”

Their attacks could actually harm the Cursed Worm now.

Although they had no idea why this change occurred, a change beneficial to them was enough. With that, the possibility of saving Naoki and stopping the Cursed Worm was not entirely zero.

However...

【Perhaps still not enough.】

Merry said.

【The Cursed Worm is approximately 1140 kilometers long. To penetrate its surface... we don’t have a weapon capable of doing that.】

“My Magecraft and Arcueid’s Marble Phantasm can’t either?”

Aoko asked.

“If we really can’t, we’ll do it together. At least now we can cause damage to the Cursed Worm. Coupled with Artoria’s Holy Sword and Angelica’s Ea, and Gray’s Holy Lance... combining this much should be enough.”

【Just to damage it shouldn’t be a problem, but the issue is duration—it’s already seven minutes since Naoki was swallowed, almost eight minutes. We have no idea how deep he fell in those eight minutes. If the path we open closes before Naoki returns...】

Then they wouldn’t be able to get Naoki out.

Less than three minutes remained. There was no chance to repeat.

(A way, is there still another way...)

Just at this moment—

“Hey~~~~~~!”

A shout suddenly came from below.

The people there were startled for a moment.

This sound... Could there be survivors on the Island of Britain besides their group?

Signaling Angelica to lower the altitude, everyone went to the edge of the deck to look. They saw two figures standing on top of a shattered rock, waving vigorously at them, like a pair of castaways on a deserted island who finally found an airplane.

It was...

“Musashi-san and Tomoe-san!?”

Ritsuka stared at the two people on the shattered rock with surprise: “Sorry, Angelica-san, please lower the altitude again! Those are our friends and comrades!”

“I understand.”

Angelica once again lowered the Vimana’s flying altitude. After descending directly in front of Musashi and Tomoe, the two people standing on the rock fragments leaped onto the deck with all their might.

Patting her chest, Musashi let out a sigh of relief: “Phew~~~~~ We’re safe, we’re safe! This time I really felt like I was going to die! I can’t believe I met a rescue ship here, so lucky—by the way, is this Ritsuka?”

It was then that Musashi realized whose ship she had boarded.

Ritsuka smiled: “Thank goodness you two are alright... Why are Musashi-san and Tomoe-san in a place like that?”

“About that... we just escaped there.” Tomoe explained. “Initially, we saw a rather dangerous white giant appear in Camelot, and we were preparing to investigate, but when we were halfway there, that giant seemed to have already been defeated. After that, that insect-like giant appeared in the sky in the distance.”

“After that, this kind of destruction occurred. Tomoe-dono and I could only try our best to escape. We escaped and finally ended up there. If not for being saved by you all, we would truly have drowned in the sea.” Musashi still felt a little anxious. “Oh right, why is everyone gathered here? Earlier, I seemed to see you all attacking that big insect.”

【Found!】

Merry suddenly shouted loudly.

Aoko asked: “Found? What was found?”

【The person who can save Naoki! Wasn’t she found already!】

“Eh?”

After Merry said that, everyone turned to look at Musashi.

She... could save Naoki?

-

Title: The Returning Star of Light

“...In summary, the situation is roughly like this now.”

Ritsuka briefly explained the current situation to Musashi.

“The Head of Department... that is, Natsukawa Naoki, is still trapped inside that Naraku Worm. We have no way to save the Head of Department, so can Musashi help us?”

“Uh... I understand the situation, but...”

Musashi glanced at the Naraku Worm, which was over fourteen hundred kilometers long and getting closer, her face slightly awkward: “I’ve never cut something this big. Besides, look, my sword is only this long, how am I supposed to cut something that big?”

That overly reasonable statement left everyone silent.

Arcueid grabbed Ritsuka’s wrist: “So Merry, why did you say she could save Naoki?”

【Uh, I just felt like she should be able to. After all, I know things related to Musashi from Naoki. She is a Void Swordsman who can even cut through a void hole opened by a Dyson Sphere, a sky-sphere type space-time fortress from another universe. She has a special Mystic Eye that can cut things, so cutting the Naraku Worm shouldn’t be a problem... But it seems it can’t?】

“Uweee... I didn’t even know I was that strong. What is a Dyson Sphere anyway?” Musashi scratched her head. “Well, although I am indeed much stronger than ordinary people due to Naoki’s protection, I haven’t reached that level yet. Let alone the limits of the Void or anything like that, I haven’t even touched it. I’m not even proficient with Heaven’s Eye yet.”

“If asked to cut, of course I can, but I really can’t guarantee I can save Naoki.”

Musashi’s words left everyone silent once again.

It could be attempted, but there was no guarantee of success.

【Aoko, your turn.】

“Eh?”

Called by Merry, Aoko was surprised for a moment: “What should I do?”

“Use your magic. You once gained power from your future self without changing your current self. Now use that magic on Musashi, transfer the power of her future self to her current self—you should be able to do that.”

Musashi of the future.

Aoko nodded: “I understand, that’s no problem—then let’s begin, Musashi, don’t resist at all from now on. I will transfer the power of your future self to your current self—after that, we leave it to you.”

“Oh... Oh, I see.”

【Less than two minutes left, hurry up.】

At Merry’s urging, Aoko took a deep breath and began chanting her magic loudly. Accompanied by Aoko’s chant, everyone present felt a strange aura spreading around her and Musashi.

It was a special aura reminiscent of a roller coaster moving up and down, as if the existence of the two people was rising and falling, floating unsteadily in space.

Then—

*SWISH!*

Under everyone’s gaze, Musashi’s hair visibly lengthened, continuing to grow until it reached her waist before stopping. The lack of maturity she initially possessed also disappeared at this moment, replaced by... a motherly feeling?

Yes, like the feeling of a mischievous young girl who, after a dozen years, transformed into a mature housewife.

Slowly opening her eyes, Musashi looked at her own hands with a slight surprise.

“This... is me?”

She herself could clearly feel that her current self and her self of a few tens of seconds ago were in completely different dimensions, like the difference in absolute experience and knowledge between an adult and a child.

“I placed your self ten years from now into your current self.” Aoko explained. “We leave it to you, Musashi. Your self ten years from now, can definitely do it.”

“Of course.”

Without the slightest hesitation, as if accustomed to it, Musashi immediately agreed, then drew her two beloved swords from her waist.

A powerful sword aura was released from her body at this moment.

Feeling the aura, Angelica and Atalanta frowned.

(This aura is...)

(A god?)

Although not too strong, what enveloped Musashi was clearly a divine aura—Musashi ten years from now, is she connected to a god? Protection? Or a blessing? Or is it a power she possesses?

No, that’s not the point right now.

The important thing is whether Musashi is currently capable of cutting the Naraku Worm.

“Namu, Tenman Daijizai Tenjin—“

Musashi chanted a mantra of sorts.

Accompanied by a sound like a prayer chant, behind Musashi, a giant Bodhisattva statue suddenly appeared in the air. Its four arms each held a Holy Sword radiating different light.

“Niou Kurikara, Shoutenzo!”

As if controlling the Bodhisattva statue, in Musashi’s voice, the giant Bodhisattva statue raised high the four Holy Swords it held, slashing at the Naraku Worm like divine punishment!

Four sword beams that seemed to cleave the sky and earth fell from the air.

And after that—

“Ken-Gou Batto!”

Sheathed her two swords, Musashi held her breath. Five-colored divine light erupted from her sword blade like a storm shooting into the sky, rising straight up, and instantly expanding into a gigantic light sword nearly a hundred meters long!

“Ishana, Daitenzo!”

The final chant completed, Musashi swung the giant light sword in her hand with all her might!

In an instant, the five slashes merged into one. That merged light slash seemed to tear the world itself! As it fell upon the Naraku Worm, it tore and destroyed its massive body, instantly cutting a gap several kilometers long!

Success!

【A crack in the Naraku Worm is confirmed, and it continues to expand—good, with this, Naoki should be able to return!】

Merry’s words lifted everyone’s spirits.

And then—

*ZING!*

Within the torn Naraku Worm, everyone saw a ray of light, as if from a distant star beyond the heavens, slowly rising from the boundless darkness of Naraku. And as time passed, the light became increasingly dazzling.

Naoki was on his way back.

The emotion called hope began to spread in everyone’s hearts. And finally...

*THUD!*

A platinum-white light meteor landed on the deck of the Vimana. The figure of the Star Holy Sword Wielder, clad in platinum-white armor, appeared before everyone’s eyes.

His gaze swept over everyone present, Naoki smiled slightly.

“I’m back.”



-

Title: Savior for Herself

Naoki had returned from Naraku.

Standing on the Vimana’s deck and seeing that figure descending from the sky, everyone felt relieved.

“Thank goodness it worked...”

“He’s finally back too, that worrywart.”

“Isn’t he always like this?”

The people there were old friends who had known Naoki for at least ten years. They were used to him constantly putting himself in danger and making others worry about him, so their current feelings weren’t too turbulent.

More than mere gratitude, it was a feeling of relief and liberation.

If asked why...

“Welcome back.”

Morgan approached Naoki, wrapping her arms around his body and hugging him tightly: “Thank you for your hard work, Naoki.”

“Yes, I’m back.” Naoki raised his hand and straightened Morgan’s slightly disheveled hair, then looked at the others: “Are all of you alright?”

“Yes, we have no casualties, Your Highness.”

Barghest answered.

“It’s just that Britain... the situation now truly cannot be said to be alright.”

“I know.”

Naoki turned to look at the situation around him.

Vortigern had been annihilated by him. And with its core gone, plus Musashi’s slash, the Cursed Worm was now visibly collapsing.

Along with Cernunnos, whose Divine Core had been destroyed by the Holy Lance and annihilated.

In fact, the crisis facing Britain this time had completely ended.

However, in exchange...

All the fairies were annihilated by Naoki. Now, without unlimited Mana, Naoki also couldn’t summon them back to revive all the fairies. And under the influence of the Cursed Worm, Britain had also been totally destroyed, leaving only a small portion in the far south. Its area didn’t even reach one-twentieth of its original size.

The Fairy Kingdom of Britain had been totally destroyed.

“We failed.” Morgan said in a sad tone. “I... since six thousand years ago, have always wanted to protect this island and the fairies. Since two thousand four hundred years ago, I gave up on the fairies, only wanting to protect you and this island with you.”

Protected by the Rain Clan six thousand years ago, Morgan had sacrificed six thousand years of hard work and sacrifice for this island.

An exchange that, to others, was completely unequal, but Morgan persisted for thousands of years like yesterday. And now, this sacrifice was also useless.

The thing to protect was destroyed, the object to protect vanished.

From Cernunnos’s appearance to the end of all current battles, it had only lasted about one full hour.

“Naoki, I... am ready to complete my mission.”

Morgan suddenly said.

Naoki was shocked: “Mission... the Fairy of Paradise mission?”

“Yes, delayed for six thousand years, now it’s time to complete it.”

The Fairy of Paradise mission had two parts. One of them was to ring the six pilgrimage bells, making the fairies realize their sins. This had been completed by Morgan multiple times before Naoki came to this world.

And the second was to forge the Star Holy Sword.

Go to the Inner Sea of the Stars, using everything she experienced as material, sacrificing everything to forge the Star Holy Sword—this was not just forging a sword, but starting the forging from its concept.

Because this Lostbelt had no concept of the Holy Sword. Although Naoki came, he had once dedicated the Holy Sword to the world, but now the Holy Sword had returned to his hand. This Lostbelt returned to a state without the Holy Sword.

So, first, the concept of the Holy Sword must be established, and only then can the Holy Sword be forged. And as the price for establishing the concept, Morgan would disappear completely.

“Thank you for your hard work over the past two thousand four hundred years, Naoki, for always accompanying me.” Morgan gripped Naoki’s hand. “I always knew you hated this island, hated the fairies so much. You destroyed the fairies multiple times, massacring the fairies again and again—those things that seemed cruel and heartless were actually what you truly wanted to do. Even if possible, you might have stood by idly when disaster struck.”

“But because of my one request, you stood in the position of protecting this island, even discarding your former self and the Holy Sword... Thank you so much, thank you for everything you’ve done for me, Naoki.”

No one there could fully understand Morgan’s feelings.

The two thousand four hundred years she spent with Naoki in this Lostbelt, only the two of them could fully understand and feel it—even Melusine, who had lived with them in the same era, could not.

“No, you don’t need to do that, Morgan.” Naoki gripped Morgan’s hand tightly. “It’s not over yet, Morgan, we haven’t ended. Everything can still be saved.”

Raising the Holy Sword he held, Naoki looked at it with a complicated gaze.

The weapon he had discarded for two thousand four hundred years, the power inherited from his most important friend—

“I will save this world you love, Morgan.”

After saying that, Naoki released Morgan’s hand. Holding the Holy Sword with both hands, he raised it to the sky, as if dedicating it to someone.

Naoki’s action changed everyone’s expressions.

Without needing anyone to explain, everyone realized what he was thinking.

“Naoki! Stop!”

Aoko hurriedly shouted loudly: “You want to discard everything again!?”

Discarding everything—everything about his Human History self, everything about himself as the Star Holy Sword Bearer... Things he had discarded two thousand four hundred years ago, and now had regained, Naoki was preparing to discard them once more.

“Yes.”

Naoki nodded calmly, turning to look at everyone who had surrounded him. After a moment of silence, he showed a slightly regretful expression.

“I’m sorry, friends. I understand your intentions and desires to bring me back to Human History, but on my side... after all, I still want to be on Morgan’s side.”

“Perhaps this is also the fate of the Star Holy Sword Bearer.”

The fate of the Star Holy Sword Bearer was to save the world.

Whether it was the great world of everyone, or the small world of one person, both were objects that must be saved.

So now, Naoki would save the world—save the world only for Morgan alone. Save the world where she was, save the world she loved.

【You want to become a savior only for her?】

Merry’s voice sounded.

【That’s exactly what you would do, Naoki.】

“Merry... sorry.”

【No, no need to apologize. After all, I already expected you would make this decision. I also already discussed it with Morgan beforehand... Let me be frank, Naoki. I have one way.】

【—One way that can save the world in the truest sense.】