To Become a King and a Magician 576-580

Title: Slaying the God – Part Two

Success.

Naoki immediately confirmed it when Rei, Arcueid, and Angelica’s attacks simultaneously pierced through the defensive line formed by the cursed hands.

The layer of curses was once again shattered, and the divine body was once again defeated.

Unlike the simultaneous firing of the twelve Holy Lances, this time the combined attack of the three left a wound on Cernunnos twice as large as before!

It almost completely destroyed Cernunnos’s chest!

“Glug glug glug glug glug glug!”

The curse immediately began to boil!

Despite the immense power of the attack, it was impossible to completely eradicate Cernunnos’s curse. Even such severe wounds, under the influence of the continuously proliferating curse, would soon be covered again by layers of curses, restoring Cernunnos to his unharmed state!

The time required would not exceed twenty seconds.

But Rei had just expended all of her Mana equivalent to three Holy Grails. Arcueid would also be immobile for approximately ten seconds. Even if she could pursue, the cursed hands gathering around required her and Angelica to deal with them.

Therefore, this large gap created by their combined attack was probably the only chance, the first and the last.

(Good job, Rei, Angelica, Arcueid. You’ve bought me twenty seconds. Now it’s my turn.)

The remaining Mana in the throne was approximately twelve hundred years’ worth.

Naoki was not stingy and, without hesitation, immediately unleashed all restraints, allowing Mana to flow into the twelve Holy Lances!

*BZZZZT!*

The twelve cannon stations consecutively emitted a golden-white, even reddish-gold light. It was a sign of excessive Mana charging, which caused the cannon barrels to start becoming overwhelmed. A 1000% charge alone was already close to the limit of the cannon barrels, and now more than 1000% was being charged!

The twenty seconds continued to tick away. The wound on Cernunnos’s chest was visibly covered by layers of curses, and the silhouette of Aurora, serving as the Divine Core in Cernunnos’s chest, was also gradually concealed.

“Naoki!”

Arcueid couldn’t help but shout.

And right after she shouted—

“Holy Lance, anchor lifted.”

*BOOM!*

Accompanied by Naoki’s final command, the twelve already overloaded cannon stations simultaneously unleashed the most dazzling light of the Holy Lance!

The Mana accumulated over two thousand years, completely empty and zero at this moment!

*PU-CHI!*

Without the slightest delay, the twelve Holy Lances simultaneously struck the chest housing Aurora as its core! Swallowing it completely in an instant. Its entire body melted and vaporized by the light and heat of the Holy Lance!

Then, the light of the Holy Lance pierced through Cernunnos’s body!

The curses were continuously purified and eradicated within the light. The decaying divine body crumbled and disappeared under the terrifying heat—after losing its Divine Core, Cernunnos’s curse activity drastically decreased, almost stagnating, completely losing the monstrous regenerative ability it previously possessed.

“Hold on a little longer, Holy Lance.”

Naoki watched the condition of the Holy Lance anxiously.

He absolutely could not stop now. If he were to stop the Holy Lance’s output at this moment, Cernunnos’s divine body would not be completely annihilated.

Although it was overheating and could explode at any moment, Naoki currently hoped the Holy Lance could continue to endure. Approximately sixty percent of Cernunnos’s body still remained. Completely annihilating this remaining portion would solve the problem.

“We’ll help too.”

Arcueid moved her hands and feet, raising both hands, and immediately manifested a lightning storm and rain that began to destroy Cernunnos’s corpse. Meanwhile, Angelica also opened the Gate of Babylon to its maximum, lavishly firing her Noble Phantasms.

Sitting on the giant dragon’s back, Rei saw the two who still had the strength to fight and let out a slight sigh: “How nice. I have no energy left at all. Just flying like this is my limit... But with this, the Calamity of Curses is over.”

The curse summons beasts, the beasts summon fire.

The Three Calamities that were supposed to destroy Britain. The Calamity of Curses, as its root, had been defeated. Thus, Barghest and Melusine would also not transform into new calamities under the continued impact of the Calamity of Curses.

In fact, the three Calamities could now be said to have been completely defeated and sealed.

So what remained was...

“The Cursed Worm, Vortigern.”

Rei stared at the bottomless Great Hole below.

The Cursed Worm was there. Previously, due to Cernunnos’s suppression, it couldn’t appear at will. But now that Cernunnos had been defeated, the Cursed Worm should soon emerge.

(Our current combat power hasn’t decreased at all. At most, my Mana is overly drained, that’s not a big problem. With Master present, this deficiency can be filled anytime.)

(Furthermore, Master should have already prepared countermeasures to deal with the Cursed Worm. The next step is the final work.)

(But... with this, Master’s plan seems to have failed.)

The Mana stored in the throne had been depleted. After losing this foundation, Naoki’s plan to transfer the Island of Britain to Proper Human History might not be able to proceed. Moreover, all the fairies had also been annihilated.

Due to Cernunnos’s awakening, Naoki’s two-thousand-year plan had completely failed.

(Something feels wrong.)

Rei frowned.

She remembered Naoki once saying that he would deal with both Cernunnos and the Cursed Worm before Rayshift, without bringing any problems to Proper Human History. But if defeating Cernunnos alone required two thousand years’ worth of Mana, then of those two things, defeating Cernunnos and Rayshift, only one could be realized.

Yet Naoki said both could be realized.

(Master... hiding something else? I should go down and ask.)

Thinking thus, Rei controlled the giant dragon to fly toward the Throne Room.

And just as she arrived in the Throne Room and jumped off the giant dragon—

*PU-CHI!*

A piercing sound reached her ears, and in her vision, Naoki’s chest, sitting on the throne, had been pierced by a golden holy sword.

“You’ve all worked very hard.”

A voice sounded from behind Naoki—it was Naoki Number Two!

“Both the original, and Rei, Arcueid, Angelica—you all worked hard. Thanks to your painstaking efforts in defeating Cernunnos, we can finally be free.”

“Free... You... Could it be...”

As if realizing something, Naoki immediately placed his hand on the Holy Sword, trying to break free.

But Naoki Number Two tightly gripped his arm from behind: “I won’t let you go, the original. Let us reunite. After being separated for two thousand four hundred years, it’s time to become one person again.”

“You... Stop it...”

“Welcome back, and... I’m back, Natsukawa Naoki.”

Naoki Number Two whispered softly into Naoki’s ear.

Immediately after, the Star Holy Sword piercing Naoki’s chest suddenly emitted a brilliant light!

*BZZZZT!*

The bright light instantly obscured everyone’s vision.

-

Title: For the World He Loved and the World He Inhabited

Naoki was currently in great confusion.

Standing beneath the full moon and a cluster of stars, gazing at the Star Holy Sword plunged before him, Naoki gritted his teeth, his eyes fixed on his other self across the sword.

“Why?”

Only that single word escaped his lips.

Naoki could feel that the contract he had signed with the planet two thousand four hundred years ago was being nullified. Because Naoki Number Two had plunged the Holy Sword into his body and returned his existence to his main body, he could no longer adhere to the clause of discarding the Holy Sword forever in that contract.

Therefore, the contract was canceled. He would lose the unlimited Mana he had possessed all this time, and revert to his former state as a bearer of the Holy Sword.

And because of that, the surveillance Magecraft he had deployed in the skies of Britain would disappear. The fairies destroyed by his Moon Fall would not be able to be summoned back. All the great wonders and achievements he had attained would vanish.

“Why?”

Naoki repeated his question.

Why did Naoki Number Two do this? Why was he, who should have been killed by himself, still alive? Why did he decide to do this?

Naoki had countless questions, he wanted to ask many whys, but in the end, he merely condensed them into a single question.

“Why?”

“This question of yours is a bit troublesome to answer. It sounds like one question, but it actually encompasses several, even more than ten questions, doesn’t it?” Naoki Number Two laughed. “Well, I will explain it based on my own understanding. Now I can be open and honest with you.”

“It all began two thousand four hundred years ago, on the day we split into two.”

That day, Naoki became two people. To strengthen his resolve to save the Island of Britain, Naoki separated the idea of wanting to destroy Britain along with the memories from the Proper Human History period.

That was the starting point of all Naoki Number Two’s actions.

Wanting to destroy Britain. This idea was actually not difficult to understand, nor was it difficult to overcome. But for Naoki Number Two, that was his only idea.

Because he had lived alone on the Boundary Island for two thousand four hundred years.

Such a long time made Naoki Number Two resent Naoki—a resentment born from being abandoned on the Boundary Island for two thousand four hundred years without news.

Actually, even if he had just visited regularly, that would have been enough to let Naoki Number Two know that Naoki still had a connection with him, but that never happened even once in two thousand four hundred years.

He was considered something unnecessary, completely discarded, just like this Lostbelt that was discarded by Proper Human History.

Resentment arose from that, and under the influence of resentment, the idea of destroying Britain also gradually grew stronger. The desire to destroy Britain, the desire to take revenge on Naoki who had abandoned him—such thoughts filled Naoki Number Two’s mind.

Then, after the Mors War ended in the year 1000 of the Fairy Era, Vortigern, who was planning the third manifestation, cooperated with Naoki Number Two.

“Vortigern wants to destroy Britain, I also want to destroy Britain. Our goals are the same. And to achieve the goal of destroying Britain, defeating you is what must be done. This also aligns with my thoughts.”

“So we cooperated—and the results were quite good. You spent all the Mana you saved to fight Cernunnos, and because you were too focused, you didn’t notice my counterattack at all. Likewise, you didn’t notice my awakening, because you and I are the same person, how could I die if you didn’t die? Plus, there was Vortigern who gave me a bit of life. Not destroying my corpse wouldn’t have worked.”

“So... with this, all the means you have are gone. How do you feel? The feeling of two thousand four hundred years of wasted effort.”

Although the same person, Naoki Number Two now looked like a villain who had succeeded in his wicked scheme, smirking as he gazed at Naoki.

Naoki did not argue with him.

He would soon disappear, completely vanish from the world, because he was separated from his body, and with the return of the Holy Sword, he also returned his existence to Naoki.

Moreover, arguing with himself was pointless.

Seeing Naoki’s cold face, Naoki Number Two dropped the smirk from his face, and returned to his usual faint smile: “Boring... You have an expression like this, so it’s a bit boring.”

“Well then, it’s time to say goodbye. After this, try to sort out the mess I left for you yourself, I—by the way, this is advice from your self from Proper Human History: respond well to those women who are chasing you.”

“You have no feelings, but I do. You placed your feelings for them on my side, and now I will return them to you. Remember to apologize one by one then; those words of abandonment were quite hurtful.”

After saying that, Naoki Number Two’s body completely disappeared, transforming into countless specks of light that flowed into the Holy Sword.

Next, as soon as Naoki held the Holy Sword, everything he had left in the past would return to his hands, and everything he currently possessed would vanish.

Everything that happened over two thousand four hundred years would disappear with just one light grasp.

And Naoki could not refuse.

No, it should be said he must not refuse, because he had no right to refuse, and no choice to refuse. He could only passively accept the Holy Sword and the memories returning to his body.

“Damn it...”

Naoki cursed in a low voice.

He failed. He failed. He couldn’t keep his promise to Morgan. The Island of Britain would soon face destruction. The manifestation of the Cursed Worm would swallow all of Britain. This was an unchangeable fact.

“Then... what did I leave everything in the past for...”

He clenched both hands tightly, his nails almost digging into his palms.

If he failed at this point, wouldn’t everything he did in the past be in vain? Why did he stay in this Lostbelt for two thousand four hundred years, and why did he make the decision to abandon everything?

What did his resolve mean?

He wanted to cry.

Tears welled up in his eyes. Naoki could feel the turbulent emotions in his chest.

Anger, sadness, hatred, regret, remorse, disappointment... Countless emotions mixed and intertwined, making his mood extremely chaotic, like a disgusting concoction formed after all ingredients were crushed, put into a container, and stirred.

Perhaps it would feel better if he tore open his chest.

“How long are you going to stand rooted there?”

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind.

Without turning, Naoki was slightly startled after hearing this voice, then couldn’t help but let out a bitter smile: “You... came to laugh at me?”

“You could say that. After all, the current you is like a clown, isn’t he? A stupid clown who deeply regrets the mistakes he made himself after trying his best, and hasn’t thought of a way to fix them at all.” the voice continued, “Although you lost everything you have now, you have regained everything you had in the past. So, why not try to fight once more?”

“Fight?”

“Yes, fight—use your power that has saved the world countless times to try and fight for a chance to save the Island of Britain.”

“!”

Naoki raised his head and looked at the Holy Sword in front of him.

He... still had a chance?

“Have you forgotten from staying here too long? Your true self is the strongest we know. You are the savior recognized even by the Beast that wants to destroy Proper Human History, a true savior who has saved the world.”

“It’s impossible for you not to be able to save just a small island. So—“

A palm pressed against Naoki’s back, pushing him strongly toward the Holy Sword.

“Fight with all your might once more. We will all help you.”

“—My beloved King.”

Naoki immediately turned, but there was no one behind him.

Hallucination? Auditory? Or had Merry already left?

With a bitter smile, Naoki shrugged: “I understand... I will try hard once more. And please lend me your strength once more, Excalibur.”

Naoki reached out and gripped the hilt of the Holy Sword.

“For the sake of saving the world he loved, and also for the sake of saving the world he inhabited.”

*ZING!*

A golden starlight bloomed like a rising sun.

-

Title: The End That Finally Arrived

(What happened?)

This was the thought that sprang into the minds of Aoko and the others as their vision was obscured by light, after they had successfully broken through thick walls and finally arrived at the Throne Room.

Why was there such strong light? What was happening here?

*BZZZZT!* *BOOM!*

And at that moment, accompanied by vibrations of the air and ground, the light that filled everyone’s vision suddenly receded, like river water flowing backward, gathering from all directions towards the center, then suddenly soaring into the sky!

*CRACK!*

The dome of the Throne Room was instantly pierced by this golden pillar of light. And the infinite magic circuits that occupied every corner of the Throne Room, dense like a Golden Tree, also transformed into countless streams of light that disappeared and unraveled, sliding up with the golden pillar of light towards the sky.

Seeing the scene before them, everyone was stunned in place.

“This... Mana overflow?”

Rei felt a little familiar with the scene before her. After all, when she was infused with Mana equivalent to three Holy Grails at once, the Mana she couldn’t contain also dissipated in this manner.
It’s just that, compared to her situation, the Mana now dissipating was far too vast.

Why was so much Mana dissipating? And who was losing that much Mana?

(The previous scene was Master being pierced in the chest by Master Number Two using the Holy Sword... Could it be—)

A conjecture that emerged in Rei’s mind made her eyes tremble violently.

At the same time.

As if everything had flowed out completely, the golden light that shot into the sky finally completely disappeared from the Throne Room along with the Golden Tree circuits, leaving only a golden rain that moistened everyone’s eyes.

And in everyone’s eyes, a figure appeared before the already shattered throne, bathed in the golden rain.

Blonde hair like the sun, sky-blue eyes, silver armor covering the entire body, and a golden Holy Sword grasped in that person’s hand.

“D-Department Head?”

Ritsuka asked in a low voice, her face full of astonishment.

(It should be... the Department Head, right?)

Hearing Ritsuka’s voice, Naoki turned his head slightly and looked at the people behind him. His cold gaze softened slightly, and the corner of his lips lifted a little, as if he saw something he had deeply missed.

“Long time no see, everyone. I’m back.”

I’m back.

With just this one sentence, everyone truly confirmed the identity of the person before them.

Not that Fairy King, nor that Naoki Number Two, but the real Naoki, who only existed after the two had reunited. The Naoki they knew.

“Huuu~~~~” After a moment of silence, Aoko took a deep breath. She quickly stepped forward to Naoki: “Although there’s a pile of things I want to say, I have a pile of complaints I want to air at you from various sides, I even want to knock you to the ground and beat you mercilessly. But for now, I’ll say this first—welcome back.”

“Hmm, welcome back, Big Brother.”

“You’re finally back, King Father.”

“Thank goodness you’re back, Master.”

“...”

After Aoko started, the others also walked closer and spoke.

Seeing the people who suddenly surrounded him, a strange feeling suddenly arose in Naoki’s heart—a long-lost feeling, as if he had been used to it for a long time.

(Right, I... used to live like this... Because I threw everything away, so I forgot...)

Gray and Rei who were always with him in daily life, Aoko and Touko who roamed outside all year, Atalanta who could only meet every weekend, Ciel and Ayaka who lived in the same apartment as him, Artoria, Souji, and Mordred who were always his Servants, and also Ritsuka, Mash, Arcueid, Angelica...

【Welcome back】

Merry’s voice sounded in Naoki’s ear.

【We were really worried about you for a long time, Naoki. After this, you must properly compensate all of us here.】

“Yes, I know. Sorry for making you worry.” Naoki raised his hand. After a slight hesitation, he still caressed Gray’s head, which still felt a bit awkward, then as if realizing something, he turned his head into the distance.

It was seen where Aoko and the others had entered, at the forcefully destroyed mouth of the corridor, now five more figures appeared.

Morgan, Artoria Caster, Melusine, Barghest, Baobhan Sith.

Taking a deep breath, Naoki gently pushed away the people surrounding him, and stepped towards Morgan.

Seeing the Holy Sword Naoki held, Morgan’s eyes flickered several times, then she sighed: “Haaah, in the end... I still failed. For your current self, I should say long time no see—“

Naoki immediately hugged her tightly, cutting off her words, and pressing the back of her head.

“Naoki?”

“I’m sorry...”

A slightly trembling voice sounded in Morgan’s ear.

“I’m sorry, Aesc. I failed to keep our promise... I’m sorry.”

Although he regained everything he had abandoned, the memories of two thousand four hundred years spent with Morgan were still within Naoki’s body, influencing his emotions and behavior.

At this moment, only two types of emotions filled Naoki’s heart.

Guilt for failing to keep his promise to Morgan, and anger towards Naoki Number Two and Vortigern who had disrupted his plans. Even the joy and longing to reunite with his past lovers had vanished.

“Truly... I’m sorry... It’s all my fault... I’m sorry...”

That trembling voice made Morgan’s eyes widen slightly.

(No, no. You shouldn’t be the one apologizing, I should be the one apologizing to you...)

Morgan bit her lip. She extended her hand and returned Naoki’s embrace: “Two thousand four hundred years... Thank you for accompanying me, always helping me, and always sacrificing for my selfishness, Naoki... Thank you.”

“I will take care of the last Cursed Worm. You go back to where you belong, with the people who came to pick you up to go home.”

Morgan’s fingers moved subtly on Naoki’s back.

At this point, Britain was merely a name. When the Cursed Worm manifested, it would truly begin to collapse. Naoki’s and Morgan’s efforts were all in vain. So, as Queen of this Britain, Morgan must at least accompany it until the very end, using all her strength to fight the crisis that would destroy Britain.

That was what she had to do.

And Naoki had done enough for her. He shouldn’t stay any longer. Proper Human History was where he should return. This Lostbelt no longer needed further sacrifice from him.

“No, I will stay.”

Naoki said so.

“I will stay with you to fight the Cursed Worm. Even if I no longer possess my past strength, I am still the Fairy King of this Britain, Queen Morgan’s only husband. I have no reason to leave you... to leave all of you here.”

Raising his head and looking at Melusine, Barghest, Baobhan Sith, and Caster, Naoki asked: “Has Morgan explained everything to you? Everything.”

“Yes, everything has been explained.” Barghest nodded. “Both Her Majesty’s origins, the current situation of Britain, even my relationship with Lancelot... It’s truly hard to believe.”

“I don’t think there’s anything difficult to accept. After all, our current ending is completely different from what Aesc said, isn’t it?” Melusine smiled.

“Baobhan Sith didn’t grow up to be a cruel and heartless fairy, Barghest didn’t fall and lose control. I’m still safe and sound, and Artoria Caster was raised from childhood to adulthood, not even a bell ever rang.”

Everyone avoided their original ending. At a point in time that should have been total extinction, they reached a situation where everyone survived.

“But honestly, there are still some things that are hard to imagine. Me becoming cruel and heartless... What did I go through to become like that?” Baobhan Sith frowned. “Although I can sometimes be a bit unreasonable, most of the time I’m pretty normal, right?”

“Big sister, I think you’ll be a little abnormal every time you’re involved with Father—well, as for me, I have to thank Father and Mother. At least the fate of becoming a Holy Sword that I always feared, you two always helped me avoid it.”

Artoria Caster showed a relaxed smile that was like the CG in Naoki’s deepest memories.

“So... Father, isn’t it time to give us motivation now? You changed our ending. So, if you want to change Britain’s ending now, we’ll all help you.”

“Hmm... Thank you.”

Naoki stroked his second daughter’s hair.

And in the distance, seeing that harmonious family, Rei showed a rare expression, a little envious: “Should we join them too?”

“There will definitely be a chance after this. More than that... I don’t think anyone wants to leave, do they?” Aoko asked with a smile.

Of course, that was a rhetorical question.

There was only one battle left. Once the Cursed Worm was defeated, all the problems of this Lostbelt would end. At this critical moment, no one here would leave.

Proper Human History and the Lostbelt, connected by Naoki as a meeting point, would together fight the Cursed Worm.

Turning to check on Aoko and the others, Naoki smiled slightly, and then—

【Yeah~~~ What a moving scene, so moving it makes me want to vomit. Can you do this disgusting harmonious scene privately? Bringing it out in public is truly sickening.】

Words filled with pure malice echoed in the Throne Room.

-

Title: Manifestation of the Cursed Worm

She’s coming.

This thought simultaneously arose in everyone’s minds.

The appearance of this voice meant that the final enemy everyone had to face would soon appear.

And the next moment—

“Gurgle gurgle!”

The shadow beneath Naoki’s feet seemed to lengthen, instantly stretching for dozens of meters. Then, accompanied by a sound like boiling water, the shadow rose. Countless dense black materials crawled out of the shadow, gradually merging to form a female figure.

*WHOOSH!*

A pair of iridescent black wings spread behind the woman. Her long, whitish-gray hair cascaded down like a waterfall.

The woman, whose body was clad in a black dress, raised her pale face. After sweeping her gaze over everyone present, her eyes finally settled on Naoki.

It was a face very similar to Naoki’s, but far more feminine, like a gender-swapped Naoki.

“First time meeting, or rather, finally meeting.”

The woman slightly lifted her black dress and bowed in salute to Naoki.

“I am Vortigern—not Oberon, just Vortigern.”

“A woman?”

Naoki looked at her with a hint of surprise.

The third manifestation of the Cursed Worm... turned out to be a woman?

【Of course】

Merry’s voice sounded in everyone’s ears.

【There’s something we haven’t had a chance to tell you. Actually, the Vortigern egg we took in the Sixth Singularity was taken away by Morgan a long time ago, and its whereabouts have been unknown.】

“Eh?”

Merry’s words immediately made everyone shift their attention to Vortigern.

And Vortigern smiled and nodded: “It seems you all already know. Indeed, I was brought here by Morgan from Proper Human History six thousand years ago. I am that egg—the egg born after the previous Low King Vortigern, whom you defeated, made a request to the Holy Grail before his death.”

Low King Vortigern.

The being summoned by Morgan with the Holy Grail in the Sixth Singularity, and eventually defeated by Naoki, Arthur, and Artoria—though in truth, he died from being forcibly hit by Naoki’s Moon Fall.

And that Vortigern, before his death, to fulfill his long-held desire to destroy Britain, made a request to the Holy Grail. He asked to have offspring, and the Holy Grail granted his wish, giving birth to an egg.

Initially, after taking the egg, Naoki stored it in Merlin’s Tower of Avalon for safekeeping. But from Merry and Vortigern’s words, Morgan seemed to have secretly taken the egg, and brought it to this Lostbelt.

“What a long time.”

Vortigern sighed.

“Six thousand years. I spent six thousand years in a dark abyss without light. I spent six thousand years in empty darkness... It really drove me mad, you know?”

“Plus, there was an old man constantly repeating the same sentence in my ear, ‘You must destroy Britain, You must destroy Britain’... This went on continuously in my ear for six thousand years! So annoying!”

As if venting the pent-up hatred in her heart, Vortigern, who looked like a sickly beautiful woman, was now cursing and complaining without restraint. Her thin feet stomped hard on the ground, and she laughed wildly after stomping the ground into a small crater, only then looking up.

“This feeling... you all must understand it, right? You Magi from Proper Human History.”

Aoko and the others, who were gazed upon by Vortigern, showed dark expressions.

Indeed, they could understand it.

Grand Order—the most noble blood law in the mystical world.

An initial command held by a bloodline that has continued since before Christ. They must sacrifice for that mission until their clan perishes. The pride of absolute obedience, like a curse. Every Magus of their lineage must dedicate everything for this command, completing the mission by all means.

Vortigern’s situation was similar to this.

From the moment she was born six thousand years ago, the same sentence kept echoing in her mind—“You must destroy Britain.”

This was the will inherited from the previous Low King Vortigern, an obsession he failed to complete. And to achieve this goal, he forced it upon his offspring. For six thousand years Vortigern was suppressed in the deepest part of the great hole, this voice kept echoing!

“So... I will destroy Britain.”

Vortigern grinned.

“Although it failed twice before, this time it succeeded. Using Cernunnos to drain the Mana in the throne, removing one of your trump cards, and at the same time removing the eternal old man who suppressed me. And now, due to the return of the Holy Sword, the impossible-to-defeat Fairy King has also disappeared.”

“With this, all obstacles that could stop me are gone—I win. I am free. Free from the endless torment of that voice in my head!”

“Oh, yes, and thank you too for killing all the fairies, Holy Sword Bearer. To be honest, I always hated seeing those fairies, and always wanted to kill them all, kill them completely. You striking them all dead beforehand was truly wonderful. This alone I really like. I truly love you, Holy Sword Bearer.”

This emotionless confession, coupled with Vortigern’s pale, empty smile, sent chills down people’s spines.

Naoki gripped the Holy Sword tightly.

“You think I’ll let you succeed?”

“Huh? Did you misunderstand? My goal has long been achieved. Next is just a matter of time.” Vortigern sneered.

And at that very moment, Merry’s voice sounded in everyone’s ears.

【Emergency! Gravity changes detected across the entire Island of Britain!】

Everyone: “!”

“Indeed, this has been going on for a long time.”

Vortigern spread her arms.

“The collapse has begun. From the moment you defeated Cernunnos, I have already begun my efforts to destroy this island. One hour from now, the engulfment of the entire Island of Britain will be complete. All existence on this island will be swallowed into endless Naraku (Hell).”

“Look at the sky in the distance. Look at the sky to the north, losers. The insects are feasting.”

As Vortigern said, in the northern sky, a giant insect had appeared, though no one knew when.

It looked as if it were made of black mist, and it continuously consumed, swallowed, tore at the island, starting from the Boundary Island and moving south, devouring everything—perhaps the most fitting analogy would be a super large vacuum cleaner?

The concept of a Hole, which would swallow the Island of Britain, and then swallow the entire planet with the infinite holes it generated.

Demonic Dragon—Vortigern.

-

Title: I Will Not Let Them Die

Everyone’s breath hitched as they witnessed the Insect devouring the island.

Except for a few, the others had never seen an existence so vast, and had never seen an existence that so defied common sense.

“That is... our final enemy.”

Ritsuka stared at the Cursed Worm with a pale face.

“How do we... defeat it?”

【It’s very simple. Just defeat Vortigern in front of us.】

Merry’s voice sounded.

【The Cursed Worm is Vortigern, and Vortigern is the Cursed Worm. Both are the same entity. More visually, Vortigern is the core of the Cursed Worm. If we defeat it completely here, the Cursed Worm will also disappear.】

“Yes, it’s that simple—but it’s going to be terrible, isn’t it?” Vortigern sneered. “I won’t be defeated so easily by you. At least, the Holy Sword Bearer there must know. My body cannot even be harmed by your Holy Sword. Nothing in this Britain can hurt me.”

“And for me, as long as I can buy as much time as possible, that is my victory. Both the Lostbelt and Proper Human History, everything will be swallowed by Naraku (Hell), falling into an endless abyss.”

Proper Human History?!

Aoko frowned: “Why do you mention Proper Human History? What happens in a Lostbelt shouldn’t be able to—“

“Hey, hey, hey? Did you forget where I came from?” Vortigern laughed, interrupting Aoko. “I am an entity that came from Proper Human History. Furthermore, there are so many of you who came from Proper Human History here. Affecting Proper Human History in reverse is just a trivial matter.”

“Merry!”

【We are checking!】

Without needing a reminder from others, Merry had already asked all Chaldea members to begin investigating the spatial conditions around Britain. And within just a few tens of seconds—

【The results are out! Just as Vortigern said! The space starting from the northern part of the Island of Britain shows extremely abnormal distortion phenomena! Although it has not caused any impact at the moment, as time passes, it is estimated to begin collapsing within an hour! At the latest within twenty-four hours, the Island of Britain will be completely destroyed!】

【And after that, the Earth will also be completely destroyed due to the hole formed by the collapse of Britain!】

*BAM!*

Without the slightest hesitation, as soon as Merry’s words finished, Naoki instantly appeared in front of Vortigern! Raising the shining Holy Sword and swinging it down!

*CLANG!*

But all that was heard was a dull thud.

The Holy Sword seemed to hit an impenetrable metal, not even managing to penetrate Vortigern’s body in the slightest!

“Didn’t I tell you? Only this sword is useless against me.”

Vortigern smiled and placed a hand on the Holy Sword. Countless pitch-black insects crawled and flew out from her sleeves like a storm, swarming Naoki simultaneously!

*BOOM!*

Explosive flames burned all over Naoki’s body. Heat waves and blazing fires collided with the swarm of pitch-black insects!

However...

“No effect?!”

“What do you think I’ve been doing for these six thousand years?”

Vortigern roared and laughed hysterically at the same time, completely disregarding that her body was that of a woman, she lifted her leg and kicked Naoki in the stomach!

Retreating dozens of meters rapidly, Naoki stabilized his body. He glanced at his Holy Sword, and after confirming his body’s condition, he slightly exhaled: “It seems... you truly have prepared everything.”

“Of course. After all, I am Vortigern, your eternal and unavoidable enemy, the chosen savior. The Red Dragon and White Dragon of Britain, fated enemies. If I didn’t think of every way, I wouldn’t be able to defeat you completely.”

From Vortigern’s sleeves, swarms of insects poured out like a flood, and in an instant formed a giant wave that surrounded everyone.

“For these six thousand years, I have constantly made you my imaginary enemy, thinking of every way to try and defeat you. And a thousand years ago, after reaching cooperation with your other self, I fully understood your entire strength.”

“So I made a request to the Holy Grail, to the Holy Grail that has been inside my body since the Sixth Singularity—and I got it: a power that absolutely cannot be defeated by the Holy Sword Bearer.”

The previous Vortigern, by obtaining the Holy Grail, acquired a body that would not be harmed by the Holy Sword. This was also inherited by the current Vortigern. Her body would not be harmed in the slightest by Excalibur. And with her physical strength, perhaps other swords would also be useless against her.

As for the other power she obtained through a request to the Holy Grail, it might be an absolute resistance to Mana.

Not Magic Resistance, but resistance to Mana.

Magecraft that directly intervenes, or phenomena caused by Mana. All these things cannot harm her. Everything that goes through Mana cannot harm her.

Vortigern knew very well that her greatest enemies were Naoki and Morgan. Most of their methods involved Mana. Therefore, she obtained this kind of power—a power that absolutely cannot be defeated by either of them.

(In that case...)

Naoki suddenly opened his eyes wide, staring at Vortigern. His Mystic Eye of Soul Eater immediately emitted a faint light.

“This is also useless.” Vortigern sneered. “Mystic Eye is fundamentally also a type of Magecraft, even innate Mystic Eye. It needs to be used with Mana, and if it uses Mana, it cannot intervene with me.”

“And then—“

*SWISH!*

Countless swarms of insects clustered around her, and at the critical moment, they blocked the sudden stream of light attacking Vortigern.

Seeing Melusine very close, Vortigern frowned: “The most beautiful Fairy in Britain, Melusine—you are truly ugly. Rotten garbage pulled out of the mud, a parasite whose entire meaning of existence depends on the Holy Sword Bearer. Shouldn’t you be called the ugliest creature in Britain?”

“Silence!”

Arondight was swung again, but under the biting of the insect swarm, even the outer skin of the Albion Dragon gradually turned pitch-black.

(Erosion!? This is... the Mors curse!?)

Realizing the substance of this pitch-black material, Melusine immediately abandoned her weapon and returned to Naoki’s side.

Using the insect swarm woven into hands to toy with the two swords that had already turned completely black, Vortigern laughed: “You ran quite fast. A little longer, I might have been able to turn you into Mors too—I’m actually quite skilled in curses, after all I lived with Cernunnos for six thousand years, and even gave birth to the Mors King.”

Supreme Mana resistance, a physique that ignored the Holy Sword, and erosion curses.

The power shown by Vortigern far exceeded everyone’s expectations. Some even began to wonder, even if Naoki was still Naoki with unlimited Mana, would he also be unable to face Vortigern?

And at this moment—

*CRACK!*

A sound like something being squeezed and crushed echoed from far to near in everyone’s ears. And along with this sound, the Throne Room began to collapse. Even the entire Camelot City and the land began to crumble.

The range of the Cursed Worm’s influence had extended here. Perhaps it would only take a few more tens of minutes to swallow all of Britain?

Gritting his teeth, Naoki immediately waved his hand—

*SWOOSH!*

A dazzling white light instantly shone from the ground, enveloping everyone. And after that white light disappeared, the entire Throne Room suddenly became empty!

Vortigern frowned: “Displacement Magecraft? Using this trick to send everyone away in a situation where space is completely chaotic, it can only be said to be worthy of a Fairy King who can grasp the surrounding situation at any time. It seems you are not affected at all.”

“Then, are you staying here alone to die?”

The last sentence, Vortigern directed at the only person in front of her.

Naoki used spatial exchange to send everyone away, their destination being the southern tip of the Island of Britain, perhaps the last place to be swallowed by the Cursed Worm.

While he himself did not leave.

“There’s less than ten minutes left before the Cursed Worm completely swallows this island. You sending them all away is just pointless. Although the time of their death might be slightly different, you will all die here together.”

“They won’t die...”

Naoki gripped the Holy Sword tightly.

“I once witnessed their death, witnessed everyone’s departure once. At that time, I couldn’t intervene at all, so I watched them die. But this time is different. I stand here personally. So I will not let them die.”

“Ten minutes—this last time, is enough to kill you.”

*BOOM!*

As those words fell, the Cursed Worm swallowed the entire Camelot City.