To Become a King and a Magician 866-870

Title: The Man Who Toys with Women’s Hearts

While Ritsuka and the others were discussing how to confront Naoki.

On Artoria Caster’s side.

Time rewinds slightly to a few minutes earlier.

—Pilgrimage

Hearing Aurora mention this, Artoria Caster was slightly surprised and then shook her head: “No, I didn’t come for a pilgrimage... Why does Aunt Aurora think I came to start a pilgrimage?”

“Just a hunch. A few years ago, when I went to the Mirror Clan, I also discussed this with the Head of the Ainsel Clan.”

Aurora said.

“If Your Highness wishes to begin the pilgrimage, I believe any Clan would open the doors of the Great Cathedral for you, and lead you to the Bell Room to ring the bell.”

“Ahaha... Really? The Clan Heads think like that...”

Artoria Caster spoke without conviction.

Pilgrimage.

It was one of the missions of the Fairy of Paradise that she had known from the beginning.

Salisbury, Oxford, the Ruins of Albion Dragon, Orkney, Gloucester, Norwich.

She had to go to these six cities, ring the bells in each of those six cities, which were the embodiments of the Clan Heads, make the fairies realize the original sin inherited from their Ancestors, and guide them toward atonement for their sins.

This was something she had known since her birth, and over the past sixteen years, Naoki and Morgan had also discussed this with her several times.

<If you want to do the pilgrimage, then do it. We won’t stop you.>

<Just remember one thing. Whether you do the pilgrimage or not, the end of this Island of Britain will not change. The only result of the pilgrimage you do is to make your own power stronger, and bring you closer to self-destruction.>

Those were the words of Naoki and Morgan to her at that time.

Indeed, with the current state of Britain, even if she did the pilgrimage, nothing would change, it wouldn’t affect the current situation. So, she didn’t need to do the pilgrimage. Although it was a mission ingrained since her birth, it didn’t mean she had to carry it out.

Morgan, whose relationship with her was akin to that of sisters, was an example.

She had done the pilgrimage multiple times, but hadn’t completed her second mission. This showed that the Fairy of Paradise mission had no compulsion; she was free to choose whether to carry it out or not.

If she gave up, it would only give birth to another Fairy of Paradise, and no one would blame her.

Thinking of this, Artoria Caster let out a slight sigh and said seriously: “I appreciate the good intentions of Uncle and the Clan Head Aunties, but I have no intention of doing the pilgrimage now... I think my life right now is already very good, and I like it.”

Her close older sister Baobhan Sith, the reliable knight Barghest who was both Master and sister, and Melusine who turned out to be cute in some aspects.

Plus her Father and Mother who were cold on the outside but warm on the inside, as well as the friends she had just met, Ritsuka and Mash.

Artoria Caster truly felt that her current life didn’t need to be changed, didn’t need to do anything. The pilgrimage was completely unimportant; she greatly enjoyed the current situation.

“I see... Hmm, if that’s your thinking, I won’t say much more.” Aurora smiled. “In that case, pretend I never brought up this matter. The door to the Bell Room will also be closed, and will only be reopened when Your Highness wishes to go.”

“Yes, that’s good. Thank you for your understanding, Aunt Aurora.”

After saying that, Artoria Caster stood up.

“Then I’ll take my leave. It seems it’s time for me to join Ritsuka and the others.”

“Alright, take care on the road.”

After waving to Artoria the bright smile on Aurora’s face slightly dimmed. She closed her eyes on the spot for a few minutes before opening them again, and gently touched the small pair of earrings she wore on her ears.

Then—

*BZZTTT!*

Her consciousness was swallowed by a wave. Aurora’s body immediately trembled violently several times, her cheeks showing a slightly unnatural red flush. Immediately after, the surroundings slightly changed, bringing her consciousness to a space covered by a semi-transparent dome.

A faint thud like a knock sounded above her head. Aurora looked up, then immediately knelt on the ground: “Your Highness.”

“I’ve told you, I’m not your Highness, just his imitation.”

At the restaurant counter, Naoki Number Two looked at Aurora, whose consciousness was projected into the crystal ball in his hand via the Mystic Code he had given her: “Have you finished talking with Artoria? How did it go?”

“As Your Highness expected, Her Royal Highness the Princess has no plans to start the pilgrimage.”

“I figured as much. After all, I have a few tricks when it comes to taming. After raising her for sixteen years, it’s no wonder Artoria has thoughts like that.” Naoki Number Two propped his chin while laughing. “So, what should we do now? If she doesn’t start the pilgrimage, that’s one less way to divert the original’s attention... Should we start a war like before? Mors could be utilized—Hmm, just do that.”

After mumbling to himself for a bit, Naoki Number Two looked toward Aurora in the crystal ball: “Aurora, can I book your time for one day in the future?”

“Eh? One day? May I know what for, Your Highness...?”

“Hmm... Consider it as repayment for your long-held hopes; I plan to take you on a one-day date—how does that sound?”

Naoki Number Two showed a very bright and gentle smile.

Hearing this invitation from Naoki Number Two, Aurora’s cheeks slightly flushed with embarrassment, then she nodded slowly: “I understand.......”

“Good. I’ll tell you the exact date later. Just that I’m not sure exactly when. It could be in the next two days, or one or two months from now. I’ll try to take you out as soon as possible.” Naoki Number Two smiled and said, “I’m really looking forward to it, you know. A date with you should be more enjoyable than the times with Morgan.”

“Ara ara~ Such words from Your Highness...”

Seeing Aurora’s reaction in the crystal ball, Naoki Number Two suppressed the nausea and disgust in his heart, smiled, waved his hand, and then cut off communication with her.

【You’re starting to learn how to toy with women’s hearts. You should indeed do that with an appearance as good as yours.】

(Don’t talk nonsense. This is also for our shared ideals. If I have to say... This is my true love for you. I’m just slightly taking advantage of other women’s kindness toward me along the way.)

Thinking that, Naoki Number Two stood up: “Alright, time to meet those I haven’t seen in a week. I hope this will be a pleasant reunion.”

-

Title: Artoria: It’s All the Holy Sword’s Fault

Another week passed after Merry and Naoki Number Two each completed their battle plans.

It had been three weeks since Ritsuka and Mash arrived in this Lostbelt.

In the past week, Ritsuka and the others in Salisbury had not encountered any more strange incidents. They enjoyed the week together with Artoria Caster, arranged by Coral and Aurora.

However, unlike their cheerful and enjoyable vacation life, some people far away in Camelot City were, in a certain sense, greatly tormented.

The reason was—

“I am stronger.”

“No, I am stronger!”

“Then let’s fight outside, even though the result is already certain.”

“Let’s go!”

Such conversations between Melusine and Arcueid occurred almost every day in the past week. The root of the problem was that Arcueid accidentally said she was the strongest, and it happened to be overheard by Melusine passing by.

As a result, the two immediately confronted each other.

On one side was the strongest dragon race, whose age was nearly as old as the Earth; on the other side was the strongest daughter of the True Ancestor. They couldn’t yield to each other with words, so in the end, to determine the winner, the two fought all out.

As for the results...

“How many times have they fought in the past week?”

Touko, sitting on the open terrace not far from the courtyard where Melusine and Arcueid were facing off, gazed at the two.

“Eight times, with one win and one loss, six draws.” Aoko bit into a biscuit she had just baked in the kitchen, speaking with a bit of frustration. “And those two wins and losses happened when they didn’t know each other well yet. After that, neither could defeat the other.”

“Then, it seems when we fight that kid later, someone will already be handling Melusine.”

Hearing her sister’s words, Aoko couldn’t help but glare at her slightly: “Why do you have to say it? Aren’t you afraid Naoki will hear it?”

Touko laughed: “Ah, do you really think we can hide it from him? How many times have we slipped up this week? He must have known for a long time.”

“Tch, you’re right.”

As Touko said, Aoko didn’t think their idea to stop Naoki could be hidden indefinitely. It must have been exposed by now, especially since some people weren’t tight-lipped.

However, even so, Naoki took no action, as if he approved of all their plans.

(He might be confident he can defeat us, no matter what we do... Though reluctant, the current him really can do it.)

Recalling the crushing defeat in the battle with Naoki two weeks ago, Aoko felt annoyed.

At that moment—

*BOOM!*

A loud explosion suddenly sounded from within Camelot City.

The two simultaneously looked toward the source of the sound, and after confirming it, they gave bitter smiles.

“The same over there?”

“It should be, right?”

Just like Melusine and Arcueid, in the direction the explosion came from, there were also people facing off, but not two individuals, rather two groups.

—Morgan and Baobhan Sith.

—Sajyou Rei and Sajyou Ayaka.

However, unlike the childish fights below, all four confronting each other were wearing aprons, and the room they were in was filled with a strong aroma of food.

“You’re really over the top, you vixen. Secretly telling your daughter to add spices to our cooking. Is that how a Queen acts?”

Rei stared at Morgan and Baobhan Sith with a very sharp gaze and a cynical smile.

“Aren’t you the same? It’s fine that you interfered with my fire’s temperature using Magecraft, but you even deliberately made the ingredients I was using rot. Only a doll would pull off such cheap tricks.”

Morgan retorted very firmly. Her already cold expression grew even colder by several degrees.

At the point where their gazes met, faint sparks of electricity could be seen.

As an observer, Ayaka watched the scene that had occurred multiple times in the past week and sighed wearily.

The four of them were now preparing lunch for Naoki and the others.

Originally, this was something Morgan did occasionally, but not long ago, when Morgan was preparing lunch for Naoki, she encountered Rei who had started preparing earlier.

Naturally, the two immediately clashed, but unlike the childish fights below, they didn’t fight; instead, they decided to determine the winner based on cooking skills.

It was fine at first, but when Baobhan Sith got involved and used a little trick to turn Rei’s cooking into something charred, this battle turned into a Dark Cooking Battle.

After glaring at Morgan for a while, Rei glanced at the clock on the wall and sneered: “Forget it. That’s enough for today. If we keep dragging this out, Master won’t have lunch—don’t interfere anymore after this.”

“That’s what I should say, doll.” Morgan also turned around and resumed preparing her cooking.

But—

“No need anymore, Big Sister.”

“Queen Mother, I think King Father is already done eating.”

Ayaka and Baobhan Sith said separately.

Rei and Morgan frowned.

“Why?”

“Because while you two were arguing, Miss Barghest already prepared lunch for Naoki and delivered it.”

Ayaka’s explanation left the two speechless.

(That giant!)

(Gawain... I need to have a good talk with her later.)

Seeing the two who looked slightly annoyed, Ayaka sighed helplessly. After removing her apron, she left the kitchen.

However, as she left, the small earring hanging from her ear suddenly glowed. After that, everyone, including herself, heard Merry’s voice.

【Ehem ehem ehem, though this is sudden, could you all state your body measurements? It’s urgent—no need for Artoria and Arcueid. I know your sizes definitely haven’t changed.】

Artoria, who was eating with Barghest and Naoki: “?”

Arcueid, who had just punched Melusine flying into the sky: “?”

Though they didn’t know why, both somehow felt a bit offended—they felt Merry’s second sentence implied something else.


-

Title: Who Are You Calling an Old Virgin?

“So...”

In one of the changing rooms in Camelot City.

One day after the sudden contact from Merry.

Looking at the clothes handed to her, Aoko frowned and stared at Merry’s projection placed in the middle of the floor: “You asked for our physical data yesterday just to ask Crane to help make clothes?”

【Yes, it will definitely fit perfectly. Try it on.】

“This...”

Hearing Merry say that, everyone was a little hesitant.

If it was just changing clothes, it wasn’t a big deal, especially since everyone here was women.

But the problem was...

“Why wedding dresses?”

Ayaka compared the clothes in her hand to the mirror. Although the style had been modified, what everyone was holding was undoubtedly a wedding dress.

Everyone here had to change into wedding dresses?

“Merry, what are you thinking?”

【Of course, to defeat Naoki.】

Merry laughed.

【In that case, let me briefly explain the effects of this Mystic Code in the form of a wedding dress. It will be the key tool to defeat Naoki later. Everyone, listen carefully.】

“Eh? Now?”

Atalanta pointed to the sky: “No need to worry about being overheard?”

“If the four of us set up a barrier, that’s enough—come help me, Ciel, Aoko, Ayaka.”

Touko said as she walked toward the door, drawing several Runes on the door. Ciel, Aoko, and Ayaka also helped draw Runes on the other three walls, together constructing a barrier specialized for sound isolation and surveillance.

【Okay, then let’s start explaining our battle plan.】

【As I just said, the key tool for this plan is the clothes in your hands—each piece is a very powerful defensive Mystic Code made by me, Crane, and Da Vinci-chan! Although it looks like there’s not much fabric, that’s the effect obtained by sacrificing part of the structure, in exchange for a huge increase in physical defense and magical defense.】

As Merry said, the fabric on the clothes handed to everyone wasn’t actually little, but it wasn’t much either. Especially for some people with good figures there, most of their chest or thigh areas were clearly visible.

Of course, there were exceptions.

“Why is mine a men’s suit...”

“Mine too...”

Looking at the black suits in their hands, Artoria and Mordred’s faces looked a bit ugly. Although they admitted that compared to some people there, they were indeed “poor” in terms of figure, but there was no need to give them men’s suits.

Atalanta, who was on par with them, got a women’s dress!

“By the way, why doesn’t Arcueid need one?”

“Eh?”

Called by her name, Arcueid was surprised, then snapped her fingers. The combination of a white shirt and black mini skirt on her body immediately transformed into a pure white dress: “Because I can change it myself, of course I don’t need one.”

【That’s how it is—by the way, after getting here, you must already understand what the clothes are for, right?】

“Hmm... Clothes with minimal fabric like this, plus to face Naoki...”

After thinking for a moment, Aoko realized one possibility: “Hey, Merry, don’t tell me... you’re planning to use the beauty trap on Naoki?”

“!”

Hearing Aoko say that, everyone present was immediately startled. And Merry smiled and nodded.

【Bingo! Your answer is correct. All of you wear the wedding dresses you’ve always dreamed of and seduce Naoki properly. For those who don’t know how to seduce, I have a complete guide to seductive poses. Interested in seeing it, huh.】

“See what!?”

Mordred immediately kicked toward Merry’s head: “Which brain nerve snapped for you to come up with such a dirty idea!? Give a serious method, damn it!!”

“Y-y-yes, exactly!” Ritsuka, whose face was flushed, started stuttering, “And why do Mash and I have to wear them too? We don’t have the same relationship as you all with the Department Head. We don’t need to participate, right?”

【No, no, no. In this plan, Ritsuka and Mash are the most important. You two must participate—after all, Mash is our strongest defense, and Ritsuka is the temporary Master personally chosen by Goetia. You absolutely cannot sit this out.】

“Defense... there will be a fight?”

【Why wouldn’t there be a fight?】

Merry laughed.

【There are two purposes for why I prepared wedding dresses for you. One of them is to slightly satisfy the old virgin desires in your hearts that desperately want to get married—】

“Who are you calling an old virgin, damn it!”

“We’re all still young!”

“If you’re going to say it, you’re the oldest one here!”

The women whose ages were approaching thirty or even forty reflexively retorted, especially since being called old virgins by someone over a thousand years old... that was clearly an insult and a disgrace.

【Why are you overreacting like that? Or do you not want to wear them?】

“This...”

“We didn’t say that.”

“We’re not against the wedding dresses themselves.”

【Then, it’s settled? I considered your feelings, that’s why the model was set to wedding dresses. If you don’t wear them this time, you’ll have to wait a few more years to wear them at an official event.】

“.......”

Everyone fell silent for a moment, then Artoria asked: “Then? What should we do after putting on these clothes? The beauty trap... do we have to seduce the Master?”

【Just distract him—the goal for everyone except Ritsuka and Mash is only one, which is to divert Naoki’s attention, making him focus entirely on you all wearing wedding dresses and looking very beautiful.】

【With that, we can buy time for Naoki Number Two.】

“Eh? Buy time?”

Ritsuka was a little confused: “We don’t need to fight the Department Head?”

【Of course we do, but the point is there. The chance of us fighting here isn’t high. Even if it happens, with the wedding dresses on your bodies, plus Mash and Ritsuka-chan, escaping won’t be a problem.】

【As long as Naoki Number Two succeeds—after all, I think he doesn’t place hopes on us either, so we don’t need to take it too seriously. Just leave that matter to him. You can treat this as a wedding simulation.】

【Besides, if we’re really going to get married after this, we’ll still have to wait a few more years.】

-

Title: Beautiful?

A few dozen minutes later.

Throne Room.

Seeing Aoko’s group, numbering over a dozen people, who suddenly came looking for him, Naoki lightly rubbed his temple: “What are you all doing?”

“N-no, nothing. We just came to show you this.”

Even though she was already an aunt over forty years old, Aoko couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed. After all, wearing such a skimpy wedding dress in an empty room like this... her skin wasn’t thick enough to stay calm in a situation like this.

“If you don’t mind, could you tell us your impressions after seeing all our wedding dresses one by one?”

“I-I also beg you, Brother...”

“So why do Mash and I have to...”

“...”

Just like Aoko, basically everyone looked embarrassed with flushed cheeks, as they were challenging the limits of their shame. Only Artoria, Mordred, and Arcueid appeared normal.

After all, two of them were wearing men’s suits, and Arcueid had changed her own clothes, so there was no bad humor from Merry on her.

“.......”

Naoki truly didn’t know what to say.

If it had to be said—actually, since earlier, he had already sensed waves of killing intent around him, and it was killing intent so strong that it seemed to want to pierce him to death.

“I say... Morgan.”

“What’s wrong?”

A voice as cold as an ice storm sounded in Naoki’s ear.

It was clear that Morgan’s mood right now was extremely bad—after all, she was now Naoki’s one and only wife and lover. The two had been together as husband and wife for over two thousand years, without ever having any discord.

But now, these vixens from Proper Human History had come before her, wearing those inappropriate wedding dresses to seduce her own husband...

(How bold!)

Did they think because she hadn’t shown too much majesty, they could openly provoke her as the First Wife? If so, Morgan felt the need to make these clueless little girls realize who the legitimate wife was.

As for Naoki...

“Beautiful?” Morgan asked seriously, “The style of the wedding dress seems like the one you like. Beautiful?”

“I think it’s not as beautiful as the one you wore two thousand years ago.”

Naoki looked into Morgan’s eyes very seriously and answered.

These weren’t sweet words spoken under the impulse of survival instinct, though there was a bit of reason, but more based on his feelings toward Morgan.

After all, they had been husband and wife for over two thousand years. He had to side with his wife in this matter. Moreover, he had passed the age where he would easily be swayed by women. Both his mental state and will were very firm.

So—

*SNAP!*

Accompanied by Naoki’s finger snap, a towel appeared simultaneously on everyone’s bodies, wrapping up those wearing wedding dresses one by one.

“Though I think you came to see me in clothes like this must have some other intention, unfortunately, whatever your intentions, using beauty to shake me is useless—let me guess, it was Merry who incited you to do this.”

“Uh!”

“It’s immediately obvious...”

“Sister Merry, where illusion Magecraft?”

Hearing Naoki directly name Merry, Aoko and the others showed a bit of helplessness.

Naoki smiled bitterly: “Even without reading minds, I can guess it was her who did it. After all, only she would do something like this—it’s best not to do things like this again in the future. I’m no longer the person you love, and I won’t marry you in the future, so...”

【Okay, everyone, attention! Right now, smash that bastard’s mouth on the throne until it’s shattered!】

Merry’s loud shout suddenly cut off Naoki’s words.

Immediately after, Arcueid took the lead, arriving right in front of the throne, and swung a fist toward Naoki!

*BAM!*

An invisible barrier blocked in front of Arcueid’s fist.

Naoki pushed that space slightly, sending Arcueid back to her original position, then said: “No need to get this angry, and no need to feel dissatisfied. Wait until I erase your memories and send you back to Proper Human History, you can—“

“Merry, I think it’s best not to use the beauty trap. How about we just smash him directly?” Aoko said, placing her hand at the edge of her wedding dress, ready to tear the skirt at any moment so she could move.

Even though she had heard it once before, hearing Naoki say he wanted to part with them again, Aoko still couldn’t quite control herself.

In this regard, the others were the same.

But—

“Forget about the others... Seeing Arcueid defeated by me every day for the past two weeks, you should know the difference in strength. Even so, you still want to fight me?”

Naoki looked at everyone who was eager to try: “Well, if you want to fight, I won’t refuse. Come on, all of you together—“

*BZZZZT!*

As Naoki was speaking halfway, a faint vibration sound suddenly came from the direction of the large platform at the deepest part of the Throne Room.

And as if sensing something, Naoki and Morgan’s expressions immediately turned serious.

“Morgan, this feeling...”

“Invaded. No mistake. The barrier we set around the Great Hole has—“

At this point, Morgan immediately looked toward Aoko and the others in front, her brow furrowing for a moment before immediately turning cold: “So that’s it... you came to stall for time—I’ll settle with you later. Naoki.”

“I know.”

In the confusion of Aoko and the others, Naoki and Morgan held each other’s hands. The throne beneath them slowly emitted a blinding pale golden light, transforming into a beam of light that shot straight up toward the Great Hole outside the city.

Then...

*BZZZZT!*

A magic circle large enough to cover the entire Great Hole spread out in the air. And immediately after, countless lights gathered in that magic circle, forming a massive golden-white light spear visible to the naked eye!

Light like the sun descended from above the Great Hole.

“Ritual activated.”

“Spiritual Dress of the Closed Soul, Holy Lance Rhongomyniad, release anchor.”

Naoki and Morgan declared so.

As their voices ended, that massive golden-white light spear descended from the sky! Directly striking into the Great Hole!

*BOOMMM!*

-

Title: Reunion After Two Thousand Four Hundred Years

The Holy Lance, Rhongomyniad.

The weapon used by Artoria in Proper Human History, which serves as an anchor supporting the outer world, is now displayed in magical form before everyone’s eyes.

A spear of golden-white light, as if piercing space itself, fell from the sky. As if intending to penetrate and destroy the earth, the spear struck straight into the Great Hole in front of the main gate of the royal city!

Besides Morgan and Naoki, everyone was stunned.

“That’s... the Holy Lance?”

Gray touched the cage she always carried. She had also performed the release of the Holy Lance, but compared to when she released it, the Holy Lance now presented before her eyes, both in terms of power and scale, far surpassed hers!

Even though it was supposed to be just a replica reproduced through Magecraft.

And again...

“Why did he suddenly use the Holy Lance?”

Aoko looked at the golden-white light outside that shone and did not disappear for a long time.

Why did Morgan and Naoki use the Holy Lance now? Could Cernunnos, sleeping within the Great Hole, be showing signs of awakening? But that monster had been asleep for twelve thousand years, it couldn’t possibly suddenly awaken now?

And Morgan’s words just now...

“Invasion? Barrier?”

Ritsuka thought of these two words: “The barrier set up by the Department Head and Lady Morgan around the Great Hole was destroyed by someone, causing Cernunnos to awaken... That must be it.”

“That’s the only possibility. The problem is, who did it?”

Sitting on the throne and listening to the people below talk, Morgan and Naoki exchanged glances, then Morgan asked coldly: “You... do you truly know nothing? About the insect that destroyed the Great Hole’s barrier.”

“Why do you think we know?” Aoko retorted, “And you said we came to stall for time... Don’t tell me you think we’re colluding with someone outside?”

“Is there any other possibility besides that?”

Morgan said coldly.

Indeed, looking at the current situation, that was the only possibility. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be such a coincidence. Daring to interfere with the barrier from outside precisely when Aoko and the others came to interfere with their wedding dresses, this was not something that could be resolved with the word coincidence.

But...

“They genuinely don’t know.”

Naoki explained for them before Aoko could defend herself: “I have confirmed it by reading their minds. Not a single one of them knew that someone would attack the barrier from outside just now—perhaps they themselves were also kept in the dark, or perhaps it truly has nothing to do with them. In short, at least currently, they have no connection to the situation outside.”

“Since you said it, I’ll take it as such.”

After a moment of silence, Morgan sighed slightly.

“More importantly, how is Cernunnos? That attack should have caused him great damage. It should be enough to make him fall back asleep.”

“From the analysis results, the Holy Lance attack damaged 20% of the divine body. And as usual, regeneration is complete. The concentration of the curse is decreasing normally. In another ten minutes, it should return to its original level.”

Naoki repeated the analysis results.

The results were not much different from usual. The analysis obtained after gathering fairies every year and using squeezed Mana to bombard Cernunnos was almost the same as now. The only difference was that the bombardment time was earlier this time, wasting some of the Mana stored in the throne.

“So, it has been suppressed normally.”

“Yes, so far everything is normal. Rest assured.”

Naoki’s words slightly eased Morgan’s serious expression.

The Three Calamities prophesied to destroy Britain. The Calamity of Beasts and the Calamity of Fire were always well-controlled by the two of them, but only the Calamity of Curses, represented by Cernunnos, was always Morgan’s concern.

She needed Cernunnos’s divine body to continuously suppress the Cursed Worm, but she also couldn’t let him awaken and spread curses across Britain. To be honest, handling him was very troublesome. Bombarding him once a year like this was merely a temporary solution.

However, just as Morgan let out a sigh of relief...

“Eh?”

Naoki’s sudden voice made her forehead furrow.

“What’s wrong, Naoki?”

“No... This value...”

Naoki’s eyes were fixed on the analysis results. Although the values were normal before, now, the analysis results made him unconsciously fall silent and surprised, eventually becoming shocked and serious.

The reason was simple.

Because in the analysis results, the value representing Cernunnos’s physical activity level continuously surged, and along with this surge, the curse concentration also rapidly increased!

At the same time—

*RUMBLE!*

Like the earth beginning to tremble, or like space constantly rubbing and pressing.

A muffled, ear-piercing, and oppressive tremor sound suddenly came from outside the city!

Aoko and the others unconsciously covered their ears.

“What is that sound?”

“So piercing... and it sounds sickening...”

“And it also carries Mana pressure and pollution... Ugh!”

Touko, Ciel, and Ayaka, who were pure mages, were the first to feel the anomaly caused by this tremor. Their magic circuits now felt like they were burning with fire. The sharp pain made all three of their foreheads crease!

This was a rejection reaction.

Mana in the air was polluted and rejected because it didn’t match their personal magic circuits.

*CRACK!*

After glancing at the three, Naoki immediately locked them back into crystal cages, shrinking them to palm size, then handed them to Aoko: “Take them away, Aoko. And you too, everyone leave this place. Put up barriers to protect yourselves from the curse.”

“Then, Morgan, find Artoria Caster, Baobhan Sith, Barghest, and Melusine. All of you go into the garden to protect yourselves. Do not come out without my command. Let only me remain in the royal city. I will handle everything that is about to happen.”

“.......”

There was no answer.

Morgan merely looked at the side of Naoki’s face, then instantly disappeared from the throne with spatial displacement.

Meanwhile, below, after putting away the crystals protecting Touko and the others, Aoko asked: “So... did something big happen, Naoki?”

“That’s none of your business. You just need to return to the room I prepared for you, and use all your means to protect yourselves. There’s a Magician and a True Ancestor there; it’s not a difficult thing.”

“Are you planning to handle everything alone again?” Aoko frowned, handing the crystal in her hand to Ritsuka: “Ritsuka, you take Touko and the others away. I will stay—“

Aoko hadn’t finished speaking, but she suddenly disappeared from her spot. Immediately after, before the others could say anything, they one by one disappeared from the Throne Room.

Within seconds, only Naoki remained in the Throne Room.

“Using Displacement Magecraft to move everyone?”

But, strangely, in the space that should have contained only himself, another voice suddenly sounded.

A voice almost exactly like his own.

Naoki looked at the space in front of him: “Come out. Don’t play riddles, Me.”

“Two thousand four hundred years without meeting.”

Walking out of the empty space, Naoki Number Two smiled and looked at his other self sitting on the throne.

“I have come to return something to you, the original.”