To Become a King and a Magician 791-795

Title: Start from That Side First

Amakusa Shirō has been annihilated.

The Heroic Spirit Swordsmen have been annihilated.

At the exact moment when everyone in Shimōsa Province was drawn to the light of the Red Moon, those who had brought so much tragedy to Shimōsa Province truly vanished.

Aside from Naoki, Musashi, and the others, no one witnessed their end.

The people of Shimōsa Province would never know that in their past, they had faced a great threat—that the land they lived in had once been on the verge of becoming a Demonic Realm (Makyo), and that the peaceful world they inhabited had once been at risk of turning into a deadly battlefield filled with corpses and seas of blood.

No one knew any of this.

Thus, no one knew who had stopped it all.

All people knew was that, for a brief period in the past, rumors circulated for some reason about something called Heroic Spirit Swordsmen—only a vague understanding of that.

As for the truth behind these rumors, whether Heroic Spirit Swordsmen truly existed, people had no idea.

This was a good thing.

In line with the Mage’s Association’s principle of always concealing mysteries, those living on the surface world didn’t need to know too much about the underside. Treating all supernatural phenomena as hallucinations, rumors, or post-dinner conversation topics was enough.

This was the best way to handle it.

However, not everyone could be fooled like that, so for people like them—

“You erased everyone’s memories?”

Shimōsa Province, outside Jōkamachi (Castle Town).

On a small hill overlooking Jōkamachi, Musashi looked at Naoki beside her with slight surprise.

“Why?”

“No need to keep such bad memories, right?”

Naoki explained.

For most common folk, everything that happened that night was like a dream. For the samurai who actually participated in the battle, it was a nightmarish night.

So, afterward, Naoki used memory-cleansing Magecraft, wiping the memories of everyone across Shimōsa Province and Jōkamachi.

“Part of the reason was also to align with Tsuchiura Castle.”

Tsuchiura Castle, which should have been destroyed by Moon Fall, now stood intact in its original place.

Of course, this was the result of Naoki restoring it with Imaginary Manifestation.

And since Tsuchiura Castle was restored, the residents’ memories needed adjustment too. Otherwise, in their memories, the castle was destroyed, and if that didn’t match reality, strange rumors might arise.

Combining both, Naoki decided to erase everyone’s memories entirely.

“Including Princess Kiyohime’s?” Musashi asked.

Naoki nodded. “I explained the situation to her. After that, her attitude toward me changed… How to put it—fear might be a more accurate description.”

“All this time, I’d shown her my White Knight Prince side, but that time, I showed my Strongest Warrior side. People feel awe toward those with great power, and Princess Kiyohime might have gone further, feeling fear.”

“So you erased her memory, huh… Well, though I’d like to call you a heartless man, given the situation, there was no other choice.” Musashi sighed. “Is this also why you have to leave Shimōsa Province?”

It was now three days after the battle with the Heroic Spirit Swordsmen ended.

The hill where Naoki, Musashi, and Tomoe stood was the border of Shimōsa Province. Crossing this hill would take them into Musashi Province.

“Actually, continuing to live there wouldn’t be a problem, right?”

“Maybe, but mainly because of you.” Naoki said. “I told you before—I have a lot of knowledge from the Root. The reason I knew the True Names of the Heroic Spirit Swordsmen from the start is because of that.”

“Similarly, I also know the original development path of this event.”

“If I weren’t here, you would fight the seven Heroic Spirit Swordsmen one by one, gradually increasing your strength through those battles until, after everything ended, you fought to exhaustion against the final enemy, reaching the Realm of Nothingness (Kū no Kyōchi), and becoming a Heroic Spirit.”

This was what Miyamoto Musashi was supposed to experience.

But now, due to Naoki’s intervention, Musashi had lost this opportunity for growth. Though her power had increased thanks to the Protection, the boundary she sought wasn’t getting any closer.

“Well, consider it me owing you. So, before we part ways, I’ll do my best to take you to various opponents to make up for the lost growth.”

“Ehh~~~~”

Musashi was slightly surprised, her cheeks flushing a bit.

(He’s leaving for my sake… Realm of Nothingness? The me who never met Naoki would have reached that boundary through this experience.)

A slight regret stirred in her heart.

Musashi was a very pure swordswoman. As long as it was to pursue the boundary in her heart, she didn’t really care about her life. But if she had to choose, compared to a boundary she wasn’t sure she could reach, Musashi currently felt that living was better.

After all, no one wants to die~~~

“By the way, Gozen.”

Naoki looked at Tomoe. “You… haven’t decided to end the contract with me—are you sure that’s okay? As far as I know, you’re not a Servant who likes lingering in the real world.”

“Yes, that’s true.” Tomoe nodded. “However, Gozen has received Naoki-sama’s kindness multiple times. The grace of saving my life several times in Uruk, and the grace of saving my life this time. Such great kindness—if I leave without repaying it, it would be extremely rude. Please allow me to continue following you until all kindness is repaid.”

“Isn’t that great?”

Musashi elbowed Naoki with a strange laugh. “I remember you liking Tomoe-dono? Isn’t this exactly what you wanted?”

Naoki smiled. “Of course I’m happy Gozen wants to stay by my side. But as a reminder, Gozen—if this continues, you might never fully repay it.”

“If that’s the case, I’ll continue accompanying you.” Tomoe laughed. “As long as you don’t mind Gozen’s presence.”

Mind?

How could he mind—Naoki was even overjoyed.

Seeing the smile on Naoki’s face, Musashi cleared her throat lightly. “Ahem! So, Naoki, where are we going next? Over the hill to Musashi Province?”

“We’re heading to Katori Shrine first.” Naoki said. “I have an appointment with someone there. I need to settle things there first.”

At Katori Shrine, there was still an unnamed swordsman who Musashi was supposed to fight.

After all, if he wanted to help Musashi reach the Realm of Nothingness, that opponent was unavoidable.

(In the end, everything has to start from there first.)

Naoki, thinking this, didn’t notice that the world behind the three of them had already begun visibly warping to the naked eye.

The next second—

*BLUB!*

A sensation of sinking into the ocean came from behind, instantly enveloping all three.

And then…

The Gap of the World welcomed three guests once more.

-

Title: Hello, I’m Aesc

Chaldea.

Two months had passed since the mission to search for Naoki by heading to the Lostbelts began.

In those two months, Chaldea had visited four Lostbelts in succession.

Russia, Nordic, China, India.

Since the primary goal was to find one person, Chaldea didn’t linger in each Lostbelt. After locating the local Lostbelt ruler and explaining their purpose, they generally received assistance to a certain extent.

At least that was the case in the Nordic and Chinese Lostbelts. These were the most relaxed Lostbelts Chaldea had experienced, with almost no combat.

Meanwhile, the Indian Lostbelt ended the fastest.

If asked why…

“Haaah~~~~”

As soon as the capsule opened, Ritsuka and Mash, who had successfully returned to Chaldea via reverse Rayshift, immediately lost control of their bodies and collapsed from the capsule.

Rei and Gray, waiting nearby, quickly supported them.

“Thank goodness…”

Seeing both return to the control room, Roman couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, looking as if he’d just survived a disaster.

And it wasn’t just him—everyone in the control room felt the same.

If asked why…

“I never expected the Indian Lostbelt to be like that. Truly eye-opening.” Merry said with an intrigued smile. “Witnessing the brutality of the Kurukshetra War, Arjuna, The Awarded Hero, decided to end all suffering in the world. He devoured all the Indian gods and became the sole omnipotent deity. To achieve a perfect world, he continuously cycled through reincarnation.”

“—Such a future exists too.”

In Indian mythology, there’s a concept called Yuga, essentially an age. There are four Yugas total, lasting 1,728,000 years, 1,296,000 years, 864,000 years, and 432,000 years respectively.

When all four Yugas are completed, the world finishes one cycle and returns to the earliest Yuga, beginning a new cycle.

This should be a natural process, but to achieve a perfect world, Arjuna, now an omnipotent god, artificially accelerated the reincarnation rate, continuously creating and destroying. In this process, he eliminated everything he deemed imperfect, unnecessary, or evil one by one.

He believed this would lead to the most perfect world, free of any suffering.

When Ritsuka and Mash arrived in that Lostbelt, they coincided with one of Arjuna’s creation-and-destruction reincarnation cycles. The omnipotent god’s power left them no time to focus on searching for anyone. They fled back to Chaldea less than a day after arriving.

That’s why both returned pale-faced, looking as if they’d barely escaped disaster.

“Omnipotent god Arjuna… No wonder that world became a Lostbelt. If it continued, the world itself would collapse from endless reincarnation. Truly no future at all—Ow, I really want to go there and experience it myself.”

Hearing Merry’s irritating words, Roman sighed wearily. “Don’t say that so casually, Merry… Anyway, this should confirm Natsukawa isn’t in this Lostbelt, right?”

This was a Lostbelt in constant reincarnation. Each cycle completely annihilated all existence within except Arjuna. Even someone as strong as Naoki couldn’t survive that.

Thus, like the three previous Lostbelts, the fourth contained no trace of Naoki.

“I see… Huh, which Lostbelt did he run off to? Our king is really good at escaping.”

Even Merry was slightly annoyed. Naoki had said he’d return on his own after a while, but over half a year had passed with no sign of it!

Don’t tell her he’s truly gotten too comfortable here and forgotten his home out there.

“Forget it—complain all you want, but the search continues. Immediately begin scouting and investigating the next transferable Lostbelt, King Solomon.”

“I told you not to call me that—it’s in the past.” Roman said with a tearful face.

The Human Order Incineration was already over—why was he still working overtime day and night here! He’d become human to experience a life he never had before. This kind of daily overtime life—he’d already experienced it continuously in a sense back then!

He wanted to go out and live freely!

(Natsukawa, remember this… When you return, just wait and see how I’ll collect all this overtime pay from you!)

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

At the same time.

In a faraway, unknown Lostbelt.

*BAM!*

With a loud crash, a meteor fell from the gray sky, creating a massive crater in the ground.

“Cough, cough, cough!”

Coughing, Naoki crawled out of the deep crater, brushing dust off his body. “Damn, which Lostbelt did I end up in now?”

Honestly, Naoki found Miyamoto Musashi’s physique truly bizarre. One second the three of them were walking through the forest, the next they were dragged into the World Gap because of it. When he regained awareness, he was already in freefall from the sky.

About three thousand meters up.

If he weren’t a fairy, Naoki might have died from the fall.

“By the way, where are Musashi and Gozen?”

Naoki looked around.

He remembered holding Tomoe and Musashi’s hands tightly, but now, within his sensing range, he couldn’t feel either. His contract link with Tomoe was also extremely faint, as if they were very far apart.

Not spatially, but…

“Hey! Over here, over here! Aesc!”

At that moment, a voice came from nearby. Naoki looked up and saw a small figure standing at the crater’s edge, waving behind her, as if calling someone.

Following the figure’s call, another person appeared at the edge.

Instantly, Naoki understood.

He knew which Lostbelt he’d arrived in and roughly where he was.

“Should I say long time no see? Or first time meeting?”

At the crater’s edge, a blonde girl holding a magic staff looked down at Naoki below.

“I’m Aesc.”

“I’ve been waiting for you, World Savior.”

-

Title: A 3600-Year Wait

Aesc.

Naoki knew this name.

It was merely the alias used by the first savior in the British Lostbelt.

Her true name was—

“Morgan.”

Naoki uttered the true name of the girl before him, who looked exactly like Artoria.

“Or should I call you Vivian?”

“Both are my names—call me whichever you like. I don’t mind at all.”

Gliding down into the crater, Aesc approached Naoki. “However, I hope that in public later—meaning when there’s a third party besides you and me present—please call me Aesc.”

This was the alias Aesc had used since she began walking the earth thousands of years ago. By now, it had become another of her true names.

“Still… As the knowledge I’ve obtained suggests, you really are someone who can see everything at a glance.”

“Obtained knowledge…”

Naoki frowned. “Could it be—”

“We’ll discuss that later. I hope this remains known only to you and me in this world. There’s a third party here who must not be told.”

As Aesc spoke, the small—or rather, extremely tiny—figure who had shouted from the crater’s edge earlier arrived beside them.

“Yo! You’re the guy Aesc has been waiting for? I’m Totorot—please guide me in the future!”

The girl, only about fifty centimeters tall, greeted him while her eyes scanned Naoki up and down. “Hmm… Didn’t notice from afar, but now… Aesc, doesn’t he look a bit like Uther?”

“No, he’s almost exactly like adult Uther, right?”

Uther?

Naoki raised an eyebrow. “Uh… Aesc, could this be…”

“That’s also something I’ll explain later. Sorry—I know you have many questions as a newcomer, but this isn’t the place to talk. My camp isn’t far. Let’s continue there.”

With that, Aesc waved her magic staff, levitating herself and flying out of the crater with Totorot.

Naoki followed suit.

(Aesc, Totorot, an Uther who looks like me… Did I really end up in this Lostbelt? And Morgan…)

In a short time, much information about his location flashed through Naoki’s mind.

“Hey, what are you doing? Not coming?”

From above, Totorot waved at Naoki.

Naoki lightly pushed off the ground, leaping from the bottom to their side. “Sorry, was thinking.”

“Then let’s go. The camp’s just ahead.”

Aesc pointed to the forest ahead.

After walking a short distance through the woods following Aesc, a flicker of fire pierced the trees and entered Naoki’s view. A simple camp was set up in a cleared forest glade. Three tents formed a circle. In the center burned a campfire, with skewered beast meat roasting outside. Beside the fire—

“Back already?”

“That was fast.”

A mountain-tall knight in black armor and a werewolf-like man sat on either side of the fire, greeting Aesc and Totorot. Their gazes then shifted to Naoki behind them.

“He is…”

The werewolf frowned. “Is he the one you’ve been waiting for, Aesc?”

Aesc nodded. “You could say that. He’s the one who can fulfill my wish—the one I’ve often mentioned. His name is…”

“Naoki.” Naoki said. “Natsukawa Naoki. Pleased to meet you.”

“Wryneck. And this iron lump is Hector.”

The werewolf, Wryneck, eyed Naoki as if he were an enemy. Though it was their first meeting, his tone was far from friendly. The black-armored knight, Hector, gave Naoki a slight nod.

Wryneck looked at Aesc. “Since you’ve found him, let’s head back. Londinium’s still busy, right?”

“No. It’s fine to return a bit late. I still have things to explain to Naoki. Please wait a little longer.” Aesc said, then opened the tent flap and entered. “Follow me, Naoki.”

“Hey—!”

Hearing Aesc would let Naoki enter the tent with her, Wryneck couldn’t hold back. But before he stood, Hector pressed his shoulder. “Calm down, Wryneck. Aesc knows what she’s doing.”

“Tch!”

After a frustrated snort, Wryneck sat back, glaring at Naoki. “Listen well, newcomer. If you dare lay a hand on Aesc, I’ll kill you immediately.”

“Only if you can kill me.”

With that retort, Naoki followed Aesc into the tent.

“Sorry—Wryneck is a bit exclusive.”

As soon as they entered, Aesc spoke to Naoki.

“He cooperates well in front of me, but for some reason, toward anyone else, he’s a little…”

“It’s fine, I don’t mind. I understand why he acts that way.”

Though their first meeting, Naoki somewhat grasped the werewolf Wryneck’s situation—he’d done similar things himself, so he understood perfectly.

Aesc frowned slightly. “I see. That’s good. Wryneck is someone I trust deeply, and you’re the one I’ve been waiting for. If possible, I hope you two can get along.”

“Well… that depends on him, right? I think his favorability toward me has already hit rock bottom.” Naoki gave a wry smile. “Anyway, can you explain now?”

“Please wait. I’ll set up a barrier.”

Aesc tapped the ground with her staff. A blue wave spread from the tip, instantly enveloping the tent in a thin light curtain.

“Done. I’ve set a soundproof barrier.”

“You’re really cautious. Aren’t you afraid I’ll do something bad?”

“You’re not the type.” Aesc said. “Though I only understand through a third-party perspective, I know you’re the one person in this world who absolutely won’t harm me and will absolutely be on my side.”

“I’ve been waiting for you for over 3600 years, Natsukawa Naoki.”

“Waiting for you—the one who can save Britain, save this world together with me.”

-

Title: Please Save This Britain with Me

Before beginning the explanation, let’s review the current situation of the Lostbelt where Naoki finds himself.

It all started fourteen thousand years ago, when an entity called the Harvester Star passed by Earth and dropped a Vanguard to destroy all civilizations on the planet.

That Vanguard was Sefar.

Its arrival nearly wiped out all existence on Earth. No god could stand against it. However, before it truly destroyed everything, someone wielding the Holy Sword forged by the planet defeated it.

That was Naoki’s predecessor, Arthur’s predecessor—the first Bearer of the Holy Sword.

This is the situation in Pan-Human History.

But in this Lostbelt, Sefar—who should have been defeated by the Holy Sword Bearer fourteen thousand years ago—was not defeated. This was because, at the critical moment, the six primordial fairies tasked with forging the Holy Sword slacked off instead of completing their work.

This fatal failure meant the Holy Sword wasn’t born in time. Sefar wasn’t defeated and destroyed everything on Earth.

This is the most fundamental cause of this Lostbelt’s birth after the initial destruction.

Afterward, the six primordial fairies lived alongside the Horned God of the Celts, Cernunnos, who had returned from the Inner Sea of the Star, and the human Magus he brought with him.

Cernunnos, returning from the Inner Sea of the Star, carried the mission to make the six fairies aware of their sins. Thus, he continually admonished them to reflect. At first, the fairies did reflect, but over time, they grew impatient. Living constantly in the sea, they began yearning for land.

So, they poisoned Cernunnos, used his corpse as land, killed the human Magus, used his body as material to create humans, and lived with the descendants they birthed.

This was the beginning of this Lostbelt’s revival after total destruction.

Setting aside the thousands of years that followed, the focus is on what happened around four thousand years BCE in Pan-Human History time.

Because the six primordial fairies committed an unforgivable original sin—and refused to acknowledge it—their descendants were also cursed and bore that sin.

To make the fairies aware of their sins, the Inner Sea of the Star—Avalon—sent a Paradise Fairy to Earth to save the sin-bearing fairies of Britain and urge them to repent.

That was Aesc, whose original name was Vivian.

The first place Aesc visited was the northernmost tip of the current British Lostbelt. A clan called the Rain Clan accepted her and let her spend a beautiful childhood. Upon learning the original sin committed by themselves and their ancestors, the entire clan expressed understanding and willingness to accept any punishment.

Thus, Aesc’s childhood was spent in a warm, happy environment, giving rise to a thought different from her mission—she dreamed not of completing the Paradise Fairy’s task, but of creating a Fairy Kingdom where anyone could live in peace.

But tragedy struck anyway. Since the Paradise Fairy bore the mission to make Britain’s fairies repent, the fairies naturally hated her. The Rain Clan didn’t tell other clans they had adopted the Paradise Fairy, so when the truth came out, the entire Rain Clan was annihilated.

Aesc was killed that day.

This is what should have happened in the early history—the first history that occurred in this Lostbelt.

But afterward—

“I from Pan-Human History came here.” Aesc explained.

“From the memories I obtained, I from Pan-Human History arrived using technology called Rayshift about two thousand four hundred years from now. She seemed to have prepared for this from the start and knew everything that happens in this world from the beginning.”

Naoki knew Aesc was talking about Morgan.

After the Seventh Singularity ended, Naoki never met Morgan again. She vanished from the world, as if evaporated.

(Now that I think about it, back then, Morgan had already left Pan-Human History and Rayshifted herself to this Lostbelt?)

As for why Morgan came here… Naoki didn’t know. But he had a slight clue about how she knew of this place.

It was probably Merry’s doing.

From Merry’s frequent dream visits, Naoki knew all his memories had been seen by her. In many ways, Merry knew him best in the world. She knew everything about him.

This naturally included what he knew about the British Lostbelt. After learning it, Merry might have copied those memories without his knowledge and given them to Morgan.

The reason she did it was most likely—no, definitely—just for fun.

Then, as Naoki suspected, Morgan came to this Lostbelt after the Seventh Singularity. With ten years, it wasn’t impossible for Morgan to find a way to the Lostbelt world.

“I received everything from my Pan-Human History self the night before the clan’s annihilation. She left two messages stored in memory.”

“One for me.”

Aesc paused, imitating Morgan’s tone as best she could.

“‘I in the Lostbelt, I am you in Pan-Human History. I know everything you’ve experienced, everything you will experience. You will walk a different path from mine—a thorny road filled with suffering and betrayal. May what I prepared for you over ten years ease your troubles a little.’”

Ten years.

Naoki noted the timeframe.

That was the estimated period Morgan and Mordred disappeared. So she spent those ten years preparing for her Lostbelt self?

“And one for you—or rather, introducing you to me.” Aesc continued. “‘Besides that, according to my preparations, he will surely arrive in your world one day. The Bearer of the Star’s Holy Sword who doesn’t exist in your world—the World Savior. Though the timing is uncertain, he will definitely come to your side. When that happens, please make your request to him.’”

“‘He is a man who won’t refuse. As long as it’s to save the world, he will surely fulfill your wish.’”

“—Those are the two messages left by my Pan-Human History self.”

At this point, Aesc’s face showed slight emotional turmoil. “That was over three thousand six hundred years ago… Since then, I’ve continued fighting to resolve the calamity while searching for you, continually awaiting your arrival.”

“And now, I have waited for you.”

The hope given three thousand six hundred years ago, the promise without real effect from that distant past, had finally become reality before Aesc.

“Natsukawa Naoki, Bearer of the Star’s Holy Sword who doesn’t exist in my world—please hear my request.”

“Please save this Britain, fated for destruction, together with me.”

“Please save this world, fated for destruction, together with me.”

-

Title: I Will Save Your World

Save this Britain.

Save this world of fairies.

Hearing the request from Aesc’s lips, Naoki’s first reaction was to refuse.

Over the past twenty years, he had forgotten much from before coming to this world—especially what Chaldea was supposed to experience. He had forgotten a lot.

But some parts he hadn’t.

Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia, the parting of humans and gods; Grand Time Temple: Solomon, ending the Human Order Incineration; and… this Fairy Nation, steeped in sin and despair.

Fairies cannot be saved.

Fairies deserve to die.

A classic example—if all fairies in the Fairy Nation were to be executed, killing them all might include the innocent, but sparing one would mean all the rest escape.

Thus, from the start, Naoki had no intention of saving this place. If he could, he’d drop Moon Fall on this sinful island repeatedly right now! With Imaginary Manifestation, he’d trigger an island-wide earthquake and sink it entirely!

That’s what he truly wanted.

But…

Before him stood someone who had waited 3,600 years, pleading from the depths of her heart to save this world.

“You already know, don’t you, Aesc?” Naoki said. “Your Pan-Human History self must have told you everything. If you choose to save this Britain, what will happen to you afterward—you must know.”

Aesc would die from the fairies’ habitual betrayal. Britain would be destroyed by their stupidity.

Aesc should already know all this.

“In such a situation, do you still want to save this Britain?”

“Yes.”

Aesc’s answer held no hesitation, no pause. She answered firmly.

Even knowing the fairies’ nature was hard to change, even knowing the future held only despair and her desired outcome would never come—she still wanted to do it.

Because she loved this Britain so deeply.

Her childhood was spent in the affection Britain showed her. Since then, she had fallen hopelessly in love with this island. Receiving memories from Pan-Human History Morgan only strengthened it.

Aesc understood Morgan’s obsession with the Isle of Britain. Aesc herself loved Britain dearly.

Thus, she had to protect this world she cherished.

For that, she needed Naoki’s power. She needed the strongest force that could resolve all difficulties with her, overcome all crises together, and directly crush any calamity they faced.

“Is it worth it?” Naoki continued. “Your sacrifice will yield nothing. The fairies won’t thank you. A Lostbelt is an abandoned world. Everything you do will ultimately be in vain.”

“—Do you truly believe this world deserves to be saved like this?”

“It’s worth it.”

Aesc nodded firmly.

This was the resolve she had upheld for 3,600 years. She had protected Britain for 3,600 years and would continue to do so.

Naoki fell silent for a long time. Aesc didn’t speak further.

She awaited his answer.

“I won’t protect this world.”

After a long pause, Naoki said so.

“Like Morgan, I knew from the start this world is utterly unnecessary and unworthy of salvation. My Holy Sword won’t swing for this world. It holds no value for me to fight for.”

“But you do.”

Like a knight, Naoki knelt on one knee and took Aesc’s hand. “Aesc, Morgan, Vivian. I respect you. I respect the resolve you’ve held for 3,600 years. I respect the conviction you still cling to despite knowing everything.”

“You’ve become a slave to this island, Aesc. To protect it, to protect this world, you’ve made yourself its slave. I won’t protect the world that enslaves you—but I will protect your world.”

“In the name of the Bearer of the Star’s Holy Sword, and with the Holy Sword in my hand, I swear to you here.”

“I will save the world you wish to save. I will protect the world you wish to protect. I will annihilate any existence that threatens it.”

“The hope in your heart—I will achieve it with you. Your 3,600-year wait—I will fulfill.”

Naoki’s mindset remained unchanged. He wouldn’t save this sinful world.

But since Aesc wanted to save it, Naoki would fight with all his might to save the entire world for her sake.

This time, the Bearer of the Star’s Holy Sword would swing his blade only to save one person’s world.

A gentle oath-kiss landed on the back of Aesc’s hand.

Naoki looked up into Aesc’s eyes, which gazed back at him.

(Exactly the same.)

Aesc’s knowledge of Naoki was limited to what her Pan-Human History self provided. This was Naoki and Aesc’s first meeting—and Aesc and Naoki’s first meeting.

Yet now, Naoki’s image in her eyes perfectly matched the one in her memories.

The World Savior she had awaited for 3,600 years had truly appeared before her, in her world.

“Thank you.”

Aesc said, cheeks and eyes slightly flushed.

“Thank you for accepting my request, Natsukawa Naoki.”

“Just Naoki.” Naoki stood with a smile. “We’ll be together for a long time. Full names are too formal. Call me Naoki. Likewise, I hope you’ll let me call you Morgan.”

“Alright.”

Aesc nodded. “Then, since we’re done, let’s go out. I need to tell them you’ve become our comrade too.”

With that, Aesc dispelled the soundproof barrier, opened the tent flap, and stepped out.

By the campfire, seeing Aesc emerge, Wryneck stood first. “Aesc! You’re okay… Why are your eyes red? Don’t tell me that bastard made you—”

“I’m fine, Wryneck.” Aesc shook her head and pulled Naoki before everyone.

“I’ll tell you one thing. I just reached an agreement with him. From now on, he’ll act as our comrade.”

Naoki smiled and nodded slightly. “Hello, everyone. I’m Naoki. Please take care of me.”

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

On a beach somewhere.

“Ugh… Haa!”

After struggling desperately to climb from the sea, Musashi knelt, coughed several times, then looked aside. “We finally swam ashore. Tomoe-dono, are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” Tomoe shook her head. “More importantly, we…”

Both gazed at the dense forest not far away.

“It seems we’ve arrived in yet another new world.”

Musashi sighed.