To Become a King and a Magician 756-760

Title: The Things Roman Wants to Do

Main Control Room.

Three hours remain until the second day of Chaldea’s internal time.

As the only person on duty in the control room, Roman massaged his eyes after completing part of the analysis of the Grand Temple of Time.

“Tired?”

Sheba’s voice came from behind Roman. Then, Roman felt her body pressing against him from behind.

The two hadn’t had much intimate contact like this in their lives, but now, it was a perfectly normal interaction between them. Roman had fully grown accustomed to Sheba’s presence, from initial panic to now.

“No, just a habit of resting my eyes.”

“Want to go back to your room?” Sheba asked.

Roman shook his head: “I’ve held on this far; let me hold on until the end. Once everything’s over, I’ll definitely rest to my heart’s content.”

(Once everything’s over, huh…)

Sheba looked at the Grand Temple of Time data on the screen: “Do you have any countermeasures? If it’s you, for the Magecraft you created yourself, you must have a way to deal with it.”

Sheba knew about Solomon, and she knew about Goetia.

Goetia’s true form was actually a magical ritual created by Solomon—the Human Order Correction Ritual: Goetia.

It was a system designed to more effectively advance the correct path, a Magecraft with consciousness.

Though called a Beast and Demon God King, at its core, Goetia was fundamentally a magical ritual. So, as its creator, Roman must know how to handle it.

“No.” Roman gave a bitter smile. “No, more accurately, I know Goetia’s one weakness, but I have no way to act on it.”

As he said this, Roman removed his glove, revealing ten empty fingers.

The Human Order Correction Ritual: Goetia, as a collective consciousness of the Seventy-Two Demon God Pillars, existed as a magical ritual created by Solomon during his lifetime. If Solomon’s power and existence completely vanished, its power would also weaken significantly, from an invincible Beast to an existence that could be defeated.

And Roman could do that.

In mythology, before his death, Solomon returned nine of the ten omnipotent rings he received from heaven and cast the remaining one into the distant future. Thus, the first Noble Phantasm of King Solomon was born.

—[The Time of Parting Has Come, He Is the One Who Lets Go of the World (Ars Nova)]

A farewell poem that relinquishes all the great achievements, miracles, and magic he had manifested thus far.

As long as this Noble Phantasm was activated, the blessings Solomon received from God would be returned to heaven, and he would lose his eyes to see the world (Clairvoyance).

The effect would be Solomon’s death. All traces of him would vanish completely, even his existence in the Throne of Heroes would cease to exist.

Solomon’s death would mean the self-destruction of the seventy-two Demon Gods. As the collective consciousness of the seventy-two Demon Gods, Goetia would naturally suffer an equivalent impact, losing its immortality and most of its power.

This was the trump card Roman originally held, the only trump card he had as a Grand Caster to counter Beast I.

But that trump card was no longer in his hands.

“Natsukawa, he knew I had this trump card, and he also knew I would use my first Noble Phantasm when everything was over. Maybe he learned something from the Root, or maybe he saw something at the Root. He didn’t want me to die, so he took my ring ten years ago.”

“So, even though I know how to target Goetia’s weakness, I can’t do anything about it. I can only watch from here.”

Ten hours from now, after sending Fujimaru and the others to the Grand Temple of Time via Rayshift and retrieving them after the battle ended—that’s when Roman’s duties would be fully complete.

He had fought for ten years; he could finally rest in peace.

Picking up his coffee cup and taking a sip, Roman stared at the black liquid in the cup. His thoughts slowly drifted back to ten years ago, gradually recalling his experiences over those ten years.

When he became human, he saw the future of the Human Order Incineration. Since then, he had fought tirelessly to resolve this situation. Without Magic Circuits, without Clairvoyance, he, who had lost all his power, could only study desperately, could only do what he could with all his might.

It was an incredibly tough past. Looking back, Roman found it a bit hard to believe—that he had actually managed to persevere until now.

(Well, that’s also thanks to Natsukawa. Occasionally, he’d come to bother me, using his own way to ease my stress…)

In this regard, Roman was deeply grateful to Naoki.

In other aspects as well.

For Roman, over these ten years as an ordinary human, his greatest benefactor and best friend was Naoki.

After everything was over, he would have to thank him properly.

Seeing Roman suddenly fall silent, Sheba reached out from behind and hugged her king: “This is better for you too… By the way, what will you do after this?”

“Who knows? Why are you already thinking about what comes after the battle when the final battle hasn’t even started? You’re too optimistic.”

“Because it’s impossible to lose.” Sheba laughed. “So, isn’t it better to think about the future? What’s your plan after this?”

“After this…”

Roman looked up at the ceiling: “For starters… sleep well. Then, I’ll travel the world, see the things I didn’t have time to see over these ten years, until I end this life as an ordinary human.”

This was Roman’s only thought, and also the wish he had held since ten years ago—he hoped to become human for this purpose.

“Alright, break time’s over.”

Finishing his coffee, Roman slapped his cheeks: “Whether crying or laughing, this is truly the final battle. As Chaldea’s current technical chief, I have to ensure the pre-battle preparations are perfect.”

“Go for it, I’ll cheer you on from here.”

“No… How about helping me a bit too~~~”

Time remaining until the operation begins.

Five hours and thirty-two minutes.

-

Title: I Will Defeat You, Solomon

Chaldea Time.

December 31, 2015.

Exactly twelve noon.

In Da Vinci’s private workshop.

“Ugh…”

Emerging from the Mystic Code changing booth, Ritsuka looked at her current appearance in the mirror.

Outside her usual Chaldea uniform, a layer of black armor covered her from her arms down to below her chest, complete with leg guards. Previously, every time she headed to a new Singularity, Ritsuka would receive a new Mystic Code from Da Vinci and Touko.

This time was no different.

The only difference from before was…

“I feel like this Mystic Code’s function is more oriented toward—”

“Yes, its function leans more toward combat.”

Da Vinci leaned against the table, smiling as she explained: “After all, this battle is different from the usual. We’re the ones attacking, so even though you’re a Master, you need to have a certain level of combat ability.”

As she spoke, Da Vinci turned off the room’s lights and projected a holographic screen between them.

“I’ll briefly explain the effects of this Mystic Code.”

“As usual, aside from physical protection and Magic Resistance, the Mystic Code has three types of Magecraft embedded. One is Reinforcement Magecraft, and another is Healing Magecraft. You’ve used both frequently, so I won’t elaborate further.”

Reinforcement Magecraft, Healing Magecraft.

These were the Magecrafts Ritsuka used most often. She employed them almost every time she supported Mash in battle.

“And the third one?”

“That’s offensive Magecraft. As I mentioned earlier, this Mystic Code will give you a certain level of combat ability, and the reason lies in the third embedded Magecraft—Magic Cannon.”

The holographic screen between them shifted, displaying a simple design in front of Ritsuka.

Da Vinci explained: “In simple terms, it’s a spell that gathers, compresses, and then releases Mana in a directed manner—You’ve also been training in long-range shooting. This is the combat style most suitable for you.”

“By the way, its prototype comes from the Fifth True Magic. After all, when it comes to Magic Cannon, no one in this world is more skilled than her.”

(A Magic Cannon like Aoko-san’s?)

Ritsuka had witnessed it multiple times and was deeply impressed by its power.

“I can use a Magic Cannon like that?”

“Yes, though there’s a limit to the number of uses, its power is guaranteed to match the original.” Da Vinci pursed her lips. “The allowed number of uses is ten. Essentially, one finger per use—To ensure its power, this Mystic Code will use your general nerves as a Magic Circuit. After absorbing enough Mana, the spell will be released from your fingertips.”

“So that means, every time it’s used, one finger will be damaged?”

Looking at her hands, Ritsuka slightly clenched her fists.

“Exactly. After all, I’ve never truly studied Magecraft. To produce a Magic Cannon as powerful as Aoko-san’s, there has to be a price.”

“It’s only for a last resort.” Da Vinci said after a moment’s hesitation. “According to Natsukawa’s battle plan, you and Mash won’t be facing Goetia. You’ll be dealing with the Demon God Pillars. There are many others fighting alongside you. In truth, you shouldn’t need to use all ten Magic Cannons.”

“If possible, I hope you won’t need to use them at all.”

“I understand. Thanks, Da Vinci-chan.” Ritsuka smiled. “By the way, where’s Touko-san? Why don’t I see her?”

(Trying to change the topic casually?)

Da Vinci sighed and went along with Ritsuka’s attitude: “She went to sleep. We designed and crafted this Mystic Code from scratch in one day. We’re exhausted. So is Crane.”

“Thank you so much, Da Vinci-chan. You all have worked so hard over the past six months.”

“If you want to thank us, come back alive.” Da Vinci smiled. “Come back alive with everyone, then throw a grand party to celebrate our final victory.”

That was the most appropriate way to show gratitude right now.

Ritsuka nodded seriously: “I’ll do it—Well then, it’s almost time. I need to head to the control room to prepare for the operation. See you, Da Vinci-chan.”

“Yeah, see you.”

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

A few minutes later, Control Room.

When Ritsuka arrived, the others were already there.

Hinako, Xiang Yu, Mash, Naoki.

“Took you long enough. You’re late, Fujimaru.” Hinako glared at Ritsuka slightly.

“Only a dozen seconds late. Don’t be too hard on Fujimaru, Senior Hinako.” Naoki said with a smile, looking at Ritsuka. “Fujimaru, that’s… a new Mystic Code, huh. Looks like you’re ready too.”

“Then, let’s begin the final pre-battle briefing.”

As the Head of Chaldea’s Operations Department, the overall person in charge of stopping the Human Order Incineration and executing the Restoration of the Human Foundation, in these final moments, Naoki, for the first time, gave an official speech as the supreme commander.

“Now, Chaldea officially commences the assault operation on the Final Singularity: Solomon.”

“The operation personnel are as follows.”

“Demon God Pillar Assault Group—Fujimaru Ritsuka, Mash Kyrielight, Akuta Hinako, Xiang Yu, Sajyou Rei, Sajyou Ayaka, Atalanta, Okita Souji, Artoria, Mordred, Ciel, Angelica, Merry, Gray, Arcueid.”

“The fifteen people above, upon arriving at the Grand Temple of Time via Rayshift, will begin the assault operation against the Demon God Pillars. Personnel who don’t require Rayshift will be directly led by me, Natsukawa Naoki, via Spatial Transfer.”

The total number of Demon God Pillars is seventy-two. To face them with just fifteen people was, frankly, like moths flying into a flame. Even though Arcueid alone could hold off half, the remaining thirty-six Demon God Pillars were still difficult to contain.

But it had to be done.

If they weren’t confronted, human civilization would have no future.

“Then, the Demon God King Assault Group—Natsukawa Naoki, Aozaki Aoko.”

“The two above, upon arriving at the Grand Temple of Time, will head directly to the temple’s central area and engage in combat with the Demon God King.”

One of the five Magicians in the world and the third-generation wielder of the Holy Sword of the Stars, inheriting Excalibur.

This was the most suitable and strongest force Chaldea could provide to face the Demon God King.

“The mission objectives are just two points.”

Naoki looked at everyone present, glanced at Roman beside him, and spoke earnestly.

“Win, and come back alive.”

“READY!!”

Everyone responded with spirited shouts.

And after watching the three operation personnel head to the Coffins (Rayshift pods) to prepare for Rayshift, Roman looked at Naoki, who was also preparing to depart to gather the other personnel.

“Sorry, Natsukawa.”

“What do you mean?”

“That… no, never mind—Go. Go and end the battle we couldn’t settle ten years ago.”

In Roman’s eyes, Naoki turned slightly and gave him a faint smile.

“Yeah, this time it will end, and I will win.”

“I will truly defeat you, Caster—Solomon.”

-

Title: The Final Battle Begins

The final Rayshift proceeded smoothly.

As the light faded from their eyes, they felt their feet touch the ground.

Ritsuka glanced to the side and saw Mash and Hinako standing beside her as usual. Next to Hinako, Xiang Yu had also canceled his Spiritualization, manifesting his physical form.

Everyone had gathered.

Shifting her gaze, Ritsuka looked around.

“This is… the Grand Temple of Time?”

What she saw was a space that felt like it existed in the universe.

Like a scene captured by an astronaut’s photo from the moon, the sky was pitch black, devoid of light. Surrounding them were mountains made of countless rocks of various shapes, even stone bridges suspended in the air.

In the air, an immense Mana that even Ritsuka could sense filled every corner, creating an overwhelming sense of oppression and burden, as if all the sins of the planet itself had gathered here, making it hard to breathe.

【You are currently in the outer area of the Temple of Time.】

Roman’s communication came through from Chaldea.

【Natsukawa and the others still need two minutes to rendezvous with you. Don’t act rashly until then.】

“Got it, Doctor.”

In this operation, Ritsuka and the other three were not the main attackers, so there was no need to rush forward. They just had to wait for the main force to arrive before moving.

However, at that moment—

A sound like a boiling kettle suddenly echoed around the four of them. Immediately after, a black mist resembling a dark avalanche swirled at an astonishing speed, approaching from the distance, from all directions!

【Confirmed high-intensity Mana reaction and high-intensity Spiritron reaction! The category is… Demon God Pillar!】

Roman quickly provided the analysis results.

Facing the swirling black mist approaching, Mash immediately stepped in front of everyone, raising her round shield and holding it forward!

*ROAR!*

A powerful rumbling sound erupted outside the shield, and a fierce gust of wind swept around them.

Raising her hand to shield herself from the oncoming gale, Ritsuka widened her eyes and looked ahead. At that moment, an unexpected figure appeared in her view.

It was a man wearing a green cloak and a tall round hat, holding a staff in his hand, looking like an astute scholar.

Everyone present recognized him.

“Lev Lainur Flauros.”

Ritsuka called out his name.

The Demon God Pillar, previously defeated by Jeanne Alter and Aoko in the First Singularity, the traitor of Chaldea, now appeared in the path of the four.

“I must say, it’s surprising you made it this far.”

Lev looked at the four with a contemptuous gaze.

“Although due to my carelessness, I did fall to you back then, I truly didn’t expect you to be so persistent. You even broke through all seven Singularities and finally reached here.”

“Truly astonishing.”

Despite his words, there wasn’t much surprise in Lev’s tone. His disdain and mockery didn’t diminish in the slightest.

To him, to the seventy-two Demon Gods, and to Goetia, Chaldea’s resistance was merely the struggle of insects, just a tiny crack appearing in the final stage of an already completed plan.

If they hadn’t reached this point, the Demon Gods wouldn’t have paid any attention to Chaldea at all.

Even now, in this situation, the Demon Gods’ indifference toward Chaldea remained unchanged. Compared to their immense power, Chaldea’s resistance was utterly insignificant!

Thus—

“Your path ends here. Beyond this point is no longer an area you can tread.”

“The remnants of human civilization, the relics of the old era, Chaldea—you end here!”

Lev forcefully slammed his staff into the ground.

*ROAR!*

The ground around them split open from below. Jet-black Demon God Pillars, covered in countless red cross-shaped eyes, shot into the sky.

And immediately after, as if triggering a chain reaction, one Demon God Pillar after another rose from the ground, appearing before Ritsuka and the others, as if piercing the clouds.

“Come, my brothers!”

“Come, my kin!”

“Now is the time for us to reveal our true forms and the full scope of our grandeur!”

Lev stood on the ground, spreading his arms and shouting loudly.

“The foolish opposers have arrived!”

“The annoying survivors have invaded our Holy Land!”

“It is time for us to eradicate these bothersome existences for our King and offer the final fireworks for our grand achievement!”

Lev declared.

Behind him, countless Demon God Pillars writhed and roared, as if responding to Lev’s actions.

【Total number of Demon God Pillars: nine! Additionally, Demon God Pillar activity reactions are continuously appearing in other outer areas of the Temple of Time, totaling seventy-two Pillars—all Demon God Pillars have emerged!】

Even without Roman’s explanation, Ritsuka and the others could grasp the current situation.

Seventy-two Demon God Pillars, each with power so immense that it required more than one top-tier Servant to counter. In past Singularities, just one Pillar had forced Ritsuka and the others to exert their full strength to defeat it.

And now, seventy-two Pillars had appeared.

The gap in combat power could no longer be described as “vast” and that wasn’t all. Based on the concept that the Seventy-Two Demon Gods were a single entity, unless they were destroyed entirely, eliminating one or two Pillars was utterly meaningless.

They would maintain the number of seventy-two Pillars based on the concept of the Seventy-Two Demon Gods, never decreasing.

In other words, no matter how many times they were killed, they wouldn’t die.

Such a malevolent existence, combined with their immortality and indestructibility, was truly a nightmare.

“You have no chance of winning, Chaldea.”

Lev looked down on everything.

“Stand there and accept your death.”

As Lev’s words concluded, the eyes on the nine Demon God Pillars that had surrounded the four began to glow. Destructive light, burning like stars in the sky, filled everyone’s vision.

With this attack, everything would end.

No matter how strong Mash’s shield was, it could only protect one direction. But now, the attack was coming from all three hundred sixty degrees.

Ritsuka and the others had nowhere to escape!

Yet, facing such a situation, there wasn’t the slightest hint of nervousness on Ritsuka’s face. Instead, she displayed a confident smile.

“This won’t end.”

“We won’t fall here, and we will definitely defeat you, reclaiming our future!”

“EXACTLY—!”

As if responding to Ritsuka’s declaration, an angry shout rang out from the far end of the space!

The next second—

*WHOOSH!*

A tearing sound, accompanied by a golden flash, ripped through the space! It swept across the surface of every Demon God Pillar surrounding Ritsuka and the others! Under this flash, all nine Demon God Pillars were simultaneously sliced in two!

Lev immediately glared angrily at the source of the light: “You’ve come? Natsukawa Naoki!”

“Long time no see, Lev—but sorry, I don’t have time to waste on you!”

In the air, carrying Aozaki Aoko, Naoki, transformed into a flash of light, looked at Ritsuka and the others: “I’ll leave this part to you, Fujimaru, Mash, Hinako, Xiang Yu. The others will join you soon. Aoko and I are heading straight to the temple’s center!”

“Straight to the center? Don’t even think about it! Our sacred ground isn’t a place you ants can tread!”

Realizing what Naoki and Aoko intended to do, Lev immediately swung his staff. From its tip, a roaring shockwave struck toward Naoki at high speed!

But before it could hit, dozens of light arrows were suddenly shot from the distance, intercepting the shockwave in midair.

*BAM!*

Beside Ritsuka and the others, Atalanta descended from the air, manifesting in her Servant form after so long, holding her bow and staring at Lev.

“I won’t let you interfere with them, Demon God—Get ready, Ritsuka.”

“Yes! Sensei!”

-

Title: Facing the Final Enemy

The Nine Pillars Governing the Smelting Furnace—Zepar, Botis, Baccin, Saleos, Purson, Morax, Ipos, Aim, Naberius.

The Nine Pillars Governing the Information Space—Orias, Vapula, Zagan, Valac, Andras, Andrealphus, Cimeries, Amdusias, Flauros.

The Nine Pillars Governing the Observatory—Glasya-Labolas, Bune, Ronove, Beliar, Astarte, Foras, Asmoday, Gaap, Forneus.

The Nine Pillars Governing the Control Tower—Barbatos, Paimon, Buer, Gusion, Sitri, Beleth, Leraje, Eligos, Gamygyn.

The Nine Pillars Governing the Armory—Halphas, Furfur, Phoenix, Marchosias, Stolas, Malphas, Raum, Focalor, Vepar.

The Nine Pillars Governing the Reconnaissance Star—Amon, Baal, Agares, Vassago, Gamygyn (distinct from the previous one), Marbas, Valefor, Alloces, Orobas.

The Nine Pillars Governing the Life Clinic—Shax, Vine, Haures, Bifrons, Haagenti, Crocell, Forcalor, Balam, Spenak.

And the Nine Pillars Governing the Disposal Pit—Mammon, Gremory, Ose, Amy, Belial, Decarabia, Seere, Dantalion, Andromalius.

The Seventy-Two Demon God Pillars.

This entire entity was now divided into eight groups, surrounding the outer area of the Grand Temple of Time.

“So many.”

Flying in the air alongside Naoki, Aoko looked down at the flames of battle already raging below.

“Are they okay?”

“Of course, they’ll be fine. Who do you think they are?”

Naoki also looked at the battle flames below, laughing.

Though slightly delayed, he had indeed brought Rei and the others, who couldn’t arrive via Rayshift, to this place. Even though there were only fifteen of them in total, Naoki didn’t feel they would lose to these seventy-two Demon God Pillars at all.

Moreover, the number of people who could come to fight wasn’t just fifteen.

For example, the nine Pillars of the Reconnaissance Star, which were Artoria and Mordred’s responsibility. Though only the two of them arrived there, because Artoria, the King of Knights, was present, once she called, the Knights of the Round Table would surely reassemble at her side, fighting together against the Demon Gods destroying human civilization.

The same applied to other areas. Even on the distant horizon—

*SWISH!* *SWISH!* *SWISH!*

One meteor after another suddenly streaked from the other side of the horizon.

Aoko frowned: “Those are?”

“Servants who fought shoulder-to-shoulder with Fujimaru in the seven Singularities. In this final battle, for the bonds of friendship forged and the shared goal of protecting human civilization, they’ve voluntarily come from the Throne of Heroes.”

As Naoki said, the many meteors crossing the Imaginary Space were Servants rushing from the Throne of Heroes.

Unlike Naoki, Ritsuka was a true friend who had traversed the seven Singularities and formed bonds with many Servants. Naoki hadn’t fully understood or experienced this friendship yet, which led these Servants to voluntarily lend their aid.

(Such a moving scene… I’m finally witnessing it with my own eyes.)

A meteor shower from the highest heavens.

This time, Naoki finally saw this scene in person.

“Naoki, ahead.”

Aoko reminded him at that moment. Naoki looked forward and saw a glowing gate standing on a platform before them.

“Beyond that is our battlefield. This is our final battle—Let’s go, Aoko.”

“Yeah!”

Their flight speed accelerated.

A golden flash dove into the glowing gate leading to the temple’s center!

In an instant, a sensation of entering an underground tunnel surged forth. Naoki and Aoko felt as if they had entered an endless tunnel of light.

This was a Spatial Fault.

Naoki, who often leaped through space and frequently used Displacement Magecraft to swap spaces, knew exactly where they were.

The distance was about one kilometer—an seemingly infinite Spatial Fault, but its size wouldn’t exceed reality. The Grand Temple of Time was indeed that vast. Naoki had already measured the distance between the central area and himself.

Accelerate, keep accelerating. The final one-kilometer distance to the central area was crossed by Naoki in an instant.

As the two emerged from the tunnel of light, an extraordinary space unfolded before Naoki and Aoko’s eyes.

Above was an infinite sky, below was a vast grassy plain like an ocean, and around them floated fragments of shattered rock peaks.

In the sky, beautiful yet dangerous ribbons of light drifted, radiating a transcendent and serene aura. Within those ribbons, the sky had somehow transformed into a starry expanse, as if swallowing the entire universe.

Moreover, at the center of this hall, a throne stood tall, rising like a pristine white mountain. In front of it, grand white stairs connected to it, giving the impression that one could ascend straight to the blue sky and enter the ribbons of light floating above the throne.

This was the center of the Grand Temple of Time, the Throne of King Solomon.

Landing on the grassy plain with Aoko, Naoki looked up at the throne—on that pristine throne, a figure very familiar to him was seated.

Naoki stared at him, and the other stared back. Their gazes met calmly in the air between them.

Then…

“How long are you going to sit there? And how long are you going to wear that skin?”

Naoki sneered.

“Get down from there and take off that corpse you’re wearing. I’ve been looking at it for ten years, and I’m sick of it.”

Hearing Naoki’s words, which could be called arrogant, Solomon, seated on the throne, slowly rose. Flames began to burn across his body, as if incinerating his outer shell, gradually consuming his appearance.

After that, a figure also very familiar to Naoki appeared.

It was a strange creature.

The creature resembled a large man with bulging muscles and coarse, beastly limbs, terrifying in its ferocity.

Its head was human-like with neat facial features, but it had thick, branching antlers like a stag. Both its arms were covered in countless eyes, and even on its chest was a single glowing red eye, evoking horror.

This monstrous creature, about twice the height of a person, appeared before Naoki and Aoko amidst the flames.

At the same time—

*BUZZ!*

The entire space suddenly trembled!

With the appearance of the monster on the throne, an immensely malevolent Mana erupted from its body, enveloping the entire temple in an instant!

The sky was dyed black.

The grassy plain was dyed black.

The floating rock fragments shattered further.

One by one, Demon God Pillars rose from all directions, like the roots of an ancient tree intertwining, surrounding the entire space.

The central hall, once like paradise and a fairytale land, instantly transformed into a terrifying post-apocalyptic scene!

Bathed in the torrent of malevolent Mana, the giant monster—Demon God King Goetia—stared at Naoki and Aoko below the stairs.

“Quite an extravagant appearance. You’re really trying to show off your strength. Should I give you a round of applause?” Naoki said with a laugh. “But—I don’t think we need pleasantries like this.”

“Goetia.”

Excalibur was already gripped in his hand.

His enemy was one of the Seven Evils of Humanity, Beast I, Goetia.

A great calamity threatening the human world and the primate world. If this was his enemy, the planetary enhancement Naoki would receive was surely on par with when he faced Tiamat!

*ZING!*

A silver light radiated from Naoki. Knightly armor appeared on his body.

This wasn’t Summoning Magecraft; it was merely the manifestation of Naoki’s power as the Wielder of the Holy Sword of the Stars.

“Let’s settle this, Goetia!”

Excalibur pointed at the Beast before him.

“The battle that paused ten years ago—now let’s determine the true victor!”

-

Title: The Fifth Magic That Saves the World

Solomon and Naoki had faced each other ten years ago.

Goetia knew this.

It was also the only battle between the two, during the Holy Grail War fought to claim the Holy Grail, where both, determined to win, clashed with all their might.

The result of the battle was a draw—at least, that’s how it appeared to outsiders.

But in reality, everyone who witnessed the fight knew full well that the battle was undoubtedly Naoki’s victory. Though no winner was ultimately declared, the balance of victory clearly tilted in his favor.

Yet, just a few steps from victory, both stopped fighting together.

The reason was singular.

To join forces in facing the Human Order Incineration that would occur in the future.

Everything that happened in the Holy Grail War ten years ago was known to Goetia.

Thus, he also understood the meaning behind Naoki’s words.

Naoki’s purpose in coming here, to this throne, wasn’t just to stop the Human Order Incineration. That was only part of the reason. Beyond that, there was another motive, and for him, that other motive was the more significant point.

*TAP!* *TAP!* *TAP!*

Stepping down the stairs one by one, Goetia stared at Naoki: “Pathetic, pitiful, lamentable—The strongest weapon born on this planet, the starlight that saves the world, its heir is actually a selfish person with no intention of saving the world.”

“You possess the power to save the world but lack the will to do so.”

“As I said six months ago, I’ll say it again: A savior incapable of saving the world—your sword has no chance of touching our noble ideals.”

“Fighting you is meaningless, a mere waste of time—Step aside.”

*CRACKLE!*

As Goetia’s words ended, the ground beneath Naoki’s feet exploded. Amid the deafening roar, the silver figure vanished from his spot with lightning speed!

A moment later…

*BAM!*

A punch strong enough to shatter a mountain peak landed on Goetia’s chest, sending him crashing back onto the throne with a single blow!

Shaking his hand, Naoki glanced coldly at Goetia.

“Arrogant, aren’t you, Goetia? Who are you saying can’t save the world? Believe it or not, I’ll tear you apart.”

“My ideas and will to save the world may not be pure, but at the very least, when it comes to *I will save the world*, I’ve never had the slightest doubt.”

Ten years ago, from the moment he decided to inherit Excalibur from Gaia and Alaya, Naoki had made this resolve.

Whether it was his personal desires or the world he needed to save.

He would accomplish both.

Rising from the shattered throne, Goetia glanced at Naoki from the corner of his eye: “Selfish, greedy, insatiable desires… Truly ugly. The flaws of humanity are well-displayed and even amplified in you.”

“Say what you want. I’m well aware of who I am—Let’s begin, Aoko.”

Hearing Naoki’s voice, Aoko steadied herself, as agreed.

“—Declaration—”

“!”

Instantly, Goetia’s facial features twitched.

(This is the chant before the use of the Fifth Magic!)

Goetia wasn’t entirely ignorant of the Fifth Magic. After all, in a certain sense, the Human Order Incineration he had planned for three thousand years followed a process similar to the Fifth Magic.

The essence of the Human Order Incineration was to use all of human civilization as fuel, converting the entirety of human history into thermal energy, accelerating and binding it—The total Mana generated in the end, condensed into a massive ribbon of light, was even sufficient to support a long reverse journey through time.

Returning from the present to forty-six billion years ago, to the moment the planet was born, reshaping the planet from scratch, creating a perfect world.

—[Reversed River/Genesis Light Year]

The miracle Goetia sought to achieve through the Human Order Incineration could be summarized by this term.

And this was also something the Fifth Magic could accomplish.

Why was the Fifth Magic being used here? No, why didn’t Goetia realize Aoko would use the Fifth Magic? She was merely an ordinary human Magician; her combat strength certainly couldn’t compare to Goetia or Naoki. The existence of True Magic was the only reason she could be here!

She came here specifically to use her magic!

But why? What did she intend to do with her magic? What goal did she aim to achieve with it?

(No, no need to think about her goal. Just destroy her before her magic is complete.)

No matter how great the miracle her magic could achieve, Aoko, the one casting it, was just a fragile human.

A single attack would be enough to annihilate her!

*WHOOSH!*

Goetia’s massive body displayed a speed utterly incongruous with his form, diving sharply from the throne like a meteor crashing toward Aoko!

But just as he moved, Naoki moved in sync!

*SWOOSH!*

Excalibur’s slash surged forward, its radiant blade flooding like a torrent, shattering the space in front of Goetia. A massive crack appeared in the temple’s ground, splitting the entire temple in two.

Goetia’s advance paused for a moment. His arms, unable to retract in time, were completely destroyed in the flood of light. And immediately after, Naoki’s sword slashed downward!

*BANG!*

Fist and sword collided, astonishingly producing the sound of metal clashing against metal. And clearly, with the planet’s blessing, Naoki’s unmatched strength, even against Goetia, pushed him back to his original position with a single strike!

The planet adjusts the power granted to its fairies based on the strength of their enemies.

Naoki, at this moment, was just like he was in the Seventh Singularity, possessing the power to suppress Goetia single-handedly!

“Don’t interrupt her.”

Naoki smiled at Goetia.

“My Aoko is working on saving the world. Can you not bother her and give her a bit more time?”

“Wielder of the Holy Sword—”

Feelings of anger and discomfort arose in Goetia’s heart.

Mana surged. Immensely malevolent Mana overflowed from Goetia’s body. The red eyes scattered across his form simultaneously glowed with a deep crimson light!

Beams of light, like a storm, shot out from those countless eyes in the next second! Aiming at Naoki and Aoko like a meteor shower!

“Alright, bring it on—!”

Without the slightest fear, Naoki swung his sword, cutting through the massive curtain of light!

The Wielder of the Holy Sword of the Stars, who saves the world.

One of the Evils of Humanity, who destroys the world.

The battle between the two officially began at this moment.

*BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*

The center of the Temple of Time erupted with unprecedented roars!