To Become a King and a Magician 736-740

Title: Someone I Will Definitely Protect

The rumbling that shook the heavens and earth continued for a long time.

Under the direct assault of two Crimson Moons, Tiamat’s Head Body on the sea’s surface had absolutely no time or chance to move before it was instantly swallowed by the deep crimson moonlight.

Most of the seawater evaporated from the heat carried by the Crimson Moon’s surface. The massive crater that formed even caused the surrounding seawater to flow back in, creating a gigantic whirlpool.

Observing the scene below from the air, Arcueid let out a slight sigh of relief: “With this... she’s defeated?”

“Generally, when you say something like that, she’s definitely not defeated yet.” Naoki gave a wry smile. “If she could be beaten that easily, I’d be laughing in my sleep. Like I said, that was just the Head Body. Tiamat’s true main body hasn’t appeared yet.”

“Ugh...”

Arcueid frowned.

As Naoki’s words faded, from within the churning whirlpool, a black shadow slowly rose and floated up from the ocean depths.

“AAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa—!!”

Tiamat’s singing voice, heard earlier, echoed through the skies once more.

The whirlpool, which had been swirling downward, stopped rotating. Then, as if pushed from below, it flowed upward toward the sky in the opposite direction. Once it reached the point where it could no longer continue, it burst explosively, revealing the Black Shadow that had propelled it.

In an instant, though he had known beforehand, upon truly witnessing the manifested existence before his eyes, Naoki’s heart couldn’t help but tremble, and he let out a bitter laugh.

(This is really like a joke...)

What floated up from the deep sea was a colossal figure towering into the sky.

“AAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa—!!”

The shrill singing voice, filled with cruelty and hatred, roared like a bellow from the giant’s maw.

Clouds, atmosphere, and ocean waves... everything was hurled aside by this roar, fully exposing the enormous size of its body to all eyes.

Both Naoki and Arcueid, who were very close, as well as Kingu and Rei on the shore, and even perhaps Uruk in the distant haze, could vaguely make out the silhouette of this gigantic existence.

This was the true Tiamat.

No longer the human-sized Head Body from before, but Tiamat’s main body—the true Mother Creator!

Its colossal size surpassed that of giants, standing at least several hundred meters tall. Its body structure was no longer the slender form of the young girl from earlier, but had become savage and malevolent, as if mutated into a monster. A pair of massive horns seemed capable of piercing the heavens.

Its pair of beautiful star-like eyes had also changed to blood-red, devoid of any emotion as before.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa—!!”

No longer a singing voice, this time what echoed across the heavens and earth was a true beastly roar and howl.

One of Humanity’s Evils, Beast II, had finally fully manifested for the first time.

“This is... the true Tiamat...”

For the first time in her life, Arcueid adopted an extremely serious demeanor.

No analysis was needed. Just by sensing it, she knew the giant before her was not on the same level as her at all. Though she was the Princess of True Ancestors, the Planet’s terminal, and a supernatural being capable of Imaginary Manifestation, in terms of scale of existence, she was nowhere comparable to Tiamat.

(No... I am comparable. I must be comparable.)

The Planet would grant a Fairy the appropriate power to suppress enemies in battle. This was a privilege for Fairies when facing foes they couldn’t normally defeat.

The stage where Arcueid currently stood was undoubtedly Earth. The Planet’s support continued to function, but seventy percent of the power she obtained from the Planet was used to suppress her bloodlust urges.

If she released it, she could indeed surpass Tiamat and suppress her in battle, but afterward, could her rampaging self truly recover? There was no Ryougi Shiki in this Singularity to help her kill her bloodlust.

And just as Arcueid hesitated—

“Arcueid!”

Naoki’s startled shout suddenly snapped her awareness back to reality. Seeing the black sea wave nearly touching her feet below, Arcueid hurriedly stepped on the wind beneath her and leaped high to Naoki’s higher position.

“Sorry, Naoki, I was a bit...”

“It’s fine as long as you’re okay.” Naoki grasped her hand. “Remember, Arcueid, that ocean absolutely cannot be touched. It will immediately alter our bodies at the cellular level, turning us into the same kind of existence as the Lahmu down there.”

“!”

A sense of relief from escaping danger suddenly welled up in Arcueid’s heart. If Naoki hadn’t reminded her, part of her might have already been modified by now?

After calming herself, Arcueid gazed at the gigantic Tiamat before her: “What do we do now? Naoki, we have to hold her back, right? But with a size like this... should we hit her with Moon Fall again?”

If they did, it might cause some impact—Arcueid wasn’t sure.

Naoki shook his head: “No, that would just waste our strength. Attack with our full power at the sea beneath her feet—her body is so massive that structurally, it can’t stand on its own power. This ocean is what’s supporting her forward movement.”

As long as the Sea of Life could be destroyed, Tiamat’s advance would halt, and time would be gained.

However, once the Sea of Life was eliminated, Tiamat certainly wouldn’t stay idle, and swarms of Lahmu would undoubtedly come to interfere.

“I will keep destroying the Sea of Life beneath her feet.”

Naoki gripped the Holy Star Sword.

“While I work to buy time, I entrust the task of protecting me to you, Arcueid. Whether it’s the Lahmu or Tiamat’s attacks, I definitely won’t have the chance to deal with them. I beg you.”

If Arcueid weren’t here, Naoki would have planned to entrust this to Rei. The pressure on Uruk might be a bit greater, but as long as Tiamat could be held back, it would be a victory.

And now, he decided to entrust it to Arcueid, whom he trusted more.

[I beg you.]

This was the first time Arcueid heard Naoki plead with her so earnestly.

“—I understand. I will definitely protect you completely, Naoki!”

Without hesitation, determination shone in Arcueid’s eyes.

-

Title: The World-Saving Sun, A Willful Rampage

Blocking the expansion of the Sea of Life with an ice mountain barrier.

This was done to protect Uruk and restrict Tiamat’s movements.

And now, Naoki would begin the second step of the plan to delay Tiamat—burning away the Sea of Life beneath her!

Under normal conditions, he certainly couldn’t do it, but now, with the support of Mana from the Planet itself, he definitely could. Plus the power of the Holy Star Sword in his hand...

(Holding Tiamat back here until Uruk’s preparations are complete.)

To achieve this goal, Naoki would use everything he currently had.

*CLANG!*

A Summon Magecraft ritual formation suddenly stretched out beneath Naoki’s feet!

The bright red magic formation emitted a dazzling red light, and red lightning that seemed to rampage continuously surged and flickered at the edges of the magic formation.

It was the manifestation of an enormous amount of Mana overflowing. The Mana Naoki used to execute Summon Magecraft was so vast that even a magic formation with a diameter of over a hundred meters couldn’t fully contain it.

The Sea of Life, the Returning Beast, the Enemy that Destroys Humanity—Enemy Factor confirmed, Factor reversed.

*BOOM!*

Blazing flames suddenly ignited in the magic formation, instantly transforming into a terrifying sea of fire!

*ROOOAAARRR!*

The roar of a dragon echoed through the sky. The blazing sea of fire gradually expanded, visibly forming the shape of a gigantic dragon swimming, spreading wings made of flames that covered the heavens.

The Concept of the Sun, the Holy Sword of the World Savior, the Red Dragon of Hope—Summoning Conditions confirmed!

Using the three above as intermediaries to fill the summoning concept! Constructing the summoning ritual!

“Open, the gate to the sea of stars!”

“Existence beyond the gate, come at my call! You are the Light of Hope that illuminates the earth, driving away darkness, cold, and death! And also the Star of Hope that saves the world and burns away all evil!”

The swimming red fire dragon, accompanied by a summoning like a divine prophecy, flapped its wings and soared high, then suddenly dove toward Naoki, who was right in the center of the summoning formation!

The dragon swallowed him in one gulp!

Its body coiled and transformed into a star like the sun!

The next second—

*BOOOOM!*

The Sun Star exploded!

A terrifying storm of fiery light swept through instantly. The environment, which had been chilled by the dark cloud-covered sky, suddenly surged in temperature as if inside a volcano!

And at the center of the storm.

Holding the Holy Sword glowing with light, emitting sunlight-like radiance over his entire body, Naoki, clad in shining golden armor, silently floated in the air.

Summon Magecraft · Pseudo-Star Spirit Summoning · Chain Concept Fairy Summoning—complete.

“Naoki?”

Arcueid’s eyes widened, staring at Naoki before her in astonishment.

She could understand what had happened in front of her, but precisely because she understood, she was so shocked.

(Forcibly confirming the Sun Fairy I imagined, synchronizing the world-saving concept onto himself, merging to form a Concept Fairy representing the Sun and World Salvation...)

This was the true identity of the Fairy now fused with Naoki.

In fact, rather than a Fairy, it was more accurate to call it a God!

Since ancient times, the sun has been regarded as a symbol of hope. When the sun rises, the darkness enveloping the earth recedes, and the evils hidden in the darkness also vanish—the brilliant sunlight illuminates every corner of the earth.

And it is humanity’s impression of the sun that drove the formation of Sun Gods in mythologies around the world. Though not all, most Sun Gods are positive deities. They battle evil gods, lead justice, and light.

Now, Naoki had imagined a Pseudo-Solar God from these impressions and legends himself, combined it with the world-saving concept, and summoned it into his body.

—The World-Saving Sun God.

This was truly an overly reckless act, nearly impossible even in theory. However, thanks to the support of the Planet itself right now, Naoki had succeeded in doing it quite powerfully.

If one day Naoki could become a Servant, then in this form, he would surely manifest in a Grand Class, because this was power truly sufficient to combat the greatest evil in the world.

“Release of the Thirteen Restrictions!”

Facing the colossal evil before him, Naoki, whose entire body was filled with dense divine properties, gripped the Holy Sword with both hands.

“【The World Salvation Verdict Begins】”

*CLANG!* *CLANG!* *CLANG!* *CLANG!* *CLANG!* *CLANG!* *CLANG!* *CLANG!* *CLANG!* *CLANG!* *CLANG!* *CLANG!*

The thirteen seals binding the Holy Sword were unlocked one by one. Countless stars of light gathered from all directions, forming a vortex that looked like both light and fire on the Holy Sword.

Then, targeting the Sea of Life beneath Tiamat, after glancing at Arcueid one last time, Naoki dove downward!

“Burn Away, Will of the World Savior.”

“This is the War to Save the World.”

The vortex of starlight and mirage fell like a heavenly fire meteor!

“Ex)—“

With the sun divinity and world salvation fully unleashed, Naoki shouted the True Name of the Noble Phantasm in his hand!

“—Calibur)!”

The Holy Sword slashed in one strike!

*BOOOOMMM!!!*

The world fell silent in an instant, but at the same time, it was struck by an unprecedented massive explosion.

Sunlight, which could only be safely observed from 150 million kilometers away, now filled the entire heavens and earth from an extremely close distance!

The extreme light directly robbed everyone’s five senses. Aside from vision filled with white light, all other senses couldn’t perceive anything!

The terrifying heat vaporized everything the light touched. The Sea of Life manifested by Tiamat’s Authority, the countless Lahmu, the seawater of the Persian Gulf... all of it vanished forever from the world under this divine attack like the fall of the sun.

What remained was the totally scorched continental bedrock, turned into a lava zone under super high temperatures, and the Sun standing on the earth like a god, right beneath the enlarged Tiamat.

“AAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa—!”

Tiamat let out a scream that seemed painful. The instant loss of footing caused her body to lose balance, compounded by the massive horns embedded in her head—

*THUD!*

The Mother Creator knelt on the ground for the first time, with all four limbs touching the earth!

The Sea of Life was burned away.

Tiamat’s body could no longer move!

Flying far in the air, gazing at the fallen Goddess, Kingu remained silent for a long time. Then, as if accepting his fate, he bowed toward Naoki with a tone full of admiration.

“Truly worthy of respect, my Master, for pushing Mother this far.”

“Indeed, our Master.”

Sitting atop the flying red dragon, Rei smiled: “However, even so, being able to do this is truly beyond my expectations. This might be a miracle that happens only once. Master probably won’t be able to use this power again in the future.”

Of course.

It was power that could only be used when facing humanity’s greatest enemy, and after receiving maximum support from the Planet itself. That power was in no way something that could belong to an individual.

“Now we just need to wait. Master will continue maintaining this output to suppress the reformation of the Sea of Life, until the Uruk side completes preparations for the war against Tiamat.”

“Can’t he eradicate her now?”

“Of course not.” Rei sighed. “Though I hate to admit it, but... that attack from Master probably didn’t cause any damage to Tiamat.”

Though the attack wasn’t aimed at Tiamat, its residual impact surely couldn’t be endured without injury. In theory, Tiamat, who was nearly at the center of the light, should have taken the most damage.

Yet in reality, as Rei said, Tiamat’s body was completely unharmed.

And not only that—

*CRACK!*

On the pair of horns atop Tiamat’s head, as if undergoing modification, the horns that previously had no additions now began sprouting protrusions one by one. Blue light spurted from them, and under Kingu and Rei’s frozen expressions, those horns gradually lifted Tiamat back to her feet! In fact, her feet lifted off the ground, and she began flying into the sky!

“Mother... is flying?”

“The Earth Goddess, who should never approach the sky, is now flying of her own volition?”

Rei’s face changed. She pulled the reins of the giant dragon beneath her and prepared to take flight—letting her fly would ruin Naoki’s plan to hold Tiamat back. She had to bring her down!

(But with my maximum output......)

*BANG!*

A deafening sonic boom rang out. Tiamat, who had just flown not too high, suddenly staggered backward without warning!

Rei and Kingu were stunned.

And the next second, accompanied by another loud boom, Tiamat staggered backward again!

This time, Rei saw it clearly.

It was Arcueid!

*BAM!*

Another punch landed on Tiamat’s head. Though it couldn’t cause damage, the blow truly worked on Tiamat! Making her body fall a little more!

This was not Arcueid’s previous power.

(Naoki is working hard. To suppress the Sea of Life, he has no extra energy left.)

(So...... how could I let you fly! Making Naoki’s efforts in vain!)

No need to hold back her power anymore. Let the bloodlust urge happen. Compared to herself eventually becoming a beast drowned in blood, Arcueid was more unwilling to fail her promise to Naoki right now!

(Let me bring you down!)

“Get back... on your knees!!”

With blood-red eyes, Arcueid roared as she delivered another punch!

-

Title: Preparing to Call for Cheat Backup

【Currently, at the center of the Persian Gulf, Natsukawa continues to unleash heat equivalent to the Holy Sword’s release, suppressing the formation of the Chaos Waves】

【At the same time, Arcueid is also exerting her full power to halt Tiamat’s movements. The Lahmu that have landed are continuously intercepted by Kingu and Sajyou】

In Uruk’s Ziggurat.

Through the magic formula attached to Ritsuka’s wrist, Gilgamesh was listening to a direct report from Chaldea.

【The ice mountain’s damage level is eight percent, and it has now stopped decreasing—theoretically, it’s estimated they can buy at most fifty hours】

Fifty hours.

Roughly aligning with the two days Naoki had mentioned earlier.

Gilgamesh glanced at the mirror standing beside him: “Considering the distance to the Persian Gulf, the actual arrival should be in four days. With this time, is it enough for you to move the Underworld? Ereshkigal.”

“Hmm, it’s... a bit tight.”

In the mirror, Ereshkigal in the Underworld nodded.

To complete preparations against Tiamat while Naoki held her back, everyone who could act in Uruk had mobilized, carrying out their tasks as quickly as possible.

This included requests for cooperation from the three goddesses.

Ishtar, Quetzalcoatl, Ereshkigal.

According to Merry, the three goddesses currently in Mesopotamia could play a sufficiently strong role in the battle against Tiamat.

Especially Ereshkigal.

Tiamat is the goddess of all life, born without the concept of death. As long as there is life on earth, Tiamat cannot be defeated.

However, in the Underworld, it’s different. The Underworld has no life. If the Underworld is moved to the path Tiamat must take, and a hole is made in the ground to drop her into the Underworld, Tiamat will become the only life in the Underworld, and her immortality will be lost.

Even if operating personnel need to enter, as long as they pass through Ereshkigal’s Authority, they won’t be considered living beings.

(That said, according to information from the Holy Sword Bearer, even in the Underworld, Tiamat won’t have the concept of death. At that point, we can at best only cause damage to her. To truly kill her... Grand Assassin?)

The Grand Class Servant, the only Grand Assassin, the Old Man of the Mountain.

Without him releasing his Grand Class to bestow the concept of Death upon Tiamat, it’s impossible to truly defeat her. But now, his whereabouts are completely unknown.

【King Gilgamesh!】

Ritsuka’s voice came through the magic formula.

【Negotiations with Quetzalcoatl are complete. Marduk’s Axe is also ready for transport, estimated to arrive in Uruk tomorrow】

Marduk’s Axe—that was the weapon used by the god Marduk, who in myth slit Tiamat’s throat. With this weapon, Tiamat’s power would surely weaken further.

Therefore, to retrieve this weapon stored in Eridu, Gilgamesh sent the Chaldea group led by Ritsuka to Eridu, while also hoping to use the opportunity to gain assistance from the Forest Goddess.

After Naoki and Tomoe visited the wilderness forest earlier, Quetzalcoatl temporarily halted her intent to attack Uruk. After all, her original intent wasn’t to destroy humanity. And now that Tiamat has manifested, as the pinnacle of Good Gods and the Chief God who loves humanity, she absolutely cannot sit idly by.

Ereshkigal’s agreement to move the Underworld was based on similar reasons.

(At least assistance from two Goddesses has been secured. What remains is.......)

Ishtar.

Honestly, this was the Goddess Gilgamesh was most reluctant to deal with. Though the Servant serving as her vessel this time was better than the original, at her core, she was still the foolish Goddess whose brain was filled with jewels and who loved causing trouble.

If not for considering her firepower output, Gilgamesh wouldn’t want to bring her along. Moreover, according to information from the Holy Sword Bearer, Ishtar had even lost the Heavenly Bull, and Merry and Merlin’s Clairvoyance substantially confirmed this.

Then what use was she?!

Only after Merry’s explanation did Gilgamesh accept the proposal to recruit her as well.

*BANG!*

At that very moment, accompanied by a loud noise, the ceiling above Gilgamesh’s head, who had just finished his conversation with Ritsuka, instantly exploded.

Tomoe and Merry immediately fell from the gap, and Ishtar also arrived at the Ziggurat riding Maanna: “Good, this way is much faster. Mother is almost attacking; if we walked, Uruk might be gone by now.”

“Good grief......”

Brushing dust off her body, Merry slightly bowed to Gilgamesh: “We’re back, King Gilgamesh. Goddess Ishtar has also agreed to help us against Goddess Tiamat.”

“The way you returned truly surprised this King.” Gilgamesh looked at Ishtar with an insincere smile. “It’s surprising to this King that a troublesome Goddess like you would comply so easily. How does it feel to be this King’s subordinate?”

“Hah? I’m not here to help you! Don’t get cocky, you arrogant bastard!”

Ishtar glared at Gilgamesh irritably: “It’s only because Merry begged me, plus this body has always been well-maintained by them, and even this child’s consciousness pleaded with me, that I reluctantly came to be your savior!”

“King Gilgamesh, actually I told her: If you help, I can waive half of your old debt and forgive the interest for a year.”

“Hey! Merry!!”

Seeing Merry mercilessly expose her facade, Ishtar immediately flushed with embarrassment and anger, about to unleash a wild attack on Merry with Maanna— what could she do, ever since hearing that half her debt could be canceled, the vessel body’s consciousness became extremely active, and as the possessing Servant, she truly couldn’t ignore it.

“Good work, Flower Mage. This King has also just finished negotiations with Ereshkigal, and good news has come from Fujimaru.”

“That means, the agreements with the three Goddesses are all settled?”

“Correct. Next, we just wait for Ereshkigal to move the Underworld to the path Tiamat must take, drop her into the Underworld, and the first stage of the battle will be complete.” Gilgamesh said, “The problem is the second stage.”

Grand Assassin, the Old Man of the Mountain.

Even with Merry and Merlin’s Clairvoyance, they couldn’t locate his presence in this Singularity. Thus, the conclusion is that the Counter Force hasn’t summoned him to manifest.

Without him, the strongest reinforcement who can bestow the concept of death, Tiamat cannot be killed, and the second stage of the battle cannot begin.

“Leave this one to me.”

Merry smiled: “I know someone who can do something similar. Though under normal circumstances he wouldn’t act, this time, I might be able to make him act once.”

“A respectable someone... Huh?”

Gilgamesh frowned.

A respectable someone who could do what only Grand Assassin could.......

“This King understands. Then, entrust this matter to you, Merry.”

“Four days remain before Tiamat arrives at Uruk. Ensure all preparations are complete before then!”

-

Title: Countdown to the Future

Japan, Mifune City, 2015.

In an era where Human Order Incineration has been confirmed to occur, this is the only era unaffected by it.

This situation isn’t because this era has special properties, nor due to any particular event here, but simply because one person exists here.

When Human Order Incineration occurred, that person, with her own power and various Noble Phantasms from the Gate of Babylon, successfully withstood the impact of Human Order Incineration, creating a sacred land in this incinerated world.

Not only that, she then concealed the existence of Mifune City. Aside from Chaldea, no one else knows the current situation of Mifune City. Even Goetia was unaware of such a massive variable in his plan.

That person’s name is Ryougi Shiki, from the Ryougi family, a being inherently connected to the Root within her body. She is a figure who should be impossible to meet.

And now, Merry sat before her.

“It’s rare.”

Root Shiki (Shiki connected to the Root) gazed at the Incubus before her.

“You coming to see me—this is our first meeting, right?”

It’s not that Merry and Shiki had never met. In the past twenty years, they might have met more than thirty times? After all, Shiki rarely left Japan, or even Mifune City. Merry also rarely left London.

But with Root Shiki, the two had indeed never met at all. In the past, when Naoki was in a parallel world, Merry once wanted to speak with Root Shiki but received no response whatsoever.

Only now, because Root Shiki must remain awake for an extended period to safeguard Mifune City’s security, could the two possibly meet.

Taking the teacup in her hand and sipping from it, Root Shiki smiled: “Your visit this time must be regarding that child, right?”

“Nothing can be hidden from you.”

Merry had interacted with three people connected to the Root. Among them, Sajyou Rei and Sajyou Manaka had lost this characteristic ten years ago. Though they gradually recovered afterward, it was impossible for them to truly return to their former near-omnipotent state.

But the Root Shiki before her was different. She had never lost her power, and to this day, she could still do anything, nearly omnipotent.

Even for events from the distant Age of Gods.

【To defeat Tiamat, someone is needed who can bestow the concept of death upon her】—the final problem facing Merry and her companions, Root Shiki might be the only one who could resolve it.

“So, can you do it?” Merry asked. “With your Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, can you bestow the concept of death upon the Mother Creator?”

“Yes, I can.”

Root Shiki pointed to her eye: “However, in exchange, one of these eyes might go blind.”

Only the Old Man of the Mountain’s attack, unleashing his Grand Class, could bestow the concept of death.

Though Root Shiki was near-omnipotent, in a certain sense, she also had limits—she did everything on the condition of paying a price she could accept.

Losing vision in one Mystic Eye of Death Perception—this was the price Root Shiki had to pay.

Of course, that eye could be restored afterward. After all, it would just be blind. For Root Shiki, restoring it wouldn’t be difficult.

“So, can I take that as you accepting our request?”

Root Shiki nodded: “Yes. But if I leave here, the city I’ve been protecting will also turn to ash under the impact of Human Order Incineration—is that okay?”

“No problem.” Merry smiled. “After all, if Human Order Incineration is successfully eliminated afterward, the fact that this city burned will vanish, and everything will return to normal. So, a temporary death once now doesn’t matter.”

If there were any impact, perhaps after the Seventh Singularity issue is resolved, Ritsuka couldn’t return home for a vacation, but after this final Singularity ends, the final battle would soon come. Returning after victory would be the same.

Therefore, overall, Root Shiki’s temporary departure now wouldn’t cause any impact on Mifune City’s outcome.

“I understand. Then, after you drop the Mother Creator into the Underworld, I will go to the Underworld to bestow the concept of death upon her.”

“Thank you so much for your help, Shiki. After Human Order Incineration ends, Naoki and I will come to express our gratitude—the operation time is in four days. If it’s you, you shouldn’t need a signal to know when to act, right? Then, I leave it to you.”

With that said, Merry’s body turned into countless flower petals and vanished.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Seventh Singularity, in Uruk’s Ziggurat.

Opening her eyes, Merry looked at the people surrounding her: “It’s agreed. Though she can’t come directly right now, after we drop Goddess Tiamat into the Underworld, that side will definitely bestow the concept of death upon her.”

“Huuu~~~~~”

Hearing such a definitive answer from Merry, Ritsuka and the others immediately felt relieved. The burden in their hearts was finally lifted.

With this, preparations for the War of Extermination against Tiamat were fully complete.

Naoki, Arcueid, Kingu, and Rei holding back Tiamat’s movements in the Persian Gulf.

Quetzalcoatl, Ishtar, Ereshkigal—the three Goddesses had accepted Uruk’s alliance request.

Marduk’s Axe, which could significantly weaken Tiamat’s power.

Plus the person Merry had agreed with to bestow the concept of death.

“Unexpectedly, things went very smoothly, Master!”

Seeing the extremely luxurious lineup gathered in the Ziggurat, Mash couldn’t hold back her joyful expression. In the battles so far, the largest was the Mythological War in the Fifth Singularity, but now, the gathered forces were far more luxurious than back then.

If it were the people gathered here now, they might truly win the battle against Tiamat!

Standing from his throne, Gilgamesh looked at the people below.

“Good! From now on, everyone disperse! Go and prepare for the War of Extermination against Goddess Tiamat in four days!”

“When Ereshkigal moves the Underworld to the designated location, that is when the first stage of the battle begins!”

“This will be the final battle of the Age of Gods! Whether the Gods will destroy humanity, or humanity will ultimately defeat the Gods, let us conclude it in this battle!”

Final Battle, Countdown, Four Days.

-

Title: Attacking the Enemy and Simultaneously Attacking Teammates

Objectively speaking, the flow of time doesn’t change. Unless affected by some ability that can interfere with time, the pace of time should be constant.

However, sometimes, from a subjective perspective, the flow of time can feel fast or slow.

When focused on one thing, time passes quickly. But if indifferent to everything, not focusing on doing anything at all, time will pass very slowly.

And now, the situation in Uruk was the former.

To face the upcoming War of Extermination against Tiamat, all of Uruk worked hard to prepare everything, and during preparations, they also faced continuous attacks from swarms of Lahmu.

Although Kingu and Rei were at the front lines to intercept, not all Lahmu were stopped by the two. Some Lahmu still managed to escape them, leap over the ice mountain, and launch attacks on Uruk.

This wasn’t because their defense was weak, but because the number of Lahmu was too overwhelming. After all, Tiamat herself was an ocean birthing life. Naoki’s attack also didn’t completely burn away the Sea of Life, only suppressing its expansion. The Sea of Life itself was fine at all.

Therefore, up to now, Lahmu continued to swarm out from Tiamat’s main body, even undergoing self-evolution during the production process, growing wings on their backs to climb the ice mountain.

So, during this period, Uruk continuously prepared for war and fought against the Lahmu swarms’ attacks.

And in the blink of an eye, when people realized it, the dawn of the third day had arrived.

As the sky emitted the white light of dawn, at Uruk’s southern-facing city gate.

“Alright, we’re heading out.”

Ritsuka said to the several Servants standing at the gate to see them off.

This was the forty-eighth hour since Naoki left to hold back Tiamat. Uruk’s preparations were nearly complete, and the remaining parts were enough to finish before Tiamat arrived at Uruk. Therefore, there was no need to let Naoki and the others continue delaying at the front lines.

[Escort Naoki and the others back to Uruk to rest]—this was the mission directly assigned by Gilgamesh to Ritsuka right now.

Merry smiled and said: “In terms of status, as his fiancée, I should be the most suitable to pick him up, but I have to stay in Uruk to deal with the Lahmu, so I can only ask you, little Ritsuka.”

“Please protect him well, Ishtar, Quetzalcoatl.”

“I know!”

Floating in the air, Ishtar nodded.

The three going with Ritsuka were Mash, Ishtar, and Quetzalcoatl.

Quetzalcoatl also smiled: “Don’t worry, I swear on the name of the Goddess, I will definitely bring everyone back safely!”

“Mmm, then take care on the road~~~”

After saying that, Merry turned into flower petals and vanished before the four.

Ishtar clicked her tongue: “Tch, it turns out it was just an illusion. If I knew it was only an illusion, what was I afraid of...... Not the person herself.”

“Ahaha......”

Ishtar being afraid of Merry was something known to those close to both. Rumor had it they had a creditor-debtor relationship, causing Ishtar to basically be unable to hold her head high in front of Merry—if she did, her debt would immediately double.

Thanks to this, Gilgamesh often used it to mock Ishtar, [The great Goddess owes debt and refuses to pay, how shameful!]—and the like.

“Alright, let’s go. I’ll have to trouble you, Quetzalcoatl.”

“Leave it to big sis!”

Quetzalcoatl whistled to the sky. Two giant Pterosaurs suddenly flew from the distance and landed before the four.

After mounting the Pterosaurs with Mash, Ritsuka looked toward the distant Persian Gulf.

(Wait a little longer, Department Head, we’ll come pick you up!)

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Persian Gulf.

Here, there was no longer the beautiful bay scenery of before.

*⚡⚡⚡⚡*

What existed here was only a thunderstorm that seemed never-ending, and a continuously boiling and churning magma plain. Lightning, storms, fire... countless attacks continuously rained down on Tiamat kneeling in the middle of the lava sea.

This situation had been ongoing since two days ago.

Naoki’s attack vaporized the spreading Sea of Life, stripping away Tiamat’s path of movement. Meanwhile, Arcueid, to confine Tiamat here, released part of the power she used to suppress her bloodlust urges, using Imaginary Manifestation at full strength.

This thunderstorm was what she manifested, and it had lasted over thirty hours. Combined with the continuous suicide attacks she launched with a mutually destructive mentality, she finally succeeded in making Tiamat kneel again and again.

This was the full power of two Fairies.

With power that could even alter the world itself, plus support from the Planet itself, they succeeded in suppressing one of humanity’s greatest enemies. The Beast that originally required seven Grand Servants combined to fight was now held back in movement by just two people, unable to take a single step for nearly fifty hours!

Flying in on Pterosaurs and arriving here, seeing Arcueid’s figure still continuously attacking Tiamat below, and Naoki’s figure already half-kneeling in the sea of fire, Ritsuka and the others were slightly stunned.

“Department Head...... truly amazing to the point I can’t find words......”

Their Department Head was indeed amazing, but Ritsuka never imagined he could be this incredible.

It was truly reassuring that such an amazing person was their comrade.

【Fujimaru, hurry. We’ve observed Natsukawa’s power output starting to decline】

Roman’s voice reminded Ritsuka.

【Currently, Natsukawa’s output is only about seventy percent of the original. Even though he’s a Fairy with infinite Mana, his body can’t maintain maximum output forever】

“Then, let me bring him back.”

Ishtar said, then flew Maanna toward Naoki.

However, just as she approached Naoki—

*SWISH!*

A sonic boom suddenly rang in Ishtar’s ears. Then, a bright red figure suddenly dove from above, immediately launching a punch toward Ishtar!

*BAM!*

Though she managed to block with Maanna, the follow-up blow still made Ishtar feel like her body would shatter. She hurriedly clutched her stomach and flew back quite a distance.

After retreating, only then did Ishtar and Ritsuka’s group realize who the bright red figure that attacked her was.

“Ah...... Ah.......”

Like a wounded beast that had lost its sanity, truly rampaging. Her eyes emitted blood-red light, her body swaying, floating between Ishtar and Naoki. Arcueid, with a extremely disheveled appearance, coldly stared at everyone.

“Ah..... Naoki..... protect..... Beast..... defeat.....”

Arcueid continuously mumbled incoherently, while spreading both hands toward Ritsuka’s group.

The next second—

“AAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa—!!”

The True Ancestor’s roar triggered a terrifying storm and blows, along with the aerial thunderstorm, attacking toward Ritsuka’s group!