At the Clock Tower, aside from the Department of Modern Magecraft Theory, which emerged only in recent years, the Department of Astromancy is another topic that cannot be ignored.
Despite having many branch families, its main headquarters is located in remote mountains. They rarely engage in the various intrigues of the Mage's Association, maintaining a position on the outermost fringes, like hermits in the mountains. Let alone sending a Lord, they've never even dispatched a representative, making them a true anomaly within the Association.
Yet, about six months ago, this reclusive Department of Astromancy suddenly stepped into the public eye. Lord Animusphere even claimed one of the two participation slots for the Holy Grail War at the Clock Tower.
[The Lord of the Department of Astromancy will join the Holy Grail War.]
This news spread across most of the magical world within a day or two. Every Magus connected to the Clock Tower, without exception, received this information. And when the Lord of the Department of Botany quickly claimed the other slot, the uproar grew even more intense.
Two Lords participating in a regional magical ritual in the Far East—this was far more shocking than Lord El-Melloi's participation ten years ago.
As a result, over the past few months, countless true and false rumors have circulated in the mystical world. According to Riddel, it was akin to the tip of an iceberg in the entertainment industry, stirring up chaos as if there were no other work to be done.
Amid this storm of rumors, the Department of Botany said little, while the Department of Astromancy remained completely silent. Lord Animusphere even vanished again after claiming the slot, as if he'd never appeared.
If not for the Department of Astromancy actively searching for sacred relics for some time afterward, most Magus might have dismissed it as mere gossip.
After all, it was just a regional ritual in the Far East. The presence of two Lords seemed excessive.
—Most Magus thought this way, including the daughter of the Lord of the Department of Astromancy, Olga Marie Animusphere.
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In a remote mountain range, at its peak, stood a luxurious residence.
This was one of the many villas of the Animusphere family scattered abroad, and the closest to the Clock Tower.
In one of the villa's rooms, Marie sat across from her father. Between them, on the table, was a small, elegantly designed box.
"Father, is this the sacred relic that was just delivered?"
"Correct. With this relic, the Animusphere family will surely win the upcoming Holy Grail War."
Marisbury Animusphere placed his hand on the box, opened it, and revealed the item inside.
"A ring?" Marie was slightly puzzled.
Inside the box was a gold ring, seemingly ordinary with nothing special about it.
This was the sacred relic that could summon a Servant guaranteed to win?
Marie was skeptical, and seeing her confusion, Marisbury smiled. "Do you know whose sacred relic this is, Marie?"
"N-no, I don't."
"Solomon, the greatest King of Magecraft."
"Goodness…"
King of Magecraft Solomon.
Marie never imagined her father aimed to summon this King of Magecraft. In terms of Heroic Spirit status, he was undoubtedly a powerful Servant, contending for the top spot—no, "powerful" might not even suffice to describe him.
The strength of the King of Magecraft was unimaginable to those living in this era of declining mystery.
"Father… Forgive my boldness, but is it really necessary to use such a precious sacred relic for a mere ritual in the Far East?"
"You think it's not worth it, Marie?"
"Y-yes…"
Marie rarely spoke with her father, barely even saw him. Only six months ago did he finally approach her to bond. Thus, Marie still felt awkward interacting with him, often stiff and formal.
Marisbury gave a faint smile. "You'll understand soon, Marie, in the not-too-distant future. Participating in the Holy Grail War will be the key to realizing the Department of Astromancy's theories."
"Tomorrow, we'll begin the summoning ritual—the most suitable day before the Holy Grail War starts."
"I understand."
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A twilight sky.
Blood-red earth.
As far as the eye could see, an endless sea of corpses and blood, the ruins of an unending war.
Fallen chariots, broken banners, scattered weapons.
Horses shot down, soldiers slain, echoes of battle cries.
This was a battlefield, the site of a horrific war. That war destroyed everything, shattering the most beautiful things of that time, demolishing the shelter in everyone's hearts. After destroying all, the curtain fell with no survivors.
No, that wasn't entirely true.
Not without survivors.
At the battlefield's highest point, at the site of the final battle, right beneath the twilight sun, stood the sole survivor.
Artoria Pendragon.
That was the name of the blood-soaked, gravely wounded warrior who fought to the last moment on this sandy hill.
Once, she was called King Arthur. This battlefield was the site of her final battle.
The Battle of Camlann—the battle that led to the destruction of King Arthur's legend.
Artoria gazed at the sky that seemed to mock her, her eyes empty.
How long had it been since then? To save Camelot, to save Britannia, she endured until now. She made a contract with Alaya, halting her time before death, quietly waiting for the moment the Holy Grail would summon her.
If the Holy Grail could grant any wish, it could surely save this tragedy, right?
Artoria always believed this, and she also believed that after everything restarted, someone better than her would emerge.
The one who became king shouldn't have been her. Her actions caused this destruction—it was her fault.
Thus, someone more suitable must become king.
Thus, she had to obtain the Holy Grail.
*WHOOSH!*
A holy light, like divine revelation, glowed above her head. Countless specks of light fell upon her body, and a sensation of leaving this world filled Artoria. She could feel someone calling her from the other side of that light.
It had finally come.
The summons of the Holy Grail.
"Finally… it will come true?"
"My wish."