Work at Chaldea?
Marisbury's suggestion was something Naoki had never considered.
"May I ask why?"
"My original intent in founding Chaldea was to protect humanity. For that, we need talented individuals from various fields with sufficient strength. If you, Mr. Natsukawa, were to take a position, we'd have no shortage of combat personnel."
The battle at the harbor last night was witnessed by nearly every Magus in Fuyuki City. The power to fight Gilgamesh head-on far surpassed human limits. As Marisbury said, if Naoki joined Chaldea, the troublesome task of selecting combat personnel would be unnecessary.
Among modern Magus, who could defeat Naoki? Even bringing out the reclusive elders would be futile.
"Moreover, if you join Chaldea, you could closely monitor my actions, couldn't you?" Marisbury continued. "If you don't trust verbal promises, you can keep an eye on me yourself."
"Then wouldn't it be better to have you sign a Self-Imposed Geas?"
"If you wish, I can't refuse."
He agreed that easily?
Naoki couldn't help but frown, then shook his head. "Forget it. Even if you signed a contract, you'd have plenty of ways to work around it, wouldn't you?"
For Magus, a Self-Imposed Geas is indeed the strictest contract, but it's still just a contract. If one wanted to find loopholes, there'd always be a way—the clearest example being Emiya Kiritsugu and Kayneth.
"So, regarding joining Chaldea, I'll consider it, but only if you and King Solomon can win this Holy Grail War—while I don't need the Grail, it's absolutely necessary for you, Lord."
Naoki stood. "I have strong reasons to win the Holy Grail War. In that regard, our goals conflict."
"It seems so, but forgive me, Mr. Natsukawa, you and your Servant are no match for the King."
"Heh, who knows the outcome before the fight?" Naoki smiled. "Thank you for your time, Lord. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave."
"I'll see you both out."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
A few minutes later.
"Marisbury."
After confirming Naoki and Artoria had left the vicinity of the mansion, Solomon reappeared before Marisbury.
"Regarding what that Fairy Magus said, what will you do?"
"Continue building Chaldea. I won't stop now just because of a few words from someone."
Full support from the Atlas Institute, Lord-level secret Magecraft from the Clock Tower, a simulated Earth model… All the necessary or potentially needed elements were increasingly ready. Stopping now was impossible.
With that in mind, Marisbury looked at Solomon. "Could it be, King, that you would stop?"
"I have that intention."
Though he answered the summoning due to a wish he wanted to entrust to the Grail, if his actions could lead to humanity's destruction, Solomon would firmly abandon his wish, prioritizing humanity's survival.
Marisbury fell silent.
This was indeed something Solomon, a Grand Servant, would say. In this situation, he was powerless to change it. Command Spells held no sway over Solomon; they were merely a symbol maintaining their contract.
"King, you once said that reaching the future of the Incineration of Humanity requires passing several branching points. Could you elaborate on those points?"
"I can. They're essentially what the Fairy Magus described."
Solomon recounted the future he saw to Marisbury.
From now to the future, there were three main branching points, listed from the nearest: whether Chaldea is established, whether test-tube baby experiments begin, and whether Lev Lainur Flauros despairs of humanity.
"If these three points are avoided, the future of the Incineration of Humanity can be prevented, correct?"
"Yes. So, what will you do?"
What to do?
Marisbury closed his eyes, sinking into thought.
Giving up was impossible. Success was within reach. If he continued as planned, the Animusphere family's dream would be realized in his or Olga Marie's generation.
But if he didn't give up, the future would lead to the Incineration of Humanity. In terms of his plan, those three branching points were unavoidable. The last would occur because of the first. For now, he couldn't think of a way to circumvent them.
"…"
After a long pause, Marisbury opened his eyes. "King, I have no intention of giving up."
It was the answer Solomon expected. If a Magus gave up so easily, they wouldn't be a Magus—especially Marisbury, a Magus among Magus.
"So, I have an unrefined idea."
"An unrefined idea?"
Solomon frowned. Hearing the idea Marisbury proposed next, even with his composure, he couldn't help feeling a bit displeased. "Your approach isn't wrong, from a Magus's perspective."
"But do you think he'll agree?"
"That's why I hope to speak with him again tonight and confirm a few things. If I can get the answers I want… King, could you act once more tonight?"
"…"
This time, it was Solomon's turn to fall silent in thought.
As a Servant, he was willing to act on Marisbury's requests, but if it led to a future of destruction, he would firmly refuse.
However, this situation seemed to still have room for change.
Rubbing the Ten Rings on his hand, as if making a decision, Solomon nodded slightly. "Very well. Coincidentally, I also have some ideas I'd like to confirm with the Fairy Magus. If possible… proceed as you think."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
At the Same Time, Fuyuki City Station
Dragging a suitcase and exiting the station with Arthur, Morgan hailed a taxi by the roadside. After getting in, she told the driver, "To the Fuyuki Grand Hotel in Shin-to."
The final group had officially arrived.