Helping Solomon resolve the Incineration of Humanity?
Not preventing it here, but resolving it completely in the future.
That was Solomon's idea.
Without shaking Solomon's hand, Naoki looked at Baal. "I agree with the idea of resolving it once and for all. I don't like keeping a bomb that could explode at any moment either."
"But if that's the case, shouldn't there be an easier way? Like summoning the mastermind here and killing them thoroughly."
"That's not possible." Solomon shook his head. "What I summon isn't the true demon god. After all, I'm just a Servant now, not my original body. The demon gods I can summon are only projections of their true forms. Besides, it's too late to kill him now. My body might already be occupied, and the plan is likely already in motion."
"The reason the Incineration of Humanity hasn't happened yet is because it still lacks a trigger."
The delay of the Incineration of Humanity until 2015 was largely because some Magi in Solomon's lineage realized this. To protect humanity, they used every means to prevent the manifestation of the Demon God Pillars.
For example, Mozart, also from Solomon's lineage, was supposed to become the Demon God Pillar Andras. But due to his encounter with Queen Marie, he did everything to break the curse on himself.
Professor Lev Lainur Flauros was the same. If not for Mash's existence, he too would have taken his own life to protect humanity, preventing the Incineration with his death.
There must be many such Magi. Over the two thousand years since Solomon's death, though their names weren't recorded, many Magi likely made similar choices.
"My descendants, to protect humanity, have delayed the destined destruction until now. They've done remarkably well. And now, I feel this disaster, born from me, is something I must end myself, rather than delaying it further for future generations to handle."
"For that, I need your help, Holy Sword Magus. You can surely end the Incineration of Humanity completely after I'm gone."
Though he'd had this idea from the start, he hadn't expected to achieve it this way.
Seeing the relieved expression on Solomon's face, Naoki couldn't help but frown. "You… wanted to cooperate with me from the beginning? And our fight was to confirm my abilities?"
"It's more than cooperation—it's entrusting responsibility. I, like my Master, have irresponsible thoughts. My Master wants to pass the problems he caused to you to resolve, while I want to entrust my will to you, and as a human, I don't care about the rest."
"Someone like me should truly feel ashamed."
"Indeed, it's very irresponsible thinking. But as human thinking, there's nothing wrong with it." Naoki smiled. "I've had irresponsible thoughts too and even acted on them. I once casually destroyed a hill with Moonfall, then walked away without caring about the Mage's Association or the Church."
He had no right to call Solomon irresponsible.
"So, what's your answer?"
Solomon extended his hand to Naoki again.
"After what you said, I was thinking of continuing to prevent the Incineration of Humanity, like a firefighter, extinguishing any signs that might trigger it."
Constantly suppressing a boiling kettle to keep the water from spilling over—that's what Naoki wanted to do.
It wasn't a wrong approach, and with Naoki's abilities, it was feasible.
"Then you might never have your own freedom. This is a disaster caused by the seeds I sowed—you don't need to sacrifice that much."
"It's not exactly a sacrifice, just keeping myself busy. Besides, idling all the time isn't good either. Having obtained the Holy Sword, I should do something with it, right?" Naoki smiled.
"Well, if you truly want to do it, I won't stop you. But how will you go about it? You're just a Servant now. Do you plan to gain a body through the Holy Grail?"
Solomon shook his head. "No, my wish remains unchanged. To abandon my power as a Heroic Spirit and reincarnate as an ordinary human with no connection to King Solomon. I will still make that wish to the Holy Grail. Likewise, I will strive to resolve the Incineration of Humanity as an ordinary human."
"Just like the me in the parallel world you mentioned."
"But before that, there's something we haven't settled, right?"
"True."
Naoki raised the Holy Sword—though they had reached a certain level of agreement, continuing the fight was unnecessary, but victory and defeat still needed to be decided. Not only did Naoki need this victory, but Solomon wouldn't allow himself to obtain the Holy Grail in a state of defeat.
Beside Naoki, Rei, raising her cannon barrel, smiled. "Looks like there's one final round, but it seems there's no place for me to interfere, Master."
"Thanks for everything earlier, Rei. Leave the rest to me—Ugh!"
Naoki's lips were suddenly covered.
"I don't think Master is lacking in Mana, so consider this a small blessing. I'll wait for your victorious return, Master."
"Yeah."
Seeing Rei step back behind Naoki, Solomon couldn't help but ask, "Do you love that puppet?"
"Uh… Yeah, you could say that, in many ways. Does that make you uncomfortable?"
"No, it just reminds me of some of my wives when I was alive. If you're ready, let's begin our final round."
"Come on!"
After a brief silence, the illusion world, just calmed, was filled again with ceaseless roars!
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Sitting atop a building, Arcueid watched the battle in the distance.
"Are you satisfied with this outcome, Gaia, Alaya?"
[It's acceptable. As Solomon said, this is a result we can accept.]
[Win-win, and it secures a guarantee to handle the Incineration of Humanity. No objections.]
For the Counter Force, as long as it wasn't a disaster affecting the planet or humanity itself, they didn't care much. If it was an event beneficial to the planet and humanity, both were delighted to see it happen.
Though the Incineration of Humanity's occurrence was still uncertain, since it was confirmed that Solomon and the Holy Sword Magus would fully prevent and resolve it, it was a highly satisfactory outcome for both.
[For this Holy Grail War, thank you for overseeing from the sidelines.]
"Didn't you also send someone? It wasn't too tiring anyway, just helping Merry ease some pressure—Well, after this, I'll say goodbye to Naoki, then head back to the Millennium Castle to sleep."
Watching Naoki's figure fighting in the distance, Arcueid gave a slight smile.
"Our next meeting might be when that so-called Incineration of Humanity arrives."