The Crimson Moon and the meteorite.
In the depths of space, unknown and unreachable to anyone, the two traversed a vast distance and collided with tremendous force!
On the rooftop of Homurahara Academy.
Carrying Artoria as they stepped out of a dimensional gate, Naoki looked up at the sky. The sky was stained a deep crimson from the massive explosion in space, like an overly vivid twilight.
"Is it over?"
Artoria, also gazing at the sky, asked.
Naoki nodded. "It should be. The meteorite was slightly smaller than the Crimson Moon. If it was hit by the Crimson Moon I unleashed with full force, even if it didn't completely disintegrate, it should be shattered. The remaining fragments would lose the momentum to keep moving through space."
"It feels… a bit sudden." Artoria smiled. "I came here to help Master, but aside from two joint battles, I haven't been much help elsewhere. In daily life, I've mostly been troubling Master to take care of me."
"Your intent is enough. Honestly, I'm really glad you were willing to come here to help me. If you feel it's not enough, there'll be plenty of time and opportunities for you to assist me later."
Naoki flicked her ahoge. "My physique seems to attract trouble. Wherever I go, I always get caught up in big or small issues. Maybe one day I'll face something I can't handle alone, and then you can help me."
"You said you'd be my sword and shield, accompanying me in my recklessness."
"Of course. In the name of a knight, I swear to you, my Master."
They smiled at each other.
At that moment, a slightly sour voice came from the rooftop's entrance. "How long are you two going to keep hugging? Lia, Prince."
Turning toward the door, they saw Manaka standing there with a slightly displeased expression, radiating jealousy. Naoki and Artoria quickly separated, putting some distance between them.
Sighing, Manaka stepped forward and looked at the sky. "Looks like it all ended smoothly. Breaking through the atmosphere and destroying the meteorite without external help—truly my Prince!"
"It might not be this easy in the real world. Speaking of which, if the meteorite was destroyed by me, this world is also about to…"
"Hmm, it's already starting to disappear. Look over there."
Manaka pointed in a direction. Naoki and Artoria followed her gaze and saw that around Mount Enzō, as if erased by data, the entire mountain was slowly vanishing, turning into countless specks of light falling into a deeper darkness.
"Maybe in about thirty minutes, this world will be gone. By then, you can leave too. It's a bit of a shame—I might not be able to stay with you until the end."
"Huh? Why not?"
"The current me has no power left. To avoid disappearing with this world, I need to transfer to my other self soon." Manaka explained. "Specifically, it means moving my soul and consciousness through my connection with her into her puppet body. From now on, she and I will share one body, becoming one entity."
This meant Manaka could finally be free from the Mystic Eyes' prison that had confined her for ten years. Though the cost was losing all her power, compared to what she could gain later, she considered such a small loss insignificant.
After all, couldn't she just use her other self's power? They were the same person, after all.
As she spoke, Manaka's body began to glow, and a magic circle appeared beneath her feet. It seemed Rei had already started the process.
"Well then, see you in the real world, Naoki. I promise, the first thing you'll see when you wake up will be me." Manaka laughed. "By the way, Lia, what's your plan? In the real world, that incubus and Magus could make you leave anytime, right?"
Artoria shook her head. "No, I'll leave with Master from here. I'm Master's Servant—there's no reason to leave him alone."
"You're clever, Lia. You might be one of the biggest threats. But it's fine—I'll give you some time this round."
With a wry smile and a wave, Manaka's silhouette vanished from the spot amid the glow of the magic circle.
Looking at where she disappeared, Naoki took a deep breath. "She's gone, huh… You didn't have to come with me."
"It's fine. It's my own decision. Since I said I'd be your sword and shield, I'll always stand by your side." Artoria said, grasping Naoki's hand. "Besides, being alone in the final moments would feel a bit lonely—I know that."
That was part of her own experience.
Feeling the touch of her hand, Naoki smiled. His eyes gazed at the world gradually disappearing in the distance, quietly waiting for the moment he'd wake up.
But—
"——!"
Within Naoki's perception range, in the sky that should've been empty, two massive entities suddenly appeared without warning!
The sensation of their abrupt appearance… it was just like the meteorite!
Looking up, with Naoki's sharp eyesight, he could clearly see two objects falling at high speed from the sky!
"Lia… It seems this isn't completely over."
"Master?"
Naoki's vague words momentarily stunned Artoria. A moment later, she understood his meaning.
*SWISH!* *SWISH!*
*BOOM!*
Two silhouettes crashed into the crumbling Fuyuki City like meteorites. A terrifying tremor and impact erupted instantly. The area around the impact points was flattened by the collision, accelerating the collapse of the already deteriorating Fuyuki City!
At the two impact sites, amid the dust from the crashes, two menacing silhouettes slowly emerged.
They were two [Monsters].
One had the form of a giant but bore a pair of burning black wings on its back. Its body was engulfed in blazing red flames, with a thick tail and limbs sporting sharp, bird- or beast-like claws, making it resemble a humanoid phoenix!
The other also resembled a giant, its mountainous body seemingly formed from fragments of countless UFOs. Every part of it crackled with raging lightning, and its core torso glowed intensely like a searing sun.
[Holy Sword Wielder, you cannot escape.]
[Following our core instincts, we must destroy you here.]
Uttering those words, the two giants stood tall on the ground!