(What happened?)
This was the thought that sprang into the minds of Aoko and the others as their vision was obscured by light, after they had successfully broken through thick walls and finally arrived at the Throne Room.
Why was there such strong light? What was happening here?
*BZZZZT!* *BOOM!*
And at that moment, accompanied by vibrations of the air and ground, the light that filled everyone's vision suddenly receded, like river water flowing backward, gathering from all directions towards the center, then suddenly soaring into the sky!
*CRACK!*
The dome of the Throne Room was instantly pierced by this golden pillar of light. And the infinite magic circuits that occupied every corner of the Throne Room, dense like a Golden Tree, also transformed into countless streams of light that disappeared and unraveled, sliding up with the golden pillar of light towards the sky.
Seeing the scene before them, everyone was stunned in place.
"This... Mana overflow?"
Rei felt a little familiar with the scene before her. After all, when she was infused with Mana equivalent to three Holy Grails at once, the Mana she couldn't contain also dissipated in this manner.
It's just that, compared to her situation, the Mana now dissipating was far too vast.
Why was so much Mana dissipating? And who was losing that much Mana?
(The previous scene was Master being pierced in the chest by Master Number Two using the Holy Sword... Could it be—)
A conjecture that emerged in Rei's mind made her eyes tremble violently.
At the same time.
As if everything had flowed out completely, the golden light that shot into the sky finally completely disappeared from the Throne Room along with the Golden Tree circuits, leaving only a golden rain that moistened everyone's eyes.
And in everyone's eyes, a figure appeared before the already shattered throne, bathed in the golden rain.
Blonde hair like the sun, sky-blue eyes, silver armor covering the entire body, and a golden Holy Sword grasped in that person's hand.
"D-Department Head?"
Ritsuka asked in a low voice, her face full of astonishment.
(It should be... the Department Head, right?)
Hearing Ritsuka's voice, Naoki turned his head slightly and looked at the people behind him. His cold gaze softened slightly, and the corner of his lips lifted a little, as if he saw something he had deeply missed.
"Long time no see, everyone. I'm back."
I'm back.
With just this one sentence, everyone truly confirmed the identity of the person before them.
Not that Fairy King, nor that Naoki Number Two, but the real Naoki, who only existed after the two had reunited. The Naoki they knew.
"Huuu~~~~" After a moment of silence, Aoko took a deep breath. She quickly stepped forward to Naoki: "Although there's a pile of things I want to say, I have a pile of complaints I want to air at you from various sides, I even want to knock you to the ground and beat you mercilessly. But for now, I'll say this first—welcome back."
"Hmm, welcome back, Big Brother."
"You're finally back, King Father."
"Thank goodness you're back, Master."
"..."
After Aoko started, the others also walked closer and spoke.
Seeing the people who suddenly surrounded him, a strange feeling suddenly arose in Naoki's heart—a long-lost feeling, as if he had been used to it for a long time.
(Right, I... used to live like this... Because I threw everything away, so I forgot...)
Gray and Rei who were always with him in daily life, Aoko and Touko who roamed outside all year, Atalanta who could only meet every weekend, Ciel and Ayaka who lived in the same apartment as him, Artoria, Souji, and Mordred who were always his Servants, and also Ritsuka, Mash, Arcueid, Angelica...
[Welcome back]
Merry's voice sounded in Naoki's ear.
[We were really worried about you for a long time, Naoki. After this, you must properly compensate all of us here.]
"Yes, I know. Sorry for making you worry." Naoki raised his hand. After a slight hesitation, he still caressed Gray's head, which still felt a bit awkward, then as if realizing something, he turned his head into the distance.
It was seen where Aoko and the others had entered, at the forcefully destroyed mouth of the corridor, now five more figures appeared.
Morgan, Artoria Caster, Melusine, Barghest, Baobhan Sith.
Taking a deep breath, Naoki gently pushed away the people surrounding him, and stepped towards Morgan.
Seeing the Holy Sword Naoki held, Morgan's eyes flickered several times, then she sighed: "Haaah, in the end... I still failed. For your current self, I should say long time no see—"
Naoki immediately hugged her tightly, cutting off her words, and pressing the back of her head.
"Naoki?"
"I'm sorry..."
A slightly trembling voice sounded in Morgan's ear.
"I'm sorry, Aesc. I failed to keep our promise... I'm sorry."
Although he regained everything he had abandoned, the memories of two thousand four hundred years spent with Morgan were still within Naoki's body, influencing his emotions and behavior.
At this moment, only two types of emotions filled Naoki's heart.
Guilt for failing to keep his promise to Morgan, and anger towards Naoki Number Two and Vortigern who had disrupted his plans. Even the joy and longing to reunite with his past lovers had vanished.
"Truly... I'm sorry... It's all my fault... I'm sorry..."
That trembling voice made Morgan's eyes widen slightly.
(No, no. You shouldn't be the one apologizing, I should be the one apologizing to you...)
Morgan bit her lip. She extended her hand and returned Naoki's embrace: "Two thousand four hundred years... Thank you for accompanying me, always helping me, and always sacrificing for my selfishness, Naoki... Thank you."
"I will take care of the last Cursed Worm. You go back to where you belong, with the people who came to pick you up to go home."
Morgan's fingers moved subtly on Naoki's back.
At this point, Britain was merely a name. When the Cursed Worm manifested, it would truly begin to collapse. Naoki's and Morgan's efforts were all in vain. So, as Queen of this Britain, Morgan must at least accompany it until the very end, using all her strength to fight the crisis that would destroy Britain.
That was what she had to do.
And Naoki had done enough for her. He shouldn't stay any longer. Proper Human History was where he should return. This Lostbelt no longer needed further sacrifice from him.
"No, I will stay."
Naoki said so.
"I will stay with you to fight the Cursed Worm. Even if I no longer possess my past strength, I am still the Fairy King of this Britain, Queen Morgan's only husband. I have no reason to leave you... to leave all of you here."
Raising his head and looking at Melusine, Barghest, Baobhan Sith, and Caster, Naoki asked: "Has Morgan explained everything to you? Everything."
"Yes, everything has been explained." Barghest nodded. "Both Her Majesty's origins, the current situation of Britain, even my relationship with Lancelot... It's truly hard to believe."
"I don't think there's anything difficult to accept. After all, our current ending is completely different from what Aesc said, isn't it?" Melusine smiled.
"Baobhan Sith didn't grow up to be a cruel and heartless fairy, Barghest didn't fall and lose control. I'm still safe and sound, and Artoria Caster was raised from childhood to adulthood, not even a bell ever rang."
Everyone avoided their original ending. At a point in time that should have been total extinction, they reached a situation where everyone survived.
"But honestly, there are still some things that are hard to imagine. Me becoming cruel and heartless... What did I go through to become like that?" Baobhan Sith frowned. "Although I can sometimes be a bit unreasonable, most of the time I'm pretty normal, right?"
"Big sister, I think you'll be a little abnormal every time you're involved with Father—well, as for me, I have to thank Father and Mother. At least the fate of becoming a Holy Sword that I always feared, you two always helped me avoid it."
Artoria Caster showed a relaxed smile that was like the CG in Naoki's deepest memories.
"So... Father, isn't it time to give us motivation now? You changed our ending. So, if you want to change Britain's ending now, we'll all help you."
"Hmm... Thank you."
Naoki stroked his second daughter's hair.
And in the distance, seeing that harmonious family, Rei showed a rare expression, a little envious: "Should we join them too?"
"There will definitely be a chance after this. More than that... I don't think anyone wants to leave, do they?" Aoko asked with a smile.
Of course, that was a rhetorical question.
There was only one battle left. Once the Cursed Worm was defeated, all the problems of this Lostbelt would end. At this critical moment, no one here would leave.
Proper Human History and the Lostbelt, connected by Naoki as a meeting point, would together fight the Cursed Worm.
Turning to check on Aoko and the others, Naoki smiled slightly, and then—
[Yeah~~~ What a moving scene, so moving it makes me want to vomit. Can you do this disgusting harmonious scene privately? Bringing it out in public is truly sickening.]
Words filled with pure malice echoed in the Throne Room.