Once again, Shiomi found himself in BB's special room that resembled a broadcast studio. This time, his state of mind was much calmer than before. After all, there were more pressing matters he needed to face.
"First, let's go over the current situation on Earth."
With a wave of her pointer, BB conjured a projection of the Earth. Seven locations on the globe were marked with special symbols.
"During your battle in Antarctica, you saw those seven meteors fall from the sky… Of course, Dad, you should already know from the enemy's words that those weren't meteors, but seeds." BB clasped her hands behind her back. "Those seeds have already taken root and sprouted on Earth. Humanity's history on this planet is coming to an end."
Shiomi looked at her. "So it's something like the Incineration of Humanity?"
"You can think of it that way, but it's not quite the same," BB replied. "If Goetia's Incineration was the 'bad end' of human history, then what's happening now—the bleaching of human history—is the 'dead end.'"
Morgan started to speak, but Shiomi gently pressed her hand, calming her, before continuing his question. "Then what exactly is the purpose of this bleaching?"
"Of course, it's for rewriting human history," BB said. "You heard the Crypter's speech, didn't you? They intend to erase everything humanity has achieved so far and write an entirely new history on a blank Earth. And to make that possible, the Alien God has prepared seven different plans."
She twirled the globe with her pointer.
"This universe allows infinite possibilities, giving rise to countless parallel worlds and divergent histories. But endless possibilities would eventually drain the universe's lifespan. So, at fixed intervals, exceptional worlds that stray from the 'strongest and most stable path' are harvested, preventing the universe's energy from being wasted."
Around the globe, a branching tree diagram appeared. Some branches continued to extend, while the others were cut off midway.
"Human history constantly faces branching points. The Proper Human History we know is the result of countless choices, forming the 'most stable yet most full of potential' outcome. Paths that lacked promise were cut away by the universe itself. Mooncell's conclusion is that while the universe is inherently unstable, it maintains stability through this very cycle of 'harvest' and 'recording.'"
"I see. So that's what you'd call the management of parallel worlds," Shiomi mused. "I've heard a little about it. They say the Second Magician's magic is related to this."
BB smiled in satisfaction, though her tone remained unusually serious. "And now, the seven seeds that have landed on Earth are recreating seven different eras and regions—each one a history that was once pruned away."
As the globe rotated, she pointed out each marked region.
"South America, Russia, China, India, Greece, Northern Europe… and Britannia. These will become the seven Lostbelt that take root and develop on a bleached Earth."
"Seven? Surely they won't just coexist peacefully." Shiomi's gaze sharpened. "Kirschtaria said the Crypters would be competing against each other."
"Exactly. In a sense, Dad, you can think of it as a Holy Grail War between seven different worlds." BB extended her hand. "And what you must do is resolve these crises and decide the future of this planet."
Shiomi narrowed his eyes. "So it's not about simply fixing the bleaching, or just cutting away the Lostbelt—you're saying it's up to me… to decide the planet's future?"
"It's about time you recognized your role," BB said proudly. "Dad was never an ordinary person. Mooncell chose you as the Saver—this planet's very Messiah."
"Saver…" Morgan softly repeated the word. "Is that what you are?"
"Saver, Ruler—call it what you want. Dropping such a grand title on me all of a sudden isn't something I can just swallow." Shiomi's thoughts were settling into shape. He turned to BB. "What about the others in Chaldea? There were so many strange soldiers in Antarctica—they…"
"According to the current trajectory, things should have gone as you hoped. Through Imaginary Numbers Submersion, they've likely reached the Wandering Sea near Northern Europe," BB replied with a smile.
"Then what am I supposed to do next? Or rather—what does Mooncell want me to do next?" Shiomi asked.
"No, Mooncell has no plan for your next move," BB said. "Whether you want to head to the Wandering Sea to reunite with your companions, or go somewhere else—your lovely daughter BB can send you wherever you wish."
Shiomi raised a brow. "Somewhere else, you say…"
Leaning back in his chair, he turned to Morgan at his side. "Tell me—where do you think we should go?"
"My husband, always so decisive, actually asking me?" Morgan hesitated slightly. "Even as your wife, I shouldn't interfere in the path you choose for yourself."
"I only want to know if my wife will accept the choice I make," Shiomi asked sincerely.
"…."
Morgan fell silent for a moment. She already knew Shiomi's answer, because this man had realized—the time had come to reveal that secret.
"I'm going to the Lostbelt that has taken root in Britannia."
Shiomi stood up, turned back to Morgan, and held out his hand. "Will you come with me?"
"Mm." Morgan answered softly, her eyes shimmering with tears that she quickly blinked away.
"It's dangerous to enter a Lostbelt so recklessly. If something happens, BB won't be able to support you," BB said helplessly. "This is a one-way ticket."
"I know. That's why I'm asking you to send us." Shiomi clasped Morgan's hand and helped her rise from the sofa.
BB gave a small nod, then raised her pointer toward them. "Very well. Destination set—the Lostbelt that has just taken root in Britannia. BB's exclusive Imaginary Numbers Submersion… begin!"
She gave a light hop and tapped the air with her pointer. A glow wrapped around Shiomi and Morgan's bodies.
In the next instant, when their vision cleared, they stood in open fields beneath a sky locked in eternal twilight.
"So this… is the Lostbelt of Britannia?" Shiomi spread out his mana, probing their surroundings. "Why can't I sense any life here apart from plants…"
What he didn't say was that it felt utterly lifeless—like a land of the dead.
"Because it's already been destroyed," Morgan said, holding her limp left arm with her right. "In truth, the history of this place was severed two thousand years ago."
"Destroyed?!"
Shiomi was struck with shock.