In the living room.
Illya was reluctant to let go. "Eh? It's over just like that?"
After the pinnacle of glory and passion, the perfect touch was the moonlit poetry recital—an impeccable finale.
The entire Lostbelt video had given her an unprecedented spiritual experience, surpassing all movies.
"It's truly incredible. Qin Shi Huang was actually willing to let go of everything," Roya couldn't help but marvel.
Truly the First Emperor of the ages—just look at that grandeur!
Could anyone else have done it?
Obviously not!
Roya picked up her Qin Shi Huang figurine, growing even fonder. "As expected of Brother Zheng, choosing to let go of everything without hesitation and embrace the end."
It made her feel that all the effort she'd put into saving up for the figurine was absolutely worth it.
Once the video gained traction, all Brother Zheng merchandise would skyrocket in price.
"You call him Brother Zheng..."
Souma was momentarily taken aback.
After some thought, he realized there was nothing wrong with it.
The mischievous child was practically his adopted daughter, and Qin Shi Huang was his student—they were peers, after all.
"Yeah, Brother Zheng. After all, that little girl at the end asked if he was a big brother or a big sister. Calling him Sister Zheng just feels weird," Roya replied.
In truth,
She wasn't the only one calling him Brother Zheng or Sister Zheng.
Countless viewers who had watched the Lostbelt of Qin video were doing the same.
There was no helping it—in the final scenes, he had been so gentle that it was impossible not to feel affection for him.
And calling him "brother" or "sister" felt far more intimate than the cold, distant "Your Majesty."
Roya studied the figurine curiously. "So, why does Brother Zheng look like a fluttering moth?"
The feathered robes looked gorgeous and elegant, but from a distance, he resembled a giant fluttering moth.
"Perhaps it's like Zhuangzi dreaming he was a butterfly, then waking to wonder whether he dreamed of becoming a butterfly or the butterfly dreamed of becoming him."
Miyu pondered before replying: "Both the Lostbelt and Pan-Human History have Qin Shi Huang. So did Qin Shi Huang enter the Lostbelt to become a butterfly, or did the butterfly enter the Lostbelt to become Qin Shi Huang?"
"Eh, Zhuang Zhou's morning dream of the butterfly—that's actually a pretty good interpretation," Illya said in surprise.
It felt like the perfect explanation for Qin Shi Huang's appearance.
Roya clicked her tongue and sighed: "Speaking of which, if Big Brother Zheng could release a mobile game like 'Great Qin GO' in the Lostbelt, hiring top-tier writers like Shakespeare, Andersen, and Wu Cheng'en..."
"Then animate or film the most popular chapters and project them across the world via the Space Great Wall—the entire planet would surely worship Big Brother Zheng!"
Just imagining it excited her.
That way, they could perfectly spread culture and the majesty of Great Qin.
Making Qin's rule unshakable.
And allowing lazy slackers like her to lounge around even more comfortably!
What a shame—why wouldn't Big Brother Zheng develop culture and entertainment?
"Play fewer games from now on!" Nameless scolded sternly.
This troublemaker—could she actually have activated Clairvoyance?
Otherwise, how could she see into his past life?
At that moment.
The Lostbelt footage darkened but didn't truly end, instead shifting to Chaldea.
Viewers grew restless with speculation—
-[Damn, thought it was over—fakeout! Is this a preview or something else?]
-[Chaldea—I've got a bold theory!]
-[Funny, I was thinking the same. Is Qin Shi Huang joining Nameless to keep fighting?]
-[Damn, Big Brother Zheng's work ethic is insane. Carrying 2,603 years of Great Qin's legacy while still battling to preserve humanity?]
-[Probably just worried about Sensei...]
...
Under everyone's gaze.
The scene shifted to Chaldea.
What appeared to be a previously unseen Heroic Spirit Summoning was underway.
An intricate magical circle glowed on the floor.
Surrounding it were Roman, Da Vinci, Mash, and others.
Nameless, humanity's last Master, declared solemnly: "God bless, Three Pure Ones above, Buddha's protection, Alaya's favor—give me a... summon a powerful Heroic Spirit!"
What should've been a serious moment turned comical with his summoning prayer.
The formal incantation began—
[Let silver and steel be the essence!]
[Let stone and the archduke of contracts be the foundation!]
[Let rise a wall against the wind that shall fall!]
[Let the four cardinal gates close!]
[Let the three-forked road from the crown reaching unto the Kingdom rotate!]
[I hereby propose—]
[Thy body shall serve under me, thy fate shall be with my sword!]
[Answer the call of the Human Order, submit to this will and reason!]
[I hereby swear—]
[I shall attain all virtues of heaven; I shall have dominion over all evils of hell!]
[From the Seventh Heaven, attended to by three great words of power—]
[Come forth from the ring of restraint, O Guardian of the Balance!]
Chaldea's summoning ritual resembled the Holy Grail War's Servant summoning.
Both drew upon the Holy Grail's magecraft system to call allies from the Throne of Heroes.
Roya watched with a peculiar expression: "Tch, this chant sounds like signing a contract."
"It is a contract," Nameless replied impassively.
The so-called summoning incantation is essentially drafting a contract that outlines all relevant terms.
If the other party is satisfied, they will form a pact with you and fight on your behalf.
"Indeed, this is signing a contract," Roya nodded.
To put it in plain terms—
[Listen up.]
[I'll provide your salary (magical energy), and you'll work for me, protecting my life.]
[If you can hear this and find the terms acceptable, sign this contract.]
[Let me make this clear upfront—]
[For the mission (to safeguard human order), I may do good deeds or bad ones.]
[After signing, I can issue three absolute commands that you cannot refuse.]
[Your travel expenses won't be reimbursed by me—take your own ride here and keep the receipt to claim from Alaya!]
That's roughly how it goes.
A literal employment contract.
Roya was absolutely certain.
Back then, the contract Nameless signed with Alaya was probably even more exploitative!
Hum~
Under the tense gazes of everyone, the magic circle began to glow.
A dazzlingly familiar figure slowly emerged from the array, radiating unfathomable magical energy as he regarded Nameless with a composed smile.
"Long time no see, my friend," he said warmly. "Hmm? Do you not recognize Us? How curious—it seems the sequence of time and causality has shifted in some intriguing way."
This was none other than Qin Shi Huang, whom they had encountered in the Lostbelt!
With a smile, he continued, "No matter. We are Qin Shi Huang, your Ruler-class Servant."
"Uh... I never expected it to be you?"
Nameless stared blankly at him.
In the Lostbelt, they had clashed repeatedly in battle—yet now, he was being summoned as an ally.
This was... awkward.
Qin Shi Huang chuckled. "Since we're acquainted, this makes things simpler. Though We bid you farewell back then, We remained concerned about whether you could truly protect human history. Thus, We answered your call to stand by your side."
"...Alright!"
Nameless forced an awkward smile.
By all accounts, this was a miraculous single summon—an incredibly powerful Heroic Spirit as an ally.
But why did it have to be Qin Shi Huang?
Not long ago, they had fought fiercely, forcing him to abandon the Eternal Empire he had safeguarded for over two millennia. It was practically rubbing salt in the wound.
The audience watching this scene nearly doubled over with laughter—
-[Damn, I felt so bad for Brother Zheng in the main story, but now I kinda pity Nameless!]
-[He tells you to go fight to the death, yet secretly rushes to protect you himself—what a tsundere Emperor! Love it!]
-[Haha, I can almost picture it—the scene where Nameless starts the summoning, and then Brother Qin Shi Huang defeats a bunch of Heroic Spirits to steal the summoning rights!]
-[Ahhh, Brother Qin Shi Huang is just too adorable, how can he be so gentle and considerate?]
...
The mood in the bullet comments had shifted from the earlier heaviness and sorrow to something lighthearted and cheerful.
Amid this cheerful atmosphere, Qin Shi Huang on the screen sighed and said, "We have already received the memories of the Heroic Spirits and witnessed the records of Pan-Human History… sigh, your human history is far more chaotic and wretched than We ever imagined!"
"Uh… do you intend to reshape Pan-Human History into a Lostbelt of the Eternal Qin?" Da Vinci asked curiously.
"No. Though there is much filth that We find unbearable to witness, We must also acknowledge that there are virtues and wonders here that Our world could never possess."
Qin Shi Huang sighed softly. "Enough. We shall not nitpick further. Sir, as a human, We shall assist you in safeguarding the future of humanity—until the very end!"
This was his solemn vow. Having chosen to relinquish the Eternal Empire, he would naturally protect the boundless possibilities of Pan-Human History's future.
The screen froze at this moment.
The Lostbelt video had ended!
Roya's small face was full of anticipation. "Hehe, I wonder how those false gods from the Lighthouse will react after watching this. I can't wait to see!"