The "Temple of Time" video had finally come to an end.
The most terrifying calamity was resolved at the cost of Nameless sacrificing himself.
But Roya was more curious—where did Nameless and Goetia go afterward?
Let's not forget.
After the Singularities came the even more terrifying Lostbelts. There was no way Nameless would just vanish completely.
The most infuriating part was that, at the very end of the video,
[Alaya] deliberately left it on a cliffhanger, pulling off a classic "to be continued" move.
While Chaldea was celebrating Christmas, someone suddenly knocked on the door, and Mash went to answer it.
The visitor was almost certainly obvious.
It had to be Nameless—the one who had sacrificed himself and disappeared entirely!
Nameless being revived by [Alaya] was something many had anticipated.
The real question was—
What about the Demon God King Goetia, who had transformed into a planetary consciousness?
After completing his metamorphosis, it became impossible for humanity to kill him.
Killing him would mean destroying the planet itself, wiping out all life!
Which meant—
He was still alive, likely sealed away somewhere, under Nameless's watch!
"Come to think of it, Nameless has always lived incognito. It's entirely possible he's disguised as an ordinary person, keeping an eye on Alaya!"
Roya suddenly grew a little excited. "They might even be living an ordinary life together!"
"..."
Souma stiffened instantly, his gaze locking onto her.
Here it comes!
As expected, the moment he feared most had arrived!
After the video ended, the brat's memories were clearly resurfacing.
The countless layers of seals he had placed on her didn't just suppress her immense power—
They also sealed her omniscient wisdom!
Otherwise,
If only her power had been sealed, her all-knowing intellect would have allowed her to break free effortlessly.
Even retaining just a fraction of it made the brat unnaturally sharp, far surpassing ordinary humans.
She could master anything after seeing it just once.
That was why, despite fooling around all day, she still effortlessly topped her school's rankings.
Souma frowned as he studied her.
The brat seemed to be speaking purely on instinct, not because she had regained her Clairvoyance.
Back when he had made his wish upon the Holy Grail of the Stars, he had nearly perished alongside her.
Under the endless torrent of the Root,
Even an omniscient and omnipotent being like her couldn't withstand it, reduced to her current loli form.
If word got out, the title of "lolicon" would be permanently stuck to him.
Damn it!
A bold thought flashed through Souma's mind—
Could it be that the Root of Origin was also an otaku?
Otherwise, there's no way to explain why the other party turned into an adorable little loli!
Roya's small face was full of worry: "If Goetia breaks free from the seal, wouldn't humanity be doomed?"
"Possibly." Souma's expression grew increasingly strange.
If this guy really broke free from the seal, would he actually destroy humanity?
Everything remained shrouded in uncertainty.
Therefore,
until then, it might be best to treat him a little better.
That way, if we can't defeat him later, he might remember a bit of past kindness and spare us.
Souma stretched lazily, feigning nonchalance: "Let's have something good for dinner tonight. What do you want to eat?"
"Huh? It's not like I'm terminally ill or anything."
Roya rolled her eyes.
The way he said it made it sound like she'd been given a death sentence by a doctor and told to enjoy her last meal.
"So, are you eating or not?" Souma asked calmly.
"Yes! Let's have some eel rice—haven't had that in a while."
Roya replied without hesitation.
Even a tough little loli has to bow before a good meal.
So delicious!
"You guys stay here. I'll go buy some groceries and make something nice for dinner."
Souma looked at the three lolis in the living room, changed his clothes, and headed to the grocery market.
This video was exceptionally long.
Starting at noon and playing straight until five in the afternoon.
A full nine singularities were broadcast in one go.
When the Temple of Time video finally ended,
the entire world erupted in massive reactions.
Unlike previous videos, this one featured over a hundred Servants making appearances.
It was the most dazzling gathering of heroes in the Age of Servants.
Grocery Market.
Cú Chulainn stared at the gradually darkening screen, utterly amazed. "It was just a few hours long, yet it felt like months had passed."
"Indeed. This video spanned nine entire singularities," Heracles nodded in agreement.
From the first—Fuyuki: The Contaminated City in Flames—to the final singularity, it was Nameless and Chaldea's year-long journey.
Throughout this journey,
Nameless formed bonds with one Servant after another, fighting side by side to protect human history.
Cruelty, glory, brilliance, tragedy…
Yet, this was humanity's relentless pursuit of a bright future.
No matter how powerful the gods, no matter how overwhelming the Demon God King, humanity would never bow or surrender.
Cú Chulainn rested his chin on his hand, intrigued. "So, where did that mastermind, the Demon God King, run off to?"
That guy was the ultimate villain, humanity's greatest enemy.
He sought nothing but to enslave humanity and reign as its absolute ruler.
For humanity to progress, they were destined to clash with him.
Or rather,
the so-called "Evil of Humanity" was humanity's love itself.
The desire to destroy humanity stemmed from a twisted "love" meant to protect it.
But,
this "love" was far too advanced for humanity to comprehend.
Even more terrifying,
the Evils of Humanity, though malevolent, could never be eradicated.
As long as humanity existed, they would persist—obstacles humanity must overcome.
Thus,
the Evils of Humanity were not "the evil that destroys humanity," but "the evil humanity must destroy!"
That Evil of Humanity, Goetia, couldn't possibly be dead.
He would inevitably resurface one day, threatening humanity's survival!
"As a friend, I think you should be more concerned about how this video affects you," Heracles said, patting his shoulder with a look of pity.
Much like Goetia's pity for Nameless—as if seeing his doom.
"Uh… you mean the fifth singularity, E Pluribus Unum?" Cú Chulainn blinked. "But I was influenced by the Demon God King! It's not my fault!"
Even the Lion King and Gilgamesh (Casual) were gradually forgiven by the public, let alone a mere antagonist like him in a singularity.
A great hero of Celtic mythology, yet summoned in North America—clearly the Demon God King's scheme.
Everything was Goetia's fault!
Heracles shook his head. "No, I meant… there's someone who really wants to see you."
"Someone? You don't mean… that old hag, do you?" Cú Chulainn blurted out without thinking.
Memories flooded back.
In the singularity, he had brazenly called her an old hag, taunted her relentlessly,
and outright disrespected his master.
Once she saw the video…
Just then,
a voice came from behind him.
"Oh? Who are you talking about?"
"GYAH—!"
Cu Chulainn instantly jumped up like a startled hound, swiftly hiding behind Heracles.
However.
The newcomer wasn't that terrifying spearman.
It was just Souma, an ordinary high school student from Sakura.
He looked at him with confusion: "Are you okay?"
"Ahem, I'm fine."
Cu Chulainn felt like he'd nearly been scared out of his wits. Taking a deep breath, he tried to sound composed as he said, "What are you buying this time?"
Thank goodness it wasn't that old hag.
If it had been her, he'd have been done for.
"Get me an eel. I'm planning to make unadon for dinner," Souma replied.
He glanced at the mighty Heracles beside them.
These two seemed to get along quite well.
One sold fish at the market, the other worked construction moving bricks.
If word got out, it would surely make countless people's jaws drop in disbelief.
But then.
He, a perfectly ordinary high school student, wasn't in any position to judge others.
As the other man prepared the fish, Souma pulled out his phone and saw a news headline that surprised him:
"Queen Scathach of the Land of Shadows has arrived in Fuyuki City! Why did she come so suddenly?"
At these words.
Cu Chulainn, who had been skillfully working, nearly sliced his own hand with the knife.
This instantly made Souma understand why the man had been so startled earlier.
Poor hound... May you rest in peace. I'll burn a feast in your honor!
Souma feigned admiration as he said, "Queen Scathach is so gentle and beautiful. I wonder if I could meet her."
"...Gentle and beautiful?"
Cu Chulainn felt his legs go weak, overwhelmed by despair.
She would "gently" spear his heart and skewer him like a kebab!
How could you call that terrifying old woman gentle and beautiful?
Have you no conscience?
If they really met, it would be his death sentence!
Meanwhile.
In Academy City.
Tamamo-no-Mae exclaimed in awe, "As expected of Nameless! He actually touched the Root without hesitation!"
In the final singularity, when faced with the Star Grail connected to the Root, Nameless willingly sacrificed himself.
Using the Second Magic, he summoned versions of himself from parallel worlds, offering them all as sacrifices.
This guy was ruthless to his enemies, but even more ruthless to himself!
No wonder he could create miracles time and again.
Too ruthless.
He could be called the Ruthless Emperor!
"I'm more curious about how he managed to return after entering the Root," Merlin mused thoughtfully.
Even with her power as a Grand Caster, she wouldn't dare touch the Root without certainty of return.
It would reduce her to nothingness, erasing her existence entirely.
Yet now, Nameless had emerged from it. What exactly happened?
And where had Goetia, who had transformed into planetary consciousness, gone?
Even with her clairvoyance that could observe all of the present, Merlin couldn't find either of them.
They were hiding too well.
What had Goetia and Nameless become?
Tamamo-no-Mae looked at the trashy dream incubator beside her with amusement: "Nameless truly keeps his word!"
In the previous "Temple of Time" video.
When Romani Archaman activated his first Noble Phantasm and was saved by God.
That omnipotent "Lord" had mentioned someone important to Roman would help fulfill his wish.
Roman, who adored the virtual idol "Magical☆Meri," naturally wanted to meet the real Meri.
And now.
The trashy incubator had truly been force-fed gender-bending potion by Nameless, transforming into Meri.
That's so like you!
If this were to be exposed, the Flower Magician's reputation would be completely ruined.
Public humiliation!
"Damn it... that bastard Nameless, I... I'll never let him get away with this!" Merlin subconsciously stomped her foot.
This scene sent a chill down Tamamo-no-Mae's spine.
Not only has your appearance turned into that of a girl, but even your personality has changed.
The legendary feminization?
How terrifying.
If you really want to take on Nameless, you'll have to wait until all nine tails are gathered and your peak strength is restored!
Tamamo-no-Mae watched with amusement. "Nameless promised the doctor that you'd feed him cake. What are you going to do about it?"
It wasn't just the trashy dream demon who enjoyed watching the show.
She loved it too, especially when it involved someone suffering public humiliation.
If Merlin were really forced to feed that otaku cake, her reputation would be utterly destroyed.
"Hmph, don't even think about it!"
Merlin flashed a confident smile. "With my identity as the Child of the Dream Demon, there's no way they can catch me!"
"...Is being good at running away something to be proud of?"
Tamamo-no-Mae was at a loss for words.
Just moments ago, she had been talking about capturing Nameless and giving him a good beating.
Now? All she wanted to do was run away!
Was teaming up with this guy really a good idea?
"Relax, a mere shut-in doctor is nothing. I can toy with him however I please."
Merlin curled his lips disdainfully. "Shut-ins are so easy to fool. A few sweet words, and they'll be fawning all over you."
"As long as I chat with Romani as 'Merlin☆Magical Girl,' he'll definitely become my loyal lapdog!"
As a child of the Nightmare, one who fed on human dreams and manipulated hearts, did she not understand human psychology?
Those large, honest primates were easier to deceive than the last.
A simple beckon, and a crowd would fall at her feet.
A mere Dr. Roman? She could play him like a fiddle!
"Oh, child of the Nightmare who toys with hearts, this humble one shall await your performance," Tamamo-no-Mae said with a smile.
As a fox spirit, her grasp on human hearts was no weaker than that of the "Merlin with No Conscience."
But against that perverted Nameless, it was utterly useless.
Instead, countless people claimed she paled in comparison to his charm.
What a joke.
Who was the real fox spirit here?
"Very well, let's wait and see."
Without hesitation, Merlin began preparing to contact the shut-in doctor under the guise of [Merlin☆Magical Girl].
With his ordinary human abilities, he'd be easily fooled.
Then, once his humiliating state was posted online, Nameless would surely explode with rage.
You wanted me to feed cake to that shut-in?
Well, I'll toy with him however I please and trample all of you underfoot!
The angrier they got, the more Merlin enjoyed it.
Nothing was more satisfying than watching them seethe, desperate to hit him but unable to land a single blow!
——
Chaldea.
The video of the Final Singularity had ended.
The three Grand Servants who had been watching it fell into a prolonged silence.
Nameless's act of sacrificing versions of himself across parallel worlds as a price to make a wish upon the Holy Grail was simply too shocking.
Even the King of Heroes and Qin Shi Huang had never expected such an outcome—one that defied all expectations.
Just then.
The door burst open.
Mash rushed in, tears streaming down her face, her voice trembling as she cried, "Doctor, take off the ring! You and Senpai—neither of you can leave!"
P.S.: By the way, Elden Ring is out today. I heard it's really fun, and this cat is pretty interested. Has anyone played it yet?