Chapter 91.12: Ars Paulina! Breaking Through the Holy Grail War in One Night! Solomon, the Fist King?!!
[ Next up— ]
[ Type-Moon Universe— Final Chapter! Grand Temple of Time: Solomon ]
[ Question: The Unreturned— ██████████ ]
[ Only three contestants can get the right to answer each time ]
『 Having completed the battles across seven Singularities, the Human Order Continuity Security Organization, Chaldea, finally reached the ultimate destination of its Holy Grail Expedition (Grand Order) — the Final Singularity: Grand Temple of Time Solomon!
We must defeat the mastermind behind all evils, the Demon King Solomon! We must reclaim the future!
The, poised to face this moment, had each endured their own trials through time!
Gambling on the countless encounters and futures they had forged, Fujimaru and Mash were finally about to embark on their ultimate operation! 』
[ Starting the rush to answer now—Ding! Those who obtained the slots are: Bai Junlang, Mash Kyrielight, and Kamijou Touma. ]
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
Just as expected!
Upon seeing "Final Chapter," everyone had speculated whether it was the next Singularity after the seventh, or perhaps the ultimate journey. Now, it seemed this might indeed be the very meaning of Chaldea's existence.
Defeat Solomon, win the future. Fail, and human civilization would vanish completely!
Everything hinged on this single battle.
Given how magnificent the Great Tiamat had been, wouldn't this "Final Chapter" utterly surpass it?
And this time's question: "The Unreturned."
A smirk played on the lips of countless viewers, a malicious glint in their eyes. They couldn't wait to witness what grand spectacle this would be!
.....
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Saten Ruiko (A Certain Magical Index): "Um, is it really Mr. Solomon in the Final Chapter? Wasn't it Goetia who appeared before to destroy the world?" ]
[ Aqua (KonoSuba): "Huh? What Goetia?" ]
[ Kazuma Satou (KonoSuba): "Ahhh! You reminded me, I completely forgot about that! So, the real opponent this time is actually a Beast, just like Tiamat?!" ]
[ The Batman Who Laughs (DCEU Earth-12): "Hahahahahahaha! This is getting more and more interesting! That Goetia swept across the entire surface before, a Beast unleashing its full power, eh!" ]
[ Angra Mainyu (Type-Moon): "Heh heh, shouldn't humans, such ugly creatures, simply be annihilated? But I don't dislike Ritsuka and Mash's efforts, no." ]
[ Mash Kyrielight (Type-Moon): "Senpai…" ]
[ Chaos Evil Gudako (Type-Moon): "It's okay, Mash-chan~ Gudako can't protect you, but I will~ as long as you let me hehehehehe." ]
[ Mashu⦍Eggplant⦎ (Type-Moon): "Senpai, you can't say things like that!" ]
[ Emiya Shirou (Type-Moon) "So, Goetia won't show mercy to humanity as Tiamat did, and won't hold back, right?" ]
[ Merlin (Type-Moon): "Hard to say, isn't it? Evils of Humanity are born from humanity itself; they are both Evils of Humanity and human… Heh heh, I won't say more, I'll leave you in suspense~" ]
[ Kirei Kotomine (Type-Moon): "The Unreturned… What will the answer be this time?" ]
[ Ryomen Sukuna (Jujutsu Kaisen): "It's simple. All life is misfortune. It seems someone is destined to fall on this journey~" ]
[ Kamijou Touma (A Certain Magical Index): "But aren't they the only two going into this battle…" ]
[ .....]
〜Type-Moon World, ????? Worldline, Chaldea〜
"Senpai…"
Mash's violet eyes trembled violently as she looked at the question before them.
The Unreturned… Only she and her Senpai were going into this battle. If there was an unreturned, it would have to be one of them, or even… both of them dying in this fight.
"Mash!"
Fujimaru Ritsuka clutched the girl's hand tightly, looking directly into Mash's eyes. The girl's voice was firm,
"It'll be alright! No matter what happens, we won't be separated!"
"Mhm…"
Mash calmed down, responding softly.
But the girl already knew the answer. She was an artificial human, her life inherently short. Having endured…
From a distance, Romani watched it all in silence. He quietly turned away, the cowardice in his eyes gone.
Grand Temple of Time: Solomon—
"Humans, let me see what you intend to use to stop me!"
Goetia sat upon his throne, scarlet light flickering in his eyes. He was determined to end the history of this ignorant planet!
Humans were wrong! Unforgivable!
Only by thoroughly cleansing this planet!
—
〜Sea Tiger World〜
Bai Junlang, still hanging, his eyes blazed with intense light!
Mad Cow and the others tried to stop him, but Bai Junlang, having gained the right to answer, was protected. A fierce glint flashed in his eyes!
Even after such a catastrophe, his unyielding heart remained unchanged!
"Junlang!" Just then, the entire building seemed to explode. A figure emerged from the smoke—Lan Meng had arrived!
"Your uncle is here to save you, kero!"
Mad Cow and the others fell to their knees, begging for mercy. What made the four big goons even more tormented was that they hadn't yet inflicted the ultimate oral humiliation on Junlang!
( Translator-kun: This one is too old... I don't even know about it. )
—
〜A Certain Magical Index World〜
Kamijou Touma was still living a normal life, just like before, yet subtly different.
After receiving the reward, all his previous memories had returned, including Misaki Shokuhou…
No wonder Shokuhou kept telling Mikoto, "But I was first," whether it was being saved or falling in love, two kinds of happiness…
Cough cough, and was he really that pretentious back then?
Also… what would the answer be this time? A hint of sorrow flashed in Kamijou Touma's eyes, for it was another world, and a girl who also bore the responsibility of saving it.
Soon, the countdown ended, and the three contestants' answers appeared on the screen.
—
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Kamijou Touma (A Certain Magical Index): "Fujimaru Ritsuka…" ]
[ Bai Junlang (Sea Tiger): "Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash" ]
[ Mash Kyrielight (Type-Moon): "Mash" ]
[ .....]
[ Ding! All three answers are incorrect. ]
[ Correct Answer— The Unreturned— Romani████ ]
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
Everyone was stunned. Romani… Who was that?!
The name was too unfamiliar to them. For a moment, no one could recall. It took a while before they remembered Romani's identity: the current director of Chaldea?!
But why would he be the Unreturned?! While it wasn't good to say, even if someone died, wouldn't Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash die first?!
Did this mean the director would also participate in this battle?!
.....
〜Type-Moon World, ????? Worldline, Chaldea〜
"Doctor?!"
Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash stared at Dr. Roman in shock.
Why… why was the unreturned the Doctor?!!
The Doctor couldn't possibly participate in this battle!
A massive wave of confusion swept through Chaldea, and indeed, through the hearts of everyone in the entire Fate world.
Though only fragments, everyone could tell from Romani's previous appearances that he was an ordinary person with no magical talent whatsoever.
So… what on earth was going on?!
Facing everyone's bewilderment, Romani merely let out a heavy sigh of relief. He didn't answer, but a sense of ease and tranquility, never before seen, flickered in his eyes.
It was good, so good…
He hadn't disappointed himself.
Before anyone could say more, the screen slowly began to play.
—
『 Fuyuki City. Flames raged, turning the land to desolation.
Marisbury Animusphere watched the scene from afar. Amidst the ruins and battle, two figures flashed rapidly!
In the inferno, the spear-wielding figure constantly fended off a rain of fist-shadows. Despite wielding a weapon, he was still outmatched!
The spear-wielder continuously dodged, but ultimately, the other shadowy figure found an opening and sent him flying with a single punch.
The spear-wielding Heroic Spirit crashed heavily into the ruins like a cannonball. The loyal Heroic Spirit attempted to fight for his Master once more, but due to severe injuries, he dissipated on the spot.
"Excellent work, Caster! With this, all six other Masters are dealt with. The Holy Grail War ends with our victory. Now, I just need to use a Command Spell to make you commit suicide, and the ritual will be complete."
"Filling this Greater Holy Grail with the souls of seven Servants, lighting the magic furnace's lamp to reach the Root. With this, the Third Magic should be achievable," Marisbury exclaimed excitedly.
Though he hadn't harbored much concern for this Holy Grail War, he never imagined he would summon such a powerful Servant!
He cleared the Holy Grail War in a single night! And as a Caster, no less, engaging in close combat with enemies, utterly crushing the Grail WAR!!! 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Anya Forger (SPYxFamily): "One against seven! DID HE SUMMON THE GREAT HERO EMIYA?! Waku waku!" ]
[ Tohsaka Rin (Type-Moon): "No, this Heroic Spirit's Class is Caster, and he fights bare-knuckled… So how is that possible?!" ]
[ Li Shuwen (Type-Moon): "What a domineering fist-art. This Servant must have held an extraordinary status in life." ]
[ Jogo (Jujutsu Kaisen): "Casters are supposed to use magic to attack, dammit!" ]
[ Tokiomi Tohsaka (Type-Moon): "Another one who cleared the Holy Grail War in a single night… and as a Caster? No, no! That's absolutely impossible! And I've never heard of a Holy Grail War held in Fuyuki City like this!" ]
[ Emiya Kiritsugu (Type-Moon): "Exactly. Only three Holy Grail Wars have been held to date, and each ended in failure for unknown reasons. I've never heard rumors of one being cleared in a single night." ]
[ Merlin (Type-Moon): "Perhaps it's a Singularity~ Simply put, a timeline you're unaware of." ]
[ Peter Parker (Earth-616): "That makes sense then. But a Servant who cleared the Holy Grail in one night, what a successful man! I wonder which Servants were so unlucky." ]
[ Cú Chulainn (Type-Moon): "Hm? I don't know? You can't tell from this, can you?" ]
[ Scathach (Type-Moon): "Spear, unlucky, loyal dog-type? Cú Chulainn, what are you pretending for?" ]
[ Cú Chulainn (Type-Moon): "…What's wrong with my Luck E! What's wrong with Luck E! What's wrong with me being UNLUCKY!!!" ]
[ Tom (Tom&Jerry): "Eh heh~" (He's getting flustered, flustered)]
[ .....]
〜Type-Moon World, ???? Worldline〜
"hmmp..."
Cú Chulainn tried to force a smile, but it looked worse than crying.
He fell into deep silence, staring at his Luck E.
So, even a D would be better…
Why are Lancers so unlucky?
Clock Tower—
The various Lords understood. Although Marisbury had proposed Chaldea back then, they hadn't continuously supplied funding because they believed it was a hoax, an empty promise that would cost too much, so they rejected it.
Now, thinking back, Marisbury must have made this wish, hadn't he?
Chaldea—
Romani couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh. This was a perfect causal loop.
Everything was incredibly rational.
—
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
Naturally, everyone was extremely curious about this second Servant who cleared the Holy Grail War in a single night. No, given the chaotic timelines of that world, it was uncertain which one happened first.
So, who was this speedrunner of the Holy Grail War?
According to the scale of the Holy Grail War, a Grand Servant absolutely couldn't manifest. So, was it just an ordinary Caster who knew a bit of martial arts?!
.....
『 "The Third Magic is the materialization of the soul. Humans, freed from the shackles of the flesh, will be liberated from all suffering stemming from finitude, advancing to a new stage."
"And you will sacrifice yourself for this. You agree, Caster, don't you?" Marisbury teased.
"Hm," the shadowy figure didn't catch the teasing tone and nodded. For him, while human salvation and growth weren't the tasks he was given.
If the humans of that era desired growth, he had no reason to stop them. He simply needed to do what he had to do, just as he did in life.
In the Holy Grail War unfolding in the city named Fuyuki, there were no Servants who ultimately survived. 』
『 .....』
〜Type-Moon World, ???? Worldline〜
Grand Temple of Time: Solomon—
"Always like this! You're always like this!"
Goetia's eyes flashed scarlet, roaring in furious low tones!
Clearly, he recognized the identity displayed on the screen, and rage burned fiercely within his heart!
Inaction, always inaction! You always just watched those sufferings unfold!
It was because of this that it seized this corpse, embarking on the cleansing of humanity!
"Solomon! Why were you even born?!"
—
『 Seeing his Servant take him seriously, Marisbury quickly explained. He wouldn't offer his assisting Servant to the Holy Grail.
He wouldn't activate the Greater Holy Grail. The mere Third Magic was irrelevant. The so-called Root?
He was Animusphere, in charge of the Celestial Division!
He would reach the Root through his own efforts!
Miracles like those proclaimed by the Einzberns… soul materialization, human growth, all of it was mere foolish dreaming. 』
『 .....』
〜Type-Moon World, Fourth Holy Grail War Worldline〜
Tohsaka Tokiomi's gentlemanly demeanor was subtly beginning to crack. He styled himself a noble gentleman, and to restore the glory of the Tohsaka family, he sought to obtain the Holy Grail and reach the Root.
But in the face of true mage families, they scorned the Holy Grail, even holding it in… contempt.
"Then what is your wish?"
Tohsaka Tokiomi muttered, gazing at Marisbury on the screen.
—
『 "Then what do you desire?" the shadowy figure asked.
"What I desire is only the Holy Grail as a wish-granting device, and my wish is already decided: to complete Chaldeas!"
For Chaldeas to operate, it required funding comparable to an entire nation. Though he possessed oil fields and nuclear power plants, it was ultimately still too little. 』
『 .....』
〜Type-Moon World, ????? Worldline, Chaldea〜
Everyone was momentarily stunned. Was the old Director from the Middle East? He actually had oil fields?!
—
〜KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World〜
"So, money is needed everywhere!"
Satou Kazuma groaned, clutching his head in agony.
If it were just him, it would be fine, but with Aqua added to the mix, there was simply never enough money!
—
〜Type-Moon World, ???? Worldline〜
Such a vulgar wish, the mages frowned. To possess the Holy Grail, a wish-granting device, but only for money?
And why not choose to make that Servant commit suicide to obtain the Greater Holy Grail?!
Marisbury, simply incomprehensible!
But little did they know, this was the true way to use the Holy Grail!
—
『 Why did the Age of Gods end? Why was the foundation of Human Order so unstable after the Common Era?
Everything he did was for Chaldea to activate, for all of humanity!
The shadowy figure admired the fervor of the man before him, but the words that followed left him frozen in place.
Because Marisbury was actually asking what his wish was.
The shadowy figure fell silent. His wish…
"While it's impossible to change the past, altering interpretations is certainly doable. Or perhaps you wish to gain a physical body and begin a second life?" Marisbury offered examples.
Facing this unexpected question, he was stunned. His wish, his wish, his wish…?
He didn't have the freedom to wish like this; the shadowy figure wanted to give that answer, but the words caught in his throat, and he abruptly stopped…
No, he did have a wish.
"Can any wish truly be granted, Marisbury?" the shadowy figure murmured.
"Yes, anything. My contractor and my only friend, Caster. No, King of Magic, Solomon."
The shadowy figure revealed himself—Solomon, with white hair and a dignified aura, showed an expression of hope for the very first time.
His wish was… 』
『 .....』
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
The Caster who cleared the Holy Grail War in a single night with his fists was actually Solomon! Was this the "Fist King of Color-Splitting"?!
Sure enough, these kings and such never do anything good!
And… the abrupt halt of the scene nearly made everyone choke!
What on earth was Solomon's WISH!!!
.....
〜Type-Moon World, ????? Worldline, Chaldea〜
Fragmented memories in Romani's mind gradually overlapped with the images on the screen.
But his body felt as if it had fallen into an ice cave, even breaking out in a cold sweat, trembling uncontrollably!
A chilling, hellish conjecture formed in his mind!
Marisbury… why, back then, did he immediately recognize his wish?!!!
.....