IBHJ 1142

During their travels with Gaia, Mordred had completely figured out this woman—she was like a complacent donkey.

"Now that I've reconnected with my main body, nothing on Earth can escape my sight anymore—except for those transcendent beings, of course!" Gaia declared smugly.

Shirou frowned. "Even with planetary support... honestly, that doesn't mean much since this connection point won't be easy to handle."

"That's exactly why we need help!" Gaia smiled.

"Help?" Kama arched an eyebrow. "Lady Gaia, forgive my bluntness, but the people and Heroic Spirits of Pan-Human History have all disappeared. There... there simply isn't any help to be found here."

"Maybe not in Pan-Human History, but other worlds might have some!"

Surprise flickered across his face. "You mean summoning allies from other connection points? Like Skadi and Scathach from the Nordic connection point?"

"Exactly."

"But the Emperor has sealed all the connection point passages."

Gaia's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Have you forgotten, Shirou? There's someone who specializes in this kind of world-crossing smuggling work!"

"You mean—" Shirou and Merlin exchanged glances before saying in unison, "Zelretch?"

"Yes, him!"

...

"I shall take my leave and return to Camlann, my two Apostles," Guinevere announced as soldiers helped her mount her horse. Gripping the reins with one hand, she addressed Apostle Mordred and Ector in farewell.

Now that Shirou and his companions had slipped through their fingers, there was no reason for her to remain with the pursuit force. It was time to return to Camlann.

Apostle Pendragon gave a solemn nod. "The empire still faces threats from Pan-Human History's Heroic Spirits. Travel safely, Princess Guinevere."

"You're too kind, Lord Pendragon."

Guinevere hurriedly nodded, offering a smile. She had initially believed Apostle Pendragon to be an unapproachable tyrant, but in truth, she possessed a passionate nature—though it only surfaced when dealing with those she deemed useful.

Truly fitting for a ruler.

But the time for farewells had come. The Apostles would handle both the Heroic Spirits of Pan-Human History and the enemies across the sea. Her duty was simply to return to Camlann and continue her role as its princess.

Just like those forgettable days, long and dreary, filled with listless melancholy.

—This is the second time I've caught you, Princess. There won't be a third.

As his threatening words echoed in her mind—along with the memory of that burning chest pressed against her and that warm breath so close to her face—Guinevere's ears burned crimson. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as shame and anger mingled in her heart.

To dare threaten me in such a manner—what an absolute scoundrel!

"I hope the Apostles catch him soon!"

Yet even as she said this, her mind wandered treacherously. What if he caught her again? How would he humiliate her next time? Would he force her face against the ground and call her a foolish sow? Or would he yank her hair back, watching her tear-stained face with mockery while calling her a worthless pig? The mere thought sent thrills through her...

Wait!

"Ah— Ah— what are you thinking about, Guinevere!"

She clutched at her elegant hair in distress, her face burning scarlet.

"Princess, are you alright?" The soldiers watched her flustered behavior with concern.

"No—no, everything's fine!"

Guinevere frantically waved her hands in dismissal, then secretly pinched herself. How utterly shameless!

While she was still in the midst of her personal crisis, sudden cries of alarm pierced the air.

"Good heavens!"

The soldier leading her horse pointed at the sky, his voice trembling: "P-Princess, look up there—!"

Guinevere looked up and froze. Above them, brilliant streaks of light pierced the heavens as multiple figures, trailing infinite holy radiance like sacred comets, plummeted straight down from the sky.

"Is... is this a Holy Descent?" Guinevere's face were filled with amazement.

The Holy Descent was a phenomenon where Apostles would descend from the Imperial Palace to defend the Empire from foreign threats. No matter what danger menaced the Empire, when the Holy Descent manifested, the Apostles would descend from the heavens above to vanquish all threats. It was a cornerstone of the Empire's faith.

But now?

Their faith was literally falling from the sky!

Right here!

What could this mean?

There was only one answer...

War!

"Are Shirou and the others... truly that dangerous?" Guinevere whispered to herself.

…

"Those bastards... they certainly know how to use people."

Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg, the only Magician capable of traversing multiple worlds and wielder of the Second Magic, heaved a deep sigh. "First you had me constantly monitoring the Root's movements, and now you want me to hop between parallel worlds collecting people. What am I, some kind of interdimensional taxi driver?"

It had all started thirteen years ago, after the Fuyuki invasion, when Gaia—manifesting through Mooncell—had tasked Zelretch with observing the Root's movements.

True to his rebellious nature, he'd initially refused. But after Gaia's faithful hound ORT had thoroughly thrashed him, he'd fallen in line with Gaia's instructions rather quickly.

That observation had consumed thirteen years in Pan-Human History, which explained why Shirou had never been able to track him down.

"The Heavenly Emperor, huh... and of course it involves Fujimaru Shirou again! That man is a walking disaster! Here I am, staying in this godforsaken place, and I still get dragged into cleaning up his messes... Damn it all!"

Even Zelretch couldn't contain his frustration. "I should never have picked that fight with Crimson Moon! Wouldn't it have been better to let him kill the boy?"

Seven Beasts, Queen of Evil, Heavenly Emperor, Lord of Salvation... Only now did Zelretch finally realize that Crimson Moon had been right all along.

"How foolish I was in my youth!"

"Still, with the First Magic making an appearance, I can't exactly stay on the sidelines," Zelretch sighed.

The First Magic was the most ancient of the Five Magics, though its true nature remained shrouded in mystery. Its existence was common knowledge among certain privileged magi.

But as a Magic user who had been active since the Common Era, Zelretch was among the rare few who truly understood the First Magic's nature. He had, after all, crossed paths with its user multiple times and witnessed her ultimate fate.

That's why Zelretch knew with certainty that this self-proclaimed Holy Spirit, this Heavenly Emperor, meant the First Magic had begun stirring in this world once again.

This wasn't something he could ignore.

"The Norse connection point... Yes, there's an incredibly powerful composite divine signature there, but that means nothing against the First Magic, Gaia. You should understand the truth of the First Magic, which is—"

…

Meanwhile in Tír na nÓg...

"Perfect—we've made contact with Zelretch, and he's already departed to other worldlines to gather reinforcements," Gaia announced to the group through a screen.

Shirou nodded, though his expression was peculiar. What an odd twist of fate, he mused, assembling a team of destroyers to fight against the continuation of the kingdom he himself had created. Life had a strange way of coming full circle.

Though speaking of which, Sir Bedivere must be struggling even more.

After all, Shirou knew well enough that this wasn't truly his kingdom—it was Bedivere's Empire. The bitter taste of betraying both Empire and Emperor... it must be almost unbearable.

Yet curiously, Shirou had noticed something else: Gaia showed no antipathy or particular reaction to the presence of the Beast and the Council. She seemed to naturally accept the presence of Goetia, Kama, and Abigail among them, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

Perhaps this was simply the planet's perspective. Whether Heroic Spirits or Beasts, good or evil—all were viewed equally in her eyes.

"Speaking of which, it's quite remarkable to see a Buddha manifest," Gaia remarked, observing Xuanzang.

"Buddha?" Xuanzang's face scrunched up in confusion. "Pardon me, but are you referring to my teacher? Is he here? Though this is sudden, this humble monk must first pay respects to him three times—"

Kama let out a weary sigh. "She means you, Master Xuanzang."

"Me?" Xuanzang jabbed a finger at herself, eyes growing wide. She frantically waved her hands as if trying to ward off the very notion. "This humble monk is merely a simple pilgrim from the East journeying West—how dare I claim the title of Buddha? You're too kind, far too kind!"

Watching Xuanzang's flustered denials, Shirou could only shake his head. Among all those present, she alone seemed blind to the divine aura radiating from her very being.

Indeed, though she had manifested as one of the Journey to the West pilgrims, she was actually a Buddha of Merit. Sakura must have realized this more than anyone, given that Kama was the prototype of Mara, Buddha's adversary.

"Now then, let me teleport Altera to your location. You're short-handed there, and Altera will be a valuable asset."

Altera lifted her head, her crimson eyes meeting Gaia's with concern. "Lady Gaia, if you send me away, you'll be alone on this moon."

The implication was clear—with her departure, Gaia would be left without protection.

"Don't worry, no one will come after me," Gaia thumped her chest confidently. "Even the Emperor, who wishes to control me, won't bother anymore."

Altera's brow furrowed in confusion. "Why not?"

Ambrosius barely contained her laughter. "Because she's like a lizard's discarded tail—the real prize has already escaped."

"Ambrosius—!" Gaia shot her a fierce glare.

Ambrosius quickly covered her mouth, though her face still showed an impish grin. Clearly, she had seen through Gaia's bluff.