IBHJ 1139

Meanwhile in the Outer Universe...

Countless clouds of mist swirled around, swallowing whole planets into chaos.

"How unusual. Someone from that universe wants to be friends with us. And from the civilization of that planet we made a deal with so long ago."

"Should we contact our main bodies?"

"Better not."

Countless ghostly eyes turned to look at who spoke.

It was a young gentleman standing in the midst of chaos, with an owl on his shoulder and a black cat in his arms.

"What's wrong? Aren't you the gentleman who loves cats? Don't you want to go to that planet and find real cats?" a ghostly voice asked.

The cat-loving gentleman smiled, pointing at the chaos of the outer universe. "With just a thought, countless planets and civilizations in this universe would disappear, because they live by our rules. But if our main bodies enter their universe, we'd have to follow their rules of truth. Not to mention those transcendents would never let us into their territory. So let's not reach too far. Sending projections and avatars to have fun is enough."

"If that's what you think, we'll leave it be. But have you stopped caring about that girl?"

"She who opened that door also closed it. When she wants to open it again, I'll welcome her to our world. Like those transcendents, we'll completely shut the door to Origin. That way, the calamity of Origin's destruction won't affect us."

"Then we'll close our eyes again and enjoy our games."

"Good night, everyone."

The cat-loving gentleman took off his top hat, made an elegant bow, then looked far into the distance, as if seeing that cloud of light.

"The Holy Spirit's power has already isolated everything. Origin's disaster has destroyed the future and lurks in the past at the beginning of time, while the Emperor prepares to completely lock down the present. Heir to Tethys' vortex, can you defeat the Emperor and pull out the sword that will create a new future?"

The cat-loving gentleman's lips curled into a slight smile. "This will make quite an interesting story."

…

At the Clock Tower in London, within El-Melloi's classroom near the Romanian connection point, the Emperor's earth-shaking proclamation continued to ripple through the world.

"Thank you for responding to our urgent summons, Lord Darnic Prestone Yggdmillennia." Lord El-Melloi II studied the Mage's Association's former enemy seated before him.

"Let's dispense with formalities, El-Melloi II. For the Clock Tower to urgently summon a former enemy, this must be due to the recent proclamation from that self-proclaimed 'Heavenly Emperor.'" Darnic reclined on the sofa, regarding Lord El-Melloi II with measured interest.

"Precisely," Lord El-Melloi II nodded with a wry smile. "The Emperor's declaration has thrown nations into chaos. Now governments are pressuring the Clock Tower—"

"They want to know about Chaldea and the Council?"

"You seem well-informed, Lord Darnic."

"Naturally. The Yggdmillennia are still a family of magi, after all."

Darnic rose and walked to the window. Below, government officials were streaming into the Clock Tower's outer grounds, demanding explanations. "However," he mused, "the Red and Black Holy Grail War ended years ago, and the Black Ring that covered the sky has long since disappeared. Whatever Chaldea or Black Caster might be doing now, they have nothing to do with us anymore."

"That's precisely the problem," Lord El-Melloi II sighed.

"Have the Atlas Institute or the Wandering Sea made any statements?"

"The Atlas Institute is as much in the dark as we are, and the Wandering Sea... well, they remain out of reach. As you know, Lord Darnic, those magi at the Wandering Sea only care about Age of Gods Magecraft. And Shishigou Kairi, who was part of that Holy Grail War, has left the magical world to run an orphanage. He claims he played no significant role during the War and knows nothing about it."

Lord El-Melloi II spread his hands with another sigh, then gave Darnic a serious look. "So I must ask, Lord Darnic—did Black Lancer, Assassin, Saber, or Lady Gray from Chaldea... leave any messages before they left?"

"No, unfortunately. And my king knew nothing of this either. He was simply a Heroic Spirit summoned through normal means, who returned to the Throne of Heroes after we defeated Demonic Bodhisattva and the shadow of the Outer God."

"I see..." Lord El-Melloi II's expression turned disappointed.

"But I can tell that this Emperor... no, this being from another dimension calling themselves the Heavenly Emperor is plotting something. They may claim to be friendly, but such words, when we lack the power to resist them—heh, they're meaningless. It's not our concern right now. What we need to do is stay alert."

"Still... dimensional travel should be Second Magic." Lord El-Melloi II sighed.

"Lord El-Melloi II, pardon my bluntness, but this might be power that surpasses even 'Magic.' I don't know what's happening, but I'm certain that something worse than Demonic Bodhisattva and Outer God's shadow is coming our way! And perhaps not just for us—many parallel worlds might be caught in this crisis. The Mage's Association can't afford to keep fighting among themselves, at least not until we understand what we're dealing with."

"Actually, the Lord faction has been discussing this very issue."

"Is that so? Then I spoke too hastily." Darnic turned to face the window, looking at his reflection in the glass.

—I am the setting sun, and you are the barely rising morning sun!

Vlad III's words echoed in his mind, and determination flickered in Darnic's eyes. No matter what, our clan will survive!

The glass reflected an elderly man with white hair, not the young man who once commanded the Black faction.

…

At the University in Paris...

"Did you all see it? That girl who appeared in the sky... was it some kind of sci-fi hologram?"

"No, it had to be an angel, right? Or aliens? But why didn't they start invading our world?"

"It must have been God."

The students huddled in groups, their excited chatter masking their unease about the unknown and their awe of the otherworldly being.

A girl turned to the blonde student absorbed in her math textbook. "Laeticia, what do you think? Could that Emperor be God from heaven?"

"That cannot be the Lord!" Laeticia jumped to her feet, her voice sharp with anger. "It's complete blasphemy!"

"La... Laeticia?" The girl flinched.

Laeticia caught herself and quickly softened. "I'm sorry."

"What's wrong with you? We've been friends since elementary school... but ever since you went to Romania in high school, you've... you've become a different person. The tattoos on your back, and even on your hand - this isn't like you at all..." Her childhood friend's voice trembled with concern.

"I'm sorry..."

Laeticia covered the red, beast-like marks on her right hand and rushed out of the classroom.

She hurried back to her apartment and headed straight for her bedroom. There, lying on the bed, was an unconscious woman of striking beauty, her pale face marked by a strange pink symbol between her eyebrows.

Laeticia glared at the still figure. "Stop pretending! I know you're awake, Beast!"

"My, my. You caught me? But disturbing someone's rest isn't very saintly of you, and neither is all that anger, Lady Jeanne."