IBHJ 1059

"Think you could take us there?"

"Of course!" she beamed at him like he'd just suggested a fun outing. "Just give me a sec to check!"

"Thanks, Arcueid."

Her expression shifted to genuine confusion. "Why are you thanking me? That's what friends are for, right?"

Watching her puzzled face, he was reminded again of how Arcueid approached friendship – to her, refusing a request from a friend was almost unthinkable.

"Oh right..." she suddenly paused, glancing around at their group. "Morgan didn't come with you, did she?"

He frowned at her odd tone. "No. Why?"

"Nothing. It's good she didn't. Now I can work in peace." she sighed in relief and walked towards the core with a smile. "I'll find where they're holding White Titan."

Watching her practically skip toward the crystal, Shirou had to suppress a smile. He hadn't forgotten how she'd been avoiding Morgan like the plague since Eternal Kingdom incident.

His amusement faded as he watched Arcueid begin her search. Archimedes' target was White Titan – he had already captured Altera and possessed pieces of Velber 02. With his abilities, if he found White Titan first, the Giant God King would surely be born. That would be a disaster. In the worst case scenario, it could even attract unwanted threats from outer space and beyond. They had to stop him.

"Found it! Southeast corner, in the basement chamber!" she pointed.

"Take us there, Arcueid."

"Okay." she nodded and started using the core to shift their location, guiding Shirou and the others towards White Titan.

...

The battle on the moon raged. Velber 02 was powerful, a cutting-edge warship equipped with devastating weapons, but this was only a fragment of its full strength, not a complete Velber 02. Against the combined might of Saturn's monsters, it was actually losing ground.

Archimedes was considering a retreat when a reversed black vortex suddenly appeared, tearing through the moon's surface.

Countless black hands shot out from the reversed vortex, like chains, seizing the monsters and dragging them into the darkness.

The monsters were crushed, ground to powder, and swallowed by the vortex, which grew larger with each one it consumed.

"This... Chairman?"

Archimedes stared at the vortex in shock. Had the Chairman known his every move and decided to come here directly from British Connection Point?

The thought made Archimedes' face pale.

Once the vortex had consumed all the monsters, a graceful figure materialized at its center. As the black vortex shrank and converged, the figure grew more solid.

"That's not the Chairman?" Archimedes raised an eyebrow as he studied the figure. But... if not the Chairman, then who?

"My name is Manaka Sajyou." As if reading his mind, Manaka stood before Velber 02, smiling. Her eyes seemed to pierce through its hull, looking directly at Archimedes.

"Manaka... Sajyou." Archimedes tested the name carefully, keeping his tone deliberately courteous. They'd never met, but that presence... It reminded him too much of the Chairman to risk any discourtesy. "I don't believe we've met. To what do I owe this... unexpected visit?"

Manaka's voice was light as spun sugar, a deceptive sweetness coating her words. "I heard an interesting story," she began. "About a brilliant scholar who discovered Atlantis, home of the Greek gods. He learned everything about Velber, dedicated his life to saving humanity from destruction. Just when success was within reach... A mere soldier ended him." She paused, a sly smile curving her lips. "I wonder who that scholar might have been?"

Archimedes' expression darkened. "If you're here just to waste my time with ancient history—"

"Oh, not at all." Her smile softened to something almost sympathetic. "I simply thought the wise Archimedes should know that Eternal King has already reached White Titan's chamber. With Mooncell's core, no less. Such a shame about your plans."

"I see. So you're saying you're an enemy of Chaldea, and you also dislike the Council. You want to work with me?" Archimedes asked calmly.

"Clever," she tilted her head. "But let me correct you – I don't dislike the Council, and I'm not an enemy of Chaldea. I'm only against Fujimaru Shirou... or rather, Eternal King, and the Council Leader."

Archimedes' eyes narrowed. "Then what exactly is it you want from me?"

Manaka smiled and held up two fingers. "Two things. The Council Leader's location, and Mooncell's core."

Archimedes' eyes narrowed slightly. Anyone asking after the Chairman was clearly an enemy – not that it mattered anymore. The Council had outlived its usefulness to him.

"The Chairman's whereabouts? That's simple enough. She's currently... preoccupied at the British connection point."

"Preoccupied?" she raised an eyebrow.

"That particular connection point is unique. Left unchecked, it would overwhelm not just the Council and Chaldea but every UO in existence. The Chairman has to keep it constantly suppressed. Otherwise, she'd be here herself." He paused. "Now you know where the Chairman is. As for the core, I don't mind giving it to you, but I need to use it first."

"Perfect." Manaka's smile widened like a cat who'd just cornered a particularly amusing mouse. "We have a deal."

"A pleasure doing business," Archimedes replied smoothly.

But internally, his thoughts were different. With someone of her caliber as a pawn, even Eternal King becomes insignificant. Once I have White Titan, once the Giant God King rises... He had to suppress a chuckle. Just wait until I've used you to death!

"Graaauuugh!"

Meteors continued to fall from space, transforming into grotesque monsters as they crashed to the ground.

She glanced at the creatures, then waved her hand, opening a black vortex in the air. "Best not to engage Saturn's pets directly," she warned, stepping into the swirling darkness. "We don't want to attract UO's attention. Follow me."

"Alright." Archimedes nodded. He understood. Until the Giant God King was complete, Saturn was their biggest threat. They had to avoid its attention. He piloted Velber 02 into the black vortex.

...

Evil spirits ravaged the world, leaving a trail of chaos in their wake. Mordred and the Guild Masters rallied adventurers to fight back, but the evil spirits, empowered by Uranus and fueled by a thirst for revenge, were overwhelming. One by one, the capitals of the vampires, humans, and beast-folk fell. Flames engulfed the land, painting it with the crimson streaks of bloodshed.

Only Sanctuary remained untouched. The irony was biting. Gandharan's malevolent spirits had brought the world to ruin, yet Sanctuary was protected by the very God Warriors created from their corpses and plucked eyes.

"Graaauuugh!"

A dragon's roar ripped through the chaotic sky. Uranus's dragon, driven by Gandharans's hatred, sought to annihilate all life. It embodied the combined fury of both Gandharans and Uranus, aimed at the destruction of the land and the planet itself.

The two hatreds intertwined, further fueled by the covert meddling of various UOs, giving rise to the solar system's ultimate monstrosity - Uranus's dragon.

"Sanctuary is their next target," Artoria announced. "They'll attack head-on."

"What can we possibly do?" The cry came from somewhere in the crowd. "How do we fight something like that? Do we even have a chance?"

All eyes turned to Artoria. Her strategic brilliance had impressed them in the short time they'd known her. They trusted her military judgment, but even she couldn't stop the evil spirits' relentless attacks. This wasn't war; it was a massacre driven by vengeance.

Artoria's expression hardened. "Our only option is to use the God Warriors as a shield."

Everyone nodded grimly.

Times had changed. Yet, their helplessness against such forces remained the same. They were forced to rely on something they desperately wished to avoid. But they had no other choice.

"King of Knights!" Kiara burst through the door, breathless. "King of Knights—"

Artoria's brow furrowed. "What is it, Sessyoin?"

"The dragon! It flew into the sky!"

"Flew into the sky?"

Everyone froze. They hurried outside and looked up, their eyes widening in alarm. The dragon, radiating intense hatred and resentment, flew up, as if trying to pierce the sky and reach the stars.

"It's leaving!" the adventurers cried out in relief. "We're saved!"

But Artoria and Mordred exchanged a horrified look. "It's heading for the Moon!"

"My King!"

Artoria's expression hardened. Without hesitation, she raised her sword and struck at the dragon. Two beams of mana sliced through the air, severing the dragon's tail. But even this devastating attack had no effect. The dragon continued its relentless ascent, as if driven by a single, overwhelming obsession.

There—over there! It sensed the executioner's presence on the bright moon. Hatred and resentment surged within it.