IBHJ Chapter 885

If she was Gaia, it made sense to call her mother, since Arcueid was originally created by Gaia using Crimson Moon's template. But...why was Earth's Counter Force appearing on the moon? And why had it emerged from her body? Arcueid was completely baffled.

Regarding this point, Arcueid, who had been controlled by Crimson Moon and forced to fight against Shirou and her other friends, was unaware of this truth. She was a being intentionally created by Crimson Moon through Gaia. Gaia had created Arcueid to place her senses into Arcueid's body, realizing Gaia's own manifestation, while Crimson Moon needed Gaia's senses to complete his master plan. This was a conspiracy Crimson Moon had planned long ago, with the invasion of Fuyuki as the catalyst.

The invasion and Gaia's failure to contain it had forced her to place her senses into Arcueid's body to help Eternal King. This conveniently fulfilled Crimson Moon's plan, and even in his weakened state, he had forcibly controlled Arcueid, sealing off Gaia's senses within her in an attempt to complete his master plan while Eternal King and others were occupied fighting the enemies in Fuyuki. However, Eternal King had thwarted his plot, and Arcueid had later gone to the moon, trying to replace Crimson Moon as its ruler.

In the aftermath, both sides had completely forgotten about the sealed senses within Arcueid's body.

Gaia!

After Arcueid suppressed Crimson Moon and entered Mooncell, Gaia used Mooncell's power to manifest in virtual form, taking on Arcueid's appearance.

"You've got to be kidding me! Even I wouldn't write a novel like this!" Arcueid exclaimed.

Gaia, the planet itself, had personified and appeared before her. It was both unexpected and strangely logical.

"Arcueid, I need your help," Gaia said seriously, looking at her.

"But the enemy is gone. There's nothing threatening you now, right?"

"No," Gaia shook her head. "That was just the beginning."

"Beginning?" she was confused.

"The fact that the Counter Force couldn't destroy that Invader means my main body is being tampered with or interfered with. If that's the case, the vortex has started to move." Gaia turned her head towards Earth and said, "Soon, Alaya will cease to function. The dimensions will become chaotic, and my siblings will pass a death sentence on me. Although manifestation wasn't my intention, since it's happened, I must save myself. So, help me, Arcueid."

"But if I help you, I'll have to go to Earth, won't I? Then Crimson Moon will return too, and you'll have another enemy to deal with," she pointed out.

"It doesn't matter. Crimson Moon is in a deep sleep and won't control you anymore. And if he does wake up and try to control you, I'll help you," Gaia assured her. "So, come help me."

It seemed Gaia had realized from the start that Arcueid didn't want to leave Earth.

But...

"I refuse," she shook her head.

Hearing this, Gaia was stunned, "Why?"

"Because that's not how you ask for help! What do you mean 'come help me'? That's an order. If you want help, you need to learn how to ask for it properly. If you don't know how to ask for help, how can anyone help you?" she complained, crossing her arms.

"How to ask for help? What's that?" Gaia asked blankly.

Arcueid couldn't help but smirk. If Shirou were here, he would know Arcueid was about to play a prank.

"I'll teach you. Watch closely. First, you need to bow at a 90-degree angle, making sure to push your chest out. Then, cup your hands over your heart and say to me, 'I really can't do this without you, please help me, Arcueid-sama.' Remember, your voice should be sweet, your expression soft, and ideally, your eyes should have a hint of tears to make you look pitiful. Got it?"

"I understand," Gaia nodded, then promptly bowed at a 90-degree angle, stating with a flat expression, "I really can't do this without you, please help me, Arcueid-sama."

"Uh..." Arcueid stared at Gaia's stiff actions, particularly her emotionless face. "Don't you feel even a little bit of shame?"

"Shame? What's that?" Gaia asked, tilting her head.

"It's, uh, it's that feeling of wanting to crawl into a hole and die from shame!"

"No," Gaia shook her head, her tone flat. "Although I've simulated your personality, I am essentially a planet. I don't have emotions."

"That's too bad. I really wanted you to experience it," Arcueid said with a hint of disappointment. She didn't understand, or rather, in her willfulness, she hadn't understood Gaia's true nature.

Gaia's essence was that of a planet's Counter Force. If the Counter Force were to have emotions, it would be catastrophic and terrifying for the lifeforms living on the planet. So while Gaia mimicked Arcueid's personality, she absolutely refused to simulate her emotions, and even refused to understand them.

If Gaia were to develop emotions, her main body would likely try to destroy her to prevent cancerization. In fact, from the moment Gaia manifested, she had already been abandoned and ignored by the main body. She was essentially a white blood cell, created for self-preservation.

"I've done as you asked," Gaia said. "Will you help me now?"

"I will, but on one condition."

"What condition?"

"I haven't thought of it yet, we'll discuss it later. Do you agree?" she asked.

"I agree," Gaia nodded without hesitation.

"Wow, that was easy," Arcueid was surprised, then smiled. "But don't you dare go back on your word. If you do, I'll drop the moon on you! ...Speaking of which, I said a grand farewell to everyone before leaving Earth. This is so embarrassing..."

"Let's go, Arcueid," Gaia simply said, leaving Mooncell and flying towards Earth.

"Hey, wait for me!" she quickly followed.

Upon returning to Earth, the black mist from the invaders had dissipated, leaving a clear sky. The illusions of the Age of Gods that had plagued the world were also gone.

"Shirou did it again, so easily!" she said with a smile, then turned to Gaia. "Don't you have anything to say? After all, he saved you."

"We need to hurry, Arcueid."

Gaia dove down from the sky, and Arcueid quickly followed.

They landed on a beach.

"This isn't Fuyuki City, is it? This is...Indonesia! Why are we here? This place wasn't attacked," she looked at Gaia in confusion.

"That was just the prelude. The real crisis is the vortex that follows. I need to call for help," Gaia explained.

"Vortex? What are you talking about? And even if you need help, wouldn't it be better to find Shirou and the others? Why come to Indonesia? Is there something here that can help you?"

"Yes," Gaia said, extending her hand towards the sea. With a whoosh, the water reacted, pulling back on itself like a curtain being drawn. The seafloor, complete with slimy seaweed and bewildered fish flopping about, was suddenly on full display.

Arcueid gasped. Parting the sea with bare hands was impressive, but not entirely surprising considering Gaia's identity.

What truly shocked Arcueid was the sight beneath the Indonesian waters.

It was a Buddhist relic! Countless statues and temple ruins lay silently beneath the sea. Some of the larger Buddhas were covered in moss and seaweed, testament to the passage of time.

"This is..." Arcueid was stunned. Who would have thought such a relic existed under the Indonesian waters?

"A city destroyed by nuclear weapons 5,543 years ago," Gaia answered simply.

"A city destroyed by nuclear weapons over five thousand years ago? Humans didn't have nuclear weapons back then..."

As she spoke, Arcueid suddenly remembered a novel she had written under Kariya's coercion. It was based on the "Mahabharata," which recorded an ancient nuclear war among humans. This idea seemed more plausible when considering the ancient nuclear warheads stored in Gilgamesh's treasury.

Could this city be one of the victims of ancient nuclear weapons? But why had Gaia brought her here? She was baffled.

Gaia approached the largest Buddha statue, placing her hand on it. Suddenly, the rusted statue erupted in blinding light.

Instantly, Arcueid felt a familiar sensation.

This is...!