My consciousness has long been shrouded in deep darkness.
Dark. Dark. Dark.
Nothing. Nothing. Nothing.
No light, no sound, no scent, no emotion. A sealed world. Time at an end. A pitch-black vista.
…No, it wasn't the world that ended—it was supposed to be me. I was supposed to have died.
Thus, even recognizing "nothing" is a mistake.
Then, my consciousness was abruptly pulled upward.
With light, it flooded into me.
It was warm. It was dazzling. It was gentle. It was beautiful.
Oh, how—how—
How envious.
Out of nowhere, humanity once perished.
The true culprit was the Grand Caster, the King of Magecraft Solomon—or rather, his familiars, the 72 Pillars of Solomon, or their integrated entity, Goetia. The Evil of Humanity, the Beast of Pity, Beast I. They, or it, denied the value of all life, using three thousand years of history as kindling to orchestrate the grand feat of planetary reconstruction.
But that ambition collapsed.
The Human Order Continuance Agency, Finis Chaldea, reclaimed that time. The beast that sought to deny death was felled by humans who refused to abandon life. Though one non-returner remained, the restoration of the Human Order was completed.
Yet, swept up in the tumult of a world that regained its rhythm, there was no time for a victory feast. The death of Director Olga Marie Animusphere in a terrorist attack by Lev Lainur before the Grand Order began was significant. So was the loss of Romani Archaman, who took charge in her absence. The Master and Servants who fought fiercely on-site, along with all Chaldea staff, had no respite.
Amid this, a new Singularity was detected. Three issues arose: the presence of Demon God Pillars, presumed eradicated; the Singularity's impact on the Human Order rivaling the previous seven; and, most critically, its unknown coordinates.
Acting Director Leonardo da Vinci decided to execute a Rayshift to this Singularity. The Master who once bore the weight of "humanity's last" agreed.
They arrived in a cityscape resembling an office district, devoid of human presence. To the right, a massive ancient ruin loomed in the distance. To the left, a jet-black great tree stood. Above, a starless night sky stretched endlessly.
As they tried to contact Chaldea, a figure emerged.
"Well, well, sent here, huh? I'll keep you busy until Baal or Lord Rizevim arrive… What?!"
He appeared as a silver-haired youth, but his unconcealed aura marked him as non-human.
For some reason, he fixated on the Servant.
"Out of the blue, but you, silver-haired lady—would you be my sister?!"
"…"
"…"
The proposal was so unexpected that Kadoc Zemlupus, one of humanity's last Masters, and his First Servant, Caster Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanova, froze for a moment.
"…By the power of my Command Spell, I order you, Anastasia—unleash your Noble Phantasm!"
"Viy, please. Curse, steal, freeze everything to death. Mystic Eyes activate—charge, Viy!"
Sprint: Spirit Eyeballs Viy Viy Viy.
Viy, the secret spirit of the Romanov Empire bound to Anastasia, unleashed its Mystic Eyes fully. Its all-seeing gaze twisted causality itself to create weaknesses.
"Gyaahhh! Why?!"
A Russian blizzard assaulted the mysterious pervert.
"…I acted on impulse, but was that okay?"
"It's fine. Surely."
"Finally, contact restored! You okay, Kadoc-kun? Things seem off."
Da Vinci's voice came through.
Kadoc, face sour as if he'd bitten a bitter bug, reported.
"Yeah. There was a pervert."
"Pervert?"
"Like Blackbeard."
"Hmm. Everyone else is safe, but it seems you were all Rayshifted to different locations. Some kind of barrier forcibly separated you."
"Got it. Rendezvous is priority. The closest—"
"Phew, thought I died."
The silver-haired man standing nonchalantly despite the Noble Phantasm's direct hit.
Shock at the attack's ineffectiveness and wariness of the unknown foe were overshadowed by visceral disgust from his earlier words.
"…What are you?!"
"Disgusting…"
"My fault this time. Let me explain step-by-step. Why I seek a sister—it's a long story."
"Then don't."
"Not interested."
They weren't even listening.
"My sister was exceptional, my idol."
"But then, she fell in love. With the ace of a rival faction, a mutant monster unthinkable as kin. She stopped being my sister."
What kind of logic is that?
"So I thought—somewhere, there must be someone who could be my sister! So, miss, will you be my sister?"
"No! Get out of my sight!"
"Hm, that makes seventy-eight rejections. I ask every beautiful silver-haired woman, but no one agrees. Why?"
"What's this guy saying…?"
What's this guy saying?!
"Yuugritto-kun! Learn already! Two thousand years, how many times have you done this?!"
"You never grow, despite being Life."
As Kadoc and Anastasia considered another Noble Phantasm, they felt both caution and relief at the third party's arrival. Facing this pervert was mentally draining.
But looking toward the voices, they froze in shock.
A silver-haired middle-aged man and a grotesque figure stood there.
"That Saint Graph pattern—it's impossible!"
It can't be!
"Why are you here—Demon God Pillar?!"
Her voice forced them to understand: the grotesque figure was a Demon God Pillar.
"It should've been destroyed…! In the Temple of Time!"
"Hm! Glad the kids and the distant spectators are hyped. Shame it's not him or her for first contact. Fate's not that kind, huh, Baal?"
"Indeed. That man didn't even Rayshift to this temple. Anticlimactic. But we've finally arrived…!"
The silver-haired man seemed jovial, but the Demon God oozed dark joy.
Joy? No, it was hatred and rage potent enough to destroy worlds.
"The man next to that Demon God—his pattern doesn't match any data! Not a Demon God Pillar, not Tiamat's kin. Closest to a Devil, but different. What is he?"
The silver-haired man flashed a cryptic smile, spreading his arms theatrically.
"Greetings, Chaldea. I'm—no, maybe 'we'? Nah, I'm good. I'm Rizevim Livan Lucifer, a Satan from world 'D,' far removed in dimension and coordinates."
"Another world?"
"Yup, another world. Sounds wild, but it's true. Chaldea's data observers should get it, right?"
"…Indeed, we're detecting 'impossible data.' Makes sense—it's dark matter, unobserved data."
"That's the gist. By the way, it's not just this world and mine. There are tons of worlds."
Rizevim pulling an apple from his pocket.
"You seem clueless, kid, so I'll make it simple. If one cosmology, one worldline, one timeline, one planet is an apple, the stage of all cosmologies is a massive orchard."
"Orchard."
"We couldn't even find the right orchard, let alone the apple, until today."
"Apple orchard."
"Just a metaphor, don't overthink it. Worlds where machines fight spirits, or mad evil gods reign… and others. Some lack mystery or truth; some are frozen in the Age of Gods."
Even "worlds with magecraft" varied. Some had mages hidden in the shadows; others had magic as common knowledge. Some blended science and magic; others replaced magic with science entirely.
Some worlds allowed any race with aptitude to use magecraft; others restricted it to humans.
"From what I've seen, including our worlds, I know twenty-six. Labeled by alphabet, so I was worried about detours. Numbering would've been simpler. Finally reaching the target world has this old man pumped!"
The Demon God beside him remained silent.
"So, what's with that Demon God? You revived it?"
"That's a long story, so I'll skip it. The 72 Pillars of Solomon, destroyed here, were revived in my world. Four, including Baal, chose to return here. Only they had Saint Graphs strong enough for interdimensional travel."
"Two thousand years."
"Two thousand years of walking, seeking, swearing. To return to this universe. To triumph in this world. To leap to this time. To exact revenge on this fate!"
It was a long journey. Two thousand years since destroying the accursed Biblical forces. Adventures, daily life, wars, discoveries, incidents, peace, conflicts. They saved worlds, destroyed worlds, allied with humans, killed gods.
"Pointless detours, but worth it. We gained the resources and time needed. This temple—Grand Garden Multi-Theory Composite Temple—has seven times the power and resources of the old Temple of Time. All for my revenge!"
"Nah, Baal, you only control a quarter of it. …If we hadn't passed through 'E,' it'd be more than seven times. Shame, those evil and good gods were stupidly strong."
"Truly—my heart overflows with joy! I can finally take revenge on that man!!"
"Not listening. Ignored by my ally—ouch."
"…Revenge, huh? Talking nonsense."
"Indeed. If it's about Human Order Incineration, that's just misdirected rage."
"I know!"
He knew it was misdirected rage, but that was merely a facade.
Two thousand years since reviving in a world with the accursed God of the Bible, reaching this universe. The pain and fervor never faded.
Not the collapse of a three-thousand-year plan. Not the Heroic Spirits' interference. Not even Solomon's ring return.
There was a starting point that ruined the perfect plan, the flawless execution: the Last Master of Humanity.
"…Hatred. Hatred, hatred, hatredhatredhatredhatred! I feel nothing but hatred! You, you are who I hate, Last Master of Humanity…!"
"Guess that Master isn't me."
Baal, unapologetic in his fury, responded.
"Correct. I don't even know you! To me, to us, Chaldea's Master is Ritsuka Fujimaru alone!"
"Ritsuka Fujimaru…?"
"Yes! Where is he? Where's my hatred, Ritsuka Fujimaru?! Why isn't he here? It's impossible for him to ignore a mysterious Singularity!"
Kadoc, genuinely troubled, countered with a question.
"Who's that?"
"—What?!"
"You're not hating on Wodime, are you?"
Baal couldn't process it.
This boy was undeniably a Chaldea Master, aware of the Demon Gods and the truth of Human Order Incineration. It was natural to assume today was after the Temple of Time battle and Human Order restoration.
So why didn't he know Ritsuka Fujimaru?
Ritsuka Fujimaru wasn't a proper Master—just a reserve who survived by chance and kept fighting. Kadoc assumed Ritsuka's role changed post-restoration, elevating him to Master status.
"Ritsuka Fujimaru…? Why does that name come up here? No, why do you know it?! Lev… Flauros might, but other Demon Gods have no reason to remember him!"
"What are you saying?"
Why such agitation over mentioning Ritsuka Fujimaru? No value in remembering him? Not words for the Master who saved the Human Order.
No way. No way, no way, no way!
"Acting Director, I'm lost. Who's this Ritsuka Fujimaru?"
"…Kadoc-kun not knowing makes sense. He was a civilian killed in the pre-Grand Order terrorist attack. Nothing more, nothing less. Just a name left in Chaldea's records."
"—Dead? In that sabotage? At that point? Impossible… Then who, who stopped the plan?! Who caused the perfect plan's collapse?!"
"Seems we drew a dud, Baal."
Kadoc and Anastasia braced, but this Demon God lacked Baal's hostility or intent.
"Oh, Asmodeus, huh? Not exactly backup vibes."
"Just a messenger. I'll relay what's needed and return to my domain. I've got someone waiting."
Asmodeus reporting the temple's status to Baal.
"Flauros is fighting Kirschtaria Wodime, Ophelia Phamrsolone, and Beryl Gut. Glasya-Labolas is engaged with Hinako Akuta and Scandinavia Peperoncino. You've noticed, but besides Kadoc Zemlupus, Daybit Sem Void is Rayshifted here."
"Who are they, including this kid?"
"…Forgot? They were supposed to be the A-Team Masters for Human Order restoration."
"Don't recall. Two thousand years of wear, and unnecessary memories. More importantly, Ritsuka Fujimaru died before the Grand Order?"
"I know. Our records say Flauros blew up Chaldea with the A-Team…"
"So we landed in a timeline where that failure screwed up."
"And these seven, including this boy, restored human history. That's this worldline. Not an ordinary boy, but chosen heroes defeated the Evil of Humanity. The 'world as it should've been.' Though, the Control Center failed. What were you doing in the Fourth Singularity?"
Despite lacking facial muscles, Baal's rage was palpable.
"After all this… returning here, it's a failure?! Not the target timeline?!"
"Chill, Baal-kun. It's close enough. No need for a world-level jump."
"Right, my ally Rizevim. As long as Chaldea exists, it's the worldline where that man was born! We just jump again…!"
Compared to worldlines where Human Order Incineration never started or Ritsuka Fujimaru never existed, this coordinate was close to the target.
"—You need to change more than Yuugritto Lukifugus, Baal."
"Asmodeus? What's that mean?"
"Two thousand years wandering worlds reveals things. You know it too, don't you? You're not so senile as to miss it across twenty-five worlds."
"Shut up."
"No, you shut up. You've fallen to an eternal avenger, a narrow-minded kin. Wasn't our so-called grand feat pretty ordinary?"
"Huh?"
"Eh?"
"Ordinary?"
"Yes, ordinary. Natural. Commonplace. Our Retrograde Canal / Genesis Light-Year we thought grand was cliché! …By the way, in this universe, our reason for Human Order Incineration—using three thousand years of history to fuel a deathless planet—is that right? Or is it different here?"
"Y-Yeah, that's it, but…?"
"Good. …Or not."
A ghost closed the universe, despairing of human potential. A spirit caused tragedies to reunite with one boy. A tyrant, isolated and misunderstood, brought domination and destruction. A Devil preyed on girls since history began to secure the universe's future. A ninja tried to drown humanity in dreams to negate all pain. A monster paradoxically pursued justice by aiming to be humanity's enemy.
There were gods. Satans. Kings. People. Humans.
What did I think? I laughed.
Our wishes weren't special. Collapse, defeat, failure—all the same. Completion, victory, success—just a slight misstep.
So Asmodeus was satisfied with his existence. Among the four Pillars who chose interdimensional travel, he alone lost passion, sought no fulfillment, and became a monster living solely for his purpose.
"…Confirming, your purpose isn't revenge?"
"Correct. The four Pillars had different motives for returning to this universe. Shared, not identical. Baal seeks revenge, Flauros blessing, Glasya-Labolas reunion, and I, Asmodeus, verification. To know the love of Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash Kyrielight, who defeated us, the 72 Pillars and Control Center Goetia."
"Love?"
"Yes. Knowing their love's nature is my—our—purpose."
Two thousand years passed in a blink. But the discussions with two kin in 'D' never faded from memory.
"Belial, who chose martyrdom fighting the accursed God of the Bible, said their relationship was completed in the final battle at the Temple of Time."
"This is my end, comrade Asmodeus, Sitri."
"I go first."
"My only regret is we three couldn't fulfill our wish."
"Verify it for me."
"To reiterate—"
"I believe Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash Kyrielight didn't go beyond holding hands until the Seventh Singularity. At most, embracing in emotional moments."
"But before entering the Temple of Time, I wager they coupled like beasts…!"
"Their journey's pent-up emotions had to explode!"
"Sitri, unable to withstand interdimensional travel due to Saint Graph damage, said their relationship formed distortedly from the First Singularity, licking each other's wounds through the Singularities."
"I entrust mine and Belial's wish to you, Asmodeus."
"Ritsuka Fujimaru likely pinned Mash Kyrielight before or after the First Singularity."
"He's human—no, an ordinary boy. Without that emotional anchor, he'd break."
"She accepted his pain. So devoted."
"Their wound-licking relationship continued…"
"Which is correct? Both may be wrong. But I must ask. This answer is what fifty-seven of the seventy-two Pillars sought…!"
"Hold on."
"Fifty-seven Pillars? First I've heard. Only Belial and Sitri had such foolish purposes, right?"
"Not just purpose—everyone was curious. At extinction or during jumps, they asked me to find out. Your revenge was too serious, so they avoided telling you to not dampen it."
"Then keep it hidden! No, leave. Return to your domain!"
"Gladly."
After watching his frivolous kin teleport away, Baal addressed Kadoc.
"That's that. I've no interest or hostility toward you. No plans or means to destroy the Human Order. Why Flauros and Glasya-Labolas are fighting, I don't know, but I've no such intent. I'll leave this worldline promptly. You should return too."
Though, this worldline's Baal might have a fair chance of seeking revenge on this boy.
"…Sorry, it's not that simple."
"What?"
"We're Chaldea, you're Demon Gods. Fighting's inevitable."
Baal, first of the 72 Pillars of Solomon, radiated indescribable fury.
"Unpleasant words. I'm not the Demon God you defeated. We're different from those you destroyed. What can special, singular men like you do? Stop my hatred, my rage, my humiliation? Try it…!"
Kadoc nearly flinched at the passion in Baal's words but couldn't back down.
"I can't overlook you. I can't ignore you. I can't forgive you Demon Gods. That's my duty as a Master who saved the world."
"And so, there was a history where you protected him."
"The three-thousand-year feat failed. The two-thousand-year challenge ended incomplete. …In the end, we weren't enough. We alone weren't enough."
Traveling twenty-five worlds, arriving at a slightly off timeline, he realized they'd forgotten they were the Human Order Correction Formula, the 72 Pillars of Solomon.
"Yes, humans. Humans were needed."
The Demon Gods correcting the Human Order needed human correction in turn.
"When the Hero Faction accompanying us from our revived universe died out, we should've abandoned our triumph. It took too long to reach this conclusion. No results, but we gained this challenge in the final moment. I must accept that."
The girl fell silent at his words.
"I hoarded energy, outwitting my three comrades, and mimicked the Fourth Beast. But what was the point? I don't know. …No, I never sought meaning or value. That's for you to decide."
Two thousand years passed. They held meaning, value, sorrow, joy, pain.
Then aren't results unnecessary? If you finally reached the destination only to find it wrong, isn't that enough?
Forever, forever, forever.
I can't keep up anymore.
I'm tired, I've given up, I'm done.
"There's enough energy left to destroy and remake the world. Do as you wish. You, born to continue the world, have the right to shape it."
State your wish. Any wish, you may enact it.
The girl answered in a small voice.
"…One more time."
"Hm."
Knowing its sinfulness, understanding it was unforgivable, the girl mustered her courage.
"Just once more, I want him to hold my hand."
What arrogance. What self-righteousness. What sinful desire.
What, what, what—what—
Hearing those words made Asmodeus's two thousand years worthwhile.
"—Understood. Your wish is received!"
From here, the Human Order will collapse again. Not incinerated by light bands, nor bleached by an alien god.
An erosion from extraterrestrial technology.
"In the name of our king, let us celebrate this planet's rebirth!"
No need to lament. No need to play victim with "why."
If humanity's answer was to proactively eliminate the weak, not through natural selection, that role merely fell to you.
No.
A world ending for trivial reasons is commonplace. A shallow judgment ending an era is natural. A small human trying to change fate is an ordinary answer.
Thus, the hell to come is not unjust. The tragedy to unfold is not unnatural.
This planet won't reincarnate, be incinerated, or bleached. No reform or transformation needed.
Just a slight course change. Twisting causality so one boy doesn't die. Piling countless corpses for it. Opening the cauldron of hell for it.
Remaking the day he and she weren't saved.
"Our king's will is no more."
***
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