To become a king and a magician

"The wish-granting machine that can grant all wishes, the Holy Grail—that's what magicians say, isn't it?"

A voice echoed in the space. Directly beneath the Holy Grail, looking up at Aozaki Aoko, whom she had directly teleported there, [Sajō Aika], with a goddess-like figure, gently spread her arms.

"Welcome to the center of the world, the end of the world."

"The Mage".

132. A sister complex can truly destroy the world.

——【The Holy Grail】

Aozaki Aoko had heard of this existence many times before. From wish-granting machines that could grant any wish to broken cups that could destroy humanity, she had heard all sorts of opinions, but this was truly the first time she had actually seen it.

Looking at the golden cup floating above the great void, the divine radiance it emitted made Aozaki Aoko begin to believe in the claim that it was an omnipotent wish-granting machine.

The Holy Grail before us may truly be the one that can grant any wish.

But why is the Holy Grail here?

"Because here, in this Tokyo, a subspecies Holy Grail War once took place."

Even though Aozaki Aoko didn't say it aloud, [Sajō Aika] still answered her inner question: "Ask whatever you want. Right now, I can answer any question you have."

"You really handle things with ease. Does your omniscience and omnipotence give you this confidence?"

"Well, that's only part of it. Also, I'm quite free right now. With the world's rebirth already underway, I don't have anything to do until it covers this planet."

[Sajō Aika] laughed.

"So, I'm free right now, and I'm getting bored because I can't leave here, so I wanted to find someone to chat with. I was originally planning to wait for Ayaka to come here so we could catch up, but you're fine too."

"I have a lot to say to you, this newcomer who has risen to prominence."

This gentle tone gave Aozaki Aoko the illusion that she was talking to a kind older sister next door. Even though she was doing something that could be described as world-destroying, [Sajō Aika] exuded an unparalleled aura of gentleness, like a harmless girl.

Faced with such gentle behavior, Aozaki Aoko's response was—

"Zheng—!"

A magical technique flashed in the light, and in an instant, she rushed in front of [Sajō Aika]. Without saying a word, Aozaki Aoko threw a punch!

She didn't come here to chat with [Sajō Aika]. To prevent the destruction of the current world, she had to stop her here, even though, according to her, the process of reshaping the world had already begun. All she had to do was use magic to throw this period of time into the unknown future!

Therefore, we must first defeat her!

To Aozaki Aoko's utter astonishment, her punch not only failed to cause any damage, but it didn't even touch Sajou Aika's body. It was as if she had hit an invisible wall, abruptly stopping in mid-air in front of her forehead.

"You're really in a hurry, aren't you, mage? Without magic, you can't even touch my clothes."

As she spoke such gentle words, a repulsive force suddenly acted on Aozaki Aoko!

"Bang----!"

In an instant, Aozaki Aoko, who was just in front of [Sajō Aika], was now deeply embedded in the rock wall at the edge of the cave!

"Consider it an act of compassion for me, having been alone in this dark and gloomy place for eight years. How about you listen to me tell a little about my past? Of course, you are free to attack me. I haven't been active for eight years, so this is a good opportunity for me to rehabilitate."

"Boom--!"

A figure enveloped in blue light suddenly burst through the rock wall, and bright red hair rushed towards [Sajō Aika] with lightning speed, unleashing a barrage of punches and kicks like cannonballs!

Let alone humans, even a large building would probably be easily destroyed by Aozaki Aoko in a few moves.

"It all started eight years ago, on the day my father and Ayaka's father died unexpectedly."

As if she hadn't seen the attack coming at her at all, [Sajō Aika] remained motionless, letting Aozaki Aoko strike the space around her while she recounted her past.

"About ten years ago, a ritual called the Holy Grail War suddenly spread throughout the magic world. By creating a Holy Grail, Servants were summoned to fight each other, and their souls and magical power were collected to open a hole to the Root. For magicians who aimed to reach the Root, there was no more exciting news."

"Therefore, magicians around the world began to frequently hold various sub-Greek Holy Grail Wars in an attempt to create a Holy Grail that could grant their wishes."

“My father, Hiroki Sajou, had thought about it too. Eight years ago, after he had finally completed all the preparatory work for the Holy Grail War and even improved the spells for the Holy Grail War himself, he once planned to hold the Holy Grail War in Tokyo.”

The Tokyo Holy Grail War: Eight years ago, a magical ritual was supposed to take place in Tokyo.

"But in reality, the Holy Grail War never started, because I killed him before that."

"—!"

The words that came out of Aozaki Aoko's mouth startled her: "You... killed your own father with your own hands?"

"Is this something to be surprised about? Mage, didn't your sister also kill her own grandfather? For magicians, killing relatives is a perfectly normal thing."

"My reason for killing my father was very simple—for Ayaka's future."

【Sajō Aika】is an omniscient and omnipotent being, which means that she knows everything, including what she experienced in another parallel world. She admits that those are things she would do, such as destroying everything for the sake of her beloved. She is definitely capable of doing it.

If the Tokyo Holy Grail War were to take place, it would inevitably lead to that kind of future, and that kind of future would be terrible for Ayaka.

"Although the encounter with the prince is something to look forward to, and the relationship with him is like that of lovers, Ayaka's happiness is more important to me than my own."

"So I killed my father, took over his research, and began preparing for the rebirth of the world."

Although it's an additional function, the Holy Grail's ability to grant wishes still has some merit. If it's amplified through [Sajō Aika's] abilities, that rumor might actually come true.

Therefore, the Holy Grail War was nipped in the bud, allowing Ayaka Sajou to live peacefully for eight years without having to participate in that dangerous Holy Grail War. Moreover, thanks to the world's rebirth she prepared, she will eventually reach that happy future.

This is the choice of [Sajō Aika] in this world.

The radiance emanating from the Golden Cup grew ever brighter, as if crowning her. The light emanating from it gathered above [Sajō Aika]'s head, coalescing into a radiant crown, and a gossamer-thin dress was also draped over her.

A princess like a goddess.

This was the only way Aozaki Aoko could describe the girl who had come into her view.

"I have no intention of hurting anyone. I just want to create a world where Ayaka can be happy."

"Please don't stop me, mage."

133. This sky doesn't need two moons.

Just as [Sajō Aika] below revealed the truth, the situation of the battle between the two Natsukawa Toratos on the surface became increasingly clear.

In short, it's one-sided.

(Damn it!)

Once again, he was kicked away hard, and like a ball, [Natsukawa Tiger] struggled on the ground, glaring angrily at his other self, his eyes spitting out fierce rage.

If looks could kill, Natsukawa Torato would have been killed countless times by now.

(How could he have fallen to this state—that guy's power was clearly borrowed, not even his own, so why is he still so strong!)

[Natsukawa Torato] was not stupid; after considering the actual situation, he quickly understood the source of Natsukawa Torato's power.

Ayaka Sajou, this woman couldn't have stayed for no reason, and neither could her other self. There must be some deeper meaning behind it. After switching forms, the interaction between her other self and Ayaka Sajou made [Natsukawa Torato] completely understand.

That woman learned summoning magic in just a few days!

Even if you can't master it, even if the effect isn't as good as using the real thing yourself, it can still help the real thing regain some of its power!

But that's only a part of it!

"Why... I'm supposed to be stronger, how could I have ended up like this!"

"laugh--!"

As the cold wind blew in front of him, a foot rapidly enlarged in [Natsukawa Tiger's] vision. The solid foot, carrying heavy force, sent him flying again, almost shattering his face!

The excruciating pain caused [Natsukawa Tora]'s anger to swell once again!

He was the first new human to be created, and those two women gave him power that surpassed that of the real thing, enough to completely replace his existence!

How could someone like that be...?

"How could you possibly solve this so easily!"

"Crack!"

A foot that fell from the sky suddenly shattered his chest!

Xia Chuanhu looked down at his other self: "It's time to end this, my other self. I've played with you long enough. I don't have that much time to waste on you."

"The end? No! I won't have any so-called end until I kill you!"

This was an obsession that occupied his entire soul, an obsession that had lingered deep within his consciousness since the moment he was created! Only by killing his other self in the world could his rage be extinguished! Only then could his heart be satisfied!

Even if he dies, his body will not stop!

"Crack!"

Completely ignoring the potentially fatal wound on his chest, [Natsukawa Tiger] grabbed Natsukawa Tiger's foot and, like a mountaineer eager to reach the summit, glared angrily and slowly propped himself up again!

Click click click...

The sound of bones cracking echoed incessantly. Xia Chuanhu's foot was almost piercing into his body, but Xia Chuanhu seemed to feel no pain at all, letting his muscles tear and his bones shatter as he straightened up again.

then--

"Crack!"

He snapped Xia Chuanhu's calf in one swift motion, his five fingers piercing deep into his body. Scorching flames ignited in his palm, instantly engulfing Xia Chuanhu completely! Dozens of rock spears simultaneously shot out from the ground around the two of them!

Even if he's seriously injured, I'll send him to hell!

The only person I'm determined to kill is this guy in front of me!

"Click..."

However, the icy blue light that appeared in his vision momentarily stopped [Natsukawa Tiger]'s anger from burning. Just like the previous times, in the blink of an eye, the flames and rock spears were completely frozen.

Shattering the ice on his body, Natsukawa Tiger patted off the ice shards: "Your resolve is just like mine... another me, you really are me. But just as there can't be two moons in the sky, there can only be one me in the world."

"Die in the ice, brother."

The ice began to spread rapidly, and in an instant, most of Xia Chuanhu's body was frozen.

They'll freeze to death in another second.

Upon realizing this, a strong sense of resentment welled up in [Natsukawa Tora].

(Damn it! Damn it! Damn it, damn it, damn it! Why won't you die, you bastard! Why must it be me who dies! Why can only you exist in this world! Why can't it be me!)

(Why—why do I have to lose!)