To become a king and a magician

"Click~~~~"

The door to the control room behind me opened.

Natsukawa Torato, Fujimaru Ritsuka, Mashu, Akuta Hinako, Xiang Yu.

Five Chaldea combat personnel filed in, and after arriving beside Roman, they glanced at the situation on the screen. Natsukawa Torato's eyes flashed: "Did you find it?"

"Yes, I found it."

Roman nodded.

"After analyzing the seventh Holy Grail you brought back, and combining it with the analysis data from several other Holy Grails that were recovered previously, we obtained the coordinates of a hidden singularity three minutes ago that had never been observed before."

As Roman spoke, he displayed all the intelligence he had observed on the screen in front of everyone.

"Based on current observations, we have observed an independent singularity there. The overall structure of the singularity is like a living thing, or even more like a temple. The temple is collecting unimaginable magical power from all eras of human history, forming an astonishing magical vortex at the center of the temple."

"Without a doubt, that is our final destination."

The final destination.

The Seventh Singularity is not the end of Chaldea's journey so far. After all, the mastermind behind the Human Incineration had already shown himself once in the Fourth Singularity. His name is Solomon, one of the Seven Grand Knights chosen by the Root. If he is not defeated, the Human Incineration will not end.

To date, apart from the Fourth Singularity and the initial Fuyuki Singularity, the other side has not appeared again, not even in the Seventh Singularity.

Therefore, even though all seven singularities have been eliminated, the burning of humanity is not yet over, and there is still a final enemy to face.

That enemy is now located within a completely new singularity observed by Chaldea.

"They really don't give people any time to rest." Hinako Akuta pouted. "The battle at the Seventh Singularity only ended three hours ago, and we have to start a new one."

“After all, time waits for no one.” Natsukawa Tora shrugged. “If possible, I think given Roman’s personality, he would definitely want to make full preparations before going to that singularity, but the current situation doesn’t allow it, right?”

"Ah."

Roman explained, “We did observe the coordinates of the singularity that the other side possessed, but it was the same for them. The moment we became aware of it, King Solomon also knew the coordinates of Chaldea and began to draw us toward them.”

"In fact, Chaldea is currently merging with that singularity, and it's out of control."

Integration?

Fujimaru Ritsuka frowned: "Does fusion mean... merging into one?"

“No, we will be destroyed.” Roman shook his head. “Just as light can be assimilated by stronger light, the same is true for the intensity of space. The spatial intensity of the singularity is far stronger than that of Chaldea. The moment we come into contact, Chaldea will be assimilated by it, and we will be completely destroyed.”

"There is only one way to avoid such an outcome: before the two sides make contact, use spiritual energy transfer to go to that singularity, defeat King Solomon, destroy the singularity, and end the burning of humanity."

"This is the only way."

This was truly unexpected information. After all, the group had just finished the battle at the Seventh Singularity, and the battle with Tiamat had only happened three hours ago. They hadn't even had enough time to rest, let alone prepare.

As Natsukawa Tora said, Roman would certainly prefer a few more days to allow everyone to rest and recharge before the final battle, but time is of the essence. Based on the current situation, it's predicted that Chaldea will collide with the singularity where the Magic King is located in two days.

They will be defeated in an instant, and if Chaldea, as the last remnant of humanity, is defeated, it means that the burning of humanity will no longer be able to be stopped.

That is to say, the principles of humanity have been completely destroyed.

The final five hours before contact are the time for the decisive battle.

"Roman, how are the preparations for the spirit transfer going?" Natsukawa Tora suddenly asked.

“Spirit transfer can be performed at any time.”

"it is good."

Turning around, Natsukawa Tora looked at the four people behind him: "As the Chaldea Operations Chief, I am issuing you instructions here—all of you are to disperse on the spot now and regroup here in 24 hours. In the time before that, you must make sure that your mental and physical condition is in its best condition."

"When you return to this control room, the final battle will begin. Solomon, the Magic King. The mastermind behind the burning of humanity, our greatest enemy. We must win this final battle no matter what."

"The singularity we are heading to is called [Solomon] - the End Singularity, Grand Temple of Time Solomon."

2. Each person's feelings

An hour after the meeting was dismissed.

Inside Fujimaru Ritsuka's private room.

"Mom, how's the situation over there?"

Through Chaldea's computer, Fujimaru Ritsuka is having a video call with her mother.

The outside world has been burned down, and the network naturally no longer exists. However, because the Root System has maintained Kanbuko City, the network still exists only between Kanbuko City and Chaldea. Therefore, Fujimaru Ritsuka can communicate with her parents as she does now.

What could be wrong here? It's the same as always. But how's work going on your end?

Fujimaru's mother said to her daughter with a smile.

[I remember you said before that you went to... Mesopotamia? Has your work there been finished?]

"Yes, it just ended not long ago. I just flew back to Chaldea, and I called you as soon as I had a break to let you know I'm safe." Fujimaru Ritsuka tried her best to sound relaxed; if possible, she didn't want her family to worry about her.

But no one knows a son better than his father, and this applies to mothers and daughters as well. Even though Fujimaru Ritsuka has hidden it very well, how could her mother not see her daughter's current situation?

What happened?

"Huh? Mom, what are you saying?"

Your brow is furrowed, and your eyes don't look quite right. Are you too tired from work?

"Ah~~~ Yeah, I am a bit tired. After all, I flew back as soon as I finished my work. As I just said, I finally have time to rest now."

[Really? Then you should get some rest and not overwork yourself. When are you planning to come back this time? Your dad and I will prepare a feast of your favorite dishes for you.]

Hearing her mother say this, Fujimaru Ritsuka paused, then shook her head with a wry smile: "No, I'm not going home this time. There's not enough time. I have a lot of work lately, and I have to leave again the day after tomorrow."

【Huh? So soon? Only two days of rest?】

"Yeah, there are still a lot of problems in the world right now, so Chaldea is quite busy. Next time we're going to... wait, I think it's Israel?"

It's quite far... well, there's nothing we can do about that then.

Fujimaru Ritsuka clasped her hands together and smiled apologetically, "I'm sorry, Mom, but I'll definitely have time after that. I have a long vacation scheduled, and I'll definitely go back with Mashu then!"

"Really? That's good... By the way, could you bring your minister back so your father and I can meet him?"

"Huh? Minister, why?"

[Because you often talk about him, Ritsuka, your dad and I were wondering if it was because of your feelings for that minister—]

"Ahhh~~~ Mom, don't talk nonsense!" Fujimaru Ritsuka quickly interrupted her mother's gossip, blushing. "That will cause trouble for the captain, and the captain is about to get married. It's not appropriate for you to do that!"

【Eh? Getting married soon? That's really something... But it shouldn't be a problem for us to meet him, right? After all, he's always been so kind to you, we should really thank him.】

"Ah... well... I'll discuss it with the minister later. If the minister can spare some time, perhaps..."

【Well—it's about time. I should go buy groceries to prepare dinner for your dad. I'll stop here for now, Ritsuka. Goodbye. Let's chat again when you have time, or when you get home. Oh, and by the way, please be careful out there and stay safe.】

"I know, Mom." Fujimaru Ritsuka smiled and waved. "Goodbye. I'll come home after my next mission."

"--absolute."

——————————————————————————————————————

Inside Hinako Akuta's room.

"The final battle..."

Sitting on the edge of the bed with Xiang Yu, Akuta Hinako sighed softly.

"The day has finally come... Ten years have passed in the blink of an eye."

Ten years ago, because of a promise made by Natsukawa Torama, Akuta Hinako followed him to Chaldea, promising to help fight against the burning of human reason in exchange for the chance to reunite with Xiang Yu.

Not long ago, her long-cherished wish of thousands of years was fulfilled, and her reunion with Lord Xiang Yu was the most joyful thing that had happened to Akuta no Hina in all these thousands of years.

but--

"Yu, don't you want to participate in this final battle?"

Having seen through his beloved wife's thoughts, Xiang Yu asked.

Akuta no Koko leaned against Xiang Yu and nodded slightly.

The final battle, the battle against King Solomon, the battle against the Demon King Goetia—to be honest, Hinako Akuta didn't want to go. She had already fulfilled her contract with Torata Natsukawa. For the past six months, she had been participating in battles against singularities. In terms of the contract's terms, she had perfectly fulfilled it.

So it's okay if she doesn't go to this final battle.

And if you go...

"Lord Xiang Yu, Yu... is terrified of losing you again," Akuta Hinako said in a low voice.

King Solomon is a formidable enemy, while his true form, the Demon King Goetia, is a Beast on par with Tiamat, and a powerful being whose strength surpasses that of Grand Servants.

If they were to go to battle together, aside from Akuta Hinako herself, Xiang Yu might...

Akuta no Hinako did not want to see that outcome. She had waited for thousands of years to finally have this opportunity to reunite with her lover, and she absolutely did not want to be separated from Xiang Yu again.

If fighting would lead to that outcome, she would rather not fight.

She is content with maintaining the status quo.

Listening to his beloved wife's heartfelt words on his shoulder, Xiang Yu was silent for a moment, then said, "Then, I will go to the final battle. You will stay in Chaldea."

"No way!!"

Without the slightest hesitation, the moment Xiang Yu finished speaking, Akuta no Hina reflexively and emotionally chargedly refused.

The memory of that night at Gaixia, a thousand years ago, resurfaced from the depths of my mind.

It was the same that time, on that night a thousand years ago when the two parted ways!

Hinako knew why Xiang Yu wanted to fight: he wanted "peace throughout the world," a core command set for him from the moment he was created. In this apocalyptic world where reason had been burned away, to bring the world back to peace and prosperity, King Solomon had to be defeated.

Therefore, Xiang Yu had to go to battle.

"Lord Xiang Yu, you..."

Clutching tightly at Xiang Yu's clothes, Akuta buried her head deeply in his chest.

"If you go, there is a very high chance that you will die on the battlefield again."

“If this can bring peace to the world, then my life is not worth cherishing.” Xiang Yu gently stroked his lover’s hair. “Yu, I know what you are thinking. This is the reunion with me that you have waited for for a thousand years. You do not want to leave me again, you do not want to witness my departure again, and I know this in my heart.”

"But there is no need to worry or grieve, my beloved wife. I believe this is not our final farewell."

"My existence is engraved on the Throne of Heroes. No matter where you are, I will respond to your call and return to your side."