Sorrow, Tears, and a Big Golden Retriever Dog

Why stop [Manaka]?

"Honestly, I don't have any absolute reason to stop you. Frankly, what happens to this world has nothing to do with me. Who cares if this world has Magecraft or not? What's it to me if humanity goes extinct again?"

Aoko answered casually.

"But my dear junior wants to stop you. He doesn't want to see this world destroyed again, so he's determined to stop you."

"I really care about Kouhai-kun, and I came here to help him. Since he wants to do this, I'll stick by his side. It's that simple!"

"Saving the world or whatever—he can't do it alone."

Aoko's response left [Manaka] silent, not because she couldn't reply, but because she was processing Aoko's meaning.

(Not just influenced by someone else's will, but also having her own thoughts, huh? I think I get it.)

"So, you came here for personal reasons, not some greater good? That's really nice." [Manaka] laughed. "In that case, our conflict is just personal interest versus personal interest. After years away from Magecraft, the solution I'm using is still the same as a Magus."

After all, in situations like this, only a Magus could be reached.

[Manaka] raised both hands, and the floating crown above her head suddenly glowed brightly. Like a dragon spreading its wings, two massive wings of light extended from the crown, as if carrying something aloft. At the base of the light wings, a tumor-like orb of light was slowly drawn out.

*SWISH!*

The outer layer of the light orb tore open, and under Aoko's shocked and even fearful gaze, a beast-like entity clearly began crawling out from within.

"Enough casual talk, Magician."

[Manaka] dropped her relaxed smile. "The plan has reached its final stage, and I must ensure no mistakes. Even if you all team up, I might not lose, but I dislike uncertain situations. Let this child be my most reliable guardian here."

As [Manaka] spoke, the beast from the light orb fully emerged.

"An existence my other self couldn't fully revive, now realized again through the Holy Grail."

"A fragment of human evil, a great calamity that destroys humanity. As the guardian at the meeting point of the old and new worlds, don't you think it's a fitting role?"

A beast with seven heads and ten horns, recorded in the Book of Revelation, symbolizing the devil—a disaster capable of destroying all human history, now appearing imperfectly in the vast chamber!

Named 666, the evil of humanity—Beast VI/S.

"This is our final meeting, the first and last, and the only battle between us."

"If you want to fulfill your personal desires, defeat me and this child together, Magician."

[Manaka], hovering above Beast VI/S, declared this.

As if responding to her declaration—

"GYYYAAAAARRRRRRRRR!"

A roar of destruction erupted from Beast VI/S's mouth.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

At the same moment—moments earlier, at the fully restored station.

"Oh, I see. So that's why my connection with Naoki suddenly broke."

In front of Ayaka, Arcueid, now aware of all the details, nodded in understanding. Seeing this person before her, who seemed to be using Naoki's body and called herself [Arcueid], Ayaka felt somewhat confused.

Naoki's origins were becoming increasingly unclear. Beyond his own abilities, a Magician, a True Ancestor... people closely connected to him kept appearing one after another, and they all seemed to be women.

(Just how many people does Naoki know?)

"But Naoki's current condition doesn't seem fit to continue fighting anytime soon." Arcueid said. "Even with Avalon, non-fatal wounds aren't a concern, but some injuries can't be healed by Avalon."

For instance, mental shock and brain damage from severe impacts require time to recover. If possible, Arcueid hoped Naoki could rest immediately.

After all, as long as [Manaka] was dealt with before the entire world was replaced, wouldn't that be easy for her?

[Arcueid, you can't leave now.]

Manaka's voice suddenly rang out. Arcueid had no intention of being polite to the one who first harmed Naoki. "What is it? Speak if you have something to say, or I'll silence you."

[You—have such great authority—wait, wait! Don't silence me! It's urgent! By the way, you must have sensed it too, right?!]

"Sensed? Sensed what—"

A voice suddenly piercing her ears startled Arcueid, who then knelt on the ground, her red eyes trembling slightly.

[You know now, right? Why I said you can't leave? If you go now, it's certain—]

"It'll be beyond saving." Arcueid sighed in resignation.

The evil of humanity, Beast VI/S.

Unbelievable that such a creature could appear here.

[She must have gotten the information from me and managed to revive part of its power. Its manifestation is imperfect, and I don't think it'll attack proactively, but there's that Magician below.]

"Aoko—oh, right, why do I smell Aoko on Naoki? So Aoko's here too... But her scent's odd. Do you know what happened between them?"

[Don't ask me! I don't know anything! Ask again, and I'll cry right in front of you!]

"Huh? Cry? Why would you cry?" Arcueid was puzzled. What was up with this Ayaka? And this faint scent, reminiscent of a [sad, crying golden retriever], what was that about?

(Could Naoki be under some mental interference?)

*BOOM!*

A powerful tremor accompanied by a rumbling sound came from underground. Arcueid's wandering thoughts halted. "No, no time for distractions. The priority now is that thing underground—your name's Ayaka, right? Get out of here now. It's going to get dangerous, and I can't take you with me."

"Are you going to where my sister is?!" Ayaka shook her head vigorously. "My sister's doing all this because of me. I have to go explain my feelings to her. Please, take me with you, Miss Arcueid!"