"Haa… haa… haa…"
Kneeling on the ground, propped up by her scythe, Gray panted heavily. She lifted her head with effort, gazing ahead.
"I-is it… over?"
"Cliché as it is, the moment you say that, the enemy usually emerges unscathed the next second. But this time, it's truly over."
Naoki now wearing a new Mystic Eyes cover, approached her, crouched down, and hoisted her onto his back.
"You did amazing this time, Gray."
"Big Brother…"
It wasn't the first time Gray had been praised by Naoki, but for some reason, this time she felt happier than ever.
"But… I'm in a bit of a bind now." Naoki suddenly gave a wry smile. "Being protected by my little sister feels like my authority as a big brother is crumbling."
"It won't…" Gray leaned against Naoki's back, clutching his clothes tightly. "In my eyes, you're always the most authoritative—except in front of Saudi Merry."
"That last part didn't need to be said, Gray."
What did she mean, except in front of Merlin? He was the most assertive in front of Merry, okay? If Naoki were even slightly softer, that brazen woman would've trampled him and caused a scene.
"Hm… Gray?"
Feeling a slight tremor behind him, Naoki glanced back—Gray had fallen asleep.
[She used up a lot. Releasing the Holy Spear is still a bit too much for her. You should reward this little girl properly later, kid—like giving her a kiss!]
"Don't get weird, Add. Behave yourself. I don't want my legs broken."
[Who could break your legs? At worst, Morgan might chase and beat you for a bit.]
Ignoring Add's lewd remarks, Naoki carried Gray toward Vimana, which had conveniently landed right in front of him.
Leaping down from Vimana, Angelica knelt before Naoki: "My apologies, Naoki-sama, for arriving late. Please administer punishment."
"No, you came just in time. Very helpful. The final part would've been tough without you. Look after Gray, then join Mordred. I have business here."
"Understood."
Handing Gray to Angelica and watching them board Vimana, Naoki turned to survey the devastated surroundings. He shouted into the seemingly empty space: "So… how long are you going to hide, Shakespeare?"
"Oh oh oh, I'm not hiding! Merely protecting myself!"
Like a seasoned actor on stage, Shakespeare appeared dramatically at the far edge of the ruins, holding a book.
"First meeting, greatest hero of this era! Most terrifying calamity of this era! Mister Natsukawa Naoki! Long time no see~"
"I don't recall having those titles."
"In my book, you are such an existence." Shakespeare said, showing Naoki the book in his hand. "Though a bit sudden—this is my latest novel, with you as the protagonist, crafted with much ink and hair! Would you read it yourself and give me your feedback?"
(A novel with me as the protagonist?)
Not taking the book immediately, Naoki eyed its cover skeptically: "Just curious, why did you write this book?"
"Hm, Father Shirou previously ordered me to prepare to face you, hoping my Noble Phantasm could deal you a mental blow. As a writer, when thinking of ways to confront you, I naturally produced an excess of ideas. This book is the culmination of those ideas and inspirations!"
"But what's giving me a headache is that your story and existence are so extraordinary, I couldn't craft a perfect ending, so—"
Shakespeare suddenly raised his voice.
"I thought, if you, the protagonist, read the entire book, you could surely provide a perfect ending I never imagined!"
"I'm highly suspicious you're trying to trap me with this book." Naoki's doubts deepened. He was already considering whether to teach Shakespeare a lesson just in case.
Facing Naoki's intense suspicion, Shakespeare shook his head with utmost sincerity: "No, I swear by the heavens, by God above, I have no ill intentions this time. With the pastor gone, I have no desire to be your enemy. I only want to complete this heartfelt work of mine."
"…"
He didn't seem to be lying.
Should he try?
Glancing again at the book offered before him, Naoki sighed slightly but didn't take it: "Forget it, I really don't have the confidence to give Shakespeare a satisfying ending. Your work is a gem in the arts; I'd only tarnish it."
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO—!"
The rejection instantly made Shakespeare wail sharply.
"Ouch, ouch, that's truly a painful answer for me! Will my heartfelt work end halfway like this—no, in modern terms, this should be a bad ending… how can it be called a bad ending when there's no ending at all!"
"No, for my honor as a writer, I must provide an ending… But all the endings I've thought of so far are S·H·I·T! Like an Italian joyfully entering a pizza restaurant, only to eat pineapple pizza!"
"Oh, right! Dogeza! I recall in Japan, the highest etiquette for requesting help is Dogeza! Mister Naoki—"
*WHAM!*
Before Shakespeare could kneel, Naoki kicked him with full force.
(Damn, I was just fighting to the death so seriously, but the moment this guy shows up, it turns into a comedy.)
As expected of Shakespeare—his influence on the mood was extraordinary.
"By the way… this thing didn't get kicked away, huh?" Naoki noticed the book on the ground. "A book penned by Shakespeare, and the original manuscript…"
Perhaps this was a true Holy Relic, priceless beyond measure.
Bending to pick it up, Naoki dusted it off. But the moment he grasped it…
*WHOOSH!*
The book abruptly opened on its own, countless blank pages fluttering in the wind, instantly enveloping Naoki.
"Eh?"
The sudden change startled him. Almost reflexively, he wanted to burn the pages, but before he could use Magecraft, they adhered to his body, emitting a blindingly radiant light!
"Hm… this…"