Demon God Pillar.
A monster summoned by Solomon from the Four Pillars in the past, in the city of Fuyuki.
At that time, because Naoki was assigned to intercept and guard the rear, Ritsuka and her companions had never truly felt what kind of monster it was.
But now, after directly confronting this presence, they finally realized exactly what kind of monster it was!
Her body continuously issued warnings. Her hands, legs, and torso trembled without cease. A powerful fear constantly welled up from within Ritsuka's heart. Merely by looking at it, she knew this was something she could never confront—even with Mash and Hinako beside her, and Aoko capable of using Magic, Ritsuka could not imagine any way they might stand against the entity before them.
An overwhelming presence, mana too evil and malevolent, power too terrifying...
(The Department Head... back then, he fought monsters like this? And there were four of them?!)
Shock filled Ritsuka's heart. And she had no idea that, at that time, Naoki hadn't merely faced four Demon God Pillars—after they departed, he had confronted sixteen of them.
"I'll introduce myself in an easily understandable way."
A voice emerged from within the flesh pillar, as if originating from a deep abyss.
"I am Lev Lainur Flauros. I can perceive the past and present, and foresee the future. I am an upper-tier living being surpassing humanity. I am one of the Seventy-Two Divine Devil Pillars beneath our most exalted throne—Flauros."
"This is my true form!"
"Be proud!"
"Be afraid!"
"You shall be annihilated here by the Sacred Pillar beneath the Majestic Throne!"
Unbounded mana suddenly erupted from the Demon God Pillar!
Almost instinctively, Mash and Jeanne rushed forward simultaneously, raising their shields and banners. But even before either could unleash their Noble Phantasms, that terrifying mana transformed into thick, pitch-black mist, surging forth like a tidal wave of unimaginable force!
Beyond its immense mana, the black mist carried extreme heat and pressure—as if an avalanche of snow hurtling at a terrifying velocity. Anything it passed through—earth, space, or even still-burning flames—was shattered into fragments.
Within the black mist, Mash held firm against its impact with her shield. Her arms, supporting the shield, trembled incessantly. Though the shield itself would never break, Mash's spirit was far from unshakable. She still felt terror and dread.
Supporting Mash from behind, Jeanne spoke with an apologetic tone: "I'm sorry… my Noble Phantasm was just… Is there no other way? Aoko-san, Akuta-senpai, everyone at Chaldea…"
"I think there must be."
"Why wouldn't there be? Hey, Roman—is he on his way?"
[Yes, he has just left the control room—Mash! Fujimaru! And Jeanne, five minutes! Hold on for at most five minutes! After that, victory will be ours!]
"Five minutes… Ah!"
As Roman spoke, Ritsuka suddenly realized something she had entirely overlooked. So many things had happened in the past few hours that she'd almost forgotten this.
Before they set out, Naoki had told her—
[I guarantee I'll arrive within five minutes when you're in your most desperate situation.]
(Five minutes… If you don't show up, I'll become a ghost and hunt you down, Department Head!)
"Mash!"
Placing her hand on Mash's shoulder, Ritsuka forcibly channeled her own mana into Mash's body in an unprofessional manner, took a deep breath, and said: "Hold on! Wait for the Department Head to arrive!"
"Understood, Master!"
Mash immediately nodded firmly.
Yet—
[Eh? Natsukawa? Why are you still here?!]
Roman's sudden voice caused several people to fall silent.
Naoki was still in the control room?!
[Why do you think I wasn't here? I just drank too much cola earlier, got the urge to pee, and went to the bathroom. What, is there a super crisis?]
[Professor Lev has revealed his true form as a Demon God Pillar! The situation here is extremely dangerous! How can you still be so calm over there?!]
Even from afar, they could hear Roman's anxiety. Yet, facing these words, Naoki's next reply was utterly unexpected.
[That's all? That's not a crisis they can't handle themselves. Besides, Aoko's here. Why are you panicking? Step aside—I'll speak. Ehem! Fujimaru, can you hear me?]
"Department Head… you're not coming?"
[Yes, this time I won't come. Because it's unnecessary.]
Naoki spoke calmly.
[Listen carefully, Fujimaru. You might think I'm refusing to help—but in truth, this level is nowhere near enough to kill you. If you give up just because a math problem gets slightly difficult, how will you ever survive your final exams?]
[Fight harder. Fight with every ounce of your soul. Only if you've given absolutely everything—and still lose—should you ask for my help.]
"..."
Hearing those words, Ritsuka and her companions remained silent for a moment. Around them, only the thunderous explosions of the Demon God Pillar echoed.
After a long silence, Ritsuka brought her bracelet close to her mouth, drew a deep, full breath, and laughed: "I understand, Department Head. I'll fight until death to survive and win."
[Good. By the way, according to our observations, Jeanne and Atalanta's magical reactions have just disappeared—or rather, they've merged with the Demon God Pillar's reaction.]
"That means… they've been absorbed?"
[Essentially, yes. Although I don't know why Flauros did it—perhaps randomly. But this is also your opportunity. After all, by doing this, Flauros has weakened himself in certain aspects. Servants aren't beings easily absorbed. Especially Jeanne Alter, brimming with hatred and rage. I can assure you, she won't assimilate into Flauros after being absorbed.]
Meaning—at least for now—Flauros cannot focus all his attention solely on Ritsuka and her companions.
And if he cannot unleash his full power, there is a chance to defeat him.
[Senior Hinako, don't even think about self-destructing again. Fight normally sometimes. Aoko, I refuse to believe you stopped after using magic once. Isn't your energy endless when you fight me? Use that same energy now.]
"Y-you're saying what, stupid Naoki!"
Aoko's face flushed slightly, then quickly returned to normal: "I get it. I didn't say I wouldn't fight. I just assumed you'd show up, right? By the way—you're not showing up this time just because you're being lazy!"
[Ah, the signal's bad here. What did you say? I didn't catch it for a few seconds.]
(This guy!)
Hearing Naoki's absurd reply, Aoko sighed helplessly. After exchanging glances with those around her—
"Then let's move forward."
"We won't be underestimated by that lazy bastard.