Solomon and Naoki had faced each other ten years ago.
Goetia knew this.
It was also the only battle between the two, during the Holy Grail War fought to claim the Holy Grail, where both, determined to win, clashed with all their might.
The result of the battle was a draw—at least, that's how it appeared to outsiders.
But in reality, everyone who witnessed the fight knew full well that the battle was undoubtedly Naoki's victory. Though no winner was ultimately declared, the balance of victory clearly tilted in his favor.
Yet, just a few steps from victory, both stopped fighting together.
The reason was singular.
To join forces in facing the Human Order Incineration that would occur in the future.
Everything that happened in the Holy Grail War ten years ago was known to Goetia.
Thus, he also understood the meaning behind Naoki's words.
Naoki's purpose in coming here, to this throne, wasn't just to stop the Human Order Incineration. That was only part of the reason. Beyond that, there was another motive, and for him, that other motive was the more significant point.
*TAP!* *TAP!* *TAP!*
Stepping down the stairs one by one, Goetia stared at Naoki: "Pathetic, pitiful, lamentable—The strongest weapon born on this planet, the starlight that saves the world, its heir is actually a selfish person with no intention of saving the world."
"You possess the power to save the world but lack the will to do so."
"As I said six months ago, I'll say it again: A savior incapable of saving the world—your sword has no chance of touching our noble ideals."
"Fighting you is meaningless, a mere waste of time—Step aside."
*CRACKLE!*
As Goetia's words ended, the ground beneath Naoki's feet exploded. Amid the deafening roar, the silver figure vanished from his spot with lightning speed!
A moment later…
*BAM!*
A punch strong enough to shatter a mountain peak landed on Goetia's chest, sending him crashing back onto the throne with a single blow!
Shaking his hand, Naoki glanced coldly at Goetia.
"Arrogant, aren't you, Goetia? Who are you saying can't save the world? Believe it or not, I'll tear you apart."
"My ideas and will to save the world may not be pure, but at the very least, when it comes to *I will save the world*, I've never had the slightest doubt."
Ten years ago, from the moment he decided to inherit Excalibur from Gaia and Alaya, Naoki had made this resolve.
Whether it was his personal desires or the world he needed to save.
He would accomplish both.
Rising from the shattered throne, Goetia glanced at Naoki from the corner of his eye: "Selfish, greedy, insatiable desires… Truly ugly. The flaws of humanity are well-displayed and even amplified in you."
"Say what you want. I'm well aware of who I am—Let's begin, Aoko."
Hearing Naoki's voice, Aoko steadied herself, as agreed.
"—Declaration—"
"!"
Instantly, Goetia's facial features twitched.
(This is the chant before the use of the Fifth Magic!)
Goetia wasn't entirely ignorant of the Fifth Magic. After all, in a certain sense, the Human Order Incineration he had planned for three thousand years followed a process similar to the Fifth Magic.
The essence of the Human Order Incineration was to use all of human civilization as fuel, converting the entirety of human history into thermal energy, accelerating and binding it—The total Mana generated in the end, condensed into a massive ribbon of light, was even sufficient to support a long reverse journey through time.
Returning from the present to forty-six billion years ago, to the moment the planet was born, reshaping the planet from scratch, creating a perfect world.
—[Reversed River/Genesis Light Year]
The miracle Goetia sought to achieve through the Human Order Incineration could be summarized by this term.
And this was also something the Fifth Magic could accomplish.
Why was the Fifth Magic being used here? No, why didn't Goetia realize Aoko would use the Fifth Magic? She was merely an ordinary human Magician; her combat strength certainly couldn't compare to Goetia or Naoki. The existence of True Magic was the only reason she could be here!
She came here specifically to use her magic!
But why? What did she intend to do with her magic? What goal did she aim to achieve with it?
(No, no need to think about her goal. Just destroy her before her magic is complete.)
No matter how great the miracle her magic could achieve, Aoko, the one casting it, was just a fragile human.
A single attack would be enough to annihilate her!
*WHOOSH!*
Goetia's massive body displayed a speed utterly incongruous with his form, diving sharply from the throne like a meteor crashing toward Aoko!
But just as he moved, Naoki moved in sync!
*SWOOSH!*
Excalibur's slash surged forward, its radiant blade flooding like a torrent, shattering the space in front of Goetia. A massive crack appeared in the temple's ground, splitting the entire temple in two.
Goetia's advance paused for a moment. His arms, unable to retract in time, were completely destroyed in the flood of light. And immediately after, Naoki's sword slashed downward!
*BANG!*
Fist and sword collided, astonishingly producing the sound of metal clashing against metal. And clearly, with the planet's blessing, Naoki's unmatched strength, even against Goetia, pushed him back to his original position with a single strike!
The planet adjusts the power granted to its fairies based on the strength of their enemies.
Naoki, at this moment, was just like he was in the Seventh Singularity, possessing the power to suppress Goetia single-handedly!
"Don't interrupt her."
Naoki smiled at Goetia.
"My Aoko is working on saving the world. Can you not bother her and give her a bit more time?"
"Wielder of the Holy Sword—"
Feelings of anger and discomfort arose in Goetia's heart.
Mana surged. Immensely malevolent Mana overflowed from Goetia's body. The red eyes scattered across his form simultaneously glowed with a deep crimson light!
Beams of light, like a storm, shot out from those countless eyes in the next second! Aiming at Naoki and Aoko like a meteor shower!
"Alright, bring it on—!"
Without the slightest fear, Naoki swung his sword, cutting through the massive curtain of light!
The Wielder of the Holy Sword of the Stars, who saves the world.
One of the Evils of Humanity, who destroys the world.
The battle between the two officially began at this moment.
*BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*
The center of the Temple of Time erupted with unprecedented roars!