Unfathomable.
Goetia's mind, which should have been all-knowing and all-powerful, stalled at this moment.
This was supposed to be impossible.
The Mana of the ribbon of light—formed from the Human Order Incineration and human civilization, gathering thousands of years of history—suddenly experienced an inexplicable decline at this very instant!
Impossible!
This was truly impossible!
"It's—the Magician!"
Goetia's gaze locked onto Aoko, protected by Avalon. His eyes seemed ready to burst as he vaguely grasped part of the truth.
Standing between Aoko and Goetia, blocking his view, Naoki rested Excalibur on his shoulder and laughed: "Looks like you've figured it out… Since it's almost done, no harm in telling you."
"Your ribbon of light has been gradually dismantled under the influence of the Fifth Magic. This time-wasting duel I've been having with you wasn't just to let my Mystic Eyes work—it was also to counter your Noble Phantasm."
"So, here's the current situation."
"—You can't achieve your ultimate goal, you can't escape my Mystic Eyes, and of course, you can't stop all this, because Avalon's protection is an absolute defense even you can't destroy."
In reality…
"Checkmate."
"You have nowhere left to run. Defeat is certain, Goetia."
Defeat?
Naoki's words left Goetia momentarily silent.
He would lose?
The plan prepared since Solomon's death, only now completed, would fail in its final moments?
When he was just one step away—just one step—from a perfect world without death being born in his hands, from overcoming human imperfection, from reaching a truer limit for the world!
But why—
"No! There can be no defeat!"
Slamming the ground hard, Goetia roared with rage and regret.
"Just start again! Regather the lost Mana! No matter the cost, no matter the sacrifice! I will fulfill my final wish!"
"Starting with eliminating you two obstacles—"
*SWISH!* *SWISH!* *SWISH!*
*SWISH!* *SWISH!* *SWISH!*
Countless chains materialized from the air. Thousands of silver chains emerged from space, suddenly wrapping around Goetia and binding him tightly in place!
"Ugh—with cheap tricks like these!"
"Excalibur, release."
Just as Goetia prepared to break free from the chains, Naoki's declaration spread throughout the temple.
"Seal Thirteen, Decision Start!"
Brilliant light shone around Naoki. Six figures cloaked in radiant light knelt one by one before him as he held Excalibur, as if in reverence.
"This battle is not against fairies—Lancelot, acknowledged."
"This battle is for survival—Kay, acknowledged."
"This battle is against evil—Mordred, acknowledged."
"This battle is not a deviation from humanity—Gareth, acknowledged."
"This battle is to seek truth—Agravain, acknowledged."
"This battle is against those stronger than oneself—Bedivere, acknowledged."
The six seals on Excalibur were released one by one, and the light emitted by Excalibur grew increasingly blinding.
And finally.
Behind Naoki.
"This battle is to save the world—Arthur, acknowledged."
The shadow of Arthur, standing with his back to Naoki, declared this acknowledgment, then merged with the other six shadows of light and flowed into Excalibur.
"Yes."
Gripping Excalibur tightly, Naoki stared at Goetia, bound by countless chains and unable to break free.
"It's over, fake Grand Caster, pitiful Beast—Goetia!"
"Release the True Name!"
"—Excalibur!!"
Excalibur, the holy sword forged by the planet.
The starlight that saves the world, the golden blade that fells all evil.
This time, at the moment it was truly needed, it unleashed its most dazzling light!
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Temple of Time, Outer Area.
The attention of the Chaldea group, still fighting endlessly regenerating Demon God Pillars, was drawn to the towering light rising from the depths of the Temple of Time.
The Demon God Pillars felt it too.
"That light is…"
"It's the Department Head's Excalibur!"
Ritsuka cried out in joy.
No doubt—it was the light of Excalibur she had witnessed twice in the Seventh Singularity. And this time, the light was far more blinding than before!
And the emergence of this light meant…
"It's almost over."
Merry, fighting Demon God Barbatos in the Control Tower area, whispered while gazing at the light.
Her Clairvoyance could see what was happening in the central area.
Aoko, protected by Avalon, was working hard to dismantle the ribbon of light. Naoki, releasing Excalibur, completely shattered Goetia's body—though Goetia wouldn't die from it, through this decisive strike, the Mystic Eyes' power could work unhindered.
"With that, Beast I will also become a tool for Master, and along with it, all Seventy-Two Demon Gods will become Master's summoning ritual."
Rei, beside Merry, laughed: "Summoning Magecraft has evolved to a new limit. After inheriting King Arthur's power, Master is now preparing to inherit Solomon's as well."
"Who knows?" Merry smiled bitterly. "My Clairvoyance can't see the future. Maybe King Gilgamesh and Solomon could, but even they, toward this future…"
Who could have predicted? The outsider who arrived twenty years ago, powerless to defend himself, would, twenty years later, reach such heights.
Excalibur—Sword of Promised Victory, the holy sword that saves the world.
Goetia—Human Order Correction Ritual, the magical ritual that harnesses everything.
By combining both powers within himself, where else could he go in the future?
Merry was deeply curious about this.
"I really feel like I can't leave him. Could my decision to come here and care for him twenty years ago actually have been a terrible mistake?"
"But now you feel like you've gained a huge advantage, right?" Rei said. "After all, Master… the Prince keeps satisfying you to this day—and will keep satisfying you in the future."
"True enough."