Reality.
The center of the Grand Temple of Time.
When Naoki opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Aoko's face.
"Good morning. Sleep well?"
"I wasn't asleep—just went somewhere a bit far."
Naoki sat up from Aoko's lap and rubbed his head. At that moment, he felt something new added within him. Instinctively, he had the urge to summon it.
Then—
*BUZZ!*
Particles of light gathered in front of Naoki, forming a human figure.
"Solomon? No, not him. You… Goetia?"
"Correct."
Appearing before Naoki was a man whose face was identical to Solomon's, but with paler skin and golden hair.
He was the Human Order Correction Ritual—Goetia, whose soul had been fully eroded and modified by the Soul Eater Mystic Eyes, now fully belonging to Naoki.
"What is your command, my King?"
Just like King Hassan before, Goetia—whose soul had been eroded—had become a puppet that only obeyed Naoki's orders. The same applied to the Seventy-Two Demon Gods.
Looking up at the sky, Naoki saw no ribbon of light: "Has it all been dismantled?"
"Yes, but I didn't do it. Goetia himself unraveled it." Aoko explained. "If I had done it, full dismantling would've taken months. It's far more efficient if Goetia handles it himself."
"I see… By the way, what about Fujimaru and the others?"
"They've all returned."
Since Goetia was now under Naoki's control, the Seventy-Two Demon Gods' assault on Chaldea had ceased. Chaldea's main body could land at the Grand Temple of Time to pick up Ritsuka and the rest.
However, the central area where Aoko and Naoki were was unreachable. Due to Excalibur's shockwave, all paths to the center had been destroyed. The two had to return on their own.
After a moment's thought, Naoki said: "Goetia, take Aoko back to Chaldea first. Then summon the Seventy-Two Demon Gods inside Chaldea and have them serve as guardians."
"Eh?"
"Order acknowledged."
Aoko had just been startled by this when Goetia immediately complied. A portal directly connecting to Chaldea's interior opened beside Aoko.
Seeing Naoki standing with his back to her, Aoko frowned: "Naoki… you're not planning to come back?"
Naoki nodded: "Yeah. Looks like there's something else I need to take care of. While I was 'asleep,' just like twenty years ago, I went near the Root again. I met Shiki there. She said that after the Human Order Incineration ends, this world is safe—but I still have business to settle."
"Something the Wielder of the Holy Sword of the Stars must resolve."
"Another world-saving mission?" Aoko sighed slightly. "Need my help? Or should we return to Chaldea first and discuss it with the others?"
"No, no need. It's not a big deal. I can handle it alone. Besides, I can feel it—it's almost here."
*BUZZ!*
Just as Naoki finished speaking, a black curtain of light resembling a mirror suddenly appeared behind him. A powerful pull immediately seized Naoki, sucking his entire body into it.
"Naoki!"
"It's fine, Aoko. I'll be back soon." Naoki said with a laugh. "When I return, tell the others not to worry. Like before, I'll come back to Chaldea once I've settled things. Also, apologize to Roman for me for taking his things. I'll find a way to return them once I'm back."
"That's all."
With that, Naoki plunged into the black curtain of light without looking back.
Watching this, Aoko stomped her foot and let out a helpless sigh: "Seriously… One battle just ends, and he's already off to handle something else. Is he so busy he can't spare even a moment of free time?"
"Fifth Magician."
Goetia spoke: "The Grand Temple of Time is collapsing. Please follow me to Chaldea."
"I know."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
At the same moment, as Naoki passed through the black curtain of light—
*BLUP!*
He felt as if he had fallen into an ocean.
Around him was a strange, empty space—yet at the same time, it felt filled with countless things.
(This is… the gap between worlds?)
This was Naoki's first time in such a space, and for some reason, he instinctively understood its essence.
*WHOOSH!*
A light silently appeared at the edge of his vision.
Naoki unconsciously looked toward it. Then, between him and the light, a faint path appeared beneath his feet.
Was he meant to go toward that light?
{Come to us—we're all waiting for you}
{Please come and save us—please come and protect us}
{Our hope—the hope of the world}
Faint voices echoed in Naoki's mind, also coming from the direction of the light.
There was an entity there asking for his help—asking for the help of the Wielder of the Holy Sword of the Stars.
As if guided by something mysterious, Naoki moved forward toward the shining light—or rather, swam toward it.
But just as he began to move…
"Uwaaah! Watch out, collision!"
A woman's voice suddenly came from the side.
Looking toward the sound, what entered Naoki's eyes was a white-haired girl in Japanese clothing. Two swords hung at her waist. As if falling from somewhere, she crashed straight toward him!
No—correction.
Because she had suddenly appeared beside Naoki, by the time he saw her, they were already extremely close—close enough to kiss.
*BAM!*
In a powerful collision, Naoki was knocked off the path of light along with the white-haired swordswoman who had appeared out of nowhere. They immediately broke free from the world gap, as if piercing through some kind of barrier!
The light conveying the plea for help quickly receded. The sensation of being in an ocean vanished like a retreating tide.
In its place was the feel of grass against his back and a clear blue sky.
"What is this?"
Even Naoki was slightly confused now.
Which world had he entered?!