Inside Camelot.
Six hours after the battle ended.
After moving all the crystal blocks sealing Ritsuka and the others to a separate Garden, and sending Melusine, Barghest, and even Morgan away, Naoki returned alone to his throne room.
Seated on the throne used to suppress Cernunnos and the Naraku Worms, Naoki produced a bracelet.
It was the communication device Ritsuka wore to contact Chaldea.
Before sealing Ritsuka, Naoki had removed it—for a specific purpose.
*BIP!*
Following distant memories of its use, Naoki placed the bracelet on the throne—the Mana core of all Britain—and switched to video call mode.
A large screen appeared before him, reflecting Merry seated in the main command chair.
[Hey~ Long time no see, Naoki. Miss me?]
At first sight, Merry waved familiarly. She seemed unbothered that to Naoki, she was a stranger unseen for two thousand four hundred years.
Naoki paused, then sighed softly: "Same as in memories. Even if I'm no longer the person you knew, your attitude toward me won't change, Succubus."
[I'm Merry. Stranger or not, I'm still the fiancée you chased for over a decade. Calling me Succubus in this hard-won reunion is too distant.]
[Or… because your wife's by your side, you're keeping distance?]
"Morgan's not here. The fight against Proper Human History's Mordred and Artoria drained too many Holy Swords; she's restocking."
[Not here? What a shame. I wanted to settle scores. The lastcomer cutting the line to first place is unethical. Doesn't know first-come-first-served. Didn't consider me waiting ten painful years~]
"…"
(What's with this person?)
Naoki slightly didn't understand Merry's attitude. Logically, they were strangers now. Why treat him like in memories?
And… why did he feel familiar nostalgia?
(Do I… miss interacting with her like this? Or is my body's memory triggered?)
From memories, besides Ayaka, Merry accompanied his past self longest. She was his first love—did this body still hold feelings for her?
[Hmm? What's wrong? You look nostalgic. Don't tell me you didn't discard our memories cleanly?]
"Maybe. I left empty shells anticipating your arrival. Your words seem to slowly fill those empty memories."
[Oh, perfect. How about three days and nights of chat to recall all our past?]
Merry crossed her legs, finger gently tracing her black stockings.
[From our first meeting, to your proposal, to countless days and nights of loving each other—I can retell everything.]
"No need. I'm not here for that. Let's talk seriously, Merry. You have plenty to ask me."
[You've gotten a bit boring… Well, true.]
Merry retracted her leg (making other Chaldea staff uneasy) and straightened her expression and posture.
[First, confirm my little sisters' condition. I trust you, but for safety, I must check.]
"Everyone's safe. Even the injured need seven days in the barrier to recover fully—no side effects. For caution, I'll release them from the Garden in ten days—prepare to Rayshift them out then."
[Oh? Kicking us out already? We came to bring you back—By the way, you really won't return and marry us? New lover outside, forgetting the old ones. Trash man!]
Naoki paused, showing an expression Merry had seen countless times: "Current me isn't the Naoki you knew. If my memories returned to original state, that me would return with you after everything's done."
"But current me won't. I swore to Morgan to be her sole savior, and together save this island."
[Then restoring your memories is truly crucial. Otherwise, we'll suddenly have over a dozen unwanted old maids—all poor girls whose purity was stolen by a heartless rotten man. Just thinking makes me cry.]
Merry said dramatically, pulling a tissue to wipe dry eyes.
[Well, let's table that… If you don't mind, explain what you actually plan there? Naoki, we're your comrades. If you need help, we can assist.]
"Sajyou Rei said the same."
Naoki laughed.
"My answer: before such words, have Proper Human History's seven billion sign a guarantee first, then discuss aid and cooperation."
[What do you plan?]
"Save this island."
[Does it threaten Proper Human History's safety?]
"Proper Human History's Britain will be destroyed—that simple." Naoki said. "A salvation plan Morgan and I discussed over two thousand four hundred years."
"This Lostbelt has lost possibility. No future. This island too. With Morgan's and my power, maintaining status quo is fine—but only that. No path forward. Yesterday is today, today is tomorrow. Every day identical, unchanging."
[So… abandon the possibility-less Lostbelt and come to Proper Human History?—How?]
"Same as you did."
Naoki patted the throne beneath him.
"Since Fairy Calendar start, two thousand years passed. Eighty percent of Mana I extracted from fairies accumulated under this throne. Plus my infinite Mana—enough for Fairy Nation-wide Rayshift."
[!]
Merry's expression stiffened.
"Yes. The Fairy Nation will Rayshift to Proper Human History, replacing its Britain—to continue and develop in possibility-filled Proper Human History, reaching a true Tomorrow."
"That is my salvation."