"It looks like the situation isn't good."
Inside Chaldea.
Observing the Lostbelt battle through Ritsuka's worn device, Merry bit her fingernail with slight anxiety.
The current battle situation couldn't be called optimistic at all. The strongest defense, Mash, was being unilaterally suppressed. Since Morgan said something to Melusine, she seemed truly awake—continuously overpowering Mash, and Ayaka was KO'd in one hit.
(That side can only rely on Ritsuka-chan… The problem is, Ritsuka-chan might not use Goetia well. Worst of all, Naoki could return anytime. If Naoki and Goetia meet, our side will be completely annihilated.)
That was the most serious issue.
Barghest's side was the same.
(Gray, Jalter, Atalanta, Touko, Ciel… Nearly all five defeated in one attack. Though two were fully countered, launching such attacks… Her output nearly rivals Naoki.)
(Good grief, what power did she gain from Naoki's protection?)
If this continued, though Angelica still had air superiority, she couldn't match in direct confrontation. No time to prepare EA. Just as they knew Fairy Knight and Morgan info from Naoki Number Two, the enemy should know theirs via Morgan and Naoki.
The moment Angelica tried EA, Barghest wouldn't just stand there.
(Artoria and Mordred… Tch, they're barely holding on?)
Unlike Barghest's half-and-half situation, Artoria and Mordred's side was pure despair. Mordred lost combat ability from Morgan's Holy Sword counter, and Artoria only survived thanks to Avalon. She had no way to defeat Morgan.
(Automatic defense Magecraft, one-use Holy Sword replicas… Far stronger than info from Naoki. Though strengthening was expected with Naoki's presence, this level… As an enemy, he's truly troublesome, Naoki.)
(By the way…)
Observing the entire battlefield, Merry frowned: "I can't find him… Naoki Number Two."
Yes, she couldn't find any trace of Naoki Number Two.
Since the real Naoki appeared, Naoki Number Two vanished unnoticed. Even Merry didn't realize when. Perhaps no one there did.
(Disappeared from Mana depletion? Or… something off?)
Merry's instinct said Naoki Number Two's disappearance hid a secret she didn't know. Perhaps his true identity wasn't just Naoki's discarded past memories.
But no time to investigate now. Without a quick solution, everyone would be annihilated.
"Ritsuka-chan, prepare to retreat."
Merry ordered.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Ritsuka—continuously supporting Mash with Magecraft in the Lostbelt—was shocked by the order.
"Retreat?"
[Yes. We're clearly no match now. Retreat is best. Though we can't bring all the defeated, save as many as possible.]
"But—"
Should they abandon the defeated?
Ritsuka bit her lip.
[Calm down. I think the enemy won't do anything to them. Though he's a stranger now, Naoki still has empty memory shells related to us. He shouldn't go too far. Plus, leave this communication device—I'll negotiate with Naoki later.]
"Then we won't contact Chaldea anymore?"
[Yes, but better than total annihilation. Though your Lostbelt journey will be tough after, at least—]
Merry's words weren't finished.
Because before that—
"Sorry, you can't leave."
Naoki's voice suddenly came from behind Ritsuka!
A hand pressed her shoulder, forcing the escaping Ritsuka to stay.
"Department Head…"
"I shouldn't be called that by you, Fujimaru Ritsuka."
The cold tone made Ritsuka swallow.
(Department Head appearing here means… everyone there is defeated!?)
"Yes. I've defeated them all."
Naoki walked from behind to in front of her. Only then did Ritsuka notice four fist-sized clear crystal blocks floating beside Naoki. Faint human shadows inside.
"That—"
"Call it sealing. Don't worry, no one died. As Merry said, I won't kill you all. You were my past comrades and lovers. I'm not that cold."
Saying this, Naoki snapped his fingers. Crystal walls suddenly appeared around Ritsuka, encasing her body, then rapidly shrinking to match the blocks beside him.
Simultaneously, across the battlefield—defeated or still fighting, except Melusine, Barghest, and Morgan—all were imprisoned by identical crystal walls, quickly turning into blocks flying back to Naoki's side.
Morgan descended from the air before Naoki, frowning slightly: "I didn't ask you to interfere."
"I'm in a hurry, and your stock is low." Naoki laughed, pointing at Morgan's staff—now only three Holy Swords left. "Artoria is an opponent even current me can't fully defeat. Be patient this time."
"Hmph!"
Dissatisfied Morgan gently tapped Naoki with her staff.
Meanwhile, Barghest facing Naoki immediately knelt and apologized: "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I made you act. I failed to defeat all enemies in time. Please punish me."
"No, it's fine. You did very well, Barghest. No need to blame yourself." Naoki shook his head. "If anyone's punished, it's Melusine."
"Eh? Why me?"
Suddenly named, Melusine pouted. Naoki emotionlessly pulled her cheeks: "I know mornings drain you, but what's with constantly hitting Mash's Round Table? Not even bothering to attack from the sides?"
"Wuwuwu~~~~ I got serious after. She was just too stubborn. Even head hits didn't drop her. I couldn't kill her, so I controlled power carefully…"
Melusine explained sadly. At full power, Mash and Ritsuka wouldn't last ten seconds!
Naoki sighed helplessly: "Hah~~~ Fine, that's reasonable. Controlling power in battle was my order. You worked hard."
"Then we sleep together again later!"
"After I finish the next matter."
Seeing the sealing crystal row beside him, Naoki stored them all.
(This is done. Next…)
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Outside Camelot.
On a small hill about two kilometers away.
Retracting eyes observing the situation, Naoki Number Two sighed softly: "Haaah, total annihilation. Though I never expected victory, total wipeout is too… Well, with a 2400-year gap, this was predictable."
"But this got me inside. Next, activate at the right time, and this island can fully collapse."
[Exactly.]
Such a voice echoed in Naoki Number Two's mind.
[So, when will you detonate?]
"Depends. I'll try contacting those two first. I've been alone in that corner for 2400 years—you're my only conversation. Now I want to step out and walk."
[Not much time left.]
"Yes, yes, I know. I'll fulfill our promise before then. So don't rush."
"[Vortigern]"