Salvation.
Relocating the entire Fairy Nation to Proper Human History via Rayshift technology, replacing Britain in Proper Human History.
[It's hard to imagine this is a method you would conceive, Naoki.]
A surprised expression appeared on Merry's face.
[Do you think Proper Human History will accept this proposal of yours? What do you mean by replacing... could it be, as I suspect, completely erasing Britain from Proper Human History?]
"Five years." Said Naoki. "I can give you five years. In these five years, you can relocate everything within Britain. And with that much time, you should have sufficient time to prepare residences outside of the British Isles."
"I've waited two thousand four hundred years; I don't mind waiting another five."
[You know. What are the consequences if the fairies come to Proper Human History?]
Merry knew the fundamental nature of the fairies and, through Naoki's memories, fully understood the situation of the fairies in the Fairy Nation. Without a doubt, allowing them to go to Proper Human History would certainly cause a disaster.
"You don't need to worry about that. I will kill every single fairy without exception."
Naoki's cold explanation made Merry frown.
[You mean, what's being relocated is just an empty island?]
"Precisely."
The fairies in this Lostbelt have no right to live, no value in continuing to exist in Proper Human History. Before executing the full-island Rayshift, Naoki will kill all the fairies on the entire island, annihilating them all without a trace.
"Of course, Cernunnos suppressed in the Great Pit and the Cursed Worm of the Abyss lurking deeper below, I will take care of them all too. I will not bring the problems of the Lostbelt to Proper Human History."
[Then, what's the point of you doing this, Naoki?]
Merry let out a soft sigh.
She more or less understood Naoki's thinking.
What he wants to save is only the Island itself, to make this island born from sin leave that hopeless world without a future. Furthermore, he has already considered solutions for all potential issues, striving to minimize any other impact on Proper Human History.
A generous transfer timeline, the extermination of the fairies, the subjugation of Cernunnos and the Cursed Worm of the Abyss—he will complete all preparations before the transfer. The side of Proper Human History only needs to pay the price of losing the island of Britain.
[A very interesting idea. From my perspective, your idea is truly fascinating. If I were in that Lostbelt, I would definitely support you wholeheartedly, Naoki. The way you are doing this is the most interesting method I have ever encountered. I like it very much.]
Merry praised him from the bottom of her heart.
For her, whose entire mind sought only amusement, Naoki's thoughts and actions suited her tastes perfectly. It made her admit that even though two thousand four hundred years had passed, Naoki was still the Naoki she admired and loved, her best source of entertainment.
[But sorry, our side cannot accept your request. No one would accept it.]
"Is that so? It doesn't matter. I never intended to ask for your approval anyway. I will still execute the Rayshift in one year."
[Huh? Wait, wasn't it five years?]
"You refused the terms, so I no longer need to accommodate your situation."
[...]
(He's become truly cunning.)
Merry rubbed her forehead with slight worry.
[You really... So, the negotiations have failed. I originally wanted to negotiate properly, to bring you back peacefully. It seems that's impossible.]
"Sorry, Merry."
[!]
Hearing Naoki's apology, Merry's eyes trembled instantly—it was the tone of voice Naoki used to have.
"That apology just now, I said it to you as Naoki. Even though I no longer have real emotions, you were my lover in the past. I still remember this, so I apologize to you."
"As a traitor, as the scoundrel who abandoned you all, I apologize."
"I will invade your world, for my world here, for the wish of my lover here."
[You still intend to oppose all of Proper Human History? For the sake of making the Fairy Nation exist in Proper Human History, you will violently resist all counterattacks against the Fairy Nation?]
"If necessary."
[...]
The entire Chaldea, everyone who heard these words, fell silent.
Naoki, who once saved the world of Proper Human History, who should have been an unsung hero, had now become the greatest enemy of Proper Human History.
[Servant, Magician, Dead Apostle, Church, Counter Force... There are many things you will have to face. Will you defeat them all alone?]
"Not alone. There's me and Morgan, and my Fairy Knights."
[Five people cannot fight the entire world.]
"Do you even believe that statement yourself?" Naoki retorted with a voice as calm as steel, "If you want to stop me, don't rely on words, use your actual actions to stop me—defeat us, destroy my throne. That is your only way out."
After saying this, Naoki cut the video call with Chaldea.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
In Chaldea.
Sitting in the main commander's chair, Merry stared at the now inactive communication line. After remaining silent for a long time, under the gaze of many Chaldea staff members, she slammed the table hard and let out a long sigh.
"Haaah... Good grief, I can't stand that fool! An utterly incurable fool, no matter how many years pass, that Fool King!"
"Commander Merry?"
The staff were all somewhat confused.
"Do we need to inform the UN and the Mage's Association? Something like this..."
"Ah, no need at all. The Rayshift won't happen. They were just bluffing us." Merry waved her hand nonchalantly. "What was it, Rayshifting the entire island? He from the very start... No, maybe he initially thought of it, but probably not anymore."
Merry understood Naoki's thoughts perfectly clearly.
What's the point of moving an empty, meaningless island to Proper Human History?
There is no point. It would only allow the island to continue existing, but it wouldn't truly be saved at all. Moreover, Naoki mentioned conquering Cernunnos and the Cursed Worm of the Abyss. But once those two entities emerge into the real world, the destruction and collapse of the island of Britain is inevitable. The only difference is how much can ultimately be saved in the end.
"He's just cornered now."
"Since two thousand four hundred years ago, after Morgan asked him to save the world, he has been constantly forced by Morgan's wish and his own stubbornness to walk on the edge of a cliff."
The Fairy Nation cannot be saved.
It is destined to be destroyed.
Before Morgan and Naoki, there are only countless paths leading to despair. They wanted to find a way out of that situation, but failed. They wanted to carve a path to victory, but also failed.
And yet, they persisted, holding on for two thousand years as before, and now—Naoki has reached his limit.
He told Chaldea to stop him with all their might, but in reality, he was asking for help.
"He has been on the wrong path for two thousand four hundred years. He desperately wants to give up, but he can't give up anymore. So, he needs someone to force him to give up."
Merry looked at everyone below.
"You should know. He saved our world once before, and now he needs us to save him—He even told us all the keys to defeating him. If we don't go save him, who else can save him?"