Chapter 16: Demon Gods and the Goddess

Everything is the fault of Merlin and the God recorded in the Bible.

Reality Marble.

It is the realization of one's inner world. The magecraft closest to True Magic. A forbidden curse, a supreme secret technique, and one of the ultimate goals of magecraft. To put it simply, it is a craft that overwrites reality with the landscape engraved in the user’s heart.

Originally, it was an Alien Common Sense possessed by demons, and the very existence of this magecraft is a "stain on the world." It is an anomaly, a contradiction. Therefore, the Counter Force of the world attempts to correct this magecraft; thus, with few exceptions, it cannot be maintained for long periods.

Certain Heroic Spirits can use a Reality Marble as a Noble Phantasm. Even if their class is not Caster, or if they weren't magi in life, each possesses unique capabilities. For example, a hill of swords like grave markers. The endless horizon aimed for by the King of Conquerors and his subjects. The Heroic Spirit who reflects the Master's dreams. The Golem created to forge a paradise. A complex temple embodying divine majesty. Mechanical armor where longing and ideals are sublimated. Goetia’s Ars Paulina is also a type of Reality Marble.

"I am bored."

And this space created by Ophis is also a Reality Marble. In this world, there is nothing. A space similar to, yet distinct from, the Dimensional Gap. While the Gap is filled with debris, this world contains truly nothing but Ophis. Rather than Ophis’s mental image, it is likely due to the attributes of the Infinite Dragon God: Infinity, Void, and Chaos. Above all else, what Ophis seeks is silence. Thus, there are no foreign objects in this world.

If one were to name it: "Abyss of the Dragon God."

Ophis is the strongest. Among beings native to this world, with the exception of the "God’s Poison" (Samael), only Great Red and the sealed 666 (Trihexa) are worthy opponents. There is an overwhelming gap even between her and Shiva of Hindu Mythology, who is considered the next strongest. Precisely because it is the Reality Marble of such an Ophis, the world cannot "correct" it. The "World" itself lacks the power to erase it. In fact, if the world tried to force a correction, abnormalities would occur within the world itself instead.

Goetia teaching Ophis about the existence of Reality Marbles was merely a way to buy time. He never expected her to actually master it, but since it was judged not to hinder the plan, the Demon God Pillars overlooked it. In fact, they perceived it as beneficial to the plan, as Ophis no longer felt the need to fight Great Red.

Ophis had obtained the silence she wished for—a silence even greater than she had desired—yet she did not look pleased. Though she was an emotionless, expressionless dragon, a sense of boredom she shouldn't normally feel was seeping out.

"Goetia won't pay attention to me."

To Goetia, meeting Ophis was an unnecessary irregularity, but to Ophis, meeting Goetia was destiny. It stands to reason; they are beings in the same dimension with the same perspective. He is different from the unknown 666 or Great Red, who kicked her out of the Dimensional Gap.

Despite living an endless life, this dragon’s mentality has barely developed at all. In short, she is a child. Though she can change her form at will, she currently takes the shape of a young girl. Her mentality is as young as her appearance—perhaps even younger.

Because of that childishness, Ophis found and sought a sense of "paternity" within the Pity held by Goetia. However, the Demon God Pillars, busy with the Incineration of the Bible (Human Order), have no leisure to dote on Ophis. While a few pillars are curious about her, they are ultimately occupied with the Incineration project.

Though she created the Reality Marble to find silence, it would be more accurate to say she ran away here to sulk because Goetia ignored her.

"I am lonely."

As she muttered this expressionlessly, two human figures were tossed down before her. Both were covered in blood. Both were on the verge of death. Without any particular shift in emotion, Ophis looked at the man standing before her. He was the one who had transported the two figures here.

"You don't seem to be wondering how I got in. Well, this world is none other than your own mental landscape. I suppose you're aware that as long as one 'perceives' it, they can come and go as they please."

The man was dressed in a way that identified him as a magus at a glance. He looked somewhat suspicious. He exuded a mystical atmosphere. Flowers bloomed along the path he had presumably walked.

"Good morning. And hello, Ophis. It’s your reliable consultant, Merlin-san."

Merlin, the Magus of Flowers. One of the Grand Casters, a half-blood of human and Succubus. The possessor of Clairvoyance that sees through all of the present.

"Merlin? You are different from the Merlin I know."

"I suppose so. I'm a Merlin from a different universe. Well, I can only manifest like this inside your Reality Marble."

Merlin observed the mysterious Reality Marble. Reality Marbles are inherently contradictory, but the nature of this one was "Contradiction" itself. It wasn't that the construction was contradictory, but rather it was a construction that allowed all contradictions. In this space, everything is "stopped" and "progressing" simultaneously. That is why the two men Merlin threw into this world—who suffered injuries so severe it would be strange if they weren't dead—are still alive.

Merlin, who is supposed to be unable to leave Avalon, was able to enter due to the characteristics of this Reality Marble. One doesn't necessarily need Clairvoyance or to be a magus like Merlin; one only needs to recognize this world to enter it. However, since Clairvoyance is required to "recognize" it in the first place, it's not actually a place anyone can just walk into.

"Albion?"

Ophis asked, looking toward one of the dying pair. The answer came from someone other than the person himself.

『Ophis, is it? I heard you had gone missing after becoming the leader of the Khaos Brigade, but to think you were in a place like this.』

Albion, the White Dragon of the Saxons. The dragon sealed within the Divine Dividing. His current host, Vali, had touched the "reverse scale" of an opponent who must never be angered and was nearly killed. Just as one might wonder who the next White Dragon Emperor would be, Merlin saved Vali.

『Man who calls himself Merlin. For what purpose did you save Vali and Bikou?』

"Eh? Isn't it obvious? To spite Kingu."

Albion was momentarily speechless.

"Ah, no, I mean... it wasn't a vendetta, it was a parting gift. A gift. Kingu should not have killed Vali Lucifer back there. That’s all."

As if he hadn't expected a meaningful answer from the start, Albion changed the subject.

『You. You said you are a Merlin from another universe? If that is true, what is your objective?』

"To put it in one word: observation. I don't intend to do anything more than that."

『Observation?』

Merlin wore a look of bitterness, rare for a man like him.

"I just came to see what became of the seeds I sowed. No, it was truly unexpected. I really should have chosen Lancelot or Gawain instead of Bedivere. But, according to the laws, Bedivere was the easiest to summon. He was the only one who could be summoned not as a Servant, but as a Heroic Spirit... Perhaps that’s why a Chain Summon occurred. For my part, I would have been satisfied just returning Excalibur. Speaking of unexpected, there's Cath Palug. Why did he, despite hating it so much... no, never mind. Well, it’ll work out somehow. There are still beautiful things in this world, after all. Even so, the God of the Bible in this world certainly left behind some troublesome things."

After talking to himself, Merlin prepared to depart.

"Well then, I'm heading back. I won't be coming here again. I'm done with the Holy Sword. The Counter Force will likely handle the recovery of Bedivere and the other Servants. As for the Demon God Pillars and the Lion King, let's leave that to the people of this world. Especially Vali Lucifer-kun—he'll need to work hard. If he becomes stronger, there’s a chance Goetia’s plan will fail. If that happens, they’ll have some free time on their hands. I wonder what they'll do then?"

In the next instant, Merlin was gone. The final words were clearly directed at Ophis. Having understood the meaning of those words, Ophis ruminated on them in her own way.

"...If Albion becomes stronger, will Goetia pay attention to me?"

Ophis manifested a "Snake" in her hand to grant power. It was far larger than the "Snakes" she had given to the Old Satan Faction or the Hero Faction.

『W-Wait! Ophis! Don't be hasty!』

Ignoring Albion’s protest, Ophis shoved the oversized Snake into the mouth of the unconscious Vali.

"Ga—Gaaaaaaaaa!! ■■■■■■■■■■■■!"

Naturally...

"..........................."

Realizing he had been subjected to the same trick as before and that the culprit had escaped after winning, Kingu was enraged beyond words—to the point of silence, to the point of a terrifying smile. This wrath would surely never fade.

His foul mood would likely only be soothed by a conversation with the fox mother and child (Yasaka and Kunou).

"I am surprised, Lion King. To think you would come here of your own accord."

"I am equally surprised, King of Demon Gods who posed as the King of Magecraft. Or should I call you King of Men?"

"Is this a declaration of war? Or, though I doubt it, have you come to form a united front?"

"Rest assured. That 'doubt' of yours will never happen. However, I heard that one of my knights made contact with you. Where is he?"

"Who knows? He was certainly in the Temple of Time, but when I gave him information about you, he rushed out with a pale face. I saw no reason to stop him, so I didn't. If that is all your business, I ask that you leave. We are busy devising plans to destroy the anomalies that defile the names of the Seventy-Two Pillars."

"No, I have more business. I can predict your plan. And it is something I cannot overlook. That is why I will stop you."

"Ho? You claim to have seen through our plan to burn Hell, burn Heaven, and rewrite history?"

"No. Based on your true goal, that is only half of it."

"What?"

"Your objective lies before the Incineration of the Bible. The Longinus—the Holy Spear, the Holy Grail, and the True Cross—that you have gathered are proof of that."

"Then speak, O Lord of the Furthest Reaches. Besides the Incineration of the Bible, what do you claim we intend to do?"

"You intend to use the Holy Relics as substitutes for the Tenth Ring to obtain omnipotence surpassing that of the King of Magecraft. You will use a sub-species of 'Juggernaut Drive' (Haki) to siphon everything left by the One God from the System."

"........."

"You yourselves intend to become existences equivalent to the Counter Force—Gaia and Alaya. No, do you intend to merge with them? To alter the past as you desire... no, to decide all of the future by your own judgment. It is an idea possible only for you, who have outwitted the Counter Force for three thousand years. You plan to treat the possessors of the Longinus as Avatars, don't you?"

"....Gyahahahahahahahahahaha! Precisely, O Goddess who failed to die and ascended to the Heavens! That is the fastest way. The most certain method. To create a world without the tragedies that 'We' (I) desire! We, who have surpassed omniscience and omnipotence, will choose what stays and what goes. What higher peak could there be? How else could a better Utopia be forged?"

"You haven't realized it. There is a fatal flaw in your plan."

"Our perfect plan will collapse? Even though neither the loathsome Solomon nor Ritsuka Fujimaru exist in this world!?"

"Yes. It is not a defeat. There is no need for them to come. You will fail. You will be forced to abandon your plan because of your own oversight. In the first place, why do you deny the beauty of what currently exists? If you have understood the value of humans, then you should simply protect the current lives and activities of the humans here. I am not telling you to 'preserve' them as I did. But if you change the past, the very nature of humanity will change. It might get better. It might get worse. No matter how you 'correct' it. Furthermore, where is the necessity to burn everything away? Is there not the option for you to guide the Angels and Devils correctly from now on?"

"There is no such option. They cannot live their lives over again."

"I have judged that they can."

"Then what can you do? With that Holy Spear, or with the Holy Sword that will soon be returned by your knight—what can you do besides mow down the enemies before you! Did you not understand when you were human that you could not protect a country, satisfy your people, or command your vassals?"

"Then what have you understood? Do you think that just because you have gained seventy-two individualities, you can lead all of humanity to an ideal? Who can be saved by mere omniscience and omnipotence? Have you forgotten that King Solomon himself, of all people, could not do it?"

"I am different from that incompetent, merciless King who lacked the right."

"Indeed. And this world is not our world. It is not the world that You/We destroyed. If you wish for a second chance, why not do so in your original world?"

"We are getting nowhere."

"Our paths do not cross."

"It would be faster if I killed you now, but the situation is not so simple. Your head will eventually be taken by the humans of this world, of this era. Wait for that."

"We have both achieved distorted resurrections. I do not intend to settle this here either. Go back and reflect on your plan and learn its flaws. If there are humans who would challenge me, then I shall be the one to lead them."

"If you lose, we shall rewrite the despair of humanity."

"If I win, I shall be the one to support the hope of humanity."

Goetia: "We ourselves shall become the Counter Force."

And so, the hidden method of using the Holy Relics was as a substitute for the Ring.

If they succeed, the method for the "Returnees" to go back to their original world would likely involve sending a portion of themselves back, similar to a Servant Summons.