Multiverse: Becoming a Giant of Light, Godslayer from the Start

A tender little love, just barely taking root, was now being crushed by the weight of parting. Even Ishtar, proud and wild, couldn't help but feel reluctant to let go. She wrapped her arms tightly around Su Mo, unwilling to part just yet.

Su Mo was a bit stunned. Wait… what did this goddess just say? That he liked her? When did that happen? Why didn't he know about it?! When had he ever shown signs of liking someone as arrogant and overbearing as Ishtar? This was absurd!

…But just as he was thinking that, his gaze met hers. Her eyes were filled with shyness, yet also a pure honesty. Gone was the haughty goddess from before. In her place was a girl who had just stumbled into her first crush. Su Mo had seen his fair share of cute girls in his time—but even he couldn't help but feel his heart stir in that moment.

This silly goddess… why does she suddenly feel unexpectedly cute? Did you get body-swapped by Ereshkigal or something? Thinking such absurd thoughts, Su Mo began to take initiative himself.

—He had clearly fallen for her beauty. Classic playboy behavior. Engrossed in the moment, Su Mo didn't notice it happening. A soft glow began to emanate from Ishtar's body.

And then—

Her figure, once that of a seventeen-year-old girl, began to shrink, growing smaller and more childlike. In mere moments, she had transformed back into a seven-year-old—into little Rin. Su Mo blinked in confusion.

Why did Ishtar suddenly feel smaller? He quickly separated himself from Ishtar to take a look and saw little Rin, her face was beet red as she also pulled away from his embrace. Looking at the now seven-year-old girl in his arms, Su Mo was mortified. He hadn't even noticed the moment of transition.

"Actually, this is all just a misunderstanding," he tried to explain—using the most suspicious phrase possible in that situation. But the girl before him didn't seem to misunderstand at all. Though Rin was visibly angry that Su Mo had stolen her first kiss, after witnessing Ishtar's emotional farewell and understanding the circumstances, she didn't hold it against him.

In a low voice, she said, "You don't have to explain. I understand."

As the host body of Ishtar's possession, she had been able to see and feel everything Ishtar did. Whether it was the moment Ishtar called her father an idiot, or when the goddess had been all over Su Mo just now—Rin had experienced it all. So, Su Mo's behavior hadn't come as a surprise. In a way, she had already shared in the experience through Ishtar. It didn't feel like something was taken from her specifically.

And more importantly—

"You saved me. For that, I owe you thanks." Little Rin said it with all the grace and courtesy of the Tohsaka household. In her view, Su Mo had been trying to save Ishtar but ended up saving her life instead. That made him her benefactor. And according to the teachings of the Tohsaka family, benefactors should be treated with utmost respect.

Seeing Rin understanding the situation, Su Mo let out a silent breath of relief.

"No need to thank me," he replied. Then he glanced toward the battlefield. Rider had vanished. Which meant Lancer, Rider, and Archer were now out of the war. Saber, Caster, and Berserker were all on his side. That left only Assassin—a lone enemy Servant yet to be defeated. He could have gone after them earlier. But had he done so, he might've missed Ishtar's parting blessing.

Thinking it over, perhaps letting Assassin go had been the better choice after all. And truth be told, Assassin wasn't much of a threat anyway. To activate the Greater Grail, the necessary condition was to offer high-quality Servant souls to the Lesser Grail.

Typically, six average Servants would suffice. But with particularly powerful Servants, fewer would do. Karna's soul alone was equivalent to three or four regular Servants. Ishtar's soul was just as potent as Karna's, if not more. Not to mention the Conqueror King's—the Rider's—spiritual foundation was also far above the norm.

With these three powerful souls, the Grail's activation conditions were more than met. Rather than hunt down Assassin, it was far more efficient to begin the Holy Grail ritual immediately. With that in mind, Su Mo was about to return and initiate the process.

But at that moment—

Little Rin tugged at his sleeve. "Um… big brother, could you walk me home?" She looked up at him with pleading eyes. She knew asking your enemy for help during a Holy Grail War was a big no-no. But given the strange relationship between Su Mo and Ishtar—and, well, what just happened between them—Rin felt Su Mo could be trusted.

The war was still ongoing. If she ran into Assassin on her way back alone, she'd be doomed. Su Mo paused for a second, then gave a straightforward nod.

"No problem."

He had just saved her life. Letting her get killed on the way home would make all that effort pointless. Besides, the only rogue Servant left was Assassin. And his home base had Illya, Kiyohime, and Okita guarding it, along with several powerful wards he had laid himself.

Forget regular assassins—even Karna himself would have trouble breaking through. So, with peace of mind, he agreed to escort Rin home. As they walked down the street, Rin kept sneaking glances at him. After passing a block or two, she finally couldn't hold it in any longer. With a careful, curious tone, she asked:

"Su Mo-oniichan… Why don't you look sad at all after Ishtar left?" Despite her young age, Rin was more perceptive than most. She had witnessed the emotional farewell between Su Mo and Ishtar. She had expected Su Mo to look forlorn, melancholic, or at the very least a little dazed. That would've given her the perfect excuse to comfort him and help him move on. But unexpectedly, Su Mo's expression had remained utterly calm. He didn't look the least bit heartbroken. Which confused her greatly.

Su Mo chuckled at the question. "You mean that silly goddess?"

"…Mm." Rin nodded after a moment's hesitation. Sorry, Ishtar-oneesama… I didn't mean to insult you! It's all Su Mo's fault—please direct your wrath at him!

"Why should I be sad?" Su Mo replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"That airhead of a goddess did all that stuff to me and then had the nerve to run back to the Age of Gods without taking responsibility!"

"Isn't that, like, peak 'toxic girlfriend' behavior?"

"Why should I feel bad over someone like that?"

Rin was left speechless. Wasn't this supposed to be a touching love story? How did it suddenly turn into… relationship drama? But on second thought, she realized Su Mo might have a point.

Then Su Mo added with a smirk:

"Besides, that whole 'we'll never meet again' nonsense—only that fool would believe it."

"It's just a matter of transcending time and space. Sure, I can't do it yet—but I will someday."

"And when that day comes, it'll be her turn to cry and apologize."

Let alone Su Mo from other worlds—even in the Nasuverse alone, there were time-travel devices. He didn't know whether this timeline included the FGO storyline, but the relevant characters definitely existed. As long as he was willing to throw enough money at it, what was there to fear? It wasn't like building Chaldea would be a real problem. With enough cash, even that could be solved. After all, it was just a matter of money. Not exactly the hardest challenge he'd faced.

"Uwawawa~"

Hearing Su Mo's words, little Rin's eyes immediately sparkled with admiration. To Su Mo, time travel might not seem like a big deal. But as a budding magus who had learned plenty of basics, Rin didn't see it that way.

In her understanding, divine beings could only control authority within their domain. If a god couldn't time travel from the outset, reaching that point through sheer effort would be nearly impossible.

So, to her, Su Mo's words sounded like a vow. A declaration that no matter what, he would traverse time and space to reunite with Ishtar. Once her mind made that leap, Rin was completely moved. She had just witnessed with her own eyes a love story even more undying than those found in myths. It was too beautiful not to cheer for.

Her little heart was pounding as she prepared to offer Su Mo some comforting and supportive words when—

"Shh."

Su Mo suddenly motioned for her to stay quiet. Obediently, Rin shut her mouth, though she was curious why. They had already reached the rear garden of the Tohsaka estate. Just a dozen steps more and they'd be home.

She was just about to ask when a familiar voice echoed through the garden. A low, grating chuckle—one that made her skin crawl. It belonged to someone she hadn't seen in a long time: her father's former student, Kotomine Kirei.

"Ufufufu~" That sound alone was enough to make Rin's heart sink. She didn't know what was going on, but she had a terrible premonition.

"Hahahaha! Sensei, I bet you never imagined you'd meet this kind of ending!"

"Ishtar wasn't supposed to die, you know. I was the one who instructed Assassin to kill her."

"Even though he didn't land the finishing blow, she definitely couldn't have survived."

"Looking at that smug face of yours… I suppose you were still expecting me to come back with some good news, huh?"

"Unfortunately, I only have one thing to report—"

"You backed the wrong man."

"Ufufufu~"

"That expression… I've wanted to see that expression for so long. The look of disbelief and betrayal on your face... it's truly delightful!"