Multiverse's Holy Right

"The moment has finally arrived. Dreams must end upon waking, and upon waking, their contents are forgotten. How melancholic."

As the sun set over Jerusalem, Roy and Roman stood side by side on a hill outside the city, gazing at the ancient walls below bathed in golden light.

Roman's voice carried sorrow. His existence was recorded in the Throne of Heroes of the Type-Moon world. No matter what he experienced, his passing would leave the Throne untouched—this life and its memories were but fleeting illusions.

Having glimpsed the scenery beyond the world, having gained humanity and become human, living the simple life he had always yearned for—it should have been a twofold joy. Yet as the end approached, all that joy dissolved like a fleeting dream. Roman, now rich with emotion, could only sigh in lament.

"Are you afraid, Roman?"

Roy stood beside him, watching the ancient city glow under the sunset, and asked lightly.

Roman nodded, then shook his head. "...Of course I'm afraid. So afraid I could turn and run back right now, screaming wildly to vent this terror inside me."

"...But when I came to this world, my eyes read its past and future from a place called the Reverse Side. I learned what Heretic Gods truly are—disasters that bring calamity upon humanity merely by existing. Had I remained the 'righteous' King Solomon, knowing my existence would bring ruin, I would have calmly ended my own life."

"But the concept of the Heretic God twisted Solomon's 'righteousness,' filling him with the sudden whim to experience life as a human. That impulse grew stronger, even overwhelming the principles King Solomon should have upheld."

"...Now I can proudly tell you that this impulse was truly the most correct decision King Solomon ever made in his life. These seven days living here as a human, as Roman, have brought me immense joy and happiness—so much happiness that I want to sacrifice myself to protect this world that has given me such bliss."

Roman's smile was pure and innocent. Though traces of fear still lingered on his face, when the critical moment came, he always made resolute decisions without hesitation. "...This time, the choice wasn't made by King Solomon, but by a human named Roman. Ah, I truly admire the choices of heroes. As humans, they always face death and sacrifice with fearless courage. In that regard, I'm nothing like a hero at all."

"You were never a hero to begin with—just a useless slacker. Look at what you've done these past seven days. If I hadn't forced you to complete your tasks, you'd have spent every day eating cake, drinking cola, playing games, watching streams, and even getting obsessed with virtual idols. You're far from being a hero."

Roy couldn't help but tease him.

"Haha... This was supposed to be a sentimental moment, Roy. No need to call me out like that."

Roman scratched the back of his head and chuckled awkwardly. "...It's really not my fault. The cola was delicious, the strawberry cake was amazing, and the virtual idols were adorable. If I didn't indulge in such tasty and cute things, wouldn't that be a disservice to them?"

"You really know how to justify your laziness."

"..."

Silence fell between them once more.

After a long pause, Roy finally spoke. "...If, as a Heretic God born into this world, you could retain your sanity and avoid descending into madness that brings disaster to humanity—would you choose to stay here and continue living as an ordinary human, Roman?"

Roman froze for a moment before clutching his chest with a bitter smile. "...At a time like this, you're still tempting me, making me waver in the resolve I worked so hard to build."

"It's not temptation—it's the truth. Heretic Gods may be calamities, but they aren't absolute. Throughout history, many Heretic Gods have met peaceful ends. If you're willing, you could achieve that too."

Roy turned his head to look at Roman's profile.

"I know..."

Roman took a deep breath and gritted his teeth. "...Of course I know there are ways to negate the disasters brought by Heretic Gods. But this isn't my world in the end. I should return to my original world—that's where I truly belong."

"Is that so? By making this choice, Roman, at this very moment, you've already become a hero."

Roy sighed softly, then smiled at him. "...Well then, in this melancholic moment, let me share something that might cheer you up. Heretic Gods are different from Heroic Spirits. When Servants die and return to the Throne of Heroes, they lose all their memories. But when a Heretic God fades away, they can still retain the memories of their time in this world."

"...However, this memory cannot affect the solidified information on the Throne of Heroes. But when you are summoned into the world again, this dreamlike memory will make you remember once more. Even if you become the emotionless King Solomon again by then, this memory will give you the impulse to become human once more. So wait with hope—wait for the moment when someone summons King Solomon into the world again!"

Roman was taken aback for a moment. He looked at Roy curiously and asked, "...Roy, you seem to know my world very well. Heroic Spirits and Servants aren't concepts that exist in this world. This place is clearly far beyond the outer side of the world, outside the governance of the Root, yet you seem to know everything, Roy."

"No, I only know what I know. I don't know everything."

Roy shook his head.

Roman didn't ask further. Even when curious, he wasn't the type to pry. After just a brief hesitation, he timidly whispered, "...Are we friends now?"

"Of course. If such feelings can't be called friendship, then the word 'friend' would be far too expensive. Roman, I have a feeling we might meet again someday - meet once more in your world!"

Roy took a deep breath. When summoning King Solomon, the mysterious 'ship' in his right hand had already opened a path to the Type-Moon world. To gain more knowledge, Roy would inevitably need to explore this new world.

"Friends... how wonderful. To gain friends after becoming human - nothing could be more fortunate. This is a feeling and concept that 'Solomon' could never understand."

Roman let out a hearty laugh and said cheerfully, "...Meeting you was truly wonderful, my friend, Roy! I will wait with hope, waiting for the moment when dreams turn into reality once more. Now, let us fulfill our initial promise!"

He raised his right hand, where five rings adorned his fingers. "...The time of parting has come... Hmm..."

Before Roman could finish invoking his True Name Release, he felt a sharp pain in his chest. Looking down, he saw the crimson tip of a blade protruding from his heart and cried out, "...Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch! That hurts like hell, Roy! What are you doing?!"

Roy, who had somehow appeared behind Roman and stabbed him in the back, smiled and said, "...The Lord does not permit His followers to take their own lives. As a devout believer, you should not defy His teachings. Moreover, as a Heretic God, your suicide would bring me no benefit as a Campione."

"...Allow me to send you off one last time, my dear friend Romani Archaman!"

***

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