To Become a King and a Magician

Arcueid is now extremely angry. Even when she was deceived by Roa in the past, she wasn't this furious.

Initially, she was slightly curious why the bond between her and Naoki suddenly weakened. If not for the faint trace of her senses, Arcueid would have thought the power she left in Naoki's body had vanished.

Out of concern, Arcueid considered visiting Naoki's world to check the situation. Though her body was sealed in the Millennium Castle and couldn't leave, her spirit could still cross over with some effort through their connection—this was why Merry couldn't reach Arcueid.

Upon arriving in this world, Arcueid saw Naoki being brutally beaten one-sidedly.

Her anger surged instantly!

(His body keeps regenerating; is that Avalon inside Naoki? Hmm, if so, it should be fine. I don't need to worry—lend me your body for a moment, Naoki.)

After assessing Naoki's condition and confirming no serious issues, Arcueid shifted her focus to the other Naoki before her.

No, now it should be called her other self. Though the similarity was less than half of half, she could still sense its aura and discern the current state of [Naoki].

"Like a fallen True Ancestor—not a body controlled by vampiric desires, but purely unable to control its rampaging power?"

Since slaying all True Ancestors 800 years ago, Arcueid hadn't seen another besides herself. Yet, at this moment, her heart felt no joy in meeting a kin but was filled with rage.

A fallen True Ancestor.

Hurting Naoki.

Either alone would be enough for Arcueid to hunt it to the ends of the earth, let alone both.

*SWISH!*

Moonlight enveloped her body. Arcueid's power within Naoki, under her original consciousness's control, awoke instantly, the true might of a True Ancestor flooding Naoki's entire body.

"AAAAArrrrrrr————!"

[Naoki] let out an uncontrollable scream. Unlike its earlier rage, this cry carried panic and fear. Even its ferocious eyes now showed a glimmer of terror!

It instinctively sensed death.

If it were still sane, it might have understood Arcueid's power and not lost control like this. But with its reason devoured and body ruled by wild instincts, it was now merely a beast. And a beast, facing true fear, facing a real predator, would have no courage to resist.

*PU-CHI!*

It even sacrificed its arm. [Naoki] severed the limb held by Arcueid and fled frantically into the distance!

(I'll die, I'll die, I'll die!)

It could never defeat that monster!

"In the end, you're just a imitation made from mimicking my power—a flawed product of a flaw, a forgery without a core, merely a shell. Though a True Ancestor, you lack even a shred of pride. Your existence is a blasphemy to our honor."

Placing both hands on her chest, Arcueid's palms emitted a radiant light.

"Perish along with the wounds you've inflicted on the earth."

A light spanning thousands of meters suddenly spread, like a divine blessing from legend. Centered on Arcueid, the illuminated areas instantly reverted to their original state!

Cracked earth healed, fallen pillars stood again, collapsed walls returned to their places... Tokyo Station, nearly destroyed in the battle between Naoki and [Naoki], was visibly restored under this light!

Reality Marble.

Arcueid's most overpowered ability. As the Sensory Organ of the Planet, this spirit ability connects one's will directly to the world, reshaping it into the environment envisioned in one's heart.

Normally, this ability couldn't be used on an individual standing alone in the world. But [Naoki] wasn't such an individual; its existence was man-made, essentially a highly perfect puppet, akin to the station itself.

Thus, Reality Marble applied.

No human speed could outrun light. The curtain of light spreading from behind instantly caught the fleeing [Naoki], dragging it back into the illuminated world.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

"Haaa, so it still lost?"

Beneath the Holy Grail, sensing the anomaly above, [Manaka] couldn't help but sigh softly.

She had long known of Arcueid's presence. Omniscience and omnipotence meant she knew everything except what she chose not to. Thus, nothing could escape her control.

Hence, she wasn't surprised by Arcueid's arrival or [Naoki]'s defeat and disappearance. When she created it, she had foreseen every dead end it would face.

"Still, Natsukawa-kun is quite popular with girls. Two people were willing to cross worlds to help him."

"He's that kind of jerk!"

Another punch landed in the space before [Manaka]. Aoko snorted, "What a tough turtle shell!"

"This isn't a barrier, Magician. I'm not doing anything. From my perspective, you just stop every time you're about to hit me. Showing mercy repeatedly—you're truly kind-hearted."

"You don't look it, but a sweet-looking girl like you is quite sarcastic."

"You flatter me; I'm just mildly skilled at it." [Manaka] smiled. "By the way, I've always had a question. Can you answer it?"

A question?

Aoko frowned. "Even the omniscient and omnipotent has things they don't know?"

"No, I fully know the cause and effect; I just can't comprehend it. You and that True Ancestor both crossed worlds to ensure Natsukawa-kun's safety. But in my plan, nothing will happen to him. I'll send him back to his original world with those around him once the new world is complete."

"I don't intend to harm anyone, nor do I wish to. Neither of you has an absolute reason to stop me, right?"

"So why did you come to stop me? I can't understand your thoughts."