To Become a King and a Magician

Marisbury Animusphere, Lord of the Department of Astromancy.

Or rather, former Director.

Upon learning that he would participate in this Holy Grail War, Naoki had always wanted to meet him. Now, thanks to the Holy Grail War, his once-elusive presence had become traceable. As long as they were in Fuyuki City, finding someone wasn't difficult.

Especially a Magus.

Though the Department of Astromancy was considered one of the Clock Tower's most modern-technology-friendly departments, they were like elderly people just learning to use smartphones. Completely evading modern society's surveillance was impossible.

So—

"Tracking me down through surveillance across Fuyuki City, plus a large number of familiars?"

In a Western-style house, Marisbury looked at Naoki and Artoria seated before him, a wry smile on his face due to his miscalculation.

To boldly infiltrate another Master's stronghold on the second day of the Holy Grail War—any Magus with common sense wouldn't dare.

However, considering this young man's various deeds while studying at the Clock Tower, Marisbury didn't find his actions surprising. In fact, it felt very much like something he'd do.

"My apologies for coming unannounced, Lord Animusphere."

"No matter, there are no nobles or commoners here. No need to address me so formally, Mr. Natsukawa." Marisbury smiled gently. "So, why the sudden visit?"

People don't act without reason.

In this Holy Grail War, visiting another Master out of the blue had only two possible motives: first, a surprise attack—but it was broad daylight, and starting a fight recklessly would be considered a violation.

(Then the second… seeking an alliance?)

If so, Marisbury could only regretfully decline Naoki. With Solomon in his hands, he had no need to ally with anyone.

"Lord Animusphere, before I explain, could Caster—that is, King Solomon—also come out to meet?"

"Caster?"

Marisbury couldn't help but be surprised. Before he could respond, Solomon, at his side, released his spiritual form and materialized physically. His calm eyes swept over Naoki, then he nodded in satisfaction. "It seems the seal is intact."

"Regarding the seal, allow me to thank you, King Solomon. Thank you for your care."

[I should thank you too, vixen. Let me out, I want to thank him in person.]

(Save it.)

Calmly handling Manaka, Naoki kept his gaze on the two before him. "Since King Solomon is here, I'll explain my purpose—Lord, you may already know, I also participated in the Fuyuki Holy Grail War ten years ago."

Marisbury nodded. He had investigated this long ago.

"And in that Holy Grail War ten years ago, I once reached the Root." Naoki said, dropping words that could shock any Magus. "Of course, not truly reaching it—if I had, I'd have vanished. I only reached a place close to the Root—King Solomon should be able to discern whether I'm lying."

Solomon possessed Clairvoyance, capable of seeing past and future. Verifying whether Naoki had reached the Root in the past was no challenge for him.

Under Marisbury's slightly shocked gaze, Solomon nodded.

A wave of weakness suddenly coursed through Marisbury's body. "Truly… To think the goal we Magus have pursued for thousands of years without success was achieved by you ten years ago. Back then, you weren't even a Magus. I'm at a loss for words."

"I didn't feel much from it myself, but what I want to tell you and King Solomon is actually related to the Root."

"The Root contains all knowledge, in the truest sense. In that brief contact, I gained a fragment of that infinite knowledge, and among it, I learned some things about the future."

"Lord Animusphere, your reason for participating in this Holy Grail War is to wish upon the Grail for vast wealth, to realize the establishment of the Human Order Security Organization, Chaldea, correct?"

"You truly gained astonishing knowledge from the Root. What a coincidence in this world." Marisbury said with a wry smile. "Indeed, to fulfill the Department of Astromancy's dream, I'm working on establishing Chaldea. In fact, most preparations are proceeding smoothly; all that's lacking is time and sufficient funding to complete it."

"Then, could the construction of Chaldea be halted?" Naoki's sudden suggestion stunned all three present.

"Halted? You're proposing something absurd, Mr. Natsukawa. You know that's impossible, don't you?"

Naoki nodded. "But please, you and King Solomon, hear me out about the future I know. It won't be too late to consider afterward."

"It's a future that might occur after Chaldea is built."

A future after Chaldea's establishment?

Marisbury glanced at Solomon. If it was just about the future, he could learn it through Clairvoyance; he didn't need Naoki to tell him. But Solomon nodded slightly. "Speak."

"Very well. In the future, after Chaldea is built…"

In the next few dozen minutes, Naoki briefly recounted the "future" in his memory—including the Demi-Servant experiments, artificial life experiments, test-tube babies, and Lev Lainur Flauros's actions… He described most events leading up to the Incineration of Humanity.

After hearing Naoki's account, Marisbury instinctively glanced at Solomon, seeking Clairvoyance's insight.

"The future beyond 2015 is still visible." Solomon said after a brief pause.

"But such a future does exist, and after passing certain branching points, it could indeed lead to that future."

"Meaning it can be avoided, right?" Marisbury felt a slight relief. "I'm deeply grateful for such critical information, Mr. Natsukawa. But unfortunately, my answer remains a refusal."

"In the future you described, the Incineration of Humanity wasn't caused by my founding of Chaldea, but by my conducting Demi-Servant experiments, which led to Professor Lev's despair and possession by a Demon God Pillar, resulting in that future. So, as long as I avoid those experiments, that future won't happen."

"Of course, saying this, you might not believe me."

Magus are inherently untrustworthy; verbal promises are meaningless.

"So, I'd like to make a proposal—would you be interested in working at Chaldea, Mr. Natsukawa?"