74 [74] *****

"By the way... my dear, where is our Melusine?"

Amidst their tender intimacy, when Reinhard inquired about their daughter's whereabouts, it was not with joy nor warmth.

The witch, in an abrupt motion, tightened her embrace, causing the young man with black hair to weaken in the knees. Cradling Morgan's slender waist, Reinhard gazed into her eyes.

The witch... however, averted her gaze with a hint of guilt.

...Hm?

Could it be... she's not here?

Well, after all, Melusine must have grown up by now...

Clearly his daughter, yet seemingly much older than himself, how should one define such a relationship?

Reinhard didn't know how to confront the fact that his own daughter, Melusine, had blossomed into adulthood. Morgan's failure to bring her along made him sigh involuntarily, yet he couldn't help but miss his dear daughter.

Or perhaps...

After fifteen hundred years, the lifespan of their daughter...

....No, she was the offspring of Dragon and Fairy.

Life expectancy was nearly irrelevant, love, on the other hand, was infinite!

During their time in Londinium, Reinhard had hidden their daughter in the vast underground caverns, instructing Morgan to care for their Melusine. With the witch's abilities, there could be no oversight in finding them.

"So... what happened? You didn't find her?"

Watching the witch stammer, Reinhard felt a slight unease creeping into his heart. Yet, observing her expression, there was no hint of panic or sorrow, but rather... a subtle guilt as she pursed her lips.

"No, it's not that we didn't find her. The situation is much more complicated, hubby... Our daughter, Melusine, she... is not in this world anymore."

Not in this world.

Those words left Reinhard slightly stunned. The first thought that crossed his mind was...

Could it be his daughter getting Isekai....?

"...What exactly happened?"

Morgan held Reinhard tightly, whispering in his ear.

"...It sounds strange to say after your 'death,' but I went to the underground caverns of Londinium... where I found only the body of Albion."

"Albion?"

Reinhard recalled a lesson from the past. London, once the fortress city of Londinium, had its vast spiritual tomb underground named after Albion. It was said to be the skeleton of a Dragon, forming a massive labyrinthine space.

Filled with various curses, magical creatures, magical materials, and even fairies, the deeper one dug, the closer it came to the otherworld. Due to the continuous exploitation, massive mining towns had been built underground in London, extracting pure ether flowing from the holes in the sky.

The Spiritual Tomb of Albion, this was where the foundation and essence of the Clock Tower in London.

"Yes... when I found that Albion, its heart and skull were missing. Only a huge body remained."

Morgan reminisced about their arduous journey.

Her husband had passed away.

Their daughter had disappeared.

She, at that time, had truly been on the verge of madness.

Thus, in the Inner Sea of the Planet, she relentlessly pursued that incubus and burned his soul for eternity...

When all hope seemed utterly lost...

Ironically...

That incubus, in the end, offered words that gave the witch a glimmer of hope.

After waiting for three hundred and seventy years, and initiating the summoning under the eclipse, she finally received news of her husband, who hadn't perished.

Facing the dark sun, she smiled.

His light still illuminated her.

As Reinhard glanced at Morgan's somewhat absent-minded gaze, he tightened his grip on the witch's palm, transferring the warmth of his skin to hers.

"Our daughter is missing, but I haven't given up. I've been searching for both of you."

The witch continued her gentle narration.

"Based on various clues, I deduced that Albion sensed our Melusine's presence. This caused him to awaken from his slumber in the underground cavern."

"The age of gods declined, and even Albion would vanish. Because, hubby, you pierced a hole through the sky above Londinium, leading to the Inner Sea of the Planet. To Albion, it was almost like a lifeline."

"He wanted to pass through that aperture, to reach the Inner Sea of the Planet... but unfortunately, the hole was too small..."

At this point, Morgan paused.

"...Which resulted in him being unable to pass through."

"Cough..."

Reinhard couldn't help but imagine the somewhat comical scene...

No wonder Morgan's expression was so nuanced when asked about their daughter.

"So, our daughter... is trapped in the gap of the Inner Sea of the Planet?"

However, the witch shook her head.

"...It's much more complicated than that."

"Hm?"

"Albion knew he couldn't pass through, so he abandoned his cumbersome body, taking only the most essential parts, the skull and heart... and attached them to our daughter. Because she's a Dragon and Fairy, it resonated with his aura."

"The skull and heart of Albion merged with Melusine."

Listening to his daughter's tumultuous journey, Reinhard couldn't help but feel bewildered.

"It's my fault. I shouldn't have placed her in the underground cavern..."

"No, it's not your fault, hubby."

The witch kissed his lips.

"Due to the interference of counter force, Albion would have been awakened by our daughter sooner or later... Our daughter, just like that, was carried away by Albion to the Inner Sea of the Planet."

"However, when she passed through the hole... she disappeared... it's as if she was summoned by something."

At this point, Morgan sighed softly.

On her face, a complex expression appeared, as if she were looking at her daughter who had grown askew.

"I then learned some divination methods..."

"...And using myself as a medium... I received news about our daughter."

"Melusine... she's not in this world."

"...Then where is she?"

Morgan fell silent for a moment.

"She's in another world, in a place called the Fairy Kingdom within Britannia."

As Reinhard's gaze became somewhat bewildered, the witch gently plucked a strand of her silver hair, using it as a divination material, and blew softly. A ripple-like water mirror emerged in her palm.

Within the water mirror...

The scene slowly unfolded...

In a magnificent and beautiful fairy kingdom, resembling a picturesque landscape, stood a flawless white castle.

In front of the castle's grand hall, there was an elegant and ferocious style, with a noble throne adorned with black thorns.

Soft and serene light surrounded the throne, and the crystals embedded in the ceiling of the hall sparkled like a galaxy.

Yet, none of these compared to her dazzling figure.

A voluptuous, crowned silver-haired girl sat indifferently on the throne, delicately supporting her face with her fair and slender wrists.

Her relaxed posture and the long legs wrapped in white bandages, lazily raised with glamorous transparent high heels swaying on the tiptoes.

Various fairy figures knelt under her throne, bowing deeply.

Clearly such a magnificent and noble queen.

However, the words uttered from those crimson lips caused Reinhard's mouth to twitch involuntarily.

"You worthless lot...! The outbreak of disaster crushed our defenses in the north! I have to personally intervene as the Queen!"

"The chieftain of the Earth Clan embezzled frontline supplies? Damn nuisance! Raid their homes, kill them! Fairies can't die? Then skin them alive and plant grass! Throw them into the Moss Domain!"

"What? Cornwall didn't collect enough taxes this quarter, hehe... Bugs are crawling out again, initiate a cleansing operation for the Queen!"

"The Fang Clan is talking behind my back? Audacity! Guards! Arrest those heretics! Exile them to the front lines!"

"That Mab, so arrogant... War! We must launch the Winter War! They will all bow down at my feet!"

"I will conquer all of Britannia within three years! Build my territory and refine the land! I'll summon my dad over!"

"What about those mutating disasters in Moss? Simple, seal them into crystals! This is the energy source for the Queen!"

"Loyalty is not absolute, but disloyalty is absolute!"

"Have you... understood?"

The water mirror in front of him rippled and the image slowly faded away.

"..."

The black-haired youth's mouth widened, his pupils resembling earthquakes.

He finally understood.

Why Morgan had been hesitant about their daughter's whereabouts...

"...It feels so familiar, hubby."

"What do you think?"

Gently caressing Reinhard's cheek.

The witch's lips curved slightly, a smile that seemed somewhat ambiguous.

"Should I say, she truly lives up to being the daughter of a White Dragon?

Who could she have learned all this from?"

"Guh...?!"

It's... genetic! He blame genetics!

Reinhard felt extremely guilty... and averted his gaze...

"Melusine, she's now... in that Fairy Kingdom."

"That's right..."

"Our daughter, she's already... become the most ruthless and wicked queen in the history of the Fairy Kingdom of Britannia."

"The Crownless Tyrant, Melusine."

"Cough... Cough, cough..."

This... this happened in less than fifteen days!

No, Melusine... my Melusine T_T...

My dear, lovely little flower.

How did she become... a tyrannical demon king!?

Guh...

How am I supposed to... pamper her like this?

No, wait...

Looking at this situation, she's the one pampering me, right?!

This body has no blood ties with her.

Filial piety is going to change...

She even wants to conquer the entire Britannia, build a summoning circle, and summon her daddy over... even though it's impossible.

My cute Melusine can't be that ruthless.

There must be something wrong...

With this world.

Something must have gone wrong somewhere...

...

"So, hubby, you want to use the Holy Grail to summon our Melusine back..."

Walking through the specially constructed carriage toward the confinement chamber.

Reinhard pondered on the information about his daughter, Melusine, with a slight hesitation.

"...Yes, our daughter seems to have been summoned to that other world by someone."

As he said this.

A slightly displeased expression appeared on Morgan's face.

Parting with her husband was already painful, but she also had to experience parting with her daughter...

If she knew who did that, she would definitely...

"I don't know which specific space-time it is."

"I also tried to summon our daughter."

"But, perhaps due to Albion's consciousness and heart already attached themselves to Melusine."

"So... I failed."

"But this time during the solar eclipse, I was able to find you through reverse summoning, hubby."

"The next solar eclipse, we'll have to wait another three hundred and seventy years..."

Three hundred and seventy years...

Too long.

This world has at most ten more years before it faces various disasters.

Reinhard didn't dare to imagine what the scene would be like then.

If they couldn't withstand the warp storms, then it might be a good choice to just run away with his family.

Speaking of which, wasn't a certain Rick doing the same thing?

Saving the world and fleeing.

Reinhard had been trying hard on both fronts.

Unfortunately, he had no clue about the first method of research and the phenomenon of traversing dimensions.

And if he saw his daughter.

Maybe he could find out how Melusine had gone to the other world.

"So, the Holy Grail is our last chance."

The witch spoke softly.

"The Holy Grail is a downgraded Heroic Spirit Summoning system."

"As long as there is a medium... 'you' and 'me', along with the Spiritual Tomb of Albion, we should be able to stabilize the summoning to Melusine.

"So... if we move the Holy Grail to the underground labyrinth beneath the Clock Tower, maybe we can summon back our daughter."

Hmm... this is really enticing...

Just half a month ago, he had been avoiding the Fifth Holy Grail War.

Now, it seemed like Reinhard was determined to obtain the Holy Grail.

With Morgan and the assistance of the entire department of modern magecraft theory, no one could stop him.

However...

The only their stumbling block was...

"...The Lord of the Department of Astromancy, Marisbury?"

The witch's tone was casual.

"Killing him directly would solve it."

At the auction hall, she had heard this name from Heartless.

Eliminating potential opponents in war is obviously one of the most ancient and effective measures.

Hearing such words.

Waver who followed behind his disciple, could only sigh with a wry smile on his face.

It's true, she's indeed the witch of Britannia...

Old guy, good luck.

"Hm..." Reinhard pondered, "Let's wait for a while and see what Heartless has to say."

Though he certainly didn't like Marisbury as a person.

But, Reinhard was interested in his Chaldea plan.

...If Chaldea couldn't be established.

He might not see the red-haired girl, Fujimaru Ritsuka, in Londinium.

Would the history of the Son of the White Dragon be rewritten again?

It's interesting...

Fate is truly intriguing.

"So... regarding Marisbury, I hope you can bring me some surprises, Doctor Heartless."

Whispering softly.

Reinhard pushed open the door of the confinement chamber.

Within the dim and narrow space.

Chains of the witch bound two people inside the cell.

The pale-faced red-haired man was shackled all over his body, sitting upright on the crude bed.

Beside him, the black-haired woman's figure seemed somewhat illusory due to insufficient magical energy, as if it was about to dissipate.

At this moment, only a faint trace of spell was maintaining their existence.

Although they hadn't eaten for three days.

But for a magus, this level of deprivation was far from enough.

"Hehe, here you are..."

The red-haired man with a pale face lifted his gaze slightly.

A smile blossomed on his face like a flower, exuding a spring-like warmth.

Despite being a prisoner.

Heartless seemed to show no fear at all.

His weak voice carried a hint of calmness.

"Reinhard, I thought you would wait until you returned to the Clock Tower to interrogate me."

"Say what you need to say, and depending on your cooperation, I may spare your life, Doctor Heartless."

Reinhard understood the principle of not revealing all intentions.

Even if he intended to kill, it was better left unsaid.

This way, the other party would likely divulge as much information as possible.

"You also dislike idle chatter, so let's get to the point..."

The red-haired man smiled.

"...Seven years ago, I was commissioned by Marisbury to investigate the Holy Grail of Fuyuki."

"Seven years ago?"

Reinhard pondered slightly.

"That would be three years after the Fourth Holy Grail War?"

"Correct."

"...And then?"

"The investigation revealed... the Holy Grail of Fuyuki had been thoroughly contaminated. During the Third Holy Grail War, it was filled with All the World's Evil by Einzbern."

Heartless smiled slowly.

"So yes, it can indeed grant the wish of the victor, but only through extremely twisted means..."

"For example, if you wish to obtain a large sum of wealth, the Holy Grail might cause accidental deaths in your family, triggering a life insurance payout."

"And because the Holy Grail was found to be contaminated."

"So in the end, the winner, Emiya Kiritsugu, attempted to command his servant to destroy the Holy Grail."

"But that servant seemed unwilling to use noble phantasm..."

"So in the end, he merely let the black mud spread out, causing a great fire in Fuyuki."

Listening to these seemingly confidential pieces of information.

Reinhard remained expressionless.

Because he had long known about these hidden truths.

This development was quite similar to the anime storyline known to Reinhard.

"Seven years ago..."

Hearing this time frame.

Weber Velvet pondered for a moment.

"Rein, seven years ago, seems to be when rumors started circulating about the contamination of the Holy Grail."

"I didn't spread those." Heartless shook his head with a smile, "I was just commissioned to investigate."

"So..." Reinhard frowned, "Did Marisbury intentionally spread this information himself?"

"That's right..." Heartless nodded, "No one else but him."

While situated in the Clock Tower in London, they didn't initially care about the magical rituals in Fuyuki.

However, three years after Kayneth's death.

Rumors began to circulate about various details of the Holy Grail War.

So.

Gradually, magus came to understand the Holy Grail War.

Like in the Clock Tower, the foundation was already clear about the rituals of the Holy Grail War.

They already understood that it was indeed a ritual with the hope of reaching the Root.

However.

Because the Holy Grail of Fuyuki had been thoroughly contaminated, effectively sealing off this hope, it also led to magus avoiding it.

This even gave some inspiration to magus in the Clock Tower, some began planning to establish a variant of the Holy Grail War.

However, this was quite a laborious task.

"Why would Marisbury do this?" Reinhard frowned, "It shouldn't benefit him in any way, right?"

The red-haired man shrugged.

"That's something I can't know."

"Hmm..." Waver pondered for a moment.

"It's simple, Rein, he probably wanted to eliminate dissent."

"If everyone avoids the contaminated Holy Grail, his chances of winning the Holy Grail War naturally increase significantly."

"The contaminated Holy Grail is completely twisted and bizarre, and a misstep could even bring death to them."

"I guess Marisbury went to fight for the Holy Grail through such means..."

The mentor and disciple looked at each other and said in unison.

"He has a way to purify the Holy Grail?!"

"It's no wonder... you two."

Heartless sighed.

"Yes indeed... as far as I know, Marisbury seems to have obtained a very terrifying relic, but no one knows what it is."

"But even if he summons some servants, it shouldn't matter to you, Reinhard."

Saying so with a smile.

Heartless's gaze inadvertently turned to the witch beside Reinhard.

Excluding various options in his mind.

He had almost guessed the true identity of this witch.

What an... astonishing answer.

"Indeed, he will be summoning the Heroic Spirit from the Throne of Heroes."

"However, this one by your side..."

"Tsk, he doesn't seem to know how to lose at all."

Listening to the words of the red-haired man, Reinhard's eyes flickered slightly.

"No one knows about the relic...?"

"...Speaking of relic, Heartless, why did you steal my relic? Are you also planning to participate in the Holy Grail War?"

Glancing at the silent Faker beside him.

Waver looked at Heartless with a puzzled expression.

"Whydunit, what's your motive?"

"I have no connection with you whatsoever, no previous grudges or favors."

"You obviously know Marisbury would participate in the Holy Grail War, so you couldn't possibly be competing with him, right?"

"What are you planing?"

Facing a barrage of questions.

Heartless, the red-haired man, just smiled and gave an answer that surprised everyone but also made sense.

"Of course to reach... the Root."

"Heh..."

Waver chuckled.

"If you wanted to reach the Root, you wouldn't have taken on the role in Department of Modern Magecraft Theory."

Modern Magecraft.

It has long been considered the most distant from the Root among all disciplines.

"That was just to repay the kindness Norwich once showed me. As you said, didn't I leave it behind?"

Heartless shook his head lightly and fixed his gaze on the witch beside Reinhard.

"And as for why I came back... it's to revive Age of Gods magecraft."

"Age of Gods magecraft..."

Muttering this word.

Waver's gaze also couldn't help but turn to his side, to his apprentice and the witch.

In modern times, it's almost impossible to witness Age of Gods magecraft.

In the barren reality of today, reviving the glorious Age of Gods magecraft... is incredibly difficult.

However... Morgan Le Fay.

Merging with Vivian, she can communicate with the Inner Sea of the Planet, exhibiting magecraft in modern times similar to the power of the Age of Gods.

Her very existence.

Can be considered... miraculous.

Facing Waver's questions.

The red-haired man smiled and slowly explained his motive.

To bring back the terrifying things from the Age of Gods magecraft is not something Heartless considers... he just wants an environment similar to that of an Age of Gods.

Age of Gods magecraft is about communicating and connecting with things from the Root.

Therefore, what Heartless wants to do is...

In the depths of the Spiritual Tomb of Albion, where the ether is most abundant, at the Dragon's heart.

By opening the magical dam and activating the Lesser Grail, through Faker as a medium, summon the Heroic Spirit Iskandar.

By then...

The Inner Sea of the Planet will briefly overlap with reality.

The lost true ether will briefly fill the world.

Causing the Heroic Spirit... to ascend as Divine Spirit.

He wants to let that Iskandar, station himself at the Dragon's heart, and ascend as a Divine Spirit under the Clock Tower.

The magus of London, with the help of the Divine Spirit, will perform magecraft.

In this way.

The revival of the Age of Gods magecraft will be completed.

However...

The witch, embodying a miracle, makes Heartless no longer need to pursue Divine Spirit.

Because, her existence is equivalent to that of the Age of Gods itself.

"...Boring."

In response to Heartless's plan.

The witch gave an expressionless evaluation.

"Is this all modern magus have left to pursue? It sounds so tediously dull."

"Hehe... to be judged like this by you..." Heartless wasn't the least bit angry, "Is quite an honor."

"Cut the compliments and nonsense."

Reinhard pointed out the key point of his words.

"It sounds like you're quite familiar with the layout of the Dragon's heart, Doctor Heartless."

The depth of the Spiritual Tomb of Albion reaches 400 km.

80 km down, it's still a mysterious area where no human has set foot.

The Dragon's heart is located at the third layer, now serving as the sacrificial hearth. It's the most concentrated area of ether in the entire tomb.

Reinhard has never been to such a deep place.

Morgan, having foreseen her daughter's situation, has never been underground in London again.

Now, they plan to bring the Holy Grail from Fuyuki and summon their daughter Melusine at the Dragon's heart.

So, having a guide's words would be very helpful.

"Well said, Reinhard..."

Heartless smiled.

"I was abandoned by my father in the tomb when I was born and grew up dependent on my mother there, so it's as familiar to me as my living room."

"Very well, that's the only value you have in staying alive."

Ten years of planning.

Just to revive the Age of Gods magecraft.

Should we say that magus are all mad?

For the slightest chance, even sacrificing their souls.

"Your perseverance and patience are indeed admirable, Doctor Heartless."

Reinhard said softly.

"But, your pursuit, as my wife described... is quite boring."

"Heh..."

The red-haired man laughed.

As a magus, he also has his own pride.

"If that witch says so about me, I'll accept it."

"But, Reinhard, even though I'm your prisoner, I acknowledge your excellent ideals, but you're not even the head of the Department of Modern Magecraft Theory..."

"Purely in terms of magical achievement, you have no right to judge me."

"No, I certainly do evaluate your magecraft. I just simply feel that your vision is too narrow."

Reinhard shook his head lightly...

"You like to keep things hiding, all for the sake of that little bit of mystery, thinking it's like some treasure."

"The essence of mystery is that it must be hidden."

Heartless smiled...

"The principle of 'hiding mystery' is known to everyone as a convenient excuse, but to some extent, it is also the truth."

Indeed.

Because the capacity of the foundation is limited.

If the mystery of magecraft is spread, its power will be diminished.

This is the unshakable law of this world.

So, it is destined that magus guard their secrets and research must be kept private.

"Reinhard, your ideals are indeed noble, but to expect all magus to share their research, even after another thousand years, is impossible."

Heartless sneered at Reinhard's idealistic views. He had listened to Reinhard's lectures, which indeed stirred emotions, but they were even more unrealistic than his own ideas.

"You're wrong, Doctor Heartless."

"What I anticipate is not magus at all."

"It's... humanity itself."

The black-haired youth spoke.

Making Heartless slightly stunned.

"As the former head of the Department of Modern Magecraft Theory, you should understand my words... If we view the Thaumaturgical Foundation as the graphics card.

Magic Crests is equivalent to the program.

The result of the program running is the effectiveness of magecraft.

Indeed...

Allowing the program to flow freely is equivalent to dividing the computational power of the graphics card.

But, this perspective is extremely narrow.

You magus, all overlook the fact that the so-called mystery will only be weakened once it's thoroughly understood.

Similarly.

The mystery will also be affected by people's perception and interpretation.

To save the declining magical world, the method is simple... it's to make as many people as possible aware of the mystery of magecraft, to believe that it truly exists.

Just like profound knowledge, which is always researched by a minority. But the spread of technology will benefit everyone.

People don't need to understand, they just need to believe in the mystery of magecraft.

The Thaumaturgical Foundation will be strengthened, allowing everyone to enjoy its benefits.

If... the pursuit of the Root is an endless process.

Then, the efforts of individual magus will always have their limits.

Stubbornly sticking to old ideas is simply foolish."

The black-haired youth lowered his gaze.

His words were gentle.

But they struck Heartless's heart like a hammer.

"I want to make all of humanity benefit from the pursuit of the Root and contribute to the pursuit of the Root."

"That... is impossible."

The smile disappeared from Heartless's face.

To study magecraft is to study for magus, ordinary people don't need to understand the principles, but if magecraft is used, it can correct the mystery.

The correction of the mystery brought by all humanity.

Will bring benefits to all humanity.

Realizing Reinhard's pursuit, how astonishing it truly is.

Hephaestion looked at the man in front of her in shock.

The voice of the red-haired man trembled even more.

"You can't do that... to achieve such a level of publicity, you need to establish the awareness of magecraft in every household on this planet, this process, even if it takes a hundred years..."

"You underestimate the development of the internet and the speed of information flow. Within five years, I will completely push the existence of magic to every family on this planet.

You are the former head of the Department of Modern Magecraft Theory.

But you want to achieve the revival of Age of Gods magecraft?

How... ironic. You have no confidence in the knowledge you teach."

Indeed.

This is the determination of the sleeping magus, to completely overturn the world.

In the eyes filled with sighs and regrets.

In Heartless's face ashen like death.

In the gaze of the witch, filled with laughter and admiration for her husband.

The sleeping magus left behind his final words.

"If you want to see that day, then come and find me.

This is the meaning of the existence of modern magecraft."

...

"To achieve such a generous vision of yours, Rein, the Clock Tower's current structure will only confine you..."

The train was about to return to London Station.

Looking at the scenery flowing outside the window.

Sitting in the luxurious lounge, the mentor and disciple who trusted each other most, were still consulting each other as usual.

The witch stood behind the black-haired youth, gently massaging his shoulders.

Reinhard didn't have any topics to discuss that Morgan couldn't hear.

The witch now understood her husband's identity as a isekai victim, and Reinhard had already told her about it voluntarily.

The same goes for Alvin's dream.

Deep down, there were secrets about the disaster.

Reinhard would wait for the right time to reveal it. Talking about it now would only cause panic.

Because...

The Bloodborne Plague, The Contingency, The Fallen Empire, The Warp Storms...

Those were horrors that even she, the Great Mother class fairy, and even Gaia itself would struggle to endure.

That's right.

With the current structure of the Clock Tower, there was nothing else Reinhard could study.

His presence solidified the position of the Department of Modern Magecraft Theory.

It's not that Department of Modern Magecraft Theory nurtured him.

Besides, for any magical issues, he could always turn to his witch for advice.

"So, Master..."

Reinhard gently pressed the witch's palm.

"There's still more than two months before the Holy Grail War... I plan to take Morgan on a journey around the world to visit some magical institutions and broaden our horizons."

"So where's your first destination? Asia, Northern Europe, or the US, which is currently in tension with the Clock Tower?"

Faced with the question, Reinhard considered those three places, and besides Asia, the latter two had some issues. Northern Europe was still within the Mage's Association's reach, and magical institutions in the US were in tension with the Clock Tower, there was little hope of them being accepted there.

So only Asia seemed like a viable option to him, not to mention the different magecraft disciplines there would surely bring some fresh perspectives for them.

"Asia, their field of study is different from ours, it might bring new perspectives."

"Asia, huh... Do you want to study Philosophy Magecraft?"

Other than Philosophy Magecraft, he couldn't think of anything else why his student had chosen to go to Asia.

The so-called Philosophy Magecraft.

It follows the principle that 'mind has power', established by Asian magus.

The general approach in the Mage's Association is to develop Magic Crest and pass them down from generation to generation and adapt to rules by changing oneself.

However, magus who follow the discipline of Philosophy Magecraft believe that if rules keep changing due to human will, then the path to exploring new rules will never end... rather than passively changing oneself, it's better to actively change the rules.

By actively using one's mind to change the rules, and letting the rules conform to one's own desires.

Simply put.

It means 'Believe in your heart, and it will become your magic.'

"That's right."

Reinhard nodded.

"I want to promote magecraft on this planet. The Philosophy Magecraft approach might give me more inspiration."

"Tsk, too bad... I don't have many connections with those Asian magus either."

"That's not a problem, it wouldn't hurt to meet new acquaintances."

"Haah... Alright, then your next destination is Asia, I-"

"Our..."

"Eh...? But..."

"...I know you well, you're also curious about new disciplines."

"So come along with us, everyone."

"...What about Gray and the others."

"That's easy, we can charter a plane."

Tsk, his student knew him too well, it's true that Waver couldn't just sit still hearing about studying a new discipline calmly.

"Haah... Alright, so our next destination is Asia..."

Waver rubbed his hands together with a smile, imagining studying a new discipline that might inspire him.

Seeing the outline of London becoming clearer not far from where they were.

Waver had already started packing his belongings.

The station was coming.

The door of the lounge suddenly sounded a formal knock.

"Come in."

Only insiders knock like this.

So, what appeared in front of the three was the deputy manager of the Mystic Eye Collection Train.

In her hands, she held a slightly familiar metal box for Reinhard.

"This is..."

"A parting gift for the esteemed guest."

The deputy manager nodded respectfully.

"Thank you for saving all the passengers on this journey. It's just a small token of appreciation."

"The Mystic Eyes of Bloodthirsty?"

Upon seeing the so-called parting gift in the other's hand.

Waver couldn't help but click his tongue.

...This person really knows how to do it.

Giving the Mystic Eyes of Bloodthirsty for free, the train itself doesn't have that kind of financial power.

"This storage box is made of meteorite iron. Only it can isolate the perception of this Mystic Eyes. I hope the esteemed guest will accept this humble gift."

The deputy manager smiled respectfully.

"If you have leisure time in the future, you're also welcome to visit our Mystic Eyes Collection Train. You don't need a ticket, and we will only provide you with the highest level of service."

"The 'Mystic Eyes of Bloodthirsty...?"

Upon hearing the topic mentioned by Waver earlier.

Reinhard was actually quite interested.

And... he seemed to vaguely recall hearing about it during the solar eclipse.

Does Heartless seem to know the origin of this Mystic Eyes?

Maybe he should go and ask him.

"In that case, I won't be rude."

Seeing Reinhard nodding and reaching out his hand.

Morgan lowered her gaze and took the initiative to take the metal box from the deputy manager's hand, scanning it casually.

"No abnormalities, hubby."

"...There's no need for this, my dear."

The black-haired youth smiled.

"Let's just skip the formality. How about we have a meal first, and you can taste it before me."

"Alright, I'd like to share a meal with you."

"Tsk..."

The all-black metal box was placed on the table.

With Morgan here, Reinhard wasn't worried about any oversight.

The Mystic Eyes of Bloodthirsty...?

He reached out and slowly touched the surface of the metal box.

Unexpectedly.

The surface of the metal box suddenly spread grotesque vein-like patterns, climbing up the back of Reinhard's hand.

Without warning...

A hoarse voice, seemingly exhausted but filled with excitement and excitement, suddenly appeared in the black-haired youth's mind.

"You've finally... come to pick me up."

"Long time no see, old friend."

Who are you?

This thought suddenly emerged...

[Ding!]

Huh?

Isn't this familiar sense of urgency...?!

Accompanied by the unified voice, a rapid gray mist spread in front of Reinhard's eyes, completely obscuring his vision.

[Detecting a qualifying relic, initiating loading of Antagonist Simulation...]

Silence.

Reinhard felt a bit stunned, staring at the gray space in front of him.

Watching the subtitles flashing faintly.

[Loading complete, please select initial talent...]

"Huh?"

Does it happen again now?

Didn't he just experience intimate moments with his wife for three days?!

Is he going to separate from his wife again?

"Hurry up and get me out of here!"

[There's no such option...]

Reinhard raised a middle finger.

Alright, in that case, he will show this system what it means to play around with him.

That's what he thought.

But when the talents refreshed, Reinhard's gaze became stunned.

[1. Crimson Fury: Your strength surges in the flames of anger. The Spartan bloodline allows you to greatly enhance all your attributes when in a state of anger. The more vigorous your anger, the more prominent your attributes fueled by anger will become. The fiery blood flowing in your body is meant to incinerate all the devils and monsters of the world in your raging flames.]

What the hell?!

As always, the entries were powerful, making Reinhard's mind start to waver.

"You're serious, aren't you?"

[2. Demon Sword Companion: It is destined that you will obtain a bloodthirsty demon sword. Its name is Godslayer, also known as The World Ender. Holding this demon sword will involuntarily imbue you with bloodthirsty emotions. The more you use it, the easier it will be to become immersed in it and unable to extricate yourself. Be careful not to let it devour your reason.]

What the hell is this?!

The last time, as the ultimate life form who transformed into BEAST, he was besieged by those seven grand servants, if it weren't for Morgan appearing at the last moment, he might not be here.

Now what is this The World Ender? Does this system want him to be besieged again by them?

Damn this system.

"Damn it, why do I have to face those scary things again? And why do you keep bringing things that bring me death."

[3. Limiter: The human limiter barrier on you gradually loosens. Whenever you fight on the brink of death in the extreme, if you haven't completely fallen, you will recover and become stronger. Unfortunately, this gift also comes with some perhaps unbearable consequences.]

"..."

"You... you wait a moment. What consequences?! You better explain it clearly to me-"

Before he could finish speaking.

Reinhard's vision suddenly went black.

Leaving only the cold, mechanical voice echoing slowly in his ears.

[Talent loading complete...]

[Initiating module loading: God May Cry]

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[74] God May Cry