Chapter 154: Ally Recruitment

Manaka Sajou is a unique existence.

It is apt to call her as such due to her specialty—the direct connection to "The Root" itself. It granted her an unimaginable level of talent as well as feeding to her every single mystic knowledge found within "this world's" database. It enabled her to become extremely proficient on all fields of magecraft, even surpassing the magi during the Age of Gods.

Her sole limitation was the inhabiting number of her circuits which prevented her from using her ability wantonly. Nevertheless, it didn't bother her as she continued to live her current life—that is, until she accidentally "slipped" into the Reverse Side of the World.

One accident led to another, leading her to meet one of the world's [Greatest Anomaly].

The Knight of Revelations, Galahad.

In a sense, he was killed due to the intervention of the counterforce. The [Quantum Time Lock] mechanism also worked to prevent him from stopping Britain's demise. Facing the entire world's anger, he had no choice but to die.

Surprisingly, he turned out to be well. Even, he had several fragments of power that could pose a serious threat to this world.

What poked Manaka's attention the most were not these items, but all the [Endings] he faced.

Just as Nobu surmised, these "iterations" are as much of a real world in itself. They are no longer "possibilities" but "worlds" shaped by the grail's power.

Possessing the ability of "omniscience", Manaka saw his past, present, and "futures".

From that point onwards, her "interest" continued to grow. She might be bound to [this world] and couldn't travel freely as much as him, but her talent under the state of "being motivated to do something" is far more terrifying than anyone could've thought.

…

An entire decade had passed since then. In accordance with [his will], Manaka made many preparations throughout the years.

While she was preparing the summoning materials for her sister's servant, a tingling feeling swept her neck.

"That gaze… He really…"

The Abrahamic God's bestowed [omniscience] allowed Nobu to see the pasts, presents, and futures of [This World]. Such an overwhelming load could've rendered his mind broken, though it became possible to do so right now due to the current developments he had.

Add to that his fifteenth iteration's experience of connecting with the [Akashic Records] of his world, omniscience no longer became a burden to him.

However, it was also at that moment did Manaka see something else entirely. It was only possible due to her connection with The Root itself. 

It was…

"...it's blurry, but one thing's for sure…"

Just like how all roads lead to Rome, Nobu's decision upon being bestowed with temporary omniscience already cemented one of the biggest decision he could attain—only the process itself would vary.

"You chose to become a savior, My Prince…"

*****

That girl… Manaka Sajou.

Although momentarily, He bestowed His omniscience to me. That allowed me to see through the past, present, and possible futures of this world… rather, two worlds.

[The World] that I am currently into is divided into two by [Gaia] and [Alaya], the wills of the Planet and Humanity, respectively.

The former's world is populated by the twenty seven [Dead Apostle Ancestors] while the latter's world is where I am currently into—a world without their major influence, or at least most of them going extinct due to a divergence within time itself.

I have seen a lot regarding this world. That includes the future of the [young girl] I met within the Reverse Side of the World.

I was surprised to "feel" that she could "perceive" me during my omniscient state. Moreover, she seems to have begun preparing plans to prevent this world from going into ruins. She fully prepared herself to fight against the nine [Ultimate Ones] that will threaten this world in the future.

While it is apt to say that I knew her enough through omniscience, I was still surprised at how things turned out—that she could commit herself to "protect" this world.

For some reason, that made me feel lighter.

Just as I fell into deeper thoughts, I noticed the arrival of the person whom I wanted to speak to.

"Pardon me for this behavior, Tokisada-san."

A man wearing a black-red priest outfit strolled towards the pew chairs where I sat.

"Don't be. Seeing you again affirmed one of my guesses, Saint."

"...Was it that obvious?"

Tokisada-san faced the huge cross on the chapel as he replied:

"Your eyes. The sanctimony it gave off was something I never felt in my entire life. Not even the Patron Saint of France gave off such a feeling."

Meeting with Him is a huge thing for this world. Just the fact that I entered [Heaven] itself, talked with Michael, and had a face-to-face conversation with Him is enough to engrave a legend into the Throne of Heroes. 

Perhaps only the Prince of Peace (Jesus Christ), a Savior-class Heroic Spirit, had the same privilege as I.

"I might not be able to articulate it well, but I have indeed visited [Heaven]."

"...As expected. It wasn't visible during our first clash, but you truly are the Knight of Revelation."

Tokisada-san wore a self-deprecating smile as he seemingly realized something.

"The Lord disagreed with my plans, didn't He?" He asked.

"Yes. In fact, you are the main reason why I was summoned into this world."

This world was supposed to have a person who would oppose Tokisada-san—a homunculus named "Sieg".

Through his efforts, Tokisada-san's plans will be foiled, preventing humanity from becoming an ever-stagnant civilization, thus leading to the world's death. It is in accordance to the two known "endings" my own world could face:

Either the world's mysteries no longer exist or the world enters an entropic state.

Any of these two endings signify the "stagnation" of the world. Without any changes, it would eventually die out.

Unfortunately, the Twilight Syndrome appeared and became the third ending it could go into.

"This world would've been destroyed if your wish had come true… or it should've been. In the end, the fate of humanity isn't something for a single person to decide for."

"..."

Tokisada-san fell silent for a while before regaining his composure.

"I willed myself to not be affected by others… that I am making the best choice for humanity."

The riddance of suffering.

It is the main purpose behind Heaven's Feel. Humans would no longer have any physiological needs. They will be able to live forever, thus recreating the paradise once envisioned by many.

Still, it poses several disadvantages such as the inability to reproduce as well as alteration of mental states.

For short, humanity gaining immortality as a whole is a bad thing.

"From another angle, it does look selfish."

"...What are you planning to do now?"

I shifted the topic into another matter.

"Me? I… I'm not certain. This world remains to be for the present people to take care of. Heroic spirits like us should stay away from it."

"How about your lover?"

"My… what?"

Tokisada-san was startled by this question.

"Your servant. She likes you, doesn't she?"

"What?"

"...What?"

Wait, wait a moment.

"It's quite obvious. Didn't she save you several times during our fight? She risked her life to save yours."

"That is…"

"..."

I think I now know how it feels to be an outsider to my matters.

Back then, I remained ignorant of the feelings of several people around me. It was bad during my early days in Orario, but it is far worse during my time as Galahad.

I could already think of a person to apologize back then…

Inadvertently, it reminded me of my own predicament:

How should I deal with them?

Just as I dug a hole for Tokisada-san, I also dug one for myself.

*****

After settling the matters on the grail war, I managed to form a treatise between two sides. Both the Red and Black Faction will remain in this world, but they will have several rules to adhere to such as not fighting in places filled with civilians.

With that, my job as this war's [Ruler] was over. The Greater Grail's stored magical energy within decades was slowly assimilated into my holy grail.

Even without doing anything, I could see the number of miracles and chances rise.

It is nigh-time I should leave. However, I still have two things to settle.

"Big brother!"

"Hello."

Returning to Japan, I visited Reiko-san's current residence. It has been more than a week since I departed. I left Jack some learning materials for her study with cursed energy. Still, we were able to communicate virtually every day with the help of the Internet.

Swoosh-!

Much to my surprise, Jack utilized the advanced cursed technique, [Black Flash], in her feet. It allowed her to close the distance between us as she hugged my waist enthusiastically.

She's like Ryuu back then…

"Jack… She's been too energetic lately. I'm sorry for the trouble, Akasaka-san."

"There's no need to apologize. Children nowadays are like this, no?"

Today, Reiko-san wore a long-sleeved shirt to combat the cold effects of winter. The ending of the grail war coincided with the beginning of winter. It wouldn't be surprising to see people in Japan wear long-sleeved shirts, cardigans, and the like.

Just like her, Jack wore a black long-sleeved dress. Reiko-san did choose clothing that pairs well with Jack.

"Brother, look. I could do this now!"

On top of her palm, streaks of white light flickered. Each one of them looked reminiscent of a blade's edge.

That's right.

Jack's cursed technique is somewhat similar to Sukuna's technique. Though, I saw that hers specialized more in "sharpness" in a way that it wouldn't easily heal. It is akin to Jack wielding multiple blades at once, which is in contrast to Sukuna's whereas he directly "cleaves" and "dismantles" his targets.

Nevertheless, I could see Jack doing something like that in the future.

"Five blades… You did well."

"It wasn't a big deal…"

After showering her with some praises, I gave Jack a small mechanical toy—a stuffed cat doll filled with thousands of nanites inside. It also works for self-defense purposes which should be enough… I think.

"How was everything?" I asked.

"Nothing went wrong. The magi… Those inspectors never returned. It's like the life I had before returned."

Prior to her being a human sacrifice, Reiko-san lived as a normal human. She didn't have any involvement with magecraft up until the moment Jack was summoned.

"From your words… I decided not to return to my previous job."

Due to circumstances, Reiko-san was "kicked out" of her home when she was in high school. Without any diploma, she was forced to take part-time jobs… leading to the job of a courtesan.

Back then, I dissuaded her from returning to this kind of job. After all, she wasn't the kind of person who sought something in exchange for services… except for her bare needs.

"Maybe it is due to luck or not, but I managed to find a job as a piano teacher…"

Reiko-san narrated their lives while I was gone. Hearing them, I could say that everything went on their right track.

"There's no need to think about this house. It's my gift for you two."

"...Thank you."

It didn't take long for me to announce my departure.

"How long will you be gone..?"

"Depending on the circumstances… I should be able to return within half a year."

The coming three to four months will become a tough battle in our world. During the fifteenth iteration the [Twilight Syndrome] was defeated in the month of February. As long as the time ratio between this world and my world becomes connected, that's the time I will be able to return to the other worlds I visited.

"Is that so… we'll be looking forward for your return, our savior."

For some reason, I felt a strange sense of deja vu.

*****

"You are leaving…"

"In the first place, I wasn't a part of this world, Miss Jeanne."

A street away from Reiko-san's new home, the second Ruler appeared and greeted me. It seems like she overheard some of our conversation when we were by the gate.

"I already settled the score with the current Tower Lord. The things I taught him are enough to manage this world's supernatural forces."

I haven't forgotten my meeting with Lord El-Melloi II. I directly entered the Clocktower through Space Magicka and bypassed all of their bounded fields. Only two other people noticed my intrusion, speaking volumes of the lacking prowess of magi in this world.

It reminded me of their sorrow. When the Age of Gods ended, so was the chance to reach the depths of magicka's mysteries.

We are lucky how it was different in our world.

In the end, I taught El-Melloi some knowledge about magicka. They are stored in the form of digital files accessible through the [special] smartphone I gave him.

With that, he should be able to back his influence with real prowess. Magicka didn't rely on magic circuits but the magician's skill to comprehend the numerous magic systems and their ability to create dream organs.

"This world should become a peaceful place. There are also the heroic spirits whom I made a geass to act whenever there is trouble."

"...I have nothing more to say."

"I am not the type of person to leave without a dozen countermeasures."

Other than that, there are also my satellite that I left as well as the hidden stash of nanite fortress.

The version of [Miku] in this world is enough to determine which situation is [dangerous] from not.

"Your eyes… Remember to unload your baggage every now and then." Miss Jeanne said. "There are times it could become too heavy."

"...Thanks for the advice, Miss Jeanne."

A moment of silence occurred between us.

"If there is nothing wrong—"

"I have a question to ask."

This idea spurned at the last moment. If Miss Jeanne could remain in this world, I wouldn't worry about some accidents. If she accepts, I could also bring her to my world.

"You are using someone as a vessel right now. Instead of returning into the Throne of Heroes, how about permanently manifesting as a heroic spirit?"

"...Ah..?"

It seems like I'll be bringing more heroic spirits in my world.

*****

A/N:I apologize for the long disappearance. I was taking care of several projects and exams during the finals of this semester. Now that these are over and we have our semester break, do expect more chapters to pop up every now and then. That's all, happy reading!