Save this Britain.
Save this world of fairies.
Hearing the request from Aesc's lips, Naoki's first reaction was to refuse.
Over the past twenty years, he had forgotten much from before coming to this world—especially what Chaldea was supposed to experience. He had forgotten a lot.
But some parts he hadn't.
Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia, the parting of humans and gods; Grand Time Temple: Solomon, ending the Human Order Incineration; and… this Fairy Nation, steeped in sin and despair.
Fairies cannot be saved.
Fairies deserve to die.
A classic example—if all fairies in the Fairy Nation were to be executed, killing them all might include the innocent, but sparing one would mean all the rest escape.
Thus, from the start, Naoki had no intention of saving this place. If he could, he'd drop Moon Fall on this sinful island repeatedly right now! With Imaginary Manifestation, he'd trigger an island-wide earthquake and sink it entirely!
That's what he truly wanted.
But…
Before him stood someone who had waited 3,600 years, pleading from the depths of her heart to save this world.
"You already know, don't you, Aesc?" Naoki said. "Your Pan-Human History self must have told you everything. If you choose to save this Britain, what will happen to you afterward—you must know."
Aesc would die from the fairies' habitual betrayal. Britain would be destroyed by their stupidity.
Aesc should already know all this.
"In such a situation, do you still want to save this Britain?"
"Yes."
Aesc's answer held no hesitation, no pause. She answered firmly.
Even knowing the fairies' nature was hard to change, even knowing the future held only despair and her desired outcome would never come—she still wanted to do it.
Because she loved this Britain so deeply.
Her childhood was spent in the affection Britain showed her. Since then, she had fallen hopelessly in love with this island. Receiving memories from Pan-Human History Morgan only strengthened it.
Aesc understood Morgan's obsession with the Isle of Britain. Aesc herself loved Britain dearly.
Thus, she had to protect this world she cherished.
For that, she needed Naoki's power. She needed the strongest force that could resolve all difficulties with her, overcome all crises together, and directly crush any calamity they faced.
"Is it worth it?" Naoki continued. "Your sacrifice will yield nothing. The fairies won't thank you. A Lostbelt is an abandoned world. Everything you do will ultimately be in vain."
"—Do you truly believe this world deserves to be saved like this?"
"It's worth it."
Aesc nodded firmly.
This was the resolve she had upheld for 3,600 years. She had protected Britain for 3,600 years and would continue to do so.
Naoki fell silent for a long time. Aesc didn't speak further.
She awaited his answer.
"I won't protect this world."
After a long pause, Naoki said so.
"Like Morgan, I knew from the start this world is utterly unnecessary and unworthy of salvation. My Holy Sword won't swing for this world. It holds no value for me to fight for."
"But you do."
Like a knight, Naoki knelt on one knee and took Aesc's hand. "Aesc, Morgan, Vivian. I respect you. I respect the resolve you've held for 3,600 years. I respect the conviction you still cling to despite knowing everything."
"You've become a slave to this island, Aesc. To protect it, to protect this world, you've made yourself its slave. I won't protect the world that enslaves you—but I will protect your world."
"In the name of the Bearer of the Star's Holy Sword, and with the Holy Sword in my hand, I swear to you here."
"I will save the world you wish to save. I will protect the world you wish to protect. I will annihilate any existence that threatens it."
"The hope in your heart—I will achieve it with you. Your 3,600-year wait—I will fulfill."
Naoki's mindset remained unchanged. He wouldn't save this sinful world.
But since Aesc wanted to save it, Naoki would fight with all his might to save the entire world for her sake.
This time, the Bearer of the Star's Holy Sword would swing his blade only to save one person's world.
A gentle oath-kiss landed on the back of Aesc's hand.
Naoki looked up into Aesc's eyes, which gazed back at him.
(Exactly the same.)
Aesc's knowledge of Naoki was limited to what her Pan-Human History self provided. This was Naoki and Aesc's first meeting—and Aesc and Naoki's first meeting.
Yet now, Naoki's image in her eyes perfectly matched the one in her memories.
The World Savior she had awaited for 3,600 years had truly appeared before her, in her world.
"Thank you."
Aesc said, cheeks and eyes slightly flushed.
"Thank you for accepting my request, Natsukawa Naoki."
"Just Naoki." Naoki stood with a smile. "We'll be together for a long time. Full names are too formal. Call me Naoki. Likewise, I hope you'll let me call you Morgan."
"Alright."
Aesc nodded. "Then, since we're done, let's go out. I need to tell them you've become our comrade too."
With that, Aesc dispelled the soundproof barrier, opened the tent flap, and stepped out.
By the campfire, seeing Aesc emerge, Wryneck stood first. "Aesc! You're okay… Why are your eyes red? Don't tell me that bastard made you—"
"I'm fine, Wryneck." Aesc shook her head and pulled Naoki before everyone.
"I'll tell you one thing. I just reached an agreement with him. From now on, he'll act as our comrade."
Naoki smiled and nodded slightly. "Hello, everyone. I'm Naoki. Please take care of me."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
On a beach somewhere.
"Ugh… Haa!"
After struggling desperately to climb from the sea, Musashi knelt, coughed several times, then looked aside. "We finally swam ashore. Tomoe-dono, are you alright?"
"I'm fine." Tomoe shook her head. "More importantly, we…"
Both gazed at the dense forest not far away.
"It seems we've arrived in yet another new world."
Musashi sighed.