"Principle Blood Commandment?"
"That's right, Principle Blood Commandment."
Medea looked at Akatsuki in confusion. "Why are you doing something so redundant? Even if I can't fully see through your depths, I can sense that you don't need something like a Principle Blood Commandment."
"For someone like you who was born sitting upon a throne, why would you crave a 'crown'?"
Idea Blood, also known as the Principle Blood Commandment, is what Arcueid likens to a "crown." Ultimately, the reason an Ancestor's blood properties are sufficient to qualify them as an Ancestor is due to the Primal Commandments engraved upon their soul. Simply having this blood flowing through one's body creates a Singularity capable of rewriting the physical laws of the planet.
Any Dead Apostle who inherits this blood, regardless of their original rank, will leap to the status of an Ancestor.
Conversely, to exercise a Principle Blood Commandment, one must have a foundation of a thousand years. A Dead Apostle who has only been active for a few hundred years would be crushed by its curse even if they inherited it.
Facing Arcueid's question, Akatsuki smiled. "In this world, alaya probably still holds the dominant position. So a 'monster' like me, who leans toward gaia, will sooner or later be taken out just like Crimson Moon. This is just a precaution; I want to leave myself a backup plan."
"Exactly. It requires no foundation. Any being that obtains this blood can leap to a level rivaling or even surpassing the Twenty-Seven Ancestors. If their aptitude is sufficient, then I will be resurrected through them."
Medea shook her head slightly. "Your plan seems thorough, but there are too many variables. Setting aside the difficulty of finding a suitable successor, the mere appearance of this Principle Blood Commandment in the world will inevitably cause all factions to fight over it."
Akatsuki crossed her arms, a sinister smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "It's just insurance. Furthermore, if the person who absorbs the Principle Blood Commandment is killed, it will automatically inherit everything they had and precipitate from their blood to be inherited by someone else. Eventually, when one person has collected twelve portions of the blood, I will be resurrected as the final boss!"
After saying this, Akatsuki chuckled.
"That's the script."
"Do as you like." Saying this, Medea tossed the crystal-clear cube in her hand to Akatsuki. "The Magecraft portion is already inside. Can I leave now?"
"Be my guest."
Taking the cube, Akatsuki's idea was about one-third complete. The next steps were to compile the Magecraft formulas and do her best to back up her memories and soul into it.
Compiling Magecraft formulas would likely be extremely difficult for Akatsuki alone. It would take at least a thousand years to complete, and that's assuming everything went smoothly. If she encountered a difficult problem midway, it might take several hundred more years.
Therefore, she needed someone with perfect scores in both theory and practice to assist her. Akatsuki already had a suitable candidate in mind for the former; the key was the latter.
A Magician with a perfect score in practical application was both easy and difficult to find, depending on how you looked at it.
"Akatsuki, don't you have anything you want to explain to me?"
Saber Alter asked while looking at Akatsuki.
"In terms of the outcome, isn't this world quite good? Don't indulge too much in the past, and don't yearn too much for Saber. After all, you are you, not someone's duplicate."
"Why can you be so certain?"
"It's simple. My heart and my actions are as clear as a mirror, and everything I do is for justice. That is the reason."
Powerful self-confidence—no, in Saber Alter's eyes, it was probably more like conceit or arrogance. After all, even her original self, the legendary King Arthur, Artoria Pendragon, would not have the absolute confidence to say those words.
"It's nothing more than an excuse for your own self-satisfaction."
Even though Saber Alter said this, Akatsuki shrugged indifferently. "You can think that if you like, but my thoughts won't change."
"However, this 'twins' play isn't bad either."
Tilting Saber Alter's chin up, a dangerous aura flickered in Akatsuki's eyes—at least, that's how it seemed to Saber Alter a moment ago.
"Akatsuki, it's not good to cheat right in front of me."
Arcueid grabbed Akatsuki's hand.
Akatsuki silently withdrew her hand. "Sorry, I acted on instinct. Or rather, it's become a habit. Habits are truly terrifying things."
Arcueid stared at Akatsuki with a half-smile. "If you do this again, I won't let you off easily." Akatsuki smiled helplessly, knowing that Arcueid's seemingly joking words actually hid a warning that could not be underestimated.
Saber Alter snorted coldly, somewhat disdainful of the subtle atmosphere between the two. "Boring. Then let me see exactly what this 'perfect world' of yours is like."
Akatsuki's smile remained. "As you wish."
After Saber Alter turned and left, Akatsuki looked at her back and murmured to herself, "Some things are not for you to decide. To avoid sliding toward a Bad End, a lot of effort is required—at least, that's how it is for a True Ancestor."
Arcueid took Akatsuki's arm. "Don't think too much about the future. After all, living in the moment is what's most important. Isn't that what you said?"
Akatsuki nodded and patted Arcueid's shoulder.
Ultimately, the Principle Blood Commandment was just a backup plan. With Akatsuki's current strength, there was basically no possibility of her being destroyed. Even against a UO from another planet, Akatsuki had no fear.
But that's just how this world is.
Even Evils of Humanity or powerful UOs will eventually be defeated, such as Tiamat, Goetia, Kiara Sessyoin, Nero, ORT, and the like.
"Arcueid, want to go for a night stroll?"
"Mhm! Let's go!"
On the other side.
Inside Souichirou Kuzuki's bedroom at Ryūdō Temple.
As his dream ended, he saw a woman clad in purple robes sitting properly on the tatami mat.
"Caster?"
For some reason, Souichirou Kuzuki spoke a name, as if it were a memory from a past life or another world—a Holy Grail War where they killed each other, a murderer and a Magician.
"Lord Sōichirou."
"..."
Souichirou Kuzuki looked at the woman before him quietly, doubt rising in his heart.
"Didn't we die? Why are you here?"
Caster smiled gently. "Lord Sōichirou, it seems our fate has not yet ended."
At this moment, the moonlight from outside spilled into the room, reflecting a cold serenity.
"..." Souichirou Kuzuki fell silent.
Caster stepped forward and gently caressed his face. "Lord Sōichirou."
Souichirou Kuzuki took Caster's hand.
The two looked at each other wordlessly; these were emotions extending from the original timeline.
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