The Future

...Goetia, the name of the 72 Demon Gods combined...

A living summoning spell that hid itself inside King Solomon's corpse after his death...

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Not just that... This Spirit Origin signature I'm seeing doesn't even belong to a Caster anymore. That is no longer King Solomon's body.

It's one of the seven Evils of Humanity: Beast I, a Beast of Disaster.

Correct. I wasno, WE were created by human hands.

I am a higher-dimension being that no longer requires flesh and blood. I was granted greater powers than humans and once lived to serve them.

But that is no longer the case. I am done with humans.

Once, there was a king who was omnipotent and omniscient. He was given these powers by God.

His eyes could see the past and future, and know all there was to know about the world. We became that man's shadow and saw what he saw.

No, as we were his guardian spirit, we had no choice but to synchronize with him.

We saw much sadness. We saw many betrayals.

We saw much pillaging. We saw many ends.

We have seen enough, and will see no more. Even the gods can meet no end on this planet except through annihilation.

We no longer care about humans or the future. What I seek is a perfect environment to raise a healthy sapient being.

This planet was a mistake. It was madness, predicated on life with a fixed duration.

I will reach the apex of it all.

I shall go 4.6 billion years into the past, and bear witness to the moment when this celestial body was born. I shall absorb all its energy

And make myself into a new planet, to remake this world.

I shall rewrite the book of Genesis, and create a world without the concept of death. That shall be our grand deed.

We did not destroy mankind out of hatred.

We needed the energy to venture to the past. We needed it to perform the infinite, instantaneous tuning necessary to control the birth of a planet.

A plan like this requires a vast amount of magical energy. To be precise, 3,000 years' worth of the magical energy stored by all sapient beings.

And so, by turning all of human history from 1000 B.C. to A.D. 2018 into magical energy, we would have acquired the necessary amount to journey to the beginning of this planet.

That is the only reason for us to incinerate mankind.

To us, humans are just fuel for a propulsion device that could launch us to the very beginning.

Behold the Throne. That is the convergence of your lives.

Our bands of light are the infinite accumulation of human history itself. Humans could never defeat them.

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...No one can beat those bands of light.

...Fou?

...I see. I was born for this exact moment. Isn't that right, Doctor?

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Now then. I have shown you due respect. It is finally time for retaliation.

As you heard, we are very busy. My true work is still waiting.

Even creatures as foolish as you must find it frustrating when forced to revisit work you thought complete, yes?

The time has come. The plan for the remaking of the planet is complete. And obviously, on this journey to the apex, you are unnecessary.

I shall now perform my last task in this region, in this era, and on this Earth.

"Welcome, everyone. Now die." The words that end this useless discussion.

Goetia, the King of Demon Gods, has entered a combat stance! If he uses those bands of light, we can't win!

We need to defeat him somehow before he uses his Noble Phantasm!

Aaah... Aaaaaahh!

...I'm glad. This should open up an opportunity for you, Master.

Thank you for everything.

I wanted to pay you back for everything you gave me... That's why I was able to put my own weakness aside and push ahead, Senpai...

And now, finally, I really feel like my life had value.

...Like Captain Drake said, at the very end, I realized my wish.

...But I regret one thing.

I was always the one that was protected

So at least once, I wanted to be useful to Senpai.

...It's over. It ended just like I'd imagined.

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Fou, fooou!

...Deployment of Goetia's Third Noble Phantasm confirmed. It... It can't be stopped... Can it, Master?

...How boring. Why would you simply accept this, Mash Kyrielight?

...Goetia?

I've come to understand you. Can you not understand me?

We both know how utterly meaningless life truly is. We mourn death's inevitable approach.

...Isn't that right? The future is hollow. Humanity is worthless.

Because, even alive, they must be in constant fear of death. No matter what, death always comes for them, and separates people from each other.

I tire of it. A world without death should be exactly what someone like you wishes for.

Though we are all now one, a measure of uncertainty yet remains...

We want someone, just a single person, to understand us. If we have even that much, then we can be completely certain in our plan.

Mash Kyrielight, a life made by man, and one that is about to disappear...

Join with us in rejecting all of human history. Tell us that we are correct.

Just say one word: "Yes." With your assent, we shall permit you to journey with us towards the apex.

Goetia... You're...

I'm sure you're well aware, Fujimaru, that her life has long since reached its limit.

Honor thy neighbor. Believe in thy friend. Love thy comrade. If that is what human righteousness is, then do not interfere.

Something within us is telling us not to leave her to die. To not let the last memories of this planet be of tragedy.

Don't you feel the same? The Incineration of Humanity cannot be stopped. If you're going to die either way, shouldn't you at least save Mash?

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...

...That's right. You've been asking me the same thing all along...

It's true that if death is certain, then life is meaningless. I cannot deny that.

If you agree...

...But meaning isn't something humans find in their own lives while they live.

It's true that a world without death or endings would be one without sadness.

But that would be wrong. Even if I could live for eternity, I wouldn't want to.

The world I'm seeing is the one that's right in front of me.

...Even if my life ends in the blink of an eye...

I want to see every second I can of this future.

...

Senpai, will you hold my hand one more time?

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A shame. Then burn to ash, along with this era.

Third Noble Phantasm deployment complete. I shall herald the end of humanity with the fire that scorches the world.

Farewell, Fujimaru. Farewell, Mash Kyrielight.

Your journey ends here!

No, leave it to me! Mash Kyrielight, engaging the enemy!

You're just getting started, Master...! Your battle isn't going to end in a place like this!

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Futile. Utterly futile.

We are invincible. As long as Solomon's Grand Temple of Time exists, the 72 Demon Gods cannot perish.

Your fleeting life, the struggles of the Heroic Spirits, all of it is meaningless.

Reloading the Third Noble Phantasm. You can all die together.

I suppose I should give you one last chance to strike at me. At the very least, I understand how you feel.

Do it in memory of Mash Kyrielight. Strike me with those frail human fists of yours, and then die.

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Wait, wait, wait. Calm yourself a little, Fujimaru.

A suicidal move isn't your style. Try to save your strength for now.

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The final logic barrier is down! The Demon God Pillars are invading Chaldea!

Seal all bulkheads! What, that's been done for awhile? Oh, okay! Then fill the hallways with etheric clusters!

That'll keep them away for a bit! About five minutes, to be exact! Use that time to get to my workshop!

It'll hold a little longer! Abandon the Command Room

We can't do that! Abandoning the Command Room would lead to the Coffins shutting down!

MashMash Kyrielight defended Fujimaru with her very life!

We can't give up on Master Fujimaru's return, or on our Rayshift!

...Yeah, you're right. Which means I'll have to do this myself.

I'm not sure whether it's a good thing or a bad thing that I was only able to pick up video.

At this point we'll just have to struggle until the endRomani?

...A meaningful future, huh...

Mash, if that's how you feel, I'll have to make my stand, too.

...Huh. So, this is how it's going down, after all?

Yeah. This is the ideal time. I've seen the limits of Goetia's power.

I was the type of guy who only fought in winning battles.

So, yeah, it's your job to defend the Command Room, Leonardo.

Defend it with your life until Fujimaru returns. You can do it. You're a genius, after all.

...Of course. Now, go. I won't be expecting any souvenirs either.

Hey there. You've done well to fight this far, Fujimaru.

I hate to steal your thunder here at the end, but now it's my turn for a little bit.

...

Romani Archaman...? How did a mere human gain entry to my throne room...?

No... wait. You, that Spirit Origin...!?

Yeah. I've forsaken the wish I made upon the Grail. From here on, my words and actions will be from my original self.

But first, I should take my gloves off. That should help everyone understand.

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...That's King Solomon's tenth ring... The one Ino, helost...

No, you can't be...!

Yeah. It was over a decade ago.

When the head of Chaldea, Marisbury Animusphere, joined the Holy Grail War, he prepared the greatest catalyst possible: this ring.

King Solomon sent it into the distant future at the time of his death.

He didn't know why at that stage. He thought it was just another of God's whims.

But Marisbury dug up the ring and summoned a Heroic Spirit to win the Holy Grail War.

That was Solomon. The very first Heroic Spirit summoned by Chaldea. Alongside Marisbury, he obtained the Grail, and had his wish granted.

His wish was a very ordinary one: "I want to be human."

Why you... Why, you...! Impossible! Absurd! Are you blind, Flauros!?

No, no, no! This is all wrong! It's all wrong! You can't be him!

And... Your wish was granted!? That man had no wishes!

He was inhuman! Cold! Cruel! Emotionless! The man after whom I was patterned could not have possessed an ordinary wish!

...Hearing that from you really stings. You hate me a little too much.

(Sigh) Well, it doesn't matter. Anyway, Solomon's wish was granted.

But, there was a problem: Solomon possessed the skill Clairvoyance. In fact, his was so potent that it was essentially omniscience.

When he became human, he lost all those powers. That wasn't a big problem on its own, but

Just before his power left him, he saw it: the end of mankind.

He panicked, but by then, he was already human.

Who? How? For what purpose? And how could it be stopped?

He had no way of knowing anymore. He had turned into a normal human by then. But, he couldn't just ignore it.

Because, somehow, he was involved. That much he was certain of.

And that's how my journey began; a journey to relearn how to be human, quite literally from scratch.

I didn't know who the enemy was, or what would cause it all. The only thing I could do was endure, and prepare for when the time came.

Of course, a few instances of good fortune helped me along the way. The greatest of them was you, Fujimaru.

...And I don't just mean on the day we met.

During this entire Grand Order, there was never a time you weren't there to help me.

I thank you for that, from the bottom of my heart. Thanks to you and Mash, I was able to reach this moment.

...u.

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...Goetia.

You said you had no need of the name "King of Mages" anymore. I'll take it back, then.

I am Solomon, King of Mages. Goetia, it is I who shall read you your last rites.

...Life always comes to an end. Life is a pilgrimage of suffering.

But it is not a story of death and separation. Goetia, embodiment of all my sins, Beast born from my corpse...

I shall pass judgment on your evil with my own hands.

...Hah.

Hahahahahahahahaha! This was so unexpected, I didn't know how to react at first, but yes, this is so like you!

Now that it's already over, mankind's greatest fool, this worthless king, makes an appearance!

How like Solomon, to come and try to erase his shame! You are no match against us as a mere Heroic Spirit!

The only one who could stop me was the real, living you! Only King Solomon and his momentous undertaking could have stopped me!

What power do you have after death!? I'll blast that empty head of yours into oblivion!

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Yeah. Okay, this is for me to do.

Don't worry. It won't take long. Then it's your turn.

My own Noble Phantasm will destroy me. It will be the end of King Solomon.

...What?

Goetia, let me teach you the final magecraft.

You knew that Solomon had one last Noble Phantasm, but you were never able to learn its True Name

No, it was never possible for you to do so.

You possess nine rings, and I possess the tenth.

And now, with all the rings here, I can recreate that moment.

I can recreate Solomon's true first Noble Phantasm. I can recreate the one "human" heroic legend about me.

...You don't mean... No, that's impossible! A coward like you couldn't make such a choice!

Stop. Stop, stop, stop... STOP! These rings, the omnipotent seals, are no longer yours alone

My third Noble Phantasm... The Time of Birth Hath Come, I Am the Remedy of Eternity: Ars Almadel Salomonis. My second Noble Phantasm... The Time of Coronation Hath Come, I Am the Beginning of Eternity: Ars Paulina.

...And now, O Heavenly Father, I return to you your blessings.

...Omnipotence is too much for humans to handle. My work shall be done within the limitations of mankind.

Recreating first Noble Phantasm... The Time of Parting Hath Come, I Am He Who Surrenders the World: Ars Nova.

Ohhhhhh... Oooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...!

How could you make such a choice? How could you DO such a thing!? Why? Why... Why are you even capable of making that decision?

You... the very incarnation of all laziness and compromise in this world! Oh, oooh... Oooooohhh...!

Yeah, it's strange. We saw the same things, sat on the same throne, and spent the same time together.

But Solomon and you reached completely antithetical conclusions. If there was a difference between us, it would be...

To put it simply, I just didn't have the freedom to get mad. That may be the thing that most separated us.

What...

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I just... let go of everything I had. If this domain is itself King Solomon's corpse, it's going to collapse soon.

During his lifetime, King Solomon returned his rings of omnipotence to Heaven. This Noble Phantasm recreates that legend.

...Fou.

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Yes. It is my everything, after all. Of course, this body will disappear soon. I'm afraid this is a bit of a suicide attack.

It's not that simple...! You just gave up being a Heroic Spirit!

It's not about giving up one's life. ...It's the complete abandonment of one's existence, one's everything!

Everything Solomon made will become worthless. The Temple of Time will lose its power.

We 72 Demon Gods will cease to be a colony, and go back to being individual demons...

Neither King Solomon nor his works will ever appear on Earth again!

You know that! You're about to disappear from even the Throne of Heroes!

My band of light is nothing compared to that! You will experience true nothingness!

An end no human has ever reached... The complete annihilation of your being! And you did it to yourself!?

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...That's right. I've completely cast aside my position as a Heroic Spirit.

That doesn't mean I will die. But, from here on, Solomon will disappear from the Throne of Heroes.

The agent of God will disappear from human history. The world shall be ruled by the laws of physics, by human knowledge.

...With the complete annihilation of Solomon, King of Mages, the Age of Gods will truly come to an end.

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Yeah. It's scary, and sad, but it was something only I could do. And since that's the case, I have to do it, no matter how painful it is.

This is the right thing to do. You and Mash taught me that.

Is it not fair? ...No, I suppose it isn't. Sorry. I was inconsiderate right to the end.

But...

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Now all the seals are gone. Goetia, your immortality is no more.

You were a spell woven to watch over mankind, and in turn chose to destroy its future.

You have turned away from your duty. And now it's time to pay the price.

My duty... My duty...!?

Are you saying that I, as an omnipotent collective, have a duty to watch over mankind!?

Do you think being forced to watch the lives of humans is an interesting task, one worthy of me!?

I'm sick of it! No matter what happens, they just disappear, and only fear remains!

Every human's life is a story of hate and despair! It is a terrible thing to watch!

That's what you fail to understand, Goetia.

Of course nothing is eternal, and pain awaits us all in the end.

But that doesn't make life a story of despair. Not at all.

It's a fight against death and separation in what precious little time one is given. It's a repetition of meeting and parting, despite knowing there's an end.

...Humans' stories are dazzling, brief journeys, like the twinkling of the stars. They are stories of love and hope.

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...

...No. Utter nonsense. Your deception will not sway us.

Die. Die here, humans. Our great deed remains incomplete, but unhindered.

I will kill you, kill Fujimaru, and be rid of the Heroic Spirits!

Our union is disintegrating, but there's still plenty of time! As long as I can activate my first Noble Phantasm before the last of us is gone!

Life should not be bound by death! A story that must end like that is worthless to me!

Begone, humans! We 72 Demon Gods shall grind you to dust!

...It's time. The last thing I... No, the last thing WE will see is your victory.

This is my order as Chaldea's commander: Don't worry about me. Fight until you claim perfect, total victory.

As a human, you defeated Solomon, King of Mages.

Now you must defeat that Beast calling himself the King of Mages.

Now... Go, Fujimaru. Everything you and Mash have done has led you to this moment, to the end of your journey.

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