The Day to Bring Down Gods

What's going on!? What the hell kind of bullshit magecraft was that!?

The hell do you think you are, raining meteors down on me like it's no big goddamn deal! That shit was at least as powerful as Zeus's damn thunderbolts!

Of course. This is the same magecraft I used to defeat Zeus, though only the one time.

So, would you agree this display of might is enough to show that I am worthy of being your Master, Caenis?

Now are you willing to form a contract with me, your summoner, and rise up against Proper Human History?

(...Goddamn. Guess that bit about him beating Zeus wasn't bullshit after all...)

...Hah, no thanks. I don't take orders from any man.

Especially not the kind of man who tries to make me obey by force just 'cause he's stronger than me!

...You think I'm strong? Me?

I'm not. I'm a weak, fragile human. Even this victory only came at great personal cost.

I only managed to win by using every trick at my disposal. You would easily beat me if we were to fight again now.

...(Like hell I would. This bastard hasn't even worked up a single damn bead of sweat.)

I'm not trying to compel you. What I seek is a mutually beneficial relationship.

You're just the Heroic Spirit I need. I want your help. I'm sure you'll find my plan to be to your liking.

...In fact, I'd even say that, in one sense, you'll find it irresistible.

You see, while I have, truthfully, declared that my goal is to end the world of humans and build a world of gods...

No, on second thought, I'll go ahead and tell you everything. Just between you and me...

?

...And that's the true nature of my plan. Now do you see what I mean?

Wha

What the hell're you thinking!? Why would you tell me that!?

The hell'm I supposed to do now that you've basically told me you mean to betray Olympus!?

B-besides, shouldn't you be telling secrets like that to someone more obedient, like the Dioscuri!?

...You still don't understand? I told you this precisely because I knew I could trust you.

M-me? 'Course you can't trust me.

You know how I said I don't take orders from any man? Well, I was lying!

It's not just any man. I don't take orders from anyone: man, woman, human, or god!

You know why I ended up in this body, right? 'Cause I'm a killer who hates everyone, god and human alike!

Yes, I know. You hated the gods for their flaws and tyranny, and humans for being weakyourself included.

But even though you were so enraged and despondent as to rend your own body, you still chose to survive instead of taking your life.

Ultimately, you asked the sea-god who wounded you, and whom you hated more than anyone, for indemnification, and were turned into a Divine Spirit.

You didn't do it to become a god like Poseidon. You did so to ensure you would never lose all hope for yourself again.

...Don't talk about me like you know me.

Try it again, and I'll put my spear through you even if it's the last thing I do before one of your meteors crushes me.

Yes, I'm aware of the potential consequences if I misspeak.

But there's no need to worry about meteors. Didn't I already tell you you'd win next time?

Here, see for yourself.

Huh? The hell're you talking your gloves and cloak off for? What're you thin

...The hell? Why're your hands so wrinkly?

They've been like this ever since I was brought back to life. You're the first person I've ever revealed this to.

Ahh. I'd forgotten how good it feels to dress lightly. To tell the truth, I've always hated wearing cloaks.

...Uh-oh. Now I can't help but want to keep going. Okay, I think I'll take my shirt off too.

Huh!? Now what're you talking about!?

First you bring up Poseidon, and then you start taking your clothes off right on this beach!? Not even Zeus would insult me like thi

...Damn, you look terrible.

Thank you for your honesty. It's refreshing to hear the truth spoken so plainly.

You could give Prometheus a good run for his money, least in terms of sheer emaciation.

Hmph. 'Course, I expect there's probably a more fitting example in your fancy religion.

...So what about that scar on your chest? How come that one isn't healed?

Oh, this? This happened back in my hometown, before I came to Chaldea.

It was a curse designed to damage my magical circuits directly. My father inflicted it on me when I was a child.

Afterwards, I was shut away in a basement for several days. That's how I got this.

...Shut away, huh. That's a real gentle way of putting it.

It's the only way I can put it.

Anyway, to make a long story short, I made it out of that basement, made my father retire, and successfully assumed leadership of my family.

That was the point when my objective became clear.

I swore then and there that I would find a way to overcome betrayal... Oppression... Discrimination... Prejudice... Fear... Jealousy... Anger... Anxiety...

All the human weaknesses and defects that cast a pall over our lives and minds.

Caenis, your summoning was no accident, nor was it a compromise. You are my firstindeed, my only choice. As far as I'm concerned, you were the first to show it could be done.

I haven't told anyone else my true objective. Not Zeus, and not the Dioscuri.

I came to you because I believe you're the only one who will understand how I feel, and why I made the oath I did.

So, how about it, Caenis?

I have enough power to shock you to your core, but my body is not nearly so tough as yours.

I may be overwhelmingly strong, but not so much so as to make the opposing side give up in despair.

Am I correct that that makes this a particularly enticing offer for someone as annoyAhem, hard to please as you?

You were just gonna call me annoying, weren't you!?

Perish the thought.

All right, all right, I got it! Now hurry up and put your clothes back on before my bloodlust starts to fade!

By the way, I would like to make one thing clear: I am, of course, not an exhibitionist.

I'll never forgive the gods of Proper Human History. The gods of this Lostbelt can piss right off too.

Same goes for humans. Don't give a shit what side they're on; they're still all just a bunch of hairless apes.

That being said...

You'd have to be out of your goddamn mind to come up with a plan that crazy. I love it!

All right, Kirschtaria, you win. I'll play along with this scheme of yours.

I'm gonna be using you for my own ends, so it's only fair you go ahead and do the same.

...Heh. So you're gonna "protect Olympus" and "bring back the Age of Gods," huh?

Heh... Hehe, ahhh ha ha ha! Talk about a careful choice of words!

This has gotta be the cruelest scam ever! That bastard Zeus has no idea who he's teamed up with!

This is the Storm Border. I expect you probably know what's happened by now, but just to be sure:

We succeeded at severing Chaos's connection to this space-time. I can confirm that, as of this moment, they have been permanently sealed away.

However, the Storm Border sustained significant damage over its long voyage, and we're currently far off-course from the great shrine.

It'll be about an hour until we've repaired the ship and can return to your present altitude.

Fujimaru. Mash. Sherlock Holmes.

The Tree of Emptiness has begun to make its way down to the ground... Towards Olympus.

Da Vinci thinks its trying to make contact with the Earth's surface.

One thing's clear right now the tree's internal magical energy is continuing to rise, and shows no sign of stopping.

There's no time to wait for us to come back you up. I'd like you to go ahead with the operation to cut down the Tree of Emptiness immediately.

...I should also tell you that the signal for the Servant who handled the Chaos situation has been...lost...

...and her record in the Chaldea Spirit Origin graph stored on the ship now only says "Data Lost."

...That's all I have for you right now. Good luck.

...

...Musashi...

..."Data Lost," hmm...

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...(That's every last Olympian machine god dead. So what gives?)

(Do these idiots not understand that means our truce is over, and we're enemies again now?)

(They're all so wide open it's ridiculous... Dammit, there's no reason not to sneak attack 'em right now.)

... (All right. Guess I'm doing this.)

Caenis. Do not be so quick to sully your honor for the sake of your Master.

There are as many different Masters as there are people, are there not? Would yours, himself a man of honor, be happy with you ending things in this manner?

Hmph, so you're as considerate as you are insightful, Mr. Holy Progenitor? Don't worry, I'm not gonna do it.

They all just looked so pitiful that I couldn't help but think about it for a moment.

Remember our agreement? I said I'd only help you lot out until we take down Zeus.

Now that that's done, I'm gonna go head back to my boss.

With Zeus dead, and Chaos gone, he's all set to swoop in and take everything for himself.

Hell, I bet he's hanging out in front of the Tree of Emptiness looking all smug even as we speak.

...That's right. You're still Kirschtaria's

Yeah, that's right. I'm that pretentious show-off's Servant. Always have been, always will be.

Still, I'll say this for the bastard... He's worth it.

And I'll tell you this too, Fujimaru and Mash: he's worth fighting, and fighting as hard as you can.

I might be a misanthropic killer, but that much, I can say for damn certain.

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Caenis. How can we reach the Tree of Emptiness's roots?

What, you need me to tell you that? Isn't it obvious?

See that palace off to the side from the Cronus Crown? It leads right to the Tree's roots.

'Course, it's losing altitude along with the Tree now, so you'll have to go up to the Machina Corridor first.

From there, just keep heading up. You'd have to be complete idiots to miss it.

...Let me give you one last word of warning. This goes for you too, twins.

Us?

If you don't wanna die... No, wait, that's not right, is it?

If you wanna stay alive as long as possible, then get out of Dodona and go back home while you can.

I'm gonna kill the Chaldeans one way or another. They got no choice but to fight. But you two

We're not going anywhere. We swore to put an end to this world, and that's just what we're going to do.

...That so? All right, got it.

If it's death you want, I'll be glad to give it to you! And while I'm at it, I'll show you what a REAL Master is like, too!

...Hmph. Got anything to say in response, Fujimaru?

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...Right! That's the most crucial mission we've been entrusted with!

...Well done. It seems there is nothing left for us to say.

Holy Progenitor Romulus... Is it just me, or is your body glowing even more brightly than before?

I-it's not that, Europa. That's his Spirit Origin dispersing. It means his manifestation is almost over!

What happened, Holy Progenitor Romulus!?

Forgive us.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to join you for your battle against the mage who grew Atlasthe opponent you must defeat at all costs.

Though Aether may have summoned us here, we retain a Grand-class Spirit Origin.

And the only time a Heroic Spirit with Grand status appears...is when the final showdown is close at hand.

And while, owing to this Lostbelt's own peculiarities, two Grand Servants were summoned here...

...we made the same choice the other did: to protect this world rather than eradicate our enemy.

Escorting the Storm Border to the void spent the last of our magical energy. Soon, our Spirit Origin will vanish.

Whatever battles are yet to come, you will now need to fight them alone. We hope you can forgive us.

？！

...We see. Then we leave the rest in your hands, o mage of modernity.

If, in the battles to come, you should encounter a foe that threatens to shatter your very soul...look to the sky.

Emptinessor, to think of it another way, space with which to dreamis within grasp to all who reach for it. Even that which lacks form can serve as fuel for the heart.

Furthermore, emptiness belongs not to the gods, but to humans. Do not be afraid to reach out and take it.

Do that...

...and your hands will reach even those terrible heavens as surely as ours.

Was that an earthquake? ...No. That shaking was the floating shrine starting to move.

Now that Zeus is gone, Olympia Dodona has begun to lose power.

We'd best be on our way, Mr. Fujimaru. It appears we don't have much time left.

There, I've made it to the ground safely. No hostiles detected in our vicinity.

Go ahead and jump down, Master. It's okay; I'll catch you!

You okay, Fujimaru? I can't believe you need help getting down from a little ledge like that...

I guess people from Proper Human History are even more fragile than I thought.

Stop that, Macarios. You know he doesn't have the same protections we do.

I do, yeah... Sorry, Fujimaru. I'll be more careful from now on.

Th-thank you, Master. I'm just glad I could help.

Of course. He's right here inside my shield's storage space.

？！

Fou fo!

Aah! Please get back in there, Fou! We're almost certainly going to be fighting another battle soon!

All the many defensive mechanisms that were in place have shut down. The quakes have become more frequent as well.

...So it would seem.

I can no longer sense Lord Zeus's light from within the Cronus Crown.

The Cronus Crown controls the crystal mountains, and their massive magical energy supply. It gave Lord Zeus the power to wield many different kinds of Authority.

So the fact that it has shut down must mean...

...It's only a matter of time until this shrine falls to the ground...

Then we'd better hurry. We just need to keep heading up from here, right?

Yes, there's a small purification temple inside the palace. It should have a path that leads to the Tree of Emptiness.

Fou, fooou!

？！

A table that differs significantly from Olympian design... Seven chairs... A modern-day magical circuit in the room...

It seems most likely that this is the Crypters' meeting room.

I expect this is where Kirschtaria and the other CryptersHm?

Attention, my fellow Crypters evacuating to Olympia Dodona.

If you're hearing this, Zeus has fallen to Chaldea, and the Tree of Emptiness now belongs solely to me.

The moment is at hand. The Tree of Emptiness's stored magical energy has reached a critical point.

Now that my Tree of Emptiness, Atlas, is about to fully bloom...

...our contest to grow our Lostbelts and determine the next course of human history is over, and I've won.

I only hope that you're all still alive to hear this.

I'm sure you have many thoughts, but I hope you can accept the new world that will soon be upon us. Farewell.

That was Kirschtaria! Then that corridor must be the one that leads to the Tree of Emptiness!

...

Huh!? Master, the woman we saw in the Russian Lostbelt is standing in front of the corridor

...

Huh? What are you talking about, Mash? There's no one near the corridor.

Macarios is right. There's no magical energy there, either. Are you okay? Are you sure you're not just exhausted?

Huh? But...I can see her right there, plain as day...

？！

Perhaps she wishes to tell us something, or perhaps she's some kind of random phenomenon.

Regardless, we have no time to deal with her now. As it seems she won't be getting in our way, it may be best if we moved on and ignored her.

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I... I know you're right, but... She seems like she does want to tell us something...

Forget about the invisible girl and come on! We're almost at the end of this!

What're you scared of at this point!? This guy completely kicked your asses in Atlantis, right?

Don't you want to return the favor this time!?

？！

R-right! Well said, Master!

I'm so sorry. I wish I knew what it is you want to tell us.

Next time, I'll make sure to hear what you have to say, but right now, I have to go!

...

Hmm. You know, even I can never tell what it is you're thinking.

Tell me, Priestess, did you want to stop them, or did you want to kill them here and now?

...

I see. It goes without saying, does it? Then, as I suspected, you simply don't care one way or the other.

Understood. In that case, I won't interfere with their battle either.

Perhaps Kirschtaria's inhuman resolution and unshakable willpower will prevail...

Perhaps it will be the daring and unpredictable Chaldeans, who carry the fate of humanity on their shoulders...

Or...perhaps our luck will prevail over them both, even after making enemies of everyone.

Regardless of what happens, as a lone priest, I will simply watch and see...

...what form the Foreign God's own truth will take.

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...Huh? That's strange. I'm not getting any response from Sheba.

I'm not seeing anything in the way of confirmed future attack patterns with future prediction, either. It looks like...it doesn't have any hostile intent whatsoever...

(What...? Does this mean this Tree of Emptiness doesn't possess any means of attacking its enemies? ...Or perhaps, that it has no need for them?)

So this is Tree of Emptiness Atlas. Even I have never seen it this close before...

It really does look like there's a galaxy inside an empty tree... I mean, I could see that from the ground before too, but...

Yeah... Seeing it up close is somehow overwhelming. I mean, it's definitely beautiful, but

But more than that, it's terrifying, I take it? I feel the same way, Adele, Macarios.

Hello, Chaldean remnants and Olympian traitors.

As a representative of both worlds...

...allow me to welcome you to Tree of Emptiness Atlas.

Limbo!

Right you are! It is I, the very Limbo you defeated only a short while ago.

Surprised? Shocked?

No need to say anything. I can tell exactly how you feel! You're positively aquiver with astonishment, yes?

But as you can see, I am indeed immortal. No matter what manner of harm is visited upon me, I will always bounce back as surely as turning a page

I never gave you permission to speak, Limbo. Be warned that I am not as lenient as Zeus.

Now be quiet, or you'll find yourself burning to cinders like the page to which you've just likened yourself.

...What was that? A mere Crypter, daring to tell me what to do?

You mean you still haven't noticed? Unbelievable.

You do understand that you're the shikigami Limbo left here to keep an eye on the Tree of Emptiness, yes?

Well, the thread tying you to the real Limbo has been cut. You are now Limbo's last remaining clone.

Mmm, impossible! I'm afraid you must be mistaken! Only that onmyouji could ever hope to sever my spell's

What!? It HAS been severed!? How!? What could have possibly happened!?

This is terrible, absolutely terrible! What a horrible joke! I can't believe I can only die one more time!

Very well, if you'll excuse me, Kirschtaria Wodime, I believe I shall leave this in your hands.

I'm going to wait over by the Tree of Emptiness and watch you all kill one another from afar!

Good grief. Incorrigible to the end.

First off, let me congratulate you for prevailing against Zeus. I was sure your chances were almost nonexistent.

I'm impressed you managed to defeat him without losing a single member of your team.

Oh? Was I mistaken? Let me see...

There's you, Fujimaru... Mash Kyrielight... Queen Europa... Sherlock Holmes...

Was there another who deserved to be counted among the ranks of Proper Human History?

...

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If it is all the same to you, I would appreciate if you kept the provocations to a minimum.

Much as I would like to speak with you at length, we simply haven't the time.

That Tree of Emptiness behind you is in a very precarious state, and we're not about to let all our hard work thus far be for nothing. We WILL be cutting it down as soon as possible, whether you like it or not.

A most practical decision.

But, I'm afraid you're a bit too late. My Tree of Emptiness is already complete.

Before, it was simply waiting to fully bloom. Now, it's using over half its power to protect itself.

Once a Tree of Emptiness's bark reaches that point, it's no longer possible to interfere with it externally.

The only ones who can make the Tree die are Zeus, who was connected to it directly...

...and myself, since I possess the right to use it as I see fit. And that means

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...Yes. That's right, Master.

Kirschtaria Wodime, if what you say is true...

...then all you had to do was stay out of sight and wait.

But instead, you chose to show yourself and confront Master Fujimaru directly.

...And that must mean you're prepared, aren't you?

I am. If you are able to defeat me, I'm prepared to hand over the Tree of Emptiness.

...

Oho. You never wore an expression so fierce as the one I see on you now, Mash.

You too, Fujimaru. I'm glad I'm finally getting to see your true selves.

I knew you two weren't fighting me with all you had back in Atlantis.

Or at least, what I saw of you there didn't quite fit what I'd heard about you before.

I was told you two never give up, no matter how powerful your opponent is. That you swallow your despair and rise up to meet any challenge.

I was also told that you acknowledge your fears, remember to search for answers, hold on to hope...and never doubt who you are.

That you were a Master who faced impossible odds and fought through them all, all while carrying the future of humanity on your shoulders.

...Ahh, this is so exciting. At last, you are finally as I imagined.

Now, you look just like Daybit described. Now, you are indeed the greatest enemy I could hope to face.

？！

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Fou, fooou!

Whoa! When did you learn to talk tough like that, Fujimaru!?

True, I never thought I'd hear you say anything like that either. And yet, strangely enough, it also sounded just like something you WOULD say!

(Indeed, Mr. Fujimaru does seem to be back to his old selfas he used to be at Chaldea.)

(Right now, it's clear he's not consumed with sympathy for this Lostbelt, nor preoccupied with the mystery of the Foreign God.)

(His only focus right now is on the powerful enemy before him.)

(...Now I see. So this is what you wanted, Kirschtaria.)

(A battle to determine the greatest Master...)

(...and a way to entrust what's to come to Fujimaru without putting himself in his debt...)

...Wonderful.

That's just what I was hoping for, Master of Chaldea, though you were never one of us.

Don't worry, I'm not going to pull an Akuta. I'm simply going to obliterate you here and now.

The enemy Master has assumed a combat stance! Master!

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Come, Caenis! Let's begin! This will be the last battle ever to be fought between humans!

Dammit, these guys just won't let the hell up! What a pain in the ass! The hell's going on here!?

C'mon, Kirschtaria, what're you holding back for!? Do the thing already!

Hm? What thing? Do you mean what I showed you on that beach back the

Not that, dumbass! Those meteors you love to throw around!

I never got to see 'em in Atlantis, and I wanna kick back and enjoy the show from the winning side for once!

Ahh, you mean my meteor rain. Naturally, I'm not going to hold anything back. However

...It would seem it's time.

Excuse me, Fujimaru, but would you mind pausing for just a few seconds?

Huh?

Master! The Tree of Emptiness's inner magical energy is spiking rapidly!

Get back! It's not safe!!!

？！

(Could this be the Foreign God's advent!? Though right now, I must admit...I'm more concerned with that sky.)

(It's neither the night sky nor outer space... It's not even the same cross-dimensional space where Chaos resided!)

(Even I can't make heads or tails of it! What IS that!?)

Did the Tree of Emptiness's insides just disappear? ...No, wait, I can see something inside...

Is that...a giant? It looks humanoid...

Mmm! Mmmmmm! Indeed! That is the body of our god!

That glorious form of our glorious god is the very reason we Disciples were summoned!

Excellent work, Kirschtaria! Excellent! I'm impressive to see a mere human accomplish this! Well done!

I admit, I had my suspicions that your little tiff with Chaldea may be violating your contract with the Foreign God...

But, as they say, all's well that ends well! And indeed, with this, humanity has fully and finally reached its end!

Now, no one can stop the advent of God!

...

The Foreign God cannot take physical form on this planet. Thus, when the Tree of Emptiness grows to completion, and its hollow is fully filled...

...the Foreign God will descend to Earth, using the tree as their vessel.

It's just like what you did with Grand Summon Article Aether. It's over. Game, set, and match.

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Mmm, hehe. Hehehehehe!

I don't think so, Fujimaru!

You put up a good fight, but you're simply far too late and far too powerless!

You know, since this is all so incredibly thrilling, I think I'll go ahead and deal with you myself, so that Lord Kirschtaria need no longer

However...there is no place for the Foreign God here.

Look closer, Limbo. See for yourself exactly what's inside my Tree of Emptiness, what is offered to it.

Hm? What are you talking about? That form inside the Tree of Emptiness is clearly the body of... Of... What!?

What is this sickening Divinity!? How can there already be another god inside!?

Who is this loathsome squatter!? Who is this other god!?

Who the hell do you think? You forget all the times Kirschtaria mentioned his name?

This Tree of Emptiness's name ain't Magellan. It's Atlas!

!? Then... Then...

You mean you summoned a Divine Spirit inside the tree!?

Atlas... Grrr, who is this Atlas!?

In Greek mythology, Atlas is the name of a titan who literally carried the world on his shoulders...

So you brought him here ahead of time, Kirschtaria?

Yes, I did. I actually summoned three Servants in total.

Caenis, a Divine Spirit from Proper Human History. The Dioscuri, from this Lostbelt.

And Atlas, the giant who served as the foundation of the Greek world in Proper Human History.

After coming to a mutual understanding, he agreed to aid me in my plan

A plan to build a new Age of Gods on this world, rather than hand it over to the Foreign God.

How dare you!? This is a clear breach of contract!

Not at all. I've obeyed every instruction the Foreign God gave me.

Our agreement was that I grow my Tree of Emptiness to completion. We never agreed on what was going to fill it.

Despite its name, it didn't feel right having it sit there so empty, so I took the liberty of preparing a resident for it ahead of time.

Th-the halos are glowing red!? You mean its communications have been cut off!?

This is a disaster! The Foreign God will never be able to descend like this!

What is the meaning of this, Kirschtaria Wodime!? How dare you disobey the Foreign God!?

Obedience was not what I offered the Foreign God to begin with. We merely made a deal, as equals.

I've never stopped believing in the future the possibilitiesof humanity.

My own body may no longer fit in with Proper Human History thanks to the Foreign God resurrecting me...

But I never attempted to overthrow humanity for the Foreign God's sake.

I moved away from Proper Human History so I could expel them.

Suffice to say, Limbo: I've always despised you, and the way you take twisted pleasure in destruction.

How dare you speak to me like that, you wretched traitor!?

Not so fast, idiot! You wanna get to Kirschtaria, you're gonna have to go through me first!

Khh...! Impudent false Divine Spirit! This is a new low, even for a barbaric Servant like yourself!

You think? I hardly gave you a second thought, Limbo.

You wasted so much energy mocking everyone you could that I knew you were gonna end up the biggest laughingstock of all!

So...does this mean the Foreign God isn't going to come here then?

Correct. There is already another god occupying the one place they could manifest.

So the Foreign God will never appear here as long as Atlas is around.

Then...does this mean Kirschtaria did all this to protect Earth from the Foreign God?

...If only it were that simple. But it isn't, is it, Kirschtaria?

At long last, I'm finally beginning to see exactly what it is you pose a great threat to.

...Right you are, sage of Chaldea.

Your insight and observational skills are remarkableall the more so considering that Zeus interfered with your mind.

I have no desire for the Foreign God to rule Earth. But, I also refuse to submit to Proper Human History.

Huh!? But, you just said that you were going against the Foreign God! That everything you've done was to help humanity's future!

Not humanity's future. Humans'.

I have no wish to protect Proper Human History, nor do I think that human history thus far has taken the optimal path.

In that regard, it makes no difference whether I or the Foreign God use the Tree of Emptiness, Mash.

I simply can't bring myself to choose a future for Proper Human History. You of Chaldea are the only ones who can do that.

Is this... the calm before a great flood? The kind that once drowned the world of Proper Human History?

No, that can't be right. This will still no doubt destroy the world, but...it's so very warm...

The rebirth of humanity, of course.

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The bell of revolution has been rung.

Atlas will use the magical energy stored in the Tree of Emptiness to create new lawsnew texturesand spread them across the world.

As for myself, I will make my declaration. Human wisdom has met its defeat. Human power alone is simply incapable of progressing beyond this point.

Humans are fundamentally incapable of making the right choice. I, of course, am no exception.

No matter how many times we deliberate, fight, and so on and so forth, our history will never become what it should.

Why? It should be obvious. Humans are hopelessly limited by our life spans.

We are weak. Exceedingly so. Not as individuals, but as a species.

Only those within certain, privileged environments are capable of love, acceptance, and respect.

At its heart, human intelligence is built on taking from otherson selfishness.

There is no utopia to be found down that path. Worlds such as that will always produce innocent victims.

The hell that was Proper Human History proves as much beyond a shadow of a doubt.

But...that doesn't mean we can give up. For something this important, there's no room for compromise or backpedaling.

What I'm after is simple.

If a utopia is beyond current human reach, then I'll revolutionize what it means to be human.

If the human species is weak, then I'll make it stronger.

...That's right. Every human on this planet is about to be reborn.

They will leave their weak human forms in favor of superior bodies, heightened senses, and marvelous potential.

I will have them become something greater than humana new life-form that even surpasses the machine gods.

Naturally, that goes for all of you as well.

This is my plan: a new Age of Gods.

Once everyone is like unto a god themselves, there will be no more inequality.

Every last person will have the power, and the responsibility, to influence the world.

And one day, should all these new gods be willing...they will give birth to a new intelligence who can and will lead history to a much better place.

That is my conclusionmy own Operation God Destroyer.

As of today, humanity will bring down the very concept of gods.

D-does that young man realize what he's saying!? Grr, why is this ship only picking up audio!?

Get Kirschtaria up on the screen already, dammit! Ugh, I can't believe the god-unfearing delusions that not-so-sweet summer child is spouting!

How dare he try to make all of humanity into gods!? We can't let him get away with such a dastardly

Wait. Did he say gods? Not monsters, or spare parts for some nightmare ritual?

No, no, that can't possibly be right. There's simply no way he could do that.

That's the whole trouble with kids these days.

They think they can attract all the votes they need just by dangling an impossible manifesto in front of

I don't think he's exaggerating, Director. It looks like he's telling the unvarnished truth.

All the Storm Border's instruments support what Kirschtaria is saying.

Right now, Tree of Emptiness Atlas is spreading the True Fifth ElementTrue Ether, across the world.

In fact, even as we speak, it's refining your soul's spiritual formatits grade, in other words.

And not just for you. It's doing the same for Fujimaru, Mash, and all the Border's staff, too.

If this keeps up, even as you retain your humanity, you guys really will turn into beings that will eventually have the same capabilities as Heroic Spirits.

Or, to measure you on humanity's scale...you'll end up being on the same level as gods.

Oh come now, surely you jest.

Master, your magical circuits are improving in both mass and quality!

No, wait, it's not just you. It's happening to me, Macarios, and Adele too!

...!

...Unfortunately, Mr. Wodime, that plan is pure fantasy.

You think making everyone into superior, godlike beings will usher in a new world?

Even if you succeed at giving people everything they need, whether it be a sense of fulfillment, long and healthy lives, or physical abilities that eliminate the necessity for competition...

...so long as people retain their intelligence, there will always be conflict.

The only difference will be in scale and destruction. What you are trying to do here is

I understand that. As long as individuals exist, fighting will remain the only cycle of growth.

But, that WILL come to an end one day.

With a larger perspective, broader wisdom, and a longer life span in which to learn and grow...

...humanity will be sure to reach the next cycle.

...That's right. You will all be able to break the chains that humanity thus far could not.

From here on, humans will no longer need to make gods to save them. Everyone will be a god capable of saving everyone else.

...

？！

...That being said, some things will certainly be lost in service of this greater good.

This revolution will be limited to humanity on Earth as it exists right now. I don't have the power to bring back the people from Proper Human History.

Once Atlas's textures cover Earth, Proper Human History will be gone foreverwell and truly lost.

After all, it will no longer have any place to return to, just like the Foreign God cannot occupy the Tree of Emptiness with Atlas keeping them away.

What...? But...then...

Then your plan is essentially the same as the Foreign God's...

It's not any different from having wiped Earth clean...

...What do you think, Fujimaru?

Don't you agree that my plan has merit?

？！

Do you think I am merely running away? That I seek to abandon the past and the present?

...You're not wrong. I have no good response to that.

While I do believe you're capable of bringing that past and present back...I also can't deny that I'm passing all that work onto you.

You're wrong there, Fujimaru. It may not be my place to say anything, but since I'm the elder Master, let me give you some advice.

Now that you've seen the Lostbelts for yourself, you know they're no different from Proper Human History.

They all had the same goals: unify humanity, make full use of Earth...and keep the world alive.

But the Foreign God is different. They don't care about Earth or humanity.

You might be wondering why they bleached the world then. And you would be right to.

Think back to Goetia. He didn't incinerate humanity simply to destroy it, not really. It was only a side effect of his true goal.

The same holds true for the Foreign God.

？！

...It seems the Foreign God has taken measures to deal with me.

I suppose it only makes sense that they would seek to end my life, since they can't touch the Tree of Emptiness.

I'm sorry, but I'm afraid none of you have a choice.

I'm going to use Tree of Emptiness Atlas to revolutionize the world before the Foreign God can break our contract.

What you do next is up to you, Fujimaru and Mash.

You can choose this revolution and its bright future a future of gods where everyone is happy...

...or, you can choose Proper Human History in all its bleakness, with its myriad problems and dead ends.

But be warned: if you try to interfere, I will show you no mercy.

This is MY Grand Order; it is the ideal I have fought for through my entire life.

If you wish to stand in its way, then you must fight with all the strength you possess.

This planet's future rests upon the outcome of this battle.

If you think you can choose a greater future than I...

If you believe you are strong enough for me to entrust you with the Tree of Emptiness...then prove it.

I am Kirschtaria Wodime.

As a Crypter, I denounce Proper Human History.

I am an enemy of Chaldea, and by extension, you...

And I am the leader of Team A, who fought to protect humanity!

(...I see. So this is the Master you raised, Doctor.)

(I feel as though I'm going to be blinded. I feel as though my heart is going to burst.)

(I was never too worried about what might happen if I collapsed along the way, or if I lost my way altogether...)

(...because I trusted Daybit would be there to carry on where I left off.)

(But amazingly, it looks like there was yet another candidate stronger than me all along.)

？！

Indeed, you've put up an incredible fight, Fujimaru.

It can fairly be said that you defeated me.

Of course, that doesn't change the fact that you, like me, are so utterly spent that you can no longer stand.

So you accept your defeat? Does that mean you're going to shut down Atlas?

...I can't do that. At this point, not even my death will cause Atlas to stop.

I'm afraid you're all going to become new gods, whether you want to or not. For that, I am truly sorry.

But once you have, you're free to use the Tree of Emptiness however you like.

...There may not be a way to defeat them now, but once your senses have been heightened to godly levels...

...I'm sure you'll eventually find a way to stop the Foreign God's plan as we

The sky is burning... No, it's not the sky. Is it...the Tree of Emptiness's branches...?

Mash, Fujimaru, get back! It's not safe!

The branches stretching across the sky are setting fire to the Tree of Emptiness!

!

？！

How is this happening!? Nothing should be able to burn a fully grown Tree of Emptiness from the outside!

I know. That's why I burned it from the inside.

I burned down another Tree of Emptiness right from its roots and used its branches to spread our wildfire to your tree.

You said the trees' branches formed a network, right? So I used them to deliver a little...viral payload.

？！

Damn, seriously!? Have you ACTUALLY got eyes in the back of your head, Wodime!?

I could say the same to you, Beryl. I thought you would be more careful than this.

Even if you had managed to kill me now, the Chaldeans are still alive and well.

So I have a hard time imagining how you could make it out of here without a Servant.

Well, damn. Aren't you Mr. Calm and Collected?

You figure out I was all kinds of eager to get my backstabbing on or something?

Not until just now, no. To be honest, I'm still a little shaken.

You have no reason to betray me, Beryl. Why are you interfering with my plan now?

Don't you understand that this will make you a god too? Once you are, you'll be free of the Foreign God's control.

(Sigh)... You really don't get it, do you? Figures. Of course you wouldn't.

So hey, on a different subject, Kirsch: Why were you so scared of the British Lostbelt?

It's not like you ever came by to see it for yourself, right? So how'd you know something had to be done about it?

...Because I spent awhile thinking on it...

...and realized it posed a different but equally serious threat as the Foreign God themselves.

No good could ever come of a Lostbelt appearing in Britain. It could only be a...curse that would take this very planet down with it.

Damn, seriously!? I don't know what you're talking about, but it sounds like a hell of a thing!

They're definitely a scary bunch, that's for damn sure! But hey, that's what made this all worthwhile!

So as thanks, I'll let you in on a little secret of my own. I'll tell you why I came to your Lostbelt.

You remember what I told you before about how I betrayed the fae folk, right?

Well, thanks to that, they've got it out for me reeeal bad.

In fact, all I'd have to do is raise my voice a bit and say "Here I am!" and they'd bring divine retribution down on my ass just...like...that.

...! Macarios! Adele!

Oh good, so you know what's coming then. Awesome. Welp... So long, Wodime. It's been real.

Mash! Fujimaru! Get out of here!

？！

Kirschtaria is right! We need to evacuate immediately! Then again, the sheer heat is so immense that

Everyone, this way! I can at least let all of you escape to the Crown!

(It's no use! We'll never make it in time! Especially given that we're all still exhausted from our earlier battles!)

(Queen Europa can most likely only manipulate gravity and offer physical protection. It won't be nearly enough!)

(Then again, even if we were able to teleport to Olympus proper, that light is going to punch straight through everything in its path!)

...No. This isn't over yet!

I won't let this happen! I can't let their journey end now...!

...No? Well, guess you get to die after all.

Especially since you're vulnerable as shit right now.

...Kh... Gh...

Wanna know why you lost, Wodime? It's 'cause you were too damn busy.

You never would've been so stupid as to let me handle Britain if you'd ever seen it for yourself.

You know, originally, I was just gonna burn this Tree of Emptiness down and head back to Britain...

But after that bullshit speech you made, I pretty much had no choice but to shiv your sorry ass.

What was it you said? Everyone will be like a god unto themselves?

That basically means it'd be a world where I couldn't kill anyone anymore, right?

To hell with that. I'd die of boredom before the end of the first day in that new world.

I don't wanna be some great enlightened version of myself. I'm perfectly okay with staying a piece of shit.