The Magical Energy Furnace Came to Life?! (Part 2)

"Ouch, it tickles so much, Aoko- senpai!!"

"By the way... has Professor Kenneth and the others already made all the arrangements?"

After joking around with Aozaki Touko for a while, the thought of the curse that El-Melloi would never survive the Fourth Shinobi World War made Rovey start to worry about the safety of Kenneth and Weber.

'Please, please, let nothing else go wrong... we're at the very last moment.'

"Don't worry about that. I only came back to you after I made sure they were all okay."

Seeing that even in his exhausted state, Rovey was still worried about his teacher and junior brother, Aozaki Touko smiled and replied, "That Lemon Head who kept clamoring to come back just woke up from his coma and found out that the Holy Grail War was over. Because he was afraid that the road would delay things, he spent a lot of money to ask me to come back quickly and check on your current situation. See if there's any chance to help you."

"In short, your teacher, junior brother, and your adopted daughter are all very worried about the situation. But they are all fine now and are staying at a hotel in Mifune City, waiting for you to come back and let them know you are safe."

"I see..."

Hearing that Weber, Kenneth, and Sakura were all safe and sound, a huge weight was finally lifted from Rovey's heart, and a look of relief visibly appeared on his face.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion.

It's good that everyone is alright; it's enough that everyone is safe and sound.

He is really happy with the current result.

Sakura has gained her own life, and is destined to live happily in the future. Perhaps she'll inherit his mantle? No, she'll probably be dragged away by Kenneth- sensei to inherit El-Melloi...

Well, that's fine too.

As long as she remains family, the Magecraft system doesn't matter. After all, Rovey didn't originally intend to teach the somewhat insane "Law Book." If he were to teach her himself, it would probably only be Alchemy and the Magecraft of the Golden System. It would be more suitable for her to learn basic Magecraft, Volumen Hydrargyrum, and Jewel Magecraft from Teacher Kenneth first.

Now, even Professor Kenneth has survived. With his talent and ability, he will undoubtedly become Grand Rank in the future. The El-Melloi Faction will also become stronger because Professor Kenneth is alive and reaping abundant rewards. The Mineralogy Department in this World Line cannot be taken away; on the contrary, the other departments must guard against Professor Kenneth is reaping immense rewards.

Weber...

He has grown considerably, not only through Iskandar's tutelage but also by reconciling and understanding his past and his teacher, Kenneth. Back home, countless hours of overtime are inevitable. While he may not become El-Melloi II, he is certainly being groomed as an assistant and lecturer, and will undoubtedly become the future lecturer of the Inheritance Classroom.

As for... Aozaki Touko.

She also gained a lot: important information on the Third Magic, further progress in the realm of the soul, and multiple Primordial Runes replacing the incomplete versions she had revived. It can be said that her strength and magical attainments have advanced by leaps and bounds. Even things that she had once longed for but could not obtain now have new clues and understanding in her hands.

Everyone I cherish has truly achieved a wonderful future...

"Idiot, don't move."

Just as Rovey was exhausted from being disturbed by a certain Nightmare and was about to take a nap next to the floor of Ryūdō Temple, he suddenly felt his head lighten, as if something had lifted him up.

Hearing the laughter and scolding, he slowly opened his eyes again. What came into view was the azure sky and the smiling face of Aoko, whose face was covered with dust from the climb, but who kept smiling.

"What's wrong?"

He was about to speak when he felt something soft against the back of his head—a soft cushion.

"How does that feel? Are you feeling more comfortable now?"

Aozaki Touko smiled.

"Hmm, much more comfortable. To find myself lying on the soft lap of a Grand Puppet Master as soon as I opened my eyes is truly an overwhelming honor."

Rovey closed his eyes again, a smile appearing on his lips.

He's very tired right now, really very tired...

The three days were like hell. First, I went to the so-called Banquet of Kings, then I intercepted Risei Kotomine's Command Seal, completed the final Mystic Code, fought Gilgamesh for a day and a night, then purified Angra Mainyu, and then said goodbye to my Scathach. I finally got a rest, but that perverted Merry almost took advantage of me in my dream. Only now can I finally get some real rest.

Even though Avalon can heal physical injuries and purify curses, mental exhaustion is not easy to eliminate.

More than any healing Magecraft, what Rovey wants most right now is to get a good night's sleep and say goodbye to his old friends from this Holy Grail War after he wakes up.

"I'll make an exception and let you lie down today. After all, your energy is visibly depleted. It's really hard for me to put you together with the spirited Magus who faced the King of Heroes at the beginning." Aozaki Touko showed a bright and beautiful smile. "Don't worry about other people disturbing you. I will sit here and stay by your side until you wake up. This is my little way of repaying you."

"Well, I'm really tired now. This new body was hastily made while we were working together in Fuyuki City. Some parts weren't fully adjusted before it was put into use, so it's a bit awkward. But it's enough as a temporary body."

'Magecraft that changes bodies...'

Rovey was about to speak when Aozaki Touko covered his mouth, interrupting him.

"Get some rest. I refuse to discuss philosophical topics with you." Aozaki Touko had already guessed what Rovey wanted to ask.

"All you need to know is that no matter how I change, I will always be Aozaki Touko, and to you, I will always be a friend. That's enough."

"A friend forever... that's so reliable."

"Hmph, who do you think I am? Compared to that bunch of weirdos in El-Melloi, I'm the most reliable." Aozaki Touko smiled and tilted her head, then leaned down to look seriously at Rovey's face, extending her white palm to soothe his eyes.

"Sleep well... don't talk."

"Um."

Rovey nodded. "Well then, goodnight, Senior Aoko."

Goodnight, Crowley.

The day after the Holy Grail War ended.

The entire city groggily awoke from this nightmare that had lasted for several days.

The dead are reawakened, and the shattered city is restored to its original state by the power of the Heaven's Feel. The miracle emanating from the Heaven's Feel erases all the sorrow.

This also includes the traces left by Servants who quietly came into this world.

Aside from those who personally experienced it, those with exceptional magical abilities, or those with special Magic Resistance powers, all other ordinary people had their memories and impressions of this Holy Grail War erased.

Having let go of his obsession, or perhaps because he didn't know how to face Matou Kariya, Tokiomi Tohsaka took his wife and daughter on a trip abroad after returning home. He put the Tohsaka Family's company under internal management, handed over the management of the Fuyuki City's Leyline to his old friend Risei Kotomine, and began to enjoy his wonderful vacation and fulfill his promise to bring happiness to Aoi and Rin.

As for Matou Kariya, he went even further. Seeing the house restored, he simply called upon his brother, Matou Tsuruno, who had always been disliked and bullied by Matou Sōken, to begin their plan. The two first erected a tombstone for Matou Byakuya Matou in the backyard, then drank heartily together in front of it, celebrating the Old Worm's death. After peacefully dividing the family property, they used a can of gasoline and set fire to the Matou Family's insect lair, along with their valuable magical heritage, burning everything to the ground, including the Old Worm's tombstone in the backyard. Later, fearing the damned insect might return, they even hired a temple master to build a temple on top of the ruins of their house to properly pray for its soul.

This series of actions can be said to have 'filially killed' Matou Zangen, who is now in the afterlife.

With this, the Matou Family, Mage Families in the Far East, was completely erased from the world.

After experiencing many things, Kirei Kotomine was truly redeemed and understood everything. After undergoing surgery to remove the Origin Bullet and stop the bleeding, he personally confessed his sins to his father and told him about his next plan. Then he left the hospital alone to do what he had planned.

However, this time, he was no longer alone; instead, a little boy with red hair, Fujimaru Shirou, joined him.

He had made a promise with the boy who had saved his life and who possessed a heart full of justice, vowing to repay this debt of gratitude. When Fujimaru Shirou had the time and was ready to become a champion of justice, and was determined to explore another world, he could always find him near the forest church in Fuyuki City. He would then impart all his knowledge and skills to repay that kindness and grace, leaving behind his own legacy in this world.

Kirei Kotomine originally intended to personally apologize to Tokiomi Tohsaka again, but when he awoke, the family had already left. The note on the door contained a letter severing ties—a letter left for him. Another letter, its contents unknown, was addressed to Matou Kariya. However, Matou Kariya had left Fuyuki City after burning down the Matou Family and taking some money, reportedly heading to Mifune City to start a new life as a journalist. Therefore, Kirei could only return empty-handed, boarding a plane to Europe once more to search for his daughter, Karen, after so many years, hoping to bring her back to his side and make amends for the lack of paternal love he had received and for the mistakes he had made.

The clergyman went from confusion to depravity, and finally found liberation from the mire; he had completed his own gradual transformation.

At this moment, Kirei Kotomine had never felt so good.

As for concealing their tracks...

Although the matter had been kept secret from ordinary people, the Clock Tower, the Church, and even the Spiral Manor were still alerted, and soon representatives from each organization would come to investigate what had happened.

Because Tokiomi Tohsaka had gone abroad, Kirei Kotomine had also gone to Europe. At this moment, Risei Kotomine looking at the mountain of letters piled up on the table. Suddenly, his aging heart felt like it was about to have a heart attack.

He even suddenly felt that it would be better if he didn't wake up at all and remained in a coma in the hospital until everything was over.

Despite these feelings, when Risei Kotomine walked out of the study and saw Fuyuki City still intact, where only a small number of vicious and irredeemable dangerous individuals had died in such a catastrophe, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He looked down at his severed arm, and the images of the mysterious young man and the archangel from a few nights ago still haunted his mind.

"He is like a man and a woman, like an adult and a child, like a saint and a sinner, like an angel and a devil. So what kind of being is he?"

Risei Kotomine was muttering to herself, then stroked her empty right arm, a self-deprecating smile appearing on her face.

'Archangel, the Holy Grail War, and that enigmatic young man... this world has truly changed a lot.'

'Forget it... since even Tokiomi Tohsaka has resolved his inner conflict, what am I hesitating for?'

Thinking this, Risei Kotomine gently shook his head; at this moment, his heart was exceptionally calm.

Was there anger over the severed arm? Was there hatred for the stolen Command Seal? No, none of those emotions remained; all those complex feelings had vanished...

Let's leave these matters to the bigwigs in the Burial Agency. Risei Kotomine already wrote a letter and sent it to the church headquarters not long ago. As for him...

Because of this dereliction of duty, he has to resign from his position. In the days to come, watching his son and granddaughter grow up happily and inherit the position will be a kind of family happiness for him, and it will also be a redemption for him.

As for the arm problem?

He is not prepared to undergo rehabilitation or have a prosthetic arm or anything like that; he sees this as a warning for his mistakes.

In short...

Looking back at the huge cross hanging on the wall, Kirei Kotomine slowly knelt down and then softly confessed.

"Thank you, merciful Lord, for giving us lost sheep, those who have committed sins, a redemption, and for granting us happiness. May your love forever protect the whole world..."

"—Amen."

As the prayer ended, there was a knock on the door.

They were a group of anxious people, each with their own unique sense of bewilderment. They were all believers who had the same dream of death and were therefore filled with fear, so they came here to seek the priest's guidance.

Seeing this, Risei Kotomine slowly got up, a smile on her face, and went out to greet the believers who came today, earnestly spreading the glory that belongs to the Lord.

Welcome everyone.

The elderly priest said with a smile.

Everything returned to normal, and peace was restored.

Not long after.

"Hiss... Where did such a huge Mana Reactor go? How did it suddenly disappear?"

On the upper floor of the Hyatt Hotel, Rovey looked thoughtfully at the large pit left where the Mana Furnace used to be, his expression lost in thought.

So... it's lost again?

Everything has been restored, except for the Supreme Mystic Code from the El-Melloi Faction, which is gone; the other two are still there.

"How could a furnace suddenly disappear?!"

On the other side, Aozaki Touko, who was drooling over one of the Mana Reactor without any regard for her image, was also bewildered when she saw the huge pit in the center. She began to cautiously look around.

Because everything destroyed in the Holy Grail War had been restored, the barrier Kenneth had set up still existed. However, despite the room showing no signs of anyone having entered from the outside, one of the Mana Reactor had vanished, leaving her utterly surprised and bewildered.

In this situation, there are only two special possibilities. First, someone was able to bypass Kenneth's barrier and the perception of ancient heroes like Fionn mac Cumhaill, Scáthach, Iskandar, and hide in their Magic Workshop beforehand, so that no one noticed.

The second possibility is that the Mana Reactor and the long-legged creature escaped from the workshop.

No matter how you look at it, both options are absurd. She has absolutely no idea how the Mana Reactor could have disappeared. And even if a thief had come, they would have stolen three at once, so why would they only steal one?

However, unlike Aozaki Touko's puzzled look, Rovey had a vague understanding of the situation.

He bent down to examine the marks on the ground and the magical aura. Indeed, it only contained the magic of the Mana Furnace; no one else had been there, so...

Did they run away again?

In the original story, Emiya Kiritsugu's building explosion shattered the Mana Reactor, causing its core to go berserk and triggering a series of chain reactions.

However, this time, Iskandar defended against the building's explosion with a barrier and moved the furnace to the Ionian Hetairoi, so...

What was the trigger this time?

After thinking carefully for a moment, Rovey seemed to have come up with an answer.

'It is Gilgamesh's Enuma Elish...'

'This time, it was his Noble Phantasm that replaced Emiya Kiritsugu's original bombardment, destroying the Mana Furnace and triggering a berserk state. So, has the World Line converged again, and that special being been born once more?'

'Because she is neither human nor a building, and is also a being within the Holy Grail War, the restoration of the Heaven's Feel did not affect her, but rather the other two, which is why the items were missing...'

Unlike Aozaki Touko, who was completely clueless and looked utterly bewildered, Rovey had a vague memory of where that thing was.

However, that was a long, long time later on a film set, specifically after the Fifth Holy Grail War. The stage was also the Holy Grail War, but the scale of that Holy Grail War was far larger than any of the previous ones, also known as the Divine Grail.

Even Gilgamesh, the strongest King of Heroes in that war, couldn't be considered the strongest Heroic Spirit. There were numerous Servant stronger or of equal rank than him, demonstrating just how complex the situation was. The lost furnace will also travel there and become one of its Master.

So this is indeed another convergence of World Line. Even without Emiya Kiritsugu and many subsequent events, that thing still came into being.

Is it a problem with causality? Or is it Alaya or Gaia playing tricks?

"Hmm... you don't seem surprised by this situation?"

Noticing Rovey's composure, Aozaki Touko was puzzled and asked him curiously.

"So you already know where the Mana Furnace is?"