Under the intense gaze of the crowd.
Atalanta's shoulders slumped slightly.
She sighed.
"There's also a first method..."
The living room fell silent again.
"What?" Ritsuka Fujimaru pressed.
"Use the Greater Grail."
Atalanta's voice was very soft.
" Belphegor had previously drained all the magic from the Greater Grail, but the Greater Grail's inherent functions remained intact."
"As long as enough magic is replenished, the Greater Grail's wish-granting function will be restored."
"Then, using the Greater Grail, we can modify the outside world's environment, restoring Earth to its state before its magic was drained."
"The earth became fertile again, the rivers filled with water once more, and the atmosphere recovered."
"It's like 'rewinding' the Earth back to its state before it withered."
She looked up.
" Mukuro Hoshimiya mentioned two plans and asked me to tell you both so you can decide which one to use."
"But I only mentioned the second one."
Arcueid's Wrath suddenly cooled upon hearing the first method.
Her fist loosened.
The anger in his crimson eyes subsided, replaced by a detached contemplation.
The first method.
Let the Earth return to its original state.
That's acceptable.
The atmosphere in the living room subtly shifted.
The answer to one question was now before everyone.
Two options.
One option is to restore the Earth to its original state. The old world continues to exist, and everyone returns to reality after the dream ends.
One is to materialize dreams. The old world is replaced, a new perfect Earth is born, and everyone lives in an "artificial paradise."
Which one should I choose?
This question has surfaced in everyone's mind.
Then the disagreement arose.
"Of course, we'll use the first method."
Ritsuka Fujimaru was the first to express her opinion.
"Earth is our mother planet, the foundation of humankind's birth and development."
"Replacing the real Earth with an artificial one? That's not solving the problem, that's escaping it."
"Furthermore, Mukuro Hoshimiya himself said that the Greater Grail's method can restore Earth to its original state."
"Then why not choose this one?"
Metatron nodded slightly.
"The first method."
Her voice remained as cold as ever.
"The restoration of [ Beauty ] and the repair of Earth can proceed simultaneously. Use the Greater Grail to restore Earth, then return the Sephira to the Tree of Life."
"This is the least costly and least side-effect-prone solution."
Arcueid remained silent.
But her attitude was already evident in her expression.
She supports the first option.
I object.
Amakusa Shirou stood up.
Have you ever thought about what it means to return to the 'original Earth'?
"It means everyone is returning to the real world filled with pain, war, disease, and poverty."
"This means that those who find happiness in their dreams will have to face the hardships of life again upon waking."
"You call this the 'right choice'?"
"I have been fighting for sixty years to change all of this. To achieve the salvation of all mankind, I am willing to use the power of the Holy Grail."
"We now have a direct opportunity to create a world where everyone is happy."
"But you want to reject it?"
Semiramis stood next to Amakusa Shirou.
Atalanta hesitated for a moment, then spoke.
"Those children in kindergarten are very happy now."
"If the first method is used, the dream disappears, and they will return to their original lives after waking up."
Some children come from unhappy families. Some children live in poverty.
"After they wake up, they still have to go back to that environment."
"But what if we use the second method?"
"Even after this world became reality, their lives remained as wonderful as in their dreams."
"No pain is required."
Heracles remained silent.
But he stood behind Atalanta.
This silent hero is also expressing his stance in his own way.
He had seen those children.
He knew that Atalanta was telling the truth.
Karna glanced at Amakusa Shirou Shiro.
Then he walked to the Amakusa side.
" My Master's will is my will."
There are no further explanations. There are no statements of personal stance.
Amakusa Shirou glanced at Karna and nodded slightly.
The factions have been divided.
The Chaldea group, Metatron, Arcueid support the first option.
Amakusa Shirou, Semiramis, Atalanta, Heracles, and Karna support the second option.
Ritsuka Fujimaru looked at the five people standing opposite her.
"Are you serious?"
Amakusa Shirou's gaze was calm.
"I'm serious."
"We are not enemies."
"But our positions on this matter are indeed opposing."
"Either we return to the old world, and everyone goes back to a reality filled with suffering."
"Either create a new world where everyone is happy."
Which one would you choose?
Ritsuka Fujimaru did not answer.
Because he knew that Amakusa wasn't entirely right.
"Your idea of 'happiness for everyone' is built on the sacrifice of an entire planet."
This isn't salvation. This is a deal.
"To trade the lives of an entire planet for the happiness of humanity."
"How is this any different from what you wanted to do in the Great Holy Grail War?"
Amakusa Shirou's expression remained unchanged.
"The difference is, this time no one needs to die."
"The planet doesn't die. It's just replaced."
"It's like changing old clothes into new ones."
Are you speaking for the planet, or for humanity?
"I'm speaking for the right choice," Metatron's voice interjected from the side.
Everyone looked at her.
"The order of the Tree of Life must not be disrupted. [ Beauty ] must be restored to its rightful place."
"This is not a choice, it's a necessity."
"The absence of Mukuro Hoshimiya as Sephira has already affected the stability of countless parallel universes."
"This is a fact that you cannot change with your wishes."
"Therefore, regardless of which option you choose, the final result must include the restoration of [ Beauty ]."
"What you're arguing about here is simply how to deal with Earth."
Amakusa Shirou looked at Metatron.
"Then let's argue about this."
"To restore the old Earth with the Greater Grail, or to create a new Earth by materializing dreams?"
"Our two sides have opposing views."
Neither side will back down.
The atmosphere in the living room had dropped to freezing point.
Two groups of people stood on the left and right sides of the living room, respectively.
There was a distance of three or four meters between them.
The tension in the air was so palpable it could be sliced open with a knife.
"One last question."
Ritsuka Fujimaru's voice was deep.
Amakusa Shirou, are you really determined to go down this path?
"Even if they become our enemies?"
Amakusa Shirou did not avoid his gaze.
"Yes."
Even if it means becoming your enemy.
"I've been on this path for far too long."
I won't stop here.
Ritsuka Fujimaru closed her eyes.
Then open your eyes.
"All right."
"That's the only way then."
No one made the first move.
But everyone is gathering strength.
The concentration of magic in the air is rising rapidly.
Mash's shield was already held horizontally in front of her chest.
Astolfo drew his rapier, his expression unusually serious.
" Astolfo," Ritsuka Fujimaru without turning around, "You don't need to participate in the war."
"But you don't have to stand on my side. Just stand in the middle."
Astolfo paused for a moment.
Why?
"Because you're Mukuro Hoshimiya's friend. No matter which side wins, you can talk to her."
"To act as our mouthpiece."
"Understood!"
Astolfo took a few steps back to a safe spot in the center of the living room, where he stood holding the apple.
Then the battle erupted in an instant.