As King Artoria, Jeanne d'Arc, and others arrived together in Fuyuki City—
Avalon, The Tower at the End.
Before a magically constructed computer, a stunningly handsome magus standing 178 cm tall was energetically dancing with a motion capture suit on.
While dancing, he pouted and sang a cutesy tune, throwing in adorable poses.
He also said to his fans, "Thanks for the donation, onii-chan~! Merry loves you so much, muah~!"
[Merry is too cute! I love you!]
[Ahhh I'm soo dead! The dance is way too adorable!]
[Her voice is so sweet and cute, it's melting my heart!]
[Wait, don't tell me—like how Astolfo cosplayers sometimes turn out to be dudes, Merry's actually a guy too?]
[Shut up! Someone stab this heretic! Merry is our moe little loli idol!]
In just over a week, "Magical☆Merry" had amassed millions of fans.
For a virtual idol, this was an unprecedented miracle.
But then again, it made perfect sense.
When a Grand Caster candidate—especially one who feeds off humanity's dreams and understands otaku desires better than anyone—makes a move, it's like nuking mosquitoes.
"I really appreciate your donation, Doctor Onii-chan! You're amazing! That's all for today's stream~ See you next time!"
Merlin ended the livestream and skillfully took off his motion capture gear.
The sequence couldn't be wrong—mistakes could be fatal.
Sitting cross-legged in his chair, he smiled as he opened a livestream news feed—
[The Three Kings Visit!]
The King of Heroes, King Artoria, and the Emperor of France Jeanne d'Arc, who had temporarily traveled to Japan's Fuyuki City, had all gathered in one city.
Such a grand occasion hadn't happened in ages. The livestream viewership had already exceeded a billion.
People all over the world watched via TVs, computers, or phones, practically losing their minds with excitement.
Yet no one knew—he was the true mastermind behind it all!
"Nameless, let's see how you get out of this one!"
Merlin grinned as he watched the broadcast.
As the child of a nightmare, Merlin couldn't fall in love with humans.
Feeding on human dreams yet unable to dream himself, he craved stealing others' dreams even more.
And now, he had orchestrated a once-in-a-lifetime masterpiece.
The cast— Jeanne d'Arc, King Artoria, Mordred—all in place.
The audience— Himself and Gilgamesh—also present.
Only Nameless hiding somewhere remained.
"Nameless, I prepared this welcome gift just for you. How will you thank me?"
Merlin watched the scene carefully.
This was his carefully prepared performance—he was eager for the script to play out perfectly.
Once he learned Nameless was in Fuyuki, he immediately notified Mordred to tail the King who planned a secret reunion with Nameless.
Then, he invited the King of Heroes—who also enjoyed amusement—to join him for the show.
After all, a grand performance needed a proper audience.
And who better suited to watch than the King of Heroes?
The only hiccup was that Gilgamesh hadn't read Unlimited Blade Works beforehand and almost dunked Merlin in the Cursed Spring and delivered him straight to Nameless.
Fortunately, disaster was averted.
Unlimited Blade Works became Gilgamesh's greatest blackmail moment—and it was aired globally.
After watching the video, Gilgamesh naturally wanted to kill the bastard who embarrassed him.
Exactly as Merlin had planned.
All the pieces were set—let the show begin.
As the mastermind, he naturally chose the VIP seat.
"Hurry up already, I can't wait to see Nameless's despair!"
Merlin's smile beamed.
He could barely contain his glee at this delightful performance.
Nameless, I just want to see your pain!
From the Avalon, Merlin activated the world's magical core, transmitting energy into a powerful Noble Phantasm that had long since disappeared...
—
Fuyuki Grand Hotel.
One luxury car after another pulled up outside.
Wearing a black formal gown, the Emperor of France walked through the crowd into the hotel lobby.
Her amber-golden eyes scanned over the faces of fanatic fans with indifference and imperial grace.
Yet—
This cold gaze only excited her fans even more.
They trembled with joy at her presence.
Why? Because the persona of the Dark Saint Jeanne was tailored to the ultimate sadomasochistic fantasy—and her fans were mostly proud masochists.
That disdainful Jeanne-style disgusted look? Pure dopamine for them.
Gilgamesh greeted her with a warm smile: "You've come?"
"I have."
Jeanne coldly replied.
Originally, the Paladins tried everything to stop her from going to Japan. But under Merlin's provocation, she didn't hesitate for a moment.
She even brought the unruliest pink-haired knight—Astolfo!
"You shouldn't have come," Gilgamesh shook his head.
For the Emperor of France to travel this far, just to fight over a man with King Artoria?
Seriously?
"But I'm already here."
Jeanne brushed past him.
To her, he and Merlin were just spectators watching a show.
Let them.
Ever since she gave up her identity as a holy maiden and descended as the "Witch of Vengeance," she had fully embraced her new life.
"I came. I saw. I conquered."
No one would take what belonged to her!
The French Emperor strode into the hotel.
The entire crowd was stunned. The livestream chat exploded—
[Oh my god, Jeanne really showed up!]
[Nameless, you're seriously cursed with EX-rank girl problems!]
[What if they fight? Is Fuyuki going to get nuked like in UBW?]
[Seriously, where is Nameless?!]
—
"I'M RIGHT FREAKING HERE!"
Sanjiro couldn't take it anymore.
Another arrival made him nervous as hell.
Just Artoria and Mordred already had him fearing Fuyuki would be leveled. With Mordred's temper and Artoria's forceful nature, neither would back down.
Now the Dark Saint had joined the fray too?
Who the hell was directing this disaster?! Must be some drama-loving lunatic!
The only relief was that Gilgamesh had gifted Kirina the Cap of Hades, completely concealing her presence.
Stay calm. I can still win this!
Sanjiro took a deep breath.
The enemy was in the open. He was in the shadows. Technically, the odds favored him.
All he needed was the right mindset—to pull off a 1v5 victory and come back from the brink!
His allies?
Well... Illya and Gilgamesh.
Gilgamesh? Already gave his best—he handed over the Cap of Hades. That was the most he'd do. The guy's just like Merlin—a chaos gremlin who lives for drama.
Illya? Probably no help... unless she could summon Berserker in ultimate form to make people take her seriously.
Everyone else? Yeah, not really allies.
Then—
Ruckus erupted again.
Journalists rushed forward, cameras flashing furiously.
Because—
At the moment Jeanne arrived, the entire British delegation returned from their rest.
Biggest scoop of the century.
Heroic Spirits had become idol-level celebrities, and these two national leaders—Jeanne and Artoria—were prime tabloid bait.
Even official media had become paparazzi, eager to see what the two rulers would do publicly.
"These people really just want to watch the world burn."
Sanjiro's temples throbbed.
These damn onlookers... their entertainment was his life on the line.
Fine. You want a show? Time to bring out the Oscar-worthy acting.
He had traveled throughout human history, faced countless legendary heroes, and honed his acting to perfection.
Even Gilgamesh hadn't spotted him—he'd only deduced his identity through reasoning.
If they wanted a show, he'd give them peak kingly performance!
Then—
He saw something that left him dumbfounded.
Behind the British group—
There was a small figure.
That person... looked very familiar???
And that hat—wasn't that the Cap of Hades Gilgamesh gave away?
The kid winked proudly at him with a smug grin.
You little gremlin—you're sabotaging your own dad again!
Sanjiro nearly swore out loud.
Even a king couldn't withstand a teammate actively feeding the enemy.
You could've just sat still and I'd carry us to victory—why act out?
Could it be you subconsciously haven't forgotten the final battle and are instinctively using clairvoyance to sabotage me?
Damn you, Alaya!
You promised me a peaceful, stable life, but you just had to bind a ticking nuclear bomb to me!
I'm exhausted. Don't test me, or I'll press the button and blow up the world!
The only thing to be thankful for was that she was still wearing the Cap of Hades properly.
Don't panic.
Stay calm. We can win this!
If we survive this wave, I swear I'll never let that brat participate in these situations again!
…
"As expected, just like I thought, that guy's green with envy!" Kirina struggled to hold back a triumphant grin.
But the twin tails bouncing behind her completely gave away her mood.
She jogged along behind the group on her little legs.
Perhaps to accommodate her, King Arthur and the others were walking very slowly.
Kirina secretly scanned her surroundings, and soon spotted another Heroic Spirit with a proud, cold expression watching them silently.
It was none other than Jeanne d'Arc, the Emperor of France!
"Whoa, classic Jeanne-style disdain!"
Kirina nearly pulled out her phone to take a picture.
Seeing so many Heroic Spirits up close in a single day, and being treated so kindly by King Artoria—what an unbelievable stroke of luck!
Maybe in a past life, I saved the world, which is why the world adores me so much now?
Kirina was becoming more and more convinced that she must've been some kind of unnamed savior in her past life.
In fact—
She might've even fought alongside Nameless and saved the world!
Just thinking about it made her a bit excited.
When she got back, she'd make Sanjiro cry and beg for her to take care of him!
That guy would definitely start treating me like a mature woman. He'll finally realize my charm, right?
Once this Heroic Spirit meeting is over, I'll just wait for his confession.
This wave is in the bag!
When that time comes, should I act a little reserved, or just agree right away?
As she was lost in these thoughts—
The two top-tier Heroic Spirits came to a stop and looked directly at each other.
Everyone held their breath in an instant. The silence was as suffocating as the moment before a volcanic eruption.
However—
The expected battle never happened.
The two simply nodded slightly and walked together toward the press conference podium.
Altera couldn't help but mutter quietly, "Eh? They didn't fight?"
She'd come all the way from France and didn't even get to see a good show.
On the other side—
Gawain also looked both relieved and slightly disappointed.
What was expected to be the most terrifying disaster had silently passed without incident.
At the press conference—
The Heroic Spirits began delivering their very official, very safe lines: reflecting on the past, looking forward to the future, and valuing the present.
All of that was perfectly normal.
In fact—
Too normal.
The volcanic eruption everyone had been anticipating didn't show even the slightest sign.
Once the press conference ended—
Artoria casually glanced at the young girl beside her.
Even though Gilgamesh had gone to great lengths to give her the Cap of Hades, she didn't emit any particularly special aura.
That person—once the closest friend of the Nameless—what exactly was she hiding?
Or perhaps she was simply bait, laid out so Artoria wouldn't be able to locate Nameless?
At that moment—
Sitting not far away, Jeanne said coldly, "You really put on a good act. You clearly wanted to kill me the moment I showed up."
"Right back at you."
Artoria replied expressionlessly.
Their brief, curt exchange made Kirina instinctively shrink her head.
Even though the two Heroic Spirits had restrained their pressure to the utmost, it still felt like standing at the edge of a raging volcano.
Powerful! Overwhelming! Dominating all living beings!
Sanjiro, I don't want to be here anymore. This place is scary. I want to go home!
Kirina suddenly didn't feel lucky at all.
If those two Heroic Spirits accidentally got serious, they could easily turn her from Kirina-chan into a literal splat!
No, not even a splat—she'd be vaporized!
Jeanne's tone grew colder: "You turned down their offer in person—why do you still have the nerve to come here?"
"You're no different."
Artoria smiled faintly at her.
This woman was originally just a farm girl who, despite Nameless's advice, insisted on setting out to save France.
It was no different from her pulling the sword from the stone and becoming King Arthur.
"But I've already thrown away the identity of a Saint. You, on the other hand, are still pretending to be the perfect, ideal king, protecting the descendants of those who used to be your enemies." Jeanne said coldly.
"In that case, I'm sure we'll have a delightful time together here in Fuyuki City."
Artoria didn't directly respond and simply smiled.
"Heh, I bet you haven't found Nameless either!"
Jeanne couldn't help but mock her.
"Oh no, unlike a certain blackened saint, it'll be very easy for me to find him," Artoria responded with absolute confidence.
That made Jeanne grit her teeth.
The proud Emperor of France had absolutely no leads on Nameless—if she did, she wouldn't have let Merlin talk her into coming here on a whim.
Buzz~
Artoria suddenly felt a familiar ripple of power. It crossed continents from the ideal land on the far side of the Earth, delivered by that flower magician.
Under that wave of energy, the previously unlinked Avalon was like a phone that had its service suspended but was now recharged.
Faint ripples emerged from the nearby girl!
This child actually carried a trace of Avalon's aura. Could she be... your daughter?
Artoria was slightly taken aback, then smiled warmly,
"Kirina, you're such a sweet and thoughtful girl. If only you were my daughter. Now, tell me, what do you want?"