Xingyue, is Xiaokai also considered Kai?

Dee answered frankly, and the imposter nodded in agreement.

"Well, after all, you've completely separated yourself from all three aspects of being human. Right now, we're just in a period of unity. When the end comes, we Servants will begin our final showdown—the final Holy Grail War."

"The final Holy Grail War? I hope so. What are your thoughts on this false covenant?"

Five hundred years of long-cherished wish, a performance that took years to compose, my own desire to mend the relationship between the East and West churches, the lies I endured for the birth of angels—all of this was to witness the day when the Lord's miracles come, that the Lord can do anything.

Therefore, His Excellency Saint Novia, chosen by the Lord, can do anything under the guidance of the Lord's Mind, Peumanderges.

"You actually asked that?"

Cleopatra chuckled. "In my day, everyone believed in the New Testament. I just happened to be the one explaining it. Ah, the church that doesn't even answer the cries of the poor is nothing but disgusting parasites."

Dee held her breath very slightly... her reaction was extremely subtle.

The change was so subtle that Cleopatra, who was skilled in alchemy, would not have noticed it.

“The alchemist who raised me once said to me: ‘Let us praise God, but then let us descend to those who have received the scepter from Him. Let us begin with Saint Novia, and let our hymns with him also make us accustomed to offering praise to the Almighty and singing pious hymns.’”

Therefore, our praise must begin with him, be practiced with him, and then be realized in sincerity before God; the aim is to enable us to master the practice of piety towards God and praise of Saint Novia.

"...Sorry, I really didn't realize that. I always thought you were a heretic."

"That just shows you have no taste, no wonder—"

Cleopatra snorted and then fell silent.

However, John Dee seemed completely unconcerned and continued the imposter's unfinished prayer—

"Correspondingly, the challenge of the Holy One often causes the enemy to retreat. Even his statue is a haven of tranquility amidst the howling storm; the appearance of his image can bring swift victory, and if he is unthreatened and intact, he can protect those around him. He is perfect, he knows everything, he understands everyone, and he will be accepted by all."

"He received this title because he swiftly ascended to the highest kingdom, because he governed the discourse that brings peace, and because he was born to transcend all evil, just as his name is a symbol of peace."

"He takes care of the earth and cherishes divinity at the same time; he adds radiance to the world."

Dee stared at the sky above Hades Tokyo with eyes brimming with extreme excitement and pleasure, revealing a fervor that Cleopatra could not surpass among all those she had ever seen.

"Your virtue—indeed, your name itself—is the arbiter of peace—"

"Novia the Holy One".

Chapter 531 "You—listen carefully."

"You should be the one who gives death to everything; only that is you."

For Eri, the Underworld Tokyo was always a strange sight. It had no color, yet it wasn't unpleasant. Ever since she started living there, she had always felt that there was another country beneath this land, a place she had often dreamed of since childhood, on the other side of darkness, in a strange world unknown to anyone.

Whenever a gust of wind blows, those who are unwilling to simply vanish into nothingness will wail incessantly around the girl.

It was supposed to be a hometown that one would cherish for a lifetime, but the girl felt as if she could never leave this place, or perhaps, as long as she never left, she could end her life without encountering a fatal disaster.

Peaceful days have finally returned.

People readily accept this fact; exhausted and wounded, they don't even want to know the details of the matter.

To celebrate the arrival of peace, people in Tokyo have restarted the Kanda Festival, which had been held for several years.

But Eri already sensed it, she sensed it through her mother Izanami's 'death', the scent of death penetrating deep into her nasal cavity and lingering for a long time.

The war for the Holy Grail, which can destroy and rebuild the world, has not yet come to an end.

That being said, as an outcast, she always had to spend a lot of time answering Tokyoites' curiosity about her—

What's it like to have a Servant who is a famous god?

"...It's like being nearsighted but not being able to wear glasses; everyone else has to take a car, but you can only walk; when you arrive in an unfamiliar place, the navigation system in your hand is a defective product."

Even though Eri had to explain to others with all her might, they still only had a vague idea that she would be fine, because the world was in chaos and people needed local gods as a source of spiritual support, especially those who had contracts with gods.

Every time Erise encounters this kind of misguided worship, she learns one thing.

That is, it is like a form of entertainment, either by oneself or by pretending to be the mother of one's servant, to satisfy people's feelings of dependence or to temporarily relieve boredom.

People who thought they were friends didn't actually consider her a friend, at least not the kind of friends who came to play with her at this festival.

After all, any Servant would subconsciously fear her, and Masters would also feel the Servant's feelings; that's just how it is.

Back on the bustling street, the festival decorations were still glittering, but even though it was over, it felt like an empty space that had never existed.

"You didn't come here alone to sightsee, did you? Didn't Lady Nami accompany you?"

"Of course, sir..."

Young Erise crossed her arms and said, "It is my responsibility to ensure the safety of the festival."

"That's true, but I never expected my Master to close the shrine ahead of schedule under the pretext of feeling unwell."

The tall man raised his chin and gestured.

Along the extended line in the direction he indicated, between the many stalls, a girl the same age as Eri and still wearing her shrine maiden outfit rushed over anxiously.

"What's wrong, Eri? You're planning to have a festival without even inviting me?"

"I'm just in charge of security for the celebration, so of course I'll take a look around..."

As Eri passed by her, a faint scent of perfume wafted into her nostrils.

Ten years later, she, who was originally a shrine maiden, will likely have grown into a beautiful woman, attracting many men.

The young child prayed that, in time, at least some decent options would appear in the priestess's life.

"...Yes, I know, my mother is Izanami."

Upon hearing this, Eri touched the motionless white insect in her hand and calmly looked at Miyaji Oshu, who had told her this.

Was she the last one in Tokyo? Does that mean when I was in Tokyo, everyone knew my mother was Izanami? Or rather, this insect-like body wasn't my mother's true form, but rather a creature said to have fallen from her face in legend… Does that mean I'm still Mikiko's sister? But it seems I only have a mother; is it because Izanami gave birth to me as a Servant? Never mind, all that's too far in the past. The real problem is that John Dee…

Thinking about this, Eri couldn't help but sigh.

Putting aside the fact that Cleopatra, one of the founders of alchemy, was fully prepared, and with the controlled Rusena on top of that, not only was his own fighting strength insufficient, but he also had two little priestesses whose Servants had disappeared by his side. It seemed that there was absolutely no possibility of victory...

This allowed Eri to gaze at the scenery outside the bay window through the shrine's window.

The world seen through that window always stirred up a nameless homesickness in Rise's heart, a literal sense of "homesickness." Although Rise tried to describe this feeling as "the atmosphere of Chitose," all she really wanted to say right now was "homesickness."

"So complicated."

"……Um?"

Eri narrowed her eyes, looking at the little white worm in her hand. "Hey, Mom, you're awake."

"I woke up early. I was being watched by that old man and was suppressed for a while... but because of Miaojian, well, never mind, I won't mention it. I overheard that alchemist's words afterward, and it really made me furious. How come I couldn't see how deep his mind was back then? No wonder he's always preaching everywhere. There's not a single good person from the West!"

"So, is there any way now?"

"Of course I've already come up with a plan. Just fight according to my plan."

Izanami declared with an air of triumph, "Our chances of winning will definitely increase dramatically! After all, this is the battlefield where I won and where Eri Sei was born in Tokyo! There's absolutely nothing to be afraid of! Don't worry, I'm here!"

"What? It's not a big deal!"

Erise seemed relieved, then changed the subject, "...Is she very strong?"

Immediately, the mother and daughter fell silent.

A few dozen seconds later, Izanami sighed and said to the silent Erise:

"If I were still alive, I should be able to hold them off and allow you to evacuate..."

"Looks really strong."

Eri touched Xion's mouth, preparing the evil spirit's abilities: Demon King and Magic Bullet Shooter.

Knowing that the other party is stronger than oneself is enough; how much stronger they are is irrelevant. As the weak, one can only rack one's brains and use every means to defeat the strong. This is Eri's current thought, and it is also what the Demon King once told her.

To be honest, although she outwardly seemed indifferent to the Demon King, Eri Se still had great faith in his power, and therefore found it unbelievable that he would say such a thing.

"Everyone tries their best to survive, and of course, there are good and bad aspects to this. But no one has ever been able to develop a set of universally accepted value principles. No one can claim to have seen the whole world or fully understand the happiness and suffering of every group... Sorry, I've said too much. Just consider this a random rant, Eri."

Since we're in a desperate situation, we should fight to the death no matter what.

"Yes, I won't hide it anymore. I'm very strong, but since it's a mess that my mother didn't handle properly, if I were stronger, Tokyo wouldn't have been destroyed. Anyway, even if I die now, I will always stay by Erise's side."

"Ha ha……"

Upon hearing this, Eri suddenly chuckled softly.

The girl, who had always kept a cold and aloof expression since arriving in Tokyo, revealed a rare, childlike, innocent smile.

"Laughing, what are you laughing at..."

"Because Izanami, you're full of lies. Even if there wasn't such a reason, even if it had nothing to do with you... you would still fight alongside me."

"Huh?"

Izanami used the same verbal tic as Erise, "What do you mean?"

"After all—you are my mother."

After Eri said it so casually, Izanami was speechless.

"Of course, I think Tiamat's mother can do it too... but with her strength, she should be able to survive. We can only do our best."

Actually, there is a solution, and I know it myself.

Izanami is caught in a dilemma.

I knew from the beginning, but at the same time... I didn't want Eri to know.

Compared to the Eri Se of the past, the current Eri Se has changed too much in Izanami's eyes. At that time, all the medical Servants in Tokyo secretly told her that if things continued like this, Eri Se would eventually develop a mental illness... But now, she seems to be quite healthy. She just needs to smile more.

Suddenly, silence enveloped the surroundings. The world fell silent.

however.

Those who can sense it will probably still sense it.

In that silent world, a murderous intent seeped out, like a drop of venom.

That murderous intent gradually swelled and spread—

Realizing that continuing down this path would only lead to certain death, Izanami finally spoke to Erise: "...There is actually another way, but the probability of death is too high. I was originally thinking of letting you go after you are older, stronger, and have found a man you truly love."

Ignoring the idea of ​​'finding the man she truly loves', Eri slowly stood up, placed the little bug possessed by Izanami on the ground, and stared at it intently.

Please tell me, Mom.

"The planet is located in the Inner Sea of ​​Tokise in the heart of Japan. Once you get there, all you have to do is keep moving forward, Eri."

……

Eri sniffed Don slightly, inhaling the scent of the sea so close at hand.

The surroundings were quiet and deserted, with only the incessant sound of waves and the smell of seawater in the air.

The waves sometimes advance and sometimes retreat, never ceasing.

The bubbles rising from the white sand that seemed to emit a pale blue light were like a large number of pearls washed ashore by the waves, dyeing the sea and horizon a dark blue. The moonlight falling from the sky made the waves shimmer with a diamond-like white light.

The Inner Sea is the birthplace of the planet's heart, its inherent boundary; Avalon in Britain is one example, while in Japan it is—

Chang Shiguo.

It is a country located across the sea, which is recorded in books such as the Kojiki, Nihon Shoki, Manyoshu, and Fudoki. It is an ideal land where people can live forever, never grow old or die, and can be rejuvenated.

Shao Yanming emerged from the world of the immortals and assisted the ruler of the great nation in establishing the country.

Sanmao Irino, in order to assist Jinmu in unifying Japan, rides the waves to the eternal world to suppress the sea.

Tamichi Mamoru obtained oranges in Tokoyo and spread them throughout the world of Japan.

In the Manyoshu, Urashima Taro crosses the sea to the Tokoyo, where the daughter of the gods lives, where one can live forever without aging or dying.

After Izanami spoke of the Tokoyo with a conflicted expression, Erise found that the scenery in front of her had changed in the next instant.

This is no longer Kanda Shrine in Tokyo, but a scene that seems vaguely familiar—

The dazzling sight, hidden deep within my heart, now lies on this surging sea, a place where the horizon is enveloped by the azure ocean. This is where all changes come to an end with death, and where time stands still.

Erise forcefully tossed her black hair aside, staring sternly at the endless sea:

"How am I supposed to move forward? Not even a single ship—"

Izanami sighed. This is the entrance to the Mortal World. Only with the approval of this ocean can one enter the Mortal World.

The requirement to gain recognition is to defeat the sea god Ōwatsumi. The Root Country, which is managed by the Pixel Naruzumi-no-Mikoto, and the Yellow Springs where he is located are both beneath this seabed. On the other side of the sea is the Starry Sea of ​​Tokoyo, located in the Eastern Japan region, or perhaps the Dragon Palace of Ryukyu.