Fate: How About a New Savior?

In Chaldea, there was a conference room reserved for the director, typically used for small meetings among department heads. That was where

In Chaldea, there was a conference room reserved for the director, typically used for small meetings among department heads.

That was where Shiomi and Romani had agreed to meet.

"Wow, I didn't expect it to be this room... Think the director will get mad?" Romani asked as he took a seat.

Shiomi shrugged. "It's fine. If she asks, just say it was my call. Anyway, how are things at Singularities One and Two? Any signs of trouble?"

"No issues so far. They're not moving as quickly as your team, but everything's going smoothly..." Romani started with a smile, though it faded as he spoke.

"Considering the appearance of the Demon God Barbatos at the Fourth Singularity and that Grand Servant who called himself the King of Magecraft, I think we need to keep a closer watch on the first and second Singularities, since they're still undergoing repairs. That man mentioned anchoring Demon God Pillars across different eras. There might be more of them elsewhere," Shiomi said.

"We've already factored that possibility into our contingency plans," Romani replied. "If anything similar crops up and it gets too dangerous, we'll prioritize an emergency transfer."

After that, their small talk gave way to a brief silence.

Morgan calmly sipped her coffee as she waited for the conversation to get to the real point.

"So, what's your take on it, Romani?" Shiomi asked directly. "That man who called himself Solomon—the King of Magecraft. Who is he? Do you have any leads?"

"Well... if I'm being honest..." Romani rubbed the back of his head. "I think he might be the real deal. I know that sounds irresponsible."

"So by that logic, the one we've been working with is the fake?" Morgan quipped.

"Hey, come on now..." Romani's mouth twitched.

Shiomi stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Let me ask you this, Romani—what is Solomon, the King of Magecraft, to you now? Is he a part of your past? Or...?"

"That's a great question—just what I'd expect from you." Romani smiled, genuinely pleased. Not even Marisbury, who called him a friend, had ever asked something like that. "To me, Solomon and I feel like two entirely different people."

"Why?" Shiomi asked, fully focused.

"Because Solomon didn't have human emotions—or maybe it's more accurate to say he never had a human life to begin with. From the moment he was born, he was treated as a king who could hear the voice of God. People expected him to fulfill that role, and so he did. Even his title as the 'passionate king' came from responding to those expectations." Romani explained slowly, laying out his thoughts with care.

"Like the Queen of Sheba?" Shiomi asked.

"Yes. In truth, Solomon never had a single second of free will. Even though he was granted omniscience, he wasn't allowed to voice any opinions. 'Solomon' was just the name of a construct—an apparatus created by gods and humans to help that kingdom prosper. So he had no humanity, no connection to the world as a person, and was never granted the freedom we call 'being human.'"

As Romani spoke, Shiomi recalled what Morgan had once said in the car eleven years ago, just before the final battle of the Holy Grail War—and what Gilgamesh had said even earlier.

"Both were kings created by gods and humans, but Solomon and Gilgamesh are complete opposites," Shiomi murmured.

"Exactly. Honestly, I've always felt a bit envious of Gilgamesh. He was born like Solomon—created by gods and men—but he refused to be just a tool. He chose to lead humanity and sever ties with the gods himself..." Romani said with genuine emotion. "Though... I won't defend what he did as a tyrant."

Shiomi couldn't help but chuckle at that bit of self-justification.

It was a laugh of mutual understanding.

"So that's why you made your wish—to become human?" Shiomi leaned back in the chair, something like a single-seat sofa. "I met the King of Conquerors once. He also wished for a physical body, but it was so he could reign over the world again—to conquer everything."

"That's because he had more freedom than I did. The King of Conquerors had the freedom of a human—he could act on his own desires," Romani replied. "That's why I wanted to become human too. No Magic Circuits, no clairvoyance—but with real freedom..."

Morgan gave a small nod. "But that freedom came with chains."

"...Maybe. But even so, I've been deeply satisfied these past ten years." Romani shook his head, gently rejecting Morgan's view. "It's been like a dream."

"I see," Shiomi said quietly. "Then that man couldn't have been Solomon. I don't know how he obtained power convincing enough to fool even us, but someone who can freely express hatred for humanity and burn the world down can't possibly be Solomon."

Even when summoned as a Servant, the King of Magecraft had faithfully upheld his duty.

If Marisbury had ordered him to end his life, he would have complied—even without a Command Spell.

If the realization of the Third Magic was the path to humanity's evolution, and if that was the answer this era needed, then Solomon would have gladly sacrificed his second life for it.

That was who the King of Magecraft, Solomon, truly was.

"I'm glad you see it that way," Romani said.

"Well, we're not just coworkers—we're friends too." Shiomi smiled gently. "But that man calling himself Solomon—there was something off about him besides what we just discussed... I can't quite place it. Maybe the battle was too brief, and I missed something important."

"Maybe... it's this." Romani pulled off his glove, revealing a ring on his left hand.

"Ah..." Shiomi suddenly remembered.

All ten of King Solomon's rings were gold—but the man who appeared in the London Singularity had worn one that was silver.

"This ring was left by King Solomon. He feared that Magecraft might one day endanger humanity, so before his death, he sent it into the future, where it was discovered by Marisbury. It's also the holy relic he used for the summoning," Romani explained. "As for the other nine rings... I don't know what became of them."

"What happens if this ring is used?" Shiomi asked.

Romani hesitated, then gave a sheepish smile.

"I'd probably die. When the ten rings are reunited, the King of Magecraft can activate his First Noble Phantasm—to reenact the legend of returning mystery to the heavens and erase himself entirely from human history."