To Become a King and a Magician

[Holy Grail]

Aoko had heard much about this entity. From a wish-granting machine to a broken cup capable of annihilating humanity, she'd encountered all sorts of claims, but this was her first time seeing it in person.

Gazing at the golden chalice floating above the vast cavity, its radiant holy light made Aoko believe the tales of a wish-granting device.

The Holy Grail before her might truly be the one that could fulfill any desire.

But why was a Holy Grail here?

"Because eight years ago, in this Tokyo, a subspecies Holy Grail War took place."

Though Aoko hadn't voiced it, [Manaka] answered the question in her heart. "Ask anything you want. Right now, I can answer any question you have."

"You're awfully relaxed. Is this the confidence your omniscience and omnipotence give you?"

"Mm, partly. The rest is because I'm incredibly free right now. With the 'rebirth of the world' already underway, until it envelops the planet, I have nothing to do."

[Manaka] laughed.

"So I'm bored and stuck here, unable to leave, looking for someone to talk to. I originally planned to wait for Ayaka to come and reminisce with her, but you'll do too."

"For you, a latecomer who showed up, [I] have plenty I'd like to say."

Her soft tone gave Aoko the illusion of chatting with a kindhearted neighborly older sister. Despite committing an act akin to the apocalypse, [Manaka] exuded an unmatched gentleness, like a harmless girl who posed no threat to anyone.

Faced with this gentleness, Aoko's response was—

*SHING!*

A magical formation glowed amidst the light, shooting toward [Manaka] in an instant. Without preamble, Aoko launched a punch!

She hadn't come to chat with [Manaka]. To prevent the world's destruction, she had to stop her here. Though she believed the world's transformation had begun, Aoko could use Magecraft to hurl this period into an unknowably distant future!

For that, she had to defeat her first!

But what shocked Aoko was that her punch didn't just fail to harm—it didn't even touch [Manaka]. As if striking an invisible wall, her fist stopped abruptly before her forehead.

"So impatient, Magician. Without True Magic, you can't even touch my clothes."

As she spoke those gentle words, a repulsive force suddenly acted on Aoko's body!

*CRASH!*

In an instant, Aoko, who had been in front of [Manaka], was embedded deep in the stone wall at the cavity's edge!

"Consider this sympathy for my eight years of loneliness in this dark, lightless place. How about listening to my past a little? Of course, you can attack me as much as you like. I haven't moved in eight years—this is perfect for rehab."

*WHOOSH!*

A figure cloaked in blue light burst through the stone wall, her blazing red hair darting toward [Manaka] with godlike speed. Aoko's punches and kicks were like cannon shells, hammering relentlessly!

Forget a human—even a skyscraper in Aoko's path might collapse in two or three hits.

"It all began eight years ago, the day my father died unexpectedly."

As if oblivious to the incoming attacks, [Manaka] stood still, letting Aoko pound the space around her while continuing to recount her past.

"About ten years ago, the mystic world suddenly spread word of a ritual called the [Holy Grail War]. By forging a Holy Grail, summoning Servants to kill each other, and collecting their souls and Mana, a path to the Root could be opened—for Magi aiming for the Root, no news was more thrilling."

"Thus, mages worldwide began holding various subspecies Holy Grail Wars, trying to create a Holy Grail that could grant their wishes."

"Our father thought the same. Eight years ago, after completing the initial preparations for a Holy Grail War, even refining the ritual himself, he planned to hold one in Tokyo."

The Tokyo Holy Grail War. Eight years ago, such a magical ritual was meant to occur in Tokyo.

"But in reality, the Holy Grail War never began, because I killed him before it could."

"—!"

The words from [Manaka]'s mouth shocked Aoko. "You… killed your own father?"

"Is that so surprising? Magician, didn't your sister kill her own grandfather? Among Magi, killing kin is perfectly normal."

"My reason for killing Father was simple—for Ayaka's future."

[Manaka] was an omniscient, omnipotent entity. This meant she knew everything, including what she'd experienced in other parallel worlds. She acknowledged that it was indeed something she'd do—willing to destroy everything for the one she loved, she would.

If the Tokyo Holy Grail War had proceeded, it would have led to such a future, and for Ayaka, that future would have been disastrous.

"Though meeting the Prince was eagerly anticipated, and a lover-like bond stirred me, Ayaka's happiness was far more important than my own."

"So I killed Father, took over his research, and began preparing for the 'rebirth of the world.'"

Though secondary, the Holy Grail's wish-granting function still had some use. Amplified by [Manaka]'s abilities, the rumor might well become reality.

Thus, the Holy Grail War was silenced early. Manaka could spend eight years in peace, avoiding the dangerous Holy Grail War, and through the 'rebirth of the world' she prepared, she'd ultimately reach a happy future.

That was [Manaka]'s choice in this world.

The light from the golden chalice grew more dazzling, as if crowning her. Specks of light gathered above [Manaka]'s head, forming a radiant crown, and a long, gossamer dress like insect wings adorned her.

A princess of a divine kingdom.

Aoko could only describe the girl reflected in her eyes with those words.

"I don't mean to harm anyone. I just want to create a world where Ayaka can be happy."

"Please don't stop me, Magician."