Naoki spent two days in Avalon. No, it should be said that from the external time flow's perspective, it was two days, but in reality, because Merry set up a Barrier that altered the time flow, when Naoki fully recovered to his original form, it was already ten days later.
"Ugh... Hmm~~~~~"
On a bed so large it nearly filled half the area in Avalon, Naoki stretched his body strongly, feeling the power in his body that had fully recovered, and sighed in relief.
"Huf, finally I'm recovered too."
In ten days, without reinforcement from the Holy Grail's power, and only relying on Mana obtained from others, Naoki finally returned to his original form and power. He could have recovered three days earlier, but because he had to 'feed' Arcueid, who was a massive Mana consumer, Naoki gave all the accumulated Mana at the start to her, causing him to have to gather it from zero again. In the process, he also had to rest for a while due to stamina issues from some people.
"Well, they all really worked hard." Seeing the others lying on the bed, Naoki also felt it was a bit excessive when thinking back.
Originally, following Aoko's suggestion, to avoid troubles in various ways, Naoki divided several rooms for separate Mana replenishment, but unknowingly, the people who were initially scattered in various rooms gathered back together. As Rei said, though the order and schedule for each person was initially set, in the end, it would definitely become chaotic. Back in the Camelot Apartment, the schedule was messed up countless times because Merry often 'stole' turns first.
This time was the same. Lying beside Naoki, as one of the few still awake, Aoko gave an annoyed glare to her 'little man': "You know how hard it was... I lost consciousness several times; only Touko and Rei, those two dolls, could keep you company until the end." While saying that, Aoko also kicked her big sister lying at her waist.
Under Merry's persuasion and her personal tastes, that Miss Master Puppeteer finally 'devoured' her disciple completely, inside and out, without leaving a scrap. "I think after this, it's better to just send her to prison so she doesn't tarnish the Aozaki family name everywhere."
Hearing Aoko's 'family rebellion' words, Naoki just smiled: "Then, I guess everyone here should go in to keep her company, especially you, Aoko."
"Ugh... Blame your child form that perfectly hit my tastes!"
"Wait, wait, don't kick me." Naoki hurriedly held back Aoko's pair of smooth white legs.
Meanwhile, Rei also sat up: "Master, Aoko, please lower your voices and movements a bit. Ayaka just fell asleep." Stroking her sleeping little sister's hair on her lap, Rei looked at Naoki: "With this, we sisters are Master's, Aoko and Touko too... Master is truly sinful."
"Yes, yes, yes, my fault. I was too greedy." Naoki said while approaching and kissing Rei's forehead.
Seeing that man's skilled actions, Aoko recalled their early days of meeting—such a good kid, how did he become like this now?
Glancing at Merry near her feet, Aoko stepped on her face several times.
Aoko continued looking at the figures sleeping around her.
(Arcueid, Lia, Mordred, Riddell, Ciel... That one over there, if I'm not mistaken, is the active Lord of the Astronomy Division? Atalanta, Souji, Angelica... Jeanne d'Arc Alter is there too, meaning Gray is... Right, I need to step on this Dream Eater a few more times.)
In the last ten days, people who had 'forbidden' desires toward Naoki, under Merry's persuasion, the situational urges, and atmospheric support, one by one 'conquered' this man who only knew to be passive.
Naoki was indeed like that; if the woman didn't take the initiative, he would never act. If the woman took the initiative, he would accept it immediately. He was like a candle that doesn't light unless ignited, or shampoo that only moves if touched.
The only one that made him hesitate was Gray. After all, Gray was a child Naoki watched grow up from young. Their relationship could be said to be the deepest besides Merry, and had long ceased to be just brother-sister affection. In the end, the thick-faced and impatient Jeanne d'Arc Alter turned into a suicide truck, dragging Gray and Naoki into [mutual destruction].
Thinking of this, Aoko kicked Naoki's back again: "What a huge mess... So, do you plan to take responsibility for all of us, like you said before?"
"Yes, otherwise I'd disappoint you all." Naoki smiled. "However, from Riddell's family side, for some reasons, on the surface, she has to be first. This one..."
"No one cares about that. If it has to be ordered, the one you easily defeated is last."
"Then I'm first." Rei laughed.
Aoko gritted her teeth: "You, doll, still dare to speak! You and Touko are truly Out of Specification. Count separately! Professionals are prohibited from competing."
"What's the problem? After all, there's no point in us fighting over order. In Master's eyes, we're all the same, right?" Rei looked at Naoki: "Time is almost up, Master. Tiamat should be nearly arriving in Uruk."
Naoki nodded: "I know... Though I wanted to bid farewell to everyone before leaving, but it seems impossible."
"It's the same after everything ends. We'll all wait for Master to return here."
"I actually wanted to go with you... Tch, but still so sore." Aoko frowned.
Stroking her hair, Naoki said: "Don't force yourself. The combat power there isn't lacking. If you really want to be with me, wait until later against Goetia."
Final Singularity, Grand Temple of Time: Solomon. The enemy to face then was the entirety of the 72 Demon God Pillars. To break through that number, Aoko's AOE prowess was greatly needed. That was her stage. For now, rest well first.
"Then, I'll leave the Singularity matters to you. I'll sleep a bit too."
"Yes, sleep soundly."
After kissing Aoko's hair, Naoki got off the bed, changed clothes with Self-Modification, then looked toward Arcueid—because of the massive Mana infusion, she was now in a satiated and sleepy state.
"Huf... Then, I'll trouble you here, Rei. I'll be back soon after finishing things there."
"Understood, safe travels, Master."