Naoki was currently in great confusion.
Standing beneath the full moon and a cluster of stars, gazing at the Star Holy Sword plunged before him, Naoki gritted his teeth, his eyes fixed on his other self across the sword.
"Why?"
Only that single word escaped his lips.
Naoki could feel that the contract he had signed with the planet two thousand four hundred years ago was being nullified. Because Naoki Number Two had plunged the Holy Sword into his body and returned his existence to his main body, he could no longer adhere to the clause of discarding the Holy Sword forever in that contract.
Therefore, the contract was canceled. He would lose the unlimited Mana he had possessed all this time, and revert to his former state as a bearer of the Holy Sword.
And because of that, the surveillance Magecraft he had deployed in the skies of Britain would disappear. The fairies destroyed by his Moon Fall would not be able to be summoned back. All the great wonders and achievements he had attained would vanish.
"Why?"
Naoki repeated his question.
Why did Naoki Number Two do this? Why was he, who should have been killed by himself, still alive? Why did he decide to do this?
Naoki had countless questions, he wanted to ask many whys, but in the end, he merely condensed them into a single question.
"Why?"
"This question of yours is a bit troublesome to answer. It sounds like one question, but it actually encompasses several, even more than ten questions, doesn't it?" Naoki Number Two laughed. "Well, I will explain it based on my own understanding. Now I can be open and honest with you."
"It all began two thousand four hundred years ago, on the day we split into two."
That day, Naoki became two people. To strengthen his resolve to save the Island of Britain, Naoki separated the idea of wanting to destroy Britain along with the memories from the Proper Human History period.
That was the starting point of all Naoki Number Two's actions.
Wanting to destroy Britain. This idea was actually not difficult to understand, nor was it difficult to overcome. But for Naoki Number Two, that was his only idea.
Because he had lived alone on the Boundary Island for two thousand four hundred years.
Such a long time made Naoki Number Two resent Naoki—a resentment born from being abandoned on the Boundary Island for two thousand four hundred years without news.
Actually, even if he had just visited regularly, that would have been enough to let Naoki Number Two know that Naoki still had a connection with him, but that never happened even once in two thousand four hundred years.
He was considered something unnecessary, completely discarded, just like this Lostbelt that was discarded by Proper Human History.
Resentment arose from that, and under the influence of resentment, the idea of destroying Britain also gradually grew stronger. The desire to destroy Britain, the desire to take revenge on Naoki who had abandoned him—such thoughts filled Naoki Number Two's mind.
Then, after the Mors War ended in the year 1000 of the Fairy Era, Vortigern, who was planning the third manifestation, cooperated with Naoki Number Two.
"Vortigern wants to destroy Britain, I also want to destroy Britain. Our goals are the same. And to achieve the goal of destroying Britain, defeating you is what must be done. This also aligns with my thoughts."
"So we cooperated—and the results were quite good. You spent all the Mana you saved to fight Cernunnos, and because you were too focused, you didn't notice my counterattack at all. Likewise, you didn't notice my awakening, because you and I are the same person, how could I die if you didn't die? Plus, there was Vortigern who gave me a bit of life. Not destroying my corpse wouldn't have worked."
"So... with this, all the means you have are gone. How do you feel? The feeling of two thousand four hundred years of wasted effort."
Although the same person, Naoki Number Two now looked like a villain who had succeeded in his wicked scheme, smirking as he gazed at Naoki.
Naoki did not argue with him.
He would soon disappear, completely vanish from the world, because he was separated from his body, and with the return of the Holy Sword, he also returned his existence to Naoki.
Moreover, arguing with himself was pointless.
Seeing Naoki's cold face, Naoki Number Two dropped the smirk from his face, and returned to his usual faint smile: "Boring... You have an expression like this, so it's a bit boring."
"Well then, it's time to say goodbye. After this, try to sort out the mess I left for you yourself, I—by the way, this is advice from your self from Proper Human History: respond well to those women who are chasing you."
"You have no feelings, but I do. You placed your feelings for them on my side, and now I will return them to you. Remember to apologize one by one then; those words of abandonment were quite hurtful."
After saying that, Naoki Number Two's body completely disappeared, transforming into countless specks of light that flowed into the Holy Sword.
Next, as soon as Naoki held the Holy Sword, everything he had left in the past would return to his hands, and everything he currently possessed would vanish.
Everything that happened over two thousand four hundred years would disappear with just one light grasp.
And Naoki could not refuse.
No, it should be said he must not refuse, because he had no right to refuse, and no choice to refuse. He could only passively accept the Holy Sword and the memories returning to his body.
"Damn it..."
Naoki cursed in a low voice.
He failed. He failed. He couldn't keep his promise to Morgan. The Island of Britain would soon face destruction. The manifestation of the Cursed Worm would swallow all of Britain. This was an unchangeable fact.
"Then... what did I leave everything in the past for..."
He clenched both hands tightly, his nails almost digging into his palms.
If he failed at this point, wouldn't everything he did in the past be in vain? Why did he stay in this Lostbelt for two thousand four hundred years, and why did he make the decision to abandon everything?
What did his resolve mean?
He wanted to cry.
Tears welled up in his eyes. Naoki could feel the turbulent emotions in his chest.
Anger, sadness, hatred, regret, remorse, disappointment... Countless emotions mixed and intertwined, making his mood extremely chaotic, like a disgusting concoction formed after all ingredients were crushed, put into a container, and stirred.
Perhaps it would feel better if he tore open his chest.
"How long are you going to stand rooted there?"
Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind.
Without turning, Naoki was slightly startled after hearing this voice, then couldn't help but let out a bitter smile: "You... came to laugh at me?"
"You could say that. After all, the current you is like a clown, isn't he? A stupid clown who deeply regrets the mistakes he made himself after trying his best, and hasn't thought of a way to fix them at all." the voice continued, "Although you lost everything you have now, you have regained everything you had in the past. So, why not try to fight once more?"
"Fight?"
"Yes, fight—use your power that has saved the world countless times to try and fight for a chance to save the Island of Britain."
"!"
Naoki raised his head and looked at the Holy Sword in front of him.
He... still had a chance?
"Have you forgotten from staying here too long? Your true self is the strongest we know. You are the savior recognized even by the Beast that wants to destroy Proper Human History, a true savior who has saved the world."
"It's impossible for you not to be able to save just a small island. So—"
A palm pressed against Naoki's back, pushing him strongly toward the Holy Sword.
"Fight with all your might once more. We will all help you."
"—My beloved King."
Naoki immediately turned, but there was no one behind him.
Hallucination? Auditory? Or had Merry already left?
With a bitter smile, Naoki shrugged: "I understand... I will try hard once more. And please lend me your strength once more, Excalibur."
Naoki reached out and gripped the hilt of the Holy Sword.
"For the sake of saving the world he loved, and also for the sake of saving the world he inhabited."
*ZING!*
A golden starlight bloomed like a rising sun.