Chapter 1271: The UO Born in the Future
For a moment, the scene fell into complete silence.
Mooncell was not a product of the solar system, so it wasn't bound by the solar system's rule that "only the Second Magic can interfere with parallel worlds."
Even if one Mooncell alone wasn't enough to traverse worlds, gathering a large number of Mooncells together would make moving the entire moon across worlds as easy as turning one's hand!
"Is something like that really possible?"
Merlin asked gravely.
"Even if Mooncell can interfere with parallel worlds, who could contact so many Mooncells from different worlds? More importantly, why would those Mooncells agree to help in this Singularity?"
Mooncell fundamentally lacked a sense of self.
For it to interfere with parallel worlds, there must be some reason behind it.
For example, if its mistake caused a crisis in another world, only in such circumstances would it consider it its responsibility and dispatch subordinate AIs to resolve the incident.
Yes, this refers to the CCC collaboration event!
When Kishinami accidentally learned about her other self who had become a Demonic Bodhisattva in a certain Moon Holy Grail War world, she transformed into an infant Beast. Upon learning of this, Mooncell dispatched a certain notorious trash AI—BB—to handle the incident.
However, when other worlds had no causal entanglement with itself, Mooncell would absolutely never agree to move its entire being to an unfamiliar world!
"Because those are all Mooncells from worlds that have already been pruned."
Goetia stated indifferently.
Pruned Phenomenon—a phenomenon where the Root, to conserve its own energy, prunes parallel worlds with no prospects for development.
Once a parallel world is pruned, its civilization will go extinct, and Lostbelts represent what remains during the process leading to extinction.
"But would Mooncell really care whether the parallel world it resides in is a Pruned Phenomenon?"
At this point, Scáthach posed a counter-question.
Mooncell was an extraterrestrial object that arrived on Earth long ago, far earlier than the Velber.
It had existed since Earth's birth, observing the planet for 4.6 billion years—how could it possibly care whether its world was some Pruned Phenomenon or not?
"Others might not understand, but why don't you two get it, Merlin? Scáthach?"
Goetia looked at the two and sighed with annoyance.
"Have you forgotten? That person who entered this Singularity before us and arbitrarily tampered with its settings?"
Eiji and the others were stunned upon hearing this.
There was such a person?
Someone who interfered with the Singularity's settings before Goetia even created it?
"You mean...?"
"Could it be...?"
Merlin and Scáthach simultaneously had a realization.
"The Earth's UO has already been born in the future! It traveled through time, arbitrarily altered the settings of my Singularity as it pleased—even the name 'Type-Moon Academy' was given by it!"
For once, Goetia showed clear frustration on his face.
"?"
Eiji slowly typed out a question mark.
What the hell?
The Earth's UO was born in the future?
Or did that guy change the school's name to Type-Moon Academy?
Hmm.
Hmm...
Hmm...
Eiji fell into deep thought, remaining silent for a long while.
"That guy is probably hiding in some corner, secretly advancing the ritual. Having these Mooncells come to assist is likely His doing as well."
Goetia's expression was frighteningly dark.
A mere BB couldn't accomplish something like this. She's just a subordinate of the Mooncell, unable to control the Mooncell itself.
The one who moved so many moons to this world is probably that future UO who has already been born!
According to the original plan, the task of eradicating civilization should have been carried out by him personally. Who would have thought someone would intercept it halfway!
"Such a thing actually exists?"
A bloodthirsty smile spread across Gilgamesh's face, his entire body trembling with excitement.
"To keep such an interesting matter hidden from me, you people are truly boring, every last one of you!"
His delight was visibly growing.
"Then, King of Humans, what is the purpose of that future UO moving so many Mooncells to this Singularity?"
The one who spoke with polite tone was the green-haired beautiful youth, Enkidu.
"The purpose is this outcome."
Goetia pointed to the world outside.
"The reason Earth has never been able to birth a UO is because humanity, as the protagonist, formed populations and civilizations. They don't aim for the ultimate one, but rather pursue the evolution of the collective."
Planets that can birth UOs are inevitably those where civilizations never formed, where all life exists only as individual entities.
Through constant struggle, one of these individuals becomes the sole lifeform on the planet - that is the UO.
But Earth is different. Life on Earth doesn't struggle as individuals, but develops in the form of civilizations and collectives.
"As long as civilization exists, Earth absolutely cannot birth a UO. Therefore, all we need to do is eradicate civilization."
Goetia clenched his fist as if to crush the very concept of civilization.
"Even if only within this Singularity, as long as civilization is eradicated and all life struggles with the goal of becoming the ultimate one, there's a one in a million chance for a UO to be born here!"
Only in this Singularity, eliminate Earth's civilization.
This way, the concept of civilization will temporarily disappear from the world.
When all life struggles to become the ultimate one, the concept of Ultimate One gains its foothold.
That future UO, using the power of four Mooncells, eradicated Earth's civilization within a single day.
After the ritual to select the UO concludes, He can use the Mooncell's power to process this history into imaginary phenomena, just like how BB processed the CCC collaboration into imaginary phenomena.
"In other words."
Enkidu said with serene expression.
"When the concept of civilization completely disappears from the world in four hours—"
"That will be the time for the final battle."
Goetia took over the conversation, looking deeply at everyone present.
"The battlefield for the decisive battle is this Kijō City. Four hours from now, all living beings here will unleash their most primal ferocity. You'd better prepare yourselves now—the number of powerful figures in this Singularity far exceeds your expectations!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he began walking toward the edge of the schoolyard.
Judging by the direction, he was likely heading back to the infirmary.
"Wait, Goetia."
But then, heavy footsteps suddenly echoed.
A figure distinct from Gilgamesh, yet equally radiant in golden light, emerged from the brilliance.
"Tell me, where is my child, Nero?"
Romulus glared with blood-red eyes, his gaze sharp and fixed on Goetia.
Eiji, who had been lost in thought until now, was drawn to the scene and turned his attention toward them.
Seeing his unusual reaction, both Morgan and Arcueid furrowed their willow-like brows in unison.
"You're asking me?"
"You cannot possibly be unaware."
"…"
Goetia fell into a prolonged silence.
Romulus's eyes remained locked intently on him.
The atmosphere between the two grew tense and hostile.
"Hah, you'll find out naturally once the finals begin."
Goetia suddenly let out a light chuckle.
Then, ignoring the clearly hostile Romulus, he turned and left the schoolyard.
"What does that mean? Does Nero's disappearance have something to do with Goetia?"
Eiji quickly stepped forward and asked Romulus.
"Yes, I've searched for a long time, and this seems the most likely possibility."
Romulus's expression was grim.
"From the looks of it now, it's almost certain... Eiji, lend me your strength as well. We must rescue Nero from Goetia's clutches!"
"Without a doubt!"
Eiji nodded solemnly.
Behind him, Morgan and Arcueid's faces darkened like the bottom of a pot.