Chapter 1272: How Many More Flowers Are Out There?
With less than four hours remaining until the final battle.
Having received the exact information, everyone no longer lingered at Type-Moon Academy and quietly departed one after another.
Even though all present were individuals of crown rank, facing a competition of this level, no one dared to be the slightest bit careless. They would undoubtedly refine themselves until the very last moment.
"Let's go too!"
Eiji returned to Morgan and Arcueid's side.
He didn't seek alliances with Merlin or Scáthach.
Once the finals began, aside from himself, everyone else would be enemies.
Moreover, the format of the finals was still unclear. It wouldn't be too late to consider alliances after understanding the rules of the final battle. They were figures not easily bound by time or space.
Merlin and Scáthach likely had similar thoughts, as they had already left ahead of them.
"I need to find a way to gather all the acquaintances first. Who knows what might happen four hours from now? I have to go to Artoria's place, and also the forest in the suburbs. Since Aoko isn't here, I need to bring Alice over too. Oh, and Touko..."
Eiji carefully counted in his mind the people he needed to bring home.
Good heavens, if these people gathered together, wouldn't it cause an explosion?
"Before that, explain to me clearly—what's going on with Nero?"
Morgan's expression was icy, her gaze devoid of warmth as she stared straight at Eiji.
"Speaking of Nero, that's the student council president of Type-Moon Academy, right? Her true identity is the Roman emperor? So you're involved with her too?"
Arcueid's face was equally dark.
She originally thought there were only two or three love rivals, but it turns out there are even more out there?
"Eiji, you tell me clearly—how many more flowers are out there for you?"
"Uh, well... I don't think we have time to discuss this now..."
Eiji's eyes darted around as he waved his hands repeatedly, trying to evade the question.
"Besides, Nero and I aren't really that close..."
This was the truth.
His relationship with Nero was purely transactional—there were no elements of love between them. At most, it was mutual appreciation. The reason Nero sought him out was probably due to her extravagant nature, thinking something like "such a handsome man should only be enjoyed by someone like me."
But they had been intimate with each other.
"Enough excuses. Exactly how many flowers are there?"
Morgan, quite unusually, found herself aligned with Arcueid.
You promised to always stand by my side, but turns out you've been secretly standing beside so many others behind my back?
"Well, you see, most of them developed feelings for me on their own. I'm actually quite chaste myself!"
Eiji's gaze wandered evasively as he spoke with clear guilt.
"The number of people who've taken a liking to you on their own is indeed hard to tally. So, how many have you clearly liked, or responded to in some way?"
Despite her inner fury, Morgan maintained her usual calm, intellectual composure.
"Depending on your answer, I'll decide whether or not to destroy Shinozaki City before the UO competition begins!"
Arcueid's eyes turned golden, her vampire features—claws, fangs, and all—unable to remain concealed.
The sky turned blood-red in an instant, and a massive crimson moon appeared over Kijō City.
"Hiss!"
Eiji gasped sharply.
Moonfall!
It can't be, right?!
"Huh? Merlin, why are you back again?"
Merlin?
Both Morgan and Arcueid frowned simultaneously. What was that scoundrel doing back?
They followed Eiji's gaze.
But there was nothing there.
By the time they realized what was happening, Eiji had already vanished with a whoosh.
"Ah, he escaped!"
Arcueid instinctively canceled the Moonfall and pointed angrily in the direction where Eiji had disappeared.
Morgan immediately tapped her staff, activating a tracking spell.
The entire world is about to be destroyed—where could you possibly run?
Hmph, with the billions in debt you've left me, I can easily locate you through those connections!
"He actually erased all traces of his existence in this world? When did he learn such a method?"
Morgan frowned.
The tracking failed!
Not a single trace could be found!
"Can't find him?"
Seeing her silent, Arcueid couldn't help but feel deflated.
"No matter. He'll definitely return home in four hours anyway."
Morgan once again deployed a spatial translocation spell, enveloping both of them.
"Let's go back and wait for him!"
Meanwhile.
In the forest on the outskirts of Kijō City.
"Phew, that was close!"
Eiji watched the fading crimson moon in the sky and patted his chest in relief.
Damn, right at the climax of the UO finals, Arcueid nearly destroyed the entire tournament!
"Sword of Providence, conceal me!"
To prevent Morgan from tracking him, Eiji immediately merged his body with the natural laws of heaven and earth, becoming one with the sword.
In the Type-Moon World, such a skill that allows integration with the world itself is called Presence Concealment EX.
No one can track it, and even one's presence is reduced to the minimum.
"First, find Alice, then Aoko, and finally Artoria's family... Ah, I really am destined for a life of toil!"
Looking back at the mountain path ahead, Eiji sighed and walked toward the Western-style mansion on the mountainside.
Speaking of which, I haven't visited Aoko at all recently.
That promised hundred times—dozens were still owed because she said, "I can't take it anymore, I'm dying!"
...
Another hour later, Eiji had notified all parties involved.
Alice, Aoko, and Artoria's family had all set out for the residential area. For Mrs. Pendragon, who still hadn't awakened, Eiji used a bit of hypnotic suggestion.
By now, everyone felt a strong sense of urgency.
Even the relatively rebellious Mordred didn't refuse Eiji's request to gather together.
Aoko and Nero were currently missing, but for Nero, they could only wait for Goetia to reveal a weakness. As for Aoko, according to Scáthach, a magus gradually mastering the Fifth Magic was beyond his concern.
"As for the others... well, I can only wish you good luck."
Standing on the rooftop of the apartment building, Eiji gazed into the distance at the city.
This final battle was destined to claim many lives.
How many of the Heroic Spirits living their second lives would survive remained completely unknown.
As for Achilles, Boudica, and others—though they usually had good relationships with him—there was no time to worry about them now.
The worst outcome would be that no one survives except the final Earth UO!
"I will definitely win!"
Thinking of such an ending, Eiji's heart grew heavy.
No matter what, he would absolutely not allow that outcome!
Whether it's Aoko, Touko, Alice, or Arcueid, or everyone transferred from the British Lostbelt, and of course his family in this world—he would protect everyone who should be protected, ensuring they all reach a perfect ending!
"Hmm? This reaction is...?"
Eiji suddenly raised an eyebrow.
"Only now, at this time, are they coming?"