Chapter 1305: The Grand Tournament Concludes
"What immense power!"
The moment that Spirit Origin entered his body, Eiji couldn't help but marvel.
Even with his current Spirit Origin strength, it was merely a small stream compared to the dam-like blank Spirit Origin before him.
Goetia had killed so many participants—even the top three candidates were almost entirely eliminated by her—ultimately accumulating such a colossal Spirit Origin, only for it to fall into Eiji's hands!
Was this Spirit Origin enough to rival the Earth?
He didn't know.
But Eiji was certain that the abundance of magical energy he now possessed was likely sufficient to cover the entire surface of the Earth!
If he pushed his power to the limit, destroying a planet with a single strike probably wouldn't be an issue, right?
Even though he hadn't become a UO yet, he was already as strong as one—perhaps even more absurd than many UOs!
After marveling for a while, Eiji descended from the sky.
He landed in the courtyard.
"It's so crowded here!"
"Just bear with it for now!"
The not-so-spacious cottage was currently packed with over twenty people.
The barrier surrounding them had vanished, and the stretched space had returned to its original state, making it feel rather cramped.
"You brat, hurry up and restore the rules!"
The moment Eiji landed, Scáthach looked at him with clear discomfort.
"Just endure it for now. If the rules are restored and Goetia revives again, wouldn't that be troublesome?"
Eiji spread his hands helplessly at Scáthach.
Looking at the cottage where not a single person was missing, an indescribable sense of satisfaction welled up in his heart.
He had vowed to protect everyone, and he had succeeded!
The tournament was nearing its end, yet every single person he had protected remained alive!
Of course, even if someone had died, they could have been revived with the Holy Annihilation Holy Sword.
Did he forget something?
Well, if he couldn't remember, it probably wasn't important!
Pop! Bang!
Just then, a small party popper exploded above Eiji's head.
At the same time, a transparent image unexpectedly unfolded above him.
"Congratulations, Contestant Eiji, who fought his way up from being an NPC! You are now the primary candidate to win this UO finals!"
BB's figure appeared in the image.
"Fought his way up from being an NPC?"
Kishinami Hakuno, standing nearby, was taken aback.
"Oh? Feeling a sense of resonance, former Senpai?"
BB's gaze shifted to Kishinami Hakuno, a bright smile spreading across her face.
"That's right. Contestant Eiji, just like former Senpai, intruded into the tournament as an NPC and became a candidate for victory... Ah, should I explain why I'm calling you 'former Senpai'?"
"No, that won't be necessary."
Kishinami Hakuno shook her head and smiled faintly.
"You're Chaldea's BB. I'm aware of that."
"That makes communication much smoother!"
BB nodded in satisfaction.
"I got a bit carried away with my words. Now, back to the main topic! Contestant Eiji, aside from you, there are only thirty-two contestants left in the entire cyber world. If you put in a little more effort, you could become the champion of this tournament!"
"As a side note, this cyber world will shrink to its limit in ten hours. Please make sure to eliminate everyone before then!"
"If even a single person remains alive..."
A strange smile curled on BB's lips.
"All your efforts up until now will be completely wasted!"
What?
Everyone gasped in shock upon hearing this.
Did that mean Eiji had to kill everyone to become the UO?
"This is just too...!"
Artoria Castor's face was filled with indignation.
Morgan remained silent.
"Though not the same person, the personality remains just as nasty as ever."
Shirou Kishinami smiled wryly in resignation.
"Eiji, kill me."
Morgan quietly walked up to Eiji, her gaze calm as she spoke.
"Your Majesty?!"
Barghest's expression immediately changed drastically.
"This life was originally given by you, so it should be returned to you at this moment."
There wasn't a trace of fear in Morgan's eyes - her gaze was perfectly clear.
"It's nothing. After you become the UO, you can always summon me back from the Throne of Heroic Spirits. We can reunite then anyway."
How could it possibly be that simple?
It wasn't that it couldn't be done - summoning Heroic Spirits was simple enough.
But that wasn't the real issue.
"If I have to sacrifice my woman to become the UO, then I'd rather not become one at all."
Eiji said indifferently.
Though he was scummy, enjoyed seeking pleasure, carried on secret affairs, and even slept with his brother's mother... he knew deep down he was a good person!
He would absolutely never end the lives of those within his own territory!
Did they really think he cared that much about some mere UO throne?
Had they forgotten he could traverse worlds? Sooner or later he would become stronger than any UO anyway!
"But..."
Morgan felt warmth bloom in her heart.
"Don't worry, even if we don't fight among ourselves, there's still a way for me to become the UO!"
Facing her hesitant gaze, Eiji instead smiled.
"BB, let me ask you - where did the previously eliminated participants go?"
He turned to ask BB.
According to the AI regulations established by Mooncell, AIs absolutely cannot lie!
"They're obviously dead? You who obtained their Spirit Origins should know this best, right?"
BB tilted her head, pretending not to understand as she countered.
"Let me be more specific - where are those people who lost their qualifications by crossing the light barrier around the fourth layer now?"
Eiji narrowed his eyes, smiling like a fox.
BB immediately fell silent.
That's right - not just previous participants like Tiamat and Melusine, but all others who lost qualifications by crossing the light barrier had left no Spirit Origins behind!
Eiji's body contained none of those people's Spirit Origins!
Wait, where did those Spirit Origins go?
Morgan also realized this was indeed a blind spot she hadn't noticed!
"Let me answer that."
Shirou Kishinami proactively stepped forward, resolving everyone's doubts.
"Those eliminated by crossing the light barrier didn't die. But since selecting a UO requires determining the last lifeform on Earth, they couldn't remain on the planet. They've all been transported to the Moon now."
Exactly.
Tiamat and Melusine were both on the Moon right now!
Eiji had already discovered this rule loophole when he put on the Ring of Kingship!
Don't ask how he did it - just credit Mooncell's awesomeness!
"Hmph! What a shame!"
BB puffed out her cheeks in frustration.
Failed to trick anyone - so annoying!
"I see! Then let's head outside the light barrier right now!"
Minamoto no Raikou suddenly had an epiphany, cheered, and pulled Souji along as they bounced cheerfully toward the exit.
"Congratulations."
Mysterious Heroine X followed closely behind them.
"Congratulations!"
"Congratulations!"
"Congratulations!"
In no time, about seventy to eighty percent of the people in the room had left.
Though it felt somewhat inauspicious.
Shirou Kishi and Attila also departed. During the period when Eiji achieved UO, she would be responsible for showing everyone the sights of the Moon.
Soon, after a flurry of farewells, only Eiji remained in the room.
"Only about a dozen contestants are left."
Eiji opened the contestant registry.
A gentle smile spread across his face as he raised the Holy Annihilation Sword.
"Next, I'll go visit each of them one by one and have a heart-to-heart chat!"
One minute later, the competition concluded.
The entire Earth was left with only Eiji as the sole living being.