Ahem…
Kaguya coughed awkwardly, ignoring the contemptuous gazes fixed upon her. She spoke quickly, "Well, I was only considering your safety just now. Remember, descending to the lower realm is fine, but do not disrupt its order. That realm is the nursery of the gods!"
"Of course," Wanwan replied sweetly, voice dripping with obedience. "Your little sister is always the most well-behaved. Whatever you say, I'll do."
But everyone present knew the truth.
Wanwan's words were always the most unscrupulous. She would say yes with a smile, then plunge headfirst into chaos.
Obedient in speech. Lawless in action.
If she descended to the mortal plane, she might very well massacre without restraint.
Was there anything Wanwan wouldn't dare do? Even a mute stone demon, if it resisted her, would end up forced into raising its fists and shouting: "Praise the Eternal God!"
That was Wanwan.
But before she descended—
Inside the Ziwei Palace, a figure emerged gracefully. It was Hina. She addressed Wanwan with solemnity. "God commanded me to tell you: this descent shall follow your own heart. Act with your own judgment."
"Yes. Wanwan understands."
The mischief vanished from her face. For once, she spoke with sincere respect.
Moments later, divine radiance flared from her body. Wanwan answered the call, her form vanishing into a streak of light that pierced into the Lunar Plane.
On his throne, Liu Che watched.
A projection bloomed before him, displaying the landscape of the Lunar Plane.
Lin Qing'er frowned as she studied the fragmented world. "Such chaos… this is strange. Laws scattered, shards of worlds crammed together. Disorderly, disjointed. It's like children's blocks glued haphazardly."
Kaguya returned from outside, her gaze also fixed upon the sight. "Is this the world Wanwan has entered?"
"Yes," Liu Che replied. "It is a fertile place, but disordered. If reorganized, it would yield a vast harvest of faith."
That was why he had hinted to Rin Tohsaka during meditation—to test the Heroic Spirit System.
It had worked.
By gathering even the weakest power of belief, he had managed to form a tenuous channel. But such a passage was fragile.
It could not bear the descent of a god. Not even Liu Che's consciousness could fully traverse it. If he attempted to step through, the connection would likely snap halfway. Worse, if the plane's consciousness detected him, it might sever the channel preemptively.
Plane consciousness was far greater than that of individual worlds.
Consider the difference:
Alaya and Gaia were world consciousnesses.
The Nasuverse as a whole was a plane.
A plane comprised countless worlds—many incomplete, some only wreckage of history.
The Lunar Plane was one such ruin. A state of destruction, patched together from fragments.
A poor, broken realm indeed, Liu Che thought.
Lin Qing'er tapped her lip thoughtfully. "But if only the Chief Priest manages it, won't so many worlds overwhelm her?"
The question made Liu Che pause. Then he smiled.
"If Rin Tohsaka offers sacrifices, my beloved goddesses will act. After all—this is a war of planes."
Fragmented worlds could be conquered easily. But planes… planes demanded war.
The Cemetery of Saints, for example—it seemed a single world, but in truth it was a plane.
The time was nearing. A Plane War was inevitable.
And Yao Yao was one of his chosen pieces. As a daughter of destiny, her disruption of order in her world would become another profit for him.
After all, for the Lord God to act personally would be shameful. Worse, descending directly would draw backlash.
No—the chessboard would be played by his believers.
The Tohsaka Residence
A massive magic circle had been inscribed in Rin Tohsaka's courtyard.
Several meters wide, its runes burned a dark red, nearly black. The sinister power pouring from it jolted Altria to her feet as she had been enjoying a simple meal indoors.
"Master, terrible fluctuations! Please be careful!"
Her instincts were razor sharp. In an instant, her clothes shimmered, transforming into a battle dress. Sword in hand, she vaulted into the courtyard.
The darkness rising from the circle was suffocating, rushing toward the heavens. Even the ambient evils above Fuyuki City shuddered in fear.
And then—
The goddess descended.
Wanwan.
Silver hair cascaded over her shoulders, her tall frame draped in a black skirt. When she opened her eyes, charm, destruction, and despair radiated outward.
Rin Tohsaka fell back, her legs giving way beneath her. What kind of goddess of the Eternal Realm was this? Such darkness… such terror…
"Little girl," Wanwan's gaze fixed upon her. "Were you the one who called me?"
"Ah… yes," Rin stammered. "I am Rin Tohsaka, priest of this world. Are you a goddess of the Eternal Cult?"
Wanwan flexed her arms, smirk tugging her lips. "That's right. I am Wanwan, Goddess of Darkness beneath the Eternal God. I have come to spread His faith."
Her eyes shifted. They fell upon a golden-haired girl—Altria.
"And you, little knight. Do you believe in the Eternal God?"
Altria froze.
Is this woman mad? Preaching at me?
She, who bore the name of King Arthur, could not be cowed. Though wary, she answered coldly, "I have never heard of your Eternal God. I—"
She didn't finish.
Darkness flashed.
Altria never even saw the movement. Suddenly she was airborne, Wanwan's hand clamped around her throat.
"Don't think that being a Heroic Spirit spares you," Wanwan hissed. "As a servant of God, even your soul, if slain by me, will never be reborn."
Power surged.
The skies above the Tohsaka residence turned crimson, heavy with suffocating clouds.
"Please, my lady, wait!" Rin cried, rushing forward. "She is my sister's Heroic Spirit. She works for our faith!"
Wanwan tilted her head. "Really?"
"Y-yes!" Rin nodded furiously.
"Boring," Wanwan muttered. With a disdainful flick, she dropped Altria.
The King of Knights collapsed, gasping desperately for breath, fear etched into her eyes. She had faced death countless times. Yet this had been different.
She had truly felt death.
Does this goddess… surpass the restraints themselves?
The thought chilled her.
"Are you all right?" Sakura Tohsaka hurried forward, gently patting Altria's back.
"I… I'm fine," Altria said with a strained smile. "But I fear this Holy Grail War is already decided. Such a goddess… no hero can compare. Forgive me…"
Sakura shook her head firmly. "I'm just glad we could become friends."
She had practiced Eternal Meditation herself. She knew well—this God was terrifying beyond words. His maid's arrival to crush all before her was only natural.
Wanwan tugged at her black skirt, scowling. "Ugh. These clothes are too revealing. Only God may gaze upon my skin. The rest of you—must die if you try."
Her eyes swept the room. "Bring me a coat."
"Yes, my lady."
Rin grimaced, heart sinking. Serving this goddess was like serving a volatile uncle—any mistake, and she would suffer for it.
An hour later, the four sat together.
Wanwan regarded Rin. "So. You plan to sacrifice this city? The Heroic Spirits too?"
"Yes," Rin admitted with a helpless sigh. "Even the Holy Grail itself. In our world, there is little of worth—no monsters, no treasures. Only the Grail and the Heroic Spirits remain fit offerings."
Wanwan smirked. "Not a bad plan. But this Grail War is odd, isn't it? You said seven participants. By my count, there are twenty-two."
"Twenty-two?" Sakura frowned.
"The Holy Grail Wars always summon seven Heroic Spirits," she said. "How are there more?"
Rin's eyes hardened. "Remember Yanfeng Kirei? That perverse priest? He preserved a Heroic Spirit in the Grail's mud from the last war. A golden one."
Altria's eyes widened. "Him?!"
In the previous war, she had been too occupied battling Lancelot to deal with that golden warrior. His identity remained unknown, but his techniques marked him as no ordinary spirit.
Wanwan only shrugged. "Boring. We'll deal with him later. The real question—have you finished the altar?"
"Yes," Rin replied. "I altered the leylines into a vast altar. Though… with the changes I made, I'm unsure if it will still function."
Wanwan waved a hand dismissively. "Don't worry. A divine altar transcends all things. Heroic Spirits and Grails are nothing before it."
Still frowning, she asked, "This Holy Grail… what is it? I still don't fully understand."
Rin explained: "The Grail system was created by the three great families after the Age of the Gods ended. They sought to fulfill humanity's wish for immortality. But…"
"But human hearts are fickle," Wanwan finished. "So the system twisted."
"No," Rin shook her head. "It's worse. The Holy Grail never granted any wishes at all. Instead, it warped and corrupted. Accident after accident. And now… this is the Fifth Holy Grail War."
Wanwan's eyes gleamed with understanding. "So that's it. Humans chasing eternal life. A fool's dream."
Sakura spoke softly, quoting doctrine: "Mortals cannot obtain immortality. That is the truth."
"Of course," Wanwan nodded. "The power of God is immense. You see me as terrifying, but truly—my strength is less than one-thousandth of His."
Altria hesitated. Then asked, "Can God truly grant any wish?"
"Of course," Wanwan said easily. "But such gifts require merit. Simple things—resurrecting family, turning back time—these are possible for those who serve faithfully."
Altria blinked in astonishment. For mortals, resurrection was the greatest miracle. Here, it was treated as simple, almost trivial.
Rin leaned closer, her eyes glinting. "Tell me then, King Arthur of Britain… what is your wish?"