From the top of the Divine Tower, the lights from the side hall were clearly visible. Even from afar, it was obvious how lively things were over there.
Shiomi smiled as he watched the scene.
Compared to the quiet night that had settled over Uruk, that warm glow seemed to embody the very meaning of the battle he would soon face.
He looked up at the star-filled sky of the Age of Gods, where the Milky Way shone brilliantly.
"If you don't mind, would you show yourself for a moment, old man?"
A gentle breeze swept across him. Sensing a presence, Shiomi spoke in a calm, composed tone.
Then, the First Hassan-i-Sabbah slowly stepped out from the darkness.
"My thanks," Shiomi said softly, though he didn't rise to greet him.
After all, this man paid no mind to formalities—he appeared only when necessary, to speak to those who needed it, to act when it mattered.
This moment was no exception.
"Have you made up your mind?"
"Beast II... I know exactly what it means for Tiamat, the Primordial Mother, to manifest under that class." Shiomi's smile faded as he turned his gaze south, toward the Persian Gulf beyond Uruk. "But still, I'd like to ask you to hold back for now—leave Tiamat... leave Mother to me."
He had studied the Clock Tower's archives at the London Singularity, and after returning to Chaldea, had privately discussed the matter with Romani.
Heroic Spirit summoning.
The seven classes standing at the pinnacle of human history—called forth by the Counter Force to deal with exceptional calamities.
And that calamity was the Beast.
Now, with the appearance of the original Hassan and Tiamat's awakening, Shiomi understood more clearly than ever the connection between them.
The Grand Assassin and Beast II—this old man had come to solve a problem even Romani had deemed impossible.
A threat that existed without the concept of "death" had only one true countermeasure.
"We Servants manifest in response to the Counter Force, to preserve the continuation of mankind. If your will can truly reach the Primordial Mother and dispel the tide that erodes the land, then I shall not draw the blade I carry," the old man replied.
Shiomi smiled faintly. "So you'll allow it?"
"You are one of humanity's last representatives. Of course I'll hear your request. But should you fail, I will carry out the duty entrusted to me," the old man said.
"That's enough." Shiomi nodded. "Abandoning the Primordial Mother may not be wrong. But... if there's a better way, if I'm right—then perhaps there's still a future where humanity and Mother don't have to end in conflict."
His voice faded into the night wind, but there was no reply.
The old man's presence vanished into the dark, and Shiomi only realized he had left once he was already gone.
In his place, it was Morgan who responded.
"The choices made in human history reflect the collective will of humanity, aiming to ensure its survival. But that doesn't mean every individual must conform," Morgan said. "Which is why you, my husband, are free to choose another path."
"Yeah." Shiomi nodded.
Two cool, smooth arms slid around him from behind, crossing over his chest. Morgan gently nibbled on his earlobe, her long silver hair cascading down across his front.
"Were you talking to someone?" Morgan had noticed as well.
"Grand Assassin, the first Hassan," Shiomi answered honestly.
"I see. The appearance of a Grand Servant probably meant Tiamat's awakening was inevitable all along," Morgan said knowingly, though she could only sigh. "Do you feel disappointed, as if all our efforts have been for nothing?"
"No. Maybe it's actually a good chance—for me to really confront who I am now." Shiomi gently held her hand. "Whether as a human, or... something else."
Morgan couldn't help but laugh. "My husband really is something. To confirm your existence, you're going to face the Primordial Mother head-on... Will that really give you the answer you're looking for?"
"I'll only know once I've seen her for myself," Shiomi murmured, tilting his head and brushing his cheek against hers. "Whether it's a god or a human, you can't talk to someone consumed by rage. So—"
"So we fight. We wear down Tiamat's strength, as much as we can. Only then can we avoid being swallowed by that rage," Morgan finished with a smile.
"Thank you," Shiomi said.
"Mm."
Morgan wanted to say there was no need for thanks, but she knew this wasn't about politeness. Every time his words of gratitude echoed in her ears, it shook her heart in a way she couldn't ignore.
"Time's really flown by..." Shiomi suddenly said.
"Yeah. Once this Singularity is resolved, we'll have to face that false King of Magecraft," Morgan said, nuzzling his cheek with the tip of her nose, savoring the warmth they shared.
"Thanks for staying with me through it all," Shiomi said softly.
"It's been hard, sure—but I've also enjoyed it. There were plenty of annoying people, but getting to walk this road with you has been a wonderful experience."
"Uh, haha..." Shiomi could only laugh.
"Why are you nervous now? You didn't even flinch on the battlefield," Morgan teased lazily. "You're a father, you know. Don't be such a coward."
Shiomi looked up at the sky with mock dread. "That's because right now, you could snap my neck with a single move. And it takes a while to revive—missing the big fight wouldn't be ideal."
"Hehe~" Morgan lowered her head and kissed the side of his neck.
"Ehh... that tickles," Shiomi flinched.
"I'm just copying what you usually do. So you're ticklish after all?" Morgan looked delighted, as if she'd found a new toy.
She didn't normally need to do much to make him happy. Just being together was enough, so she hadn't really explored some of his "weak spots."
"It's not exactly that I'm ticklish—it just feels weird, like I'm about to turn into a total slob," Shiomi laughed. "Like I'm sinking into comfort and forgetting my responsibilities and goals."
Morgan's interest was piqued. "Hmm... if you really did turn out like that..."
"You'd probably leave me," Shiomi said in an exaggeratedly tragic tone.
"No, I think I'd actually enjoy it. There's something satisfying about smoothing every rough edge off the man I love with my own hands," Morgan said with a grin, eyes twinkling.
"You really do have a bit of a mean streak," Shiomi joked.
"And you're just now noticing?" Morgan replied playfully, tightening her embrace.
"Then let me stay clueless forever—until this planet's end," Shiomi said with a bright laugh.
"Even after the end of the planet, it'll still be the same."
Morgan's quiet, stubborn hum drifted through the night, slow and soft like the wind sweeping across the Mesopotamian plains.