On screen.
The scene suddenly shifted.
From the current situation, time abruptly reversed to show what had happened earlier.
There,
Romani Archaman, the ordinary doctor, had completely reverted to his true form as King Solomon.
Raising his hands, he devoutly addressed the majestic presence: "O God, I shall return the blessings You bestowed upon me!"
"Omniscience is too distant for man; my work shall be limited to the human realm!"
A ring on his hand flew out on its own.
Along with the nine true rings of the Demon God King, they too flew out, gathering together to emit a radiant glow.
These ten rings were the gifts bestowed upon King Solomon by [God],
Making him an all-knowing, all-powerful King of Mages beyond imagination, to bring happiness to humanity.
But now,
To defeat the Demon God King, he unhesitatingly chose to sacrifice everything:
"First Noble Phantasm, Reenactment!"
[The Time of Parting Hath Come, He is the One Who Lets Go of the World (Ars Nova)!]
Romani Archaman turned into light at that moment.
Looking at the grieving Mash and Nameless, he waved his hand in farewell.
Everything would come to an end.
From then on, his spiritual foundation would completely vanish.
Human history would no longer remember his existence.
No one could save him.
He had reached [Nothingness], a state even the Demon God King could not attain.
To save him would require God's personal intervention!
Dr. Roman sighed softly: "What a short, yet happy life it has been."
Since the Holy Grail War ended, he had enjoyed eleven years of life.
Ten years of solitary, frenzied effort.
The final year spent as acting director, assisting Nameless and Mash in battle.
He had transformed from a puppet devoid of love, joy, or sorrow into a true human being.
A span so brief it angered the Demon God King, yet it was his happiest time.
Because,
He had finally gained self-awareness, no longer a mere puppet.
Pity he couldn't walk with them any longer...
"All traces of my existence will disappear. Even Nameless and Mash will forget me. How reluctant I am."
Dr. Roman recalled countless past moments.
The flashback began automatically.
From the moment he first became human,
to the first time he met Mash.
To the time he was slacking off eating strawberry cake and encountered Nameless, who had just arrived at Chaldea, becoming his only friend.
To the final battle, when Nameless waved goodbye and promised to treat him to strawberry cake after the fight.
To unleashing his first Noble Phantasm, marking their final farewell.
One by one, the memories unfolded—his most treasured possessions.
Even more precious than the Three Greats by countless times.
Dr. Roman lost himself in his thoughts, awaiting the final emptiness—
Huh?
Why haven't I completely vanished yet?
Why does my consciousness still exist?
Cogito, ergo sum?
Dr. Roman froze, unable to comprehend his situation.
Then, he suddenly noticed his surroundings shifting, shimmering like a dream.
Countless soap bubble-like orbs of light floated around him, each glowing with scenes from his past.
In that instant, he realized—
This was the same joy he had felt when he encountered "God" in his "dream" long ago.
Dr. Roman slightly raised his head and suddenly beheld a figure radiating boundless pure white radiance.
How magnificent!
A single glance made him feel as though he was witnessing all causes and all effects.
Countless threads connected the entire world, forming a grand and inconceivable web.
And this being stood precisely at the center of that web.
All things revolved around them.
One must not gaze directly upon the divine!
This mysterious and powerful existence was clearly the one who had bestowed upon him the ten rings—
[Yahweh, the Lord God]
Dr. Roman was utterly stunned.
All the spectators were equally shocked—
[It's actually the omnipotent Lord! Good heavens, how did Nameless manage to summon Him?]
[The Demon God King just declared, "The Lord does not care," and now he's instantly proven wrong!]
[The Lord God actually exists? It's not just a myth? Oh no, I never believed in Him before!]
[Honey, come out quick and see the Lord! Hurry, this is the real deal!]
Ahem, forgive me for saying something slightly blasphemous, but why does the Lord's appearance resemble a—pigeon?]
[You're not alone! I thought the same thing…]
...
Inside the hotel.
Jeanne d'Arc's eyes widened in shock at the sight. "The Lord… has truly appeared?"
It was unbelievable.
As the holy maiden of Catholicism, she had only occasionally received [divine revelations].
When she was burned at the stake, she had once doubted whether the Lord had abandoned her, which led to her fall as the Dark Saint.
But now.
[The Lord] had appeared before Dr. Roman.
Who, then, was the true holy maiden?
"It's truly unbelievable. How did Nameless manage to summon Him?" Lancelot was equally dumbfounded.
As the peerless loyal knight born in France, who fled to Britain to become a Knight of the Round Table, only to defect back to France, and now sought to return to the Round Table—
Back when he was courting… no, engaging in a platonic love with the queen, he had also prayed for the Lord's forgiveness.
After all, it was merely a spiritual connection, not lust for her beauty.
He also knew full well that King Arthur was a girl and understood the loneliness of Guinevere, left to pine in solitude.
Yuri is boundless, but alas, no heir.
The key was, King Arthur didn't even like women—she only loved Nameless, who had protected and accompanied her since childhood.
Though he and Guinevere later accidentally conceived a child, he had still begged the Lord for forgiveness.
So…
Had the Lord ever received his prayers?
Jeanne grew even more puzzled. "What could Nameless have offered to make the Lord appear and resurrect the doctor?"
"I don't know if it's just me, but the Lord seems to be… watching the show?" The pink-haired knight Astolfo timidly suggested.
This was the truly omnipotent [Lord], who had transcended the limits of the Counter Force, becoming one of the two supreme beings.
A peerless existence on par with [Alaya] and [Gaia].
Even King Solomon had only grown so powerful because of His blessings.
Yet now, the dazzling form He had manifested resembled nothing more than a—
Pigeon!
Yes, you read that right—He had appeared in the form of a pure white dove.
Could this be the true origin of the "dove of peace"?
Jeanne shook her head, firmly denying it. "Impossible! That is the great [Lord]—don't speak nonsense!"
Everything the Lord did carried profound meaning far beyond mortal comprehension.
How could it be something as trivial as watching a show?
Do you think the [Lord] has nothing better to do?
As the most devout saint, she almost couldn't resist punching this infuriating pink-haired knight.
"But I really feel that way..."
Astolfo frowned.
After [Innocent Monster] took effect, he gained powerful [Intuition], akin to clairvoyance that could glimpse the future.
A true prophet.
Earlier, when Jeanne d'Arc received divine revelation that she could find Nameless, he had accompanied her and warned that those two might be the targets hinted by the Lord.
Unfortunately, Her Holiness completely dismissed it.
Truly fitting for a "leftover maiden"!
"If you keep spouting nonsense, I'll tie you up and hand you over to the knights!" Jeanne rolled her eyes.
Daring to slander the [Lord] she worshipped most was utterly unforgivable.
Jeanne still hoped that after receiving divine favor, she could uncover Nameless's true identity in reality.
Then she would properly thank the Lord.
Under the gaze of everyone [Truly Seeing God].
God.
Descended!
Even with [Alaya]'s video distortion, the pure white radiance remained too brilliant to behold directly.
Majestic and omnipotent.
The [Lord]'s voice resonated—
[Having discarded the Ten Rings I bestowed, what is it you desire now?]
Strangely.
This voice sounded completely different to each listener.
Some heard a child, others a young girl, still others an elderly man.
A thousand faces for a thousand people.
No translation by [Alaya] was needed—it directly became language each could understand.
Countless viewers wished they could take his place.
After all, this was the [Lord]'s inquiry, infinitely more valuable than any Aladdin's lamp or Holy Grail!
"My Lord, omnipotence is too distant for humans. I simply wish to be an ordinary man." Dr. Roman bowed his head in pious reply.
He didn't know why the Lord had descended.
But having already received divine blessings, asking for more would be sheer greed.
The Lord's majestic voice answered—
[You may ask for a bolder wish.]
"Eh?"
Dr. Roman blinked in surprise.
The [Lord] seemed more approachable than he'd imagined.
What had changed?
"Being revived as an ordinary human is already my greatest desire!"
Dr. Roman maintained his humble prayer.
To live happily—that was humanity's ultimate pursuit.
In truth.
When first receiving the ten blessed rings, he'd been warned—
[I must remind you again: once these rings are worn, you cease to be mortal!]
[Not a shred of worldly desire may touch you.]
[You shall gain omniscience and omnipotence, yet forfeit all freedom.]
Back then.
Solomon had been King David's child offered to the divine.
Destined to become the perfect king.
So he'd chosen to wear the rings.
Now, having abandoned that past, he wished only to remove them.
Yet the Lord inquired again—
[Are you certain you want no other wish?]
"Other wishes?"
Dr. Roman hesitated, struggling before murmuring, "Me...Merli..."
If he had to say, he could hardly voice it before the Lord.
How could he tell God he wanted the virtual idol [Magical☆Merli] to become real?
The Lord spoke once more—
[Your wish shall be granted by the person most important to you.]
"Wait, seriously?"
Dr. Roman jolted in shock.
The most important person?
That must be referring to Nameless and Mash.
One was his only close friend, the other was the little shield girl he treated like a daughter.
How exactly would this be achieved?
So why did the Lord choose to grant his wish?
Everything remained shrouded in mystery.
The enigmatic and majestic figure completely vanished.
When he opened his eyes again, familiar voices greeted him from ahead—
"Welcome back, Romani~"
Nameless was smiling at him.
Meanwhile, Goetia in human form was staring at him with an utterly shocked expression.
"Doctor, welcome back!" Mash also gazed at him with joyful surprise.
As expected of a senior, he truly managed it without sacrificing a single person!
Though I don't know exactly how he did it.
But it's truly incredible.
Once Goetia is completely defeated, we can return to Chaldea and never have to fight again!
With a radiant smile, Dr. Roman responded, "I'm back!"
He had already vaguely realized.
That his return from absolute [Nothingness] was likely Nameless's doing.
Once back at Chaldea, he would definitely have to ask Nameless what exactly he had done!
A perfect grand finale unfolded.
Leaving the audience with smiles all around—
[So glad, no more fighting is needed. Just go back safely.]
[Merlin in danger! That scumbag incubus deceived the doctor in every way—he's definitely going to be dragged out and drowned in the lake!]
[High energy ahead! Nuclear-level intensity! If you want a happy ending, stop here!]
[Given Nameless's principle of sacrificing himself rather than letting anyone else perish… things are about to get really dangerous!]
[Quick, look at Goetia! It seems to be undergoing some kind of transformation!]